“White rednecks” who “didn’t show up to vote for us” partly cost GOPers their cong. majorities, Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) told fellow Republicans today. And Putnam, seeking the post of GOP conference chair, chided ex-Chair J.C. Watts (R-OK) for ruining the conference’s ability to serve its members.

Three Republicans in the room independently confirmed to the Hotline the substance and context of Putnam’s remarks. But Putnam’s chief of staff insists that the remarks were taken out of context.

Examining the 2006 midterms, Putnam blamed the GOP defeat on “the independent vote, the women vote, the suburban vote.” He said that “heck, even the white rednecks who go to church on Sunday didn't come out to vote for us.”

Well, now rednecks are the problem? Those fussy independents, weird ass women and those surburbans and now the greasy rednecks are all responsible for election day. Can we give something else a label? Can we not just face the fact people voted against politicians because of the dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and scandals that have plagued this administration recently. Nope, let's label folks because if we do that, it minimizes the other stuff. Being that I live in an area that is stereotypically always defined by our "redneckisms" I find the statement ... redeeming. Because if the rednecks are the problem for the GOP and not the scandals and mismanagement, then God love 'em. And what does Watts have to do with this? Oh yeah, I am a woman too. I do everything I can to disassociate myself with being a the label of redneck because I live in rural america (and Tennessee to boot) but this statement amazes me. Why, I have no idea. Actually, I guess I'm going to embrace my redneck because, by golly, I guess my neck is crimson and I wear a bra and I have lived in surburbia (okay, I still do.) I'm off now. I'm going to drink some moonshine and watch me some NASCAR and Dukes of Hazzard after I eat a fried peanut butter sandwich. I'm also going to read me some Camille Paglia because that's what we feminists who vote do. And I 'll head on over the surburbian neighborhood association for our monthly meeting about who can have a pool in the neighborhood or not. Can I get anymore steretypical for you? And also remember, Fark has a category for Florida, Rep. Putnam. 'Nuff said. Sensitive much about it all. Yes I am. I'm so tired of the labeling. Yeeeesh.

¶ 11/16/2006 06:25:00 PM