Punditry StaffNew Yorkers voted for the Republican candidate George Santos to represent them in Congress. Santos is a man, we come to find out, who has fabricated his life to include promoting himself as Jewish. Everything about George Santos is fake including the sources of his wealth something that federal prosecutors have started to investigate. What the George Santos case demonstrates is how easy it is to become a member of Congress if only real con men run for office. But more importantly, it demonstrates how U.S. politics has become a magnet that attracts the criminals and the frauds into becoming politicians. Just like it attracted Donald Trump in 2016.
The days for honest and decent people running to represent their constituents are over. Now, the public gets con men, just like Trump, who can bamboozle their way into our democracy flying under the radar of scrutiny of local reporters, which, in recent years, have become a rare specie.
In reality, the DNC screwed itself royally when it ignored that Long Island race.
THE DNC SCREWED ITSELF ROYALLY
Part of the blame for the George Santos story the DNC should openly own. The organization promoting Democrats never bothered to invest in Robert Zimmerman, Santos opponent, because it probably had reservations about Zimmerman’s Republican business connections. New York Post wrote an article about Zimmerman in which it said:
In reality, the DNC screwed itself royally when it ignored that Long Island race. This is not the first time the organization stumbles badly when it comes to supporting the right candidates, at the right time, and for the right political strategies. Google “DNC Missed Opportunities” to read a number of stories about just that.
Will this episode also send a warning to future criminals and con men to find another racket than running for Congress or high office?
HAS THE MEDIA LEARNED ITS LESSON?
It is very difficult for the national media to pay attention to local races. That’s the job of local investigative reporters. However, George Santos, like George Floyd, is a turning point in that landscape. Just as the national media today holds police misconduct accountable, so will George Santos case may become for new running candidates. In this instance, the national media may have no choice but to carry the mantle of fast disappearing local investigative journalism.
In the meantime, the same media, having missed the real Santos, is making up for its mistake by plastering his story on its websites and front pages. This has also attracted federal and state prosecutors to look closely at his criminal past and sources of finance many believe are of dubious origin.
How will Santos saga ends is anyone’s guess. Even if prosecuted, does that mean he has to resign his office? Or, will his election stand? No one knows for sure. Right now, though, we are still in the stage of dialing up the pressure on Santos to resign.
Will this episode also send a warning to future criminals and con men to find another racket than running for Congress or high office? We hope so. It’s enough that our confidence and trust in Congress is so low.
Do we need more reasons to bring it even lower?
What the George Santos Case Demonstrates
Punditry Staff
