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News & ArtsWednesday, June 30, 2010
Politics Rossi's Categories for Voters: Saints, Sinners, and the Saved
Posted by Eli Sanders on Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Democrats are calling attention to this quote that Republican Senate candidate Dino Rossi gave to Hotline yesterday:
Having entered the race in late May, Rossi left himself with a limited amount of time to campaign against favored incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D), which may hamstring him as the race goes on. Rossi said he would focus on voters who have not made up their mind. "In the old adage, there are saints and sinners and those who can be saved. The saints are with us, the sinners are not. And the ones that can be saved are the ones we will be talking to," Rossi said.
It's an old adage, yes. But it's also an odd mixing of religion and politics, and it seems to imply that Rossi believes committed Republican voters are saints, committed Democratic voters are sinners, and undecided voters who move his way will be among the saved.
I've asked his spokesperson for some clarification. While we wait, a poll!
According to Rossi's world view, which are you?
UPDATE: Rossi spokesperson Jennifer Morris responds:
It’s an adage, not literal. It’s like saying “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” No one’s talking about throwing an actual baby.
3
It's an old phrase, and it doesn't imply anything. It's a metaphor, that's it.
Please, the man says enough things that are legitimately horrid, don't turn him into a martyr by taking everything he says in the worst light possible.
Please, the man says enough things that are legitimately horrid, don't turn him into a martyr by taking everything he says in the worst light possible.
4
I'm a Pastafarian and a former alter boy for the Anglican church - he's the sinner, I'm the saved.
He's not even worthy of His Noodliness.
He's not even worthy of His Noodliness.
5
"... I once was lost, but now I'm saved..." and I wouldn't vote for Rossi if it meant an eternity in imaginary hell!
7
I used to lie and cheat
Lie and cheat and step on peoples feet
But now I`m steppin` on the glory
Sal-vation is my beat
Whoa yeah
Because I`m saved (saved), saved (saved)
People let me tell you `bout a, kingdom come
You know I`m saved (saved), saved (saved)
I can-a preach until you`re, deaf and dumb
I`m in that soul-savin` army, beatin` on that big a-bass drum
Lie and cheat and step on peoples feet
But now I`m steppin` on the glory
Sal-vation is my beat
Whoa yeah
Because I`m saved (saved), saved (saved)
People let me tell you `bout a, kingdom come
You know I`m saved (saved), saved (saved)
I can-a preach until you`re, deaf and dumb
I`m in that soul-savin` army, beatin` on that big a-bass drum
9
Jesus said that a rich man cannot enter heaven.
Comrade Rossi should listen to him, not ignore what Jesus said.
Comrade Rossi should listen to him, not ignore what Jesus said.
12
Old adage my foot. Look at his position on abortion and on just about everything else: echoes of rightwing fundamentalism. He means it.
14
OMG Dino Rossi totally throws babies and Republicans have no sense of humor!! This is hilarious. I'm definitely voting for Patty Murray.
15
"It’s like saying “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” No one’s talking about throwing an actual baby."
Uh, no. "Sinners, saints, saved" refers to actual sinners, saints, and saved. It's not a metaphor. Maybe Rossi didn't mean it that way, but then again, maybe he did.
Uh, no. "Sinners, saints, saved" refers to actual sinners, saints, and saved. It's not a metaphor. Maybe Rossi didn't mean it that way, but then again, maybe he did.
16
Way to go, Stranger, for concentrating on meaningless style over substance.
If Rossi had said his campaign didn't have enough time to work on every voter, so "we'll have to do some triage" would you accuse him of wanting some voters to die due to lack of medical care?
Given the context, any thinking person can see Rossi's statement was an inapt metaphor and nothing more. However the context is often lost in sound byte journalism.
Hopefully your readers will take the time look to beyond the kind of bumper sticker superficialities embodied in your piece. If too many do not, we'll be doomed to superficial, slick leaders.
If Rossi had said his campaign didn't have enough time to work on every voter, so "we'll have to do some triage" would you accuse him of wanting some voters to die due to lack of medical care?
Given the context, any thinking person can see Rossi's statement was an inapt metaphor and nothing more. However the context is often lost in sound byte journalism.
Hopefully your readers will take the time look to beyond the kind of bumper sticker superficialities embodied in your piece. If too many do not, we'll be doomed to superficial, slick leaders.
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