PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE:  This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

One of my former business partners made the contention the other day that there are no Republicans who oppose Trump.  On its face, the contention was silly, I contended, and I told my former partner so.  Still, he persisted by asking me “to name one Republican who opposed Trump.”

I could easily do so, though I said many Republicans who oppose Trump don’t have a public pedestal to express their opposition.

Then, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) posted a story this week about the Lincoln Project, a super political action committee launched by a group of Republicans operatives seeking to defeat Donald Trump this fall.  The specifics dealt with a decision by Stuart Stevens, the former chief strategist for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, to join the Lincoln Project.

There, I told my former partner – you have one example of a Republican who opposes Trump – Stuart Stevens.   Of course, I also could have named Senator Mitt Romney as another.

Here is more from the WSJ story:

“Stevens said in an interview with The Washington Post that the group will likely be his sole political endeavor for the remainder of the year and that he will advise its team on anti-Trump advertising and strategy.

“I will just try to fit in with the team and see where I can be helpful.  We’ll see how it goes.”

“They’ve proven to be effective.  They remind Republicans that it doesn’t have to be this way. They remind Republicans of principles that the party had said it long stood for. Clearly, they’re inside Donald Trump’s head.

“The Lincoln Project’s leadership includes strategists John Weaver, Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt and former New Hampshire Republican Party chair Jennifer Horn, who last year worked with Stevens on the long-shot GOP presidential primary campaign of former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld.  Lawyer George T. Conway III, who is married to White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, is also involved.

“Weaver said in an email that Stevens is the ‘gold standard’ and to have him join us in the Lincoln Project in a senior role will help the group convince voters that “Donald Trump must be trounced, along with his enablers.”

So, I say to Stevens and others who share his animosity for Trump, you have many supporters across the country, including me, though it should be added that I am not a Republican, having been an Independent for a number of years, a title better suited to my role as a state lobbyist for many years.

Many Republicans and Independents, not to mention Democrats, yearn for better days from the Oval Office.  The occupant there should have solid character – solid enough to lead the country in “normal” times if those ever return, but also during such a major challenge as the current pandemic.

When it comes to solid character, Trump does not qualify – and many Republicans know it.