Op/Ed: Legitimate opposition from the GOP is needed

August 13, 2009
By Billy Dennis

I came across these statistics and found them disturbing:

According to Public Policy Polling (PPP), a North Carolina polling firm, only 24% of self-identified Republican voters in the state believe Barack Obama was born in the United States. 47% do not believe that Obama is American born, and 29% of Republicans aren’t sure.

One part of PPP’s data might reassure sentient readers somewhat: 7% of those who voted for John McCain do not believe Hawaii to be a part of the United States. Now perhaps this is just another irrational expression of Obama hatred. But, it may also be older voters who never quite absorbed the news that our 50th state is indeed our 50th state.

If that many GOPers are that ignorant of basic American history, is it any wonder such a large percentage are embracing the Birther conspiracy?

And Daily Kos (yes, I did consider the source) has some details on the people who are turning town hall meetings into shouting fests.

I know that conservatives are complaining about jack-booted union thugs who are picking on anyone who dares to question Obamacare. But I ask this: Where are the videos?

In light of the fact that so many people have have an inflated opinion of Obama, it’s important to have have an opposition party to counter the euphoria. But the GOP is going about it all wrong by encouraging its crazy wing.

The end result may be people leaving the GOP for a more rational alternative.

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2 Responses to “ Op/Ed: Legitimate opposition from the GOP is needed ”

  1. Posts about Daily Kos as of August 13, 2009 » The Daily Parr on August 13, 2009 at 7:44 am

    [...] about Daily Kos as of August 13, 2009 Op/Ed: Legitimate opposition from the GOP is needed – peoriapundit.com 08/13/2009 I came across these statistics and found them disturbing: According [...]

  2. Brian G on August 13, 2009 at 10:01 am

    C’mom Billy. Why are you picking on the Birthers? They don’t exist. It’s not like our own Congressman from Peoria has flirted with them. I mean can you imagine if there was video of Congressman “Six Pack Abs” refusing to answer definitively that the President of the United States was born in the United States on The Colbert Report, or if he was asked twice on the steps of the Capitol by a citizen journalist and also refused to answer definitively. The Peoria Journal Star would be all over it. It’s not like the citizens of the eighteenth district had to read about Congressman Schock’s OFFICE having to prepare a press release clarifying the Congressman’s position last week in the Springfield newspaper. The next thing you’ll know someone will lump those “Obama is a Socialist” signs with the fringe element. ( who was way out in front with that smear last year? ) The next thing you know people will be reporting that the Congressman is releasing press releases about health care reform using info from an “independent group” which just happens to be wholly owned by United Healthcare. (It’s not like getting a trip to France from the Nuclear lobby) Thank God the Peoria media doesn’t report such things. I prefer fluff pieces which are copied verbatim and stories detailing local pols vacation plans.

    AHHHH! That felt good!