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As a conservative, I won’t root for Harris. But I can’t cheer Trump.

As I watched the debate Tuesday night between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, it quickly became clear that it would trigger three main reactions: Joy, disgust and disappointment.  
Harris supporters undoubtedly think she won, so they’re happy. She could have done better, but she didn’t fail. Trump supporters likely think he did OK but are disgusted with the way ABC News moderators handled questions. Then there’s the third camp: Disappointment, even embarrassment, over Trump’s performance. 
Although I didn’t care for the way the moderators handled the debate, I fall into that third camp. In fact, I’m still disappointed that Trump is the Republican candidate at all.  
My latest: I don’t know if Harris or Trump won the debate. But it was the American people who lost.
I’m a conservative. Like millions of other conservatives, I believe in limited government, personal responsibility, a free market and the rule of law. I think people do better in life when they’re free to live, work and worship as they please with as little government interference as possible.  
While Trump tried to implement some of those values in his first term, his behavior on Jan. 6, 2021, and after changed everything for me. I could no longer support a man who could not cede the election, participate in a peaceful transfer of power and who still believes he won the election. Election integrity is vital, but Trump has spent the past four years complaining about the results. He has disqualified himself to serve as president again. 
The Republican Party had years to support new candidates. Some good choices cropped up: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and others. But their campaigns went nowhere, and Republican primary voters stuck with Trump. This is beyond disappointing. It’s a travesty.  
Trump’s debate performance was an embarrassment to the GOP and the country. The GOP now risks losing to a far-left candidate because Republican voters chose to remain loyal to MAGA rather than the principles of conservatism. It’s short-sighted, selfish and strategically awful. 
I can’t root for Harris, but after Trump’s debate performance, how can I cheer for him either? Do you feel the same way? Different? Let me know at [email protected].

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