Dems Pull Yet Another Gaffe
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Gary [email protected]
Seems like every time they get things going their way, they just can't keep from doing something to swing public opinion in the other direction.
Remember when Howard Dean was riding high, he uttered what became known as the "Dean Scream" in Iowa?[[In-content Ad]]Remember a couple of weeks ago when Hillary named convicted classified-document stealer Sandy Berger as an "unofficial adviser" for her campaign?
These things fall under the heading, "It may not be that big a deal, but it just makes you look kind of foolish."
Another one of those things occurred last week when Mississippi U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, piped up.
He's the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress. Apparently, some Congressional aides were planning a fact-finding trip to a NASCAR race in North Carolina. They were supposed to be looking into track-based health-care facilities.
Fair enough.
But the hubbub arose when Chairman Thompson suggested the aids first get immunized against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza.
Republican Congressional aides noted that to travel to the Amazon, two shots are suggested. To travel to the Congo, four shots are suggested.
So it does seem a little bizarre that Thompson suggested five immunizations to visit Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
I'm sure Thompson had his reasons, but honestly, it's not as if North Carolina is a third-world country or something.
Of course, the reaction from Republicans was pointed and swift.
The National Republican Congressional Committee asked in a press release if Democrats are "allergic to NASCAR nation. While red-blooded, patriotic Americans were packing their coolers and gathering their families in preparation of attending last week's race at Talladega, a leading Democrat was advising staff to get immunized."
The release continues:
"Maybe the House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson was afraid his fellow Democrats might come down with a case of Red State Republicanism after coming in contact with hundreds of thousands of regular Americans attending the event. ... No matter what his reasoning, Thompson's ignorant behavior is inexcusable and clearly exposes the fundamental disconnect between the Democrat-led Congress and the rest of America."
Ouch.
Rep. Robin Hayes, R-North Carolina, fired off a letter to Thompson, saying, in part, "I have been to numerous NASCAR races, and the folks who attend these events certainly don't pose any health hazard to congressional staffers or anyone else."
Then was Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who noted, "If anything, it's the NASCAR fans who should get immunized against Washington officials, not the other way around."
And North Carolina Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Daves was quick to point out that Democrats aren't going to win over any NASCAR voters with reports like this one.
"Democrats should know that there is no preventive measure yet designed to ward off the blue-collar values and patriotism that NASCAR fans represent. If they aren't careful, they just might catch some of it," she said.
Of course, fans interviewed by news channels were less than sympathetic toward the Demos with quotes like these:
"... probably Washington bureaucracy and prejudice to the South, somewhat."
And,
"Is this going on in other sporting events? is my question. Is this happening with the Super Bowl every year?"
Or,
"Good to see the people in D.C. are as smart as ever, focused on the right issues."
Frankly, all this is so foolish and avoidable. Think, people, think before you make these ridiculous recommendations.
It fully paints Thompson as out of touch with the common man.
And it comes at a time when the Democrat-led Congress is suffering through the lowest approval ratings of any Congress in history.
The only thing polling worse that W these days is Congress.
So what do the Demos do? Enrage legions of NASCAR fans.
Not so long the Demos were on top of the world, with W on the ropes and majorities on both houses of Congress. Seemed as if the 2008 elections were already decided.
These days, I'm not sure what to think.
Sometimes Democrats have a tough time handling success.
Seems like every time they get things going their way, they just can't keep from doing something to swing public opinion in the other direction.
Remember when Howard Dean was riding high, he uttered what became known as the "Dean Scream" in Iowa?[[In-content Ad]]Remember a couple of weeks ago when Hillary named convicted classified-document stealer Sandy Berger as an "unofficial adviser" for her campaign?
These things fall under the heading, "It may not be that big a deal, but it just makes you look kind of foolish."
Another one of those things occurred last week when Mississippi U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, piped up.
He's the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress. Apparently, some Congressional aides were planning a fact-finding trip to a NASCAR race in North Carolina. They were supposed to be looking into track-based health-care facilities.
Fair enough.
But the hubbub arose when Chairman Thompson suggested the aids first get immunized against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza.
Republican Congressional aides noted that to travel to the Amazon, two shots are suggested. To travel to the Congo, four shots are suggested.
So it does seem a little bizarre that Thompson suggested five immunizations to visit Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
I'm sure Thompson had his reasons, but honestly, it's not as if North Carolina is a third-world country or something.
Of course, the reaction from Republicans was pointed and swift.
The National Republican Congressional Committee asked in a press release if Democrats are "allergic to NASCAR nation. While red-blooded, patriotic Americans were packing their coolers and gathering their families in preparation of attending last week's race at Talladega, a leading Democrat was advising staff to get immunized."
The release continues:
"Maybe the House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson was afraid his fellow Democrats might come down with a case of Red State Republicanism after coming in contact with hundreds of thousands of regular Americans attending the event. ... No matter what his reasoning, Thompson's ignorant behavior is inexcusable and clearly exposes the fundamental disconnect between the Democrat-led Congress and the rest of America."
Ouch.
Rep. Robin Hayes, R-North Carolina, fired off a letter to Thompson, saying, in part, "I have been to numerous NASCAR races, and the folks who attend these events certainly don't pose any health hazard to congressional staffers or anyone else."
Then was Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who noted, "If anything, it's the NASCAR fans who should get immunized against Washington officials, not the other way around."
And North Carolina Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Daves was quick to point out that Democrats aren't going to win over any NASCAR voters with reports like this one.
"Democrats should know that there is no preventive measure yet designed to ward off the blue-collar values and patriotism that NASCAR fans represent. If they aren't careful, they just might catch some of it," she said.
Of course, fans interviewed by news channels were less than sympathetic toward the Demos with quotes like these:
"... probably Washington bureaucracy and prejudice to the South, somewhat."
And,
"Is this going on in other sporting events? is my question. Is this happening with the Super Bowl every year?"
Or,
"Good to see the people in D.C. are as smart as ever, focused on the right issues."
Frankly, all this is so foolish and avoidable. Think, people, think before you make these ridiculous recommendations.
It fully paints Thompson as out of touch with the common man.
And it comes at a time when the Democrat-led Congress is suffering through the lowest approval ratings of any Congress in history.
The only thing polling worse that W these days is Congress.
So what do the Demos do? Enrage legions of NASCAR fans.
Not so long the Demos were on top of the world, with W on the ropes and majorities on both houses of Congress. Seemed as if the 2008 elections were already decided.
These days, I'm not sure what to think.
Sometimes Democrats have a tough time handling success.
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