Republican firefight kicks off as protesters target GOP govs over closures

[babylonsister]

Republican firefight kicks off as protesters target GOP govs over closures
Conservative protesters against coronavirus restrictions have a new target: Republican governors.
By CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO
04/27/2020 06:23 PM EDT


Republican governors are facing a new challenge as they fight to stop the spread of coronavirus: pressure from their own right flanks.

While the biggest protests calling for an end to stay-at-home orders and business restrictions have hit Democratic governors, conservative activists and groups are intensifying pressure on GOP governors they say are being too deliberative as their economies stagger and jobless rates spiral — part of a hyper-aggressive effort on the right to reshape the debate over the financial ravages of Covid-19.

Across Texas, Arizona, Missouri and Ohio, dozens of conservative and libertarian state leaders and business owners told POLITICO they are planning more demonstrations and agitating to open more businesses, even after President Donald Trump sideswiped Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp last week for including spas, barber shops and gyms in the initial stages of his recovery plan.

Tea Party Patriots and other groups are rallying behind Kemp in Georgia, with some activists concerned that national backlash to Kemp’s orders — which includes resuming dine-in service at restaurants — could discourage Republicans in other red states from forging ahead. In Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans for a phased restart weeks ago and followed up Monday with more details, Texas House Freedom Caucus members contend it’s ultimately the responsibility of individual Texans to keep themselves safe by wearing protective gear and following social distancing guidelines. Across other red states, conservative activists are pleading with governors not to extend or bolster stay-at-home orders set to expire in the coming weeks.

Polls show widespread support for maintaining social distancing guidelines, but Republicans are more aggressive than Democrats about their hopes for the timing and scope of reopening. Local GOP officials in states where demonstrations are occurring said that their offices have been inundated with calls and letters from exasperated constituents who are urging swift action.

And with Trump sending mixed messages, they’re turning more sharply to state leaders to press their case about the damages.

more...

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/27/protesters-target-republican-governors-closures-212674

[crickets]

1. K&R for visibility.

[gratuitous]

2. Uh oh

The monster has escaped the lab and turned on its creators.

[babylonsister]

3. Haha! Will be interesting. Protect yourself. nt