Is Sargeant James The New Joe The Plumber?



God, politics is such an ugly, ugly business. Yeah, one can affect real political change thus making life -- "nasty, brutish, short" -- better for millions. But the sausage-making process is auggh. And then there is the delicate proposition that the President of the United States is a black man. So we get this -- what does one call it to be kind? -- endless cascade of angry working white class "heroes," valorized by AM right-wing radio. They present a colorful contrast to the elitist President who went to Harvard, they, blue-collar suburbanites. First there was "Joe the Plumber," then during that saucy Latina's Supreme Court hearing "Frank the Fireman," now -- on the precipice of health care reform, Sargeant James (not to be confused, "maggot," with Sargeant Slaughter). From ABCNews:

"The Cambridge, Mass., police officer who arrested Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and his union are slamming President Obama for saying they reacted 'stupidly' to the incident at Gates house last week.

"Obama was 'was dead wrong to malign this police officer specifically and the department in general,' Alan McDonald, the lawyer for the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association, told ABC News today.

"Sgt. James Crowley, who arrested Gates for disorderly conduct also chimed in today, saying Obama's characterization was 'way off base... I acted appropriately,' Crowley told WBZ Radio's Carl Stevens Thursday."

This is all too rich. Crowley is almost pitch-perfect casting for the purported grievances of the working class whites stiffed by "the blacks" at the naive urgings of "those liberals." One can almost hear the wheels turning in the fat head of the Limbaughs, catering the the lowest, angiest impulses of the electorate. And it sounds something like: "While Professor Henry Louis Gates retired Mahhhhhtha's Vinyahhhhhd to recover from that traumatic experience, Seageant James returned to his modest home. The President was clearly sticking up for his Hahvard pal. And did we mention that the President, who probably drives a Volvo and drinks Chablis, went to Hahhhvard?" Fer realsies.

And who will be the next, bitter hero propped up from the lowest depths of the AM dial? Who will be the next "local talent." "Joey the Auto Body Shop Repairman"? "Rick the Long Island Contractor"?