The NPR Politics Podcast New Culture War Cudgel: GOP Ads Blame Opioid Crisis On Migrants
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Oct 17, 2022 Brian Mann, NPR's national correspondent covering addiction, dives into the intricate connections between the opioid crisis and political campaigns. He discusses how Republican candidates are harnessing the crisis to target immigrants, framing them as linked to crime and drug smuggling. The conversation highlights the stark contrast between punitive Republican strategies and Democratic harm reduction methods. Mann also touches on the evolving drug policy landscape and the ongoing challenges of addressing addiction while navigating political narratives as midterms approach.
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Shifting Focus on Opioids
- In 2016, opioid discussions focused on public health and solutions.
- Now, Republicans link the crisis to immigration and crime, shifting blame.
Oz Campaign Ad
- Mehmet Oz's campaign ad attacks John Fetterman for supporting decriminalizing drugs and injection sites.
- This "be afraid" narrative links drugs to a dangerous cultural crisis.
Republican Strategy
- Republicans aim this rhetoric at white working-class voters, using immigration as a cultural wedge issue.
- This strategy seeks to offset the Democrats' perceived advantage with suburban women after the Dobbs decision.
