Roger Ailes owns Cliven Bundy now: How dumb opportunism became a right-wing nightmare

[kpete]

Roger Ailes owns Cliven Bundy now: How dumb opportunism became a right-wing nightmare
Sean Hannity has been the racist rancher’s top backer, and Fox and the GOP made him a cause. Now he's their problem

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Surprise! Sean Hannity’s hero, whose cause has been embraced by Senators Dean Heller of Nevada and Rand Paul of Kentucky along with Texas Gov. Rick Perry, turns out to be an old-time Republican racist, the kind that even Jonathan Chait recognizes, and Fox News and the GOP have a problem.

Until now I’ve ignored Bundy because he’s an extremist and a freak, and even Glenn Beck has denounced him. I was reluctant to use him against the GOP. But as he’s gotten support from the likes of Paul and Perry, two respected 2016 candidates, plus regular backing from Hannity and Nevada Sen. Heller, he’s become a huge problem for the right.

The welfare rancher has grazed his cattle for free and owes the government more than a million dollars, but to his admirers he’s leading an American insurrection. “This is the beginning of taking America back,” Shawna Cox of Kanab, Utah, told the New York Times. From whom? Shawna doesn’t have to say.

Asked about Bundy’s virulently racist remarks by the Times, Rand Paul was “not available for immediate comment.” What courage. At least Dean Heller’s office immediately condemned the “appalling and racist statements.” Here’s a tip for Rand Paul: You’re a libertarian. Give your staff the liberty to tell the media you abhor racist comments, even if you’re not around.

more:
http://www.salon.com/2014/04/24/roger_ailes_owns_cliven_bundy_now_how_dumb_opportunism_became_a_right_wing_nightmare/

[riqster]

1. Kick and Rec.

[2naSalit]

2. K&R!

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Surprised, not one bit