Virginia Democrats Are Not Playing Beanbag

Many years ago, some friends of mine and I were in a heated discussion with a fellow who insisted, quite earnestly, that we didn’t need the Second Amendment. Instead, this fellow explained, we need to address our crime and low-trust societal problems with better, and better-funded, education. In response to that, a witty friend replied, “Forget your Glock. Just keep a few McGuffey Readers at the ready to pelt intruders!” 

These days, when I observe the reactions of conventional Republicans and conservatives to the ongoing struggle of the Trump administration to carry out its mandate or even just to enforce existing law, I am reminded of that amusing anecdote. At every turn, this type of conservative resists aggressive political action, such as congressional redistricting, abolishing the blue-slip rule in the Senate for judicial appointments, eliminating the filibuster, or impeaching federal judges who block the administration’s lawful orders without cause. No matter how menacing Democrats behave and disrespectful they are to constitutional and societal “norms,” he is quite sure that all we need to do in response is talk about the Constitution harder. This time, Americans will be convinced!

Meanwhile, Democrats laugh like Nancy Pelosi when we talk about the Constitution. They would like nothing better than for us to continue talking about such things while they carry on consolidating their grip on power. As for the Constitution, the only time it interests them is when citing it is a way to punish Republicans.

The election, inauguration, and first 48 hours of the Abigail Spanberger administration in Virginia were a case study in this stark contrast between the two parties and their respective approaches to political power. While Indiana Republicans fought a “principled” battle against giving themselves an edge in the redistricting war, Democrats in Virginia solidified their choke hold on power. Indeed, Virginia Democrats chalked up more wins for their base in that short time than Republicans have for theirs in more than 10 years.