Sending A Message—But What?
Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush became the second member of the so-called “Squad” of U.S. House Democrats to lose her seat in a primary this year. The other was New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman. Both had taken far left positions, including against Israel in its defensive war against Hamas terrorists.
But before folks on the political right do too many “happy dances” and claim this shows that the progressive left is out of favor even among Democrat primary voters, they need to look in the mirror.
Virginia Congressman Bob Good, the head of the House Freedom Caucus, lost his primary this summer as well. Does that show that the far right is out of favor even among Republican primary voters?
Maybe—just maybe—there is a sense that both parties have tacked too far to the ends of the political spectrum. Maybe—just maybe—voters are wanting their representatives to work together, across the aisle, on solutions that benefit American citizens. Maybe—just maybe—the signal is that we’re tired of all the bickering and posturing under the guise of “I know better than you do.”
Or maybe—just maybe—there is no connection between any of these races whatsoever and each district’s race stands on its own merit. That is entirely possible.
But it is also possible that this is a sign of voters seeking accountability and stability, away from wild policy tugs from right to left and back again. Frankly, that’s a pretty hopeful outlook…but maybe—just maybe—there’s something to it.
