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Opinion

Predictions 2023: Far-right extremists taking over GOP

Dr. Rashad Richey National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.
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House Minority Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is doing everything he can to secure votes for his majority speakership, including making overtures to extremists. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is now one of his most vocal defenders. She seems to be following in the footsteps of another firebrand conservative, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), who’s expected to become the chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee.

What’s going on here? As Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey explains, far-right conservatives are trying to climb the GOP ranks to become key party players – and they’re likely to succeed.

There’s dissension obviously in the ranks, but I think they’re going to try to do something really strategic in 2023.

Because somebody has to appeal to the racist people in America. Somebody in the Republican Party has to still have a connection to the heart of bigots that support the party. 

Now, I know some people may not like how I’m characterizing this, but the reality is racist individuals do vote. The vast majority of them are not going to vote for a Biden-Harris ticket. If you are a White racist, you’re not supporting a Black vice president and a president who is okay with a Black vice president, etc, etc. 

So let’s be clear about the facts. The Republican Party, they still depend on individuals that are adverse to diversity. 

They still depend on individuals to support them, who are contrary to the sentiment of coalition. 

So how do they keep them? In order to keep that demographic, you have to have leaders, like Marjorie Taylor Greene and others, with some level of power and influence and leadership. 

There may come a time, very soon in 2023, where the Republican Party transforms in a way that’s irrevocable. It will be no question as to who they care for. That’s my prediction.

Okay, my prediction for 2023 is this fringe, extreme right-wing Republicans will become the new leadership of the Republican movement. Now, many of you may say, well, that has already happened. Well, in a way, but not really. You see, Donald Trump was the 100% extremist leader. He was the guy that championed the causes of white supremacist and other unfavorable characters. He’s the man that said, basically, hey, go to the capitol and stop this process. I’m paraphrasing. But let’s be very clear. It has now gone from Donald Trump, a person, to multiple leaders in Congress. I believe this new leadership dynamic will be led by people like 

Marjorie Taylor Greene, and dare I say, Matt Gaetz, if he’s not indicted soon for trafficking an underage child. But I digress. Let’s go back to the reality of what’s happening. Remember when Marjorie Taylor Greene, the congresswoman out of Georgia, initially started saying things that were anti-semitic? She started saying things that were holistically racist. And then she even decided eventually to be a keynote speaker at an actual white supremacist rally coordinated by Nick Fuentes. 

Well, remember, when her antics were first proclaimed, some Republicans actually voiced disagreement with her. She was taken off of major committees. Did that decrease her power? 

Did that limit her ability to fundraise? Did that lower her profile? No. It did the exact opposite. 

It increased her influence. It enhanced her profile. And she is now one of the most effective fundraisers for the GOP. Let’s be very clear. This dynamic that Trump spearheaded initially, has now been adopted by multiple members of the GOP currently in leadership. 

There’s dissension obviously in the ranks, but I think they’re going to try to do something really strategic and 2023.

Because somebody has to appeal to the racist people in America. Somebody in the Republican Party has to still have a connection to the heart of bigots that support the party. 

Now, I know some people may not like how I’m characterizing this, but the reality is racist individuals do vote. The vast majority of them are not going to vote for a Biden-Harris ticket. If you are a white racist, you’re not supporting a black vice president and a president who is okay with a black vice president, etc, etc. 

So let’s be clear about the facts. The Republican Party, they still depend on individuals that are adverse to diversity. 

They still depend on individuals to support them, who are contrary to the sentiment of coalition. 

So how do they keep them? In order to keep that demographic, you have to have leaders, like Marjorie Taylor Greene and others, with some level of power and influence and leadership. 

There may come a time, very soon in 2023, where the Republican Party transforms in a way that’s irrevocable. It will be no question as to who they care for. That’s my prediction.

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