In recent days it has been widely reported that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is being considered as the new head of the Democratic National Committee. Ellison is appealing to his supporters for several reasons. Not only is he a staunch progressive, but he is also black and the first Muslim elected to Congress. In the eyes of his supporters, he is a living rebuke to the president-elect, Donald Trump.

As appealing as the symbolism may be, Ellison is still a problematic choice. He has a long history of actual extremism that ought to make him unfit for the position.