NO QUARTER » Obama’s Media Censorship

Washington Post: On second thought, maybe we were a little too Pro-Obama

RobWarrior — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:00:54 +0000

It has been less than a week since “He who has not been vetted” became our President-elect. While the citizen journalists who volunteer time on blogs like this and others have done their best to search for answers about the man who will be our 44th president, they simply did not have the time and resources to uncover much and certainly did not have the ability to share what they did find with an American public that has a right to know.

The readers of No Quarter understand that the Free Press is one of the institutions that helped take America from a fledgling group of colonies and in just a little over 230 years transform us into one of the great empires in history. We are also aware that that particular institution is in as deep a decline as is our nation. The two go hand in hand.

The main steam media (MSM) let all of us down in this election season and if Barack Obama is not up to the job, they will be largely responsible for helping continue the American decline that the Bush team has so skillfully worked on for the last eight years.

So today, when the Washington Post via their ombudsman admits they were a bit Pro-Obama, it does not make me feel better. The wounds are too deep for an I told you so to clot the bleeding. Nope, after reading the piece from Deborah Howell, I am just even more pissed off.

Read the story here

It’s not like this is news to us.

The op-ed page ran far more laudatory opinion pieces on Obama, 32, than on Sen. John McCain, 13. There were far more negative pieces (58) about McCain than there were about Obama (32), and Obama got the editorial board’s endorsement. The Post has several conservative columnists, but not all were gung-ho about McCain.

Stories and photos about Obama in the news pages outnumbered those devoted to McCain. Post reporters, photographers and editors — like most of the national news media — found the candidacy of Obama, the first African American major-party nominee, more newsworthy and historic. Journalists love the new; McCain, 25 years older than Obama, was already well known and had more scars from his longer career in politics.

The number of Obama stories since Nov. 11 was 946, compared with McCain’s 786. Both had hard-fought primary campaigns, but Obama’s battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton was longer, and the numbers reflect that.

And the Post is not alone. Newsweek’s Meacham and Thomas admitted this week to Charley Rose they have been troubled a bit by the somewhat creepy nature of Obama’s singular being and his hold on his devoted followers. Tom Brokaw opined that he really does not know much at all about our President-elect.

Predictably, now that the man has been elected, the MSM will admit the error of their ways as a way to hedge their bets, just in case things go south. Then they can puff up their chests and say they were right all along. The problem is, no one is buying it anymore. Even many of those who have consumed copious amounts of “Barry Berry Kool Aid” admit the MSM has been in the tank from day one.

The mea culpas are too late, the damage is done. Whatever shred of credibility the MSM once had is as dead and buried as Tim Russert.

The MSM must now be looked upon for entertainment purposes only. Those interested in uncovering the truth must look elsewhere. You can look around the net, there is a lot out there, but who knows what to trust? You can stick with us at No Quarter, our resources are meager, we have but time and our hearts to give, but we will be keep digging. We won’t get everything right, but we will keep an open mind and look at both sides of everything.

Most importantly do not keep your beliefs to yourself. Citizen silence can kill great nations. Keep spreading the word. Door to door, e-mail to e-mail, blog to blog. It is the only way to combat a free press that is no longer free.

i’d like to say…

American Girl in Italy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:45:05 +0000

Watching the Obama supporters last night, with tears streaming down their faces, their screaming, clapping, dancing and fainting, I have to admit I was a bit emotional myself. I appreciate what this means to African Americans, you could see it on their faces. Juan Williams cried through his whole commentary.

And, as opposed to an Obama presidency as I am, I still hold dear, and respect and value the Office of the Presidency, the symbolism of that office. These kinds of things make me weepy, as does the National Anthem. I can’t help it.

And, although many of you might disagree, I am not bitter, or angry. I am just interested, opinionated, and involved, and I supported and voted for someone else. But as much as I can understand what this means to his supporters, it is unfortunate that what this year meant to those who supported Hillary Clinton or John McCain and Sarah Palin, wasn’t understood.

I’d like to say that I think Obama transcended race, and is truly a new kind of Politician. But, then I remember the number of times people who opposed him were called racist. I can’t forget the Clinton’s painted as racists, her supporters, then Palin, and McCain themselves, as well as their supporters. I can’t forget the number of times I was called racist on my blog, or online from the very first day.

I’d like to say that as I watched Michelle on stage last night, that I felt pride that she will be our first African American First Lady. But, I can’t forget the times she said she was for the first time, proud of her country. A country that afforded her an Ivy League education, a country where her family prospered and excelled. I can’t forget her saying that America is a mean country. I can’t forget when she said that she would have to think long and hard before she would support Hillary, should she be the nominee. I can’t forget when she said that *if you can’t run your own house, how can you run the White House*, such an affront to women everywhere.

I’d like to say, as I watched those adorable two girls on the stage last night, the opportunity that lies ahead of them, and all young women. But then I couldn’t help think of the attacks on the children of Sarah Palin. I couldn’t help think of the attacks on her, her 17 year old daughter, and Hillary Clinton, and her female supporters. I can’t forget the public acceptance of the effigy of Sarah Palin, or the Clinton Nutcrackers, or the Sarah Palin is a cunt t-shirts, or the many, many sexist attacks. I couldn’t help remember the nasty comments coming from the left that she should have aborted Trig.

I’d like to say, as I watched the supporters, running through the streets celebrating, that they deserved it, that they worked hard, and put up an honest fair political fight. That they just wanted it more. But then I couldn’t help think of the personal attacks on me, from the day I typed *I support Hillary*. I can’t forget the anonymous personal attacks, and death threats and worse, left on my blog, for discussing the race. I couldn’t help but watch the crowd, and think, “are they someone who called me a whore or a racist c*nt?” I can’t forget the caucus fraud that was witnessed all over the country in the primary. I can’t forget the attacks on African Americans who didn’t support Obama. I can’t forget that someone told Soldier4Hillary that they hoped she died in Iraq, because she supported Hillary. I couldn’t help think of the Black Panthers I saw, in Philadelphia standing in front of the polling place, threatening voters. I can’t forget the death threats on Tavis Smiley for criticizing Obama. I can’t forget the Super Delegates who received death threats for supporting Hillary.

I’d like to say as I watched Hillary and Bill cast their vote yesterday that I believe they supported Obama. But, I can’t forget what Hillary said during the primary, questioning Obama on Rezko and Ayers, and Wright. I can’t forget the constant insults from Obama about the Clinton presidency, and Hillary personally, and professionally. I can’t forget Biden, Edwards, Dodd, and more, tell the American people that Obama is not ready, and not tested. I can’t forget his refusal to release his Senate records, his college transcripts, or his passport.

I’d like to say, as I saw Obama standing there last night, in front of a wall of American flags, giving his speech, that he truly loves America, and is a man of his word. But I can’t forget his excuse for not wearing the Flag pin, and then his political expediency in wearing it. I can’t forget the photo of him not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. I can’t forget the photo William Ayers standing on the American flag. I can’t forget his refusal to release his birth certificate, something that was demanded of Mccain.

I’d like to say, as I watched Obama vote for himself as President yesterday, that I appreciated what an out of body, overwhelming experience that must have been, the pride and excitement he must feel. But, then I saw William Ayers go into the same polling booth, as did Farrakhan. I was reminded of what Obama did early in his career, to get to this point, who he considered appropriate to associate with, to befriend, and to partner with to further his political career. I can’t forget how he exposed his opponents in Chicago, and personally attacked them, to get them removed from the ballot. I can’t forget how he ran his Chicago Districts and his dealings with Rezko, and the state of despair his districts are in. I can’t forget that he didn’t leave that church.

I’d like to say that as I watched him walk to the podium, to give his acceptance speech that he worked so hard, and that he earned this. But I can’t forget what little he has actually accomplished. Yes, he ran a good campaign, he spent more days campaigning then he has ever held a job. I can’t forget all the articles I have read, about his start in the Chicago Senate, and how he was handed bills, to further his career, how his mentor carried him, made himself a Senator. I can’t forget the articles I read how Obama would catch Dodd or Kennedy in the halls and cling to them as they went to present bills, and adding himself to their accomplishments. I can’t forget that he has campaigned longer then he has actually served in the Senate. I can’t forget how he himself said, in 2004 that he was not ready.

I’d like to say, as I saw him standing there, that the people have spoken, and the best man won. But, I can’t forget the thousands and thousands of fraudulent voters registered, the buses of homeless and drug addicts that were driven to the polls. I can’t forget the Obama supporters who have been caught voting twice, the people on the streets saying they voted multiple times, the overseas ballots that have been tossed out. Those four delegates. I can’t forget the actions of the DNC and how they treated the Clintons. I can’t forget the efforts to shove Hillary Clinton from the race.

I’d like to say that as I saw him standing there, and even as I listened to him, and was moved to tears, that he deserves it. I couldn’t help think of the man that did not win. A man who has courageously served his country since he was 17 years old. A man who fought, and almost died for his country. A man who spent five years in a prison in Vietnam, at the same time one of Obama’s neighbors and friends was bombing the Pentagon, and Capital. I couldn’t help remember that Obama gave a book review to Ayers, whose other book was dedicated to the man that murdered Robert Kennedy.

I’d like to say that, although my candidate lost, I trust that Obama will follow through with his promises. But I can’t forget the broken promises he has already made, and the lies that he has told - looking into the eye of the American people. I can’t forget the sliding numbers for his tax cuts.

I’d like to say that as I was watching McCain give his concession speech, that he lost after a good fight. But I can’t forget that McCain couldn’t even fight. His every move, every attempt to put up a good fight was chastised in the media, screams of racism were thrown at him. Even having to fight his own party. As I watched Sarah Palin standing behind him, I couldn’t help think how close we were to having a woman in the White House. As I watched her fight back her tears, I couldn’t help think of all that she has accomplished in her life, being only two years older then me. I can’t forget all the disgusting insulting attacks thrown at her, and how she stayed strong. I can’t forget all of the attacks coming from so called feminists, and how far this election has set us back, as women. And apparently, we really have not gone that far. I can’t forget members of her own party calling her a cancer. I can’t forget the attacks on her and her family, a sitting Governor who has served the people of Alaska, who was asked to join the Republican ticket. The respect I felt for McCain and Palin standing there, moved me to tears. He is a true American Hero, and his service to his country should never be forgotten. I can’t forget the attacks I have read, from the left, on his service.

I’d like to say that Obama is truly a man who was supported by the American people. But I can’t forget the broken promise to accept campaign finance. I can’t forget the millions of dollars of overseas money he as illegally accepted, the millions he has had to return, the unchecked prepaid credit card donations. And his refusal to release the donor list. I can’t forget the millions he has raised and spent, and the promise he broke to get there.

I’d like to say that Obama will be for all people. But can’t forget the personal attacks on Joe the Plumber and anyone who opposed Obama. I can’t forget his pandering to Christian Conservatives in some states, including the gay bashers, his opposition to gay marriage, or his refusal to speak out against the sexist attacks on Clinton and Palin. I can’t forget that Obama pays his female employees less than the men. I can’t forget his double talk regarding Israel. I can’t forget his is associations with Farrakhan, Wright, Khalidi, Meeks, Moss, Dhorn, Ayers, ACORN.

I’d like to say that Obama will help the economy. But I can’t forget his share of the responsibility in the collapse of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. I can’t forget all of the experts telling us how his spending and proposals are going to add trillions in more debt. I can’t forget that he is second only to Dodd, in his two short years in the Senate, for taking money from them.

I’d like to say, as I watched the members of the media praise him, and talk about what a great story this is, that I think it is. But I can’t forget the attacks that they launched on Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, their supporters, and Bill Clinton as well. I can’t forget their utter failure to do their job, to report the facts, not to create the story. I can’t forget their complete and utter bias. I can’t forget their cover ups, and failures to vet this candidate. I can’t forget their personal attacks on an average citizen.

I’d like to say that this proves that America is not racist. But I can’t forget that 95% of the African Americans voted for Obama. For half of the country, their opposition to Obama was not about race. It was his judgment and his character. It was his policies. And for conservatives, it was everything he and his party stands for. White Americans, Democrats, embraced him. He won cross over votes. But those who didn’t vote for him didn’t do so because of his skin color. But those who did?

I’d like to believe that when Obama said that *out of many, we are one* that were true. But for those who did not support him, from the first days of the primary, were told to for example *keep the fuck out of my country* were treated anything but.

I do understand what this means to his supporters, to African Americans, and to people around the world. I do. As I said, I could see it in their tear streamed faces. And it saddens me that I can’t share gleefully in this moment in history.

As much as I want to welcome this idea of change, this new age of politics, this giant step for mankind, this great leap of faith, this huge movement forward in race relations in America, I just can’t forget how we got to this day.

Will Obama live up to *the promise*? As they say, time will tell.

And as far as the DNC now controlling all three branches?
Gird your loins my friends, gird your loins.

as the auntie turns…

American Girl in Italy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:40:16 +0000

Previously seen on *As the Auntie Turns*

Episode One: Obama’s Aunt, Zeituni Onyango, is found living in a Boston slum, in state funded public housing.

Episode Two: Obama’s Aunt is found to be living here illegally, and was issued a deportation order 4 years ago.

Episode Three: Obama’s campaign has accepted funds from his Aunt, which is illegal. Once caught, Obama refunds her money. (Kind of like Rezko, huh?)

Episode Four: Obama denies knowing that his Aunt is living here illegally. And when asked if she should be deported, Obama’s campaign said he obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed.

“If she is violating laws, those laws have to be obeyed,” Obama said. “We’re a nation of laws.

“Obviously that doesn’t lessen my concern for her,” he added. “I haven’t been able to be in touch with her. But I’m a strong believer you have to obey the law.”

Tonight’s episode: Obama lied about knowing his Aunt is here illegally. Obama apparently (snark) isn’t THAT strong of a believer in obeying the law….

Obama’s campaign staff knew about Obama’s aunt’s immigration status and they were actively monitoring her for the campaign. So was MA Governor Deval Patrick’s people (remember the guy Obama *borrowed* his “just words” speech from?).

“Senior aides to Sen. Barack Obama and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick were aware that Obama’s aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was living in the United States illegally and in a South Boston public-housing project, and were monitoring her at the request of senior Obama campaign officials, according to a current employee for Obama’s key political consulting firm, AKP&D Message and Media.

Back in early 2007, as Obama’s chief campaign strategist David Axelrod was organizing and planning the Obama campaign, he identified Obama’s unique family situation—a number of half-brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, some living overseas—as a potential problem, says an employee for Axelrod’s political consulting firm, and who has done work on the Obama campaign. “Given [Obama’s] father’s family history here and in Africa, David wanted the campaign to know who was who, where they lived, and what they were doing. No surprises. We knew she was here illegally. We knew her income levels, but I don’t think anyone from the campaign had had contact with her.”

snip

“While the South Boston housing project is managed by the Boston Housing Authority, it is a state-funded facility, according to the BHA press office, and so it would not be uncommon for state housing officials to be on the grounds or in the area. “Patrick was the go-between, he’s trusted by David and Senator Obama,” says the aide.

In fact, Patrick spent most of the past two or three days stumping for Obama up and down the East Coast. His and Obama’s relationship goes back a couple of decades, and the two actually represented ACORN together in a civil suit back in 1993. Some Republican political operatives believe that Patrick and his political team have been cutouts for un-reported cash distributed to ACORN officials around the country for Democrat “get out the vote” projects.”

Well, isn’t that special? Typical Obama: avoid, deny, lie. And how coincidental that she is living in MA. I guess this explains how she obtained public funded housing, since she is illegal, and all.

Stay tuned: Feds investigating leak about Obama’s aunt. No investigation into why she is living in public funded housing, why they were protecting her, why Obama was lying about it or why Obama keeps accepting illegal donations? Nope, just why their illegal secret was leaked. (and still nothing about the attacks on Joe the Plumber?)

Once again, Obama lied to the American people.

***

Be sure to check out past episodes, A Dolt and a Thug, Obama Again Claims He Knows Nothing and Obama Relegates Aunt Who Resides Illegally in US to the Shadows While Taking Her Campaign Contributions by Truthteller and if you are not caring for your own family… by me.

love me, or else!

American Girl in Italy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:00:01 +0000

Three of our nation’s leading newspapers, The Washington Times, The New York Post, and Dallas Morning News, endorsed John McCain.

On Thursday, October 30, 2008, the reporters for these three top American newspapers — The Washington Times, The New York Post and Dallas Morning News — were all kicked off Obama’s plane.

“Despite pleas from top editors of the three newspapers that have covered the campaign for months at extraordinary cost, the Obama campaign says their reporters — and possibly others — will have to vacate their coveted seats so more power players can document the final days of Sen. Barack Obama’s historic campaign to become the first black American president.”

“This feels like the journalistic equivalent of redistributing the wealth, we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars covering Senator Obama’s campaign, traveling on his plane, and taking our turn in the reporter’s pool, only to have our seat given away to someone else in the last days of the campaign,” said Washington Times Executive Editor John Solomon.

I hope the candidate that promises to unite America isn’t using a litmus test to determine who gets to cover his campaign.”

The Obama camp said it is just because the plane is too crowded. They need the seats for other people. Other people being *more sympathetic members of the media* or as I like to call them *koolaid drinking, tingly leg, butt kissing, Obama worshippers*.

We have definitely seen a pattern here, ask a tough question, or criticize *that one* or his side kick *gaffetastic* and get thrown under the bus, investigated, or fired. Joe the Plumber, Barbara West, The Washington Times, The Post, DMN, the NRA, radio stations, the people of Missouri… I think they have a name for that kind of leadership rule.

First they came for Joe the Plumber…

Wednesday, The Washington Times published “Obama, the hoax” a scathing commentary about the great hoax being perpetrated on the American people. Be sure to check it out.

WORM WORM WORM (what obama really meant)

American Girl in Italy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:20:39 +0000

Watching the news coverage yesterday, as the Obama team hit the airwaves, WORMING all over the place, trying to explain his latest unearthed video, something dawned on me, and kind of freaked me out.

What is going to happen IF Obama is elected president? Are the WORMS going to have to go into overdrive? Will Obama have a special committee of WORMers?

What will happen if he has a meeting with someone like Ahmadinejad, and they are over heard discussing Obama’s book, where he wrote: “I will stand with them, (Muslims) should the political winds of war shift in an ugly direction.”

Will the WORMers scurry out behind him, screaming WORM WORM WORM?

What will happen if once he is President, and the LA Times releases the video they have of Obama, celebrating with a group of Palestinians who are openly hostile towards Israel. Barack Obama even gives a toast to a former PLO operative at this celebration.

Will the WORMers scurry out behind him, screaming WORM WORM WORM?

What will happen, if during a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Obama is informed of a conflict between, say… Georgia and Russia, in which Russia attacked Georgia, and Obama launches an attack on Georgia?

Will his minions scurry behind him, screaming WORM WORM WORM?

What happens if Obama is president and, while visiting a foreign head of state, say…in Iceland, and then prattles on and on about how lovely the rolling green hills of Ireland are? (don’t kid yourself, the guy thinnks he visited 57 states, and never remembered where the heck he was)

Will his handlers scurry behind him, yelling WORM WORM WORM?

What will happen if Obama is President, and is in a meeting with, say the leader of Israel, and slips and says something about his Muslim faith?

Will George Stephanopoulos come running into the room, screaming WORM WORM WORM!

I ask, because I have YET to hear Obama go off script, and NOT have to have one of his supporters follow up with a WORM. Hell, even the media does it.

The Obama camp, liberal media and blogs clean up for him constantly, over his comments on socialism, taxes, his supporters not voting for Hillary spreading the wealth, his relentless race card playing, the five dollar bill comments, his flip flops on guns, FISA, abortion, withdrawal from Iraq, healthcare, his bitter, clinging to guns comments… Constantly. (And as I am writing this, Andrea Mitchell is on Morning Joe, WORMing for Obama. When did it become the job of reporters to WORM for a candidate? What is happening?

Any time he goes off script, and works without a teleprompter. He lies about the most obvious things, and constantly gets busted, by youtube, or old news stories. And then his supporters flood the networks screaming WORM WORM WORM!

It happens so often, it is a running joke, and it is even an online game.

I just find it quite frightening that a gaffe master like Obama (and his sidekick Biden Gaffetastic), who can’t seem to speak without a teleprompter, is already writing his inauguration speech.

Will he need a WORM for that, too?

The Secrets of Capt. Fumio Nakahira Or Why I’m Leaving the Democratic Party but Keeping my Principles

Bud White — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:35:55 +0000

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” — Elie Wiesel

It’s clear to many Democrats that a radical clique has taken control of the Party. Democratic ideals once held to be sacrosanct, including freedom of speech, one person one vote, and an intolerance of sexism have been violently pushed aside for the benefit of Obama. The media drumbeat for Obama is incessant; the media has even stopped pretending to be neutral. We’re seeing the country through Alice’s Looking Glass now and everything is upside-down and backwards. In an effort to save our Party and country, many Democrats are actively working to defeat Obama.

In 1980, the last Japanese soldier of World War Two, Captain Fumio Nakahira, was discovered on Mt. Halcon, Mindoro Island, Philippines. During the previous 35 years, Captain Nakahira had survived alone, serving his Emperor and believing that the War had not yet ended. (This was 15 years after the Gilligan’s Island episode).

Captain Nakahira comes to mind when I think about the thousands of disaffected and disillusioned Democrats across the country who will not be voting for Obama. If Obama is elected despite our efforts to defeat him, it will codify for a generation the Chicago corruption, race-baiting, and misogyny practiced by Obama and his minions; tactics which caused many of to leave the Party. And Obama’s race-baiting, misogynistic thugs will say: Good riddance!

Camping out on our own private Mt. Halcons, many thousands of men and women will remain committed to the causes which brought us to the Democratic Party in the first place. We won’t stop being concerned about sexism, race relations, economic opportunity, and national security.

It’s now dawning on Republicans and independents that a creeping totalitarianism is sweeping the country. Obama’s Truth Squads use the power of the state to stifle free expression, McCain supporters are jeered in public, and Obama’s shock troops — in a form of hate speech so ugly that it can only be described as a pogrom against women — wear clothing which declares that the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is a “cunt.” Sexual terrorism is the new form of Left-wing Kristallnacht.

Where did this come from?

The ecstatic mania of Obama’s supporters comes from many places, and I don’t pretend to understand all of the sources. Many who support Obama are low-information liberals, do-good progressives, proud African Americans, and fed-up independents. I can’t blame these groups; the Bush Administration has been a disaster. There is, however, a core group of Obama supporters who believe that the Senator from Illinois will bring revolutionary change. And their desire for the revolution is all-consuming and any tactic is considered fair game: caucus fraud, sexism, race-baiting, voter intimidation, online smear campaigns, sexual terrorism, and voter fraud. Anything to win.

I hold Obama accountable for the tone of this campaign and the actions of his supporters. From “hoodwink and bamboozled” to his “lipstick on a pig,” Obama’s sexist double-speak and race-baiting innuendos have unleashed something very ugly into the ether. Obama has given his supporters the tacit encouragement to cross lines of acceptable discourse in order to destroy his political opponents. In the Obama world, Bill Clinton is a racist, Hillary is a bitch, Sarah Palin is a cunt, and John McCain is erratic and senile. I fully expect that an Obama Administration, like all recent Administrations, will continue in campaign mode and I expect these tactics to continue. This was the reason, to borrow a phrase, that we sought to fumigate our Party.

Like many of you, I won’t have anything to do with Obama or his party. Obama’s tactics go against the reason I was a Democrat and no pleas and no threats will force me to give up my principles. Above my computer I have postcards with the images of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy; my Hillary poster is in the corner and remains unframed.

Cocktails & Open Thread

NoQuarter — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:00:21 +0000

Or beer … or sparkling water (I’d kill for some San Pellegrino about now).

Earlier, Truthteller e-mailed all the NoQ writers with the Question Of The Day: “Why is Joe the Plumber subjected to more media scrutiny than Tony Rezko?” What a question. Here are John McCain’s remarks to a crowd today, via Drudge, in defense of “Joe the Plumber”:

It’s great to be here in Miami. Florida is a must-win state on November 4th, and with your help, we’re going to win Florida, and bring change to Washington, DC. … [T]here was a lot of talk [in the debate] about Senator Obama’s tax increases and Joe the Plumber. Last weekend, Senator Obama showed up in Joe’s driveway to ask for his vote, and Joe asked Senator Obama a tough question. I’m glad he did; I think Senator Obama could use a few more tough questions.

The response from Senator Obama and his campaign yesterday was to attack Joe. People are digging through his personal life and he has TV crews camped out in front of his house. He didn’t ask for Senator Obama to come to his house. He wasn’t recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks. …

There’s video of McCain’s remarks below:

The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama’s plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama’s plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that’s what America needs.

Senator Obama says that he wanted to spread your wealth around. When politicians talk about taking your money and spreading it around, you’d better hold onto your wallet. Senator Obama claims that wants to give a tax break to the middle class, but not only did he vote for higher taxes on the middle class in the Senate, his plan gives away your tax dollars to those who don’t pay taxes. …

Read all.

AND NOW: It’s your open thread!

Olbermann v. Milbank: The Back Story

NoQuarter — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:38:43 +0000

Aha! I knew someone would get to the bottom of this shocker (”Keith Olbermann Declares Off With Dana Milbank’s Head”). At last! The sordid details!

Politico’s Michael Calderone has the scoop, via Memeorandum.com:

Milbank’s dissatisfaction with the show started before any controversy over the Obama piece or questions from Olbermann about misquoting the Democratic candidate, according to sources.

Isn’t that what most sentient beings had already figured out? That for all of Olbermann’s heavy-breathed sternness and breathless tirade published at the distinguished Daily Kos, it turns out that it was Milbank who was sick and tired of Olbermann’s and his crew’s stunts?

A source familiar with the situation told Politico that Milbank had been unhappy on the show for a couple of months and expressed this sentiment to friends. But it wasn’t until directly after an incident last month that Milbank made a move.

During the first week of July, Milbank spoke to ~~executive~~ producer Katy Karp about why he had not been on the show for a couple of weeks. At that point, Milbank was told that there was an issue among staff with something positive he said the previous month about Charlie Black, a McCain senior adviser.

Oh. My. God. Milbank committed the ultimate sin! Well, the sin just below criticizing “The One.” He praised The Enemy’s Force! Oh, the hideousness of it all!

Here’s the exchange from June 23, where Olbermann talked to Milbank on-air about Black’s statement to Fortune magazine, that a terrorist attack would be a “big advantage” for the McCain campaign.

OLBERMANN: But where do we go in terms of this story from here? Does McCain have to, whether he likes it or not, fire Charlie Black or face having this bell along with other bells around his neck all summer and all fall?

MILBANK: Well, he’s going to wait and see. I imagine they are certainly going to hope that this becomes a 24-hour thing that blows over. Which it well could be, depending on what events happen in the coming days. But if it keeps being brought back to them, they’ll have to take some action here.

The irony here is that Charlie Black is a very soft-spoken, well-liked figure, and this does seem rather out of character for him to sound off in this way.

An MSNBC spokesperson confirmed there was a conversation where Black came, but the producer was only joking. The spokesperson said there was no connection between anything Dana said about Black and his not being booked on “Countdown.”

Milbank told Big Head DC yesterday that he "started contract talks with CNN on July 7" — therefore, things were underway several weeks before the July 30 column. (Indeed, Milbank reached out directly to Campbell Brown.) …

Read all.

So, if you’re looking for Dana Milbank, look no further than CNN!

And I hope that Keith Olbermann followed the instructions from Obama’s campaign to the letter.

For more fun with this “hot” story, check out Larry Johnson’s “Obama Versus the Press.”

Obama versus the Press

Larry Johnson — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:15:29 +0000

Since when did Barack Obama become the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland? When it comes to dealing with pesky reporters asking tough questions we see an emerging pattern–No Questioner Goes Unpunished. Barack might as well be screaming, “off with their heads.”

Notice anything missing in the list of moderators chosen for the upcoming presidential debates? Each campaign had a veto. And they agreed on three debates and three moderators: Jim Lehrer of PBC, Tom Brokaw of NBC and Bob Schieffer of CBS.

Who’s not here? You guessed correctly if you said: ABC. McCain has no motive to exclude ABC. What about Obama? What would his motive be? Is there a pattern of Obama shutting out news organizations and correspondents who have raised inconvenient questions or reported facts he wishes were not dug up?

On Obama’s foreign trip, his campaign excluded The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza, unable to find him a seat, after he wrote a lengthy factual account of Obama’s story in Chicago that depicted a young man in a hurry, willing to ride roughshod over even those helping him up the ladder, ambitious to a fault, never staying in a job long enough to accomplish anything.

Then, Keith Olbermann, host of “Countdown” on MSNBC, the chief Obama cheerleading section, in effect fired Dana Milbank from his show. Milbank, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a regular on Olbermann’s program for four years, had committed the unpardonable sin of criticizing Obama as “presumptuous” and citing some of his arrogant statements. For suddenly breaking with the pack, Milbank was removed.

About Milbank’s purge, questions hang in the air. Did Olbermann act entirely on his own in firing him? Or did he discuss the move beforehand with members of the Obama campaign?

Now, ABC finds itself excluded. The reason why isn’t hard to figure out. Just go back to the debate in Pennsylvania between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos and Charles Gibson. Stephanopolous asked Obama a question he never wanted raised.

STEPHANOPOULOS: A gentleman named William Ayers. He was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings. He’s never apologized for that. And, in fact, on 9/11, he was quoted in the New York Times saying, “I don’t regret setting bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.” An early organizing meeting for your State Senate campaign was held at his house and your campaign has said you are “friendly.” Can you explain that relationship for the voters and explain to Democrats why it won’t be a problem?

OBAMA: George, but this is an example of what I’m talking about. This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who’s a professor of English in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He’s not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis. And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn’t make much sense, George.

Obama’s reply, as Steve Diamond has made clear in a series of articles in No Quarter, was a series of falsehoods and distortions. Ayers, the domestic terrorist, had been more than a political funder of Obama’s ambition. He had served with him for years on a private foundation, the Woods Fund, giving money to mutual political allies, like the radical Palestinian group created by close Obama friend, Rashid Khalidi.

And Ayers had been instrumental as co-founder of the Annenberg Challenge in Chicago, a private fund intended to reform public education in the city, in having Obama named as its head.

This was Obama’s first big break, his first big responsibility, at which, by the way, he failed miserably. And it’s something he never likes to mention or to draw attention to Ayers as one of his early mentors. Obama also knows very well that Ayers is a professor of education, not English, having praised his book on reducing sentences for violent youth criminals in a review in the Chicago Tribune. Obama was not then eight years old.

Now we begin to see a pattern of Obama’s thin-skinned responses to media criticism. Obama will cut out any news group or reporter for being so impertinent as to raise factual questions about his past or current record. Anything less than cultish worship will be treat as an enemy attack. Obama’s enemies list will undoubtedly grow. For now it’s Lizza, Milbank and Stephanopoulos from The New Yorker, The Washington Post and ABC. Who’s next?

Obama as JFK? With his enemies list, he’s more like Nixon.

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Obama just doesn’t like to be questioned …

NoQuarter — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:40:20 +0000

Here’s another classic find by one of our readers, “Obama Doesn’t Really Like a Debate” that ties in perfectly with PatRacimora’s cartoon and commentary this morning. Thanks, TM. [STAY TUNED for a great post by Larry Johnson on Obama's thuggery in his treatment of the press. I added a new Category today to capture what is going on: "Obama's Media Censorship." Barack Obama is anti-First Amendment. What a position for a supposed assistant aka very, very part-time ~~professor of~~ lecturer in constitutional law.]

“Look what he pulled on the press who dared to ask him a question. Is this a new tactic…to accuse the press of working for McCain? Wow, finally a reporter doing [his] job. …”

RALSTON: I guess what the American people want to know though Senator, is what is the real difference between you and John McCain. You are running this ad tying him to the industry saying that he has taken all of these contributions, but as you well know there is a story out today about how you supported the Dick Cheney bill and [McCain] opposed it. That bill gave subsidies to the oil and gas companies, John McCain opposed the bill saying those are tax breaks for those companies, Barack Obama favored it.

SEN. OBAMA: Hold on a second Jon, I thought I was talking to you instead of debating John McCain, but I am happy to let you serve as his proxy.

Holy mother.

“Serve as his proxy”? Time was, reporters were paid to ask candidates tough questions. Ralston’s question is entirely legitimate, especially since Obama and the Democrats made Cheney’s energy policy a campaign issue in the first place. If Obama dislikes it so much, why did he vote for it — and why blame it on the one candidate in the race that actually voted against it?

In the rest of the interview, Ralston presses Obama on his policy reversals and asks him how voters can trust him not to shift again for political reasons.

Read the full story.

UPDATE: SEE Memeorandum.com for more blog coverage of this story.

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