With millions of Instagram followers worldwide, and even millions more fans, the legendary singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has broken her political silence and opted to share who’ll she’ll be voting for this November—and why. Her post on Sunday is not good news for the Tennessee Trump-loving Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn who’s trying to fill Bob Corker’s seat. But it’s plenty good news for Democratic candidate Phil Bredeson who’s running for the U.S. Senate and Jim Cooper who’s running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Swift says Blackburn doesn’t reflect her own Tennessee values. She then begins to publicly shred the GOP candidate for Blackburn’s racist, anti-women, anti-immigrant and anti-lgbt voting record.
The multi-award-winning entertainer and entrepreneur also encourages her fans to educate themselves on candidates. Even if they don’t agree with a candidate 100%, Swift says we all should get out and vote, no matter what. Lastly, Swift mentions that Tuesday, October 9th is the “LAST DAY” to register to vote in Tennessee and promotes the Vote.org website as the place for voting information.
Here is Taylor Swift’s Instagram post in full—well worth the read.
Taylor Swift’s Monday public photo on Instagram which included her public post below.
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I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT
Considering her audience young and old, Swift is bound to have an influence on the election on both state and national levels. Cheers to Swift for taking a stand.
UPDATE:
On Monday, Trump responded to Swift. Raw Story reports:
In a press gaggle on the White House lawn Monday, Trump weighed in on Swift’s comments first by congratulating Blackburn for doing a “very good job” and leading Bredesen in the polls before turning his attention to the singer.
“I’m sure Taylor Swift has nothing — doesn’t know anything about her,” the president said. “And let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now.”
Trump wasn’t the only one disappointed by Swift’s endorsement of Democrats. White nationalists who once lauded the singer as their “Aryan goddess” whined about her being a “traitor” to their cause.
“Stupid b*tch doesn’t respect the Trump curse,” an alt-right 4chan user wrote. “She has to learn the hard way.”
It seems like the latter remark is an out and out threat. This is what this country has become. If you disagree with Trump, you are cursed and then threatened by Neo-Nazis. If Republicans win control in the Midterms, these vicious voices will be amplified into an even more toxic America.
Vote early. Help others vote. Vote as if your life depends upon it—because it does.
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