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| Smith between cheery moments |
Smith's squirm for Republican candidates trying to gain traction against GOP opponents in next month's primary? Name something substantive that separates you from your ideologically indistinguishable "adversary." Check Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's difficulties with this on January 16th. As expected, he fails to distinguish himself from his rivals. The party line is straight (white) and narrow(minded). The Texas GOP brand's predominant virtue? Consistency.
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| Another crisis, Same GOP |
For Democrats, Smith has a different question that also seems to point to party branding. Last week, he put it to Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. She will soon become a national figure in her campaign for Dewhurst's job. Given that attention, President Obama is sure to be available to join her on the campaign trail. Would she avail herself of such an opportunity?
The assumption is that, in Texas, being seen with the President of the United States of America is political poison. Certainly, the Texas GOP's hatred for the President is palpable. Dewhurst, in a peculiar moment last Fall, even joined the Far Right Bengazi Battle Cry for impeachment.
For me, what's interesting is what's behind this question. That tells the story of how the GOP in general - and the Texas GOP in particular - has demonized the President - and not just President Obama. The real question: have they taken this to such a degree that they are now disrespectful of the presidency itself? It sure looks like they have.
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| From the Far Right in Dallas, 1963 |
Such disrespect is a cancer of the body politic. This is the final stages of an illness that may prove fatal for the GOP. It traces its origins back to what manifested as a fevered distemper over FDR and the New Deal. Social Security was the Obamacare of that era. Then, in the 1960's, Far Right extremists left an infamous legacy in Dallas. The story of Gen. Edwin Walker's celebrity for his animosity towards President Kennedy foreshadows today's Tea Party - complete with Koch brother connection! Next, the 1990's saw the relentless campaign to undermine the Clinton White House.
And today?
The cancer has progressed to a new, terminal stage. We see contempt for President Obama that is not just unproductive - it is un-American and unpatriotic. Let's start with Supreme Court Justice Alito's shocking violation of decorum at the State of the Union address in 2010. And what of Texas Congressman Steve Stockman walking out of the State of the Union address last month?
So what is my reply to Smith's conversation-stopper for Democrats?
"Evan, regardless of what your personal views are towards President Obama, we should NOT forget that he is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Sadly, blinded by their ideology, the Texas GOP have lost sight of that.
I grew up in an America where, whatever your personal political beliefs, we all respected the Office of the President. To do otherwise was shameful. Now, what was shameful has now become a badge of pride for the Texas GOP. It's not just a matter of bad taste either. This is hand-in-glove with the toxic attitudes that "inspired" Sen. Ted Cruz and those that follow him to shut down the government last year. Oh, and now? He blames that disaster on - THE PRESIDENT!
So let the President of the United States come to Texas. I'll greet him with open arms. And let me take this opportunity to call out to other patriotic Americans whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents - whatever their political persuasion. Come and join me! Let us join together to say loud and clear that the disrespect for the presidency that now defines the Texas GOP is unacceptable, unpatriotic and un-American."
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Tips? Suggestions? Ideas? Drop a line to carl (at) inanityofsanity (dot) com
Left On, Carl!
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