Who Hijacked Our Country

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Groundswell

1.  Groundswell:  A sudden gathering of force, as of public opinion:  e.g. a groundswell of antiwar sentiment.

2. Groundswell:  A shadowy gang of rightwing zealots working behind the scenes to generate talking points and organize smear campaigns against Democrats and moderate Republicans.

Clever name — sort of like all those orchestrated choreographed “demonstrations” against health care reform a few years ago.  Manufactured outrage is one of Groundswell’s specialties.  If you’re enjoying the mass hysteria over Benghazi — and the tinfoil hat conspiracy theories about a huge cover-up — you can thank Groundswell.

How far to the right is Groundswell?  They’re soooo far to the right, Karl Rove is one of the “moderates” they’re targeting.  [gulp]  Also, one of their members is Frank Gaffney, whose biggest claim to fame is accusing Grover Norquist of being a Muslim terrorist.

Like they say, everything’s relative.

Groundswell’s membership is a Who’s Who of the Teahad movement.  In addition to Frank Gaffney, members include:

Ginni Thomas (Clarence’s wife); John Bolton; high-ranking members of the Family Research Council, True The Vote and Judicial Watch; and a few journalists (using the term loosely) from Deadbart and the Washington Examiner.

Their goals — according to documents obtained by Mother Jones — include “a 30 front war seeking to fundamentally transform the nation.”

Just what we need, another Tea Klux Klan rally.


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7 Comments:

Blogger Jerry Critter said...

Those are the real terrorists we should be fighting.

August 6, 2013 at 9:32 PM  
Blogger Demeur said...

Geez if they go any farther right they'll make Hitler look like a commie.

August 6, 2013 at 11:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, Well another break off group. Perhaps this will translate to such a infight at the next election that they'll lose more seats and we can start to get something done in this country.

Alan West should try to win another election before he portrays himself as a conservative leader.

Erik

August 7, 2013 at 1:35 PM  
Blogger Tom Harper said...

Jerry: I agree, they're terrorists, or traitors, or something.

Demeur: They already do.

Erik: Yup, the GOP infighting is getting more and more ruthless. I love it. I hope the party implodes.

August 7, 2013 at 4:56 PM  
Blogger Snave said...

The only thing that might keep the loose coalition of right wing factions together is their mutual hatred of Obama now, and then probably their hatred of Clinton in 2016.

How about a parody of "Love Will Keep Us Together", the old song by Captain and Tennille? "Hate... hate will keep us together... I think of Obama whenever..."

But I have my doubts they will be able to band together enough to win in 2016, even despite all that mutual hatred. All the separate groups seem too bull-headed to be willing to agree with the other groups on anything. None see a big picture, and all are too focused on themselves.

I think the 2016 election cycle will be very interesting. But for now, we should be focusing on 2014 and how to take back some of the House seats.

August 8, 2013 at 12:13 AM  
Blogger Jerry Critter said...

"None see a big picture, and all are too focused on themselves."

That is very much in keeping with the ME attitude of the republicans.

August 8, 2013 at 8:22 AM  
Blogger Tom Harper said...

Snave: I think you're right, these people's blind hatred and bull-headedness will prevent them from working together or seeing any sort of larger picture.

Jerry: I hope Republicans' self-absorption will keep derailing them.

August 8, 2013 at 2:23 PM  

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