Archconservative Jim Inhofe Has Change Of Heart About Democrats

[CatWoman]

WASHINGTON -- One of the most partisan Republicans in the Senate, Oklahoma's Jim Inhofe, said Sunday that his "attitude" toward Senate Democrats has changed as a result of the outpouring of sympathy he received from colleagues after the death of his son. Perry Inhofe, 52, was killed in a plane crash in November.

"I probably shouldn't say this, but I seem to have gotten more -- well at least as many, maybe more -- communications from some of my Democrat friends," Sen. Inhofe told host David Gregory on NBC's "Meet the Press." "And I'm a pretty partisan Republican."

In the wake of his personal tragedy, Inhofe said, "all of a sudden the old barriers that were there -- the old differences, those things that keep us apart -- just disappear. It's not just a recognition that I know how much more important this is, but they do, too. And they look out. And they realize that you've lost someone. And that brings us closer together."

During three terms in the Senate, Inhofe has established a reputation as a take-no-prisoners political brawler, and as a legislator whose ideology is both fiscally and socially to the right of many in his party. An outspoken skeptic of the scientific evidence for man-made climate change, Inhofe has butted heads on the Senate floor over the issue with nearly every member of the Democratic leadership.

When news of his son's death reached Washington, however, politics were quickly set aside. And even though Inhofe is a legendary thorn in the side of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the loss of Inhofe's son served to underscore for him the things that he and Reid have in common.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/22/jim-inhofe-democrats_n_4489794.html?ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000037

I'll forgo what I really think about Ihnofe, in light of his son's passing. But I would like to say that people like him (read: Republicans) only develop what could be called human traits after they have faced and dealt with tragedy. It's still all about "them".

[valerief]

1. Too bad he doesn't have that empathy for the tragedies that befall millions of Americans

every day. I'm sure he'll continue with his "let them eat cake" Republican votes, because, after all, the 99% aren't human to him.

[tabasco]

31. Exactly.

He's a snake trying to convince people (i.e. voters) that he's human.

[Thinkingabout]

2. When a person is shaken to their very core there are new lights which turns on.

I am sadden for his loss but he has in turn gained, it makes one rethink their priorities, to return to the real world. It makes me happy to learn our Democrat Congressional members have expressed their sorrow, it was a moment even the hardest conservative member will realize Democrats has lots of compassion. I would not think a lot of members of the hard right TP would have responded to Democrats with the same compassion.

[last1standing]

3. All that empathy but still won't use the correct title: DemocratIC not Democrat friends.

n/t

[murielm99]

5. Some of them are so used to saying it that it is automatic.

They don't even see it as a slur any more. And some of them claim not to know there is anything wrong with it.

Our county clerk is a republican. I have had to work with her on election business. She is efficient, personable and quite capable at her job. Politics has nothing to do with our getting on with the business of elections.

However, I had to correct her for a couple of years before she stopped saying "Democrat Party." She claimed not to know. She doesn't say that any more - at least around me.

[Lucky Luciano]

26. I only know about the importance of the "ic" due to this website myself. nt

[Jamaal510]

34. There are probably a ton of

non-Republicans who make that mistake. Just like you, I wasn't aware of the "ic" prior to finding DU. And my family always says "Democrat Party", too. That's why I don't look into it much whenever I hear people say that instead of "Democratic".

[AverageJoe90]

4. I'm really not sure I can buy this.....gimme a while. nt

[immoderate]

6. Can losing a son have turned him rational?

I doubt it.

--imm

[RobertEarl]

7. Ghost?

I would not discount a spiritual aspect to his altered state.

[immoderate]

10. What's the difference if it doesn't manifest as policy?

--imm

[RobertEarl]

11. None

But even old scrooge got twisted.

[LiberalElite]

8. That's nice. I'd rather

he'd have a change of heart and resign. But, you gotta take what you can get.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

9. How's this from a Democrat, James:

Fuck you you piece of shit!

Until you have undone the damage you've done to women, children, and this planet, you can kiss my fucking ass.

[olegramps]

12. Ah, come on take the gloves off and tell him what you really thing of him.

I share you sentiments. He is a genuine a-hole. Here is my Christmas greetings: Screw the Republicans, one and all.

[Egnever]

13. That about sums it up.

biggest douche in the senate if you ask me.

[NewJeffCT]

14. But, he still uses the derogatory "Democrat" friends

But, wasn't there also the Republican congressman who changed on gay marriage after his son came out? So, maybe he has changed?

[CatWoman]

18. yup

was thinking about that, too.

[calimary]

30. Yeah, I noticed that, too.

I'm genuinely sorry for his loss, but I'm just as sorry about the adverse impact he has on our nation because of his position as a senator. And I would not expect this "rethink" of his to last very long. Seriously doubt it's any kind of conversion or TRUE change of heart. If he's coming around on his thinking about us Dems, then some of his ideas need to come around too.

[BrotherIvan]

15. People don't change...

People don't change when they see the light, but they do once they feel the heat.

A very wise woman once said, "Life will have its way." Meaning, no one can escape tragedy, though many act as if they are immune. The fate of kings, the fall of hubris, that is what the great dramatic tragedies portray. And while it seems like some bastards, like the Kochs, are immune, I do have faith that life will teach them a lesson somehow.

It will be a great disservice to the memory of his son and all those who showed compassion if he goes back to his old ways of being an absolute prick. It's all up to him now.

[Make7]

16. Doesn't his change of heart imply...

... that he would not have reacted the same way to a Democratic Senator losing a child?

[Iliyah]

17. I'll give him a few more months

and he will be back to his old self.

[CatWoman]

20. I remember he had his own young grandsons

making fun of global warming and climate change.

Real classy, that one

[lobodons]

19. Imagine That

Imagine that. Inholfe actually knows people who choose Humanity over Party.

[Uncle Joe]

21. Well it gave him something to think about, anyway.

Thanks for the thread, CatWoman.

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. Good. That's good

Good IS Good, for it's own sake, for what it is. It's a good even if is only a momentary realization he had, even if it took a tragic personal loss, even if it gets covered over again. Good he felt that.

Now we can only hope that it has some lasting positive effect on him. Praise to his colleagues in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, who care enough about core humanity to reach out to anyone, even a bitter opponent, in their moment of deepest pain.

[santamargarita]

23. InHole will always be an assHole

[Faygo Kid]

24. Screw him. He's screwed us.

Of course I sympathize with him about the loss of his son, but he has done everything in his power to ruin this nation.

Screw him. He's an absolute jerk.

[Curmudgeoness]

25. I salute all the Democrats

who did the right thing and put aside politics to communicate their condolences to Inhofe. I still believe that we are the party of empathy, and this gives me satisfaction that I am not wrong.

Interesting that he said "I probably shouldn't say this".....so I guess I have to give him a tiny bit of credit for voicing the truth.

Now, we will have to wait and see if Inhofe changes his actions and attitude. Time will tell if he learned anything from this.

[nyquil_man]

27. What did he expect?

Is simple decency really such an abnormality?

[toby jo]

28. Surprised he spoke up about this. Hats off to our Dems who reached out.

[Rex]

29. Wow, I had no idea Jim Inhofe had any empathy inside him!

RIP Perry.

[malaise]

32. But he still can't say

Democratic - fuck him.

[Doctor_J]

33. Next time a Blue state needs FEMA he'll be the same shit stain as always

[Walk away]

35. Inhofe is one of (if not THE) biggest assholes in Washington....

That is never going to change.