The Uniparty's Power
The failure of Republican senators to pass the SAVE Act raises a deeper and more troubling question about the true dynamics of American politics. Why does the GOP so often seem to rescue Democrats when they are within striking distance of decisive defeat? This pattern suggests the existence of a silent “Uniparty,” an entrenched political class that depends on the appearance of opposition to preserve its own power. In this arrangement, Democrats do the overtly controversial work while Republicans posture in opposition, offering rhetorical resistance without meaningful action. The justifications offered by establishment Republicans are familiar and unconvincing. Senator Chuck Grassley, for example, recently argued that states do not need Washington dictating how they run elections. Yet this claim rings hollow when viewed alongside the reality that Grassley serves in a Senate that witnessed four elections flip from Republican victories to Democratic wins after weeks of extended coun...