A dozen candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to replace retiring Rep. John Shadegg in Arizona’s 3rd District, and regular readers know I’m 100% for Vernon Parker.
In March, our good friend Barbara Espinosa introduced me to the mayor of Paradise Valley, whose impressive resume is highlighted by the fact that he got his start in politics with the legendary Lee Atwater.
As if that weren’t all the proof you ever needed that Mayor Parker is a rock-solid conservative, he’s also been endorsed by Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Unfortunately, the Quayle family wants to bequeath a seat in Congress to the former vice president’s 33-year-old son Ben, whose campaign is resorting to cheap smears against Parker. And last week, the Quayle machine issued a press release that included this disastrously dishonest sentence:
If Vernon Parker were the Republican nominee, he would quickly become a national poster boy for the Democrat Party; the seat would be lost in November; and Barack Obama would go on destroying our freedom and our economic future without obstruction from District 3 in Arizona.
Far be it from me to scream “raaaaacism” over a thoughtless choice of words, but Parker spokesman Jason Rose is less charitable to Ben Quayle: “To have the 33-year-old son of one of the wealthiest families in America refer to a leading Republican African-American as ‘boy’ is over the top.”
The back-story here is interesting. The big-money team hired by the Quayle dynasty resorted to its latest attack because Parker had pointed out a bit of transparent phoniness. As Andy Barr of Politico reported, Ben Quayle was trying to Astroturf a “family values” image:
Arizona Republican congressional candidate Ben Quayle recently sent out two mailers with pictures of him playing with two girls who appear to be his daughters.
Only problem: Quayle, 33, and his wife Tiffany have no children. . . .
This was the younger Quayle’s “potatoe” moment — it gave Keith Olbermann a chance to be genuinely funny for a change — and the Quayle campaign responded by trying to smear Vernon Parker as “unethical.” While we may excuse as merely thoughtless the use of the term “poster boy” in that smear, it actually points out the real problem: Quayle is a boy, an immature kid, as Barbara Espinosa says:
Ben Quayle, 33 years old, has had 4 jobs since 2002, has only worked for the 3 companies a year each, balance for the Quayle family, never voted in an local election . . . has lived in Arizona periodically until 2006, bought a home in District 3 December 2009.
Perhaps more importantly, Boy Quayle’s claim that Parker would become a “national poster boy for the Democratic Party” is the direct opposite of truth. Black conservatives like Vernon Parker are the Democratic Party’s worst nightmare. In smearing Parker, Quayle is actually reinforcing the worst stereotypes of the GOP, the same way that the vicious “raghead” smears on Nikki Haley in South Carolina did.
Many of my friends in the conservative blogosphere are backing other good candidates in the AZ-3 primary and that’s OK — so long as we agree that (a) under no circumstance should a well-qualified candidate like Vernon Parker be targeted by unfair attacks from fellow Republicans, and (b) under no circumstance should any conservative support Boy Quayle. It was, in fact, another candidate (Paulina Morris) who made the definitive case against Boy Quayle:
So you can support anyone in AZ-3 except Boy Quayle and still be my friend, but as for me, I’m sticking with the mayor.
Jesus Christ! So now we have to say “poster man”? Is there any end to this friggin stupidity?
Jesus Christ! So now we have to say “poster man”? Is there any end to this friggin stupidity?
Yes: ELECT VERNON PARKER!
Seriously, though, as I said, the choice of words could be criticized as thoughtless without any imputation of actual racism. The real problem is that an overprivileged punk like Ben Quayle is the last person who should be calling anybody a “poster boy” for anything.
Yes: ELECT VERNON PARKER!
Seriously, though, as I said, the choice of words could be criticized as thoughtless without any imputation of actual racism. The real problem is that an overprivileged punk like Ben Quayle is the last person who should be calling anybody a “poster boy” for anything.
yeah is he related to dan quayle by the way?
yeah is he related to dan quayle by the way?
What are the poll numbers in AR-3 saying? I could not find any on RCP, other than the seat is considered safe GOP.
Does Vernon Parker have a serious chance at taking this seat?
What are the poll numbers in AR-3 saying? I could not find any on RCP, other than the seat is considered safe GOP.
Does Vernon Parker have a serious chance at taking this seat?
Damn it all to hell, Joe: Stop letting polls tell you who to support!
Excuse my French, but this is a personal pet peeve of mine — people whose idea of “strategy” is to make sure they’re never accused of backing a long shot, an underdog or (no pun intended) a dark horse.
After I first endorsed Marco Rubio, the next Quinnipiac Poll in Florida showed Marco 31 points behind Charlie Crist in the GOP primary. A few months later, Rubio was beating Charlie so bad that Charlie decided he didn’t want to be a Republican any more.
You’ll never make a difference in politics if you let polls do your thinking for you. Pick your candidate and go all-out, win or lose, no matter what the polls say.
Damn it all to hell, Joe: Stop letting polls tell you who to support!
Excuse my French, but this is a personal pet peeve of mine — people whose idea of “strategy” is to make sure they’re never accused of backing a long shot, an underdog or (no pun intended) a dark horse.
After I first endorsed Marco Rubio, the next Quinnipiac Poll in Florida showed Marco 31 points behind Charlie Crist in the GOP primary. A few months later, Rubio was beating Charlie so bad that Charlie decided he didn’t want to be a Republican any more.
You’ll never make a difference in politics if you let polls do your thinking for you. Pick your candidate and go all-out, win or lose, no matter what the polls say.
I am sorry, but using term poster boy is no way racist. His campaign shouldn’t have gone “there”.
I don’t know much about either candidate, but this is quite sad that it is resorting to this. Everything is a racial slur nowadays, and I am sick of it.
I am sorry, but using term poster boy is no way racist. His campaign shouldn’t have gone “there”.
I don’t know much about either candidate, but this is quite sad that it is resorting to this. Everything is a racial slur nowadays, and I am sick of it.
“the choice of words could be criticized as thoughtless without”
Thoughtless? As in not obsessed with what color someone is and simply speaking about them as one might speak of any other color of human? I long for such “thoughtlessness” in every serious person.
“the choice of words could be criticized as thoughtless without”
Thoughtless? As in not obsessed with what color someone is and simply speaking about them as one might speak of any other color of human? I long for such “thoughtlessness” in every serious person.
thanks for posting this. I am personally so sick of this subtle message racism Republican candidates use…it has already happened in several parts of the country. The losers of this is always the people-we lose the best candidates & true Conservatives for a racist RINO at best.
thanks for posting this. I am personally so sick of this subtle message racism Republican candidates use…it has already happened in several parts of the country. The losers of this is always the people-we lose the best candidates & true Conservatives for a racist RINO at best.
Okay. I wish I could vote for him. But I do not live in Arizona. I trust your pick on this. And in a house race, especially a primary, things can change quickly. But when is this election happening? Aug 24?
Polls, while hardly the be all end all, do matter like a barometer matters. I agree prinicple matters more than mere electability (which is why I cannot understand why a better candidate did not run against Mac Daddy McCain). You still have to know where you stand, what it will take to get you to your goal, and if what you are doing is effective.
And if he is an underdog in the primary, it is not the end all. That is common. If anything that could drum up support for him in the last few weeks.
Okay. I wish I could vote for him. But I do not live in Arizona. I trust your pick on this. And in a house race, especially a primary, things can change quickly. But when is this election happening? Aug 24?
Polls, while hardly the be all end all, do matter like a barometer matters. I agree prinicple matters more than mere electability (which is why I cannot understand why a better candidate did not run against Mac Daddy McCain). You still have to know where you stand, what it will take to get you to your goal, and if what you are doing is effective.
And if he is an underdog in the primary, it is not the end all. That is common. If anything that could drum up support for him in the last few weeks.
well it is a good thing he didn’t bring up the dreaded “black hole”.
well it is a good thing he didn’t bring up the dreaded “black hole”.
That’s just it, you see. Polling a House primary is like trying to take catch a moving train — especially when there’s 12 candidates in the race. This will almost certainly be a low turnout election, and slight shifts of support can make a big difference.
The fact that Quayle is dishing oppo-research attacks on Vernon Parker, however, indicates that Team Quayle views Parker as a serious contender. He’s the popular mayor of a town with a lot of Republican voters, and they’re trying to kill Parker’s momentum, you see. It’s just like with Nikki Haley — the minute she started getting ahead, she got the knife-in-the-back from her fellow Republicans. These are the same GOP Establishment swine who make whiny noises about the Tea Party movement being “divisive,” and yet they’re the first to go negative on anyone (like Parker or Haley or Palin) who threatens to disrupt their Old Boy Club control of the party.
That’s just it, you see. Polling a House primary is like trying to take catch a moving train — especially when there’s 12 candidates in the race. This will almost certainly be a low turnout election, and slight shifts of support can make a big difference.
The fact that Quayle is dishing oppo-research attacks on Vernon Parker, however, indicates that Team Quayle views Parker as a serious contender. He’s the popular mayor of a town with a lot of Republican voters, and they’re trying to kill Parker’s momentum, you see. It’s just like with Nikki Haley — the minute she started getting ahead, she got the knife-in-the-back from her fellow Republicans. These are the same GOP Establishment swine who make whiny noises about the Tea Party movement being “divisive,” and yet they’re the first to go negative on anyone (like Parker or Haley or Palin) who threatens to disrupt their Old Boy Club control of the party.
Little boy Quayle is set to get a spankin’ from the voters! Seems he’s as “qualified” as Obooby…
Little boy Quayle is set to get a spankin’ from the voters! Seems he’s as “qualified” as Obooby…
Oh. My. God. The phrase “poster boy” has been around since the earth cooled. There’s not a blessed thing racist, or even “thoughtless” about it! So I’m not allowed to use the word “boy” in ANY context in the presence of a black person? Puh-LEEZE! The only thing “over the top” here is the ridiculous accusation of racism. It’s crap like this that will fracture the Republican party and cause us to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory…AGAIN.
Oh. My. God. The phrase “poster boy” has been around since the earth cooled. There’s not a blessed thing racist, or even “thoughtless” about it! So I’m not allowed to use the word “boy” in ANY context in the presence of a black person? Puh-LEEZE! The only thing “over the top” here is the ridiculous accusation of racism. It’s crap like this that will fracture the Republican party and cause us to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory…AGAIN.
You wouldn’t want to make too much out of the “poster boy” thing, but a savvy politician should have been able to screen that wording as being a potential problem, if not in the primary, then in the general. Yes, it may not be “racist” per se, but it would still force the candidate to waste time defending himself. This would be an unforced error, since you have a perfectly credible alternative phrase in “poster child.”
Really, this hoohaw exposed Quayle as a tin ear, a condition that may well be inherited.
You wouldn’t want to make too much out of the “poster boy” thing, but a savvy politician should have been able to screen that wording as being a potential problem, if not in the primary, then in the general. Yes, it may not be “racist” per se, but it would still force the candidate to waste time defending himself. This would be an unforced error, since you have a perfectly credible alternative phrase in “poster child.”
Really, this hoohaw exposed Quayle as a tin ear, a condition that may well be inherited.
[…] by KingShamus on August 10, 2010 RS McCain nails it down but good. Perhaps more importantly, Boy Quayle’s claim that Parker would become a “national […]
I’m with you on this one, RS.
Boy Quayle really doesn’t need to be a congress-critter.
I’m with you on this one, RS.
Boy Quayle really doesn’t need to be a congress-critter.
I’d say the Quayle campaign was a bit niggardly with their copy-editing.
And we do not need political dynasties, right or left, in a republic.
No on Quayle.
I’d say the Quayle campaign was a bit niggardly with their copy-editing.
And we do not need political dynasties, right or left, in a republic.
No on Quayle.
i’d say the quayle campaign qas a bit niggardly with their copy-editing
Mommy he said the word niggardly you better spank him
i’d say the quayle campaign qas a bit niggardly with their copy-editing
Mommy he said the word niggardly you better spank him
was*
was*
It’s one thing to point out Quayle’s negative ads and lack of qualifications.
I just pray Parker isn’t whining about it and trying to play a race card.
If he is, scratch him – there are several good conservatives among the dozen candidates.
It’s one thing to point out Quayle’s negative ads and lack of qualifications.
I just pray Parker isn’t whining about it and trying to play a race card.
If he is, scratch him – there are several good conservatives among the dozen candidates.
Interesting…Parker’s campaign is playing the race card against another Republican…fascinating!
Interesting…Parker’s campaign is playing the race card against another Republican…fascinating!
Hey Dave Tilley – “Oh. My. God. The phrase “poster boy” has been around since the earth cooled.”
NO The phrase Poster Child has been around since the earth cooled. And it’s not just now that you’re not allowed to use the word boy in any context around a black man that’s been a common courtesy since the 60’s. And excuse me, but anyone that comes to this website and moans about things that are “fracturing the Republican Party” is a Democrat Troll.
Hey Dave Tilley – “Oh. My. God. The phrase “poster boy” has been around since the earth cooled.”
NO The phrase Poster Child has been around since the earth cooled. And it’s not just now that you’re not allowed to use the word boy in any context around a black man that’s been a common courtesy since the 60’s. And excuse me, but anyone that comes to this website and moans about things that are “fracturing the Republican Party” is a Democrat Troll.
Parker’s got the Arpaio endorsement; the only thing better would be an endorsement from Arpaio and Paul Babeu. He should do well against Quayle.
Quayle’s made an ass of himself recently. His latest TV add tries to portray him as a 4th generation Arizonan. The man is a liar, even if he can spell potato.
Parker’s got the Arpaio endorsement; the only thing better would be an endorsement from Arpaio and Paul Babeu. He should do well against Quayle.
Quayle’s made an ass of himself recently. His latest TV add tries to portray him as a 4th generation Arizonan. The man is a liar, even if he can spell potato.
Another example of the uselessness, nay destructiveness, of establishment Republicans.
But the truth is every Republican candidate is the “poster boy” of Democrats. A wealthy white man like Ben Quayle? RICH OUT OF TOUCH SNOB! A sucessful local politician, black like Vernon Parker? UNCLE TOM! Lower middle class white person, like (dare I mention the name?) Sarah Palin? STATE COLLEGE RETARD!
Like Metallica says- label me, I’ll label you. When we learn to to tell them where to shove their labels we will be one step ahead.
Another example of the uselessness, nay destructiveness, of establishment Republicans.
But the truth is every Republican candidate is the “poster boy” of Democrats. A wealthy white man like Ben Quayle? RICH OUT OF TOUCH SNOB! A sucessful local politician, black like Vernon Parker? UNCLE TOM! Lower middle class white person, like (dare I mention the name?) Sarah Palin? STATE COLLEGE RETARD!
Like Metallica says- label me, I’ll label you. When we learn to to tell them where to shove their labels we will be one step ahead.
One other reason to NOT vote for Quayle: The GOP Establishment pukes have to be thinking about replacing John McAmnesty sometime soon, given his age, and They probably are trying to set up Young Quayle to be that guy.
One other reason to NOT vote for Quayle: The GOP Establishment pukes have to be thinking about replacing John McAmnesty sometime soon, given his age, and They probably are trying to set up Young Quayle to be that guy.
interesting youngforeskin just caused my irony meter to explode