MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If ever there were examples of blatant political pandering – along with a bit of desperation – both were on display Monday in Cordova. That is where Republican U.S. senate candidate Dr. Manny Sethi held a campaign rally – three days before the primary this Thursday. He was accompanied by Texas Senator Ted Cruz. And the rhetoric from these guys was striking in its ridiculousness.
For starters, neither Sethi nor Cruz wore masks during the campaign event, which was held indoors in front of about 200 people. Only about half of them were wearing masks, and there was little or no social distancing. Then Sethi, who is a trauma surgeon mind you, called for Dr. Anthony Fauci to be fired from the National Institutes of Health and as a top advisor to the White House on the coronavirus pandemic. Never mind that Fauci's approval rating is between 65% and 70%, because Americans believe he is telling the truth about COVID-19. But Sethi thinks dissing Dr. Fauci is a good way to win over Trump supporters. Pure pandering.
Yet, Sethi is in a surprisingly tight race with Bill Hagerty for the GOP senate nomination. Both Sethi and Cruz argued that Hagerty will not carry out Trump’s agenda. But Trump has repeatedly endorsed Hagerty. Go figure.
To his credit, Sethi has made the race interesting. And clinging to Trump is one thing. Attacking Dr. Fauci – is another. And that’s my point of view.