No, this isn't whataboutism. I genuinely don't understand why one side in our debates gets to make these vile accusations and takes all day, and collectively, we shrug. Xitter is full of terrible takes; sure, plenty of people slam Republicans, and it has no impact. This is about the idealogical receptiveness of the electorate. Bill Kristol, Charlie, and JVL are obviously right, this IS poor messaging, only because the broader Democratic coalition doesn't want to hear this kind of messaging. But it is an undeniable fact that much of the MAGA base LIVES for this kind of dialogue.