...and the guy on the other end wants to know if I think we should replace Harry Reid. I say, "depends on who you're replacing him with." He says, "yes, McConnell's not my favorite either."
I draw him into conversation, and bring the subject around to reality, suggesting that the Republicans need to pay more attention to reality than to ideology. He murmurs agreement.
I give the "97 out of 100 doctors say you need therapy for that tumor" argument, and he agrees that yes, he'd start getting therapy...and I say, "so why are Republicans so set against the scientific evidence for human-caused climate change?"
He says, "sir, there are some conservatives who accept that evidence, and not all conservatives think that way, and..." his voice kind of trails off.
I get a suspicion. I say, "Are you a paid fundraiser?"
He says, "yes."
I say, "I know you can't answer this directly, but say 'um' if the answer is 'no.' Are you a Republican?"
He says, "Um..."
He tells me he's "just a cog in the machine," but that he comes from a military family and his father's "pretty much a neanderthal when it comes to this stuff." Then we get into discussing the GOP's failure to deal fairly with veterans.
I say, "it must kind of suck to be fundraising for these scumbags."
He says, "Yes. But every so often I have a good conversation. Have a nice day, sir."
That was satisfying. Way to go, Republicans.