However, they are mere commentators, and the Democratic party is no more liable for their comments as the Republicans are for, say, Pat Robertson’s. If the Tea Partiers are to gain widespread traction, they will have to realize that rhetoric like (former Congressman & presidential candidate) Tom Gerard Tancredo’s is going to alienate the very people they will need to get widespread political traction. Such people may well agree with the core fiscal conservatism of the movement, but not understand the need to link it it to social conservative views like the ones he has expressed. To simply call them names or seek to humiliate them is not likely to win them over.

Secondly, “People who could not even spell the word vote, or say it in English” reads, to me, like code for recent (and, presumably, legal) immigrants, clearly implying that they should not be able to vote at all. The use of Obama’s middle name seems designed to link him with such immigrants (along with, of course, a certain Iraqi– why say it otherwise?).

Maddow definitely went too far with the KKK reference, but it should be no surprise that many people in the center, let alone the left, will be put off by such statements– and they are the very ones the Tea Partiers and/or Republicans will need to reach in order to achieve widespread electoral success.

HOWEVER, what in God’s name was Tancredo blabbering about? Both him and Maddow look like fools in that video

Though you corrected the error in your reporting on this story that I pointed out yesterday, you apparently decided that you would use your moderated board to screen out criticism of the quality of your reporting. So much for “adding facts to the conversation.” Too bad, I actually thought the idea of the site was a good one.

Llama

REPLY: Thanks. If you have any other suggestions, we read as many comments as we can, so go ahead and leave them.

When Sarah Palin talks about “the real America” I think it’s pretty clear she’s talking about white people (not blacks) who go to church (not synagogue) and are straight (or, at least, are deeply closeted). That sounds to me much like the KKK. All that’s missing is the white sheet, which Rachel thoughtfully provided in her little jab.