California Congressman Eric Swalwell is making it clear that he doesn’t believe in taking the “high road” when it comes to battling Republicans. His stance marks a sharp contrast to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s famous 2016 call to “go high” when political opponents “go low.”
A Shift in Strategy: From “Go High” to “Go Lower”
Recently, Swalwell amplified a message from the progressive group Progress Action Fund, which has flipped Michelle Obama’s slogan on its head. Their new rallying cry is: “When Republicans go low, we go lower.”
Swalwell shared one of the group’s videos on X (formerly Twitter). The dramatic clip depicted an ICE raid tearing apart a young couple, with one of the kidnappers declaring, “I’m your Republican Congressman.” Swalwell added his own blunt warning: “Trump’s America.”
This move highlights Swalwell’s belief that Democrats cannot rely on restraint when facing what he views as extremist tactics from the GOP.
Taking the Gloves Off
The congressman has built a reputation for direct and often fiery criticism of Republicans:
- In 2024, he went viral after blasting House Republicans as being in “a cult” for defending Donald Trump despite his felony convictions.
- Earlier this year, Swalwell said GOP members privately admit Trump is “a child” but remain too afraid to stand up to him.
- He has also taken shots at Republicans for their handling of Supreme Court controversies, accusing them of hypocrisy and double standards.
Together, these remarks show a pattern: Swalwell is done with subtlety and has embraced a far more confrontational tone.
Michelle Obama Still Believes in “Going High”
While Swalwell leans into aggressive tactics, Michelle Obama continues to stand by her original message. She has repeatedly explained that “going high” doesn’t mean ignoring anger or injustice—it means channeling it into constructive action.
In her words, “Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins. Going high is the only thing that works in the long run.”
A Divided Democratic Playbook
The split highlights a broader debate within the Democratic Party: should leaders focus on dignity and unity, as Michelle Obama urges, or fight fire with fire, as Swalwell and groups like Progress Action Fund argue?
With the 2025 political season heating up, Swalwell’s approach signals that at least some Democrats are prepared to abandon the high ground in favor of a bare-knuckle fight.
Comments
Post a Comment