GOP Response To State of the Union Address: Make Duck Dynasty Star An Honored Guest

Republicans look upon the President’s State of the Union address is an opportunity to prove that they are every bit as crazy as their base hopes. They lived up to expectations this time as well. In a move than can only be interpreted as a show of support for virulent homophobia, one of the honored guests at the speech was Willie Robertson, son of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson. Phil was briefly suspended from the reality show last month after giving an interview in which he compared homosexuality to bestiality.

Guests get chosen for their topical relevance, or when chosen by puerile Congressmen, for how much they are believed to irritate the President and his followers. Robertson apparently fits the bill for Rep. Vance McAllister, who invited him.

“I am proud to have my close friend, constituent and small business owner, Willie Robertson, attend tonight’s State of the Union Address as my special guest,” said McAllister. “Willie is thankful for this opportunity and honored to attend. I look forward to the two of us representing the Fifth District in DC this evening and bringing some diversity to our nation’s capitol.” (Clearly, Washington needs two more white men to balance things out.)

Willie was the son who tried to smoothe things over in the media after A&E reinstated his father by mouthing such platitudes as “we have all learned a lot,” without specifying just what the family learned. His father, who never apologized, became a martyred hero to conservative Christians who echo the homophobic beliefs. In inviting Robertson to the State of the Union, McAllister was making a statement of support.

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In the gathering leading up to the speech, Republicans were tripping all over themselves to have their picture taken with Robertson, blissfully unconcerned about the message it sent. Louisiana Sen. David Vitter tweeted that Robertson was the one person he was impressed to see. Of course, Vitter knows all about family values. A few years back, a woman who ran a prostitution ring in D.C. posted Vitter’s phone number online among a list of her clients. 

Further comment is superfluous.

Photo credit: David Vitter’s Twitter account