Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., called President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine a "thug"

[Person of Interest]

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., called President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine a "thug" at a campaign event over the weekend.


https://news.yahoo.com/gop-rep-cawthorn-calls-zelensky-a-thug-says-ukraine-pushing-woke-ideologies-185128786.html

Joseph McCarthy must be turning over in his grave.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. I'm stupid

Can someone explain to me why he thinks it's a good idea to be so far on the wrong side of truth and history? I get that he isn't bright, I get that he's a re-thug, but this is beyond the pale. In fact it turns my stomach. But I still want to know why he would say it.

[Caliman73]

3. The answer is in your post.

"It turns my stomach", yes it turns YOUR stomach, but there is a not insignificant minority of people in this country right now who it most certainly DOES NOT turn the stomach of.

Many of those people are backed (quietly) by very rich and powerful people inside and outside of this country. Hitler did not have the support of the majority of the German people. He had maybe 30% to 40% of the populace that was ready to back him at all costs.

That is what right wingers understand. There is a group of people who are so activated right now, who are emotionally invested in the ideas of White Supremacy and male dominance that Cawthorn espouses. They are looking for "critical mass" and if they win big in 2022 and have Trump or some other idiot like Cotton or DeSantis win in 2024, then they will have all they need to dominate the political landscape.

Right now, in the short term, Cawthorn gets money and he gets fame. He is "all in" on this ideology.

It is not a rational thing. It is emotional and it is cynical.

[empedocles]

4. One answer is primary voters - extremes work

[Caliman73]

5. Only in concert with gerrymandering.

In a district that is equitably created, extreme might work in the primary, but it would likely lead to a general election loss.

Cawthorn is trying to advance an ideology in the longer term. In the short term he is a grifter who is capitalizing on ignorance and hate and he enjoys a gerrymandered district.

[ck4829]

2. I'm a thug

[Deuxcents]

6. Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦