Blogs and Stories
The Race to Run the GOP Gets Even More Ridiculous
)
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
In the wake of the “Magic Negro” controversy, the number of men running for Republican Party chair reflects both their identity crisis and their excruciatingly narrow brand.
The most telling moment at the debate among contenders for the chairmanship of the Republican Party might have been when they took turns bragging about how many friends they had on Facebook. The spectacle of six grown men comparing an accomplishment that only 18-year-olds should be really proud of did not seem to bode well for a party that is struggling to maintain purchase on the 21st century. (For the record, former Ohio state Attorney General Ken Blackwell wins with around 4,000.) Their measure of each others' followers on Twitter (Michigan state party chair Saul Anusiz has just under 3,000) might also have been embarrassing except that a few minutes earlier, current RNC chair Mike Duncan referred to it as "the Twitter," that definite article condemning him to Old Fogey status among anyone who cares.
“If we don't get it together, Barack Obama is going to be ripping us a new one for eight years.”
The Facebook/Twitter showdown resonated for those who use Twitter, but in the moment it wasn't clear how being the most friended Republican would come across with the 168 committee members who actually vote on the position. They are exactly as representative of the Republican Party as you'd expect and do not Twitter. But committee members say the fall taught them a valuable lesson about technology, only the least of which is that it is possible to use "friend" as verb.
Louis Pope, a committeeman from Maryland and supporter of former Lieutenant Gov. Michael Steele, said the discussion of social networks was "absolutely" important, though he admitted he was not himself a member of any: "It's like with a parent or something. When it comes to technology, you understand what your kids are saying when they talk about it, but when it comes to fixing it or using it, you ask your kids." In other words, the RNC has finally decided to do something about the VCR blinking 12:00.
"The next chairman has got to get that right or we're sunk," said Gary Emineth, head of the North Dakota GOP. "And it was apparent who up there got it and who didn't." He pauses for emphasis. "Very apparent." He added, "And if we don't get it together, Barack Obama is going to be ripping us a new one for eight years."
Facebook-friendless Duncan actually walked into the room a favorite to win the chairmanship, despite the party's disappointing electoral showing and toxic brand. As incumbent, Duncan is in a position to make handshake deals and remind the national committee of old debts. "You don't win these things with a Twitter account," explained one Republican insider before the debate began. "You win it with phone calls and calling in favors."
But the unprecedented debate opened up what was once insider baseball into slightly less insidery baseball. Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, organized the event in hopes of making the Republican Party more, ah, democratic. "I wanted to get people used the idea to being asked for their vote," he said. A public forum for the candidates would, he reasoned, force the committee members to be accountable for their selection. In the past, "they could fly in, vote, and fly out and it would be covered by a little notice, like a birth announcement. Now, the 168 have the votes, but they also have constituents."
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Chicago Dodged a Bullet
Wonkette emerita, political junkie, self-hating journalist, and author of Dog Days. She has worked for Time, Mother Jones, Suck, and most recently, Radar. Follow her on Twitter.
God Loves Obama
Wonkette emerita, political junkie, self-hating journalist, and author of Dog Days. She has worked for Time, Mother Jones, Suck, and most recently, Radar. Follow her on Twitter.
John McCain Discovers Technology a Year Too Late
Wonkette emerita, political junkie, self-hating journalist, and author of Dog Days. She has worked for Time, Mother Jones, Suck, and most recently, Radar. Follow her on Twitter.
AmiBlue
The republican party has nothing but old white guys who are so old they would have to ask their grandkids for help with the Internet, not their children
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--LeftCoastOracleGREYDOG1
these guys suck
waltben
The Democratic Party has just undergone a significant transition form the Clinton and everyone previous mold to an almost completely new way of doing business (thus far). In the previous election, Dean tried to capitalize on what technology could offer, but only went at it part way. Obama and company are so totally different that the Republicans running for leadership can't understand that they are the problem. They still think that they can do the same stuff, only harder, and still win. Ain't going to happen. Before they'll become a competitor again, they've got to re-invent themselves as well.
Zugzwang
I haven't been reading this site for very long, and this is the first time I've come across Ana Marie's work. Really enjoyable read. Hope to see more in the future.
ScottRose
It is one thing for the person in the street to think without saying out loud that Republicans are total assholes.
But it is another thing and not acceptable for Scary Emineth, the head of the North Dakota G-Old-P to say "if we don't get it together, Barack Obama is going to be ripping us a new one for eight years."
One could hope for politics to involve a serious-minded exchange of idea, and diplomatic compromises reached in the wakes of the exchanges.
Or, answering to the GOP's eloquent Emineth, one could gleefully exclaim "Let it rip!"
Mary50
Well, hey, at least the RNC is open about their ignorance. The Dems are full of them too, they just hide it well and couch it in politically correct terms.
magicman
The VCR blinking 12:00 ....
magicman
is it that bad?
Zugzwang
Mary50, as a Dem who frequently finds his patience stretched thin by the BS of both sides, I'm afraid their won't be much for the left to hide behind in the next four/eight years. I'm hoping they're wise enough to clean up their acts before it costs them severely.
Thevail
I am so sick of the RIGHT..and the LEFT..good grief what about the flippin' 80% of us in the MIDDLE.
All we want is a decent job, access to medical care that doesn't bankrupt us, a safe way to plan for retirement, modern technology (WHY are we still living in 1992 exactly) fiscal accountability from BOTH the government and businesses..(at least as much fiscal responsibility as WE have to have.)
Seriously..is it that freakin' hard??
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--LordVaderThis user is no longer registered.
n--Y--LordVaderSansego
The republican party - a bunch of old racist white men with old ideas.
Crappola
Ana Marie Cox is hot, in my opinion, but that's beside the point. Like the economy of ours, it will take time for the Republicans to find their stride again.
I see them finding their strides in newer generations not these old bigots.
The answer to many of the GOP's woes is pretty obvious. Either the GOP starts cleaning house or suffer a slow and somber death trying to cover-up their fallacies.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.