Ex-Obama Advisor Confesses: Excluding Trump from Ballot Poses Risks for Democrats
David Axelrod: Removing Trump from Primary Ballots Could Backfire for Democrats
Even David Axelrod, top adviser to former President Barack Obama, has admitted that forcibly removing former President Donald Trump from primary ballots — which some states have already attempted to do, pending court rulings — could be a risky move for Democrats.
Axelrod told CNN on Friday that he had “very, very strong reservations” about states like Maine and Colorado — where officials have cited the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection” clause and declared Trump “ineligible” to run for President in 2024 because of what happened on January 6th, 2021.
“I have very, very strong reservations about all of this. I do think it would rip the country apart if he were actually prevented from running because tens of millions of people want to vote for him,” Axelrod said.
As The New York Post reported, Axelrod argued that Trump had essentially set up his campaign to function as part of his legal defense — and Democrats who wanted him removed from the 2024 primary ballot were playing right into his hands.
“A lot of the motivation for [Trump’s] candidacy was as a legal defense strategy,” Axelrod explained, adding, “He wanted to set up a construct … which says that they’re coming after him because he’s running for president, and they’re trying to prevent him from being president.”
The problem, Axelrod added, was that every attack Democrats had brought against the former president so far appeared to have backfired: “We’ve run this experiment, he’s only gained since he started getting indicted.”
Brianne Pfannenstiel, chief political reporter at the Des Moines Register, backed up Axelrod’s assessment to former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on her Sunday morning MSNBC show.
“If he’s being attacked, Republicans in Iowa tend to gravitate even more closely to him… His support is only getting stronger here in Iowa,” she said.
WATCH:
“If he’s being attacked, Republicans in Iowa tend to gravitate even more closely to him… His support is only getting stronger here in Iowa.” @brianneDMR on Iowa polling that shows Trump’s rhetoric makes GOP caucusgoers more likely to support him pic.twitter.com/Hxb60GaQbD
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) December 31, 2023
Ultimately, Axelrod argued that the best way to defeat Trump was not in removing him from the ballot but in beating him at the ballot box. “I think if you’re going to beat Donald Trump, you’re going to probably have to do it at the polls.”
How might removing a popular candidate like Donald Trump from the primary ballot affect the perception of a partisan agenda within the Democratic Party?
Become the standard-bearer of a significant portion of the Republican Party, and removing him from the primary ballot could effectively disenfranchise millions of voters.
Axelrod’s concerns are not without merit. It is crucial to remember that a primary election is a crucial mechanism for parties to choose their candidates. It allows voters to have a say in determining the direction and leadership of the party. Removing a candidate, especially one as popular as Donald Trump, goes against the principles of democracy and fair representation.
Moreover, the political fallout from such a move could have severe repercussions for the Democratic Party. The removal of Trump from the primary ballot would undoubtedly fuel accusations of a partisan agenda and would further polarize an already divided nation. It would provide Trump and his supporters with an opportunity to portray themselves as victims of a rigged system, potentially rallying support and mobilizing voters against the Democratic Party.
Additionally, preventing Trump from running in the primary could backfire in the general election. By denying Trump the opportunity to compete in the primary, Democrats risk preventing a potential weakened candidate from emerging, one who might be more susceptible to defeat in the general election. By removing Trump from the primary ballot, Democrats potentially deny themselves the possibility of a less formidable opponent.
Critics may argue that Trump’s actions on January 6th, 2021, justify his exclusion from future elections. However, it is important to remember that a candidate’s eligibility should not be determined solely by a single event, no matter how significant. The Constitution provides mechanisms for addressing misconduct, such as impeachment and legal proceedings, which should be pursued rather than singling out a candidate and removing them from the ballot.
It is also worth considering the long-term consequences of such a precedent. If a candidate can be barred from running based on a single event or action, it opens the door for further manipulation of the electoral process. This could lead to a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and institutions.
In conclusion, David Axelrod’s reservations about removing Donald Trump from primary ballots are well-founded. Doing so could potentially rip the country apart and further divide the already polarized electorate. Democrats should be cautious before taking such a drastic step, considering the potential backlash and long-term consequences. In a democracy, voters should ultimately have the final say in determining the fate of their candidates, and removing a popular and controversial figure like Donald Trump from the primary ballot goes against the principles of fair representation and democratic values.
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