A few more Republicans will appear at the Virtual Democratic National Convention this year. When Democrats run for a Joe Biden presidency, a handful of GOPs also express support for someone who is decidedly not the leader of their party and the incumbent president.
On Tuesday, Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, shared a video of the close and decades-long friendship that her husband and Biden shared, one that extended the race they ran against each other in 2008, when McCain was the Republican nominee and Biden was the running mate of Barack Obama. While not exactly a distinction, the video showed credibility to the idea that Biden could be trusted by Republicans.
General Colin Powell, who was secretary of state in the administration of George W. Bush, went further and explicitly supported the former vice president.
“I support Joe Biden for the presidency of the United States,” Powell said. “He will restore America’s leadership in the world.”
Powell also endorsed Mr. Obama in 2008 and 2012. CBS News political correspondent Ed O’Keefe pointed out that there are some this week who are baffled by the decision to give high-profile speaking slots to Republicans instead of rising stars in the party. “The campaign defends it,” O’Keefe told CBSN, “and says, ‘Look, the Biden Coalition includes Democrats, Independents, and yes, Republicans.’ For years, Biden has had a reputation as a bipartisan bridge-builder, both on Capitol Hill and then as vice president, and they want to mark and remind people of that. ”
On Monday night, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich also made the case for independents and those in his party that Biden is a leader who will listen to all perspectives, regardless of partisanship.
“I’m sure there are Republicans and independents who could not imagine crossing over to support a Democrat,” Kasich said in his carpet speech. “They are afraid that Joe may turn sharply to the left and leave them behind. I do not believe that. Because I know the man’s mate.”
Former New York Congresswoman Susan Molinari, the keynote speaker at the 1996 Republican convention, also spoke in support of Biden on Monday night. And so did California billionaire Meg Whitman, who made a failed bid for governor decades ago.
The DNC on Monday night also featured a video of Republican voters disillusioned by Mr. Trump and ready to vote for Biden.
Democrats are daring to win the votes of Republicans who are repulsed by the president’s abusive behavior, trying to make a moral case for a Biden presidency. Mr. Trump still enjoys robust support among self-identified Republicans.
Cover of the third night of the DNC begins at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Caroline Linton contributed to this report.
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