I am hardly a “Swiftie,” except in spirit, in terms of Taylor Swift’s music per se, but am compelled by her willingness to speak out on behalf of her convictions, which, combined with her unquestioned popularity with young people, having over 80 million followers on social media, means a heck of a lot.
As important as it is to capture the youth vote for the Harris-Walz presidential ticket this fall, Swift’s timely, unequivocal endorsement of that ticket coming just after Kamala Harris’ beat-down of angry delusional old Donald Trump in Tuesday’s debate marked an important inflection point in perhaps the most important presidential election in U.S. history.
So, I will take the liberty this week to reprint in full what Taylor Swift wrote on Instagram beside a picture of her and one of her kitties. Swift wrote:
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.
“I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.
“With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. It should be noted that had not dishonest efforts been made to claim she supported Trump, she may never have been motivated to say these things with such conviction.
Vice President Harris’ performance in the debate Tuesday was breathtaking. She mustered all her experience to command the debate space. She drew on her long history as a prosecutor, district attorney, U.S. Senator and vice president to fearlessly call Trump out to his face as a “laughing stalk” in the eyes of foreign leaders and a “disgrace” in the eyes of top U.S. military leaders.
She taunted him by urging viewers to attend one of his rallies and experience the boredom and early exiting by many who show up. Such sharp humiliation this wanna-be bully could not stand without devolving into a blathering, spitting angry barely civil lunatic invoking images of people eating neighborhood cats and dogs and killing babies after they’re born.
Harris piled on, noting that Trump “has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault, and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing.”
Republican neo-con Bill Crystal called the debate “the beginning of the end for Trump.” GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham admitted to the Bullwark’s Tim Miller in the spin room the debate was a “disaster” for Trump, and even Fox News commentators agreed.
Brava Kamala! She showed America and the world her presidential mettle.