Long term readers know that for years I’ve been predicting the Republican Party would shrink and change character, due to toxic team politics and the use of RINOing by the power-hungry to chase the less extremist – sometimes – out of their positions and the party. I think events have proven that out.
But this latest, although logical, wasn’t on my list of psychic predictions:
While divisions within the Republican party — especially among those who look to former President Donald Trump for guidance — are commonplace everywhere, they are playing in high definition in one of the country’s most GOP-dominant states. The highly-publicized spat displayed how pitched — and to outsiders how silly — the battle for control of the Republican Party has become in the Gem State.
And now some prominent mainstream Republicans, worried the state’s hard-right drift could scuttle their efforts to grow Idaho’s economy, are asking Democrats and Independents to register as Republicans to vote in the party’s May primary.
“Everybody and their dog ought to get out to the primary and have their say so,” said Jim Jones, a former chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court and former Republican Idaho attorney general. “That’s where your vote counts.” [The Idaho Statesman]
That’s quite a conundrum, isn’t it? Should Democrats forsake their duty to their own Party because the Republicans, due to the toxic culture they’ve long prided themselves in, are now reaping the whirlwind? Steve Benen points out the hurdle:
Idaho has what’s known as “closed” primaries, which means voters have to be registered with one party or the other to participate in the party’s primary elections. In this instance, it would mean Democrats and independents would have to register as GOP voters in order to “rescue” Idaho from far-right extremists running in Republican primaries.
It’s either/or, not both. But to really complete the picture, Idaho happens to be the home of Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin (R-ID), now running for the Governor’s seat and notorious for this little bit of showboating when Governor Brad Little (R-ID) briefly left the state recently:
McGeachin, a far-right Republican known for her opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and association with anti-government figures, declared herself acting governor and tried to deploy National Guard troops to the Mexican border. She was rebuffed by the guard’s commanding general. She also tried to issue an order blocking vaccine requirements. Gov. Brad Little, a fellow Republican, repealed the order the next day, from Texas. [The Idaho Statesman, same article.]
McGeachin’s an elected official right now. The Republicans, whose decisions and culture and votes have lead to the edge of utter debacle, are begging Democrats and Independents to join them in order to defend nutcases likes … McGeachin[1]?
Ethicists suggest that citizens in democracies should vote for the person they think will best fulfill the office and has a chance to win. I have to wonder if they’re really that naive, or if a more strategic approach is acceptable to them, to wit:
If the Democrats and Independents refuse the entreaties of the Republican Party, there’s a good chance that even more extreme people will win primaries and elective office in Idaho.
And then demonstrate extreme incompetence. Not that competence correlates perfectly with the moderation through extremism spectrum, but in my experience, if you have to bet on it, figure the extremists won’t be able to find their own ass with two hands.
The Republicans may disdain expertise, experience, and competence. Extremists likewise. Even citizens can be led around as if they believe it, too – right up until they’re the ones watching their city burn to the ground because the water lines were fouled by the incompetent boob of a mayor who flushed glue down the lines to clear them.
And then they may finally figure it out and vote the extremists out. If they don’t chase them out of town waving their pitchforks. The Democrats should stand ready with replacements.
But no kidding, it is a sticky conundrum. It’ll be interesting to hear what the Democrats do.
1 Lt. Gov. McGeachin’s page on On The Issues is empty, so getting an idea of how far right she’s gone is a little difficult.
