Reagan’s Ghost Votes Blue? - Reagan Era GOP Veterans Endorse Harris-Walz

President Ronald Reagan / President Donald TrumpPhoto byMichael Evans, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons/ Trump for President

In a surprising twist, more than a dozen Reagan alumni endorse Kamala Harris for president, blasting Trump as a threat to American integrity and freedom.

Reagan’s Legacy Hijacked by Democrats? Former GOP Stalwarts Say ‘Not So Fast’

In a stunning move that’s sure to ruffle feathers within the GOP, more than a dozen former Reagan staffers have thrown their weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidency. The group, composed of key figures who served under President Ronald Reagan, claims that today’s GOP no longer embodies the principles of their former boss. In a biting letter, they argue that Reagan, a Republican icon, would support the Harris-Walz ticket over what they describe as the "chaos, division, and extreme Project 2025 agenda" of Donald Trump.

"We who worked for [Reagan]... know he would join us in supporting the Harris-Walz ticket," the statement reads, invoking Reagan’s famous "Time for Choosing" speech to justify their dramatic defection. "The time for choosing we face today is a choice between integrity and demagoguery, and the choice must be Harris-Walz." The sentiment is clear: for these Reagan alumni, Trump’s brand of politics is a betrayal of the GOP’s true legacy.

Integrity vs. Demagoguery: A GOP Identity Crisis

hotograph of President Reagan and Vice-President Bush meeting with General Secretary Gorbachev on Governor's Island, New YorkPhoto byRonald Reagan Presidential Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This endorsement adds to a growing chorus of discontent among Republicans who feel their party has lost its way. It’s not just the Reagan crew breaking ranks—230 former GOP officials from the Bush, McCain, and Romney camps have also endorsed Harris. Even names like former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, Liz Cheney, are in the mix, suggesting a significant internal struggle over the direction of the party.

The letter from the Reagan alumni is a stark indictment of Trump’s influence, suggesting that the GOP has strayed so far from its principles that even die-hard Reaganites are jumping ship. "Our votes in this election are less about supporting the Democratic Party and more about our resounding support for democracy," the alumni emphasize. It’s a bold stance that underscores their belief that supporting Harris is not a partisan move, but a necessary step to preserve the nation’s democratic integrity.

Republican Exodus: Country Over Party?

The growing coalition of Republicans backing Harris signals a broader rejection of Trump’s leadership style and policy direction. Reagan's former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Ken Adelman, and his wife, Carol Adelman, who served in USAID, are among the notable signatories. Others include Pete Souza, Reagan’s official White House photographer, and B. Jay Cooper, who served as Reagan’s Deputy Press Secretary. These aren’t fringe figures—they represent the heart of the Reagan era.

For these Republicans, this isn’t a question of political loyalty, but one of moral imperative. Their letter outlines a clear choice: "The choice between truth and lies demands support for Harris-Walz. The choice between freedom and suppression of freedoms means support for Harris-Walz." The rhetoric is sharp and unyielding, casting the Harris-Walz ticket as the defenders of American values against a GOP that, in their view, has lost its soul.

Trump’s GOP: A House Divided?

The endorsements are a clear rebuke of Trump and the direction he has taken the party. It’s not just about policy disagreements; it’s about what they see as a fundamental threat to the values that once defined the GOP. By invoking Reagan’s legacy, these former officials are attempting to reclaim the narrative from a party that, in their view, has been hijacked by extremism and deceit.

"We join our friends and colleagues from the George W. Bush White House, his Administration, and his campaigns, and those from the McCain and Romney campaigns in supporting Vice President Harris and Governor Walz," the Reagan alumni wrote, positioning themselves as part of a broader movement to restore what they see as the true spirit of Republicanism.

Yet, the big question remains: will this appeal to country over party resonate with today’s GOP base, or will it be dismissed as the last gasp of a fading establishment? As the election heats up, these endorsements may serve as a litmus test for the future of the party—and the country.

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