Chris Matthews Show: Doesn't Matter What You Do, The GOP (And The Media) Will Make Wright An Issue
By Nicole Belle Saturday May 03, 2008 11:11am
Reality clearly has no place in politics. Because no matter how many times Barack Obama disavows Rev. Wright's words, the GOP and by extension, their complicit allies in the media (that's right, Russert, I'm talking about you) will not let it go and will continue to measure Obama by Rev. Wright's words. The crazy part about it is how for the most part, Wright hasn't said anything that most Americans--if they ever got to hear the full thing in context--would disagree with. Nor are they any more inflammatory than words spoken by conservative Christians leaders like Hagee, Robertson or Falwell. Yet, despite these facts, as the Meter Question on The Chris Matthews Show prove, the media is not ready to let this one go.
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Heather)
Matthews asks his panel of Andrea Morehead, Kim Genardo and Michael Duffy whether the GOP will continue to make Wright an issue. Listen carefully to their responses, because it absolutely is a microcosm of the media narratives that refuse to be broken. Duffy knows the GOP will use it (duh, look at NC), but John McCain is above it all (gotta love that Media/McSame Man-love). Morehead acknowledges that Barack Obama has tried to separate himself from Wright and focus on his platform, but Genardo just doesn't think it's enough.
Duffy: There’s no question they’ll come after him any way they can. And everyone who supports Obama will get a version of this too. They’ll be asked to account for it, they’ll be asked to put some distance between them. McCain himself will probably say something like “I’m not going to make Rev. Wright’s views an issue,” but he’s made it already clear that he disagrees with him, so I think you can expect the entire Republican establishment to make this issue #1—unless something better comes along.
Matthews: Can a brilliant politician – Barack included, perhaps, perhaps – turn this around? Can he show that he’s different? So different from the Rev. Wright that he should be elected President?
Morehead: I think he’s already shown that. He’s already said before that he does not believe what Wright said, he was at church—was not at church that day. But obviously, he’s someone who says, “I want to bring the country together, let’s get beyond this issue of being divisive. Let’s talk about what we have more in common than what we have in terms of our differences,” So I think he’s going to be able to use this as a way to bring the country together, as opposed to using this as a division the Republicans and McCain are trying to use this for.
Matthews: Does everyone agree with that? That he can turn this around or he’s just going to have to cut his losses?
Genardo: I don’t. I interviewed him the other day and I don’t think he distanced himself far enough from his pastor, actually telling me all the great things he had done on the South Side of Chicago. Rev. Wright, that is. I don’t know, politically, you’d think he’d have to come out and really condemn his remarks and I know we already got him—got rid of him on his faith and values team, but is that enough? I don’t think so.
By the way, despite what the media will have you believe, Rev. Wright doesn't even rate on top issues for voters. But hey, that would mean doing their job and actually not just play mouthpiece for Republicans.
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Thinking the Republicans won't use this over and over may make Obama supporters sleep better, but they must have been asleep the last 20 years if they think this won't come up again and again.
Wright is the core part of the narrative they've begun to create for Obama. They will beat it into the ground.
Obama will ultimately loose the November election, I guarantee it. People are terribly naive if they think Rev. Wright was the only dirt the GOP has on Barack. They will get much more ruthless and as history has shown, negative attack ads work. The most depressing part is that many Obama supporters see this coming and are already laying the groundwork for a backup meme: that Obama's loss was due to the evil, ruthless nature of Billary. I'm not kidding, they are actually now going to blame Obama's loss on Hillary (whom they call "the evil bitch"). The Democratic Party is basically through.
Can you imagine John F. Kennedy running in 2008 and having to answer the queston why he stuck for twenty years in a Church that concealed its knowledge that it had a pedophile priest problem? Charlie Rangle today, a Clinton supporter, smacked Blitzer squarely in the jaw today on this Wright scam.
Obama's Coat Tails are certainly having an effect on 20 year old GOP strong holds...
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&tab=wn&q=CAZAYOUX+Obama
Super Delegates should pay attention...
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html
LisaCCollins @ 2:
I just love the positive attitude you present to us.
#2: Obama will ultimately loose the November election, I guarantee it. People are terribly naive if they think Rev. Wright was the only dirt the GOP has on Barack. They will get much more ruthless and as history has shown, negative attack ads work. The most depressing part is that many Obama supporters see this coming and are already laying the groundwork for a backup meme: that Obama’s loss was due to the evil, ruthless nature of Billary. I’m not kidding, they are actually now going to blame Obama’s loss on Hillary (whom they call “the evil bitch”). The Democratic Party is basically through."
I agree and maybe it's a good thing that the Democratic Party as we know it is through. With "nuke 'em" Hillary at the helm, it certainly has become "Republican Light."
When educated, liberal white guys like me, who also happen to support Obama, you know, the "elitists", walk away from her in November, you know the party is is over.
LisaCCollins @ 2:
If a non-issue like this is enough to elect John McCain, then the American people deserve another 30 years of Bush. And you know what, they probably do.
Also, do I detect a troll in the board.
"Obama will ultimately loose the November election, I guarantee it. People are terribly naive if they think Rev. Wright was the only dirt the GOP has on Barack. They will get much more ruthless and as history has shown, negative attack ads work. The most depressing part is that many Obama supporters see this coming and are already laying the groundwork for a backup meme: that Obama’s loss was due to the evil, ruthless nature of Billary. I’m not kidding, they are actually now going to blame Obama’s loss on Hillary (whom they call “the evil bitch”). The Democratic Party is basically through."
In your dreams, Lisa...
We have not yet begun to fight. McCain will be trying stanch the bleeding of a thousand cuts from his own flip flops.
The Obama campaign just keeps handing out red meat to the republicans.
But that's better than the government cheese the republicans hand out.
Although both are high in cholesterol.
Genardo: "I don’t. I interviewed him the other day and I don’t think he distanced himself far enough from his pastor,"
Is this guy kidding?
The only way he could "distance himself" any further would be to challenge Wright to a dual.
Reverends Wright and Hagee to Collaborate on Global Warming Commercial
They framed it as a judgement issue and it is a loser.
"duel" that is.
The Democrats need to Start HAMMERING the Republicans about Robertson/Hagee/Falwel.
We need to remind them that they are mostly being Racist by only getting on a Black pastor, while the others White Pastors get off with not only saying anything but Doing anything.
(like getting caught with young boys, using crank for sex etc.)
7 IndridCold
No that's not trollery, but it's also not considering other factors such as mccain tripping up.
Obama may not "loose" the election, but he has lost his inviobility factor.
Of course if the they didn't have some meaningless dribble to push, they'd have to actually, like, discuss the issues that are important to this nation.
LisaCCollins @ 2:
I haven't heard about anyone laying the groundwork for an Obama loss. As far as dirt on Obama, I am sure the Clinton campaign has dug and dug and this Wright issue is as close as they can get. Oh, I do believe that should Obama get the nomination the 527's will start a swiftboat campaign, no doubt about it. But at the end of the day,(no crystal ball just opinion) I think people are ready for change. The media is going to play a big role in this effort to change politics, it doesn't benefit them. So far the media has given McCain a virtually free ride on his gaffes, his preacher Hagee, and his stand on economics. Should this continue into the General Elections, it won't matter who the Dem candidate is, the media will only push those issues favorable to McCain.
This is O'Bama's fault. He did two things.
2) He understood Wrights effect in 2007 and kept him away from his announcement that he was going to run for president - in Springfield - and then lied about Wrights importance in his life with his initial response in 2008.
1) He gave Wright gravitas with the tone of his response. That alone is enough to interest both the media and the republicans.
I happen to agree with Wright - but absend O'Bama's implicit endorsement, no one would be listening to him now.
The media has to keep this story going, other wise
they will be forced to start examing McCains problems
instead of giving him a free ride.
Obama's nomination is a done deal and they know it,
they are just laying the ground work so they can tear him down in the fall. Do the names Al Gore and John Kerry ring a bell?
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 14:
So true. Howard Dean, are you listening?
Folks, this isn't dirty pool. This is fighting the war with the weapons we've got. USE THEM!
LisaCCollins @ 2:
KyleXY @ 1:
Is there any thread immune to the bickering between the two Democrats' camps?
There might be a few Rip van Winkles on the Obama team, but most people know that the Wright issue will be a recurring theme should Obama win the nomination. And if Clinton wins the nomination, the Republicans are going to smear her too. They'll bring up old scandals, new scandals, fake scandals -- whatever they can dream up, they will bring up. Repeatedly. Saying it so many times that even Democrats start to believe it. It's how the slimy, Atwateran, Rovian brain works, and it's the only thing Republicans are any good at.
If you really want to "guarantee" a loss for the Democratic nominee in the fall, keep bickering, go on the wild goose chase for the "electable" candidate as defined by immunity to Swiftboating, refuse to unite or vote if your preferred candidate loses, and forget the lesson of this post -- it's the Democrats against the Republicans AND THE MEDIA.
LisaCCollins @ 2:
uhm, are you selling a used car? Will you excuse me if I don't take your "guarantee"? No kidding!
Aside from the trollish flavor of the post, I am sick and tired of the end-of-the-world ultimatums given us by misguided (and often racist..., oh sure, it's not them, it's the other racist Americans they are talking about) Hillary supporters...
When the empress decides to finally abdicate (what a sunny day that will be!), and when Obama can focus on McCain, then and only then will we see the full power of Obama against what is basically an unelectable and fatally-flawed republican.
Have some faith folks, Yes we can, and we will.
oh, and btw, Hardball was painful to watch and Rather was way off in his analysis... Maybe he should stay of the puns a bit and focus on debunking spin... Why is he playing along with the obvious spin cycle?
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LisaCCollins @ 2:
Riiiiiiight, so basically we should give up now, switch to Hillary... because
a) she is losing the primary, and b) the GOP obviously will give a free pass on Hillary.
It makes perfect sense, thanks!
In fact the Democrats should just run candidates who are pre-approved by the GOP. Right?
So chapeau to you, Ma'am... not.
Or maybe, just maybe... most people will not give a rat's ass about Rev. Wright. Because with gas at $4 per gallon, the economy in the toilet, and unwinnable war, healthcare that no one can afford, etc, etc... with all that, it doesn't matter that the GOPers like you try to make tangential issues the "vane" of a candidate like Obama. Because he gets a nice endorsement everyone a middle class person hits the ATM and checks their balance.
It is funny to see the conservative movement fade into irrelevance. I am looking forward to next January, to see collective heads explode when the GOP is trying to realize what the fuck happened when McCain lost big and wide.
"Wright just won't go away. He keeps poping up on the news. Obama is saddled with Wright. Wright is being talked about by the media everyday. How are the polls on Obama's relationship with Reverend Wright? What do you think about Wright? How will this affect Obama? Why won't this story go away?"
-Typical Corporate Media Mouth Piece.
ysbaddaden @ 15:
Don't think he ever had an inviolability factor. The media and the right wing just hadn't found anything they could pin on him. They complained that they couldn't criticize him without sounding racist, so what do they do? Try to label him a as some kind of closet racist himself, by associating him with someone who discusses race issues using vocabulary the American sheeple are not used to.
Also, I'm beginning to suspect there IS allot of trolling going on in Liberal blogs, and we got to start waking up to it. I wouldn't be surprised if we got some freepers here pretending to be Hillary or Barack suporters and saying sh*t to piss-off the other side.
SO PLEASE GUYS, PLEASE. LETS STOP PROVOKING EACH OTHER WITH USELESS NAME CALLING.
DON'T REPEAT THE NAMES YOU HEAR FROM "THE OTHER SIDE".
Last time I checked we are all sick of Bush and we want something different.
One of the main complaint churches have about political campaigns is that's the only time they see the politicians. They're members of convenience only.
A lot of these evangelicals in question either don't have the politicians regularly in their pews, or don't even have a physical church, but broadcast systems.
People see Wright's "Goddamn America," as that in just two words, even out of context and in only one sermon, being both anti-American and blasphemous, since being delivered in church from the pulpit. If Wright just had the intelligence to insert the qualifier, God (will) damn America, that would be more in keeping with the history of such ministers as Jonathan Edwards, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."
The rationalizations other black ministers have used to justify the phrase are that white people don't understand the history of the black church, makes it sound like all black churches use such phrases. A howl of protest would follow if a white apologist said that about the black churches.
And unlike the convenient religion of other politicians, Obama belonged to this church for over 20 years. And this expression can be used in conjunction with Michelle Obama's now she has a reason to be proud of America quote.
The good part of this nonsensical "controversy" is the Evangelicals are releasing a document denouncing their own overly partisanship, possibly as a response.
It's interesting to see in this clip just how close the talking heads come to saying, "The Republicans will keep talking about Wright. Thus, we will too."
Thanks for the link to his ACTUAL sermon. While I don't agree with all of the god talk, I agree with pretty much everything else he says. I am not surprised that much of the world hates us for what we have done, I'm really only surprised that they haven't banded together and wiped us off the face of the earth for their own protection.
As far as the msm are concerned this really has nothing to do with what Rev Wright said. What this is really about is a person of color becoming president. The msm could give a shit what some black preacher said if Obama wasn't running for president, thats why hagee or any of the other white wingnut preachers get any coverage. The power elite and the msm fear the thought of a man of color getting into the white house, unless he's the butler. Racism is alive and well in america both on the left and the right, all you have to do is see some of the comments on this site and other left leaning blogs.
anon @ 18:
Anyone who plays with someone's name is up to something. It is Obama.
Mr. Obama, the honorable Mr. Obama, and President Obama.
On the other hand, it is McMad Hatter. Or McFull of Sh!t.
Do you take my drift.
fastfeat @ 20:
Unfortunately Dean is tied until the primary gets resolved.
It is quite telling that Obama's campaign has to fight both McCain and Hillary at the same time.
Which is basically why I am pretty much done with Hillary, just please fucking leave us alone.
The media hasn't changed since Bush rode over them almost eight years ago. Remember Bush refusing to speak about anything he deemed "inappropriate". While the media took delight in "examining" the 527's allegations, they were virtually silent in asking Bush tough and pertinent questions.
I see this happening again with McCain. They could and should start really asking McCain about some of his recent flip-flops but no they are too enamored in pushing the Wright issue, it sells almost as good as "white woman kidnapped".
LisaCCollins @ 2:
THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN. YOU CAN SHUT THE FUCK UP NOW.
aquarius2 @ 32:
I would agree with you except that it started with Reagan.
jace @ 19:
Isn't that the truth.
But Obama is different from Kerry and Gore. He doesn't just roll over and piss himself when attacked. And unlike 2000 and 2004, the public is starting to actually feel uncomfortable, proving that the frog-boiling metaphor doesn't quite work. People know something's up and if we don't get competent leadership into our government we are in trouble.
The press' continual attempts to deliberately derail the Obama campaign are also having a major effect on their own credibility. People are starting to see what hacks and losers they are. Nothing would please me more than to see Matthews and Russert on the bread line. Assholes. Not to mention the entire cast of Fox News.
Alice (formerly Hussein, live free of the Borg or die) @ 30:
Love him do ya?
I have explained this before - but for those that missed it and decided to get pissy here it is again.
Mr. O'Bama is a Harvard lawyer. I dont think much of lawyers in general. The spelling is an allusion to Harvard and Boston (and their cliched Irish roots).
He IS NOT Martin Luther King Jr. He is a Harvard lawyer running for political office. Clinton is a Yaley puke and lawyer. (I have had experiences with Yaleys)
Calling me a troll is nothing less than using a purjorative. May as well call me a n****r. Site Monitor: Don't use this word, it automatically goes into moderation.
To me - and it makes my point - he is Mr. O'Bama.
#34 xoites
LOL, excuse me. Being a typical voter with short memory/attention span I only go as far back as Bush. :)
slippy hussein toad @ 33:
Not to worry, she's just another hit and run troll. Drop her little troll bomb and then run away.
25 IndridCold Says:
Also, I’m beginning to suspect there IS allot of trolling going on in Liberal blogs...
_______________________________________________________________________
Indubitably, John Amato even warned us this was coming a few months ago in one of this threads.
I think one of the Friday night political shows on PBS mentioned it just this weekend.
I'm just saying, I don't think IndridCold has tipped their hand yet as to being a troll or not, because except for some Earl Scheib like phrase, it was fairly reasonable.
What I think is more trollery is when they come on the site to say I used to support so-and-so but now I support this one, and often resorting to name calling and conspiracy mongering for the candidate they disagree with and the other commenters herein that support the opposition.
In fact, I tend to view terms like sheeple as bordering on trollery, and LOLand ROFL when not in reference to an actual humorous comment.
My dial-up will probably not connect anymore on this thread.
slippy hussein toad @ 33:
If the Democratic Party is basically through that would mean we live under a one party system. A one party system can not and will not last, especially a Republican one. It will be too top heavy and fall over. They have peoven incapable of rational judgement. They can not install showers without electrocuting the users. They go to war on "gut feelings" and put their "faith" in a supreme fairy tale.
So let the Republicans have enough rope and either they will collapse from their own wieght or they will kill us all. The odds are 50-50.
Who cares? Let's remember that we give power to this crap only if we care and respond positively to the spin, etc. I long for the day when people can think without media instructions.
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 39:
Sad thing is, republicans and their sick world view do have support. That probably tips the odds away from even.
Quick summation of the perpetuation of "the Reverend Wright controversy":
33 slippy hussein toad
D'ja spill pancake syrup on your keyboard again?
Your keys seem stuck.
Rico @ 3:
The Republicans the party of pedophiles, thieves and hypocrites.
neat video that should be on mainstream TV every day 6pm.
Matthews' Mouth: Can a brilliant politician –
Matthews' Mouth: Barack included,
Matthews' Mouth: perhaps, perhaps –
Matthews' Mouth: turn this around?
The Republicans manufacture both support and the illusion of support through their control of the Corporate Media. Their control of the Mainstream Media must end if we are to get on with the job of becoming a functioning society, let alone a democracy.
Most or All of the MSM need to constantly copulate with each other. They are on 24/7 and think they must fill every minute with minutiae. Once they get anything that smells they are like dogs and have to start humping.
What we CAN do is to write to the media and let them know.
Complaining to Each Other on here does nothing, but if we and all our families and friends start a letter writing campaign that will make a difference.
The Republicans have so many fundamental things that can be used as a club:
1) the 'War' in Iraq swindle
2) the Pentagon Propaganda swindle
3) the Investment Banker bailout swindle
4) the economy is BUSTED STUPID, swindle
5) the torture is bad for your standing among your international friends swindle
6) the warrantless wiretapping steal my business plans, intellectual property rights etc swindle
On and on, the problem is that Corporate Media has concealed the facts about these swindles. Hell, it is their buddies they would be talking about.
It is no wonder they want to focus on Jeremiah Wright 24/7.
What self respecting (there's an ironic thought for you) Republican would dare let any of those swindles become common knowledge.
The task for the Democrats is to get the word out. If you can find enough of them that aren't involved themselves.
Obama has stayed on the high ground. When the money flows for the 527s something can be done. If there is a will to do it.
Or we could just talk about Jeremiah Wright and John Hagee.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ Says:
The Democrats need to Start HAMMERING the Republicans about Robertson/Hagee/Falwel.
We need to remind them that they are mostly being Racist by only getting on a Black pastor, while the others White Pastors get off with not only saying anything but Doing anything.
(like getting caught with young boys, using crank for sex etc.)
Bob's post bears repeating. And this morning, Tim Russert was again bringing it up with Obama on Meet the Press. Instead of pointing out to Russert that the commercial media keep Wright front and center while ignoring Hagee, Parsley, and Robertson, Obama just kept falling into their trap, defending himself, and not pointing out the hypocrisy of Russert and McCain. Allowing the commercial media and their Republican ownership to control the conversation, keeping the Democrats on the defensive, will cost them another election.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 47:
Write the media?
You must be joking.
Maybe Barack should send his goons to gun down Reverend Wright?
This is the last straw for me...I will NOT be voting for Rev. Wright!
I was going to ...but now I'm not!(roll-eyes)
That is how the media needs to be responded to...like the simpletons they are.They keep asking Obama and his supporters to answer for Rev. Wright and WE DON'T GIVE A FUK about him!
Enough! Stop answering them...berate them for asking...is it so hard...or are Obama and his supporters afraid of/owned by MSM?
I live in Indiana and have had a fairly easy time convincing nearly a dozen people to vote for Obama.
I have heard NOT ONE PERSON voice concern over what Wright said.
The MSM are playing the ultimate concern troll and I can't speak for ALL Hoosiers BUT most of us are not as dumb as they wish we were.
I will be cancelling my cable in protest of cable news!
Alice (formerly Hussein, live free of the Borg or die) @ 48:
When you are done with that list here is some of the rest.
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 50:
Letter writing campaigns have been successful in forcing people off the air. The MSM is all about money, the money comes from sponsors. If the sponsors feel that we wont buy their shit because of what is on the stations they are advertising on ...
We can't take the attitude that nothing can be done, that's how we got here.
The fact that Candy Crowley on CNN today can say in one breath that no matter what happens in the remaining contests, that going into the Democratic convention it's a numerical certainty that Obama will lead in the number of pledged delegates and the number of states won, and most likely the number of popular votes, and then just seconds after that say that anything can still happen, that Hillary is still in this, and it's all still too close to call, makes me wonder as a Democratic voter, "Why bother?"
Back to the original topic, if it weren't Rev. Wright, it'd be Rev. Wrong, or some other bogeyman. Either way, there'd be something out there to help ensure we have a Hillary v. McCain contest in November.
Please by all means keep attacking on the issue. It will make them look the buffoons they are, Obama can properly cast light on the fact they are attacking something he already denounced, and are attacking nothing of significance and shows they just want more of the same old crap we have had for the last 8 years.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 55:
It may be affective in forcing some people off the air over time, but the problem goes much, much deeper than who is the least popular mouth piece today. GE owns NBC and is making billions off the wars we fight and the wars we will fight. War is a big money maker for the news media. This bullshit they are hyping about Wright is fueling ever more expensive ad campaigns between Hillary and Obama. They can find the nicest people in the world to spew thier bullshit for them but it will still be bullshit.
It always was a rigged game -- how could Obama not know that?
What he should have said was this: "Rev. Wright is a passionate man and I am honored to call him my friend."
Period. Because they are going to hang Wright around his neck no matter what he says, why not be a mensch and stand up for him?
LisaCCollins @ 2:
Rev Wright is "dirt" that the GOP has on Obama ?
Compared to Hagee , Robertson et al , he is an insignificant speck.
BTW
The party that has fucked up the US the past 7 years was voted out of power in November for a reason , aqnd that will continue this November ; and you're claiming the Dem party is "basically through" ?
And you're claiming others are
?
Good call............
Sadie Baker @ 59:
Obviously you don't understand how the MSM works.
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 58:
Point Taken, but we still should write and show our displeasure. Ratings are EVERYTHING!
I'll tell you that over here the American and Europeans Ex-Pats I run into daily know bullshit from news. One day I'd like to come home to the America we ALL Loved, but ..... it's a good thing I like Asia.
LisaCCollins @ 2:
Uh, Lisa? It was the Clinton campaign that first played the race card against Obama. It was the Clinton campaign that got the Rev Wright booked to speak before the National Press Club. It was Hillary who once responded that "As far as she knew" Obama wasn't a Muslim - this about a man who was her colleague in the Senate. So yeah, hate to burst your bubble, but Hillary is running one dirty, mean-assed campaign. Sorry if you can't face that, but that's the way it is.
If most of america is still getting their news from the msm, then we are screwed. I don't believe even the magical being can save a country of fat,lazy dumb fucks from their own stupidity. He who controls tv controls the stupid! When did humans lose our ability to recognize a dirty rat when we see one no matter how many times we see them or what kind of squeaking they did? You don't need a scorecard to tell you that Haggie is a screwball or mccain is a punk or bush is a coward, it's written on their faces for all to see if you just look. Each one of us has a built in radar to detect danger and /or rats and although it may be inhibited by disuse or neglect and the msm, it is a vital tool we must dust off and initiate immediately if we are to save ourselves and our country! CEO
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 10, 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made the following jaw-dropping statement: "We were attacked from Afghanistan in 2001, and we are at war in Afghanistan today, in no small measure because of mistakes this government made--mistakes I among others made in the end game of the anti-Soviet war there some 20 years ago."
With this statement gates validates the "chickens come home to roost" focus of Wrights sermons. Why isn't there a demand for bush or mcsame to distance themselves from him.
TV News networks are commercial enterprises. A TV news segment featuring Rev. Wright generates bigger TV ratings and more advertising dollars than all discussions about tax policy, health care, social security, home mortgage crisis, Iraq, and gas prices combined. Rev Wright will be front row center in the mainstream media for the next 6 months.
Sadie Baker @ 59:
I don't think you've been paying attention to current events. If Obama had stood up for Rev Wright, then he would have been portrayed by the MSM as being an American hater who is friends with a racist. If he distances himself from Wright (which is what he ultimately did) then he's portrayed as a coward with no prinicples who threw his pastor under the bus. There is no upside for Obama; it's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He can only follow the strategy which he is currently employing: hang tough, put distance between him and Wright, and wait for the Clinton campaign and it's lackeys in the msm to finally let the whole matter drop.
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 54:
That is an amazing piece of work. There is just little ol' me here and every once in a while they let me work some for my little ol' living, only some, though.
A list like Hugh's takes a very serious amount of effort, more than I could muster.
And then too, with the likes of the Bush crime family, a list like that could never really ever be finished. My credo is at best, less is more.
Kudos in spades.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 62:
My first solution is a total boycott. Let C&L relate to me the idiocy of the day and bypass the sponsors and get their ratings down to about one percent of the buying population. Let them goe out of business and sell their licenses.
But the real answer is to get them out of the buisness by law, by ending the media monopolies. How we do that is anybody's guess.
CEO,citizens,eyes,open @ 64:
Yep!
You assume we had the ability in the first place. Collectively, I'm not sure we ever did.
One of the best pieces of pop wisdom is said by Tommy Lee Jones to Will Smith in Men in Black. When asked by Smith's character why the government won't just tell people about the various life forms in the universe interacting with us, since, after all, "people are smart," Jones' responds with the following (paraphrase):
"No, a person is smart. People, on the other hand, are dumb, panicky animals, and you know it."
Yes, each of us as an individual can think. Politically, we act collectively. Show us a negative ad, and we'll have a visceral reaction, look around to see everyone else's reaction, and behave like dumb, panicky animals.
quit watching these fucking shows. that's it, period.
CEO,citizens,eyes,open @ 64:
Oh, it's worse than that! A large chunk of AmeriKKKa gets its information from FOX - the people who believed that Abraham Lincoln debated Frederick Douglass. Pretty friggin' scary!
.
.
.
The corporate media (and please stop calling it the benign MSM) proves again to be completely unreflective. The majority of what Wright said was on target, but oh no! This man is a nutjob! Crazyman!
UN-American!
Just like Dennis Kucinich and all the real progressives out there.
Turn off your T.V.'s! Cancel your cable!! Encourage others to do so! Ignore the corporate media and turn on your minds!
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.
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Alice (formerly Hussein, live free of the Borg or die) @ 68:
Hugh gets help from people like you and me who come across something not on the list and send it in. A whole bunch of little 'ol me's. :)
When TV news analysts discuss taxes, health care or the price of oil, it involves ponderous statistics and numbers. Math makes the American public go into a catatonic state. Our eyes glaze over and we become comatose. We need emotional issues like Rev Wright to hold our interest.
Seriously lol, if I watched the media channels daily, I'd go insane. I feel like a part of my soul is being sucked away watching this crap. I think people can change, and I think one of the most dangerous thing's a person could do is get there news from one channel all day. Eventually, the stuff does, and will convince you, it's just what human beings are.
I just have a very few strong convictions. One is that anybody who works a decent job, and lives honestly, should be able to go to the f'in doctor when they get sick, and not go in debt over it. The second is that the programmed reality of the mass media is destroying America, and needs to be boycotted and dismantled, and cut from the corporate ties immediately. I feel insane just writing about it sometimes, and I give kudos to the C&L staff for stomaching all this crap, day in and day out.
slippy hussein toad @ 35:
You are so right he is different and he will fight back, but I remember all too well how both Gore and Kerry were trashed in the press no matter what they said, and the closer the election came the more outlandish and hurtful the reporting became. This was particularlly true in the case of Al Gore. The media wanted no more of Clinton or Gore so they soft peddeled Bush's problems an totally bought into the compassionate conservative bull shit.
The out come spoke for itself, and the MSN played key role in the disaster that has become the Bush administration
Jeez, lots of typos today^^^
anon @ 36:
The word is pejorative, and I suppose that the word troll might be such, but that doesn't change my opinion.
I didn't call anyone a troll, I said there was trollery, there is a difference.
Unless you would have it only that stupid is as stupid does.
I have little use for Clinton as a candidate but I am respectful towards her. I think she is very intelligent and capable, she is not my choice to be President. Not by a long shot.
She is a lawyer, Obama is lawyer, the law and lawyers, in general garner my great respect.
Harvard and Yale are fine institutions and an education from either impresses little ol' me, I only went to the University of Michigan. There are silver spoon degrees from even the best, witness George W. Bush.
Any exceptions vis á vis lawyers I take on a case by case basis.
Likewise for politicians.
As for the Irish, my grandfather was Irish.
I'm calling a Hannity Alert on this comment thread. John Amato stated yesterday that the i.p. addresses from posters here have become increasingly suspect lately.
Either Sean has a lot of time on his hands, or he's outsourcing dumb comment generation to India.
Pundit 1: How long is this Wright-controversy gonna last?
Pundit 2: Well I think.. blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yabllada yadada blablalabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla loves America? yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada Wright 20 years racist blablablabla Obama blabla elitist yadayadayada Wright blablabla 9/11 blabla Weather Underground yablablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada Obama yadayada Farrakhan.
Pundit 1: So Wright will haunt Obama into november?
Pundit 3: Perhaps but Obama... blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada God damn America yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yabllada flagpin yadada blablalabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla antiamerican yablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama bla bla elitist blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada anti-American yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla patriotic yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla elitist yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada Obama yadayada.
Pundit 1: But why all this talk about Wright? What about health-care and education?
Pundit 2: I think the American people really want to know.. dayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla bitter Obama blabla elitist yadayadayada Wright blablabla flagpin yablablablada Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright patriotism blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yabllada yadada blablalabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blabla Farrakhan yadayadayad antisemite
Pundit 1: But what about the latest on McCain? He says Iran is training Vietcong extremists and Hagee calls for imprisoning all American Muslims
Pundit 2: Senior moment.
Pundit 3: He misspoke.
Pundit 4: Hes the maverick
Pundit 2: A war hero
Pundit 3: The straight-talk express
Pundit 2: Hagee wasnt McCains pastor for 20 years blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla yaddayada Wright blablabla yabllada flagpin yadada blablalabla Obama blabla flagpin yadayadayada racist blablabla 9/11 sermon blabla antiamerican yablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada Weather Underground blablablabla Obama bla bla elitist blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada Farrakhan yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla unpatriotic yablablablada yadayada blablablabla Obama blabla elitist yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada Obama yadayada.
Pundit 1: Thank you. Will Wright remain an issue for Obama? Only future will tell. yadayadayada Wright blablabla yabllada yadada blablalabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla flagpin yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada yadayada Wright 20 years racist blablablabla Obama blabla elitist yadayadayada Wright blablabla 9/11 blabla Weather Underground yablablablada yadayada blablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada elitist yadayada bowling 37 blablablabla Obama blabla yadayadayada Wright blablabla yablablablada Obama yadayada Farrakhan.
repug bathe in Rev. Wright
they eat Rev. Wright Steak.
tweedy isn't for Sen. Obama. he's a which-way-the-wind-blows-for-his-rating repug
hack. repugs like him can't get over it because a Black man spoke his mind and he didn't say masta may I. The horror!
No matter how many times we said we are sick of this loop-de-lou shit.
Get a new clip or shut the hell up. repugs are the only ones not remembering they saw the same clip a million times. Every time they view this clip they act surprised. Get over it repug idiots.
Let's get down with some hagee.
he has pics to go along with his strange interpretation of the Bible.
Now these people who follow hagee's "teachings" must be interviewed also.
he is a hateful man.
So mccain must hate Catholics and nothing is said nor is the same bs the MSM lay on Sen. Obama is used against mchatecatholics. (I know this has been said a thousand times on this site.)
Where are the Catholics for heaven sakes.
Right here!
Go Obama!
Go USA!
I'm not convinced that it does much good, but maybe if we flood MSNBC with emails a few will get the hint. Here's their Contact Page. If you know of a better way to contact, please post it.
My letter:
Hi,
I watch MSNBC all the time, and rarely miss Hardball. I think that Chris Matthews is degrading these shows by clinging to Rev. Wright as a major issue, when most everyone else has finally moved on.
He's way too smart a guy to be touting this as news, when actual viewers and voters are stating that there's a heck of a lot more important things to be dealing with.
The narrative for the last week (and weeks before that) has been, "Look at these pictures and soundbytes over and over again." Then when that's all we see for cycle after cycle, he points to a downturn in the polls as proof that Rev. Wright is hurting Obama as much as Matthews predicted.
It's not the issue that is hurting him; it's the non-stop degrading of Obama over the issue. It's become a self-fulfilling prophecy just because he and many others insist that it should be.
Please, please, stop this insanity. He's sounding like Hannity. We already have enough of this cut-rate programming to last us.
As I stated above, I've been a great fan of MSNBC and Matthews, but am reaching the point where watching this is too much a waste of time to keep waiting for it to change.
Thank you,
Every time Wright is raised as an issue, journalists need to ask McCain and Clinton or whoever: "Do you agree with everything that your own pastor says?" If the answer is yes, then dig up the odd pastoral comments and embarrass them; if the answer is no, then ask them and the rest to drop the fluff and focus on policy issues.
to karen@70 Yes it's sad, I wonder about the theory that some humans bred with off world beings, planting genes of reason and intelligence while the rest were left to bumble around the world with monkey brains. I also wonder about the theory that since the slow and the stupid are the first to be caught and eaten, the lack of predators has left us with the stupid in the majority. When you're outnumbered by the stupid what do you do?
CEO
LisaCCollins @ 2:
Who care what these crazy repugs have on Obama. It doesn't make sense for reputs to get on Obama when there's a war, torture, looting, fail economic policy, sick people etc going on. repugs don't have a come back for the shit they'd caused.
If hillary thinks she will get away with anything, she has another thing come and we will disown her fake ass.
You make me laugh. You are silly to say shit will catch up with Obama, when he's in the lead.
Obama will win. What will you say next?
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 69:
Matthews bites, I refuse to watch him on cable or here in clips.
That is key. Progressives, liberals, Democrats should focus on the solution and that is ending the monopolies. This needs to be discussed much more than it currently is. Ranting about Corporate Control is not good enough, even boycotts won't permanently end the madness, only legislation and for that we need to support politicians who will do it. Hopefully Barack Obama has plans to restore this cornerstone of a true democracy, a truly fair and balanced media, not Faux Propaganda or Corporate News Network.
Obama is such a refreshing change the repugs and hillary can't stand it.
(i will group hillary with repugs because she agrees with mccain on reasons for war and giving pennies to the US citizens)
repugs and hillary are myopic.
they're soft on hard issues and hard of soft issues.
This is classic Lynching by the Press. Shameful, scary, and destructive to the only candidate who can successfully negotiate a peace agreement in the world. The only candidate who might be able to turn around the racial divide in this country. The only candidate who can inspire and give hope. To all. Shameful and heartbreaking that the press is so biased and dark hearted. Lynching by Media.
From a
White, professional woman.
We know that the Wright issues is DOA, but the MSM need this to try and keep rating up which is in a free fall, so now is the time to start asking questions about McHundred Years 1). PTSD( from his Viet Nam Years)is really taking it toll, that is why is medical records are kept secret 2). Along with stress and PTSD his mental state is getting worse( calling is wife a cunt in public) 3). Now with the toll that PTSD and STRESS is bring,it is now triggering the first stage of Alzheimer(he forgetful all the time, he ned Joe Lieallthetime to tell him whe he has misspoke), it's scarey all I see is a mistake and some where in the world a mushroom cloud maybe a friendly country. We as a nation just can't take that chance, just think (bomb bomb bomb -- bomb bomb IRAN) and gas prices for the United States is at $10.00 a gallon, not to mention $20.00 a gallon in Europe, who will the rest of the world blame(AMERICA) and we really will be alone.
Why doesn't Obama just tell these clowns, "Look, the issue has been brought up and vetted. Enough. Move along. Next question please."?
Tweety's an ass-hat. He loves him some GOP propaganda with his coffee in the mornings.
*
CEO,citizens,eyes,open @ 85:
If you're part of the Republican machine, you adopt a P.T. Barnum posture toward all the suckers out there, and make out like a bandit by manipulating them.
If you're otherwise inclined, you accept what you cannot change, work to change what you cannot accept, and live the best life you can, hopefully helping even the stupid despite themselves. Besides, we're all stupid, in some way, compared to someone.
Jeannie See @ 90:
He should say "Polls say the voters number one issue right now is (the economy, the war, etc.) Why aren't you asking me about the things the voters consider priorities?
*
Jeannie See @ 90:
I think that kind of an answer would make him look petulant. And the next question would be about why he's afraid to answer tough questions.
But along the lines of your suggestion, I think he should make note that the question has been asked and answered calmly, but follow it with, "Do you even remember that we have our kids dying in Iraq? Do you even know that the American people are suffering because people who have lost their jobs under this administration can't afford the gas to drive to interviews for a new one? Do you even care? Because that's what I care about! That's what I want to talk to you about!"
As long as the Repuklicans have wingnuts like Chris Matthews in their corner cheerleading for them, and pushing the 'Wright issue' every chance he has, they will continue to bring it up again and again. This guy is pure crap. Every time he opens his mouth the stench comes right through the TV screen. Why anyone with a brain would think this guy is a journalist, or is impartial is beyond reason. He is like the stuff you scrap off the bottom of your shoes when you walk through a farm barnyard filled with milling cows. His level of journalism is beneath all that stuff in the yard.
Obama want the Jeremiah Wright thing to go away but it will not. Rev. Wright will remain an 800lb anvil attached to the hip of Obama. The problem for Obama is his dishonesty about his sudden denunciation of the pastor. Rev Wright consistently espouses the same deeply held convictions about black liberation theology he has preached from the pulpit his entire career. Obama has no credibility when he tries to convince the American public that Jeremiah Wright is different from the man he's known for 20 years. Wright's congregation knows he has not changed and Obama knows his pastor has not changed. Obama's rejection of Wright is based 100% on political pragmatism...not moral principle. In the general election, the Republicans will pound this credibility issue into the minds of the American public with relentless intensity.
Why doesn’t Obama just tell these clowns, “Look, the issue has been brought up and vetted. Enough. Move along. Next question please.”?
for the same reason that the little 10-year old on the playground who gets called 'gay' and 'faggot'
all day long by the bully who is eighty pounds heavier and 8 inches taller than
him doesn't say 'stop'.
because, what is it going to accomplish? it won't do anything other than just make them
want to attack you that much harder.
ultimately, this is all just a complete fucking circus... and no matter what we do, it's going
to go on and on.
i mean, if we were living in even a mildly sane country, would the swift boat veterans fiasco
have ever been able to get past the first syllable? i mean, really? a fucking coward who did
everything in his power to avoid combat gets to be the hero and the person who actually
saw combat, killed people, was in daily fear of being killed, and had his friends killed in front
of him is the coward?
and the next presidential election, it's going to happen in the same way, with the press playing
the same role.
why? to me it's simple... education. let's face it... there are a lot of unintelligent, shallow-minded,
simplistic idiots in this country. and they vote. and they vote.
it really does come down to that, the more i try to think about what is happening, and try come
to grips with it.
Hmm, will rep continue to try to make Wright an issue in the general. Is the pope catholic?
Matthews & his talking heads, as always, have a keen grasp of the obvious! Do these people actually get paid to talk !@#$%^&*
Yea it will have a minimal effect on those voters who were always not going to vote for Obama.
Matthews is the perfect example why everyone should have their own show on cable ...
All these talking heads who are keeping this up for ratings can be classified as racists. That would be the whole of Fox News, Matthews, Abrams, Cooper et al. I know they would never think of themselves as racists but the very fact that they are not covering the white candidates on this very same topic and barely mentioning the Hagee endorsement of McCain proves that these guys are racists. If they claim not to be racist, let them explain why they are not covering McCain & Hagee as they are are Obama/Wright. The scary black preacher trumps the scary white preachers such as Hagee, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, et al. All white preachers who have said hateful things about theit fellow citizens and about America and who were all advisor's to many presidents or presidential candidates in the past. But Matthews and company can't even see the racism inhernet in their obsessive myopia.
the media are gutless assholes. all obama has to do is tell the next media person that asks him about wright is, " the next person that asks me about wright i will knock their fucking teeth out." believe me he'll never get another question about wright again.
drago @ 96:
Bingo! If Obama had been honest, and yes shown some much needed toughness, he would have said: "This guy is my friend. He is a like a member of my family. I do not agree with everything he has said but I will stand by him because he has been an integral part of my life. You may not like it, you may not want to hear it, but this man is someone who I have come to love and I will not let this become an issue between us. Enough said."
They may have trotted out the umpteenth showing of those Wright tapes and the effect would have been different to some extent. It would show that Obama is a stand up guy but instead we got a taste of wussiness when he cut him lose. The old saying, honesty is the best policy, has a positive resonance when applied.
He is correct.
Pat J @ 100:
The Wright issue is never going to disappear for Obama no matter what he says. America still has a major race problem & politics & religion despite separation of church & state will always have an effect on a country that was founded by the puritans.
When Obama runs for his second (4) year term in 2012 the pundits/racists will still be talking about Wright!
Let me see if I understand this correctly. If you say anything negative about the government, then every action that you have performed, no matter how positive, should be condemned for political purposes. One is not allowed to have a redeeming quality.
Yet McCain finds that the Reverend Hagee has many.So I'm guessing that Genardo and Matthews will be taking on the Reverned Hagee for his anti-Catholicism. Oh, wait, I forgot. Anti-Catholicism is okay, even with Catholics who will vote for McCain because as of today, he's pro-life.
I am reluctant to even post here anymore but I think it may be time for a reality check. There is no one more disgusted with the media than I am and it really kicked in when they made my candidate, John Edwards, invisible so they could push the two First. First woman and First black man and then they made their choice between those two and Hillary lost big time. The trashing of her has been relentless by media and by Obama supporters while he basically got a free ride until his pastor went nuts in public. His wife's comments about never really being proud of this country in her entire adult life was glossed over and pooh-poohed and soon dropped. The Obama apologist in the media are legendary by now and if you don't recognize that, you haven't been paying attention. Keith Olbemann has been grossly unfair to Clinton during his one hour Obama love-in nightly on MSNBC and Jack Cafferty, the most crass and uncouth man on TV, also trashes Clinton several times a day on CNN while praising Obama. So-called progressive blogs like Americablog, DailyKos, and Huffingon, all of whom are interestingly run by ex-republicans have so jumped the shark that they are now just a parody of what they claim to be. Even Buzzflash has fallen into this trap. And now, reading the post on this story it seems the same is happening to C&L.
This is a close race and I think a lot closer because of media manipulation from the start. I am a Clinton supporters because I think she is the most capable and she is tough enough to take on McCrazy and win in the general. That is what matters to me. Obama is still an unknown for many and most outside of Illinois never heard of him until he started running for president only a little more than a year after becoming a US Senator. So Rev. Wright is a glimpse into the man's judgement and character and even he says it's legitmate to question that. When I hear his supporters wanting to question McCain about Hagee I find it to be apples and oranges. He did not join and stay in Hagee's church for 20 years. He doesn't have a personal relationship with him, he didn't donate 20K to his church, he didn't have to dis-invite him from his announcement ceremony. It is not the same thing and making that argument doesn't negate Obama's longtime relationship with Rev. Wright.
You may not like that people will question this but the reality is that they will. I have heard far too many Obama supporters say they will not vote for Clinton under any circumstances, there are even groups of blacks who say they will refuse to vote for her. This is what will destroy our party more than anything the media can do. I really don't understand the venom and just plain nastiness of Obama's supporters when they all say they are voting for "Hope and Change". This attitude does not project either of those things.
Bluesage @ 104:
I'm one of those, I will not for Clinton folks. I made my decision when she cried those crocodile tears in NH. Plus, she's a major panderer, liar etc. & her campaign, run by her hubby's former henchmen, has been one of the worst ever & speaking of hubby, he can't stop putting his foot in his mouth, eh.
I especially enjoyed her lying about the sniper fire in Bosnia on three separate occassions & hubby said cut her some slack, she's 60 & gets tired at 9pm lol which of course was another lie, none of her previous three lies was said at 9pm. btw, how can you pick up the phone at 3am, when you are soooo tired at 9pm.
She's a total fraud & phony, imo.
Take care
hello dolly. ;)
Right you are.
Two questions:
One:
Why didn't Hillary leave Bill Clinton for cheating on her repeatedly?
Two:
Why didn't American Catholic voters leave their churches when it came out that their priests were raping America's children for decades.
Both are fair questions, if these people want to keep on playing this game.
~Nyc
You know, I think Moyers really found the best quote ever so I'm just going to post this from now in reference to the media:
“beware the terrible simplifiers”
They're destroying our country.
39 ysbaddaden
I meant that in reference to LisaCCollins comments.
I'm still feeling sick today.
I also tried to post this earlier but my dial-up can't connect after roughly 35 comments.
43 Kevin Holsinger
Actually in Mary Shelley's book Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein worked unassisted. In the Peggy Webling book, which the Karloff movie was based on, there was an assistant named Fritz, played as a hunchback by Dwight Frye in the film. Ygor was a broken-necked shepherd, who survived a hanging, and only helped himself an in the sequels The Son of Frankenstein and The Ghost of Frankenstein played by Bela Lugosi.
Sorry, I meant to say Peggy Webling's play, not book.
Shiloh @ 105 and Nyc La Brets @ 106
You have both made my point - it's impossible to have a reasoned discussion about anything with Obama supporters anymore. Hate is not a virtue and if this is what Obama is instilling in his supporters then that is very sad indeed.
It's like trying to have a conversation with a bunch of pissy teenagers.
Oops! That was for Nyc La Brets @ "109"
shiloh @ 105:
I am generally very respectful of Clinton, I don't call her names, except I do call her a Republican.
She does pander and she does lie. Other than that I am very respectful of her.
I wouldn't vote for her, however that is academic because Obama will win. It is a media manufactured view that the race is even still contested. The possibility of her pulling it out is somewhere between remote and none.
Bluesage, we did not complete our debate on your erroneous assertion that Jefferson founded the Republican party. He did not. This was my last word then.
It was the Democratic-Republicans. By the election of 1824 it was the only party, it was a four way race without an Electoral College majority winner, the House gave the election to Adams, even though Jackson had won the popular vote.
In 1828 Jackson ran again dropping the Republican part and left it as the 'Democratic' party. Adams called his wing the National Republicans but that went nowhere, he lost in 1828. Henry Clay ran for President (again) as a National Republican in 1832 and he lost. That was the end of the National Republicans. Some of them joined the Whigs but that was also short lived, they couldn't decide on a platform.
Later some of the Whigs joined the actual Republicans that come down to us today after their inception in 1854 as an abolitionist response to the Kansas-Nebraska act. But, there was no direct lineage between Jefferson and the modern Republicans. Remembering for the brief historical while that the Rs were the good guys.
No wonder you didn't want to post.
to Karen@92 True, we are all stupid in one way or another but some are faster runners than others, I am not sure if you can teach someone to run faster.
Bluesage @ 104:
Not to mention that the media barely paid any attention to Chris Dodd whatsoever, talked about Bill Richardson as though he genuinely were campaigning for vice president, and even went so far as to exclude Dennis Kucinich from debates despite the large segment of the Democratic population that either supported him or wanted to hear his point of view.
Does the media distort Sen. Clinton? Absolutely. But I don't think Michelle Obama's wife's comments meant anything, and for whatever reason, an otherwise campaign-threatening moment didn't stick. Was that because the media like Obama? I think that's too easy. It's too easy these days simply to decide that the media screwed our guy over. It's too simple an explanation.
Some of it is genuinely unfair to Clinton, indeed. Some of it is fair criticism.
It is legitimate to question the relationship to determine how Wright has influenced, and will influence, Obama politically. We need to know what sort of counsel the reverend will offer to Obama, and what advice he will take from him.
But that's not how the media is treating it. The media simply sees a titillating, fear-inducing character, and seeks to conflate Wright and Obama, imputing every word of Wright's to Obama's heart and mind. That's not just stupid, it's pernicious and unfair.
Well, let's think about that for a moment. Obama has said many times that Rev. Wright has been like family to him. He disowns his political statements, and has never sought his political counsel, but will not entirely disown the man who has been a good friend to him, and who he has witnessed do a lot of good for his community despite his often offensive political views. Is that really bad judgment? Do you have any close confidants who might be political liabilities if you were to run for office? Would you have any trouble disowning, say, a wonderful college professor with whom you vehemently disagreed, but who gave you a great education?
That's dem apples. Now let's think about dem oranges. :) John McCain had no personal relationship with people like Hagee. He called Falwell and his ilk "agents of intolerance." He wanted nothing to do with them until it became politically necessary to receive their endorsements. He now calls one of them his "spiritual guide," something Obama has not called Rev. Wright. Given these intolerance agents' aspirations to guide American foreign policy (often to start wars in the Middle East and to trigger Armageddon), and the fact that McCain probably made some sort of Faustian bargain to get their endorsements, McCain's cuddling up to them could have real implications for America's future.
Which relationship really worries you more? Which relationship really shows the kind of person the candidate is? Which relationship really demonstrates the candidate's judgment?
Now, here, I completely agree! I'll vote for Clinton should the delegates chose her.
Thank you, Rev Wright, or we would still be watching the media swoon over Obama and not asking any questions ,let alone 'hard' questions. We would never have known about his total blindness towards 'good judgement' or any judgement for that matter. He is still a lightweight and certainly not ready for POTUS , as yet !!! Give him a few years, and possibly, he will learn enough and gain knowledge and good judgement will come easier . For once, FOX , has been right.
Karen, Thank you. We agree on more than we disagree and you made some very valid points. I always expect the cable media to take the more sensational point of view on any subject to fill up their 24 hours. Clinton certainly deserves some criticism but it is the tone of the criticism that mostly bothers me. These so-called progressive blogs that I mentioned run these stories with distorted headlines and get pretty nasty when it comes to Clinton. I just think that is unnecessary, same with people like Keith and Cafferty who mock and think they are being clever and no one calls them on it.
As far as McCain, I've never really thought the man was any kind of maverick and I never had a very high opinion of him so I don't really care who he panders to. The media will stick with him no matter what we do. Their love affair goes back a long time. We don't need to be fighting the media and each other.
If Obama is the nominee I will certainly vote for him but not with a lot of enthusiasm because I don't think he is ready for this job. And his supporters have turned off so many with the divisiveness and pettiness that I think it will have an impact in the general when we will all need to come together. I do worry about all these "new" Democrats that aren't really loyal to the party or see the importance of electing a Democrat after the last horrific 7+ years regardless of which Democrat it is. Either will be a vast improvement.
drago @ 97:
Oh yeah. Have you hear of Rev. Stalling?
Bluesage @ 113:
"It's like trying to have a conversation with a bunch of pissy teenagers." Name calling from a Clinton supporter, how sad, btw, using ad homonyms indicates you have pretty much lost the debate & have no reasonable response at your disposal.
For the record, I don't hate the Clintons & for that matter, I'm probably one of the few at this site who doesn't hate Bush. To hate one has to put a lot of effort into the person you are hating & Bush isn't worth that effort imo.
Re: pissy teenagers I voted for McGovern in 1972, the voting age being changed to 18 in 1971 & Clinton both times even though I knew he was a lying womanizer being enabled his entire marriage by his wife, who knew he was cheating. So I, like every other voter, rationalized the lesser of two evils, when voting for president.
If you want to have a rational discussion I'm all ears, but your name calling indicates otherwise.
Take care
120 tHeIKnowAHusseinGaMeOfLiFe Says:
Oh yeah. Have you hear of Rev. Stalling?
_______________________________________________________________
Is he the one who never seems to get his sermons started, because he keeps clearing his throat?
Blue@104.
Trashing hillary? Bring up facts to her
hallucinationsfiction is not "trashing."But you should know this. You're progressive, right? Do you believe in the truth?
Elaborate lies coming from the horse's mouth isn't sleep deprivation or 3 am jitters.
Another thing, every time a dem wins an election it's gonna be history. dems alway bring it. Always something new and right. Always with foresight. (It used to be anyway)
Where have you been?
Oh yeah, I recall now.
Troll! I got one Ma!
Troll because you sound like one, not because of your bright ideas.
BTW -- don't say you won't post and then post. Because I wouldn't have known the difference.
Peace.
# 123
You must be new here - I've been around a long time and not everyone who might disagree with you is a "troll". That always seems to be the fall-back position for the Obama supporters.
Nyc La Brets @ 109:
Bluesage @ 124:
Obviously you didn't read the entire post. Just like a hillary supporter, they don't read before they react.
ysbaddaden @ 122:
HAHAHAHAHA
I don't know about that.
Sure they'll keep using it. It keeps the most rabid flag-wavers seething, and making noise. I think the other 80% of Americans are tired of it, and want to move on. Anyone with a brain...
Can someone here please explain to me exactly what it is that I'm missing about Wright's comments?
I've watched and listened to all the stuff said by Wright on YouTube, including his "controversial" press conference, and I heard nothing that I think even remotely warrants being "repudiated" or "condemned" by Obama or anyone else. Wright seems highly intelligent, informed and reasonable to me, and the only thing I think he's guilty of is telling sociopathic and ignorant Americans the truth about themselves and their corrupt government. Have I missed something?
Obama will ultimately loose the November election, I guarantee it. People are terribly naive if they think Rev. Wright was the only dirt the GOP has on Barack. They will get much more ruthless and as history has shown, negative attack ads work. The most depressing part is that many Obama supporters see this coming and are already laying the groundwork for a backup meme: that Obama’s loss was due to the evil, ruthless nature of Billary. I’m not kidding, they are actually now going to blame Obama’s loss on Hillary (whom they call “the evil bitch”). The Democratic Party is basically through.
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Good try. Now beat it, honey!!!!!
9 ysbaddaden Says: The Obama campaign just keeps handing out red meat to the republicans.
But that’s better than the government cheese the republicans hand out.
Although both are high in cholesterol.
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I'm Canadian, and I've seen that cheese, and my questons is, "What is up with that cheese?" (OMG)
bitter Edwin Hussein @ 128:
Even some without brains (in Louisiana) are tired of it.
The mainstream media has already lost me on this issue. I've read the facts, made up my mind, and any other crap they want to bring out on Rev. Wright and Obama I've have already tuned out. And I suspect I'm not the only one. They've beat this into the ground, and have rehashed it to the point I'm ready to vomit. This issue is BULLSHIT, just like the "elitist" label the MSM is trying to paste on Obama. She's got the millions, and Obama's the elitist? Uh-hum, right. And if pigs could fly, we'd all shoot for bacon.
I was an Edwards supporter, and when the New York primary was held, I did not vote for Clinton, I voted for Obama because I felt she had too much baggage to win the general election. I still think Obama is our best hope in November, but I'm a loyal Democrat and I will work for and vote for whoever the party nominates, even if I have to hold my nose when I pull the voting booth lever.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 14:
Ive been waiting for the Democrats, more specifically the Obama campaign to do just that. They are making a huge mistake by letting white pastors "off the hook".
Was Obama's repudiation of Wright enough?
It was way too much.
His mistake was not going ballistic on the media and the right wing for attacking his Church.
But it's too late now.
My advice: never, ever legitimate right wing talking points.
By repudiating, Obama gave them more ammo and now they are firing at will.
Dumb move.
until Americans figure out the source of the dumbing down of the media is that uncontested repetition to 50-70MIL that only the talk radio monopoly can provide, progressives will continue to play politics without a front line.
talk radio does the groundwork repetition for this kind of swiftboating and sets the flavor of the rest for the media. real democracy based on an informed electorate and bipartisanship is impossible without some kind of Fairness Doctrine or demonopolization for talk radio.
it doesn't matter what wright or obama says- until talk radio is demonopolized or obama supporters start picketing and boycotting the sponsors of the local talk radio stations that give a coordinated pack of liars the biggest soapboxes in the country this bushit will continue.
progressive candidates and causes will continue to get whacked with an invisible 2x4 while media and political analysts wait for the reading and viewing material that attributes the effects of rove's most important framing tool to political and social shifts instead of coordinated blowhards using the biggest soapboxes in every state.
What a retarded question. There is nothing Obama can say that would stop GOP attacks. He could murder Rev Wright with his bare hands, condemn the man to hell and damnation, and sacrifice both of his children, and it wouldn't be enough. The GOP are like cornered rabid animals who will do and say anything at this point. The Democrats need to stop playing so nice, and go for the jugular. Go for the white pastors. They're nuts. In fact, some one please tell me what denomination John McCain is, and just how often does he go to church, and by the way how much does he contribute. Could there possibly be any more of a double standard?
david blimmo @ 129:
Rev Wright's fiery sermons are filled with righteous indignation and the uniquely passionate intensity only a Black Liberation preacher can muster. A preacher like Jeremiah Wright gets standing ovations, resounding approval, and millions of dollars from his black congregation. Wright is also the kiss of death to any black politician who is trying to convince millions of white folks to elected him President of the United States.
C&L: "Reality clearly has no place in politics!"
(translation: blah, blah, blah) Did it just feel nice/sanctimonious to say that? ...or will you now behave as if you truly believe this fact? Just how long does the left intend to make snarky, impotent analysis that you then fail to act in accordance with.
If reality has no place, STOP assuming "liberal reality" matters and just do what it takes to get your candidate into office. I mean, of course, whenever you finish "harumphing"...
However, since Obama denounced some of the things Wright said at the National Press Conference, his numbers have gone up 8pts. in NC and pulled even in Indiana with a 2 pt. lead. But let's not get all happy about that. Let's face it, the republicans and media will attack this guy like bulldogs on a meat wagon. One attack will take the place of the other all the way to the election. The republicans have no formidable candidate so they have to resort to attacking the character of the opposition. To please their corporate masters, the media will be more than willing to oblige in the attacks.
139
your mama Says: ...... i am sorry for my stupid sniveling and driveling ... i will not put a giant tube of preparation h on myself and solve my problem
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 24:
I've already solved the Wright problem. I won't be voting for him. So the guy said crazy things,what does it matter? I heard crazier things from reichwing talk show hosts that get 15 hours of air time each week. Wright is free to say whatever he wants, he hasn't broken any laws or encouraged anyone else to break the law (unlike Rush) Whatever I might think of Wright is not going to affect my choice for president.
I agree with the first couple of responders to this thread. Wright is absolutely toxic to Obama's campaign.
The crazy part about it is how for the most part, Wright hasn’t said anything that most Americans–if they ever got to hear the full thing in context–would disagree with
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Very true. I've never heard a single thing come out of his mouth I could actually disagree with. He may have went overboard when he said 'god damn' america, but it's not like he was going to promote someone to bomb it.
He said that the country is run by rich white men and some people seem to have taken offense. As a white guy, even I know that's true.
When he was on CNN, he was very lighthearted and sounded like a very cherrio kinda guy.
I still have yet to hear anything really inflamatory coming from him.
Wait, the ratio of the poll was 12 to 0 against Obama? Was that proportion or actual number of people that responded to the poll? Either way, that headline poll is insipid.
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