Buffoon of the Week Staff
In the fast-paced world of American politics, some politicos stand out for all the wrong reasons. Among those politicos are those who have perfected the art of political leeching. That is, those who gain influence without actually contributing anything of substance. Let’s break down the key takeaways in identifying the political leech by examining those who best exemplified the traits of this annoying Buffoon.
What Traits Define a Political Leech?
As Gene Berardelli discusses in his book, Schnooks, Crooks, Liars & Scoundrels, the Leech is a Buffoon who starts as a nobody with no real bona fide credentials to hold office. The Leech latches onto some larger political entity and, by doing so, hopes to benefit from their proximity thereto. Think of the relationship between a whale and a barnacle, but more devious. Like the barnacle, the Leech attaches to its chosen political target, finds stability, gets a free ride, and has access to the “inside baseball” of politics.
They’re often loud and persistent, but ultimately do nothing to push any worthwhile agenda forward. LEeches are mainly talkers, not doers, and their actions rarely lead to tangible results.
In the above video, Gene Berardelli and Ross Galloway delve into how some individuals fit this mold perfectly in 2024.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: For more political buffoonery, check out our previous discussion about political narcissists here!)
Lauren Boebert: Carpetbagging Her Way Back To Congress
Lauren Boebert is a Republican Congresswoman who has garnered national attention for her fiery rhetoric and outspoken nature. However, Boebert showed herself to be a prime example of a political leech. First, despite having served multiple terms in Congress, Boebert has little to show in terms of legislative accomplishments. Republican primary challengers exploited this weakness during a primary debate where Boebert was unable to answer a simple question about how many bills she had sponsored that were signed into law by the President.
The answer? Just one.
Moreover, Boebert’s “carpetbagger” move to a more winnable district further proves that her real goal is to remain in power.
Cenk Uygur: A Political Opportunist with No Core Values?
Next up is Cenk Uygur, a far-left political pundit who made headlines by unsuccessfully running for President. Gene and Ross argue that Uygur, who spent years supporting the far-left, lacks any true core beliefs. Uygur’s shifting political stances, especially his recent attempt to align himself with Elon Musk and others in the Trump administration, expose him as a political leech. Even today, Uygur continues to make the rounds trying to re-frame himself into a political pragmatist after years of extreme rhetoric.
Liz Cheney: The Anti-Trump Leech
Liz Cheney, a former Republican representative, leached off her anti-Trump stance to remain relevant. Cheney found herself in a party that no longer aligns with her views. After she joined the January 6th Committee, an act that many saw as a betrayal, Cheney lost her seat.
Then this year, Cheney later aligned herself with Democrat Kamala Harris, despite previously criticizing the Vice President’s policies. Cheney’s opportunistic shift in allegiance was nothing but a failed attempt at political leeching that her former supporters saw right through.
After President Trump’s victory, Cheney’s attempt at remaining relevant seems even that much more buffoonish.
Michael Eric Dyson: A Pundit Leeching for Influence and… Chicks?
Gene and Ross also took aim at media pundits who have become a part of the leech class. A prime example of such media leeches who are less interested in informing the public than they are in maintaining their own status. Take Michael Eric Dyson, for example, who engaged in typical media trickery during a heated exchange with Congresswoman Nancy Mace over the pronunciation of Kamala Harris’s name, but then tried to slide into Mace’s DMs afterwards.
Why We Need to Call Out Political Leeches
Not all political figures deserve our attention or respect. While some may be great at attracting headlines, we must look beyond the noise and evaluate the real impact these individuals have on the political system. Figures like Boebert, Uygur, Cheney, and others drain our political system of its true potential.
Whether it’s through empty rhetoric, shifting allegiances, or a complete lack of substance, political leeches are a drain on the system. It’s time we hold them accountable.
