OPINION:
Perhaps the most interesting aspect that’s emerged about the Democrats’ third debate, set for Thursday evening, has nothing to do with candidates or policy, and everything to do with this — the content of an email ABC News sent to party powers-who-be, putting them on notice that the Federal Communications Commission frowns on televised drops of f-bombs and the like.
And that, of course, opens doors wide to drinking game opportunities. What else, right?
Thanks mostly to former Rep. Beto O’Rourke for staging this party.
O’Rourke has regularly sprinkled the f-word into his campaign chats, so frequently, in fact, his backers created a T-shirt printed with one of his key talking points — “THIS IS [F-WORD] UP.” He also just told Jemele Hill in a recent podcast how much he enjoyed using the word “f-stick” to describe various frustrations in life. Can you say presidential?
Not to be outdone, Sen. Cory Booker called out prayers for victims of mass shootings as “bullsh—” back in May. Andrew Yang spoke of how Russians were laughing their you-know-whats off at America. Sen. Bernie Sanders didn’t write that bill — he “wrote the damn bill” on “Medicare for All.” And South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg echoed Booker and went with the “bullsh—” drop during an interview with “The Breakfast Club” in New York.
All this has led to ABC sending out the warnings, telling candidates “we will not be broadcasting on any delay, so there will be no opportunity to edit out foul language.”
What an age for politics; what a day to be an American voter.
Since Democrats have no policy of substance to discuss, political watchers might as well have some fun with the three scheduled televised hours of what’s sure to be a race to dredge out and promise the biggest giveaway, most expensive freebie, largest taxpayer pocket drain.
A whiskey shot for Beto’s first curse — two, if it’s an f-bomb.
A gulp of beer for every time Sanders insists Medicare for All can pay for itself.
A shot of vodka each time Joe Biden forgets where he is.
A sip of bourbon whenever Sen. Elizabeth Warren tells a lie.
With rules like that, it’d be a miracle anyone stays sober past the first hour. Then again, take away the drinking games, and it’d be a miracle anyone who’s sober stays awake past the first few minutes.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.
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