President Obama Is Driving Republicans Insane
The historical record of far-right ridiculousness has been well-documented here and throughout the blogosphere.
Who can forget Michelle Malkin's inspired cheerleader skit? Or when Rush Limbaugh mocked a guy's Parkinson's Disease tremors. What about John Boehner's public sobbing jags? Pat Robertson insisting he could leg-press 2,000 pounds. Sarah Palin's turkey geeker photo op. George W. Bush telling us that Iraq is a "peeance freeance." Remember when Bill O'Reilly shouted down the son of a 9/11 victim? Already, we're talking about a mélange of weirdness and upside-down logic suitable for the ages, and that's all prior to January 20, 2009.
But I don't think we ever anticipated that the presidency of Barack Obama would, among other things, send the far-right into a freakazoid display of shockingly deranged conniptions and outright crazy talk -- their manic hyperdrive engines, fueled by Rush Limbaugh's gesticulating arm flab, blasting them out of their political Mos Eisley cantina scene and expelling them a thousand parsecs beyond the zero barrier of insanity.
Too much?
Just to be clear, I'm not talking about the lies or distortions or their utter lack of credibility (zero cred) on broad-ranging issues like, you know, foreign policy and the economy. What we have here is the equivalent level of chaos as, say, the first group therapy scene from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. In other words: a total berserker meltdown.
Seriously, have you ever seen the Republicans more twisted and kerfuffled than they are today? Movie metaphors aside, I've been hard pressed to find greater examples of insanity from the far-right than have been exhibited in the past week alone. Here we have a Republican Party that's been discredited and bloodied, and yet in the face of an enormously popular president who is confounding conventional wisdom while building a working consensus among American voters, the Republicans appear to be reflexively coughing up the most intellectually violent chunks of hooey on record.
They're screaming about fear-mongering, even though we had eight years of this.
They're screaming about fiscal responsibility, even though we had eight years of this.
They're screaming about free speech, even though we had eight years of this and this and this.
They're honest to God screaming about fascism, even though we had eight years of this and this and this.
Yes, the Republicans have claimed to have "found their voice." If this is true, then their "voice" sounds exactly like Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge and Michelle Malkin, depending on the day.
So what are these voices saying exactly?
For starters, Rush Limbaugh -- the de facto leader of the Republican Party -- said on his show Tuesday that the entire economic meltdown was actually precipitated by a conspiracy between George Soros and a cabal of billionaire liberals who deliberately sought to sabotage the world economy in order to get Barack Obama elected.
He, of course, has no real evidence for this, other than what the shadow people told him while he was tweaking his TV remotes.
Okay, so I made up the part about the shadow people, but the rest is seriously what Limbaugh was telling his audience of dittoheads yesterday. What Limbaugh doesn't know, however, is that Soros is actually a hobbit who's conspiring with Elvis to fake another Moon landing. (Shh!)
Confined to its own phantom zone of crazy, there's only so much harm this can do. After all, Limbaugh's puffy melon has been bombarded with a mountain of hillbilly heroin large enough to crush God. But I wish I could report that this was wholly the product of Limbaugh's condition. It's also a theory that was repeated by Donald Luskin: a seriously wrongheaded economist and, go figure, former economic adviser to Senator John McCain.
Speaking of John McCain, he was pilfering extra helpings of rich, creamery crazy from Michelle Malkin this week. Senator Coburn and Congressman Boehner were doing it, too. Last month, Malkin nicknamed the president's recovery bill the "generational theft" bill, arguing that the debt it would create will serve to rob future generations. This, naturally, disregards the nearly doubled national debt and record-breaking deficits created by George W. Bush with programs that, when taken individually, were enthusiastically endorsed by Malkin (Iraq, tax cuts and so on). But there was Senator McCain on Face the Nation on Sunday talking about "generational theft." Whatever, senator, the fundamentals are strong so what's does it matter, right?
Meanwhile, Michael Steele, the newly elected head of the RNC and preemptive excuse for the next time a Republican talk radio host blurts out a racist remark, tried to tell a national television viewing audience that the government has never in the history of the United States created a job -- only "work." Yep. Do I really need to outline why this is crazy?
Former White House chief of staff Andy Card, meanwhile, attacked President Obama for violating a totally nonexistent Oval Office dress code. Republican columnist Fred Barnes cited a former Limbaugh producer named Marc Morano as his "scientific" source on global warming. FOX News is reading Republican talking points verbatim and passing them off as news copy -- typos and all. And after eight years of the smirking frat boy named George W. Bush, Malkin went so far as to accuse President Obama of being "snippy" during his prime time press conference.
Elsewhere, another far-right blogger is vowing to never again fist-bump with her friends at her tennis club. And when she's at the grocery store and is confronted by magazines with the president's face in the checkout line, she turns the magazines backwards. All of them. I'm not making this up.
They have indeed totally lost their shpadoinkle and despite purely involuntary spikes in my blood pressure, it's so much fun to watch. By successfully debunking their lies, rising above their bait and merely presenting a contrast of character, President Obama is making the Republican A-listers appear small, petty and absolutely befuddled. They're frantically struggling to figure out how to counterpunch, so they're grabbing, borrowing or downright plagiarizing ideas from anywhere, irrespective of the general quality of the idea. And if the Republicans are at all interested in continued survival, someone they respect should probably smack their hands and scold: Drop that filthy Limbaugh quote! You don't know where it's been!
But if this is their "voice" and they're satisfied with it, I for one welcome the new Republican "voice" and wish them a hearty and very sincere: Good luck with that.
Order my book: One Nation Under Fear, with a foreword by Arianna Huffington. Also available in stores.
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hear hear
Those Republicans certainly are putting their foot in it , and getting in their own mud right up to their knees
The majority of Americans support our new president. The Republicans got us in this hole. They need to shut up, step aside, and let President Obama do his work for the people--especially the middle class and poor. They've been part of the problem and thought nothing of including the Democrats when they were in charge and screwed us all over. I can't wait until we get a true Democratic majority in the Senate to shut them out entirely. The Wall Street Republican, fat cats are guilty of economic treason, and the Bush-McCain administration are guilty too for allowing non-regulation to continue unchecked. Republicans thought nothing of spending billions to get us where we are now--from the unnecessary Iraq war to neglecting Americans here at home. To hell with them! I hope they're out of business and favor for the next generation. They're nothing but hypocrits and obstructionists! President Obama can contact me for support anytime. Americans should be out in the streets protesting Wall Street fat cats and the Republican Party! God bless our new President!
Shut the republicans out all together? that might be the most ignorant comment i've ever heard. It sounds like you don't even appreciate living in a democatic country where people are aloud to disagree. Our new president doesn't even beleive that, for he's the one who put some republicans in his cabinet. Obama says he wants to do away with the bipartism in america, so if you say obama can call you up anytime for your support here is your chance. Enough with the party bashing, grow up and let's really work on improving america for the better. Is that really what people should be doing going out into the streets to protest republicans and "Wall street fat cats" (i think that might be your favorite term, wall street fat cats. did you get it from your parents, or just read it all the time on these blogs?). I think that is the exact opposite thing people should be doing and i think Obama would agree with me. Isn't there more meaningful things americas could be doing? like helping other americans in need of help? That's the problem today, everyone wants to protest, but noone actually wants to play a part in the bettering of our country.
He put the Republican in to hear their stupid ideas, and then say ok. We know what will not work.
hear hear !
You've done a real nice job of pointing out some of the rediculous things that republicans have done or said throughout the last few years. Think you're forgetting to keep your writtings unbiased though, wasn't it Al Gore who claimed he invented the internet? Didn't President Clinton ask for definitions so he could decide if he had relations with "that woman"? Didn't Jon Stewert appear live on Fox News and make a mockery of his interview? If we're really going to start pointing out all the insane things our polititions or public figures have done or said, regaurdless of their party, we're going to be here a long time. Why shouldn't the republicans be going insane over Obama? We're in the worst economic crisis of our life times and our new president just passed a stimulus package that was 7 billion dollars higher than we were told it would be during his campain. Maybe all Americans should be going a little insane. Either way you should support the leader of the free world and one of his major platforms is ending the bipartisism and it's people like you who are holding the country back.
Well today I read an article about Paterson or Peterson Air Force Base commissary had President Obama picture down for Presidents Day. A customer didn't want a black man's picture up. These republicans are really having withdrawal problems big time.
President Obama's official picture was never removed. The racist remarks allegedly made by one patron had nothing to do with what happened.
What happened is this: The commissary printed some announcements about the 16 February holiday schedule. These announcements referred to the holiday as "President's Day" and featured a picture of President Obama. Unfortunately the commissary staff had not correctly researched the holiday and like many American's mistakenly thought that was its name and that it celebrated all presidents, past and present. Several more knowledgeable patrons explained to the management that the correct name of the holiday is Washington's Birthday and that it is a celebration of President George Washington and no one else. The commissary management researched the issue and found out that the patrons were correct, the announcement was in error, and they changed the announcement to more correctly represent the holiday by changing the name and removing President Obama's image from the printed flyers.
Now I know some of you are going to say that it is President's Day and that it is for Washington and Lincoln or all presidents. Let me cut you off before you get there -- you are wrong. In 1968 a bill was intruduced to shift several holidays around so that they always fell on Mondays. While this bill was in the works, a proposal was made to change the name of the holiday to President's Day and to use it to honor Washington and Lincoln, but that effort died in committee and never made it into the bill. The bill was passed and signed into law refering to the 3rd Monday of Feb as Washington's Birthday. The bill took effect in 1971 as Public Law 90-363 and is codified in federal law Title 5 US Code 6103. Additionally, there was no Executive Order issued by Pres Nixon referring to the holiday as President's Day or to include observing Lincoln's birthday in the holiday.
Listen Bob: Obama's OK I think, but we're only at the prelims right now. As ridiculous, pathetic, dangerous, crazy (pick one or more) as are the Repugnantans antics -- their huffing and puffing and bellowing -- Obama has yet to prove he can lead effectively and begin to accomplish his goal of at least beginning to get us out of the financial mess we're in. Then he's got to show he can effectively tackle health care, closing Gitmo, ending the Iraq fiasco, settling the Israeli/Palestinian mishugas -- to name but a few. Until now he's proved that he knows how to win elections and speak to crowds big and small. (And he's becoming better at one-on-one interviews and discussions). But he's got a long way to go before he can dismiss the Repugs as a bunch of whoop-dee-doo. Rush-following crazies who still idolize Reagan and regard W as his only begotten son. ..
The Democrats arrogance will cost them the House in '10. President Obama doesn't have to worry about the Republicans, he has to worry about Pelosi, Schumer, Dodd, Dirty Harry and the Queen of Banking Frank. Not to mention the unions strangle hold on the President's party, perhaps triggering a trade war based on the language in the "stimulus" bill. Not to mention all of the other hidden language as the Democrats move to re-engineer the social landscape.
As Pelosi reminds us so often, "they won the election". Yes but lose the arrogance and be more forth right in discussing your agenda. The American people are not stupid. The Dems should know their sneaking arrogance can cost them the next time out, despite their President and his historic victory. They should take his lead, or is he just intentionally leaving the dirty work to them. President Obama has a unique place in history and has to conduct himself accordingly. As a Republican, I voted for him, not because he was the only choice, but because he has an opportunity to do things no one else has had in nearly fifty years. He should take advantage of it and hopefully the Queen and others will follow.
Sean Murphy
Marblehead, Massachusetts
You make a rational argument. However, I wonder if you can see that, as far as arrogance goes, the Republicans have cornered the market here. Their ability to confound reason and cause people to forget that the past eight years set an example of absolute decadence and abuse of trust, has me shaking my head daily. The damage done largely on their watch, with their complicity. Arrogance doesn't fully describe it. The theatrics of Graham on the Senate floor and all the feigned outrage at "generational theft" coming from the right would be so laughable if it weren't for the danger they pose. In the midst of all that our country is facing now, the party has allowed itself to devolve into opposition, without message. Just opposition. To any and everything. Publicly hoping for the failure of our president, calling themselves "Taliban USA". Are you kidding me? How do they get away with it? The talking point of the day "Obama hasn't been bipartisan". And they spew this stuff indignantly, with a straight face. I wonder if its a farce they must keep up 24/7 or if they just laugh behind closed doors, at the confusion and chaos they foster when we are so in need of calm focus.
shut up just shut up you disgust me with your reasoning that we will rush in droves to vote for you just shut up you will be losing more seats in 2010 not us.
Yes, the tables have turned. And yes, much of the hubris is now on the Dem's side, but the Dems should learn to not gloat as the GoP did for the past 8 years, as we can all see how to much hubris got them we should also project where too much of it can get the Dems.
At least our new Commander-in-Chief is keeping his levelheadedness on all this. May he continue to do so because we certainly need for him to fix the royal mess the GoP has left us with.
Cesca and many of you other libs are sadly mistaken. Never in my lifetime has a president gotten off to such a bumbling, mistake-prone start as Obama. It is absolutely humorous. Let us count the ways: Promising not to employ former lobbyists in his administration, but then issuing one waiver after another in order to employ lobbyists; the nomination of several tax cheats to cabinet positions; a "buy American goods" pledge which set off a near trade panic in Europe; directing a closure of Gitmo without a plan for what to do with the inmates there; campaigning on "hope" but lately taking on the language of Chicken Little; campaigning on "change" but populating his top staff with Clinton retreads (and even a Clinton!). God, I could go on and on and on. And he's not even been president for a month! God help us over the next 4 years.
As far as I can tell, I don't see any "Mission Accomplished" banner waving behind him.
BARACK PLAYS IT COOL AND NEO CONS KEEP MAKING BIGGER FOOLS OUT OF THEMSELVES
This article is pretty amusing. Congrats, on the passage the largest pork-barrel spending bill in US history, btw. This bill is going to be a noose around your necks for years to come. The good news is that voters should be ready to "bailout" the D'rats starting in 2010, but it's just too bad our grandchildren are going to have to pay for their fiscal stupidity...sorry, "change".
Interesting how some of us have very selective short memory.
Fiscal stupidity, no-bid-contracts and senseless loss of 300,000 lives is what I call the war in Iraq. I think that is worthy of weighing more on our combined conscious for many generations to come.
Senseless loss of 300,000 lives? Could you do some research and let me know how many innocent Iraqi women and children were murdered at the hands of Sudam hussein? Yes losing american lives is alway sad and discouraging, but let's be a little less selfish. I've worked at the Boys and Girls Club for many years and when Bush entered Iraq all the Iraqi americans threw parades in the streets and even more when Sudam was captured. Some of these children were able to go to Iraq and see family members for the first time in their lives!!! It's funny how one persons demon can be another persons hero (bush).
Barack plays it cool and repubs keep making bigger fools out of themselves, their attacks are backfiring.
AFAIK, theirs are desperate cries from the dreads of the nearly defunct.
Democrats should start forgetting about what the Repugs are gonna say or do and start implementing their agenda. F'em , we won.
We can't lose time and let the country go down the Tubes while waiting for their cooperation; they ain't gonna cooperate.
Let's do right by the folks and they wiil decide in the next election who's right and who's wrong.
Enough of this Kabuki Theatre with the Repugs !
Why, as far as my eye can see and ear can hear, the Dems have been implementing policy at a trail-blazing pace. More has been accomplished in 30 days than ever thought imaginable.
It is not hard to do when you know the way and he certainly does.
Democrats are the progress party and RUSHpublicans are the anti-progress party.
If the republicans in the 1950's were like the ones now then the interstate freeway system would never have been built!
A stand-up guy by the name of Eisenhower ran the party then.
Now it's been run by a rich radio buffoon out of his house in Florida.
That was a shovel-ready program back then. But back then, the GoP used to call itself the party of Lincoln. Today, that privilege has been clearly usurped and Lincoln's legacy now belongs to the people. The people have not left the GoP, it's that the clubby GoP has left the people. That's why the GoP is clearly in such a small minority nowadays and in risk of going extinct.
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