New York Times columnist says GOP ‘slid down the toilet’ on voting rights

New York Times columnist and self-proclaimed moderate David Brooks had some harsh words for the present-day Republican Party

Brooks appeared on a panel for Friday’s “PBS NewsHour” with Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart to discuss the Republican Party’s alleged threats to democracy.

After speaking with Capehart, host Amna Nawaz asked Brooks, “So, in a two-party system, if one party is messaging things that undermine those foundational parts of democracy, can the system hold?”

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FILE PHOTO: The New York Times building is seen in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 3, 2020.
(REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo)

“Yes, so it’s an open question. If you had gone back to Republicans in 2015 and told them what Republicans would be doing in 2021, they would be shocked,” Brooks answered. “And so this is a party that has slid down the toilet. I don’t know how else to say it.”

“Republicans are trying to restrict voting” and “[g]iven the history of our country, that reeks. That just reeks,” he added.

The topic mainly focused on voting laws previously passed by various states in order to fortify elections. These laws, such as Texas’ election security law, were heavily criticized by Democrats to the point of being sued by the Department of Justice in early November.  

Voters cast their ballots during the Virginia Governor Race, at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, U.S., November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

Voters cast their ballots during the Virginia Governor Race, at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, U.S., November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
(REUTERS/Tom Brenner)

Brooks echoed some Democrats’ concerns by describing a hypothetical situation through which Republicans can threaten democracy.

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“There would have to be a Republican state legislature powerful enough to basically politicize the system in the sort of state Joe Biden would carry. If they do that, then we have a real problem in our democracy,” Brooks said.

Despite this, Brooks also acknowledged that voter ID laws usually supported by Republicans are actually popular with American citizens and do not, in fact, restrict voting. 

Activists participate in a rally on the steps of City Hall ahead of a City Council vote to allow lawful permanent residents to cast votes in elections to pick the mayor, City Council members and other municipal officeholders, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Activists participate in a rally on the steps of City Hall ahead of a City Council vote to allow lawful permanent residents to cast votes in elections to pick the mayor, City Council members and other municipal officeholders, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

“Some of the things they’re going to do, like voter ID laws, are phenomenally popular. Eighty percent of Americans support them. But then the crucial thing to be said about the restrictions on the voting is that voting restrictions don’t restrict voting,” Brooks said.

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