The Democrats are openly supporting far right candidates in some GOP primaries in the hope of running against a weaker opponent. Leaving the ethics of this aside, is it tactically sound?
That depends on two variables:
- HOW MUCH DAMAGE CAN THE EXTREMIST CANDIDATE DO IF HE WINS? A single House member has little influence in the process, so using the tactic for House races makes some sense. A governor, on the other hand, can do a whole lot of damage. Members of the Senate are in the middle.
- HOW PLAUSIBLE IS THE PROSPECT OF AN EXTREMIST VICTORY? In Maryland, for example, the Democrats have a 3:1 registration advantage, so the likelihood of a victory for a Trumpist candidate is pretty low. Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is becoming a swing state. You can’t afford to run the risk under those conditions.