My sister-in-law has been a Republican voter for years. Months ago we talked about Bernie. She watched his stump speech and she liked what he was saying, and during interviews she liked his character. But in the weeks that followed, she got caught up in the train wreck of the Republican primaries. I’m sure she was hoping for a savior to arise…
Today’s news of Bernie’s big weekend got her thinking about him again. (That and the cute bird story) She had assumed (like most people lately) that Bernie didn’t have a shot anymore. She feared that Hillary’s nomination was inevitable. Given the choice between Clinton and Trump she would hold her nose and vote for Trump. (this should indicate the depth of Hill’s negatives- to think that a “socially liberal” Republican woman would prefer Trump!)
So I pointed out that she still had until tomorrow to change her registration here in PA and give her primary vote to someone who could make a difference. She’s online now registering as a Democrat!
We had discussed this strategy before, but I don’t think she understood until now that she couldn’t vote in the PA primary outside her party. So let this be a reminder to anyone who has had a similar experience. The timing may be right to reach out to moderate Republicans, to Republican women, and to independents, and let them know that they have a chance to make a big change- if they register to vote as Democrats.