[Lazamataz]

Your supposition is inaccurate.

Norman Lear, who invented Archie Bunker to mock conservatives, was reportedly shocked when Bunker instead became beloved by the audience. In no small part, this is due to Carrol O'Conner making the character more than one-dimensional, and adding a human side to Archie.

Secondly, the many sayings of Archie Bunker turned out to have great wisdom:

• "God don't make no mistakes. That's how He got to be God."
• "It's a proven fact that capital punishment is a well-known detergent to crime."
• Gloria: Do you know that sixty percent of all deaths in America are caused by guns?.... Archie Bunker: Would it make you feel any better, little girl, if they was pushed out of windows?

[fabian]

Well, yes Archie did have great wisdom...he just lacked that Reagan type of love is all I am saying. Definelty better than the left, of course.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

A good point. The first quote is classic.

I also find the lack of attention to detail among those that mock conservatives alarming. Why do people use Archie Bunker to criticize conservatives as heartless, why do we use Matt Dillon (the one from Gunsmoke) to critique stand your ground laws?

[dfwgator]

I will never forget the scene in All in The Family with the draft dodger, when Archie found out that Mike’s friend had just returned from Canada, where he had fled the draft.

Archie’s reaction was angry and heartfelt. A very powerful scene.