Longtime Republican Miracle on the Hudson pilot Captain Sully urges people to vote DEMOCRAT

Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, the retired pilot best known for his Miracle on the Hudson landing which saved the lives of 155 passengers on board in 2009, is urging Americans to vote for the Democrats on Tuesday.

Sullenberger has no regrets about writing an op-ed last week denouncing the Republican Party – even though he has been a longtime supporter of the GOP.

‘How could I not?’ Sullenberger told MSNBC on Saturday. 

‘I felt an intense obligation to act, not just to watch, to put my voice out there, to vote, to try to make a difference.’

He said that while he has normally voted for Republicans, his vote was not ‘partisan’ but one that was in line with ‘American values.’

Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, the retired pilot best known for his Miracle on the Hudson landing which saved the lives of 155 passengers on board in 2009, is urging Americans to vote for the Democrats on Tuesday. He is seen above during an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday

In his interview with MSNBC, Sullenberger slammed President Donald Trump, though he would not address him by his name. 

‘I don’t think he’s either capable or willing to change,’ he said of Trump. 

‘Instead of talking to the current occupant of that office, I am talking to the American people. 

‘I’m saying, you are the ultimate check and balance. It is up to us. 

‘As I said in my piece, we cannot wait for someone to rescue us, we must do it ourselves. 

‘Everyone, everywhere, must vote in massive numbers.’

Last week, Sullenberger wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post declared ‘this is not the America I know and love.’

In an apparent attack on President Donald Trump (seen above in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Sunday), Sullenberger said the current leadership was selfish, unfit to rule, immoral, and harmful to American interests

In an apparent attack on President Donald Trump (seen above in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Sunday), Sullenberger said the current leadership was selfish, unfit to rule, immoral, and harmful to American interests

In an apparent attack on Trump, Sullenberger said the current leadership was selfish, unfit to rule, immoral, and harmful to American interests.

He wrote: ‘To navigate complex challenges, all leaders must take responsibility and have a moral compass grounded in competence, integrity and concern for the greater good.’

But many in the current leadership are ‘cowardly, complicit enablers, acting against the interests of the United States, our allies and democracy; encouraging extremists at home and emboldening our adversaries abroad; and threatening the livability of our planet,’ he continued. 

‘Many do not respect the offices they hold; they lack – or disregard – a basic knowledge of history, science and leadership; and they act impulsively, worsening a toxic political environment.’

Sullenberger said he had been a registered Republican for most of his life but implied he could never vote for Trump. 

He wrote: ‘We must rededicate ourselves to the ideals, values and norms that unite us and upon which our democracy depends.

‘We must be engaged and informed voters, and we must get our information from credible, reputable sources.’

In 2009, 'Sully' saved 155 lives by landing a plane on the Hudson River after the engines were blown out by passing geese

In 2009, ‘Sully’ saved 155 lives by landing a plane on the Hudson River after the engines were blown out by passing geese

‘We cannot wait for someone to save us. We must do it ourselves.’ 

He added: ‘This Election Day is a crucial opportunity to again demonstrate the best in each of us by doing our duty and voting for leaders who are committed to the values that will unite and protect us.’

Sullenberger was dubbed a national hero for safely ditching a US Airways plane into the Hudson river off of Manhattan after the plane stuck a flock of geese, saving all of his 155 lives. 

The flight had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport when a flock of geese disabled the engines. 

Sullenberger safely glided to a water landing and all passengers and crew members were rescued in what became known as the ‘miracle on the Hudson.’

Sullenberger and about a half-dozen passengers gathered at the NY Waterway ferry terminal to thank the ferry boat company, whose boats quickly got to the downed plane and rescued people.

They then boarded a boat and sailed out to the area of the landing, where they raised a toast.     

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk