Who wore it best? Shame, that is, this campaign season. It’s early but we have some strong contenders.
A Democrat-affiliated campaign organization, Rocky Mountain Values PAC, is working to elevate conspiracy theorist crackpot, election denier, Xerox machine executioner Ron Hanks over the strongest candidate in 3rd Congressional District race, Jeff Hurd. This PAC and its funders have worked to promote the weakest and most beatable candidate in past GOP primaries, though without success, by running ads touting their conservatism. In any election year, it is a cynical, tasteless move, but at a time when conspiracy theories like the ones Hanks promotes are threatening democracy, it is reprehensible. Election denialism puts election workers in harm’s way, undermines faith in democratic institutions, and inspired a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
I just finished reading former Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s book “Oath and Honor,” which details how Republicans enabled Trump’s lies about the 2020 election to capture the heart of the GOP electorate. Some stayed silent out of fear of their base or of Trump’s reproach. Others were actively complicit in spreading lies they knew were false out of desire to maintain or gain power. Democrats who fund the campaigns of election deniers are no better than the cowards and bootlickers described in that book.
Speaking of ditching ethics to pursue power, Colorado GOP party chairman Dave Williams has been funding campaign mailers promoting his own candidacy over another Republican in the primary. The mailer plugging Williams’ commitment to election integrity is especially laughable since he’s absconding with state party contributions to promote his own campaign and those of his friends in other races while bashing other Republicans.
When not skimming party funds for his own benefit, Williams commits hate rhymes in an attempt to raise more money. At the beginning of June, he sent out a mass email with a blazing red-eyed picture of Jesus to condemn “Pride Month.” The email was headlined “God Hates Flags,” an homage, no doubt, to the Westboro Baptist Church that used to wave “God hates fags” signs at the funerals of U.S. soldiers.
Since Westboro has cut back on funeral protests, someone has to take up the charge against “the godless groomers in our society want to attack what is decent, holy, and righteous so they can ultimately harm our children” and red-eyed MAGA savior knew just the man to do it. Go forth Dave and burn those flags!
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert got a little touchy with a debate moderator when asked about her all-hands-on-deck moment at the play “Beetlejuice” last September. “I’m apologizing for you, Kyle Clark getting footage and releasing that — people seeing this in a very private moment,” Boebert said. Considering she was in public, around families with children no less, it was more of a privates moment. But, as with the top ticket GOP contender, grabbing the headlines in this way does not appear to be hurting her prospects; she’s pulling ahead in the polls.
They say politics ain’t beanbag, but it shouldn’t be bobbing for road apples. There should be limits. Some politicians and their enablers may not be able to feel shame or guilt through the thick callus of their ambition, but they can be shamed and held publicly accountable for their actions.
Salem Radio Group recently apologized for promoting and distributing a discredited 2020 conspiracy theory film “2000 Mules” thanks to an expensive lawsuit. They could have apologized before now in keeping with their “Christian” veneer, but sometimes a lawsuit is needed to wake the conscience. Former President Trump is now a convicted felon for falsifying records to cover up hush money paid to a porn star during the 2016 election. The truth will out but sometimes it takes a jury.
Who wore shame best this silly season, there’s still months to go to November. The best way to reward the contenders is not to reward them an election victory.
Krista L. Kafer is a weekly Denver Post columnist. Follow her on Twitter: @kristakafer.
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