NYT Celebrates Democrats Adding ‘Weird’ To All The Other Smears
A writer for The New York Times is celebrating the Democratic Party’s adoption of name-calling in their presidential campaign, particularly the use of the term “weird.” Jessica Bennett argues that this strategy is a clever form of “verbal jujitsu” in response to labels like “Snowflakes” and “Groomers” that Republicans have long used. Bennett contends that, for years, Democrats tried to engage politically with facts and earnest explanations, but she suggests that their recent approach to ridicule and name-calling is a sign of effectiveness. However, the column overlooks a historical context, wherein Democrats have frequently labeled Republicans as racist or sexist in an effort to shut down debate. Bennett states that being called “weird” is a difficult insult to counter because it lacks a straightforward defense. The article implies that such name-calling reflects a broader tactic of the Democratic Party, which has often engaged in similar tactics, and notes that conservatives have also begun to employ name-calling, particularly using the term “groomer” as a response to the Democratic narrative.
A writer at The New York Times is elated that Democrats have come to “name-calling” in the presidential race, apparently oblivious about the childish strategy embraced by the party of identity politics for decades.
On Thursday, New York Times Contributing Editor Jessica Bennett published a column to celebrate that “Democrats have finally gone low” with their bizarre use of the term “weird’ as a bit of verbal jujitsu so delightfully petty it might just work.”
“For years the MAGA movement has approached politics the way a bully would approach a schoolyard,” Bennett wrote, adding “Snowflakes,” “Groomers,” and “Cucks,” are the labels Democrats responded to “for years” by “trying to be the adults in the room” with “facts,” “context,” and “earnest explanations that nobody remembers.” (Guess Hillary Clinton calling half the country “deplorable” in 2016 was a very grown-up thing to do).
Here’s one defense most Americans will always remember, and that Bennett seems to have forgotten: Republicans, according to Democrats, are racist, sexist, fascist, and any other “ist” that leftists can come up with to shout their opponents down in the kind of temper tantrum Bennett said defines any objection to charges of “weird.”
“As any sixth grader who’s been called weird,” she wrote, “good luck trying to argue your way out.”
“Much like ‘creepy’ — which packs a particular punch when delivered by a woman to a man,” Bennett added, “you can’t really defend against weird. It’s specific enough to be damning, but without a clear path to a comeback.”
It’s a similar attack to those Democrats have deployed with previous name-calling campaigns wherein the defense against such labels is treated as an admission of guilt. No one can reference his relationships with minorities, lest he be chastised as even more racist than the charges initially suggest. Republicans ought not dare reference a “binder full of women” to prove their commitment to sex parity in the workplace, lest they be blinded by accusations of sexism.
“Weirdness” is apparently another indefensible charge that Republicans can’t run against, even if the label provides a classic example of projection from a party eager to dole out special benefits based on sex and race while celebrating blasphemous scenes of religious mockery.
Two years ago, Fox News late-night host Greg Gutfeld explained conservatives’ newfound fondness for name-calling emerged in the form of “groomer.”
“Every lefty is a ‘groomer’ because it’s a mirror of what the Dems did with ‘racist,’” Gutfeld said.
Every rich person racist. Every white person racist. Every Trump rally racist. Everything on Fox racist. Every dead president. Every monument. Every name of every school. Every podcaster. Every comedian. Racist, racist, racist.
So fine. Then every left-wing teacher is a groomer. Every left-wing Disney employee who wants gender studies taught to toddlers is a groomer. Everyone who defends the medicalization of confused kids. You’re a groomer.
The Democrats’ embrace of the word “weird” to characterize their opposition has propelled a new term into our political jargon. It’s courtesy of another election built on identity politics due to a female candidate at the top of a major ticket. As Helen Andrews pointed out on X, “calling people ‘weird’ is such feminine behavior.”
Calling people “weird” is such feminine behavior. Textbook sex difference: Men engage in open conflict; women police conformity. It’s honestly disorienting to hear male politicians use the line.
— Helen Andrews (@herandrews) July 29, 2024
It makes sense then, with a woman to lead the charge, the Democrats would pursue a name-calling campaign that polices conformity. Of course, leftists likely would clalim that’s something a sexist might say.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
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