Del. Queen: Deconstructing ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ During a Moment of Pride
By Pamela Queen
The writer, a Democrat, represents Montgomery County’s District 14 in the House of Delegates.
As the new 2022 year starts, like many, I often reflect on highlights of the past year. For me, the popular watchwords and phrases are always intriguing as they reflect a snapshot of prevalent attitudes, ideologies, and sentiments of the time.
During the December 2021 Maryland General Assembly special session, when the clerk read the names of votes for state treasurer, I first heard the phrase, “Let’s go Brandon,” which was an entry listed as a “Write-In” candidate. At hearing this odd expression, a few of my colleagues best described as members of the Charlie Brown bunch chuckled. Despite this sophomoric, cryptic joke, it didn’t tarnish the luster and prideful gleam of electing Delegate Dereck Davis, an African-American Democrat from Prince Georges County as the Maryland state treasurer.
Del. Pamela E. Queen (D-Montgomery)
Nevertheless, as an inquisitive learner, I wanted to know the meaning of this phrase. So, for a quick inquiry, I sought the Google search engine for an answer. I learned the meaning was a not-so clever code phrase to insult President Biden. This catchphrase is reminiscent of an E.B. White quote, “Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. You understand it better but the frog dies in the process.”
Therefore, channeling David Letterman for levity, I offer my 2022 Top 10 List of not-so obscure phrases. Please feel free to use them anytime to lessen tensions during political discourse.
10. “Ain’t that a Mitch”
9. “Spill the Tea, Bro”
8. “Loosen Up, Marjorie, baby”
7. “I know JR and you’re no JR”
6. “I am not a Rudy Giuliani”
5. “Read my lips, no new Majority Leader”
4. “Just another sad slogan, Hogan”
3. “An inconvenient truth is still a truth”
2. “No cap, COVID-19 kills”
1. “Way to go, Biden”
Seriously, as we press forward to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, get the economy and our lives back on track, everyone should agree that our collective time and intellect are best served to channel a spirit of cooperation to solve the prevalent problems of the era. So, let’s go team USA. Happy New Year, America!
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