The Workday Liberal

The Hill is reporting on Representative Robert Wexler (D. Florida) who made a famed appearance on the Colbert Report. My wife and I watched that show on the day it was recorded, and I must say that it was one of the funniest, most entertaining programs in my memory.

To breifly recap, when Colbert interviewed Wexler, he was running unopposed for the congressional seat in his district. Colbert dared Wexler to say something that would lose him the election if he were opposed. Colbert then asked Wexler to complete the sentence “I enjoy cocaine because ...” and Wexler rose to the challenge by saying: “because it’s a fun thing to do.”

Reading the recap in print hardly conveys the hilarity of that moment. Wexler was obviously joking, and that segment was positively hilarious, mainly due to that moment.

After that appearance various political leaders have disparaged appearing on the Colbert Report. This will be the 2nd post in a row where in I say that despite my appreciation of the Democratic Congress to this point, I believe the leadership of my party in Congress has got it wrong, this time regarding Colbert. A great example is provided by Eleanor Holmes from Washington D.C. She has an ongoing... erm... dispute, with Colbert and has appeared multiple times on his program. Evertime I see Holmes debating Colbert I am impressed by her quick wit and good natured toughness.

Make no mistake about it, there are times when Colbert can really cut up someone he's interviewing. The one I remember most of all was the Republican from Georgia who sponsored legislation to have the 10 commandments posted in public schools. Colbert zinged him by asking him to name the commandments, which of course was tremendous fun as the Rep. squirmed and finally admitted that he did not know them. It was hilarious.

Anyway, Congressman Wexler has some primary challenger in his district promising to make the Colbert appearance an issue in the upcoming primary. Ben Graber is acting like maybe Wexler wasn't joking after all...

“There are many ways to look at it,” Graber said. “Maybe he was shocked and the truth came out.”

No Graber. There are not many ways to look at this one. Frankly if this attack on Wexler is allowed to gain any sort of footing, it will be a sad day in American politics. We need more humor, not less in todays acidic political environment. Graber's take on Wexler is part of the problem. He is being disingenuous and opportunistic when he thinks he sees a chance to garner political power. "There are many ways to look at it" indeed. I have never heard of Graber prior to today, but with statements like that I feel entirely comfortable in inviting him to renounce his Democratic membership and become a member of the Republican party. This is something I would expect from Karl Rove!

If Graber succeeds the lesson will be loud and clear. That lesson is one that will affect all of us. Our politicians will become even more hide bound by scripted talking points, mortified that deviating from the focus group tested line will result in fodder for some future challenger. Graber must not just be defeated in the primary, he must be crushed and frankly humiliated.