Use of purity tests by major political parties debated
Today's national political climate has Republicans firmly in control of the federal government,
Democrats are still licking their wounds after the presidential election … trying to unify.
Republicans plan to maintain their stronghold with their own unity.
Host Jim Niedelman talks about that with former Rock Island County Republican Party Chair Bill Bloom and former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert.
Both parties have their own forms of purity tests. Right now the Democratic National Committee is considering the removal of DNC Vice Chair David Hogg. He's a gun control activist and survivor of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Hogg stirred up the party with his plans to financially support primary challenges to incumbent House Democrats in safe seats, not competitive districts.
Political analysts criticize Democrats for trying to be all things to all aspects of the party. Any variance isn't tolerated.
Now Republicans also have their purity issues – specifically, President Trump's agenda. Any Republican who strays from Trump's mantra will likely get a primary challenge from another Republican who supports the president unconditionally.
'Supporting the Trump agenda right now, particularly through 2026, is important to Republicans overall,' said Bloom. 'I think almost all Republicans support the goal of making America great again.'
'It strikes me as a little ironic to use the word 'purity' in the same phrase as 'Donald Trump,' since his purity would be about the same as patriotism to Benedict Arnold,' said Schwiebert.
Hear what else our panelists have to say when you click on the video.
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