Obama Warns Congress "Better Not Mess With Me" "I'll Whoop 'em"
By Bill W. Thursday Jun 05, 2008 11:50am
Obama accepts a gift from a 95 yr old supporter, Charles Edwards, and uses it to put Congress on notice not to get in the way of his healthcare plan. Roanoke's WSLS News caught the video of this lighthearted moment yesterday in front of a packed gym in Bristol VA:
Download | play 
Download | play
During the Question and Answer session, Obama met a 95-year-old African American man, whose daughter told Obama that he had waited his whole life for this moment.
The man wobbled slowly to the stage and presented Obama with a maple wood walking stick as a gift.
The presumptive democratic nominee, clearly feeling his oats, took the stick and said, "If members of Congress don't pass my health care bill - I'll whoop 'em, I'll whoop 'em. That's right, you better not mess with me, and I'll have that stick."
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And if he passes health care that I don't qualify for again, I'll whoop him with it!
Ahhahahaha! I can't wait until the righties start wetting their pants over THIS one!
Going to be a fun 6 months.
While I don't condone corporal punishment for children, it seems not a bad idea for ridiculous adults. Especially dumb ass decepticons.
The man LOOKS like a President.
And all you could ask for...REAL sense of humor (not the contrived, precanned BS of the present WH occupant), clear grasp of the issues AND reality, intelligent, personable, good looking...a REAL person.
Do we really want 4 years of some old codger whose out of touch with reality, absentminded, with no real vision of his own?
Obama/Edwards ' 08
That old man is 95? Wow! He looks a lot better than McCain.
Amazing footage. Obama is the man, and that guy looks wonderful for being 95 freaking years old!
Obama Warns Congress “Better Not Mess With Me” “I’ll Whoop ‘em”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcZ9ku_wInw
Barak Obama: Whoopin Dat Azz On Day One!!!
I love it.
GoBAMA!!
The Drudge Report ...
Barack Obama threatening to spear people who do not join his healthcare plan !
...Developing
Walking Tall
this campaign season is going to be awesome
I think this Congress needs more than one stick to listen...let's hope there are more sticks around to be used.
Anyhow Obama looks like he is fresh ready and the country is ready too...
Such an easy, unforced manner about this guy. He is the real deal! Bill Clinton WAS the smartest, most affable politician in the Democratic Party.
Chico Hussein @ 9:
bwahahahaha, and you know sludge would dig up some picture of a mButi, or some other african tribesman, and put it above the caption.
good stuff chico
We'll we're ready to see the fine print and all the "details" of this health care bill.
Give 'em hell, Obama!
Actually what Obama needs to do is get onboard with Conyer's HR676, and Conyers need to take Obama to the woodshed if he doesn't.
"Walk softly and carry a big stick."
"I’ll whoop ‘em, I’ll whoop ‘em. That’s right, you better not mess with me, and I’ll have that stick.”
He has flexible people skills he should start using them.
L.A. Confidential @ 19:
Not quite MLK but he is in poltics.
It's hard not to like the guy. Man, am I looking forward to an Obama presidency. Let's make it happen!
Is he looking for new members to his club...or club the members...or club them all in their members?
I am so disillusion with our present president, that a "Walking Tall" scenario would be a welcome precedent of things to come.
Think of what Jim Belushi did in "The Principle" to the schools of what Obama could do in the whitehouse. LOL Chase out the warmongering racketeering and return the govt to the people.
Paul @ 17:
I don't see much difference in HR676 and what Obama proposes.
If you know of any please outline.
Samson- @ 11:
Not for McSame tho.
Trailer trash, pickup truck with the shotgun in the window, hillbilly hick rednecks can't wait.
Only problem: America is sick of their leadership.
Has anyone presented McCain with a new cane?
Randy @ 12:
We're gonna need a LOT more whoopin sticks!
Remember people for every House and Senate seat in the next two elections vote for the most progressive or liberal candidate running...otherwise we will never see universal health care or an end to this war or Cheney in prison for treason and war crimes or Bush in a mental hospital for being so meglomaniacle.
Speaking of carrying a big stick...
http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/06/05/D9140SA81_democrats_money/index...
Watch for that video to be in heavy rotation on Hannity and What's-His-Name: "Obama's terrorist threats against the US government!"
An Average Joe @ 18:
That's exactly what I thought too!
Oh yea forgot ....me too I'm really looking forward to what Obama can do for our country! I think we'll be carving his face on Mount Rushmore one day!
You know, the first thing I did when I read that was imagine myself as that 95 y/o. I can't pretend to know what it's like to be him but we know a lot of the stuff that he lived through.
I think handing Obama that stick was probably the, if not among the, proudest moment of his life.
I'm wondering where this country is going now. It's been sliding downhill fast for 8 years. I wondered if the brakes were going to get applied or if I'd hope to be that man some day.
On a more serious note - his plan may be okay but it's just a baby step.
Until we have universal healthcare and a helluva lot more efficiency (i.e. cost reduction) in the system, it's all just a dance. A lot of sh!t's gonna go down in the next 10 years and this country may go bankrupt.
Now back to your regularly schedule program..
Mr. President, better get you another stick made out of tough, old Illinois hickory. I think you're going to need it.
last sentence should end, "hoping that some day I'll be able to do what that man is doing."
birdflewover @ 34:
He made a joke about that a couple of days ago.
I think we can accommodate his ears...A good dude and will due our country proud.
Without even looking at the video, the daughter's remark that this 95-year old man has been waiting his whole life for this day brings tears of gratitude to my eyes. It makes you wonder whether there couuld have been Obama without Bush. Bush has made things so bad that Americans don't care what color a candidate is, what party he's from or anything else. They simply want an intelligent adult who will try to do the right thing and not lie to them about it. We're lucky we're getting so much more.
We'll see. There are a lot of GOP and Bush Dog congress people who really need to get their balls stomped. I hope Obama has the political will to do it.
That would be a sight to see - President Obama walking up to the aisle of Congress with THAT walking stick, and then "quietly and firmly" explain to them how they had damn well f**king better pass universal health care...
THAT would become a moment of legend and glory - one of the few truly positive turning points in American history. I hope the old geezer lives long enough to see it happen.
How Hillary put it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQ3i_XQXsw
Pretty cool.
I feel like the whole world is watching us and if Americans fuck this historic opportunity away it will be the greatest disaster of the 21st century.
Well I have to say he has let dems know who in charge of the party. He has told the DNC no more pac money, He has read Liebermouth the riot act and is trying to mend fences with the Clintons. Maybe we have the real deal here.
Wow...that was so friggin AWESOME!!!
Obama needs to ring up Pelosi and remind her of her job. Impeaching Bush/Cheney et al.
She has been totally negligent on this most important issue. Obama has the clout now to
shake her and do-nothing Harry Reid out of their stupor and make them work for us !!!!
Obama was just kidding but you just know Fox and it's ilk are going to bastardize his joke.
Underground Pirate @ 47:
Agreed, but lets get him in the whitehouse first, then let him deal with the dregs of congress.
Tweakerbell @ 42:
Personally, I'm somewhat ambivalent about McLame's life expectancy.
diamondmc @ 45:
Could be, I don't expect perfection but so far the guy is batting a thousand.
Even though most pundits are asterisking his no PAC or Lobbyist money mantra there's no doubt that Obama is constricting donations to the DNC and his campaign for the good of the party.
Whens the last time a politician said "...I don't want your money..."?
I'll help you Obama, even if I do have a broken back. Maybe then the insurance I pay for will give me the surgery I need!
Liberal AND Proud @ 27:
Yeah, his wife bought him 8 or 9 of them. They keep one at each of their houses...
I could have a beer with him.
Duly recognizing the refreshing ease of Obama's manner and his apparently genuine charm, I have to ask: Doesn't anyone else here find it just a little unsettling to hear a prospective president (even in jest) talk about Congress as an obstacle to be overcome, rather than a co-equal branch of the federal government? Obama's remark here strikes me as a wittier and less heavy-handed version of Duhbya's "Things would be easier if I were dictator" gibe.
After eight years of dealing with presidential dictatorship and congressional impotence, I just can't find the humor in remarks of this kind anymore, even when delivered with a gentle touch.
Chico Hussein @ 9:
Noooo...! No, you didn't! Har!
Oil up 9$ a barrel, stocks crashing, war crimes in Iraq continue.
I doubt there will be money for his health care plan.
Sweet!
I betcha that stick will have a special place in the oval office.
I hate to see how the neocons will spin this one (i.e. scary black man with a stick).
Will Grigg @ 55:
I think maybe tou're reading too much into it...but I can't fault you for it...after this 8 year BushCo nightmare, we're all alot more cynical and jaded.
Obama threatens Congress with violence if rejected!
__________________________________
Just released by FOX!
Ummm...that should be you're...not tou're...geeesh!
jharp @ 44:
after the last 8 years that is ....
There is such a thing in shamanistic cultures called a "talking stick." The person who holds the stick is the one permitted to speak, and the ritual commands that the person speak with "fire in the belly." Cool symbolism, eh? (:>
I luv this video. I hope Mr Charles Edwards lives to see the that stick leaned up in the oval office. Congress could use a good caning.
pissed off patricia @ 58:
Theres actually a place in the Oval Office to stick it right now ...
If you can watch that video and not find yourself smiling, well, I don't know what's wrong with you.
garcia @ 61:
Figures Fox would try to blow up a light hearted moment into an "Obama Terror!" alert.
Get ready for some of the nastiest, most insane stuff you've ever heard and seen from the Right Wing smear machine it's going to make Kerry look like he had a cakewalk in comparison.
earl @ 66:
Yeah, but then it would be all dirty. ;)
Will Grigg @ 55:
I am not sure you could have found another democratic nominee who fosters more of a sense of shared unity and bipartisanship than this man. And his track record proves it. But in any event, you got to just lighten up a bit, it was a joke.
pissed off patricia @ 58:
Beats the hell out of Bushie's 'ruggie" Can we move the election up and get rid of these guys before they can do anymore damage?
It's nice that Obama follows Bush and has to compete against McSame......the bar really couldn't be any lower.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 60:
Yeah, liberal, I also think you are reading too much into it. Besides, one of the things that Obama has run on, and even makes the more Right-shy of the Left nervous, is his purported intent to run a very bipartisan presidency. He is talking about whomping ass on politicians in general and I would like to think he will hold himself to the same standards he will demand of them. (errr, crossing fingers, of course)
But your cynicism? Yeah, again I agree with Will. Been a tough 7 years...
}:|
pissed off patricia @ 69:
Ewww.
"....is that you Karl? ... Jeff ?"
garcia @ 61:
Actually, believe it or not, FOX had a pretty good post about it ...
@72
Oops! I go the names backwards! hahaha...
Will:
You'll be ok.
liberal:
Right there with ya.
hahaha....
I like it. He's invoking Teddy Roosevelt and Joe Clark.
diamondmc @ 49:
Bush can't be impeached then. The time is now, and Obama has a phone nearby and all the power he needs to
get the ball rolling.
"Whatever you can do...or dream you can...begin it.
For boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Goethe
Single payer health plan, please!
birdflewover @ 34:
I look forward to his face on our currency.
Chico Hussein @ 9:
spot on...next- "Do we really want a man with this kind of predisposition for violence with his finger on the nuclear button??" Has anybody else noticed (Don Henley's poison-pen-note to the media) the song "Dirty Laundry" getting a lot of airplay lately, or is it just me??
I just picked up a copy of "Audacity of Hope"
I have the audacity to hope its a good book.
Underground Pirate @ 77:
Now there's something we CAN agree on.
Bonkers @ 2:
Beware GOP activists, republican cross-overs who might have voted for the person they thought was the weaker of the two democratic candidates...The mask is off; operation chaos didn't deliver so it is time to try the net.
I love this story.
But if McCain had said the exact same thing, at least using a stick on Congress, the progressosphere would be all atwitter over his temper issues coming out on the campaign trail.
Can you look me in the eye and tell me this man is an elitist?
I hope he walks up to the first debate with that stick in his hand.
Underground Pirate @ 77:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfVc4azawoo
Stranded @ 79:
I'm looking forward to having some currency again.
jharp @ 44:
Wait a month until there are more recent polls taken in each state to see who has the poll position.
Americans are going to vote in Nov. 08
People in the RED states will vote. A few RED states may turn BLUE.
People in the BLUE states will vote. One or two BLUE states may turn RED.
It should be interesting.
Immeadiately after the 2004 election I ran into a number on non-Americans . They were perplexed to say the least.
SCHRODINGER'S CAT @ 88:
Because they should've turned left at Albuquerque?
Or because you ran into them?
Well, I'll take whacking someone with a stick over using signing statements to abuse laws any day :)
Slats @ 85:
Yes. Without blinking and not even the slightest hesitation.
This is a lousy example to counteract what he proved he was in San Francisco.
dennis @ 84:
It would depend entirely on how he did it. You may have noticed McSame doesn't really do "good natured" very well or convincingly my friend.
dennis @ 91:
Why, d? Just because his father and grandfather were admirals, and he's married to a very wealthy woman who flies him around in her private jet? Because he's had an easy ride his whole life, from cradle to grave, having everything he wants handed to him?
Wait - you are talking about McCain, right?
Maybe McCain's supporters will do as McCain does and NOT EVEN BOTHER TO SHOW UP TO VOTE
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/votes/
I’m much more cautious in my expectations for Obama, more than anything because I think there will be institutional blocks to what his supporters and the country wants to accomplish and a fight will be needed against embedded interests (including some in his inner circle) who may be against some of the needed changes. However, it’s nice to see the US with an opportunity to move forward in some way instead of back, which is all I’ve seen my whole life. Obama, at the very least, is a vast improvement over Bush (and Kerry for that matter) and can at least be a step or two in the right direction.
I have yet to hear a good reason to vote for McCain, outside of blind partisanship and a bunch of empty platitudes. If Obama doesn’t carry the country by at least 10 points come November then this country is crazier than I thought.
dennis @ 84:
Your tu quoque is worthless.
mccain has a history of anger-management issues circulating within even his own party.
Obama doe