« Republicans To Disaster Victims: Drop Dead
TWO Reports: New Jersey’s Chris Christie Reconsiders Announcing for President (UPDATE 2) »
Booing and Whooping at the G.O.P. Debates: When Will the Candidates Show Some Spine? (UPDATED)
Sep 24th, 2011 | 18 responses
I strongly disagree with Senator John McCain’s politics and policies—especially his almost fanatic opposition to ending “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and his stubborn support of the Iraq war. I have also been disappointed with the Senator’s seriously flawed judgment on several issues and decisions, such as his deplorable posturing on the new GI Bill of Rights during the Bush administration and his abominable pick of Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
But, at the same time, I respect the Senator’s principled stand on torture, salute his long and honorable service for his country and I will always admire his sacrifice and heroism as a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War.
I also had respect for John McCain when, during the presidential campaign, he repeatedly urged his base to tone down their increasingly vitriolic and racially tinged personal attacks on candidate Obama. The crowd’s response? Rounds of boos for McCain and louder, and angrier, and nastier catcalls against Obama.
I have not forgotten McCain’s response to a woman who said, “I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s not, he’s not uh — he’s an Arab. He’s not — .” Taking the microphone from the woman, McCain replied: “No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign’s all about. He’s not [an Arab].”
McCain has indeed been a lonely maverick among Republicans, Conservatives and members of the Tea Party when it comes to civil and respectful discourse.
Witness, at the Sept. 12 G.O.P Presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., the applause and loud cheers by the crowd when Rick Perry was asked about the death penalty and the more than 200 executions that have occurred in his state on his watch.
Witness the cheering and shouts of “yes” from some at the CNN/Tea Party Express sponsored G.O.P Presidential debate in Tampa, Fla. when moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Ron Paul if a catastrophically sick man who chose not to get health insurance should be allowed to die in the hospital rather than have the state pay his medical bills.
Witness the loud booing by some in the audience at the most recent Fox-sponsored GOP debate when a gay American soldier serving in Iraq, Stephen Hill, asked the following question via video clip:
In 2010, when I was deployed to Iraq, I had to lie about who I was, because I’m a gay soldier, and I didn’t want to lose my job. My question is, under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?
Referring to both the disgusting booing and the odious answer given by Rick Santorum to the gay soldier’s question, Andrew Sullivan has this to say:
But somehow the fact that these indignities were heaped on a man risking his life to serve this country, a man ballsy enough to make that video, a man in the uniform of the United States … well, it tells me a couple of things. It tells me that these Republicans don’t actually deep down care for the troops, if that means gay troops. Their constant posturing military patriotism has its limits.
Many will point out that these despicable outbursts are by a few and do not represent the feelings or the views of the majority of G.O.P voters.
I would like to believe that.
But how come none of these people vying for the highest office in the land have had the spine, the character that McCain displayed, to speak up and tell these “few” that they will not tolerate such displays of disdain and total lack of compassion towards fellow Americans.
How come none of these people aspiring to become the commander-in-chief has had the guts to tell the “few” that they will not tolerate such disrespect towards our soldiers serving in harm’s way—-straight or gay.
The silence by this field of Presidential candidates has been deafening and shameful.
Three Republican debates in as many weeks and three jarring exhibits of insensitivity and prejudice on the part of some in the audience, but even more disturbing, three examples of lack of leadership and spine on the part of all the G.O.P Presidential wannabes.
If there are similar outbursts from the audience at future debates, I bet that at least one of the candidates will follow the principled example of John McCain.
But will it be too little, too late—too disingenuous—to erase a very troubling and lasting impression?
UPDATE:
Some of the G.O.P candidates have finally started to comment on the gay soldier incident.
One (Rick Santorum) insists that he “didn’t hear” the boos, even though several other candidates told ABC that they did hear it.
Another (John Huntsman) said that it was “totally unfortunate and unnecessary…”
Gary Johnson said that he was embarrassed by it.
Others sidestepped the issue, “declined to go into details,” or declined to comment at all.
I believe that a future president should have pretty good hearing, but, more important, should have the mettle to react on-the-spot, right then-and-there, to any situation or scenario—not a couple of hours or days later …
18 Responses to “Booing and Whooping at the G.O.P. Debates: When Will the Candidates Show Some Spine? (UPDATED)”
I doubt it. I bet McCain won’t say it these days. And even if one of them does, the “true believers” will never hear it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/gary-johnson-gay-soldier_n_978710.html
Mr Edaburn,
A day late and a dollar short…
It’s really shameful.
IMO it points out that politics is now treated the same way by the populace as sport. Sports fans are unruly, mean-spirited, raucous and nasty. If you’re not for “their team”, they will hate you and everything you stand for and be nasty. But it’s OK as long as no one gets hurt. Sports really doesn’t matter, it’s entertainment.
Here we are talking about our country and our society here. This is not trivial, and it is harmful, and it is shameful, and is the primary reason i will never, EVER affiliate myself with Teabaggers (and now, seemingly, the whole of the GOP).
Patrick, part of a Presidential aspirant’s mettle is to be able to react to situations and scenarios right then and there—not a couple of days later.
Who?
I guess I should have prefaced my answer by saying I doubt any GOP front runner will say anything like that. Gary Johnson saying that is no different than you or I saying it… The other side isn’t listening. They are only listening to the people who are blowing the dog whistle and seem incapable of changing their views until their leadership blows a different whistle, and even then its still brewing.
I could possibly see Romney saying something like that (only because he knows the value of playing that angle), or maybe Huntsman (he seems to be the most sane of the GOP big names to me) but they won’t dare do anything like that until the primary fight is over at the earliest. And even then it’s too little, too late… Especially when the rest of the GOP machine refuses to adopt that philosophy and continues to demonize others from the background.
I wonder if the rules have changed regarding sexual behavior and nudity on military bases, and ships now that there has been a major cultural change regarding open sexuality?
And now there is this. A odd answer from a odd man.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/23/santorum-%E2%80%98i-condemn%E2%80%99-booing-of-gay-soldier-didn%E2%80%99t-hear-it/
He didn’t here it then, but condemns it now, but still wants DADT reinstated. Yeah, that adds up.
I agree it is not enough, a tiny step.
Indeed I thought my original comment had said so but since it did not I regret the error.
Not that any Republican in the debate would have any chance of ever receiving a vote from any of the critical commenters on this thread, so of what consequence is your view on the matter?
I think it is a valid point to question why none of the candidates said nothing, but I also feel it not as spineless a thing as raising your hand in the original debate. And, like him or not, McCain is a classy guy and except for Palin, also an intelligent guy.
BTW: I wish to thank this guy, gay or not, for his service.
Thanks, dduck.
And talking about “classy,” that is exactly the difference between your comment and the comment right above yours…
Dorian, look at the bottom of your shoe.
Actually, I am not wearing shoes right now, dduck. I am relaxing, watching my Aggies play a great game. But, could you pls, expound.
You know that I don’t have a very high IQ—as pounded into us by the former DLS…
Thanks and Gig’em Aggies
IMHO, your last remark was stepping in a little S___.
dduck says,
“IMHO, your last remark was stepping in a little S___”
Ok, but you still haven’t expounded why (remember my IQ))
Now back to the game…Aggies suddenly not doing so good anymore
Also, Flash news:
“Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain came out on top in the Florida straw poll on Saturday. ”
Good for him, decent man.
Added:
Businessman Herman Cain won a Republican straw poll in Florida, a traditional showing of conservative activists’ enthusiasm. Cain won with 37 percent of votes, while Texas Gov. Rick Perry came in with 15 percent.
Forget it, enjoy the game. I get the Giants tomorrow.
dduck said,
“Forget it, enjoy the game”
I did, until the second half.