Punching the Tar Baby

Last week I suggested that the Republican party was at a crossroads of sorts. They could continue down the road of hatespeech, fear, anger, and thinly-veiled racism or they could take a cue from Conservatives like David Brooks, Peggy Noonan, Colin Powell, David Frum, and many others and engage in dignified, constructive, fact-based criticism of policies and statements with which they disagreed.

Now, just a few days later, the "dignity" option seems to have been taken off the table. The Republican chosen and designated leaders just can't seem to help themselves. They just keep flailing away at the tar baby (a term I use deliberately) so vigorously that they don't realize that they are caught in a trap of their own making that is leading to both their unmasking and their undoing.

A few days ago, the national Young Republicans elected 38-year old Audra Shay as their new chair. As I wrote last week, Ms. Shay is an Arkansas native who now lives in Louisiana and was endorsed for the position by her governor, Bobby Jindal.

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, she gained some unwelcome notoriety during the week prior to her election for cheering on a participant in a conversation on her Facebook page who referred to President Obama as "a commie and a coon." Participants in the conversation who criticized her response were immediately defriended and blocked from the website. Eric, the commie and coon guy, was not.

This and other arguably racist comments she has made caused a number of Young Republicans, including John McCain's daughter Meghan, to encourage her to drop out of the race. Instead she won election by a comfortable margin after scrubbing her Facebook page in an effort to destroy the evidence of her past remarks.

The next day marked the beginning of the confirmation hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a 17-year Federal court veteran who has been nominated by Obama for the Supreme Court.

From the moment Judge Sotomayor was nominated to the court, the Right wing made it clear that they were going to play the only card left in the Republican deck--the race card. The water carriers of the Right immediately launched into racist attacks against her on the radio with Limbaugh, Levin, and others branding her a "bigot" and Glenn Beck calling her "Hispanic Chick Lady" in their dignified and nuanced commentaries on her qualifications.

Despite the fact that Sotomayor's confirmation should be a formality -- she has extensive experience on the bench and has been given the highest rating for her qualifications by the American and New York Bar Association -- the focus on her race and ethnicity continued.

Ranking Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama -- who himself was rejected for a Federal judgeship by a GOP controlled Senate committee years ago based on his numerous apparently racist comments -- humiliated himself with his line of questioning expressing his surprise and disappointment that Sotamayor didn't vote along with her fellow Puerto Rican in the Ricci case. His clear implication was that it is surprising that all judges of Puerto Rican descent don't think and vote alike.

Can you imagine a Senator expressing surprise that Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Breyer don't vote alike because they are both white males? Can you imagine repeatedly citing a line about "wise Latina women" that Sotomayor used in speeches eight years ago as a reason to repeatedly express concerns that she would be biased in favor of minorities who claim they have been victims of discrimination?

Maybe. If it weren't for the fact that in the 90 cases Sotomayor has heard from people alleging discrimination, she has ruled AGAINST the plaintiffs in 80 of them. And in all but one of the cases where she determined discrimination took place, she was part of a unanimous decision.

The next day, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) -- who you may remember as Senator John Ensign's spiritual advisor and marriage counselor -- did his best Ricky Ricardo imitation in a response to a Sotomayor answer telling her that "she had a lot of 'splainin' to do."

After three days of hearings, the Republicans on the committee have revealed themselves to be so obsessed with race and bias that their efforts to transfer their own bigotry and "concerns" to Sotomayor has come across as childish, transparent, dishonest, and scary.

But the way things are playing out with the entire party and its chosen leaders and spokesmen, that puts them right in sync with the program. The only question remaining is where independents like me will find the next legitimate and credible alternative to the weak and frightening Democratic leadership in Congress in the future.

The Republicans are a decade late and a trillion dollars short. There just aren't enough racists and bigots still around to give them a base on which to build. Instead of opting for facts, reason, and dignity they continue to flail away at those pesky Black and Hispanic tar babies. The harder they punch, the more ensnared they become in the sticky, unyielding mess.

That may play well in the former Confederate states that voted against Obama and with a smattering of proud and closet racists here and there.

But we all heard those Uncle Remus stories growing up.

And we all know how they end.

Comments

[AllanHytowitz]

Thank you for the "tar baby" metaphor.

The same people who decry Obama as a "socialist" also criticized him 12 months ago for being a (closet) Muslim. Those criticisms have (mostly) ceased partly by having his two top advisors being Jewish (although no one has accused Obama of being a "closet Jew").

While it is now politically incorrect to criticize someone for "being Jewish" or use the "N-word," apparently it has become acceptable to (mis-)use the term "socialist." But virtually everyone I know who does so is Caucasian and a "Christian."

I think I have come up with a "benchmark" emotional test of racism. I have numerous friends (of all ages and genders) who happen to be Black. When someone uses the term "socialist" as an epithet to refer to Obama, I am tempted to ask them the last time they shook hands or hugged a "socialist?"

I am then tempted to ask them (and I have not had the opportunity or nerve to do so yet) when was the last time they shook hands or hugged someone who was Black? I would also ask them to play a "mental game" in which they imagine that just had their lives saved by two nurses, one of them white and the other Black and would they give both of them a handshake or hug in thanks.

I know I would, but it might make them finally realize their own bigotry.

Just a thought.

[lyta]

IMHO they would all lie.

[Larry Gellman]

You raise and interest point although I have to admit that your nurse scenario would be a no-brainer. I'd hug them both and, depending on a variety of factors, would hope that they'd hug me back.

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

Staying with your theme, I sure hope they don't put Sarah Palin up against Barack Obama in 2012. Please GOP voters, don't put the killa from Wasilla on your ticket.

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

You wrote that Republicans are scary and Democrats are frightening. Who do you find safe?

[Larry Gellman]

I'm not sure I'd use the word "safe" but I certainly am pleased with Obama's smart and nuanced approach to complex issues. I love the fact that he has annoyed people on both the far Left and far Right. Anyone who thinks he is a media darling hasn't heard the rants from the likes of Maddow, Olbermann, and Bill Maher about some of his policies.

As far as Congress is concerned, there are individuals of both parties who seem to have that approach but not so many and certainly not those in the party leadership.

[onepotatotwopotato]

Unfortunately, Judge Sotomayor's judicial record and testimony clearly demonstrate a hostile view of the Second Amendment and the fundamental right of self-defense guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

It is only by ignoring history that any judge can say that the Second Amendment is not a fundamental right and does not apply to the states. The one part of the Bill of Rights that Congress clearly intended to apply to all Americans in passing the Fourteenth Amendment was the Second Amendment. History and congressional debate are clear on this point.

Yet Judge Sotomayor seems to believe that the Second Amendment is limited only to the residents of federal enclaves such as Washington, D.C. and does not protect all Americans living in every corner of this nation. In her Maloney opinion and during the confirmation hearings, she deliberately misread Supreme Court precedent to support her incorrect view.

In last year's historic Heller decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees the individual's right to own firearms and recognizes the inherent right of self-defense. In addition, the Court required lower courts to apply the Twentieth Century cases it has used to incorporate a majority of the Bill of Rights to the States. Yet in her Maloney opinion, Judge Sotomayor dismissed that requirement, mistakenly relying instead on Nineteenth Century jurisprudence to hold that the Second Amendment does not apply to the States.

[Larry Gellman]

I think it's fair to disagree with a judge's decisions. But when you start trying to read their minds by determining they have "a hostile view of the Second Amendment" or that they "deliberately misread Supreme Court precedent" then you get on a slippery slope.

During four days of hearings, there was virtually no focus on Sotomayor's decisions. Most of the time was spent by Republicans who didn't like her rulings attributing evil and subversive motives to her based on her ethnicity and background that ended up making them look like fools.

It's fine for you to say that you disagree with her interpretation of the law but please don't fall into the now-popular trap of trying to read her mind and fantasizing about what she was thinking.

[Rangergirl]

This racist bigot filled stuff has to stop....When are the people of the States involved going to say enough is enough, and vote these people out?

[AngelaQuattrano]

They just need to push it hard a few more times. Then they will start getting the results.

[JLRoberson]

It doesn't even play well in the South. At least my Republican friends who still live there tell me so. They find this embarrassing and are getting tired of having to explain they're not racists when they say they're Republicans. Basically, they're in the awkward position of anti-racist skinheads: sure there are some, but just being a skinhead is enough to get you labelled a racist. And so with being a Republican now.

Keep going, losers.

[Larry Gellman]

That's my experience as well and it's the ultimately irony. Not only these people making a deal with the devil, they are not even getting what they think they are on their side of the bargain. Going back to picking Sarah Palin, the national GOP hasn't made a good choice or decision in almost a year.

[JNagarya]

The GOP hasn't made an intelligent, non-racist (let's not talk about the voodoo economics) decision since, at latest, it chose Ronnie Raygun as its nominee. Winning isn't everything it's chalked up to be, regardless short term "success" at yet again showing what one is, and thus revealing that one hasn't the qualifications necessary to governing competently.

[jcwtts1]

The GOP is dying, and I guess this is what political demise looks like. If we are smart and strong in 2010 we pick up 7 seats in the senate moving them to 33. If we are luck as well as good we pick up 10. It is a stretch and probably won't happen but I'm donating money like I believe it will. Because you can't seem to overestimate this self destructive streak in the GOP. The GOP is in its death throes. It just doesn't know it yet. But it will. And this week, this will be a huge regret.

J

[AHappyBeing]

BINGO... you are CORRECT!

[Eric Daniels]

“I hate to be so cynical but you can’t legislate impartiality. There will never come a time in this country when everyone treats each other as though they were colorblind.”

America’s first sin was race -based policies that kept African- Americans out of these jobs by Irish and Italian Americans for at least 100 years through Union Restrictions and outright racial violence. The majority white justices and Uncle Clarence Thomas merely revisted “Dred Scott theme” that the” Black Man has no rights the white man is bound to respect”, I think it’s time for another Black great migration to overwhelm white populations in the U.S. and take over the politcal, economic and goverment constructs to gain power in these states.

Barack Obama is not on our side, much like the Democratic Party, he is too much of a racial bargainer who would sacrifice Black Interests on the veil of universality while the Roberts Court and the GOP eliminates 60 years of racial progress for African- Americans. I think it’s too late to for racial reconciliation amongst Blacks and Whites, no amount of great reasonable ideas or intelligent debate will change the reality between Blacks and Whites in this country, we will end up like the Hutus and the Tutsi in Rwanda it is only a matter of time.

It’s time to choose either the Ballot or the ?

— Eric Daniels

[gypsysailor]

Nor can you legislate morality like the GOP has been trying to do for the last 40 years. You either got it, (used to be taught by parents in the early years of childhood), or you don't. And it sounds to me like you ain't got it either.

[Eric Daniels]

I got more morality in my bones than you have in everything you wrote, the difference between me and you is I don't hide behind my words I don't like Barry Dunham (Obama) and the do nothing democrats nor do I like the neo- nazi american right wing Republican party, African- Americans have to choose either freedom or destruction.

[IllinoisTexan43]

If Sessions, Graham, Coburn and Cornyn are at ease saying these types of things in public, I shudder at what is said in private amongst themselves.

[JNagarya]

You've got it!

[WillCooney]

I'll gladly contribute another shovel if the GOP wants to continue down this path of digging their own grave. I wish I spoke Spanish so I could watch the Spanish-speaking TV channels and see what their news reports are like re: the Sotomayor hearings. I am hoping that the Republican Senators are coming across as racist and bigotted.

[roshni]

Agree. The Spanish ads are very effective and the republicans DO come across as themselves - racist and bigoted. I will be using this footage to compaign for dems in the next election, especially in latino areas.

[Cat401]

Good....I'll look forward seeing them.

[JNagarya]

There are Latino activist groups airing ads in support of Sotomayor/against Republicans, in such as Florida.

And Pat Buchanan essentially predicts the future: "Forget the Hispanic vote" -- engage in racist attacks on Sotomayor.

Bring it on, Buchanan.

[onepotatotwopotato]

Questions for judge Sotomayor:

Do you believe that the Bill of Rights in its entirety, the first ten Amendments to our Constitution, is incorporated against the States by the Fourteenth or any other Amendment to the Constitution or by any other binding legal precedent?

Do you accept the finding of the Court in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) that the rights of all citizens of the United States include but are not limited to the following, as redacted from the decision of the Court:

"the right to enter every State whenever they pleased, singly or in companies, without pass or passport, and without obstruction, to sojourn there as long as they pleased, to go where they pleased at every hour of the day or night without molestation, unless they committed some violation of law; and it would give them the full liberty of speech in public and in private upon all subjects upon which its own citizens might speak; to hold public meetings upon political affairs, AND TO KEEP AND CARRY ARMS WHEREVER THEY WENT." [emphasis added]

The Court was of course enumerating rights it deemed could be denied to Black Americans. Today those and other rights must be applied equally to all citizens of the United States.

[JNagarya]

Your "incorporation" "question" is uninformed as to both the intents of the first ten Amendments (the Second need not be "incorporated" because it establishes the STATE -- gov't -- right to keep well regulated militia*), and the use of the phrase "AGAINST the states".

_____

*The Second Amendment -- gun industry/NRA and far-right America-hating gun-nut lie notwithstanding -- has nothing whatever to do with "individual" anything, as shown by the first draft of that which became the Second Amendment:

"The right of the people (plural, as in, "We the people"; it isn't, "I the people," or, "We the individual") to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed; a well armed, and well regulated militia (not "individual") being the best security of a free country (not "individual"): but no person (individual) religiously scrupulous of (against) bearing arms, shall be compelled (INVOLUNTARY) to render military service (a PUBLIC service, not "self-defense") in person." _Creating the Bill of Rights_ (Johns Hopkins, 1991), Viet, et al., at 12.

The final phrase is the ONLY postied "individual right" debated concerning that Amendment. As should be obvious, that phrase was voted down; therefore, as is obvious, the Second Amendment has nothing whasotever to do with "individual" anything: it is soley about the PUBLIC institution called "militia".

[onepotatotwopotato]

Since no one can judge "intent" prior to an act of violence gun control laws that attempt to differentiate between the "good" would be gun buyers and the "bad" would be gun buyers have little effect. The real goal of the gun grabbers is to limit or reduce the total population of privately owned guns and gun owners in society. Obviously, this would reduce the number of pro-gun voters and activists as well, so a vicious circle would ultimately set in of more gun control leading to fewer gun owners leading to less opposition to gun control and therefore even more gun control until the government controlled all of the weapons.

The word "people" occurs more than once in our Constitution. It does not mean "only in a group."

Article II : . . . the right of the people to keep and bear arms . . . .
Article IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons . . . .
Article IX: . . . others retained by the people.
Article X: . . . . or to the people.

The terms "of" or "by the people" obviously does not mean that one can only exercise those rights as a member of a group. "People" means "all of the people, both individually and collectively."

By your reasoning the term "no person" would only apply to one individual at a time. Groups of people could be denied their rights by government at will as a

[DoTheMath]

Thank you, Larry. They can't say you didn't give them a choice. I'd like to add to your observations on the Sotomayor hearings that after three days of expressing concern that Judge Sotomayor might allow empathy to influence her decisions, Senator Lindsey Graham said Ricci "deserves his chance to tell the American people about how he felt about being denied his promotion. . ." Apparently, at least one Republican thinks empathy is appropriate if applied to the "right" person.

[slc1950]

Exactly.

[Opygollopy]

Mr. Gellman, your article was well phrased and articulate. The term "tar babies" this time will be effective and the connection is right on. (rabbits stuck in the tar) Many years the GOP has considered themselves superior because of the ratio of white to color in government. Reason: blatant racism. Now it is coming up to bite them. I cannot understand why people of color ever vote for the GOP, they are damaging their own futures by doing so.

Sessions is one of the worst offenders. The reported insults were bad enough, can you imagine what he does on a daily basis that does not get picked up by MSM??

These people have not moved into this century and they never will. Their fearmongering will not save them this time because their base has shrunk to a point of no return and Americans have smartened up.

[JNagarya]

Well, Sessions does have limits as concerns his racism: He "thought the KKK was okay" until he learned that they "smoke pot".

Presumably if the KKK swore off the Devil weed he'd view them as "OK" again.

[Springbirdgirl]

Mr Gellman, I enjoyed your article. I continue to be shocked by the lack of a sensitivity chip within the minority party on the judiciary committee.

[TXconfidnz]

It's stuff like this that has to make you wonder just how many nails is it going to take to seal the republican coffin...