8 Oct, 2018 13:24

Taylor Swift decides to Speak Now, endorses Dem who sided with Reps on Kavanaugh

Pop star Taylor Swift has finally voiced a political opinion and endorsed two Democrats running in Tennessee’s midterms, one of whom came out in support of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual assault allegations.

Swift took to Instagram to explain that she could not support the Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn because of her record of voting against women and the LGBT community.

Swift instead endorsed former Governor Phil Bredesen, who recently angered Democratic voters when he said he would have supported Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court because the sexual assault allegations levied against him lacked sufficient evidence.

Thank you for the kind words @taylorswift13. I’m honored to have your support and that of so many Tennesseans who are ready to put aside the partisan shouting and get things done. We’re ready for it. Last day to register to vote is October 9. https://t.co/6Xd6YyaJCG pic.twitter.com/CatUBkXPKe
— Phil Bredesen (@PhilBredesen) October 8, 2018

We're cancelling a planned six-figure digital video ad expenditure for Phil Bredesen in Tennessee due to his Kavanaugh position. And similarly will be pulling all planned campaigning on behalf of Joe Manchin in West Virginia if he votes yes. Kavanaugh is unfit for the Court.
— MoveOn (@MoveOn) October 5, 2018

Swift explained Blackburn’s voting record “appalls and terrifies” her. “She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape,” Swift wrote.

“She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values,” she added. The pop star also endorsed Democrat Jim Cooper for the House of Representatives.

Swift’s political awakening was largely celebrated on social media, with Democrats welcoming her to the ‘resistance’ and expressing glee that it appears she is not the Trump supporter many suspected.

And people questioned my devotion to @taylorswift13. Better late than never -- welcome to the #resistance https://t.co/VYq2Uv0waT
— Christscreama Warren (@film_girl) October 8, 2018

If you had told me two years ago Kanye would be running around in a MAGA hat while Taylor Swift was endorsing democratic candidates, I would have smacked you to the ground and stolen your wallet for wasting my time.
— KB (@KaraRBrown) October 8, 2018

I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Because Marsha Blackburn voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act so she’s phonebanking for Phil Bredesen. https://t.co/H1YmRyhG6r
— K-kriston C-c-capps? (@kristoncapps) October 8, 2018

However many social media users accused her of being a hypocrite for rejecting Blackman over her stance on women’s issues and at the same time supporting one of the only Democrats to speak out in support for Kavanaugh as he faced allegations of sexually assaulting Dr Christine Blasey Ford in the 1980s. Others were amused that she urged her fans to educate themselves on candidates, but appeared to have missed an aspect of Bredesen’s recent past herself.

Taylor Swift endorses Tennessee Senate candidate Phil Brenesen, who endorsed Brett Kavanaugh for SCOTUS, after saying she's terrified of Marsha Blackburn because she votes against women 🤦🏼‍♀️ Then urges fans to educate themselves on candidates. SIGH pic.twitter.com/vqyAnk6FWs
— Amber Smith (@AmberSmithUSA) October 8, 2018

Did Taylor Swift just lecture us about researching candidates? Kanye's in a MAGA hat, Kim Kardashian is helping Trump, and Democrat Tay Tay endorsed a Kavanaugh supporter. 2018...
— Katica (@GOPPollAnalyst) October 8, 2018

Taylor Swift endorsing a Democrat that....said he would support Kavanaugh. lmao
— 👻MitchellScares👻 (@MitchellCares) October 8, 2018

@taylorswift13 you have been given bad info. Old white man Bredesen endorsed #Kavanaugh and had sexual misconduct allegations while governor. I like my music free from hypocrites. 😥 #nomoreSwift
— Michelle (@mKheywood) October 8, 2018

Swift is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to political issues. The singer didn’t come out in support of a candidate during the 2016 presidential election, but explained Sunday that “due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now.”

The singer said she always votes for the candidate who will “protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.” She went on to call out discrimination against LGBT people and systemic racism.

View this post on Instagram
I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT

“I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love,” she said, going on to urge her 112 million followers to educate themselves and “vote based on who most closely represents your values.”

“For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway,” she added.

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