Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) once again demonstrated his commitment isn’t to represent all his constituents, but rather to continue to cater to just the loudest and most divisive right-wing voices by hosting a War Room Town Hall meeting with Steve Bannon, and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and fellow AZ Congressman Andy Biggs at the Pinal County Cowboy Church (Casa Grande, Arizona)
Usually, the roadrunner (that’s me speaking in 3rd person) writes a slightly humorous and hopefully coherent narrative about events, but here it might be helpful just to direct you to some of the “greatest hits” from this unusual assembly of right-wing reactionary characters, and their approximate time stamp in the 2-hour long recording. [Roadrunner’s comments on each quote will follow in brackets]
Recording found here at Steve Bannon’s War Room
gettr.com/...
10:41 “We’d appreciate it if you guys don’t record this” [well, I’m afraid that ship has sailed.]
11:40 Rep. Eli Crane on Matt Gaetz “one of the strongest, smartest guys we have...watched him obliterate our entire party...Hilarious” [If Gaetz looks smart to you, says something about using yourself as the frame of reference for comparison I guess]
13:00 Eli Crane calls Steve Bannon a “hero of mine” [raise the bar Eli, raise the bar]
~24:00 Steve Bannon “It’s Christmas. Let’s Fight. Let’s Thrown Down. At Christmas Dinner (with your family) get up in their grill if they don’t agree with you” [Can you feel the Christmas spirit?]
31:40 Matt Gaetz: “Our military is functioning as an abortion travel agency...don’t think our military should be a performing drag show troop that fights wars on the side” [all these guys: Gaetz, Biggs, and Crane voted down the 5.2% pay raise for soldiers. They don’t support our troops]
32:34 Eli Crane “Cancer of (DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion infecting our military” [says the guy who refers to African American soldiers as “colored people”]
~48:00 Matt Gaetz: “greatest assembly of MAGA talent since Trump dined alone” [He says that like it's a good thing]
51:17 Garrett Lewis (Talk Show Host): “We need a guy like Matt Gaetz in the White House” Congressman Crane says “YES!” [Again, Mr. Crane raise the bar. Oh, never mind]
~1:04:30 Audience member who is apparently on an area School Board: “Take out the next speaker...Let’s close down America until we get what we want...those who don’t want to do it, take ‘em out behind the barn...” (met with applause) [Seems very Democratic, I’m glad he’s on a school board, I bet he has interesting views on anti-bullying campaigns]
‘Rep. Andy Biggs multiple times, including at 1:17:45 “we have an illegitimate President (Biden) and an illegitimate Governor (Katie Hobbs) [I’d like to solve the puzzle, Pat….Dem=illegitimate]
1:23:16 Andy Biggs pledges to shut down the FBI and DOJ. [Defund the Police!! I knew you’d come around, Andy]
So much material here, I think the Roadrunner will parse out some segments to dig deeper into the nuances of neo-MAGA thought and maybe more articles will be forthcoming.
Also, if I missed anything you think is egregious, feel free to mention in the comments.
To ally my frustrations, I usually end these pieces with an action item.
Congressman Crane paling around with Steve Bannon and Matt Gaetz is not serving his swing district constituents very well. In this red leaning, but only single digit (Trump +8) district, people want a congressional leader who will bring people together and solve problems. Congressman Crane continues to cater to the extreme right, with little interest in representing the diverse constituency that lives in Arizona’s 2nd congressional district.
A better alternative is his Democratic opponent, Jonathan Nez, a proven leader who will govern with humility, grace, and passion, and who will host town halls in inviting spaces rather than in ideologically rigid sites like the Cowboy Church.
Furthermore, Mr. Nez won’t mock our military, or giggle at veiled threats of violence, but will stand up for the dignity of all residents of Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.
ACTION ITEM
TO HELP DEFEAT STEVE BANNON LOVING MAGA EXTREMIST ELI CRANE AND SEND NAVAJO NATION FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEZ TO CONGRESS TO REPLACE HIM YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE HERE…
secure.actblue.com/...