This may sound like a joke — like high-level Republican officials indulging in typical frat boy hazing-ish “humor” — alas, however, it is a serious story, albeit one that provides yet another indication that the GOP-in-exile is lost in the wilderness.
“I’m going to pass on marketing advice from folks who hadn’t fully thought out the implications of using tea bags as a brand.”
– DNC spokesperson
There is an official proposal circulating at the top of the Republican National Committee to pass a resolution in which the RNC that would unilaterally rename the Democratic Party as the “Democrat Socialist Party”:
In an e-mail sent Wednesday to the 168 voting members of the committee, RNC member James Bopp, Jr. accused President Obama of wanting “to restructure American society along socialist ideals.”
“The proposed resolution acknowledges that and calls upon the Democrats to be truthful and honest with the American people by renaming themselves the Democrat Socialist Party,” wrote Bopp, the Republican committeeman from Indiana. “Just as President Reagan’s identification of the Soviet Union as the ‘evil empire’ galvanized opposition to communism, we hope that the accurate depiction of the Democrats as a Socialist Party will galvanize opposition to their march to socialism.”
The resolution, proposed by a committeeman from Washington state, was agreed upon by 16 RNC members from 16 different states and is part of a petition asking RNC Chairman Michael Steele to set a special committee meeting next month when the state chairs meet in Washington, D.C.
An RNC member said that Bopp, one of the most conservative and outspoken individuals on the committee, had pulled together a group of his fellow conservatives to agree to the resolution.
In an interview, Bopp said he thought Steele would set the special meeting.
“He has always told us that he was supportive of and agreed with the substance of these resolutions,” said Bopp, a lawyer known for his advocacy against campaign finance reform.
Responding to the RNC’s proposal, Hari Sevugan, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, had this amusing reaction:
“I’m going to pass on marketing advice from folks who hadn’t fully thought out the implications of using tea bags as a brand,” said [Sevugan]. “But what’s clear is that when you’re devoid of leadership, devoid of ideas and your only answer is to say ‘no’ to change, it’s not surprising that angry, fringe elements take center stage at the Republican Party.”
The origin of the use of “Democrat Party,” instead of the actual name, “Democratic Party,” is attributed to Sen. Joe McCarthy, the Republican who disgraced himself by leading the communist witch hunts of the 1950s. The probably apocryphal story is that McCarthy used it because it sounded like “bureaucrat,” a French word with a vaguely socialist ring.
In the current era, “Democrat Party” is used to by Republicans as a dig to their opponents. Conversely, when Democrats hear a Republican use the formulation, it sends an immediate signal that the speaker is an asshole.
On April 2, 2001, just three months after the Supreme Court appointed him president, George Bush became the first president to use the phrase, when he said, This is an issue that is going to require close cooperation between members of the Republican Party and the Democrat Party.”
Over at Salon.com, commenters have been suggesting ideas for renaming the Republican Party, including:
- Confederate Douchenozzle Party
- Republican National Crooks
- Lying Poo-Poo Head Fartface Party
As a part of Pensito Review’s ongoing campaign to help the GOP find acceptance of its new minority status, we’d appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue too. Please take a minute and leave your suggestions for renaming the GOP on the comments board.
H/t: Rachel Maddow Show
