For today’s post, a treat, whether you agree with or despise my political bent. The first excerpt from the incredibly rare 1888-published comic book, Blaine Language, satirizing 1884 G.O.P. Presidential nominee, James G. Blaine. Blaine was reknowned for being an outrageously brazen liar, supporter of monopolies, and corrupt. While the corruption aspect of Blaine’s character isn’t present in current G.O.P. nominee Mitt Romney — Blaine’s career more closely parallels that of G.O.P. slimeball supreme Newt Gingrich — Blaine’s affinity for monopolists and wealth over the needs of the common man, lines up with how Romney truly feels, as revealed in the tape showing how Romney speaks when he is amongst his own. Up until last week’s Presidential debate performance, I regarded Romney as a politician whose positions flip-flop with his audience, but somehow, I never associated that with lying. I thought him too intelligent to attempt the brazen lies/changes in his positions/speech, that he gave in his debate performance. Knowing that his words during the Republican Primaries were filmed and on record, I would not have thought even as massive a chameleon as Mitt Romney, would have brazenly stated things so in conflict with his words of merely a few weeks prior.

Part 1 of Blaine Language, with text by Henry Liddell and art by G. Roberty, contains a surprising number of parallels to Mitt Romney’s recent misadventures, starting with his return from a trip to Europe. Above is Blaine Language‘s title page. Enjoy!

Click on the above & below pictures, to view the cartoons in detail, and better read their captions.

I reside ‘way down to ‘Gusty, and my name is Truthful James, I am not up to small deceits, on any sinful games; I’ve just returned from Yurrup, where I learned a thing or two - Though I shouldn’t care to mention it to anyone but you.

I hain’t no use for Democrats, nor any Solid South, It makes me tired to hear a Reb, a-shootin’ off his mouth, Though, when he ain’t a-doin’ that, he’s sometimes up to wuss, Sech as slicin’ up the liver of an opposition cuss.

I’m down on them air Canucks, with their dirty, fishy ways; Though I cannot help admit the fact, that commerce with them pays; So, for the sake of Portland, and the railroads of our State, I move that Cleveland be desired, to unretaliate.

I’m in sympathy with Labor — when it doesn’t get up strikes, (T’wixt you and me, the working-man does too much as he likes); I’m death on pauper immigrants, no matter from what clime, Excepting Irish Catholics — they’re welcome every time.

Though a citizen distinguished of a Prohibition State, I advocate free Whiskey — and other kinds of bait; “Free Rum and True Religion”, is a motto that suits me; Though I’m not much of a Fairy, I’m kinder Sad U.C.

I’m for Railroad Corporations, likewise for Trusts and Rings, Protection and Monopoly, and several other things. I believe that Public Office is a kind of Public “Trust”, And in spite of num’rous lickings, I’ll be President, or BUST!

We’ll have several more postings involving James Blaine, before Election’s end, including more excerpts from Blaine Language.

Doug Wheeler

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