into a predictably partisan rhubarb

The question of whether it was proper or dignified or awesome for the US first lady to dirty her hands with a motion picture envelope into a predictably partisan rhubarb.

What does this whole sentence mean?
Thanks in advance.

Are you certain you didn’t mishear it?

It doesn’t make sense as written. It should read “… the question of whether it was proper or dignified or awesome for the first lady of the United States to dirty her hands with a motion picture envelope disintegrated into a predictably-partisan rhubarb.”

( thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013 … satellite/ )

“rhubarb” = heated debate

Now it makes sense. :slight_smile: