Video: Obama spokesman tries, fails to dodge question about whether running for president qualifies one to be C-in-C
posted at 6:51 pm on September 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
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What could he say? We all know the correct answer and that answer wasn’t available to him. He did the best he could with what he had — after twice pretending he didn’t understand her very simple point, of course. Bottom line: Obama’s qualified by his life experience. Which arguably leaves him at an even greater disadvantage vis-a-vis Palin — not to mention John McCain — than would a straight-up battle of political resumes.
Actually, he didn’t really dodge the question the first time, did he? He simply answered it in a way that would apply equally well to Palin herself. Speaking of would-be C-in-C’s, The One has formally abandoned any pretense that the surge didn’t succeed, thereby putting him on the wrong side of every last Democratic talking point on Iraq dating back 18 months as well as the vast majority of nutroots opinion. Exit question: Even if Obama’s life experience doesn’t qualify him to be C-in-C, it’s at least a step towards qualifying him to be Jesus, no?
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P.S.
I’d REALLY love to see Ms. Kelly and Helen Thomas got at it…
SmakDown of Epic purportions!!
W00t!!!
BigWyo on September 4, 2008 at 7:38 PM
This guy is a general? Unbelievable. Can you imagine him, as a general, asking a Private the same question and accepting that lame ass excuse and outright avoidance of answering the question. Megyn should have told him to drop and giver her fifty.
Guardian on September 4, 2008 at 7:40 PM
It has been a while since I have been in a line unit, but the memories of those days is still green. Since then I have spent my life as a civilian working with Military of all ranks and personality types. One of the mistakes the republicans make is in their drive to respect all American military, active and retired, that there are some idiots in the military (in all militaries) and as a civilian, you should not take them too seriously. According to C. Northcote Parkinson, these idiots were not always so, but were promoted to their level of incompetance – then with luck they will retire to destroy some innocent corporation.
During the ’60s and early’ 70s, there were about 13 points on the officer’s efficiency report to evaluate. Ten of these included such things as to how good he looks in his uniform, what his social graces are, how good does he get along with his superiors, etc. Only three of these evaluation points dealt with whether he was technically or tactically proficient,exhibited leadership, or accompliched his mission.
God must favor the United States, because inspite of the martinets and sycopants this system produced, and in spite of the number of good men they got killed through their incompetance, the US always has been blessed with enough really good officers, NCOs, and other leaders to win our wars and keep the casualties down.
Do not disparage M/Gen Eaton, he might have been an excellent officer or he might have been an idiot. Whatever he was, he made it through the military life to make his grade.
Old Country Boy on September 4, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Another Dhimm dWeeb-type moron, who sells out to the libs for some TV time.
ex-Democrat on September 4, 2008 at 7:52 PM
I like the idea of Megyn Kelly as Press Secretary for the McCain/Palin Administration. She is quick, intelligent, and to the point, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. She would be like Tony Snow was to the Bush Administration (G-d rest his soul)!
Steve Z on September 4, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Unfortunately Bill OReilly and the dufus that filled in for him on the Factor today were squeemish and “not convinced” that Sarah could face down Putin or others as C&C. What abunch of dolts. Does this mean they are satisfied with Biden & OBama? Oreilly is going down fast in my estimation.
wepeople on September 4, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Megyn Kelly has been destroying people lately. Is she vying for the fill-in girl for O’Reilly’s days off or something? Damn, the girl seems to be on throughout the day as it is, including regularly a guest on O’Reilly. She’s practically the channel’s mascot lately, but she’s really making a name for herself this week.
RightWinged on September 4, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Anderson Cooper tried to make the same argument last night on CNN…that running for president, mangaging 2500 campaign staffers and managing a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars is good training to be President.
unbefingleavalbe.
if i send my resume out to a few hundred hospitals for the next year, does that qualify me to remove your appendix?
DrW on September 4, 2008 at 7:56 PM
wepeople,
I could be wrong but I always thought O’Reilly was moderate to liberal leaning. Certainly not a conservative.
congratulations_universe on September 4, 2008 at 7:56 PM
The Blonde Piranha
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Problem is for Cooper and friends – Obama is NOT managing the campaign. He’s the candidate, surrounded by CAMPAIGN MANAGERS who do all of those things. Aside from how stupid the argument is to anyone, this is the real point. The candidate IS NOT a campaign manager. Case closed, thanks for playing Barry.
RightWinged on September 4, 2008 at 7:58 PM
I don’t know who to be in love with, Megyn or Sarah.
Eh, screw it.
BOTH.
Vyce on September 4, 2008 at 7:58 PM
What a doofus….. he was commissioned a General by Clinton…. ’nuff said.
MNDavenotPC on September 4, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Was it me or was he suggesting that even in equal time spans that his candidate would have more experience just based on his Obamanis? I am pretty sure he failed at the arm wrapping attempt.
Cindy Munford on September 4, 2008 at 8:04 PM
That was beneath a U.S. officer. That has to be the single best example of an attempt to intelligently defend the absurd and utterly indefensible. How can a U.S. general, who has had thousands of men and woman in his charge, somehow agree that “a personal journey” consisting of a few months on the campaign trail qualifies anyone for the highest office in the land? Silly.
I went through five months of basic and advanced military training just to become a private (E-1) in the U.S. Army. I took a personal journey as well however in no way, at that point, was I qualified to lead a combat mission, much less the free world.
I think I may have erred vocationally. I could have been the president, dammit.
Claypigeon on September 4, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Obama thinks his campaign staff/budget is that impressive? Why doesn’t he refer to his accomplishments in Congress and Illinois. Oh wait.
Beldar blog dealt with this claim pretty thorougly. By his reckoning it was a tie.
aikidoka on September 4, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Best I could tell, General Disaster there opined that it was Obama’s personality and judgment that qualified him to be president. Judgment? Give me a break! Ayers, Wright, Rezko, the “boneheaded” home purchase, etc. There is judgment there – just all bad!
Personality? HAH! If he is serious, Palin beats him there too – she was Miss Congeniality. Where’s Barry’s crown?
Jim M. on September 4, 2008 at 8:13 PM
And a Major General? Who wants to bet this guy was in Wesley Clark’s inner circle of sychophants? That would explain a lot.
Jim M. on September 4, 2008 at 8:17 PM
I watched a little bit of this. Gen Eaton reminded me of Wesley Clark, but with less personality, if that is possible.
Kevin71 on September 4, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Who gave you that Jesus tip, AP?
Ares on September 4, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Here is Obama’s dilemma: He does in fact have “executive experience – he’s just too frightened to claim it.
While playing the role of neighborhood organizer, Obama DID in fact control a $100 million budget – when he was Chairman of Wm. Ayers’ Annenberg project to “enhance” the Chicago Public Schools.
After he and Ayers (”just a guy from the neighborhood” according to B.O.) had spent the $100 million in question, the University of Illinois (Chicago) reported there was no discernible improvement to the Chicago school system. Obama spent $100 million with nothing to show for it??? Surprised? You shouldn’t be when it comes to light the vast majority of the $100 million was spent on ‘grants’ to ultra left-wing neighborhood activists”, “reform” groups, etc.
Obama will do ANYTHING to avoid a discussion of his longstanding partnership with William Ayers – the unrepentant terrorist.
alwyr on September 4, 2008 at 8:28 PM
His PERSONALITY qualifies him to be President??
Hardly an hour goes by that one of Obama’s spokespersons doesn’t make a new campaign ad for McCain.
MagicalPat on September 4, 2008 at 8:40 PM
That is Matador John McCain’s red cape friend….
come on Barry correct us….claim Annenburg on air.
sven10077 on September 4, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Obama = community organizer = Jesus
Am I in the Matrix? Or maybe in Green Acres surrounded by people who are completely off their rockers? What, Arnold? What were you saying, again?
This is the most frustrating to me: not the environs where educated politickers spin the heck out of a topic to make their guy look good (or not bad), but that they do so only because they know it has a good chance of succeeding.
A friend of mine took her 16 year old son to an RNC banquet in St. Paul last night to watch Rudy’s and Palin’s speeches. He asked her later if they could go back tonight.
And I think that that’s part of Palin’s great appeal to fly-over bumpkins like me: she’s normal like me. Non Ivy League, has no “connections”, had no “people” who placed her where she is. She worked hard and used the brain God gave her to get here.
And if she can do it why can’t others? It promotes – and substantiates – the premise of “We the people”: citizens participating in civic duties and offering their service to the good of community and Country.
I think Palin’s encroachment of the Elite’s sense of superiority is what’s stuck in their craw the most. But its also what causes me and others to grin along with her as she nails them for the condescending prigs they are.
James OK on September 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Megyn is the last true reporter.
pappy on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
“But Barack is JESUS…buh, buh, Barack is JESUS!”
What a bunch of weirdly damaged creeps.
Django on September 4, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Funny!
coldshot on September 4, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Megyn is getting better and better. I think she’s got an eye on O’Reilly’s spot!
I’m sure someone must have mentioned it already, but the general’s beatdown of the ZERObama campaign’s talking point was classic! For some reason, he seems to have thought that Megyn was making it up. Man.
progressoverpeace on September 4, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Uh…dude? I am missing the joke, here. But I’m slow. This isn’t in the wiki entry that I looked up for Major General Paul Eaton. Did I get it wrong?
Jaibones on September 4, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Also, did anyone else mention how freakishly hot Megyn Kelly is? Just sayin’. Dang.
Jaibones on September 4, 2008 at 11:08 PM
On the other hand, she seems terribly angry about something. Can that snap temper be stagecraft?
Jaibones on September 4, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Heh. If this guy had more than two brain cells that weren’t occupied worshipping Barry, he might have had the presence of mind to answer her question as -
“That’s certainly open to debate, but being elected would certainly qualify someone. . .”
Nah.
Wind Rider on September 4, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Sarah Palin has run a town, and she’s run a state. The only thing Barack Obama has run is his mouth. ‘Nuff said.
davethe10r on September 4, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Megyn Kelly=hotness and brains. Allahpundit must be going nuts.
WasatchMan on September 5, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I was reminded of Baghdad Bob. He too was being asked questions he could not honestly answer.
I loved when he said the question made no sense…exactly. Just as the statement made no sense.
Army Brat on September 5, 2008 at 1:14 AM
developement of his personality and expertise??? HUH?
HE NEEDS O’s teleprompter..
Bet he’ll be fired after this.
reshas1 on September 5, 2008 at 1:59 AM
isn’t there an old punchline along these lines?
“anyone who is capable of getting elected to the presidency should by nomeans be allowed to do the job”…or something likie that?
urbancenturion on September 5, 2008 at 2:30 AM
+1 agreed. On an unrelated note I think I need a cold shower before I get too worked up thinking about it.
Megyn has been on FIRE at the convention and this guy was dodging the obvious answer in about as clumsy a way as possible.
Note to Obama: running for President hasn’t given you presidential experience. You haven’t had to make a single decision that means life or death for a nation of 320+million. He’s only had to make decisions that will help further his own self interests.
Obama keeps opening his mouth to attack Palin and he just keeps falling further and further into the hole because every possible criticizm he has of her applies to him 10 fold.
MannyT-vA on September 5, 2008 at 3:28 AM
Palin/Kelly!
Jim Treacher on September 5, 2008 at 4:23 AM
Obama is doing what he always does – telling the audience/congregation what he thinks they want to know. This is no diffeenc to him telling the Arab Americans exatcly the opposite of what hye toold the Jewosh Americans.
davod on September 5, 2008 at 6:39 AM
No it is “anyone who wants the job shouldn’t get it”….
on the one side you have a scarred man who has bled for this nation hard and sees himself as a bane to corruption on both sides….on the other you have “BUT I’VE BEEN IN POLITICS A LITTLE OVER A DECADE NOW!” leading the ticket….
draw your own conclusion over who “wants”….
sven10077 on September 5, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Friends and neighbors, please don’t suggest Megyn the Hot as a press secretary. We are going to need some honest reporters/anchors once President McCain takes office… and you know you’re not going to find ‘em on the “big three” networks. The Palinoids will make Bush Derangement Syndrome seem tame.
either orr on September 5, 2008 at 8:50 AM
who do liberals think their fooling with this nonsense
Locrian on September 5, 2008 at 9:07 AM
And this lieberal was a retired general…for which side???
byteshredder on September 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
The question made no sense??? Hell, the statement made even less sense… Than, when B.HUSSEIN makes no sense, we just sweep it under the carpet, and continue..
pueblo1032 on September 5, 2008 at 11:22 AM
not putting down what you said.. but it is very obvious about Barack trying to pander to EVERYONE that my 13 year old nephew said something like that.. ( It’s like he’s saying what they all want to hear) During the Saddleback Forum..
DaveC on September 5, 2008 at 12:36 PM
What news I don’t get from the web I get from Fox TV.
Megyn is one of my favorites.
I only wish she had done the interview with Obama instead of O’Reilly. O’Reilly tells you how tuff he is but this lady shows all to see what a bull dog she is.
Her question(even though not answered) in themselves show how vacuous Obama and his supporter are.
Gulf Coast on September 5, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I can hear the tap dance music in the backround.
oakpack on September 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
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