In a surprising political endorsement, the Republican legacy aligns with the Democratic frontrunner.
According to the Daily Mail Online, Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former Republican President Gerald Ford, has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election.
Despite being a registered Republican, Ford Bales expressed her belief that Harris's integrity and commitment to constitutional principles make her the right choice for the White House. She acknowledged potential policy disagreements but emphasized Harris's ability to defend the rule of law and unite Americans.
Ford Bales drew parallels between the current political climate and the turbulent era when her father assumed the presidency following Richard Nixon's resignation. She highlighted the need for a leader who can restore trust in democracy, much like her father did in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.
In her endorsement statement, Ford Bales emphasized Harris's recognition of America's greatness and her potential to move the country beyond partisanship. She expressed confidence in Harris's commitment to defending the Constitution, a quality she deems crucial for the nation's next president.
The endorsement comes at a critical time as Harris prepares for campaign events in Michigan, Ford's home state and a key battleground in the upcoming election.
Harris is actively courting moderate Republicans and Independent voters through a series of events alongside former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney. This strategic move aims to expand the Democratic coalition, particularly targeting voters who supported Nikki Haley in the Republican primary.
In Pennsylvania, Harris and Cheney participated in a discussion moderated by Republican strategist Sarah Longwell. Cheney, despite policy differences with Harris, argued for the vice president's ability to defend the Constitution. Ford Bales stated:
America cannot regress back to a divisive paradigm of loathing toward one another and disdain for our Constitution.
She further emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the January 6 attack on the Capitol, stating that such individuals should never be in a position of power again.
The endorsement carries particular weight in Michigan, one of seven crucial battleground states in the 2024 election. Gerald Ford, the state's only president, ascended to the White House under extraordinary circumstances and is remembered for his role in healing the nation post-Watergate.
Harris's campaign is capitalizing on this endorsement, scheduling events in Oakland County, Michigan, where she will continue her conversation with Cheney and engage with swing voters. The vice president's team is especially interested in appealing to the over 300,000 Michigan voters who chose Haley in the Republican primary, seeing them as potential crossover voters in the general election.
Ford Bales drew a direct comparison between the current political landscape and the challenges her father faced, suggesting that the country is at a similar crossroads. She emphasized the need to prevent a repeat of the January 6 events, which she referred to as "horrors."
The endorsement from Ford Bales represents a significant coup for the Harris campaign, potentially influencing moderate Republicans and independents who may be wavering in their support for the current Republican frontrunner.
