The MAGAs Charge into a Minefield

 Even though the hard core right wing might not have figured it out yet, it has become obvious to everyone else all those MAGA dominated state legislatures, not to mention scores of statewide and national candidates have finally pushed their extremist act too far. Not everywhere, of course, the bellicose lunatic fringe maintained the status quo in Mississippi during Tuesday's elections, but no one ever expects anything sane to happen there in the first place.

In Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky however the public proved it was tired of putting up with the MAGA's notion that political hacks know more about health care than physicians--that they, not the patient, should decide what medical treatments should be pursued, no matter what the circumstances, or risks.  

In truth, republicans should have known it was coming. A little over a year ago the voters of Kansas rejected an amendment to the state's constitution allowing for prosecution of anyone involved with abortions. The outcome wasn't even close. Nearly 60% of the voters went pro choice.

On Tuesday nearly 57% of Ohio voters approved a measure which guarantees reproductive rights, including abortion, in the state constitution. It was the second time republicans got their heads handed to them on the issue. The first was when state conservatives tried to pass a measure that would require a 60% majority to enact the law. In other words they knew the amendment would pass so they tried to rig the outcome through minority rule.

How oh so perfectly Trumpian of them.

Across the river in Kentucky the incumbent governor Andy Breshear, by all accounts a popular guy, despite being a democrat in a solidly red state, won re-election by a shade over 5%. His opponent was republican state AG and anti abortion advocate, Daniel Cameron. Cameron had the support of Donald Trump, proving as one wag said last night, not everything in America is about Donald Trump, or Taylor Swift.   

In Virginia democrats flipped the House of Delegates giving them control of both houses of the state legislature. Republican governor, Glen Youngkin had campaigned extensively for delegates while promising he would push for a, "compromise," abortion ban. Voters weren't in the mood to believe his, "compromise," as democrats pointed out repeatedly Younkin's bill left the door open to more extremist laws in the future. 

The collective results Tuesday inspired liberal euphoria and pronouncements that Joe Biden isn't doomed next year despite what recent polls might indicate. Well, maybe, or maybe not. Exit polling revealed democratic voters outnumbered republicans by 2% in Ohio. While it doesn't fully explain a 13 point margin of victory it does mean democrats, at least on this issue, are more energized than republicans. That remains to be seen when Donald Trump is actually on the ballot. 

As former Ohio GOP governor John Kasich pointed out in presidential elections the economy is almost always the deciding factor, not health care. The democrats can't rely on abortion rights alone and keep the White House. 

Meanwhile, last night five republican presidential hopefuls came together in Miami for a debate. The affair proved two things. First, the only plausible reason for any of them to still be running is in case Donald Trump keels over after eating one order of fries too many. Second, Vivek Ramaswamy is the single most obnoxious asshole on the face of the planet. 

And given Marjorie Taylor Greene's presence on this blue ball that's quite an accomplishment. 

Let's face it, after this week, there is no predicting what will happen next. The variables have become too many and too complex. Only one thing is certain. When it comes to women's health care the republican party has charged into a minefield it can't escape from. And the weird thing is, a sizable chunk of them are so brutally nihilistic they actually might not want to.

After all, self destruction is the one true dynamic of extremism.

11-9-23