Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s decision to leave the Democratic Party on Saturday, which led to resignations from his staff followed a months-long pressure campaign from top Republicans, including the “president” himself. Van Drew, like Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), has been against impeachment, and although both of them were pressured, only one of them gave in to Republicans. Peterson is still undecided on impeaching Trump, but he told Republican party leadership that he would remain a Democrat.
“I’m staying in the party, in spite of some of the stuff that’s going on that I don’t agree with, I am not going switch parties at this stage of my career,” Peterson told KFGO News and Views.
“There have been overtures by the highest levels of the Republican party in the last couple weeks to ask if I would consider it and I told them no,” he added.
Politico reports that Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), told Van Drew that Trump would like to see him become a Republican, and McCarthy added a warning, saying that Republicans “were going to beat you anyway.” According to the report, Van Drew was also lobbied by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Trump himself.
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Van Drew was taunted, and Republicans threatened his reelection. All he had to do was switch parties and put aside his dignity, and he did.
Van Drew’s sudden switch won’t change the outcome of the impeachment vote this week. The Blue Wave took over the House, so Democrats have more than enough votes to hold this “president” accountable for his appalling actions.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been taking a victory lap over Van Drew’s party switch.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew is very popular in our great and very united Republican Party. It was a tribute to him that he was able to win his heavily Republican district as a Democrat. People like that are not easily replaceable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2019
We beg to differ, Mr. President, sir. Spineless politicians can be easily replaced in the scheme of things. And so can “presidents” who have put their own interests above the country.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
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