Loving Rudy Out Of The Race
by digby
Atrios says:
Rudy's going to try to make this an issue of family privacy, but to the extent his ex-wife and estranged son want to talk about the issue it's unclear what the hell that actually has to do with anything.
True, but we already know how this will be handled by Rudy and the right wing. They will follow the Cheneys gay daughter formula. If anyone brings it up, Rudy and his followers will immediately growl in the impudent reporter's face about the invasion of privacy, even if the kids and the ex are out there stumping for Hillary. They will further go out and condemn any Democrat who brings it up saying "this is not a gooood man." The press will be flummoxed and drop it. So will the Democrats. The wingnuts and the Christian Right will ignore it just as they self-servingly ignored Cheney's glaring hypocrisy about his daughter.
The Republican base does not really care about social conservatism. It just hates liberals. This is something people have not yet come to terms with.
The Democrats need to make it unpalatable for the base to accept Rudy for other reasons than his personal behavior, which they don't really care about. For instance, the conservative base would be very unhappy with Rudy if gay groups gave him an award for his open and tolerant attitude. It's not that they care that he's worn more ugly evening gowns than Celine Dion. But they just can't stand anyone that liberals like.
Therefore, I wholeheartedly welcome Rudy into the race because he proves that the culture war is over and that we no longer have to worry about it. I congratulate the Republicans for their new found embrace of social tolerance and progressive values. If they are willing to nominate a man who looks like this, then I think we have to admit that they have come a long way.
Welcome to our big tent, Republicans. Come over here and let all us liberals give you a great big kiss.
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