The patriarchal condescension of Bob Corker, and The Rumor
posted at 9:38 am on May 20, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Women have fought for equality in the workplace and the public square for decades, and now that they have achieved it, two men believe that women have to be protected from big, bad men who criticize their political speeches. The first, Barack Obama, comes as no surprise; he wants to minimize the political damage from a speech Michelle Obama gave at the beginning of February. The second, Republican Senator Bob Corker, has no such excuse:
The office of Senator Bob Corker, Republican from Tennessee, has weighed in today, siding with Senator Barack Obama’s objections to the state’s G.O.P. Web campaign against Michelle Obama.
To recap, the officialdom of the Tennessee G.O.P. posted a Web spot that mines remarks Mrs. Obama made in February that “first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” The ad repeats footage of her speaking those words, interspersed with comments from Tennesseans, talking about how they’ve always been proud to be an American. …
Today, Mr. Corker’s chief of staff, Todd Womack, demanded that his boss’ state party remove the Web ad:
After the Republican National Committee damaged our campaign with their infamous ‘Call Me’ ad — which we immediately denounced — we have strongly encouraged the national party and state parties to absolutely refrain from getting involved in negative personal campaigning, and we have asked the state party to remove their You Tube ad from their Web site.
Republicans will be in much better shape if we spend our time focused on issues like reducing federal spending, lowering the cost of health care and creating a coherent energy policy.
Here’s the ad in question:
As I wrote yesterday, anyone who delivers speeches at campaign events had better grow a thick enough skin to take criticism for their statements, and that includes the spouses of candidates. No one suggested that Bill Clinton’s statements on the stump should get excepted from criticism, and the Obama campaign didn’t follow that policy when decrying Bill’s divisiveness when Bill called Obama’s story on his Iraq policy a “fairy tale”. Why didn’t they observe the spousal exemption then? Is it because Bill’s a man and not a poor woman who requires the protection of her men?
When spouses become campaign surrogates, as Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, and Cindy McCain have, then their statements on the stump are completely fair game for criticism. The Tennessee GOP should continue to run this ad, and Corker should worry less about protecting women from themselves and more about whether he can carry his state for John McCain in the fall.
But while we’re on the subject, why is a Hillary Clinton supporter trying to flack a rumor about Michelle Obama — and blaming it on the GOP? Larry Johnson over at No Quarter has written about a video showing Mrs. Obama at the pulpit at Trinity United Church of Christ “railing against “whitey.” Supposedly, the Republicans — including the bete noir of Democrats, Karl Rove — paid a lot of money for the reel, which will destroy an Obama candidacy if the Democrats nominate him.
Yeah, sure. I don’t believe it for a second. This smells a lot like a political dirty trick aimed at both Obama and the Republicans, on a par with the “love child” smear against McCain in 2000. First, as someone who actually read Mrs. Obama’s Princeton thesis, it doesn’t match up with her outlook:
I have bad news for those who hoped to mine some gold in this thesis; it’s not there. It’s a typical college thesis that has perhaps a slightly more personal nature than most. It’s a well-written look at the differences between black alumni’s socialization patterns with blacks and whites before and during their Princeton years, and the effect that it had after their graduation.
It found — surprise! — that black students who socialized more with whites before and during Princeton were more comfortable with whites later, and those who didn’t, weren’t. Interestingly, they all more closely identified with the black community during the Princeton years, and that mostly declined when they went out into the world afterwards. There were more subtle variations on ideological trends, and attempts to drill down into “literateness” and other subjective analyses, which made the project rather ambitious if not completely convincing. At the conclusion, she acknowledges that her more hard-line attitudes and assumptions about blacks who did not meet her definition of “identification” were incorrect and naive.
In the paper, she started off with some hard-line hypotheses, but found the truth more subtle and moderate. She certainly could have gotten more radical in her beliefs about race relations in America, but most people tend to get less so as they gain more real-world experience, especially as successes build. And frankly, nothing in her life suggests she would be stupid enough to have made speeches like that in public knowing the political ambitions her husband held.
Unless these tapes actually surface, I’m considering them a smear from an increasingly desperate band of Hillary Clinton supporters. Michelle Obama says enough during campaign appearances to merit criticism without indulging in paranoid fantasies.
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Bob Corker’s merely following McCain’s precedent.
I’ve been waiting for McCain to denounce this ad, too.
Redhead Infidel on May 20, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Outrageous! How dare these people say they are proud to be Americans!
Guns, religion, antipathy…
What a bunch of clingers!
moxie_neanderthal on May 20, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Yeah…that’s worked out so well over the past eight years. Man, if the Republicans keep trying to reduce federal spending, I’m gonna be in the poor house!
robblefarian on May 20, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I don’t see Cindy making campaign speeches, yet the Dems have been blasting her.
jgapinoy on May 20, 2008 at 9:52 AM
As is the case with far too many Republicans these days, they have branded a (P) in front of their names rather than an (R).
Spoiled brat p***y punks, with McCain leading the way. I expect this behavior from Liberal Democrats, not from the party of Ronald Reagan.
Keemo on May 20, 2008 at 9:52 AM
McCain won’t denounce the ad, because it’s fair & decent. It’s not decent for a Presidential candidate to mock someone’s middle name.
jgapinoy on May 20, 2008 at 9:53 AM
.
Larry Johnson’s trying to get conservative/repubican bloggers to pick up the rumor and run with it….so the left can then point fingers and scream RACIST later.
Sadly, a few folks have fallen for it. Stupid is as stupid does. And I may not like Michelle Obama, but you’re right when you say:
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 9:54 AM
McCain hasn’t come out against the Michelle O. ad.
I don’t think Reagan would have made fun of anyone’s middle name.
I’m glad McCain is more decent & dignified than his opponents.
jgapinoy on May 20, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Poor little Michelle.
Shay on May 20, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Republicans will be in much better shape if we spend our time focused on issues like reducing federal spending, lowering the cost of health care and creating a coherent energy policy.
Yeah…that’s worked out so well over the past eight years. Man, if the Republicans keep trying to reduce federal spending, I’m gonna be in the poor house!
robblefarian on May 20, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Did anyone catch the pork stuffed into the war funding bill yesterday; both parties stuffed the damn thing into orbit. Key words “both” parties.. We expect this from Dems; now we have my side trying to “out Dem” the Dems. Disgusting beyond words.
Keemo on May 20, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Megadittos!
On FNC this morning, one of the Dem talking heads suggested that Obama would retaliate with expose’s on Cindy McCain. Who does this guy think he’s foolin’? If the left has dirt on Cindy, ‘laying off’ Michelle-O won’t deter them from using it any more than a snowball will cool the air in hell.
Any candidate, Dem or GOP, who puts his/her spouse on the stump best be prepared to handle the criticism like an adult.
Or, in the words of one of my favorite commentators: “Toughen up, Buttercup.”
petefrt on May 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Just one more reason why I do not, will not donate to the GOP. If they run a conservative candidate, he/she will get my vote. If they want to play buffoon and bend over, I’ll buy the vasoline.
Onager on May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
jgapinoy on May 20, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Come on jgapinoy, you’re a savvy person. McCain got his lunch handed to him when he denounced the Indiana ad; this time around he sent Corker out to get the message out.
Keemo on May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Not so hard to understand why republicans are losing seats with party members like Corker. Just another reason why I shall vote against every incumbent.
Wade on May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Sorry, Ed, I disagree. How could she not have become more radicalized after 20 years of Wright? She obviously agrees with his theories and those of James Cone or would have left the church.
a capella on May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Didn’t stop them from beating up the Bush twins. And they’re kids(kind of).
LtE126 on May 20, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I am getting really disgusted with GOP candidates, like Corker, who seem to lack the intellectual strength and moral clarity to resist cowering to lefty PC bullying. Maybe it’s just as well they get defeated in November, so better candidates can take their place.
petefrt on May 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Senate Republicans are experts at being gentlemanly and courteous to their opponents, and at not taking advantage of the Democrats’ obvious faux pas and embarrassing weaknesses. Democrats typically respond by spitting in their faces.
As for this bit of nonsense…why start now?
whitetop on May 20, 2008 at 10:08 AM
The lack of “FIRE IN THE BELLY” on the part of REPUBLICRATS is one of the reasons why I am willing to relinquish the White House, Senate, and House in the next election. If four years of JIMMY CARTER did’nt kill this country, FOUR or EIGHT under B. HUSSEIN or AUNTIE HILL won’t kill us either…
pueblo1032 on May 20, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I think you’re right, Keemo. (the first ad was North Carolina, though, not Indiana.) I will say this, the Obamas have the victim role down to a “T”. And the D.C. Republicans are running against their own state parties — it leaves me speechless.
People will think I’m overly sensitive for this, but the Buttercup label, while it was funny, funny in yesterday’s article, will start sounding not-so-funny if it really catches on. Sounds a little too much like Buckwheat from the Little Rascals.
BigD on May 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
It’s Larry Johnson.
Why would anyone believe such a rumor?
drjohn on May 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I wish people would stop saying that she said for the first time I am “really” proud of my country… Yes she did say that but on the same day (and this video is out there as well) she said Ifor the first time I am proud of my country, no “really” modifier… she added the “really after the first heat she got I believe… Fox has been airing the original, CNN et al, naturally air the latter version….
max1 on May 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
If that video were out there it would have probably seen the light of day by now, but we can still hope can’t we?
Akzed on May 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
People will think I’m overly sensitive for this, but the Buttercup label, while it was funny, funny in yesterday’s article, will start sounding not-so-funny if it really catches on. Sounds a little too much like Buckwheat from the Little Rascals.
BigD on May 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
you’re kidding right?
max1 on May 20, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Is there any precedent for the current campaign climate?
I can’t imagine a campaign even 50 years ago where the candidates slammed - not each other, not our enemies, but the voters!
Yet here’s the narrative taking shape in Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s campaign: most of you people are stupid racists. Those of you out there who by chance aren’t stupid racists, vote for us - er, vote for me, and we’ll put together a small group of smart non-racists to design a new form of society that will do away once and for all with stupidity and racism. If you’re not a stupid racist, you have nothing to fear.
jeff_from_mpls on May 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Tell Corker to put a cork in it.
irishspy on May 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM
“White men’s greed runs a world in need.”
– Jeremiah Wright, as adoringly quoted by Barack Obama in Audacity of Hope
This is the principle that Barack and his wife wish to govern on.
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 10:16 AM
She made a speech saying she hasn’t been proud of America in her adult life. She’s not exactly one to watch what she says in public.
amerpundit on May 20, 2008 at 10:18 AM
The more Obama and the left whine about their apparent weaknesses the more it will hurt them in the long run. If this man can not face head on even the simplest political issues he is doomed to fail.
I think ultimately this ad will be very effective simply because there is no real attack and highlights quite nicely how out of touch the Obamas are with middle America. May Barry and his media buddies whine some more so that this add is seen by larger audiences.
As for Corker, no comment.
NotCoach on May 20, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Democrats use personal attacks aimed at candidates’ family members, and it pisses you off.
So the appropriate response is to climb in the pigpen with them and act like scum ourselves?
So two wrongs do make a right? Damn, I’d better call my Mom and tell her she was full of it all those years.
And really, you poor MDS folks….where in Ed’s post did he mention McCain? You’re more desperate than Laura Ingraham to try to find things to criticize about McCain. sad
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Someone has to come out and say
“If you don’t want your wife in the campaign don’t stick her in the campaign.”
“You whiner.”
drjohn on May 20, 2008 at 10:21 AM
But what is important is for this not so credible rumor to play itself out in liberal media circles. If the video actually does exist well have ample opportunity to bury Obama with it. If it doesn’t, jumping on a band wagon of hoping that it does will blow up in our faces.
NotCoach on May 20, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Hold on. This wasn’t out of the blue, picking on someone who has said nothing. She is an integral part of his campaign- a sniveling, whining part of his campaign. Her statements make her fair game.
drjohn on May 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Does this suggest the answer?
“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,” Obama said.
petefrt on May 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
How is this any different than McCain demanding that NC GOP ad be removed?
Truly, the GOP’s worst enemies are “moderates” like McCain and Corker who still think that the “rats” will like them if they are nice and polite. This is the kind of political thinking that got us Jimmy Carter. Truth be told, Carter is looking pretty good when the options in 2008 are McCain/Obama/Clinton.
None of the Above ‘08!!!!
highhopes on May 20, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Verily, verily. She said it twice, once with and once without “really,” which isn’t much more than a verbal tick meaning-wise, that doesn’t mitigate the statement much if at all. Try this on for size: “I don’t really dislike Kenyans.”
And she said it once without “really,” so, I mean, like, really.
Akzed on May 20, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I agree with you. Hopefully by November the majority of US voters will see that Obama is a nancy boy whiner with a real piece of (angry!) work for a wife.
The TN GOP thing is not offensive to me, and isn’t any kind of slur or stretch on the truth….but please, Barry, please complain some more.
And then tell me all about that new diet plan you are working on for me, and how you are going to help me make more enlightened choices about my thermostat setting. I mean, when one of the kids gets sick during the winter, do I get a temporary licence to use my heater and a nice steam vaporizer? Can I file for this license at the pediatrician’s office, or will I have to drive to a special welfare office?
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Actually, I counted three references. So now we can’t bring up McCain, either? I think Keemo’s point was very fair, given McCain’s previous behavior in the neighboring state.
BigD on May 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I don’t have a problem with this video by the TN GOP at all…sorry I didn’t make that clear. It’s just the general tone of several comments that the GOP is full of eunuchs because they don’t play the democrat personal attack game with equal or greater gusto.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM
re. the Rumor. I suppose we just have to watch Hillary’s actions to guage whether it exists or not. I would have thought there was already enough out there to eliminate the Obamas. Even if she does rail against “Whitey,” how would that eliminate Obama in his supporters’ eyes? She’d be right, right?
JiangxiDad on May 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM
There is a class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs - partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his greivances, because they do not want to lose their jobs. — Booker T. Washington (c. 1911)
Wade on May 20, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Just a theory, and outside of my personal experience, but perhaps it’s because so many are/try to be good Christians. I was struck by all the nice things said in the thread about Ted Kennedy. I couldn’t say anything nice, so said nothing.
JiangxiDad on May 20, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Longer term the problems with Michelle will continue. I’d be very surprised to find out that Obama stayed at Trinity church all these years on his own. Based on her utterances to date, I have them in the pews because she buys Wright’s message. Johnson is playing to those similarities with his rumor.
Obama meanwhile was thinking of ways to parlay it into a “bridging” message which he is marketing now. He is first and foremost a politician.
patrick neid on May 20, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Michelle Obama will have to decide what role she wants to play in this campaign. If she’s willing to follow Barack around, let HIM do all the talking, then clap and give him a hug and kiss at the end, then we should “lay off” her.
But if she wants to start making speeches about how she’s never proud of her country, about how America is so “mean”, and how hard it is for her to pay for ballet and piano lessons for her little girls on a $300K salary (poor baby!), then we proud, mean, bitter, God-clingers with less money have a First Amendment right to give this rich whiner a piece of our mind. If Michelle O wants to start name-calling in public, then she’s fair game.
One of Obama’s campaign slogans is “Judgment to Lead.” If the Obamas are such devout Christians, they need to read Matthew 7:1–”Judge not, lest ye be judged!”
Steve Z on May 20, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Using your logic, since Michelle is a family member, her remarks shouldn’t be criticized even if she is an integral part of his campaign team. Sounds like she’s playing with house money. Can’t lose. The GOP leadership is so afraid of being branded racist or sexist, they wet their pants over stuff like this.
a capella on May 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Repeating is not attacking.
Playing video is not attacking.
The right needs to stop letting the left define these things.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Great quote Wade, into my data bank it goes.
thanks
patrick neid on May 20, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Same here….I just avoided that whole thread!
Our mothers would be proud LOL
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
a capella on May 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
see my reply to dr. john…
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Fixed.
Much of my party has become a circle-jerk party of PC wimps, to the point where I really can’t call it my party anymore. We need attack dogs and all we have are cuddly puppies with their tails between their legs.
P.S. Keep up the good work TN GOP. Kudos.
fogw on May 20, 2008 at 10:47 AM
And they would be?
We are on the express elevator to a multicultural sewer of neo-socialism and nothing is going to stop it. The liberals, environmentalists, socialist and communist have been working for years to undermine the concept of republican government and they are very close to succeeding. They couldn’t do it alone but once they starting banding together and using the internet they have managed to make unbelievable progress to the point that their figurehead puppet will be the next president. As I said they couldn’t do it alone and their biggest and most staunch ally has been the complacency of the so called conservatives. The Republican Party and conservatives are quickly disappearing and will soon be forgotten. What will be interesting is how well the new socialist utopia will get along with Islam. That is if the world survives. We all have concerns with the nut job leaders of crappy little countries having a few nukes and we are on the verge of becoming one of those crappy countries but much bigger and with an arsenal of the deadliest weapons ever devised by mankind. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that within the next 10 to 15 years either the former USA will command the entire world or pretty much destroy it. How was it put by Lucas in his Star Wars movie? “So this is how democracy ends. To thunderous applause.”
jmarcure on May 20, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Ah, see? fogw wants the republican party to:
Abandon civility because the other guys do so? And try to run as the party of decency and traditional American values?
No can do.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Corker is convinced that the “Call Me, Harold” ad almost lost the election for him in 2006. It should not be surprising that he would not like this ad either. I don’t think it’s a bad ad, but I noticed right away that there are no black people responding to Michelle Obama. Whether it was intended or not, the Tennessee Republican Party should have been smart enough to understand that a whole lot of people would see that ad and think it was a not-so-subtle message that “this uppity black woman isn’t like us.” This isn’t “letting the left define these things,” it is common sense in 2008.
rockmom on May 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM
And now we have the “suicide for a brighter future” crowd too. shaking head.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 10:53 AM
wow, this guy Corker is a big wimp.
james23 on May 20, 2008 at 10:54 AM
She in a 20 year member in good standing of J. Dudley Wright’s “church,” of course she is radical.
You can tell by listening to her complain about her success that she is not at ease being a rich black woman.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Hope I’m not sounding like one of the suiciders, because I agree it’s a thoroughly foolish approach. Just that, well, sometimes I get so depressed at watching our pols cower to lefty bullying, I’m at a loss for patience.
petefrt on May 20, 2008 at 11:03 AM
That’s okay.
It’s now fair game to ask Cindy McCain if she thinks it’s morally acceptable to sleep with someone else’s husband.
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Again from Booker T. Washington:
Wade on May 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Re ‘the rumor’:
John Bachelor on his ABC radio show Sunday night spent some time talking about it; there are three component:
(a) there’s a videotape of Michelle Obama at Wright’s church fulminating against ‘whitey’, not just listening but carrying on;
(b) the Republicans have this tape, and are holding it for the fall campaign;
(c) a Republican billionaire who hates McCain is trying to buy it and use it now, so Missus Clinton will get the nomination (and presumably beat McCain).
John said it’s all “third-party hearsay” but “that’s politics.”
Could be interesting, if true.
MrLynn on May 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM
That’s ‘components’, plural.
When will we be able to edit our posts?
MrLynn on May 20, 2008 at 11:07 AM
That’s okay.
It’s now fair game to ask Cindy McCain if she thinks it’s morally acceptable to sleep with someone else’s husband.
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM
No it’s not. She didn’t get up on a damn podium and start spouting off on the subject… you are being aggressively stupid
max1 on May 20, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I can agree to the extent that, at this rate, I see us losing America as we know it within a decade.
petefrt on May 20, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Sure it is, just as it’s fair game to ask John McCain if it’s acceptable for married men to sleep with other women.
It’s also fair game to ask Cindy McCain why she’s hiding her income tax returns and if there are any embarassing donations or activities in there.
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Sure it is, just as it’s fair game to ask John McCain if it’s acceptable for married men to sleep with other women.
It’s also fair game to ask Cindy McCain why she’s hiding her income tax returns and if there are any embarassing donations or activities in there.
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Who says Cindy slept with John while he was married? That’s a pretty bald assumption if I may say so… and nobody’s business either….
max1 on May 20, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Is it possible that if I were to vote for McCain, he would renounce me before the votes were counted?
Could it be that Barack is afraid that if Michelle is criticized too much that she might let loose and tell us everything and exactly what she thinks?
snaggletoothie on May 20, 2008 at 11:18 AM
McCain and the GOP are just trying to play it nice, as if the Democrats will do the same.
They’re going to unleash the entire fusillade trying to destroy McCain this fall, while the GOP will condemn anything resembling “negative” campaigning against Obama.
Yeah, that’ll work.
Good grief, GOP, wake up before it’s too late.
JammieWearingFool on May 20, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Remember George Allen’s macaca moment? The Dems latched on to that guffaw and pounded on Allen relentlessly for weeks on end until they destroyed his career and any chance for him running for higher office.
Tit for tat baby.
Michelle has made herself fair game, and for a little icing on the cake she didn’t have a slip of the tongue caught by a biased reported waiting to pounce on her. No, she was speaking at a political event where she wanted everyone to hear her words, words that were demeaning to every hard-working American who still loves and appreciates the opportunites found only in a country as great as ours.
Going after her doesn’t make the Republican party indecent. Quoting her liberal academia communist view of our country isn’t indecent. Furthermore I would argue that a traditional American value includes pointing out an enemy in our midst and ruthlessly going after that enemy.
There’s nothing uncivil about. It’s politics as usual and the stakes are high.
fogw on May 20, 2008 at 11:18 AM
No, no, no. It’s all from Hillary supporter lunatic Larry Johnson. Republicans/conservatives need to stay far away from this…it’s almost guaranteed to be total BS, either to try to influence dem voters to fear the “GOP attack machine” (eyeroll–classic case of projection) or to set a trap for conservatives to make it easy for dems to scream RACIST in October, November time frame.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Sorry, I refuse to climb in the mud with jim m and his ilk.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 11:26 AM
No, that’s not
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
What do you think, given the timing and given John’s reputation for sleeping around (apparently including a few wives of Navy men he served with):
In 1979,[57] McCain met and began a relationship with Cindy Lou Hensley, a teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, the only child of the founder of Hensley & Co.[59] By then McCain’s naval career had stalled;[62] it was unlikely he would be promoted further,[57] because he had poor annual physicals and had been given no major sea command.[62]
His wife Carol accepted a divorce in February of 1980,[57] effective in April of 1980.[21] The settlement included two houses, and financial support for her ongoing medical treatments resulting from the 1969 automobile accident; they would remain on good terms.[59] McCain and Hensley were married on May 17, 1980
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Right.
Jaibones on May 20, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I stand to be corrected, but I believe that Cindy McCain does make campaign speeches independently from her husband, but they have not attracted the attention that MO’s have.
Assuming I am correct, I think that the right thing for McCain to do is to state that:
1. My wife is part of the campaign and she should be held responsible for what she says during the campaign.
2. Quoting the candidate or others members of the campaign, or replaying audio or video, and doing so accurately and in fair context, is not attacking or smearing. It is fair comment.
3. I ask my opponent and his campaign to publicly adopt these standards.
drunyan8315 on May 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Looks to ME, Corker is the genius.
By decrying the ad, he has taken the high-road, AND gotten HotAir & Michelle Malkin to put Ms. Obama’s remarks front and center.
Two birds…One stone
franksalterego on May 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Jim M said:
What do you think, given the timing and given John’s reputation for sleeping around (apparently including a few wives of Navy men he served with):
What do I THINK? I think it is not my business to think about that…that’s what I think…
max1 on May 20, 2008 at 11:36 AM
There is a huge difference between running a sharp campaign that puts the other party on the spot and the ads the “rats” traditionally run including but not limited to:
The James Bird Texas NAACP ad that all but suggested that GWB was behind the wheel of the truck that killed Mr. Bird.
The Missouri ads that all but showed John Ashcroft, gas can in hand, setting fire to black churches.
John Kerry’s “Fortunate Son” campaign that called GWB a coward and traitor because he served in the National Guard.
I want the GOP to be less civil and more like the enemy who has no scruples. The party is already stuck with a hopeless liberal bastard and political traitor. The best bet is that the GOP under McCain will destroy this nation at a slower rate than Obama. The time for civility and thinking the other side will return the favor is over. It is muddle-headed thinking from the same GOP morons who support and defend John McCain.
highhopes on May 20, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Every candidate and their spouse is going to say something stupid or regretful at some point, it comes with the territory. The press has had a field day with some of Bill Clinton’s remarks too, you know, so it’s not like she was singled out.. Why should she be off limits? Sooner or later Cindy McCain may be the subject, who knows? People have a right to know what kind of things their First Lady believes in, and they certainly have a right to know if that lady is proud of American or not, and what she thinks about “whiteys”
scalleywag on May 20, 2008 at 11:39 AM
So you are leaving your brains and common sense at home this election, max1? Doesn’t the fact that John McCain has been weak under pressure for forty years, starting in Vietnam and continuing when he slept around on his first wiftr and as he caved regarding immigration, the First Amendment and judges, mean anything to you?
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Wow, I’m impressed.
Wikipedia quoted your comments, word for word.
You’re wealwy sthmart.
fogw on May 20, 2008 at 11:42 AM
So, I guess the Dems should run an ad about Cindy McCain with two words, high hopes: Rich. Slut.
jim m on May 20, 2008 at 11:53 AM
But you would be proud to be a part of that organization? Those ads were all disgusting crap, and I would guess that they alienated more voters than they won over, so I just don’t see why you would want your own party to behave like that.
The TN video was not out of line. It’s a good one. But the mud-slinging, rumor mongering is not cool.
William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn and Wright and James Meeks….all totally fair to bring up in ads also, IMHO. Obama wants to put my family on a diet and control our thermostat? Totally fair.
jim m level rhetoric, even though unhinged democrats will fling it all day? NO THANKS. Unhinged is, well, unhinged, and I don’t care to assoiciate myself with it.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 12:03 PM
If and when Obama loses either the nomination or election, I would love to hear what her remarks will be.
Shall we make a prediction?
Kini on May 20, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Re the rumor:
Assuming such a tape or similar exists, just for the sake of argument, who is more likely to possess it at the moment, an eeeevil Republican operative or a member of Obama/Wright’s church?
I think there may be plenty of inflammatory evidence out there and am dismayed that the Democratic Party has made themselves hostages to the petty tyrants of the TUCC/Wright/Pfleger/Farrakhan axis by nominating Obama.
The rumor may be Larry Johnson’s attempt at deflecting the blame onto Republicans if the Democrats’ efforts to bribe/pay off/placate the blackmailers fails.
Not advocating for any of this necessarily, just speculation.
Gilda on May 20, 2008 at 12:07 PM
shudder. I can say that I have noticed growing hostility among the melanin enhanced residents of my fair city (Montgomery, AL) over the last few months. Where I used to enjoy friendly chats with AA clerks and such, now they are more likely to be surly and cold.
It’s new behavior…we lived here a decade ago and it wasn’t like this nearly as much. And the AA talk radio is much more strident than it was even 18 months ago.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Hey Bob, you shoulda thought of this about 7 years ago.
tgillian on May 20, 2008 at 12:20 PM
This is more red meat for the Republicans as it complements Bittergate and is further evidence of his arrogance:
Halp us Barak, we iz stoopid lazy moronz.
Buy Danish on May 20, 2008 at 12:20 PM
(1) Consider the source. If Larry Johnson read me back the information from my own f*****g driver’s license I’d want to double-check it.
(2) Corker’s right to want to disavow the ad. It is a political reality that the media will not treat Republican and Democrat campaign tactics/activities the same way, even if they’re identical. Obama’s words, his record and his retinue, all are sufficient to sink his prospects. We don’t need to drag spouses into it. I am sympathetic to the idea that if someone makes policy or campaign speeches for a candidate they’re fair game, even if they’re family; but who needs to know about the “first time in my adult life” comments who doesn’t already know?
Cost-benefit, people.
DrSteve on May 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Corker is just sucking up to the MSM. The problem he has by telling the Tennessee GOP to “shut up” is that they may do the same thing to him when he tries for re-election. When the dims are trying to destroy your party, kissing ass doesn’t work. A man this stupid is unfit to lead.
volsense on May 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM
With all the attention focused on Barry’s demands that we leave Michelle alone, I missed this little repartee on Good Morning America:
Maybe Michelle should run for President and Barry can be First Lady, or maybe the downstairs maid.
Buy Danish on May 20, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Enviable anticipation. There is a gap of values between the Bill Cosby generation and the Snoop Dawg generation. The Obama’s haven’t reached the top of that bell curve.
Kini on May 20, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’m probably not the first to say so: MO marinating in the hatred spewed at TUCC for twenty years would remedy that kind of development/maturity in a hurry. And BO was there too. And anyone who believes they weren’t there is just a fool.
marybel on May 20, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Geez, if I am ever in an outnumbered bar fight, I hope funky doesn’t have my back.
ClassicCon on May 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Oh, sure. Her Majesty wants the pubbies to own it, regardless of failure or success. Johnson is just the middle relief man in the 7th inning. I think your speculation that the church is using it to leverage concessions out of Obama is very likely true.
a capella on May 20, 2008 at 12:51 PM
10:57 Yes. Michelle is not only set in her ways, but Obama calls her his rock. Michelle found Barack and has carefully crafted him with the Black Panther and SDS alliance and fellowship with Wright’s congregation, placing Barack under Wright’s patronage, Michelle forging Barack’s political alliances with Rezco and the Chicago Univ. clique as well. Michelle IS OBAMA, even if you think you’re looking at or voting for Barack.
Ed, When I briefed through Michelle’s thesis, I noted her disappointment that stats wouldn’t support her own prejudiced premise, and that she ignored what the stats actually concluded in order to attempt closure for her thesis as close to her premise as could be twisted. That was my take, anyway.
It doesn’t usually pay to play ultra-liberal unless you are ultra-liberal. Let Michelle’s sh*t hit the fan on its own when it does. Prior postulation on the gravity of her sh*t is speculation that contaminates what it touches. Sometimes, silence is golden. Hold your fire until the facts are exposed. Then bomb on target. Shock and awe precision makes the networks mute for a time. We all have noted well the MSM the absence of “coverage” during such a conservative success.
maverick muse on May 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Its great to see McCain try and clean up the mess that will become this election cycle but does he really think the Dems will play the same way?
He’ll say no negative adds while they’ll said he murdered babies in Nam and sleeps with the Bush family. While dirty ads make one look bad, they work well with the people who vote based on media and news papers.
Rbastid on May 20, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Exactly,
Most of these so-called “conservatives” need a refresher course on the VRWC Manual, Rove Edition, Chapter III, Political Slight of Hand
franksalterego on May 20, 2008 at 12:59 PM
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