September 23, 2011

What should the Republicans do about their problem with boos?



That was ugly! TPM leans heavily on the GOP for the sounds that emanate from various audiences. There was the booing of the soldier and...
... On Sept. 7, the biggest applause line of the night went to the then-234 executions that had occurred during Rick Perry’s time as governor. At the CNN/Tea Party Express debate a few days later, members of the audience voiced their support for letting an uninsured man die.
Settling in to write this post, I said out loud: "The Republicans need to get their audiences under control." And Meade said:
"No, they don't. They're the party of free speech. Anyone can come in and say what they want to say. It's just like your blog. You're not responsible for what people say in the comments."
There's no real way to control the audience, other than to strictly limit who gets in, which will look repressive and cowardly. And who knows who is booing or applauding in this way that's harmful to the Republican cause? It could just as well be somebody who hates the GOP, trying to generate bad press and distract attention from what the candidates actually say.

The booing in that clip above comes from one very loud guy. Maybe he could be identified. I'd like to know whether he's on the Republican side or he's a dirty trickster. Am I being repressive to suggest that audience members at the next debate ought to pay attention in the future and look when somebody boos or applauds in this way that is useful to Republican opponents?

I don't think so. I think it's similar to going to a protest and photographing people with offensive signs. Let's say someone who hates the Tea Party is thinking of going to a Tea Party rally and holding up a blatantly racist sign in the hope of stoking the belief that the Tea Party is a bunch of racists. If this prankster realizes he will be photographed (or confronted by the people he's hoping to hurt), he probably won't do it.  

A separate matter is whether the candidates should overlook the inappropriate sounds in the room. (This assumes they hear the sounds and can immediately correctly interpret whether it's an approval or disapproval sound and what it refers to.) The candidates have to be smart about what will be used against them and, if they are sharp, they could find opportunities to leverage the moment for their own benefit with a good spontaneous remark. But I don't think that every jerk in the audience, like that guy last night, ought to have the power to command attention in place of whatever response the candidate had brewing in his head as he listened to the question. There lies chaos.

ADDED: I have listened to the video several times, and I stand by my perception that only one person audibly yells "boo." I hear a loud "boo," then a difficult to decipher noise — which could be an ugh response to the booer — and then a little more of a boo, which sounds like the original guy.

255 comments:

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rcocean said...

It seems to go like this at a Republican debate:

- Show a Soldier - Yaaa!

- Show a Gay - Booo!

- Show a Gay Soldier - silence and a couple boos.

With Democrats its the exact opposite.

chickelit said...

But when it gets in the way of doing your job -- meaning if you leave one of your buddies out to hang, or treat him any differently than another in uniform because your religion determines he's a hopeless sinner -- that's where you'd simply not be welcome.

If we allow that possibilty, we might also allow the possibilty of two soldiers deeply in love, committed, passionate--faced with a live or death scenario involving a choice between each other or another.

Get real!

Alex said...

I just can't stop tappin' my feet, I just gotta get dancin'!

chickelit said...

More importantly, lock your shit up! Some little cocksucker took my BMW out for a joyride last night and ripped all my stereo equip out.

Probably some eastsider...

rcocean said...

"If we allow that possibilty, we might also allow the possibilty of two soldiers deeply in love, committed, passionate--faced with a live or death scenario involving a choice between each other or another."

They've already made that movie. See "Where Eagles dare".

chickelit said...

Carol_Herman said...
The democrats aren't on this stage!...

...because they're in the audience!

Mystery solved.

Hoosier Daddy said...

Matt,

I know more about the causes than you think. Do a little research yourself buddy. Drop out if school and you're likely to be poor. Get knocked up at 16 and you're likely to be poor. Become a criminal and you're likely to be poor. Find a poor person and likely youll find at least one of those.

Has nothing to do with politics unless you're a liberal.

Carol_Herman said...

I remember an old Adlai Stevenson story. Circa 1952. Or 1956. A woman supporter came up to him to shake his hand, when she enthused "every smart person is America is gonna vote for ya." And, Stevenson responded: "Alas, then, I'll lose."

Americans don't pick eggheads.

They also don't pick dwarves.

So far, though? The "base" of the republican party hasn't figured this out, yet. They don't seem to know how to attract voters.

And, they run these "cattle calls." Most people don't view them. But they await the jolly virals that show up on the Internet.

To obama this is just PURE GOLD!

He's given news cycles free of content. His feet are not pressed to the fire. Instead, you get the "clown show."

And, as I said, if these "cattle shows" were really worth it, Sarah Palin would have jumped into the pool. And, most of those "8 condendahs" would have gone sailing out.

chickelit said...

Apropos to nothing but the Dutch word for angry is boos.

Calypso Facto said...

It looks like your position is blacks have dropped their strongly favorables because of Obama's support for ending DADT?

Not really. Much more about the economy, I'd say, but ??? It's even more reason Dems should be careful when pushing the hot button items like DADT against the wishes of one of the main legs of their base. It could rapidly erode already-slipping favor.


More importantly, lock your shit up! Some little cocksucker took my BMW out for a joyride last night and ripped all my stereo equip out.

Thanks for the heads up! My truck got broken into this spring and I lost a laptop. Insurance kicked in, but damn it's a pain recreating the emails and files.

chickelit said...

They've already made that movie. See "Where Eagles dare".

I forget who jumped out of plane w/o a parachute at the end. It wasn't the American though.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... I forget who jumped out of plane w/o a parachute at the end. It wasn't the American though...'

It was the Brit Intel guy who was the double agent.

Great movie.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... Some little cocksucker took my BMW out for a joyride last night and ripped all my stereo equip out..."

Now garage...a good liberal would assume it was some down on his luck laid off union worker who sold the stereo to buy his childrens food and medicine.

garage mahal said...

I don't any liberals that would assume that.

coketown said...

Would locking one's doors really have prevented one's car from being stolen, joyridden, and the stereo ripped out? Locked doors only seem a deterrent for low-grade hooligans walking past and stealing loose items like CDs and iPods. If the car was actually hotwired (no easy task considering it's a BMW) and the stereo "ripped out," the culprit would probably just as soon break a window than walk away.

Wait. What is Garage "Union Solidarity" Mahal doing driving a BMW? Depending on the model it's either foreign or made with non-union labor in a right-to-work state. The shame!

Scott M said...

I don't any liberals that would assume that.

You are correct, sir. They don't really believe it, they just say it when trying to tug emotional strings in order to further their agenda, the number of stolen car stereos be damned.

chickelit said...

garage mahal said...
I don't any liberals that would assume that.

Even though I do this myself (leave out a word) this is just too delicious to pass up.

What verb did garage leave out?

(a) know: "I don't know any liberals that would assume that."

(b) believe: "I don't believe there are any liberals that would assume that."

(c) like: "I don't like any liberals that would assume that."

What you believe is somewhere between what you like and know.

garage mahal said...

Made in Germany, union labor. I would never buy a new BMW for a few reasons. One, they *are* screwing workers here in the U.S. Two, I don't buy new cars, period.

Was my fault actually, I left the keys in the car as I was running errands, forgot to take them out. Ooops.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... I don't any liberals that would assume that..."

I know. All your friends are conservatives.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

This one incident, not emanating from a potential candidate.. about a problem that is in fact no longer a problem.. has garnished more comments here than the entire debate did last night.

I dont know what that means.. or if it does at all.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... Made in Germany, union labor."

Deutshchland, Uber Alles!

garage mahal said...

I know. All your friends are conservatives.

Not all.

I did make a real live friend on Althouse though recently! We drank beers, talked about chicks and sports, and a little politics.

coketown said...

Was my fault actually, I left the keys in the car as I was running errands, forgot to take them out. Ooops.

That was my second question. I read BMWs are among the least-stolen cars in America because their anti-theft technologies make them damn-near impossible to steal! It sucks that you left your keys in the car, and I sympathize with that. You can borrow my iPod until your stereo is replaced if you want.

Hoosier Daddy said...

Garage makes six figures, drives BMWs and buys $1100 canines so don't cry for him Argentina. I'm sure the thief was down on his luck so in a way garage was just paying his fair share.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... I did make a real live friend on Althouse though recently! We drank beers, talked about chicks and sports, and a little politics...."

Obama came to Wisconsin? That's awesome!

garage mahal said...

Coketown, haha thanks. Thing that sucks is, they didn't give me my goddamn keys back after they ditched the car. Meaning, they still have a key to my car! I'd have to change out the tumbler, which will cost hundreds, or I could try and change just the locks on the doors, which would also cost hundreds. It's a 1990 w/ 224k on it, I'm not going to invest that into this rig. Probably just buy a steering wheel lock system like the Club. Then start looking for that 540i 6 speed, or maybe that M5 I always wanted.

Hoosier Daddy said...

'... . You can borrow my iPod until your stereo is replaced if you want...."

I'm playing my violin real loud.

Ok sorry. I'm at the pub tying one on so my assholery is showing.

Ok the couger patrol just showed up. Hoosier out.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

garage has shovel ready meetup ;)

cubanbob said...

HDHouse said...
cubanbob said...
The real question to ask is what should Democrats do about their problem with assholes?"

We just put out a box of tea bags and the asshole designates just seem to pick them up. It is a rather elegant solution to the problem I think.

9/23/11 2:33 PM

Its amazing what you learn on this blog. I never knew that Obama bin Biden were such devoted tea drinkers. And the rest of the elected democrats. Who knew?

Alex said...

So garage is a rich yuppie liberal? Why is he filled with so much anger then?

chickelit said...

Garage said: Probably just buy a steering wheel lock system like the Club.

That's just so ghetto, garage.

coketown said...

I wouldn't worry too much about the purloined key. If you were running errands, the thief's encounter with your car was a fluke. What are the odds they a) held on to the key, b) have it on them at all times, c) come across your car again? and d) not only recognize it but elect to steal it again?

And really, a Club?! I hope you buy a pair of fuzzy dice with that mid-90's anachronism!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

What should the White House do about their problem with stonewalls?

chickelit said...

Alex said...
So garage is a rich yuppie liberal? Why is he filled with so much anger then?

Garage is riven by guilt.

garage mahal said...

And really, a Club?! I hope you buy a pair of fuzzy dice with that mid-90's anachronism!

I hate the idea of someone having the key to take it anytime they want. The driver seat was pulled up so tight it looked like someone 5' or less was driving it. Which means young kids. Not good.

Fr Martin Fox said...

I said:

"Large numbers of Christians, Muslims and Jews believe homosexual behavior is a sin. Agree or disagree, that's their religious belief and their right. Our military shouldn't veer from silencing one group, to silencing another."

Mary said:

Oh, I think you're still allowed to think this, even say it.

But when it gets in the way of doing your job -- meaning if you leave one of your buddies out to hang, or treat him any differently than another in uniform because your religion determines he's a hopeless sinner -- that's where you'd simply not be welcome.


Come on. Can you cite, for example, any preacher who says, "they are sinners, so don't rescue them"? Until you can, that's a straw man.

It's not DADT on your personal religious beliefs, that is. It's just .... can you get your job done, despite your beliefs?

Well, that is what I think is going to be at issue. Will chaplains or individual service members be told to mute their beliefs, for the sake of "good order"? Will chaplains be expected to perform same-sex weddings? I think it's likely to come up, down the road.

And, when I made this point before, it was the same folks who expressed themselves so forcefully for the right of being openly gay in the military, who then pivoted to say, too bad, no constitutional rights in the military. That pivot validates my caution.

In this way, very analagous to those who don't think black and whites should be fraternizing. Think all you want, it's how you act -- or don't act -- on those beliefs that matter and affect the team.

As does that comment. The comparison to race relations is false, but it's the one being trumpeted. And the more it gets made, the more it serves to justify terming people's religious views on homosexual behavior as "bigotry" (to quote members of Congress).

Of course, your religious team -- your workplace Fr. Fox -- is a very different workplace than the military, you understand.

You do realize that is pretty condescending? Did you mean it to be?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I hate the idea of someone having the key to take it anytime they want.

garage has a shovel ready rig.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... . The driver seat was pulled up so tight it looked like someone 5' or less was driving it. Which means young kids. Not good..."

Or it was to make more room in the back seat to do the wild monkey dance. Get a blacklight and some Clorox.

chickelit said...

Or it was to make more room in the back seat to do the wild monkey dance. Get a blacklight and some Clorox.

Maybe there are still prints on the formerly steamed-up windows!

chickelit said...

They liked humping to your music so much they ripped off your stereo!

coketown said...

Also be sure to dust the accelerator for prints. It may have been one of those one-kid-steering, one-kid-accelerating/braking situations. See The Little Rascals for details.

jr565 said...

Titus Wrote:
It was sad and made me sad. But I'm over it.

The soldier enlisted to serve his country and had the balls to post that video. Did Ricky serve in the military?

What about that soldiers guns? WOW!


Again, what if this same soldier made the argument that just because he cheated on his wife, that he still served honorably and shouldnt be drummed out of the military. Why should we not feel bad for all the serial adulterers? They too are serving their country.

Trooper York said...

Holy Ernst Roehm Batman!

A horney midget ripped off garage's fancy krautmobile!

Sorry buddy.

jr565 said...

How about all the translators who speak arabic, and thus are essential, who also cheat on their wives. Should we boot them out of the military simply because they're knocking boots with their mistress, when they perform such a valuable service.

Scott M said...

So what about blacks historically voting overwhelmingly for white Democrats?

So, what you're saying, GM, is that during the 2008 Democratic primaries, the black vote was split evenly between Obama and Clinton, with the black voters making thoughtful choices based on the candidate they thought best suited to lead?

Is that what you're insinuating?

Craig Howard said...

The audience was booing the repeal of DADT. They believe (rightly or wrongly) that the military will be weakened by the admission of openly-gay soldiers. It is not an invalid opinion.

Even if the gay soldiers turn out to be valiant fighters -- as I expect they will -- should we be concerned that a newly-politically-correct brass will go out of its way to protect the bad ones? We've seen some evidence that bad Muslim soldiers have been protected, after all.

The audience was not booing the soldier.

chickelit said...

Trooper York said...
Holy Ernst Roehm Batman!

A horney midget ripped off garage's fancy krautmobile!


That could make for some interesting blogfodder...

Nora said...

This somewhat obnoxious post makes me think that Ann is extremely worried about Obama being re-elected :D

damikesc said...

Yes, but if a Democratic audience member boo'd loudly at a Democratic debate about some subject you cared about then I am very sure you would be saying that that boo represented ALL Democrats.

Democrats have argued for years --- seriously --- that Obama's membership in a brutally racist church for decades is immaterial...but Republicans CLEARLY are responsible for the words of their audience.

...should I also wonder why so many Democrats supported Democratic Presidents who so publicly opposed gay marriage for a long, long time now.

mariner said...

... audience members at the next debate ought to pay attention in the future and look when somebody boos or applauds in this way that is useful to Republican opponents?
Maybe they oughta hire some big guys in purple shirts to follow them outside.

Leland said...

I read through half the comments and gave up. There's already an answer to Ann's question. The TEA Party figured it out. The answer is fairly simple:

One or two people boo'd. Point them out. Make them obvious. Let them become the center of attention they wanted to be. It's a bit like Alinksy rule 13: Identify, isolate, freeze, and then rather than escalate, ridicule.

This whole story is a yawner. 2% of a crowd is not a problem. It's more a statistical certainty.

bagoh20 said...

Oh now we need to do something about this expression. You know why? Because you disagree with it - nothing more.

The left bias in our culture is so pervasive that just expressing your position is only acceptable for one side.

"It could just as well be somebody who hates the GOP, trying to generate bad press and distract attention from what the candidates actually say. "

That could be happening, but I completely understand the audience reactions even if I don't agree with them. Are they genuine? Regardless, the feelings are. These people are excited to hear the other side of the argument free of PC and weasel words for a change. That's what they are expressing. They don't care if you can misinterpret or twist it into something politically incorrect. They simply are tired of giving in to your controlling crap. Including hurting your tender sensibilities, while lives and futures are destroyed with the properly dressed up violence and repression of the builders of government at the expense of all else.

Anonymous said...

I may be slow, but I ain't stupid ...

It took me a while to find the correct answer to Prof. Althouse's question.

The moderator turns to the audience, at the beginning, with the cameras rolling, and says: You can boo and cheer all you want before and after the debate. While the debate is in progress, I ask you the audience to mind your manners and just listen. We're all here to listen to what they have to say. So be polite."

Something like that. It could be wordsmithed a little more, to make the edge sharper, and the velvet glove softer. The point is to pre-determine all disruptors as morons.

Robert G. said...

What should the Republicans do about their problem with boos
How about pointing cameras at the audience and streaming that feed over the 'net.

Fred4Pres said...

Carol, your affinity with the Democratic Party explains a lot.

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