Letter of Appreciation to Senator Mitt Romney

February 6, 2020

Dear Senator Romney:

I am a middle-aged African-American woman from the South, currently residing in California. I am a registered democrat, mainly because the way politics is structured at the national level makes it impractical to register as an independent in most states. I am doing okay, but I’m not wealthy financially. I am not particularly religious and I reared three children on my own after divorce. According to the polls and identity politics, I would never vote for someone like you, a staunchly religious, white millionaire from Utah, to be President of these United States. Still, my spirit has moved me to write you this morning. I wanted to let you know how much I respect and honor you for the stance you took at the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump. I see you are an honorable man who moves in principle.

The coming months, possibly years if Mr. Trump succeeds in his reelection bid, may be tough for you. Your own party may completely turn against you and rile your constituents with misinformation. Please know that I and others like me, in the USA and around the world, appreciate what you have done for our country, for decency, for democracy, and for future generations. I applaud you for standing against the short-sightedness of this partisan battle that may have set this interesting and amazing social experiment called the United States of America on a path to devolving into a nation rife with poverty and corruption. Your vote will be remembered as that of a principled man doing what was right in the face of terrible pressure. I have no doubt the coming days will not be easy for you, but when you walk the path spirit has set for you, there always is a reward at the end.

Sincerely,

Michele A. Barard