As a lifelong conservative and previously registered Republican until May of 2016, I am EXCITED to vote for Harris/Walz this election even more than I was EXCITED to vote for Biden/Harris in 2020.
I was absolutely disgusted that the Republican Party nominated Trump. As soon as he won enough primaries to be mathematically assured of the nomination in 2016, I submitted my registration as an Independent. I hoped that it marked the beginning much needed period of wandering in the desert for the Republican Party. I voted for Gary Johnson in that election. I knew that I personally had no impact on the outcome since I was living in CA at the time. I was shocked and dismayed that Trump actually won the electoral college in 2016. I didn't really despair, because back then I still believed that we had enough checks and balances in place and that there would be enough "adults in the room" to keep him in check.
After observing that first year of a Trump presidency, I realized that I was wrong, and I knew we would be fucked if he stuck around for longer than a single term.
I became convinced that the Republican party and the conservative movement needed a complete reset to factory settings. They no longer had any guiding principles other than countering and "owning" the left and blindly supporting Trump. There were NO redeeming qualities remaining in the party.
In 2020, I happily supported Biden/Harris because the Republicans learned NOTHING and changed NOTHING because they were still riding one fluke win from 2016. They needed a long string of bad losses to send the party back to the drawing board and back to conservative fundamental principles.
Then January 6th happened and instead of shaking folks back to their senses, it drove them further into the crazy.
I am excited to vote for Harris/Walz because despite my disagreement with some of their policies, they will be light years better for our country's future than if Trump is re-elected and Vance gets a foothold to build a following. The Republicans need to be punished and sent to stand in the corner and think about what they've done for another 8-12 years at least. Even then, I doubt I'll trust them enough to vote Republican ever again.
I still don't vote straight party dem, though. I research every candidate. I give their policy positions a skim, but what I really look at are their ads and public statements. If they've ever publicly indicated support for Trump, they get a big "FUCK YOU" from me and their opponent gets my vote.
My Dad is an elected official in Texas. If he was up for re-election this cycle and I lived in his district, I would vote against him, too. He might not get the "FUCK YOU", but I have a zero tolerance policy for public supporters of Trump when it comes to my vote.