# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1533
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30642 "2016-08-16T05:32:51Z")
> [@john\_stamos'\_left\_ear](#): > > If 9iu11ani is going to stump for trump, maybe he should get the story straight. Especially since that was one of the very scant few times that something trump said was accurate. Stop the presses! _ **Blind Chicken Finds Corn** _! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30643 "2016-08-16T06:23:51Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I must confess I am confused. Did Giuliani somehow mis-speak? Does not seem likely. Did he actually not remember? Again, not likely. > Did he think that the core Republicans could be fooled by this completely transparent bullshit? Most likely. They are now living in a world where Trump is going to win New York state, where campaigning in Connecticut makes sense, and where Putin never invaded Ukraine. Wonderland is Vulcan compared to TrumpWorld. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30644 "2016-08-16T06:56:56Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I must confess I am confused. Did Giuliani somehow mis-speak? Does not seem likely. Did he actually not remember? Again, not likely. > Did he think that the core Republicans could be fooled by this completely transparent bullshit? Most likely. “Bush kept us safe” is an extremely common right-wing talking point. After the underwear bomb attempt, Cheney et al were on right-wing media outlets talking about how Bush kept us safe for all those years and Obama couldn’t even do it for 11 months. Really. I’m a little surprised that Giuliani trotted out that particular mass delusion in support of Trump, though. One of the few good things Trump did during the primary campaign was point out, quite vocally as I recall, just how naked that emperor is. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30645 "2016-08-16T14:25:53Z")
This is from 2014, but I was unable to find it in this thread, so here it is. Ninety pounds of cocaine was found aboard a cargo ship owned by Mitch McConnell’s in-laws. McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, the former Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush. Her family founded and owns Foremost Maritime Corporation (FMC), which operates sixteen ships. One of them, the _Ping May_, was searched by Colombian authorities before it departed, and the cocaine was was discovered in the chain locker. The Chaos are the source of much of McConnell’s wealth, gifting him with between 5 and 25 million dollars in 2008. They also have made substantial donations to his campaign fund since the 1980’s. Although Colombian authorities initiated an investigation in 2014, there is no record of anyone being prosecuted in Colombia or anywhere else for the smuggling of the cocaine. [https://www.thenation.com/article/mitch-mcconnells-freighted-ties-shadowy-shipping-company/](https://www.thenation.com/article/mitch-mcconnells-freighted-ties-shadowy-shipping-company/) It should come as no surprise that McConnell is one of major opponents of legalizing, decriminalizing or reclassifying marijuana at the federal level. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30646 "2016-08-16T14:40:38Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, the former Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush. Her family founded and owns Foremost Maritime Corporation (FMC), which operates sixteen ships. Wow, I assumed she married him for his money, but it looks like she had way more than he did. What could any woman find attractive about him? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30647 "2016-08-16T14:42:55Z")
[Rubio stands](http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/marco-rubio/article95752532.html) by calling Trump a con-artist. > [@](#): > > In the heat of the Republican presidential primary, Marco Rubio called Donald Trump a “con man.” And he doesn’t take it back. > > “I’ve stood by everything I ever said in my campaign,” Rubio told the Miami Herald editorial board Monday. > > **But Rubio still supports Trump for president.** In fact, Rubio insists, Trump is partly why he reversed himself and chose to run for the U.S. Senate again. No wonder he looks so boyish. No balls. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30648 "2016-08-16T15:35:34Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Yeah, maybe the “Death to Israel” and “Allah Is Great” lines from the note were band names or something. Or someone capitalizing on 9/11 to make it look like an Islamic attack. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30649 "2016-08-16T15:37:20Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Or someone capitalizing on 9/11 to make it look like an Islamic attack. It was the “Admiral Akbar!” that gave it away. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30650 "2016-08-16T17:19:55Z")
Its a trope! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30651 "2016-08-16T17:40:04Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Its a trope! That’ll get you time in carbonite, mister! ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30652 "2016-08-16T17:54:32Z")
What does Roger Ailes bring to the Trump campaign? Binders full of women? [Donald Trump campaign hires disgraced ex-Fox News boss Roger Ailes as adviser: report – New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-campaign-hires-ex-fox-news-boss-ailes-adviser-report-article-1.2753548) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30653 "2016-08-16T18:08:55Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What does Roger Ailes bring to the Trump campaign? Binders full of women? [Donald Trump campaign hires disgraced ex-Fox News boss Roger Ailes as adviser: report – New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-campaign-hires-ex-fox-news-boss-ailes-adviser-report-article-1.2753548) C’mon, this one HAS to be bogus. He cannot be THAT stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30654 "2016-08-16T18:10:08Z")
Oh, yes he can. Have you been living under a rock? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30655 "2016-08-16T18:17:55Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Its a trope! An America with you in it deserves Trump! ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30656 "2016-08-16T18:42:06Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > An America with you in it deserves Trump! Now that’s just mean! ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30657 "2016-08-16T18:49:24Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What does Roger Ailes bring to the Trump campaign? Binders full of women? [Donald Trump campaign hires disgraced ex-Fox News boss Roger Ailes as adviser: report – New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-campaign-hires-ex-fox-news-boss-ailes-adviser-report-article-1.2753548) > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > C’mon, this one HAS to be bogus. He cannot be THAT stupid. The number of undecided or Trump-wary voters who will be turned off by Ailes involvement is minimal. But _assuming Trump listens to his advice_, Ailes’ involvement in debate prep would undoubtedly boost Trump’s performance tremendously. Ailes is a media genius. Consider a bit of background from a [NY Times article](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/us/politics/donald-trump-roger-ailes.html)on the possible advising role: > [@](#): > > Before he founded Fox News in 1996, Mr. Ailes spent years as a respected political strategist with a pit bull style. He was a top adviser to Richard M. Nixon’s presidential campaign in 1968, softening his hard-edge, unapproachable image. > > He was also a sought-after debate coach, working with Ronald Reagan in 1984 and readying Vice President George Bush for debates with the Democratic candidate, Gov. Michael Dukakis, in 1988. > > According to Gabriel Sherman’s 2014 book on Mr. Ailes, “The Loudest Voice in the Room,” Mr. Ailes played a crucial role before Mr. Reagan’s second debate with Vice President Walter F. Mondale in 1984. During a prep session, he asked Mr. Reagan, who had performed badly in the first debate, how he would handle being asked about his age. > > The question came quickly, and Mr. Reagan’s answer, which went down in the annals of witty debate lines, effectively quashed the subject: “I will not make age an issue of this campaign,” he said. “I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” > > In 1988, Mr. Ailes was enlisted for an image makeover of George H.W. Bush, urging the patrician Republican to model himself after the actor Gary Cooper. In debate prep, Mr. Ailes launched rapid questions at Mr. Bush to hone his reflexes, and directed the candidate to slow his sentences and deepen his voice, according to Mr. Sherman’s book. He’s had some losses, but I’d much rather Hillary face a self-prepped Trump than one with Ailes’ help. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30658 "2016-08-16T19:20:19Z")
I’m so sorry. So very very sorry. I thought of the absolute perfect person to prep Hillary Clinton and he’s dead. Chris Farley spraypainted orange with a Trump wig. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30659 "2016-08-16T19:28:58Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Ailes is a media genius. You don’t think there are available media geniuses that \*weren’\*t just publicly forced out of their jobs for sexual harassment? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30660 "2016-08-16T19:30:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I’m so sorry. So very very sorry. I thought of the absolute perfect person to prep Hillary Clinton and he’s dead. > Chris Farley spraypainted orange with a Trump wig. > > 😃 If he wasn’t a damned Canadian, I’d suggest Rob Ford. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/30661 "2016-08-16T19:31:35Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Now that’s just mean! He’s a bad, bad man! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1532) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1534)