As the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court fuels an uptick in protests and activism from the left, Republicans are using fear mongering tactics and criticism of the “mob” to energize Republican voters.
As The Washington Post notes, the talking point has been perpetuated by several noteworthy GOPers in recent days, suggesting a coordinated campaign by Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) bragged on Monday that Republicans “stood up to the mob.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) criticized Democrats last week for encouraging “mob rule.” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on Friday seized on President Donald Trump’s latest suggestion that those protesting Kavanaugh’s confirmation are “a paid mob trying to prevent senators from doing the will of their constituents.” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted criticism of the media’s coverage of the “angry mob” of protesters storming the “steps of the Supreme Court building.” Trump even chimed in on Saturday night during a rally, as the Post notes, calling Democrats an “angry mob.”
Painting Democrats as members of an unruly anarchy has been “effective,” according to an adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign, Jeff Roe who said Republicans are using it “everywhere” because it works.
“Their tactics are too hot. They insult Republicans and turn off independents even more than the prospect of impeachment does,” he told the Post.
