Have you ever wondered if politicians engage their brains before engaging their mouths?  I’m not talking about poor speaking skills (such as the one plaguing George W. Bush during his 8 years in office), but rather making stupid statements without thought about how they will be received.  Two examples that I will cite tonight are from the Republican Party.

The Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, has a reputation of being down-to-Earth.  He easily connects with the general public and speaks with a style that is more in line with the middle-class rather than the political elite.  This causal style does get him in trouble though, as it was today.  When discussing the Health Care Reform bill the Senate is working on, Steele described the legislation as:

“This is a bad bill. It’s bad law. It’s bad for America. It is bad certainly for individuals and enough is enough. I am tired of the Congress thumbing their nose and flipping a bird to the American people.”

Flipping the bird? Are you serious? Come on Michael. You are the head of the Republican Party. You need remember that the camera and microphone are constantly on around you. Why not drop a four-lettered word in the process.

In my second example, I’m going with one of the Republicans that I personally enjoyed during the 2008 Presidential campaign: Mike Huckabee. During a rally hosted by Americans for Prosperity, Huckabee criticized Democrat Ben Nelson for his $300 Million payoff to secure his vote on the Health Care Reform bill. Unfortunately, Huckabee makes an unintended comparrison:

“I don’t want [senators] to go up there…and then somehow go back and boast, ‘Here’s some money that I got for you.’ The last time we saw that kind of historic moment it was 30 pieces of silver and that didn’t work out too well for us either.”

If you are not familiar with Huckabee, he was a former Baptist Minister before entering politics.  He often uses Biblical references in both his political and television career.  In the case of the 30 pieces of silver, Huckabee is referring to Judas.  In Matthew 26:14-16:

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”

Through his betrayal of Jesus, the Romans were able to capture Jesus without much public attention, and eventually nailed him to the cross.  If the story were to end there, then Huckabee’s comparison to Nelson selling out personal gain in exchange for the American people would make sense.  However, the death of Jesus is the foundation for the Christian belief, since through his death Jesus made it possible for believers to have forgiveness of their sins and spend eternity in Heaven.  So, is Nelson actually paving the way for the savior of the general public in regards to health care?

Steele and Huckabee probably would like to have their comments back and come up with something better to say.  But since that currently isn’t possible, their comments will have to remain on record as examples of stupid things politicians say.

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