The Republican Freak Show
Every so often, you see an article that perfectly expresses the essence of a situation. The Atlantic just published such an article: The Republican Freak Show. I’ll share some excerpts, intersperse them with some of my images, then I have a couple of things to add.
Mark Robinson’s Controversial Statements
Regarding the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, in 2011, Republican candidate for NC Governor Mark Robinson wrote, “Get that fucking commie bastard off the National Mall!” Robinson also has referred to the slain civil-rights champion as “worse than a maggot,” a “ho fucking, phony,” and a “huckster.” During the Obama presidency, Robinson wrote, “I’d take Hitler over any of the shit that’s in Washington right now!” He promoted the conspiracy theory claiming that Obama was born in Kenya. He referred to Michelle Obama as a man and Hillary Clinton as a “heifer”. He compared Nancy Pelosi to Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Castro and mocked the near-fatal assault on her husband, Paul Pelosi. He is also an election denier, claiming that Joe Biden “stole the election.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Conspiracies
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has blamed wildfires on a Jewish space laser, promoted a conspiracy alleging that some Democratic Party leaders were running a human-trafficking and pedophilia ring, and agreed with commenters who suggested that the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Florida, was a “massive false flag.” Another House Republican, Paul Gosar, has promoted fluoride conspiracy theories and posted an animated video depicting him slashing the throat of a Democratic congresswoman and attacking President Biden. Yet another Republican member of Congress, Lauren Boebert, was ejected from a family-friendly musical for vaping, being disruptive, and groping her date (and vice versa). She also falsely claimed that school authorities “are putting litter boxes in schools for people who identify as cats.”
Tucker Carlson’s Extremism
Tucker Carlson, a keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention and an unofficial Trump adviser, recently hosted a Holocaust revisionist on his podcast. He praised the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones as having been “vindicated on everything” and described Jones as “the most extraordinary person” he has ever met. (Two years ago, Sandy Hook families won nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional-distress lawsuits against Jones for his repeatedly calling the 2012 school shooting, in which 20 first graders and six educators were killed, a hoax staged by “crisis actors” to get more gun-control legislation passed. As The New York Times reports, “The families suffered online abuse, personal confrontations and death threats from people who believed the conspiracy theory.”)
Why This Matters
There is much more in the article, including stuff about RFK Jr. that will almost make you physically ill.
THESE PEOPLE MUST BE DEFEATED. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE IF WE WANT OUR BELOVED NATION TO SURVIVE.
This has been building for a long time. David Corn makes a vital point:
In my book American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy, I lay out this sordid history in great detail. But even a highlight reel makes it clear that the GOP has bowed to, depended on, and promoted far-right extremists and conspiracists for the past 70 years. Trumpism is the continuation, not a new version, of Republican politics. (My emphasis.)
Corn discusses the vicious Joseph McCarthy and other Right-wing con artists, and then recounts the origins of the Republican embrace of racism.
The Southern Strategy
In 1968, Nixon had a problem, actually two: George Wallace and Ronald Reagan. Having lost the 1960 presidential race, Nixon was again trying to capture the White House. Nixon worried that Wallace, the segregationist and former Democratic governor of Alabama running as a third-party candidate, would be a magnet for conservative voters and deny him the electoral votes Goldwater had won in the South. Even more immediately, Nixon feared that Reagan, the onetime B-movie star who had won the California governorship in 1966 by exploiting white backlash to the civil rights movement and social unrest, might swipe the nomination from him.
This led him into the arms of white supremacists. At a May gathering of Southern Republican officials, Nixon pandered, saying he opposed forcing the pace of integration, especially busing to redress school segregation, and favored
FAQs About the Republican Freak Show
This article discusses the recent controversies and internal conflicts within the Republican Party. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
1. What is the Republican Freak Show?
The term “Republican Freak Show” refers to the current state of internal conflicts and controversies within the Republican Party, highlighting extreme views and divisive actions.
2. Who are the key figures involved in the Republican Freak Show?
The article mentions several key figures, including prominent politicians and influencers who have been at the center of recent controversies.
3. What are some of the specific controversies mentioned in the article?
- Internal party conflicts
- Extreme views on social issues
- Divisive rhetoric
- Political scandals
4. How is the Republican Party’s image affected by these controversies?
The party’s image is significantly impacted as these controversies often portray the party as divided and out of touch with mainstream values.
5. What role do social media play in amplifying these controversies?
Social media platforms have been instrumental in spreading information about these controversies, often through viral posts and trending topics.
6. How do these internal conflicts affect Republican candidates in elections?
The internal conflicts can lead to decreased voter trust and support for Republican candidates, potentially affecting election outcomes.
7. Are there any efforts within the party to address these issues?
The article suggests that there are ongoing efforts within the party to address these issues, but progress is slow due to entrenched positions and strong personalities involved.
8. How do Democrats and other political parties respond to these Republican controversies?
Democrats and other political parties often capitalize on these controversies by highlighting their own policies and values as more inclusive and moderate.
9. What implications do these controversies have for American politics as a whole?
The implications are significant as they reflect broader societal divisions and can influence national discourse on key issues like governance, policy-making, and civic engagement.
10. Where can I find more information about this topic?
You can find more information by reading the full article on Daily Kos or exploring related news sources that cover political developments in depth.
