# How was George Santos' resume not an election issue? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 27, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188 "2022-12-27T23:46:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/181 "2023-01-07T20:35:32Z")
Not sure how you’re able to divine the mind of George Santos. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/182 "2023-01-07T20:42:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, and clearly here the intent is to troll the libs"… and it worked. So, like, when someone makes a racist joke because they’re actually a racist, versus someone who makes a racist joke because they think it’s edgy and cool? You know what I call people who make racist jokes because they think they’re edgy and cool? Hint: not “not a racist.” ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/183 "2023-01-07T21:38:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, and clearly here the intent is to troll the libs"… and it worked. Pretending to be a racist in order to “troll the libs”, thus signaling to the sorts of racist lowlives that think that “trolling the libs” is a positive thing for their elected officials to do that he is “one of them”, is EXACTLY how a dogwhistle works. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/184 "2023-01-07T23:51:16Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > it is literally (and in the old school meaning of the word) insane, …I prefer not to use an old school [ableist](https://hbr.org/2020/12/why-you-need-to-stop-using-these-words-and-phrases#:~:text=If%20you%20said%20it%20was,realizing%20the%20harm%20they%20do.) word, and think that an “over-the-top cartoon villain” who is “one-step-away from twilling his moustache” who is “cozying up to the alt-right (who probably almost certainly helped fund him and win his seat)” is a much more accurate and precise characterization of his actions and behaviour than being “seriously mentally ill.” He was _trolling_ and _dog whistling_ at the same time. This is what they do. It isn’t a big mystery. And is totally consistent with everything else that Santos has done. And not IMHO a sign of mental illness at all. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/185 "2023-01-08T00:02:49Z")
You do you. Medically there are indeed people with serious psychiatric problems, who do things that are completely irrational and self-harmful, not with intent to troll or dog whistle. This, in this context, is bizarre enough, of no benefit and only harm to his own self, to make me wonder if that is the case. I could be wrong, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/186 "2023-01-08T00:06:15Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Medically there are indeed people with serious psychiatric problems, who do things that are completely irrational and self-harmful, not with intent to troll or dog whistle. This, in this context, is bizarre enough, of no benefit and only harm to his own self, to make me wonder if that is the case. …we are talking about a photo of a guy making a symbol with his hand, right? I’d be loath to suggest that this photo proves this person is suffering from serious psychiatric problems, who might do things that are completely irrational and self-harmful. But you do you. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/187 "2023-01-08T00:11:00Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > I’d be loath to suggest that this photo proves this person is suffering from serious psychiatric problems, who might do things that are completely irrational and self-harmful. Especially when there is a perfectly clear and rational, if odious, reason for him to take that action, and the person inbquestion is well known for having taken odious actions in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/188 "2023-01-08T01:30:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Those are urban legends. This guy disagrees. > [@What should be done about Gettysburg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-about-gettysburg/793853/109): > > You know, I think, by an large, that “dog whistles” are mostly imaginary. But not in his case. NBF was a deadly cavalry raider, but a indifferent general. However, there are more monuments to him that any other CSA general, excepting Lee. And you know why? Because he founded the KKK. NBF being lionized is a 100% pure dogwhistle to the ears of the KKK and their allies. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/189 "2023-01-08T02:32:59Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Especially when there is a perfectly clear and rational, if odious, reason for him to take that action, That’s the part that flies past me. His best interest is to lay low, stick to his innocent embellishments bit, and call as little attention to himself as possible. Loyal minion. Going from falsely claiming identity as family of Holocaust victims, to courting support of White Power elements? In his district, one in which claiming Jewish identity was a vote getter? In a House that has its White Power adherents, anti-Semites, sure, but not most, and also hanging by a thread re discipline? I don’t get how that is other than self-harm. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/190 "2023-01-08T02:36:37Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > That’s the part that flies past me. His best interest is to lay low, stick to his innocent embellishments bit, and call as little attention to himself as possible. Loyal minion. That’s where you’re wrong. His best bet is to appeal to his base, who gobble the dogwhistles and the trolling right up. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/191 "2023-01-08T02:47:22Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I don’t get how that is other than self-harm. Santos likely has no actual desire to be in congress, except in so far as, “Former Congressman George Santos,” is really going to burnish his future grifts. With the revelations about his background out now, he’s likely got no chance at re-election anyway. Appealing/appeasing his voters means absolutely nothing to him now. His main concern (other than avoiding Brazilian prisons) is setting up his next grift, of which this is no doubt a part. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/192 "2023-01-08T02:49:07Z")
But there are not that many of that “base” in his district. And many more of the type who will use this as motivation to punt him in two years. My prediction: He will be primaried and will not run in 2024. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/193 "2023-01-08T03:14:36Z")
Really – in 2024 both parties will… ok, _ **should** _, run the election in that district like _(gasp!)_ an election that matters and that needs bothering with actual competition. In 2022 in the face of a seat left open by a succesful Democrat, the Republicans did not even have a primary but just ran the same guy the outgoing incumbent had easily beat, but at least the fictional character on the ballot was an interesting, exciting candidate, while the Dems ran some anodyne party regular. The local Republican apparatus is from all reports just mad at themselves over this… especially because that BS with “Jew-ish” pisses off a **critical** local constituency. So let’s see them begin to take corrective measures… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/194 "2023-01-08T03:59:27Z")
Snopes disagrees: > **[Did a White House Intern Make the 'White Power' Hand Gesture?](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/intern-white-power-hand-gesture/)** > > An intern could be seen making the "OK" gesture in an official photograph with the president but denied he was making a white supremacist gesture. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/195 "2023-01-08T04:02:10Z")
Moderating: Let’s drop the side discussion about Santos and his gesture. The topic is how George Santos slipped through and got elected in spite of his false resume. We’re far afield of that. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/196 "2023-01-08T04:44:27Z")
My original question was whether the Democrats dropped the ball on this issue during the campaign or if there was an active discussion of this issue prior to the election that I hadn’t heard about. And that question has been answered. As the OP, I have no problem if people want to turn this thread into a general discussion of George Santos or a joke thread about George Santos. Or if you want to close it down as a resolved thread. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/197 "2023-01-08T04:51:16Z")
The problem is that if a hijack is permitted in this thread, then it opens the door for hijacks to be permitted in other threads. Opening a thread does not confer “ownership” of the thread. We rarely close threads at the request of an OP. Even if you feel your original question has been answered, the thread remains open because others may have more to contribute on the topic. We will nonetheless limit hijacks when they occur. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/198 "2023-01-08T04:54:52Z")
Right, the only defining characteristic he needs to have is “owning the libs”. All else is 100% irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/199 "2023-01-08T07:44:13Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Santos isn’t a Nazi. > > He’s just saying he’s Nazi-ish. He’s just a boy from Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/200 "2023-01-08T13:48:44Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “I didn’t say ‘Nazi’, I said ‘Not Z’.” Thread winner. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188.md?page=11)