Patriarchy thwarted! Edwards to retain Marcotte, McEwan
posted at 1:08 pm on February 8, 2007 by Allahpundit
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He doesn’t explicitly say so, but if they’re on their way out, why bother with this?
Not since the Trump/Miss USA press conference have I felt so moved by redemption:
The tone and the sentiment of some of Amanda Marcotte’s and Melissa McEwan’s posts personally offended me. It’s not how I talk to people, and it’s not how I expect the people who work for me to talk to people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it’s intended as satire, humor, or anything else. But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I’ve talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone’s faith, and I take them at their word.
It wasn’t their intention to malign anyone’s faith? By referring to religious conservatives as “godbags” and “Christofascists”? Quote:
Q: What if Mary had taken Plan B after the Lord filled her with his hot, white, sticky Holy Spirit?
A: You’d have to justify your misogyny with another ancient mythology.
Either he’s a gullible moron or he takes us for gullible morons. Bad news either way. Here’s the big finish:
We’re beginning a great debate about the future of our country, and we can’t let it be hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the America we believe in.
That’s vintage nutroots newspeak, on the same paranoid continuum as questioning the timing, and I’m sure it won’t be lost on his target audience. Their answer to every right-wing challenge, policy or otherwise, is to look for an ulterior motive that we’re allegedly attempting to distract them from. Opposing abortion isn’t “about” protecting innocents; it’s about “controlling women’s bodies.” Opposing affirmative action isn’t “about” fairness and meritocracy; it’s about reinstituting Jim Crow. The Iraq war isn’t “about” trying to reduce the incentives towards terrorism by introducing democracy; it’s about oil, Israel, Halliburton, colonialism, or any/all of the above. And criticizing Edwards’s bloggers isn’t “about” the fact that they’re offensive wretches whose brand of discourse has now been mainstreamed; it’s about conservatives trying to hijack the debate about which of the two Americas Lionel Hutz purchased to accommodate his palace.
Which isn’t to suggest he made the wrong move here. On the contrary, like I said last night:
[I]t’s possible that Edwards’s people brought Marcotte on because she’s so repulsive, because they knew she’d appeal to the cretins he’s trying to woo. In which case, they absolutely should stand by her. Keep her on and let Chris Bowers swear his oath of loyalty to the guy who had the foresight, the vision, to hire one of the nutroots’s Christian-hating finest.
He needs their imprimatur as the “true, pure” liberal in the race if he’s going to chase down Hillary and Obama. In fact, per Bowers’s dopey pledge to support him come what may so long as he keeps Marcotte on, I think he actually benefits from this fiasco ultimately. Now he can tack a little more to the right on foreign policy to appeal to the center, and if the nutroots grumbles, all he has to do is say, “Hey — the crazy cat lady’s still with the campaign, isn’t she?”
It’s a good move for another reason, too. Like the boss noted recently in a not-dissimilar context, sunshine is the best disinfectant. The best way to fight the nutroots is to raise their level of exposure. Edwards helped do that. Thanks, Silky Pony.
More (Bryan): If they truly never meant to malign anyone’s faith, as Edwards says, Marcotte and McEwan are two of the most incompetent writers on the planet. Or they lied to him and he bought it whole. Or as Allah says, he’s just taking us all for fools. That Edwards has apparently kept the two around, apparently out of fear that the IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT might be loosed upon him is…hilarious. The guy can’t face down a howling mob led by Vanuatu protege Chris Bowers, yet he wants us to think he’s strong enough to face down the mad mullahs and Kim Jong-Il. Riiiight. File this netroots victory under the heading “pyrrhic.”
Update: Goldstein echoes another point I made yesterday about Bowers’s pledge. The first priority for the fightin’ nutroots, even above ending the war, is cultivating their own power. And if they have to make ideological compromises to do that, hey:
[W]ere it really never Marcotte’s intent to malign anyone’s faith, she probably wouldn’t have dedicated so many hate-filled blog posts to, you know—maligning anyone’s faith.
Of course it was her intent. Just as it was McEwan’s intent. And worst of all, Edwards knows it. That he has pretended to take the two at their word, in an ostentatious gesture of “trust,” is precisley the kind of treacle that makes people doubt the sincerity of politicians; and that both Marcotte and McEwan have assured their own personal Patriarch that they’ll behave, now that he’s promoted them to the grownups’ table, is one of the most pathetic surrenderings of personal integrity I’ve ever seen.
Seriously. We should feel bad for them.
That is, were we to actually believe they meant any of it. Because how this plays out for the netroots is this way: either they are cheering on an ideological sellout, or they are knowingly and happily embracing an opportunistic liar. So. Congrats to them. Once again, they’ve covered themselves in white hot sticky glory!
Update: Wouldn’t you know it? Turns out she’s a satirist.
My writings on my personal blog Pandagon on the issue of religion are generally satirical in nature and always intended strictly as a criticism of public policies and politics. My intention is never to offend anyone for his or her personal beliefs, and I am sorry if anyone was personally offended by writings meant only as criticisms of public politics. Freedom of religion and freedom of expression are central rights, and the sum of my personal writings is a testament to this fact.
I.e., “sorry if you can’t deal, godbag.” Read it again and drink it in; it’s the equivalent of Misha getting hired on to some GOP campaign and immediately issuing a statement that he’s pro-Palestinian. Imagine the look on the face of our proud gyno-warrior as she had to type this transparent garbage out. Utterly, comically pathetic.
Update (Bryan): Edwards should fire the Blunder Twins and hire the AP’s Nedra Pickler. Because she can construct some beautiful spin. Important Action Alert: Go read that link.
Note the lack of specifity on the bloggers’ work. Note the ending, in which specificity on Bill Donahue’s past statments makes a nice, loud clang. That’s the work of a spin surgeon right there.
Update: Spruiell smells a flip flop.
Update: Another good one from the Malcontent, who in some circles is apparently not “authentically” gay because he finds Marcotte obnoxious: “[T]o a certain brand of blogger — and gay activist – ‘pro-gay’ and wildly liberal are automatically synonymous, despite any evidence to the contrary. The lesson to be learned: Even hate-spewing simpletons are to be defended, as long as their politics are far enough to the left.”
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Yay! If Amanda Marcotte can make it, then my future in politics is virtually assured.
frankj on February 8, 2007 at 1:11 PM
And he won’t have to buy any of that expensive dKos advertising to get it either…
Just wait til it sinks in that Edwards suggested that Israel be allowed to join NATO.
rw on February 8, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Politically, I think this was the correct move for the Edwards campaign. He keeps the nutroots happy and on his side, while at the same time he placates the more moderate lefties by muzzling Marcotte and McEwan.
dalewalt on February 8, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Scary downside: the nutroots really are that powerful. Let that sink in. Seriously. The crazy left wing fringe, epitomized by Marcotte and her ilk, really do have some juice in the Democrat party. Its time to hit the lifeboats, Liberman and likeminded Truman dems. Long since past time, in fact.
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Typical ‘vintage nutroots newspeak’ from those in the ‘double-think’, socialist democratic party. There is no reasoning with these people, but another ‘r’ word does comes to my mind.
This news will bode well, though, for the frothing, profanity trolls over at huffpo (i feel so dirty) who were apoplectic upon hearing the early word that Marcotte had been fired.
Oddly enough, those frothing, profanity trolls were calling for MM’s head on a plate!
Go figure.
locomotivebreath1901 on February 8, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Allah, am I to believe that one of my tips has been utilized? At least we may be spared an important rant.
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 1:21 PM
So I guess the only question that remains is: Is John Edwards the bravest man in America? Or the world?
Enrique on February 8, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Great minds think alike.
I’m wondering what we can expect from his blogmaster when Edwards finishes fourth in Iowa?
Nethicus on February 8, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Behold the power of the prepared vicious rant and important action alert!
righteouschops on February 8, 2007 at 1:23 PM
My guess is that he was going to fire them when he first heard about all of the crap they’ve written, but then backed down for fear of losing the nutroots. Now he’s trying to downplay their style of commentary in an effort to triangulate. But regardless, when you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas, and eventually (if not already) the taint these two bring to his campaign will stick.
thirteen28 on February 8, 2007 at 1:24 PM
John Edwards is the
braveststupidist man in the world.bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Edwards just painted a VERY VERY big bullseye on his back and everyone’s going to take shots at him.
If I was Karl Rove I’d do something to cause Marcotte to lose it and write on the blog ;)
Defector01 on February 8, 2007 at 1:25 PM
I read both the posts at Edwards’ blog. By their ability to tell the most outrageous boldfaced lies to justify their actions, they have outClintoned Clinton.
INC on February 8, 2007 at 1:26 PM
NO ONE who condones or overlooks this pure hate garbage will ever have the respect of any Christian on the planet, EVER.
Edwards you are a coward and a scoundrel.
shooter on February 8, 2007 at 1:26 PM
The only way this explanation could have been anymore ridiculous is if Edwards announced that Marcotte was checking herself into rehab to cure herself of her hate for godbags and Rethuglicans.
Greg Tinti on February 8, 2007 at 1:26 PM
Hmmph, I thought that *I* was the one who’d get the tip credit :-)
dalewalt on February 8, 2007 at 1:28 PM
Bryan, he’ll face down the mad mullahs just like he did here; by talking to them and compromising.
dalewalt on February 8, 2007 at 1:30 PM
IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT!!!! I’m going to refill my coffee mug now. That is all.
Dave Shay on February 8, 2007 at 1:31 PM
Yay - frankj and Guilliani! I can’t wait!
Ann on February 8, 2007 at 1:31 PM
Actually, she’s just the kind of person a liberal wants on their staff: One who will flip off Christians behind their backs, smile to their face, and stir up the moon-batty-bat-bats all at the same time. Lunacy, thy name is Amanda Marcotte!!
BigOrangeAxe on February 8, 2007 at 1:32 PM
Before this, if Edwards ever broke through the gnomes and won the primary, he could have easily won the general election.
Now it appears his kook base will marginalize him if he continues the pandering.
Valiant on February 8, 2007 at 1:38 PM
Let’s look at the bright side! We will get to do this all over again, very soon because people like that just can’t keep their mouths shut. Especially when they think they got away with their little satire. It is only a matter of time before the Silk Pony will be galloping fast and furiously away from these two.
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 1:40 PM
At Sadlyno they believe they have pulled a Midway on BushCo.
We all are now wringing our hands out of fear. Glad they kept her on board actually as there is no way in heck she is going to wash that potty mouth of hers.
Limerick on February 8, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Note to bloggers, commenters, online rabble-rousers, and message board participants on all parts of the political spectrum: welcome to the world of the published word. Your entire ‘body of work’ is your resume and portfolio…do not be surprised when it follows you wherever you go. This exposure is exactly what you signed up for when you decided to publish without the benefit of a professional editor making your words tolerable.
Note to Edwards: grow a spine.
James on February 8, 2007 at 1:41 PM
NO ONE who condones or overlooks this pure hate garbage will ever have the respect of any Christian on the planet, EVER.
Hold your nose, cos here comes the cold water: very, very few people who do not read blogs are ever going to hear of this. “Amanda Marcotte” is not going to become a household name and very, very few people are going to base even a primary vote on this.
This is an internet tempest that will shortly blow over.
I don’t like it, but there it is. The nutroots proved they’ve got some mojo, at least early on in the Democrat primary process. And that’s cause for legit concern, in my opinion. How much concern, time will tell. But letting hate-filled nuts like this anywhere near a major contender for the nomination for President is not a good precedent.
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Just reading the comments on Edwards blog gives me the impression it’ll easily turn into an conservative/christian hate fest if not monitored closely. People who dare give a comment that even hints at any disagreement are called trolls. So … I guess that throws open discussion about issues out the window.
Hmmmmmmm … I wonder who’ll be keeping an eye on that blog anyway. Edwards is smart enough to get someone objective isn’t he?
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 1:42 PM
This is great news, now if Hillary would make the same kind of mistake…
Does this mean that Amanda is going down with Edwards?
right2bright on February 8, 2007 at 1:42 PM
The Christians and Catholics should have a prayer blog for these two. National coordinated prayer will either cure them of their sick thoughts or it will draw out to the surface for all t see whatever pus is left that infects their souls.
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 1:43 PM
“Amanda Marcotte” is not going to become a household name and very, very few people are going to base even a primary vote on this.
Wait til the election draws close. You will hear “Amamda Marcotte” shouted from the rooftops. Have no doubt that at a minimum, Hillary will use it against him
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 1:44 PM
The Edwards campaign is like a computer.
Garbage in, garbage out (don’t ya’ know).
CyberCipher on February 8, 2007 at 1:45 PM
That assumes that Edwards opponents in the primaries (and if he somehow got the nomination, the general election) will just leave this alone.
Don’t count on that. I bet opposition researchers from the other campaigns are busy reading and taking screenshots of some of Amanda’s more hateful comments, and will call Edwards to task if it gives them a campaign advantage.
thirteen28 on February 8, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Depends on what “is” is. . .
I did not have sex with that woman. . .
I am not a stand by my man woman. . . .
Okay the last was Hillary but I think all of this outlandish behavior is more akin to Edwards being the canary in the mine. He is not going to get the nomination but Hillary and the Dems need to find out just where the limit of the average American sensibilties is. If he gets by with it expect to see the same plan adopted by Hillary. If it appears to turn off voters it only serves to paint Hillary in a more “centrist” position. The old “See she ain’t so bad compared to a riled up copperhead snake” tactic.
You must always keep in mind that Hillary is the anointed one and everything done in the years of campaigning leading up to the final election is designed to get her elected. She needs a pit bull to rile up the masses and the more expendable they are the better.
LakeRuins on February 8, 2007 at 1:51 PM
I use over the top language satirizing being a right-winger. Is she claiming she was merely satirizing angry liberals?
I should mention she’s very strict on her definition of satire: http://www.imao.us/archives/007019.html
frankj on February 8, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Now this is entertainment!
Bob's Kid on February 8, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Edwards has now had his Howard Dean moment.
I knew it would happen eventually, just not this soon.
BacaDog on February 8, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Good. Let these cretins views see the light of day. Show who the haters are.
Edwards is finished. Although he was finished before this. Hilly and Messiah are too big. But the precedent for having nutroots on your campaign has been set. Hilly and Messiah will have to prove their leftcred and hire one of these wackjobs.
I can already see the comedy gold.
Iblis on February 8, 2007 at 1:56 PM
I’ve talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone’s faith, and I take them at their word.
That is such a blatant lie … well, good ammo for his opponents. Any Christian or for that matter, anyone who believes in God, that was interested in Edwards, probably just lost that interest or will when they hear this.
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Big mistake on Edwards part (not that I am surprised). Just as it has already been pointed out, this allowance of hate to speak for him will bite him in the ass later. Every political enemy he has will be making sure that Marcotte’s words now belong to Edwards. I nver worried about Edwards actually getting anywhere with his election. Most North Carolinians despise him. He can’t even win his own state.
Guardian on February 8, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Hillary! will use this and other Marcotte postings against him, including the good stuff from the Durham (non)rape case. And the MSM, who probably prefers Hillary! better anyway, and would like to put a little smackdown on the upstart nutroots, will aid and abet her efforts to make Marcotte an issue when the primaries heat up.
Is that a trick question? Have you ever heard the guy give a stump speech? He sounds like he thinks he’s talking to a bunch of first graders.
Dudley Smith on February 8, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Hilary can’t afford to alienate the nutroots anymore than Edwards.
She knows this.
She won’t make hay over this either, unless its a last ditch effort late in a deep south primary or heavily catholic state that she absolutely must have in order to get the nomination.
I just don’t see a scenario where a fellow democrat calls Edwards on this. They’re all in the same boat with these glittering eyed freaks and no one, apparently, wants to be the first to challenge the far left fringe.
As far as the general election if lightning strikes and its Edwards versus the GOP candidate? Get real. You honestly think that outside of a 3 minute segment on Hannity and Colmes with guest Michelle Malkin, that this gets aired on the networks at all? No.friggin’.way.
Like I said, I don’t like it. But at the end of the day, one guy, John Edwards, had a chance to say “no” to the crazies and he waffled and then blinked. Not good for our politics, folks. Not good at all.
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 2:02 PM
We did have to wait long for Edwards to have his picture taken in a tank. Hillary must be very happy.
Wade on February 8, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Unhinged liberal bloggers blackmail a Presidential candidate: Presidential candidate bows and pays the ransom.
I wonder who Kos “The Fresh Maker” will decide to crown this next election cycle?
natesnake on February 8, 2007 at 2:06 PM
This Marcotte situation is win/win for us. We get to have all of our jokes about her and the Breck Girl now, and they’ll continue to be a gift that keeps on giving as long as she’s attached to his campaign. (Someone with Internet skilz ought to archive all of her posts, though. It’ll be interesting to compare the pre- and post-whitewash versions.) If things get too quiet, you can always do another Vent at Amanda’s expense to stir the pot and feed the nutroots’ frenzy. But I can’t imagine her keeping her muzzle on for long, since she apparently has no impulse control whatsoever.
He takes us for gullible morons, I guarantee you. John Edwards is a sleazy, shameless, ambulance-chasing trial lawyer–he built his entire career, and bank account, on people being gullible morons. We’re just another jury that he thinks he can fool by pretending to channel dead baby girls.
ReubenJCogburn on February 8, 2007 at 2:09 PM
The Silk Pony has just shown his true colors. He will not win the nomination. Hillary knows this. The nutroots and moonbats would rather hold their collective noses and vote for Hillary than vote for a Republican. Hillary won’t have too much to say about this; she won’t have to. Good bye, Pony, soon you will be riding off into the sunset.
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Edwards is a loser! And just so that he makes sure everyone is aware of that fact, he has surrounded himself with other losers. I do hope he enjoys his ambulance chasing job as that will be his only future. From the info on his new house, chasing ambulances pays quite well.
Chief1942 on February 8, 2007 at 2:12 PM
Fortunately, I’ve never heard of Amanda Marcotte.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on February 8, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Breck girls like attention.
infidel on February 8, 2007 at 2:13 PM
I wonder how Marcotte felt being dressed down by a white, southern, supposed christian patricarch with kids? That’s if he really did.
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 2:16 PM
That is definitely the upshot. Poke that tiger enough, and she will not be able to contain her unhinge-ment. We will be treated to the finest filth filled screed she can muster.
natesnake on February 8, 2007 at 2:17 PM
But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I’ve talked to
AmandaAhmadinejad, andMelissaAssad; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone’s faith, and I take them at their word.A little editing and Edward’s poor judgement and negotiating tactics are exposed. If he has this much difficulty dealing with two trash-mouthed blogggers, I don’t want him calling any shots in the White House.
Gee this is fun. And almost two more years to go.
fogw on February 8, 2007 at 2:17 PM
I officially changed my party affiliation today from Democrat to Independent. Between the DNC’s imam and the Blunder Twins I decided I could no longer be part of the Democratic Party. Now I feel clean again.
Sadly though, these two sterling netizens are representatives of the New Left at its ‘finest’: Manners and civility to these people are archaic social practices designed to keep people ‘in their place’. Really, of course, they come across as two year olds throwing a temper tantrum–strike that–any given two year old possesses far greater maturity than these two yo-yos and their ilk.
Matt Helm on February 8, 2007 at 2:17 PM
Just like the Swiftboaters?
And I still don’t believe that the nutroots scare Hillary!. As long as the early primaries are in places like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, their support doesn’t translate into votes, as Howard Dean found out in 2004. When we start a primary schedule with NYC, San Fran, and Ann Arbor, then they might be kingmakers.
Dudley Smith on February 8, 2007 at 2:18 PM
You do know that California wants to move their primary to FEBRUARY???
Romeo13 on February 8, 2007 at 2:26 PM
The first time I read Marcotte’s writing was when I followed the HotAir and Michelle Malkin links earlier this week. After a few minutes of reading Marcotte’s filth, I felt I needed a shower. So I took one, thus consuming hot water that I otherwise would not have needed.
If only 10% of the people who read the Edwards blog feel the same way, imagine all the showers required. Nice, hot, long showers that need fossil fuel to heat the water, thus releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
I say this in all seriousness: John Edwards’ actions in hiring Amanda Marcotte PROVE he is a global warming skeptic. He doesn’t care about the extra showers and the extra CO2 required to heat all that water.
John Edwards doesn’t care about global warming! Spread the word! His campaign will be finished!
(OK, when I say “in all seriousness,” perhaps it is in a frankj kind of way….).
Anton on February 8, 2007 at 2:26 PM
The Democratic Party is in the process of destroying itself. GOOD, let them.
Nothing will turn the American public than the bombthrowing a-holes that have taken over the Democratic Party.
Sunlight is indeed the best disinfectant.
georgej on February 8, 2007 at 2:30 PM
One of the nutroots for Edwards ranked the politicos by class;
I am still wiping the tears out of my eyes.
Limerick on February 8, 2007 at 2:31 PM
I think the Swiftboat thing is apples and oranges.
Maybe I’m overstating the impact of the nutroots in the dem primaries. I hope that I am. But this right-wing crowing about how Edwards decision is going to doom him is just a self-selected group of political junkies extrapolating their own feelings and motivations onto the general voting public. Its just not the case that people are going to be moved by John Edwards selection of a “blogmaster” to vote for or against him. Even less likely when nobody is going to (honestly) cover the story.
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 2:31 PM
All due respect, I’d happily bet my house against you on that one. You couldn’t be more wrong if you took wrong pills on the wrong train to wrong town.
If you’re trying to suggest the MSM would keep quiet because of it’s bias - you’re certainly right on the bias part.
But the MSM puts absolutely nothing ahead of scandal. If it bleeds, it leads … add some good smut, some clever hate speech, toss in presidential politics … and have a WOMAN be the one going on ad nauseum about the sticky white seed of God … and the MSM would eat this stuff up.
If Edwards gets the nom, Amanda Marcotte will be more famous than Mary Mapes. Remember her? That particular name was all over the MSM - even though they had an even better reason not to be mentioning it, since they were skewering one of their own … and helping re-elect Bush.
The MSM has no principles. It may prefer liberal government, but it’ll toss Democrats in the garbage for a juicy bit of vulgar gossip.
You don’t own a television, do you?
Professor Blather on February 8, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Without knowing it, Edwards has shot himself in the foot. If he thinks that conservative blogs have made a big deal out of this, wait until the primaries.
This is too easy for Hillary Clinton, Obama, and Biden. Fish in a barrel.
Matticus Finch on February 8, 2007 at 2:41 PM
“Maybe I’m overstating the impact of the nutroots in the dem primaries. I hope that I am.”
Fred, day in and day out … how many people do you deal with that you can classify as a “nutroot”? Not many I bet, if any. The only power, if you want to call it that, that the nuts have is a keyboard and the ability to raise some cash. There numbers are relatively small, but they are vocal. Their dilemma is, the louder they get, the more they get noticed, the more they get noticed, the better it is for me and you. Their spiteful rhetoric towards Lieberman doomed Lamont. They can’t help themselves and if they become closely aligned with Edwards as appears to be the case … say bye-bye to Johnny.
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Even though the quotes are well documented proving they have done exactly this?
You are defending their lies, all the while expecting us to trust you as president?
Lawrence on February 8, 2007 at 2:42 PM
You don’t own a television, do you?
Several, in fact.
Do you read the newspapers?
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 2:43 PM
They can’t help themselves and if they become closely aligned with Edwards as appears to be the case … say bye-bye to Johnny.
Even in the Democrat primary?
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 2:44 PM
I would be willing to bet that after this quiets down, Edwards will replace both of them after finding some sort of amicable way to satisfy them and the nuts. Namely, cash for them and another lefty blooger not quite so hateful and vulgar.
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Perhaps Edwards is just waiting until this blows over before handing them pink slips. He doesn’t want to look like he’s appeasing the conservative blog-set. Lord knows it’s just a matter of time before Amanda derails while on staff.
natesnake on February 8, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Even in the Democrat primary?
With Hillary trying to become a born again Christian, a Gaiaist and socialist all in one, do you think she’d not use this?
darwin on February 8, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Here’s a newsflash for you - and it’s a funny one:
I’ll just about guarantee that Edwards personally never saw or read what Amanda Marcotte has written, and that he *still* has not actually read her posts.
A staffer selected her for the position - and when the controversy happened, another staffer told Edwards how to handle it (without telling him exactly what was written), and yet another staffer wrote that speech you just quoted.
Edwards won’t actually hear what Marcotte said until a primary opponent brings it up in a debate or mentions it in a commercial (or more likely, some ‘non-profit’ PAC commercial - maybe even Republican - quotes it).
I’m just hoping someone has a camera aimed at his face the first time Marcotte’s words do hit his ears …
Professor Blather on February 8, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Professor Blather….
Bingo. He’s toast. If he makes it through the primary, the conservatives will be armed and ready. And in this case, rightly so.
Matticus Finch on February 8, 2007 at 2:51 PM
:)
Tell you what, Fred. In the unlikely event Edwards gets the nom, you and I can have a friendly little wager. My house against all your televisions.
We’ll see if Marcotte’s witticisms stay buried or not.
I’m hoping you’ve got some nice HD flat screens. I need a 42-inch for my office.
Of course, here’s exactly what will actually happen:
Exactly right. By no later than early summer, Edwards and Marcotte will amicably part ways, for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do (wink, wink) with Marcotte’s blog. Nothing at all.
I’m open to bets on that one, too, Fred. Want to toss in your toaster ovens and microwave?
Professor Blather on February 8, 2007 at 2:53 PM
This cannot surprise anyone! Can you name one time when the Democrats “fired” or drove out anyone that proved to be indecent and vile???? I can’t think of one time.
Republicans are the ones who kick people out for not living up to certain standards of behavior.
I mean, come on! This is the party who stood by a President who got serviced by a girl young enough to be his daughter in the White House. This is the party who stood and applauded a Congressman who actually seduced and had relations with a Senate page. This is a party who stood behind a Congressman who had a prostitution ring being run out of his apartment.
Do you think a little Catholic bigotry is going to bother them???
Please.
Rightwingsparkle on February 8, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Everybody keeps linking this to Edwards and I still am going to hold on to my idea that this is all part of a magic act. Edwards gives the nutroots a voice and keeps them engaged in the Democratic party. Hillary remains above the fray, and in light of former Governor Richardson’s insistence at the recent DNC conference that the Dems not rip into each other, Hillary will use it as cover not to criticise thereby appearing to be the good little candidate.
It is a win/win situation for her campaign and the little people once again get hoodwinked by master illusionist Clinton. Edwards is just the pretty stage assistance who keeps the audience distracted while the magician does his work.
LakeRuins on February 8, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Pony, take notice! The market is not liking this one bit!!!!
http://finance.yahoo.com/
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 3:05 PM
You might have something there! The Silk Pony is just a cankle distraction!
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Sounds like an albatross to me…right along with the $4.5 million mansion. Bye bye Breckgirl!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on February 8, 2007 at 3:08 PM
“Tortlandia of Chapel Hill” is not a mansion, it is a house which reflects the Silk Pony’s humble beginnings and hard work culminating in the realization of the American Dream, which is within the grasp of all Americans, except those #%@*#@#%* corporate pigs.
bloggless on February 8, 2007 at 3:14 PM
http://www.johnedwards.com/about/contact/form/
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on February 8, 2007 at 3:24 PM
(snort)
Wouldn’t it just be downright fascinating if we could somehow stop time - change Marcotte’s comments to being about Islam instead of Catholicism - and see how things change? See how Edwards reacts? See how liberals respond?
Ah, the fun I could have if Doc would ever get this DeLorean running again …
Professor Blather on February 8, 2007 at 3:30 PM
The “Empty Suit” cowers in the face of nutroot backlash.
Surprise, surprise, surprise.
Malpaso on February 8, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Sadly, my televisions are NOT of the HD, flat screen variety, prof.
That said, I can’t quite bring myself to share your optimistic vision of the MSM and electorate sharing the OUTRAGE of the right wing blogosphere over Marcotte’s bon mots. I wish it were so, I truly do.
But I do share your skepticism about his candidacy in general. I think others on this thread have probably got it right: quiet resignations down the road in exchange for some quid pro quo.
Fred on February 8, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Edwards is an idiot. These two wackjobs will be gone within a week. The vile things they have written on their blogs are not going away, and this issue will not die. It just shows what bad jusgement this guy has, that he is too stupid to immediately realize that. I predict that within one week these two sleazebags will “resign of their own accord for the good of the campaign.”
greggish on February 8, 2007 at 3:49 PM
You have to have a pretty thick skin to play in The Show, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Edwards just sent out for a bunch of extra antacid.
eeyore on February 8, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Edwards isn’t an idiot. His plan is to pander to the nutroots, then, unlike Lamont, drop them after the primaries.
p0s3r on February 8, 2007 at 4:01 PM
No, no, no. Let me clarify what I meant. I definitely do NOT think that the MSM would be “outraged.” (Then again, I don’t really think the right wing blogosphere is outraged, either. Amusement at such political incompetence seems to be the general attitude).
But in a general election, the MSM would cover the story with glee. We’d get to hear the actual quotes - with lots of parental warning ahead of time - and every time the networks oh-so-reluctantly aired Marcotte’s wisdom, they’d go up a point in the ratings.
It’s just too good to pass up. Like a great reality-television moment. It’s dirty, there’s conflict, it’s embarrassing … it’s just perfect. Think Monica Lewinsky. The MSM would surely have rather kept that quiet - but man, that cigar bit was just too titillating for the crowds at home.
Ratings trumps ideology. Announcing the a Presidential candidate hires (and now keeps!) staff that babble on about Divine Ejaculation … it’s just too good not to use. Jay Leno could milk it for weeks (pun intended).
But alas, it’s not to be. Marcotte will gone soon enough.
In the meantime, it really is frickin’ funny that she’s basically repudiated everything she’s ever written.
What a sellout. Say it ain’t so, Mandy.
Whether the public would be outraged, well, that’s a different debate. I dunno.
Maybe I’m being naive, but I’d like to think that enough moderate non-ideologue Democrats are out there that would be appalled enough not to go to the polls. What she wrote really was pretty disgusting, and the fact that any candidate would associate himself with her is … troubling. In a race that’s usually decided by a few percentage points, it might make a difference.
Or maybe Democrats with principles just don’t exist any more. I don’t know.
Professor Blather on February 8, 2007 at 4:09 PM
So much for Edwards’ “Sistah Souljah” opportunity …
Spurius Ligustinus on February 8, 2007 at 4:11 PM
Why is everyone so blue? This is FANTASTIC news! We don’t want Edwards or any Democrat anywhere to get rid of staffers who are dim and vulgar partisan haters. We want those kind of people to stick to Democrats like tar. They are the kind of undisciplined hacks and crude screechers who will drive Edwards campaign straight into the ditch when the heat is turned up. Heck, I hope Edwards promotes them. Give the vulgarian dolts the keys to the campaign and let’s see what they can do.
Tantor on February 8, 2007 at 4:18 PM
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