Indoctrination at the Dinner Table: Rand Paul and Ted Cruz Have Serious Daddy Issues

[DonViejo]

Ana Marie Cox

Two leading GOP presidential candidates took extensive conservative catechism from their fathers—and it’s the mirror image of the right’s paranoid fantasy of Obama’s indoctrination.

The articles have already started to appear: “Who’s crazier? Ted Cruz’s Jesus-huffing father vs Rand Paul’s gold-shilling doomsday dad?”

Americans are already familiar with Ron Paul’s wild ideas and chin-stroking over his cost-benefit to Rand has been a staple of punditry since Rand first hinted at interest at his own political career.

But the equally far-from-mainstream opinions of Ted Cruz’s dad, Rafael, are not as familiar to a national audience. But if you haven’t already heard about his Obama conspiracy theories, homophobia or his unusually specific interpretation of Biblical prophecy, don’t fret: Liberal outlets have all put on lobster bibs and staked out space on Rafael’s lawn for what is, in all honesty, probably going to be fantastic television.

You can already anticipate the pushback to such attacks: They are not their father’s keeper. I would advise the candidates’ offices to draft some fill-in-the-blank press releases (all ending with “does not speak for the Senator”) to save time.

This defense is not just predictable; it has the added advantage of being true. Of course no one is responsible for a family member’s opinions. If everyone in every family agreed on every political issue, then how would we bond with our spouse after Thanksgiving?

more
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/12/indoctrination-at-the-dinner-table-rand-paul-and-ted-cruz-have-serious-daddy-issues.html

[summerschild]

1. I expect a lot of sick religiosity in this election.

I'm sure others have noted that Scott Walker and Ted Cruz are sons of pastors and Mike Huckabee, of course, is a former Southern Baptist preacher.

There may be others with similar lineage in the race - don't know about that.

Plenty of Dominionist advocates (Rick Perry for sure - others?).

Lord, how scary is that.