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Audacity of Truth
Flyswatter in Chief:
"He had this fly that was persistently buzzing around him during the interview...he swatted his hand and he said ‘I got the sucker’...it was a, you know, Dirty Harry ‘make my day’ moment."- The NYT's John Harwood, describing Obama's killing of a fly - 6/16/09
Loser of the week: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. crashes Bob Corker’s news conference
In an unbelievable display of chutzpah yesterday, Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. showed up uninvited at a scheduled media event for his opponent Bob Corker and the cameras were rolling. You can see video of the event here and media coverage of it here. Here’s the AP write-up on the showdown in Tennessee. I wonder how much attention the national media will give this? If it were the other way around, I’m betting we’d have seen a lot more coverage of it. Just a thought …
Anyway, I think Ford, Jr. has just taken political grandstanding to new heights (or lows, if you think about it). In the video, you’ll see that he acts like he has had to ‘track’ Corker down, implying that Corker is afraid to debate him, when it’s just the opposite: they debated on October 7th and they’ll be debating again in a week.
Another little fib Ford told in his confronation with Corker – in response to Corker’s assertion that Ford’s act was a sign of desperation – is that the Ford campaign is supposedly polling ahead consistently in all the polls he’s seen. Well, Ford is either lying or his campaign staff has kept him out of the loop on the polls, which show the mostly slim leads going back and forth between the two. The most recent Zogby poll taken, by the way, shows Corker with a 7 point lead. After this little stunt, that lead may increase by several points, if Tennessee voters are turned off by Ford’s lack of campaign style and grace. This is something You Just Don’t Do.
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Down here in TN, Harold Ford is leading or tied in every poll. That Zogby Poll is an interactive. No one down here believes it to be true. Also, most of the media down here seem to be giving the guy a pass for this. It seems like the only people it fired up were the partisans and the independents just saw it as a stunt by two candidates who are wearing everyone’s patience with constant attacks and very negative attacks.
Corker/RNC has this prostitute ad down here playing that is causing people to jump off the bandwagon is a record pace. You should watch it. Its the lowest of the low.
Here we go with the polls again. I realize a lot of people believe in them, but I wish they’d ignore them…like Dubya and I do.
ford is a grandstander, and Imus on msnbc loves this dude, talks to him at least once a week, big surprize.
Polls are NOT reliable, just ask john, flika face, kery, they ain’t reliable, I’m still waiting to get my first call to be in a poll, who do they call or contact and its the way the question is phrashed so they can get the poll # they want. Nice try moonbats.
I think Ford has every right to confront his opponent’s negative campaign tactics. And, from what I saw, he was agressive in the defense of his family. I think the voters of Tennessee will respect someone who is willing to stand up for his family. Harold got the best of him — especially when Corker refused to engage in a discussion of Iraq — but, then, of course he would.
Why would he refuse a discussion on Iraq Keith??? Damn we won the thing, and we are winning in the war on terror. Only the lowlife idiots in the Drive by media think and the Dems think we are losing it. We have heard the stupid “civil war” mantra for over a year now. It still hasn’t happened.
“Iraq on the brink of civil war, 2018. Yes Iraq almost went into civil war again this year, but didn’t.”
Nice, keep wishing for it, you might see it happen yet. Ohhh forgive me for the yet, you will see it the day after the Dems are back in power thanks to their stupidity. This was nothing more than the Dem being a big baby wanting some attention. Yippie Skippy. – Lorica
Huh, Lorica, you make no sense. Iraq is in a civil war and there was no connection between Iraq and the war on terror until George Bush provided it by invading. We took our eyes off the prize and now Osama, remember him, is still out there. The only time we seem to remember him is when we need to scare the voters at election time. Ford was right to bring the fight to Mr. Corker — what plans does Corker have for getting us out of this mess.
Wrong again, Keith:
Iraq is in a civil war and there was no connection between Iraq and the war on terror until George Bush provided it by invading. We took our eyes off the prize and now Osama, remember him, is still out there.
Have you been asleep these past few years, or are you just intentionally dense? Saddam Hussein was involved with terrorists (yes, including Osama) up to his eyeballs. ST has documented it in more than a few posts on this blog. Try doing some research or Lorica and a few others here will make you look even more foolish.
For example, try looking here, here, and here. Or this one.
You’re deluding yourself if you think the WOT would suddenly end if we dragged OBL’s corpse out of a cave. There are a lot of fronts where we will have to fight islamofacism. Iraq was one of them, and a more immediate threat at the time.
The only time we seem to remember him is when we need to scare the voters at election time.
Oh really?? Maybe you can explain to me, then, why just before the 2004 election, Osama surfaced in his own video – to endorse Kerry. If the current course in Iraq is so bad, and so helpful to the islamofascists, why do they all want to see the Dems win?
Ford was right to bring the fight to Mr. Corker — what plans does Corker have for getting us out of this mess.
What Ford was trying to do was change the subject away from his own ethical issues, plain and simple. And by the way, what’s Ford’s plan to confront terrorism, since he’s raising the subject? HINT: running away and hiding (or “redeployment” as you call it) in Okinawa, or central Nebraska, or anywhere else, is not a valid response.
LOL
Thanks GWR!!! It always amazes me how these guys look at things. Sadamn was also paying people to attack Israel, but that isn’t terrorism according to the left. Nope they don’t condone violence unless it is friends of theirs. Where is the Debacle that J F’ng Kerry told us about thru out his asinine campaign Keith?? Hell the only way you all can make this look bad is to twist the numbers to your favor…i.e. 655,000 dead due to war. Now for over a year we have heard nothing but civil war, CIVIL WAR!!!! Well apparently the Iraqi people aren’t listening to the drive by media. I see rising signs of violence and that is only being used by the terrorists because they WANT the Republicans to lose in November. So why you would want to help the terrorists is just beyond me. Thanks for your input tho. – Lorica
Boy, I must have touched a nerve. Where to begin? First, there was no connection between Saddam and Osama — none. A connection between Rummy and Saddam for sure. I have the pictures to prove it.
And, when did Osama actually endorse John Kerry? I must have missed that. Bush hasn’t mentioned Osama until he needed to drag him out again to scare people….but, the truth is he never caught him now did Mr. “Dead or Alive” — now has he. But, he shows up in all of their campaign commericals.
The civil war in Iraq that was brought on by Bush’s invasion of that country has now killed almost 3,000 Americans (81 this month) and left thousands of soldiers without limbs (e.g. Tammy Duckworth) all to prove that Georgie has a bigger one than Daddy.
No connection to Osama — but, we must settle the family score. Bush takes after Mommy dearest in a big way.
Keith funnily wrote, “that was brought on by Bush’s invasion of that country”
Was voted on. Was voted for by many Democrats. We see that you disagree with the decision that was made 3 years ago. How does that score debate points. What do we do moving forward? Create a humanitarian crisis by “redeploying”? Then Bush would really be in trouble huh…. Why turn a disagreement into such animosity? Just say you disagreed with the decision and you disagree with the philosophy that there would be a humanitarian crisis….
We see you aren’t debatable with your condescension (Georgie has a bigger one than Daddy). But I plead for you to grow up and evolve.
Keith is of the same ilk as those who celebrated and were oh so happy at the pullout from Vietnam and subsequent throwing to the wolves of the Vietamese and other South East Asian people that happened when the Democrat Congress defunded South Vietnam totally. That only resulted in, what, about 3 million casualties. A small price to pay for a nutroot. These are the same people who believe junk science and use it to support banning DDT and sit there heartlessly patting themselves on the back for saving the planet while millions of Africans die due to malaria. And then have the gall to act upset at an inflated and bogus study that claims huge Iraqi casualties. They care nothing for the Iraqis, they said nothing while Hussein was performing his massacres, they don’t care about people starving in North Korea, or about Stalin and Mao’s millions of dead. It’s all crocodile tears.
Interesting that you use the word “evolve” — you know, little Georgie doesn’t believe in evolution.
But, Baklava, nice head fake. “We should move on now”….says who? The President? He wants to “stay the course” — whatever that means (other than killing more Americans). And, if that isn’t reason for animosity what is?
Your responses are “bumpersticker slogans” designed to appeal to the “true believers” that could never accept the fact that George Bush entered office determined to get at Saddam from the beginning. Because, if you believe that, how can you believe we are really fighting terrorism there?
Your house of cards is falling. The civil war is growing and our President hasn’t got a clue. You want suggestions on how to solve this problem. First, acknowledge that we have one!
I used the word evolve specifically to push your button.
Yes. We stayed the course in WW2 and won. We stayed the course and reconstructed Germany and Japan and succeeded. Stay the course is a way of being a responsible evolved human being and avoiding a humanitarian crisis. It doesn’t mean the military on the ground plays dumb and doesn’t change tactics, figure out new ways to find and dismantle IED’s, figure out new ways to route out the insurgents. Evolve your debate. Evolve from the talking point trashing the prhase “stay the course” and actually have a point. What direction would you like to go and do you disagree with the fact that redeployment might lead to a humanitarian crisis and why?
My responses are well thought out and based on logic, common sense and facts. Far from bumper sticker slogans. They do not fit on bumper stickers and aren’t comprehended unless you actually try to understand what I’m writing. But you don’t. Try. Give it some due diligence.
We understand (because you stated) you think that George Bush entered office determined to get at Saddam from the beginning. How is that relevant to the debate at hand on what we do MOVING FORWARD. It isn’t relevant. So you think it. I don’t care. It tells us your mindset and that’s about it. Let’s just say I agree with you. He was determined. There. Now move forward and evolve to today’s debate.
Yes. I’ll acknowledge we have a problem. There. Now move forward and give us your ideas for solutions. Will ya? You wanted me to admit there is a problem (who doesn’t think there is a problem – that’s so obvious and everyone here will say the same thing). OK. Now your turn. What are your ideas for solutions? Some want more troops. Some want less. Troop levels have fluctuated based on what the generals on the ground have wanted. Do you recognize that? Also, do you think you know more than the generals on the ground? You could say yes. It’s ok. I like smart guys.
Severin, so, let me get this straight? You are saying that because Stalin and Mao killed millions of people in their respective countries, it is OK for us to kill thousands (if not hundreds of thousands, and I don’t know how you KNOW that the study was incorrect) in Iraq? Is that what you are saying?
I’m saying that you and your kind have a very selective sense of outrage, and if you can’t figure that out from what I said above you are even denser than I thought. You are definitely a leftist, you display the complete lack of mental discipline and reading comprehension I’ve come to associate with the species.
Keith hysterically said, “You are saying that because Stalin and Mao killed millions of people in their respective countries, it is OK for us to kill thousands (if not hundreds of thousands, and I don’t know how you KNOW that the study was incorrect) in Iraq?”
First, Sev DIDN’T say that.
Second, Yes the study is flawed because it uses a 5.5 rate of death prewar during Saddam’s rule which is almost 1/2 of EU’s death rate for the last 60 years during a time of peace and prosperity and 1/3rd less than the US death rate. Additionally, it is lower than all of the middle east countries including Israel.
Also, Iraq Body Count themselves shred the 655,000 number from Lancet.
I think the reasons we are in this war are terribly important to the debate. That we were lied to, once again, by one of our Presidents is important to the context of this effort. Americans need to understand what we are up against and, they need to understand what they need to do to help us to a successful conclusion. That just might mean paying for it!
They also need to understand that this was not part of the war on terror until our actions brought the terrorists there. This isn’t anything like WWII at all — the Marshall Plan won’t get us out of this — tough love for the Iraqis will.
The President says we are all sacrificing for this war effort because we pay taxes — how insulting! Especially after all the tax breaks he has given to his wealthy friends. We need to make the Iraqis self sufficient. A deadline for our partial withdrawal should be a good indication that they need to stand up and take control of their own destiny.
I don’t expect that to be easy since we have already basically retreated to the “green zone” — and we are about to lose more soldiers this month since the start of the war. But, to say that troop levels have fluctuated because of what the Generals on the ground have requested is just wrong. We have a Secretary of Defense (who should be fired) that calls those shots.
So, to answer your question — my first two suggestions are to fire Rumsfeld and bring back the draft.
Actually Baklava, he did say that or, at least implied it by saying I some how celebrated when Viet Nam fell to the Communists and now cry crocidile tears over the Iraqi deaths — who is being hysterical? Was he even alive when Viet Nam fell. I was, and I was there.
But, whatever, we are now in a discussion about how many people died in Iraq since George Bush invaded. Think about that? Think about what those troops could have done in Afghanistan to find Osama. He would really be “dead” now — but, then what would the Republicans do for a campaign theme??
Keith dwelled on the past by saying, “That we were lied to,”
It’s ok. Let’s dwell. What was the lie? And… please make it a statement that wasn’t said by a leading Democrat.
Keith stated an opinion that I disagree with, “They also need to understand that this was not part of the war on terror”
It is the jist of the liberal problem with Iraq. But the war on terror is being waged on MANY fronts and not just militarily. It isn’t just Afghanistan and then we stop. After the start of the war on Iraq we increased troops in Afghanistan despite liberals’ claims that we moved our eyes of the ball or whatever. We are wagin a war on many fronts and ALSO the terrorists themselves disagree with your opinion. But it’s ok. It’s your right to have it.
Keith stated another opinion that I disagree with, “the Marshall Plan won’t get us out of this — tough love for the Iraqis will.” Leaving… will lead to a humanitarian crisis were slaughter will be the theme. That isn’t tough love. That is irresponsible.
Keith wrote, “But, to say that troop levels have fluctuated because of what the Generals on the ground have requested is just wrong.”
Um. No. It’s fact. The President has said numerous times that he is giving the generals on the ground what they want. Additionally, the troop levels have fluctuated by the tens of thousands as the generals have asked.
Thanks for answering the question. Your solutions are. 1) Fire Rumsfeld and 2) Bring back the draft.
I disagree with both solutions but let’s say you got #1 and then #2. What would be the result of your stated solutions?
“It is the jist of the liberal problem with Iraq. But the war on terror is being waged on MANY fronts and not just militarily. It isn’t just Afghanistan and then we stop.” If that is not a bumper sticker what is?
Give me a break. No, it isn’t just Afghanistan, but we stopped there. We had our chance and Georgie blew it. He didn’t catch Osama when he could. And, on election day you won’t just think it is a “liberal problem” with Iraq. It will be a Republican problem. Yes, lots of Democrats went along with “they have weapons of mass destruction” and they didn’t have any (unless you count the ones Ronald Reagan gave them that we already degraded). I suggest you read “State of Denial — written by that writer who used to be very popular at the White House — if you want a complete list of the lies George and Company told it the run-up to this conflict.
Ah, the war on terror. Have you read the 9/11 report? If you had you would see that we are failing on all fronts in the war on terror and it will take a Democratic Congress to enact certain reforms.
The result of my solutions — hmmmm, well a draft would suggest some kind of shared sacrifice for the war effort — sort of like grandma and grandpa’s in WW II and getting rid of Rumsfeld would be a change in direction. What are your solutions??? I bet I can guess.
it will take a Democratic Congress to enact certain reforms
There’s that liberal use of Orwellian NewSpeak. For those of you having trouble with the lexicon:
reforms = RUN AWAY, it’s too hard! Give up, it’s too hard. Liberals remind me of The Whiners on the old SNL. It’s tooo haaaard. We don’t liiiikkee ittt. We don’t waaannnt to goooooo. Children attempting to be adults, without a clue as to what disipline or determination or perserverance are. And with no understanding of the cruel, meat hook realities out there in the real world. It’s nice and warn and cozy in Mom and Dad’s basement room, but the real world is seldom so benevolent.
Well then, welcome to the real world. Speaker Nancy has said that the House will pass the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission in the first 100 hours. Sounds like reform to me. Trust me, it won’t be hard at all. Something this Congress and Mr. Hastert (who I like personally very much) have failed to do. Just like they have failed to do much at all.
The cruel meat hook realities of the real world….what does that mean bucko? Is that some Rambo way of winning a discussion when you run out of facts?
Face it. The war is a mess and so is George. It’s a wonder he hasn’t started drinking again.
Pull your head out of your backside and look at our enemy. The simple fact of the matter is, you agree with their tactics, if not their goals Keith. You seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that these are violent barbarians fully capable of sawing your head off without a 2nd thought. They understand only strength, not compassion or talking or weakness, and have even more contempt for you and your kind than I do. And you are oblivious to it, you hate Republicans and conservatives more than you fear people who want to destroy you and everything you stand for. You are incapable of recognizing it.
And nice touch with the drinking claim, whatsa matter, run off the page of party approved talking points and had to improvise? None of you liberals have ever demonstrated even the remotist capacity for individual thought and creativity here. You all post the same exact points, even down to the language and phraseology. Cripes, if you ever have an original thought, or innovative and original way of saying something, send up a flare, we want to know about it, as it’ll be an event of monumental proportions!
Their evil blah, blah, blah. Who doesn’t think they are evil? Do you really think anyone does? How self righteous of you. My problem is we missed a golden opportunity to get Mr. Evil while the cowboy was chasing his father’s ghost.
Who says I hate Republicans? I married one. I work for one. But they have a healthy respect for government and history. Again with the insults…whatsa matter, can’t win on points?
And trust me, I wish he were drinking again. Then maybe he would admit his mistakes.
“Um. No. It’s fact. The President has said numerous times that he is giving the generals on the ground what they want. Additionally, the troop levels have fluctuated by the tens of thousands as the generals have asked.” Yes, he said it, but do you really believe him? If you do, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for you.
Your opinions aren’t based on fact. You have no evidence to back up your opinions based on hate.
One thing I will agree with is I think there should be more boots on the ground.
I do believe that the Generals want to “please” the president, so they don’t ask for more than they think he is really willing to give.
While I believe that if they did ask, the Presdient would give them all the support they needed, including more troops, I think the generals may be underplaying how many boots on the ground they need.
Reason I say this is there have been towns the troops have taken, but are to spread out to be able to leave troops there and hold the town, so then we have terrorists and insurgents move in and take the town back, and we end up going back in again to clean them back out.
My take, I don’t know what the real solution to this is, but I do know it is not retreating.
What would I do, if I get to play armchair quarterback like all the politicans?
Hmmm good question.
1. Do what Israel did, and lock Iraq down by sea, air and land. Kill all supplies being snuck across the borders to restock the terrorists.
2. The majority of Iraqis do not want a theocracy, nor sharia law, but what needs to be done is having the different factions pick small delegations, meet and begin dialog so this doesn’t turn into a civil war.
3. Let more Milbloggers get the word out. I see too much inaccurate, biased and plain dis-information and propaganda for the terrorists being played in the media. The MSM is no longer the only information sources out there. Get bloggers involved heavily, allowing those who want to imbed with troops to do so. Remove CNN from the imbeds. While I am sure they believe they are only reporting the news, what they have taken and shown was propaganda from the terrorists, ahnd delivered to them by the terrorists.
Tell me, what would have happened in the media if they had done that during the war, filmed say McCain being tortured and put it up on the airwaves?
4. I would strike out against all who brought up the Draft, laying into them on what would actually happen if we did do something so stupid as this.
5. Once we have the troops needed, with Iraqi forces taking the lead, begin sweeps of all houses and towns. We are the most technological army in the world, we should be able to pin point many things. Lets get to work and use that technology. Search for tunnels, bunkers, weapon caches…ect.
During these sweeps, since Mosques have been special places to have them store weapons and things and shoot at troops from, those too would need to be searched. A little different tact though would be to inlist and get support fro mthe clerics, using the Iraqis themselevs as intermediaries to convince the clerics that what terrorists are doing in Mosques is sacrilege.
6. I would turn loose the full investigative force to find the leakers of national security, secret and classified information to the media. Those found guilty should have the maximum sentence imposed.
7. I would also go after the MSM and put them on trial if they have knowingly endangered US citizens or our allies and/or published known leaked classified material. Make it known to all media outlets this will not be tolerated, especially in a time of war, publishing classified material and if they are uncertain then they damn well better start checking sources and making sure it is alright to run with it.
8. Media likes to sway public opinion by using propaganda fed to them by terrorists. I would start a campaign of propaganda of good news on what is happening also. With as much going on, no good news is ever reported, joe public only hears how many dead. they don’t hear of heroic actions of the soldiers, the saving of children, the building of schools and plants, ect. I would make sure that becomes public and widely spread for everyone to know also.
These are just some of the things I was thinking about as I wrote this…
Meanwhile, for roadside bombs triggered by cellphones….I was curious, why cant we using any kind of jamming or white noise generators to block all signals to such devices? Put white noise generators on all vehicles and have it jam the signal if it is sent while the convoy is rolling over a IED.
Just thoughts on what could be done, since i had my little chance of playing armchair quarterback like the politicians…heh
As a Memphian – I feel the need to make some observations regarding the above mentioned act by Harold Ford Jr.
This was simply politial grandstanding in response to other family related issues being reported locally. Personally- I do not like the fact that Bob Corker is using his family against him – I’m just a little mystified as to why Harold Ford is choosing to handle these things in a new way. His uncle’s soap opera is not new news, as well as his Aunt’s issues with dead voters. In the earlier cases – he distanced himself from them without condemning or condoning – a noble gesture showing that he is his own person. It even made me consider voting for him very seriously especially when the first of Corkers ads began to play. But then – he responded from a church in like manner – (I don’t care about the church/state issue – just feel that church and politics simply do not mix). Now he is being confrontational – but as I said before it is simply creating a greater controversy to hide other things happening the same day and reported in the media. His Uncle John was in court for not paying child support to someone he has never been married to while his ex-wife gets less child support and she is unhappy. His younger brother – Jake – is running as an independent against Harold’s own party. The Commercial Appeal ran stories about his brother’s arrests on drug possession charges and DUI – Jake’s response was that all the charges were dropped and the drugs were not his – that he was not to blame. Harold Ford Jr was afraid of these meda reports and what they would do to his race – so he created a media event of his own to outshine the others. Quite smart and calculating – makes me think he is not the one for the job. Sometimes when we want something so badly (as he evidently does) we do things less objectively – if he had simply stuck to the issues and ignored Mr Corker – he would have won my vote -but not now.
Very interesting Johnny. Thanks for the detailed info on the local politics, it always is interestng when someone close enough to the race to know what’s happening checks in.