menu_open
Columnists Actual . Favourites . Archive
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close
Aa Aa Aa
- A +

Democrats and the media are reinventing history in Congress and the courts

7 30
24.08.2024

The late New York Gov. Mario Cuomo once famously observed that "you campaign in poetry; you govern in prose." One of the greatest poetic licenses in this election has been the claim of bipartisanship from some of the most rigid partisans in our politics.

Many in the media are reinventing history to appeal to citizens who want more moderation in government. This theme was picked up by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in his speech before the Democratic National Convention, when he claimed that Vice President Harris was not just a moderate but "never hesitated to reach across that aisle if it meant improving your lives, and she's always done it with energy, with passion and with joy."

Harris was one of the most liberal members of the Senate and was never viewed as someone likely to form a compromise on key votes. She was not one of the Democrats commonly referenced as moderates in that body on close votes.

Harris was even rated to the left of socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). After her ranking by GovTrack was cited widely in the media as showing her as the most liberal member of the Senate, the site took down the page, which had been up for years. Harris is now to be portrayed as a moderate, whether it is true or not.

What was so striking is that Harris was valued by supporters precisely for being so uncompromising and consistently voting with the left. In her prior unsuccessful presidential run, she moved even further left. Harris was the only candidate other than Sanders to say that she wanted to abolish private insurance plans, a position which, like so many others, she has now recanted.

These same advocates of........

© The Hill


Get it on Google Play