A handful of Republicans split from their party on Tuesday, voting against a rule to allow a measure condemning socialism and the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America to reach the House floor. Among the Republicans to buck their party on the rule were Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), […]
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Republicans denounce socialism as five defect, eight join, and vulnerable Democrats vote to denounce socialism
The party line is clear: socialism must be condemned, and Republicans are on it. Except—let me check my notes—five Republican members defected on the vote to condemn socialism (11). Vulnerable Democrats joined the denouncement under midterm pressure (29), and eight Democrats crossed over to join Republicans in the resolution (38). That's messaging discipline—unless you count the defectors, the crossovers, and the vulnerable who joined in. It's a bipartisan priority, except when the priorities shift, and then the majority makes a list of who's with them. Sometimes the list changes because members are feeling heat from their districts, sometimes because the party wants to look united. These are the facts, and they're all right here. Did I say that? That doesn't sound like me. The important thing is the party line is clear, except when it isn't, and the vote is always about the threat, except when it's about the midterms.
“It's not enough to just denounce socialism—now they need a list of who's on board, who's defecting, and who's scared enough to join the crowd. All these votes to denounce what they say is the big threat, but the list keeps changing depending who's feeling the heat.”
“Look, denouncing socialism is a bipartisan priority, and sometimes, sure, a few members defect, but that's the beauty of democracy. Or maybe it's just a messaging thing—wait, did I say that? Anyway, the important thing is the party line is clear, except when it isn't.”
The receipts
Several Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted with Republicans to adopt a resolution that formally denounces socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America. The move reflects increasing pressure on Democrats to respond to the successes of DSA-backed candidates in primaries around the country as Republicans look…
GOP leaders scheduled the vote after Democratic primary voters embraced a number of democratic socialist candidates.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.