The Rats Are Jumping Off the Ship: Democrat Attacks Republican… for Supporting Obama!
[Guest post by Aaron Worthing. Follow me by Twitter @AaronWorthing.]
Yesterday when I noted that Ed Schultz was named the third least influential person alive, I mentioned off-handedly that the President was listed as the twenty-fifth. Which again, that can’t literally be true. For instance, he can threaten to veto legislation influencing the law in the sense that laws must either meet his approval or the approval of two thirds of Congress. And then there are the things he does without Congressional approval—you know, like going to war in Libya. So it isn’t true, but it is kind of a slap in the face to him and certainly reflects on the weakness of his presidency compared to the influence normally exercised by presidents.
And this, of course, only underlines the point:
Here’s a telling sign of how much President Obama’s fortunes have changed since 2008 — a leading Democratic Congressional recruit is now attacking a Republican congressman for supporting the president.
Former Ohio Democratic congressman Charlie Wilson, who was attacked relentlessly for being too close with President Obama in last year’s losing campaign, kicked off his comeback bid today by accusing his Republican rival of the same sin.
Wilson, who represented a rural, blue-collar district along the Ohio River, is seeking a rematch against freshman Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. In his successful 2010 campaign, Johnson effectively characterized Wilson as a lackey of national Democrats, blasting him for casting a critical vote for Obama’s health care law and the stimulus.
So it’s striking that Wilson is now trying to use that same tactic against Johnson, criticizing the congressman for supporting free trade agreements backed by President Obama.
“I am disappointed that Congressman Johnson supported President Obama’s free trade agenda this year. These agreements will ship even more of our jobs overseas,” Wilson told WTRF-TV.
The Obama reference was quite gratuitous and thus I have to believe it is intentional.
Of course this isn’t the Charlie Wilson depicted by Tom Hanks in that movie, but it is the Charlie Wilson who had credible accusations put against him that he beat his wife. Now I want to be fair and say they were only allegations, but they were made and they should have been examined. And googling around today, apparently the media has never made any attempt to determine whether or not that is true. So let’s keep this straight, folks. Cain is accused of some kind of sexual harassment, including one accusation that he abused his position of power to obtain sex and it seems to be ending his campaign. But this man is accused of actually beating a woman and it seems that no one cares.
Apparently the left and the MSM only believe in vindicating women’s rights when it is Republicans who are accused of violating them.
[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]
Aside from th point about the MSM curiosity, it seems Wilson is criticizing Johnson for backing Obama on one thing it seems we think is a good idea. maybe he thinks it plays better to the local folk to say no to free trade.
MD in Philly (83d172) — 12/2/2011 @ 8:04 amMD
well, if it is a heavily unionized area, being opposed to free trade might be a winning issue for him.
But there was no need to drag Obama into it.
Aaron Worthing (e7d72e) — 12/2/2011 @ 8:11 amA.W. – In fairness, those trade agreements had been languishing I believe since the Bush Administration over bogus objections by labor, since they would actually add American jobs.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 12/2/2011 @ 8:40 amThe left attack Palins gaffes but defends Obamas gaffes as an honest mistake.
Dohbiden (ef98f0) — 12/2/2011 @ 8:47 amHillary Clinton never kicked her husband to the curb after he used her……………….mainly because she considered the women white trash.
And nice to see Herman Cain support the OWSers free speech.
Dohbiden (ef98f0) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:07 amI wonder if Obama will blame the powerful gusts of wind in california on the previous administration?
Dohbiden (ef98f0) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:13 amYet he probably voted for the stimulus and Obamacare and Dodd Frank, so we could find out what’s in it.
narciso (87e966) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:20 amAW, daley
yes, as I understand it these things are actually good for the US economy and US workers, but that didn’t mean the dems were for them under Bush (Bush=Bad, both begin with “B”).
I guess whether Wilson’s plan works or not depends on whether the unions in the district have the old or new marching orders.
MD in Philly (83d172) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:22 amWind gusts?
AD-RtR/OS! (4046c5) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:29 amI think that was just Mother Nature attempting to fill the vacumn between Mayor Tony Villar’s ears, and the one that exists in the Council Chambers.
Doc, if those union members are “melanin-deprived”, aren’t they already considered non-Dems?
AD-RtR/OS! (4046c5) — 12/2/2011 @ 9:31 amThis was actually a very safe “attack” on Obama to make. It’s a protectionist typpe of attack, and for a long time some Democrats have played being protectionist.
Sammy Finkelman (d3daeb) — 12/2/2011 @ 12:20 pmBefore her absolute awfulness fades from memory, The first thing they do Republican candidates (and the RNC, RCCC, etc) need to brand in people’s minds that a vote for a Democrat house candidate is a vote to re-instate Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker.
Talk about frightening the children….furious
furious (3260c9) — 12/2/2011 @ 3:16 pmfriday friday jumping ship on friday
happyfeet (3c92a1) — 12/2/2011 @ 6:20 pmAttacking Obama for supporting free trade? And the press will probably call him a moderate Democrat.
Kevin M (563f77) — 12/2/2011 @ 7:28 pm