Former VA Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Conservative But Non-Trumpist Republican, Asks, “why does the GOP insist on self destruction by nominating fringe candidates like [Dan] Cox to run for office?”

Interesting post by former Virginia Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, a conservative Republican but not a Trumpist or “QAnon conspiracy theorist,” like the Republican nominee for governor of Maryland. As Bolling asks, “The question is, why does the GOP insist on self destruction by nominating fringe candidates like Cox to run for office?” The answer: “many in the GOP seem more interested in nominating far right wing ideologues than they are in winning elections and earning the right to lead. It’s a sad and troubling trend.” But why is this the case? For more on that topic, see this Twitter thread by David Atkins, which explains that “Unlike us, they’re not obsessed with the next election. They’re obsessed with building the Christian Nationalist Kingdom on earth. They’re pretty desperate, & will take desperate measures.” Our job is to stop them and to save our democracy from this extremist, dangerous minority.

Larry Hogan is one of the most popular and effective Republican governors in the country…..in a very blue state. In a step guaranteed to cost them any chance of retaining the Governor’s office, the Maryland GOP has nominated a first term Delegate, Dan Cox, as their nominee for governor in November. Hogan has said he will not support Cox, a Trump backed candidate who Hogan called unqualified to serve as governor, and a “QAnon conspiracy theorist.” The question is, why does the GOP insist on self destruction by nominating fringe candidates like Cox to run for office? Perhaps these kinds of candidates can win in solid Republican states and districts, but they have no chance of winning in competitive elections. Unfortunately, many in the GOP seem more interested in nominating far right wing ideologues than they are in winning elections and earning the right to lead. It’s a sad and troubling trend.