Audio: Michelle, John Gibson salute Obama’s media sycophants
posted at 10:00 am on March 19, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Matthews gets the worst of it, as well he might, but let’s spare a thought for the blogosphere’s most shameless hypocrite, who demagogued the McCain/Hagee thing so exquisitely for so long and yet somehow finds the objections to Obama’s 20-year marriage of political convenience with a conspiracy theorizing hate merchant completely overblown. Collins dispatches with him here.
MM thinks the Wright thing is a net loss for Obama going forward, but how far forward? Newsday and Politico report that the GOP is feeling frisky over it, but given the depths to which the left has already sunk to present McCain as a bigot (Greenwald and his Hagee obsession being but one example), I’m not sure how you go about attacking Wright in the general without playing into that. Sure, Obama’s an opportunistic fraud on race who’s being excused from a habit of tolerating intolerance that no white politician from either party would be indulged — but what else would you expect conservatives to say? Maybe the election comes down to whether independents believe it’s inherently and irretrievably racist to fault a guy for shrugging off “America invented AIDS” theories for 20 years because he wanted to seem “authentic.” We’ll see.
Exit question per Gibson’s sign off in the clip: Hot Air “indispensable”? Gibby, you sweet-talker, you.
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GOP strategist dipshits need to learn to not talk to the press.
ninjapirate on March 19, 2008 at 10:08 AM
You drooling right-wing troglodytes just don’t understand the nuance, AP. If you shake hands with a preacher and welcome his support, you are thereby responsible, nay entirely aligned with, every utterance said preacher has made the past 30 years.
OTOH, if you attend the church of said preacher for 20 years, expressly sign on to the racist core philosophy of said church, have that preacher marry you and baptized your children all the while pouring tens of thousands of dollars into the church…well, naturally you aren’t tied to any politically unpopular stance taken by the church or preacher.
Get with the program!
Jeffersonian on March 19, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Yeah. How dare they express their first ammendment rights! How can we control the dialog if we let everyone have an opinion?
//somebody piss in your post toasties this morning?
techno_barbarian on March 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM
The more I think about how Barry used his Grandma, the more disgusted I am with that slimebag.
I wonder if she signed off on that. I know that were I in that position, I would NEVER smear my Grandmother that way. What a filthy scumbag. Oh man…
Radical scumbag leftists will go to no end to ensure their victory.
benrand on March 19, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Obama aimed to cover his butt, nothing more nothing less. He willingly subscribed to the lying rhetoric of that vile, white hating preacher for over 20 years. Anyone that believes he didn’t understand and internalize Wright’s message is either a member of his cult or hopelessly naive.
rplat on March 19, 2008 at 10:15 AM
ANY reasonable person would conclude that Obama agreed with most all of the hate-filled crap that spewed from Reverend Wright’s pulpit, or he would have left that church years ago! Therefore, all of this BS BO spouted yesterday is just to cover his ass for his association with the reverend. IF the liberals had half a brain, which they don’t, they would leave Obama high & dry, without another vote cast for him.But we are talking about liberal idiots, so I think he still has a shot. Amazing…isn’t it?
kcd on March 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM
OB now wears a big monkey on his back. it was his job to toss it yesterday, but it’s still there and biting.
jimmer on March 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM
My hatered for the MSM burns brighter than ever today, based on their fawning coverage of this speech.
If Hate were Steel, I could build a tower to the stars with it.
pseudonominus on March 19, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Obama can read the directions on a tube of toothpaste and the lefty idiots will think it’s scripture.
RobCon on March 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
We’d better gear up. I’m predicting a huge print media push for Jeremiah’s Messiah and his speech this Sunday.
Connie on March 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
How many swing states will Obama lose?
Ohio and Florida are a given- let me rephrase the question. How many blue states will Obama lose?
Theworldisnotenough on March 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Most reasonable people over the age of 16 know politicians lie and manipulate, some better than others, but they all do it, including our favorites. I have never understood why anyone believes anything in a political speech. Actions are much more indicative of true values. Case in point- the fence at our southern border. Obama’s speech was meaningless,..actually much worse, it was damaging to the progress of race relationships. It showed a lack of sincerity in one who had an opportunity to actually do some healing and thus increased skepticism in the audience. All the pundit leg tingle reaction doesn’t change that.
a capella on March 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Yes.
Dusty on March 19, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Headline:
If these morons see Wright as pathway to victory, then they deserve to lose. Wright isn’t going to go away with or without these “strategists”, but Team McCain and all these strategists need to focus on policy innovation because that’s where we will either win or lose.
ninjapirate on March 19, 2008 at 10:35 AM
OB’s speech is a huge step to the right for Democrats, and therefore could help them in the general election. Basically, through all of the excess verbage he is saying (among other things) African Americans cannot set the agenda for race relations in the US, which the hate mongers such as Rev. Wright would like.
He also noted that whites cannot be considered guilty of racism, just for being white. I see this as progress, and only BO is the first politician in history to be able to say that and maybe make it stick.
In an odd way, it’s a bit like when Nixon went to China. I’m not saying people should run out and vote for OB. But he’s running for the middle ground with that speech.
As to whether OB should have walked away from Rev. Wright years ago, well maybe he should have. But, maybe I should have walked away from my church when the idiot pastor insisted evolution was false. But eventually he retired and the new man knows God is responsible for everything, including evolution.
doufree on March 19, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Typos typos typos …
OB, BO, at least I didn’t type OPP.
doufree on March 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM
AP-
Interesting concept. I’m still trying to mentally reconcile those two notions, but if you’re spot on, what the heck would the fact that it was apparently working say about America?
ChenZhen on March 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Obama had only one real grandmother growing up and he threw her under the political expediency bus for a rabid drama queen bigot like Wright. Words matter indeed. Sorry Obama, the carefully placed mask is slipping. Hillary will remain coy and above it all of course.
RobCon on March 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I’m just glad that Barry FINALLY made public mention of his white family… even if it was only to label his grandmother a racist, I think it really shows some progress on his part… loser.
D2Boston on March 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
This may be difficult for the Christian bashers on this forum to understand but even without the moral equivilency, Jeremiah Wright isn’t something that Triceratops should be using in the general election anyway.
For the people (evangelicals) who care about the fact that Obama associated himself with a racist pastor for 20 years, Wright has already been exposed. For the so-called intellectuals and liberals who sneer at organized religion, what is this going to do when the so-called conservative Christian-bashing crowd already smeared all religion by defaming Romney and Huckabee so that Triceratops’ crowd could win the nomination. Liberal Christian-bashers probably agree with Wright, anyway.
Finally, and this probably the most important point. Triceratops only chance of victory lies in “acting Presidential” and you don’t do that by attacking black organized religious institutions. You do it by attacking Obama’s judgement in who he calls his friends and there is plenty of opportunity to make the same point with Rezco without getting into religion.
The really sad part is the number of so-called conservatives who call themselves tolerant of all faiths but are extending far more latitude to Rev. Jeremiah Wright than they ever did when Mitt Romney talked about his faith.
highhopes on March 19, 2008 at 10:43 AM
How can you be a member of a racist and anti-American organization for twenty years including large financial support and when running for President think you can excuse it by saying “My nana said some bad things too.”
hawkeye on March 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Apples and oranges. One is a theological argument, the other is class warfare and race hatred, supported by cheering, clapping, and “Amens” by the congregation, of which Obama and his family are a part. That is the product being sold. Obama bought it, at least $22,000 worth last year.
a capella on March 19, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Read Byron York’s piece yesterday at NRO. There were people in the audience for the speech who, by their own admission, had no problem with Wright or what he said. There was a poll taken a few days ago by Rasmussen showing that 75% of blacks or something on that order either had no problem with his patronage of Wright or actually thought it was an asset to him.
Allahpundit on March 19, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I looked @ a link to an LA Times story. It had a little blurb touting their Opinions page — it read, “Moving A Nation”.
Guess who it was about.
To quote Bill the Cat, “Gaaaaaaaaaaaaack!”
least1 on March 19, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Black liberation theology.
That’s how.
What’s missing a but from a lot of analysis the last few days is that Wright isn’t exactly a crank or a crackpot and he didn’t just pull all his rantings of of
his asthin air.They’re all part and parcel of what has become an accepted doctrine and which has verifiable roots and writings.
And it’s the “theology” that’s defined as the theology of Trinity United C of C.
And it’s some, bitter, bitter, divisive stuff. It’s black nationalism laced with Marxism and pure, unvarnished, rancid hatred. Wright may fade, but Obama steeped himself in this stuff for twenty years.
If he’s the Dem nominee, you can bet there’ll be some pretty long and thoughtful looks at it. Of course the left will bleat that it’s his “religion” and therefore out of bounds. But they won’t succeed.
And somewhere you add all that up with his hanging with radicals, his completely doctrinaire leftist voting record in the Senate, his America-hating wife, his standing with his hands folded as the national anthem played and then using eight flags as a prop after he disavowed even wearing a pin in his lapel…
And what he’s selling is his abilities as a unifier and his judgment?
I can’t see many takers.
If the Dems hang on and nominate this guy, by November he’ll make McGovern/Nixon look like a squeaker.
Typhoon on March 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Looking at it that way, perhaps his speech yesterday did some good, in that the black liberation theology is now fair game for analysis and discussion, when before, it was just considered a fringe group. The Klan and AB suffered under public scrutiny, maybe that will happen here.
a capella on March 19, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Thought you were advocating the left’s belief in the stifling of opposition opinion. My mistake.
I agree with your point about importance of policy development. But I have to point out that nobody’s going to pay attention to any real concrete policy solutions that the GOP comes up with. Not allowed in our current political and media environment.
Everything from the GOP will be downplayed and denigrated. Everything from the dems will be touted and glorified. That’s just today’s political and media reality.
But, NOT acknowledging and pointing out the obvious chink in the Big O’s glowing armor and using it as a political weapon is the kind of thing that has gotten the GOP where we are and have been for 8 years or more; inclined to take the high road and either afraid or unwilling to point out real problems with the opposition and educate the voting public.
techno_barbarian on March 19, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Anybody surprised by this?
You forgot to mention that these are the same people that believe that O.J. Simpson DESERVED his acquittal and release after murdering Nicole.
CyberCipher on March 19, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Prediction: Jeremiah Wright wins the next Nobel Peace Prize.
dinasour on March 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM
“Moving a Nation”
So Obama is really a form of democrat Dulcolax!
(I’m only being partially sarcastic here!)
TexasJew on March 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM
You’re wrong. People want to know, we just need to innovate new methods to present the information.
Wright isn’t going to go away, but nobody in the GOP should think that it will sink him.
ninjapirate on March 19, 2008 at 11:07 AM
So Barry can mention a reaction to his grandmother’s words and actions (a cringe), but he can’t own up to any reaction he may have had to Wright’s drivel? Not to mention how he lied about what he knew and when he knew it. Not to mention the Imus thing, the “quiet riots” speech, and the play on words by saying “former pastor.” The money he gave, his Debbie Downer wife, the words in the book (which I had to read in college 3 yrs ago)…he’s just a typical politician. Glad I saw it 3 yrs ago.
No one chained him to those pews, or forced him to ask the Rev to officiate those important events in his life.
Dubn8tr on March 19, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Vote yes on exit question.
mikeyboss on March 19, 2008 at 11:11 AM
As usual, you and MM are right on just about everything you say about this subject. I wish Obama’s campaign was finished. He deserves to lose. I never liked him. I never trusted him…
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on March 19, 2008 at 11:17 AM
So if his association with Wright was merely a cold, politically calculated move, it would run counter to the meme, as another commentor put it upthread, that “Anyone that believes he didn’t understand and internalize Wright’s message is either a member of his cult or hopelessly naive.” I’m just trying to get an idea of where the spin is going to go on this. Either he genuinely likes the church and didn’t leave because he actually shares Wright’s hateful views, or he doesn’t really share the views, so we can call into question his judgement for doing this to shore up black votes.
Of course, one of the things Obama’s done with this speech is put himself in the middle on this. Overall, he likes the church but has taken the good with the bad. Thinking cynically, one could say that perhaps that in and of itself involves political calculation; the ability to walk the tightrope of appearing “genuine” to a black base while never publicly uttering such firey rhetoric or otherwise creating the impression that he believes that stuff deep down.
But he also used the speech to put the black church into the spotlight and stimulate a rather honest dialogue on why the speech had to be given in the first place. Exploring the larger issue of race relations in this country.
I think on both that superficial and deeper level, it was a brilliant piece. It was something that I think put him in a league above the other candidates.
ChenZhen on March 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Monty Python’s “Life of Barack”
BARACK:
I’m not the Messiah!
NEWYORKTIMES:
I say You are, Lord, and I should know. I’ve followed a few.
MSM:
Hail Messiah!
BARACK:
I’m not the Messiah! Will you please listen? I am not the Messiah, do you understand?! Honestly!
CHRISMATTHEWS:
Only the true Messiah denies His divinity! (tingle goes up his leg)
BARACK:
What?! Well, what sort of chance does that give me? All right! I am the Messiah!
MSM:
(reaches new height of frenzy) He is! He is the Messiah!
Immolate on March 19, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Yes, that’s the rub. I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for since none of us can get into Obama’s head and say conclusively which it is. This has been my whole point about “expedience vs. commitment”: Was he a member of the church because he believes this stuff or simply because it helped his career? My own opinion is it’s the latter; I said in an earlier post that you can’t attribute Wright’s views to Obama. What you can do is conclude that Obama has no big problem with Wright’s views, much as a white person who belongs to a racially restrictive country club because he enjoys their golf course has no big problem with their policies. We wouldn’t let that person skate on grounds that he’s only in it for the golf. Why should we let Obama?
Allahpundit on March 19, 2008 at 11:25 AM
This could be problematic. All of this, which resonates for the Right, showing how disreputable, unsuitable Obama is…is a dull din in the ears of Democrats. They won’t hear what they don’t want to hear.
I mentioned a few of Rev. Wright’s statements/issues to my test liberal (brother in law). His response? “I don’t care about church stuff-all churches are bad.”
I tried to pin him down on whether he was ready to vote for Obama or Clinton. All he knows this early is: “Anyone but a Republican!”
Doug on March 19, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Instead of focusing entirely on Obama and Rev. Wright, the GOP should make this a Democrat Party problem.
The fact that most defenders of Rev. Wright and Obama, are admitting that this hate stuff is preached in most black churches, makes it safe to assume that Democrats like Al Gore, John Kerry, Bill and Hilary Clinton must have cozied up to at least one of these poisonous pastors in their quest for the White House.
Publicly indentify these hate-filled preachers and their connections to the Democrat Party, and drown them all in this cesspool. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
RMR on March 19, 2008 at 11:43 AM
How am I wrong? Reality is what it is. but with fully 94% of the media actively rooting for and covering for the dems, it makes that innovation we both agree should happen a bit of a challenge, doesn’t it? Not saying it’s not possible. But it’s certainly not going to get implemented during this election cycle, and I predict for at least several more to come.
But every little bit helps, doesnt’ it?
For me it’s not about race. I fundamentally disagree with the direction the Big O will take this country. It’s not much different that where the clintons want to take us. The more exposure of the flaws of these extremely flawed people, the better.
In the absence of a fair media, we work with the media we’ve got. Not the media we wish to have.
techno_barbarian on March 19, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Sooooo, what South Jersey town DID Michelle grow up in?
That explains why she’s never wrong and a heroine to Hot Air junkies.
Regarding Matthews and pundits in general, I quote Mugato from the movie Zoolander……(you can substitute Barry’s name for Zoo’s)
“Who cares about Derek Zoolander anyway? The man has only one look, for Ch***t’s sake! Blue Steel? Ferrari? Le Tigra? They’re the same face! Doesn’t anybody notice this? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!”
crashman on March 19, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I don’t know that you have to make a big deal about Wright in the general. I think the damage has been done and a simple, nuanced reminder now and again is enough. Something like….
McCain ad: Wright clip plays, “God bless America….nah, nah nah, God Damn America! “the chickens have come home to roost!” Voice over “What would Pator Wright’s role be in an Obama administration? National Security Advisor, Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State? Help stop the hate. Vote for John McCain for president.”
~snark
moxie_neanderthal on March 19, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Exit question:
If Clinton is able to grab the nomination by hook or crook, will there be riots a’la Rodney King? What will be the fallout?
moxie_neanderthal on March 19, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I wouldn’t step foot inside a radical mosque or send my children to a madrassa, because I don’t believe in what they teach or how they live.
I wouldn’t attend a KKK meeting because I deplore the hatred and racism spewed out there.
But if I told you I deplore the views of the KKK, but then joined them for 20 years, I think you’d call me a liar.
If I sent my children to the madrassa despite what I just said, you’d call me a liar.
We all make these decisions for ourselves in this life–where to worship, what to read, who to follow, how we live our daily lives, how we raise our children. The ability to discern is a true test of our character.
At the root of all this is black liberation theology. If you want to have a scary ride, read up on it.
nyrofan on March 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Anti-American, Marxist rhetoric could, and should be used against Obama this fall. The I hate “whitey” rhetoric is not where the focus should be. Eventually “white guilt” will overcome any discomfort caused by these hateful, and divisive comments. However, if the focus is on the I hate my Country comments the more problems for Obama. I know I am beating a dead horse by now, but please concentrate on framing this in a love/America hate/America issue instead of a black/white issue. Attack the dems on their leftist anti-American beliefs.
chief on March 19, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Why would Barack Hussein O’Jesus be moved to make a speech on race because attention was being paid to his pastor’s twenty-year history of un-American activities?
Akzed on March 19, 2008 at 12:22 PM
wow, this guy unloads on Obama from the pulpit.
Oh, gawd. Thank goodness he’s black.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU
moxie_neanderthal on March 19, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I thought Eddie Munster got the ax…
AprilOrit on March 19, 2008 at 1:22 PM
John Gibson has no room to talk when he mainstreams this hate monger crackpot from Harlem,
Again partisan manuevering when handy…
AprilOrit on March 19, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Pastor manning is calling for the anniliation of Bill Clinton, David Dinkins, Al Sharpton, Jesse jackson, Calypso Louie, the president of Citibank and the list is endless. Oh yea and Rudy and Pataki.
Why? Because Harlem is under gentrification, the only reason. I invite all of you to W125th Street any given weekend to watch the young church members shove the postcards in your face about boycotting all of the black shopkeepers in harlem, like they have anything to do with the city’s plans to raise 125th Street and bring in white renters and condo and coop buyers.
The guy is no different than Wright and neither of them or their sick demented message, should be mainstreamed on cable news.
AprilOrit on March 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM
I think there is a huge difference between accusing a guy of being racist, without any proof, and bringing up valid questions about someone B.O. calls a “good friend” who is “like family” and “a spiritual mentor”- and oh-yea, he’s a racist.
But he’s a nice racist. And he’s black, so all of ya’ll white people out there, you wouldn’t be able to understand him.
Jewels on March 19, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Thank you Michelle, thank you. “Courageous and insightful of Obama to bring this to the forefront.” That’s just a sampling of the statements I’ve heard about Obama’s speach on the 18th. Butt covering is what it was. Does anyone really believe he would have brought this up on his own? I’ve read about how wonderful it is that Obama brought this up. I heard justifications and excuses for being racist, or what he thinks are justifications and excuses. The entire speach was nothing but a prop to divert attention from the real issue….Wright’s preaching of racism to thousands and Obama’s tolerance of said preachings.
oakpack on March 19, 2008 at 3:56 PM
It’s a shameless self-plug, but I did use Obama’s speech as the springboard for a fairly in-depth look at Black Liberation Theology over at Protein Wisdom.
That being said, the McCain campaign should not get into it. They won’t have to.
Karl on March 19, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Well, he is right after all…at least for one or two of us who hand around here 8^)
AUINSC on March 19, 2008 at 10:11 PM
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