Republicans cast Muslim Democrats as chief enemies in 'dangerous'

a first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, and speakers decide the hottest target is a couple of Muslim Democrats. Not Biden’s mess at the border. Not inflation scars people still feel at the grocery store. Not the crime and disorder that blue-city voters live with every day. Instead, the coverage says Republicans “cast Muslim Democrats as chief enemies,” singling out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul. If that’s how it played, it’s a strange use of a microphone.

We don’t have to pretend these candidates are harmless. If Mamdani is pushing the familiar progressive playbook in New York, we should argue the record and the results. If Abdul is running as another vote for Washington’s left-wing agenda, say that plainly. But don’t make someone’s religion the headline. It’s not only wrong, it’s lazy politics. And it hands Democrats the easiest counterpunch in the world: “See, they hate Muslims.” That’s a gift, and we shouldn’t be in the business of handing out gifts.

The better contrast is sitting right there. Voters are open to a tough, serious message about assimilation, public safety, campus extremism, and a foreign policy that puts America first. None of that requires turning “Muslim” into a slur or acting like every Muslim public servant is suspect on sight. Hit the agenda, not the identity. If these Democrats have bad ideas, expose them. If they’ve said things that excuse antisemitism or flirt with radical activism, quote them and let voters judge. That’s persuasive. Broad-brush smears just make us look unserious.

Democrats will keep trying to turn every argument into a character smear, because it beats defending their record. We don’t need to help them. If Republicans want to win midterms, the pitch should be simple: competent borders, safer streets, lower costs, a country that takes care of its own. Pick fights we can win, and win them cleanly. The coalition we need includes plenty of Americans who are tired of the left, but don’t want a politics that sounds like a prejudice hunt.