Conservatives can’t decide whether to disown or defend Cliven Bundy

[DonViejo]

After touting and lionizing the Nevada rancher for weeks, the GOP isn't sure how to respond to his patent racism

ELIAS ISQUITH

Now that Cliven Bundy has revealed himself as a man who believes African-Americans are shiftless, abortion-happy moochers who’d probably be better off as slaves, anyway, conservatives and Republicans who spent much of the past few weeks celebrating the renegade rancher find themselves in a bit of a pickle.

Unlike the very similar comments made late in 2013 by Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” (rather than slavery, Robertson said Jim Crow was better for black people) Bundy’s remarks left no room for even the tiniest sliver of doubt as to whether or not he held extremely retrograde views on race. With Robertson, the right was somewhat able to argue that Robertson was simply recalling his childhood rather than making any political statements. With Bundy, not so much.

To their credit, some Republicans have disowned Bundy harshly and unequivocally. ”His remarks on race are offensive and I wholeheartedly disagree with him,” said former Bundy booster Sen. Rand Paul. Another former Bundy fan, Sen. Dean Heller, had his spokesman say that the senator “completely disagrees with Mr. Bundy’s appalling and racist statements, and condemns them in the most strenuous way.”

Yet not every GOPer has been as eager to throw Bundy off the bandwagon. Rick Perry, who like Paul is considered a possible 2016 candidate, refused to distance himself from the racist rancher. “I don’t know what he said, but the fact is Clyde (sic) Bundy is a side issue here compared to what we’re looking at in the state of Texas,” Perry told CBS. “He is an individual,” continued the owner of what used to be known as “Niggerhead” ranch. “Deal with his issues as you may.”

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http://www.salon.com/2014/04/24/conservatives_cant_decide_whether_to_disown_or_defend_cliven_bundy/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Come on now, he's just looking out for The Negro. Obviously The Negro can't

manage his or her own life properly, to the point where slavery might be a better option for them, because then at least they aren't idle and getting into trouble, right? Let Cliven Bundy, old white guy rancher who stole government grass for 20 years and who's probably never interacted more than 30 seconds with any black person ever, decide what's best for them--maybe they can come help out on the ranch, and in exchange, he will feed and shelter them and give them some dignity, and much-needed discipline!

[Sunlei]

2. I think Mr. Bundys local Mormon leader is going to tell him to shut-up soon.

Republicans may love him, but that man needs a sitting down talk from his church elders.

[Blue Idaho]

3. The Church agrees with him...

They are still sore massive public pressure made them change their "no negroes apply" doctrine through "modern day revelation" back in the late 1960s.

[kairos12]

4. +1000

[Sunlei]

6. Maybe Mr. Bundy is the local leader and spokesman. He is pretty remote out there in desertlands.

He already has the required 14 children.

[Blue Idaho]

7. Well, if he's not the Ward Bishop

I'm sure he's one of the High Priests... He's obviously a very spiritual dude...

[2naSalit]

9. Damn straight

it even made mittens Rmoney CRY!!! Said so himself.

[Sinti]

15. threat of loss of non-profit status

that's what really made them "open" in the '70s.

[Blue Idaho]

17. Yes! Thank You

That is more to the point isn't it?

[AlinPA]

5. It's a no-brainer for the GOP. Defend him, celebrate him. He will help in GOP fund raising letters.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. The Republican Party is a pack of hard core racist blowhards. My opinion, of course.

[Johnny2X2X]

10. Inevitable

The thing is, Mr. Bundy is simply saying what most Republicans/FOX News viewers think. How could they not think that? It's all they hear 24 hours a day from FOX, Beck, Limbaugh, Paul Ryan etal. Limbaugh has suggested the same thing many times. Paul Ryan said some of the same things, just a little more in code, a few weeks ago with his "inner city men are lazy" rant.

Bundy made the mistake of saying what most FOX News viewers think, how could they think any other way when they are fed this stuff non stop? Bundy is just the logical and honest conclusion to Republican propaganda.

[Thor_MN]

11. It's special hell for them as he has to be 100% right or 100% wrong.

Conservatives do not do shades of gray. Binary thinkers. They're screwed.

[XiaomuWave]

12. It should be Democratic strategy to bait conservatives into talking about race

This is what they really believe. This is Paul Ryan talking about "urban" people and the culture of not working. We should be able to use their same coded dogwhistle words to bait them into saying exactly what they believe, which doesnt sound so bad to them in code and so they may not think twice about saying it.

[Paladin]

13. +1. This is exactly what they deserve. (nt)

[hollowdweller]

14. They need to defend him

He hates the government in any form and hates blacks.

I mean isn't that pretty much standard GOP ideology?

Willie Horton? Reagan's speech in Philadelphia MS? Ron Paul newsletters? Irrational hatred of Obama and Jerimiah Wright?? Nixon's Southern Strategy??

Demonizing public employees? Oklahoma City?? IRS hating?? Contracting out.

The guy is the quinessential republican. Of course they should defend him!

[TeamPooka]

16. Conservatives love defending the 2nd Amendment but are uncomfortable defending the 1st. nt