Congratulations! Gavin Newsom selects the ideal Democrat.
Is it really that strange that Laphonza Butler, the chosen replacement for Diane Feinstein in the Senate by California Governor Gavin Newsom, resides in Maryland?
Now, this isn’t one of those cases where a politician spends excessive time in DC before becoming a lobbyist. Newsom’s spokesperson confirms that Butler lives in Silver Spring, Maryland and is a registered voter there. Let’s not pretend that senators represent states rather than political parties. So, thank you.
Most Democrats, and even some Republicans, don’t care about the integrity of the Senate. It’s supposed to be a bastion of prudence, wisdom, and tradition, as well as a counterweight to other branches. But today, a senate seat is merely a place where partisans push through massive, centralized expansions of the state without consensus. And when they can’t, they cheer on executive abuse. Democrats champion the DC bureaucracies that control our decisions. So, does it really matter which state you come from if your main goal is to nationalize all policy? Feinstein, a loyal leftist for decades, may be one of the last on the left to show respect for the norms of her institution.
There’s nothing particularly surprising about the role identity politics played in this pick. The California governor had the opportunity to choose the best person in his state, or even the best person in the world. But apparently, only those with specific immutable characteristics were considered. Newsom pledged to appoint a black woman, rather than the most accomplished and competent person who could have been a black woman. It’s an enduring mystery why these privileged white men who dominate the Democratic Party never step aside to make room for more diversity.
At this point, any Democrat who doesn’t consider skin color as at least partly determinative of a person’s worth is going to face trouble. And it’s not just about moral preening over race. Butler, as noted by Newsom, will be the first ”lesbian Black woman to join Congress in US history.” In most news pieces about the appointment, we learn about Butler’s sexual preference before hearing about her accomplishments.
Butler’s most significant real-world achievement isn’t being a black lesbian from Maryland or even being an advisor to Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign. It’s her role as the head of the “national fundraising juggernaut” for the pro-abortion Emily’s List. This is likely what attracted Newsom to Butler the most – favor trading. Emily’s List has pushed the Democrats to an extremist position that supports zero limits on aborting viable pregnancies for any reason. And because the press and the left have successfully obscured their position, pro-abortion groups raise a lot of money. Ultimately, more than anything else, Newsom cares about becoming president.
David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist, a nationally syndicated columnist, a Happy Warrior columnist at National Review, and author of five books—the most recent, Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent. Follow him on Twitter, @davidharsanyi.
What impacts does the prioritization of partisan agendas have on the integrity and effectiveness of the Senate as an institution
M for a more qualified candidate.
The selection of Laphonza Butler from Maryland raises questions about the priorities and values of the Democratic Party. Is representation more important than qualifications? Are political agendas more significant than the needs and interests of the people?
This appointment highlights the increasing trend of identity politics, where individuals are chosen based on their race or gender rather than their abilities and expertise. While diversity and representation are important, they should not come at the expense of competence and merit.
The Senate, once considered a respected institution, has become a battleground for partisan politics. Instead of serving as a check and balance to the executive and judicial branches, senators now prioritize their party’s agenda and push for centralized expansions of government power.
Democrats, in particular, have championed the control of decision-making by the bureaucratic system in Washington, D.C. This undermines the principles of federalism and erodes the power of individual states. The appointment of an out-of-state candidate like Butler only reinforces this disregard for state representation.
Moreover, the selection process raises doubts about the integrity and fairness of the political system. The focus on specific identity characteristics, rather than qualifications, perpetuates a system of tokenism and undermines the principles of equal opportunity.
If the Democratic Party truly values diversity and inclusivity, it should expand its search for qualified candidates beyond their superficial identity traits. Emphasizing merit and expertise over identity would result in a more effective and competent representation.
The case of Laphonza Butler residing in Maryland while being appointed to represent California in the Senate is merely a symptom of the broader issue at hand. It highlights the decay of the Senate as an institution that safeguards the interests of the states and the American people.
As citizens, we should demand better from our political leaders. We should call for transparency, fairness, and merit-based appointments. Our elected officials should prioritize the well-being of the people they serve and uphold the principles and values of our democratic system.
It is time to move away from the politics of identity and focus on selecting the most qualified candidates who will truly represent the interests and concerns of all Americans. Only then can we hope to restore the integrity and purpose of our political institutions.
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