Herrera: The Political “Playbook” on Swalwell

Are Democrats beginning to move on from Eric Swalwell? That was the question posed on Richmond’s Morning News, as Rich Herrera examined how political parties respond when one of their own becomes a liability.

Speaking during a recent appearance on Newsmax, Herrera pointed to what he described as a familiar pattern in Washington. Early on, parties often rally behind their members, offering public support and pushing back on criticism from the outside.

But Herrera argued that approach tends to shift over time. What begins as strong defense can turn into deflection, as attention is redirected and the focus changes. Eventually, he said, the calculus becomes more political than personal.

“There’s a playbook,” Herrera explained, describing it as defend, defend, deflect, deflect — until the moment a figure is no longer seen as essential to the broader political strategy. At that point, support can quickly fade as parties look to minimize potential fallout.

Herrera said the situation raises broader questions about consistency and accountability in politics. For listeners, he noted, it’s less about one individual and more about understanding how these dynamics play out — and what they reveal about how decisions are made behind the scenes.