That Vote’s Gotta Hurt

Republicans, who are routinely outfoxed by Democrats in Congress, finally seem to have figured out how to play the game correctly. Witness the resolution introduced by Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., denouncing socialism and upholding the Constitution.

You’d think this sort of resolution would be a no-brainer. It’s not a law. There’s no money involved. It’s just a statement that lawmakers are asked to affirm, or not. And who could possibly vote against a statement that says the House “condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms” and “recommits itself to upholding the Constitution of the United States”?

How about 192 Democrats?

Why vote against it? Because that’s not all the resolution says.

The preamble starts with a list of socialism’s sins: “a concentration of power that has, time and time again, collapsed into communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and repressive dictatorships,” “famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide,” the Democratic Socialists of America’s call for “abolishing the U.S. Senate, implementing ranked choice voting in all elections, and replacing the two-party system,” and so on. All irrefutably true.

But it shifts gears and starts talking about voting and the need “to require common-sense election integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, photo identification, and database checks.”

Then it lists what it’s affirming:

That the House of Representatives —

(1) condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States;

(2) reaffirms its support for free, fair, and secure elections;

(3) reiterates the notion that American elections are for American citizens only;

(4) recommits itself to upholding the Constitution of the United States; and

(5) calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act to ensure election security, increase public confidence in America’s voting system, and close loopholes in order to prevent noncitizens from voting in elections.

That last line was too much for Democrats.

“We’re capitalists. We believe in a capitalist system and rules and laws,” said Calif. Rep. Pete Aguilar. “But what Republicans are seeking to do here is to just add in another talking point where they can talk about the SAVE Act.” 

Now, keep in mind that the House has already passed that (overwhelmingly popular) bill by a 218-213 margin in February, with just one Democrat — Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar — voting “aye.”

So, it’s not entirely surprising that most Democrats felt they couldn’t vote for this resolution, although we’d like to hear explanations from the seven Democrats who joined Cuellar in casting their votes for a resolution that calls for enactment of a bill they voted against.

That’s the genius of a resolution like this.

Because instead of focusing on the SAVE Act, headlines focused on the resolution’s condemnation of socialism, like the sampling below:

• “House votes to condemn socialism, with 8 Democrats joining Republicans”
• “House Dems overwhelmingly reject anti-socialism resolution after 2 moderates defy Jeffries”
• “House adopts Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank’s resolution condemning socialism, mostly along party lines”
• “Most House Democrats Oppose GOP Resolution to Condemn Socialism”
• “192 Democrats Vote Against Resolution Condemning Socialism, Supporting Constitution and Secure Elections“

Republicans now have fresh evidence of the radicalism that has infected the Democratic Party, which they can take to voters just two months before election day.

So, kudos to Rep. Crank. We hope these sorts of “gotcha” antics catch on among the otherwise stupid Republican Party.

— Written by the I&I Editorial Board

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