’)After this weekend’s sweep, and likely good returns tomorrow, look for Obama Derangement Syndrome to rise to an even more feverish pitch. Sen. Clinton is a good person, but her most ardent supporters here aren’t doing the candidate any favors. Here’s Taylor Marsh:
Last night on “60 Minutes” was a prime example. Once you got past Katie’s fetish for asking if Clinton could survive losing the fight for the nomination, which she has asked over and over again in interviews with Clinton, the comparison of that interview with what Obama offered was stunning. Clinton actually made it a point to talk about policies and what she might do as president and for the American people. Obama didn’t mention anything of note. It was all about him. I guess policies don’t matter when you actually believe by sheer personality you can move Washington. He’ll evidently just take everyone elses ideas, mix them up and see how it all turns out.
The one concession I’ll make is that Couric’s questions were the same kind of stupid questions she asked John Edwards some months ago. But what I’m taking issue with is Taylor Marsh’s baldfaced lie that Barack Obama didn’t address any policy issues. Because some of us actually watched 60 Minutes last night.
“Remember, early on in the campaign, the complaint about me was that I was too professorial. That I would go through these town hall meetings and, you know, go into great detail about this and that and the other. And you know, wondering what ever happened to that inspiring guy who spoke at the Democratic…convention. Yeah. And now that I’m inspiring people and saying, ‘Hey, you know, where is the specifics?’ And so, you know, if there are issues that you want to cover right now, I’m happy to,” Obama said. “So why don’t we work those through?”
“What do you think of what’s going on in Iraq right now?” Kroft asked.
“Well, I think, on the positive side, we’ve seen a reduction in violence. And I don’t think anybody can deny that,” Obama said. “What we haven’t seen is the kind of political reconciliation or accommodation between the Sunni and the Shia and the Kurds that are required in order for Iraq to stabilize. But I completely reject the notion, you know, most forcefully presented by John McCain that we should commit ourselves to a 50-year or a 60-year or a 100-year occupation in order to assure stability in Iraq. I think that is a recipe for disaster.”
“At a time when American casualties are down, at a time when the violence is down, particularly affecting the Iraqi population, is that the right time to try and set time tables for withdrawing all American troops? I mean you talked about…the end of 2009,” Kroft remarked.
“Yeah, absolutely. I think now is precisely the time. I think that it is very important for us to send a clear signal to the Iraqis that we are not gonna be here permanently. We’re not gonna set up permanent bases. That they are going to have to resolve their differences and get their country functioning,” Obama said.
“And you pull out according to that time table, regardless of the situation? Even if there’s serious sectarian violence?” Kroft asked.
“No, I always reserve as commander in chief, the right to assess the situation,” Obama replied.
This is not lying. It’s Rashomon.
Everyone thinks that the press is too hard on the people that they support, and too easy on the people that they oppose.
Obama didn’t mention anything of note. It was all about him.
Seriously, that’s not a flat-out falsehood? Oliver already quoted the relevant text.
Saw today a post by a certain kangaroo blogger where he got an email from a so-called Illinois Progressive in which they whined, we worked hard to send Obama to the Senate, and all he has done is be a tool for corporations.
Well. I am also in the PDA in Illinois. Obama has met personally with us twice. And each time he has worked on exactly what we asked.
So I simply googled Obama and found his record. Here is the list of bills he has sponsored or introduced. Sorry, a bit long, and not all are earth shattering. But care to find any that would make him look like a corporate shill. Good Luck.
Dec 19, 2007 S. 2519: Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 7, 2007 S. 2433: Global Poverty Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 6, 2007 S. 2428: National STEM Scholarship Database Act
Introduced
Nov 16, 2007 S. 2392: National STEM Scholarship Database Act
Introduced
Nov 13, 2007 S. 2347: Prevention Through Affordable Access Act
Introduced
Nov 8, 2007 S. 2330: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act
Introduced
Oct 24, 2007 S. 2227: Success in the Middle Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 24, 2007 S. 2224: Nuclear Release Notice Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 18, 2007 S. 2202: Renewable Fuel Standard Extension Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 4, 2007 S. 2147: Security Contractor Accountability Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 3, 2007 S. 2132: A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children’s products that contain lead, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Sep 27, 2007 S. 2111: Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act
Introduced
Sep 18, 2007 S. 2066: Back to School: Improving Standards for Nutrition and Physical Education in Schools Act of 2007
Introduced
Sep 12, 2007 S. 2044: Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007
Introduced
Sep 6, 2007 S. 2030: A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists.
Introduced
Aug 3, 2007 S. 1989: Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007
Introduced
Aug 2, 2007 S. 1977: Nuclear Weapons Threat Reduction Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 26, 2007 S. 1885: Military Family Job Protection Act
Introduced
Jul 25, 2007 S. 1873: Improving Emergency Medical Care and Response Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1824: Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1818: Missing Mercury in Manufacturing Monitoring and Mitigation Act
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1817: A bill to ensure proper administration of the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Jul 18, 2007 S. 1811: Lead Poisoning Reduction Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 16, 2007 S. 1790: Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007
Introduced
Jun 27, 2007 S. 1713: A bill to provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.
Introduced
Jun 7, 2007 S. 1574: Teaching Residency Act
Introduced
May 24, 2007 S. 1513: Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2007
Introduced
May 17, 2007 S. 1430: Iran Sanctions Enabling Act
Introduced
May 14, 2007 S. 1389: Climate Change Education Act
Introduced
May 7, 2007 S. 1324: National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007
Introduced
May 3, 2007 S. 1306: Lead Free Toys Act of 2007
Introduced
May 2, 2007 S. 1271: Homecoming Enhancement Research and Oversight (HERO) Act
Introduced
Apr 25, 2007 S. 1222: STOP FRAUD Act
Introduced
Apr 20, 2007 S. 1181: Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act
Introduced
Apr 18, 2007 S. 1151: Health Care for Hybrids Act
Introduced
Apr 10, 2007 S. 1084: Homes for Heroes Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1068: Healthy Communities Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1067: Healthy Places Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 23, 2007 S. 976: Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 15, 2007 S. 906: Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 8, 2007 S. 823: Microbicide Development Act
Introduced
Mar 7, 2007 S. 795: Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 6, 2007 S. 768: Fuel Economy Reform Act
Introduced
Mar 6, 2007 S. 767: Fuel Economy Reform Act
Introduced
Mar 1, 2007 S. 737: Voter Advocate and Democracy Index Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 28, 2007 S. 713: Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 27, 2007 S. 692: VA Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 16, 2007 S. 674: Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act of 2007
Scheduled for Debate
Oct 4, 2007 S. 453: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 30, 2007 S. 433: Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 133: American Fuels Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 117: Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 116: STEP UP ACT OF 2007
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 115: Oil SENSE Act
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 114: Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act
Introduced
Sep 17, 2007 S.Con.Res. 46: A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Introduced
Sep 12, 2007 S.Con.Res. 44: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Rosa Louise McCauley Parks.
Passed Senate
Jun 26, 2007 S.Con.Res. 25: A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society.
Introduced
Jan 31, 2007 S.Con.Res. 5: A concurrent resolution honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry and the first and only African-American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences.
Introduced
Nov 1, 2007 S.J.Res. 23: A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law.
Introduced
Nov 15, 2007 S.Res. 383: A resolution honoring and recognizing the achievements of Carl Stokes, the first African-American mayor of a major American city, in the 40th year since his election as Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.
Passed Senate
Jul 13, 2007 S.Res. 268: A resolution designating July 12, 2007, as “National Summer Learning Day”.
Passed Senate
Mar 28, 2007 S.Res. 133: A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
Photo from the Congressional Pictorial Directory
Seriously, that’s pretty weak tea if that’s all one can come up with to justify a charge that another is deranged. What Obama said (and I watched the interview) basically was it’s time to start thinking about a time table for withdrawal, but I reserve the right as CIC not to do that should the situation warrant otherwise. No great policy statement there, especially since his Iraq stance is what he’s been running on for the most part. And while technically Ms. Marsh was wrong, her statement certainly doesn’t approach an outright lie or exhibit derangement. Get a grip people! I’ll go with Kevin Drum on this kerfuffle – soft ball interview of Obama, insufferable preformance by Couric during her interview with Clinton.
And while technically Ms. Marsh was wrong, her statement certainly doesn’t approach an outright lie or exhibit derangement
It is an outright lie, and taken on its own it ain’t deranged, but its part of a serious pattern.
I’ve never liked her style. I find her
pathologically partisan.
Next thing you know, her people will start blaming Barack Obama for everything his wife did. Oh wait… Good thing that’s not sexist.
Oh silly me! I said something not worshipful about Obama! I must have…that weird made-up thing Oliver Willis uses to ignore critiques of his candidate.
Please, take the worship/cult bullshit and peddle it somewhere else. As I’ve noted numerous times, Sen. Clinton gets the props from the Clinton presidency and the negatives, especially as far as the effect on downticket races. Dems lost big when we had the White House with President Clinton.
I’ve noticed this about Taylor’s writing ever since she publicly backed Hillary. Thanks for pointing this out.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned specific things about Taylor’s zealotry. For this year’s Blogger Amnesty Day, you could only get “in” if you were Hillary-friendly.
Um, that sounds like a form of “loyalty oath” to me. I thought brownshirts were the only people who did that nowadays?
I’d never heard of Taylor Marsh before OW made mention of her in one of his earlier postings. So, like all good want-to-see-the-original-source-material and want-to-understand-the-other-viewpoint reasonable people I visited her site and read thru several of her postings.
Can’t remember which of her postings in particular prompted me to reply, but I posted a couple of comments on her site in response to her posting and to comments made to it by other readers. My comments asked for clarification of an apparent contradiction and mis-statement in her original post. I was polite, respectful and didn’t accuse anyone of anything. Just pointing out something that didn’t make sense to me and asking for clarification.
None of my comments ever saw the light of day.
When you start censoring any comment that doesn’t agree with your view unquestioningly you’ve lost all benefit of the doubt. Haven’t been back to her site since. Don’t see the point.
I’ll stick to places like OW here, where opposing views get equal exposure all the time. They may be attacked (and I do wish the name calling by both sides was less) but they get seen.
skeeters said: So I simply googled Obama and found his record. Here is the list of bills he has sponsored or introduced. Sorry, a bit long, and not all are earth shattering. But care to find any that would make him look like a corporate shill.
Unfortunately the name of a bill can be quite misleading. Not saying Obama is a corporate shill or not. Just noting that the “Clear Skies Act of 2003″ (to choose just one example) would actually have allowed more pollutants into the air.
Brief descriptions of what the bills would do (as for the last few in the list) are more helpful than just the names, which are often chosen for marketing reasons rather than and desire for clarity.
A good point here. But then, mention the word Obama or Barack, and Ms. Marsh and her supporters go off the deep end.