“The president’s plan to hold mass rallies in Florida and elsewhere as we experience a resurgence in COVID cases is irresponsible and selfish,” Rep. Val Demings said on Thursday.
But on Monday, Demings, a Florida Democrat rising up in the Joe Biden veepstakes, attended a massive “Healing and Hope” rally, where people were packed in like sardines. She told her Twitter followers she was there “to speak with our community as America grieves.”
Demings wasn’t alone in flip-flopping for political purposes. Plenty of top Democrats cheered on “Black Lives Matter” crowds across the U.S., with many attending rallies in honor of George Floyd, a black man who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police. They mingled with maskless protesters, shaking hands and kissing babies.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a socialist from Vermont who failed a second time to win the Democratic presidential nomination, wrote Monday on Twitter: “Congratulations to all who are out on the streets today peacefully protesting. Together, we will end police brutality. Together, we will defeat Trump. Together, we will fight for a government based on justice and compassion, not greed and lies.”
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But by Thursday, Sanders was singing a different tune, singling out Trump and the Republicans’ decision to hold its nominating convention in Florida.
“Trump wants 15,000 delegates cheering him at his GOP convention in Florida,” Sanders said. “No social distancing. His rejection of medical advice endangers not only those there but those they come in contact with. Trump’s a threat to the health and well-being of the country. He must be defeated.”
Trump wants 15,000 delegates cheering him at his GOP convention in Florida. No social distancing. His rejection of medical advice endangers not only those there but those they come in contact with. Trump’s a threat to the health and well-being of the country. He must be defeated.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 11, 2020
Demings, too, whined about Trump’s plans to travel to Florida. “Unfortunately, Florida is experiencing a new surge in COVID-19 cases. I urge you to do everything you can to protect yourself and your neighbors. Wear a mask. Limit gatherings,” she wrote.
Unfortunately, Florida is experiencing a new surge in COVID-19 cases. I urge you to do everything you can to protect yourself and your neighbors. Wear a mask. Limit gatherings.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 11, 2020
But of course, nothing Democrats ever say applies to them.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose disastrous policies killed thousands in his state, also applauded protesters as they smashed through New York City, looting store and clashing with police trying to maintain order.
Cuomo said he “stands” with those defying stay-at-home orders to protest: “Nobody is sanctioning the arson, and the thuggery and the burglaries, but the protesters and the anger and the fear and the frustration? Yes. Yes, and the demand is for justice.”
Weeks before that, as millions across the state were losing their jobs, Cuomo told protesters demanding the state reopen: “You have no right to jeopardize my health … and my children’s health and your children’s health.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti threatened in March to turn off utilities for any business that reopened, saying he wanted to punish “irresponsible and selfish” behavior.
Then he turned around and supported the protests.
“I will always protect Angelenos’ right to make their voices heard — and we can lead the movement against racism without fear of violence or vandalism,” he said.
And Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, who threatened to fine stay-at-home violators with $5,000 fines or 90 days in jail, sang a different song with thousands of protesters rioted in the nation’s capital, defacing memorials and monuments and torching a historic church.
“We are grieving hundreds of years of institutional racism,” she said. “People are tired, sad, angry and desperate for change.”
Oh, the hypocrisy.
