Pic Of The Moment: Meet The GOP's 2016 Golden Boys

[EarlG]

Follow @demunderground

[Rozlee]

1. What? The clown car isn't big enough for Pa Huckabee?

[1StrongBlackMan]

2. Or, Herman Cain v2.0, AKA Ben Carson? eom.

[progressoid]

3. Ugh.

My mother-in-law has a Ben Carson bumper sticker.

"He's a straight talker"

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. So was Herman Cain ...

I can't wait for him to hit the non-gop spotlight!

As a Black man, I'll let you in on a secret ... this man has issues that are clear for PoC; but might be unrecognizable outside of of community. It's evident in his talk, his carriage, his demeanor ... just as it did with Cain. (Black folks saw the same thing in Cain and none of it was related to his partisan positions; but rather, what's behind their adopting those positions)

But it will become clear that all (most) when he leaves the cocoon, not as a butterfly, or even a moth; but rather, snail.

[lolly]

17. Curious to know what your perspective is

My own (completely non-expert) impression is that he seems to have had some sort of stroke or neurological event.

Clearly, at some point he was intelligent and capable of higher level thinking, if he was a neurosurgeon.

But I would not let the "Ben Carson" we've seen on the campaign trail remove a splinter from my Jack Russell's foot. He'd probably end up amputating the wrong leg. With a pair of craft scissors.

Something is definitely off with him.

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. Oh, I believe Carson remains highly intelligent ...

and capable of higher level thinking ... higher than most. And I do not suspect the "stroke or neurological event" explanation. I believe Carson is suffering with an intense-level of hatred of/for PoC and the poor, particularly Black folks.

Carson was born into poverty, raised (from the age of 10yrs old) by a single mom, in a largely Black community ... and he excelled, even to the top of his field; but, at what cost to his psyche? In order to succeed, he no doubt had to adopt habits, out of line with the majority of his peers, making him a "man-child in the middle."

Let me relate to you my background, which gives me a particular, though not unique, insight.

I was raised in a all Black community and attended a all-white prep-school from the 4th grade on. During the school year, my day started at 5:30 a.m. and ended with bed at 8:30 p.m., the homework load meant there was little time to played/interact with my peers. Even on weekends, much of my activities were experienced outside of my neighborhood, as they were school related. Likewise during the summers.

But, I looked around and saw my school mates with everything they wanted for ... the big house, the maid and driver, the complete disregard for money (because there was always more than enough ... lose something, buy another on the way home.) As a protective measure, I began to adopt the views of those with whom I spent most of my time ... many of which, quite frankly, were stereotypic anti-Black/poor. I accepted that I could fit in/stay in that "white world" only by separating myself from those of my home community. I, therefore, built a mental narrative that I was in the (better/more comfortable) "white world" because I was "smarter" than those from my community(ies). And because of that narrative, my associations with those that looked like me became less and less ... to the point where I was an outsider at home; but at the same time, I was never accepted at school because I was not of them. That was a very lonely existence, as in order to survive, I had to be two different people; but I was all alone in that.

Many/most Black folks that find themselves, at a young age (even into one's early 20s) in "both worlds", experience this ... but fortunately, most find their way through, without losing/hating who they are. I was able to do it ... President Obama, and scores of others, did it; but, sadly, Carson did not. He is stuck in the "I must separate myself" mode.

[Rozlee]

47. I have a teabagger sister like that.

As an organization that's 96% non-Hispanic white, she's welcomed with open arms as one of the tea party's rare Hispanics for their public rallies and appearances. But, she's never invited to their private meetings and none of them has befriended her or let her attend other non-tea party galas they go to. She's just their token that they shove to the front of the crowd during their public rallies to make it seem that their organization is diverse. I feel bad for her, but she likes the attention she receives from them, even while they snub her.

[BillZBubb]

54. Would you describe Clarence Thomas in a similar way?

Somewhere along the line, Thomas got totally twisted.

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. Absolutely and Cain, as well ...

they all have similar backgrounds of living in the "white word", at a young age, being isolated from their Black peers, and seeing things that they didn't have.

[BillZBubb]

64. That makes sense.

I could understand that those three would think republicans were better when they were young, because southern Democrats were the worst racists. Somehow they missed the 1960's when the situation began inverting. The republicans wooed the racists into their party. Your ideas would help explain it.

[lolly]

62. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense

Kind of like those women who have to separate themselves from other women because they need to be "one of the boys."

[1StrongBlackMan]

77. Exactly, but maybe a little different ...

in that the women, might ultimately be accepted into the clique ... as a wife/girlfriend; but, never as an equal. Carson will never be accepted into the clique, except as a mascot.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

76. great analysis!

Thank you! I wasn't aware of this experience.

I learn so much here.

[Always Randy]

81. This is a very informative post---

it is something that I could never express so succinctly----my interactions with blacks in similar situations gave me a bit of an idea about it----but you have absolutely nailed what my intuition suspected and expressed it so well-----thank you for this post----and may I ask if I can copy it to save ----and use elsewhere ---either masking your ID or giving full credit and reference----I am 69 yrs old --, white , live in a white community but my father would not allow racist talk or actions or ethnic jokes in our house growing up ---he gave me a wonderful gift----and you have added to my body of knowledge on this subject---I also went to a prep school about 50 miles from home on a daily commute from my middle class community to a rather wealthy one ---I had similar feeling to you--when I got home each day I was a fish out of water ---so I quit and went back to my community's public high school--(where there were also girls---mmm)-but your experience was a million times mine ----and I can only imagine ---you too have a gift Mr. 1StrongBlackMan and thank you for sharing it here----

[1StrongBlackMan]

84. Absolutely ...

You can use this and I, neither require, nor desire, attribution.

I'm just glad you listened and that my story shed some light.

[ailsagirl]

88. Thank you for sharing your story

I, too, learn a lot at DU and it's especially helpful when someone relates the story of
his/her background because it helps me put things in context and into perspective.

[Feral Child]

89. Interesting perspective and analysis.

Thanks for sharing, 1SBM.



EDIT: OK, I got here from a link embedded in another DUer's post, forgot it was dated. Still, a very good post that explains conditions I was unfamiliar with.

[Heather MC]

72. Those two don't have a chance in Hell, Heaven or Earth to be a Republican Presidental anything ha ha

Piss ain't no way they will want another umm off white person near the white house

[charliea]

7. So many clowns!

Having been to a circus before, and seeing how more clowns exit the car than could possibly fit in it, I posit that a clown car is really a 'white fountain'. The clowns keep pouring out of it forever! The OP's post shows the clowns that have the most press at the moment but so many more are trying to emerge. Other posters have good observations but who knows who'll they'll be? Popcorn at the ready!

I don't think that Pa Huckabee will run though, he's making much better money as a show host than he would campaigning, and I suspect its much less aggravating.

[calimary]

33. Welcome to DU, charliea!

Glad you're here! You make a good point. There's PLENTY of room in that clown car. Like the old cliche about Irish families - "there's always room for one more!" And if the GOP has a wealth of anything, it's clowns for the clown car. They bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "an embarrassment of riches."

[Rozlee]

49. Welcome to DU!

Yeah, Huckabee probably won't run, but the more of these misogynistic, racist loons that Republicans have competing, the more the public has to get disgusted with. And the more popcorn I'll stock up on.

[progressoid]

4. Bobby Jindal is going to get the nomination with the Duck Dynasty vote.

[lolly]

19. Shown there with his running mate?

[DetlefK]

5. Maybe Romney will return if we are really, really nice...

The problem of the GOP is the following:
Karl Rove united the Christian Right, the Social Conservatives and the Capitalists for the 2000-election. The birth of the Tea Party undid that and again split the GOP, this time into Tea Party and Establishment Republicans. A republican candidate would have to cater to the GOP as a whole, but that's impossible: The Establishment Republicans are cold-hearted and calculating. The Tea Party is to the GOP what ISIS is to Islam: They are the narrow-minded fanatics who get to decide who's a real republican. And anybody who they deem to be not a real republican must be purged.

No republican will win the presidency as long the Tea Party forces him to appease the lunatic fringe.

[Thinkingabout]

6. The DNC is very lucky, we have good possible candidates with some very good

Candidates waiting in the wings. If there are good candidates in the GOP they are keeping it quiet.

[SoapBox]

8. Sister Stupid, uh, Sarah.

Man...rotten to the core as the day is long...it's the PukeBagger way.

Billboard of this.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. It's $i$ter $tupid ...

Get it right!

I have no doubt she will form an "exploratory committee" to establish a new bank account to park her new(ish) revenue stream.

[SoapBox]

29. LOL

All while that she yaps her love for Alaska but hides behind gates in her Scottsdale, AZ estate.

[1StrongBlackMan]

31. If I'm not mistaken ...

that's Lil $I$ter Grifter-in-Training's Scottsdale abode.

[louis-t]

10. No wonder they're fondly remembering

when Mittens was their best hope.

[HughBeaumont]

11. Nutjobs, nutjobs, nutjobs.

Then again, it's not like they need to be serious about the presidency when, thanks to gerrymandering, a complicit media and the corrupt SCOTUS, they retain the purse strings and the gridlock that goes with it.

[Kali]

12. that's it

new sig line

[PatSeg]

13. They need to go to Hollywood

and hire another actor. That worked so well for them in the eighties.

[BrotherIvan]

25. Don't give them any ideas!

Because there are a few that people might vote for.

[PatSeg]

46. That's true

I wonder if they've already thought about it. Remember Fred Thompson? That didn't work out too well though.

So sad, that the only way a party can have a reasonable candidate/president is to create one and then rewrite history to make him memorable.

[BrotherIvan]

50. Yeah, we got Ahnald and that didn't turn out well either.

Most politicians are specialized actors anyway. But a famous person comes with a well-honed character that has been created by directors, writers and PR people. I work in the industry and have met a few big ones that were exactly the opposite of their public persona. Most fans don't understand that the line you love so much was written by someone else, in fact everything about a performance has been crafted. So one in office is a flippin nightmare.

[PatSeg]

55. Oh yes,

I was in California when Arnold was elected governor. What a huge embarrassment he was. Good thing he wasn't born in the U.S., because a lot of republicans would have groomed him for president (a few actually wanted to change the requirements).

So many people do think of actors as the characters they play. A lot of republicans thought Fred Thompson was the DA he played on Law and Order. "Arthur Branch" actually would have been a great republican candidate. Unfortunately they got a lazy, inarticulate Fred Thompson.

I guess that is one big difference between the parties. The GOP wants a movie fantasy president and Democrats want an FDR-like leader. Personally, I'd love a President David Palmer or Andrew Shepherd, but alas I live in the real world.

[BrotherIvan]

57. President Bartlet

And yes, if Arnold hadn't screwed up in California, he would most definitely be running in 2016. That was the plan.

[PatSeg]

63. Definitely Jed and

and a more obscure, but really cool president, Jackson Evans!

[yuiyoshida]

15. Governor Christie looks like he is posing for a

Clairol commercial. (Or Head & Shoulders)

[immoderate]

16. Good news for Rick Santorum!

Ever at the ready.

--imm

[hibbing]

18. m m m monkey pancakes!

I hope the Mitt can lower his car elevator and drive out of his mansion and hit the campaign trail too, with an updated binder full of women.

Peace

[1StrongBlackMan]

32. Where did that "monkey pancakes" meme come from?

[hibbing]

39. I think Earl G...??

Can someone confirm, I remember one picture he had on the front page had him saying that, and it's always stuck with me as funny as hell.

Peace

[1StrongBlackMan]

40. Yeah, I laugh everytime I see it. eom.

[Jamaal510]

56. It essentially came from his reputation as a loon.

"What the Hell is Ron Paul talking about?":http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002151380

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Enthusiast]

20. Lulz

I hope they convict a few more of these guys.

[elias7]

21. if you're ever assaulted by this many clowns....

go for the juggler

[calimary]

34. DUzy!!!!

[liberal N proud]

22. Give'em a break - Walker and Christ are only being investigated

What a bunch of fucking losers.

[C Moon]

23. This list, leads me to believe that R$ will probably run again.

[Initech]

24. Bring on the clown car!

[LiberalLovinLug]

27. The funny (but not really) thing about this is..

The main networks, not just Fox News, will, with a straight face, present these choices as worthy and honorable. Especially when it gets down to 2 or 3, and obviously when it gets down to one.

[SoapBox]

30. You are abso-fucking-lutely correct.

And it's criminal.

[dickthegrouch]

28. Repukes all

Damn it didn't come out right. This is what I intended:

Re s all

[calimary]

35. Nailed it. They ALL seem rather vomit-worthy to me.

[TRoN33]

38. Damn right!

[MADem]

36. EarlG, the hits just keep on coming! Spot ON! nt

[TRoN33]

37. Best frontpage pic of moment!

Thanks for cracking me up. K&R!

[ErikJ]

41. What do they fear the most?

:large

[cascadiance]

42. Man, I guess David Vitter needs to find another hooker to get noticed again!

... I'm sure he also misses that standing ovation by Republicans in the Senate for that too!

Gotta get busy David!

Probably needs to team up with Mark Sanford on that to double both of their chances to get in the limelight again!

[rhett o rick]

43. Looks to me like Karl Rove "The Fixer" has been busy. Who's next? nm

[blkmusclmachine]

44. Deeply corrupted. Just the way the GOP likes it!

[TygrBright]

45. Wait, wait.... MARCO RUBIO!! n/t

[Jakes Progress]

48. Monkeys all.

Preening, goofy, shit-bespattered monkeys.

(Okay. Sorry for the insult to monkeys. They're cool. These guys are not.)

[riversedge]

52. and two from wisconsin!!

[shenmue]

51. They all suck

[AtheistCrusader]

53. MONKEY PANCAKES!

Goddamn, that meme is the gift that keeps on giving

[BumRushDaShow]

58. Bwah!

"Monkey Pancakes".

[Uncle Joe]

60. This thread needs a theme song.

Thanks for the thread, EarlG.

[Cha]

61. No room for mittload? Rofl

Good job, EarlG!

[elzenmahn]

65. I think that the more this motley bunch falls all over themselves like the Keystone Kops...

...the more the calls will arise for the MittWitt.

[elzenmahn]

66. As big of buffoons as this bunch is...

...Do NOT take them for granted - especially Chris Christie.

We may have more numbers in 2016, but the Repubs have the big donors - not to mention huge supplies of what Frank Zappa called the "brown lipstick."

They're down right now, and we need to keep them there for the next two years. Even if it means voting for Hillary - we can't afford Paul Ryan's f-ing budget, or Chrispy Creme's temper, or any Shrub of any variety.

Assuming Hillary is the nominee, vote her way, then start building a truly progressive power base at the state and local levels in order to create the political room for TRUE progressives to run and win.

[SummerSnow]

67. Republican, thy name is corruption.

[awoke_in_2003]

68. I was thinking all they needed...

was "The rent is too damn high" guy, then I remembered he is actually amusing.

[lunasun]

69. Santorum came in 2nd last time will he run?

[DinahMoeHum]

70. Nice dartboard.

[CBHagman]

71. I am waiting for the media to get over its unbecoming crushes...

...on Rand Paul, Paul Ryan, and Ted Cruz.

[Helen Borg]

73. You forgot Romney! He's the clear favorite. :)

[jamzrockz]

74. my money is on Nuff said

and I hope people don't underestimate him. He might just pull a GW in 2016

[raouldukelives]

75. Sanders would mop the floor with any of these clowns. nt

[Old Crow]

78. Where did the "Monkey pancakes!" thing come from?

Can someone please bring me up to speed on this meme? (Yes, I'm new around here.)

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

79. During his filibuster....

....someone posted a comic pic of Rand Paul saying random shit. Monkey Pancakes just stuck.

[Old Crow]

80. Thank you!

I'm down with the Rand Paul Monkey Pancakes meme!

[Sunlei]

82. lol, the lengths they will go to float Jebbie through their primary. They'll add more later for VP.

Republicans don't have any 'honorable for a lifetime' people. Their couple of big Corp. moneymen better cough-up a fortune in 'donations'

[sorechasm]

83. While I'd like to thank Eric Holder for these investigations and....

....prosecution of McDonnell, I wonder how much the BFEE had to do with it, allowing Jeb to float to the top of the clown car.

[mdbl]

85. Aren't some of them from the Ass Family?

I have a family portrait of the Ass family but don't know how to post it

[SoapBox]

86. Oh!

I know that family too!

Jack, Smart, Lazy, Kiss and Dumb Ass.

What a lovely family.

[JDPriestly]

87. Monkey Pancakes! So true!