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Sunday, April 25, 2021

The Hill runs an op-ed.

Link, and this from start of the item:

'Real Housewives of the GOP' — Wannabe reality show narcissists commandeer the party
© Getty Images

Donald Trump has proven to be a loser — and a sore one at that — but he has won something. He managed to transform the GOP into a party in his own image: an outsized, narcissistic cast of mini-me sycophants. Just like the maestro, none of them appears to care about actual governing. They’re building their brand first, then following fame and the money.

This has transformed the GOP from a party that once had ideas and credibility into a lame variation on the “Real Housewives” reality TV franchise. Forget the red hats. The real mantra of this new GOP isn’t “America First” — it’s “Me First.”

Like the TV “Housewives,” these new Republicans seek attention, fame and fortune, ignoring credibility.  Their success is sometimes short-lived, and often ends in relationship troubles, legal troubles, and worse. 

The most obvious recent example is Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

TV Insider ran a piece recently detailing the troubles of seven of the TV “Housewives” from various cities. Fame and money are intoxicants. Add a bit of power and the realization that there are people “out there” who buy your special brand of assininity, and the tragedy begins to unfold.

The one thing all “Housewives” have in common is performative outrage.

The item goes on to do a one-by-one examination of the four who are pictured.

My big question, if Ted Cruz really wants to look like Fidel his cap should be red star and not Lone Star. Beyond that, these are not the nation's best and brightest. 

_________UPDATE_________

Thinking of the four, Pete Hegseth, though never an office holder, nonetheless comes to mind. Republican in outlook - Trumpian Republican - as is each of the four featured in the item from The Hill. Hegseth served. Without taking time to confirm, Gaetz has not served, Graham is believed to have served, and for the other two there is not even a Crabgrass guess. (Readers are encouraged to use the net to see whatever service record exists for each of the four).

The bond - Hegseth is as much a diva as each of the other four. In fairness, Hegseth's name has been associated with some good for some veteran housing in Anoka, MN, with the effort seeming successful and open to scaling beyond pilot project size.

This is the latest reporting found online by Crabgrass about Hegseth, beyond FOX stuff, and readers may or may not be impressed. It is remindful of John Kline, former Minnesota CD2 Republican rep. It goes unmentioned on the Hegseth Wikipedia page. 

The feeling at Crabgrass is as much an opportunist and narcissist as the four office holders, but apparently with private sector income only - so far.

Hegseth has a social media presence. At CPAC. Loud. Some Crabgrass readers might find this CPAC speech impressive and effective. Few, at a guess.