Sometimes, I wish I had writers for my daily life. I'd always say the right thing.
In the season 2 finale of HBO's "The Newsroom", anchorman Will McAvoy, a self reported Republican is being challenged on air by Taylor Warren, the former media spokeswoman for the Mitt Romney campaign. It's election night, 2012. The election had just been called for President Obama. After a bit of banter, Ms. Warren asks Mr. McAvoy the following question:
Do you call yourself a Republican so you can make a claim to credibility when you attack the GOP?
He responds thusly:
No, I call myself a Republican because I am one.
I believe in market solutions and common sense realities and the necessity to defend ourselves against a dangerous world and that’s about it.
The problem is now I have to be homophobic.
I have to count the number to times people go to church.
I have to deny facts and think scientific research is a long con.
I have to think poor people are getting a sweet ride.
And I have to have such a stunning inferiority complex that I fear education and intellect…in the 21st century.
But most of all, the biggest new requirement, really the only requirement is that I have to hate Democrats.
And I have to hate Chris Christie for not spitting on the president when he got off of Air Force One.
The two-party system is crucial to the whole operation. There is honor in being the loyal opposition. And I’m a Republican for the same reasons you are.
I think McAvoy speaks for many Americans. I'm not sure I could call myself a Republican, but if they were acting like the dignitaries they are supposed to be, I'm sure I wouldn't constantly be dealing with "outrage fatigue."