As a pragmatic New England independent voter, I am sincere sadden by Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent flip-flopping. Sununu illustrated how deep into the Republican Party the stench of decay has occurred.

Sununu is hardly a MAGA enthusiast. He fiercely supported Nikki Haley; and over the past several years, has been a harsh critic of Donald Trump. Sununu has referred to him as a “loser,”and “not a real Republican.” He has said the nation needs to move past the “nonsense and drama” from the former president and that he expects “some kind of guilty verdict” against Trump.

Five days after Jan. 6, Sununu said, “It is clear that President Trump’s rhetoric and actions contributed to the insurrection at the United States Capitol Building.” He admitted that he’d be very uncomfortable supporting Trump if he were convicted of a felony.

Which raises the question -- What is the reason Sununu has rallied to Trump?

It’s impossible to fully know the motivations of others, but it’s reasonable to assume that Sununu wants to maintain his viability within the Republican Party. Perhaps to be an ambassador to Canada?  But for Sununu, like so many other Republicans, that partisan loyalty comes at the cost of his integrity and our country slipping into an authoritarian governance. 

Sununu is not a true believer, like some in MAGA world. He knows who Trump is, and what is the right thing to do and say with pride to his children, he chose country over a mere political party.

Sununu has now enlisted in that war. What is so discouraging, and so sickening, is how many others in his party have done so as well. They are Trump’s willing cohorts into another insurrection and further corruption.

Al Lewandowski 

Jaffrey