Leading GOP woman resigns over Trump saying she cannot 'look at myself in the mirror each morning'
By Jen Hayden
Wednesday Oct 12, 2016 · 7:31 AM PDT
Melissa Gesing has had enough of her party’s nominee Donald Trump. In a public announcement on Twitter and her Mel's Musings blog, she says she is resigning her position as the president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women. Gesing said she’s “ending this bad and unhealthy relationship”:
By Jen Hayden
Wednesday Oct 12, 2016 · 7:31 AM PDT
Melissa Gesing has had enough of her party’s nominee Donald Trump. In a public announcement on Twitter and her Mel's Musings blog, she says she is resigning her position as the president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women. Gesing said she’s “ending this bad and unhealthy relationship”:
I have finally had enough with falling in line with my party and trying to support Donald Trump for President. Perhaps it’s because things finally hit close enough to home and my world experience to resonate. Or perhaps supporting Donald Trump has been a bit like being in a bad and unhealthy relationship. Part of the problem with getting out of the relationship is that you keep convincing yourself that things are going to get better. While they often briefly get better, they continue to get worse until the downs are lower than one ever thought possible.
In the meantime, you lose yourself and you lose who you are just to try to keep the peace and not rock the boat.
Gesing said she privately emailed the National Federation of Republican Women a few questions after Donald Trump got the nomination, but still wanted to avoid a public fight and they told her to work on down ballot races, so Gesing got back in line with the “I support the nominee” line from her party. She gave a speech at the National Federation of Republican Women, parroting the line about supporting the nominee and said the response from some women rattled her:In the meantime, you lose yourself and you lose who you are just to try to keep the peace and not rock the boat.
I talked about how balancing our public life with a personal life can be tough, especially in politics when things can intertwine. I mentioned Carly Fiorina’s ad and said that I stood behind that ad and at the same time I was prepared to support Trump if he was our nominee. A few women were visibly upset with me.
And I know many more were silently upset with me for saying that I could support a candidate who had done so much wrong, even by that point at the end of May 2016. I went back to my hotel room that night and I have to admit that I had a good cry. I felt like a horrible person.
She said the tape of Trump’s lewd conversation with Billy Bush was the straw that broke the camel’s back:And I know many more were silently upset with me for saying that I could support a candidate who had done so much wrong, even by that point at the end of May 2016. I went back to my hotel room that night and I have to admit that I had a good cry. I felt like a horrible person.
……...But now I finally get it.
I ask you this: Who are we if we defend ourselves by saying, “Wow this is horrible, but not as horrible as that over there?” Regardless of your party or your opinions on issues, we need to have candidates who can stand on their own merit and be honorable.
This is also not an isolated incident from a decade ago. This is one of way too many times where Trump has used unacceptable words and actions. That is what makes me so sad for my party.
I ask you this: Who are we if we defend ourselves by saying, “Wow this is horrible, but not as horrible as that over there?” Regardless of your party or your opinions on issues, we need to have candidates who can stand on their own merit and be honorable.
This is also not an isolated incident from a decade ago. This is one of way too many times where Trump has used unacceptable words and actions. That is what makes me so sad for my party.
I talked about how balancing our public life with a personal life can be tough, especially in politics when things can intertwine. I mentioned Carly Fiorina’s ad and said that I stood behind that ad and at the same time I was prepared to support Trump if he was our nominee. A few women were visibly upset with me.
And I know many more were silently upset with me for saying that I could support a candidate who had done so much wrong, even by that point at the end of May 2016. I went back to my hotel room that night and I have to admit that I had a good cry. I felt like a horrible person.
She said the tape of Trump’s lewd conversation with Billy Bush was the straw that broke the camel’s back:And I know many more were silently upset with me for saying that I could support a candidate who had done so much wrong, even by that point at the end of May 2016. I went back to my hotel room that night and I have to admit that I had a good cry. I felt like a horrible person.
……...But now I finally get it.
I ask you this: Who are we if we defend ourselves by saying, “Wow this is horrible, but not as horrible as that over there?” Regardless of your party or your opinions on issues, we need to have candidates who can stand on their own merit and be honorable.
This is also not an isolated incident from a decade ago. This is one of way too many times where Trump has used unacceptable words and actions. That is what makes me so sad for my party.
Of course it is too bad she didn’t publicly take this stand when Trump smeared immigrants, an entire religion and mainstreamed outright racism. Nonetheless, credit where credit is due. Melissa Gesing should be applauded for taking a stand and preserving her dignity. Her resignation letter is below:
I ask you this: Who are we if we defend ourselves by saying, “Wow this is horrible, but not as horrible as that over there?” Regardless of your party or your opinions on issues, we need to have candidates who can stand on their own merit and be honorable.
This is also not an isolated incident from a decade ago. This is one of way too many times where Trump has used unacceptable words and actions. That is what makes me so sad for my party.
Of course it is too bad she didn’t publicly take this stand when Trump smeared immigrants, an entire religion and mainstreamed outright racism. Nonetheless, credit where credit is due. Melissa Gesing should be applauded for taking a stand and preserving her dignity. Her resignation letter is below:
“To the IowaFRW Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and members,
It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as your state president today. Since I cannot support Donald J. Trump for President, nor can I advocate for his election, I feel that I cannot adequately fulfill the duties of my position. While I am still a Republican and plan to work hard for our down ballot GOP candidates, I cannot fulfill our mission ‘To elect Republicans at all levels of government’ with Trump as our party’s nominee.
Additionally, I cannot support the National Federation of Republican Women President Carrie Almond’s statement (www.nfrw.org/...) that was released yesterday on behalf of Republican women nationally, as I do not support Donald J. Trump.
I will do all I can to ensure a smooth transition in leadership, and this is truly a last resort for me. I cannot in good conscience lead this organization or look at myself in the mirror each morning if I do not take a stand against the racism, sexism, and hate that Donald J. Trump continues to promote.”
Bravo, Melissa. Good luck. It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as your state president today. Since I cannot support Donald J. Trump for President, nor can I advocate for his election, I feel that I cannot adequately fulfill the duties of my position. While I am still a Republican and plan to work hard for our down ballot GOP candidates, I cannot fulfill our mission ‘To elect Republicans at all levels of government’ with Trump as our party’s nominee.
Additionally, I cannot support the National Federation of Republican Women President Carrie Almond’s statement (www.nfrw.org/...) that was released yesterday on behalf of Republican women nationally, as I do not support Donald J. Trump.
I will do all I can to ensure a smooth transition in leadership, and this is truly a last resort for me. I cannot in good conscience lead this organization or look at myself in the mirror each morning if I do not take a stand against the racism, sexism, and hate that Donald J. Trump continues to promote.”
