Republicans Running On Racist Appeals, Naturally

Behold, a pattern is emerging in Republican attack ads leading up to the mid- terms, one that is directed straight to the rotted- out core of their party. If you're surprised by these developments, well, bless your heart.

Maryland

The object of the Republicans’ ire is [Maryland] state Del. Aruna Miller, a highly respected lawmaker from Montgomery County who is one of the putative front-runners in a field of more than a half-dozen Democrats running for the party nomination in a race to succeed Rep. John Delaney. (Mr. Delaney is leaving Congress to run for president.) Her transgression, according to a mass mailing from the state Republican Party, was to have been one of 58 legislators in Annapolis to co-sponsor legislation that would bar state and local authorities from asking individuals about their immigration status. The measure died in the House of Delegates. 

That’s a pretty flimsy basis on which to link Ms. Miller with violent gangs such as MS-13. But it’s no flimsier than the pretext in another mailer — accusing her of “making your neighborhood go downhill” because she backed a bill to allow community-based organizations to establish centers to treat drug addiction and infectious diseases. That, according to another Republican mailer, would “bring drug dens to our neighborhoods” and “jeopardize your family’s safety.” (our emphasis)

Arizona

Democrats don't think they are going to win next week's special election in the reliably Republican suburbs west of Phoenix. 

But in a year where Arizona is slated to have multiple high profile general election races in November -- including a closely watched contest for the state's open Senate seat, a chance to challenge Arizona's Republican governor and a winnable open House seat -- a dozen Democrats in the state and around the country told CNN that they see their efforts to back a longshot congressional candidate as a test run for November. 

Republicans aren't taking any chances either, spending over $1 million in the race and getting President Donald Trump to record a robocall earlier this month to boost early voting. 

"Nancy Pelosi wants to send a liberal Democrat to Congress to represent you. We can't have that," Trump says in the call, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, that went out to voters on April 6. "If that happens, illegal immigrants will pour right over your border, bringing their drugs and their crime with them, right into your neighborhood, right into your back yard."

We're sure there are -- and will be --  more examples of this tactic in play this year, ranging from dog whistling to bull horn blaring. Apparently, since no one but plutocrats and Paul Ryan got a stiffy from the Republican wealthfare tax giveaway, Republicans are resorting to their time- tested, good old fashioned racist playbook to rouse their mouth- breathing, melanin- phobic base to get off their asses and get to the polls.

As the WaPo op/ ed points out, similar racist scare tactics backfired spectacularly in the governor's race in Virginia last November.  And doing the "Nancy Pelosi misogynist boogaloo" didn't save PA- 18 for Republicans. But when racism is in your political DNA, this is what you do because it's literally who you are.

Keep your eye on this.