This Week In Republican Outreach And Re-Branding

Filed in National by on February 25, 2014

Let’s see how things are going with the Republican wooing of gays, minorities and women.

First up, the LGTB Republican love letter – that the Arizona legislature has passed (and sealed with a kiss) and the only thing that may stop Jan Brewer from signing it into law is the threat of losing the super bowl.  Priorities, people.  Anderson Cooper delivered the ultimate smack-down to Arizona state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Al Melvin.  Seriously, watch the video.  Melvin isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but it seems Arizona is full of tools.

Delaware Dem covered the Arizona nonsense here.  And Arizona Republicans aren’t the only ones playing footsie with these types of laws.

Second, how’s the Republican courtship of minorities going?  Well, not to be left out, the Arizona “religious freedom” law would include discriminating against them as well, but we’ll focus on why they can’t stop lying about the Civil War and their love of the Confederate flag, aka the symbol of treasonous losers and of slavery.  (That link takes you to a must see Daily Show video.  Yep, I’m on a video kick today)  Seems like certain people need to display their “heritage” on license plates and they don’t understand why people are upset.

Nine states – Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia – offer Sons of Confederate license plates featuring a version of the Confederate flag. Proposed plates in Florida, Kentucky and Texas have been rejected. In 2011, the board of the Texas DMV unanimously rejected a Confederate plate after hearing hours of testimony from opponents who believe the flag perpetuates racism. The Sons of Confederate veterans sued over the decision and the case remains in the courts.

If your symbol of pride and heritage is this flag then your heritage has a big problem.
And not to leave women out of the GOP love fest… I give Virginia State Senator Steve Martin:
You can count on me to never get in the way of you “preventing” an unintentional pregnancy.” I’m not actually sure what that means, because if it’s “unintentional” you must have been trying to prevent it. And, I don’t expect to be in the room or will I do anything to prevent you from obtaining a contraceptive. However, once a child does exist in your womb, I’m not going to assume a right to kill it just because the child’s host (some refer to them as mothers) doesn’t want it to remain alive.
Host?  Like a sci-fi movie?
Told ya they couldn’t shut up… and I didn’t even mention vile Ted Nugent or looney tune Victoria Jackson.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Republican Party of today.  They don’t even know how to play coy.  They also are not one bit serious about changing their ways.  Feel free to add your own GOP outreach fail in the comments.

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A stay-at-home mom with an obsession for National politics.

Comments (45)

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  1. Jason330 says:

    Ted Nugget’s rant was despicable. He not only called the President a monkey twice, he stated that Democrats should be imprisoned for being Democrats. His philosophy is 100% un-American.

    That he is a member in good standing of the modern GOP is all you need to know about the party’s moral bankruptcy.

  2. pandora says:

    THIS just landed in my inbox. I had to email back to find out if this was a joke. I was assured it’s not a joke. Did they really put the word Minorities over the picture of… um… minorities?

  3. Flylady says:

    Nugent’s comments were dispicable and highly inappropriate. Just because he is a member of the GOP does not mean he speaks for its membership. I am no fan of the president, but I absolutely condemn Nugent’s rant. While he provides a convenient and easy target for the left, he does not represent the vast majority of conservatives. While I disagree with most of what is posted on this site, I do read it often because I consider most contributors here to be intelligent (just misuided IMHO). 🙂 I would never consider the rant of some wacko leftist extremist to represent all of you, nor should you do the same with Nugent the Nutjob. Just sayin’…

  4. Jason330 says:

    “I am no fan of the president, but I absolutely condemn Nugent’s rant.”

    Thanks. Your comment here stand in contrast to the silence coming from the GOP leadership. Maybe they need to hear from you?

  5. pandora says:

    You could also tell it to the Republican politician who asked Nugent to campaign with him. Pretending Nugent isn’t sanctioned by a large group of Republicans is disingenuous.

  6. bamboozer says:

    On a lighter note: Ted Nugget, love it!

  7. anon says:

    Steve Stockman (R-TX) took Nugent to the State of the Union as his guest, I don’t recall any Congressional GOPers protesting.

  8. Flylady says:

    @Jason…I assure you, they hear from me directly and frequently. 🙂

  9. Flylady says:

    @Pandora & @anon…agreed. Too many Congressional wimps! If I vote for someone, I expect them to represent me, not cave at the first sign of controversy. Further, if you are not willing to hold those leaders on your own “side” accountable for their actions, you certainly can’t expect your opponents to hold their tongue when they screw up. I may hold entirely different political views than all of you, but I’ll also acknowledge when I think a conservative is wrong. And Nugent, along with those that pander to him, are wrong. Sadly, no one is blameless in Washington. Until we hold our elected officias on BOTH sides accountable, we’re going nowhere fast!

  10. pandora says:

    Ah… the both sides do it argument. Could you please provide Dem examples like Nugent, Limbaugh, Akin, Angle, Murdoch, Bachmann, etc.. (The last four are actual Republican politicians)

  11. Flylady says:

    LOL Pandora…why must you be so condescending even in a discussion such as this? Obviously I know who all of those people are. And no, I won’t provide examples, because you’re just fishing for an argument and that’s not the point of my post. Quite the contrary, actually. I am agreeing that Nugent is a jerk, and that folks on both sides of the aisle have contributed to the current state of affairs. Surely you are not contending that the politicians on the left bear no responsibility whatsoever and that every single issue is purely the fault of some conservative? Given the intellect you display in your posts, I can’t imagine that you would be that narrow-minded??

  12. pandora says:

    Sorry, until someone provides actual, comparable examples I’m done with the both sides do it argument.

  13. LeBay says:

    Flylady-

    I’ve taken Pandora to task before. While we often disagree, she always has facts to back up her position.

    Where are your facts? Without facts, you’re just an opinionated jackass. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one, and they all stink.

  14. Flylady says:

    LeBay – Facts for what? I simply came on here and said I agreed that Nugent was an idiot. I added that I think there’s enough blame to go around on both sides of the aisle. No accusation, and consequently no statement that requires facts to back it up. And you’re right – it was simply an opinion that was surprisingly similar to the original post. That’s about as friendly and concessionary as you’ll ever see on one of these blogs when someone with an opposing point of view leaves a post. And yet Pandora can’t help being condescending and you are now jumping in with the name-calling. It’s so disappointing to see that even a friendly, innocuous and agreeable comment from a conservative is met with the stereotypical liberal response…insults and name-calling. How sad – I had hoped for better from at least a couple of folks on here.

  15. cassandra_m says:

    You might get better when you lead by example. For instance, this:

    No accusation, and consequently no statement that requires facts to back it up.

    Is too silly for words. Because what you want us to understand from this is that you just say stuff without having a single thought in your head as to why you’ve said it. P did what anyone looking for some discussion would do — ask you to explain yourself. If you can’t — say that and back away.

  16. Flylady says:

    SMH You people really are hopeless. You’ll even twist the words of someone who agrees with you if it will buy you a line on a blog. Since you are so intelligent and I’m such an airhead, I’ll leave you here with your noses in the air and return to my Mensa meeting. So sad…

  17. pandora says:

    You made a claim (accusation), Flylady. I simply asked you to back it up.

  18. m.v. buren says:

    yes, pandora is condescending. she’s a moralist with no tolerance for anybody who doesn’t share her beliefs. cassandra too. i do mostly agree with them, but they are as rigid as any conservative.

  19. Jason330 says:

    MV and Fly lady,

    If you’ve heard the so-called sane and sensible conservatives resort to the totally bogus “both sides do it” canard as much as we have, you wouldn’t have much patience with it either.

    I think we all get that “both sides do it” is a little relief valve for the cognitive dissonance you must feel associating with the GOP, but it flies in the face of reality – and needs to be called out.

  20. pandora says:

    Oh yeah, the two women on this blog are condescending. Geezer, Lebay, Jason, Delaware Dem, puck… not so much. And for the record, I have absolutely no problem with any of those gentlemen, but it is interesting how they don’t get called out for… decorum?

    Go back and read my comments on this thread. Was I rude? Did I call names? I simply refused to accept the “both sides do it argument” without that claim being backed up.

  21. m.v. buren says:

    pandora: you two were the ones expressing this rigidity most in this particular thread.

  22. Jason330 says:

    Go fuck yourself.

  23. pandora says:

    Seriously, MV? Did you read all the comments? Please explain this rigidity of mine, compared with, oh let’s say… Lebay’s and Jason’s comments. Surely, you have a problem with them, as well.

  24. Jason330 says:

    He is simply interesting in trolling and pushing buttons.

  25. m.v. buren says:

    jason is funny. that counts for a whole lot. lebay suggested he doesn’t always agree with your approach, presumably on this particular issue.

  26. pandora says:

    I agree that Jason is funny, but I guess the reason you give these commenters a pass is a guy thing. I’ll try and be more ladylike for you. 🙂

    And Lebay and I have had our back and forths (no hard feeling, cause… blogging), but I’ll make a note that his view is the one you relate to.

    And you still haven’t shown my rigidity on this thread compared to other commenters. Please… proceed.

  27. cassandra_m says:

    Indeed. Because it sure looks like mv here just objects to the fact that the ladies don’t mind holding their own on their own blog.

  28. anon says:

    It sucks when the women folk get all uppity and use facts to make their case instead of just shutting up and making dinner, doesn’t it?

    Pandora isn’t “rigid” or “condescending,” she makes her case using facts and examples and expects the people who challenge her to do the same.

    Ted Nugent is an explosive wacko that some Republican members of Congress and conservative talk show hosts parade around like he’s some kind of oracle. The wacko equivalent of that on the Democrat’s side would be who?

  29. Jason330 says:

    Harold Ford, Jr.

  30. puck says:

    I think people who get their facts and their outlook from FOX News are honestly surprised and offended when those facts are challenged, as if they had been asked to prove that the sky is blue.

  31. m.v. buren says:

    puck: if you think my comments could only come from a fox news fan, you’re kind of making my point — that some of you think anybody who resists any aspect of doctrinaire progressive politics must not be thinking straight. fox is much worse on this score, of course.

  32. pandora says:

    Nobody is making your point, because your point was: “yes, pandora is condescending. she’s a moralist with no tolerance for anybody who doesn’t share her beliefs. cassandra too. i do mostly agree with them, but they are as rigid as any conservative.” That was your opening statement and YOUR POINT. A point you’ve yet to defend. It’s a bit too late to try and spin this now.

    You’ve called me out. All I’m asking is for you to prove this claim. Or you can just say you don’t like me (which is fine, btw) and we can move on.

  33. m.v. buren says:

    ok, maybe two points. but the point about dismissing any opposition as mindless is related to the one about rigidity. but this has become tiresome. it’s hard out here for a troll (though i do think my comments were on topic — the way you respond to those who disagree with you).

    actually, not tiresome at all. i like a good discussion, even if it’s not exactly intellectually rigorous (at least on my part — i have generalized), and this is a good site for that. thanks. just trying to amuse myself on a boring day.

    pandora: can’t say i don’t like you because i don’t know you. i do like good back and forth with a clever person, so on that basis you’re a-ok with me.

  34. pandora says:

    You know, sometimes blogging has a lot in common with a kick the dog mindset. Sometimes we bloggers have a bad day and take it out on the intertubes. All I’m asking is that women bloggers be given the same pass afforded to male bloggers. If you want to call me out be sure to call other bloggers out for the same – or worse! 😉 – behavior. So yeah, I took exception with you calling out me and Cassandra – and only me and Cassandra. That struck me as unfair – especially when I reread the thread. Oh my!

    Yeah, your initial comment hit a chord. It isn’t easy “blogging while female.” The rules always seem to be different.

  35. cassandra_m says:

    but the point about dismissing any opposition as mindless

    Which doesn’t actually happen, but does help your Troll Cred.

    If one of the bloggers here asks you about your opinion, that is not de facto opposition. It is an opportunity for you to make your case. And if you can’t make your case then you will be pointed at and laughed at. If you want unquestioned acceptance of every bit of bullshit you want to spout, you’ll want to be at another blog.

  36. m.v. buren says:

    cassandra: i didn’t hear anybody asking for my opinion, just for the chapter and verse underlying my opinion. you guys don’t alway provide that yourselves. if you did that all the time the blog would get boring pretty quick. that’s when jason has to jump in.

    pandora: i see what you’re saying, and, yeah, i might have been doing that a little — i blame the nuns. see, i learned something!

  37. cassandra_m says:

    i didn’t hear anybody asking for my opinion, just for the chapter and verse underlying my opinion.

    Well, you wouldn’t hear anyone asking for your opinion, now would you? The blank comment box at the end of each thread is as close to an invite as you’ll get. It is the way most blogs work. If you type something into that box and people ask you about it, you can get your ass on your back and pretend that the girls are out of control or you can engage with the question. No one would be asking for the “chapter and verse” if you hadn’t said something to respond to.

    It is your choice to be here. If you don’t like it, there are places where you can be where no one will challenge you. If you are surprised to hear progressive politics here, then you really do need to fins someplace more to your liking.

  38. knows better says:

    For what it’s worth I usually check in to see what the ladies have to say because they usually make the most sense. I like the male contributors and have shared thoughts with Jason 330 at times but when I read his “go f%$k yourself” I think Dick Cheney because he said that once on the Senate floor to a long time respected Dem. You’re better than that Jason 330…
    Coming here is usually fun. Aside from one thread I was made aware of on another site I just come here for insight and common sense I can deal with reasonably…and get warm fuzzy feelings!

  39. m.v. buren says:

    cassandra: like a dog with a bone. proving my point about condescension — and anger? (i know, i know) — since at least 10:05 last night.

    i’m gnawing away too. time to stop.

  40. cassandra_m says:

    And again you’re here with the bullshit. Thankfully you finally start to *get* that point.

    Don’t let the door hit ya.

  41. pandora says:

    Geez, Jason tells you to go eff yourself (while making the exact same point I made on the “both sides do it” argument) and says Flylady suffers from cognitive dissonance (would you consider that condescending, or is it okay when a man says it to a little lady?) while Lebay gets really creative and NOT ONE PEEP out of you about that – NOT ONE PEEP. Seriously, why are you only calling out the women? How the eff do you even begin to think you have a “point” about your selective criticism? You have no point other than you seem to have some issues with female bloggers.

  42. m.v. buren says:

    you know, this all started because somebody named flylady said she is not such an asshole republican that she can’t see what a jerk ted nugent is. she was looking for a scrap of common ground. pandora, your response seemed a little dismissive and unfriendly, as though she had to be an asshole just by virtue of being a republican. you happen to be a woman (with a very stylish icon). jason, by the way, told her just the opposite. he happens to be a male (with a dirty mouth, but guys really are like that).

  43. cassandra_m says:

    And she found that common ground. What she didn’t find common ground in was the “both sides do it” BS, which even she couldn’t explain what she meant by that. She can’t and wants to be let off the hook for repeating what other people say — also without thinking it through.

  44. Liberal Elite says:

    @p “You have no point other than you seem to have some issues with female bloggers.”

    That’s happening everywhere on the internet where blatant misogyny is alive and well.

    We’d rather not see that game played here, thank you.

  45. knows better says:

    m.v.buren needs to hand in his man card for general purposes.