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Jeff Van Drew on Principles & Values

 

 


Switching to GOP driven by opposing impeachment

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Jeff Van Drew will switch parties due to his opposition to impeachment. Van Drew was one of only two Democrats to vote against formalizing an impeachment inquiry into Trump and made clear he planned to vote against the articles of impeachment. His switch (which led to the resignation of many of his staffers) seems entirely driven by his feeling on impeachment as, on other issues, he is a moderate Democrat. He even endorsed Cory Booker in the 2020 presidential race!

The image of Van Drew, then, being driven from his party because of impeachment plays directly into Trump's hands. Trump will simplify the story to this: Democrats are so dead-set on impeachment that it's driving moderates right out of the party. And that's a message that will resonate with his base, sure, but also potentially with a public that has grown increasingly skeptical about whether the President should be impeached and removed.

Source: CNN on 2019 NJ-2 House incumbent on impeaching Trump , Dec 16, 2019

Overturn presidential election due to pandemic voting rules.

Justice Van Drew wrote the Court's decision on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: "TX v. PA, GA, MI & WI" on Dec 11, 2020:

Summary of lawsuit, Dec. 7:: The 2020 election suffered from significant and unconstitutional irregularities including:

Supreme Court Order, Dec. 11: The State of Texas's motion is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections. All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.

Texas Tribune analysis, Dec. 11:: Trump--and Republicans across the country--had pinned their hopes on the Texas suit. In a series of tweets, Trump called it "the big one" and later added, "it is very strong, ALL CRITERIA MET." If the court had heard the case, Sen. Ted Cruz said he would have argued it, at the request of Trump.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas indicated they would have allowed Texas to bring the case but said they would "not grant other relief." In a series of tweets after the ruling, Trump raged against the decision, which he called "a disgraceful miscarriage of justice."

Source: Supreme Court case 20-SCOTUS argued on Dec 7, 2020

Endorsed Endorsed by Donald Trump/MAGA during presidency.

Van Drew is endorsed by Trump/MAGA endorsement list

Endorsements by Donald Trump, implying support of Trump's agenda and electoral style. The phrase "Make America Great Again" was popularized in Trump's 2015 book Time to Get Tough:Making America Great Again. It is the campaign slogan embroidered on the ubiquitous red caps seen at Trump rallies (which after Trump's presidency, became known as "MAGA rallies").

Source: Ballotpedia 2016-2022 endorsement list 2022-MAGA on Jan 1, 2022

Oppose certification of the 2020 Presidential election.

Van Drew voted YEA blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.