I think I need to file this under “I’m surprised that he’s surprised”. At CNN Chris Cilizza has realized to his amazement that winning elections is of transcendent importance to Democrats, so important that it takes priority over any other objective:
Democrats have spent months insisting that the aftermath of the 2020 election – and January 6 in particular – amounted to a fundamental threat to American democracy and was, therefore, above petty partisan politics.
Which is true!
But, the actions of Democratic campaigns and committees – meddling in Republican primaries to try to ensure election deniers wind up as the party’s nominee so they can run against supposedly weaker candidates – suggests that all of those pledges about democracy are mere words, not borne out by action.
In fairness I believe that’s true of Republicans holding elective office as well. The only Republicans on the January 6 House committee surely know they’re not going to be re-elected.
This is one of the natural and pernicious consequences of “democratic” primaries and campaign finance reform. The resulting atomization of the two political parties gives the initiative to the most ideological factions, who can now punch well above their weight in the national arena.