The last two Republican presidents, George H. W. Bush and his son George W. Bush, do not back this years presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
That is unprecedented enough, but now many members of their administrations are not just refusing to back Trump, but jumping to the other side, endorsing his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
Hank Paulson, the former Treasury Secretary under President George W. Bush, is the latest.
“I’ll be voting for Hillary Clinton with the hope that she can bring Americans together to do the things necessary to strengthen our economy, our environment and our place in the world,” wrote Paulson. “To my Republican friends: I know I’m not alone.”
Indeed he isn’t.
Richard Armitage, the deputy secretary of state under George W. Bush, and the assistant secretary of defense under Ronald Reagan, has also endorsed Clinton.
“If Donald Trump is the nominee, I would vote for Hillary Clinton,” said Armitage. “He doesn’t appear to be to be a Republican, he doesn’t appear to want to learn about issues. So I’m going to vote for Mrs. Clinton.”
Paulson, a former Goldman Sachs CEO, added: “The GOP, in putting Trump at the top of the ticket, is endorsing a brand of populism rooted in ignorance, prejudice, fear and isolationism. This troubles me deeply as a Republican, but it troubles me even more as an American. Enough is enough. It’s time to put country before party and say it together: Never Trump.”
One of the most noted experts in American foreign policy, Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser under Republican presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, has also endorsed Clinton.
“I believe Hillary Clinton has the wisdom and experience to lead our country at this critical time,” said Scowcroft in a statement. “She brings deep expertise in international affairs, and a sophisticated understanding of the world, essential for the Commander-in-Chief.”
Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president at AT&T, who also served in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, endorsed Clinton last week saying, “it is vital to put our country’s well being ahead of party.”
“Hillary Clinton is experienced, qualified, and will make a fine President,” said Cicconi. “The alternative, I fear, would set our Nation on a very dark path.”
Trump is redefining the GOP’s position on foreign policy, driving many neo-conservatives out of the party. Trump once called for the impeachment of President George W. Bush for his decision to take the nation to war in Iraq.
The former president, and his father, the last two Republican presidents, have declined to back Trump, as has Jeb Bush the former governor of Florida.
The 2012 Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, has been leading the Never-Trump movement. Both Romney and the Bush family have powerful fundraising networks that the Clinton team is actively pursuing.
Mike Treiser, a former staffer on Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, wrote on Facebook: “In the face of bigotry, hatred, violence, and small-mindedness, this time, I’m with her.”
Mark Salter, a former strategist for John McCain, the 2008 GOP nominee, also backs Clinton: “Trump is an awful human being. He appeals to a sliver of the country that mystifies me.”
Doug Elmet, a former Reagan administration staffer and GOP communications consultant, says he has never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate, but this year he is heading “Republicans for Clinton.”
“I don’t believe Donald Trump is a Republican,” said Elmet. “I think Donald Trump is a brand. And he’s managed to hoodwink America into believing he will lead this country through the fire. I think he will thrust us into the fire.”
Conservative columnist George Will said last week a Clinton term is less dangerous for the nation than Trump. A growing number of elected Republicans are also refusing to back the billionaire reality TV host.