And so we come to our Final Four. And we’ve got a question for you, readers. Why is Dinesh D’Souza here? What is going on?
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1350454
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1350454
The problem with this year’s contest idea is that I suspect most folks feel that the real, maximal, nonpareil “Duke of Dukes” is none of these contestants and all suffer by comparison. D’Souza self-righteous, Cheney lethal, Duke (and Ford) risably corrupt, and Rudy gonzo but He Who Must Not Be Named beats them in all categories and others unmentioned with the power to annihilate us all in a fit of peek (sic) besides so …
15 Likes
The Duke of Dukes need more categories. Thinking Rudy is the big winner for “Best Makeup by a Supporting Duke”.
11 Likes
I agree that Rob Ford should be in the final four.
The problem is that people are comparing newer to older scandals, and personality - particularly an odious personality - may be elevating some of the people.
To me, when it comes down to the downright unbelievable actions of a public servant, the astonishing actions of both Rob Ford and Dick Cheney top even Duke Cunningham. I’d probably pick Cheney over Ford, because of the many things Cheney did, but no one will likely ever top shooting someone in the face and getting the victim to apologize for it. (Especially when plenty of people go to jail for accidental shootings).
Love this idea. Take the top 12 and breakdown different categories of their special brand of ridiculous behavior. Though the sweaty makeup needs to be tied to having COVID and going to multiple locations and asking people near him to take off their masks.
9 Likes
Similar to how we now have 100-year storms every 4 or 5 years, we also have a 1990s-level-scandal-of-the-year every day. Sometimes two or more a day.
13 Likes
I will reiterate my admiration for D’souza’s superior “Dukeiness.” Who else can combine trolling acumen, producing a fictional non-fiction movie, a sort-of sex scandal (with Anne Coulter fer cryinoutloud), campaign finance crime, and one of the first 
pardons. Everyone else looks like one trick ponies to me.
I feel kind of sorry for people like Bachman, Wiener, Giuliani, Ford, and sometimes (not often) , himself. I get the feeling that these folks’ problems are the result of real mental and physiological problems that beg for some understanding and treatment.
While D’souza may be a legitimate idiot, it’s the kind of willful idiocy that really sticks in your craw. I’m with Dinesh!
13 Likes
I paused at the Rudy/Dick selection. Shooting the elderly Harry Whittington in the face with a shotgun when you are drunk and trying to bag helper-released quail from the cab of your pickup defies the imagination of the best Hollywood scriptwriters. But still, when it comes to consistency and buddies like Lev and Igor, Rudy is a gift that keeps on giving. That’s the Duke spirit.
9 Likes
I hated to vote against Cheney, but Rudy has really taken dukedom to some extraordinary places. He’s not just corrupt to his core; he’s also been having a slow-motion public meltdown into the darkest depths of absurdity and insanity. Bonus points for that.
19 Likes
And kudos to Dinesh for conducting and extra-marital affair on business trips while serving as president of a Christian college. As a matter of fact, further kudos to Dinesh for being hired as a Christian college president, which is a job he’s more qualified for politically than academically.
11 Likes
Great idea and that would make Donald Trump a clear contender in that category.
2 Likes
Oops…Language Police: A fit of peek…is that a sidelong glance?..or perhaps a fit of peak…climbing the Dawn Wall wearing mittens?, but most likely, a fit of pique.
Misdemeanor…2 hours of community service.
Carry on!
5 Likes
I am in total agreement with those who think D’Souza is strictly minor league.
Rudy is my man for literally melting right in front of us.
7 Likes
Rudy has been 30 years in the making.
Craving and learning the grift game in the shadows of Sen. Al D’amato.
Coming into power only to have some of his grift literally blow up in his face (9-11)
Crawls out from the rubble and rides the YoooESSSAAA!! chants to rebuild his image.
Still pals around with Bernie Kerik
Meanwhile more grift and sleazy divorce stories.
Gets saved from an embarrassing loss in the NYS Senate race to Hillary due to health diagnosis.
Losing end of best political put-down of all time…curtesy of Joe Biden…“Noun, Verb 9-11”
Forms Guiliani Partners and begins big-time grift.
Starts to run for POTUS only to have Tim Russert of all people expose his international grift.
Fades away only to ride NYC coat-tails of Trump.
Rebrands Guiliani Partners as “cyber security experts” and proceeds to butt-dial every reporter in his phone.
More douchebaggery in 2nd divorce details.
Falls into Russian web of trying to broker deals for election dirt/smear.
Gets exposed in the wide open with selfies with the known baddies.
Freaks out when the Feds take a look.
Rushes to be Trump’s legal defense to save Trump…er…himself…from investigation/prosecution.
Spectacularly immolates himself on live TV for 14 days straight…4 Seasons Landscaping? Really?
Hair juice.
Borat self-groping video.
Sharts himself on live TV in front of the whole world.
Gets COVID and infects everyone in on his scam.
1-bazillion in legal cases.
The name “Rudy” is now in the Urban Dictionary…not as to reference the heroic movie character, but the total crazy bafoonery that is Guiliani.
Rudy is #1. Golden Duke should be renamed “Golden Rudes” from hence forward.
What’d I miss?
19 Likes
I thought D’Souza is a legitimate contender. However, there are lots of legitimate contenders who don’t make the final gold(en duke). He tried hard but there’s no way he could stand up against the guy who has it all, from monetizing 9/11 (even Al Queda wasn’t as effective as that) to a near-predator grade of sexual, um, interests (D’Souza’s are run in the mill Republican, even having sex with Ann Coultergeist, the Succubus of the Right; Giuliani will have sex with anyone and anything, including Borat’s 15 year old daughter).
5 Likes
LOL, penalty accepted.
1 Like
Agreed to be TV pitchman for “Fraud Guarantee”.
In depth interview with a reporter where his fly was open, he left his phone behind with her, chain-orders bloody marys at a restaurant.
8 Likes
So we can add hypocritical christian to the list.
2 Likes
How about Rudy for “Best News conference held in a parking lot next to a Porn shop”. It may be the only time this gets awarded.
6 Likes
I missed the last round, and was like–how did Manafort not make the Final Four?! In terms of what’s left–Dinesh d’Souza maybe self-enriches less, but he is so corrupt in how he uses a platform to make people believe nonsense, so I actually think he tops the relatively minor- scale, personally-focused self-enriching of Duke (my hometown congressman! I remember him giving me some Rotary Club prize way back in the 90s!).
Cheney vs Giuliani–I mean, that’s like when the Final match happens in the semi-finals. It’s really hard, but I have to go with Giuliani if only because of the vast international criminal conspiracy–he makes Cheney’s crony enrichment actually look small.
10 Likes
Falwell Junior is a much more viable candidate than D’Souza. He was the Voice and the Face of the Christian right. Simply saying the words “Pool Boy” in the next few decades will elicit sniggers. And ALL these folks have mental problems, I think that’s a prerequisite for the behavior that gets them nominated for a Duke. Which is why I am sad Anthony Weiner is out of the race…
5 Likes