tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3856837.post8873927546073066954..comments2023-10-24T09:06:30.200-04:00Comments on No More Mister Nice Blog: Steve M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11963290427258439242noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3856837.post-19899267495519885042013-10-31T10:39:35.370-04:002013-10-31T10:39:35.370-04:00I agree with you, SteveM, that all this "disc...I agree with you, SteveM, that all this "discovery of the grifter evangelist" seems a little late to the rest of us. Surely Denby can't be ignorant of the reality that this shtick took over the GOP long ago.<br /><br />But I wanted to also draw attention to this part, the Bill Murray comparison:<br /><br /><b>Ted Cruz resembles the Bill Murray of a quarter-century ago, when he played fishy, mock-sincere fakers. No one looked more untrustworthy than Bill Murray. The difference between the two men is that the actor was a satirist.</b><br /><br />There's a reason Denby perceives the comparison--because Murray was parodying an already existing type, the lounge lizard, used car salesman, hail-fellow-well-met con man, the running to fat white guy with no real accomplishments other than the con or the stab in the back. Some styles remain viable, others become camp. Murray parodied the look and feel of that character while undercutting it (in movies like Groundhog Day) where that character gets his comeuppance. But that style continues to exist in the cultural backwater that is the Texas Republican party. Just look at the boss hogg types that are elected and re-elected in the Texas Congressional group? There's a style, an oleaginous businessman style which has never gone out of style there, like wide lapels or striped ties. Its part of the tribal identifying markers that work because the appeal is to a homogenous, retrograde, buyer (the southern/texas voter). Like bubble hairdos and ladylike pencil skirts it doesn't go out of fashion, it signals something comforting to the viewer.aimaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956073425680585780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3856837.post-84502729822972958622013-10-31T08:44:51.863-04:002013-10-31T08:44:51.863-04:00YES!
And all that's true, Steve, but here'...YES!<br /><br />And all that's true, Steve, but here's what Denby did that I think WILL be helpful:<br />Associating a well-known face with the new one.<br /><br />Cruz-ader DOES look like Bill Murray!<br />At his unctuous, insincere-faking-sincerity, best - or make that, worst.<br /><br />And sure, Cruz-ader looks a hell of a lot like Joe McCarthy!<br />But that was over 60 years ago, and non-political junkies will have to be reminded of who he was and stood for - if not, educated, outright, since his infamy took place so long ago.<br /><br />So, Bill Murray!<br />Except, unlike the character he played in "Groundhog Day," Cruz-ader will never learn, and never improve his character flaws.<br /><br />He won't - or can't - because in his own mind, he thinks he's flawless.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609452382111686086noreply@blogger.com