Local pundits ponder Putnam's "white rednecks who go to church" remark.

[madfloridian]

They seem to be defending it because Adam "Opie" Putnam calls himself a redneck, as he does those around him locally. Heck, one of the pundits even declares himself one in a way.

Here is what our red-headed congressman said, Adam Putnam, wealthy farmer and rancher, said to his colleagues after the election.

Hotline said three Republicans in the room "independently confirmed to the Hotline the substance and context of Putnam's remarks."

He reportedly said, "Heck, even the white rednecks who go to church on Sunday didn't come out to vote for us."

Here is pundit Lonnie Brown tongue in cheek sort of defense of him. I like Lonnie, but sometimes I have to read his columns twice to get the gist.

Polk Puts 'Redneck' in Washington

But I digress. Merriam-Webster Online's dictionary defines redneck as "a white member of the Southern rural laboring class." Putnam, being from the South (and who sometimes refers to his supporters and himself as redneck) would be unlikely to use the phrase "white rednecks," a redundancy by definition. Notice that Hambel's requoting of Putnam omitted the word.

Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, has a more elaborate definition of redneck, including: "In modern usage, redneck predominantly refers to a particular stereotype of whites from the Southern United States. The word can be used either as a pejorative or as a matter of pride, depending on context. See also Hillbilly."

I expect Putnam, his supporters, and the great majority of the rest of us Southerners prefer the definition of the South's own linguistic expert.

He would be stand-up comic Jeff Foxworthy, author of "You Might Be a Redneck If …"

Foxworthy's definition of a redneck: "A glorious absence of sophistication."

Lonnie Brown, I love to watch Jeff Foxworthy, but I am not a redneck. Sorry, friend. I have no particular objection to those who claim the title, but I think some are overly proud of it.

He ends with this chuckle:

Lonnie Brown, The Ledger's associate editor, is interlocutor of the Coffee Guzzler's Club. The club motto this week is: "You might be a redneck if you use the word 'redneck' in a congressional Republican caucus."

And from our political editor, a few more words about how rednecks are fine. Mainly because Putnam said it, and he calls himself and others one so it is ok. Sort of.

Putnam Takes Heat for 'Redneck' Comment

Hambel is Putnam's chief of staff, and he defended the remarks. However Bill Rufty casualness about it because Putnam uses it in local speeches makes our area here in Florida look a little odd. But that is IMHO.

"This whole thing was out of context across the board and has been so infuriating to me," Hambel said. "It was a five-minute speech on polling data and he said we did not communicate to the voters ... that we have to focus on this type of information to the public and that we have to get this information to our members."

While some readers may consider "redneck" an offensive term, it is one Putnam has used in local stump speeches in a light-hearted manner, referring to the Southern working class and including himself. Other Southern politicians and some comedians use the word frequently without meaning anything derogatory.

The online article also reported that Putnam criticized J.C. Watts, a black former Oklahoma representative who was conference chair several years ago, for not focusing on member services. Hambel said that was incorrect, that Putnam said that Watts was an effective communicator to the public when he was chairman while the party was in the majority, but the conference chair must now also focus on member services as well as communication.

Congressman Adam Putnam, age 32, third in line of Republican power in the House. I don't like his calling people rednecks, but then that's just me.

[Dr.Phool]

1. That "Howdy Doody looking nimrod".

As called on the house floor by a congressman from Jawja.

[madfloridian]

2. This is one of his pet projects....Avon Park bombing range.

with live ammo and missiles and everything...just like they did in Puerto Rico.

Are they dropping live 2000 pound bombs in Avon Park, Florida yet?

[MADem]

3. Arkansas, actually....and the remark was aimed at another nimrod sitting nearby!!!

Supposedly, anyway.....I dunno, though, Opie seems to win the contest, in my book....it was Marion Berry who made the remark, per this source....

Putnam, fresh-faced and with red hair parted much like the puppet's, immediately took the podium to respond that he was disappointed by the name-calling.
The thing is: Berry wasn't talking about Putnam.

He was apparently referring to another Howdy Doody-looking member of Congress -- who was also a Republican, also opposing Berry on the budget debate and also sitting near Putnam at the time.

The correct member, confirmed to Taking Names by Berry's office, was Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling, who really does fit the bill a bit better . . .

(The pics, the edited one especially--hysterical!) http://www.flapolitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=138

[madfloridian]

4. That's funny.

Thanks...good post.

[MADem]

5. My favorite Howdy Doody nimrod is soon to be a FORMER VA Senator!!!

These photos have served me well during his campaign--I've flopped them out at every opportunity.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...soon to be FORMER Senator, and onetime candidate for the GOP Presidential nomination, indeed a "silly monkey," now looking for work in the private sector...let's have a big hand now for ... Feeeeeelix Macacawitz Howdy Doody Allen!!!

[madfloridian]

6. Wonkette couldn't resist.

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/j.c.-watts/republicans-hate-rednecks-215711.php

"Add another culprit to the GOP’s pile of the guilty. Along with fiscal conservatives, evangelical Christians, military people, libertarians and independents, the November 7 bloodbath is also the fault of “white rednecks.”

That’s what Rep. Adam Putnam told his comrades today. “White rednecks” who “didn’t show up to vote for us” cost Republicans the House and Senate, according to the wise Florida congressman."

[Cosmocat]

7. Keep an eye on this little puke ...

he is cut from the Delay mold ... I have seen him at work on C-Span, he has a dangerous mix of smarts, personal ambition and the do anything/say anything Delay style of politics, and has managed to move up the power ladder at a very, very quick pace for someone his age ...

I totally anticipate him being one of the lead attack dogs when the republicans gain some traction and start up with their crape ...

[madfloridian]

8. Yes, you are right.

He has a rather nasty attitude about things. And the worst part is that the media around here covers for him, makes him look good.

And he really believes the Bush agenda...especially this part. That if you are rich you deserve it, and if you are poor you deserve it. No handouts, no government programs for the poor.