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McCain: I would have signed that Democratic letter asking the NFL to change the Redskins’ name
Hotair ^ | 05/23/2014 | AllahPundit

Posted on 05/23/2014 1:10:39 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Of course he would. Among the public, this is a non-issue: Despite endless lefty blather about the name over the past year, including from The One himself, 79 percent side with the ‘Skins. (That’s especially dangerous to pols elected by the Redskins’ core fan base, which is why Virginia senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner refused to sign the letter.) Among the political class, though, it’s a proxy for ideology, an easy check-the-box way to polish your particular brand. That’s how this issue was able to accelerate from slow-news-day fodder on Slate last August to a cause celebre among fully half of the United States Senate. I’d be surprised if there are even five people in the chamber who’ve given this issue more than two minutes of thought, but when an opportunity to buy political piety this cheaply arises, anyone in the market for it is going to lunge. And Maverick’s always in the market.

Why didn’t Democrats ask him to sign, then?

On Thursday, Republicans dismissed the May 21 letter — signed by 49 Senate Democrats and sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida sent his own letter) — as a pointless exercise unlikely to change anything. GOP lawmakers said that they were never approached by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) or Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the former chairwoman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee who circulated the letter…

One Republican — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), whose state has a significant portion of Native Americans — said he “probably” would have added his signature to the letter if he had been asked. That would have elevated the stature of the Democrats’ initiative by making it both bipartisan and endorsed by the GOP’s 2008 presidential nominee. McCain has joined Democrats on some social issues recently, advocating to end workplace discrimination based on sexuality and urging his governor to veto a bill that would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay customers.

“They didn’t ask,” McCain said, confirming he still opposed the “Redskins” moniker for the team. “It’s offensive to our Native Americans.”

Yeah, McCain would have been a solid “get” for Dems here. And I bet he’s not the only Republican who would have signed. Where Maverick goes, Lindsey Graham usually follows, and then you have the usual centrist Collins/Murkowski/Kirk coalition. Being able to say that a clear majority of the Senate was opposed to the Redskins name would have been a nice talking point for Democrats, “proof” that this issue was catching on among GOPers as well. Instead, they didn’t even approach McCain. Why? Because this is about moral posturing, not about actually pressuring the ‘Skins or the NFL to do something. And if you’re going to posture, why would you invite Republicans to join you? You plant the Democratic flag on the position that “Redskins” is abhorrent to all right-thinking people and salute. When they eventually send a letter to the Koch brothers asking them politely to commit suicide for the good of America, Republicans won’t be asked to sign that one either. This is about Democratic branding, nothing more.

Here’s Maria Cantwell making an impassioned plea to the chamber to give this shiny object the brief news-cycle attention it deserves. You’re next, Chief Wahoo. Exit quotation: ““The intent of the team’s name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image,’ the league said in a statement. ‘The name is not used by the team or the NFL in any other context, though we respect those that view it differently.’”

CLICK ON ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO



TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: democrat; johnmccain; redskins
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To: shove_it

Damn it.... my first glass of wine, before dinner, is all over my keyboard. LMAO......!!!!!


41 posted on 05/23/2014 1:39:46 PM PDT by Capt_Hank (btu's...kcal's...to kJ's, but my activation energy is still high.)
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To: Kozy
San Diego State Aztecs - offends old dead Indian tribes

The Aztecs had to fight to keep their name but had to give up the fierce-looking Aztec warrior symbol, as well as mascot Monty Montezuma who, dressed in Aztec regalia, would lead the team onto the field and launch a spear in the direction of the opposition.

42 posted on 05/23/2014 1:40:06 PM PDT by luvbach1 (We are finished. It will just take a while before everyone realizes it.)
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To: Vendome

Did you see the “/s” tag in my post?


43 posted on 05/23/2014 1:40:17 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: A_Former_Democrat

No one gets worked up over anything ... it’s all smoke n’ mirrors to keep people talking about bullshit ... so the enemy can continue raping, pillaging and destroying.


44 posted on 05/23/2014 1:40:52 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true .. I have no proof .. but they're true.)
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To: SkyDancer

I think that using Martin Luther King’s name on the streets with the worst crime incidence is a disgrace to his accomplishments in the Civil Rights Arena.

They should change them all to Barack Obama Boulevard.


45 posted on 05/23/2014 1:41:24 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: luvbach1

RE: If Oklahoma is an Indian-derived word it has to be OK.

OK next question, who sets the rules that says an Indian derived word is fine but an English word with practically the same meaning is not?

And who gave them the authority to make these rules?


46 posted on 05/23/2014 1:42:11 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: UCANSEE2

Just wait. It’s coming. Haven’t they named some elementary schools after him already?


47 posted on 05/23/2014 1:42:18 PM PDT by SkyDancer (I Believe In The Law Until It Intereferes With Justice. And Pay Your Liberty Tax Citizen.)
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To: Capt_Hank
Damn it.... my first glass of wine, before dinner, is all over my keyboard. LMAO......!!!!!


48 posted on 05/23/2014 1:43:54 PM PDT by Night Hides Not (For every Ted Cruz we send to DC, I can endure 2-3 "unviable" candidates that beat incumbents.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
‘My father could’ve had Jesus as running mate’ & he would’ve lost the presidency, Meghan McCain says

Well... she is right. It doesn't matter who he had as his running mate. Sarah Palin proved that. If Sarah Palin had been paired with anyone else (say, for example, Mitt Romney), they would probably have won.

49 posted on 05/23/2014 1:44:17 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: SECURE AMERICA

Most Native Americans are NOT opposed to the name of the team.


50 posted on 05/23/2014 1:44:27 PM PDT by DLfromthedesert (She accomplished nothing: should have stayed at home and baked cookies)
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To: SeekAndFind

McCain should be put to pasture this time around.He is an Ass Hole


51 posted on 05/23/2014 1:47:17 PM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: SeekAndFind

WHOOPIE WHOOPIE WHOOPIE!
Such wonderful representation!


52 posted on 05/23/2014 1:47:23 PM PDT by faithhopecharity ((Brilliant, Profound Tag Line Goes Here, just as soon as I can think of one..)d)
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To: CaptainAmiigaf
The industry required to change every offending sign across the country would surely lead the country to a new prosperity, and create countless thousands of jobs for Americans.

Every dark cloud has a silver painted Chinese melamine lining, huh ?

You must be an optimist.

: )

53 posted on 05/23/2014 1:48:59 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I vote for the Washington Sunburned and redo the old Coppertone Ad with a couple of NFL Lineman.

Just envision that but not at suppertime.


54 posted on 05/23/2014 1:52:24 PM PDT by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: DLfromthedesert; SECURE AMERICA

RE: Most Native Americans are NOT opposed to the name of the team.

SOURCE:

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/04/03/washington-nfl-team-name-debate/

Team officials and the NFL paint a nearly uniform picture of support for the name, typically citing the results of a 2004 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, that 90 percent of the 768 self-identified Native Americans polled said the team name “Redskins” did not bother them.

The question: “The professional football team in Washington calls itself the Washington Redskins. As a Native American, do you find that name offensive or doesn’t it bother you?”.

That survey is 10 years old. Can the same opinion be applied today?


55 posted on 05/23/2014 1:53:47 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

fascism sucks and mccain is the sad state of our resistance.


56 posted on 05/23/2014 1:55:08 PM PDT by teeman8r (Armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Did you know that the name Chicago comes from the Miami-Illinois word for “stinky onion?” Now what does that tell you!


57 posted on 05/23/2014 1:55:38 PM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: brownsfan

Personally, I think the “Baltimore Ravens” is subtle racism. Name’s gotta go!


58 posted on 05/23/2014 1:55:38 PM PDT by EDINVA
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To: SkyDancer
Haven’t they named some elementary schools after him already?

According to this, 12 so far.

List of things named after Barack Obama

59 posted on 05/23/2014 1:56:10 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: SoCal Pubbie

RE: Did you know that the name Chicago comes from the Miami-Illinois word for “stinky onion?”

The way parts of the city is being run, I say they should KEEP the name :)


60 posted on 05/23/2014 1:58:38 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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