How Republicans could still blow it in 2022
Believe it or not, the GOP could still lose next year's midterm elections. That might seem an obvious point given that we're a year away from casting and counting votes, but it has quickly become conventional wisdom that a big red wave is about to hit the country. Democrats lost the Virginia governorship last week and nearly did the same in New Jersey. All that's left for Dems is to await the disaster that is surely coming.
Unless it doesn't come, because congressional Republicans are capable of screwing up a sure thing.
If you wanted to tank the election for the GOP, you could stand by silently while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) made common cause against COVID vaccines with the antisemitic conspiracy theorists in Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam, which she did on Monday. The Nation of Islam "sees the use and benefit of Ivermectin and is very angry that our media, Democrats, and Dr Fauci [sic] have attacked the drug and refuse to save people's lives by not promoting it and shunning the use of it," Greene tweeted. "We have common ground there."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
If you hoped to blow up your chances at a congressional majority, you could look the other way, as Republicans did Monday, while Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) tweeted out an animated video depicting him decapitating colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). It's the sort of implied threat that would get any regular citizen tossed out of their school or workplace, much less someone who has repeatedly demonstrated an affinity with white supremacists.
And if you were intent on wrecking your electoral chances, you could do those things while also threatening to strip committee assignments from 13 Republican colleagues who voted last week for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. That would be a good way to lose some of those seats, and also an effective signal to the broader voting public that the party has surrendered entirely to extremism. Greene and Gosar are welcome in the GOP family, but members who vote for roads and bridges are not? What are swing voters going to think about that?
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has mused in recent days about picking up as many as 60 seats for the GOP in next year's elections. Perhaps their rivals really are in such bad shape that Republicans don't have to worry about making themselves appealing to voters. Maybe, though, they're about to blow it.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
A Taste of Honey: 'wonderful' revival remains 'vital and relevant'
The Week Recommends The 'period-perfect' production features a 'universally excellent cast'
By The Week UK Published
-
Bormio: 'a great Alpine getaway'
The Week Recommends From snowy slopes and hot-spring spas, to high-end food and wine, this Italian town has something to offer everyone
By Asya Likhtman Published
-
Crossword: March 28, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ronna McDaniel, the former RNC chair and departed NBC analyst, may be signaling a shift in corporate media
The Explainer McDaniel joined NBC less than a month after stepping down from the RNC — and was out days later
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'TikTok is a national-security threat'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Democrats litigate; Republicans fight.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Mark Robinson raises alarm bells in North Carolina gubernatorial race
Talking Points Could the Republican nominee's history of antisemitism, homophobia, and conspiracy theories decide who leads the Tarheel state?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published