As a fellow - but far less prominent - former Democratic consultant - I want to talk about Lindy Li.
I lived close to Lindy in Philadelphia for many years but I’m not sure we ever personally crossed paths outside social media. I remember when she ran for Congress in 2018 on a hyper-progressive platform.
I also remember when, during the 2020 primary elections, while campaigning for Biden, she stated that she would not vote for Bernie Sanders if he became the Democratic nominee. And, even though I was a Biden supporter, I remember being pissed. But, now, with hindsight, I can understand her point.
I can relate to her transformation from progressive to moderate. And I can respect someone who comes out to criticize their own party. After all, sometimes it takes a whistleblower to shine a light on a problem so it can be repaired.
But that is not what she is doing now.
While she actively supported the Harris campaign, working as a fundraiser and an actual surrogate through election night, she decided immediately after the election to blow the whistle on the campaign and the party.
She has been all over the media calling out the party for hiding Biden’s decline, misuse of campaign funds, and failure to connect with the American people. And I am OK with this. It’s probably true. We should call this out. And I have been doing so myself on a much smaller level.
But where Lindy and I differ is the why. Because it’s the why that separates the truth-tellers from the grifters.
Lindy has run straight into the arms of the Republican party. She attended Trump’s inauguration and is thrilled to be the new “MAGA it girl.” She is showing us that her morals and values have gone right out the window. Yes, you can leave your party to become an independent. I did! But when you go from a Democrat surrogate holding hands with the campaign on election night to relishing your new celebrity as a right-wing superstar you are not a truth-teller or a whistle-blower. You are a grifter.
It’s not so much that she went on Piers Morgan or even Fox News. It’s that she sat down with Laura Loomer. It’s not so much that she became frustrated with Democratic rhetoric. It’s that she is now embracing right-wing rhetoric. This is embarrassingly transparent. She didn’t switch parties overnight because her entire value system changed on November 6. She saw where her bread could get buttered.
There are grifters in both parties, on all extremes, and everywhere in between.
It’s OK to make money off your activism, your advocacy, your voice. God knows I’ve tried! But you can’t falter in your values, lie to your audience, and put personal gain above your own integrity.
A few years back I did some work for an organization that treated me like horse shit. And, when I left, I did not go to scorched earth. My issue with leadership and internal practices was not worth publicly bashing their good work.
The best nonprofit in the world could be run by an asshole. The most promising political candidate could have a team from hell. They could have a personality from hell! There are ways to make your point without running into the arms of every opposing value and the demise of democracy!
Lindy is not doing this for democracy. If she were just complaining about the internal workings of the party, I’d respect her. But this is about who is making her feel good - and, right now, that’s Republicans. And, I’m glad she feels good. Because just about everyone I know feels angry, sad, and afraid.