Marge Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar are calling it the "America First Caucus" and they're launching it with a (leaked) crackpot policy platform (of which Alan Grayson remarked last might "I literally can’t tell whether this is Greene’s platform, or the Onion’s version of Greene’s platform; either way, it’s great to have all the lunacy in one place"). Both have lots of time on their hands, Greene because a bipartisan resolution in Congress kicked her off all her committees and she is barely a member of Congress any longer, and Gosar for more personal reasons: his whole family has disowned him as a dangerous and extremist anti-American sociopath, so... no, long holiday get-togethers for neo-fascist Paul.
The Margie and Paul caucus has a lot of demands, starting with "uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions" but my favorite was "a return to architectural style that 'befits the progeny of European architecture'." Too bad Albert Speer isn't around to champion their cause and become an ex-officio member.
First and foremost, their nativist document is an ugly xenophobic Know-Nothing screed that could have been used throughout American history to target whichever group the bigots of the day were enraged about: Catholics, Germans, Irish, Italians, eastern Europeans, Jews, Asians, and, most recently, Hispanics and Muslims. The Hate never ends on the right because the Hate IS the right. Their first recruits are Barry Moore (KKK-AL) and the inimitable Louie Gohmert (R-TX). What about Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Mo Brooks, Andy Biggs and Mad Cawthorn? Maybe by Monday?
Did I mention that they're demanding an end to birthright citizenship. And yesterday, you may have read about how popular Biden's infrastructure proposal is among normal Americans but that the knee-jerk oppositionists in the GOP can't some up with a cohesive opposition that gets any traction. I wonder if they'll try the Gang-Greene approach: "The America First Caucus will work towards an infrastructure that reflects the architectural, engineering and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture, whereby public infrastructure must be utilitarian as well as stunningly, classically beautiful, befitting a world power and source of freedom. As the Romans demonstrated with aqueducts, walls and roads, function and beauty are not at odds. Federally funded infrastructure, including roads, buildings, airports, seaports, bridges, should demonstrate a pride of workmanship. A bridge is not merely something to cross from side A to side B, it is a connection among peoples."
I'm sure it doesn't surprise you that they're pro-pandemic and opposed to mask mandates, social distancing, lockdowns, etc. When the reporters from Punchbowl News asked the Islamophobic and anti-Semitic Marjorie Taylor Greene's comms director, Nick Dyer, for a comment he spewed that "Capitol Hill is full of dirty backstabbing swamp creatures willing to leak gossip to borderline tabloids, like [Punchbowl News]. Be on the look out for a public release for the America First Caucus platform when it’s released publicly very soon." Can't wait! Anyone know if Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise are joining?
Progressive Los Angeles Congresswoman Nanette Barragán isn't going to be looking for a membership application anytime soon... or ever. "The former president," she told me last night, "encouraged and emboldened open displays of racism, xenophobia, and white nationalism-- including among some members of Congress. As the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and a member who represents a majority-minority district in Congress-- I find this disgusting and disheartening. Promoting these ideas is what got the Capitol sacked by violent extremists on January 6 and to further stoke division and hatred is dangerous. That these members would openly embrace and try to establish a caucus explicitly to promote white-nationalist propaganda cannot be tolerated."
One of Nanette's L.A. neighbors, Ted Lieu, added that he "served on active duty in the United States military to defend the right of Rep. Greene and Rep. Gosar to form Aryan type organizations. I just wish they wouldn’t do so. What makes America great is that we don’t care what your bloodline is, we value your character. Also, I plan to attend their meetings and will be bringing egg rolls and enchiladas, just to piss them off."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said today he won't, won't, won't stand for racist dog whistles. Apparently, though, he will, will, will, stand for racist fog horns.
UPDATE: Taylor Greene Pulls Out Of Her Own Anglo-Saxon Caucus/Cult
After being yelled at by House GOP leadership for making the whole party all look like a bunch of Klansmen, she blamed the whole thing on her staff and claimed she basically didn't know nothing about it. So are child sex trafficker Matt Gaetz and Paul Gosar-- who is of Slovenian and Basque heritage-- all alone in the club now with than KKK guy from Alabama and crackpot Louie Gohmert?