Democratic establishment uses a ‘vulnerability’ attack on the left

In a Senate Democratic primary battle, Rep. Angie Craig is employing a common strategy by warning her more progressive rival, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, is more vulnerable to Republican attacks. Craig has highlighted the potential focus on child care system fraud allegations and other government aid categories, pointing out that Flanagan served under former Governor Tim Walz during many of these incidents.

Vice President JD Vance and House Republicans have advocated for a Justice Department probe of Flanagan and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Many Democrats, including Craig, worry that Flanagan may face GOP attacks on these fraud cases should she secure the nomination. "The number one issue among general election voters right now is fraud," Craig said at a recent candidate forum.

She emphasizes that Flanagan has a distinct vulnerability compared to her own lack of such an issue. This tactic is not unique to swing-state Democrats; similar warnings have been made in Michigan and Wisconsin. However, convincing liberals that Republican attacks, which they find absurd or unfair, might sway other voters remains a challenge.

Wisconsin Democrats have resorted to negative media coverage to undermine democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong, with Governor Tony Evers acknowledging her difficulty in winning due to Republican scrutiny over her old tweets. Flanagan has been more proactive in countering these attacks than Hong, who initially defended and later recanted her controversial views on Thanksgiving and its implications for Indigenous people.

Evers has urged Flanagan to counter any Republican accusations of fraud, emphasizing Republicans' lack of substantial issues to discuss.