David Harsanyi, Denver Post:
As the economic news  fairly or not  has provided Barack Obama the momentum this past month, John McCain has decided to bring the Illinois senator’s shady associations to the forefront. This promises to be spectacularly “negative”  and even somewhat true. But will it matter?
Former President Bill Clinton was recently asked by Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren: “What is the difference between an association with someone like David Duke and someone like Reverend [Jeremiah] Wright?” Clinton, as suave as they come, fumbled for a several moments, before he finally stating that “we don’t have to go there” and moved on to more comfortable environs.
The answer, of course, is, that anyone linked to Duke would never have been running for national office in the first place.
But Van Susteren could have asked an even more pertinent question: If McCain had a 20-year relationship with a disreputable character, would the Obama campaign make hay of the situation? Of course it would.
Associations  and in some cases political affiliations  are valid subjects for voters to chew on. Bringing it up is not a “smear,” nor is it a “distraction,” nor is it racist (though a few pundits have contorted themselves trying to prove it so). Your acquaintances speak to your judgment and character.
A terrifying thought, isn’t it?
It was The New York Times that recently explored the relationship between onetime terrorist Bill Ayers, Obama and their time at the Woods Foundation and Chicago Annenberg Challenge, a $160 million “philanthropic” venture for city public schools. Yet, The Times was soft on the specifics.
It was the Manhattan Institute’s Sol Stern who summed up Ayers’ philosophy best: “Calling Bill Ayers a school reformer is a bit like calling Joseph Stalin an agricultural reformer.” Worse, Ayers, a grisly caricature of ’60s fanaticism, has shown no remorse for his violent activities. “Guilty as hell, free as a bird  America is a great country,” he once famously gloated.
Would you sit on a board with Ayers? It’s a fair question. Obama first claimed that Ayers was a simply a guy in his neighborhood. Yet, this week CNN reported that “the relationship between Obama and Ayers went much deeper, ran much longer, and was much more political than Obama said.”
No worries. When Obama sees a distraction, he dispatches it, tout de suite.
On Tony Rezko, a convicted felon and political ally: “This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew.” On the infamous Rev. Wright: “The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago.” On Ayers, Obama’s top political adviser says the candidate “didn’t know” about the terrorism thing. (Later, they acknowledged the two served on a board after Obama knew.)
Even with his soaring intellect and transcendent abilities, Obama sure can be clueless. Why not just lay it out, honestly? “You know, I came up in Chicago politics. The place is lousy with crooks and radicals. I did what I had to. You would, too.”
OK, I dream.
Though it’s fair game, as a political tactic (or is it strategy?), McCain’s late-game offensive won’t be enough to make up the ground he’s lost.
After all, Obama doesn’t sound or act like Ayers or Wright. And if a candidate remains ideologically and politically aligned with our worldview, we are apt to forgive plenty: unseemly associations, Oval Office peccadilloes, deficits, incompetence and even some negative campaigning.
Or, as Obama himself likely puts it in those quiet moments when he realizes just how well-polished is his radicalism — so much so that it has become like a mirror, reflecting back whatever progressive pieties some softheaded follower of His wishes to see therein: God bless you, Saul Alinsky.
Yes sir, I am very proud of my son Obama. May he live forever.
“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth – and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts”
I’m glad that the McCain campaign is rolling out John Murtaugh to talk first-hand about what it’s like to be attacked -bombed actually- by Ayers and company.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/08/team-mccain-rolls-out-murtaugh-to-continue-focus-on-ayers/
It would’ve helped had he done this say, three months ago, but hey. Better late than never?
If I were SorosW, I’d be pushing for a resurgence of classical education, including Latin, Greek, and ancient history.
Instead our children will sing of our health care plans and our heat-pump delimiters.
I was once working on Newbury st {think rodeo drive-lite]
I saw this guy walking down the street/fur coat!/ smiling-as he walked by I thought=OMG-eric clapton!of course we acknowledged each otre[‘… then I yelled
“KEITH RICHARDS’
I’m not doubting the veracity to the claims of O’s brilliance (ok, I am a little) but has he done anything, anything at all, to demonstrate or showcase this alleged brilliance? Elocution isn’t the same as intellect. This can’t be just a case of the soft bigotry of low expectations from an entire political party? Can it?
Just enjoy your dive in the socialist toilet, America.
SORRY/keef
He wrote two autobiographies. And he’s run for office, and only once had to face a real opponent.
Ayers, as well as all O!s Chicago compatriots are fair game. In light of his paper thin record we nust use these as an insight into his core beliefs as well as his judgement.
As well as showcasing O!s embrace of radical chic, Ayers offers an intersting window into what O! considers educational reform; one of his campaign’s proffered goals.
Mav should link O! to Ayers on both of these counts. And in doing so cast a shadow on his self-proclaimed superior judgement in both associative as well as policy matters…
I understand that snark, rob. But there has to be more. Camille Paglia calls him inspirational. I don’t see it, but hell maybe to some people he is indeed, inspirational. But I really need to know where the “brilliance” depiction comes from?
Jeez. And what is Camille inspired to do exactly? I am prepared to be dazzled I guess.
I anxiously await the return of Billy Beer. And finding Chevy Chase hilarious
Honestly? I think it comes from his skill at reading a teleprompter. We’re talking about people who truly believe G. W. Bush is a moron based entirely on his flaws as a public speaker. His educational history, the fact that he learned to fly jets, the reports from those who have met him that he’s well-read and constantly reading (especially history) — that’s all ignored, no, it’s all rejected.
But Barack can read a teleprompter well, and what he says comports with (or, at least, doesn’t confront) the left’s prejudices, so he’s “brilliant”.
Yeah but George W. Bush really is a dumbass.
McCain is not a dumbass, but he is kind of an asshole. Barack may or may not be a dumbass (and depending on your politics he may or may not be a communist asshole), we will see.
Bush is a proven dumbass though.
I think Baracky is a commie a lot apart from my politics. He’s willful like that.
See? No evidence, just assertion. It is because it must be.
Oh, and another major dollop of the “evidence” of Obama’s “brilliance” is that he agrees with the left. Holding the same positions as lefties == intelligence. Disagreeing with lefties == ignorance, stupidity, evil.
Well, Barney Frank is a cocksu…oh, wait, you knew that. Sorry.
Bush is a proven dumbass though.
And the proof is what? His two lost elections to the oh so smart Dems.
ROTFL!
Obama first claimed that Ayers was a simply a guy in his neighborhood.
That doesn’t claim doesn’t really count if you move half way across the country (NYC to Chicago) following him. Either they were pals, or Obama was stalking Ayers.
But Barack can read a teleprompter well, and what he says comports with (or, at least, doesn’t confront) the left’s prejudices, so he’s “brilliantâ€Â.
From Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness , which O! read so as to understand the mysterious hatreds and anger of white people:
The peroration was magnificent, though difficult to remember, you know. It gave me the notion of an exotic Immensity ruled by an august Benevolence. It made me tingle with enthusiasm. This was the unbounded power of eloquence–of words–of burning noble words. There were no practical hints to interrupt the magic current of phrases, unless a kind of note at the foot of the last page, scrawled evidently much later, in an unsteady hand, may be regarded as the exposition of a method. It was very simple, and at the end of that moving appeal to every altruistic sentiment it blazed at you, luminous and terrifying, like a flash of lightning in a serene sky: ‘Exterminate all the brutes!’
Conrad’s got nothing on me. My book is titled: Heart of Half-Darkness: The Inauthenticity of The Messiah’s Indentity Politics.
Word.
Is someone sockpuppetting Lisa? ‘Cause I don’t remember her being a “porch-monkeys!” “dumbass” and “asshole” kind of commenter.
royf, I didn’t say that we Dems were not even BIGGER dumbasses, just that Bush is definitely a dumbass.
Rob you are projecting again. Please name one avowed lefty that you think is “brilliant”. That is what I thought, mofo. Generally, when you disagree with a philosophy, it is because you find it stupid. Thus, those who have that philosophy generally don’t make your top ten genius list.
Okay Salt, I definitely don’t use “porch-monkeys”. Whoever is saying that in my name is definitely blaspheming. But “dumbass” and “asshole” (peppered with a few “fuck you’s” and “motherfuckers”) is quite familiar to Teh Sugartits.
:-D
>>Please name one avowed lefty that you think is “brilliantâ€Â
Christopher Hitchens
Holy cow, Lisa. Tons of lefties are brilliant, in the sense that they have very high IQs or rare, highly lucrative talents. But all you have to do is hang around with them for a short while to realize that highly intelligent, talented people are no less prone to lockstep conformity and groupthink, and may even be much more so than less gifted people. The O! personality cult is merely the most recent and troubling example.
Who else was on that board with Ayers? Care to guess how many Wingers have “associated” with David Duke?
Willful ignorance abounds here.
Obama first claimed that Ayers was a simply a guy in his neighborhood.
“Ayers is just this guy, ya know?” — Barack
I know this shit alarms you guys, but being that I am a pinko anyway, I can’t help but be facetious. Sorry comrades. I put you all in for an extra ration of unpleasant, commie bread with and tasteless socialist beans. And I will be sure to see if I can move your gallstone operation up from 345,432,332,334th in line up to 225,554,338,887th in line when I get my new job at the United Socialist Healthcare Agency. Because I care. Squee!!!
Anyway, the Right has its own share of brilliant people so where that’s an issue, I don’t know. Its just ideology, big fkn deal. I want to see results from the ideology, not salon banter.
>>Care to guess how many Wingers have “associated†with David Duke?
No. Why don’t you let us dumbshits know?
Also: Are we ‘associated’ with you b/c you’re commenting here? B/c that would be teh suck
Its like being known to ‘associate’ with an old vaudevillian has-been hack.
Oh yay, hoot is back.
Figure out who “Phil Graham” is yet?
And please, enlighten us on the “wingers” associated with David Duke.
You’re not very bright are you, hoot. Or capable of embarrassment it appears.
Yes, do please tell us which “winger” politician running for prez served on several different boards with David Duke over 13 years.
hoot thinks he’s a radical, telling the power wot’s wot, but at base he’s really just pissed off b/c he views the Dems as rightfully owning Washington and Repubs as usurpers, the great unwashed. Which in fact makes him a stooge for the powers-that-be. But he’s a good little brainwashed serf, farmed early on in life.
I think you give him too much credit, urthshu. He’s not that thoughtful. Reactionary is more like it.
I think Bob Reed’s point above is a good one. If Obama had a legislative record that allowed one to get a feeling for what he really believes, then Ayers, Wright, blah, blah, etc connections probably wouldn’t mean as much.
That being said, a long legislative record of policies that I don’t agree with probably wouldn’t help his case either.
Well, Lisa, I’m afraid you have outed yourself. You are the dumbass.
GWB may be inarticulate, and I know that offends the sensibilities of such an intellictual as yourself, but he’s no dumbass. While we can (and I’m certain would) disagree on his decisions and policies, dumbass doesn’t come into it. I know his speaking style is cringeworthy, quite unlike tEh One(tm). But I’ll take someone who is genuine and caring over a snakeoil salesman, raised on corrupt Chicago politics, and not quite able to disassociate himself from it.
“That being said, a long legislative record of policies that I don’t agree with probably wouldn’t help his case either.”
True enough. Even if he had a track record, he still wouldn’t be the nominee if he were white. Or more than half white. Period.
Or, as Obama himself likely puts it in those quiet moments when he realizes just how well-polished is his radicalism …: God bless you, Saul Alinsky.
From Rules for Radicals
Although from his writings, it appears that Obama started out as a “white-bread” American and his radical chic is something acquired. Appearing as a sensible, non-rabid lefty is his natural mein rather than a put-on to avoid scaring the white folk.
I know this shit alarms you guys, but being that I am a pinko anyway, I can’t help but be facetious.
It alarms us because we know how relentless some of these characters can be, Lisa, and how committed they are to using any means possible to get what they want.
Are you really OK with the fact that Obama, as a lawyer, represented plaintiffs who were suing banks for alleged red-lining?
Are you OK with the fact that Obama used to teach Alinsky’s methods in community organizer training meetings? Do you realize the Alinsky is a modern-day Machiavelli (by his own confession) and that he has no problem with using any tool at hand to grab power and use it?
Are you OK with the fact that Obama has twice sent out action alerts to instruct his minions to mob a radio station, thus to shut down Obama’s detractors?
Are you OK with the fact that Team Obama threatened to challenge the licenses of TV and radio stations who broadcast campaign ads against Obama?
Are you OK with the fact that Team Obama asked people in Missouri to use their prosecutorial powers to “get” anyone who “lied” or “distorted” statements about Obama?
Are you OK with the fact that Obama and his fellow Dems have been taking big coin to protect Freddie & Fannie from being regulated? Are you OK with the fact that Obama blames the GOP and the free market for the credit crisis, even though he knows damn good and well that his side carries far more blame?
Are you OK with the fact that  despite charges that Obama has no executive experience  that he continues to hide the executive experience that he DOES have? What is he afraid we’ll find?
Because if a candidate cannot say what he really believes out of fear that he’ll scare away the voters, then that candidate has no business running for office.
It will be interesting if Sen. Obama wins, because all these disparate groups are going to gather around him and demand that he enact their pet projects, and I doubt all of these projects can be done without reality intruding and denying one in favor of another. The fall-out from the dashed dreams is going to be very, very loud, with a lot of infighting. How long can a honeymoon period last when the coalition turns on itself do to the volume of demands from each fiddling group?
This coalition is united in its hatred for George Bush and their desire to defeat him – finally. I think that if Sen. Obama wins they will exult in January, will become sulky by February, and will be into fratricide/soroicide by March.
#30
Beat me to it , you bastard.
Lisa may be right. How much of an IQ do you have to have to fly a jet fighter?
I think you’re more than a half-ass dumbass. Period.
Oh wait, Lisa. Never mind.
Obama is as mainstream as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, communism, and sub-prime mortgages.
#17 Lisa:
Just take a look into what it takes to learn to fly a light private aircraft. Then take a look at what it took to fly a Convair F-102A Delta Dagger. No Dumbass/Idiot/Moron does either of those things. Neither is for the incurious or the easily flustered.
I know this shit alarms you guys, but being that I am a pinko anyway, I can’t help but be facetious.
It doesn’t alarm me, Lisa. I spent about half my adult life as a pinko radical, I know the deal. I know that Obama is lying through his teeth about Ayers. Some of us may have been disturbed by Ayers violent past, but as a teacher and activist he was revered by all. Obama would have to be far stupider than you believe Bush to me to be a college activist and not know who William fucking Ayers was. And it beggars belief to think that Obama’s following him from Columbia to Chicago was a total coincidence.
This is what should disturb any sane Democrats about Obama, he is deceitful to his core, his whole persona is a lie. I don’t mind Socialists, many of my friends are Socialists. I think they are wrong, and tell them so, but I don’t hate or fear them. I do mind politicians of any stripe who are this fundamentally dishonest about who and what they are, however.
Mikey’s right. I never fly airplanes ever.
Did you ever work a hot dog stand in New Orleans, thor? Or maybe in a pants factory?
Are you referring to that silly book written by the dude who killed himself?
The thing that Alinsky did was combine Dale Carnegie and Machiavelli into one work. A useful compendium for anyone to use, and in that original. Otherwise he is merely retelling how to influence people and acquire power, something that humans have been doing before the second brick was put on top of the first in Ur.
In “The Art of War in the Western World”, Archer Jones breaks down the history of warfare and the changes that new weaponry brought, and argues that as much as things change – faster, more destructive – the more the same lessons are the same. War elephants fall into pit traps as tanks fall to mines. A horse-archer falls to a foot archer as light armor falls to an RPG.
You are a notorious milker of sticky fluids from Arab-looking male prostitutes.
You’ve now been outed like a prom queen with a baritone voice and a mustache. Take that!
I can see that scrawled on a sheet of triple-lined Big Chief in a letter to the Minx. She was Eastern European, wasn’t she? What was your Russian girlfriends name, again?
Exactly. Moe. And since all politicians are decietful,(according to the jaded left),I’ll chose the one who has proven his charachter. If you’re proud of your friends, you don’t have to lie about knowing them.
If you replace Iran with Iraq, you can see George Bush saying this exact same thing some 6 or so years ago. If nothing else, this quote destroys the myth that President Bush is a warmonger (any more than Barack Obama is).
“Would you sit on a board with Ayers?”
Hell, if I even find myself in the same room with him, there had best have been metal detectors on the doors, no pens allowed, and a bodyguard following him around.
Of course, the same applies to thor, so Ayers needn’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Or even Tonto.
Yeah, Neo, but nobody really believes Baracky.
Someone else mentioned Hitchens — brilliant and honest. Other examples are more historical: Orwell, Sagan (until he decided to use his fame for political ends and abandoned science). I think they were all horribly, horribly wrong in their politics, but I can’t deny their brilliance.
That is what I thought, mofo.
You think? It’s been a while since you showed any sign of it. Honestly, I’m surprised you haven’t ascribed racism to someone’s motives and stomped off in a huff.
Again.
Can you differentiate between “those you admire”, “those you do not admire”, “those who are intelligent”, and “those who are not intelligent”? Bush is intelligent, regardless of what you want to assert. He’s certainly more intelligent than, say, Al Gore, based solely on their educational and career backgrounds.
Generally, when you disagree with a philosophy, it is because you find it stupid.
Not at all. Wrong does not equal stupid. One of my hobbies is designing and building race cars, we have had a lot of ideas that weren’t stupid but still didn’t work. Socialism isn’t an all bad idea, it works fine in some select situations, small business in particular, but it is just counter to nature to try to mandate it on a large scale.
You suckers fell for the sugartits, didn’t you. She’s just another bds afflicted prog. Sad thing for her, though, is if Bush is a dumbass, than she must be dumber than dirt. Oh snap, I denounce myself for that one. How about dumber than turf?
Please name one avowed lefty that you think is “brilliantâ€Â.
Karl Marx was brilliant.
That “lefty” enough for you, Lisa?
Brilliance and evil aren’t necessarily correlated.
And in case that’s not clear: Marx was brilliant. He was also an evil fuck whose evil philosophy has been directly responsible for the deaths of over one hundred million people.
Suck it, thor. You’re entitled.
Trust me, Italo Calvino would approve of the suck.
You think? It’s been a while since you showed any sign of it. Honestly, I’m surprised you haven’t ascribed racism to someone’s motives and stomped off in a huff.
Again.
Well that was bitchy. You must be having a hotflash or something.