The Democrats Nominate Role Models

Here’s something I’m struggling with in the midst of election enthusiasm:

• Barack Obama
• Joe Biden
• Kamala Harris
• Tim Walz

What do these people have in common? Other than being the most recent presidential and vice presidential nominees from the democrats, they are all also genuinely admirable humans. These are role models. Their biographies and accomplishments make that quite clear. The Democrats keep nominating people who should be admired. These are people whose lives read a lot like the people we teach kids about in elementary schools, not because they were consequential, but because of what their stories represent on the way to being consequential.

None of that should be controversial. I don’t think it would have been controversial at all to state from at least 1950-2000, give or take. Yet the GOP points to these people not as admirable, but instead, as almost subhuman. They are characterized as evil.

Evil

Saying these folks are evil is not even hyperbole— it’s just an unserious lie. And the people in power in the GOP and those who are empowered to shape the right wing narrative know that they are lying.

Even if you agree with everything Donald Trump wants to exercise the power of the presidency to accomplish, you cannot say that he is a role model the way these four folks are. You cannot possibly believe that someone who is born incredibly wealthy who is known more for the way he built himself into the brand embodiment of conspicuous wealth, and generally ran failing, highly leveraged businesses is admirable. JD Vance’s story is barely even true, forget about admirable.

I’m just filled with that Gen X/Millennial rage remembering all of the scolding of the 80s and 90s from the right wing about values and character. I look at who the Democrats choose to elevate and I think about their stories, and then I look at who the Republicans elevate and I want to scream about hypocrisy and express my disgust.

I am so tired of the fake virtue and morality of the right. I am so tired of the Evangelical Christian nationalists. I am so tired of the moving goal posts. I am so tired of the lying about who these people are instead of talking about what their ideas are for this country with respectful disagreement.

I am done. Let’s turn a page on this nonsense. We are not going back.

JD Vance says Shapiro wasn’t picked because he’s Jewish and democrats made Shapiro run from who he is.

The most offensive thing in American politics for Jews like me are these nutbag, right wing, Evangelicals who keep presuming to speak for Jews and use us as props.

Remember what I said about democrats nominating role models? Tim Walz shows bullies a way forward.