Villager Linda Fogg hosted the first Republicans for Hillary Clinton meeting on Thursday at Manatee Recreation Center. Thirty-four people attended the meeting. The group was a mix of Republicans and Independents. Also some Democrats and Trump supporters attended.
Fogg said she never thought she would be in this position.
“But here we are,” she said.
In talking to Republican friends she realized she was not the only one struggling with a decision to vote for Hillary Clinton.
“It is more opposition to Trump than for Clinton,” said Fogg explaining her vote. “I want to do my part to make sure Trump does not get elected.”
She opened the meeting saying friends had told her she was really brave or really stupid. Applause from the crowd suggested it was the former.
“If you had told me six months ago that I would be voting for Hillary, I would have said you are nuts. I really thought Trump would wash out,” she said.
Fog told the group she had voted Republican at the top of the ticket for 40 years. Acknowledging that both candidates are flawed, she feels in this instance she cannot vote for Trump. She said she knew of others felling this way.
“It is a real silent group,” she said.
She felt those feeling the same way should band together to make the best use of their time to see that Trump is not elected.
Fogg’s husband Don added that this does not mean they are switching parties or won’t vote Republican down ticket.
Guest Speaker Sandy Dukane with the Clinton campaign in Florida thanked those in attendance for being courageous patriots and putting country first.
Dukane has been with the Clinton campaign since she announced. He managed the Florida primary and now is in charge of senior outreach in Florida. He briefly outlined Clinton’s platform and took questions from the audience. A main concern coming from those in attendance was the Supreme Court appointees Clinton would recommend. He answered saying that to predict that is akin to saying who is going to win the Super Bowl next year, but that said he did say Clinton was more of a centrist and would want to nominate a person who could win confirmation.
