Obama is Right To Say "Defund The Police" Loses a Big Audience

In an interview with Snapchat former President Obama critiqued the term "defund the police":

"If you believe, as I do, that we should be able to reform the criminal justice system so that it's not biased and treats everybody fairly, I guess you can use a snappy slogan, like 'defund the police.' "

"But, you know, you lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you're actually going to get the changes you want done." 

Needless to say this did not amuse The Left. Case in point is New York Congressman-elect Jamaal Bowman who tweeted, "Damn, Mr. President. Didn’t you say “Trayvon could’ve been my son?”  

Last I checked, Trayvon Martin was not murdered by a police officer.

Thus Bowman has succeeded in making Obama's point.

Defunding the police is a counterproductive meme which helps no one including the African-American community. Indeed, most African-Americans want a police presence in their communities.

Of course, there is a problem with police conduct and corruption in this country and no one would argue African-Americans are treated equally under the law. Indeed, last summer I argued the Kenosha Police Department should be disbanded and rebuilt. 

But law enforcement is a fact of life. No society can exist without it. Thus defunding it is little more than cutting off our nose to spite our face. I am glad President Obama has arrived at this conclusion. It is my hope he can withstand criticism from Bowman and company and not go wobbly.

Democrats would be wise to follow Obama's lead otherwise Republicans could make huge gains in 2022.