WASHINGTON — Several Republicans are set to speak at the Democratic National Convention Monday evening in a show of bipartisan support for former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris.
Democrats announced the GOP lineup on the first day of their virtual convention, saying three former GOP elected officials would outline their party-switching support for Biden:
- Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich
- Former Rep. Susan Molinari, R-N.Y.
- Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman
Silicon Valley CEO and one-time Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is also scheduled to address convention watchers.
The four Republicans will give remarks during a segment billed as “We The People Putting Country Over Party.” They have all been openly critical of Trump. Whitman gave $500,000 to the Biden Victory Fund at the end of June, campaign finance records show.
Molinari, who was a keynote speaker at the 1996 Republican National Convention and served as a member of House GOP leadership, said in January she supported Michael Bloomberg for president, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. But the former New York City Mayor’s bid did not gain traction, and she’s now throwing her support to Biden.
Kasich is the highest-profile Republican in the Monday’s line-up. Butprogressive activists have criticized Kasich’s previously announced addition to the program, arguing his record as governor is incompatible with progressive priorities.
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Biden allies brushed aside the concerns about featuring Republicans at the Democratic convention. Speaking at a virtual press conference, Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., said the GOP officials would appeal to the “silent Biden voters” in America. Their remarks will aim to “make sure that every segment of the population understands that there are leaders just like them that are supporting the Biden-Harris ticket.”
Monday’s convention program, Richmond said, is just two hours long, meaning no stemwinders from those on the virtual stage.
Source Article from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/17/dnc-former-republican-governors-and-gop-congresswoman-set-speak-for-biden/5600304002/
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