Update #2: Yet another friend notes that given the difference in Central and Pacific time zones, BSP's post actually was up first. Hmm. Whatever the case, it's still two people recalling the same pop culture reference [end update]
Update: A close friend of the kind friend observed that Kos had the same idea. Indeed--and he posted it first. Maybe we should start reading that site again.[end update]
A kind friend sent us links about RNC chair Michael Steele's remarks about the Republican's latest effort to rebrand itself as the fun people party. CNN reports RNC chair plans 'off the hook' campaign, tells critics to ‘stuff it’, and the ever-vigilant Steve Benen at Washington Monthly assesses the damage:
Steele said the party needs "messengers" who can capture a "region" made up of "young, Hispanic, black, a cross section." He added, "We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-surburban hip-hop settings.... [W]e need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets."
Steele went on to explain his public-relations vision, saying, "It will be avant garde, technically. It will come to table with things that will surprise everyone -- off the hook."
Asked if he imagines a cutting-edge approach, Steele replied, "I don't do 'cutting-edge.' That's what Democrats are doing. We're going beyond cutting-edge."
Raise your hand if you think Michael Steele has the foggiest idea what he's talking about.
Look, Steele seems to believe the Republican Party will do really well with a fresh coat of paint on a rusted, broken-down car that's already been driven into a ditch. For the RNC chairman, the problem is about branding. If only the party can put together a song about capital gains tax cuts that sounds like Lil Wayne, younger voters will swoon.
Spring must be on its way if it's rebranding time for the Republicans. Last May, the grand rebrand was led by the NRCC's swiping Wyeth's slogan for an anti-depressant; this time around, the strategy is extracted from a Simpson's episode. We've found some representative clips from the Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show:
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