President Joe Biden attacked MAGA Republicans during his recent speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, labeling the MAGA movement a “threat to American democracy.” However, his party has spent tens of millions of dollars promoting MAGA primary election candidates.
“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent and extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic,” Biden said, adding that the MAGA movement’s domination of the modern-day GOP is a “threat to this country.”
Biden said it was his “duty to level with” the American people.
“Here – in my view – is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution,” Biden said. “They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people.”
“MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards,” the president added.
Though the president has sought to raise concerns about the MAGA movement, his Democratic Party has invested heavily in helping boost MAGA candidates in their GOP primary contests. The thinking goes that an “extremist” MAGA candidate will be less desirable for the average voter and therefore easier for a Democrat to beat in the November general election.
In mid-July, Open Secrets reported that Democrats had spent about $44 million on advertising campaigns to elevate what the organization called “far-right” candidates in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Maryland.
Though Democrats appear to have seen some success in these states in getting MAGA candidates on the ballot, critics are calling it risky and logically inconsistent.
Political science professor David Niven told Newsweek, “In the past, Democrats would have blanched at the hypocrisy required to nudge forward radical Republicans in primaries while at the same time decrying the threat these candidates represent.”
But things are different now, Niven said.
“Logical consistency is a luxury Democrats now realize they cannot afford,” Niven said.
Rep. Jason Crow, D-Calif., told Politico the plan was a “terrible idea” that “could backfire,” adding that it’s “substantively risky” and “sends the wrong message.”
