Horrifying that inciting an insurrectionist mob to storm the US Capitol only moved Trump approval down to the mid-30s. The political penalties for encouraging extremism and attacking democratic norms are dangerously weak.
Horrifying that inciting an insurrectionist mob to storm the US Capitol only moved nine Republicans to vote for impeachment. The political penalties for encouraging extremism and attacking democratic norms are dangerously weak.
10
A contrary take from @anthlittle. Let's see - Hawley managed to split the party (hence divided opinion) but Trump's anti-democratic behavior has not had this same effect. (I hope Andrew is right but Hawley may just be bad at this.) Image
Well, a lot given recent events, no? Most infractions are less dramatic, effects decay, and most members have safe seats. Plus average effects for public overall may be less negative for constituents they represent given seat safety
Shouldn't the inference from recent events be that the penalty for violating democratic norms isn't realistically that large and/or that Congressional Rs' decision calculus is different?

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More from @BrendanNyhan

16 Jan
Lots of evidence-free claims about the insurrection being an inside job w/Capitol Police or members of Congress. What happened should be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But we should also beware of the appeal of conspiracy theories in moments like this.
The known facts are abhorrent. No need to speculate prematurely before what happened is better understood.
Lots of reasons people might leap to conclusions about a conspiracy beyond the evidence per this discussion with @RyanDEnos Image
Read 7 tweets
9 Jan
The professional association of political science literally did a "both sides" statement after a violent insurrection. Do better.
The statement does say this. But the part on what to do about the insurrection is pure both sides-ism.
*Axe Body Spray* managed to denounce the insurrectionist riot at the Capitol without engaging in "both sides" equivalence. Somehow the American Political Science Association couldn't. Sigh. ImageImage
Read 5 tweets
8 Jan
Also the people with the time and money to go to DC on a weekday are going to be relatively advantaged
More examples here - a lawyer, a teacher, a chief executive (!), a sheriff, and a small business owner. As with Trump's supporters, higher income/status than many assume washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01…
Read 4 tweets
3 Jan
An authoritarian is trying to overturn a free and fair election. He presents an ongoing threat to democracy every day he is in the White House and should be removed from office.
Read 10 tweets
1 Jan
Precisely what I'm warned against in podcast with @MattGrossmann niskanencenter.org/how-much-did-t… - the way Trump is now warping the incentives of ambitious Republican politicians
"At least 140 House Republicans to vote against counting electoral votes" - we're at the edge of the precipice; a major party is on verge of refusing to accept the result of an election cnn.com/2020/12/31/pol…. This is how Trump is warping incentives.
Per @BenSasse: "in private, I haven’t heard a single Congressional Republican allege that the election results were fraudulent - not one. Instead, I hear them talk about their worries about how they will 'look' to President Trump’s most ardent supporters." facebook.com/SenatorSasse/p…
Read 11 tweets

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