FireDogLake: “OBAMA ROCKED BY SCANDAL: Is Presidential Bid Over?”
By SusanUnPC on July 12, 2008 at 11:35 PM in Barack Obama, Bernie Mac Scandal, Misogyny, Sexism
FireDogLake, one of the most influential liberal blogs that is a trailblazer for its on-site coverage of the trial of Scooter Libby, as well as its steadfast support of former ambassador Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson, writes tonight:
OBAMA ROCKED BY SCANDAL: Is Presidential Bid Over?
I know we’re not supposed to directly quote AP stories without paying them serious cash, but this story is so important and has such major ramifications for this election — which will of course decide the leader of the free world — that I feel it vital to get this information out there immediately. The AP is to be praised for their tough-minded professional journalism.
The author quotes the sexist, crude joke told by Mac, which we reported at No Quarter this morning. The author continues:
This is potentially game changing. Who would ever have expected such stuff from Bernie Mac? At any rate I don’t see how Obama can possibly win in November in the aftermath of this catastrophe.
However, this story does go some distance towards silencing another controversy that the Obama campaign has been desperate to quiet:
FireDogLake quotes the Associated Press story again:
Mac’s appearance was Obama’s first celebrity event of the evening. Later at a Lincoln Park nightclub, Obama spoke to a raucous crowd of music fans, who paid up to $500 per person to see a performance by Wilco lead singer Jeff Tweedy, and two other band members."Before these guys go, I want them to know that I had heard a rumor
that they had suggested that I had nothing by them on my iPod," Obama
said. "That is not true. I love Wilco."Nevertheless, political observers are certain that the Obama camp is having a great deal of trouble staying on-message, and the candidate himself is prone to terrible gaffes just like "BernieGate." Mac is just the latest in the long line of embarrassing associates Obama has had to throw under the bus, giving rise to speculation that he is a flip-flopper who cannot produce a Sister Souljah moment. Without a doubt, John McCain has once again won the week.
(Emphasis mine.)
Here are NoQuarter’s two stories to date:
The CRITICAL FACTOR HERE is Obama’s brushing off of Bernie Mac’s overtly sexist jokes, one after another. This is what Obama told the crowd gathered at the fundraiser:
“… Bernie you got to clean up your act. This is a family affair… I’m just messing with you,” he said.
“I’m just messing with you”?
Obama is excusing Mac’s degradation of women?
Obama is excusing Mac’s degradation of Mac’s OWN WIFE?
Obama is excusing Mac’s crude jokes that have NO place in presidential politics?
Obama is excusing Mac’s remarks about “ho’s” and “menopause” — as a husband and father of two daughters — as well as a nation that is over half female?
Shakesville’s Melissa McEwan hits the nail on the head:
The headline of this AP article is “Bernie Mac makes off-color joke at Obama event,” though it should be “Bernie Mac makes misogynistic joke at Obama event.” And, for my money, it’s far less newsworthy that Bernie Mac made the joke in the first place, than the fact that presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama chided him for it, only to immediately assure Mac he was just kidding.
… Read all.
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Memeorandum.com is tracking other blog responses to the A.P. and FireDogLake stories.
For Obama to condone these types of remarks isn’t surprising. Didn’t he run his whole campaign the same way?
PUMA
Hillary or McCain ‘08
Yes, and so The Pied Piper continues. Either tacit or active condoning of such remarks/behavior is his modus operandi.
And we will hear some sort of apology for it soon. Watch.
Holy shit. The article at FireDogLake was satire. It is totally ridiculing sites like this, and the author of this piece treats it as a serious piece. This is the funniest thing I have ever read on the internet.
Next, you will be quoting The Onion.
Even funnier are the idiots who will cast their vote for Barack Hussein Obama and Revered Wright in the fall.
Wow. You’re totally fucked up.
That’s the way to get people to overlook it - pretend to be an American icon using vulgarity.
The fact that you don’t get it only goes to support how moronic and Nazi-like Obama supporters are. Pathetic.
“That’s the way to get people to overlook it - pretend to be an American icon using vulgarity.”
Julie Andrews is English.
No Ted, this is double satire, the sad part is you and your punk trolls don’t get it.
Ohhhhhhhhhh, is that like double secret probation?
The post IS satire. As to what satire ‘is’ well….folks here are supposed to be smart enough to figure that out.
This post is weakened by the fact that the satirical nature of the FDL post is not recognized.
I spend a lot of time at FDL and the shift in attitude there resulting from El Foldo’s atttempted FISA walk back was profound. Many, many commenters there just will not accept that and a large number contacted the Obambi ‘campaign’ and asked for refunds.
The atmosphere there has, as I say, changed to the point where I can now pour it on about the empty suit that is Obambi. People are gettting educated about Kmeic, Rezko and soon I’ll be commenting on the strange ebb and flow of Obambi’s cash machine.
Pretty obvious that the Republicans have played a large role in the creation of the ‘Magic Man’.
But….
The post referenced here is more about how FDL views the corporatist press than what the consensus is on Obambi.
The verdict on his ‘Magicness’ over there is,
‘Think I’ll take a pass on this guy since I CANNOT TELL WHAT HE STANDS FOR…..
“El Foldo”
I like that.
If you can’t tell what he stands for, then you haven’t been paying attention. But we all know what McCain stands for, so make your choice.
By the way, those who still believe withdrawal in Iraq equals defeat should read this: U.S., Iraq Scale Down Negotiations Over Forces
Ted,
Under the heading, Life’s little ironies, it is worth checking out the comment section at Huffpo for the New Yorker Obama cover. Obama supporters know the cover is satirical, but they are outraged, regardless. How does the cover make you feel?
We progressives are a rather earnest bunch. Here, we’re more sensitive to sexism because of what was done to Hillary and what continues to be done to her female supporters. Obama camp supporters are touchy on a broader and deeper range of topics.
I don’t mind the NYer cover. It is clear to me it is satire. If I were a McCain supporter, I would be a bit embarrassed I suppose. And the people who read the NYer are sophisticated enough to understand the cover for what it is.
The only problem is when that cover is reproduced elsewhere, hoping that ‘low information” voters will not understand it. As an example, how many NYer covers have been posted here? One. That one. I wonder why.
I’m sure it’s Hillary’s fault.
Only half right. It’s always BILL’s fault.
I’m not sure he condones them but he does seem to be at the very least an enabler. There also seems to be a cultural/generational comfort level with blatant misogyny and Obama is fast becoming that trend’s poster boy.
But the reason this is so stupid for his campaign is that anyone actually harboring racist thoughts will feel, yet again, justified.
Ultimately neither may hurt his chances in November, but at what cost to our civility?
I can concur with this. I’ve already heard comments of that nature.
I am not suprized at all. He has no moral charactor and no principle. Obambi is Sexist, rascist, lier, incompetent, and rud, etc.
Nancy, let me list the words you were unable to spell correctly: “suprized”, “charactor”,
“rascist”, “lier”, and “rud”. A quite stunning public display of illiteracy.
Now what was that comment again, about Harvard-educated Obama being “incompetent”?
I’m fairly certain that you’re also unable to spell “irony”.
no, no, no, S this more of that double satire.
Yeah, and you two are brain trusts. That’s why you’re supporting a candidate who repeatedly states his biggest qualification for being president is his time as a community organizer.
Who after two years on the campaign trail still only has a rudimentary grasp of the issues at best.
But hey, no worries, he changes his position so often, why spend too much time trying to understand the last one?
Can you spell “clueless”?
“This is a family affair. … I’m just messing with you”…
Is there anything Obama will not flip flop on?
John McCain should say on behalf of the Republican party they are just messing with him when they run the Michelle Obama greatest hits this fall: “Never Been Proud” and “$600 Earrings” and “You Better Work” and “Gimme Sum Pie.” Not to mention “Goddamn Whitey,” if we’re lucky. But Obama just threw “Lay Off My Wife” under the bus. Duly noted.
Hope Floats,
You are right, we will be seeing a whole lot of “I’m just messing with you” ads and youtube videos.
Gonna be a fun summer!
Like a fish out of water.
“A man who believes in everything believes in nothing…”
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/07/12/2008-07-12_will_the_real_obama_please_stand.html
Exactly. He speaks in mixed messages….now, even in the same breath.
Man, I was excited that this was going to be big. I’m a 100% Hillary supporter, always have been. And I’ve jumped all over Obama on every single issue of is votes, his record, who he hangs out with and the sexist way in which he treated Hillary. But this Bernie Mac story isn’t going anywhere. If Obama himself stood up in front of the crowd and made sexist jokes, that would be a story…not this. Sorry.
Not that I don’t think what B.Mac said was disgusting, it was…but that’s the nature of comedians like him and rap stars. Everyone takes for granted that they will hear this stuff and when they do, it’s no surprise.
I think it’s extremely un-Presidential for Obama to hang out with these guys, but face it…this is the black culture that is accepted by society, especially now, with all this race crap going on in this campaign.
The FISA vote was the story that should have destroyed him, along with the campaign finance flip and the NAFT flip, and the death penalty flip, and the faith based initiative thing…those are the big stories…not this.
I’m with you on this one Mary Ellen. But who knows? I never thought the swiftboaters had anything going either, so I guess I’m not one to judge what will wake the public and what won’t.
I don’t think that the Swiftboaters caused Kerry’s ship to sink. I believe more that lots of people wanted Bush to finish the war he started. I remember the exit polls. Kerry lost the “Rust Belt” because those people didn’t trust him to be one of them or for them. So he lost the elections.
NO small stuff will sink Obama. This is the greatest illusion ever. Obama believes himself and that he can win the GE. DNC wants to believe that with their unclean support he can win. The media - same. The republicans are happily waiting until it will be too late to nominate Hillary and than they will come out with their ‘canons’.
(They already achieved something important: Hillary had tons of money. Now she is broke. This is not a good way to start a GE campaign.)
The ONLY thing to finish Obama is not something big, it has to be something huge. Like birth certificate, criminal indictment in the Rezko scandal, or that he proves to be unable to raise money. If June was for him in the neighborhood of 10 million, it would help. If it is under that, than the DNC would start to scramble to get Hillary back in time.
You’re right. Kerry lost his own election. I didn’t like him at all and still don’t.
You’re both wrong. The American people defeated John Kerry. Just like they will defeat Barack Obama should he actually survive until November.
Excellent point about your one huge thing theory…and I think you nailed the specific potential ones.
But also, these smaller things (though not all that small to everyone) may very well have a cumulative effect on some. The non-bloggers, non-polled, quiet voters who are reaching their “uh-oh threshold”. I know some. Their voices will be heard in November.
Mary Ellen,
So you think we should just except it because a black man said it…we should just expect this kind of thing from black comedians?…Sorry I don’t and never have…I have always thought it was wrong for any race to make vulgar jokes about another..
It is time for change….yes there is an audience for this kind of crap…but should there be?
This country need to be brought back to the center. One of the reasons I will never support Obama is because I have a little class and respect for women.
Obama represents all the thugs and Gangsta rappers that are making America an ugly place.
There is no way I can condone dumb behavior.
For all his yapping about bringing the country together, he sure has a funny way of going about it, huh? Racism bad; sexism good. HIs entire campaign has been one dysfunctional fustercluck lurching from one fauz pas to another, replete with long-winded speechifying and mind-numbing lectures. He’s only the presumptive nomineee because he talks so much we cry uncle.
Right! Just THINK for a moment if McCain had a WHITE comedian tell the same “HO” joke at a fundraiser, then McCain brushes it off with a chide and a quick, “I’m just messing with you!”
Oh, the humanity!! The OUTCRY!!!! The calls for him to step down and apologize to ALL WOMEN (but especially BLACK WOMEN!) and make amends for his disgraceful act!!!
But, Barry…being “black”, and Bernie…being Black…get to live on another day with just a wink and a nod…
NO DOUBLE STANDARD!!!!
NO MYSOGONISTIC, SEXIST JOKES!!!
NO OBAMA!! NO OBAMA!! NO OBAMA!!!!
NEVER. EVER. NEVER!
The reason for no backlash is that sexist behavior is glorified and accepted as cool in black culture.
I think Bill Cosby need to keep speaking up!
You said it all, KARMA!
30yr,
And you can control this how?
You can’t. The problem isn’t the material. Off color/blue material has always been used by certain comedians. The problem is the ‘mainstreaming’ of such material. It belongs in clubs and private situations. A joke of this nature had no place at a presidential candidate’s fundraiser. Bernie Mac proved he is an idiot. And comedians who go to formal events with their stand-by stock and trade jokes, expecting these jokes to be accepted and laughed at are really dumb, as are the candidates’ handlers who don’t take these people aside and lay the ground rules out for such events.
I don’t support Obama. But I support free speech. The joke was wrong for the venue. I think pursuing this story as if it is on par with Watergate is going to take you down an avenue of ridicule and derision. I’d rather see follow-up on FISA and I’m particularly interested in the Birth Certificate just to name two.
As far as this opening the door for racist jokes, well that goes under the karmic heading for me. I’ve always believed that you fight fire with fire. I don’t like the idea, but if that’s the only way to get Obama and his campaign’s attention well, let it fly. If you punch someone in the face, then expect to be punched back. I live by this axiom and nobody fucks with me.
I am a white 57 year old female, and I was not offended by Bernie Mac’s comment. But that is not the point. The point is that Obama wants to have things both ways. Ob has said “lay off my wife”, yet it is okay for a comedian to speak for him calling women ho’s?? He can’t have it both ways.
From the get-go Ob has flip-flopped. He cannot have it both ways. He is not capable of being a leader. I will never condone the bullshit this *democratic party* has pulled, and it doesn’t offend me at all to be called republican.
With Senator Mccain, we know what we are getting.
Why won’t Ob simply show his birth certificate? What is he hiding? Why doesn’t he even understand why we ask it??
Excuse Me? “This is not black culture”. The point is if your attempting to attain the highest office in our land, you are not only and your family an open book. The comment made was uncalled for, and Senator Obama’s remark was all kinds of wrong.
If your accused of being “sexist” and then make and support sexist comments, how are you going to president? The Democratic Party are idiots. They have, the Republicans, now, a soundbyte of Senator Obama stating “I am just messing with you”. Would not of been an issue if his remarks didnt apply to Bernie Macs words.
As a black female, I am so tired of people always assuming bad behavior can be excused because its in our culture.
I hope you are not offended by my comment below in response to Uppity…just fed up with everything Obama gets a pass on..
“As a black female, I am so tired of people always assuming bad behavior can be excused because its in our culture.”
Disagree.
How about, BAD BEHAVIOR CAN NEVER BE EXCUSED, CULTURE IRRELAVENT?
Thank you soldier4hillary. You said it better than I could.
I wish other people would wake the heck up.
Thank you!!!! I “AGREE”
Soldier4Hillary,
you are so right with your comment. I am a white woman but I have never felt these kinds of remarks should just be brushed off as being the culture. IMUS was wrong, BernieMac is wrong and Obama is wrong. Obama knew or should have known the type of jokes Bernie Mac uses and never have invited him and then to half-ass chide him and follow up with ‘just messing with ya’ is totally unacceptable. I will not, now or ever view this type of comment as ok. What is wrong with people that they have become so accepting of this?
Soldier,
I agree with you. But ‘blue’ material has been around since the days of Red Foxx. It is a black thing, but it was NEVER mainstream black culture. It was something the adults laughed in an appropriate ‘after hours’ setting. And only on occasion.
What’s happened in America is that once everyone began raising their children according to the ‘kids are people, too’ philosophy, the line of demarcation between adulthood and childhood disappeared. Parents now raise children without teaching them boundaries for fear of traumatizing them and hurting their feelings. The result is a society of uncivilized adults who have no understanding of decorum in public and social gatherings. And they all seem to be Obama supporters.
Blacks were always particularly rigid with regard to good manners. I know I was raised that way. But this current generation fell in line with what the rest of America was doing. The end result: hip-hop which the white controlled entertainment industry has mainstreamed shamelessly for profit while degrading civilization.
I’m not a fan of Mac. But even I would not have imagined he would have told a joke like this at a fundraiser for a presidential candidate no less. A lot of these high profile black entertainers today have been hand-picked by white Hollywood executives who still view blacks from the prism of Steppin Fetchit. I had given Mac the benefit of the doubt, but now I realize my instincts were right in the first place. He is a card-carrying, ignorant fool. And like far too many AAs this election cycle, he has jumped on the Obama wagon just to see a ‘black’ man elected POTUS without knowing much about the candidate, the process, our system of government and presidential politics.
And the DNC is responsible for this travesty.
I wish the election were tomorrow so I can vote for McCain and banish Obama back to corrupt Chicago bogeyland. I don’t know how much more of this national embarrassment I can take.
And my fears are that it’s only going to get worse.
I agree, Mary Ellen. I’m as blood-thisty as the next PUMA for Obama-globen, but this incident doesn’t quite cut it. It is, however, another inch in the erosion of his character and I like that aspect of it.
Obama will not condone a black man using “ho” (prostitute) to describe black women, yet he gives national interviews against Imus when Imus used to term to describe a black woman’s basketball team.
Is saying “it is no big deal to call women ‘prostitutes’” OK by you?
I wonder if Backtrack still employs the “zealous staffers” who told the young Muslim women wearing headscarves to get lost as they weren’t wanted to be pictured alongside the OMessiah?
Backtrack!!! Funny! We’ve been needing a new name for him! Good one Zee!
As always…Obama is a flip flopper.
Obama wasn’t offended by the “ho” part of Imus’ comment, just the “nappy headed” portion. He never spoke out against the sexism, just the racism.
I’ll bet he’s called Michelle a “ho” himself.
I wonder what Michelle had to say on the ride home.
This is not going to be big. These people, Obamabots, have been completely brainwashed. They minimize his flip flopping and his membership at Wright’s church (to name a few). What do you think will change their minds? They have been bamboozled.
No this is not going to topple his campaign because the approach is wrong.
Better to point out how UN-PRESIDENTIAL Obama appears when his choice of a comedian tells such a joke and pretty much contradicts an earlier statement from the candidate regarding a similar comment.
Now that WILL rock Obama’s nerves. He so wants to appear presidential.
Right you are!
His campaign is a house of cards. Who can predict which one will bring the house down?
The problem is that the FISA story isn’t all that important to many voters. They don’t see the significance to them and many buy into the Republican talking points that this law was needed to keep us safe. With 22 corrupt Democrats jumped on board the electorate simply doesn’t know what to believe.
But there are a lot of women and some decent men that are flat out tired of the youth and black culture and comedians that find misogyny acceptable. That’s something they can understand and sink their teeth into.
We’ve seen enough misogyny this election cycle to know how pervasive it is in our culture. We see it even thought our corrupt media ignores it.
I think this story alone means nothing. added to all that has gone before it’s just one more straw on the camels back.
On the contrary, Mary Ellen, its the drip,drip,drip of misogynistic gamesmanship that is taking huge toll on false king.
Don’t forget there are alot more de-toxed kool-aid drinkers, newly formed from the FISA fiasco, waking up and actively going against him. They won’t be returning to BO’s camp anytime soon. When they set their eyes on Rezko, Ayers, Asammarre, ACORN, and think back on the ‘brush-off’, there will be an epiphany of galactic preportions. These former Messiah supporters will be his worst enemy.
Funny thing is, its Obama himself, that shoots himself in the foot on such a regular basis. He’s passing George Dubya in that department.
Does Barack Obama hang out with anyone who isn’t scum?
Only when he is with Hillary!
gee, Carol, your judgment is as appalling as your Messiah’s.
Rezko much?
no Carol meant Hillary ISN’T scum.
What’s that old saying? You know a person by the company he or she keeps? I guess the next thing we’ll find out is that he regularly plays golf with O.J. Simpson.
On tomorrow’s FightTheSmears saga:
“That is not true. I love Wilco.”
LMAO. I bet he’s got Christ For President” on his iPod.
Oh it’s Jesus Christ our President
God above our king
With a job and pension for young and old
We will make hallelujah ring
Of course, that’s not by Wilco, but by Guthrie.
Next on FightTheSmears: Bernie Mac didn’t call women “hos”.
No, he said, “Why’d I hose the driveway?” “Why’d I hose the car?” “Why’d I hose the neighbor’s yard with my water and power bill so high?”
“Why Idaho’s potatoes so good with butter?”
imust….RRRRRRRRROFLLLLLLLLLLLL.
“A Look at a Chicago-Style Fundraiser for Obama–”Hoes” on the Agenda (UPDATE 1X–AP Picks Up Story & It Is Being Picked Up EVERYWHERE!)”
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5vhohk
My original post way ahead of anyone early this morning…in which I queried:
“Doesn’t all this bring you back to the days of Camelot and Jackie Kennedy’s White House affairs featuring the like of Pablo Casals and all those other lovely, cultural events??”
These utterly classless and crass people are a complete joke on the Democratic Party. Then again, the entire party has become a joke at this point if they can’t see what a disaster this jerk and his friends are.
A complete disgrace as well…
Here’s an idea, why don’t we have a real National Democratic Convention in Denver, elect Hillary as the nominee and let Obama and his ilk go out to the stadium, where they can tell their sexist jokes and listen to their raucous bands. The fans (uh UHHBama Delegates)can demonstrate their adoration for the exalted leader. He can bask in the adoration of the crowd, walk around, wave, and lap up the loud applause. In the morning he can wake up and see that he is not wanted by most people, as either the Democratic nominee, or as the President of the United States. Maybe he can just go on having his rallies and inspirational meet-ups and let us get on with the serious business of running this country.
You’re so right. We not only need a leader who can start on day one, the way things are going we need someone who can start yesterday. Obama is not a leader, he’s an egomaniac.
Is this what the taxpayers are paying for? A civil servant supposed to be working for the betterment of the country, instead he is doing a non-stop fund-raising for his own glory?
Barack Obama is not fitted to be the POTUS.He is DOUBLE STANDARD SNOB!Always making poor judgements and give many lame excuses.
He’ll do anything to be in the White House.WAKE-UP PEOPLE!!!
If you love America, give her the BEST!! Hillary ‘08!
Obama is going to have to buy another bus. It’s getting crowded down there.
Actually, the bus is now a huge semi. Next week we’ll be looking a him getting a train.
Barack and Ho Obama. Seems fair. If I’m a Ho shes a bigger Ho.
From here on in, I will refer to the former michelle as Ho Obama.
“Barry!!!! Tell them it’s First Lady Ho Obama!!!”
The Pimp of the United States and his Ho!
Not to be confused with the jolly gent at Christmas who apparently likes a lot of HO HO HO`S.
lol…HARP
I agree whole heatedly…fair is fair from here on out…if it is fine for a black comedian to say it then I am a white comedian…Ho Obama and her hubby Barack Hussein Obama…I am so sick of this sh!t…for years black comedians have made filthy jokes about white people….I always just changed the channel if it comes on my tv…disgusting…have you noticed this is all Obama and his HO attract…
oh but it isn’t racist if a black person does it…to hell with that sh!t from now on…I am done now.
30yr allow me to offer up the ultimate contradiction.
Mr. Clayton Bigsby.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/291638/clayton_bigsby/
Racism knows no bounds.
Reminds me of the comment Reverand Wright made at the Dallas church on the Sunday before the infamous National Press Club expose in April 2008, where he discussed how incredible it would be having the Obamas living in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as it would be the first time a black woman would be sleeping in the White House, legally.
Appalling. Simply appalling.
How about HOBAMA (rhymes with NOBAMA)
Obama’s ho and babies’ Mama.
(Permission to use “baby mama” given by Mechelle when she introduced herself as such to more than two crowds.)
Don’t forget to add the flip floppin’ universal disclaimer: “Just messin with ya!”