In this episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro examines the recent primary election defeat of Jamal Bowman, a high-profile left-wing candidate who lost by nearly 20 points. He suggests this outcome reflects a broader voter backlash against radical politics in favor of more moderate candidates.
Shapiro critiques the divisive "victim vs. victimizer" ideology he associates with the radical left, highlighting Bowman's loss as a potential consequence. He also discusses the disconnect between online political discourse, often amplifying fringe views, and real-world voter behavior that seems to prefer pragmatic over extreme solutions. Ultimately, the episode uses Bowman's loss to illustrate how money alone may not sway voters if a candidate's local appeal and messaging do not resonate.
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According to Ben Shapiro, there is growing voter backlash against radical left-wing candidates like Jamal Bowman, who lost his primary race by nearly 20 points. Shapiro argues that positions considered radical, such as Bowman's stances on Israel, are unpopular outside of select districts. He suggests moderates like George Latimer—who he describes as a "normal Democrat"—are faring better in primaries, indicating many voters prefer centrist candidates over those embracing radical politics.
Shapiro criticizes the "omni-cause" ideology of the radical left, portraying it as fostering a divisive, "victim vs. victimizer" worldview. He implies this binary perspective enables concerning beliefs, like anti-Semitism, pointing to backlash over Bowman's loss as an example of this divisiveness emerging.
Shapiro and others highlight the disparity between online discourse and actual voter behavior. Despite large social media followings, like Bowman's 360,000 Twitter followers, candidates embracing more extreme politics are still losing elections decisively.
Shapiro argues that online spaces disproportionately amplify fringe views through algorithms and echo chambers, creating a skewed perception of the political landscape. He suggests moderate politicians focusing on pragmatic solutions, not radical populism, tend to resonate better with the broader electorate in real-world elections.
Shapiro uses Bowman's loss as an example that money alone cannot guarantee primary success—a candidate's local appeal, alignment with constituents, and effective messaging matter more. While Bowman raised millions, including from out-of-district donors, Shapiro argues AIPAC's spending was in response to Bowman already being seen as vulnerable.
Additionally, problematic behavior like promoting conspiracy theories, or unpopular policy stances like Bowman's votes against Biden's infrastructure bill, proved too costly. Conversely, Ocasio-Cortez—though radical—has done better by minding her public image and voting record.
1-Page Summary
Ben Shapiro highlights a growing backlash against radical left-wing candidates and intersectional politics, using Jamal Bowman's primary loss as a case study for wider voter sentiment.
Shapiro points out that voters in diversely populated districts like New York's 16th are rejecting candidates such as Jamal Bowman, who lost his primary by nearly 20 points. This district, which includes about a 9% Jewish population, did not respond well to Bowman's stances on issues such as Israel. This outcome suggests that the electorate may not align with radical left-wing positions as much as some portray.
Shapiro continues by arguing that "the evils of capitalism" is not a particularly persuasive argument for most voters, outside of very limited circles. He describes Bowman as a "refugee from the radical intersectional insane asylum," suggesting that voters in the district preferred George Latimer, who he describes as "a normal Democrat in a normal Democratic district," indicating the electorate's preference for more moderate Democrats in primaries.
Shapiro comments that the media may be overemphasizing the popularity of radical leftism due to figures like AOC, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, which might mislead Democrats regarding the broader electoral appeal of their politics.
Describing the "omni-cause" as a binary worldview of victims versus victimizers, Shapiro implies that this radical left perspective fosters harmful ideologies, including a ...
The backlash against radical leftism and intersectional politics
The digital age has warped the perception of political landscapes, with online discourse often not reflecting the real-world politics that drive election outcomes. Ben Shapiro and other observers point to the gap between social media popularity and voter preferences at the polls, revealing that the most vocal online voices do not necessarily represent the broader electorate.
Social media algorithms and echo chambers heavily influence online political discourse, presenting a skewed version of the political landscape.
Shapiro highlights the disparity between social media reactions and real-life election outcomes, noting the general moderate stance of most Americans and how social media algorithms tend to amplify extreme viewpoints. Jamal Bowman, having an ostensibly significant online backing with 360,000 Twitter followers, lost his primary election by a considerable margin, proving that a robust online presence might not always translate to success in elections.
Shapiro also notes that online support, such as an appearance on Stephen Colbert's show, did not equate to measurable voter turnout for Bowman, referencing his performance falling short in a real election context, where at one point he was "losing by nearly 20 points before APAC even got into the race."
Echoing Shapiro's sentiments, a video released by a candidate's campaign can present the illusion of a large, energetic following, with the reality being a sparse crowd. Shapiro underscores this point by stating, "online is not real life," suggesting that while internet buzz can create a façade of popularity, it does not necessarily correlate with actual political sentiment or voting behavior.
Shapiro's observations regarding George Latimer point to a trend where voters seem to prefer moderate, practical politicians over those with radical or extreme online personas. While specific details of George Latimer's election and his platforms are not provided, the assertion is that Latimer's victory indicates voters' inclination towards unifyi ...
The disconnect between online discourse and real-world politics
The analysis of Jamal Bowman's campaign illustrates that in primary elections, a candidate's local appeal and electoral fit matter more than financial muscle, and the ability to communicate effectively and maintain a congruent voting record can be crucial for success.
Despite having a strong financial backing, Jamal Bowman lost by a significant margin, demonstrating that ideological purity and money are not enough to guarantee a win in primary elections.
Jamal Bowman had substantial financial support, with millions of dollars flowing into his campaign from different regions like California and support from places like Dearborn, Michigan. However, his campaign still ended in defeat, indicating that alignment with the district's electorate is pivotal rather than the amount of money raised.
Analyst Shapiro indicates that AIPAC invested heavily in the election because Bowman was already perceived as a vulnerable candidate. The spending by AIPAC was a response to Jamal Bowman's fundamental misalignment with his district, not the original cause of his electoral struggles.
Bowman's loss suggests that more than financial support, candidates need to maintain a strong voting record and effective messaging that resonates with their constituents.
Bowman faced opposition advertising that focused on his voting record, including votes against popular measures like President Joe Biden's infrastructure law and against raising th ...
The role of money and messaging in primary elections
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