A Republican Senator recently asserted that Bill Clinton would struggle to garner even minimal support from today’s Democratic Party. He attributed this to what he termed the “loon-wing” of Democrats, citing their controversial stances on cultural issues such as the rebranding of Mr. Potato Head and debates surrounding Dr. Seuss.
During a radio interview on Sunday, Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana criticized what he described as “extreme” elements within the Democratic Party. He argued that these liberal factions have overtaken the party, making it unlikely for a moderate figure like former President Clinton to gain their backing.
“In today’s Democratic Party, Bill Clinton might not secure even five votes,” Kennedy remarked during his appearance on the “Cats Roundtable” show hosted by 77 WABC radio.
Kennedy went on to discuss the heated national conversation regarding gender identity, expressing his belief that some Democrats support radical changes. “They seem to think children should be able to switch genders during recess,” he commented.
The Senator conveyed his opinion that, while Republicans are not without flaws, the Democratic Party has veered into irrationality. He emphasized that the faction led by figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders holds sway over the party.
He further criticized left-leaning Democrats, accusing them of harboring “contempt” for America instead of showing “gratitude.”
“The people in control of the Democratic Party, they hate George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head because they think they’re racist,” he said.
Hasbro rebranded Mr. Potato Head, a classic toy created in the 1950s, to the gender-neutral “Potato Head” in 2021 — though both Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are still sold today.
“Hasbro is making sure all feel welcome in the Potato Head world by officially dropping the Mr from the Mr Potato Head brand name and logo to promote gender equality and inclusion,” Hasbro said of the name change at the time.
Six of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books were yanked from publication in 2021 because of their alleged racism — “If I Ran the Zoo,” “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.” The decision was made because the children’s books “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”
Dr. Seuss — whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel — remains one of the world’s most popular children’s authors three decades after his death. But his books came under fire for how they portray black people, Asian people and other groups.
Citing racist images, the NAACP in 2019 passed a resolution recommending that school leaders across the country draft and implement guidelines on the appropriateness of Dr. Seuss’ books and his other published works.
Kennedy said changing Mr. Potato Head and censoring Dr. Seuss amounted to cancel culture run amok, aided and abetted by Democrats.
“I just don’t get it … A lot of the Democrats who know better are just being polite. That’s the problem that we have in the United States Senate,” he said.
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had no immediate comment.
