Sometimes the political system just doesn’t work and there are no good choices, although there may be a lesser evil—sometimes a Democrat and sometimes a Republican.
Tea Party organizers and activists have shown a laser-like focus on reining in fiscal profligacy and eschewing social issues, but that’s not true for a few of the candidates they’ve supported through GOP primary victories. In the race for New York governor, Tea Party backed Carl Paladino has disgraced himself with his ignorant homophobia, some of which he now seems to be trying to distance himself from, given the uproar that, as if in a time warp, he failed to anticipate. If nothing else, his comments that children should not be “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is acceptable”—coming in the wake of horrors such as the Bronx gay-bashing/torture story and a rash of gay teen suicides—show the political tone deafness of a candidate who fathered a daughter out of wedlock and sent racy (and some say racist) emails.
His opponent, Andrew Cuomo, is a career Democrat who, as Clinton’s head of HUD, is one of the godfathers of the housing bubble (e.g., through his promotion of the Community Reinvestment Act that strong-armed banks into making home loans to those without collateral). Expect more wasteful, unaffordable and counterproductive government interventions from his administration, which will bow to the public sector unions. But he’s clearly the better choice, alas.
Similarly, what more can you say about Christine O’Donnell in Maryland, with her history of wacky social conservatism? But her opponent is a serial tax hiker supporting establishment liberal policies that have choked off growth and innovation. I throw up my hands. Likewise, Nevada, with Sharron Angle vs. Harry Reid (although here, the chance to replace the unctuous Reid as the Senate’s Democratic leader would be worth the price of Sen. Angle).
Not all Tea Party backed candidates are this pathetic—Joe Miller in Alaska, Marco Rubio in Florida, Dino Rossi in Washington state, and Ron Johnson in Wisconsin seem solid, among others. I like Rand Paul in Kentucky as well, despite some political missteps. But clearly, for fiscally conservative social libertarians, sometimes there are no good options.
More. Back to Paladino, it’s hard to know what he actually thinks or believes, but it’s good to see him realize he crossed a line. I hope others on the right take note.
To clarify, it’s not that I don’t think gay pride parades should ever be criticized—in New York and San Francisco, The Onion may have hit the target—but the whole tenor of Paladino’s speech to the rabbis needlessly injected the divisive culture war into a race that should have maintained its focus on economic issues that unite all conservatives as well as many independents and libertarians. It was stupid politics, and coming on the heals of the gay-bashing torture and gay teen suicide stories, just wrong.
Furthermore. William Saletan at Slate writes that Carl Paladino is right about gay pride parades and wrong about gay marriage.
27 Comments for “Political Dysfunction”
posted by BobN on
Marco Rubio??!?!?!?!?
Seriously?
He stands out among anti-gay pols in Florida, and that’s saying something.
Guess you and Focus on the Family share a crush…
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
What a surprise — BobN, the mouthpiece of the Obama Party, shows up to scream that a Republican is “antigay”.
No one cares any more. Everyone knows that BobN screams that every Republican is “antigay” and that every Obama Party member is “pro-gay”, regardless of what they actually do.
posted by avee on
Of course Rubio opposes gay marriage — gee, Obama does too. I don’t see anything anti-gay on Rubio’s website, including the section on “strengthening familes,” which talks about repealing the marriage tax and supporting pro-life judges (sorry, BobN, but that doesn’t make him “anti-gay”), and judges who won’t legislate from the bench (same position as Jonathan Rauch; is he “anti-gay,” too?).
posted by BobN on
Well, of course you don’t find it on his campaign website, cuz he’s a homophobe and a coward. And, like so many here, he’s hoping that some gays will vote GOP, so he doesn’t wave his bigot flag high and proud.
Frankly, this attempt at deception is a good sign. Even Rubio sees the truth would hurt his campaign. And in Florida of all places!
posted by Jorge on
There is actually some reason to believe Cuomo will not bow to the public sector unions. He is running as a reformer and has put pressure on the Working Families party to stand with his platform or else he will not accept their endorsement. I believe he has accepted a rather comprehensive reformist platform proposed by former NYC Mayor Ed Koch.
However there’s no question in my mind that Palladino will go further if elected. So my question is: is it worth four years of lunacy (I do believe he is a racist) for an outside chance to destroy the corrupt system once and for all?
As I’ve said, the gay comments I can live with. He backed off of them. The tone-deafness is troubling.
posted by Jorge on
What a surprise — BobN, the mouthpiece of the Obama Party, shows up to scream that a Republican is “antigay”.
No one cares any more. Everyone knows that BobN screams that every Republican is “antigay” and that every Obama Party member is “pro-gay”, regardless of what they actually do.
The results of the NY governor’s race will tell us if you are right that no one cares. It is not just BobN.
posted by AC on
I have more of a question/personal concern than a comment on this subject. I am a 40-something man, raised and still live in the South, firmly libertarian on most issues, weary of organized religion, want government spending to be realistically curbed (including the defense budget), would love to see our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, etc.
For the duration of my voting life I have cast the vast majority of ballots for Republicans. I have voted for Democrats that I like as well. Sadly, there are few other choices. I am socially progressive and economically conservative. Which party do I support? Is it even necessary to have the two major parties in charge? I want to make good, informed decisions when voting . . . not just look for the R or D next to the candidate’s name.
Any advice or pointers? I’ve been reading a lot on libertarian theory and the Libertarian Party recently and like what I see. Still, I retain some Republican views (generally), but that party is far too tied to the so-called religious right. Meanwhile, the Democrats appeal to me in many social policy aspects, but their economic approach deeply troubles me. I’m without a political home.
posted by avee on
AC, you might want to check out the Republican Liberty Caucus (a libertarian caucus within the GOP). And of course, Log Cabin Republicans, which under the new leadership of R. Clarke Cooper seems much more fiscally conservative than in the past, when it was more intent on being a group of “moderate” Republicans.
I’d also like to see more gay people getting involved with their local Tea Party organizations.
posted by Bobby on
Paladino also says he would hire gays, so you see, republican “homophobia” is nothing to fear. On the other hand, democrat’s capitalismphobia, individualismphobia, freedomphobia, self-defensephobia, lowering taxes phobia, and all the other phobias ARE reason to fear.
posted by AC on
If you think Carl Paladino is gay-friendly and doesn’t harbor any homophobic views then I’m guessing you didn’t see ANY of his prepared remarks at the orthodox Jewish event in NYC. He’s against marriage equality, he’s against kids thinking it’s okay to be themselves if they are gay, he’s against any public expression of who and what you are as a gay person (in other words, living and simply being), on and on.
Bobby, you come across as the perpetually battered spouse who clings to every tiny, miniscule sliver of “decency” shown to you by the jerk on the other side of the bed in spite of broken limbs, bruises on your face and a lot of self-loathing. Paladino may say all kinds of things now that his insanity has been broadcast far and wide, but a bigot is a bigot. Your defending this man says something about how you must see yourself. Sad.
posted by Amicus on
a career Democrat who, as Clinton’s head of HUD, is one of the godfathers of the housing bubble.
—–
At long last, I think I’m finally starting to ‘get’ Stephen’s sense of humor.
posted by John on
I sympathize greatly with you, AC. I’m in the same situation and wish I had a good answer for you. All I can say is that for the past couple of elections I’ve split my voting between the parties where I could and have voted Independent a lot more than I ever have. I probably will continue voting Independent, which is essentially a “throw-away” or “protest” vote, for quite awhile as I do not see either major party changing the most odious parts of their agendas.
posted by Jorge on
If you think Carl Paladino is gay-friendly and doesn’t harbor any homophobic views then I’m guessing you didn’t see ANY of his prepared remarks at the orthodox Jewish event in NYC.
You’re not suggesting we hold the remarks that he “crossed out” against him, are you? I’m more concerned about what he actually said. However the fact that it is made public that his speeches are ghostwritten does not help him, although I’m sure that’s a common practice.
You sound like you might be a Ron Paul supporter. He consistently scores fairly high in Republican caucuses–I think he polled third in the one that supported Chris Christie for president. So I think a Ron Paul-type movement is probably active.
I don’t know if you’re affiliated with either party, but just in case you aren’t and you’re considering, I’m sure there’s no need for you to decide immediately. Despite what you may say, registering for a party gives the appearance of a commitment. People both inside and outside of the party will try to hold you to a commitment to the party platform or ideology, even if that is not your motivation. So you should not join a party without committing to a specific platform or opposition/sub- platform within that party.
posted by John on
You mean like the Democrats that lie and say they are out “fierce advocates”, only to do squat once in office? Yeah, I’m really incentivized to vote for your cherished party. Ooooooh, I should be scaaaared because the Big Bad Republicans will get into office when really, they’ll be no different on DADT, ENDA, DOMA & UAFA than the Democrats. A guy like Paladino yeah is beyond the pale but Rubio at least isn’t an ass like him. You forget, BobN, that many of us here I suspect actually support Rubio on most other issues. Either way one votes in Florida gays will still get zip, zero, zilch and nada. Personally, I’d vote Independent in Florida but I’m not going to criticize anyone that decides Rubio is the best of the bunch.
posted by BobN on
You guys amaze me. Rubio is far worse than Paladino on gay rights. Paladino is a jerk. Rubio is ambitious and he’s more than willing to use us to get what he wants. LOOK AT HIS GODDAMN RECORD.
And gays might be shit out of luck in Florida, but Rubio is running for SENATE and the Senate is where our lives will be changed, one way or the other. You want another gay-baiter in the Senate? One who MEANS what he says? As opposed to some tool who lets his audience write his speeches for him?
And, John, as far as the “squat” that you’ve gotten from Dems, I’m curious, what state do you live in?
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
And gays might be shit out of luck in Florida, but Rubio is running for SENATE and the Senate is where our lives will be changed, one way or the other. You want another gay-baiter in the Senate? One who MEANS what he says?
Why not, BobN? You were OK with it before.
You hate Rubio more than usual because he’s Hispanic, and to racist Obama Party gays like yourself, that’s someone escaping off the liberal plantation. That’s why you’re out to smear and destroy him — and in the process demonstrate how gays and lesbians like you are mindless, hypocritical bigots who will have screaming fits over something that they FULLY supported and endorsed mere campaigns ago.
posted by John on
Why Virginia, Bob. Are you going to try and tell me how swell Tim Kaine, you know the current Chairman of the DNC, was for gays in the Commonwealth state? Oh please do.
posted by John on
And that would be different from the Democrats, how exactly?
How’s all that hopeychangeyness doin’ for ya?
Howz ’bout the record Democrat majorities in both Houses of Congress, soon to be lost for quite some time next month?
posted by BobN on
Why Virginia, Bob.
Well, then I’d count you as a fool, unless you’re somehow forced to live in the most anti-gay state there is.
posted by John on
Nice. You sound just like FRC which would say that you are always free to move to Canada or some other “fag-loving” country if you want all those “special rights”. Are you sure you want to write off the 45 states that do not allow same-sex marriage so dismissively?
posted by Houndentenor on
I’d be more impressed with the “Tea Party” candidates if even one of them had any concrete ideas on balancing the budget. Their responses to the question of what they would do have been angry and defensive. It’s a fair question and if they were serious about budget cuts they’d give us some concrete examples. It’s going to take serious cuts, not just a little pruning, to get the budget balanced and it’s rather obvious that they know that those cuts will anger the very people who show up at their rallies (seniors, in particular). It’s not a serious political movement. Just a lot of people with too much free time venting their anger.
posted by Jorge on
So Marco Rubio worse than Carl Palladino on gay rights?
Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult to convince me that he is, given what I’ve said about Palladino. But there’s a whole bunch of caveats about each candidate’s record (or lack of one).
Oh, right, Mr. Rubio is in Florida, where they have that gay adoptions issue floating around. Is that what it is? (….doesn’t look like it–damn! that should have been easy one).
Is it that he was endorsed by Jim DeMint? But that could be because of other far-right positions.
Mr. Rubio is a former (current?) state legislator. He has a record. It’s just not obvious.
posted by Jorge on
Question.
When we have Carl Palladino pleading for forgiveness for these remarks and the published statements:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/10/12/2010-10-12_gov_wannabe_carl_paladino_pleads_for_forgiveness_after_antigay_remarks_set_off_c.html
does an independent gay observer decide to cut Palladino some slack, forgive him for a mistake, and welcome him for the gifts he has chosen to bring, or does s/he decide that Palladino instantly and irrevocably failed an ideological litnus test regardless of what other things he may say?
What, then, would an independent gay observer have done with his previously blank record, of neither positive or negative things to say about the gay community?
It looks like Stephen Miller’s ultimate judgment is influenced by both Cuomo’s and Palladino’s politics on completely unrelated issues. Yet decided by this one? We have indeed seen Carl Palladino’s character clearly.
posted by BobN on
Gosh, let’s find an independent pervert and ask him if he forgives Paladino.
posted by Carl on
“(although here, the chance to replace the unctuous Reid as the Senate’s Democratic leader would be worth the price of Sen. Angle). ”
So having someone like Chuck Schumer as Majority or Minority Leader would be worth this?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/sharron_angle_i_wouldnt_take_m.html
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/sharron-angle-and-the-independent-american-party.php
posted by North Dallas Thirty on
So having someone like Chuck Schumer as Majority or Minority Leader would be worth this?
Absolutely.
You see, Carl, previously you and your fellow gay and lesbian puppets shrieked that it was wrong to take corporate donations, especially if it was from companies that disagreed with your public stances.
Angle is choosing not to take corporate donations from companies that disagree with her public stances, and you are now shrieking and trying to pillory her for doing it.
Angle does not have to accept donations from anyone. She has the right to refuse donations; that’s why they are called that. Indeed, haven’t you and your fellow leftist gay and lesbian people DEMANDED that politicians not accept donations from organizations with which you agree, and, for instance, claimed that politicians who claim to support “gay rights” should not take money from Target?
And really, Carl, I want to see you and your fellow gay-sex liberals shriek about how awful anyone is when they switch political parties. You certainly were supportive of it when Lincoln Chafee and Arlen Specter did it.
You again demonstrate why gays and lesbians are a laughable joke in Washington. Everyone is quite aware of your hypocrisy and double standards, especially as they apply to Republicans. You simply are demonstrating that you are irrational bigots who will criticize anything a Republican does even if it is completely contradictory to your former stances to do so, just as the National Organization of Women is now saying that calling women “whores” is perfectly acceptable when Obama Party members do it.
And what’s really sad and pathetic, Carl, is that you blame your obvious hypocrisy and irrational bigotry on your sexual orientation, claiming that these blatant double standards are caused by your sexual orientation and required by your sexual orientation. This of course absolves you of all responsibility, but it makes it clear to people that all gay and lesbian people are irrational, hatemongering bigots.
posted by Rob in PDX on
Simple question to ND30. Are you gay, lesbian, bi, whatever? Your last post seems to indicate you are not.
If you are not, then why do you post on this board?