Photos courtesy of:
Bernie Sanders-VA, 7.30.2013. Michael Bloomberg-DOD, 11.11.2012. Elizabeth Warren-CFPB, 4.13.2011.
Joe Biden-LBJ Library, 10.3.2017.
The mainstream media (MSM), ever loyal to the Democratic Party and the Left, magnifies every possible fissure in the Trump ranks. Any assistant dogcatcher in the GOP bureaucracy who breaks loose and supports Biden-Harris is hailed as the latest proof that, for all intents and purposes, the campaign is over, with Trump vanquished. The only times the MSM deviate from this playbook is when they bemoan the fact that, despite these defections, the Trump camp is remarkably strong and united—proof, of course, that it is comprised of mindless ideologues. The MSM never explains how these two contradictory depictions can exist at the same time, within the same political space.
The real purpose, of course, is to control the narrative that is presented to the American public. And, in this instance, to keep the spotlight off the real news story—the growing civil war within the Democratic Party, a fissure that threatens its prospects for winning in November. But now that turmoil within the party has become so obvious that even the mainstream media is reporting on it—out of fear of a Trump victory if the Democrats don’t get their act together.
The problem for the Democrats is that the revolutionary Left has become such an integral part of its DNA that it cannot afford to break with the crazies, or even criticize them too harshly, lest they bolt and take out their venom on the Democratic Party itself rather than everything Trump.
As the conservative scholar Victor Davis Hanson has written: “In truth, it is now hard to find any issue on which the Democratic establishment has been at odds with BLM and even Antifa. The latter are critical to providing 30 percent or so of the hard-Democratic base without which the party cannot fulfill its agenda.”
At the same time, seasoned Democrat political veterans with one foot in the real world realize that the crazies can go too far, causing ordinary voters to switch from Biden (who doesn’t excite them that much to begin with) to Trump at the voting booth.
And the crazies have gone too far, with the riots and violence that have rocked Democrat-controlled cities across the nation—among them Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, and now even Kenosha, Wisconsin. Evidence is growing that this mindless violence is driving voters into the hands of the law-and-order party, the GOP. What are the Democrats to do?
The original solution at the top of the party was the ostrich solution—ignore it, with head in the sand. At the Democratic National Convention, Biden-Harris did not say a word about the riots and violence. Afterwards, growing fearful with the Republicans stressing law and order at their convention, Biden finally conceded: “Needless violence won’t heal us. We need to end the violence.” But, he adds, “People have a right to be angry. People have a right to protest.” And, of course, don’t put the blame on groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa that are behind the violence. Issue a rote statement and instead place the blame on the police and (you could see this coming) Trump himself.
But the semi-realists within the Democratic camp are worried that the riots and violence—with even tacit approval through silence on the part of Democrats—will turn voters against the party.
CNN’s Don Lemon, August 26: “I think this is a blind spot for Democrats…. The rioting has to stop… It’s showing up in the polls.”
The Hill, August 28, “Democrats worry about voter backlash in suburbs”: “Senate Democratic aides say they worry about how the issue will play with independents and swing voters.” “Trump has been effective in tightening up the race here in North Carolina, he’s got it within the margins”—Brad Crone, “a self-described centrist Democrat who is president of Campaign Connections, a Raleigh-based political consulting firm that is not affiliated with either party.”
The Hill, August 25: Trump “has used law and order and the fear of violence in cities to motivate voters… The strategy proved successful four years ago…”
The Hill, August 17, “Biden rides high, but faces angst-filled party”: “…there are factors keeping Democrats up at night…. several Democrats said they’re worried the party isn’t taking the violent aspects of the protests seriously enough, believing that Trump’s best path back into contention revolves around him being seen as the candidate who is serious about law and order.”
The Hill, August 11, “Five ways Trump could come back”: “Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D)…has accused those who have used violence of acting as ‘props’ for the president…. Trump’s ‘law and order’ rhetoric and claims to speak for ‘The Silent Majority’ could resonate with others.”
Independent (Britain), August 27, “2020 Election: Kenosha riots sway Wisconsin voters toward Trump…”: “And some Democrats, nervous about condemning the looting because they said they understood the rage behind it, worried that what was happening in their town might backfire and aid the president’s re-election prospects.”
Breitbart, July 27, “Democrats start to worry support for Portland riots will help Trump”: Lanny Davis, longtime Democrat strategist and close Clinton ally, tweets: “Violent protesters lighting fires and using violence in Portland should wear @realDonaldTrump buttons. That is who they are helping.”
Bottom line: The Democrats encouraged and allied themselves with the revolutionary Left that is now pillaging Democrat-led cities across the nation. They are beginning to pay the political price.
