Ad Hominem

ad ho·mi·nem

Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin, literally, to the person
Date: 1598
1 : appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect
2 : marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made

This should make Jim Johnson pull his hair out. The RNC was going to demand the Democratic Party rename themselves the "Democrat Socialist Party." "Democrat" is a longtime insult Republicans use. The RNC decided on something more mild.

The approved resolution was a watered-down version of a previous measure that referred to Democrats as the “Democrat Socialist Party.”

“I am pleased that the committee adopted a resolution that focuses on the Democrats’ policies and their destructive effects on America’s economic engine, rather than attempting to rename our opponents,” RNC chairman Michael Steele, who fought against the “Socialist Party” measure, said in a statement.

Republicans can't even agree on what to label Democrats. How about calling the Democratic Party the Democratic Party and presenting better policy ideas. House Republicans criticized President Obama's spending proposals. When it came time to offer their alternative budget they had no spending numbers. It was nothing more than 18 pages of Republican talking points.

"It took me several minutes to read it," joked White House Press Sec. Robert Gibbs. "I will note that there are one more picture of a windmill than there is a chart of numbers."

The current Republican Party has no policy ideas. The RNC has nothing but Ad Hominem attacks.

Update: the real Democratic Socialists of America is angered at the RNC for using a version their name. Did the RNC check the copyright?

“[The resolution] demonstrates the extremist views that now dominate the RNC. This is a continuation of the silly and surreal socialist baiting that Republicans engaged in during the 2008 Campaign (when they equated progressive tax reform with socialism!) and which the voters soundly rejected,” Frank Llewellyn said.

The White House literally laughed at the RNC's attempt to rebrand the Democratic Party.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked about the rebranding effort today in his press briefing.

“Given the challenges that they face, that’s exactly the way I would be using my time too,” he said chuckling.

It would be sad if it wasn't so funny.