“My view is that Trump will not change the Republican Party, America’s right-of-center party. If he brings in new followers, that’s great, and well worth the effort, but he will not change the Republican Party,” said Mitch McConnell.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s words ring through the American political sphere like a cannon through a hallway. Donald Trump has rampaged through the Republican Party like a bull in a china shop. 

By fueling conspiracy theories that the election was stolen from him, Trump set the stage for a violent mob to storm the U.S. Capitol. This moment of chaos should have been the best moment for America to cleanse itself from Trump. The Republican Party, following the attempted coup of American democracy, had the chance to completely rid itself of the man they followed for the last four years. Not necessarily his politics and agenda, but Republicans had an opportunity to change the vessel of delivery. 

Instead, over one hundred Senate and Congressional Republicans drank the Kool-Aid on Trumpism more than others have in the past. They feared the man and his followers more than they revered the Constitution and nation they swore to defend. At the top of this list was Junior Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri.

Hawley’s defense of Trump and his imaginary election claims are indefensible. Hawley has supported these antics from the beginning. He was the first Senator to support the effort to not certify the election results from the 2020 election. 

Hawley claimed that he was defending millions of Americans that had doubts about election integrity. He was doing the complete opposite. Hawley’s intention was clear: to set up a presidential run in 2024. His aspiration for higher office and power blinded him, one can hope, to the actions of Trump. Hawley saw an opportunity to seize one of the most dedicated bases we’ve seen in modern politics. 

Trump supporters’ extreme passion towards the former President has and will continue to create a power vacuum in the party. At least 55 percent of Republicans believe that the election was fraudulent. Garnering the support of Trump’s base is the path to taking the Republican Party’s nomination in 2024. If Hawley had truly wanted to investigate accusations of fraud, he could have started a committee and investigated it thoroughly. He could have acted like a United States senator, not a reality tv show pariah. Instead, Hawley, like many other Republicans, was trying to position himself to be Trump’s heir apparent. Then, the unthinkable happened. 

Hawley’s actions before the assault on the Capitol are redeemable. The argument could be made that Hawley never thought that Trump’s rhetoric could lead to the events that transpired Jan. 6. Like a lot of Americans, I do not support this sentiment, but still, the point is valid and not unreasonable. However, Hawley’s actions during and after the attempted siege are appalling and irredeemable. 

While insurrectionists ran wild in the U.S. Capital, hundreds of lawmakers hid fearing for their lives. These radical groups at the riot were planning on killing police officers and security guards, at least. They were willing to do what was necessary to get “justice” for the alleged wrongs against them and their country. 

Two hours prior, Hawley was sending emails. Not just any emails, but emails to his fundraisers, objecting to the results of the election. He claimed that he was fighting for a free election against career politicians in Washington, DC. He was supporting the rioters’ battle cry up to and after they stormed the place where democracy happens in our country. Hawley tried to portray himself as a defender of freedom and democracy but instead did the complete opposite.

“Supporting Josh and trying so hard to get him elected to the Senate was the worst mistake I ever made in my life,” said former Senator Jack Danforth (MO-R).

Hawley was still given an opportunity for redemption on the Senate floor later that night. After all of the chaos, after all of the pandemonium, Hawley had America’s attention. He had the same opportunity that countless other Republicans had to purge themselves from Trumpism. Hawley could have joined the likes of Senators Mitt Romney (UT-R), Mike Lee (UT-R), former Senator Kelly Loefler ( GA-R) and other Republicans who spoke out against the former president after his rally turned violent. 

They made the decision that their country was more important than their party. Hawley could have easily acquitted himself in the eyes of every American that night. Instead, he stood up and still objected to the election basing his argument on frivolous facts that have been thrown out of every courtroom in the U.S. His deliberate rejection of our democratic values will forever tarnish his reputation and all those that support him. 

Hawley’s behavior was that of a man that was blinded by his ambition. He saw his future and all of his aspirations that could be realized. Hawley saw himself as the ideological face of the Republican party, and maybe even in the White House. His skewered perception and aspirations resulted in him abandoning his common sense, his academic history and, frankly, his morality. Josh Hawley’s actions will be remembered as a warning to all aspirational politicians. His actions are a clear warning that working to undermine our system, no matter the possible merits, will always result in an absolute failure. 

In the grand scheme, Hawley’s behavior has shown how Donald Trump has unequivocally changed the Republican Party forever. Trump’s rhetoric has normalized this tomfoolery and absurdity within the party. It is impossible to imagine anything like this happening after a speech given by Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan or Bush. “Trumpism” has created a whole generation of Hawley-type politicians that has challenged basic conservative tenets and beliefs about the premise of governance in the U.S. They will only increase the unethical and incompetent leadership that plagues Washington.

As election day looms, it is worth looking at the collection of allies and supporters assembled for both campaigns. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have managed to largely unify their parties’ lawmakers and traditional allies around their campaigns. 

The Biden campaign’s endorsements reflect the balancing of the two major wings of the Democratic Party and the expansive coalition-building Biden has emphasized. Biden has received endorsements from those firmly in the centrist, moderate wing, such as the conservative Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. 

At the same time, Biden has garnered support from progressive stalwarts including the progressive firebrand Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Mi) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). 

Progressive outside groups have also rallied to support Biden’s campaign. Though many supported other candidates during the Democratic primaries, progressive organizations such as 350 Action have endorsed Biden, while others have rallied to his side even as they hold off on official endorsements. 

Biden has also received many endorsements from former Cabinet officials he served with during the Obama Administration, organized Labor groups and even disaffected Republicans.

Most prominently the Democratic National Convention featured a host of disaffected Republicans endorsing Biden. This list included former Ohio Governor and 2016 Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich and has been joined since by Cindy McCain, the widow of Sen. John McCain (R-Az.).

This year, as Trump has sought to cast himself as the law and order candidate, he has received the backing of major police unions, including the largest police union in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police representing over 300,000 police officers endorsed Trump, citing his support for law enforcement during the protests that erupted in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.

Despite some high profile abstentions, the Trump campaign has also received major support from Republican lawmakers and their traditional allies. In contrast to 2016, where the release of the Access Hollywood tape set off an October scramble for Republican lawmakers with many Republican lawmakers withdrawing their endorsements or tempering their support, Republican lawmakers are largely unified behind Trump. 

Prominent exceptions to this rule include Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) who has publicly said he did not vote for Trump. Romney, who voted for Trump’s removal from office during his impeachment trial earlier this year, has emerged as one of the President’s most stalwart critics on the Right. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has also refused to say whether she will vote for Trump. 

Beyond individual lawmakers, some high-profile former Republican strategists and political operatives have also garnered attention. The Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump have both assailed Trump and aimed at promoting Biden’s candidacy.

Newspapers have also often been touted as coveted endorsements, despite limited evidence of their persuasiveness. In 2016, Hillary Clinton far outpaced Trump in newspaper endorsements. 

In this category, Biden retains a commanding lead. Over a hundred newspapers across the country have endorsed his candidacy. The Manchester Union Leader made headlines recently when it endorsed Biden, the first time it has endorsed a Democrat in over a hundred years. 

Meanwhile, Trump has the support of just six daily or weekly newspapers. 

Each campaign is entering a time-crunch during the last few days before the election. Early voting is already underway with more than 60 million Americans having voted. Election Day is Nov. 3. 

On social issues, Cruz tends to take more conservative positions. For example, he has said that he is in favor of the death penalty, gun rights and is anti-choice. He has denied the existence of global climate change and supported a flat income tax. He has also declared himself an opponent of the joint agreement with Iran and rapprochement with Cuba, despite being of Cuban descent.

Overall, Cruz has had strong political presence in the states of the first four primaries. According to “Politico,” Cruz, though originally seen as a niche candidate, has come to be seen as a viable threat by rival campaigns and is positioned to replace Trump and Ben Carson as a front-runner if either candidate stumbles. He has attempted to appeal to constituencies that traditionally vote Democratic, using his Latino heritage as a platform.

Rubio is the junior senator from Florida but has indicated that, regardless of whether he wins the Republican presidential nomination, he will not run for re-election to the Senate. He was formerly the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He announced his candidacy for president April 13, 2014 and is currently third in the polls, with 12.3 percent of the vote.

Rubio is one of the most conservative voters in the Senate, with a ranking of 98.67 from the American Conservative Union. He has stated his support for fewer regulations on businesses and for less government control of environmental issues. He is socially conservative, as well, opposing abortion and certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. His immigration voting record is less consistent; while he co-authored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, he later opposed its passage through the House of Representatives.

In a 2010 incident, a credit card statement was discovered that seemed to show Rubio using his Republican Party of Florida American Express Card for personal expenses in 2006 and 2007. This issue has been raised again in 2015 as he campaigns. Rubio was cleared of wrongdoing by the Florida Commission of Ethics in 2012 and released the statements in question, which show him personally reimbursing these personal charges in November 2015. Rubio’s conservatism could cause problems when attempting to gain the moderate vote, and his stance on international policy could lose him Tea Party votes.

As the first primaries approach, Rubio has begun to increase fundraising efforts. He is courting the support of several wealthy GOP donors. His background has boosted his platform. Rubio, like Cruz, is of Cuban descent, but Rubio was born in the United States, so questions of nationality are not an issue. His parents were working-class, which has allowed him to attempt to appeal to people of working and middle-class backgrounds.

Though neither in the lead, both of these senators have stayed firmly at the top of the extensive list of GOP candidates, and could be viable nominees for the Republican Party. The next Republican primary debate will air Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at 8:00 pm CST on CNN.

If you take a quick glance at the polls, you may fail to notice his name. If, by chance, you make your way through the crowded GOP field and find yourself lurking at the bottom of the candidate pool, you’ll find him: John Kasich.

Kasich’s candidacy has yet to spark the same curiosity as Trump or Carson’s, but his involvement has caught my attention.

Kasich is a less polarized alternative to the rest of the GOP candidates and has demonstrated a willingness to establish common ground between parties and mediate tough but necessary conversations.

Previously, he served as the U.S. House Budget Committee chairman and worked with Democratic representative Timothy Penny to produce a federal budget. In 1997, Kasich mediated conversations between Clinton and house republicans to establish a balanced budget. In Ohio, he led a similar effort and turned an $8 billion shortage into a $2 billion surplus.

Kasich has been adamant about budget cuts. In previous conversations, his suggestions to focus budget cuts on tax subsidies for farmers and corporate tax breaks were not taken well. But, his mediation and willingness to work across party lines is a quality of Kasich’s that I admire.

In each election, I attempt to vote based on issues, but I generally lean more left because of my focus on addressing income inequality. Kasich addresses income inequality within the framework of a small government.

In 2012 when the US Supreme Court made Medicaid expansion optional for States, Kasich launched a dramatic effort to expand Medicaid in Ohio. He was in a meeting with a legislator, during the expansion of Medicaid under The Affordable Care Act, he said:

“Now, when you die and get to the meeting with St. Peter, he’s probably not going to ask you much about what you did about keeping government small. But he is going to ask you what you did for the poor. You better have a good answer.”

While his expansion of Medicaid was done from a religious perspective, his reasoning and motives were well publicized. Kasich is consistent.

When it looked as if the legislature would not approve the expansion, Kasich announced he would bypass the legislature and deferred to Ohio’s Controlling Board. They passed the expansion.

His commitment to passing the expansion, a move that was not supported by the Republican Party, led Kasich to receive a lot of backlash from members of his own party.

To counter their objections, Kasich referenced conservative figurehead, Ronald Reagan.

“Reagan was fiscally responsible, but he was also pragmatic and compassionate. When we consider what Reagan would do, let’s also remember what he did do – expanded Medicaid,” he said.

Kasich is an advocate for budget cuts but has a sense of moral obligation to ensure the poor are well taken care of. He asks that supporters of small government come up with a way to help the poor and has challenged his party with a task that is not inherently simple. But, his focus on the problem of income inequality in America exemplifies the generosity of Christian values many other Republican candidates claim to hold.

While he may be further behind in the polls, Kasich recognizes what he considers to be the impracticalities of tax plans and budget cuts of those leading the GOP.

“You can’t do it with empty promises. You know, these plans would put us trillions of dollars in debt,” Kasich said.

“We cannot elect somebody that doesn’t know how to do the job,” he said in the third GOP debate.

There are fewer than 100 days until the first primary in Iowa, and Kasich has some serious ground to pick up in order to not be lost among the myriad of candidates. However, as long as the American people recognize that Kasich is an experienced politician with a feasible plan, there is still a fighting chance.