As always, the news story isn’t that 2020 hopeful Eric “Contempt of Congress” Holder retooled Michelle Obama’s famous phrase to read, “When they go low, we kick them.” It’s Republicans’ reactions to the clip that makes headlines.
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tweeted the video of Holder, which compelled CNN political reporter Rebecca Berg to tweet:
GOP jumping on that Holder clip… https://t.co/aHBPT4Mn5n
— Rebecca Berg (@rebeccagberg) October 10, 2018
So the question is, did she not know the proper phrase is “Republicans pounce,” or was she just trying something new?
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) October 10, 2018
"GOP pounces" 🙂
— Law of Self Defense (@LawSelfDefense) October 10, 2018
Trying to think of a one-word synonym for “jumping on” https://t.co/cRLFwgVSsQ
— George (@NJSpeechGuy) October 10, 2018
Pouncing, if you will… https://t.co/QHHbvXF5QQ
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 10, 2018
Pouncing, Rebecca! https://t.co/ys3YbxlufH
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) October 10, 2018
Pouncing, seizing….. https://t.co/9zjnUTB5kl
— Chance Gardener (@ChanceBGardener) October 11, 2018
That was your chance to say "seizing."
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 10, 2018
POUNCE. It's freaking POUNCE!
— Andrew Follett (@AndrewCFollett) October 10, 2018
It's gone past 'seizing' and 'pouncing' all the way to 'weaponizing'.
— motionview – Media delenda est (@motionview) October 10, 2018
Recommended
For the record, I am most comfortable pouncing. Respect my verbs!
— RanD'oh! (@randoh9) October 11, 2018
Republicans:
a) Seize
b) Pounce
c) Jump https://t.co/qtznwQicXf— Blaidd Drwgbert (@getgoins) October 10, 2018
Broke: Republicans seize
Woke: Republicans pounce
Bespoke: Republicans jump https://t.co/qUtxqdBfN0— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) October 10, 2018
This must be some sort of ironic performance art. No way a "reporter" did the "GOP Pounce" thing, right? https://t.co/KoAyJuEoyf
— Jason Hamby (@IPAzRGR8) October 10, 2018
Seize! Jump! Pounce!
Maybe CNN could take the time and actually report on it? Or is that to difficult for you? https://t.co/0hTMFbwBr1
— LaurieAnn ? (@mooshakins) October 10, 2018
Seems like something an objective, non-partisan media would want to "jump on," too. But I guess that Rubicon has long been crossed.
— Drew White (@DrewWhiteTX) October 10, 2018
Why is the media not jumping on it? https://t.co/iUxok5NmGX
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) October 10, 2018
Yes, the response is what is interesting, not his actual comments to incite violence….good eye. Top grade journalism
— Bozana Peric (@BozanaPeric) October 10, 2018
They're completely freaked out. They know this is the end. If Republicans win midterms Trump is getting a second term for sure.
— BornFree ?? (@UncleJunior_) October 10, 2018
Reminder: this is the former top federal law enforcement official in the country. https://t.co/bJZ0PHsIUq
— JonIsKing (@JonDeuser) October 10, 2018
Republicans pounce on former Democrat AG talking like an Antifa thug. https://t.co/O0E2y8CHph
— Sam Valley (@SamValley) October 10, 2018
Alinsky. Alinsky. Alinsky.
Only Republicans are suitable objects to reported on, isolated and polarized.
Democrats are the neutral, normative subject – not to be scrutinized or criticized (even when publicly whipping up political violence). https://t.co/MW0UWe2F3g
— Drones Club (@RightHoBertie) October 10, 2018
Hold on, people: NPR is keeping it old school:
Republicans Seize On 'Angry Mob' Mantra To Keep Their Midterm Base Fired Up https://t.co/1AlOkZNifH
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 11, 2018
Your *taxpayer-funded* "Republicans seize" of the day! https://t.co/DzYNaUrjHZ
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) October 11, 2018
A large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.
That is the definition of a mob and precisely what we saw. Accurately describing it, is not seizing on anything. In fact it was something, long ago, the press did. https://t.co/BdGVdiBS4E
— BayAreaFrau (@bayareahausfrau) October 11, 2018
* * *
Update:
Sen. Orrin Hatch’s office suggested a few alternative headlines in case NPR has a reporter willing to follow up:
“Republicans seize?”
Not
“Republican Senator’s wife receives graphic beheading video”
“Republican Senators receive death threats”
“Republican staffers get rape threats”
“Large angry group overruns police barricades”
“Leading Dems call for more violence”https://t.co/uHxDzknjay— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) October 11, 2018
Related:
NEW TONE! Eric Holder fans flames of anti-GOP violence: 'When they go low, we kick them' https://t.co/KhRTSD7pp5
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 10, 2018