Foreign Policy: Will This Get Fair Play? [UPDATED x2]
By NoQuarter on February 25, 2008 at 7:18 PM in Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Foreign affairs, Hillary Clinton, Pakistan
ALERT! 6 pm PST — Clinton about to speak on C-Span — the foreign policy address from this morning! Togo West is introducing her!
UPDATE x2: In his comment, Andy reminds us that Sen. Obama has failed to convene a single hearing of the European Affairs subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee, of which he has been chair since 2005. Obama has also not visited ANY of the European countries, let alone NATO (which his subcommittee is also in charge of). In fact, when I researched this in December, I could not find his chairmanship mentioned anywhere on his official Senate Web site, however he touts it in his bio at his campaign site. Here at NoQuarter, we have written innumerable articles about Obama’s lack of qualifications and failure to do his U.S. Senate job. You can review those disturbing articles here.
Former ambassador Joseph Wilson wrote about it here: “The Real Hillary I Know — and the Unreal Obama.” Larry Johnson even sponsored a contest: “Be Obama’s European Tour Guide Contest.” I wrote many articles, including “Obama’s Blunders Tell Me He’s a Naive Neophyte.”
I keep thinking about those early December CBS Evening News candidate interviews I mentioned. Each was asked which country scares them the most. Sen. Clinton correctly responded, “Pakistan” (CBS video). Sen. Obama said “Iran,” (CBS video).
It hit me that Obama has drunk the Bush/Cheney/Neo-con “Kool-Aid” exaggerating the threat of Iran — like he bought GOP talking points on Social Security — and hasn’t thought out real global concerns. Partly, it’s that he hasn’t traveled much; Steve Clemons is still trying to get an accurate statement from Obama on his travel history. Nor has he done the hard work: He hasn’t held a single hearing as chair of the Foreign Relations’ subcommittee on European Affairs (which includes NATO and therefore Afghanistan, which Obama loves to bring up as neglected due to Iraq, but which he hasn’t done any “executive decision making” about. …
Read all.
UPDATE: “General Taguba Endorses Hillary Today” — Ret. Army Major General Antonio Taguba “is among 27 flag-rank military officers and more than 2000 veterans who have endorsed Senator Clinton to be our nation’s next Commander-in-Chief.” As you know, he “led the Army’s investigation into prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib in 2004.” In General Taguba’s endorsement, he stated:
“Senator Clinton’s unequivocal opposition to the use of torture under any circumstances, and her willingness to take a stand for what she believes in is exactly the sort of courage and moral strength that we need in our leaders. I know that, as President, Senator Clinton will hold America to the high moral standards that have made us a leader among nations.” READ MORE.
The Reuters headline on this pivotal speech [EXCERPTS and LINK below] for which Gen. Taguba, along with many other generals, officers, and military personnel, was present today at George Mason University? “Clinton accuses Obama of inexperience abroad.” A friend commented: “She didn’t accuse him. She acknowledged his lack of experience. Someone in one of the videos mentioned whenever Obama points out a lacking of Hill the press says he ‘jabs’ her. If Hill does it she ‘attacks’ him. Now she’s ‘accusing’ by pointing out the obvious? Words certainly do matter.”
Here’s how ABC covered the speech (with video, left side of page) — with the above photo on top of the page:
Clinton Blasts Obama’s Foreign Policy Readiness
Democratic Contender Implies Obama Is Impulsive, Indecisive Like Bush
By JAKE TAPPER and ELOISE HARPER
Hoping to regain some momentum from perhaps her strongest political asset, her perceived experience, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., delivered a foreign policy speech in Washington, D.C., this afternoon that assailed rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as unwise, inexperienced, impulsive and indecisive in short, a risk to the nation.
Clinton said that Obama “wavers from seeming to believe that mediation and meetings without preconditions can solve some of the world’s most intractable problems to advocating rash unilateral military action without cooperation among allies in the most sensitive region of the world.”
With a half-dozen retired generals standing behind her, Clinton said she was the only candidate who could restore a U.S. foreign policy that had the right combination of diplomacy and military might.
A sign on the podium proclaimed her election “Strengthening America.” … READ ALL.
Let us know if her speech gets the play it deserves, as well as the proper description.
Hillary Rodham Clinton — Remarks on Foreign Policy at George Washington University:
With me, this is not theoretical. This is very much who I am, what I have done, and what I will do. The American people don’t have to guess whether I understand the issues or whether I would need a foreign policy instruction manual to guide me through a crisis or whether I’d have to rely on advisers to introduce me to global affairs.
I’m lucky to have had a pretty good inside view, over eight years in the White House and now over seven years in the Senate, of what the president goes through day in and day out dealing with all of these challenges. Obviously the work that I have done on human rights, democracy, international development gives me a deep appreciation of the importance of winning the hearts and minds of those in societies whether or not they are for us today. I believe that we can seed democracy and create new strong alliances overseas.
And I also know from my years serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee that our military power is absolutely essential but it cannot be viewed as the solution to every international problem. Yes, we must use force when necessary but as a last resort, not a first resort.
Read all: Remarks on Foreign Policy at George Washington University.
Susan, I followed the link to read the speech. You don’t happen to have a link to watch it do you? I’m going to try to find one in case you don’t. I really love to see her give speeches. It’s a great read at any rate.
I am looking too, Barb. ABC News has an excerpt video. CNN has played a few seconds of it. We’re also hoping that C-Span carries it. Can you help keep an eye on C-Span to see if it’s carried?
And I’ll keep checking Clinton’s site + YouTube.
It’s a shame that the photo baloney — pushed by Obama’s people in order to portray him as a victim (again) — overtook this important speech.
But that’s what the media would rather cover.
portray him as a victim…
He will be in a very real way.
Hillary has FINALLY come out strong against Obama’s naive foreign policy position of sitting down with all foreign leaders without any preconditions.
Why has this taken so long?
In business and in politics you try to never negotiate without an understanding of what those talks will try to accomplish. And you never intentionally negotiate from a position of weakness as Obama wants to do.
Teddy Roosevelt said: “Speak softly but carry a big stick . . . ” The Bush Administration carried the big stick but their voice was harsh and unremitting.
If Obama is elected it will be “Speak softly and carry THEIR stick.”
You’re kind of hard on her. She has spoken about this many, many, many times — beginning with the debate at which he made those reckless statements. In other debates. In interviews. in speeches. At rallies.
It’s hard for her to get the coverage of her statements on this since the media would rather psychoanalyze her and Bill.
Right On Susan..
The Media…were Disgusting all day today with thier Bid Geal over the Obama Picture or what..
Headlines…”It was a Vicious SMEAR..circulated by the Clinton People”
It was a PICTURE..of Obama..No Smears..Nada..
Even Rove got on Fox today and said Obama was aking a mistake to make an issue of it..
Oh Well…Tabloid Journalism..All day Long..
GAG…
Experience…Who needs it..
.All George W. Bush needed was someone to Wind him up every Day..and hope he could repeat His lines..
Problems..Ha..Bushs favorite song is “Raindrops Falling on My Head..” and Obamas appears to be the Old John Lennon Song..”IMAGINE”
so come on everyone..who needs “EXPERIENCE”??
We just need to “IMAGINE”
I agree she has spoken about this before but somehow not in this authoritative voice as she did today.
She needs to drop the all the polling data and just be herself for the duration.
No one - not in politics or business - intentionally negotiates from a position of weakness - unless they are incompetent. No one goes into a period of negotiations without preconditions.
Obama’s statements that he will unconditionally meet with Ahmadinejad and Raoul Castro will cost him severely in a general election. She should hammer this home over and over again. This is 100% evidence of his naivety and lack of experience that could be a disaster for the U.S.
Bad experience in the past and past experience to come.
No thank you. No more war in Yugoslavia. We see how well that went.
Look up Kosovo and the KLA if you doubt me.
National Security
On balance, it appears likely that a Hillary Clinton administration, like Bush’s, would be more likely to embrace exaggerated and alarmist reports regarding potential national security threats, to ignore international law and the advice of allies, and to launch offensive wars. By contrast, a Barack Obama administration would be more prone to examine the actual evidence of potential threats before reacting, to work more closely with America’s allies to maintain peace and security, to respect the country’s international legal obligations, and to use military force only as a last resort.
Progressive Democrats do have reason to be disappointed with Obama’s foreign policy agenda. At the same time, as The Nation magazine noted, members of Obama’s foreign policy team are “more likely to stress ’soft power’ issues like human rights, global development and the dangers of failed states.” As a result, “Obama may be more open to challenging old Washington assumptions and crafting new approaches.”
And new approaches are definitely needed. http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4940
a Barack Obama administration would be more prone to examine the actual evidence of potential threats before reacting,
??? Are you willing to gamble the saftey of the US on a person with less experience in this area than Me? and If so Prone how? Now I might agree there is a possiblity; but he is not even curious when give oppertunity and the chair to hold hearings etc. How is that “prone”? Since Bush unilaterally sent a few missles into Pakistan and Obama has indicated a willingness to do the same, this does not give you pause? Makes me RUN in the opposite direction.
Respectfully Cee, I small fav to ask; would you be kind enough to bquote or Italics when quoting? It really helps us visually impaired to clue in that these are not your words. I do appreciate the info; just helps. thanks.
As you know national security threats are not empty and threats abroad are very, very real.
Obama does not at all understand even the basics if foreign policy and therefore would place the U.S. and its citizens at risk.
Obama cannot concede an inch to a man as dangerous as Ahamdinejad nor can he breach another country’s borders without permission if they are an ally. Besides as Colin Powell said, “once you break it you own it.” Once you start bombing Pakistan it will not end and will lead to full military involvement.
Hey Guys..
The Bush administration got away with thier “Foreign Policy”..just by Mixing up the “KOOLAID”..and getting everyone to drink it..They were the “KoolAid” and “BandAid” Party..
So The new Guy Obama apparently gets His turn
on Stage..His Party is Staring Out some of that “KICKAPOO JOY JUICE”..
seems to be getting people in the right Mood..
Foreign Policy…Domestic Policy..??
WASY…Just Be ALL Things to ALL People..
And the World will Be One..
Teak,
I’m willing to make the gamble because Hillary is part of what is wrong.
The people around her with the exception of Wilson and Clark give me no comfort.
Yes on the italics stuff.
give me no comfort
The world is a harsh place. Daddy kite was fond of telling me the wind was just right only so often, and in between it was to much, or none at all. It is human nature to gravitate towards comfort; away from perceived discord.
I puzzle at the gamble and respect your right to take it, I just disagree it is the right wager to make at this juncture in time.
One aspect that is not under the microscope is the reality that Americans have a bad tendancy of looking at the world as us and them. Senator Obama is at a severe disadvantage in being able to view the world from a international perspective. I am not saying he is not capable of it, he just doesn’t have the insane amount of life experience on the world stage it takes to a RESPECTED world leader that is taken seriously. In that context he’s 50 to 1. The truth is never comfortable.
War now, ain’t what it used to be, and there will be no resolution, if you keep looking for a black/white answer. America can strengthen it’s strategic position, can pull it’s troops out, can play asymmetrically, but, boy , it better be handled by smart people, and not those who think Salon is a paragon of intellectual progress or for that matter, those who think Strauss and Ron Paul have got it right.
Look at those people, we are speaking of an international asymmetric war, and you and the rest of the kabob-lites are currently engaged in a battle of the narcissistic twits, each thinking they’re manipulating the other ( and the republicans do it better, btw, but then look at the weak, fatuous Kos, or Salon, geez, a clever six year old could take that group) but in the long run, no matter who wins, neither group can sustain any progress, or even their agenda, because neither have real intellect, all behave selfishly, and stupidly. Think this is a problem? All the weapons in the world, and America can’t win a war. Why?
Stupid narcissists.
And it is ingenuity, selfless ingenuity, that made America great, now usurped by a bunch of moron “trolls,” really, look at Neb — he’s what passes for intelligent in Washington, these days, and he could be kos, but he’s not smart enough to be Rove, which should be very frightening, to everyone, Karl Rove as the Washington intellect.
heh.
Your attitude, Cee, astounds me, your lack of complete sophistication in understanding the dynamics governing Kosovo, your use of this issue v Clitnon, for short term gain, only to shoot yourself, and the country, in the heart.
Where are these terrorist groups getting their guns? Where are they getting the money, who is encouraging this, how does it affect oil, and therefore our economy? You either face it realistically, or you lose, a war of attrition, versus America, narcissists at war, whether they’re Bush, Cheney or the Obama fleet, in the navy…(I love that song, the village people are great, aren’t they?)
That you would think isolation, or NOT fighting, OR attacking, directly, as Cheney does, old farts do WW2, try to pretend they have a working penis, is breathtaking.
Really, every time you troll, oh, write, I’m left astounded you are unable to see your position, YOURSELF, YOUR WORDS, clearly, and the greater implications, as if no one understands what you’re doing, as if no one is taking advantage of YOU, or more accurately, the people who think like you.
Breathtakingly obtuse, dull witted, no wonder Obama stinks.
“A Think Tank Without Walls” with board representation from Split This Rock Poetry Festival
Oh fuck! And I thought The Great Zbigniew was dangerous.
TTFN, going Kevlar shopping.
Y’all take care of Moonbeam here for me, willya?
Jim,
Don’t leave out the rest
Advisory Committee Members
Salih Booker, Global Rights
Sarah Browning, Split This Rock Poetry Festival
Robert Borosage, Campaign for America’s Future
John Cavanagh, Institute for Policy Studies
William Goodfellow, Center for International Policy
William Hartung, New America Foundation
Martha Honey, Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Michael Klare, Hampshire College
Roxanne Lawson, TransAfrica Forum
Thea Lee, AFL-CIO
James Lobe, Inter Press Service
Lora Lumpe, Friends Committee on National Legislation
Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University
Lisa McGowan, Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO
Cheryl Morden, International Fund for Agricultural Development
Jae-Jung Suh, SAIS-John Hopkins University
Joe Volk, Friends Committee on National Legislation
Coletta Youngers, consultant
Stephen Zunes, University of San Francisco
19 backwater wannabes posting in their bathrobes for our very own Moonbeam.
Touching, it is.
Be even more helpful if Inter Press Service did shirts?
No starch.
You should be the last ones to mock anyone.
You just cannot see yourselves, can you?
Wow.
Certainly explains why your trolls suck the way they do…
Does this mean were’re not going steady anymore?
Susan never mind I found it at the same site of course, another one of my chronologically challenged moments.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/video/31.aspx
I don’t see it there. She’s talking about health care in that video. (Also important.)
Barbh..
I Call them BRAIN FARTS..Don’t feel bad..even George W. Bush has them in PUBLIC all the Time..
Not One of the reasons I’m Proud to be an American ..But Hey..it was funny Material in Dumb and Dumber..
*POOF*
It seems to me that she’s right about Obama. He hasn’t got a clue and has waffled all over the place when it comes to foreign policy.
BTW, that picture of Obama gets funnier every time I see it. I burst out laughing.
Ga,
Clinton isn’t laughing. The wheels are coming off of her campaign wagon.
————————————————
Team Clinton: Down, and Out of Touch
When Time’s Jay Newton-Small inquired about the Obama photo on Drudge, Singer used the occasion to complain about the press’s failure to examine Obama ties to violent radicals who were part of the Weathermen of the 1960s. “As far as I can tell there was absolutely no follow-up on the part of the Obama traveling press corps,” he said.
Cook, the host, got similar treatment when he asked why Clinton won’t release her tax returns yet. “When she’s the general-election nominee she’ll release the tax returns,” Singer said.
After the breakfast, one of the questioners asked Singer whether he could elaborate on the tax-return issue. He dismissed her with more hostility. When the reporter suggested that Singer was being antagonistic, the spokesman explained.
“Sixteen months into this,” he said, “I’m just angry.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502501_pf.html
The Times and the Post are a joke, keep up, next thing you know you will actually believe that shit they write is relevant.
Groupthink is dangerous, deluded groupthink is even more dangerous.
How shall they troll groupkos, today?
Or wait, kos has no enemies, right, and he can take it , he knows that “irrational exuberance” means…
Or better yet, let’s troll the goodship cheney, he’s really smart, he’s got the CIA, and military gaming for him, no one can troll Dick Cheney, right?
Except every intelligence agency out there, and Cheney has…Addington, and people who think like you, cee. Intelligence is a fact of life, and America has real enemies, and not even because the country did something wrong, just because it’s part of the game.
How is America doing in Iraq?
Imagine someone who thinks like you, Cee, advising the President on his next move, in Iraq.
Should explain a lot.
Oh, where will the good ship shallow intellect-ed specious narcissist land next?
wow, it turns out hillary likes to b play dress up too. she just dresses like a pakistani though, so its different:
http://images.google.com/images?q=clinton+bhutto&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rls=DVFC,DVFC:1970–2,DVFC:en&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
But seriously, that photo is prooof of nothing.
Look at my post below. The photo of Hillary and Chelsea with Benazir Bhutto is below. And READ what I wrote: This is typical protocol when visiting other countries, as both the Clinton campaign and I stated.
I swear to god that Obama followers need to take a good “reading comprehension” class.
Right, and her own camp said the very same thing, citing Hillary Clinton’s experiences as First Lady. Good God, she’s had photos of her wearing a hijab plastered and she never fainted with outrage. And don’t kid yourself, the GOP has swung at her just as did against Pelosi.
I am shocked, yet again, that this ABSURD story has now become official “truth:” Clinton “smears” Obama by showing a “racist” photo. Even the BBC has it on their website!
UNBELIEVABLE! How the hell does she have any chance of winning when they keep kneecapping her like this?
She doesn’t and that is the point. Isn’t it?
Obama doesn’t have snowballs chance in hell of winning in the GE either but they can sell him. Just look at our musicians now. Very few actually can sing or play at an elite level. It is all about packaging it in some slick manner and selling it. Substance doesn’t matter anymore. Hillary isn’t sellable because what she is selling is competence, courage and hard work. Americans don’t want those things. They want the bubbly. They want their food made in restaurants. They don’t want to butcher their own meat. They don’t want to think for themselves and want someone to tell them what to do. Hillary is the antithesis of what Americans want.
But again, this goes back to a culture of narcissism, bred for modern times. It’s our press, our politicians, our artists, our business people, our “cultural elite.”
Why does someone like Obama consider himself capable of being President of the US?
No skills, no talents, and corrupt, yet this man thinks no one is on to him?
THAT is narcissism.
All these people, thinking they’re players, simply because another mediocre narcissist gives them a second look, and they stink.
Why DID Cheney invade Iraq, who else but a flaming narcissist no talent takes on the middle east, and Asia, using a traditional, predictable method of war, WW2, for god’s sake, and a LOSING WW2 model at that, thinking he can win by the gun alone, like it’s 1945, no other strategy needed?
It never occurred to Cheney he wasn’t good enough, or smart enough, or that he has powerful enemies within the government. He can’t even assess his position properly, (due to his narcissistic personality), how can any of his plans succeed?
They can’t.
Same with Obama.
Narcissists, lightweight narcissists, have irrevocably BAD eyesight.
You, Simon — and all of you — are really cookin’ tonight. This is a fascinating thread. Thank you for your brainy, savvy insights.
Thank you , Susan.
I hope you’re feeling better, recovering well.
Things are hopping, here, like a fire dance, sometimes it’s a deliberate influx of information, to confuse and discourage.
It’s a pattern, I see the same kind of stories, over and over, it’s like a dance, or a musical piece.
In music theory, we had to identify the motif, the expansion, the chord structure, key, the time signature, the development of the motif, et al — (by ear, no less) you learn to spot the same type PR drops on the blogs, over a period of months, it’s like analyzing a piece of classical music.
PR ops always operate the same way, boring.
And music theory was HARD.
what Americans want
Justice.
What Americans need
The truth.
But seriously, that photo is prooof of nothing.
Exactly.
No military experience;
No national security experience;
No foreign policy experience; What committee did you say he was on?
No economic policy; subprime and dime, NAFTA? who is econ goto guy?
No real communication skills; inspite of the oratory, he fumbles without the telepromt and raises his voice when unable to make his point.
No discernable past; that does not include consorting with criminal elements and politically corrupt individuals and ignoring the plight of freezing tenants in his district.
No common sense; using a currently indicted individual to assist in the purchase of a residence the Obamas could not afford.
No judgement; inflaming the negitive sentiments of Pakistanis and Kenyians, not once but twice.
No honesty; let me count the ways he has lied by ommision and outright.
No loyality; ask those poor buggers who had jobs at the whirlpool plant…
NO hope; for the 15 million people his healthcare plan will not cover.
NO change; the checks and balances of Government are vaporlocked. Obama positions will be co-opted by starting with a weak negotiating position
No Honor; he insults women with ease, uses race as a wedge for political gain and is quick to blame others.
NO DEAL
We; the voting public are treated to a photograph of Senator Obama that was out there for over a full year. The symbology of this election will go down as one of ugliest in history and belongs in a house of horrors, and not the one at 1600.
Why is noone hitting him for his total neglect of the
US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe?
He continuously calls her “judgement” into question
but where was his judgement in neglecting NATO (under his committee umbrella) while in the US Senate. I don’t understand what’s going on…
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2007/12/29/obama_europe/
The press keeps on saying there are no differences between them. It’s just getting ridiculous.
He keeps blurring the lines and the press just foolows his script….
The recent polls are depressing… What’s up with Texas? She needs a win in Texas….
Andy, we’ve written about it innumerable times here — I most recently mentioned it here this weekend.
Type Obama European into our search engine, and you’ll find a rich array of posts on the subject by Larry Johnson, JOE WILSON, and me.
We even had some fun with it — asking people to be Obama’s European tour guide.
But you bring up a good point: I’ll add a couple links as an update to this post. Just to remind people. (Before, dear god, it is too late.)
Thanks Susan; I know you guys brought it up, I was just expressing my frustration at the MSM…And I don’t know why she didn’t take this up in the debate last time when asked about leadership….
A link as a reminder would be nice. I have written about it in the NYT blogs but there is so much shouting and hate from the Obama supporters there that they don’t care (I include the MSM here of course).
After looking at some of the new polls out today (at RealClearPoltics.com) and the whole media coverage of the silly photo and frankly I don’t see how is she going to pull this through.
I am dead worried about Texas……
Especially with all the Republicans in Texas crossing over to vote for Obama — since he’s who they want to face off against McCain in the general. (And they don’t need to vote for him since he’s got the nomination.)
(Stupid Democrats and their stupid primary systems.)
They are like wolves and the smell blood. They are going for the jugular and then when the kill is at hand they are going to turn all their attention on Obama the sacraficial lamb. And you know what, I don’t blame them one damned bit. I blame the democratic party because they actually encouraged this behavior just as they do in every presidential election. They hide under the covers and peak out with one eye afraid of what they are certain is going to happen. And boom, every time the republicans vote in our primaries and caucuses to insure that we get the worst possible candidates. Part of it is the rules and part of it is because the democrats are more than willing to support unelectable candidates like Mondale and Dukakas. If we’d only put strong candidates into the hopper then they couldn’t game the system. This election cycle we had only 1 good candidate and they are about to get her kicked to the curb and we are going to be left with a guy who may or may not claim to be a democrat, may or may not want to legalize drugs, may or may not want to get hand guns off the street, may or may not want to extend NAFTA, etc. Blatant liars and flipfloppers cannot win the general election no matter how good of a “radio voice” he has.
Gregory, that’s truthtelling. Not allowed for those enraptured. (Very good summary of the Democratic party’s chronic problem.)
And their undemocratic system of distributing delegates according to “how many people” have voted in previous primary elections …and the primary/caucus system… Sometimes I want to sue her campaign managers for raising a hell of
expectations in their “Texas firewall”; didn’t they know all of this…. Agggrrrrrr
I wish someone could do more for her in Texas; I don’t know… I am harboring a strong resentment for Richardson not endorsing and campaigning for her in Texas.
Richardson is getting all poofy feeling important over his “undecided” status. the NEW YORK TIMES wrote a whole big article all about him and his “undecided” status. Wow.
(I briefly danced with him as the candidate based on his resume, but was so embarrassed by some of his comments in his speeches and in the debates, that I quickly signed off from his mailing list. He was so not presidential acting. My daughter and I began to wonder about all his bragging about his epic diplomacy efforts worldwide — could he really have been that effective? I kind of wonder if he just got gigs springing some hostages, but nothing bigger. Just a hunch. never investigated it.)
Lordy what a photo! That is comical. He’ll have to run for cover over that one.
Susan, I cannot believe they just ignored her foreign policy speech! I hear it is supposed to play on c-span at 9, but I have not confirmed this.
On the picture, who do you think this hurts/helps? Personally, I thought the Obama campaign way overreacted and gave the photo more exposure…
I think the average American — people like my neighbors and relatives — will look at that photo and laugh / and be repulsed.
NOTE that I am reporting how they will react. They will not be all P.C. about it. And they will tell each other about it. This will go so viral via e-mail, it’ll be nasty.
[...] Policy: Will This Get Fair Play? February 25th, 2008 RUSSELL BERMAN wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHoping to regain some momentum from [...]
I experimented. I purposely didn’t view the clip of Hillary lambasting Obama on the medical flyers. (I’ve shut down tv and radio.) Instead I read the opinion offered up by pundits and commenters. THEN I watched the video, expecting the worst. WTF?!! She was PERFECT. Obama’s response was a little too measured…too scripted…slick and sly.
I still haven’t viewed her mocking his evangelistic tactics…I expect she wasn’t too far out there in this instance either.
Her attendance at the Smiley’s gig, and her foreign policy speech haven’t registered in the MSM. WHY??!!
I thought the media was fucked up in 2004…now I realize THAT was nothing!!
Remember: Karl Rove is afoot.
The same happened to me about her “shame on you barack obama”. From the comments (”she is unbalanced, unpresidential, nuts, scary”, “her Dean moment, etc etc) you would think I don’t some disaster occurred.
But when you actually view it : SHE IS PERFECT.
She is in total control. Amazing….
That video is down the page a bit / enjoy. She is AWESOME. It was perfect. She is loose. She is unplugged.
Karl Rove isn’t a “FOOT”
Hes an ASS.. cause that where His Turds Blossom..
Susan listening to the radio today “talk of the Nation”
and they barely mention he voted yes for Cheney’s 2005 Energy Bill. Wasn’t this bill really controversial
b/c of all those secrete meetings Cheney had with the industry and his refusal to made relevant documents public??
Yet, there hasn’t been much scrutiny or questions (in the debates or MSM ) about this.
Sen. Clinton voted against the bill. And the environmental and consumer groups were strongly againt it; saying it gave big subsidies to energy companies; did not contain fuel efficiency standards , etc.
In his website, Obama’s rationale for it is that of ethanol subsidies alone. But the bill was really bad one from the environmental and “special interests” perspectives.
My “green friends” here in Mass. who voted for Obama had no idea of this before their vote. Well…not that now that they know seems to change their minds much). But…..I wonder what did Gore think of Obama’s vote?
Sorry, I just keep shaking my head how people, reasonable academics have massively bought into this guy and his “pseudo-liberalism” before knowning enough and now nothing matters but that he wins.
They don’t seem to see that a bad law (like what his watering down the one nuclear power for Exelon) is worse than no law. And these guys who drive a car powered with cooking oil and ride bikes for the enviroment. They say “well at least the manage to
work with republicans and pass a law”…..
YUP! He loves Cheney and Cheney’s energy bill.
He’s been a backstabber in the Senate. He showed his rear end to Russ Feingold and John Kerry’s efforts to begin to end the Iraq War. He broke a promises to McCain on immigration. He voted for his lobbyist connections over his constituents being poisoned by Exelon. He ditched his responsibilities on the Foreign Relations committee. He promises veterans he’ll get them help, but Illinois’ veterans are STILL at the bottom of the heap in getting disability granted. And on and on.
Yet… the MSM (or is it the people?)couldn’t care less. They decided he’s “teflon” and that all these are “non-stick issues”. Nothing more important that
the “crowds”. I don’t mean to offend anyone but is like the TV-evangelists-….
I wonder what all these crowds were doing all these years to protest publicaly the war, where were they marching year after year?
The really sad news is that if the Dems do nominate this fake, we will have four years of President McCain.
And it will be a landslide just like McGovern.
Naw, the glass could be half full.
Think Dukakis or Kerry.
We need a little more Ned Flanders and a little less Murky Dismal here.
C-Span is covering Hillary’s Foreign Policy Speech.
Obama National hq’s 2-25-08 9:43pm
___________________________________
Ring ring
Staffer: Hello? Hello
Voice: Is the big guy there? Obama?
Staffer: Yes, one moment please..
Obama: Hello?
Voice: Hey big guy..it’s karl rove and George here!
How are ya all doing big O?
Obama: I guess i’m doing ok..why are you guys calling me?
Voice: Listen pal..we just want you to know you are doing a smash up job over there..
(Background laughter)
That whole thing about dressing up like Osama Bin Laden during an election..just priceless!
I mean I thought Kerry in the bunny suit was great..
But you just take the cake! I mean priceless!
( Voice in background) Hey Karl! ask em about his wife just now loving America..laughter..
Voice: giggles: hey Obama.. George wants to know about the old lady..She doesn’t love america..? That true bro?
Laughter
Obama: hey she loves america!!
Voice: hey no worries..She makes theresa the ketchup bitch look like mother theresa..
Laughter: you can’t buy this stuff!!
Obama: hey who is this really? come on!
Voice: (giggles in background..)
hey listen Big O ya need any policy statements?
I got some old Reagan shit ..unused of course..wink wink
That will just have ‘em crying in the thier seats..I mean really good shit..ya know..hope, faith and the american way..giggles
you know..compassionate conservative, lets bring us all together, sing a song..I mean it worked for us..
Crashing sounds and laughter..
George in background..somehow singing ” Don’t stop believing” laughter
George: I love that song..ya hear that Obama? HAhA
Karl Rove: hey listen kid..no kidding..we are so right behind you and support you a 100%..
Background voice: Hey no shit big O..I love you man!!
Karl: hey no shit Obama..you and louis F. need a tour of ground zero..give me a ring..I’m serious, You put on that little outfit of your’s and my photo people will be right there for you..
Obama: Yes we can! yes we can!
Karl: laughter: George! grab me another beer..this is better than i thought!
hey obama! hey Obama! I got a question..
When you reach across our little island..hehehe
ya want us to hand you your right arm or dick first?
Laughter
Bush in background: gawd you’re funny karl..
hangup hangup!! holdup georgie..
Karl: so what..Obama.. I got one for you..
That who;e thing about holding your hand over your heart during that american song thing..you know what I’m talking about?
Obama: uh yea?
Karl: well don’t do it!! It makes a commander-in-chief look like a wuzz.. laughter!! glass breaking!
Obama: Really?
Rove: I swear to gawd!! Laughter..
Rove: I love you man!
Voice in background: I love you too!! hang up karl..hang up!!
Click: Dial tone:
Obama: did anybody take notes? Hello? Lordy..get O’dowd on the horn..I need to try alittle tenderness.. People? People?
You are the best, HH. You have me howling. i sent this to some friends.
Voice: hey no worries..She makes theresa the ketchup bitch look like mother theresa..
Laughter: you can’t buy this stuff!!
Hoosier this is good. How things change. Teresa Heinz really was an African American who didn’t become first lady.
I wonder if she and Michelle talk.
You must me in the wrong profession, hoosierhoops.
You need to send that to SNL. What a skit. Thanks for howlin funny.
“A Think Tank Without Walls” with board representation from Split This Rock Poetry Festival
Oh fuck! And I thought The Great Zbigniew was dangerous.
TTFN, going Kevlar shopping.
Y’all take care of Moonbeam here for me, willya?
o/t
re: 60 Minutes & the Gov. Siegelman (D-AL) story.
Our intrepid Larisa A. reports that
*miracle of miracles that the 60 Minutes story did NOT run in Alabama.
* that an unfriendly witness had her house catch on fire. also was run off the road.
* that offices were broken into.
* that CBS claims it was technical difficulties. But it was only in Alabama. (They think you’re stupid.)
* calls for the FCC to investigate.
~~~
Every bar association in America should be screaming bloody murder.
One of the sayings for election 08 should be: it’s the rule of law, stupid!
Pls. consider forwarding this to people.
(After I post this I’m away and not available to comment. So I’m not blowing you off.)
http://www.rense.com/general80/pod.htm
In case you missed the segment here is the 60 Minute piece. 13 minutes and change. Also, a good 4 page overview of the story. 52 former state atty. generals, including many Republicans, signed a petition to Congress.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/21/60minutes/main3859830.shtml
Watched Hillary’s foreign policy. Seemed very good and full of substance to me. Also slapped at Obambi a bit for being an inexperienced empty suit douchebag (my words).
Then O comes on from Ohio. Starts off “wow, wow look at that crowd”. Very serious and substantive. Later some shit about “you gotta be a better you, gotta be a better neighbor”. At this point, I thought I was going to hurl so I turned it off.
If Democrats nominate this asshole, they deserve to fucking lose to McCain and lose big.
Okay, I feel compelled to blast out the Shaft lyric, “”Shut your mouth!” when I hear people talk about an Obama nomination, From what I understand, Hillary is ahead in Rhode Island and Ohio, and just a smidge behind in Texas. The demographics in many of the rural parts of Texas are similar to where I live in the midwest—and my county, along with the neighboring ones, all voted for Hillary by a two to one margin. I have many relatives who live in Texas, and they find it hard to believe that Obama would win the state even though he’s ahead right now. So I’ll change my tune to Monk lyrics instead, “I could be wrong now—BUT I DON’T THINK SO!”
It’s the republicans voting *for* him that I worry about in Texas…. She needs Texas badly otherwise she’ll have enormous pressure after Bill’s comments….. WHY IS NOT RICHARDSON HELPING HER?
I can’t believe this guy…. What a calculating …..(you fill in).
Andy, Richardson would not help much. Remember, she was always ahead in the polling with the Hispanic community, even ahead of Richardson. The one former Richardson supporter who makes a huge difference is Cicernos, and she got him, and he is a GREAT advocate for her!
But Sam, it would be a PR coup; I mean it would play well in the press to stop this “she is doomed” and maybe give her some air to get her message across.
Noone seems to be listening anymore….
Also, today someone reported on taylor’s website that Rush was encouraging people to vote for Hillary in Texas…so maybe, maybe we will get the crossover votes =)
Sam, really? But did you see all the panflets Susan(I think?) put up that were being distributed “to stop/rid of the Clintons once and for all”….pretty disturbing stuff.
I meant “pamphlets” (sorry).
Gee, this means that Joe Lieberman has held one more committee hearing in the Senate than Barack Obama has.
I voted for Hillary in my state’s primary the other day. I feel she is the only remaining Democratic Party presidential candidate who might hold the outgoing Bush/Cheney administration accountable for all their crimes.
Barack Obama often sounds to me like he’s plagiarizing Joe Lieberman’s schtick. In fact, Obama campaigned for Lieberman against Ned Lamont, which makes me think we’re dealing with another pseudo-Democrat, who will cave into the neo-con Republicans if he ever makes it to the White House.
Just like the Dixie Chicks, I’m not ready to “make nice” with those people who’ve done so much damage to our nation. I believe Hillary Clinton is the one person with the fortitude to endure the onslaught that any Democratic elected president will certainly face, because she, as well as Bill, have already handled themselves very commendably, and more often than not, stood up and countered the evil machinations of those pushing for a permanent Republican majority, which sounds an awful lot like someone proposing a permanent Communist majority in some totalitarian-ruled country.
Besides, I believe she is the right person to clean up all the mess Bush and Cheney have made. It will take a person with exceptional skills, and a heart to match, to do what will be necessary to save our country in the next few years, reverse some of the more criminal affronts to our Democracy perpetrated by Bush and Cheney, and set our nation on the road to recovery. Hillary’s got my vote.