Berl Falbaum
Shameful. Nasty. Ugly.
These are just three of the adjectives that describe the reprehensible political decision of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) to support a pro-Trump Republican for Congress in the Third District, which surrounds Grand Rapids.
The committee has funneled almost a half-million dollars into the primary campaign of John Gibbs, whom they believe (and hope) would be easier to defeat in the general election than his rival, the incumbent, Peter Meijer.
Gibbs is a former Trump administration official who promotes the Big Lie, claiming that the president’s defeat in 2020 looked “mathematically impossible.”
Meanwhile, Meijer not only accepted the results of the election, but was one of only 10 Republicans to vote for Trump’s impeachment.
And thereby lies the rub.
We’ll acknowledge that politics is a no-holds-barred business. Too often it is repugnant and distasteful. To compromise one’s principles is not the exception; it is the rule.
But even in politics, every once in a while, one hopes for a “little statesmanship.” This is one of those times.
Meijer put his short career (he was elected in 2020) on the line with his anti-Trump position, understanding the threat Trump posed to democracy. He did not “weasel-word” his decision but was forthright and not defensive.
He deserves better not just from Republicans but from Democrats as well.
The Democratic committee did not have to endorse him, but, at least, it could and should have stayed out of the Republican primary fray.
(Worth noting: Democratic Party-aligned organizations have spent nearly $44 million on ads in Republican primaries in five states to boost far-right candidates).
Let’s dig deeper into this flawed strategy. What if Gibbs wins in the general election? The DCCC may be confident about its prediction but it apparently has forgotten that Trump was supposed to lose.
Or, what if Meijer wins? Will he ever again consider compromise with Democrats on important legislation, given the committee’s despicable decision to punish him despite his anti-Trump stance? It would be understandable, though regrettable, if he sought revenge.
Indeed, the DCCC strategy has already failed in two states, California and Colorado. In both states, the far-right candidates receiving support from Democratic groups lost to more moderate Republicans.
This scenario reminds me of Republican Michigan Gov. William G. Milliken, the longest serving governor in Michigan’s history (1968-82) who garnered thousands of Democratic votes. Democrats, including Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, a black liberal, recognized Milliken as a decent, principled man and crossed party lines to support him.
(Full disclosure: In 1970, I was administrative aide to the late James H. Brickley, Milliken’s lieutenant governor).
To their credit, some Democrats have expressed outrage at the deranged DCCC strategy. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) tweeted:
“I’m disgusted that hard-earned money intended to support Democrats is being used to boost Trump-endorsed candidates, particularly the far-right opponent of one of the most honorable Republicans in Congress.”
Echoed David Axelrod, a top advisor to former President Obama: “Disappointing that Ds are trying to help Trump exact vengeance.”
Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) who sits on the January 6 committee investigating the insurrection, said, “No race is worth compromising your values in that way. Many of us are facing death threats over our efforts to tell the truth about Jan. 6. To have people boosting candidates telling the very kinds of lies that caused Jan. 6 and continues to put our democracy in danger, is just mind-blowing.”
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) added, “It’s very dangerous, I think, in this environment to be propping up candidates like that.”
Reacting to the DCCC action, Meijer texted: “Guess that [his acceptance of Joe Biden’s victory and impeachment vote] doesn’t count for much when a marginally increased chance of flipping a House seat is on the table.”
Let us hope that if Meijer wins both the primary and general elections, he can “forgive and forget” the ugliness of the DCCC and continue to maintain his principles.
If only the DCCC had some of Meijer’s political attributes.
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Berl Falbaum is a veteran political journalist and author.
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