With the upcoming anniversary of Jan 6th and the extreme policies of the MAGA House Majority, Michigan Democrats highlight the differences in parties and what’s at stake
LANSING — Welcome to the first weekly roundup of 2024 — already, we’re faced with another clear tale of two parties.
Republicans, naturally, spent the first week of the new year spreading anti-democratic ideals and extremism. Between an impending vote to oust MIGOP Chair Kristina Karamo, the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, and one of Michigan’s Republican Congressmen endorsing Uganda’s dangerous anti-LGBTQ laws, Michigan Republicans showed us exactly who they are.
Michigan Democrats, on the other hand, are starting out the year right – calling out Republicans for their extremism and ensuring that Michiganders understand the stakes of this election year. This week saw Representative Debbie Dingell standing up to the pervasive bullying in politics and Michigan Dems condemning all of the hate and extremism that pervades the MIGOP.
We are sending voters a clear message: that there is only one party in this election that supports democracy and freedom.
Check out the stark contrast from this week below:
Just as an example of the hate at the heart of the GOP, Republican Rep. Tim Walberg was exposed this week for supporting Uganda’s antiquated and oppressive anti-LBGTQ laws—while the Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes condemned this homophobic and hateful extremism:
MLive: Michigan Rep. Walberg draws backlash for telling Uganda to ‘stand firm’ after passing anti-gay laws
- Congressman Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, has drawn backlash in some circles after video surfaced of Walberg urging Ugandan leaders to “stand firm” in the face of international pressure and condemnation after they passed a law providing the death penalty for acts of “aggravated homosexuality.”
- Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes said, “this kind of hateful rhetoric has no place coming from a member of Congress, and Rep. Walberg is deeply out of step with the values of Michiganders.”
Michigan Advance: Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates heap criticism on Rep. Walberg’s comments at Uganda event
- U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) traveled to the African nation in October for that country’s National Prayer Breakfast, during which he encouraged Uganda to “stand firm” in its Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was signed into law in May by President Yoweri Museveni, and includes the death penalty for those who are determined to be “serial offenders.”
- “It’s unfortunately no surprise that Rep. Walberg is endorsing not only an extreme anti-LGBTQ agenda but one of the world’s most dangerous anti-LGBTQ laws. We won’t be fooled by his gross attempt to cover up his bigotry,” said Barnes.
Along with the Michigan Dem’s rejection of extremist hatred, Rep. Debbie Dingell penned a powerful op-ed in the New York Times that slammed the bullying and vitriol that has become all too common in the political space. She calls for better conduct from our representatives and leaders, rejecting the hateful rhetoric that bullies like Donald Trump use to inspire fear:
New York Times: Debbie Dingell: How to Stand Up to Trump
- I know it can wear you down — but we can’t grow tired, and we must push back on the hatred when we see it, calling it out, using language everyone understands and in ways that prevent it from seeping into our everyday lives and routines…
- This isn’t just about one man. We all face a choice in how we react to bullies, and we all have a responsibility to choose civility in the face of cruelty.
- What I would encourage people to do, if attacked by Mr. Trump or his supporters, is to not be afraid to challenge the attack. Try to de-escalate the situation by presenting an alternative point of view calmly. Don’t let them bait you to descend to their level…
On the other side of the aisle, the MIGOP celebrated two anniversaries this week — first, the one-year anniversary of their MAGA majority in the House of Representatives, and second, the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection that Trump incited in an attempt to override the free and fair election in 2020.
These anniversaries remind us that the stakes this year are higher than ever, with the foundations of our democracy under attack. Under this Republican majority, the GOP was focused on holding the economy hostage, stalling the budget, and putting forward legislation to undermine our democracy. Along with Chair Barnes, Representatives Kildee, Dingell, and Stevens released statements reacting to the failure to deliver anything good to the American people:
Ahead of the third anniversary of the insurrection, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Barnes released the following statement to remind Michiganders of exactly what is at stake should MAGA Republicans win with their extremist and anti-democratic agenda:
“The stakes could not be higher here in Michigan. It’s easy to forget, in light of all the progress we have made over the past few years, that Michigan was ground zero for the tools that built the insurrection. January 6th must serve as an ever-present reminder that under the wrong leadership, the very foundation of our democracy is at risk.
“While Michigan Democrats have taken significant steps to protect our democracy and ensure an insurrection like January 6th never happens again, the threat is far from gone. Michigan voters know how high the stakes are this November, and will stand with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Michigan Democrats up and down the ballot as they fight to protect our democracy and defend every American’s freedoms.”
As if on cue, The Messenger dropped a story with a quote from Chair Barnes highlighting how voters will reject the extremism that the GOP wields, just as they did in 2020 and 2022. This article highlights the way that MAGA extremism connects to every issue important to Americans: abortion, gun control, and health care. Americans supported President Biden and Vice President Harris and beat back the radical MAGA agenda in 2020, and we will do it again:
The Messenger: Biden Set to Unveil What Binds His Reelection Argument Together: Extremism
- “In 2020, the American people were clear and steadfast in their rejection of the extreme MAGA agenda. They’ve rejected it again in 2022. They rejected it a few months ago in the elections across the country,” said Quentin Fulks, a top Biden aide…
- “We must not forget that time and time again, voters have spoken loud and clear in rejecting the GOP’s radical agenda,” said Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. “That’s what happened in 2022, and in 2024 the contrast between our candidates up and down the ballot must be made.”
The week also wrapped up with the Newsweek article about the downfall and chaos currently happening in the MIGOP as members prepare to vote to oust Chair Karamo. We are here to remind you, once again, that no matter who is in charge, the MIGOP is fundamentally broken:
Newsweek: Top Michigan Republican Admits GOP Has ‘Lost Credibility’
- Tommy Kubitschek, spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party, told Newsweek via email on Friday that with or without Karamo, an “extreme agenda” will still be pushed in the Michigan Legislature. “None of this is a shock considering Karamo has promoted nothing but chaos, driven the party into debt, and failed to deliver on any of her promises,” he said. “The fact is, however, the problems with the MI GOP go much deeper than Karamo, having embraced MAGA extremism at every turn. State Republican leaders like Matt Hall, who is one of Trump’s original Michigan disciples, has been silent on the Karamo chaos and demonstrates how far the MIGOP has fallen.”
- “If I would have known that Kristina Karamo would have turned out to be such a tyrannical incompetent dumpster fire, I would never have worked so hard to get her elected. For that I apologize,” Dawn Beattie, a state committee member, wrote in an email in November to other Republicans.
This week was filled with opposites: hatred vs. freedom, fighting for our democracy vs. MAGA extremism, a functional state party vs… whatever the MIGOP is. As the year continues, Democrats will keep fighting for Michiganders’ voices and protecting their most fundamental rights. And if this first week is any indication, Republicans won’t stop relentlessly pushing their extremist agenda.
Signing off,
Michigan Dems
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