Perhaps CNN analyst Van Jones might want to check his memory banks before blasting someone for acknowledging something that Jones himself has discussed as a very real issue. On Wednesday, following the GOP presidential debate in Tuscaloosa, Jones went on a very emotional rampage denouncing Vivek Ramaswamy for daring to mention a subject that Democrats have often discussed, namely the Great Replacement Theory.
And one of those who have discussed and analyzed that theory was Van Jones himself, just two years ago.
Ramaswamy said during the debate, “The great replacement theory is not some grand right-wing conspiracy theory, but a basic statement of the Democratic party’s platform.”
This is not an outrageous statement. It's so common it's a cliche. See Philip Elliott in Time in 2021: "It’s become something of a cliché in Washington for Democratic strategists to assert that 'demographics are destiny.' What they mean is that the diversifying electorate—and the shrinking role of white voters—will render Republicans incapable of sustaining power for much longer."
The conspiracy theory is that opening the southern border is a conscious political strategy to create that demographic destiny. But let's observe a very angry Van Jones on Wednesday denouncing Ramaswamy as a demagogue for even broaching the subject during the debate:
Van Jones was "shaking" as Vivek spoke.
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 7, 2023
"He is going to outlive Trump by about 50 years, and you are watching the rise of a demagogue that is very despicable." pic.twitter.com/wQ4k0vH9pC
JONES: It sure hurts the country, though. That guy is dangerous. That's dangerous, when those people were saying Jews will not replace us, Jews will not replace us.
That slogan sits on top of a very sick and twisted view, that if you bring enough people of color here, we are so deficient, we are so stupid, we are so unwanted that we will be zombies to fill out the ranks for some Democratic Party agenda that Jewish people are manipulating and driving forward.
That leads to violence. That puts at risk Jewish people. That puts at risk people of color. It is wrong. And the smug, condescending way that he just spews this poison out is very, very dangerous because he won't stop Trump, but he's going to outlive Trump by about 50 years. And you're watching the rise of an American demagogue that is a very, very despicable person.
And I was shaking listening to him talk because a lot of people don't know that is one step away from Nazi propaganda coming out of his mouth
Unfortunately for Jones, that "demagogue" Ramaswamy found out that Van Jones was calmly talking about the Great Replacement Theory in 2021 to the extent that he expressed sympathy for those who thought they were being replaced.
Yesterday, Van Jones called me a “demagogue” for discussing the Great Replacement Theory. Well, here are Van’s words in 2021: “The request from the racial justice left: we want the white majority to go from being a majority to being a minority and like it. That’s a tough request,… pic.twitter.com/yPRvJ2VCUa
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 8, 2023
Exit question: Was Van Jones shaking from hearing himself talk about the Great Replacement Theory? We might have to wait awhile before hearing an answer about that since there has been radio silence from Jones ever since Ramaswamy made the revelation about him.
