“Donald Trump has never been one who felt that accountability was something that applied to him.”
“ Hi, my name is Hank. I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and I could never vote for him again. I am a former military officer. I spent 21 years in the US Air Force and I actually served on the NATO staff. The idea that Trump gave to NATO leaders, at least this is what he said, that he would only support them as long as they wrote a check.
“Is pretty much the worst thing you can do for an ally is to say, I’ll be there only if the money is there. We get into these alliances on the basis of supporting one another, mutual defense, mutual aid. And when we choose not to do so, or when we at least give the indication we’re not gonna do so because the money’s not there, then we undermine our position with our allies, and we also undermine our position in the world.
“Donald Trump has never been one who felt that accountability was something that applied to him. It’s obvious in his reaction to these indictments as well as the convictions that he believes no one has the right to hold him accountable for anything he says or does.
“Unfortunately, that is a common thread throughout his life. And it was never more obvious than on the 6th of January when he incited his followers to take up arms, so to speak, against the American government attacked the Capitol, ransack the place, caused a million and a half dollars worth of damage. And then his response is, I am gonna pardon all of them as soon as I become president.
“He has demonstrated through his own lack of personal character that the things that matter to us, integrity, a decent moral foundation, a kind and considerate treatment of others are not something that he wants to put forth. Donald Trump seeks to use both hatred and prejudice as a means to an end.
“I didn’t know much about JD Vance other than the book Hillbilly Elegy, since he became the Vice presidential pick, I have done some research to look up what his background was.
“I found that he also had a business background. He also was a member of the military. All of that does not change the initial impression I have, in which that he is almost as arrogant and unkind in his treatment of others, as is Donald Trump. His comments about people in this country not really having a stake in the country unless they have children should alienate an awful lot of people. Since there’s an awful lot of people in this country who don’t have children,
“It’s not necessarily a good reflection on him or on Donald Trump. And honestly, I think it was a surprise to the Trump campaign that he would be perceived as negatively as he has been.
“Okay. I have never voted for a Democrat for president in my voting life, just never did it. I’m now at a place, however, where I believe the short-term consequences that could be negative from a Democratic candidate are overshadowed by the threat that Donald Trump, and the extremist groups that he embraces, represent to democracy in our country.
“I would not have necessarily said, given the fact that there might be another presidential candidate, for instance, if Trump had not run and someone else was running, then it probably would be easy. I would vote for whoever that was, and because they would more represent who I am and what I believe in than say Kamala Harris. However, that was before the Republican Party decided to nominate someone who is overtly racist, who treats women with disrespect, who has such a disdain for the law, and who undermined or tried to undermine the constitution of the country.
“All of that says to me, he is a far bigger threat to me than a four-year Democratic administration under Kamala Harris. So I would vote for her before I would ever vote for him.”