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Congressional Republicans are thirsty for love from Taylor Swift

It can only be quenched by an @ reply from the songstress.

 

Marisa Kabas

IRL

Posted on Jul 14, 2015   Updated on May 28, 2021, 8:57 am CDT

Taylor Swift is in our nation’s capital this week to perform in front of thousands of adoring fans at Nationals Park, and no one is more excited about it than members of Congress—in particular, Republicans.

From the Senate to the House of Representatives and even down to lawmakers’ interns, the Grand Old Party couldn’t shake off its Swiftie pride. Republicans rolled out the social-media welcome wagon for the pop superstar, pledging their allegiance to Swift (and implying an anti-Katy Perry stance.)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) tweeted a photo of him and his daughters at Swift’s first D.C. show. He even used the hashtag for her latest album, like a true patriot.

But Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.) beat Thune to the punch with a friendly tweet and a sweet offer for Swift late last week. Look at those happy, young faces. They just scream, “Welcome to Washington!”

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And before that, interns in the office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) made a video of themselves lip-syncing to “Shake It Off.” Because, of course.

Whoever runs the Twitter account for the House Republican Conference also put in a strong effort, tweeting at Swift on Tuesday afternoon with a reference to one of her lyrics. Well played, @HouseGOP.

But perhaps the thirstiest Swiftie on the hill is Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), who threatened to throw down with Rep. Roby.

He also admitted to listening to “Shake it Off” every morning.

And he couldn’t resist sliding into her mentions one last time.

Republicans are making a concerted effort to reach out to millennials, and declaring their allegiance to Taylor Swift is an easy way to reel them in. Perhaps it’ll be more effective than joining Snapchat.

Swift’s D.C. concerts are becoming hot-ticket items for political fundraisers, with politicians from both sides of the aisle wooing donors with great seats to her performances.

Twitter is already convinced that Swift is an elephant, not a donkey.

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https://twitter.com/luckycyrusx/status/619316811063009280

Screengrab via IleanaRosLehtinen/YouTube

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*First Published: Jul 14, 2015, 5:38 pm CDT