Republicans Should Avoid Article V Convention Due to Lack of Control and Democratic Advantages
Source: Kristen A. Ullman. "Redistricting Debacle Proves GOP Is Too Squishy For Convention." February 26, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues Republicans shouldn't call for a constitutional convention because they're not good enough at politics to control it. She says Democrats would take over and use it to pass liberal amendments instead of the conservative ones Republicans want.
Conclusion
Republicans should not pursue an Article V constitutional convention because they lack the organizational strength and strategic control to prevent Democrats from hijacking it for their own agenda
Premises
- The redistricting debacle demonstrates Republicans' inability to anticipate and counter Democratic strategic responses
- Republicans are consistently outorganized, outfunded, and face media disadvantage compared to Democrats
- Article V convention rules and procedures are unclear with no constitutional precedent for limiting scope or delegate selection
- Democrats are already preparing organized efforts to use any convention for progressive causes like overturning Citizens United
- A convention could provide Democrats opportunity to advance abortion rights, gun control, and other liberal constitutional amendments
- If current constitutional violations aren't being enforced, new amendments won't solve the underlying compliance problem
Assumptions
- Political success requires superior organization, funding, and media control
- Democrats are more strategically sophisticated than Republicans
- Constitutional conventions would operate under majoritarian rather than consensus rules
- Current constitutional problems stem from enforcement rather than inadequate text