A certain pattern is emerging on the far left. Political figures spend years currying the favor of other extremists with outrageous commentary, proudly proclaiming their commitment to eliminating the Senate, opening the border, and other measures. Then, they delete all of the comments and declare themselves mainstream. The idea is to run in the center but govern from the far left, the so-called Spanberger strategy. The latest example is William Lawrence, who is running for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. However, Lawrence’s prior self reveals just how radical this movement could prove.
Like many professors, pundits, and politicians on the left, Lawrence has called for sweeping changes in our constitutional system. Lawrence reportedly has demanded a “fundamental overhaul” of the Constitution while calling for the elimination of the Senate, police, prisons, and borders.
He has even denounced the nuclear family as an “isolating, individualistic, violent way of organizing society.”
Notably, he is the latest radical to show that the “Big Tent” party has little room for moderates. While establishment figures like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries seek to use this mob, radicals have made clear that they will be next. Darializa Avila Chevalier is the latest Democratic Socialist to mock the establishment’s pitch of a Big Tent party: “A big tent doesn’t pay your rent, lower your grocery bill, or take on the corporations bleeding our country dry. Democratic socialism does.”
In Lawrence’s case, he even put this feelings to music, writing a song a few years ago that calls for the death of moderate former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, declaring, “Our generation says f**k you for everything…Hurry up and die so that we can get started.”
Lawrence was previously arrested for resisting police officers while protesting a pipeline.
As discussed earlier, candidates like James Talarico in Texas have scrubbed their social media accounts or dismissed their earlier radical claims, including attacks on capitalism. Supporters view these candidates as already proving their bona fides and understanding that they are just sanitizing their records for voters who want the illusion of a moderate. Accordingly, many applaud figures such as Socialist Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, dismissing her own extremist statements just a few years ago as “Woke 1.” like some distant childhood stage.
These radical figures are learning that their views are distinctly unpopular with American voters so they are perfecting stealth socialist candidates who can run a type of Spanberger campaign while later pursuing a socialist agenda.
Lawrence’s past positions show little nuance and closely track the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America. Destroying the constitutional system, rejecting the nation-state, eliminating prisons, and other radical positions propelled these candidates through the primaries. The effort to now scrub the records shows the utter contempt that many have for average voters.
Lawrence shows the delusion of establishment figures such as Gavin Newsom that they can use a mob to gain power without being eventually devoured by it. In my book Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, I discuss the French Revolution and its decline into what the Framers called a mobocracy. What became known as “The Terror” was started not by the working class, but by educated lawyers, journalists, and even aristocrats as part of the Jacobin movement.
These are hardcore revolutionaries with an agenda that would destroy the world’s oldest and most successful democratic system in history. Party leaders facilitate them because they can only think about the next election, not the next generation. Lawrence is a cautionary tale that Benjamin Franklin remains correct, this is our Republic but only if we can keep it.
Brilliantly Said, Prof. Turley!!! The Spamberger Strategy is a Leading Example in the Example Books.. an example of a Campaign so flagrantly DECEITFUL and so abhoringly DISHONEST that many of us in VA are still blinking with Disbelief at her Gall.. https://x.com/i/status/2035964771233628533
With so many negative articles and posts about Democratic officials, candidates and their campaigns this election cycle, Professor Turley has essentially become a Republican political columnist and commentator and the Professor’s background at the end of an article should reflect that (in addition to the existing professor of law and book author).
Bro, these ‘negative articles’ present facts. Get your head out of your arse.
Hey Bro-you one of the ones who plan to destroy our country? Thanks for letting us know and thank God for Jonathan Turley warning us about you.
CC – the MSM run negative stories about Trump and the GOP 24/7. They’ve been the propaganda arm of the DNC for 50 years, long before this blog existed. Americans are inundated with such slanted reporting all day long. A small minority of media outlets provide a little balance, including this blog. If what you say about PT is true, then in fairness the 95% of media outlets on the other side should also display disclaimers that they are propagandists for the Dems.
#WeAreEstovir
Concerned (?) Citizen,
Actually, Turley has mentioned in MULTIPLE posts that he is Democrat, was raised in a Democrat household, and that his mother was somewhat of an activist. Maybe he can see better than you can. Are you a Democrat because your parents were?
OFF TOPIC ~ Re UPDATE
Who owns the beach? A heated battle plays out in the Florida Panhandle
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — Walton County boasts 26 miles of shoreline and is home to the tony beach towns of Seaside, WaterColor and Alys Beach, along state Scenic Highway 30A. It’s known for emerald clear waters and white sand so soft and fine it squeaks underfoot.
It has also become ground zero in a protracted battle over where personal property lines end and the public’s right to set up a chair and umbrella begin. …
By: Debbie Elliott – NPR | All Things Considered ~ September 4, 2026
https://www.npr.org/2026/09/04/nx-s1-5935575/beach-access-battle-florida-panhandle
Audio:
[Link] ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2026/09/20260904_atc_judge_in_clancy_trial_declares_mistrial_thanks_jury.mp3
Jonathan previously posted on this issue:
The Eleventh Circuit Finds that COVID Beach Closures Constituted Unconstitutional Taking ~ November 22, 2025
https://jonathanturley.org/2025/11/22/the-eleventh-circuit-finds-that-covid-beach-closures-constituted-unconstitutional-takings/
My Mistake! – Link to Audio: NPR Who owns the beach? A heated battle plays out in the Florida Panhandle
https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2026/09/20260904_atc_who_owns_the_beach.mp3
Scrubbing their past comments? Is that because they were insincere then? or are they insincere now? I’m so confused.
The dumbocrats have put themselves in a place where voters are asking themselves questions about democrats sincerity. How’s that working out for them?
And will sombody just tell me what the “democrats’ stand for today? and is their leader really Hasan Piker??
Of course they are. Radials know to camouflage themselves.
#. Shocking! An unprincipled bunch…
Happy labor day!
Lawrence’s Opponent One Of Four Republicans Voting To Limit War
U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett was predictably criticized by President Donald Trump after the Charlotte congressman was one of four House Republicans to join all House Democrats in a vote against the Iran War.
The vote was largely symbolic.
But for critics of the war and the administration, there is significant value in the vote, as it signals rare opposition to the president’s military actions.
The war was launched in February over claims that military action was urgently needed to halt Iran’s nuclear programs and topple its military leadership.
Barrett was joined by Republican representatives Thomas Massie (Kentucky), Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania).
https://lansingcitypulse.com/rep-barrett-draws-trumps-ire-after-voting-to-restrict-iran-war/
……………………………………….
Tom Barrett served 21 years in the Army, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Perhaps Barrett recognizes how badly planned Trump’s war on Iran has been. Barrett is William Lawrence’s GOP opponent for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
^ Chinese propaganda slop ^
Do you know what a warrant officer is? It is an enlisted man moving to the lower ranks of command without having a qualification for commission to become an officer. That typically means lack of higher education.
Estovir,
Barrett has a BA from Western Michigan University. But if you want to say the Republican candidate lacks an education, go ahead.
………………….
Tom Barrett was born in Southfield, Michigan, on April 30, 1981. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
Then why was he not a commissioned officer?
Primary use, a technical expert and can receive a commission through the Secretary. AKA the backdoor.
The military action in Iran has been extremely helpful to long term security. By its own admission Iran was on the brink on 11 Hiroshima bombs with the means to deliver them. It demonstrated that its ballistic missiles can reach any capital city in Europe. Death to the west has been its stated long term objective for decades. It *was* the foremost state sponsor of terrorism on Earth. It is run by religious zealots who see another global war as a necessary step to the emergence of the Mahdi (their messiah). Its regime is now the weakest it’s been in over 40 years, and there could be a successful uprising within the next year. Congressmen may participate in symbolic votes all day long, but they won’t be able to stop the progress Trump is making.
#WeAreEstovir
ESTOVIR:
Depleting our weapons stocks is scarcely ‘usefilul’ to our longterm security. It’s merely a gift to Russia and China.
The weapons aren’t there to look pretty, but to be used in our interests when required for that purpose. As in every other conflict, we will manufacture more. But I noticed you did not deny my reasoning for why it’s been in America’s strategic interests to degrade the Iranian regime’s power, so I appreciate your concurrence on that point.
#WeAreEstovir
Weapons have a shelf life. Traditionally, it’s my understanding America “leases” weapons to other countries and if they are used they then pay to replace them. This legally sidesteps some of the restrictions on US weapons sales to foreign countries. I’m sure that America has quite a stockpile of aged weaponry and munitions that could stand to be upgraded and replaced. Think of Iran as an excellent excuse for getting rid of the old stuff (including Iranian nukes) and creating lots of jobs for building new stuff. Raytheon, Boeing and Grumman are all excited!
An example of the “broken window” fallacy.
That observation is not a judgment about whether the war on Iran is good or bad, right or wrong, or even justifiable. It is rather to point out that when you use that sort of ‘reasoning’ you end up with a $1.5 trillion Dept. of War budget (most of which is not allocated to any specific, only generally identified, use) at a time when we are not in a declared war. Moreover, you get a government department that can’t pass a basic accounting audit, and is estimated to have ~$21 TRILLION MIA.
We need to do better, and we need to find legislators who will do it. So far as I can tell neither party has done right by us.
-g
🎱 You are on target. Neither the Obama nor the Bush way works with Iran, and leaving Iran’s present government alone while placing the entire world as hostages to Iran’s backward ideas that support a culture of death, including our own.
Trump’s ultimate mistake wasn’t going to war; it was not recognizing that one could not deal with this Iranian government unless they capitulated. There should never have been a pause during negotiation.
Our million-dollar equipment cannot manage weaponry spread throughout the country or the creation of inexpensive weaponry that can be made in a kitchen. We should be using munitions that are cheap and plentiful, with continuous bombing without consideration of so-called civilian casualties in IRGC strongholds. Accidentally killing innocent civilians can be dangerous so one has to have the idea of civilian displacement.
We should be arming and training those in areas of Iran that are distant from the IRGC and supporting them with airpower, creating an ever-increasing enclave that threatens the IRGC. The nation should be isolated like sardines in a can, and any aid whatsoever entering Iran should be stopped by force. The objective is not an agreement but capitulation that meets our needs by removing the threat now and in the future.
“#WeAreEstovir”
Father to son at the sad point in life: “Ego ingredior viam universæ terræ: confortare, et esto vir” __David
“Perhaps Barrett recognizes how badly planned Trump’s war on Iran has been.”
So he became an expert on military strategy as a helicopter pilot? Fascinating.
Rather than dishonestly using Barrett to smear Trump, why don’t you do the honorable thing: Provide *Barrett’s* reason for his vote. Hint: It has nothing to do with the planning or execution of the war.
It seems that during conflicts all sorts of people come out of the woodwork and pretend to be experts in military planning. Remember Peter Arnett? Now there’s an object lesson in pretending to be an expert in a field in which one has no expertise.
#WeAreEstovir
“Not worth it. Hundreds of my friends…that gave their lives for what?”
– Alec Penstone
___________________
Just imagine, every American soldier who died for his country—the United States of America—since 1776 actually died for MexAfricAsiArabia without even knowing it.
That video is about the UK. And I’ll admit, London has fallen. But don’t you think things in the US are nit as bad?
The American Revolutionaries fought for Americans and America. President Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with Senator Abdul El-Sayed. Gloria Steinem compelling American women to stop making Americans and lowering the fertility rate below the replacement level. Americans used to be able to watch Americans play American baseball, football, and basketball. Can you do that? What in the world was the point of going around the world fighting all those wars only to give the country away to foreigners? America didn’t need to fight foreign wars to give the country to foreigners. All we had to do was open the borders and let them all flood in. America and American culture are gone. Imagine all those men dying in foreign countries for the benefit of foreigners. They didn’t even know.
So we will die here with them then. An American patriot will arise only when they see the enemy directly upon them. We are here, we are lawful and we are peaceful. Only when there is no other option will we sacrifice our freedom and lives to defend what we believe our country is.
Go enjoy the holiday, escape the world for a little while.
Everyone should remember the eyes of God run to and fro over the entire earth keeping watch on the evil and the good. I can’t think of anything worse than wishing for someone’s demise, who simply is in their way. We will all either stand before God the Father (for the non-believers) or Christ (the ones who believe in Him) to answer for how we have lived our lives. Scary thought!!!
Good reminder.
I don’t believe it works like that anymore.
There is good and there is evil.
Goodness is selflessness for the betterment for others whereas Evil is selfishness, greed and corruption, self serving.
It is up to good men to vanquish evil for liberty and freedom to prevail for society . Man does it in the name of God to rationalize their actions but in the end, we all want something to serve ourselves.
We are one step up from animals.
“Holy Roll the videotape!!, Batman “
You can hit delete and erase part on your speech contrail. But not all of it. What remains is a prior inconsistent statement. Brought forward to a jury of the whole at voter election time. It can really screw up what a politician wants the jury to to see. And it will in attack ads. As impeachment. And this is true for any party’s seeking of votes. Sometimes that politician comes with new speech like “that was Woke 1.0”. Or “that’s not what l think now”.The election danger is how many votes turn on a voter deciding that what they’ve heard is Mark Fuhrman’s answer to F. Lee Bailey’s questions in cross examination in the O.J. Simpson trial whether he had ever spoken the N word. Answer “No”. Fuhrman was subsequently convicted of perjury. On a plea of guilty. The voting booth is our jury room. Diffusion of knowledge like here on Res Ipsa is truly indispensable.
“… He (Rep. William Lawrence Mich.) has even denounced the nuclear family as an “isolating, individualistic, violent way of organizing society.” …” -JT
“The Nuclear Family” – What Nuclear Family [?], Families today on the majority are so completely separatist wrapped up on their Smart Phones and Internet devices that to say there is any semblance of Family cohesion is a completely preposterous notion.
There is no Nuclear Family in 2026! (sparing the Amish).
The Parties (the powers to be) have Us right where they want Us to be. Divided, Separated, and Conquered.
# an Anon that THINKS (right-on oldmanfromkansas)
Au contraire, there are many nuclear families, and their numbers are increasing as a direct defense against the Lindsey Clancy types of transmogrified feminist type who are so antithetical to human nature as to be both tragic yet poisonously funny in the dark humor sort of way. Men, not affected by this egregious ideology of feminism are turning to other nations and cultures to find suitable wives and mothers since their notion of human existence hasn’t been tainted by this sick and unnatural concept of feminism.
Whimsical, they don’t need to go abroad for a broad. Compared to liberal women MAGA women such as my wife are awesome and much better looking to boot. This is not some trad wife fetish, just conservative women who value family formation.
#WeAreEstovir
Iran had nuclear families, they were going ballistic so we destroyed them 🤣
Voters and leaders of both parties are guilty of this. Americans of all parties benefit from a government restrained by the U.S. Constitution.
In real practice many of us view the “supreme law of the United States” as optional-when-convenient instead of the actual supreme law (Article VI of the U.S. Constitution).
The Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution were primarily designed to “restrain” the authority of presidents, governors, mayors, Congress, state lawmakers and even judges. It’s authority no government official has ever had in the USA.
In the early 2000’s you might remember government officials exceeding that authority with things like “Driving While Black” or “Non-Whites playing Paint Ball” were terrorism suspects. Republicans had absolutely problem with the rear right Bush Republicans. Or the Trump Republicans trying to subvert the 14th Amendment, bypassing the constitutional-amendment process altogether.
The premise of a constitutional rule of law system is that the “ends” never justify “unconstitutional-means”. Constitutional due process is how we reach the ends, not the other way around.
Both sides do it, but no mention of that? So Republicans play by one set of rules then expect Democrats not to.
Your both-sidesism doesn’t ring true, and it depends on a false premise. Suggesting that setting up a test case to get a ruling on an ambiguous facet of the Constitution amounts to “trying to subvert the 14th Amendment” is pure partisan spin. Once the Court rules, Trump (unlike Biden) does not say he’s going to disobey the ruling. There is a huge difference between the parties when it comes to whether they think the Constitution is good and should in practice be treated as the supreme law of the land. Name a single Republican who has said the Constitution is outdated or a threat to democracy. You can’t.
#WeAreEstovir
Remember, Fidel Castro claimed that the revolution was staged to restore democracy to Cuba, and Lenin touted “Soviet Democracy”, where political power was dispersed to local “soviets” of concerned working class citizens. That worked until Stalin hijacked them and made the soviets subservient to the Party. Well, those that are not willfully blind can see how the Cuban Revolution and the USSR turned out.
It’s not a fringe anymore. A majority of Democrats now favor socialism over a market economy. The party itself is opposed to the US Constitution. Meaning the party itself is now anti-American. To them the Bill of Rights is an outdated document from a bygone era.
#WeAreEstovir
Of course the Democratic Party is not opposed to the Constitution and is not anti-American.
Isn’t that the party whose members want to eliminate the senate, the president, pack the supreme court with ideologues and eliminate police/the rule of law? And just how does that support the constitution and how is it not so anti-American as to be repugnant and dangerous?
It’s the party that is, literally, running candidates who say such things as this:
Confiscate wealth.
Defund the police.
No prisons.
Abolish the Senate.
No more republic.
Pack the Supreme Court with liberals.
Nationalize businesses.
Free medical care.
Free college.
Government-built housing for all.
Perhaps this “majority” is just the total number of ignorant, willfully ignorant, and totally indoctrinated persons who, for whatever reason. ignore facts and historical records and want, so deparately to believe that they can find a meaningful life through an ideology that promises them that elusive utopia. Even if they win control, it will, eventually as always, destroy the nation, its own supporters and create the same foreseen tragedy. They cannot win in the end, they only play at games that end tragically
A majority of Republicans favor the oligarchy where markets are manipulated in order to maintain the vast majority of Americans as desperate minions.
Dumb
Your statement is absurd on its face. You just said that the majority of Republicans want to be poor and desperate. I believe you don’t even think about what you’re saying to see if it even makes any sense.
What a stupid thing to say. Harris had more billionaire support than Trump! What do you think those oligarchs saw in her and the Democrats they back?
They see CONTROL. Leftists like to control the people so they can create their socialist dystopia. Conservatives just want stability and rule of law and then for stupid leftists to just leave them alone.