The predictable hand-wringing and finger-pointing surrounding Mia Love’s loss are missing the point.
Certainly ethnicity was a variable, but it pulled both ways. Some were inclined to vote for a black woman because they welcome diverse representation and others were not.
I believe the far bigger reality is that she represented the only competitive congressional district in Utah, and the Trump-divided Republican party lost this competitive race.
Love was a casualty of war. She was forced to walk a treacherous line between sucking up to Trump enough to get the Trump-loving Republicans to turn out, while distancing herself enough from Trump that she didn't force the Trump-despising Republicans to vote for McAdams.
Love lost my vote because she wouldn't stand up for the values I believe the Trump Republicans have sacrificed for a few tactical victories.
Do I think the Nancy Pelosi Democrats will better support those values? Of course not. I don't expect them to. That is what I expect of Republicans. And to a large extent, they are a disappointment.
Lee Brinton, Murray
