Why ‘weird’ is working wonders for the Democrats
Former San Pablo Mayor Rich Kinney, center, leads a group singing “God Bless America” in June during a rally in support of Donald Trump before a campaign fundraiser in San Francisco. MAGA’s definition of normal seems to be fading.
When former first lady Michelle Obama first issued her call for civility — “When they go low, we go high” — it was a balm for those repulsed by racist and misogynistic political rhetoric and out-there demands for former President Barack Obama’s birth certificate. It exhorted Democrats to stay on message and hold faith that the body politic would respond to maturity and grace.
It was a lovely sentiment, but this week has made it clear it has finally been put to rest.
It’s a new age: Time to get weird.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Democrats are finally coming to realize that stepping off the high ground is worth it if that’s what it takes to interrupt the march of fascism.
This past weekend, Minnesota governor and potential vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz stumbled upon a powerful rhetorical weapon while speaking out against Republicans at a rally in St. Paul: “The fascists depend on us going back. But we are not afraid of weird people. We’re a little bit creeped out, but we are not afraid.”
It’s mild. (Although in Minnesota-speak, mild pejoratives like “weird,” or its cousin, “that’s different,” can be as devastating as the worst cuss word you can imagine.) But as a condemnation of a........
© San Francisco Chronicle
visit website