“Rep. Devin Nunes stricken by political amnesia. Here’s proof.”heads the Fresno BEE’s front page today. The editor, Bill McEwen, begins:
I wonder if the secret health-care bill Mitch McConnell is writing up in the U.S. Senate covers amnesia. If it doesn’t, Rep. Devin Nunes will have to foot the bill himself – should he desire treatment.
What Nunes has forgotten are his own contributions to what he calls a level of civil discourse he’s never seen before.
To no one’s surprise, the congressman from Tulare pins the blame for the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise on the fiery rhetoric of Democrats and a mainstream press that Nunes says carries the water of left-wing causes without separating fact from fiction.
“It was almost predictable,” Nunes said Monday on KMJ radio’s Ray Appleton show.“I could tell by the amount of visceral emails and daily threats we still receive. I am worried for the country. This level of civil discourse – I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The editor asks if Nunes has forgotten the tone set by Donald Trump during the 2016 primary and general election:
Has he forgotten Trump’s mocking of opponents, peddling of disproved conspiracy theories and promise to pay the legal bills of people who forcibly removed protestors from his rallies?
Nunes uses hysterical language at the drop of a hat… and testosterone-fueled words are a key ingredient in an image he has carefully cultivated. He’s fighting for farmers. He’s fighting against high-speed rail and the delta smelt. And if you’re a Republican, he’s protecting you from the big bad Democrats and the liberal press.
He prefers the comfort of news outlets that toss him softball questions and fundraisers where he can preach to the choir. His favorite reporters are stenographers. The last thing he relishes is a fair fight. He loves the power of congressional incumbency and his important position on the House Intelligence Committee. Most of all, he loves to unleash the flame-thrower that is his tongue.
The editor concludes by reminding us that “in Nunes’ world, people can’t have disagreements or honest differences of opinion. If you’re not on his side, you are the enemy,” or in Nunes’ words, “al-Qaida’s best friend.”