Nuance: Obama almost says Clarence Thomas didn’t have enough experience to serve
posted at 11:11 pm on August 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
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And we know what horrible outcomes can arise when people without experience are placed in positions of great power. InstaGlenn accuses him of actually saying it but that’s not true: Watch him catch himself mid-sentence, the first fateful syllable of the word “experience” already out of his mouth, before he stops short and switches gears by basically calling Thomas a moron instead (at least, “at the time”) — an aspersion reinforced a moment later by the implicit contrast he draws in praising Scalia’s brilliance. A golden gaffe, narrowly avoided. Stay classy, Barry.
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Krauthammer for the win.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I wanna see BO debate Clarence Thomas, & let the people decide who’s the lightweight.
jgapinoy on August 16, 2008 at 11:15 PM
He would be a great veep. He would slice and dice his opponent in a vp debate. Has there ever been a non-pol in the job ?
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Wow, great catch.
I was surprised that he did not bring up Reverend Wright when he was talking about the three most influential people in his life. He did in his book. Instead he brought up his hippie mother and the typical white grandmother.
carbon_footprint on August 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM
He shoots, he scores!
(excellent comment.)
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Maybe Obama is scared of Justice Thomas because he is different.
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I have never understood the extent of Krauthammer’s disability but he has fire in the belly to more than compensate for it.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Obama= racist?
obladioblada on August 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Ouch, may as well have just said he didn’t want an Uncle Tom on the Court.
Hannibal Smith on August 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM
+1+1+1
Hannibal Smith on August 16, 2008 at 11:21 PM
carbon_footprint on August 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM
That was then, this is now. It was fun to say that Rev. Wright was taken out of context and looped until he went nuts in front the the National Press Club.
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 11:21 PM
It may be Clarence’s wife he doesn’t like, if you know what I mean.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM
OBAMA ISN’T FIT TO WIPE CLARENCE’S TUCKUS.
I BLOGGED ON THIS HERE.
THOMAS HAD TO OVERCOME SEGREGATION AND WAS DESCENDED FROM AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO SURVIVED SLAVERY AND JIM CROW.
OBAMA HAS NO DIRECT RELATIONSHIP TO EITHER – OR ANY PART OF THE US CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
ME AND MY JEWISH FAMILY DID MORE TO HELP BLACKS GET THEIR HUMAN/CIVIL RIGHTS THAN OBAMA OR ANYONE IN HIS FAMILY – EVER.
reliapundit on August 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM
jgapinoy on August 16, 2008 at 11:15 PM
ZING!
BTW, Michael Phelps just won his 8th GOLD!
catmman on August 16, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I believe it was from an auto crash.
Krauthammer consistently makes outstanding comments on fox.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:24 PM
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM
My dad was paralyzed in his 40’s and he decided it was his chance to go from ordinary to extraordinary. And he did it. I believe Mr. Krauthammer was hurt earlier in his life (college student I think) but he went on with his education and is married and has a son.
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 11:25 PM
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM
But wouldn’t that make him racist?
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I haven’t looked at the numbers but someone today said if Phelps was a country he would be in like 4th place for gold.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I hope that this repulsive 54 seconds will convince some of the holdouts that John McCain needs their vote.
RushBaby on August 16, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Like Krauthammer, your dad was probably extraordinary to start with but it just became more evident as he pushed on with life. Krauthammer is a prince.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:29 PM
This is a telling clip in several circumstances.
Not only does he almost make his slip, he says outright that he believes the Consitution can be “interpreted”.
What a maroon!
catmman on August 16, 2008 at 11:30 PM
In fact it wouldn’t be racist, because BHO is the messiah and the messiah has hate for no one. Except for gun owners, bible thumpers, business owners, and maybe Bill Clinton.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:34 PM
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Don’t get me started. Seventh grade education and owned his own marine salvage company until he and the IRS had a disagreement. He was wrong but that’s okay by then he was in his seventies and it was time to retire anyway.
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Obama is a ni-
Nice young man.
That’s cool, right AP?
Stephen M on August 16, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Wasn’t sure about this. My interpretation of what you meant. Good as anyother I suppose.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:37 PM
If he specifically chose Thomas because he is black in order to pander to those who consider all black conservatives “Uncle Toms,” then yes, it was a racist statement.
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM
I understand. Some things have a way of working out in the end.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Bless them both. People who go through this show extraordinary courage and strength that I know that I could never produce. Again, Bless.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Why the references to Krauthammer? Did I miss a link to him saying something awesome tonight?
Hannibal Smith on August 16, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Krauthammer was paralysed in a college diving accident.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Yes, he is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Krauthammer
Very interesting article, btw:
(Krauthammer was the first to diagnose & name the disease we know as Bush Derangement Syndrome, btw)
Purple Fury on August 16, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Not sure. wise_man kinda kicked it off and it sounded like a good idea to me so we went with it. Who knows where things will go when allah slings something out here to munch on.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Thanks PF. Sounds like he overcame the biggest disability of his life, having worked for Gritz and Fritz.
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:50 PM
I lol’d.
Yeah, that’s a pretty big cross to bear…
Purple Fury on August 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I was watching Foox News where Krauthammer said that ‘Obama shouldn’t bring up the “Obama shouldn’t bring up Justice Thomas when it comes to ‘experience of office,’ line.
And just because Krauthammer said it, doesn’t mean he owns it. It’s just what I saw first. Others can come to the same conclusion at the same time.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Ya know, he doesn’t look like those other guys on the bench.
- The Cat
P.S. I wish McCain would have given the shout out to Thomas and Scalia.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
(darn. gotta blame it on the wine. Sorry for the clumsy post above.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 11:57 PM
“I didn’t know postmortem could be this much fun” ~ ~ Sigmund Freud
Entelechy on August 17, 2008 at 12:01 AM
JonRoss on August 16, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Oh, that was just great. You may get the award tonight.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 12:09 AM
expense?
experiment?
exponent?
export?
express?
Who knows?
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Someone as inexperienced as Obama accusing another of being inexperienced would’ve been laughable but to his credit, he caught himself and worded it better… even though I disagree with him but he was good on the spot, I’ll give him that much.
Yakko77 on August 17, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I’ll bet Thomas knew there were fifty states!
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on August 17, 2008 at 12:16 AM
The irony of Obama disrespecting Justice Thomas based on experience is extreme. (Metaphor Alert:) The Obamination smashed his own glass house while sticking his foot in his mouth and out his tin ear on that one.
McCain nailed the same question, listing all the liberal justices as ones he would not have nominated. Ruth Ginsberg (ACLU hack) was first on his list.
Right_of_Attila on August 17, 2008 at 12:18 AM
expense?
experiment?
exponent?
export?
express?
Who knows?
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Who indeed, but it is a lead pipe cinch it isn’t you.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 12:19 AM
How did Fudge Haus McCain do at pretending to be a Christian?
Good enough to fool the rubes?
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Does this make Obama a racist, now? Just asking… /sarc
CP on August 17, 2008 at 12:22 AM
I read Thomas’s book My Grandfather’s Son. He and Barack Obama are as different as two men can be. I am sure Obama would not pick him. Think style vs substance.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Wow. That was an inartful statement. But will it rise to the level of distraction?
It's Vintage, Duh on August 17, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I have a client who is a quad, he has a little more function than Krauthammer. He said it is not really courage that keeps him going, it is fear of death, a strong desire to live and a simple lack of alternatives. I have noticed that often times people do not see themselves as strong or courageous, they just think they are doing what they have to do to survive.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Hey thanks a lot jerk! We on the west coast haven’t seen the race yet. I was hoping I could avoid the news here.
Really appreciate the spoiler there.
redshirt on August 17, 2008 at 12:26 AM
alphie:
He did a lot better than pretty boy. Maybe George Cloony should resume Obama’s lessons in how to woo the peons.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:27 AM
I think most real Christians realize Obama has lead the more righteous life, Terrye.
They know who to vote for.
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 AM
The news about Phelps is a headline at Fox, it is not a surprise.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I think for my dad it was to make sure my mom and I were provided for. Although he really liked getting in the newspaper. Even before he was hurt. He worked on the raising of U.S.S. Hartford (Admiral Farrgaut’s Union Flagship)that had sunk in the Elizabeth river in Norfolk and as they towed it to the scrap yard he raised the Stars and Bars on her. Not as big a horror as it would have been today but it made some folks mad.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Just for you alphie…
At the expense of wasted time I’ll venture an experiment and express an earthshattering thought – supreme court judges generally don’t deal in exports and exponents.
However, presidents need much experience to run our country.
Entelechy on August 17, 2008 at 12:33 AM
alphie:
You have got to be joking. Well let’s see, Obama leads among atheists and McCain beats Obama among Evangelicals by about 40 points.
And what is righteous about Chicago politics?
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Cindy:
Yes, I bet that did piss people off. Maybe your Dad was just not done living. He sounds like a man who had to much to do to give up.
My dad died in 1980. He was only 54. I still miss him.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Evangelicals doesn’t equal Christians, Terrye.
Pride is a sin btw, remember?
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:38 AM
If this is the alphie I think it is, then it STILL won’t get it even if administered via clue-by-four.
David Block on August 17, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Wow, alphie, that was double-pathetic.
Seriously, are you arguing that Obama meant to say that Thomas wasn’t expense enough to be on the Supreme Court?
And that second post was about the lamest subject-change I’ve seen in months.
You’re really, really slipping.
Merovign on August 17, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Yikes, that’s my age. Way too young to go. I don’t think you ever get over missing them. I still try to make them proud of me.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 12:43 AM
alphie:
Atheists do not equal Christians that is for sure.
You are sad, in an effort to win with Christians, you have decided to change what the definition is I suppose.
Fine, McCain leads among people who believe in God. You see alphie, those suave and debonair college professors and professionals do not cling to guns or religion. And they don’t vote for people who do.
But you keep making fun of older people alphie…they do vote you know. The geezers are the most loyal demographic there is. The youth vote is more mercurial.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:44 AM
David Block on August 17, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Oh, I am sure it is the Alphie that you thinking of. Love the clue by four and Alphie is just trying to keep the conversation lively.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Cindy:
My Dad died of the same thing Tony Snow had. 28 years later.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Might have been “expressive,” Mero.
Poor mute Thomas hasn’t said a word in court since his, er…promotion.
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:46 AM
[alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 AM]
Righteous in what ways, alphie?
Dusty on August 17, 2008 at 12:47 AM
BO looked like a lost ball in high weeds….
d1carter on August 17, 2008 at 12:49 AM
alphie:
Pathetic. Really.
And Thomas is not mute, he never has been. He is brilliant in fact. He is just not the right sort of black person for you is he alphie? He got off the plantation did he not?
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Thomas is one of those folks that only the right thinks in “brilliant” Terrye.
Which means he’s a mediocrity at best.
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:53 AM
And what have you achieved with your life?
Glass houses.
carbon_footprint on August 17, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Context, Slinky. Context.
El Cazador on August 17, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Many Christians know that David didn’t lead the most “righteous” life, but was the man to lead for his time. I think the more capable leader is obviously McCain.
mikeyboss on August 17, 2008 at 12:58 AM
alphie:
The right? Golly Gee alphie I thought you were supposed to be some disgruntled paleo or something. That must have been another alphie.
Yeah right alphie. right is stupid left is smart. That is so original. Now what? You gonna stick your tongue out? Hold your breath till your face turns blue.
Enough of this, it is late and you are getting to be a bore.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Do you believe in the theory of Evolution, Terrye?
(trick question, careful).
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 1:00 AM
I believe that God created the laws of nature and allowed them to take their course.
good night all.
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Man it would have been SWEET! if he would have said what he kind of almost said. Oh well, he can’t catch himself twice in a row.
kahall on August 17, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Can someone please explain to me what a “legal thinker” is? And you’re right… he almost said “experience.” Heh.
MsUnderestimated on August 17, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Terrye on August 17, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Awful thing to have. Hope you are taking care of yourself. Mine died of lung cancer, three packs of unfiltered Pall Malls a day. I think they call that asking for it. Although I think I can debunk the second hand smoke theory since both parents were chimneys.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Dang, did Obama throw another black person, Justice Thomas, under the bus? Man, the bus carriage must be 15 feet off the garage floor by now.
MsUnderestimated on August 17, 2008 at 1:08 AM
MsUnderestimated on August 17, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Yes he did, it has been debated if it is because Justice Thomas is different. You know how people can be about folks that don’t look like them.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2008 at 1:17 AM
This is what happens when the puppeteers go outside for a smoke break…
It’s nothing serious.
Just words.
Travis1 on August 17, 2008 at 1:18 AM
Yeah, different as in Clarence Thomas doesn’t believe in the cult of victimization. Great man.
MsUnderestimated on August 17, 2008 at 1:20 AM
Uh guys, if you’ll please ignore alphie and let its idiotic comments stand and speak for themselves, fewer threads will be highjacked by it.
funky chicken on August 17, 2008 at 1:20 AM
Carl Marx would be proud of Obama. Right out of his playbook.
Egfrow on August 17, 2008 at 1:20 AM
alphie on August 17, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Lead yourself not into temptation……
Travis1 on August 17, 2008 at 1:29 AM
Can we just talk about her amongst ourselves? I’ve always thought she has trouble attracting male friends, so sits at home alone on weekends. Thus, the hostility and loneliness, so she strikes out at any available target. Sort of a beta female with personal issues. I’ve always felt a bit sorry for her.
O.K., I won’t say any more..
a capella on August 17, 2008 at 1:39 AM
Oh come on,Obama is saying that he would
actually despise Clarence (Anita Hill claims)
Thomas!(there was DNA on the coke can).
canopfor on August 17, 2008 at 1:46 AM
Barry calling Justice Thomas inexperienced is like the pot calling the kettle bla……oh nevermind.
Mallard T. Drake on August 17, 2008 at 1:54 AM
I couldn’t but help notice the contrast between how the two answered the same questions. Nothing exemplifies this contrast more than when asked Does Evil Exist?
BDU-33 on August 17, 2008 at 1:56 AM
I first noticed Charles Krauthammer on foxnews when he is on the panel for the 6 pm daily show. I became an instant fan. I wrote him an email and thanked him for such clarity and depth when he stated his positions on the show. He was kind enough to write me back with a thank you. I thought that was really cool. I think he would be an asset to anyone’s administration.
karenhasfreedom on August 17, 2008 at 2:20 AM
Clarence Thomas doesn’t look like the other justices on the Supreme Court.
salmonczar on August 17, 2008 at 2:33 AM
Nuance. /s
Love it.
hillbillyjim on August 17, 2008 at 2:46 AM
Well, I missed the whole thing because I was at a wedding reception, so thanks to all for the rundown both here and in the open thread.
Is it just me or is alphie a total idiot? It’s like some sort of high school drama skit in which the immature and socially inept wanna-be keeps throwing inane non-sequiturs out to disrupt the grownups’ conversation, without even once making a valid or supported point.
Sheesh.
Bob's Kid on August 17, 2008 at 3:34 AM
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