Building a New Tribe: Republican Voters Against Trump

In her talk, Sarah Longwell discusses her experience in trying to persuade disaffected Republicans to vote against Donald Trump. She explains that tribalism is a powerful force in politics and that voters' loyalty to their political tribe often outweighs their concern for democracy. However, through the creation of Republican Voters Against Trump, Longwell found success in getting Republicans to break from their tribal loyalty. By leveraging video testimonials from regular Republicans who expressed their reasons for not supporting Trump, Longwell established a new tribe that provided a sense of safety and security for those who felt disconnected from their party. She emphasizes the importance of understanding voters' values and using trusted messengers to build sustainable coalitions for those seeking to defend democracy.