By Hubie and Bertie
Why has the GOP suddenly had an "altar moment," as Joe Biden would say, on coronavirus vaccines? (We've always heard this saying as "come to Jesus," but hey, whatev, Mr. President.)
One would be tempted to assume that it's about money. Have Republicans suddenly invested in Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or Moderna? Are they worried about the stock market? Has the US Chamber of Commerce finally convinced them that the economy needs vaccination rates to rise? It was a mystery, until someone on Twitter said this:
"The only reason the GOP is now pro-vaccine is that someone ran the numbers and they saw how many House seats they'd lose in the 2022 midterms with projected deaths in low-vaccination districts."
Hmmm, interesting! So now our only question is, are they too late?
Yes, to some degree.
First, the Republicans have created such negativity and doubt on the COVID vaccines that no matter what they say or do, a large number of their voters simply won't believe. And then of course there are the Marjorie Traitor Greenes, Matt Gaetzes, Lauren Boeberts and Paul Gosars of the world who will never give up the anti-vaxx message.
Republicans like Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama may move the needle a little bit. But people are already dying. And how many GOP voters who don't get the shot and who get sick but don't die will lose interest in their party? (Their party certainly isn't interested in them.)
If Republicans end up doing a total reversal on this issue, it will be the greatest flip-flop in the History of Flip-Floppery. Even John "I was for it before I was against it" Kerry won't be able to compete. But if the GOP decides they don't want to kill their own supporters, it won't be because they care about them. It will only be because they want their votes. Wake up, Trumpsters! We cats HISS.
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