The GOP's empty chair problem
By: Cahir O'Doherty | Published Thursday, September 6, 2012, 12:32 PM | Updated Thursday, September 6, 2012, 12:32 PM
Clint Eastwood's bizarre and rambling chat with an empty chair at the Republican National Convention has come to define what's wrong with the GOP.
The truth is neither Eastwood or the GOP gave any thought to the millions of people people who would see something else in that disembodied chair: themselves.
If you're Black, Hispanic, an Immigrant, a Woman or Gay you weren't welcome to sit in that chair or come to that party, even to be lectured to by a contemptuous octogenarian.
The GOP's big tent has contracted to the point where it has simply become a latter day Christian Brotherhood, but conservatives who dismiss this claim point to the participation of Governor Nikki Haley the daughter of Indian immigrants, Condoleezza Rice, the Former Secretary of State and Governor Susana Martinez, who the Reagan-era throwback Peggy Noonan likes to call Susan.
But every political party worth its salt can round up a few quislings; there are even apparently masochistic gay Republican groups like Go Proud, after all. That does not mean they represent their communities or are indicative of widespread support within their party, on the contrary.
I say to those people who talk about Republican diversity have your read your own party platform?
Only two percent of African-American voters polled currently support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Mitt Romney claims that this is a country of immigrants but he wants them all to self-deport and he would veto the DREAM Act. At the convention Ann Romney claimed it was Hispanic voters who had the real problem though, and she asked them to 'get past' their biases.
Romney does not support relationship recognition for LGBT people, making him even more conservative on LGBT issues than former President George W. Bush. Paul Ryan does not support LGBT families, he has voted against allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, he voted against hate crime protections. He opposed repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and he does not support marriage equality.
Romney and Ryan want to turn Medicare into a boon for the Insurance industry and a bust for American seniors. The new party platform reflects a Republican Party more hostile to organized labor than ever before in its history.
And as we learned last week, Romney and Ryan were quick to write off Todd Akin and to separate themselves from his extremism, but in fact they share his anti-abortion position.
So they paint themselves into a corner and they look out at the godless nation and they reject it. That's what this week was all about. That explains all those empty chairs.
And what will happen to us, the uninvited people in that disembodied chair, has already become obvious.
It seems our conservative political classes will not rest until they have turned the United States economy and the American century into a South American nation like Brazil.
New York and other noteworthy US cities already feature growing contrasts between rich and poor, so why not use Rio de Janeiro as the model of our future, complete with gated mansions with armed guards to hold off armies of scary-looking pre-teen homeless kids carrying zipguns.
Each time you step out you'll have to worry if there'll be another Ak-47 attack at the supermarket or the movie theater. Hopefully you won't need medical attention because you won't be able to afford any.
But hey at least the rich guys pay low taxes!
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jflanagan | Sep 21, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT
It should have been and empty golf cart or beach cabana. That would have had more significance concerning the President and his vacation happy family. Black, Hispanic and female unemployment statistics are way up and the Liberals are the ones for the oppressed? I look across the street to the Title 8 housing and see the poor huddled together, separated from the Liberal elite, God forbid they should have to mingle with them. Trillions of dollars spent on anti-poverty and there are triple the number of people in poverty. That makes me realize the programs are shams to help politicians and their cronies get rich, raise taxes on those newly rich small business men to keep them from the elites clubs and all in the name "goodness". Methinks Mr. O'Doherty has empty head syndrome.
BishopSean | Sep 12, 2012, 09:19 PM EDT
Hi, Hollabackgurl. Re: false equivalences, another day when we’re not rushed we can discuss nature and proper uses of analogies and paradoxes. Re: concern for poor, I have intentionally spent most of last 45 years, after university, in developing and least developed countries. I would like to refer yr statement “no woman makes the decision to have an abortion lightly.” Allow me to ask you then, in view of CDC statistic that 98% of abortions are elective, meaning they have nothing to do with incest, rape and/or life threatening situation for mothers, what constitutes in your view sufficient reason to terminate the life of an innocent unborn or partially born baby? Regards.
seanomelb | Sep 08, 2012, 08:33 PM EDT
What's that Seanmor "don't ask don't tell" at republican conventions!!
Seanmor | Sep 08, 2012, 08:05 PM EDT
The 3rd paragraph of this article is very misleading, if not totally false. I am one immigrant who would be welcomed at any G.O.P. event, having entered the U.S. in my teens in full compliance with all the immigratiobn laws, and having subsequently been HONORABLY discharged from 4 years service in the Marine Corps. My wife, a New England Methodist and a D.A.R. member, would be warmly welcomed at Republican meetings. To my knowledge, no one present at a G.O.P. event is ever asked whether he/she is a homosexual, bisexual, transgender or anything else, even if the Republican presidential slate isn't in the business of promoting alternative life styles.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 08, 2012, 02:39 PM EDT
Re: "re: “Talking to Empty Chair” routine—isn’t that a Gestält therapy technique?" I agree 100% that the GOP needs therapy and it was nice of Dr. Eastwood to provide it for them. Sadly I do not think that it helped them very much.
seanomelb | Sep 08, 2012, 02:26 AM EDT
BishopSean God bless him ate an apple and thought it was orange.
hollabackgurl | Sep 07, 2012, 07:51 PM EDT
BishopSean, you are setting up a false equivalence. What if cats were dogs? It would be pointless to debate. No woman makes the decision to have an abortion lightly, you know. I mean, you do know that don't you? And if you are anxious to protect life, do you vote for or against social programs for the poor? Are you a Republican? Do you believe in cutting welfare and comforting the rich instead? Kind regards.
BishopSean | Sep 07, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
Greetings, Fellow IC Bloggers. I rarely have time to read IC nowadays due to work overload. I would like to note re: “Talking to Empty Chair” routine—isn’t that a Gestält therapy technique? Secondly, bear with me Seán Og, your statement “…In most cases, I do not believe in abortion but do I have the right to make that decision for someone else? NO.” What if an educated Sudanese or Mauritanian would state “In most cases, I do not believe in SLAVERY but do I have the right to make that decision for someone else? NO!” Would you buy that argument? Best regards.
BrianO | Sep 07, 2012, 09:10 AM EDT
Four more years of failure.
seanomelb | Sep 06, 2012, 08:01 PM EDT
How does 4 more years grab ya Daly. You wouldn't know a Marxist if you fell over him.
Ned Daly | Sep 06, 2012, 03:12 PM EDT
The empty chair is not the problem. Its the empty neo Marxist who is meant to occupy it thats the problem.
hollabackgurl | Sep 06, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT
If you elect Romney/Ryan those will be your only choices anyway.
hollabackgurl | Sep 06, 2012, 08:44 AM EDT
Romney transported his dog on the roof, Obama in Indonesia ate the dog, I'd rather ride on the roof.
BrianO | Sep 06, 2012, 08:39 AM EDT
I didnt lie about being a minority in order to climb the academic ladder, I believe that's called fraud.
seanomelb | Sep 05, 2012, 07:05 PM EDT
Briano if you are of Indian blood and vote GOP you have a problem.Maybe you should write a cookbook. how do you make a Mitt and Paul stew??
hollabackgurl | Sep 05, 2012, 04:57 PM EDT
A Mitt Romney presidency would be awesome unless you're poor, gay, Mexican, a woman, or a dog.
hollabackgurl | Sep 05, 2012, 04:27 PM EDT
It's nauseating and objectionable to hear a Republican accuse the Democratic party of divisiveness rather than inclusion. Who wants a constitutional amendment to make gay people permanent second class citizens? Who wants our immigrants to 'self-deport?' Who wants to give historic tax cuts to billionaires while they gut Medicaid, Social Security, Obamacare, Education grants, Planned Parenthood and the New Deal? Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, that's who.
BrianO | Sep 05, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT
warren used as proof of her viability for affirmative action, ie native american,the publication of a cherokee cook book, entitled POW WOW CHOW, even in this attempt she lied as two of the recipes were plagiarized ,according to the Pow Wow Chow cookbook to have been passed down through generations of Oklahoma Native American members of the Cherokee tribe, are described in a New York Times News Service story as originating at Le Pavilion, a fabulously expensive French restaurant in Manhattan. Her false claims to affirmative action for personal gain show two short comings. the first is basic honesty, the second is stepping all over the down drodden who the affirmative action is designed to help. The Cherokee nation has specific requirements which one must adhere to to be part of the tribe. So Ephraim, Seano, can I now get affirmative action by saying I'm of Indian blood as Ms. Warren did?
BrianO | Sep 05, 2012, 08:46 AM EDT
Ah Ephraim, occasionally I put stats on my comments but they do not get posted. Obama was given a golden opportunity to unite the country if that is what he wanted to do. Instead he has used our differences to further drive a wedge between races, incomes, sexes to further his ideology. It's very sad, and your propaganda to further this dis honest regime only makes it more pitiful.
seanomelb | Sep 04, 2012, 07:36 PM EDT
Briano if you spend your time believing political adds as true and correct, I fear for your political choices.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 04, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT
@BrianO - You keep doing hit and runs. You chastise us for what we have written without backing up your attack with facts and then slide off into some other point. The point that you mention below about Obama's majorities during his first two terms is only partially correct. Obama got through much of his desired plans during that time. Sadly, he compromised with the GOP on the size of the stimulus and it ran out before its full potential was realized.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 04, 2012, 05:12 PM EDT
@SherryKay - As a fellow former republican, I share your view of the current GOP ticket. It is sad to see the demise of a once great party. I hold the Dixiecrats responsible. Your news of the Bain/Romney investigation is very interesting. Please keep us informed as I have not seen any reporting on it.
BrianO | Sep 04, 2012, 12:47 PM EDT
Obama's words "I wouldn't want to penalize my daughter with a baby" ******as to Warren -I live in Massachusetts so I see the ads. I still can't believe affirmative action believers are giving her a break about being an American indian, She took the place at harvard that a real American indian should have had. Right now there is a qualified American indian back in oklahoma that should be teaching at harvard but Warren lied and committed fraud to get ahead, and now since she is a radical leftist she faces little vetting, maybe even in the bluest of blue states warren has lied a little too much to get elected.
seanomelb | Sep 04, 2012, 05:42 AM EDT
You are overstating my positions Briano. Ideologies giving succour to those less fortunate and tolerance are not anti wealth.I do not believe babies are a "penalty" in fact in most cases I do not believe in abortion but do I have the right to make that decision for someone else?NO. Why do you misquote Warren? is it because hannity or bull O'Reilly said so? You see Brian it's not about me it's about the general good and the wealth of a nation and how one measures the wealth of a nation.
BrianO | Sep 04, 2012, 01:44 AM EDT
Ephraim, you should join your brethren on comedy central as you material below is hilarious. The GOP never gave the Big O a chance, especially when he had a super majority in the house and senate, and its nice to know if a person doesn't agree with your view they are EVIL destroyers. Very tolerant, very progressive. Why did Obama's proposed budgets garner 0 votes from his democratic allies that controlled the house and senate, were they evil also. Keep on spreading your paid propaganda.
BrianO | Sep 04, 2012, 01:35 AM EDT
Seano you're an enigma. You say you are a self made millionaire but support ideologies that are anti wealth. You are a proponent of large families but support the side that believes babies are a penalty. As to your China only believes in the limit by abortion, that is the goal of the left, Elizabeth Warren advertises that she wants us to be more like china, but her word doesn't mean much so maybe I don't need to worry about my grandchildren being destroyed in the womb.
SherryKay | Sep 03, 2012, 07:54 AM EDT
So,take it from this former Republican now a Registered Independent Voter in Arizona,Mitt Romney and Mini_Mitt Paul Ryan have much much bigger problems then that goofy Clint Eastwood Empty Chair GIG! Since,both Willard Mittens Romney & Mini_Mitt Paul Ryan are the two most phony lying empty suits to have been nominated for President & Vice President. Oh by the way did you hear the Feds are investigating Romney's Bain Capital Vulture Equity Funds along with some others. So,it would not surprise to see Mitt Romney behind jail bars very soon.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 02, 2012, 12:50 AM EDT
@irishpjk - The GOP met and decided that to give him any success would weaken their chances of future election. They made that decision knowing full well that to do so would mean allowing the recession to get worse and would harm innocent Americans. He has tried compromise and had his hand slapped away by the GOP. In spite of those challenges President Obama has had more new jobs created in his 3 and 1/2 years in office than were created under 8 years of Cheney/Bush "Voodoo Economics" with Democrats compromising regularly. Have you been paying attention to the hatred that has been spewed against him by the right since he took office? I personally have NO desire to be united with EVIL! Those who REALLY love the United States of America and want to see its promise of equality for all continue ARE united - WITH the President. We are ALL united in our opposition to those who would destroy our country.
irishpjk | Sep 01, 2012, 11:37 PM EDT
wtf You seem to think we should put the man who promised to unite the country, create jobs and bring transparence to Washington back in, do that and our children and grandchildren will be super poor. The super-rich will still be around but their money will be in other places. So far he has pitted poor against rich, blacks against whites, religious groups against each other, male against female, who or what is united except him and his cronies in DC. He pushed a healthcare bill through behind the locked doors of the white house (except to his party) which has not yet been read by most of the people who voted on it. We have over 23 million people still out of work; we have the biggest debt ever and wait until the tax programs hit in 2013 and 14. Clint should have brought an empty skull with a mouth on both sides to put on the chair. Ozero is glib and in the old west he could have sold snake oil, he is not fooling many all of us with his line that Bush left him with all the problems. I will put it simply the man is clueless but glib.
Eschetic | Sep 01, 2012, 11:02 PM EDT
"Bravo" to "rpmschevy" for at least trying to respond substantively to ONE direct attack on the Romney/Ryan failure to lead - but in this case it's rpmschevy who, again, needs to check his/her facts. I fully agree that the recent health care reform did not go nearly far enough, but the reform which the President and his party passed with Republican help - essentially the Romney reforms from Massachusetts - is/are mainly aimed at making sure most Americans have access to affordable health care and is as limited as it is, and centered on more equitable insurance rules because of necessary concessions to conservatives. Nothing in it limits rpmschevy's control over his own health care. One really wonders what rpmschevy would want from REAL health care reform - they certainly won't find it in the Republican Platform which merely wants to go back to the old rules - the greatest possible victory for insurance companies over their policy holders! Rpmschevy tries to perpetuate another distortion the radical right are trying to sell this year: the actual reform legislation WAS a little long for "lay" reading, but not substantially longer than any other piece of major legislation. I do wonder if he has ever read a piece of legislation. If he had, he might not be so quick to drink the Romney/Ryan Cool-Aid.
Magdaleno | Sep 01, 2012, 10:48 PM EDT
The GOP has room only for the super rich and is willing to give them one huge, huge, huge tax break. They live in a free country provided by our Military but are not willing to pay for it... their ranks are full of deferments from Military service... including the present GOP running for president.He had four deferments during the VietNam war. Yet, all that comes out of their mouths is patriotism. They are hypocritical-- and good at distorting the truth... just look at Ryan and check his comments at their convention in Florida... lies. But to be fair there are many who serve in our Military and belong to the GOP party, we honor their patriotism.
seanomelb | Sep 01, 2012, 07:54 PM EDT
I'm one of seven Briano and a lefty. There is no quota on how many children one may have(except in China),Don't be silly Briano,please make a more commonsense and practical retort.
hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 07:54 PM EDT
Romney's speech was a eulogy for a white picket fence America that never existed. There's no question that life (and civil rights) for most Americans (including all the people not invited to the party) is unquestionably better now than it was 50 years ago. But giving record unnecessary and costly tax breaks to millionaires won't ensure our future anymore than it did under George W Bush.
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT
slainte39, the recommended quota for children is two why did you continue to have children after that you know just abort them, that's what the left would have you do.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:30 PM EDT
Before you vote on November 6th, think about all the bad that happened in the past from the policies that the GOP wishes on us again. Think about the fact that America was FOUNDED by enlightened scientific LIBERALS who would be appalled by the GOP's march toward PLUTOCRACY/THEOCRACY. Do you REALLY believe in personal freedom and government by and for the 99% (THE PEOPLE) or government for and by the 1%. Are you a REACTIONARY or are you really a LIBERAL (like the founders of our great country) and didn’t know it. Its alright, I’ll keep your secret.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT
I believe that, with Buckley's passing, the realization of their culpability for the Cheney/Bush crash and the fear of obsolescence, the GOP is now a party of and for REACTIONARIES and the proof is in their party platform. As with the Dole campaign of 1996, theirs is a "Bridge to the Past" with a "WISHLIST" that includes treatment of women out of the Middle Ages, voting rights out of the post reconstruction South and economic policies of the pre Great Depression 1920s not to mention religious beliefs reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT
According to the dictionary, CONSERVATIVE means tending to preserve established traditions or institutions. LIBERAL means favoring political reforms tending toward DEMOCRACY and personal FREEDOM for the individual. REACTIONARY means an advocate of REACTION which is further defined as a movement back to a former or LESS ADVANCED condition.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:14 PM EDT
When Romney called himself a SEVERE conservative as governor of Mass., it belied his actual time there but it was what the RNC debate audience wanted to hear. William F. Buckley spent lots of time keeping the far right faction of his party from overshadowing the good work done by moderate Republicans.
kflanigan | Sep 01, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT
Great piece.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 02:20 PM EDT
@cillowen - Good Observation! I think that you are the first person I have heard (read) comment on that telling moment in the "chat."
slainte39 | Sep 01, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
Cahir, your rants are NOT getting tiring. Keep it up, and maybe we can overcome some of the lies the Repubs keep throwing out there. I, and my 7 children and 7 grandchildren, as well as most all of the people I know, will be voting for Obama. Don't worry folks, Obama is going to win. Common, moderate sense will prevail over these extremist right wing views and policies of R&R.
cillowen | Sep 01, 2012, 01:18 PM EDT
worse than empty chair was his cut obama's throat gesture while romney and wife laugh their arse off. As for Ryan simply a LIAR.
hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT
Romeny will "Turn thing around" by outsourcing your job to China, pet. The way he did at Bain Capital. Go ahead and vote for him (and maybe start learning Cantonese eh?).
myhomenj | Sep 01, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
I'm sorry to say this is not the country I came to 50 years ago for a better life. I and many others found that better life, but today so many can't find a job. My vote goes to Mr Romney. I pray he will "Turn thing around"
hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT
Hey don't blame him if he isn't talking about Romney's speech - no one anywhere is. And what mess exactly has Obama made MegK311? I saw that he killed Osama Bin Laden, ended the War in Iraq, advanced women's rights in the work place, ended Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) in our military and expanded access to medical care and provided subsidies for people who can't afford it. That's not a mess luv.
MegK311 | Sep 01, 2012, 11:43 AM EDT
Cahir, Your rants are getting tiring. You are so biased you are sickening. I agree with BrianO Barrack Obama is an empty suit Instead of the chair they should have hung an empty suit up on the platform for Clint Eastwood to talk to. How could you wish 4 more years of Obama on us is beyond reason. What I saw at the Republican Convention was some new young people with ideas and they gave me hope for the future of America. More for my children and grand children than for me. Obama reminds me of Good Time Charlie and we don't need someone like that running the country. At this point in time we need someone mature who has experience to get us out of the mess Obama has created.
Eschetic | Sep 01, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT
Fascinating, isn't it, that Romney/Ryan apologists like fitch94 are forever claiming that those who oppose their darlings only "blame" others, but when a writer cites SPECIFIC problems with their positions all they can come back with (rather than ANSWERING the charges and showing their untruth - aye, there's the rub! In legal jargon, "truth is a defense") is to shout about supposed unspecified "failed policies" of the Obama administration which are really only that it has not TOTALLY cured the problems inflicted on the nation by THEIR last time in power (the genuinely disastrous "W" Bush years!). Hey; this administration pulled us back from the brink of a Bush-caused Depression, managed to pass the first real health care reform since the advent of medicare (which these rubes also opposed tooth and nail and even if the new health care reform was weakened by trying too hard to compromise with "Conservative" concerns leaving it basically the old ROMNEY plan!) AND put us in a position to wind down the roughshod "cowboy diplomacy" of the Bush era which was turning even our allies against us and start to bring the troops home from undeclared wars without leaving the field to terrorists the way "Conservative" administrations had with earlier withdrawals from a pre-Taliban Afghanistan and "Mission Accomplished" Iraq! Surely these aren't "Failed policies" to any OBJECTIVE viewer and just as surely no REASONABLE voter would want to go back to the bad old right wing policies of Cheney/Bush that Romney/Ryan's supporters offer us!
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT
Still waiting for the article on Romney's speech. The empty chair is an excuse for the author to pen his biased view of America. I think we Americans have been harmed more by the empty suit that is Barrack Hussein Obama. Oh and Clint was right, America belongs to its' citizens not by a ruling political class, We the People, the people who earn the income that is confiscated by government. The last time I checked my fellow citizens and friends have different backgrounds and affiliations.
fitch94 | Sep 01, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT
Just keep voting for the Failed policies of Obama and Dems and watch this Country go straight to Hell. Your article is so typical of the divisions that Democrats love to make in our country. Blame the rich, Blame whites, Blame Religion, Blame business and of course Blame Bush. Time to stop blaming and start solving problems. Vote Romney/Ryan.
wjb1tex | Sep 01, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT
2% of African Americans support Romney/Ryan. I assume your point is that Republicans are racist? What about the 98% ?