Roll Call claims Republicans have put their culture war ‘knives away,’ but they haven’t.
Roll Call claims Republicans have put their culture war ‘knives away,’ but they haven’t.
In an article titled “GOP Puts Away Knives in Culture Wars,” Roll Call reports this morning that “social issues have taken a back seat to economic concerns as the GOP struggles to find its way.” Acknowledging that prominent Republicans have pushed culture war attacks against President Obama and congressional Democrats, the paper still argues that Republicans have a “lack of interest” in “reigniting the culture wars“:
Congressional Republicans said the lack of focus on social matters is simply a result of being the minority party during one of the nation’s worst economic slumps.
The general lack of interest among Republicans in reigniting the culture wars is particularly visible in the Senate, where leadership has actively sought to keep the Conference’s message on the economy and away from divisive social issues.
“I can’t imagine how out of touch people would think we are if we weren’t focused on the economy,” one GOP leadership aide said.
But the fact is, many of the conservative attacks on President Obama’s economic recovery plan have been based in the culture wars. During the stimulus debate, congressional conservatives attacked family planning provisions and STD prevention provisions. Some, such as Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), even falsely claimed that the bill was “an attack on people of faith.” Clearly, the GOP’s culture war “knives” are still out.
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They’ve put away their knives?
But not the AK-47s. Not the Kalishnikovs.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:20 amConservatism in America is anti-liberal bigotry. Period.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:21 amThis is pretty obvious.
The republicans seem to have two goals.
1-Hope that President Obama fails. They will do their very best at obstructing. Any success by President Obama reflects badly on the republicans.
2-Paint President Obama as being partisan. Although President Obama has went out of his way at being bipartisan the republicans once again try to recreate history to push their false talking points through the “Liberal” media.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:23 amThe American Taliban lives along with their vile, divisive, obstructionist, dishonest, hateful brand of politics that the American people have grown tired off.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:26 amit’s kind of like inhaling and exhaling.
In RePUGs it’s kind of like flatulence then whining noise about what will we tell the children!
Course you can’t always Tell what they are doing at one time. It all seems to sound alike sometimes.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:28 am“I can’t imagine how out of touch people would think we are if we weren’t focused on the economy,” one GOP leadership aide said.
As in lack of either cognitive ability or imagination? I suspect the first because the Goopers certainly have an over active imagination.
And no social conscience to speak of.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:28 amAgain, the Republicans try the Jedi mind trick, saying the exact opposite of what is really happening.
“We have put our culture war knives away.”
“We were successful in our vote against the stimulus plan.”
“The biggest loser this past week was President Obama”
…they say, as they wave their hand in front of your face.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:29 amRethugs put away the knives they had, only to be replaced with even bigger knives, which are being sharpened even as we speak.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:31 amGoogle the Long list of Republican sex offenders
February 17th, 2009 at 11:32 amThese same folks think they should have anything to say about culture or anything for that matter?
What a joke.
Huh. A better story would have been, “Republicans employ culture war themes to target economic stimulus bill.” Nonetheless, the best comment on the “Republican strategy” is the one laid out by SNL — it isn’t as funny as it is realistic. After arguing about who’s more brilliant — Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity –the SNL Congressional Republicans finally decide to take aim at the Obama girls’ sleepovers in the White House. And you can’t help but agree, “Yeah, that’s all they’ve got.”
The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.com
February 17th, 2009 at 11:37 amDuring the stimulus debate, congressional conservatives attacked family planning provisions and STD prevention provisions.
Honestly, I am not a social conservative and I had questions about how this particular bit could be defined as “stimulus”. I saw some try to explain it, but none of those explanations were very convincing. It should be part of Medical Reform legislation, not emergency stimulus.
Some, such as Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), even falsely claimed that the bill was “an attack on people of faith.” Clearly, the GOP’s culture war “knives” are still out.
That one is BS.
It is a funny thing, the Rs have gotten trounced twice running and the old culture war issues just aren’t there for them anymore outside of the deep South and the Rocky Mountains. Not only has society undergone a sea change since Buchannen declared the culture war in the 88 campaign, the Rs themselves have been revealed in the most public way possible as whoring pederasts – it just won’t sell anymore in most of the country.
The question is, how long will it take the Rs to realize this and embrace it? Their evangelical base is just too small and too regional to carry them over the top, and that trend is only going to continue….how long til the GOP leadership adapts to this new reality? It won’t be easy, it would basically be a complete overhaul of the party, but that is what they need.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:39 amIt’s not that they’ve put away their knives — it’s that they’ve lost their audience. When people are losing their jobs, their homes, and their life savings; when people are praying hard to stay well because any medical emergency could wipe them out; when people are struggling on a daily basis to make ends meet — they somehow lose a lot of their concern about what gays are doing. Or a woman getting an abortion. Or teens having access to condoms. Etc.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:39 amSome, such as Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), even falsely claimed that the bill was “an attack on people of faith.”
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And wasn’t Huckabee complaining that the stimulus bill was “anti-religious”?
February 17th, 2009 at 11:43 amKeltoi at Night Says:
“… the Rs themselves have been revealed in the most public way possible as whoring pederasts – it just won’t sell anymore in most of the country.”
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??? Whoring pederasts ???
You finally said something I wish I had said, Keltoi…
Whoring pederasts… heh… busy writing THAT one down on a recipe card for future use…
February 17th, 2009 at 11:44 amThe “Awaiting Moderation Green Room” has a very nice spread of little finger sandwiches this morning……
but you still have to go outside to smoke…..
February 17th, 2009 at 11:44 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
And wasn’t Huckabee complaining that the stimulus bill was “anti-religious”?
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And is this because fringe religious whackos will simply no longer be free to roll wheel barrows right up to the vault door and shovel it in?
That’s usually what it means…
February 17th, 2009 at 11:44 amRepublicans want to destroy the middle class =
Republicans want to dictate our way of life =
Republicans and terrorist want to destroy the American way of life =
Republicans = Terrorists !!!!
How many terrorists do you trust ???
Rest my case…
February 17th, 2009 at 11:45 amI think that we, as progressives and/or liberals, have to be very careful right now. The Right Wing Propaganda Machine is still very much running and can, in an instant, catapult the message into the mainstream. The Mainstream Media, always careful to avoid showing a liberal bias, will be going out of their way to dissect President Obama’s every move and will use the Right Wing Propaganda as if it were mainstream opinion.
The 67% of the people who support Obama will be silenced in favor of the 20% just to show how ‘fair’ the media is and because it makes good headlines.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:46 amCageyCretin Says:
The “Awaiting Moderation Green Room” has a very nice spread of little finger sandwiches this morning……
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Hooookay, Cagey… what naughty word did you try to run past the censors this morning?
I keep tryin’ ta tell you guys… you really don’t need explicitly dirty words to insult someone…
February 17th, 2009 at 11:47 amCase in point…whoring pederasts. BTW, is Keltoi mellowing? That was a decidedly decent post.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:48 amkrystalviews Says:
Republicans = Terrorists !!!!
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Well.. who was it… Sessions??? Who said a couple of weeks ago, the GOOP wanted to become “The American Taliban”???
I wonder if the Mafia was insulted, or simply relieved, to no longer been linked to those clowns…???
February 17th, 2009 at 11:49 amWhat !?! Did the GOP aide REALLY say that the GOP is focused on the economy? Riiiight … this after voting against tax cuts & spending to help the economy AND their newly annointed saviour, Eric Cantor, saying that well, only 7% of Americans are behind on their mortgages, so those millions of struggling citizens can just kiss my butt.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:49 amI’m posting this under a new account name, because I don’t want it associated with my regular name, for political/personal reasons.
About 6 months ago, I stopped posting here regularly because the venue was becoming an echo chamber for progressive ideology, and I don’t think preaching to the choir is very productive.
At the point I stopped commenting regularly, I warned of the upcoming financial tsunami about to hit us, and its probable impact on our country and our way of life. I got very little feedback or response to this comment – confirming the observation regarding this being an echo chamber, as indicated, above.
I’m posting this now, because I think many commenters here should turn a part of their attention towards ostensibly non-political venues that have become very politically slanted towards the right, and which would benefit from contributions and counterpoint arguments from the commenters here at think progress.
Specifically, I’m referring to MarketWatch – the online organ of the Wall Street Journal. There is a very lively political debate there that has raged on for months. This debate has become increasingly one-sided. The site seems to have a cabal of right wing posters that shout (vote) down opposing opinions. In a strange way, this reflects the right’s ability to coordinate and orchestrate their political message (as wrong as that message is), without regard to facts. Many of the progressive commenters there have simply given up, and I don’t think that’s good for progressive politics.
In the interest of meeting these wingnuts on neutral territory – and making the voice of progressive politics heard, I hope many of those commenting here will take the time to make their voices heard at that venue – you’re a good group of people, with plenty of facts and some very good minds.
marketwatch.com. You’ll have to register. The headline story, which changes often, is where most of the action takes place.
This is an opportunity to flex a little progressive muscle.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:51 amThe Republic of Stupidity – YEP ! it was Sessions who said the Taliban was an “example” of a good “insurgency”. He also encouraged his fellow conservatives to “take an insurgent attitude against the Democratic agenda”.
I say we must all remain vigilant.
Yellow alert, perhaps?
February 17th, 2009 at 11:54 amTo those of you who thought tax cuts for the rich and deregulation was the answer to turning our economy around……ha. It offends us when you act like you now have the answers…..ha…..will you admit you were wrong when the economy does turn around?
You have proven that you have no idea what will stimulate the economy, how dare you…..how dare you….after what you have done to our country…..how dare you criticize our actions?
February 17th, 2009 at 11:54 ambenmaller Says:
You just can’t make up enough stuff about those GOOPers can you.
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Considering how Sessions was bragging about the GOOP being “the American Taliban”, you’d think the GOOPers would be actively recruiting this one.
Those were Sessions CHOSEN words, Dumbo…
This guy sounds like a he’d be great cellmate for Jim Atkisson, huh?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pmJim DeMint (R-SC), even falsely claimed that the bill was “an attack on people of faith
Cause nothin says family values like genital herpes ?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says: The only time the GOP becomes “fiscally conservative” is when they disagree with how the money is spent.
Slight caveat…they only disagree when they aren’t doing the spending.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:30 pmThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
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CageyCretin Says:
The “Awaiting Moderation Green Room” has a very nice spread of little finger sandwiches this morning……
____________
Hooookay, Cagey… what naughty word did you try to run past the censors this morning?
Actually, I believe that it was the word for an adult who is interested in children in the wrong way (begins with a “p” and ends in “phile”, with an e, d, o in the middle. I think I had another post some time ago moderated out for that. i really don’t get why, but whatever). As in “the Gratuitous Obstructionist P..phile party”. Oh well.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pmCageyCretin Says:
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The Republic of Stupidity Says:
CageyCretin Says:
Hooookay, Cagey… what naughty word did you try to run past the censors this morning?
Actually, I believe that it was the word for an adult who is interested in children in the wrong way (begins with a “p” and ends in “phile”, with an e, d, o in the middle. I think I had another post some time ago moderated out for that. i really don’t get why, but whatever). As in “the Gratuitous Obstructionist P..phile party”. Oh well.
That is why I go with pederast. It escapes the censor and has more of a raspy tone.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:40 pmWell, they aren’t the sharpest knifes in the shed, after all…
….but it doesn’t mean they have put away “teh hate”…
….that would be impossible for America Hating Fascist Repukes.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pmReporters on the hill simply must stop backslapping themselves on their astute perceptions and take a look around.
Repugniscum are amoral, selfish liars, partisan to the end, and willing to do anything to sabotage the new administration.
Wake up, you guys!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 1:00 pmTranslation: “Damn those dastardly, elitist Democrats, using words — WORDS I tell you, W-O-R-D-S — in that there stimulus thingie bill thingie!! Yeah, they’re so freekin’ elitist! They’re so high ‘n mighty, assuming that us Republicans Congress critters, can read. Elitists, I tell you — of the worst kind, literate elitists. READERS!! And even if we could read, who in the GOP’s got the time?! It’s our duty to the party right now to say “NO” to President Obama — country be damned, it’s GOP first — and bein’ the party of NO is a full-time job! So, learnin’ to read is just gonna have to wait. And the Democrats know that. You know they know that. That’s why they keep writing these bill thingies in WORDS. Dastardly I tell you, just dastardly! And elitist! Dastardly elitist readers, every one of ‘em!!”
February 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pmThey’ve reduced themselves to a party of professional brickbats.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:22 pmLIARS!!
February 17th, 2009 at 5:41 pmSounds like Roll Call cribbed this article directly from comments made by some GOP lobbyist they ran into while barhopping in Georgetown.
One guess as to who was buying the drinks.
-AF
February 17th, 2009 at 10:07 pmAndrew Sullivan Is A Fraud