Winners & Losers: The Loser Battle Royale

It’s that time of year when we begin to sort through the ashes of the last twelve months to figure out what went right (not so much, to be honest), and what went wrong (lots). It’s also a time to celebrate those who broke through, rose to the top, and effected positive change in the world.

But that’s not why we’re here.

Welcome to December, and your Tournament of Losers.

Last week, we saw a head-to-head match-up between RFK, Jr., Lindsey Halligan, and Kash Patel. According to your votes (so far), RFK, Jr. is running away with it. You really, really don’t like that guy. Fair! What’s there to not not like?

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Loser of the Year Awards

Sam Osterhout · Nov 24

A playwriting prof of mine once made the hilariously wild claim that Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet was one of the greatest works of art of all time. After the laughter in the room died down, he explained his reasoning:

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I would put the three from last week in the Fraudster category. They are people who have risen to the top despite an exacting and precise lack of any expertise, skill, or knowledge in their appointed fields. They were handed the keys to a very large, expensive car, but not only do they not know how to drive it, they can’t even reach the pedals.

But drive it they shall, right over a cliff.

This week’s competitors are in the True Believers category. These leaders do the things they do because they deeply believe that destroying our Democracy, limiting personal liberties, taking away women’s rights to, well, do anything, cutting the social safety net, hollowing out government agencies that ensure fairness and equity, ending SNAP benefits for poor children, banning books, making it harder for most of us to get health insurance, and, like, banning woke(?) is really, really great.

Before I get to the contestants, some process notes:

1. This is the last round of the Losers competition. Next week we will announce your choice of Loser of the Year.

2. Place your vote in the comments section of this post (you have to be a paid subscriber to post).

3. Feel free to add some explanation for your vote, and I’ll include a few of your comments when I announce the LotY next week.

4. RFK, Jr. is running away with last week’s round. There is still time to vote! Go back to that post and place your vote in the comments.

5. Don’t like your options? Write-ins are welcome!

Without further ado …...