Republican Extremists

Corporations are people. ~ Mitt Romney
Eliminate FEMA, we should handle disasters like we did in 1900. ~ Ron Paul
Social Security is unconstitutional. ~ Rick Perry
If we took away the minimum wage we could wipe out unemployment. ~ Michelle Bachmann

These are not just opposing political philosophies; these are radical, extreme positions that 70, 80, 90 percent of the American people wholeheartedly disagree with. While people like me rail against these and other statements in the crowded noise of the internet, the Democratic Party, and especially President Obama, are bizarrely silent in response.

I understand the political calculus; it's not exactly profound strategy. The thinking in the White House brain trust is to let Romney do the heavy lifting opposing Radical Republicanism or paint him as extremist himself in the general election. It's a stupid strategy.

The strategy fits Obama's confrontation adverse nature (Allodoxaphobia is certainly the weirdest disease for a career politician to have). But by staying silent now Obama is implying that these radical statements, and the hundreds of others like them, are mostly harmless, that they don't really mean them. Paul is not your crazy uncle, Bachmann is not just a ditz, and Perry is not just a goober. They mean what they say and their statements are not benign.

Obama should be all over these statements like a rash on a whore, keeping the disgusting oozing pustules imagery intact. Make them own their statements now. Make them carry the weight of their words like Marley's chains.

By the by, Mr. President, the most likely outcome of the Republican primary season is Romney for President and Perry for Vice-President. If you don't make Perry wear the full weight of his words now he is going to be free to pit bull your ass this time next year.