The roots of the Republican war on democracy

[Zorro]

A decade and a half ago, Republicans took a particular rhetorical style, one characterized by apocalyptic predictions and wild exaggerations of the supposed villainy of their opponents, and moved it from the fringe into the center of their party.

Then, something surprising happened: They came to believe it. And now they’re acting on it.

Let’s begin in Wisconsin, a vivid example of Republicans’ ability to all but eliminate electoral competition. After winning control of state government in the 2010 elections, the party gerrymandered district maps so brutally that their majorities were guaranteed even when Democrats got many more votes. In 2018, for instance, Democrats won 53 percent of votes for the state assembly, but held only 36 percent of the seats.

But you can’t gerrymander a statewide election, so what do you do? As the New York Times reports, Republicans livid that the state’s voters chose Joe Biden in 2020 “are engaged in an all-out assault on the state’s election system.”

https://wapo.st/3HCwn1Q

[TheRealNorth]

1. Yup, I feel it all started in WI

The WI GOP really leaned into the city vs country narrative and racist dogwhistles. That's why Ly'in Ryan, Snotty Walker, Reince Priebus, and Ron the Russian became so prominent. Only TFG went full racist and eschewed the dog whistles.

[czarjak]

2. "Any means necessary" They mean it!