Obama’s Saturday Morning Press Conference
[Guest post by DRJ]
Barack Obama answered questions at a press conference this morning although I doubt much of America was watching on a Saturday. Maybe that’s what the Obama campaign hoped.
Questions covered a range of topics including Obama’s recent shift on offshore drilling, the economy, energy and gas prices, and allegations that both sides have played the race card. One of the headlines from the press conference is Obama’s statement that the McCain campaign is cynical but not racist:
“Obama met with reporters for the first time since the McCain campaign claimed that the Illinois Democrat had “played the race card” by warning that McCain would try to scare voters about how Obama looks unlike “all those other presidents on the dollar bills” – all of whom are white men. [*See Update*]
In the ensuing debate, a McCain spokesman suggested that the Arizona Republican was being painted as a racist. That’s an attempt to shift the campaign’s focus, Obama argued Saturday.
“In no way do I think that John McCain’s campaign was being racist,” Obama said. “I think they’re cynical. And I think they want to distract people from talking about the real issues.”
Obama made some good points but what I most noticed were two things: His halting delivery when he speaks extemporaneously, and his focus on how different his background and race are from most Americans. I don’t think either of these help him.
As The Trail’s Dan Balz said at the Washington Post, the more Obama brings up his race, the more it hurts him and voters’ comfort level with him. I’m an average American – albeit conservative, but liberals seem to think that makes me even more prone to racism – and race isn’t an issue for me. Furthermore, there’s no evidence that race is an issue for most Americans. Why, then, is it such a big issue for Barack Obama?
*UPDATE*: An Obama campaign aide previously admitted Obama’s dollar bill comment was a reference to race.
— DRJ
Obama is fixated on his race or he would have brought his grandmother into his campaign and talked about his American childhood. He doesn’t feel American but some sort of world citizen. That’s why he could sit for 20 years listening to Rev Wright..
Mike K (2cf494) — 8/2/2008 @ 10:44 amI don’t know why he keeps bringing it up.
Speculation: he hopes that by continuing to harp on it, people who don’t consider it relevant will finally say “Oh the heck with it – I’ll vote for the black guy to prove I’m not racist.”
I really don’t care what color his skin is. I care about the content of his character. And that is something I find very dangerous to consider in the Executive Office. He’s a 143-day US senator with dreams of entitlement.
But as a President?
Why, exactly? Because he reads well from a teleprompter?
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 10:51 am“What I don’t want to do is for the best to be the enemy of the good,” – Obama 8/2/08
A couple of points:
Does anybody in their right mind want the best to be the enemy of the good?
Oh, yes, there is one person.
MR. GIBSON: And in each instance, when the rate dropped, revenues from the tax increased. The government took in more money. And in the 1980s, when the tax was increased to 28 percent, the revenues went down. So why raise it at all, especially given the fact that 100 million people in this country own stock and would be affected?
SENATOR OBAMA: Well, Charlie, what I’ve said is that I would look at raising the capital gains tax for purposes of fairness.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 10:53 amThe use of the race card by Democrat and Presidential candidate Barack Obama gives more and more support to the belief he has nothing else offer, and is therefore unfit to be President of the United States of America.
Given he only served in the United States Senate 148 days and a first-year teacher works 180 days – no he is not fit for the highest office in the land.
Thank you for your time.
The Outlander (deaf8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 10:57 amThe last paragraph is the most interesting. Today Obama has completely backed off being against off-shore drilling. Energy production is a huge flaw in Obama’s candidacy, and the sleeping McCain team needs to wake up and nail Obama on it.
“What I don’t want to do is for the best to be the enemy of the good,” he said. “And if we can come up with a genuine bipartisan compromise, in which I have to accept some things that I don’t like or the Democrats have to accept some things that they don’t like in exchange for actually moving us in the direction of actual energy independence, then that’s something I’m open to.”
Wesson (f6c982) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:01 am“Why, then, is it such a big issue for Barack Obama?”
That is simply answered; if Senator Obama would run as just another candidate, comparing his record to his opponent, his ability to get things accomplished compared to his opponent, he would lose hand’s down.
Polls have shown that 91% of black Americans are supporting Obama while only 70% of white Americans are supporting Senator McCain. If it were a reverse situation, with the Democratic candidate being white and the Republican candidate being black, you would be hearing crys of how Republicans were voting along racial lines. But you won’t hear that now. And no matter how you slice it, when your perference for a candidate is based on his skin color, it has a “racist” component to it.
Obama has been making references to his skin color from the git-go, but no one has really called him down on it (being as the MSM is in the tank for him) but he made the mistake in specifically naming McCain the other day in his “dollar bill” comment. I remind everyone that the lines were drawn last year when Michelle Obama was asked if she feared for her husband because he was running for POTUS and she responded that “as a black man” she feared for him everytime he went to buy gas.
Most Americans want to think that we have gotten beyond the racial barriers that once existed in this nation. And no one wants to be reminded, nay, have thrown in our faces, our history where hundreds of thousands of Americans died to free those trapped in the henious practice of slavery. Most Americans want to look to the future, not be beat over the head with the past.
Obama made a huge gaffe, and now he is having to explain it. That puts him on the defensive, and in a presidential campaign, that is not a good place to be.
He has made a couple of statements such as he will debate McCain on the economy “anytime, anywhere” yet still refuses to commit to town-hall syled debates that would be a Q & A session and no teleprompters allowed. Now we learn that although he has consistantly opposed off shore drilling, he has changed his tune on that, as well. One can only assume that the opposition to town-hall styled debates is due to the simple reason that every major gaffe that Senator Obama has made has been made when he is speaking off the cuff without the aid of a prepared speech and a teleprompter.
You have to wonder if McCain was not running the worst campaign in the last 100 years, what would the spread be now?
retire05 (6c3e82) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:02 amBambi is the anointed darling of the media. He can do no wrong. Imagine the same stupid things coming from McCain’s mouth. (Well, actually, in some cases you don’t have to imagine.)
Bambi is lauded for flexibility & for not holding to his previous positions. McCain is said to be old and pre-senile.
Bambi might rise to the level of a W.G. Harding.
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:05 amIf half of the non-white population of America wants race to mean something, then that’s 40 million whose questions won’t be denied. Barack Obama will continue to have his reputation sacrificed on the alter of race because too many Americans are still curious or furious. Still, you and I know whitefolks aren’t immune to the curiosity or furiosity. It’s not going to go away until next time. Or maybe the time after that considering our experience on the Supreme Court.
Cobb (f5523c) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:05 amNo fair using his own words against him, Apogee,
Steve Miller #2:
I think that’s a good point. It seems to me that liberals are the group most likely to feel guilty about race in America because they have been more likely to support apologies to descendants of slaves, reparations, affirmative action, etc. Maybe Obama talks about race to keep his core group of supporters energized.
I may be wrong but I don’t think his focus on race is as likely to sway moderates or make them feel guilty and it may alienate them. Since both Obama and McCain need help from moderates in the general election, I don’t see how this helps Obama … but maybe he is worried about his base. Maybe his polling shows they are losing interest now that the primary is over and Obama has started shifting his policies.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:06 amSpeculation: he hopes that by continuing to harp on it, people who don’t consider it relevant will finally say “Oh the heck with it – I’ll vote for the black guy to prove I’m not racist.”
I think people might say they voted for the black guy, while doing the opposite.
Years ago, when the Raiders were in L.A., I would always go to the game when they played the Broncos. It almost always came down to a field goal, but was more memorable for the number of fights that broke out.
Many Bronco fans would come to the game, but very few would admit it. It wasn’t worth the conflict.
I think if Obama loses on election day, many people will feign disappointment, but cheer inside knowing they really voted for the winner.. no matter what they said to their friends.
MagicalPat (236421) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:11 amShorter Retire05 at #6
Race is such a big issue for Obama because it’s all he has going for him.
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:15 amIt’s the arrogance of the liberals: “We are pure and right, and if you don’t vote for Obama, it’s ONLY because you’re racists. To prove that you are not what we allege, you MUST vote for the black guy, even though he (a) insists it’s not about race and (b) keeps repeating ‘did you know he was black?’ ”
It’s all about the melanin if you’re a Democrat.
I don’t recall this level of support expressed for Condi Rice by the Democrats. She’s not the right color black or something?
Or is it perhaps about something else, but skin color is used to squelch argument because looking at this guy objectively (no accomplishments, unable to think out loud, more in love with the mirror than anything else) would lead to a reasonable conclusion to not vote for him.
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:15 amThe fact that Obama is going to be a national party nominee should suffice for dealing with black hopes and white guilt. After that, it should be the ability of the candidate to do the job.
The use of the race card by Democrat and Presidential candidate Barack Obama gives more and more support to the belief he has nothing else offer,
For those who doubt he has anything to offer, there is this.
“To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security . . . .”
And Michelle is talking about it.
“Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zone . . . Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual – uninvolved, uninformed.”
Mike K (2cf494) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:17 amDRJ – What’s laughable is that you can already guarantee that there will be no protest from the left over the change on drilling. How many years now have we heard the screeching about Bush’s evil minions greedily trying to rape mother gaia for their own filthy profit? What will Al Gore say about more drilling from BO?
Nothing.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:17 amWell, drilling is bad when Bush promotes it, but it’s a healing sacrament when Bambi promotes it.
Go figure.
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:18 amThe two things I noticed:
1. His dodging of the questions (though, he’s a politician so I shouldn’t hold that too much against him).
2. His constant citing for the press to back up his statements — For instance, saying none of you guys thought the dollar bill quote was focusing on race and using phrasing like “all of you know” to support other answers, which would be nice except it’s kind of odd to insist the race aspect was drawn out of left field and was clear to all reporters when his own chief strategist says it that’s what it was referencing.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=5495348&page=1
To the extent anybody in the press wants to support him, intentionally or not he’s rubbing it in their faces. If he keeps saying something is true because it’s clear to everybody in the press who is asking him questions and it’s not clear, that has to start irritating some people.
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:23 amObama is getting desperate because he has had no “bump” from his Europe tour – so by playing the race card he thinks he can play on people’s guilt and make them vote for him. Because it apparently worked for him before in his life, he thinks it will work again. What is amazing to me is that it seems like almost every other day, Obama makes another big gaffe and he can’t see how stupid his comments are…just goes out and does it again!
Lisa222 (da5071) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:38 amApogee,
That’s probably true because Democrats are so invested in getting a Democrat elected President, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t losing supporters when he takes these positions.
Now that he opted out of public financing, Obama needs contributions more than ever but he had to use one of his days off this week to go to Houston for fundraisers. (No wonder he looked so tired this morning.) I suspect he wouldn’t be doing that if the small contributors were still giving in record numbers.
Of course, maybe they are but if they aren’t, it could be for a variety of reasons: It could be gas prices, job layoffs, disillusionment with Obama’s move to the center, or because the primary race ended and the urgency of helping Obama has dissipated. It’s probably all of these factors but, right now, Obama’s biggest concern is money. I think he may be trying to motivate his base into giving more money.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:38 amDon’t underestimate the cocoon effect. As others have said, it’s all he has to offer and for his supporters it’s all that matters.
The Obama true believers are convinced that it is a winning argument because it worked to defeat Hillary in the primary caucus battles — harangue fence-sitters with veiled accusations of racism until they capitulate to avoid being publicly branded with a big red “R”. It’s the fall-back, default argument because Dems cannot conceive that non-racist “bitter clingers” wouldn’t be susceptible to it.
Hell of a world-view, huh?
capitano (03e5ec) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:50 amNow that he’s changed his mind on drilling, does that mean he’s not going to have a cadre of highly paid and skilled tire pressure readers as part of his national service project for young people?
Those could have been really suuuwwweeeeett jobs.
You, yeah you the hot chick in the beemer, pull over, I want to check your boobs, er oil, er tires. You know what I mean.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:51 amDRJ,
If he had a big month we’ll be hearing about it by the end of next week. If it’s mediocre to bad we won’t hear until the last week of August. I would note that he performed his quadruple Salchow on drilling after the July dough was in the bank.
Rick Ballard (0a8990) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:53 amAnon #16,
Excellent point. I noticed how Obama seemed to be seeking reinforcement and support from the reporters. Many of them may be Obama supporters but I also think it’s natural that people who are thrown together for months at a time, hours on end, end up identifying with each other. I bet conservative reporters assigned to cover a liberal candidate have a hard time separating the candidate from the policies as they get to know and like the candidate on the campaign trail.
But the ultimate message Obama sends when he looks to others for reinforcement is that he’s not the self-confident, in-control person he wants voters to see. Instead he’s uncertain and weak. Everyone has those moments but as people get older and achieve success in their careers, they worry less about what people think of them and more about how to solve specific problems. I don’t think Obama is successfully sending that message right now.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:54 amRick Ballard,
What an interesting point. I wish I had the time and energy to plot on a calendar when Obama shifted policies. It would be fascinating if his shifts seem to be timed early in each financial reporting month.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/2/2008 @ 11:57 amI like how he expects reporters to support him. Natural, in a politician.
Frightening that the reporters don’t see how bad this is for them.
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:00 pmDRJ,
Quinnipiac’s Three State Battleground polling provides some indication of Obama’s (and the Dem “No Oil For You, America” contingent’s) teeny, tiny problem. Drop down to questions 15 – 18, where one may note that women (the key demo from now to November) would be content to see nuke’s built on piles of caribou carcasses to provide power to drilling rigs in ANWR.
That’s a very significant shift in public opinion, although the renewables still poll very well.
Rick Ballard (0a8990) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:04 pmAny excuse, every excuse, that can be coughed up by somebody to imply that they aren’t racists, but just “don’t want Obama,” is usually transparent.
Race is the CENTRAL issue in this election. To sidestep it, to pretend that race “doesn’t count,” or has no place in the campaign, denies a fact that every American already knows. Race IS the issue. If not for racism, Obama would already be having a landslide in the polls.
To not talk about race benefits McCain, who can stand beatifically, that plastic smile pasted on his face, and say he’s no racist, and his campaign wouldn’t use racism in its pronouncements.
Behind the scenes, though, McCain is RELYING on racism to win the presidency for him. Has he castigated racists as the evil people they are? The most unAmerican any American can possibly be? Does he say, “don’t vote for me if you’re a racist; I don’t want your vote?” Riggght. He’d be alienating fully half (conservatively speaking) of his constituency if he did that.
Meanwhile, Obama is not supposed to play the “race card,” even though he knows his race is behind the absurd polls, showing McCain holding his own, despite having shot himself in the foot countless times, lying like a rug, and vigorously violating his own promise not to “go negative” in his campaign. Instead, he endorses insipid, whining ads that are all about negatives, using the most childish and inane “reasoning” since Swiftboating came among us.
Obama does his homework; McCain probably hasn’t cracked a book in years; he’s like Bush, forming policies by the seat of his pants. At least when they’re not on fire.
Compared to Obama, McCain is an intellectual slug. He uses crib notes all the time; probably a teleprompter, too. Nobody wants to give a speech without reminders of what they want to say, and how, and in what order. And so they won’t forget an important point altogether. I don’t care that McCain uses notes, nor should anyone care what mnemonics Obama chooses to use. It’s both their right, and makes their speeches flow more smoothly. So who cares, except those who are desperately trying to find more ways to diss Obama, to give themselves “reasonable” justifications for voting their hate.
Racists are evil people. Scum. The lowest form of life. Bottom-feeders. Don’t think it’s “all that bad?” Try this on: racism is the embryoic form of genocide. ALL racism will develop into genocide, given the chance. THAT is why it is so EVIL. Racists probably glory in the blacks being killed in Darfur, too. To them, it’s “no big loss.”
This election is showing, omniously, how many bigots we really have. Not all McCain supporters are racists, but most probably are.
Obama has so clearly shown that he is a mature, wise, compassionate, egalitarian and capable person. It isn’t being a war hero that makes for a good president; it’s GOOD JUDGMENT, based on careful study of situations before leaping into decision-making. A good Commander in Chief not only knows about winning a war (easy to do, with competent advisers), but it’s more important to know how to end or avoid them. That’s much harder to do, and takes someone of wisdom and good judgment. McCain would be a BLOT on our international diplomacy.
McCain is probably worse than another BUSH. I don’t think he’s senile; he’s something worse. He’s a liar, who thinks we’re still as dumbed down as we were in the ’04 election. Maybe he’s right.
He’s malevolent, with a triphammer magnesium-fused temperament, hates women deeply, and – worst of ALL – has cut/pasted a persona over his real one that is deep down frightening. He tries to project an image of the calm, reasonable, mature elder statesman, who is tolerant and reasonable, when it is known these are NOT real in him. In case you didn’t know it, this kind of cut/pasting is a strong sociopathic symptom.
He’s a warhawk. He’ll “bomb Iran.” He’ll defend big oil, because his alliegances are to the wealthy. War hero or not, the only thing he knows about war is how to get shot down in one. He abandoned his fellow POWs when he had the chance to help rescue them. Chickened out.
He who said he knew little about economics now seems to have acquired a PhD on the subject somehow. He’ll solve our economic problems through a vigorous campaign of doing nothing.
He’s using any Swiftboat tactic he can get his hands on, because Obama is clean; there is no place to set his claws, so he devises “flaws” in him.
“Mr. Straight-talk” is actually “Mr. Double-talk.”
America is in peril – genuine peril. McCain will adopt policies that will ruin, or even doom our country. Yet some would rather see THAT than allow a “N” in the White House.
Racists are EVIL. Pure and simple.
H. B. (258e1b) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:38 pm“If not for racism, Obama would already be having a landslide in the polls.”
Prey tell – why?
“Behind the scenes, though, McCain is RELYING on racism to win the presidency for him. Has he castigated racists as the evil people they are? The most unAmerican any American can possibly be? Does he say, “don’t vote for me if you’re a racist; I don’t want your vote?””
Dude, McCain has made a point of denouncing anything on the right that is even slightly racially tinged in this campaign so often that it has become a running joke on the right.
If you go to a blog like Ace of Spades or IMAO and see a post where someone blasts Obama, you can count down the number of posts until somebody posts under the name John McCain saying something to the effect of “I denounce all of you and you sicken me.”
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:46 pmBasically, H.B., you are full of nonsense.
First of all, you give away the goods when you use the term “Swiftboat”, since the Democrats have tried – and failed – to make that derogatory term. The Swiftboat Vets showed that it was Kerry who was telling tales.
You laud Obama’s “judgement” but that’s an utter fraud. Obama has never demonstrated any “judgement” at all. He has effectively condemned his own “judgement” in sitting in Wright’s church for two decades ignorant of Wright’s sermons. He’s shown no “judgement” in associating with an unrepentant terrorist in Ayers. And he’s shown no “judgement” in pretending that his opposition to the surge in Iraq has not been completely refuted.
Obama is an empty suit, H.B., devoid of accomplishment. And now we see he is just another race pimp – trying to make his own race become a qualification for office since he does not have any.
Obama will fail because American voters do not appreciate cheap attempts to call others racist. And we don’t appreciate your cheap attempts either.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:47 pmI really liked H.B.’s nonsense about McCain using a teleprompter. We’ve seen what happens when Obama goes off his prepared speech, he makes stupid gaffes ( how many states in the union, H.B.? still 57? ) or repeats some nonsense he’s heard from some nutjob like airing tires making up for all the oil we could pump from offshore ( stupidity like that is just the reason that Democrats are adjourning Congress without addressing our oil supply problems ).
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:49 pmtypo: “pray tell”… oh well, screw it
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:52 pmVictor Davis Hansen did a great job of refuting H.B.already
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:57 pmEvidence, please? Or is this just a lie?
Another demonstrable lie. Cite, please?
Swiftboating canard – check.
Stupid Republican – check.
Brilliant Democrat – check.
Apparently this asshat thinks that Baracky’s stammering halting speeches when not using his teleprompter (rare) is eloquent.
Evidence of this assertion?
Again, evidence, please?
I will not even ask for evidence for this one, as it is an overt and aggressive lie. Unless you are sadly and pathetically uninformed and stoopid, which I will not rule out at this juncture.
I doubt this, even if that empty suit Dem wins.
Here’s a question for you, H.B. If a voter votes for someone based only on the candidate’s skin color, is that racist?
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 12:58 pmHB should just call himself/herself “BDS –> MDS.” He needs a special symbol, like Prince used to have when he didn’t want to use his own name.
Anyway, HB is just trolling for incensed reaction. Add some snide profanity, and guess who you have?
Except Patterico would know if it was the same person, due to IPS and other identifiers.
Eric Blair (6c5b7e) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:03 pm“Race is the CENTRAL issue in this election. To sidestep it, to pretend that race “doesn’t count,” or has no place in the campaign, denies a fact that every American already knows.”
H. B. – Obama and people like you are trying to make race the central issue in this campaign. Fortunately most people aren’t fooled and can see your candidate for the empty suit, inexperience, socialist, politics of personal expedience hack that he appears. If I wouldn’t vote for Hillary, why the hell would I vote for someone who’s policies are to the left of hers and worse for the country? The answer isn’t racism H.B.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:05 pmH.B. demonstrates the usual utter ignorance of history among Democrats with this nonsense:
“A good Commander in Chief not only knows about winning a war (easy to do, with competent advisers), but it’s more important to know how to end or avoid them. That’s much harder to do, and takes someone of wisdom and good judgment. McCain would be a BLOT on our international diplomacy.”
Winning a war is easy? I find that amusing since so many Democrats have found it difficult or impossible in the last 6 decades. And the supposed “easy” win by FDR in WWII involved a huge number of stupid mistakes that cost thousands of US lives – Pearl Harbor, Bataan, Kasserine, Anzio and more. Truman’s incompetent foreign policy allowing the North Koreans to think we would not defend South Korea cost the US many scores of thousands of lives. JFK and Johnson’s bumbling in Vietnam showed how “easy” winning a war is.
H.B., why is it that every Democrat troll we see is as utterly ignorant of history and current events as you are? As ignorant as Obama is.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:08 pmI denounce, and condemn, H.B, for being racist.
And, for giving people with initials for a first name a bad name.
And, Kyoto.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:09 pmObama does his homework; McCain probably hasn’t cracked a book in years; he’s like Bush, forming policies by the seat of his pants. At least when they’re not on fire.
McCain is well known for reading constantly. The troll is equally well informed on the other topics he drizzles about.
MIke K (2cf494) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:13 pmThe para beginning “Winning a war is easy?” should have been in normal text.
Mike, You mean where he lies about McCain’s past positions on energy issues? And ignores that Obama is in the pocket of Archer Daniels Midland?
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:15 pmClearly, SPQR is the leader of the racists around here. Prolly a Grand Kleagle in his local Klaven. Never mind, Sen. Byrd (D-KKK) already has that job.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:17 pmWhy is it that we only usually see the n-bomb dropped by the enlightened Leftists?
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:18 pmWhat I like best about H.B.’s post is the in-your-face utter, panicked desperation. I could try and fake an overly emotional self-soiling screed like that, but it simply wouldn’t be as good, as I don’t have the mental disorders.
My favorite is this:
McCain will adopt policies that will ruin, or even doom our country.
Ruin, or doom? But I thought Bush had already done that.
Seems like we’ve heard all this before.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:19 pmProjection is a funny thing. A lot of people seem to know what candidates will do or do not do based on what they want to be true.
Obama must be a reasonable centrist.
McCain would obviously appoint bad Supreme Court Justices.
Yet few people who say that kind of thing, well, bother to…look…at…the…voting…records.
Projection. HB is a good example of it.
But again, I suspect that person is just trolling to cause some kind of flamewar.
Eric Blair (6c5b7e) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:20 pmRuin or doom. I didn’t notice that. As Apogee pointed out, I thought that Chimpy McHilter$urton had already destroyed the Republic. Surrending in Iraq, socialized medicine, punitive taxes on profits, capital gains, and incomes are just a recipe for kites, puppies, and unicorns.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:21 pmI suspect the trolling too, the drive-by kind, Eric. Having said that, and I know many on here do not like it when people feed the trolls, such asshattery, overt and aggressive lies, and overall mendoucheous will be met with resistance. I refuse to allow that type of mendoucheity to go unanswered.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:23 pmBut again, I suspect that person is just trolling to cause some kind of flamewar.
Yeah, but he ought to at least come back. It’s simple courtesy of flamewar etiquette – first you post the flamebait, then you respond.
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:24 pm“If not for racism, Obama would already be having a landslide in the polls.”
Good Lord, H.B., do you really believe this stunning load of crap? Your inaccurate assumptions re McCain supporters being racist is as equally childish and naive. And yet, you are following lockstep and perpetuating the new mantra that racism is what this election is about. Tell us how that meshes with Obama’s post-racial campaign? Your own bluster exposes the sad irony.
Did you miss this:
“if Senator Obama would run as just another candidate, comparing his record to his opponent, his ability to get things accomplished compared to his opponent, he would lose hand’s down.”
The concise shorter version #11 (if its easier):
“Race is such a big issue for Obama because it’s all he has going for him.”
Obama has very little to offer, the record supports this and I think even Obama knows this deep down below the stifling arrogance. Therefore it benefits him to keep the focus on the hotbed issue of race because there are enough people with a victim mentality more than willing to assume their assigned guilt. But he should be careful – if it increases in volume and offense, it will become a detriment to him…but then again he can just change his tune.
Are you in your late 20’s, by the way?
Dana (aed2e9) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:30 pmIt is pretty hilarious to assert that only racism keeps the most unaccomplished and least qualified presidential candidate in history from universal acclaim.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:31 pmThe trollery is just a distraction from Senator Obama’s less than fantastic performance as a ballerina cum Olympic ice skater at the presser. I found the mix of pirouettes and triple axles rather uninspiring. Maybe Axelrod should invest in an animatronic robot to handle those “off the cuff” moments away from the teleprompter?
I wonder what the Obama Serfs interpret the good Senator’s remark, ““In no way do I think that John McCain’s campaign was being racist” to mean? Do they have decoder rings or is it a simple matter taking an understanding which is the opposite of what the Senator said?
Rick Ballard (0a8990) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:32 pmAnon #45- then you respond.
Not Leftist flamewar etiquette – throw the firebomb, then run.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:32 pmIt’s not about ideas.
Oh yea thin skinned, dim-witted mccai-diots. Isn’t it obvious that the Mccain camp fell all over itself trying to defend itself from something Obama didn’t even say. Sure, maybe he implied race, but he didn’t explicitly Mccain was a racist. But its not far from the truth. The Mccain camp and the repugni-cans have been implying all along, “Look, Obama is Black, we won’t say that, but you know what we mean…” (you fill in the blank). Mccain had been running negative ads against Obama all last week. Trying to align him with disfunctional starlets, claiming it’s his fault gas is so expensive, down playing his call for the American people to take personal action and responsibility as acting “Godlike,” and all but calling him a hallow person with no substance or anything else they could think of. But the minute Obama seem to imply or align Mccain and his repugnl-ican buddies as RACIST, KKK, HOMOPHOBES, all hell breaks lose and the Mccain camp is crying about the race card being played against them. If he don’t want to be called a name, then he shouldn’t be calling others names. My folks always told me, “IF YOU’RE LIVING IN A GLASS HOUSE, THEN DON’T THROW NO STONES!!!” Seems like Mccain and the repugnli-cans should clean up their act if they don’t want to be portrayed as the RACIST BIGOTS that they are.
AB (d671ab) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:35 pmAs for Obama getting 90-95% of the African American vote, just look at Mccain’s legislative record and you will see why no reasonable African American would ever support Mccain. His legislative records on African American issues shows he do not care one bit about these issues and has proven it. For that matter, his homestate of ARIZONA DON’T EVEN RECOGNIZE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY, which is a FEDERAL HOLIDAY. And Mccain has never proposed legislation that will change the status quo in Arizona. That’s the reason Obama will get the African American vote, not because Obama is Black, because he isn’t Black. He his Bi-RACIAL.
I can’t tell if the above is satire or not.
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:37 pmAB, pick an identity.
Oh, and to show how stupid you are, McCain can’t propose legislation to have Arizona recognize MLK Jr holiday because he’s not in the Arizona state legislature so we know who the real moron is.
You.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:38 pmRick #48 – The Obama Serfs have perfected truthsight, which requires no facts to render an ‘understanding’. Coincidentally, so have many of the inmates at Atascadero.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:39 pmAnon – Satire has a point.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:40 pmI finally figured out what all of this “post-racial” hoo-ha means. It means that the “post-racial” candidate will sit back and accuse everyone that disagrees with him for any reason to be a racist, and the other side will have to sit there and take it.
No thanks.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:41 pmIsn’t it obvious that the Mccain camp fell all over itself trying to defend itself from something Obama didn’t even say. Sure, maybe he implied race, but he didn’t explicitly Mccain was a racist.
–
“They’ll say that he’s got a funny name, and he’s from a funny place, and he’s got a lippy wife, and oh, by the way, he’s black.” -Barack Obama, May 2008
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:43 pmAnon – I have crossed path with AB before. That is not satire.
They are cowards.
ALL CAPS and BOLD make your argument that much more sound, AB. Well done.
When was the last time that McCain was in the AZ state Legislature?
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:45 pmJD, can you imagine what four or eight years of a White House whose every answer to criticism is “That’s racist” ?
That would be reason enough to vote against Obama even if he shared every ideological position I did.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:45 pmAB, do you and H.B. belong to some sort of Alphabet Club? That’s kinda cute.
Dana (aed2e9) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:45 pmSPQR – Unfortunately, yes, I can imagine that. Racist.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:46 pmJD, Isist.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:47 pm“ALL CAPS and BOLD make your argument that much more sound, AB.”
…but at least be grammatically correct. Argh.
“THEN DON’T THROW NO STONES!!!”
Dana (aed2e9) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:48 pmDana #62 – AB is merely crying out for help. By using the double negative, he was implying that his parents were indeed telling him to throw stones in a glass house.
Add that to the fact that no municipality would grant a permit to build such a dangerous dwelling, and it becomes clear that AB is the victim of his parents’ bad advice.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:53 pmAh, Dana. Good catch. AB advocates that people throw stones.
SPQR – I am many -ists. AB-ist. H.B.-ist. Levi-ist. Peter-ist.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:55 pmI don’t remember any candidate’s supporters behaving in this type of Kabuki/Cultish mannerisms in my lifetime – unless you’re willing to count in Kucinich, and he was beyond loony tunes. Really, these folks doth creepeth me out at times.
Dmac (82935d) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:58 pmApogee,
It may well be that we’ll be seeing a lot more flames in the next few weeks. Kurt’z piece in The Weekly Standard provides some detailed insight into Obama – The Lost Years. I fear that the tiny tingle generated by The One may dissipate entirely quite soon in other than true believers. It’s really far too early for blatantly laying down the race card – and the general isn’t a caucus. Unless the law is changed to allow ACORN/SEIU thugs access to the voting booth, intimidation just won’t work.
Rick Ballard (0a8990) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:58 pmMethinks you doth racist, Dmac 😉
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 1:58 pm“…but at least be grammatically correct. Argh.”
To be quickly followed by:
“And I am edumacated!”
Dmac (82935d) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:00 pm“I wonder what the Obama Serfs interpret the good Senator’s remark, ““In no way do I think that John McCain’s campaign was being racist” to mean? Do they have decoder rings or is it a simple matter taking an understanding which is the opposite of what the Senator said?”
Given the “responses” by the alphabet twins, I think Obama is using some kind of douchewhistle.
fat tony (b36a8f) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:01 pm“Methinks you doth racist, Dmac.”
Prithee, my lord? What doth constitutes said racist? Showing a disagreeable countenance with doth Chosen One?
Dmac (82935d) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:03 pmDmac, they are pretty creepy at times.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:04 pmfat tony #69 – douchewhistle – best yet.
Apogee (366e8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:05 pmFolks like AB and H.B. know they are right because they feel they are right, and they believe in their feelings. Note not one single solitary factual foundation for any of their name-calling. So, from now on, I propose we call them Massengill and SUMMERS EVE.
JD (712926) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:08 pmI got into a huge argument with my wife’s yoga friends about this reality – it’s all about their farkin’ feelings, that’s the sum total regarding their acolyte – type behavior towards Obama. I asked them what their Dear Leader has done in his career (remember, we all live in Chicago, so at least they should know something of note, right?) that they admire so much, and guess what they all came up with? Nada, Zilch, Zero, Empty, Nishkit (that’s Yiddish). I wish McCain would just say the guy’s a complete empty suit, a cipher addicted to the teleprompter who’s willing to say and do anything to get a higher office, and be done with it.
Dmac (82935d) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:23 pmObama is fixated on race because he is a Democrat and race is what Democrats do best. Democrats were the party that brought Jim Crow to the deep south after the Civil War, the freeing of the slaves and Republican Reconstruction that gave ex-slaves many civil rights. FDR could always count on the Solid South to deliver the votes he needed for his New Deal programs. Obama has already tried to get McCain to fall into the racial trap he has set for him- McCain won’t fall for it. The so-called post-racial candidate is simply another clever liberal politician who at times says astoninishingly stupid things. He said that Americans by inflating their tires and keeping their autos tuned can save as much oil as “they” are talking about getting by drilling.
mhr (29a62e) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:23 pmObama’s supporters loved it when he played the race card. Check the tape. There was a loud cheer right when Obama dealt it from the bottom of the deck.
Roy Mustang (989b48) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:53 pmObama is fixed on race because he has nothing left to offer and no other weapons from which to choose. When all you have is a hammer, it’s amazing how all of your problems look like a nail.
He has played that 94% support from blacks and 100% support from guilty white liberals into a Presidential nomination, but it won’t be enough to win him an election.
Drumwaster (5ccf59) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:54 pmWell, I don’t know if I can vote for Bambi now. I mean, the fact that I’m not voting for him right now means I’m racist.
So, I *can’t* vote for him; I’m already classed as an enemy. Kinda weird.
steve miller (eba841) — 8/2/2008 @ 2:59 pmSomeone please explain to me why Lynn Swann’s crushing defeat in PA, and Lt. Gov Steele’s defeat in MD, were not racism?
Please, kindly, explain why the overwhelming number of conservatives in this country, and this commentariat, would run/crawl over others racing to the polls to vote for Gov. Jindal of LA.
It cuts all ways, folks.
HB did get one thing right…by all known historical trends, and the current generic Dem/GOP polling, BHO should be up at least 10 points. It is stunning that McCain is, at worst, in a statistical tie.
Ed (59b337) — 8/2/2008 @ 3:32 pm“…just look at Mccain’s legislative record and you will see why no reasonable African American would ever support Mccain.”
OK. But how to explain the same vote for BO against Hillary in the primaries? I guess she (and Bill) are racist as well.
Rick,
Good stuff at that Quinipiac link. The public is way ahead of Dem politicians on energy. The price will be paid for obstinacy in the face of our energy problems.
To be a lib, you must be willing, at every turn where facts contradict orthodoxy, to deny said facts and blame the evil (insert bogeyman-bigoil, racist conservatives etc.) enemies of progress as the culprit.
Chris (da1e70) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:15 pmPeter and Oiram and love2008 are deafening in their silence right now.
Icy Truth (94cc06) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:15 pmChris, he wrote that completely ignorant of McCain’s legislative history.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:43 pmChris, he wrote that completely ignorant of McCain’s legislative history.
Fixed that. You are right, of course. Just having some fun.
Chris (da1e70) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:53 pmChris, he wrote that completely ignorant of McCain’s legislative history.
Trying again, to get the strike function to function.
Chris (da1e70) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:54 pmNot functioning. Try this;
Chris (da1e70) — 8/2/2008 @ 4:55 pm“Chris, he wrote that completely ignorant of history.”
strikeWorks in preview with regular HTML.
Rick Ballard (0a8990) — 8/2/2008 @ 5:46 pm“Furthermore, there’s no evidence that race is an issue for most Americans. Why, then, is it such a big issue for Barack Obama?”
It’s a big issue for him because his entire political career has been grounded in race based politics.
james conrad (b2891a) — 8/3/2008 @ 1:16 amThat thing is really kind of baffling. McCain is accusing Obama of using a race card when he said “they are gonna say he doesn’t look like the rest of the guys on the dollar bills” when all he did was refer to the McCain’s ad which does, in fact play on the fact that Obama doesn’t look like the rest of the guys on the dollar bills.
Nikolay (f5b13d) — 8/3/2008 @ 2:42 amIn short, McCain accuses Obama for playing the race card for daring even to imagine McCain doing what, in fact, McCain did.
Nokolay – You miss the. Obama admits his comments were about race. On Saturday he talked about it and doubled down.
“”I don’t think it’s accurate to say my comments have nothing to do with race,” he told reporters here. But, he elaborated, “here’s what I was saying, and I think it should be undisputed: I don’t come out of central casting when it comes to presidential races, for a whole range of reasons. I’m young, new to the national scene. My name is Barack Obama. I’m African American. I was born in Hawaii. I spent time in Indonesia. I do not have the typical biography of a presidential candidate.”
From that, he said, the McCain campaign has tried to portray him as “risky.””
Nikolay, according to Obama it’s not Obama’s positions that McCain is portraying as risky, it’s his race and background.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/3/2008 @ 6:02 am“. . .his focus on how different his background and race are from most Americans. . . ”
I wonder too why Obams goes out of his way to remind Americans over and over again that his background is so different from theirs. I focus on “background” because I think most Americans don’t find there to be anything particularly problematic in his “race.” Colin Powell and Condi Rice are black, and the public does not seem to have any problem with that. African Americans are Americans, and all but the most racist persons accept that.
But why should Americans want, all things being equal, for their president to have an exotic background? It is a, really, the only, national office. And, the position of US President is fairly unusual, in that it combines head of state and head of government in one official. The president is the only voice of the United States in international affairs. In a world of nation states, it is not surprizing that most voters in most countries prefer someone of their “nation” to speak for their state in the world’s councils. Not someone from another nation. Not a hybrid. And not a “citizen of the world.”
It is not racism or xenophobia for American voters to want a “100% American” as their president. Again, an African American would fit this bill, but Obama does not. His father was not an African American, nor even an immigrant from Africa, but an African international student. Of course, there’s “nothing wrong” with that, and there’s nothing Obama can do about it. But, it’s not a selling point, and there’s no reason why it should be.
The only major party candidate I can think of whose father was not born in the US was Dukakis, but his father was an immigrant and became a citizen. And, he lost. Again, there is nothing immoral in voters only wanting someone with deep roots in the US to be their president, and Obama does not have them. His father’s side has no connection with the US. On his mother’s side, his mother is dead, his grandfather is dead, he never had any aunts or uncles, and, thus, no first cousins either. He has only his grandmother, and she is sick and old and kept out of sight, to say nothing of having been thrown under the bus. Obama has no siblings, or even half-siblings, in the US either. He has many relatives in Kenya and Indonesia, but not in the US. Outside of his grandmother, the only “family” Obama has in the US is through his wife.
And, there’s more. Obama has no real tie with any particular community in the US either. He was born in Hawaii, but spent much of his childhood in Indonesia. He went to college in California and New York, and law school in Massacusetts. He is presented as being “from Chicago,” but that is not accurate at all. As far as I can tell, he never laid eyes on the place until after he had graduated from Columbia, and was already 22 or 23 years old. He’s only 46 now. And, he has spent a good portion of the intervening years in Cambridge, in Springfield, in Washington, on the campaingn trail, out on the road promoting his books and other candidates and so forth.
Furthermore, Obama has no military experience. The US military is perhaps the one “national” institution we have; the one place where people from all over the country, of all races and classes, live and work together.
Put it all together and you have a man who is, by birth, as much a Kenyan as he is an American. A man who spent significant amounts of his childhood in a foreign country. A man who spent the rest of his childhood in a State that is at the extreme periphery of the country as a whole, both geographically and culturally, and was still only a Territory just a couple of years before his birth. A man with no real family in the US, other than his wife and children. A man with no solid ties to any particular community, municipality, state or region of the US, and with no experience in the US military either.
In my view, taken all together, these facts seriously call into question Obama’s candidacy for president. I believe the Republicans should highlight these issues, not run scared of them because just Obama will deliberately, and falsely, paint them as “racist” or “xenophobic.”
ruddyturnstone (623ad7) — 8/3/2008 @ 6:38 amThat ad’s attacking Obama as arrogant. I really don’t see it as saying something to the effect of you shouldn’t vote for Obama because he doesn’t look like the guys on the dollar bills.
As far as whether Obama was saying that McCain is encouraging people not vote for him because of his race, he has already been way more explicit than the dollar bill comment:
That was said by Barack Obama over a month ago, before the ad linked to above ever came out. As far as, specifically, whether or not the dollar bill comment was referring to race, Obama’s own chief strategist, David Axelrod, said so: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=5495348&page=1 So it’s really kind of hard to argue the McCain camp just picked up that idea out of nowhere or that says more about what’s going on in the minds McCain’s staff than Obama’s.
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/3/2008 @ 6:39 amMcCain defends himself from Baracky’s BS about his campaign being racist, and somehow that proves that McCain’s campaign is racist?
JD (5f0e11) — 8/3/2008 @ 6:59 amSimple… They are Republicans… Nothing is wrong when it is done to Republicans…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 8/3/2008 @ 8:44 amWell, then everyone agrees that McCain is running a racist campaign. I mean, it’s racist according to their own rules. Case closed.
Well, did he refer to McCain campaign in this comment, or to his opponents in general? Do you really mean to say that there is no racism from right’s side at all?
That YouTube ad, when embedded, has Obama’s face on the 100 dollar bill as a still picture. Given the fact that YouTube takes the picture from the middle of the video by default, and that picture was not in the middle, it’s obvious that McCain’s campaign wanted to draw attention the idea of Obama’s face on the dollar bill. As to their intentions, it’s very nice of you to cut McCain so much slack, while jumping all over Obama for talking about the things actually happening.
Well, that link is to another ABCNews inanity which is not ruled by the rules of logic, reason or anything.
Nikolay (f5b13d) — 8/3/2008 @ 9:05 amAgain, how is that ad saying we should not vote for Barack Obama because he doesn’t look like people on dollar bills?
Nikolay –
Feel free to explain to me who he means here other than the McCain campaign. I get the feeling you’re being willfully obtuse.
So YouTube’s in on the this?
Nikolay, that’s not obvious at all – it has him creating his own seal, which he did, it has him him putting his face on Mount Rushmore, and it has him putting his face on the hundred dollar bill – it has one message and it’s that the guy’s arrogant.
Well, I seemed to have missed David Axelrod demanding an apology from ABC. Let me check the news. Has he? . . . um, nope. Has Obama demanded an apology from ABC for misquoting him, lessee . . . huh, he hasn’t either. Quit shilling, this has been widely reported and you’re trying to deflect a fact because it doesn’t support your position.
His own chief strategist said it was referencing race.
Anon (db8e0c) — 8/3/2008 @ 9:29 amNikolay you dumb doorknob, that is Obama saying McCain is not running a racist campaign but then saying he was going to once more. Are you a moron?
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/3/2008 @ 9:42 am” An Obama campaign aide previously admitted Obama’s dollar bill comment was a reference to race.”
When will a McCain aid admit the same about the bimbo ads?
“Where the white women at!?”
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 9:47 amNikolay, your basic claims about McCain’s ad are false. It is not about Obama’s race nor his appearance, it is about his behavior.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/3/2008 @ 9:48 amNY Magazine
“The Low-Road Warrior
Mudslinging will damage McCain’s brand—but it may be the only way he can win.”
The NY Post’s Robert George on his blog [links stripped]
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:13 amSPQR:
Behavior? Behavior?!
Code-ist! Why don’t you just come out and call him “uppity”?
(channeling moonbats)
fat tony (30eb96) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:18 amMeanwhile, all the Obama cultists run around making explictly bigoted remarks about McCain’s age and are not being called on it.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:29 amAge is an issue if handled respectfully. Race is not.
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:56 amJAR, that’s complete crap and you know it. Race can be an issue if it is the Obama cult introducing it to inoculate themselves against criticism … kind of like they are doing.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:58 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq7Ig00YsWg
Let David Gergen explain it to you.
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 11:37 amJAR is Levi-ish. A mendoucheous asshat, if you will.
JD (5f0e11) — 8/3/2008 @ 11:40 amExcuse me, Mr. JARhead –
Britney and Paris were chosen because, next to the Messiah himself, they are the two most visible celebrities in the country. If the ad had shown two black celebrities you would accuse McCain of playing the race card; if those two black celebrities had been female you would accuse McCain of calling Obama a ‘playa’; if they had both been men you would accuse McCain of playing on a fear of black men.
In other words: How dare they compare the Messiah to anyone!
The comparison to the anti-Harold-Ford ad is pathetic. If McCain had included a clip of the Obama Girl video then you’d have a legitimate beef. But he didn’t. For Obama’s sake I hope that you are scouring all of his ads, keeping an eye out for any shot of Obama and a blonde white woman in the same frame. Maybe that’s why Hillary has been keeping her distance lately!
Icy Truth (c4ec85) — 8/3/2008 @ 11:59 amHere we go again
As with Helms our host is playing to racial issues without doing so directly. McCain is playing the same game.
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:12 pmMaybe Pat should put himself in the “scum” file.
More for JAR:
(CNN) — John McCain is facing criticism from many Democrats for likening Barack Obama to Paris Hilton, but the Illinois senator made the same comparison himself at a dinner in 2004.
“Andy Warhol said we all get our 15 minutes of fame,” then Senator-elect Obama said at a Gridiron dinner in December, 2004. “I’ve already had an hour and a half. I mean, I’m so overexposed, I’m making Paris Hilton look like a recluse.”
That attempt at self deprecating humor was delivered little more than a month after he was elected to the US senate, and just weeks before he was sworn in.
The same comparison was also made in September 2006, when speculation swirled about whether the still-very coy Obama would mount a presidential bid.
Upon speaking at Tom Harkin’s annual Iowa steak fry — a must-attend event for any presidential hopeful — CNN asked Obama about the Paris Hilton comparisons.
“Yeah, exactly,” Obama started to reply before Harkin jumped in and said, “Remember that movie with Robert Redford that was called ‘The Natural, about a baseball player? This is the natural of politics.”
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/30/the-paris-hilton-comparisons/
— More detail on Obama’s speech, from the Chicago Sun-Times:
“It’s like I was shot out of a cannon. I am so overexposed, I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse. After all the attention — People magazine, GQ, Vanity Fair, Letterman — I figure there’s nowhere to go from here but down. So tonight, I announce my retirement from the United States Senate. I had a good run.”
— If only he had honored that tongue-in-cheek statement.
Icy Truth (c4ec85) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:15 pmAnd each of those people are famous for having done something. Not to mention that fact that any of those ten would be more qualified to be President than would Obama.
And the only people bringing up race are the Obama-bots. And Obama himself, of course, because if it has gotten him this far, why should he change tactics now?
Drumwaster (5ccf59) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:19 pmJAR – Thank you for the comments. They are exactly what we needed. Support from the liberal media that is already in the tank for Obama saying things which the Obama campaign has now contradicted. Andrea Mitchell was unavailable for comment on the latest developments.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:26 pmMcCain used to call the press his “base.”
He’s flipped and flopped like a fish out of water and they’ve ignored it.
Maybe those days are over.
Here’s Ed Rollins
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:40 pmWow, it’s almost like there’s a reason that McCain isn’t getting good press coverage. (And let’s face it, unless one is at the event, it is entirely up to the press to determine how that event plays in Paducah.)
Drumwaster (5ccf59) — 8/3/2008 @ 12:45 pmBefore Gergen pointed out the obvious the press was saying Obama was responsible for pushing the racial angle.
The surprise was Gergen not Jake Tapper;
and not you.
JAR (08d0b1) — 8/3/2008 @ 1:10 pmIt is going to be pretty hilarious to watch Obama’s whining about racist attacks that aren’t happening erode his margin all the way to his loss in November.
SPQR (26be8b) — 8/3/2008 @ 1:16 pmJAR – Re-writing history in real time, right in front of our eyes.
JD (5f0e11) — 8/3/2008 @ 2:21 pm#107 – JAR
Forbes’ Celebrity 100. Paris and Britney don’t even make the list any more.
— Brilliant! The wealthiest celebrities are — by definition — also the most popular. Did you think that up all on your own?
Some search engine stats for you:
Lycos – #1 Paris Hilton, #9 Britney Spears
Live Search xRank – #1 Britney Spears, #5 Paris Hilton
AOL (year end 2007) – #1 Britney Spears, #6 Paris Hilton [#8 Beyoncé, #9 Oprah]
Yahoo! (year end 2007) – #1 Britney Spears, #3 Paris Hilton [that’s overall; #1 & #2 for celebrities; Beyoncé is #5 overall.]
Hollywood.com – #2 Britney Spears [#5 on their Hot Celeb Searches]
Entertainment Tonight (top Internet “tags”) – #3 Britney Spears, #10 Paris Hilton
Google (year end 2007; young celebs) – #1 Britney Spears, #2 Paris Hilton
— Wow! It appears that the richest stars aren’t necessarily the most popular. (What were the odds that some of them are overpaid?) But not to worry. If Paris and Britney really are “yesterday’s news”, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about; right?
BTW, the number one story on the celebrity site TMZ.com? The McCain ad.
Icy Truth (c4ec85) — 8/3/2008 @ 2:55 pmJAR – Thanks for more useful comments. Ed Rollins, chairman of Huckabee’s campaign and HUGE fan of McCain. Great find dude. Stellar. Ed thinks the GOP has lost it’s way and is going down the tubes. Keep up the great work JAR.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/3/2008 @ 10:48 pm