Sean Duffy, former MTV star and Sarah Palin 'Papa Grizzly,' roars in Wisconsin congressional race

LA Times ^ | July 1, 2010 | Michael Muskal

[SoConPubbie]

Sarah Palin has famously announced her "Mama Grizzlies," conservative female candidates she is backing in their races to reshape the American political scene. But there also a “Papa Grizzly,” Sean Duffy, a conservative district attorney and veteran of MTV’s “The Real World: Boston,” who is now given a strong chance of winning the GOP primary and moving on to Congress. Duffy, who sits at the intersection of reality television and today’s version of reality politics, announced a year ago that he wanted to run in Wisconsin’s primarily rural Seventh Congressional District, represented by retiring liberal icon David Obey. Duffy was given little chance of winning, but Obey abruptly retired and everything changed. . . . . . .

[SoConPubbie]

((((( Palin Ping! )))))

[onyx]

No kidding.... might have to invoke a Sean Duffy "rule" - lol.

[jeltz25]

Palin/Snookie ‘12

I actually think her support of Duffy is mostly because of his wife. She was also on The Real World, but she’s been a strong pro-life activist as well I believe.

[Carling]

Since Sean is my age, and I watched his season of the Real World, I'll say he did nothing to embarrass himself on that show. He showed up to his job every day at the Boys and Girls Club, he was best friends with Cyrus from the inner city and they had a blast together (Cyrus was a great guy as well on that season), and he ended up marrying the one member of the SF/Pedro cast who was a staunch Hispanic conservative, yet didn't judge her gay Hispanic cast mate, and instead befriended him.

One of the rare instances of reality TV helping out a persons image. Good luck to Sean, Rachel, and their kids. I hope they win out and stay true to their beliefs. They are exactly what the GOP needs.

[free me]

I like this part:

“Duffy is a champion lumberjack and holds the record for pole climbing.”

Now that is awesome.

Sean sent me a bumper sticker today after I donated again to his campaign. I guess I'll keep it as souvenir

[Oztrich Boy]

Sarah Palin has famously announced her "Mama Grizzlies," conservative female candidates she is backing in their races to reshape the American political scene. But there also a “Papa Grizzly,” Sean Duffy, a conservative district attorney and veteran of MTV’s “The Real World: Boston,”

Analogy Fail.

The meme is Papa Wolf, "because in Real Life, bears do not make very good fathers".

The reason Mama Bears are the way they are, is because Papa Bears are the classic abusive father.

[jellybean]

Just a word of caution before you get too excited about Sean Duffy; he talks a good game, but doesn't sound sincere.

I live in WI 7^th and have heard him several times on our local morning call-in show. When a caller challenges him, he'll shift his position ever so slightly to more align with the caller. My sense is he'll cave at the first hint of pressure. I don't trust him.

[sergeantdave]

Now for a completely unrelated question:

I’ve heard that Obey earmarked a billion dollars for his son’s business venture. Any truth in that?

[jellybean]

Dave Obey's son is a lobbyist for The National Parks Conservation Association. David Obey is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Here is Michelle Malkin's report from Feb. 10, 2009.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Since Sean is my age, and I watched his season of the Real World, I'll say he did nothing to embarrass himself on that show. He showed up to his job every day at the Boys and Girls Club, he was best friends with Cyrus from the inner city and they had a blast together (Cyrus was a great guy as well on that season), and he ended up marrying the one member of the SF/Pedro cast who was a staunch Hispanic conservative, yet didn't judge her gay Hispanic cast mate, and instead befriended him.

One of the rare instances of reality TV helping out a persons image. Good luck to Sean, Rachel, and their kids. I hope they win out and stay true to their beliefs. They are exactly what the GOP needs.

Wow that's quite the story. Thank you...that's interesting...Reality TV producing leaders? *gasp* and on MTV?!

[Cyber Liberty]

There’s one in every crowd....

[hennie pennie]

Hi Diana - do you perchance have any local views on Sean Duffy; and would this thread be appropriate for the Wisconsive Conservative Politicians PING List???

Thanks.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wisconsin Conservative Politics Ping List Ping! I can't vote for Duffy, but a bag of dog poop is less offensive to me than David Obey has been all of these years, LOL!

[Mygirlsmom]

Don't hold back, Diana....tell us how you really feel :D

I believe my daughter will be able to vote in this race since she's registered at school.

[sergeantdave]

Thanks for the info, Jellybean.

[afraidfortherepublic]

she’s been a strong pro-life activist as well I believe.

Mother of six and has written a book on how to raise a large family. I think she home-schools too.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Sean and Rachel Campos Duffy. Rachel wrote a book, "Stay Home, Stay Happy". They have one more child -- Victoria -- who was born just a couple of months ago.