Insight
Political Party with Adam Smith: A Republican looks the other way
Republican strategist Ryan Wiggins is a Pensacola native who has worked to put Donald Trump cheerleader Matt Gaetz into Congress, elect Jackie Toledo of Tampa to the Florida House, and passionately supported U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
Today, the self-described Ronald Reagan Republican is not just disenchanted with her lifelong political party, but hopeless about its future and actively working to stop its leader from winning a second term in the White House. She says today’s GOP is a danger to America, having embraced parts of the base that had used to be well out of view: racists, fringe conspiracy theorists and fascists.
“I don’t think the Republican party ever goes back. I don’t think the Republican party that I joined is there anymore,” Wiggins says in the latest episode of Political Party with Adam Smith.
She is now working with The Lincoln Project, a political action committee run by veteran Republican strategists aiming to defeat President Trump and many of his high profile supporters in elected office.
She is working with the Republican consultants including Rick Wilson of Tallahassee, former Charlie Crist adviser Stuart Stevens, and John McCain advisers Steve Schmidt and John Weaver.
She said she and fellow Lincoln Project leaders understand that for years, they had a hand in encouraging those voters.
“One of the hardest things I have had the hardest time reckoning with over the past four years is the part that I have played that has led to this day,” she said. “We know we were part of the problem.”
What about future Republican leaders in Florida?
“Ron DeSantis I think has tanked his career, I truly do, with his poor handling of Covid.”
And she called Rubio a giant disappointment in his response to Trump: “Youve got to stand for something. And not standing up against a guy who has bullied you and made fun of you and has been just a horrible person, people lose respect.”
Click the arrow for much more.
John Barrett
October 19, 2020at8:09 pm
I’ve been a fan of The Catalyst, since inception, and continually enjoy their local business beat reporting especially! However when I read this afternoon’s one sided article from Mr. DeYoung, I felt this starkly contrasted the journalistic philosophy stated at founding by Mr. Joe Hamilton; “Both The Catalyst and the community have a responsibility to be objective, be rational, be civil, and be truthful, while also understanding there are many perspectives to every issue.” In this article, I feel the mark was missed across the board.
contshare Ms. Briam’s point of view and see nothing objective about this article. This is in stark contrast
found nothing serious about
Joe Hamilton
October 19, 2020at9:15 pm
Hi John – Thanks for your note. The content was erroneously attributed to Catalyst journalist Bill DeYoung. Adam Smith, the author and show host, is not a Catalyst journalist and his views are his own. We are a social news platform. In addition to our professional journalism, we welcome content from organizations and individuals in the community.
To your point, Adam focuses on one perspective per show. Though not his mandate, the aggregate of his shows offers a variety of perspectives which you can review on his episodes page here.
Thank you again for reading and taking the time to write.
Margaret Somerville
October 19, 2020at5:08 pm
Thanks for the counterpoint presented in your interview a Lincoln Republican. Your guests are rounding out the discussion format you stated at the onset of the series!
Carol Briam
October 19, 2020at4:24 pm
I thought that the Catalyst was oriented toward community news. So I find it odd that such a politically biased article would be published so soon before the Presidential election without any attempt to present a countering viewpoint.
Joe Hamilton
October 19, 2020at6:54 pm
Carol – Thank you for your note. Adam is a thought leader who is utilizing our social news platform to share his content. He has had a variety of guests on from across the political spectrum. He is not a Catalyst journalist and views are his own.
Mason Morfit
October 19, 2020at4:07 pm
Great show. Appreciate that Adam Smith is able to have serious but cordial discussions with people across the political spectrum.