A few years ago, during the 2004 campaign, Josh Marshall defined what he called the “bitch slap theory” of American electoral politics:
One way — perhaps the best way — to demonstrate someone’s lack of toughness or strength is to attack them and show they are either unwilling or unable to defend themselves — thus the rough slang I used above. And that I think is a big part of what is happening here. Someone who can’t or won’t defend themselves certainly isn’t someone you can depend upon to defend you.
This has traditionally been a way for Republicans to attack Democrats, but while it remains to be seen how the string plays out, its also a good way to look at how President Obama is trying to set up the GOP via his speech last night.
Republicans have an inane ability to create noise over made up things, ie. “lipstick on a pig” or “death panels”. But in combat versus the President they seem to do pretty poorly when pressed into combat in the reality based community.
Last night the President said directly to the Republicans that he’s willing to work with them on these issues as long as they check the crazy at the door and come at the issues realistically. As we’ve seen for the last, oh, 40 years the GOP is tragically incapable of doing so. In fact, their base – unlike the liberal base – rewards them in proportion to how stupid they are. The Republicans still don’t see how acting the fool doesn’t work with the rest of normal America (they don’t laugh people like Sarah Palin out of the room, they think she’s a legit contender for not for assistant dog catcher but for the presidency).
That gives the President room to tell America “sensible solutions to grand national problems sold here”. And right about now America is well aware that we have some big national problems that need fixing.
*SLAP*
That’s why his poll numbers keep dropping, because he’s such a badass.
Initial polling:
Initial, they are, but one is hopeful.
The President makes a “rah! rah! sisk – boom – bah!” speech , and his numbers go up – what a surprise!
When the bloggers, columnists and talking heads get through with him, those numbers will be right where they are, if not lower.
I regret to inform you that the Health Plan, as currently packaged, will not make it.
I regret to inform you that the Health Plan, as currently packaged, will not make it.
What is President McCain up to this week?
Made any violent threats via email lately, Frank or Dennis? And then bitched out on them like the little punks you are?
Just curious.
Hey, I’ve applied this in real life. Dude, picks a fight with me, and I tell him that he is of no threat to me, whatsoever. So he punches in the nose, and I just look at him straight in the eye and start straight out cracking up in his face. I tell him that I don’t feel the least bit threatened, and therefore, can’t seem to feel motivated to kick his ass. He then kicked me in the chest and I bounced off the wall, but I remained standing, and my laughter continued. I opened my arms and I said, “That’s all, little puppy? You are absolutely of no threat to me; try again” and I continued to laugh at him. He then ran away, which was the wisest thing he had done in all that interaction.
That’s sort of what Obama did last night, no?
Jaim, acted like a stupid a**hole this week? Of course you have.
Of course my point will go over a lot of people’s heads!
Has Frank been correct about anything? Ever?
The Barack Obama health insurance plan does not exist. It is a fiction, fleetingly described in an angry speech by a petulant president intent on imposing his will on a justifiably skeptical citizenry.
“Oh, it exists!” you proclaim.
No, it does not, else you and I could download, print and read it.
What does exist is HR3200, which has passed through two committees in the House of Representatives and will soon be introduced to the floor for debate and vote, or shuffled into the reconciliation process to bypass the career-killing vote process.
President Obama’s speech did not in any substantive way correctly describe HR3200. It did, in fact, substantially differ from the content of HR3200.
Liar, indeed.
Great. Another attention seeker.
@joaquin – Are you sure you know what “petulant” means? Because that wasn’t what I saw on the pulpit.
Wilfredo
You’re relating a speech to a physical combat scenario? Huh?
Okay I’ll play along.
What if the guy you just let punch you and kick you for free gets pissed off even more at your condescending laughter? What if he trips/slams you to the ground, then takes a mount position (wrestling, jujutsu, look it up)?
Then said guy rains down blow after blow, forearms and punches till you are unconscious and no longer smiling? I’d say he is a threat then. And then said guy beef stewed and pissed on you for good measure.
But then in REALITY said guy would go to jail for at least 6 months for aggravated battery (at least assault) and your bitch ass would no doubt press charges.
It did, in fact, substantially differ from the content of HR3200.
Is that your own opinion or are you taking someone else’s word for it?
Oh god, now we are down to “thats your opinion” games.
Fine how about this:
My opinion – God tier
Quaker in a liberal arts class opinion – shit tier
Mike, you’re presuming too much. But, of course, you can get away with that, since you’re so far away. Now blow off, dust bunny!
Shorter shut-in anger junkies: “Did you see how I stopped his fist with my face? Yeah, like total win, man.”
Frank, how many times do I have to tell you…pants FIRST, then shoes.
Wilfredo – what exactly am I presuming, other than you likening a verbal speech to a physical violent altercation which is total nonsense. And I can get away since I’m so far away? Thats funny I haven’t even said anything and you’re already getting indignant.
PD100 – wtf are you even babbling about
Hahahahahaha, PD100! That chestnut must be hundreds of years old. It’s amazing the courage you folks have when you’re anonymous. And of course, I wouldn’t expect chicken hawks like you to understand shit.
mike, see my previous comment. Again, you’re presuming stuff.
What’s the point of getting indignant, really?
You refering to me? As far as chickenhawks go you’re saying you’ve been to war? You sure you weren’t at a protest instead?
I’m sorry I don’t understand your slang homie. You say “chestnut” I ask wtf.
I do understand “chickenhawk” and lets just say the marines wouldn’t have me. Guess they were worried I might turn my M16A4 on them.
(psst: no feedy trolly)
Silly anonymous boy, I don’t even live in the U.S., but what would be wrong with protesting a war? Seriously, what would be wrong with that?
@Indeed – Yeah, you’re right. But I got the answer that I needed.
Boy. Yeah.
No problem with protesting wars just dont call others chickenhawks afterwards. Thats being a hypocrite.
Why you so interested with my anon? What you wanna fight now after making fun of others who make so many useless violent threats over internet?
And don’t relate a speech to a physical confrontation.
You sound like a horse’s ass and someone who has never even been in a fight when you do that.
mike, Heh. I got what I needed from you. You were very clear. Helpful, even. Thanks.
And you still havent even told me what “I’m presuming”.
Stop being so ominous and just spit it out fucktard.
Whats that?
Wow I though Neocons were supposed to be the psychos.
No use liberals. I have found new trolling grounds and you guys are doomed.
Hah! Nice guinea pig.
HAH nice retard saying some incoherent shit
And then said guy beef stewed
You’re disgusting. Have some more cheetos.
Duros62 – you’re a snob and a pussy. get a sense of humor
Duros, the guy just admitted that he would probably frag his own people. He is disgusting.
@mike – get a job.
I didnt admit anything moron. Was merely elaborating on why the fuckhead marines would not accept me.
Glad they turned me down anyways considering what happened the following year (2001). Nowadays they would kill for fresh recruits.
Wilfredo you started babbling about “chickenhawks” and made me think you a military man. I figure I was sadly mistaken.
Seriously stop trying to take the moral high road, you’re not a good enough driver.
Duros62
lol
Whats next? Get a life? You’re on here too jackass.
You guys are making this way too easy.
Plus, “chestnut” is a very old American term. You should really pick up a book, “homie.”
Was merely elaborating on why the fuckhead marines would not accept me.
They are pretty good about not taking people with mental illnesses.
Wait…fuckhead marines?
Why do you hate the troops, mike?
Why do you hate America?
fucking douche bag traitor.
Like what?
Wealth of Nations, Mark Twain, The Constitution, Stephen King, Mark Levine, C++ (thats a programming language)
I don’t agree with you or understand an archaic term you use. THAT MAKES ME ILLITERATE???!!!
No Duros. Why do YOU hate America?
Actually they’re pretty good about not taking people with felony convictions from back when they were kids.
Of course this is all pre 9/11. If I had ever tried again I probably would have been accepted.
Dude, anybody can mention authors! One of those who you mentioned used the term, and yet you don’t know which one it is. Tsk.
Who? Twain?
Dude seriously you’re trying to claim mental superiority because you know a “term” I don’t.
I’ve taught myself things (mostly computers) that would make your fuzzy little head explode.
TAUGHT MYSELF – something you couldnt accomplish without 10K a year for tuition.
Are those violins I’m hearing? What a sad little tune for a sad little boy.
Your face is probably very red now, isn’t it? Feeling flustered? See? I can presume things too.
Was merely elaborating on why the fuckhead marines would not accept me.
Maybe because you weren’t man enough to be a Marine, pussy boy. And it seems you carry some baggage as a result.
*sniff* I miss him already.
Wilfredo, I can relate to your analogy, as an 11 Bravo, I ran into people all the time that thought they where tough, all mouth as it turned out. I have bitch slapped my share of people, but now that I have left the Army, (wanted to bitch slap civilians all the time) I learned better ways to handle people, I use logic, and watch as their minds draw a blank, then (this is when people will turn violent) when they have no retort, they try to go the physical route. But if that is all you have is Bravado, then you need to work on your verbal and logic skills for debate, for there is always someone bigger and stronger eventually, I hope this was helpful.
Sincerely,
Impaler
@Impaler – Ha, ha, ha! Actually, the reason why I need to sharpen my wits is because I just got tired of having to fight all the time (just last week, I had to do it twice), and it’s just ridiculous! I live in a pretty dangerous city, that’s in a dangerous country, so odds are that I will be exposed to more violence. At my age it’s very unbecoming.
But thanks for the advice. I agree with you.
BTW, I responded to your comment on the Wilson post, just so you know.
Has Frank been correct about anything? Ever?
Well, he once said he’s never come back and left for a year. That’s the closest I can think of.
No problem with protesting wars just dont call others chickenhawks afterwards. Thats being a hypocrite.
*cough*
Actually they’re pretty good about not taking people with felony convictions from back when they were kids.
You know, admitting that you’re a sociopath doesn’t strengthen your arguments. Just an FYI.
Here is that Obama plan, apparently written on invisible ink.
I’ve never been right about anything — even when I said that, I was wrong.
Heh.
Jerks!
I’ve never been right about anything — even when I said that, I was wrong
Well, then it’s time to give up drinking, you old coot.
“I’ve taught myself things (mostly computers) that would make your fuzzy little head explode.”
Finding pornography with Google really isn’t that hard.
Gawd, do we have to deal with yet another unemployed OW.com wing-nut troll living off of government hand-outs of some form or another?
Burn , you flying a**hole: I gave up drinking and drugging 23 years ago. It’s obvious you have yet to experience a drug free life, you anencephalic delinquent.
And your remarks make it clear to everyone what I already know – that you are an insensitive churl, who probably fears old age , because in your adolescent state, you feign invulnerability and indestructibility. That should change after puberty, if there is an “after puberty” for you.
[...] The Bitch Slap Theory As Applied To Barack Obama (oliverwillis.com) [...]
“Bitch Slap” ?
Yes, I find the term offensive.
“I gave up drinking and drugging 23 years ago.”
And yet you’re still a loser who trolls this site and makes threats of violence. Interesting.
Jaim, why don’t you throw your head up your ass, til you see daylight.
So he can be like you, Frank?
No, D A … so he can be like you !
Whoooaaa!