Parker: GOP Must 'Drive a Stake Through the Heart of Old Dixie'

Parker: GOP Must ‘Drive a Stake Through the Heart of Old Dixie’

PoliticsAugust 2009 • Views: 1,982

Uh oh. Kathleen Parker is rattling cages again: Sen. George Voinovich and the GOP as a Party of the South.

Not all Southern Republicans are wing nuts. Nor does the GOP have a monopoly on ignorance or racism. And, the South, for all its sins, is also lush with beauty, grace and mystery. Nevertheless, it is true that the GOP is fast becoming regionalized below the Mason-Dixon line and increasingly associated with some of the South’s worst ideas.

It is not helpful (or surprising) that “birthers” — conspiracy theorists who have convinced themselves that Barack Obama is not a native son — have assumed kudzu qualities among Republicans in the South. In a poll commissioned by the liberal blog Daily Kos, participants were asked: “Do you believe that Barack Obama was born in the United States of America or not?”

Hefty majorities in the Northeast, the Midwest and the West believe Obama was born in the United States. But in the land of cotton, where old times are not by God forgotten, only 47 percent believe Obama was born in America and 30 percent aren’t sure.

Southern Republicans, it seems, have seceded from sanity.

Jump to bottom

135 comments

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:07:36am

He's right. The last time the South "rose again", we got...Carter.

ctrlL Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:09:30am

I question whether Kos would know where to find Republicans.

She seems to have drawn a conclusion without facts ... at least in the snip that is posted.

Kragar Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:09:37am

Its the war of Northern Agression all over again.

///

Sharmuta Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:10:26am

I again wonder if there is a correlation between creationism and nirtherism.

VegasRick Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:11:15am

bbl

Kragar Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:11:34am

re: #4 Sharmuta

I again wonder if there is a correlation between creationism and nirtherism.

I willing to bet there is significant overlap between those focus groups.

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:11:55am

Dark_Falcon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:12:05am

re: #3 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Its the war of Northern Agression all over again.

///

That would make things hard for me. My mother was born and raised in the South, but my dad is a dyed-in-the-blue-wool Illinois Yankee. I have ancestors on both sides of the War Between The States.

eschew_obfuscation Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:12:38am

Let's see... The south, Republicans, God ... she forgot guns! Same ole, same ole.

Hefty majorities in the Northeast, the Midwest and the West believe Obama was born in the United States. But in the land of cotton, where old times are not by God forgotten, only 47 percent believe Obama was born in America and 30 percent aren’t sure.

Southern Republicans, it seems, have seceded from sanity.

englishprof Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:12:39am

I'm not sure that having kooks in your party necessarily means the party is waning. The Democrats did fine in 2006 and 2008 despite all kinds of kooks running around, Code Pink, Cindy S., etc., etc.

Sharmuta Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:12:57am

re: #6 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I willing to bet there is significant overlap between those focus groups.

I would think so. If you're willing to dismiss empirical evidence on one hand, you're likely able to do it on the other.

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:13:13am

re: #7 MikeySDCA

Nuts come in many flavors.

Often mixed, so you can barely tell them apart...

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:13:55am

JammieWearingFool Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:14:35am

Parker is sooo tired. She and Peggy Noonan need another glass of chablis. Their buzz is wearing off.

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:15:26am

re: #1 Cato the Elder

He's right. The last time the South "rose again", we got...Carter.

It's KATHLEEN Parker. She and Peggy Noonan are specializing in Country Club Republican snobbery. Parker wrote the column about McCain, Palin and the sycamore tree, implying that the reason McCain chose Palin is because he was sexually attracted to her.

And Noonan just melted down

What she is, is a seemingly very nice middle-class girl with ambition, appetite and no sense of personal limits.
[ ]
Actually, it's arguable that membership in the self-esteem generation harmed her. For 30 years the self-esteem movement told the young they're perfect in every way. It's yielding something new in history: an entire generation with no proper sense of inadequacy.

This is just more of the same class snobbery.

Egregious Philbin Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:15:43am

Reminds me of that old Onion headline "For 165th year in a row, South vows to rise again"

This party is killing itself with the kooks. Take the Alan Keyes/Michael Savage/Luap Nor/Huckabee and Pat Buchanan contingent and find them a sinking island in the pacific to rule.

nowherealaska Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:16:13am

re: #4 Sharmuta

I again wonder if there is a correlation between creationism and nirtherism.

Yes they both correlate well with ignorance.

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:16:39am

re: #15 wahabicorridor

This is just more of the same class snobbery.

If it's class snobbery to snub idiots, gimme some.

opnion Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:17:03am

re: #14 JammieWearingFool

Parker is sooo tired. She and Peggy Noonan need another glass of chablis. Their buzz is wearing off.

I agree, she is getting really tedious & uninteresting. When she piled on Sarah Palin it became clear to me that she wanted cred with the wine &
cheese set.

itellu3times Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:17:57am

A chicken-fried stake.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:18:24am

re: #10 englishprof

I'm not sure that having kooks in your party necessarily means the party is waning. The Democrats did fine in 2006 and 2008 despite all kinds of kooks running around, Code Pink, Cindy S., etc., etc.

Those kooks were the fringe of the left, the wacky left, the radical progressives. The conservatives we are talking about are mainstream leaders in the Republican party.

Can you see that difference?

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:19:48am

Here we go. Parker being a skank

My husband called it first. Then, a brilliant 75-year-old scholar and raconteur confessed to me over wine: "I'm sexually attracted to her. I don't care that she knows nothing."
[ ]
As Draper tells it, McCain took Palin to his favorite coffee-drinking spot down by a creek and a sycamore tree. They talked for more than an hour, and, as Napoleon whispered to Josephine, "Voilà."
[ ]
But there can be no denying that McCain's selection of her over others far more qualified -- and his mind-boggling lack of attention to details that matter -- suggests other factors at work. His judgment may have been clouded by . . . what?

Science provides clues. A study in Canada, published by a British journal in 2003, found that pretty women foil men's ability to assess the future. "Discounting the future," as the condition is called, means preferring immediate, lesser rewards to greater rewards in the future.

eschew_obfuscation Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:20:03am

E_O's life lesson number 1244999234...

It's difficult to possst, wiith 2 wrasslin' bulldogs uunder my dessk.

wrenchwench Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:20:51am

From the link:

A telling anecdote recounted by Pat Buchanan to New Yorker writer George Packer last year captures the dark spirit that still hovers around the GOP

And that link goes to an interesting, if slightly dated article:

The Fall of Conservatism
Have the Republicans run out of ideas?
by George Packer

I haven't read the whole thing, but it seems to suggest we have Pat Buchanan to blame...

BlueCanuck Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:21:32am

re: #10 englishprof

Those weren't kooks, that was their base.

/(half)

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:21:46am

re: #22 wahabicorridor

Here we go. Parker being a skank

Well, that sort of rhetoric doesn't sound much different than a lot of the "ooggling" I have seen posted here about Palin.

Dianna Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:21:47am

re: #1 Cato the Elder

He's right. The last time the South "rose again", we got...Carter.

Ah? Clinton? Governor of Arkansas and all that?

Sharmuta Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:21:58am

Seems some people don't mind having idiots drag the party over the cliff. You'll forgive the rest of us for cutting ourselves free of these lemmings. Chase after them if you want- it's more cheese and wine for the rest of us.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:22:05am

re: #25 BlueCanuck

Those weren't kooks, that was their base.

/(half)

No it wasn't.

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:22:29am

re: #18 Cato the Elder

If it's class snobbery to snub idiots, gimme some.

Nooonan's problem isn't 'idiocy' - it's a lack of 'proper inadequacy.

SpaceJesus Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:22:34am

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

Dianna Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:23:19am

re: #28 Sharmuta

Seems some people don't mind having idiots drag the party over the cliff. You'll forgive the rest of us for cutting ourselves free of these lemmings. Chase after them if you want- it's more cheese and wine for the rest of us.

A nice brie or a nutty, harder cheese?

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:23:43am

re: #30 wahabicorridor

Nooonan's problem isn't 'idiocy' - it's a lack of 'proper inadequacy.

proper SENSE of inadequacy

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:23:47am

Dianna Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:24:35am

Back to dancing with little numbers.

Oh no...Sand People! Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:25:57am

I don't like winning elections anyway...
/

avanti Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:02am

It does seem odd that most of the irrational Republicans seem to reside in the south. Some contend there might be some lingering racial issues in the area since Obama polled poorer with whites there than anywhere else. Of course, the Republicans in the south could simply be more conservative, religious, pro life and pro gun then the rest of the Republicans and tend to want to believe the worst of a liberal POTUS.
I tend to believe it's the conservative thing since the CFC program is not doing as well in the south either.

flyovercountry Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:06am

Gore, Edwards, Carter, Reno, Bentson, Richards, Maddox, and I'm certain the list goes on. there are plenty of left wing nuts also in the south. There are plenty of conservatives from the south who are worth listening too also, Gingrich, Thompson, Bush, and too many to list singly. Let's please not give a knee jerk reaction for someone who advocates casting off an entire region of the country.

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:11am

OT - I don't have a link to the advertisement, but, I just heard an ad on the radio, produced by the White House, that is calling those in opposition to the health care "proposals" (well, Iceweasel says it's not a bill), the ad is calling those opposed as "the mob."

Sounds like 1933 again?

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:32am

re: #30 wahabicorridor

Nooonan's problem isn't 'idiocy' - it's a lack of 'proper inadequacy.

A proper sense of being inadequate should go with being an idiot. Stupidity should hurt - and eventually it does, as the nirthers in the GOP are going to find out.

Oh no...Sand People! Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:55am

re: #22 wahabicorridor

Here we go. Parker being a skank

Hmm...so she is implying that the converse is true and, therefore, is saying that Obama wouldn't touch Hillary for Veep because of patently obvious aesthetic reasons.

freedomplow Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:57am

Generic Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 38%

Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a five-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party's lead to six weeks in a row.

badger1970 Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:29:59am

The troofers didn't hurt the democrats, nor would the nirthers (if the Republicans can run away as fast as they can) hurt the Republicans. Other way to go about it, these rednecks just got too little federal money for education. /

Walter L. Newton Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:30:05am

re: #37 avanti

It does seem odd that most of the irrational Republicans seem to reside in the south. Some contend there might be some lingering racial issues in the area since Obama polled poorer with whites there than anywhere else. Of course, the Republicans in the south could simply be more conservative, religious, pro life and pro gun then the rest of the Republicans and tend to want to believe the worst of a liberal POTUS.
I tend to believe it's the conservative thing since the CFC program is not doing as well in the south either.

I just refer you to re: #38 flyovercountry

Son of the Black Dog Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:30:49am

re: #31 spacejesus

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

Anytime you want to divide the country between the blue states and the red states, I'm game.

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:30:53am

re: #15 wahabicorridor

Oh, and I find the suggestion that McCain had a woodie for Sarah entirely plausible.

opnion Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:30:55am

re: #21 Walter L. Newton

Those kooks were the fringe of the left, the wacky left, the radical progressives. The conservatives we are talking about are mainstream leaders in the Republican party.

Can you see that difference?

Walter, just look at some of Obama's Czars. There are some really fringe types now in the government at some level.

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:31:53am

re: #45 Son of the Black Dog

Anytime you want to divide the country between the blue states and the red states, I'm game.

Too bad the states are all purple in reality.

Oh no...Sand People! Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:32:08am

re: #42 freedomplow

Generic Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 38%

Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a five-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party's lead to six weeks in a row.

And what sucks is that it isn't because the Repubs have done any daring feats of leadership or have any talent, in fact they have done nothing...just the Dems have dropped close to as low as one group can get sans genocide.

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:32:24am

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:32:58am

nowherealaska Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:33:07am

re: #37 avanti

It does seem odd that most of the irrational Republicans seem to reside in the south.

No it's not odd, most of the surviving republican elected officials are from the south--so...
But there are still too many nutcases in the GOP in the rest of the country.
Whig Party anyone?

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:33:14am

re: #50 taxfreekiller

You certainly are singular, TFK, I'll give you that. ;^)

opnion Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:33:14am

re: #39 Walter L. Newton

OT - I don't have a link to the advertisement, but, I just heard an ad on the radio, produced by the White House, that is calling those in opposition to the health care "proposals" (well, Iceweasel says it's not a bill), the ad is calling those opposed as "the mob."

Sounds like 1933 again?

Right out of the Saul Alinsky playbook.

Dark_Falcon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:33:28am

re: #50 taxfreekiller

Dear Obama,

Let us be clear.

I oppose your programs, all of them.

I am only one person not a mob.

Singularly yours
Taxfreekiller

Quite Concur.

cronus Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:34:07am

If I was a southerner I'd be beside myself with frustration over this. The kind of narrative Parker is pimping helps cloud a more important story about the south. That it is benefiting from an economic realignment and is stealing jobs from the more "enlightened" regions of the country. This is happening because it simply has better economic policies (tax incentives, right to work, etc.) as a result of electing R's and pro-biz D's.

This embracing of birtherism, creationism whatever gives northerners an excuse to shit all over the entire region. But it will require the leadership of southern politicians to set the narrative straight. The problem is that most of them seem to be the most enthusiastic cheerleaders of nonsense.

Despite all this I'd sure rather be living in North Carolina than Michigan.

Dark_Falcon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:34:25am

re: #54 opnion

Right out of the Saul Alinsky playbook.

Upding for the Alinsky connection, a connection that cannot be made often enough.

VegasRick Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:34:37am

re: #31 spacejesus

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

Why don't YOU leave. You can go to hell.

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:35:03am

re: #31 spacejesus

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

I have lived in every region of the country. I would take the south over the northeast in a New York minute.

J.D. Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:35:18am

re: #42 freedomplow

Generic Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 38%

Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a five-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party's lead to six weeks in a row.

Oh, but that's just Rasmussen.

L³

opnion Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:35:34am

re: #57 Dark_Falcon

Upding for the Alinsky connection, a connection that cannot be made often enough.

thanks

Kosh's Shadow Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:35:40am

re: #39 Walter L. Newton

OT - I don't have a link to the advertisement, but, I just heard an ad on the radio, produced by the White House, that is calling those in opposition to the health care "proposals" (well, Iceweasel says it's not a bill), the ad is calling those opposed as "the mob."

Sounds like 1933 again?

Chicago politics.
Some health insurance exec will wake up with a horse's ass in his bed. Or maybe a message about sleeping with the sea kittens.

Ojoe Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:36:18am

Both major parties are in the grip of fringe types.

Join the Modern Whig Party folks, you know you want to.

If enough people join you won't have to have this love-hate relationship with the GOP.

Modern Whig Party

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:36:27am

re: #39 Walter L. Newton

OT - I don't have a link to the advertisement, but, I just heard an ad on the radio, produced by the White House, that is calling those in opposition to the health care "proposals" (well, Iceweasel says it's not a bill), the ad is calling those opposed as "the mob."

Sounds like 1933 again?

Not only are they a mob, all good little democrats are supposed to report what they are saying to the WH asap.

VegasRick Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:36:38am

re: #39 Walter L. Newton

OT - I don't have a link to the advertisement, but, I just heard an ad on the radio, produced by the White House, that is calling those in opposition to the health care "proposals" (well, Iceweasel says it's not a bill), the ad is calling those opposed as "the mob."

Sounds like 1933 again?

We'll be called TERRORISTS by the time this thing fails. Wait and see.

FurryOldGuyJeans Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:36:41am

re: #60 J.D.

Oh, but that's just Rasmussen.

L³

They like Rasmussen well enough when the polls SUPPORT their position.

tradewind Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:36:52am

Southern Republicans, it seems, have seceded from sanity.

Really?
That'll come as a surprise to the people of MS, where the Republican governor Haley Barbour has managed to put the state back together in an extremely short time, with minimal outside help compared to the disaster that is still Louisiana. Difference? Among other factors, one state is run by Republicans, one state is run by Dems.
Go figure.

FurryOldGuyJeans Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:37:11am

re: #65 VegasRick

We'll be called TERRORISTS by the time this thing fails. Wait and see.

Or Counter-Revolutionaries.

A Man for all Seasons Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:37:12am

re: #59 Wendya

I have lived in every region of the country. I would take the south over the northeast in a New York minute.

Ok A beach condo in Hawaii...What is better?

KenJen Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:37:59am

re: #68 FurryOldGuyJeans

Or Counter-Revolutionaries.

The Resistance.

FurryOldGuyJeans Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:38:11am

re: #69 HoosierHoops

Ok A beach condo in Hawaii...What is better?

Virtually anyplace not as expensive or isolated.

tradewind Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:38:20am

re: #69 HoosierHoops

A condo on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands.

opnion Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:38:26am

There is an inescapable irony here. We fought a Civil War to prevent the South from seceding from the Union & now some posters want to boot the Region out!

avanti Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:38:42am

re: #45 Son of the Black Dog

Anytime you want to divide the country between the blue states and the red states, I'm game.

I think the blue states would go for it too. i.e. Mississippi gets over $2.00 back from the feds for every tax dollar paid. The feds redistribute the wealth to the poorer states.

Killgore Trout Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:17am

I'm not so sure about the southern thing but I do think that the GOP is far too focused on appealing to rural voters rather urban ones. When you look at the electoral map (zoom in to see counties) the more densely populated areas almost always go Dem. I know the tired old explanation about minorities and welfare/social programs but these areas also contain educated professionals, white collar workers, etc. These are people that feel increasingly alienated by rural social values and attitudes towards science.
I think that's why Rudy had so little appeal. The attitude towards guns, gays and abortions in NYC is very different than in rural Mississippi. I have no doubt that Rudy was smart enough to know the difference but I don't think voters could grasp the difference.

FurryOldGuyJeans Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:32am

re: #70 KenJen

The Resistance.

The Left will never call us the Resistance. Remember dissent USED to be patriotic, and will be yet again if there is ever again a GOP majority in Congress and/or POTUS.

turn Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:32am

A condo overlooking Bodega Bay. Personally I don't like Hawaii, been there done that. I'm with furry on this one.

shiplord kirel Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:33am

re: #4 Sharmuta

I again wonder if there is a correlation between creationism and nirtherism.

Back in the mid-90s, what was then called the Committee for Scientific Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) did publish a study that looked at the correlation between creationism and other unscientific beliefs among Texas college students. What they found was a strong negative correlation with such "new age" oriented ideas as UFOlogy, Bigfoot, and the power of crystals. There was a strong positive correlation with traditional right-wing conspiracy beliefs dealing with such issues as the gold standard, the Federal Reserve, and long-term deliberate communist infiltration.
Another strong correlation was with a belief in herbal remedies and supplements, chiropractic, and other "alternate health care" strategies as well as in the associated FDA/AMA conspiracy of suppression.

I have never seen this online but it was published in their journal in about 1995.

VegasRick Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:45am

re: #74 avanti

I think the blue states would go for it too. i.e. Mississippi gets over $2.00 back from the feds for every tax dollar paid. The feds redistribute the wealth to the poorer states.

Like California?

redstateredneck Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:39:55am

re: #67 tradewind

Really?
That'll come as a surprise to the people of MS, where the Republican governor Haley Barbour has managed to put the state back together in an extremely short time, with minimal outside help compared to the disaster that is still Louisiana. Difference? Among other factors, one state is run by Republicans, one state is run by Dems.
Go figure.

Upding for you!

jill e Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:40:40am

re: #73 opnion

There is an inescapable irony here. We fought a Civil War to prevent the South from seceding from the Union & now some posters want to boot the Region out!

UNITED States

J.D. Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:40:44am

re: #66 FurryOldGuyJeans

They like Rasmussen well enough when the polls SUPPORT their position.

Wonder of wonders.
:D

Dark_Falcon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:40:48am

re: #68 FurryOldGuyJeans

Or Counter-Revolutionaries.

Let them try. If they want to play those games, they'll come out worse for having done so.

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:41:18am

re: #67 tradewind

Really?
That'll come as a surprise to the people of MS, where the Republican governor Haley Barbour has managed to put the state back together in an extremely short time, with minimal outside help compared to the disaster that is still Louisiana. Difference? Among other factors, one state is run by Republicans, one state is run by Dems.
Go figure.

Perhaps there is a bit more than a casual relationship between becoming more "enlightened" and the inability to lift a finger to do a damned thing for yourself.

turn Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:41:19am

re: #79 VegasRick

Like California?

sigh, isn't that the truth ...

Irish Rose Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:41:19am

re: #34 Walter L. Newton

You just can't let it go, can you?

A Man for all Seasons Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:41:21am

re: #72 tradewind

A condo on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands.

Are there jets flying in every 5 minutes with the most beautiful women in the world stopping in for a sun tan?
*wink*

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:42:29am

re: #74 avanti

I think the blue states would go for it too. i.e. Mississippi gets over $2.00 back from the feds for every tax dollar paid. The feds redistribute the wealth to the poorer states.

Have you ever looked at a breakdown of what that "wealth" includes? How much federal land does that state own, what is the military presence there, etc...

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:42:33am

re: #59 Wendya

I have lived in every region of the country. I would take the south over the northeast in a New York minute.

Let's see:

chiggers - check
murderous humidity - check
snake handlers - check
Oral Roberts University - check
Pat Robertson - check
Walmart - check
...

I, Cato the Elder, do hereby renounce any claim I may have, now or in the future, to living in the American South, and do cede it to Wendya, in exchange for the same from her regarding rights and privileges in the Northeast, more particularly, Maine.

Signed and witnessed this day of ...

x Cato
x Wendya

dekalb Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:42:45am

Whenever I read something by Kathleen Parker, or Maureen Dowd, I am reminded of how easy it is to get a journalism degree. Communications or whatever they call it these days is one of the lamest majors on any campus, and these programs' "graduates" are why the MSM is folding.

Regarding the South, I am a native and really wouldn't mind a serious and thoughtful secession movement.

Dark_Falcon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:43:06am

OK, my #51 got deleted, though I understand why. Sorry, Charles, I was trying to de-escalate things. Please excuse my error.

SixDegrees Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:43:24am

re: #74 avanti

I think the blue states would go for it too. i.e. Mississippi gets over $2.00 back from the feds for every tax dollar paid. The feds redistribute the wealth to the poorer states.

Tell that to Michigan residents. They'll have plenty of collective reading time, given that they lead the nation in unemployment.

Son of the Black Dog Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:43:45am

re: #68 FurryOldGuyJeans

Or Counter-Revolutionaries.

How about, "Capitalist Running Dogs"?

tradewind Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:43:52am

re: #87 HoosierHoops

You might have to wait ten or fifteen, but pretty much.
Actually, Cayman is getting a little crowded. I'm switching my choice to a condo
on Palm Island in the Grenadines.

A Man for all Seasons Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:44:06am

re: #87 HoosierHoops

Are there jets flying in every 5 minutes with the most beautiful women in the world stopping in for a sun tan?
*wink*

or Next door to Charlie Sheen at Malibu Beach...Dream house

Irish Rose Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:44:16am

re: #92 SixDegrees

Tell that to Michigan residents. They'll have plenty of collective reading time, given that they lead the nation in unemployment.

Michigan sucks.

shiplord kirel Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:44:53am

re: #78 shiplord kirel

Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, now called the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:45:06am

re: #75 Killgore Trout

I'm not so sure about the southern thing but I do think that the GOP is far too focused on appealing to rural voters rather urban ones. When you look at the electoral map (zoom in to see counties) the more densely populated areas almost always go Dem. I know the tired old explanation about minorities and welfare/social programs but these areas also contain educated professionals, white collar workers, etc. These are people that feel increasingly alienated by rural social values and attitudes towards science.
I think that's why Rudy had so little appeal. The attitude towards guns, gays and abortions in NYC is very different than in rural Mississippi. I have no doubt that Rudy was smart enough to know the difference but I don't think voters could grasp the difference.

Looking at our policies over the last 50 years, I think we've paid a bit too much attention to "urban issues". Meanwhile, the rural areas keep chugging along.

Son of the Black Dog Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:46:00am

re: #74 avanti

I think the blue states would go for it too. i.e. Mississippi gets over $2.00 back from the feds for every tax dollar paid. The feds redistribute the wealth to the poorer states.

Somehow, I think the red states would get along just fine.

100

Land Shark Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:46:04am

Mind you, this is all supposedly based on a poll done by Daily Kos, an outfit that has spent a considerable amount of time giving traction to it's fair share of leftist moonbat conspiracies and isn't above making stuff up to suit it's purpose. Color me skeptical on this one.

People in the northeast just love to put southeners down as dumb hicks. Well, having travelled to almost every region in the US, I know for a fact the South does not have a corner on dumb hicks. I can think of a few real basket cases I know in the Boston area.

However, too many in the GOP have already associated themselves with those nirther nut jobs. That, unfortunately, is a fact too.

101

roark wannabe Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:46:12am

This is the worst type of 'journalism'. One has to believe that an entire geographical region of the country is virtually static. There has been a monstrous shift of people immigrating from the North for the last 20 plus years. So Whatever Nixon's strategy was it does not relate to the demographics on the ground.
I moved from Mississippi to DC right out of college in 2001. I grew very tired of having to tell people that I did not know anything about the KKK. The stereotypes of Southerners that 'elite northerners' hold are so far off base. Northerners can laugh all they want as they watch their companies and jobs move South to 'right to work' and 'low tax' areas. NCR just moved it's headquarters to Georgia bringing 1250 jobs with it, it had been in Dayton, Ohio for 125 years.
That's the real rub of this story, Elitist saying it's the 'angry Southerner' that is stealing your jobs not our ridiculously craptastic Liberal Policies that drive away jobs, i.e. Ohio and Michigan.

102

VegasRick Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:46:43am

re: #99 Son of the Black Dog

Somehow, I think the red states would get along just fine.

Yep.

103

SixDegrees Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:46:51am

re: #96 Irish Rose

Michigan sucks.

In many ways, it does. It does have it's attractions, though.

Our governor-in-hiding isn't one of them.

104

avanti Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:47:28am

re: #92 SixDegrees

Tell that to Michigan residents. They'll have plenty of collective reading time, given that they lead the nation in unemployment.

Yes, but they still get only $.92 for every dollar

paid.. Many red states do better.

105

tradewind Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:48:04am

re: #89 Cato the Elder

I live in the South. Chiggers are easily avoided, humidity exists in every part of the country but the desert southwest, Wal-Marts are not ubiquitous to the South, I've never seen a snake handler, have no idea where ORU is, and even though I couldn't point out Pat Robertson in a lineup, I wouldn't trade him for Reverend Wright or The Reverends Sharpton & Jackson, both nawtherners, I believe.

106

Wendya Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:48:28am

re: #89 Cato the Elder

...

I, Cato the Elder, do hereby renounce any claim I may have, now or in the future, to living in the American South, and do cede it to Wendya, in exchange for the same from her regarding rights and privileges in the Northeast, more particularly, Maine.

Signed and witnessed this day of ...

x Cato
x Wendya

It's all yours. I prefer a state that's a little more tax and business friendly.

107

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:49:49am

re: #90 dekalb

Whenever I read something by Kathleen Parker, or Maureen Dowd, I am reminded of how easy it is to get a journalism degree. Communications or whatever they call it these days is one of the lamest majors on any campus, and these programs' "graduates" are why the MSM is folding. [..]

Wasn't so easy for Sarah. Six years, five "colleges", one BS.

108

SixDegrees Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:50:33am

re: #104 avanti

Yes, but they still get only $.92 for every dollar

paid.. Many red states do better.

46th in per capita Federal spending. 38th in return of Federal dollars.

Yeah, we're doin' swell.

Bad is good.

109

Irish Rose Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:51:28am

I lived in the south years ago, the Tampa Bay area.
I loved the cuisine... but the giant bugs and oppressive humidity were enough to drive a sane man to drink.

110

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:52:46am

re: #109 Irish Rose

I lived in the south years ago, the Tampa Bay area.
I loved the cuisine... but the giant bugs and oppressive humidity were enough to drive a sane man to drink.

Which must explain why I had so much fun in Tampa!

111

wahabicorridor Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:53:54am

gotta hop - fat beagle rasing a ruckus

112

[deleted] Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:54:42am

113

SixDegrees Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:56:25am

re: #107 Cato the Elder

Wasn't so easy for Sarah. Six years, five "colleges", one BS.

You know, I'm not a fan of Palin. But this comment is revolting. You should be ashamed of yourself.

For what it's worth, it took me ten years to complete a bachelor's degree at two different institutions. I was working between 60 and 100 hours a week the whole fucking time, and paid every penny of it myself, with the exception of a couple of small merit scholarships. I started a family somewhere along the line there, too, and added that to my juggling act, finally graduating with a 3.97 GPA from one of the nation's more prestigious universities.

And you're trying to make it sound as though there's something wrong with this sort of commitment and sacrifice.

Here's an idea: go find a mirror, and fuck yourself. Asshole.

114

eschew_obfuscation Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:56:25am

re: #99 Son of the Black Dog

Somehow, I think the red states would get along just fine.

Except their "foreign aid" budgets would skyrocket if the blue states were another country ;-)

115

roark wannabe Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:58:34am

re: #92 SixDegrees

Yes but the overall amount of money sent to Mississippi is miniscule compared to other states. Basically the feds double the money paid but the amount of money paid by the roughly just under 2 million people is very small. if California is bailed out it could take hundreds of years for Mississippi to ever catch up to the total amount of Federal Dollars.

I'd also garner a wager that most of the Federal Money ends up in the hands of Bennie Thompson and his district.

116

Flyovercountry Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:59:34am

re: #56 cronus

If I was a southerner I'd be beside myself with frustration over this. The kind of narrative Parker is pimping helps cloud a more important story about the south. That it is benefiting from an economic realignment and is stealing jobs from the more "enlightened" regions of the country. This is happening because it simply has better economic policies (tax incentives, right to work, etc.) as a result of electing R's and pro-biz D's.

This embracing of birtherism, creationism whatever gives northerners an excuse to shit all over the entire region. But it will require the leadership of southern politicians to set the narrative straight. The problem is that most of them seem to be the most enthusiastic cheerleaders of nonsense.

Despite all this I'd sure rather be living in North Carolina than Michigan.

This is a great point. Here's my two cents worth. Everytime I agree or state my agreement with the Republican Party for the most part, along comes someone pushing Inteligent Design. Or someone comes along with pictures of bloodied fetuses screaming that pro-life is the only conservative issue, (Huckabee.) It makes it really tough to stay committed to the conservative movement. Nirtherism, for all its nuttiness is just a distraction. I am still a believer in my same core principles, free markets, self reliance, self determination, and small government. As far as I can tell, these idiots are single issue people clinging to the conservative movement to try to use it to advance a limited agenda.

117

Cato the Elder Wed, Aug 5, 2009 11:59:48am

re: #113 SixDegrees

Do you need a mirror for that? I don't.

118

mksmash Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:12:58pm

re: #1 Cato the Elder

He's right. The last time the South "rose again", we got...Carter.

Excuse me? The last time would be Bill Clinton thank you very--oh wait. Never mind.

119

Picayune Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:14:50pm

As a Southerner, I am not taking the bait. Just consider the sources trying to promote the actual "festering hate and fear" due to their own pathologies - Daily Kos, Sen. Voinovich, and Parker.

For the past 30 years, this Northern envy of Southern economic development keeps rearing its ugly head. Southern conservatives, in the main, are more focused on and responding to the Obama/Dem attempts to radically change this Nation for the worst.

So DK, et al, have to attempt to divert the public attention from the actual facts driving the news these days - Obama's falling poll #'s and his apparent loss of grip on his agenda - Obama Care, Cap/Tax, etc.

Why else would the BHO WH be resorting to Alinsky agitprop statements branding all opposition as "the Mob?" One can almost smell the fear in the air.

Let's just see what happens over the next few weeks at Health Care Town hall meetings across the Nation. Ask DK to pay attention to reality and stop believing anyone will consider their "poll" as anything but the weak propaganda effort that it is. Don't take their bait - expose it!

120

redstateredneck Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:17:45pm

re: #119 Picayune

You, sir, are a true gentleman and a fine son of the South!

121

Picayune Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:33:48pm

re: #120 redstateredneck

'Merci!"

122

Ward Cleaver Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:40:27pm

I would agree that the nirthers need to be laughed out of the party, but, taking advice from weepy Voinovich, and Kathleen Parker? No thanks.

123

Ward Cleaver Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:44:47pm

re: #21 Walter L. Newton

Those kooks were the fringe of the left, the wacky left, the radical progressives. The conservatives we are talking about are mainstream leaders in the Republican party.

Can you see that difference?

Dem leadership routinely called Bush a liar and a crook, so what's the difference?

124

Irish Rose Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:45:50pm

Are you lizards aware that Charles is suffering from "Dixiephobia!"?
The horror!

125

SecondComing Wed, Aug 5, 2009 12:58:59pm

re: #119 Picayune

I agree. Good on you man. I don't know anyone or haven't heard anyone around here who is a birther. The first time I heard about this nonsense was on this blog and I keep hearing about it on MSNBC.

Daily Kos, ha.

126

Danny Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:02:00pm

re: #31 spacejesus

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

Welp, I just succumbed to the karma downding thing. I guess we all have our limits.

127

Beach Lover Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:02:32pm

"I'm not from the South, but
I got here as fast as I could"

(my favorite cocktail napkin)

Having been born in the midwest...as an adult with children, I've lived all over including Chicago (3 times), IA, WI, NJ, and CA...I can honestly say, I would defend the South like a native.
there are crazies eveywhere (and they all think they grow the best tomatoes)

128

The Curmudgeon Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:05:23pm

There's no denying that there's still a strong element of William Jennings Bryan's thinking in the South, and that's now been joined to the GOP. We all know about "Nixon to China," but there's also "Nixon to Appalachia." It's good to have a strong base of voters where the party never had them before, but the Bryan influence should be minimized for national campaigns.

129

calcajun Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:09:14pm

OK, as a Southerner I have to point out a few things--

First, we are, as a group, a little off our collective chump. You don't live in that sweltering heat for generations on end without it taking some toll. (as evidence, I suggest someone take a drive out to Yuma or Banning or Blythe and look at the inhabitants)

Second, we are instinctively mistrustful of Yankees, thanks to that little dust-up between 1861-65. It was not losing the war that pissed us off-- it was Reconstruction. Many of my kin still consider the South a conquered and occupied country. If a Yankee tells us that we should do something, our reaction is to do the opposite. As evidence, an endorsement for a candidate in Louisiana from the national party (didn't matter which) was the political "kiss of death".

Now, it's no secret that a large swath of traditional conservative Democrats jumped ship starting in the 60's and joined the GOP. Many of them came from the South-- my Dad is one of them. This is why the South has been traditionally "Red" for many election cycles.

For the GOP elites to suggest that the Southern wing of the party is a Vampire is foolish. First, garlic is very widely used in Southern cooking (so's lard, but who cares). Second, the GOP needs to keep in mind that while the Democrats can now win without the South, the GOP cannot. If the GOP leadership wants to spark a political Gotterdamerrung, there's no surer way than wanting to kill its Southern base.

Many here despair of the nirthers and their failure to see reason. I'm with you on that-- I've seen the mentality of the Southern voter for years and I am convinced that it will never change. I know people who consistently voted for the perennially-indicted Edwin Edwards because they feared the challenger might be worse. It is an unfortunate fact that has to be accepted.

Given that, my advice to the GOP is to treat the South as you always have since Lincoln. Consider it a wayward relation that needs to be brought back into the fold. Or more like the faithful dog that can never be quite trained; it's a bit odd and somewhat unpredictable, but lovable, dependable and fiercely loyal--just so long as you are loyal to it and throw it a bone or two.

Yes-- there's some sarc in here--but not much.

130

Irish Rose Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:18:03pm

re: #129 calcajun

Great post!

131

calcajun Wed, Aug 5, 2009 1:39:40pm

re: #130 Irish Rose

Thanks. My luck it's at the end of a dead thread.

132

doubter4444 Wed, Aug 5, 2009 2:42:39pm

re: #65 VegasRick

We'll be called TERRORISTS by the time this thing fails. Wait and see.

Only if you blow something up.

133

vestalmiss Wed, Aug 5, 2009 6:27:16pm

I live in Mississippi. We are so used to ignorant people putting us down we have become immune to their foolish ravings.

134

MandyManners Wed, Aug 5, 2009 6:50:13pm

re: #31 spacejesus

amen. get time to rid ourselves of this region.

Oh, go fuck yourself.

135

bruce rheinstein Thu, Aug 6, 2009 7:31:17am

this time the frenzy was stimulated by a pretty gal with a mocking little wink. Sarah Palin may not have realized what she was doing, but Southerners weaned on Harper Lee heard the dog whistle.

What the Hell does that mean?

If Parker wants to accuse Sarah Palin of racism, a curious charge made with no facts provided in support, she should come out and say so rather than make snide insinuations. Seriously, what it is about Palin that makes certain Republicans sound like talking points from daily Kos?

Spy Mode Auto

This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Parker: GOP Must ‘Drive a Stake Through the Heart of Old Dixie’

► LGF Headlines

► Top 10 Comments

► Bottom Comments

► Recent Comments

► Tools/Info

► Tag Cloud