Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wrote an op-ed in today’s New York Times: I’m the Republican Governor of Ohio. Here Is the Truth About Springfield. He did tell the truth about that city and its troubles,
Springfield is having a resurgence in manufacturing and job creation. Some of that is thanks to the dramatic influx of Haitian migrants who have arrived in the city over the past three years to fill jobs.
They are there legally. They are there to work. . . .
The Springfield I know is not the one you hear about in social media rumors. It is a city made up of good, decent, welcoming people. They are hard workers — both those who were born in this country and those who settled here because, back in their birthplace, Haiti, innocent people can be killed just for cheering on the wrong team in a soccer match.
but he missed his chance to redeem himself by still siding with Trump and Vance:
As a supporter of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield. This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there.
“Saddened.” How nice. Thoughts and prayers, too.
And of course he blames Joe Biden:
The Biden administration’s failure to control the southern border is a very important issue that Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance are talking about and one that the American people are rightfully deeply concerned about. But their verbal attacks against these Haitians — who are legally present in the United States — dilute and cloud what should be a winning argument about the border.
He just doesn’t get it, does he? Or maybe he does, and refuses to acknowledge it. This isn’t a slip on Trump and Vance’s part; it’s their basic strategy. What, for example, would a responsible governor of Ohio have to say about this: Vance Says He Will Keep Calling Haitians Legally in Springfield ‘Illegal’
This isn’t a “dilute and cloud.” This is out-and-out vicious racism. It’s hurting your state and your citizens, Mr. DeWine. (It’s also hurting your party, but ask me if I care.)
We are seeing more and more reports of responsible Republicans coming out in support of Harris and Walz. They understand that, regardless of policy differences, they need to support the team that will build up America, not divide it and tear it down. DeWine surely understands this as well as they do. He just won’t admit it.
