She Probably Doen’t Floss Either
Here we go. As Congressman Bachmann begins to get traction in her quest for the Republican nomination, she also attracts the expected slings and slurs from her political opponents. Of course, that’s expected. What’s also expected is the level of discourse aimed at her from the left.
If you do a google search of ‘barefoot and pregnant’ paired with Michelle Bachmann, the only reference you will find of that pairing is of Rep. Ellison’s remark. So out of thin air, this learned gentleman makes a comment which has no relevance at all to the political discussion. It’s as if he was still in the 4th grade taunting her with ‘fatty fatty, two by four’. This is somewhat reminiscent of the last set of elections in which candidate Christine O’Donnell was labeled a witch.
While this may be amusing to people with only at least average intelligence, it’s very alarming to think of the ramifications of these witty characterizations. First, it says something about the accuser, but secondly, it says something even more frightening about their intended constituency. It implies that the intended audience are idiots.
It implies that rather than confuse the audience with reasoned discussions of policy differences, they can be much more effective by characterizing their opponents in some cartoon-ish way because that’s the only way they can absorb a message. Ellison of course is only carrying on along the path well worn by another Democratic Congressman with a tenous grasp on sanity, the recently deposed Alan Grayson. He of the ‘Republicans want you do die’ fame. Let’s not forget the characterization of Republican Paul Ryan pushing old people in wheelchairs off cliffs. It’s as if the left cannot gather support for complex issues from their base unless they can convey some simplistic imagery that will galvanize their troops. Are they really that dumb? If so, is it therefore not frightening to have the beneficiaries of their votes sit in office making public policy?
Getting back to Ellison, if he’s going to affix the ‘barefoot and pregnant’ label on Bachmann, he may have to peel it off his party buddy John Edwards who actually demonstrated his affinity to that philosophy. We understand Ellison’s dilemma though. To bring up the more scandalous accusations of tax cheater, liar, philanderer, demagogue, communist and just general dumbness would evoke people from within his own party. Better keep the slags in the imaginary world.