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God Bless YouTube

As though the world of politics was not perilous enough, now pols have to be wary of video cameras, and more specifically: YouTube. In the past, of course, politicians would work for days to get a three-second sound bite on the national or even local newscasts. But now now with YouTube, Republicans and Democrats alike can gain instant national exposure!

Unfortunately, it’s not always the type of exposure a politician desires. Take, for instance, a YouTube video from a couple of weeks ago, which caught Republican Senator George Allen calling his opponent’s staffer (who is of Indian descent) a “Macaca.” A Macaca is a species of monkey, a term that not too many Indian-Americans were fond of. But Allen made up for this snafu by welcoming the staffer to America, which was kind of odd considering that he actually hailed originally from Virginia. Apparently Senator Allen was not aware that there are non-white people born in the United States every day. I guess it’s the gesture that counts anyway, George.

But Allen was not the only Republican politician caught in an unfavorable light. Just today, in fact, a YouTube video of Montana Republican Senator Conrad Burns started making the rounds. Burns apparently took some pains to set up a hearing for a Farm Bill that that was critically important for his state. So, good on Senator Burns! Too bad he fell asleep. And thanks to the power of YouTube, we can all enjoy watching Burns doze off, while listening to a snappy rendition of “Happy Trails.” I do wish it were the Van Halen version, though. Public humiliation always goes down better with a little David Lee Roth.

Posted by Dustin on August 21, 2006 | Comments (1)