Rules of the American political game have changed. Play on, Governor Newsom.
Re “Gavin Newsom is going low. Is this the future of Democratic campaigns?”: In her Aug. 5 op-ed, Mariel Garza presented a reasonable rationale for the California governor’s shift in tone and the corresponding bump in his polls. I would bluntly add that the rules of the game of American politics have changed.
The predominant approach in the Democratic Party of simply complaining that the new tactics in politics are unfair has failed miserably. The makeup of the Supreme Court and Congress are direct examples of this failure. Sadly, it is time to play by the Republicans’ amended rules. Had this type of rule change and cheating occurred on a playground, it would have been addressed. Until there is an agreement on ethical standards, Democrats who hold on to righteousness do so at our collective peril.
James Christopher
Westwood
Advocate for a better way, Democrats, but don’t get hustled in the meantime
Mariel Garza writes, “Heaven help us,” at the prospect that American politics is becoming a contest of “they go low, we go lower.”
She raises concern over Governor Gavin Newsom’s threat to gerrymander California in favor of Democrats in reaction to the Texas Legislature’s redistricting of that state to boost Republicans.
It is only fair for Democrats to follow Republicans into the gutter. At the same time, Democrats must advocate to change the rules to keep it a fair game. If I play against a Republican in darts and my competitor takes two steps forward over the line, it’s only fair for me to take two steps forward. But still, I would demand a discussion on a fair location for the line.
Ted Ruetenik
Newburyport