Let’s Embrace The Lincoln Project-For Now

Many of you may not know who The Lincoln Project is, or what they’re all about. But the fact is, the group is currently producing some of the most scathing political ads now airing against the current president. It’s gotten his attention, as well as the rest of the Republican hierarchy.

For some background, the group consists of former Republicans who are self-described “Never Trumpers.” Many of the individuals in the group include former Republican campaign operatives like Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson. They cut their teeth in the political world, working for previous candidates such as John McCain and George W. Bush. George Conway, an attorney who’s married to White House advisor Kelly Anne Conway, is also a group member.

Anyone who has seen Schmidt or Wilson on the various talk shows know that they are two of the most anti-Trump spokespersons. Schmidt, for one, is perhaps the most eloquent in his daily smackdowns of the current president. Wilson, too, is never at a loss showing his disdain and disgust, often with biting and humorous sarcasm.

Unfortunately, though, many on the left are skeptical of The Lincoln Project. Many do not trust or believe in the group’s sincerity, especially when many of the same people were responsible for producing some of the same cut-throat attack ads against Democrats in years past. In other words, why are they doing this?

In their 2019 New York Times op-ed that introduced the group, The Lincoln Project’s primary purpose, according to their founders, was “defeating President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box and to elect those patriots who will hold the line.” In an interview with Vox, Lincoln Project communications director Keith Edwards said, “We are focused on making sure Trump is a one-term president and ensuring Biden takes the oath of office in January. We’re not thinking of anything beyond that.”

Others, such as Lincoln Project treasurer Reed Galen, point out that the group is there to give “a safe space for Republicans to express their concerns about the president.”

However, the group is branching out and releasing ads critical of other Republicans in Congress who’ve been some of the current president’s most ardent boot-lickers like Senator’s Lindsay Graham and Mitch McConnell. Some of the ads focus on how impeachment was a lost opportunity for Republicans to do right by the Constitution that they swore to protect.

Some Democrats aren’t buying it. To many, it’s not about Trumpism. They’ve seen the Republican Party’s actions in the last several years, and Trump is merely the culmination of a series of right-leaning policies and stances the party’s been exercising for several years now. In other words, Trump is a symptom of a much more significant ideological shift that’s taken over the party.

But what if the actual goal of The Lincoln Project is simply taking a stand against the most dangerous president ever? Or, what if the goal is to firmly reject Trumpism, as they have stated, and create the backdrop for a chance at rehabilitating the Republican Party itself? The party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Reagan vs. the Party of Trump?

If so, that wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it? In our two-party system, we need two viable entities, each opposing each other, and allowing for cooperation to get things done for the country. The way things stand now, the two parties are far apart, with discord and dissension becoming worse daily. A new, more moderate and invigorated Republican Party might pave the way for better cooperation.

Whatever the motivations of The Lincoln Project are, we on the left need to let them continue to do what they’ve been doing. The ads aren’t hurting Joe Biden. They’re destroying the current president. We can be skeptical of what their ultimate goal is, but again, who cares?

Because, folks, this election is about taking out a regime that’s a clear and present danger to our democracy. We’re at less than 100 days to go now until the most important election of our lifetimes, and it’s no time to start playing nice. If a group of former/disgruntled Republicans wants to help us get to the promised land, then so be it.

It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment right now. We, the people, need all the help we can get on November 3, 2020. After the election, let’s argue whether The Lincoln Project had the nation’s best interest at heart or their self-interest.

Democrats tend to overthink things at times. But the truth is that these ads get under the skin of the current president and put a stake in the heart of the current iteration of the Republican Party. Let’s not forget that. Let’s embrace it.