Karen Celestino-Horseman: A seat on a political bench should be earned with ideas

The Trump political playbook requires pitting one group against another, so that the group Trump is not attacking bonds together and supports Trump. Trump always claims the group he attacks is receiving a
gain that should go to Trump supporters.

Much to my disappointment, I am watching a small minority of Democrats attempting the same us-versus-them strategy. They are proclaiming it is time to sweep out the older Democrats from elected government and party offices and bring in younger Democrats, pitting old against young. The Democrats making this argument fail to advocate why the younger ones would do a better job.

Pre-Trump, Politics 101 taught us that an effective candidate shares his/her vision for constituents by proposing new programs and ideas. The candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Andre Carson has yet to propose a single idea—likely because he has opted for the easier path of producing and distributing videos on social media that engage in negative campaigning, e.g., calling the congressman ineffective and an “empty suit,” with no supporting facts. By the way, I am refusing to identify the congressman’s challenger because Politics 101 also teaches that any publicity is good publicity unless it involves a heinous crime.

The challenger paints himself as an outsider, but that is far from the truth. For several years, he has had a place at the table as a member of the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee. The challenger, a Latino, makes no claim to any service or advocacy he has provided the Latino community. He takes no position regarding the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. He has not said a word about Ukraine or Russia. He has taken no position regarding a woman’s right to choose. He has, however, repeatedly let everyone know that, as a child, he was a participant in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

In contrast, 50-year-old congressman Carson is a member of the LGBTQ caucus, the Ukraine Caucus and the Congressional Future Caucus (serving members of Congress under the age of 45). He has made it clear that he is against mass deportations and the denial of due process. He has stood with women in advocating for choice. The congressman has brought hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the 7th District for projects ranging from housing to infrastructure to transportation. Among other committees, the congressman serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Subcommittee on the Central Intelligence Agency (ranking member), and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.

When I learned of the challenger’s campaign, I warned him (whom I have known for a number of years) that he was going to get hurt. A candidate who stands for nothing and who has done nothing is in serious jeopardy of being exposed for what he is: an actual “empty suit.” That is damaging for anyone’s political future.

Democrats are working to build a bench. City-County Councilor Nick Roberts is an excellent example. The youngest councilor ever elected, at age 23, Nick has devoted himself to serving his constituency and can proudly point to a long list of accomplishments. He got elected with the help of a group of older Democrats who saw his potential after witnessing firsthand his willingness to work for the party and his community.

To younger Democrats I say, yes, we need you on the bench, but earn that right to sit there by showing a depth of actual experience and commitment. Show us you are willing to work hard for the party and your community, and we will work hard for you.•

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Celestino-Horseman is an Indianapolis attorney. Send comments to [email protected].

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