I knew that consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren was popular on the internet, but I had no idea that she, or any government bureaucrat for that matter, was popular enough that a mild slight from a swarmy congressman would inspire gifs and thousands of vitriolic Facebook rants. Apparently, you don’t f*ck with Elizabeth Warren — the clear favorite to head up the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — because the internet has got her back! (There’s even a Tumblr dedicated to her!) Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is finding this out the hard way.
McHenry, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, incited the wrath of the internet when he accused Warren — who has basically dedicated her life to making sure banks don’t f*ck over the little guy — of lying about having to leave a hearing to attend another meeting. Here’s video of the exchange…
In response to his jackassery, McHenry’s Facebook page is currently being hit with scathing comments every few seconds, so many that his aides appear to be having trouble keeping up to delete them.
About McHenry’s treatment of Warren, Washington Monthly’s Steve Benen wrote:
This is consistent with the larger right-wing pattern. Republicans are disgusted with a consumer advocate, looking out for the public’s interest, but impressed with financial industry criminals who nearly destroyed the global economy (and who direct generous contributions to the GOP’s coffers). Sanity dictates that Warren is a hero, which leads Republicans to treat her like a villain.
Yep, sounds about right.