Tulsi Gabbard endorses Trump-backed Republican in competitive Washington House race

The Hill ^ | 10/12/22 4:26 PM ET | BY JULIA SHAPERO

[RandFan]

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday endorsed Trump-backed Republican candidate Joe Kent in the competitive race for a southwestern Washington House seat.

Gabbard, who ran for president as a Democrat in 2020, announced on Tuesday that she was leaving the Democratic Party and has since put her support behind several candidates aligned with former President Trump, including Kent.

“My friend Joe Kent is a fighter,” Gabbard said in a new ad for Kent. “He’s dedicated his life to ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people and our country. With your vote, Joe’s going to go to Washington and work tirelessly to secure the border and bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.”

Kent, a former Green Beret, beat out Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) for the Republican nomination in the state’s August primary. The congresswoman, who represented Washington’s 3rd Congressional District for 12 years, was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.

[ProudDeplorable]

This is all for aspirations of running in 2024. She just abandoned the sinking ship now she wants to come across as bi-partisan. I applaud her for leaving but she still has liberal views I cannot reconcile with.

[MCF]

I believe Mr. Trump may have talked to Tulsi about a possible slot open for V.P.

[1Old Pro]

I believe Mr. Trump may have talked to Tulsi about a possible slot open for V.P.

He talked to Romney as well about potential appointments, we know how that turned out.

[RandFan]

Now wouldn’t that be interesting if he picked her...

[JSM_Liberty]

“I applaud her for leaving but she still has liberal views I cannot reconcile with.”

I am sure her views will change to suit her new political positioning.

[bigbob]

Tulsi is solidifying as a moderate, as she was back when she listened to her dad. Smart move.

[nathanbedford]

The litmus test and therefore the key to understanding conservatives is the abortion issue.

The key to understanding Mark Levin as it distinguishes him , for example, in foreign policy is his support for Israel.

The key to understanding Tulsi Gabbard is her antipathy to "neocon" wars. Her support of Joe Kent is not at all surprising in view of his similar antipathy to the war in Ukraine.

Tulsi Gabbard, in departing from the Democrat party touches all of the right bases and tics all the right boxes of Democrat lunacy but she explicitly states that the most important problem with the Democrats Is their support of the war and her apprehension that it might well lead to nuclear Armageddon.

Therefore, we should welcome Gabbard into the fray, or least her departure from the Democrat party but we should also be watchful of how truly she supports conservative principles when the war is not at issue.

[Michael.SF.]

Massie Hirono is up for re-election in ‘24. I’d love to see Tulsi run against her as an independent or as republican

[woodbutcher1963]

It is interesting that Tulsi is campaigning with General Don Bolduc in NH this week. Bolduc was a special forces Brigadier General.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tulsi-gabbard-plans-campaign-gop-senate-candidate-don-bolduc-leaving-democratic-party

[yelostar]

Great. A former Democrat with a military background in psychological operations. How does anyone know that she actually believes what she’s saying?

There are enough people in the Republican Party who are really good at speaking out of both sides of their mouths. Don’t need more.

[woodbutcher1963]

That is because in comparison to EVERY other Democrat she comes across as a reasonable person.
I know she supported Bernie.
However, I have seen her Joe Rogan and multiple Tucker interviews. She seems much better than 90% of the other POLS out there including many GOPe.

[Dr. Franklin]

Massie Hirono is up for re-election in ‘24. I’d love to see Tulsi run against her as an independent or as republican

Hirono stood out from the SCOTUS confirmation hearings as being the furthest Left on the Judiciary committee. The "Has anyone ever accused you of harassment?" was the most offensive question. It is the feminists and the Left weaponizing allegations that were never supported that is dangerous. Some loony gets attention, and can damage someones reputation over nothing, unless the target is a Dem, like Slow Joe. Some universities are even asking that question to job applicants.

So, yes, Gabbard running against Hirono is a very good thing. Gabbard could win. Is Gabbard everything that FReepers want in a candidate? No, but since Hawaii is a very Blue Dem state, Gabbard in the Senate is a great improvement over Hirono. Being an adult means not throwing a tantrum when we don't get everything we want in life. Half a loaf is better than none. Pursuing ideological purity needs to yield to practical politics. If Gabbard wants to run for the HI Senate as a Republican, FReepers should support her.

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

Hirono is the biggest IDIOT in the Senate and that is saying a lot!!

[1Old Pro]

Gabbard in the Senate is a great improvement over Hirono

Like night and day.

[dfwgator]

Hawaii will never vote for Tulsi now.

[1Old Pro]

Hawaii will never vote for Tulsi now.

Agreed, not in large enough numbers. I wonder if she could split the vote as an Indy, well, she may find a way in politics or perhaps she just wants to cash in now.

[goodnesswins]

You forgot Patty Murray

[EQAndyBuzz]

” I applaud her for leaving but she still has liberal views I cannot reconcile with.”

I’m going to take a guess that those liberal views are going to change. Remember, Trump at one time had liberal views as did Reagan. I think the rats went too far to the left for her liking and once they tossed her under the bus, that was it.

We’ll have to wait and see.

[lodi90]

The key to understanding Tulsi Gabbard is her antipathy to “neocon” wars. Her support of Joe Kent is not at all surprising in view of his similar antipathy to the war in Ukraine.

---

People like Gabbard and Kent treat this like a point scoring debating game. It’s not. This is the real world.

History shows us that those who project weakness get violence in return. How about Korea, Taiwan and the Middle East all getting hot at the same time? That’s what Peace Through Weakness advocates like Tulsi Gabbard will get us.