'Slippery Steve': Republicans Give Local Dem A Trumpesque Nickname

It appears the National Republican Congressional Committee has taken a page or two out of Donald Trump's playbook. More specifically, the chapter that addresses nicknames, who to give them to and how and when to use them.

The organization, tasked with helping to get Republican candidates elected to Congress, has most recently given a nickname to the Democrat running for a seat representing Bucks County.

Steve Santarsiero, who's up against Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, is now known by the NRCC as "Slippery Steve."

The nickname appeared in a press release distributed Thursday entitled "Does Slippery Steve Santarsiero want to bring terrorists to America?" The release attempted to tie Santarsiero to the Congresional Democrats' objection to the Guantanamo Detainee Transfer Prohibition Act.

When asked by Patch to clarify what aspects of Santarsiero specifically are "slippery" (Some possible options: Does he like to SCUBA dive in his off time? Does he not dry his hands well after washing?) NRCC spokesman Chris Pack offered up an explanation that was both straightforward and vague all at once.

"Because he lies about his record. And it’s an alliteration," Pack said.

The nickname resembles a very Trumpesque approach to campaigning. The Republican candidate for president is known for his often outlandish nicknames for his opponents. The most obvious example is, of course, Crooked Hillary, for Democrat Hillary Clinton. But there are many, many more: Little Marco (Marco Rubio), Lyin' Ted (Ted Cruz), Goofy Elizabeth Warren, Crazy Bernie (Bernie Sanders).

The list goes on.

In fact, the billionaire businessman has gotten so much attention for his penchant for political nicknames, that those of us who have no impact on his campaign whatsoever are even intrigued. We want to know what he would call us if we were an arch enemy, and so the "Trump Nickname Generator" was born.

If you'd like to find out what the candidate might call you, click here.

(For the record, the Trump Nickname Generator does not offer up Slippery for Steve but suggests a more hard-hitting option, such as "Incompetent Steve.")

Meanwhile, Patch has reached out to Santarsiero to find out what he thinks of his new nickname. No word yet. He might be SCUBA diving...or drying off his hands extra carefully.

The race for the 8th Congressional District is hotly-contested. Santarsiero is seeking to oust the Fitzpatrick clan from holding the seat. Current Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick isn't running for reelection, but his brother, Brian, is looking to keep the position in the family.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 11, and you can even register to vote by text in Pennsylvania.

Image via Rick Uldricks, Patch Staff