Good freaking grief:
Barack Obama gave an interesting description of Iran and the threat it poses to the United States and our national interests at an appearance in Oregon last night. “They don’t pose a serious threat to us in the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us,” Obama told a cheering audience, explaining why he doesn’t think we need to worry about “tiny” countries like Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.
There’s video of Obama’s remarks at that link. Will he view the responses that are sure to follow from McCain and other Republicans as a “distraction“?
In other Obama news, he’s declared controversial remarks made by his wife while she was on the campaign trail off limits. Jake Tapper wonders if this means the DNC will stop picking on Cindy McCain for refusing to release her tax returns.
Wha? Consistency? Certainly he jests!
In general, I am not fond of seeing family members of candidates and politicians being made the focus of any opposition campaigns, especially if the family member is pretty much a non-controversial figure (like Dick Cheney’s daughter - we all know how Kedwards shamelessly tried to use her in the 2004 campaign) just out there supporting their guy (or gal). But when you put yourself out there on the level that Michelle Obama frequently has, and make controversial remarks, you’re going to be subjected to scrutiny, particularly when you are downing this country as MO has a habit of doing.
Laura Bush herself was the subject of scrutiny - by other Republicans/conservatives when she was promoting breast cancer in the Middle East and was photographed next to women in burkas. She was also taken to task by Republicans/conservatives over remarks she made about GOPr’s who opposed the nomination of Harriet Miers. These were controversial things she said/did, and as a result, she was called to the carpet for it.
Now, the far left has been after Laura Bush for years. Sometimes the criticisms have been valid, but more often I’ve found that they are flat out repulsive. There’s a way to go about criticizing the candidate’s spouse/other relatives without stooping to a certain level. But declaring discussion of their remarks/positions on the issues off limits? Um, no.
I can’t comment on the TN GOP anti-Michelle Obama ad that is in question because I haven’t seen it, but I would say even without seeing it that from a strategical standpoint, it’s probably not a great move because it focuses on the candidate’s wife and not him - and in the south in particular one might find a minor backlash from those who believe it’s not right for the TN GOP to be running ads about Obama’s wife, since she’s not the one running for president. Michelle Obama’s negative remarks about this country are something that should make the rounds amongst the pundits, bloggers, and other political junkies - that stuff has a way of filtering down to people who otherwise wouldn’t know about it. Officially, I think the GOP - both state parties and national, would be better off sticking to the candidate himself. IMO, of course.
Anyone seen the ad? If so, what do you think?
Related: McQ asks a great question: if spouses are supposed to be completely off limits, what about Bill Clinton? The same rules are doubtful to apply because 1) we’re talking about Barry O. here, where double standards rule the day and 2) Bill Clinton is not a female spouse (and is also a former prez.). Hate to say it, but we all know that’s how the game is going to be played out in the MSM.
Update: Sez McCain in Chicago this morning:
“Before I begin my prepared remarks, I want to respond briefly to a comment Senator Obama made yesterday about the threat posed to the United States by the Government of Iran. Senator Obama claimed that the threat Iran poses to our security is “tiny” compared to the threat once posed by the former Soviet Union. Obviously, Iran isn’t a superpower and doesn’t possess the military power the Soviet Union had. But that does not mean that the threat posed by Iran is insignificant. On the contrary, right now Iran provides some of the deadliest explosive devices used in Iraq to kill our soldiers. They are the chief sponsor of Shia extremists in Iraq, and terrorist organizations in the Middle East. And their President, who has called Israel a “stinking corpse,” has repeatedly made clear his government’s commitment to Israel’s destruction. Most worrying, Iran is intent on acquiring nuclear weapons. The biggest national security challenge the United States currently faces is keeping nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists. Should Iran acquire nuclear weapons, that danger would become very dire, indeed. They might not be a superpower, but the threat the Government of Iran poses is anything but “tiny.”
“Senator Obama has declared, and repeatedly reaffirmed his intention to meet the President of Iran without any preconditions, likening it to meetings between former American Presidents and the leaders of the Soviet Union. Such a statement betrays the depth of Senator Obama’s inexperience and reckless judgment. Those are very serious deficiencies for an American president to possess. An ill conceived meeting between the President of the United States and the President of Iran, and the massive world media coverage it would attract, would increase the prestige of an implacable foe of the United States, and reinforce his confidence that Iran’s dedication to acquiring nuclear weapons, supporting terrorists and destroying the State of Israel had succeeded in winning concessions from the most powerful nation on earth. And he is unlikely to abandon the dangerous ambitions that will have given him a prominent role on the world stage.
“This is not to suggest that the United States should not communicate with Iran our concerns about their behavior. Those communications have already occurred at an appropriate level, which the Iranians recently suspended. But a summit meeting with the President of the United States, which is what Senator Obama proposes, is the most prestigious card we have to play in international diplomacy. It is not a card to be played lightly. Summit meetings must be much more than personal get-acquainted sessions. They must be designed to advance American interests. An unconditional summit meeting with the next American president would confer both international legitimacy on the Iranian president and could strengthen him domestically when he is unpopular among the Iranian people. It is likely such a meeting would not only fail to persuade him to abandon Iran’s nuclear ambitions; its support of terrorists and commitment to Israel’s extinction, it could very well convince him that those policies are succeeding in strengthening his hold on power, and embolden him to continue his very dangerous behavior. The next President ought to understand such basic realities of international relations.”
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Well you idiot, don’t have her out on the campaign trail saying stupid stuff. It is well known that Terry Kerry was more of a detirment to J. F’ing, than she was a benefit. Also, isn’t this the party, whose pundits had some pagent between Laura Bush and Hilary, and Laura lost cuz she is to prim and proper?? Shut up Barry you goofball. How can people be this deceived?? How can they not see this guy for what he is, just another politician. If anyone can show me some form a “change”, I would dearly appreciate it. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 5/19/2008 - 12:17 pm
“They don’t pose a serious threat to us in the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us,”
The Soviet Union understood and feared death by retaliation -the Islamists see death for martredom as a free path to Allah!
Comment by Don L @ 5/19/2008 - 12:27 pm
I am a liberal and a Democrat who has been sickened by the media slant towards Obama, and the attempts to coronate him as the Democratic nominee.
I wanted to add my voice to the chorus pointing out Obama’s hypocrisy over attacking candidates’ spouses. Barack and Michelle have tried to smear Bill Clinton as racist and ‘angry,’ his campaign has distorted and maligned Clinton’s record, and his campaign has insulted the very demographic groups that propelled Clinton into office, the very same ones now supporting Hillary.
Just travel over to the left blogosphere or turn on Air America to see what Obama supporters spend their time doing inside their bubble: slandering the spouses of candidates (including both Bill Clinton and Cindy McCain) and the candidates themselves. And yet Michelle Obama’s seething hatred of whites, of the Clintons, of America itself, is off-limits? Not to this Democrat.
Comment by Frank @ 5/19/2008 - 1:26 pm
I watched the beginning of Obama’s speech this morning, before deciding I’d rather do my daily walk. What I did see was frightening - Obama really does see himself as a Man of Destiny, and appears to share Michelle’s delusion that we are electing a Priest-King.
The only Change I want is less government, but I hold out no Hope for it.
Comment by Steve Skubinna @ 5/19/2008 - 3:31 pm
How’s this for a slogan,”A vote for the Obamas is a vote for no separation of church and hate”. Who is he to tell the opposition how to run their campaigns? Can’t mention his Pastor of 20 years. Can’t mention anti-American remarks made by his wife. Can’t even mention his middle name. Think of what will happen to conservative talk radio if this crew gets into power.
Comment by Tom TB @ 5/19/2008 - 4:02 pm
I dunno, guys. I think we’ve been going about this all wrong. I mean, think of it, if Obama is elected gas prices will plummet.
If Obama is elected, terrorist attacks on our country, and our interests will cease. If Obama is elected, the environment will instantly become better. If Obama is elected, the economy will flourish and the poor will suddenly become rich, with a BMW in every garage. If Obama is elected, race relations will improve to stunning levels.
I mean, since all of these things are President Bush fault, with Obama in office, they will all improve.
Joy!!
Comment by NC Cop @ 5/19/2008 - 5:24 pm
Evidence that Obama’s “new politics” is a fraud continues to mount. The American Spectator reports:
Old-fashioned political hard-ball? No, it couldn’t be - not with the new Messiah.
Oh “yes they can”:
Will someone explain to me exactly how this quid-pro-quo backroom dealing is a “new” way of running for office?
And you’ll just love this about Harris:
This guy is so far out on the extreme left wing he makes John Kerry look like Jesse Helms. The easiest thing the McCain campaign will have to do all year is painting him as a dangerously naive radical.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 5/19/2008 - 6:31 pm
NC that is some very good points, after all during the Clinton years we had all of those things. It was that blasted George Bush and his tax cuts that ruined it for everyone.
Same old change we can believe in.
Ain’t no different that what Clinton promised us so many years ago. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 5/19/2008 - 6:34 pm
WOW GWR, That does seem more like a Clinton thing to do than the savior of the world. Honestly tho, not unexpected from these people. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 5/19/2008 - 6:44 pm
Oh Hell ! Obama is Not the problem he’s only a puppet ! DAVID AXELROD is the Puppet Master the Organ Grinder and the voice behind the curtian… and he ( AXELROD ) is about as goofey as they come.
Comment by ron @ 5/19/2008 - 11:00 pm
I’ve seen the ad. Here’s a link to the ad that my husband put on his blog: http://sdo1.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-lay-off-my-wife-yeah-as-if.html
I didn’t see anything wrong with the ad–but then every time Michelle speaks I get ticked off –so I may be biased against her–well yes, I’m biased against her and her husband. Their rhetoric gets more wack-a-doodle as the days go by.
Comment by Lee Owens @ 5/20/2008 - 2:39 am
Lee, thanks for the link.
I think it’s a great ad, if a little long. You can see why Obama doesn’t want this ad shown. Not once does anyone directly criticize his wife. Instead, ordinary Tennesseans simply tell why they are proud of America, and the contrast with her comments is devastating.
What kind of things do these people say that are “low class” or “detestable”?
And, of course, the closing tag line:
Because, you know, Obama’s plan to “heal our differences” begins with demonizing anyone who disagrees with him. Some plan.
So now simply saying you’re proud of America is off-limits, according to the Anointed One. Maybe he can have Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright draw up a list of what you ARE allowed to say about America - you know, comments that aren’t “detestable”.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 5/20/2008 - 11:08 am