Let me stipulate that I don't like Dems spending money to support batshit MAGA candidates. However, I don't hear many people mention one possible reason for doing so, which is that MAGA candidates on the ballot are likely to drive Democrats to show up and vote in midterms. Here in Arizona, I suspect that if Karrin Taylor Robson wins the …
Let me stipulate that I don't like Dems spending money to support batshit MAGA candidates. However, I don't hear many people mention one possible reason for doing so, which is that MAGA candidates on the ballot are likely to drive Democrats to show up and vote in midterms. Here in Arizona, I suspect that if Karrin Taylor Robson wins the GOP nomination for Governor, Democrats just won't be as galvanized to show up and vote for Katie Hobbs, who lots of people are not that excited about. Robson would be like Doug Ducey 2.0. But if it's Kari Lake on the ballot, Dems will show up just to vote against her.
This is just my theory, and I do still hate the technique. But I think it's as much about bringing out Dems to vote as it is about trying to elevate a preferred weaker candidate.
Let me stipulate that I don't like Dems spending money to support batshit MAGA candidates. However, I don't hear many people mention one possible reason for doing so, which is that MAGA candidates on the ballot are likely to drive Democrats to show up and vote in midterms. Here in Arizona, I suspect that if Karrin Taylor Robson wins the GOP nomination for Governor, Democrats just won't be as galvanized to show up and vote for Katie Hobbs, who lots of people are not that excited about. Robson would be like Doug Ducey 2.0. But if it's Kari Lake on the ballot, Dems will show up just to vote against her.
This is just my theory, and I do still hate the technique. But I think it's as much about bringing out Dems to vote as it is about trying to elevate a preferred weaker candidate.
Negative partisanship is a powerful motivator. It's also highly polarizing, but this is where we are.