Call a doctor! Bring Prozac and a polo mallet!
Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), the freshman elected in 2022, has lost his mind and his way. Apparently he thinks he's the legacy media's new darling, towing the anti-Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for speaker line with every camera he can get in front of, especially CNN.
Lawler shamelessly preened for the cameras, stating he would support Jordan “if he has the (217) votes.” Of course, he casts his vote for Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) thinking this will help him in his reelection bid next year in 2024. Poor, demented, Mike.
Hailing from a very “purple” district in the Empire State of New York, Lawler's newly created congressional seat, the 17th, rose from the ashes of redistricting. He was already a freshman New York assemblyman, old family blood – popular at the time, running against a Democrat “Inside the Beltway” giant – Sean Patrick Maloney, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Maloney's old 18th district was gone, and he and his husband decided to run in the new 17th, as they resided there, causing a stir in Democrat Party circles. It seemed like a great call for the couple, as the area voted for Biden heavily in 2020 and is looking to do so in 2024. A personal legacy seat in the making, not to mention the DCCC under Maloney's leadership seemingly slowing – and ultimately stopping dead in its tracks – a red tide midterm blowout by the GOP. By all political merits, Maloney should've been a hero to his party – but alas, he failed to put in shoe leather and time at “factory gates,” not getting to know various religious and civic leaders in the new seat well enough to get out the vote – and lost. Sure, one can make an argument that this particular district, home to a large conservative Jewish community, might have some unfortunate reservations with Maloney's lifestyle – plus inside Democrat baseball players were unhappy about his choice to run in the new 17th district thereby eliminating a popular Black progressive candidate's shot (who ultimately lost a House bid in another race) at it – but, just like that, the “hero” chair of the D-triple-C is out, Lawler is in and on his way to D.C.
Lawler serves on the House Financial Services and the House Foreign Relations Committees, two important assignments for his state and constituency. By all accounts, he should be a revered freshman who toppled an incumbent national Democrat leader. Certainly a stunning upset given the overall midterm election outcomes.
Now, the congressman only won by a few thousand votes. Receiving 144,550 to Maloney's 141,730 – that's not by much. It's in the margins. Very close margins.
In 2020, Biden won New York State 60% to Trump's 39% – so Lawler's 2022 win was certainly a surprise to many analysts and poll watchers at the time.
But now Mike Lawler seems to forget who brought him to the party. Or better – which party?
Millions of conservative PAC organizational dollars were spent in supporting his campaign for office, and, admittedly, aimed to embarrass the Democrats with an unexpected leadership loss. These dollars will certainly evaporate due to Lawler getting cute with the cameras, attempting to show he's not some Trump flag waving MAGA man, but a thoughtful representative of his constituents. Mike – get with the program.
The Democrats hate you. The infamous AOC has already targeted you, pointing to your speaker vote, threatening to single you out if you support Jordan. Guess what buddy? These Squad types and the groups supporting them are going to do everything in their power to make sure you lose no matter what.
Lawler's desperation to already separate from his party is evidenced by his appearance with former President Bill Clinton at a rally supporting Israel. Even for that, the Democrats accused Lawler of “politicizing” the Israel-Hamas conflict for fundraising and political gain. Again, Congressman Lawler cannot have it both ways – you are either a Republican or you are not. Hiding behind a vote for McCarthy doesn't make you look principled, it makes you look weak, emboldening the very people who seek to unseat you and no longer respect you – and lose support among the very party constituency, the Republican Party, whom you represent.
Congressman Lawler should accept his status as an outlier and stick to his conservative roots, not his legacy media ratings in vain hopes of reelection by catering to the here and now. While laudable to say one does try to represent all citizens of their district, you cannot be all things to all people. Try that, and you ultimately have no friends or supporters – or a party.
And that party, Congressman Lawler, is your party – the Republican Party and its 2024 presumptive nominee, the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. And don't you forget it.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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