It has been widely documented that longtime poker pro Doyle Brunson is quite the Twitter aficionado. While Brunson, better known to his Tweeps as @TexDolly, typically utilizes his Twitter feed for updates on DoylesRoom, chatting with his celebrity friends, updating the world on his prop and sports betting, and providing the world with a seemingly endless stream of blonde jokes, a recent post about politics landed him in hot water.
On January 20th, Brunson decided to comment about President Barack Obama on his Twitter account with the following: “The Democrats say ‘give Obama time.’ Us Repubicans [sic] agree, 25 to life seems appropriate!” The typo in that post was not the only thing that Brunson followers took offense to. The ten-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner received a barrage of Tweets in response to the post. A number of users re-Tweeted Brunson’s statement, while a large contingent chastised the poker pro for his comment. Here is just a sampling of some of the less-than-positive responses Brunson received:
@JoTinsley: “@TexDolly what has Obama done that is criminal? Bush did warrantless wiretaps. Why isn’t he in prison?”
@pattydukesny: “@TexDolly Really? Be a Republican but don’t be an idiot.”
@pokerfire26: “@TexDolly It took years to destroy the economy and ruin healthcare do you honestly believe it can be fixed in one year”
More than one person suggested that Brunson’s distaste for the current administration stemmed from racially motivated feelings towards the President. Brunson was quick to snap back at his critics, Tweeting the following statement just a few hours later: “Just because I don’t like the way things are going with Obama’s 1st year has nothing to do with the color of his skin. Stop the racist BS!” He also blocked a couple of his critics from viewing his feed.
However, when one poster, @dfmaicher, informed Brunson that he would no longer be playing on DoylesRoom as a result of the statement. “Texas Dolly” was apologetic towards the man, replying, “Sorry about that, I hope you reconsider leaving Doylesroom. But if you don’t we still have 2,247,000 players left. Don’t leave!!” Since then, @dfmaicher has continued to probe Brunson for a more in-depth explanation of why he is not an Obama fan, but Brunson failed to respond.
One of the people to comment on the hot button Tweet was none other than Full Tilt Red Pro and 2006 WSOP Player of the Year Jeff Madsen. Madsen respectfully disagreed with the living poker legend via his own Twitter feed, @JeffMadsenObv. “I respect u doyle but it seems that ur politics aren’t very informed are they. Don’t listen to television,” wrote Madsen. Brunson kept the disagreement relatively cordial when he responded to the young pro with this insight: “@JeffMadsenobv..Yep, when I was 23 years old, I thought everybody should get a handout too. Now, I know better, let em get out and work.”
The tiny Twitter spat between the two pros ended on a happy note when Madsen responded with a joke, a smile, and a correction: “@TexDolly hey hey hey! I’m 24!! ;)” Madsen later responded to another Tweet Brunson directed towards a mutual friend, which is yet another indication that the two are more than able to agree to disagree. That may not be the case for some of Brunson’s followers, but hopefully they can take a lesson from the two card players about how to keep their Twitter feuds civil and pleasant.
As for Brunson, he appears to have laid off the political Tweets for a while, although one of his latest blonde jokes had a Presidential theme to it: “Q..Name the most influential 1st Lady in American history…(hint…she was married to John Kennedy)…Blonde answer..Mrs Kennedy.”
Tom, you do Doyle no justice with this poor effort. You open up by discrediting Doyle’s internet prowess, then you provide us with your spin on what he wrote, then you give us several negative responses to munch on. You do a horrible job of masking the fact that you are one of the sheeple who voted for and somehow love Barack Hussein Obama!