Democrats’ risky strategy: Elevate GOP election deniers

It’s something that seems backward: Democrats spending money that serves to boost far-right candidates, many endorsed by former President Donald Trump, in elections all across America.

Yet it appears to be true. Political groups and nonprofit organizations linked to the Democratic Party have spent nearly $44 million on ads that have raised the profile of far-right candidates in Republican primaries in at least five states, according to Open Secrets, a nonpartisan group that tracks U.S. campaign spending.

It’s part of an old political strategy, actually, in which political parties meddle in the candidate-picking process of the other side. The hope is that if “weaker” opponents prevail, it will make it easier for the meddling party to win the general election.

But it can be a dangerous game, note political experts. In some instances, it’s a waste of scarce campaign funds that could be better put toward things like turnout operations. It also could backfire.