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Barack Obama discovers it’s so hard to find good help these days [Karl]

Jake Tapper of ABC News totes up at least ten cases of Barack Obama publicly blaming his staff for various campaign screw-ups, plus another four adviser flaps.  Those figures are conservative; for example, Obama may yet blame his latest Iran flip-flop on bad staff work.  His chief strategist, David Axelrod blames the extent of damage from the Wright stuff on the staff also. 

Oddly enough, after losing the Pennsylvania primary, Obama himself said, “I’m not pointing fingers at any single person because we all share responsibility.”  Apparently, that is only operative until the media asks the rare question about Obama’s missteps; then fingers get pointed at the staff.

90 Replies to “Barack Obama discovers it’s so hard to find good help these days [Karl]”

  1. sashal says:

    It looks like common disease, isn’t it.
    The McCain advisers lobbying for Burma, disparaging economists etc….

  2. yes, but McCain has a record he can point to, craptacular as it is. while Obama wants us to trust his “Judgment to Lead” uh, got any examples?

  3. sashal says:

    One judgement of his is the most important for me. On the Iraq war. It demonstrates that he will commit our troops to foreign adventures only when it is really necessary, not when some academician and professional liars want us to…

  4. so has he said when he’ll get our troops out of Kosovo?

  5. How exactly does invading Pakistan play into that?

  6. Carin -BONC says:

    Obama’s gonna initiate the “strongly worded statement” policy for foreign affairs. Modeled after the UN.

  7. sashal says:

    oh maggie, maggie, so confused.
    He never said about he’d use force against Pakistan, only that he’d use force to get terrorists who were in Pakistan. Maybe what you meant is that he’d do this even without Pakistan’s consent, but this doesn’t strike me as the ordinary understanding of ” invade the country”.
    The only problem with Obama is that he doesn’t strongly enough indicate a willingness to get the US military involved in another overseas conflict that doesn’t directly threaten US national security…right?

    As far as Kosovo, I personally was and am against that war, that’s one of the reasons Clinton is on “not to vote for” list.
    We destroyed sovereign country and helped muslim extremists to gain independence.
    But at least our soldiers are not dying over there every day , correct?

  8. sashal says:

    well, Carin.
    As far as I remember that’s how Bush initiated his foreign policies.
    With the strong words

  9. uh, sashal.

    Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama issued a pointed warning yesterday to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying that as president he would be prepared to order U.S. troops into that country unilaterally if it failed to act on its own against Islamic extremists.

  10. but this doesn’t strike me as the ordinary understanding of ” invade the country”.

    but Iraq does?

  11. Carin -BONC says:

    Well, oops, then O’s already in trouble. He’s already threatening them that they’d BETTER adhere to UN resolutions.

    We must support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions that reinforce Lebanon’s sovereignty, especially resolution 1701 banning the provision of arms to Hezbollah, which is violated by Iran and Syria.

    And … if they DON’T? Or, should I say “when” they don’t. I’m sure O’s got a few more of these strongly worded statements ready to pull out of his pocket.

  12. Neo says:

    Speaking of hiring help ..

    And yet I’m disappointed. Barack’s story may be true, but many of the facts are not. His larger narrative purpose requires him to embellish his role. I don’t buy it. Just as I can’t be inspired by Steve Jobs now that I know how dishonest he is, I can’t listen uncritically to Barack Obama now that I know he’s willing to bend the facts to his purpose.

  13. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – From your post sashel, we’d have to conclude that, like the case of Hussein, you’d be jiggy wid the Serbs and Bosnians slaughtering each other.

    – You progressive idiots want “one world” alright, just as long as it doesn’t include any reponsibility for those “other dirty” people. The typical screed of the “morally bereft” Lefty.

  14. or is this another of those, “well, Barak said it, but he really meant….” things? like with the progressive social and economic justice?

  15. sashal says:

    see, Carin.
    That’s what I am talking about.
    I bet Hezbollah is all scared now…

  16. Merovign says:

    One wonders, idly, if sashal is capable of NOT changing the subject.

  17. Rob Crawford says:

    BBH, sashal isn’t a one-world lefty. He’s a “let the wogs kill each other”, isolationist righty.

  18. Rob Crawford says:

    Back to the topic — so, really, Obama’s just Kerry with less of a track record and more melanin?

    Or am I the only one who remembers Kerry blaming the Secret Service for his poor skiing?

  19. sashal says:

    I are thinking just like typical Bolshevik, Hunter(no surprise). You fake, pretending conservative idiots are thinking it is your business to go and interfere in other people’ affairs, just like Bolsheviks.
    you can’t even keep the story straight .
    Me and Maggie were talking about Kosovo, where the terrorist and extremists were fighting for disintegration of the natural country, not about Bosnia.
    Want to give Califroia to China, when Chinese population will outgrow whites, hah, Hunter?

  20. well, I’m curious about what the “number of troops dying” has to do with anything. it’s either right or it’s wrong.

  21. sashal says:

    20. Yes maggie, that was wrong too….
    and our troops are not dying

  22. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Rob, all progressives are closet isolationists. Don’t buy into the “one world” meme. All you have to do is notice the seige mentality that drives the “bring the troops home” BS. The message isn’t even “fight them here so we won’t have to fight them overseas”, the message is “I don’t believe in anything but myself, so don’t draft me bro”. pure and simple.

    – You walk into any Progressive group and hold up a fist full of lifetime deferment forms, and the local anti-war group will lose exactly the same number of members as the number of forms you hand out. Its total cowardice.

    – As far as sashel. If it walks like a duck and squawks like a duck….

  23. but what was Obama’s opinion of it? is he demanding our troops come home from there?

  24. sashal says:

    I don’t know. Was he asked about it?
    Did he say anything about it?

  25. well, you trust his judgment so surely you must know.

  26. oh, here we go….

    I honor the service of all Americans, military and civilian, who have worked so hard to bring peace to the Balkans. The United States must continue to work with our European allies on behalf of the security and prosperity of the entire region. I am convinced that, with our support, Serbia and Kosovo can emerge as models of democratic and economic growth, and their people can know a bright future.

    but screw those Iraqis

  27. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Well the Iraqi’s aren’t Europeans, so you know, why worry about those dirty gypsy sand farmers.

  28. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Not to change the subject yet again, but the News out of China is saying a level 9.x earth quake in Seshwan province has leveled 80% of the buildings, and that at least 9000 people are already confirmed dead…..Estimates are expected to grow as accounts come in…..Hundreds of children trapped in collapsed school buildings….

  29. Carin- says:

    You fake, pretending conservative idiots are thinking it is your business to go and interfere in other people’ affairs, just like Bolsheviks.

    So, I guess I don’t need to guess what your opinion on Burma would be. Or, China.

  30. BJTexs TW/BP says:

    But, but, but, … Iraq is so much haaaarrrrrrder! and, you know, they tend to be so, so, so brown! Besides, we never should have gone in so it’s like, “OK, we screwed up! Should not be here! We’ll just leave, now! Good luck with your whole, you know, sectarian massacre, um, thing!”

    You see, sashal, we can debate the original reasons for occupying Iraq all that we want. But there are two irrefutable facts today: 1) We are there now. 2) So are the terrorists, including al qaeda. Also we are reasonably certain that if we were to just pull up stakes and beat feet (an idea that is logistcally impossible) that many, many, many Iraqis are going to meet Allah, both Sunni and Shi’ite.

    Arguing withdrawal by using the “bad idea” meme doesn’t acknowledge the reality of the present. Obama has offered nothing of any substance as to how he will help the Iraqi people in between the totally unrealistic “end the war in Iraq” hopey changey.

  31. kelly says:

    Or Tibet.

  32. heh, BJTexs, that reminds me of my favorite “Obama” Iraq editorial.

  33. kelly says:

    “Or am I the only one who remembers Kerry blaming the Secret Service for his poor skiing?”

    Actually it was snowboarding, Rob. But, no, I remember it well because I was in Sun Valley that same weekend when it happened. There’s a reason the locals call Ketchum/Sun Valley, “Hamptons West.”

  34. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Sssshhhh kelly…..don’t say the word “Tibet” out loud. Its like a festering boil on the Chinese necks of the Leftloons.

  35. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – At the time the word was he treated snow boarding the same way he treated issues. He crashed and burned because he tried to slide down all four sides of the mountain at once.

  36. sashal says:

    You fake, pretending conservative idiots are thinking it is your business to go and interfere in other people’ affairs, just like Bolsheviks.
    Sorry, carin, that was not addressed to you or the other posters, that was heated response to hunter’s smear first…

    And my opinion about China and Burma is exactly just like yours.
    But, Do I want to commit our troops to it or start nuclear war with China?.
    You bet I do not…

  37. sashal says:

    so we will stay there for 100 years, I got it BJ…

  38. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Sorry if facts make you feel smeared sashal. Maybe you would be happier in a kinder, gentler world. Try “second life”, or Sim world.

  39. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    …and sashal….that BS, out of context barb, just amplifies how desperate Conservative detractors have become, and when you keep repeating it you look both foolish and insipid….

  40. Vinny Vidivici says:

    Yeah, I get it. Rummy was supposed to be personally responsible for jailhouse shenanigans half a world away in the middle of a war. But Obama can fob campaign screw-up on his staff — like Basil Fawlty in the Waldorf Salad episode.

  41. I asked for the cheese salad!

  42. thor says:

    Obama is making political history by outmaneuvering – out-smarting, if you will – the most experienced and hailed campaign machine in America, namely the Clintons, and in doing he’s made third-rate poli-pundits, like Karl, look like total fools.

    I think anyone who seriously thinks Obama is merely a changey-hopey-empty-suiter after watching him give over hundreds of speeches and participate in 21 dabates either has a really, really low-IQ or they’re suffering from a extreme case of denial… or they’re a racist!

  43. SarahW says:

    Or they’ve paid attention to the speeches and debates, and realized at last what a lame disappointmen of a hopey-changey empty-suiter he is.
    So, I guess it’s C: racist.

  44. Sara says:

    I think, thor, that anyone who thinks the democratic bubble that Obama has been giving his speeches in is the real world reality is both arrogant and very very stupid. I think if the early primary states had a do-over at this point, knowing what they know now about the man that they didn’t know a few months ago, Obama’s delegate count would be about half what it is now. With 45% of dems saying they won’t vote for him if he is the party’s nominee, he is already toast. You cannot win national elections with 91% of the black vote and 18-25 year olds, even with Chicago-style ballot box stuffing and vote counting.

  45. Rob Crawford says:

    so we will stay there for 100 years, I got it BJ…

    All you have is lies and smears, sashal.

  46. Rob Crawford says:

    You cannot win national elections with 91% of the black vote and 18-25 year olds, even with Chicago-style ballot box stuffing and vote counting.

    Hey, don’t count them out that quickly! Obama’s part of the Daley machine, and we all know what they did for Kennedy!

  47. thor says:

    Maybe you’re all the above, a D – low-IQ, in denial and a racist.

  48. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – In Jan 09, you can outline the bitter details of just how, and why, the election was stolen, yet again thor.

    -I promise not to rub it in. (much)

  49. Rusty says:

    #42
    You have something on your chin.

  50. Sara says:

    Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left (not exactly a right wing site) explains Obama’s biggest problem:

    How Big Is Appalachia Anyway?

    And although Obama supporters are young, energetic, and loud, they nowhere come close to the numbers the Boomers have. Boomers who have actually had jobs, paid taxes, raised families and are now looking at retirement and have large numbers of Veterans as well.

  51. thor says:

    Shit in one hand and wish in the other, as they say.

  52. happyfeet says:

    That’s distasteful.

  53. Sara says:

    It is amazing how quickly those liberal hearts and flowers progressive philosophies ascribed to in the college years flies out the window the minute you hold your new baby for the very first time and realize you are responsible for this tiny little human.

  54. donald says:

    Sashal, you mean bigot. You’re trying to call these people bigots, but you’re a fucking moron, so I’ll just laugh. Or drink three ketl One dry Voda Martini’s without garnish.

  55. thor says:

    It’s amazing you’re fool enough to think your personal “responsibility” moment is universal. Witness the self-anointment in your voice. As if Obama’s little critters aren’t tiny humans, I mean, not pure and special-tiny-human like yours.

    Weirdness.

  56. Rob Crawford says:

    I think anyone who seriously thinks Obama is merely a changey-hopey-empty-suiter after watching him give over hundreds of speeches and participate in 21 dabates either has a really, really low-IQ or they’re suffering from a extreme case of denial… or they’re a racist!

    Weird. Because I think anyone who has watched Obama and think he’s anything BUT an empty suit is a moron.

    But, hey, if Obama’s not an empty suit, why don’t you explain his underlying philosophy — what’s the touchstone of his vaunted judgement? With citations, please.

  57. thor says:

    Why don’t you figure it out for yourself and thereby save yourself the humiliation of having to crawl to me for an explanation?

  58. Rob Crawford says:

    It’s amazing you’re fool enough to think your personal “responsibility” moment is universal.

    WTF is that supposed to mean? That it’s bad to think maybe Obama’s not really a mature leader because he likes to pass the buck?

    For what it’s worth, I’ve always worked from the model that you can delegate authority, but not responsibility. In other words, it’s still your responsibility to see that X gets done, or that X is properly communicated, even after you give someone else the authority to handle that task.

    When I see someone who routinely blames others when the responsibility is his own, I stop trusting that person.

  59. Rob Crawford says:

    Why don’t you figure it out for yourself and thereby save yourself the humiliation of having to crawl to me for an explanation?

    Because I’m not the one making the claim, you are. If you think it’s “humiliating” to ask someone to explain their position, I feel sorry for you.

  60. BJTexs TW/BP says:

    so we will stay there for 100 years, I got it BJ…

    That’s pretty much beneath you, my friend. You do know the context of that remark and you should also know that I never made any such suggestion. Also you are delibrately trying to smoke the issue because the issue remains What about the Iraqis?

    Obama’s stated Iraq withdrawal is a joke. What made it funny was him stating that we’d pull out two brigades a month until we were left with a remote base presence unless al qaeda returned! Um clue to Barack: Al Qaeda is already there! In truth he has no plan other than “I was never for this war.” That continues to beg the question of what do we do now.

    We continue to train the Iraqi Army, continue to give them operational control step by step, continue to aggressively build upon the successes of the anti terrorist/insurgent campaign to construct a reasonable security situation and then we withdraw down to a stabilizing force. How long? 2-5 years, maybee. RTO would have a better idea as to time frame.

    In the longterm what you are left with is a relatively stable democratic pro western Iraq as a buffer for Iran and the terrorists. We’ll gradually build up assets in Afghanistan and continue to pound and isolate the terrorist cells until it becomes a very pessimistic line of work. None of which happens if we throw up our hands, declare that there is no military solution, cut and run.

    Start a thread about whether or not Iraq was worth it and we’ll debate until the cows come home. Using that as a criteria for withdrawal is disengenuous, lacks common sense, and only serves to state a feel good meme for the anti-war crowd.

  61. Rob Crawford says:

    I will take your refusal to mean you have no clue yourself. If you had any idea, you could have made an attempt.

  62. Sara says:

    Unfortunately, Obama’s tiny humans have been cursed with two parents who are shining examples of arrested development, a couple of spoiled brats who have gone through life feeling they are entitled. I personally think they suck at child rearing with their 10s of thousands spent on dance lessons and exposing those young minds to week after week of hate, antisemitism, and racial bigotry at Trinity. Or their attitude that hey, no personal responsibility necessary if one of them gets pregnant, just kill the baby and go on with their very important lives. Don’t like your neighbor’s politics or military service, well go blow them up. Can’t make the grade, well don’t worry Affirmative Action to your rescue. Say something outrageous, well heck, just lie about it and blame one of your sycophantic flunkies.

  63. thor says:

    Obama wore his lapel pin flag today, so let’s all take a deep breath and bring that O-hateyness down a notch.

  64. Rob Crawford says:

    Ain’t no hate for Obama, thor. I just don’t agree with his politics, and think he’d make Jimmy Carter look like a learned statesman.

  65. Rob Crawford says:

    But, again, that you mistake not wanting someone to occupy the chief executive office with “hate” is yet more evidence of what a moron you are.

  66. SarahW says:

    thor on 5/12 @ 4:18 pm #

    Maybe you’re all the above, a D – low-IQ, in denial and a racist.

    But that wasn’t on the test, now, was it.

  67. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    “As if Obama’s little critters aren’t tiny humans, I mean, not pure and special-tiny-human like yours.”

    – That’s simply because on “our” side there’s a fair probability that our little humans won’t have a drill driven through their tiny brain before breakfast so some lame-brain Secular Progressive airhead won’t be inconvenienced, and miss the candle light protest for that serial killer who’s just a poor misunderstood sweety.

  68. SarahW says:

    But if we can just add on, then I’ll go with:
    E: perceptive, fun-loving, curious, likes walks on the beach and greek yogurt

  69. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    – Gee, now I wonder why all the loonbats are trying so hard to protest the very idea of even asking the Obama sire questions pertaining to his candidacy.

    – Hmmm. Could it be that they’re afraid of something?

    – The questions will be asked, and as many times as it takes to get an actual answer thor. If you think you can hide behind some bums rush idea that uses the cloak of cult worship invisibility to cover your candidates ass, you need to reconsider that word “denial”, because it isn’t going to happen.

    – In the mean time, you’d be better served thinking up some bullshit double talk for your fearless cukt figure. Hes going to need it.

  70. Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) says:

    But, again, that you mistake not wanting someone to occupy the chief executive office with “hate” is yet more evidence of what a moron you are.

    – Teir response to everything is immature, childish hatefuk behavior, and emotional thinking, so naturally they want to spread their embarrassment, and project the same, decidedly non-imtellectual thinking, on everyone else.

    – Legends in their own minds, such as they have any.

  71. N. O'Brain says:

    Say, is thor one of them there “eggheads”?

  72. B Moe says:

    Obama wore his lapel pin flag today…

    How many stars did it have?

  73. thor says:

    Comment by N. O’Brain on 5/12 @ 6:06 pm #

    Say, is thor one of them there “eggheads”?

    If you’re an egg slurper in want, then no.

  74. David says:

    Any word about McCain having campaign guys that did PR work for the Myanmar military government?

    Nothing on the right-wing blogs about this.

    Republicans are ok with that obviously.

  75. thor says:

    Comment by Rusty on 5/12 @ 4:24 pm #

    #42
    You have something on your chin.

    You’re recycling the vinegar mix, d-bag. That “chin line” is so worn out that invoking it only illustrates you’re neither funny nor intelligent, and on PW that’s a TOS violation.

    I deserve better.

  76. Any word about McCain having campaign guys that did PR work for the Myanmar military government?

    link?

  77. it’s just that I found a news story that doesn’t quite say that. so I’m curious.

  78. thor says:

    Do you really need a link to headline political news? Disturbingly annoying!

  79. yep, thor. I’m just thinking there’s a difference between campaign guys and “guys hired to organize the convention” but I’m picky that way. that and “did PR work for Myanmar” and “worked for a lobbying firm that did work for Myanmar”.

  80. thor says:

    OK, less disturbingly annoying with that caveat. They’ve been blathering about that for 2 or 3 days on every cable news network, that’s all.

  81. maybe I’m just reading the wrong headline political news. enlighten me!

  82. thor says:

    It’s really just bad karma connect-the-dottie gotcha defense by McCain. One of the main Repub Convention coordinating persons was a one-time D.C. lobbyist for Myrimar (spelling?) so McCain fired him or he quit, one of the two.

    This is the type of news story I wouldn’t even bother to read, frankly, since it has nothing to do with McCain or McCain’s opinion of Myrimar.

  83. well, to be fair, thor, the couple stories I skimmed say he was picked by the McCain campaign. now, I might be concerned if he was advising McCain about Myanmar. the better half doesn’t agree with me.

    anyhoo, guy resigned. others say it could be seen as a troubling example of McCain’s extensive ties to lobbyists. whatevs, I probably still won’t vote for him.

  84. thor says:

    But, Maggie, think of all those conservative Supreme Court judges McCain promises to appoint.

    Do it for the bench! Do it for lifetime appointments! Vote!

    Sorry I got jumpy with ya, everyone likes to jump on thor because he’s not a certified O-basher so I, you know, get pushy.

  85. no need to apologize, thor. that was rather calm compared to your latest work. ;D

  86. The Lost Dog says:

    “Comment by kelly on 5/12 @ 3:19 pm #”

    So, kelly.

    Are you aware of what (as much as I love his movies and attitude) Bruce Willis did to the Mint in Hailey? I think that was more shameful than almost anything McCain could do…

    I would expect it from Obama, though.

    Truth to power! (and cool bars).

  87. The Lost Dog says:

    Oh.

    And thor…

    You are just too smart for most of us, you clever thing, you!

    If you have any clue who and what Obama has been involved with in his “rise” to power, you should be well aware that he is going to have his head severely caved in by his own actions and associations. Jerry Wright is but the tip of the iceberg. The truth is, Obama makes Hillary look like a conservative, but the Dems are stuck with him. This man’s “vision” of Amereica is similar to Kruschev’s vision of the USSR.

    “I’m going to raise taxes because it’s fair”? Fucking hilarious. He’s going to drive down Treasury revenues (which he admits), and stick it right up the butts of the people he purports to want to help. Obama is just so smart and hopey changey that I am in a state of AWE!

    But you know, there ain’t no such thing as history anymore, and even if there was, we have nothing to learn from it, right? Obama is WAY too smart to have to look at history for HIS lessons!

    But, his head WILL implode, that is, unless the public schools have finally finished the task set for them by the far left in the mid-sixties.

    Not saying it ain’t possible, mind you, but I think we have a few more years left before the Ignoratti actually sink this country beyond it’s ability to recover.

    But I also must add that, through no more than a simple twist of fate, having McCain as his opponent gives him twice the chance he would have had against anyone who gave a shit about the constitution, and wasn’t always trying to screw himself with his own constituency.

    McCain is a dork, and will probably inspire enough people to throw up their hands in despair, and not even bother to vote in November.

    I know I am one of them. Let’s just get this over with. I think that Obabma deserves the chance to show that he will make the Carter administration look like they had a good grasp of reality…

    I am laughing so hard at you and yours, thor, that I just accidentally farted…

  88. thor says:

    Comment by The Lost Dog on 5/12 @ 11:21 pm #

    I am laughing so hard at you and yours, thor, that I just accidentally farted…

    Anz’it evans breaves frum itz blow hole, said Jacques Cousteau.

  89. Earl Warren says:

    But, when the same Tapper calls you on your Obama “Israel’s a sore” line all we hear is crickets…

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