What happens when ultra-religious neocon Michele Bachmann co-hosts a town hall with anti-authority libertarian Ron Paul? Wingnut worlds collide. Maureen O'Connor reports.
Ask a liberal to describe a “crazy Republican,” and their description is likely to fit one of two archetypes. First and most classically would be the fanatically religious Bush-era neocon, a flag-waving patriot who likens gay sex to bestiality and fantasizes about lobbing nukes at Iran. The second, newer iteration would be members of the “Ron Paul Revolution.” Though Rep. Ron Paul’s philosophy is grounded in Constitutional libertarianism, he is also notorious for attracting conspiracy theorists and people who own multiple assault rifles.
Logically, the camps are mutually exclusive; “family values libertarian” is practically an oxymoron. But on Friday night Congress’ evangelical mascot du jour, Rep. Michele Bachmann, nevertheless co-hosted a town hall meeting with Paul at the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Auditorium, drawing 2,000 people and marking a tenuous foray into a potent—if paradoxical—political syncretism.
In the hours leading up to meeting’s start, activists waved signs and stood in clusters of like-minded people. A trio of men wearing black 9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB t-shirts handed out DVDs explaining various conspiracy theories. A lone drummer, dressed in full Revolutionary garb and a white powdered wig, marched back and forth across the plaza without speaking to anyone.
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I wanted to ask Bachmann about the census controversy, but after the town hall she made herself scarce, while Paul stepped down from the stage and waded into the crowd. Under the watchful eye of several security guards, he walked back and forth in the front of the room, signing books, posters, and one man’s wallet. When my turn came I asked about the census taker’s death. Paul stood still and looked at me, silent for a moment, then said, “I am against violence.” I then asked: “Do you worry that you might inspire your more radical followers to violence?”
Like clockwork, a man in a hunting jacket descended on me and began to yell. “You think the Constitution is radical? You think my rights are radical? How can you even ask that, you stupid, stupid—” Ron Paul ignored the sputtering man, repeating, “I am against violence.” He paused a moment, then moved on. The yelling man faded back into the crowd, while Paul drifted down the line of autograph-seekers, posing for pictures and answering questions.
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http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-09-26/the-craziest-town-hall-ever/
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