10 Dumbest Political Moments of 2013
Rob Ford, Trey Radel and Anthony Weiner are just a few of the politicians who embarrassed themselves in 2013, with missteps that ranged from funny to political suicide.
In no particular order, here are the ten dumbest political moments of the year.
1. Anthony Weiner’s sexting scandal
Weiner tried to convince everyone that he had kicked his sexting habit when he announced his campaign for mayor of New York City. Turned out it wasn’t true. Even better, he was sexting under the alias “Carlos Danger.”
The Democrat told Univision the name was a joke. Just like his attempt at a comeback.
2. Steve King: calves like cantaloupes
The Iowa Republican and known immigration hardliner made this odd claim about young undocumented immigrants.
“They aren’t all valedictorians. They weren’t all brought in by their parents,” he said. “For every one that’s a valedictorian, there’s another hundred out there that — they weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.”
Aside from King’s claim being flat wrong, it could not have come at a worse time for Republican Party, which is trying to project an immigrant-friendly image.
3. Rob Ford smokes crack
Oh, Rob Ford. Where to start. By now you’ve heard all about Ford’s attempt to become Toronto’s version of Marion Barry.
So, we’ll just leave you with this video of him dancing to Bob Marley’s “One Love.”
4. Trey Radel’s coke bust
The Florida congressman tried to brand himself a “hip hop conservative.” Well, I guess he was just building street cred this November when he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.
HIP HOP!
Yes, the case provides a perfect example of how the nation’s drug laws are flawed. But as a congressman, Radel had to know better.
5. Obama apologizes for healthcare promise
President Obama’s promise to Americans — that if they liked their healthcare plans, they could keep them — turned out to be untrue. And his repeated apologies for it this year were simply cringe-worthy.
6. Marco Rubio’s water bottle
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) had a dry mouth during his response to the State of the Union, so he reached for a bottle of water. But he made it weird but not breaking eye contact with the camera.
Rubio took it in stride, though. He made self-effacing jokes about it on Twitter. His political action committee even sold branded water bottles. Then everyone just got tired of hearing about it.
7. ‘Me likey Broke Girls’
Here’s an easy way to get fired if you’re a congressional aide. Tweet “Me likey Broke Girls” on your boss’ Twitter account.
That’s what happened to Phil Hardy, a spokesman for Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho). He put up the tweet during this lascivious Super Bowl commercial for the CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls.”
The tweet was deleted after 14 seconds. But that wasn’t quick enough for Hardy to save his job.
8. Bob Filner’s resigns over sexual harassment allegations
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D) racked up a nasty list of sexual harassment allegations during his years in politics.
Creepy.
Filner was forced to resign in office after the accusations became public. But the worst part of all? He got himself banned from all San Diego Hooters restaurants.
9. Martin Bashir goes HAM on Sarah Palin
MSNBC host Martin Bashir crossed the line.
Bashir left the network this month after he launched an on-air diatribe against former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin for comparing the national debt to slavery.
Over-the-top comparison? Sure. But Bashir’s response was just disgusting. (Warning: foul language)
10. Why shut down the government? One GOP congressman had no idea
The government shutdown was arguably the dumbest thing to happen in politics this year. And this quote is the dumbest thing that was said about it, courtesy of The Washington Examiner:
“We’re not going to be disrespected,” Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) “We have to get something out of this. And I don’t know what that even is.”
Jordan Fabian is Fusion’s politics editor, writing about campaigns, Congress, immigration, and more. When he’s not working, you can find him at the ice rink or at home with his wife, Melissa.