Political Extremism Can Occasionally Lead To Victory

As long as our country has had elections there have been fringe, extremist candidates on both sides of the spectrum.

It doesn’t really matter the issue or how far outside the mainstream it is, if there is a cause or movement outside of the mainstream then it has likely been represented at one time or another.

For example, there has always been a Communist Party based in this country. I’m not talking about someone being accused of Communism like they were decades ago during the Red Scare, but an actual party with candidates.

As recently as 1990 an avowed white supremist in J.B. Stoner ran for statewide office in Georgia. During the 1990 Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, Stoner actually finished six among a nine-candidate field.

Perhaps the most stunning accomplishment for Stoner that year was that he earned more votes than the lone African-American candidate in the race. Stoner was a disbarred lawyer convicted of bombing an African-American church which led to a stay in prison.

His 1990 campaign actually is one which is probably talked about in law schools today. It’s not because he once was a lawyer but rather he used the law which says television political advertising cannot be censored. One of his commercials focused on “thanking God for AIDS.” That’s enough said about that.

That 1990 campaign was just one of several for Stoner who at various times ran for governor and the U.S. Senate.

Typically fringe candidates don’t actually win. They may make some noise in the primaries but then fade away. On occasion they may resurface again for another try. During that Lt. Governor primary in 1990 some candidates refused to be on the same stage with Stoner. One candidate boldly stated he would like to “punch him in the mouth.”

I’m never been convinced that all of these fringe candidates truly believe what they say. (Stoner was probably the exception.)

In the 2018 Republican candidate for Governor in our state it seemed several candidates, including the eventual winner, played heavily on stereotypes to win votes. The reason is simple. These candidates, who are actually very smart, realize it doesn’t take much to sway voters. Truth to be known they probably laugh in private at voters.

All it takes is saying the right thing to connect with someone. Talk about guns, trucks, shooting a young man who wants to date your daughter or having a school bus made up like a prison transport vehicle for “illegal” aliens were tactics which were all front and center in the 2018 statewide campaign. It was kind of embarrassing if you really think about.

In recent days another political extremist shocked pundits, observers and others who think with a level head by winning a competitive primary. Majorie Taylor Greene won the GOP runoff, and in all likelihood, has already obtained her ticket to a seat in congress.

The 14th District is probably the most conservative in the state (which is saying something) and Greene ran a perfect campaign. Her continuous slamming of national Democrats and her belief in some outright bizarre conspiracy theories saw her defeat a runoff opponent which clearly would have been a better representative in elected office.

Many of the things Greene talks about doing will never happen simply because, well, she is all talk. Even various national Republican officials have denounced her. She chalks that up to the overall conspiracy against her and the odd movement she admittedly believes in.

Don’t be confused about Greene. If you aren’t familiar with her then read a little about her. She has been widely criticized for racists remarks against various individuals.

If nothing else Greene’s victory shows that at times extremist candidates do win. While she faces a Democratic challenger in the general election the outcome will likely be 75-25 in her favor due to the makeup of the district.

Voters in the 14th District were no doubt using the “We’ll show them!”

mentality in their selection of Greene as the Republican nominee. What the voters will learn quickly, however, is that Greene is going to be an ineffective representative of the district simply because most people, Republicans and Democrats alike, find her more than just a little crazy.

Certainly, this not a cry to stop candidates like Greene from running for office. They have every right to do so. If voters actually put candidates of this nature in office then that is their right and their choice.

When you vote for extremists, however, you have made your bed and now there is nothing left to do but to lie in it. Move over voters of the 14th District, one Majorie Taylor Greene is now on the other side of the bed. Good night.

Monticello native Chris Bridges is a long-time newspaper columnist. He welcomes feedback from readers of The Monticello News at pchrisbridges@gmail.com.