Democrats Abroad International Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh Statement in Response to the Republican National Coronation:
While Democrats continue to work our way through a complicated public conversation about the future of our ticket, Republicans spent the last several days giving the American people, at home and abroad, further proof why the Democratic ticket must prevail this November.
Despite some brief talk about national unity after the heinous attempt on the former President’s life, little was on display at a convention that served as nothing more than a coronation for a twice-impeached convicted felon and adjudicated rapist. The current Republican nominee is running for President to avoid prison, cynically pursuing an undemocratic Project 2025 agenda that would eliminate fundamental rights enjoyed by the vast majority of Americans. It’s clear he’s in this for himself.
This dark tone was set almost immediately by the selection of Senator JD Vance as Trump's running mate. In his brief 18 months in the Senate, Vance has channeled the worst of Trumpism, from advocating an isolationist foreign policy that would abandon America’s values and allies, to advocating extremist positions on women’s rights, including opposition to no-fault divorce coupled with the shocking belief that women should stay in abusive marriages. Senator Vance is on the record in support of a national abortion ban. He denies the legitimacy of the 2020 election. He aspires to lead a cult, not a free nation.
If the selection of Vance signaled an unapologetically dark and radical party convention, Trump’s own speech served as the bookend. Although he initially addressed the attempt on his life in subdued terms, Trump quickly retreated to familiar territory that sought to stoke fear rather than provide solutions to problems, many of his own making. His 2019 tax giveaway for the ultra-rich dumped $2.5 billion in debt on our children and grandchildren. His ongoing assault on reproductive rights now threatens to point the Republican party, and the nation, toward a nationwide abortion ban if he is reelected.
The media covered this spectacle breathlessly, projecting a sense of inevitability. Yet we know that this is not what most Americans want. Polls and every election held since Trump’s defeat in 2020 show that both he and his extremist agenda are widely unpopular … and very beatable.
We cannot and will not let the radical Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda be implemented. Now more than ever, it is critical that Democrats everywhere not disengage in the face of this threat, but dig deep and do everything in our power to meet the challenge of defending democracy. Democrats Abroad played a critical role in Trump’s defeat in 2020, and in other important democratic victories. We can and must do so again.
I call upon every American abroad who cares about the future of our country and the world to help the Democrats win up and down the ballot. Do what you can do but do not despair. Alert American’s in your country or community. Become a certified voter assistance volunteer. Join a GOTV event. Sign up for one of our phonebanks. Fundraise. Now is the time to work.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has” - Margaret Mead