FOR the last fifteen years or more, I have considered myself to be a conservative Republican. I have always been interested in politics for as long as I can remember. Back in first grade in 1992, I wore a button supporting George H.W. Bush for re-election. I remember my teacher asking me why I wouldn’t want someone else to be President. My response was: ‘Why would I? George Bush is pretty good.’ Look, I was six years old and I didn’t fully understand politics. But, what I did know then was that I agreed with more of what I saw about Republicans than Democrats. I found myself again being a young supporter of Bob Dole in 1996. Then in high school, I supported George W. Bush for election in 2000. The more I learned about economic issues, the subsequent concerns for national security in a post-9/11 world, and based on my feelings at the time on social issues, I felt more aligned with the Republican Party and wore that label proudly.
When I went to college in 2004, I joined the College Republicans on campus. I met some very great friends, a few of whom I keep in touch with today (not as regularly as I’d hope). But being away from home for the first time, I started to learn more about myself. I found myself diverging with the “party line” on social issues. Namely, the vitriol on same-sex marriage and abortion. I was more focused on economic and security policy and spending than I was concerned with social issues. I was also wrangling with personal identity and understanding who and how I love. But increasingly the GOP became mired in the minutia of society and the Christian right became an increasingly vocal influence on the party. I found myself torn. I supported some of what the party was saying, but became increasingly concerned with the tone and language. Don’t misunderstand me though, as a college student who was seeking a place in the group – I found myself repeating and towing the party line in public. In 2005, I even voted against my own self interest and supported the ban on same-sex marriage in the State of Texas. I stood in that voting booth for a long time thinking on my decision. I was voting against my personal life, but wanted to keep up with my political life. So I voted for the ban. I’ve regretted that decision ever since. It is the only vote that I truly regret, and am deeply sorry for. My one vote wouldn’t have made a remarkable difference in the state, but I regret it nonetheless. Thankfully, there were those stronger than me who fought to overturn the ban in the courts.
By now, the dust has settled from the last major primary day on the calendar. The two major parties have their presumptive nominees. These nominees of course will not be official until their respective nominating conventions at the end of July. The Republicans will meet in Cleveland and nominate (barring any oddities) real estate mogul and reality television star, Donald Trump (the equivalent to the GOP’s Kim Kardashian). The Democratic Party is poised to make history and officially nominate Hillary Clinton who is the first woman to ever clinch a major party’s nomination for President of the United States. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, this is a significant historical moment.
EVERYDAY BRAND 