I'd Strongly Consider Voting For Justin Amash If He Ran For President

Now that Michigan Congressman Justin Amash has gone in directions even Democrats won't go when it comes to impeaching President Trump there is increased talk that Amash will make a White House bid as a Libertarian. Certainly, condemnation by Trump on Twitter, the so-called House Freedom Caucus and a primary challenger are telltale signs that the Republican Party has left him.


If Democrats are unwilling to proceed with impeachment hearings then running for President as a Libertarian would be Amash's best option. The Libertarian Party made it known it wanted him to do this last month. His presence on the ballot in his native Michigan alone might be enough to keep Trump from a second term.


If Amash pursues this course of action then I will very strongly consider for voting for him. I'm still open to seeing if Democrats are prepared to choose a viable option. However, my consideration would become much stronger if Democrats nominate someone like Elizabeth Warren or Beto O'Rourke.


The one caveat I have about Amash is his spotty record on Israel and anti-Semitism. He notably voted against funding for the Iron Dome anti-missile system at the height of its war against Hamas in Gaza back in 2014.  Earlier this year, Amash was also the lone Republican Congressman to vote against a resolution demanding President Trump appoint a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting Anti-Semitism. Shortly after this resolution, Elan Carr was appointed to the position which had been left vacant since Trump took office. This is something I shall watch closely in the course of my deliberation.


With that said, I am under no illusion Amash would be elected President of the United States, much less hold onto his Congressional seat. However, Amash is an ideal protest vote against both Trump and Democrats who are unwilling to hold Trump to account and should not they nominate a candidate who proposes policies of questionable principle and dubious merit. Even if Amash ultimately chooses not to run he would be someone who I could write in on my ballot.


Of course, we have not yet arrived at Memorial Day Weekend in 2019. There is a long way to go before I make a decision. But as of now Justin Amash is an option for 2020.