Rep. Keith Ellison might be tougher than people think and Republicans need to watch out if he becomes the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, The Wall Street Journal's James Taranto told Newsmax TV.
During an appearance on "America Talks Live," Taranto told host Steve Malzberg the Minnesota Democrat could spell danger to the GOP.
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"He is very far left, he would represent a move on the part of the Democratic Party away from center-left and toward the hard-left," said Taranto, who works as the Journal's editorial features editor.
"But in terms of whether that would be good or bad for the Republicans, I guess I would just say be careful what you wish for."
Taranto made his point by talking about former President Barack Obama, who seemed too far left politically to have a viable chance at winning the 2008 election. There was also President Donald Trump, who, according to Taranto, Democrats cheered for early in the campaign because they thought he would be easily beatable in a general election.
Republicans and Democrats were wrong about Obama and Trump, and the GOP needs to keep that in mind when it comes to Ellison, Taranto noted.
"He has an appealing personality and he is a smart man," Taranto said. "He was on the George Stephanopoulos show I believe early last year, or it might even have been in 2015, and he said, 'Don't underestimate Donald Trump.' Stephanopoulos kind of scoffed and said, 'Oh, you don't really believe that.'
"I think Ellison may be more formidable than people are giving him credit for."
Ellison is the first Muslim member of Congress and Republicans have pointed to his potential ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. He once wrote a column that called for the creation of a blacks-only society within the United States.
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