For 46 years, I was a Republican activist, candidate, Party Leader, and Consultant in Brooklyn, NY. In 2016 I saw where things were clearly headed, and chose Country over Party. Ten years later (and six months out from the midterms), here are a few thoughts:

1. Absolutely no regrets. The Republican Party has gone from a Big Tent Party to a Circus Sideshow,  to an absolute Freakshow. Beyond the religious extremism and general anti-science vibe, in recent years the GOP has had state and local leaders who are Flat Earthers. You can’t be a world leader (militarily or economically) with people like this in charge.
2. I told you so. Trump’s economic incompetence and blackmail loyalty to Putin have damaged America in ways that may not be reversible. NATO, the most successful political and military alliance in the history of civilization, is hanging by a thread. And Canada — Canada!  He’s made our northern neighbor, one of the friendliest and most polite societies in the world, hate us.
3. The worst is yet to come. More truly horrible Supreme Court decisions. Post Office Ballot interference. Targeted Poll Site operations by ICE/National Guard on Election Day. More authoritarian Executive Orders and some truly insane shit. January 6th showed how these people react to losing. They are not inclined to let it happen again. Be ready.
4. Will the Democrats step up? Instead of building a broad coalition of patriotic Americans to save democracy, Democrats are torn between running boring, intellectual campaigns with zero emotional impact — and preaching to their own ideological choir, as if the Midterm General Elections were a closed Party Primary in Berkeley or Brookline. Stop being a bunch of candyasses. America needs you.