Who is Twitter user Room Rater? Jeb Bush argues about bias, Internet says 'speak out on GOP stomping democracy'
Former Florida Governor and former president George W Bush’s younger brother Jeb Bush got into an unusual confrontation with a Twitter handle @ratemyskyperoom (Room Rater). The Twitter bio reads, “We rate Skype rooms and Zoom rooms, too.”
As per a CNN report, the lighthearted account gives a rating to the background that appears behind notable names during virtual appearances on cable news and other television programs. The idea behind it started off as a series of funny exchanges between a couple separated by an international border during a pandemic. The people behind the handle are: Claude Taylor, the chair of a left-leaning political action committee called Mad Dog, and his girlfriend Jessie Bahrey. The page has more than 300,000 followers. Taylor told CNN, “It's not meant to be taken seriously. We're, honestly, for the most part, just trying to have fun with it.”
So, when the handle rated Republican strategist Doug Heye’s room a 9/10, during a TV appearance, that’s when Bush hit back at the handle. Room Rater tweeted, “Love the port wine posters. Sunflowers. Depth. Add pillow to left. 9/10 @DougHeye.” Bush quote-tweeted the post and said, “Mr. Room Rater, is it possible now that the election is over to rate rooms on a non partisan basis? Are you a room rater or a hyper partisan person that is the problem? We need less hyper partisanship on backgrounds at this time for our country.” To which the handle replied, “You know he got a 9, right ? *Also, Canadian half of Room Rater identifies as she/her.” Bush continued, “Room man, do a review of your ratings based on ideology and publish it. The backgrounds are varied but your bias is constant. Be honest. Try to make a difference. If not, you are part of the problem.” To the last tweet by Bush, the handle quote tweeted it and replied with a screenshot of their old post where they had rated Bush’s room background as 6/10. They said, “Gosh, I guess you really took that 6 personally.”
Mr. Room Rater, is it possible now that the election is over to rate rooms on a non partisan basis? Are you a room rater or a hyper partisan person that is the problem? We need less hyper partisanship on backgrounds at this time for our country. https://t.co/6oPKILYLZB
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) November 21, 2020
Room man, do a review of your ratings based on ideology and publish it. The backgrounds are varied but your bias is constant. Be honest. Try to make a difference. If not, you are part of the problem.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) November 21, 2020
Gosh, I guess you really took that 6 personally. https://t.co/EpIsS0ZpNp pic.twitter.com/wIwKtAjrg9
— Room Rater (@ratemyskyperoom) November 22, 2020
Heye also tweeted and said, “Hey Gov, 20 years ago tomorrow, I was on the 19th floor of the Miami-Dade Govt Center protesting for your brother at the Brooks Brothers Revolt. I’m thrilled I got a 9/10. Cut me some slack and please clap!”
Hey Gov, 20 years ago tomorrow, I was on the 19th floor of the Miami-Dade Govt Center protesting for your brother at the Brooks Brothers Revolt. I’m thrilled I got a 9/10. Cut me some slack and please clap!
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) November 22, 2020
Soon Twitter users also jumped in and gave their opinions on the matter. One said, “Meanwhile, thousands of Americans are dying, and his party is trying to destroy democracy, but @JebBush is worried about... Room rater.” Another opined, “How often do you lobby Mitch McConnell to be less partisan & to actually help the American people? How frequently do you speak out against the damage that Trump & the Republican Party is doing to our democracy? There are a lot bigger issues to worry about than Room Rater.” A user commented, “You speak out against Room Rater but not about the GOP trying to stomp on democracy.” Another concurred, “Jeb, instead of speaking truth to power and denouncing Trump's actions you're going after the Room Rater? Your priorities are way off.” Journalist Jonathan Lemire said, “Where we are now: Jeb! urging the Room Rater account to be more bipartisan in its rankings.”
Meanwhile, thousands of Americans are dying, and his party is trying to destroy democracy, but @JebBush is worried about... Room rater. https://t.co/UDAbzEeru4
— Dee (@holdensmama) November 22, 2020
How often do you lobby Mitch McConnell to be less partisan & to actually help the American people? How frequently do you speak out against the damage that Trump & the Republican Party is doing to our democracy? There are a lot bigger issues to worry about than Room Rater.
— Jessicat. (@jessluvspurple) November 22, 2020
You speak out against Room Rater but not about the GOP trying to stomp on democracy
— Spanbergerspoketruth (@passionflower92) November 22, 2020
Jeb, instead of speaking truth to power and denouncing Trump's actions you're going after the Room Rater? Your priorities are way off.
— Matt Houck (@BrewsLeroy) November 22, 2020
Where we are now: Jeb! urging the Room Rater account to be more bipartisan in its rankings https://t.co/mvBRJJcHRN
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) November 22, 2020
These remarks were made by the internet and individual organizations, MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and nor does it support these claims being made on the Internet.