Rahm Emanuel once said “never let a crisis go to waste” Democrats have taken that to heart.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, Governor Reynolds has been the poster child of what Iowans have come to expect from their leaders. She has shown strong, level-headed leadership as the state’s chief executive — precisely the kind of leadership Iowans need during times of crisis. Rather than basing decisions on emotion or politics, the Governor has remained consistent and focused, relying on a team of knowledgeable advisers, data, and facts to make decisions. But bored at home and having finished bingeing Tiger King, Democrats have returned to what they know best: turning things into a political game.

Sensing an opportunity to create a partisan divide, they are obsessed with the belief that the Governor must issue a shelter-in-place order. Never mind the fact that we already have one, minus the title. What’s in the name, though? I am reminded of Shakespeare, who wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” Democrats say no. A Montague can only marry a Montague and a shelter-in-place order must be called shelter-in-place.

Calling an executive order a shelter in place order means everything to Democrats but nothing in reality. Perhaps we should add a more modern reference to this situation to complement the classical one. I’m thinking of course of the classic film Tommy Boy. Remember that the scene where Chris Farley and David Spade’s characters are trying to convince the auto parts guy to buy their products? But he won’t because “It’s got to have a guarantee on the box.” Here’s the clip, go ahead, enjoy.

 

This is the same situation.

Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, praised the Iowa effort to stop the spread. He went on to say that the measures we have in place here in Iowa are “functionally equivalent” to a shelter-in-place order. This must have been heartbreaking to the Democrats who have been riding on cloud nine since hearing the news last Friday that Hobby Lobby will close its stores. For weeks they have maintained that Fauci’s views were the Liberal/PC equivalent of biblically inspired. Sadly, now that Fauci has taken the wind out of their sails, Democrats have decided that he might not be so great after all. Agreeing with a Republican is indefensible in their book, so they have discarded him.

They just can’t help themselves. As soon as Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne returned from playing politics with the pandemic in The DC Swamp, they brought their nasty politics home and immediately started playing politics with the pandemic here in Iowa. While they may have billed their request for a shelter-in-place order as a matter of health and safety, you don’t have to look far to see it’s a disgusting example of partisan politics. Soon after Cindy Axne expressed her “concern,” she appeared to be out and about — not practicing what she’s preaching:

It’s no coincidence that not long after Reps. Finkenauer and Axne spoke out, so did Democratic minority leaders in the state House and Senate. But much like Cindy Axne, Prichard was posting about working in his law office not too long ago:

Posted by Todd Prichard on Friday, March 20, 2020

 

Iowans deserve better than this.

Instead of working with the Governor, Iowa Democrats decided to turn this global pandemic into a political game — a reckless move that should infuriate every Iowan. If Iowa Democrats continue playing politics with this crisis, they will be remembered for being part of the problem, not part of the solution.