Presidential Counter Programming: GOP Debate or NFL Opening Night

Remember when we were meant to respect the office of the presidency, even if we didn't like the occupant?

Whatever did happen to that?

 

I don't care if I'm the vice president or the president's husband or something, I'm skipping a speech for the NFL opener.

 

I believe it's still a legendary story in Cleveland how the mayor's wife blew off a White House invitation (I believe it was sent by Pat Nixon, not Richard) because it was her bowling night. (By the way, before we get DEMOCRATS DO IT, TOO!!!!!!!, the mayor was a Republican.)

The mayor was Ralph Perk, also still legendary for lighting his hair on fire while operating a welding torch at a mayoral visit.

 

Bob, thank you, thank you, thank you for posting that picture! God, I needed a laugh, and you provided one!

 

I'm pretty sure I'd heard the "bowling night" story, but I have never seen that picture or heard the story behind it.

It's fucking brilliant. The look on his face is priceless.

 

NFL pregame: Kid Rock sounds like he's singing "I'm 43." instead of "I was born to be free."

 

1. At some point, it became politically advantageous to disrespect the office of the President. It doesn't matter how unpopular a Rep or Senator is nationally as long as he is sufficiently popular within his/her own constituency to get re-elected. Hell, a rep from South Carolina shouted "You Lie!" at the President during a speech, used it to raise prodigious amounts of money and won his next election easily.

2. When the current President doesn't stick to his guns and lets the opposition party walk all over him, why are you surprised that they disrespect him publicly?

 

Great. Fantastic. Where was all this on inauguration day 2008?

 

Ask George W. Bush

 

Oh, please. When did Dems ever yell out at him while he was lying his ass off up there about how we needed to be in Iraq over some ficitious weapons of mass destruction? And how many Dems ever talked about boycotting his speech?

And poor fucking David Vitter. He has to change his party plans and put in a little overtime instead of being with family and friends. Welcome to the rest of America, David.

 

Well, it was his supporters who were always telling us to respect the office. But then I suppose it is a bit fanciful to expect Republicans to lead by example. I can't even type that sentence with a straight face.