Was that a sub-tweet?
You’d think they’d be above it, but politicians are known to throw social media punches every now and then.
With over 100 American political figures tweeting about campaigns and policies, a couple of jabs at their competitors and colleagues are bound to float around.
Take a look into the political world of Twitter with these nine political Twitter beefs and subliminals. They’re no better than RiRi and Teyana!
1. Benjamin Netanyahu vs. Barack Obama
After Obama’s historic talk with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani last week, Israel’s Netanyahu had some harsh words for his Iranian enemy and the president. Here’s what the prime minister tweeted:
I will tell #truth in face of the sweet-talk and the onslaught of smiles. One must talk facts and one must tell the truth.
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) September 29, 2013
The two have a love/hate relationship, mainly due to Obama’s potential relationship with Iran’s new leader. Netanyahu has also called Rouhani’s new strategy a “smiley campaign” for the usage of nuclear weapons. Time will only tell how this feud will end.
2. Jesse Jackson vs. Barack Obama
This one sided war of words began on television, but like all rants, trended on Twitter shortly after. In 2008, after talking to Fox News about the Obamas’ support in faith-based charities, unbeknownst to Rev. Jackson, his mic was still on when he told another guest that he wanted to “cut his (Obama’s) nuts off.” The comment went viral and even started this very short lived Twitter account:
Hey Republicans pledge these. These nuts ! — Obamas Nuts (@obamasnuts) September 23, 2010
Jackson apologized shorty after and called the comments “crude and hurtful.” The two still have a relationship that Twitter couldn’t break.
3. Joe Miller vs. Lisa Murkowski
Alaskan Republican hopeful Joe Miller went a little overboard with boasts about winning the state’s senate seat in 2011. Before winners were announced, the senator sent out these tweets against his opponent:
“Think I’ll do some house hunting while I’m in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak. Guess I should pick up some office furniture, as well, while in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak.”
It didn’t stop there, the candidate kept going and going about starting the new job that he didn’t win yet:
“Then there’s the matter of a name plaque for the door #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak,” “My sincere appreciation for the warm welcome, including from future colleagues in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak.”
After deleting the tweets, Miller denied any involvement and blamed the childish tweets on a volunteer. Murkowski ended up winning the senate seat. LOL.
4. Mike Parry vs. Barack Obama
2009 was not only the year of Octomom and Lady Gaga, but it was when everyone decided to turn off their filters. Mike Parry, then a candidate for a Minnesota Senate seat, tweeted this calling the president a “power hungry black man:”
The senator explained and defended his tweet to the Huffington Post:
“My opinion is that our president is arrogant and angry. The fact is that he is a black man.”
No apologies here.
5. Diane Abbott vs. “White People”
In 2012, British Labour Party member and Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott made a comment about the UK’s media treatment of black community leaders, claiming that white people are toying with black people with the “divide & rule” game.
Abbott received backlash after her tweet, with many calling the parliament member racist. Abbott apologized for her comments and insisted that she wasn’t throwing shade.
6. Allan Brauer vs. Amanda Carpenter
When Republicans announced their plans to support the federal budget – except for Obamacare -last week, Allan Brauer, the communications chairman for the Sacramento County Democratic Party, tweeted Amanda Carpenter, a speechwriter and adviser for Sen. Ted Cruz.
“May your children all die from debilitating, painful and incurable diseases,” Allan Brauer said.
The random and sporadic tweets continued for more than an hour, insulting Carpenter’s children and the entire Republican Party.
“I’m being attacked on Twitter for wishing one of Ted Cruz’s pubic lice to experience the pain her boss is inflicting on Americans. Yes, your party takes bread from the mouths of starving children and medicine from the sick, and I’m the problem. Got it.”
After putting the moral compass around his neck, the chairman apologized to Carpenter.
“I am truly sorry for my tweet. I was very upset and lashed out. Your kids are not fair game either. My apologies.”
7. Mark Takano vs. Ted Cruz
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz tried his best (or worst) in his attempt to defund Obamacare last week with a 21-hour-long filibuster. Congressman Mark Takano wasn’t impressed.
Ted Cruz, Ima let you finish but… pic.twitter.com/zDSNK8HrAX — Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) September 24, 2013
Politicians can have a sense of humor, huh?
8. Joe Lhota vs. Bill de Blasio
The race for mayor of New York is starting to heat up between Republican candidate Joe Lhota and Democrat Bill de Blasio. After creating the hashtag “#blahblahblahdeblasio,” Lhota accused de Blasio of not having a soul, as well as of an alleged relationship with Marxism.
Who said this campaign was going to be a friendly fight?
9. Sarah Palin vs. The White House
Former mayor of Alaska and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin doesn’t hold her tongue for anyone. In April during the White House Correspondents Dinner, hosted by Conan O’ Brien, Palin tweeted about the event, calling it a “#nerdprom.”
That #WHCD was pathetic. The rest of America is out there working our asses off while these DC assclowns throw themselves a #nerdprom
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 28, 2013
Perhaps Palin was a bit salty that she wasn’t invited, but hey, it’s just politics.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Twitter
