Still foaming over the ABC News “Freak Show” Democratic debate in Philly, Excitable Andy repeats the obvious:
“No questions on the environment, none on terror, none on interrogation, none on torture, none on education, none on spending, none on healthcare, none on Iran … but four separate questions in the first hour about a lapel-pin, Bitter-gate, Wright-gate and Ayers. I’m all for keeping candidates on their toes. But this was ridiculous. And now we have affirmative action? Again, it’s not illegitimate as such – but the only reason it is asked is to try and trip these people up and make Gibson and Stephanopoulos look smart.”
But wait! What does Unflappable Andy have to say?
Not entirely fair: they did discuss Iraq briefly. I don’t think the absence of healthcare represents bias…
Of course, that was in response to the CNN/YouTube GOP debate, which omitted quesions on healthcare, Iran, energy, education, or subprime mortgages, in favor of questions about what guns the candidates owned, whether they take the Bible literally, and putting a man on Mars by 2020. Also, Ron Paul was asked about whether he’s going to run as an independent. And questioning how Rudy Giuliani could betray the Yankees by supporting the Red Sox in the post-season. That debate was “immensely entertaining and revealing – another coup for CNN and YouTube.” That the questioners were Democrat plants was “a trivial subplot.”
Michelle Malkin has more nutrootsy head-splodeyness, though the commenters attacking Marc Ambinder, ABC News and each other may represent the depths of the cesspool.
(h/t Memeorandum.)
Karl, this schadenfreudelicious piece by Tom Shales is one for the ages. (h/t Hot Air)
Also . . . it’s really not possible to flap that which is pre-flapped, is it?
atrocious debate.
Major USA news outlet turning into tabloid piece of shit.
Shame.
How many times the Wright question has to be asked?
Obviously dems do not care(dems’ primary, right?)cause Obama’s numbers are still high .
In general elections let McCain’s camp do that type of asking(I bet he himself won’t)
Who is more patriot you or your preacher? Even my cat would not come with more idiotic question.
Obama is right at least about one thing for sure.
Change is needed- in our media and press corps,fast, before we all will be brainwashed into becoming obsessed with flag pins .
They asked hard questions. Actually, it was a SHOCKA.
It would have been nice had the actual questions been answered. Both candidates were good at either not answering the questions, or answering questions they wish had been asked.
Until we know the truth — does Obama agree with Wright, or was his “faith” a lie?
and he answered that 100000000 times, Rob.
Pay attention…
sasha–
Just like anthropogenic global warmening?
Like McCain’s 100 years?
Like Bush lied us into war over WMD?
Well, it’s not as though lying is as bad as asking hard questions, right?
sasha – As many brighter minds than myself have pointed out, repeatedly, he most certainly has not addressed that. In fact, he has been very careful to not do so.
and he answered that 100000000 times, Rob.
Pay attention…
Almost every debate question has been asked and answered on the campaign trail multiple times, sasha. But not once had Obama addressed Wright or the Weather Underground bomber (he’s just a guy I know… who throws fundraisers for me… like all my friends who I don’t know well and who I disagree with…besides, those bombings he did were when I was little, so those dead people don’t count!) in a debate setting with the other candidate available to rebut. He had his chance last night, and all indications are that he muffed it.
Bah, sashal.
As the “code words” bit demonstrates, they already know all the answers; the function of a “debate”, “interview”, or “post-press-conference question session” is to trick or compel the people being “questioned” into confirming the prejudices. Rob is merely employing the tactic fully sanctioned by the Press.
Regards,
Ric
sashal: There are a couple of important things to remember when wack-a-moleing the MSM.
First of all over 80% of journalists give their campaign contributions to Democratic or left leaning organizations like MoveOn.org. Thus they have a vested interest in candidates that support their political beliefs which wresteles with their journalistic ethics, often successfully. Thus the overwhelming avalanch of soft, squishy, hopeful press about both Clinton and Obama (especially the latter.)
However, these same media professionals are required to balance their hopefullness with the hard core realities of the business of news, which can only be measured by readers/watchers/subscribers. Because “if it bleeds it leads” is still the template for the vast majority of news organizations the politcal blunders bleed all over the news in a bid to inspire the ever shrinking paying customers to tune in and be OUTRAGED!! Money and the foaming need to be NOTICED wins out which explains why, with the Republican candidate laying low (and, actually, liked by a significant percentage of the press) they would turn so quickly on their chosen candidates and beat them senseless.
It’s worse in Europe and I’m happy to hear what your answer to this essential dilemma might be.
Then you should have no problem linking to his clear, unequivocal answer.
When someone spends 20 years of Sundays listening to the rantings of a bigot, when someone appoints that bigot to a high position in his presidential campaign, when someone claims that bigot as a “mentor” and uses him as inspiration for his books and speeches, I want to hear a clear, unequivocal answer as to how much he agrees with that bigot, and why, if he disagrees, he was so close to the guy. Why he chose to be so close to the guy.
If you don’t like that, then STFU.
sashal, my friend, Rob’s right.
Because of Wright’s prominant positions in both Obama’s campaign and in his spiritual life his answers of “I wasn’t there for the worse things” and “I disagree with him on the worst parts” isn’t enough for me. That was the fundamental failing of his blessed speach on race. It processed the questions raised into a generalized, non specific statement that gave cover to everyone (the historic victimization of blacks and the resentments (pre-bitter, heh) of whites) while ansering none of the important questions in any substantive way. When has Obama stated clearly the he supports or opposes Black liberation Theology, a key part of his church’s mission statement, a portion of which he used as a centerpiece personal defining moment in his book? Does he believe that the US CIA created AIDS to kill black men (my sister in law, a lesbian, still proclaims it was created to kill gays?)
And on and on. Toss in the “bitter” comments and his vapid “poorly phrased” defense and inquiring minds want to know just a little bit more.
There are explainations and then there are explainations.
hehe
well…..it was sweet when O ganked HRC with bill’s weathermen pardons.
do you guys think Obama never answered that he does not share Wright’s sentiment “God damn America”?
Or do you expect him after that many questions to finally say , “Look, it is true, me and Wright hate America and after I will become president I will jail all white people”?
But certainly then for the last answer Obama has to be water-boarded…
Dan, 100 years war and other questions are as atrocious as the others.
Has they been asked at republican debates?
Did you ever think that Obama has always known Wright was a bit of nut, but just not as nutty as he has been shown in the 5 min loop clips? Which is all you know of the man and should be ashamed to already have an airtight opinion of him because of.
Regardless, though, of how much of a nut Obama knew Wright was (or any of the other handful of nuts he has had relationships with in his past), why he has not brought to the table more that the only way to unit is to engage those you disagree with and/or do not understand and to try to first understand and see from their perspective? The greatest quality Obama has is the diverse set of cross cultures and social classes he has come across in his upbringing and his ability to try to first understand and relate then to judge and isolate. My hope is that one day many more Americans will one day have the courage to challenge themselves to better understand this approach to people.
I was originally heading into the race voting for McCain, as of now, my vote is going to be for Obama… as if he can ingrain this one quality in the fabric of America, he will have done more for the country then many before him and will be a gift that is far above anything I can think of… Just hope he doesn’t lead us to much down the path of socialism in the process…
BJTex, my rabbi believes that gentiles are inferior to Jews, and Jews should be the masters of Universe and Arabs have to be exterminated .
But I am telling you my friend right now, that I disown those statements, I am not a racist, and I am going to through my rabbi under the bus.
I will still be visiting my synagogue occasionally on high holidays.
“do you guys think Obama never answered that he does not share Wright’s sentiment “God damn Americaâ€Â?”
No. What he hasn’t asnwered is how he could go to this guy’s church for 20 years, bring his kids to this guy’s church, and treat this guy as a close personal friend and spiritual advisor for 20 years knowing that the guy is racist, hates america, and is completely vile.
That is the questions he has not addressed whatsoever. Simply saying “I disagree” this this or that particular statement does not address it. the question is why was he so close to someone so vile for so long? And, any claim that he did not know about the vileness is such a blatant lie that any claims to that effect are laughable.
Carlos,
So, if a republican hangs out with a klansman for 20 years you would vote for that republican b/c it would show an ability to understand the “other” person’s perspective? If not, your comment is absolute 100% b.s.
“I was originally heading into the race voting for McCain, as of now, my vote is going to be for Obama”
You’re lying – and not very well. I suggest a semester of remedial Moby I.
“The greatest quality Obama has is the diverse set of cross cultures and social classes he has come across in his upbringing”
Although there are varied strains of marxism and socialism involved in his background I don’t believe that his core tenets stray very far at all from his Alinskyite training. He’s very much a run of the mill, tired, worn, threadbare uninteresting class warrior.
Last night’s debate was his first real test and he failed. He’s not a good liar – he’s not a good anything, unless you would like to consider his status as a cheap Chicago pol. He’s good at being on the pad and cashing checks.
No, sashal #16, he merely has to deal with each one specifically..
Like this: “I want to be very clear about those issues to which I disagree with my good friend and mentor, Reverend Wright. I do not subscribe to the complete concept of Black Liberation Theology. While I recognize the imperative for blacks to strive for equality both personally and economically and believe that racism is still a challenge in this nation, I do not consider America to be a racist country run by black oppressors. I do not ascribe to the notion that AIDS was invented by the CIA to kill black men and find that idea repulsive and fantastical. Nor do I believe in any way that God should Damn America, a country that has provided me with the pathways to my and my family’s success through our own hard work and education.”
Why is that so hard? Compare that to what he has said and then get back to me.
There’s a good comment on Malkin: Talk about bitter. So are all of these lefties going to turn to God, guns and prejudice now?
Come on, BJ. I wasn’t there is one heck of a refutation.
carlos:
So, carlos, if McCain had been attending Hagee’s church for, say, twenty years the left would be oh, so solicitous in accepting a generic “I don’t believe in everything my good friend and mentor Rev. Hagee says and I decry the most eggregious ones, but he’s my friend and I will not denounce him…” without a foaming feeding frenzy of guilt by association and a viral YouTube attack?
If so you are living in a world where unicorns fart club soda and pixies magically whiten your teeth.
BJTex.
Well said, but it seems to me Obama , not in exactly the same words as yours, addressed this in the similar way, at least that is mine and many impression.
Off topic, here is a present to you and who else would like the read about history of :vodka
From sashal’s link:
*sniff* I’m so proud to be a Christian.
I was originally heading into the race voting for McCain, as of now, my vote is going to be for Obama…
MOBY
I was originally heading into the race voting for McCain, as of now, my vote is going to be for Obama… as if he can ingrain this one quality in the fabric of America, he will have done more for the country then many before him and will be a gift that is far above anything I can think of… Just hope he doesn’t lead us to much down the path of socialism in the process…
HA HA HA HA …. oh, man, that’s a good one.
do you guys think Obama never answered that he does not share Wright’s sentiment “God damn America�
Or do you expect him after that many questions to finally say , “Look, it is true, me and Wright hate America and after I will become president I will jail all white people�
Yes, I think he never fully answered that question. I think hewas never fully was ASKED and answered the questions regarding BLT and how he attended a church that was steeped in BLT for YEARS yet never noticed. All I heard was that Wright was like a crazy uncle, and then he started deferring to the “I ALREADY ANSWERED THAT” non-response.
Yea JD because Obama is for change and diversity and hope and McCain IS TOO DAMN OLD, AND ANGRY AND WHITE AND RICH!!!111!!!!
Partisan Inconsistancy: The Other White Meat!
What’s the matter, sashal?
They were just asking questions.
Change, any kind of change, is more important than common sense, values and good judgment. So obviously, I’m changing my vote from Ron Paul to Obama.
Rush just pointed out that the Democrats were asked the kind of questions that Republicans got at every one of their debates.
What kind of questions, O’Brain.
The one the majority think are important?
About Inflation? About housing? About the terrorism? Immigration etc, etc,
How about asking about McCain’s plan regarding the suspension of the gas tax for the summer months? I am sure most would love to hear on this..
Those were BS questions, tabloid questions, no relationship to actual life of Americans…
“Mr. Obama, if you’re not a crazed BLT nutbag, and you didn’t associate with known domestic terrorists, what would you do about inflation?”
“Follow up please”
“Mr. Obama, if you hadn’t had an indicted real estate scammer with ties to other indicted terrorism supporters help you buy your extra property for the purpose of putting more distance between you and the bitter grits of America, what would you do about health care?”
The PA Dems sure are tabloidists.
Those were BS questions, tabloid questions, no relationship to actual life of Americans…
But remember, sashal, Obama is running on his judgment. He wants only his judgment on the Iraq war (pre-war) to count. I see the people he’s associated with as a good indication that his judgment about Iraq wasn’t so much Iraq-specific, but rather indicative of his world view overall.
Now, I would love for someone to ask him what he thinks would be happening with Iraq now if we hadn’t gone to war. As it is, we can’t even get him to answer what he thinks will happen if we pull out now.
All we got was that he will set the mission. Well…and? What will he base his judgment on?
There may have been bad questions, but there were also good questions that Obama answered poorly.
Then you’ll have no problem linking to his clear, unequivocal statement to that effect.
He may have stated something that satisfied you. He’s said nothing that satisfies me. And apparently a whole hell of a lot of other people.
But what I’ve really learned from the Wright issue is that the Left has no problem with racism. They put up the front of being anti-racist, but it’s really meaningless, because some racism they find perfectly acceptable.
I honestly don’t get what all the crying is about. From the transcript, the questions, loosely, were as follow:
1st question – regarding democratic nomination process/kerfuffle
2nd: Obama’s bitter question
3rd: Do you think Senator Obama can beat John McCain or not?
4th:Senator Obama, do yo think Senator Clinton can win?
5th:Wright
6th and 7th and 8th- more Wright
9th:Senator, I was in your court until a couple of weeks ago. How do you reconcile the campaign of credibility that you have when you’ve made those comments about what happened getting off the plane in Bosnia, which totally misrepresented what really happened on that day? You really lost my vote. And what can you tell me to get that vote back?
10th (I dunno, I’ve lost count, really) Obama’s flag pin
Obama’s Weatherman problem.
Iraq- “So, the real question is, I mean, do the candidates have a real plan to get us out of Iraq or is it just real campaign propaganda?”
Iran- “Should it be U.S. policy now to treat an Iranian attack on Israel as if it were an attack on the United States?”
Taxes:”Two-part question: Can you make an absolute, read-my-lips pledge that there will be no tax increases of any kind for anyone earning under $200,000 a year? And if the economy is as weak a year from now as it is today, will you — will you persist in your plans to roll back President Bush’s tax cuts for wealthier Americans?”
Capital Gains (my favorite question)” 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?” with the follow-up “But history shows that when you drop the capital gains tax, the revenues go up.”
Gun control
Affirmative Action
Gas prices/energy strategy
Role of ex- presidents
Final question:. But let’s say you’re at the convention in Denver, and you’re talking to a group of 20 undecided superdelegates. How are you going to make the case to them why you’re the better candidate and more electable in November?
They are /were not all BS/tabloid questions that have no relationship to actual life of Americans. I’m interest in how they plan to tax us to death. Iraq and Iran are on my radar screen as well.
It is very impolite to ask your doctor if he graduated from medical school. And don’t even ask how the grades were. Just take the damn medicine.
well….that is a huge problem with the dkos hivemind.
groupthink leads them down blind allyways a lot i thinks.
the diary software is really good, and they have huge readership and diarist participation.
but stuff like beatin up on lieberman and the bushtortureadministration…..goin no were.
the same with beatin on the debate-moderators.
useless.
it’s past.
Obama sure looks stately. If the general election comes down to who has pronounced ears and longer fingers, Obama is going to bag him a big old, bitter, white elephant.
– “….If the general election comes down to who has pronounced ears and longer fingers…”
– Its doubtful, even ib the New Ade of moral relativism, anyone woulg give you long odds on “ear-i-ness”, or “finger-i-ness”, any faster tha they did with changiness. But hell, If you’re going to slather after cult figure heroes for stupid inane reasons, you might as well go all the way.
– The Left can squirm like cockroaches on a skewer over Obama and Billery’s foot in mouth disease for all I care.
– The hard questions will be asked, in spite of all the bullshit temporizing by both them and their candidates, and they will be answered, if not now then in the general, and theres no manner of tap-dancing nuance feckless enough that will get them out of it.
– Its all very simple. For the vast majority of voters, a candidate either comes across as trustworthy or he/she does not. Nothing there you can complicate enough to wiggle out of it.
In a Sullivan vs Sullivan cage match, the smart money would be on the canvas.
No questions on the environment, none on terror, none on interrogation, none on torture, none on education, none on spending, none on healthcare, none on Iran
Yes, because Hillary’s positions on these issues are such mysteries!
Nobody watching understands that the answers are:
‘I’m for the environment’
‘We’re in Iraq and bin Laden is in Pakistan’
‘I’m against torture’
‘We don’t spend enough on education/Bush didn’t fund NCLB’
‘I’m for universal healthcare’
‘Bush is trying to start a war with Iran’
Both of them believe the same things.
Idiot.