United States | News & Politics

Democrats keep reacting normally to being told to do their fucking jobs. This guy is looking to be on the House Oversight Committee btw (the same one AOC got kicked off from, to pick a 70 year old throat cancer patient who had to resign a few months later).

Lynch, who's represented a safely blue seat in Congress since 2001, was exhorted by rallygoers at a Friday protest to stand up more forcefully to Trump. But he demurred when one attendee asked him to "commit to not voting for any Republican legislation," saying he had to consider the views of his entire district.

"I got 800,000 people that I represent, and I gotta figure out what's in their best interest, not the best interest of, you know, Sally Blue from across the street," said Lynch in a video published by MassLive. One attendee, however, interjected to say, "This is in the best interests of our country and our democracy," which set Lynch off.

"I get to decide that. I get to decide that," he responded with evident irritation. "I get to decide that. I'm elected. I get to decide that. You wanna decide that? You need to run for Congress, okay? I get to decide that."

Lynch may soon get reminded that voters, in fact, decide that. Attorney Patrick Roath, described by Politico as a "voting rights advocate and Deval Patrick alum," is weighing a bid against the congressman in next year's Democratic primary, according to an unnamed source.

Roath hasn't commented publicly, but the day after Lynch's eruption, he tweeted, "Arrogance is bad. So is entitlement."

[...]

Lynch, a former ironworker with close ties to organized labor, also brings with him a record of past social conservatism: Earlier in his career, he opposed abortion rights, though he later shifted his views (but he still called himself "pro-life" as recently as 2019.) Infamously in progressive circles, he also voted against the Affordable Care Act, though he claimed to do so from the left.

Roath, who is in his late 30s, would offer a stark generational contrast with Lynch, who turns 70 next month and has held public office since 1995. But even if Lynch avoids a primary, he's by no means the only longtime Democrat whose posture toward Trump has drawn progressive ire—anger that is reminiscent of the tea party furor that reshaped the GOP in 2010 and could fuel a wave of primary challenges next year.

Deflecting by saying you represent all constituents is pretty classic Democrat.

"You may have voted for me for specific reasons, with specific policies, identified with a specific politcal party I knowingly campaign and identify with, but now that you've elected me I represent all constituents so please stop asking me what I'm going to do about any of them."

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KArSrW4P-jw