Staff Reports
Former congressman Adam Kinzinger has made headlines once again, but not for any heroic stand he’s taken; instead, it’s for a pitiful misrepresentation of election acceptance. During a media appearance, Kinzinger aimed to assert his narrative that both major parties have always graciously accepted election outcomes—an assertion deserving of a major reality check. He charged into this debate armed with nothing but flimsy claims, only to be swiftly outmaneuvered by commentator Scott Jennings, who made it clear in just four words that Kinzinger’s statement was downright false.
Kinzinger, who has carved a niche for himself on liberal platforms since being ousted from Congress through redistricting, chose to showcase his political prowess while discussing the anniversary of the January 6th event, which he undeniably regards as a grim day. This once again raises the question of how the Democrats have turned a peaceful protest into a political weapon while ignoring their own party’s history of undermining election results. Attempting to pin the tail on the donkey, Kinzinger managed to make himself the laughable butt of the joke on live television.
Needless to say, CNN's Adam Kinzinger wasn't a fan of Scott Jennings pointing out it's a good thing the country has collectively moved past objecting to election results, violence is abd, and that Dems have objected every time to a GOP win since 1988. pic.twitter.com/k54sRkK6ir
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 6, 2025
In an absurd display of revisionist history, Kinzinger claimed that both parties have always accepted the outcomes of presidential elections, contrasting the recent Republican objections with a narrative of Democratic unity and compliance. Jennings wasted no time dismantling this myth, simply reminding Kinzinger that such assertions are false. It appears Kinzinger entered a battle armed with a spork when he should have brought a knife to a gunfight.
The irony is thick when considering the Democrats’ extensive history of objecting to elections, which dates back decades. In 2000, a swarm of 15 Democrats, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, cried foul over Florida’s electoral votes after then-Vice President Al Gore continued to contest his loss to George W. Bush. This litigious circus dragged on for weeks and ultimately led to a decided defeat. Was there any Democratic leadership smiling upon the results then? Quite the opposite.
Fast forward to 2004, when 31 Democrats sought to reject electoral votes from Ohio after President Bush’s decisive victory. The President won both the electoral count and popular vote, yet the Democrats still attempted to delegitimize the election result. Kinzinger may want to read the history books on this one, because the Democrats have set a precedent, and it’s not one painted in the glow of electoral integrity.
Fast forward even further to 2016, when the Democratic Party took the art of election denialism to new heights, with seven different Democrats objecting to certifying Donald Trump’s victory on multiple occasions. The spectacle didn’t stop at objections; 67 Democrats even boycotted Trump’s inauguration, calling his election illegitimate as some violently protested in the streets. As Senator Ted Cruz and a handful of other Republicans objected in 2020, they were simply following a playbook drafted by the Democrats themselves.
Kinzinger’s unfortunate encounter underscores the precarious position he’s found himself in—a former Republican whose ideals have strayed so far left that he appears entirely out of touch. Jennings managed to dispatch him with relative ease, proving that Kinzinger’s defeat is just one more example of his growing unpopularity and irrelevance in the political landscape. One can only wonder how long before he gets stuffed into the locker of historical memory, a representative of failed narratives and misplaced allegiance.
