Somebody needs to get a straight answer to this latest bit of tapdancing.
MSNBC is reporting that on the campaign trail today in Charlotte, North Carolina, the former president said a general election matchup between his wife, Sen. Clinton, and Sen. John McCain would be between “two people who love this country” without “all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
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A McCain/Clinton matchup could make for the most fucked up election in US history. As far as I can tell, the only purpose of that election would be to decide which would be president to the other’s vice president.
Atrios’ report of this doesn’t seem to indicate that he is speaking of Hillary vs. McCain. He could be. When I listen to the clip by itself or just read it, I figured he was speaking of the eventual two nominees, whoever they might be.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/girl_in_hillary_red_phone_ad_d.php
Best political ad of all time !
A Clinton/McCain election would probably make a bunch of us to push Obama to run as an Independent candidate. Thankfully, I don’t think Clinton has a chance anymore.
Maybe he means Ralph Nader. Hey… he’s probably behind the passport thing too!!!
No, Farris, looking at track records and histroy we can assume it was republicans looking at passport files.
Y’know, you can reasonably assume that patriotism is a basic requirement for being POTUS, in the same way you can assume that graduating from med school is a basic requirement for being a physician.
But if you went to a doctor and he kept trying going on about how totally freaking graduated from med school he was–far more graduated than all the other docs!–you’d take your maladies elsewhere.
I feel the same way about candidates whose message is (in essence) Boy-oh-boy, do I ever have this incredibly basic qualifier for elected office!!!
I never bothered to read Obama’s reason for not wearing one of those damn flag pins, but for the above reason, I’m all for it. Of course, Bush, whose harm to our country may be unfixable (certainly not in our lifetime), and whose main accomplishments in office include the destruction of our economy and engineering the end of America’s status as a superpower, never leaves home without one.
No, Farris, looking at track records and histroy we can assume it was republicans looking at passport files.
Actually one of them had close ties to the Obama campaign. Its all over the ‘net.
For Obama to have made a big deal out of this was stupid. Doesn’t he know who is on his campaign?
Obama is running a campaign more inept than Kerry’s. That has got to be some kind of genius.
On top of that the D party is ripping itself to shreds. In fact it may not survive this election. Six months ago it had a lock on the election. Fortunes of war and politics.
Right. One, versus the entire Bush administration that has tried to turn every government department into an arm of the Republican party, has trashed the privacy rights of every American, has decided it doesn’t need warrants to tap phones or monitor emails, pursued political prosecutions, fought to prevent any oversight, etc. Quite frankly, accessed passport files should be the least of Obama’s worries. He better have a battalion of security, counter-espionage and cryptographers working for him if he doesn’t want his campaign communications forwarded directly to GOP headquarters.
Yeah, it’s so all over the net I can’t find it. Source?
M. Simon: Actually one of them had close ties to the Obama campaign. Its all over the ‘net.
Well, if it’s all over the net then it must be true.
Last I saw the names of the people who peeked had not been released. So it isn’t known who they are, but we do know who they are friendly towards?
I’m not saying things haven’t changed in the last 24 hours since I peaked in on news sites and names may have been released, but “it’s all over the net” is never a basis you’d really want to use to support your argument.
M. Simon: Obama is running a campaign more inept than Kerry’s. That has got to be some kind of genius.
Yeah. So genius he hasn’t won more states, popular votes and delegates than any other contender. So genius he hasn’t been the front runner since the beginning. So genius that he hasn’t been raising more money from more people than any other candidate in either party.
M.Simon: On top of that the D party is ripping itself to shreds. In fact it may not survive this election. Six months ago it had a lock on the election. Fortunes of war and politics.
Assuming for the moment your contention is correct, who would bear the lion’s share of the blame for that? Couldn’t be the candidate who has no chance of getting the nomination unless she gets the party to break the rules which she agreed to previously and convinces superdelegates to overthrow the will of the people, could it? Couldn’t be the candidate who is all but saying outright the Republican candidate would be a far better President than her current opponent? Could it?
Hmmm. Who in this campaign has a history of illegally accessing confidential government files?
I can’t quite remember. What was her name again?
“Assuming for the moment your contention is correct, who would bear the lion’s share of the blame for that? Couldn’t be the candidate who has no chance of getting the nomination unless she gets the party to break the rules which she agreed to previously and convinces superdelegates to overthrow the will of the people, could it? Couldn’t be the candidate who is all but saying outright the Republican candidate would be a far better President than her current opponent? Could it?”
Considering the events of the past week, you all better pray she gets the nomination. Not many whites are going to vote for the Obamonation when he’s completely vetted. That preacher cooked his goose.
So genius that he hasn’t been raising more money from more people than any other candidate in history.
Fixed.
Bill I, guess you’re one of the last to know:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NATION/243762495/1001
MSNBC is reporting that on the campaign trail today in Charlotte, North Carolina, the former president said a general election matchup between his wife, Sen. Clinton, and Sen. John McCain would be between “two people who love this country” without “all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
That’s what MSNBC is reporting, but if you look at the full quote (included in the Huffpo post but conveniently overlooked by Oliver), it doesn’t say he was talking specifically about Hillary and McCain. MSNBC may be doing some paraphrasing here. Here is the full quote:
“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election between two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interests of the country and people could actually ask themselves who is right on the issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”
Gee, you think he may be talking about the eventual two candidates (of which he hopes one is Hillary), rather than deliberately omitting Obama from his list of “patriotic” candidates?
First the Obama campaign has a major hissy fit and demands an Congressional investigation into someone accessing his passport info. Oops, turns out that all 3 candidates had their files access and for two of them (Obama and McCain) it was done by a private company whose head is directly linked to Obama’s campaign (see Washington Times link above).
Now they’re demanding Bill stop his “McCarthy-like” questioning of Obama’s patriotism.
This is getting pretty pathetic. Sounds like they’re trying to kick up as much dust as possible in the hope that everyone will just forget all about Wright and Rezko.
Somebody needs to get a straight answer to this latest bit of tapdancing.
Maybe Obama should demand a full Congressional investigation into this issue too. At the very least, someone should go tell the teacher that Bill is calling Barack names. Sheesh.
So, the contractor works for a company headed by a guy who works as an adviser to the Obama campaign, but said contractor isn’t connected to the campaign himself. He also apparently briefly looked at McCain’s file as well as Obama’s.
Well, that settles it, Obama is clearly the mastermind behind this. A pretty ingenious maneuver on his part, getting someone heading up a national security company to contract someone to clumsily peek into some files with, arguably, barely anything of note in them in such a way as to be sure and get caught and stir up a media ruckus, thus distracting everyone from the evil Reverend Wright and that Rezko guy. It would have been absolutely perfect if Obama had managed to time it before sitting down for 3 hours to discuss his relationship with Rezko at the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times…oh, and before his 35 minute televised speech on Wright and race relations in the U.S.
Still, pretty darn clever.
Really, how is it half this country manages to get dressed everyday without accidentally hanging themselves or wearing their pants for a hat?
Assuming for the moment your contention is correct, who would bear the lion’s share of the blame for that?
As I said. The D party is ripping itself apart.
May I also add that it is unwise to do political work (or any other) in a state of anger. It clouds the judgment.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iFJ3vNfsH1Ul0kYvcB7RllkSx71gD8VI1SN07
http://instapundit.com/archives2/016810.php
You guys should really check into Instapundit frequently. OPO research and all that. Visit freerepublic. etc.
I go to DU frequently. When ever I want to take the pulse of the opposition. Calmly, cooly, collectedly. I prefer that anger not cloud my judgment.
BTW I was a Democrat once, even a communist for a while. It helps me think like the opposition. It is wise not to go to those places with a stereotype of the opposition. It clouds the judgment. Think of Rs as good people who are just mistaken. Try to get inside the mind of your real enemy not a caricature. It helps.
Any way I don’t hate. How could I? I once held similar ideas.
Where did I ever say Obama was the mastermind behind it?
All I said was that there was a connection to the Obama campaign. And there is. I have no idea what the motive was.
Assuming for the moment your contention is correct, who would bear the lion’s share of the blame for that?
As I said. The D party is ripping itself apart.
May I also add that it is unwise to do political work (or any other) in a state of anger. It clouds the judgment.
You can find links on the subject here:
http://instapundit.com/archives2/016810.php
It was unwise for Obama to jump to conclusions. It has made him look a little foolish. He wanted a Congressional investigation and not the executive to look into it. Well fine. Maybe Congress needs to look into the connections with the Obama campaign. I’m sure all of you are down with that. It may be nothing. It may be something. Let Congress get to the bottom of it.
I sense a lot of anger here. It is unwise. It clouds the judgment. It leads to conspiracy theories. It leads to looking foolish.
And just for fun.
There is some evidence that Rove/Republicans propped Obama up with cash infusions when he needed help.
I have excerpts and links here:
http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-rove-behind-obama.html
The first link on the page is very good. You should follow it. I think the link is to a Clinton supporter. s/he does provide evidence and linkage.
So it is possible that the fight going on in your party may be a Republican plot after all. However, Obama couldn’t get where he is without Democrat support so Republicans are not totally to blame. I think Daschle has his finger prints on it.
I find all of this fascinating.
Sean D. Martin,
In match ups against McCain Obama is tanking. Hillary is doing a little better.
Rassmusen has the polls. (did I spell that name right?).
Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/03/very_bad_poll_news_for_obama_a.html
I’m going to leave for now. I may be back later.
Thank you all for your kindness.
I don’t know what the big deal is. I question Obama’s patriotism. Everyone who has been paying attention the past year should question his patriotism.
He won’t wear a flag pin, he won’t cover his heart, his wife says “for the first time in my adult life I’m really proud of my country” and this all makes sense when we hear his pastor, his spiritual advisor of 20 years, the man who married him and his wife, the man who baptized his children is a hatefilled racist who says “God Damn America” and attaches insane conspiracy theories to this country.
Obama clearly agrees with that nutjob and only a fool would NOT question his patriotism.
“I don’t know what the big deal is. I question Obama’s patriotism.”
That’s because you’re a moron.
“Everyone who has been paying attention the past year should question his patriotism.”
They don’t, because they aren’t morons.
“He won’t wear a flag pin, he won’t cover his heart”
Because to him, being patriotic is more than meaningless symbols.
“his wife says “for the first time in my adult life I’m really proud of my country” ”
Which was taken out of context, but you wouldn’t know that since you watch Fixed Noise as your news source.
“and this all makes sense when we hear his pastor, his spiritual advisor of 20 years, the man who married him and his wife, the man who baptized his children is a hatefilled racist who says “God Damn America” and attaches insane conspiracy theories to this country.”
See above.
Seriously, don’t vote. You’re far too stupid. I question whether you have the mental agility to function as a productive and valued member of society.
M. Simon: Actually one of them had close ties to the Obama campaign.
No, the head of the company he works for has a connection to the Obama campaign. If the head of my company has made donations to the McCain campaign, does that me that I, a lowly employee at least four levels down the management chain, have “close ties” to McCain?
M Simon: You guys should really check into Instapundit frequently. OPO research and all that.
Fair enough, I’ll do that. In return, will you get your facts straight?
Patrick -
Is someone’s level of patriotism determined by how often they were a flag pin? If I wore two, would that make me twice as patriotic as Bush? If I actively subvert the constitution, but wear a flag pin in my lapel, is my patriotism unassailable? If I serve my country and work diligently to make it a more perfect place but neglect to put a pin on my jacket, is that an indication that I hate America?
You take the presence or absence of a flag pin so seriously that I would seriously like to hear your answers.
“Obama clearly agrees with that nutjob”
“Clearly”? Really? That clear agreement would be demonstrated when Obama said
“I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright”
or
“Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely”
or
“[Wright's comments] expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country”
or
“Reverend Wright’s comments were not only wrong but divisive.”
Is that what you’re referring to?
Obviously intended: “Is someone’s level of patriotism determined by how often they WEAR a flag pin?”
No, nobody said Obama orchestrated the whole thing, just that his campaign was connected to the head of the company that employed one of the three contractors caught snooping. Just mentioning it, you know, for entertainment purposes only, I’m sure. No attempt to turn the whole thing on Obama. It reminds me of Spaceballs. “I Am Your Father’s Brother’s Nephew’s Cousin’s Former Roommate”-style guilt by association.
It should also be pointed out that the “won’t cover his heart” story is a fabrication as well. The picture and video so widely circulated showed Obama failing to cover his heart during the Star Spangled Banner, not the Pledge of Allegiance. I know some jingoistic dim bulbs think you aren’t a patriot if you don’t have your hand over your heart for the 5 a.m. local channel sign off, but it just ain’t so. You are free to scratch yourself and sing along during the Spangled, if the urge happens to strike.
And I still haven’t seen any evidence that Rev. Wright hates whitey. He has serious issues with the U.S. government, and he frequently wanders into conspiracy town (i.e. AIDS and the Tuskegee experiment (though that was ghastly all the same)).
If I wore two, would that make me twice as patriotic as Bush?
The minimum is 18 pieces of flair.
http://mediamatters.org/static/images/item/hannity-20071023-obama.jpg
The minimum is 18 pieces of flair.
To which I believe the accepted response is: “I do want to express myself, okay. And I don’t need 37 pieces of flair to do it..” followed by a gesture involving half the peace sign.
i feel ya.
Enlightened Liberal
My arguments are all grounded in reality while yours, typical for leftists such as yourself, is grounded in ad hominem attacks and insults.
I don’t demand two flag pins, I don’t demand 18 pieces of flair, but I do expect SOME expression of patriotism and not 8 flags AFTER his spiritual advisor just said :God Damn America.”
If history isn’t relevant, if his refusal to wear a flag pin or cover his heart during the National Anthem isn’t a clue into his true thought and beliefs then I don’t know what is.
I heard what his wife said and after hearing their racist, bigoted, hatefilled anti-American pastor and spiritual advisor it’s not that hard to connect the dots. I don’t care what Barack Hussein Obama says, his actions and words of the past year are far more revealing than what he says now after these things come to light.
If you don’t think millions of people agree with me then you will be very suprised come November.
“I don’t care what Barack Hussein Obama says,”
That just about says it all, doesn’t it?
“If you don’t think millions of people agree with me then you will be very suprised come November.”
Oh, on the contrary I do think millions agree with you. And they are all POS just like you are.
If history isn’t relevant, if his refusal to wear a flag pin or cover his heart during the National Anthem isn’t a clue into his true thought and beliefs then I don’t know what is.
I am in complete agreement with your logic and your conclusion.
Patrick: My arguments are all grounded in reality while yours, typical for leftists such as yourself, is grounded in ad hominem attacks and insults.
…
…I don’t care what Barack Hussein Obama says…
(emphasis added)
And what is the use of his middle name other than an attack not grounded in reality? Yeah, yeah. It’s his name, so where’s the insult in using it? Yet the only time folks use it is when they want to emphasize it, to suggest something unsavory.
Patrick, March 24: I don’t demand two flag pins
Patrick, 21 hours earlier: Everyone who has been paying attention the past year should question his patriotism. He won’t wear a flag pin,…
“Oh, on the contrary I do think millions agree with you. And they are all POS just like you are.”
Just remember, slandering liberal, you have to live in the same sewer you are wishing upon the rest of us if either of your two losers become president.