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I'm still glad McCain lost even though Obama ended up giving him a run for his money in the war Monger department.
As a Democrat, of course I'm glad, too, that Obama won. However, that doesn't prevent me from appreciating it when McCain does something I consider commendable, and I certainly appreciate all the more in retrospect, his overall sanity and courtesy, when compared to the vulgar, unhinged Republican president we're now stuck with.
As a Democrat, of course I'm glad, too, that Obama won. However, that doesn't prevent me from appreciating it when McCain does something I consider commendable, and I certainly appreciate all the more in retrospect, his overall sanity and courtesy, when compared to the vulgar, unhinged Republican president we're now stuck with.
When he does something commendable I'll consider giving him credit.
Palin was the pilot episode for the new version of the GOP. She proved that openly appealing to racists, nativists, misogynists, anti-gay bigots, Neo Nazis and the KKK was a winning strategy for today's Republican Party. She was as dumb as a box of rocks but she hated the right people and that is all that counts to many GOP voters.
It was unfortunate to see McCain take a dump on his entire legacy of public service by aligning himself even temporarily with the white nationalist wing of the Republican Party.
Palin was the pilot episode for the new version of the GOP. She proved that openly appealing to racists, nativists, misogynists, anti-gay bigots, Neo Nazis and the KKK was a winning strategy for today's Republican Party. She was as dumb as a box of rocks but she hated the right people and that is all that counts to many GOP voters.
How did she prove it was a winning strategy? They lost.
How did she prove it was a winning strategy? They lost.
They lost the Presidential election but it worked as a proof of concept that an open racist and bigot could still be a viable candidate for the GOP's conservative base. Especially in Republican leaning states or heavily gerrymandered districts. Palin was basically the first attempt to "primary out" any Republicans that weren't on board with the alt right, white nationalist agenda.
Case in point, Jeff Flake is retiring from the Senate and the GOP is going to get stuck in the general election with one of three certified nutbags - Martha McSally, Chemtrail Kelli Ward, or Nickel Bag Joe Arpaio.
The GOP conservative BS started when McCain ran for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination. The Straight Talk Express was his campaign slogan and it was energetic and magnetic. I was pulling for him. Unfortunately, George Bush had the name and an unscrupilous team led by Carl Rove that took down the Express in South Carolina.
The 2008 McCain was a pale shadow of that 2000 version. He was an old dog in the midst of a bunch of yapping Chihuahuas, the breed that is noisy and mean, but his alliance with them got him nominated. I was looking for anything resembling the Straight Talk Express and found nothing. That was sad, then, he lost again to a candidate that had a better team.
Steve Bannon directed a documentary, The Undefeated, about Sarah Palin many years ago that I found very interesting. All I knew was what mainstream media spoonfed the masses. The reality is very different. Palin had quite a remarkable career in Alaska that few know about. I can see why she was a threat to Dems at that time.
Anyone see Frontline last night? (Probably airing again in the next few days.)
The program was on John McCain, but what I found particularly interesting was that after he got stuck with Sarah Palin - someone who was not at all a good match - she boosted his campaign, as we know, but also de-railed things, in a way.
Frontline opines that Palin was the turning point for when the Tea Party gained prominence and Republicans went off a cliff in a big way. That was when there was a big uptick in the violent rhetoric, the contempt for the "elite," the threats toward journalists, etc. (Of course, Palin's low-end background and opportunist attitude make it clear why she would hate "elites.") It's not new, of course, but they think that's when it became insanely over-the-top. And led to Trump. There was McCain, saying, as was traditionally proper, that Obama was a decent guy, while supporters were ranting that Obama was Muslim, or Kenyan, or Martian.
Thanks
Didn't see this advertised--was it shown all PBS stations?
I have Roku and PBS so can watch there if not on my local
Wouldn't they also have to include Romney in the equation--
Romney failing -- traditional conservative, not charismatic really like Trump
Surely that had an effect on how the GOP base skewed to Trump...
They lost the Presidential election but it worked as a proof of concept that an open racist and bigot could still be a viable candidate for the GOP's conservative base. Especially in Republican leaning states or heavily gerrymandered districts. Palin was basically the first attempt to "primary out" any Republicans that weren't on board with the alt right, white nationalist agenda.
Case in point, Jeff Flake is retiring from the Senate and the GOP is going to get stuck in the general election with one of three certified nutbags - Martha McSally, Chemtrail Kelli Ward, or Nickel Bag Joe Arpaio.
as a democrat, of course i'm glad, too, that obama won. However, that doesn't prevent me from appreciating it when mccain does something i consider commendable, and i certainly appreciate all the more in retrospect, his overall sanity and courtesy, when compared to the vulgar, unhinged republican president we're now stuck with.
amen!
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