Goodbye, Madison Cawthorn!
North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn has lost his primary race. He will be a one-term Congressman. He is over. This was such a fascinating race to watch. And you know what really stands out? How so many knew Cawthorn’s political career was o-v-e-r.
Everyone knew that is except Cawthorn. Cawthorn was like a kid in a candy store. Nobody, absolutely nobody, suffered from the Icarus effect more than Madison Cawthorn. He could have been a walking advertisement of what NOT to do. Nobody is invincible — ever — and certainly not in politics.
This 26-year-old kid had a very promising future in politics not long ago. He fell under the insurrection spell. But what really did him in was his own party. Never bet against the House. Never underestimate their ability to hold all the cards. Cawthorn made enemies and some came from within. You are a goner politically when one’s own party can’t stand you.
It is quite a satisfying feeling to watch the fall of an insurrectionist. I feel no sympathy for Cawthorn. He had choices, and he made the wrong ones — again and again and again.
It’s a tale as old as the winds — a tale of selfishness, immaturity, and perceived invincibility. And Cawthorn now has new choices to make — but said choices would not be in politics. His political career is over.
And we are going to oust other insurrection supporting candidates and win in November. But we will not ever embrace hubris as Cawthorn did. We know the work is involved, and we will do it with strength, determination, and humility.
