This is truly historic because she was a Democrat candidate for president just four years ago, having served as a Democrat in the Hawaii Legislature and then in the House from 2013 to 2021, as the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016 and as a combat veteran.
The first Hindu member of the US Congress, she left the Democrats in 2022, saying they were an “elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.” While I welcome her to the Republican Party, I’m a bit cautious.
Part of that caution is because, as I’ve written before, I don’t trust either of the parties in Congress. They’re effectively a UniParty, separated only by the degree by which they want to take my money and restrict my freedom.
Plus, Tulsi had been a lifelong Democrat. Just because she has switched parties doesn’t mean she’s now a conservative.
Gabbard’s most recent endorsements and ratings reflect something other than conservatism. In the area of gun control, Gabbard has a 0% rating from both the National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation. In recent years, she has publicly supported bans on assault weapons, among other legislation supported by the gun control lobby.
Regarding abortion, Gabbard received a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and 90% from NARAL Pro-Choice America, both in 2020. She received a 0% rating from both the National Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony list in the same year.
When it comes to fiscal conservatism, she received an 11% rating from Americans for Prosperity, 7% from Heritage Action for America, and 9% from the Club For Growth, all in 2020.
That’s from an article in 2022.
Maybe Gabbard has moved further to the right than we know. She’s part of Trump’s transition team, along with RFK Jr. (who is most definitely not a conservative or a Republican).
Then again, she’s a smart woman. Why not align herself with a winner like Donald J. Trump since she no longer has a major party to call home? I worry that she may be embraced by Republicans who begin to compromise their principles (if they have any to start with) while in proximity to her.
I welcome her to the party, but let’s wait to see whether she is truly conservative.
Hi Dave, Tulsi is definitely a smart and well spoken person. I want to believe, but I am cautious as well, because a “rat” is a “rat” forever. They have been the same for a very long time and if you were serious about your beliefs, if you had any integrity, you would have left them a long time ago. We’ll see where she goes from here, as it will be an interesting journey for her.