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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Pwned. Megyn, you magnifient bitch.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 6:54 PM
They have finally jumped the shark…YOUR JOB IS TO GO CARRY BARRY’S MEME NO MATTER HOW DUMB!
sven10077 on September 4, 2008 at 6:54 PM
FUUNNNYYYYY !
stenwin77 on September 4, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Megyn again? This time, at the end of the interview, does she kick this poor sap right in the crotch? God, I hope so!
jaleach on September 4, 2008 at 6:56 PM
So now Barack’s personality alone qualifies him to be CinC because the campaign no longer does?
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 PM
The key is that OBAMA has a couple of times said that HIS experience in running has given him the experience he needs to BE President.
Patently foolish, and false… but that is his new meme as first expressed by Michelle O last week in a speech SHE gave…
Notice, the General did NOT answer the question… its kinda a yes or no answer… and he played it off as if he didn’t understand a VERY SIMPLE QUESTION…
Romeo13 on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Wow, I thought you had to be smart to be a General in the Army. This guy must have slipped through the cracks…
john1schn on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I don’t know this General is but,
I wont ask, you don’t tell,
TheSitRep on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I was watching that…….I don’t care who your are….that’s funny.
grapeknutz on September 4, 2008 at 6:57 PM
What we fail to see is that we’re just a bunch of ingrates who don’t appreciate the great favor Barry is doing all of us by running for presidency. Hell, he could have run for the office of Master of Universe, but he demoted himself and decided to run for the measly office of POTUS.
lobstress on September 4, 2008 at 6:58 PM
He did. Breathing doesn’t belong on a resume.
Ronnie on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
In every brave army, there is always a couple of disappointments who somehow don’t get weeded.
MadisonConservative on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Governor Sarah Palin is starting to look like Ike Eisenhower compared to Barack Obama using his own campaign’s standards.
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
I need a shop of Obama-sama’s head on that episode. :D
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
I’m sensing the “swarm” effect going on here.
Not a good week for Obama.
aquaviva on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Is that what the Left calls “fact checking?” All I hear from the common-lefties is that we conservatives needs to do some fact-checking and we would see that Obama has gotten passed significant legislation since getting elected to the Senate, and as a “community organizer” and state senator.
See the burden is on *us* to prove Obama is qualified or not, not the people who support him (like the MSM).
Neo on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
That’s sad. A respected ex-military guy shouldn’t be putting himself into that position. It was painful to watch. Megyn Kelly did a nice job of politely pressing her question.
Jill1066 on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
He was confused and didn’t understand the question. He was probably thinking: “Running for president gives you the experience to be president? What kind of dumb idea is THAT?”
PackerBronco on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
OMFG. Megyn, you beautiful, magnificent, b!tch.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 6:59 PM
“we are the sum of our experience Megan and some pack more judgement into our time than others”….
so in other words er uh “not really but what the hey?”
How does one quantify her experience looking at Guard TO&E, using them, and budgets to Barack playing with action figures in a Holiday Inn?
I dunno
sven10077 on September 4, 2008 at 7:00 PM
How dare anyone expect direct answers from anyone in the Obama camp!
TooTall on September 4, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Megyn Kelly–White House press secretary?
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 7:00 PM
… Kind of like Obama himself?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
OMG! Who is this effing douche?! He has beclowned himself.
I try not to put our military personnel too high up on the pedestal, despite my enormous admiration for what they achieve. But when just one of them comes out of that system and exposes to us a stunning level of stupidity or lack of character (Eaton showed us both) – it is disorienting to me.
Surely there are imbeciles in every area of life, but how did the U.S. Army elevate this effing nitwit and the execrable Wesley Clark to the position of General? How?
Jaibones on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
I actually felt bad for the guy. Obama has put his people in the position of having to try to defend absolutely retarded claims.
aero on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Me either, Svenster.
*scratches head*
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Let’s assume for a moment that running a campaign is like being POTUS…..tell me again how much money he has spent (compared to McCain), and where he’s at in the polls.
ChrisM on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Megyn is going to get fired for scaring away all the liberals….or a raise!
o/t Glenn Beck has an entire show tonight dedicated to the truth about Obama.
ctmom on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
And he sounded so incredibly enthusiastic about Obama being a president! (sarc!)
Blight on September 4, 2008 at 7:02 PM
That’s so funny. And how patronizingly he says “Megyn.” I think answering that straight was above his pay grade.
hoosiermama on September 4, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Barry tried running for Master of the Universe, but He-Man already had the honor.
m064404 on September 4, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Destroyed on TV. She’s been great this week.
Oh, Obama developed his personality. That’s um, comforting.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Oh YES. Megyn Kelly – The Blonde Piranha
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 7:02 PM
He never served in any army, and he is less qualified to lead than most enlisted soldiers.
MadisonConservative on September 4, 2008 at 7:03 PM
This is an amazing cascading collapse of one of the brightest stars ever in the political universe.
One Woman did it.
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 7:03 PM
He should have spent more time working on Michelle’s.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh I’m gonna get smited for that….
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Nah he’s a good general from what I hear he just got bit by the “kiss of the moonbat” at AWC….
no he saw an opportunity to hitch his wagon to the new kid and ride that ride to a high advisory position on policy….
it’s actually kind of sad watching him pretend that running is qualification….
Barry ain’t oversighted on crap as concerns the military…he should have burst straight into “the election itself is the qualifier for experience”…..
but he can’t play that hand because then it leaves open an unspoken…”so you have to judge the four yourself”
Just sad watching an honest man try to find a “retreat with honor” from a harsh question that is fair.
sven10077 on September 4, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Quack…Quack…Quack….Quack….Quack.
Ya a duck.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 4, 2008 at 7:04 PM
This is from the Wiki entry on Maj Gen Eaton:
“But he was completely weak on Fox News as interviewed by Megyn Kelly on September 4, 2008, according to a Fox network supporter and most likely Megyn Kelly herself. Eaton replyed to Megyn Kelly’s persistent, biased and narrow minded talking points with thoughtful, comprehensive answers that seemed beyond Ms. Kelly’s ability to grasp. A likely response by the Fox network goes as follows. He showed he was the consummate politician as he was unable to give Megyn a direct answer to any questions asked of him. Eaton instead appeared as a level headed, no nonsense gentleman with some excellant points regarding a most distressing and taxing issues in America’s history.”
First Palin and now Megyn Kelly. The Dem beta males are cowering in a puddle of their own body fluids….
Agent of the Cross on September 4, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Two, don’t forget Aunt Esther
sven10077 on September 4, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Megan’s poster is now going up on my wall just beneath Sarah Palin.
Megan for Attorney General.
Since personality is now required experience to be President, Sarah Palin is the most qualified politician in America. She was Ms. Congeniality.
Damiano on September 4, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Obviously this was above his pay grade …
tarpon on September 4, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Yeah, but I’m still trying to figure out how Skeletor got on Hannity and Colmes…
Romeo13 on September 4, 2008 at 7:07 PM
AP I demand you do something about this!
People keep getting eaten by grues! We need lanterns for God’s sake!
apollyonbob on September 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM
She’s one of the best journalists on tv. She can pick someone apart while staying totally calm and impartial.
BadgerHawk on September 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Do they go to school to look confused…the same look after Newt tore the MSNBC guy up, and the same look when Rudy took apart Andrea (?) from MSNBC.
They all look confused when they can’t (won’t) answer.
right2bright on September 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM
The change in the feel of this race that has occurred overnight is simply amazing. Yes, it’s too early to leap to conclusions, but just for today–at least–the “Obama-Biden” ticket has the same stale, also-ran feel as “Gore-Lieberman” and “Kerry-Edwards”. The momentum shift is… wow.
DaveS on September 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Wow, a General with no ammo is pretty frickin’ useless, ain’t he?
trubble on September 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Actually McCain is the supreme commander of all his female forces now. It’s raining McCain! Obama Girl? EPIC FAIL
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 7:09 PM
lol. I don’t think he has the stones to stand up to her.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Wow. I’ve already used this line, but I have to use it again.
That is some industrial strength stupid right there.
Worst. Campaign. Ever.
rockmom on September 4, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Obama is 50% typical White person.
dc84123 on September 4, 2008 at 7:10 PM
They keep going under, surfacing, gasping for breath and going under again.
jeanie on September 4, 2008 at 7:10 PM
No wonder we lost so many good Americans in Iraq.
Rick007 on September 4, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Megyn has been on fire.
SouthernGent on September 4, 2008 at 7:10 PM
No, its just that they are so into the CoolAid, that when they have to come up with a coherernt answer to a valid question… they can’t… because for them its about BELIEF, not rational well thought out positions.
Romeo13 on September 4, 2008 at 7:11 PM
The general went into the wrong studio..he was supposed to be interviewed by Chris Matthews. He figured he would have to hear a few shouts about how great the One is and fight off Matthews’ tingling leg.
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Palin is shining the light on the rats in the hole. Suddenly they don’t look so scary anymore!
JellyToast on September 4, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Nah. Don’t use the liberals victim rationale. The guy can think for himself. If he knows Obama is an idiot and still is pimping him, then he deserves to look like a clown.
Mallard T. Drake on September 4, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 7:12 PM
rockmom on September 4, 2008 at 7:12 PM
That’s two in two days for Megyn.
John on September 4, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Grue, are you eating General Gummy Spines?
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Mebbe, I can’t see the video from work. I’ll see how it tastes when I get off.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Oh, he knows he’s trying to defend the collapse of the worst. campaign. ever.
That’s why he was so shocked and confused by her question. “This campaign??? Qualifies him to be Commander in Chief??? Ummm…what are you smoking woman?”
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
So…..the General agrees, Obama will be doing on the job training and is still trying to find himself….
albill on September 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
“That’s not the Kwame Kilpatrick I knew”
Just getting ahead of the curve….
drjohn on September 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Okay, so if running for president gives you the experience to be president, then all Obama has to do to be the most qualified candidate is to run only against people who are not themselves ALSO running for president. In other words, if he run unapposed, he has a good chance of winning the election. Say isn’t that how he got elected to the Illinois State Senate in the first place?
PackerBronco on September 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
I see, so Obama deserves to be president because he plays one on the campaign trail.
I think someone pissed Ms Megyn off with all the attack Sarah stuff, got on her wrong side.
Terrye on September 4, 2008 at 7:15 PM
I was in the Army and all I can say is….Sh*t Happens.
Old Hippie Vet on September 4, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Nader has spent more time running for President. So has Kuccinich.
Terrye on September 4, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Generals are politicians too!
drjohn on September 4, 2008 at 7:16 PM
That was my first impression too.
He probably didn’t even know Obama had said that and if Megyn hadn’t told him he probably would have given a direct answer instead of thinking to himself “he really said that…stall…no, he couldn’t have really said that…stall…pretend I didn’t understand the question…stall…just say life experience“.
His whole candidacy is a damn joke to anybody with a brain.
Vigilante on September 4, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Someone at ObamaCentral needs to change that guys batteries… seems to be running low on juice.
Seriously, the whole time this guy was on it looked like he was thinking “how in the hell did I end up here? What was I thinking???”
Drunken Angry Clown on September 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Old Hippie:
There is a lot of politics in the military. Don’t think there isn’t.
Terrye on September 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Thank God for Sara’cuda. I would hate to see the One run “unopposed”, which was happening before this “shift”.
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
“Barack playing with action figures in a Holiday Inn?”
You have hit on something here.
I don’t have any executive experience but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!
davod on September 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Hence…The Blonde Piranha
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Grue, General Gummy Spines taste like chicken….
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Great. Hysterical…still laughing as I type.
aquaviva on September 4, 2008 at 7:19 PM
The GeneraL MAY have a point about the experiences.
Obamas EXPERIENCE, cavorting with an American TERRORIST, may give him insight into what TERRORISTS think. He’s a friend and compatriot of unrepentant TERRORIST Bill Ayres. Wouldn’t he know what terrorists are thinking??
originalpechanga on September 4, 2008 at 7:19 PM
…. I just got the mental image of the doll scene from Spaceballs, with Obama instead of Rick Moranis….
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 4, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Heh heh heh…Dark Helmet. How true. I like you, Grue.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Give the good general a break. He was caught in a rhetorical trap like a mime in a cage of the imagination. He isn’t stupid. If he were stupid, he’d have just blurted some smarmy sounding crap out that sounded good but ultimately made no sense. Instead, he carefully, hesitantly felt around the borders of his prison until he realized there was no opening, then took a pass.
He’s backing the wrong horse, but that doesn’t mean we should demean his intelligence or his service.
Immolate on September 4, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Wouldn’t have been much more honest and easier to just say “No, It does not.”?
jukin on September 4, 2008 at 7:24 PM
But, shouldn’t we demean his judgment? Or lack thereof.
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Wow, this general thinks Bambi is really really smart? As the old saying goes: in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Looks like the general is indeed BLIND!!!
poxoma on September 4, 2008 at 7:26 PM
So that’s the response from a Major General to a straightforward question? Would he have accepted such an answer or deliberate obtuseness from his subordinates at any point during his military tenure?
Jeez. I hope McCain can get in and clean up the DoD, too. That makes at least DoEducation, DoEnergy, DoState, and DoDefense that all need a good top-to-bottom purge… but who’s counting.
AnonymousDrivel on September 4, 2008 at 7:26 PM
How can someone answer a question truthfully when the truth will decimate your candidate. You either outright lie, plead ignorance or say something totally unrelated to the question.
It’s kind of like the old “Am I fat?” question from your wife.
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 7:27 PM
“I hear what you’re saying, but I’m going to lie and say I don’t comprehend it to save The One.”
Seixon on September 4, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Well.
By Obama’s standards, I should be an expert on illegal immigration because of my many trips to Mexico.
madmonkphotog on September 4, 2008 at 7:29 PM
FIFY
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 7:30 PM
I love these Megyn Kelly clips. I would enjoy seeing her stand up after fileting one of these poor saps, grab her crotch and tell her victim to, “Suck it!.”
If she did that and gave up that dumbass Kelly’s Court she would be the perfect TV commentator.
grdred944 on September 4, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Megyn Kelly for Press Secretary in the
PalinMcCain/Palin Administration!TheBigOldDog on September 4, 2008 at 7:30 PM
That’s PALIN/mccain.
HornetSting on September 4, 2008 at 7:33 PM
If they’re going to dig up dolts like that for Megyn then she just has to deal with them . . . and she did a good job. That jerk must be one of Clark’s buddies. The Clinton era produced some petty sorry as general officers.
rplat on September 4, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Yeah, I’m with you on that one. I actually come off feeling bad for the guy because he’s trying to not answer the question. He knows what he has to do, he’s thinking, if I can just stall for another minute. Meanwhile, we all know the answer to Megyn’s question — writing two memoirs and running for president doesn’t qualify you for president. Simple as that.
LastRick on September 4, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Indeed…first the gibbering fool from ‘US’ magazine…and now this.
I particularly like the way she cuts them off when they start ducking the question…’I'm looking for an answer to the question I just asked’..before they can even get the spin going…
She Rocks!! Of course word is going to get around and she’s gonna have a hard time getting any more of the fools to interview…alas…
BigWyo on September 4, 2008 at 7:36 PM
DH and I were watching this interview earlier, over dinner. Made for a great dinner laugh. :)
Conservative_SAHM on September 4, 2008 at 7:38 PM
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