Name Calling Not Winning Ticket

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy (no relation) has certainly made a name for himself by fully embracing his conservative credentials during his tenure in Congress. While he differs greatly from the other famous Kennedys, he has established himself as a "good old boy" with a quick wit that leaves some questioning his ultimate objectives. Kennedy is a highly educated man, which makes his political statements all the more puzzling. A recent example is his reference to Vice President Kamala Harris as a "ding-dong" in an interview. Kennedy spoke with Fox's Neil Cavuto, agreeing with what he claimed were polls indicating that the American people view Harris as a "ding-dong" because of her laugh. This raises questions about who commissioned these polls and who formulated the questions.

When Cavuto asked Kennedy if name-calling might be a poor strategy, particularly if it could alienate female voters, Kennedy said he was relying on the polls. He did not specify which polls, merely referring to what "the American people" believe. Kennedy admitted that not all Americans, or even a majority, share the views he and other conservatives express. Much like Donald Trump, who tells his supporters to "trust him" on the facts, Kennedy's statements are not widely believed by most Americans or by Cavuto. Cavuto even reminded Kennedy that name-calling might turn off women voters, who are crucial beyond the conservative base. Despite his impressive education, Kennedy’s choice of words—calling President Biden a "vegetable" and Harris a "loon"—seems unlikely to be remembered alongside historically significant phrases like "Give me liberty or give me death." It raises the question: why not just call Vice President Harris a "ding-bat" from the Archie Bunker playbook? Regardless, Kennedy will remain a senator after November, even if Trump is no longer president. As Harris and Biden pose no real threat to Kennedy's position, he can continue entertaining with his "southern wit" while the GOP evolves. This is why people often joke about our southern congressman, saying, "John, no relation..." It’s not a winning ticket.