January 6 rioters are running for Republican office as GOP pivots toward lawlessness

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Link to tweet

Yet Americans are witnessing, in real time, the transformation of the GOP into an authoritarian party. A big driver of that transformation has been the consolidation of Donald Trump’s election fraud “big lie” into Republican Party dogma — a process of collective corruption similar to the one Orwell describes.

The Jan. 6 coup attempt, which this falsehood justified, accelerated the party's descent. A year later, with the House investigation of the Capitol riot proceeding, a new wave of extremist party loyalists — at the federal, state and even local level — want to help ensure Trumpism's success in the midterms and beyond......

Leaders who come into office with a criminal record, like Mussolini, or just under investigation, like Trump, know that making the party a refuge for those with flexible moral scruples hastens the acceptance of dogma and can help spread corrupt behavior......

But the GOP needs grass-roots support as well. According to a tally compiled by HuffPost, 57 local and state GOP officials attended the rally that preceded the assault on the Capitol. According to CBS News, more than 30 Republicans who were either at rallies outside the Capitol or breached its walls are now running for office, and 11 of them already enjoy Trump's endorsement. According to a Washington Post analysis, a total of 163 Republicans who publicly espouse the big lie are running for state positions, including 69 candidates for governor in 30 states and 55 candidates for the U.S. Senate. No matter the true number, this group will provide momentum in the quest to turn falsehoods into party truths.

[intheflow]

1. "pivots towards lawlwssness?

Man, that pivot train is long gone. This is the full-on reincarnation of the Confederacy.

[monkeyman1]

2. you probably have thousands now agree with ya & me too !

[Progressive Jones]

3. The crazies are taking over the GOP. Then they will bring it down,

and reform it into a full on fascist outfit.

I really don't believe that McConnell, and other "old school" Republicans,
can see the damage being done, or if they do, they don't want to admit it.
They got theirs, they're set for life, and they won't be around much longer. That's all they care about.

[Emile]

4. Why wouldn't they, the worst offenders are still playing golf at Mar-a-Lago.