Eugene Robinson: You Can’t Make Up Republican Candidates Like These

[marmar]

from truthdig:



You Can’t Make Up Republican Candidates Like These
Posted on Aug 12, 2010

By Eugene Robinson


The Republican Party’s candidate for governor of Colorado believes that bicycle paths are “part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty.” The party’s Senate candidate in Nevada wants to privatize Medicare and Social Security—and has called for the United States to withdraw from the U.N., though not because of the bicycle conspiracy. And the GOP’s Senate candidate in Connecticut once climbed into a professional wrestling ring and kicked a man in the crotch.

I could go on, but you get the point. Democrats may be facing a tough fight this fall, but Republicans are giving them plenty of material to work with.

The big political story of the year may turn out to be the consequences of the GOP’s foray into extremism and wackiness. It could be that the party acculturates its not-ready-for-prime-time candidates, harnesses the energy of the tea party movement, and sweeps to a grand old victory. There is also the distinct possibility that the acute philosophical split within the party—basically, a clash between bedrock conservatism and utter nonsense—will hand victories to Democrats that they didn’t anticipate and frankly might not deserve.

Anyone who doubts this assessment should reflect on the fact that major figures in the Republican Party are wasting valuable time and energy debating whether the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1868, should be repealed.

At issue is birthright citizenship—the amendment’s guarantee that children born here are automatically U.S. citizens, even if their parents are in the country illegally. It’s hard to remember that as recently as three years ago, major figures in the Republican Party such as Lindsey Graham and John McCain were speaking out in favor of sensible, comprehensive immigration reform. But in today’s GOP, which is energized by tea party passion, Graham and McCain want to hold hearings on whether birthright citizenship should be abolished. Many top Republicans have decided that taking a moderate, compassionate stance on illegal immigration—even on the status of innocent newborns—is just too big a risk. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/you_cant_make_up_republican_candidates_like_these_20100812/

[ananda]

1. Hmm...

I thought you couldn't make up idiots like Bush running the country.

[dccrossman]

2. Fighting against history (and stupidity)

The opposition party makes gains in the midterms. That's just the way it goes, but they are putting a lot of insane people out there and making what should be an easy your for them, difficult. There's more and more noise about disillusioned republicans that are disgusted by the wackos. They would prefer conservatives, but they don't trust Boehner either (as an example).

By the same token though, democrats, and especially progressives, are disillusioned by compromises in what should have been excellent legislative wins. Pragmatists say the compromises were necessary to get anything passed. Idealists say that compromises happened too early and went too far. The arguments between the two are highlighting a schism (not creating a new one). That schism threatens any and all GOTV efforts.

Anyway, all that to say that Eugene Robinson rocks, and it is entertaining to read him highlight the wackos winning primaries on the right and how that might change the dynamic.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. I've never met an actual Pragmatist who was a politician and

American at the same time. Progressives always vote, especially in elections that are focused on local and State issues and candidates. The mushy center, posing as Pragmatists when they are not claiming a deep seated belief in the unseen, now they often whine and cry and explain that they are personally to busy to bother voting, or that the candidates are not up to their expectations, just not good enough to spend a few minutes casting a vote. If the mushy moderates and swimming centrists get up and manage to mark a ballot, and I think that they will, we will be fine.
The schism is and always was between Republicans and Democrats. Among our own, it is just variety, diversity, and slight differences over the present moment, not about the place we want to go.

[Jester Messiah]

4. And they'll win while erstwhile Dems are busy whining about Gibbs hurting their feelings.

It's enough to make you :puke:

[Demeter]

5. Personally, I think bicycle paths are a plot for extra ER admissions

and to support the knee-replacement surgery specialists.

Europe doesn't bicycle as much as you were told. Especially in snow.

[Doctor_J]

6. I don't understand those who think this will cost the Repukes seats

these crackpots are actually going to be Congress and governors next year. I don't find it to be a laughing matter.