This is the problem with the Republican party. It is filled with opportunists who care more about their political ambitions, then the welfare of their constituents. So, they are happy to pursue policies that are divisive and detrimental in order to energize their base.
Of course, push anti-vax hysteria and racism has real world impacts. Promoting election lies undermines our democracy. Pushing anti-science hysteria undermines the ability to respond to the real world problems of climate change and pandemics.
Thus, when a Republicans tries to acknowledge reality albeit briefly, other Republicans are happy to attack them as sell outs.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/sellout-ron-desantis-accused-of-taking-bribe-by-conservatives-after-promoting-vaccine/ar-AAMwAEj?li=BBnb7Kz
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' recent push of the coronavirus vaccine has provoked Republican ire, with some even accusing the GOP governor of taking bribes. Their pushback indicates the difficulties facing conservative leaders who have pivoted their messaging after months of vaccine disinformation by right-wing outlets.
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"If you are vaccinated, fully vaccinated, the chances of you getting seriously ill or dying from COVID is effectively zero," DeSantis added.
His remarks came as Florida topped the nation in new COVID-19 cases, with hospitalizations in some areas climbing to its highest rate since the pandemic started last year. The state recorded 67,413 new cases of COVID-19 over the past week, which accounts for 20 percent of total infections across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But negative reactions to DeSantis' vaccine push among vaccine-resistant individuals and new polling data suggests that it could be too late to change the minds of those who refuse to get the shot. Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn accused DeSantis of "trying to be politically correct" in his promotion of the vaccine. "That's a dangerous place to be for people in this country who do have influence," Flynn said.
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