Republican congressman: GOP can seem like 'knuckle-dragging Neanderthals'
(CNN) - Republican Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin indicated his party could adopt a more delicate tone to better communicate its message.
"From my perspective, and I come from a very 50-50 district in central and northern Wisconsin, you have people on our side of the aisle that have a really abrasive tone. We can come across as knuckle-dragging Neanderthals on occasion," Duffy said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Duffy also said 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's infamous 47% comments - indicating nearly half of the U.S. population is dependent on government service and would therefore automatically vote for a Democrat - alienated a significant portion of voters and made GOP's candidate "unrelatable."
Duffy is far from the first Republican to indicate that certain members of the party should temper their message.
After Romney failed to grab the White House for the GOP, the Republican National Committee has actively worked to change its tone and message to appeal to more women and minorities who helped deliver the election to Obama.
House Speaker John Boehner said earlier this month that some House Republicans "...just aren't as sensitive as they ought to be," when asked about recent efforts by the House GOP campaign arm to improve how male candidates appeal to female voters.
The two-term congressman was first elected in a wave of tea party support in 2010. Prior to serving Wisconsin's 7th district, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV's "The Real World: Boston" and "Real World/Road Rules Challenge," as well as a county district attorney.
Duffy appeared on MSNBC with his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy, also a former reality TV star, who he met while filming "Real World/Road Rules Challenge."
From CNN Politics
- Biden to name Jessica Stern special envoy for LGBTQ rights June 25, 2021 12:35 pm
- Capitol rioter downplays attack after apologizing for her crimes in court June 25, 2021 12:25 pm
- DC Police officer injured in Capitol riot says he is meeting with McCarthy on Friday June 25, 2021 12:16 pm
- Afghan leaders set to meet Biden at White House at pivotal moment for their nation June 25, 2021 12:01 pm
- Harris set to visit US-Mexico border on Friday June 25, 2021 11:00 am
- Pence contradicts Trump on January 6, calling plan to decertify 2020 election 'un-American' June 25, 2021 10:57 am
Voters are just very leery to trust them, again. We're sick of this country coming to a standstill from their antics and The Tea Party calling it success. And while I can give it to Conservatives that, fine, they believe abortion is wrong, they can at least acknowledge that when women become pregnant, they are faced with profound choices, responsibilities and personal health concerns. At least, acknowledge it and respect it. Show a little sensitivity and you may even to sway these women through persuasion, so they make the choices - of their own free will - that Conservatives can endorse.
When the Amendment to the Constitution was ratified by the states that allowed the congress to collect and disburse money is where the problem began. The job of the Congress, in the domestic sector is to make the laws as fair as possible within the constitution. The Congress has no business in collecting and disbursing taxes for the most part. And further more we on't need the congress in session 365 days a year. Just when some requirement an accordance iwith the constitution.is needed.Our Liar-in-Chief is supposed to know the constitution. He doesn't.
Seems like? What more proof do any of you need than what you've witnessed in the past twelve years, when these knuckle dragging nose pickers screwed up everything and involved the nation in not one but two wars, both placed on the cuff. When in Gods name are you idiots going to awaken to the fact that you've been played like cheap band instruments by these so called family values paragons of virtue and truth. To them the truth is negotiable. Wake Up.
would love to see CNN treat the leftist with articles like this....
Peppykins- It must be difficult to be on the wrong side of everything important to Americans.
I am former Republican and it will stay that way!
Sometimes it is ideas and not just words that is the problem.
It is interesting how so many Republicans are convinced the reason their message doesn't resonate with voters is the 'tone' with which it is delivered, not the actual message. Maybe if they just speak louder, we'll hear then...
It makes me sad that this guy can say that and he's a hero. If a Republican were to say this about a Democrat, the media would crucify him. Regardless, saying that wasn't even funny – just rude.
Before someone (eventually) brings it up, both parties have an equal share of dummies.
The real term is Australopithecus!
But they are neanderthals.
The GOP base which has proven again and again and again that they are incapable of critical thinking (and having a memory longer than that of a gnat) may buy this stinking pile from Duffy and Boehner and all the other GOPers wetting themselves when contemplating the 2014 mid-terms. But the rest of us?
Not a chance – none, nada ,zip.
Well yes, but I think Neanderthals knew better than the teaklans that working together as a group was for survival.
I know of at least two repugs, including my husband, who are now Democrats because they cannot stand for nor believe what their party has turned into in the last few years.
But then we have the Dems who seem to be unable to speak the truth ever. The Dems also seem to be incapable of self-reflection.....they just ALWAYS know how completely right they are at all times so why would they need to reflect on themselves?
After 5 years of paying a salary to Republicans for no work, i find it hard to trust this guy because he is part of the gop do nothing congress. The gop are not very nice people,so i will vote Democrat all the way come 2014
Real world goes to Washington, just what we need, and as f* kid up as it sounds, he's the voice of reason in his party, enough said!
To the knuckle dragging neanderthals it doesn't matter that they scare away moderate voters. Purity of thought as dictated by the likes of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh is the litmus test republican candidates must pass at the expense of the American voter.