Taylor Swift is a resident of the State of Tennessee where the Democratic Party could possibly pick up a US Senate seat. So, her deciding to get involved in politics for the first time ever, is a big deal as she carries sway over a lot of her neighbors, especially young people.
Dear President Trump, I am so sorry to inform you that you cannot draw more peoples to your campaign rallies than Taylor Swift.
Here is the rest of the story…
On October 8, 2018, Emily Yahr of the LA Times penned the following report, “Taylor Swift slams Tennessee Republican, endorses Democrats”
Excerpts:
“In a stunning turnaround from her refusal to discuss anything related to politics, Taylor Swift revealed whom she’s voting for in the 2018 midterms.”
“The pop megastar, who just wrapped up a 40-date stadium tour across the country, posted a long Instagram caption Sunday night. In it Swift, who is registered to vote in Tennessee, gave a detailed explanation about why she’s voting for Democrats Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for the House.”
“Swift also slammed Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., writing, “Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me.”
“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,” Swift wrote to her 112 million Instagram followers. “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.”
“She continued: “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.”
“Over the past two years, Swift has been criticized for not using her platform as one of the most powerful celebrities on the planet to talk about current events — and glossing over anything political during a grueling, divisive time. The day of the 2016 presidential election, she posted a photo of herself in line to vote and urged others to do the same. She made no mention of her political leanings.”
“Still, Swift appeared on the cover of Time magazine in late 2017 as a “silence breaker,” as a result of her counter-lawsuit against a country radio DJ who got fired after she alleged he had groped her before a concert. (She sued him for $1, which she won.) The magazine wrote that Swift’s “clear-eyed testimony marked one of several major milestones in the conversation around sexual harassment this year.” Swift also publicly made a donation to support the student-led rally urging Congress to take action on gun control and stop mass shootings.”
“In her post Sunday night, she went into even more detail about her decision about her upcoming vote.”
“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,” Swift wrote. “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,” Swift continued, adding that the last day to register to vote in Tennessee is Oct. 9.
As social media started blowing up with reactions to Swift’s post, many made the inevitable comparison between her and Kanye West: The two have been at odds since an MTV VMAs incident in 2009, and the animosity continued in 2016 with their feud over West’s song “Famous.” West, of course, has become Hollywood’s most famous supporter of President Trump.
At the end of Swift’s post, she urged people to vote in the midterms on Nov. 6.
“Please,educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values,” she wrote. “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.”
Gronda Morin 
Will that help or hurt our cause, I am not keen on celebrity endorsement unless they put their money where their mouth is.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dear Holly,
I helps big time. She can get young peoples out to vote which is a major advantage and the Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen for the US Senate seat is currently losing to the republican Marsha Blackburn.
We need the help.
Hugs, Gronda
LikeLiked by 3 people
that’s an excellent point! Indeed a good thing. Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not a fan, she’s too “pop” for me but I am glad she spoke up. Her message is not vote Democrat but be an informed voter. That is a great message. I enjoy country music but I’ve been disappointed that they seem to buy in to the narrative that country music is Americana and that means Republican. I know shes not country any more but I still connect her with country. Anyway, its a brave thing she’s done. New respect for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lindi Roze,
Young peoples love Taylor Swift and so she can help with getting them to the polls. Young peoples are the least likely group of folks to get to vote and most lean towards more progressive ideas. If TN gets a democratic senator, that would help Democrats to become the majority party in the US Senate in Nov. 2018.
The map is as bad as it can get for Democrats to win the most states in the US Senate because so many democrats are running for elections in states that lean heavily towards the Republican Party.
Hugs, Gronda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gronda, I am more impressed with Taylor Swift for speaking up. She realizes the impact it will have both positive and negative, yet she is speaking her mind. Two things will happen – expect the inevitable Presidential put down. I give it twelve hours. He will tweet something about her career being on the decline or some other BS. The other thing is it will cause her fans to think. Why is she doing this? People want authenticity. Too many have mistaken Trump’s false bravado as such. The real thing needs to step up. Kaepernick did it knowing he would lose his career. Lebron did it. Now, Swift. That is courage, especially against the bully-in-chief. Keith
LikeLiked by 4 people
Dear Keith,
She is taking a risk by coming forward to take sides. Remember “Dixie Chics.” She stands to lose real dollars.
But she’s another (non-Trumpian) woman joining the war along with the men who support them to take back this country from the GOP Grumpy Old Perverts who claim to work in the US Congress, the White House and elsewhere.
We need all the help we can get. All I can say to Taylor Swift is, Welcome Aboard! Thank you to all the heroes who are willing to risk everything to make things right.
Hugs, Gronda
LikeLiked by 4 people
Gronda, I am getting polarized reaction to my recent email on “I believe the women.” I think my mentioning the President’s twenty two accusers and his admitting to it on three interviews may have struck a nerve with my more conservative friends. I am proud of Swift making a stand and citing very meaningful reasons. Keith
LikeLiked by 2 people
Totally remember Dixie Chicks. That was a terrible thing. Bullys!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gronda, Lindi, the Dixie Chicks were within their rights and were correct to question our invasion of Iraq. As for Swift, it was an easy prediction to see the President weigh in. On the positive side, 65,000 new voters signed up because of her stance. And, that is what democracy looks like irrespective of how they vote. Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Good for “Tay Tay.” Like I said I do like the way she said it. She didnt say you need to vote my way, just be an informed voter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Already did. He’s so predictable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One can only hope. This is getting too creepy even for reality tv.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good on her for getting involved. I wonder if the Kavanaugh decision has spurred her on to openly voice her political views.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Joanne the Geek,
I suspect that it did because of the timing of her announcement. Also, she is a sexual assault survivor who has been open about what happened to her.
Also as per a December 2017 Time article, “In 2013, the singer-songwriter took a photo with a Colorado radio DJ after an interview. During that photo, Swift says, DJ David Mueller reached under her skirt and grabbed her rear end. Swift privately reported the incident to the station at which Mueller worked, and he was fired. Mueller then sued Swift for defamation; she countersued for a symbolic $1—and won.”
Hugs, Gronda
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so true and I’m so glad that you put your opinion out there which I, in fact completely agree with and I think it’s amazing that there are finally good Taylor swift reviews out there. I’m so happy about this post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Somewhereovertherainbow,
By her coming on board, 65,000 young peoples have registered to vote.
What a lot of folks don’t get is that she is a sexual assault survivor.
Thanks for your gracious comments.
Hugs, Gronda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my god that’s great!
LikeLiked by 1 person