The Princes of Jesusland
Let's check in on some of the Red State Rednecks' favorite elected representatives.
ITEM: I am of course late to the party regarding the recent developments concerning Senator George "Macaca" Allen. But as John Kerry might say, I was early before I was late, so cut me some slack.
On the question of how he could not have known, or even suspected, that he might have Jewish ancestors, even though he repeatedly noted that his grandfather was sent to a Nazi concentration camp: Talk about "not connecting the dots." As for the question of whether his ancestry matters: of course it does, for a very simple reason. Allen has, throughout his political career, worn his Christianity on his sleeve, and has pandered, relentlessly, to the evangelical Christian (i.e., Jesusland) base. And given the Jesuslanders' penchant for playing fast and loose on "the Jewish question" — what I have called the "Judeo-Gotcha" — the topic is unquestionably fair game, as is Allen's truthfulness on this (or any other subject).
On the accusations that he used racial epithets in his youth, and the counter-accusations that he is being "Swiftboated": the credibility of witnesses is a question to be left to the triers of fact (i.e., you and me). Allen has cause to lie, and a circumstantial record of having appeared to have lied in the past. These former teammates are not "partisan political operatives" (remember that term?) and are respected professionals. Others, meanwhile, have stepped up to defend Allen. We report, you decide.
This much is certain: Allen will either win or lose re-election to the Senate this November. But it is unequivocal that he is no longer a viable presidential candidate in 2008. "Long live the prince, the prince is dead!"
More thoughts from Pam's House Blend.
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ITEM: Now that Allen is damaged goods, the Jesuslanders need a new princely heir --
In any case, if no less noteworthy a Jesuslander than professional bigot Maggie Gallagher concludes that a Mormon is "the only hope" for social conservatives, then that invites the question: are there no candidates to defend "traditional Christian values" who are, um, traditional Christians? This is somehow indicative of a movement that is supposedly "showing momentum"? Go figure.
POST SCRIPT: Incidentally, Romney is pro-choice. Even more evidence of how pathetic the Jesuslanders must be if he's the best they can come up with.
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ITEM: Going back to the November elections, it looks increasingly certain that Pennsylvania Senator Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum is headed toward a clear and perhaps humiliating defeat. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bigot.
Still, Santorum — the number three leader of Senate Republicans — is simply too useful in Jesusland politics to go quietly into the night. I rarely make political predictions (and when I do, I am never right), but I would not be surprised if, once his term expires, a high-profile Cabinet position promptly became available for Santorum. Or, going out on a limb, we might see Bush and Rove oust party leader "Closet Ken" Mehlman so Santorum could become RNC Chairman.
Rick Santorum versus Howard Dean — that could make a libertarian's head explode.
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ITEM: Let's end with a little humor. A forthcoming Comedy Central animated series, "Freak Show," will feature bizarre and dysfunctional deviants and mutants as bumbling superheroes. I would not normally watch such a show, but given that one of the freaks is "Log Cabin Republican" — a spindly suit-and-tie type who morphs into a Hulk/Thing-styled alter-ego named "Burly Bear" — I may have to give the show a screening.
ITEM: I am of course late to the party regarding the recent developments concerning Senator George "Macaca" Allen. But as John Kerry might say, I was early before I was late, so cut me some slack.
On the question of how he could not have known, or even suspected, that he might have Jewish ancestors, even though he repeatedly noted that his grandfather was sent to a Nazi concentration camp: Talk about "not connecting the dots." As for the question of whether his ancestry matters: of course it does, for a very simple reason. Allen has, throughout his political career, worn his Christianity on his sleeve, and has pandered, relentlessly, to the evangelical Christian (i.e., Jesusland) base. And given the Jesuslanders' penchant for playing fast and loose on "the Jewish question" — what I have called the "Judeo-Gotcha" — the topic is unquestionably fair game, as is Allen's truthfulness on this (or any other subject).
On the accusations that he used racial epithets in his youth, and the counter-accusations that he is being "Swiftboated": the credibility of witnesses is a question to be left to the triers of fact (i.e., you and me). Allen has cause to lie, and a circumstantial record of having appeared to have lied in the past. These former teammates are not "partisan political operatives" (remember that term?) and are respected professionals. Others, meanwhile, have stepped up to defend Allen. We report, you decide.
This much is certain: Allen will either win or lose re-election to the Senate this November. But it is unequivocal that he is no longer a viable presidential candidate in 2008. "Long live the prince, the prince is dead!"
More thoughts from Pam's House Blend.
---
ITEM: Now that Allen is damaged goods, the Jesuslanders need a new princely heir --
The question hung in the air of this past weekend's Family Research Council summit in Washington: Who will that candidate be for the GOP's powerful social conservative base?Of course, the fascinating thing about Romney's appeal to the Jesuslanders is that he is not one of them — he's a Mormon. To the evangelicals, Mormons are a lot like Jews — in public, the Christians treat these "not quite Christians" as just another voice in the church choir. But in private, amongst themselves, it's "All Jesus All the Time" — Moses and Moroni are simply not part of the equation; they merely get paid some occasional lip service each election season.
...
Surprisingly, it was Massachusetts' Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon with a Harvard M.B.A who governs the nation's most liberal state. The 1,800 delegates applauded him frequently during his Friday speech and gave him a standing ovation afterward. Mr. Romney detailed his efforts to block court-imposed same-sex marriage in the Bay State and noted that the liberal Legislature has failed to place a citizen-initiated referendum on the ballot. He excoriated liberals for supporting democracy only when they think that the outcome is a foregone conclusion that favors their views. He certainly picked up fans at the summit. "I believe Mitt Romney may be the only hope social conservatives have in 2008," says Maggie Gallagher, author of a book defending traditional marriage.
In any case, if no less noteworthy a Jesuslander than professional bigot Maggie Gallagher concludes that a Mormon is "the only hope" for social conservatives, then that invites the question: are there no candidates to defend "traditional Christian values" who are, um, traditional Christians? This is somehow indicative of a movement that is supposedly "showing momentum"? Go figure.
POST SCRIPT: Incidentally, Romney is pro-choice. Even more evidence of how pathetic the Jesuslanders must be if he's the best they can come up with.
---
ITEM: Going back to the November elections, it looks increasingly certain that Pennsylvania Senator Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum is headed toward a clear and perhaps humiliating defeat. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bigot.
Still, Santorum — the number three leader of Senate Republicans — is simply too useful in Jesusland politics to go quietly into the night. I rarely make political predictions (and when I do, I am never right), but I would not be surprised if, once his term expires, a high-profile Cabinet position promptly became available for Santorum. Or, going out on a limb, we might see Bush and Rove oust party leader "Closet Ken" Mehlman so Santorum could become RNC Chairman.
Rick Santorum versus Howard Dean — that could make a libertarian's head explode.
---
ITEM: Let's end with a little humor. A forthcoming Comedy Central animated series, "Freak Show," will feature bizarre and dysfunctional deviants and mutants as bumbling superheroes. I would not normally watch such a show, but given that one of the freaks is "Log Cabin Republican" — a spindly suit-and-tie type who morphs into a Hulk/Thing-styled alter-ego named "Burly Bear" — I may have to give the show a screening.
Related Posts (on one page):
- Trick Question of the Day
- Linkfest: Special "Pity the Bigots" Edition
- The Princes of Jesusland
Posted by Kip on
27 September 2006.
