Obama: Guess who wins the mudslinging match?
posted at 6:10 pm on September 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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ABC News catches Barack Obama in an ironic, if meaningless, gaffe in the midst of a complaint about campaign ads. Obama complained about the attack ads that John McCain has launched against him for the last two months. But when he had to defend his ad about e-mailing, Obama tried to pretend it didn’t have anything to do with age — and inadvertently claimed the title of Mudslinger in Chief:
It was Obama’s turn to defend his campaign tactics when pressed by Cuomo today.
“It paints him as an old man. You say he can’t use a computer, he’s never sent an e-mail. What does that all mean?” Cuomo asked.
“What it means is that we’ve got a 21st century economy. And John McCain does not have a vision for how to move that forward,” Obama replied. …
Obama rejected suggestions that his campaign ad was a low blow.
“If we’re going to ask questions about, you know, who has been promulgating negative ads that are completely unrelated to the issues at hand, I think I win that contest pretty handily,” Obama said.
Well, alrighty then! Barack Obama — champion of pointless negative advertising!
But seriously, can Obama be serious about playing the victim here? He started smearing McCain three months ago by claiming McCain and the Republicans would attack because of his race. Team Obama has had its surrogates talking about his age and his cancer, which aren’t exactly the “issues at hand”, as Obama puts it. And unless the fate of the world hinges on an e-mail, then his ad is equally pointless and has nothing to do with “being out of touch”. It’s a snarky shot at McCain’s age, and everyone knows it. Pretending otherwise is not just risible, but outright dishonest.
And besides the dishonesty, the whininess hardly commends Obama to a position where he’ll have to deal with a lot more hostility than being called “the world’s biggest celebrity”. McCain has made this mistake with its responses lately as well, but not as consistently as Obama has. America doesn’t elect victims to the Presidency — it elects strength.
The candidate that stops whining and starts acting like a champion will win this election. The other will win false titles, such as the one Obama assigned himself by accident here.
Update: Want an example? Michael Dukakis tried this in 1988 … and look how well it worked out:
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This needs to be an ad. >_>
Sakaki on September 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Lightweight.
D0WNT0WN on September 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
The media tricked him, just like last time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUrnZHc0I4
Jim M. on September 15, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Wow. Dejavu, same message.
cryptojunkie on September 15, 2008 at 6:14 PM
“We are the change we’ve been waiting for …
… unless you’re an old guy who can’t send emails.”
GoHskrs on September 15, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Gaffetastic.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2008 at 6:15 PM
heh… Ed’s an Ace Ventura fan. Who would have thunk it?
I really can’t wait for the debates. Maybe Obama will remember to set his mouth on single shot instead of fully automatic. But what fun would that be?
Hog Wild on September 15, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Dukakis in the Abrams. Good times. Good times.
Leopold Stotch on September 15, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Wow, you could take that Dukakis script and not change a word, and it would make a perfect Obama pitch. Talk about more of the same.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Vote Republican
Register NOW
Send money NOW.
Tell your friends NOW.
Joe Biden admitted he was not the most qualified, yet wannabe Prez BO chose him anyway. Bad judgement? Sure
originalpechanga on September 15, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
And I’ll cry a river for you.
Terrye on September 15, 2008 at 6:17 PM
My thought exactly.
Whatever else the Dems might be striving to “change”, one thing that looks to be constant is their tired class warfare rhetoric.
That could have just as easily been an O’bammy commercial.
Citizen Duck on September 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
one word why Obama is losing:
promulgating
If that doesn’t scream elitist snob I don’t know what does.
prom·ul·gate (prml-gt, pr-mlgt)
tr.v. prom·ul·gat·ed, prom·ul·gat·ing, prom·ul·gates
1. To make known (a decree, for example) by public declaration; announce officially. See Synonyms at announce.
2. To put (a law) into effect by formal public announcement.
——————————————————————————–
[Latin prmulgre, prmulgt-.]
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/promulgating
exit question wouldn’t it have been better if he simply said throwing, or slinging, or even saying?
And then they wonder why they are not connecting with blue coller high school grads? Are these people idiots? Who the hell talks like that if you are trying to connect with working class people. I have a college education and I had to look the damn word up to make sure It meant what I thought it meant before posting this.
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Awesome. This must be a new ad!
Spirit of 1776 on September 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
No argument from this corner…
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
They better make an ad out of this. Fast.
Make up for the out of context “100 year war,” “houses,” “not swift on economy,” “email illiterate,” etc.
The ad would be delicous. Even Obama admits he’s vile.
kevinkristy on September 15, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Way to blow a misspoken remark way out of context.
I just hope McCain keeps “reaching across the aisle” with regards to praising Obama for his witty and on-mark ads of late. That looks real great. :]
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:20 PM
“The most gifted and eloquent speaker EVER to come from Harvard…”
sven10077 on September 15, 2008 at 6:20 PM
ahahahahahahaha!
Someone better keep Barry on a teleprompter leash.
Enoxo on September 15, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Wow, that “wealthiest 1%” bit never gets old, does it?
Evilwhiteguy on September 15, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Barack Hussein Obama, your English Teacher, Mr. Ayers, is not going be pleased!
Aristotle on September 15, 2008 at 6:22 PM
You forgot about the “5 million dollar middle class”.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Who’s blowing anything out of context? Or do you mean out of proportion? No one’s doing that, either.
We’re just laughing at The One’s magical rhetorical skills. You’d do the same if the shoe were on the other foot.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Oh, and the “Country First? You have to ask yourself — which country?” thing. Yeah, we’re not going to question the war hero’s patriotism.
And didn’t they just unveil the “Liar, liar, pants on fire!” ad today?
ClintACK on September 15, 2008 at 6:24 PM
What is it with Democrats? It’s the same crap year after year after year… affordable this, quality that! Please! Stop the madness – if American voters are stupid enough to buy this tripe, then they deserve what they get.
D2Boston on September 15, 2008 at 6:27 PM
I laughed at that line myself. I swear Biden or Obama gave that exact same speech last weak.
They should play that ad, and say “who is living in the past, same old slogans, same old party, same old politics”…isn’t it time for a change?
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Wow. That Dukakis ad really brings home what I already knew (that the people may change, but the messages stay the same). Anyone of the Dems could have delivered that speech. I’m sure there are Republican analogues as well.
zmrzlina on September 15, 2008 at 6:28 PM
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Dude, it’s a lawyer word. Lawyers use it all the time. Seriously.
But your point is still valid.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on September 15, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I cried for Obamba, on the inside.
Perhaps Oboe is trying to keep Biden from hogging the gaffe spotlight; even in this contest his ego won’t let anyone else steal his thunder.
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:29 PM
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 6:27 PM
yeah would be a good ad
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Unscripted, this guy’s a dufus.
dugan on September 15, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Biden – Der Gaffenmeister
Obama/Biden – Die Gaffenmeister
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Now, that’s some epic flailing if I ever saw some…
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Which is more racist, pointing out that he’s articulate, or pointing out that he’s not?
Jim Treacher on September 15, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Well the Liberal 527s are starting
Scary John McCain with his explosive POW experience shouldnt be trusted with his finger on the trigger.
So much for being honest Obama
William Amos on September 15, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Unscripted,this guy’s a dufus.dugan on September 15, 2008 at 6:29 PM
coldwarrior on September 15, 2008 at 6:33 PM
What’s wrong with attack ads anyway?
Tzetzes on September 15, 2008 at 6:33 PM
This isn’t a gaffe… in the context of a political campaign, I think it goes without saying that a “contest” involving “questions about, you know, who has been promulgating negative ads” would be won by the person who hasn’t been running the negative ads.
I think it sounds silly even jokingly acting like this is a gaffe.
DaveS on September 15, 2008 at 6:33 PM
…feels entitled to lead…can’t get out of his own way….
This campaign is turning into a YouTube homemade version of the Odessa steps sequence from “The Battleship Potemkin”…you just watch the stroller bounce down and down…and you know that Barry O is in it….
Puritan1648 on September 15, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on September 15, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Not a lawyer (Thank god) have heard it before but like I said it is not an everyday word so wanted to make sure it meant what I thought it meant. I would place a bet that 99% of the voters that Obama are trying to get in OH, PA, MI have never heard of the word. As a famous writer once said to be a good writer you must know your audience. pseaking like that when trying to win votes of high school grads is like speaking spanish to them. It sets you apart as one of the others and they will not understand you.
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Now, that’s some epic flailing if I ever saw some…
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:32 PM
You don’t say?
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Me no so good at the talky talky.
Ortzinator on September 15, 2008 at 6:36 PM
VOTE NOW, VOTE OFTEN, VOTE REPUBLICAN!!
McSame/Plain 2008!
LOL
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Dukakis (Δουκάκης) protested that he did in fact vote to fund certain weapon systems. McCain should run that ad where Obama goes on about all the systems he promises not to fund.
Tzetzes on September 15, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Is BO engaging, perhaps, in Astroturfing? (found at Ace)
Arbalest on September 15, 2008 at 6:36 PM
OK, I had to read it a few times and do a left-brain right-brain flip but I finally understood your point.
NTWR on September 15, 2008 at 6:37 PM
You can’t win. You’re scroomed :)
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:38 PM
You see, that’s the “beauty” of BO’s marxist thought control agenda… you can’t say ANYTHING against him without being perceived as racist. We truly are facing communism under this dolt, should he steal the election.
Yes, I said it… “steal” the election, because the only way he will beat McCain is to have millions of dead people, illegal aliens and convicted felons vote, and his ACORN minions are taking care of that task.
ErinF on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Oh no…so do I.
Can I still play here?
:)
Bob's Kid on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
OK, I had to read it a few times and do a left-brain right-brain flip but I finally understood your point.
NTWR on September 15, 2008 at 6:37 PM
So Obama is connecting to you? Only took two reads and 5 mins of your life and you get his point. Is Obama not a smooth, once in a life time, orator or what? The great communicator of our time he is. Hell he would even give Yodi a run for his money. would, he
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Yet another orgaffm. He’s the gift that keeps on gaffing.
~~ducking~~
Patrick S on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
PROMULGATE. It’s the next scandal after troopergate.
alycan1 on September 15, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Bob’s Kid on September 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Sure you can. but there is something to be said against using a .50cent word where a .05cent word will do. Do you not agree?
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:42 PM
let them fire first….they are using brass cannon we have breech loading ’75s….America’s gonna LOVE William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.
sven10077 on September 15, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Hey, do you think there will be ACORNGATE at all before the election (or ever)? Or will that be brushed under the rug along with all of BO’s other dirt?
ErinF on September 15, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Hey, do you think there will be ACORNGATE at all before the election (or ever)? Or will that be brushed under the rug along with all of BO’s other dirt?
ErinF on September 15, 2008 at 6:43 PM
The acorn will grow into an oak tree before the MSM moves on this story.
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Weak.
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:45 PM
We haven’t heard from Howard Dean lately? I miss him terribly.
My confidence is crushed now. I am a woman. I feel victimized.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:46 PM
VOTE NOW, VOTE OFTEN, VOTE REPUBLICAN!!
McSame/Plain 2008!
LOL
an_abstraction on September 15, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Ohhhhhhh…..huh.
-cough-
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:46 PM
good post:
Even in the depths of the Great Depression, FDR assured his fellow Americans, in his first inagural speech, that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But on a day that calls for courage, Barack Obama was willing to talk the American economy down for the sake of short-term political gain. What does that say about his qualities as a leader? What does it predict about how he would handle a crisis were he to become president? Is expressing America’s anxiety leadership?
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/09/15/day-demanding-leadership-obama-exploits-americas-anxiety
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 6:46 PM
I suspect that in person, you would go over him/her/it like a Honda Mower, dear.
Patrick S on September 15, 2008 at 6:48 PM
My confidence is crushed now. I am a woman. I feel victimized.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:46 PM
I felt the same way….we should start a support group, lobby the feds for some grant money.
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Patrick S on September 15, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Nah, it w/b elegantly, and I’d pay for the lunch, gladly. S/he’d provide the free entertainment. I work with quite a few. They provide endorphins, gratis, especially now.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:51 PM
I think someone needs to air out an_abstraction’s nasal cavities with a Browning .50
Sakaki on September 15, 2008 at 6:52 PM
I’ll start ‘castrated men who still fear the bicycle bar’….
sven10077 on September 15, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Patrick S, the only thing I haven’t heard them say, yet, is that Bush 43 has caused the latest storms.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Dukakis the doofus, thanks for that it gave me a delightful chuckle.
Maxx on September 15, 2008 at 6:53 PM
I’ll start ‘castrated men who still fear the bicycle bar’….
sven10077 on September 15, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Dear God, I thought I was the only one suffering from this!
-tears of joy mixed with sadness-
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Another great Kinsley gaffe…..LOL
dont taze me bro on September 15, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Panic!!
Cry!!
Throw a Hissy Fit!
Call Your Therapist!!
Blame It on Bush!!
Obama/Biden 2008…
not a chance in Hell.
BigWyo on September 15, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I was on a ship in the Indian Ocean when the ‘88 race was in full swing so I never had the chance to see Dukaka in his full glory.
Funny how the liberal faces change but the message stays the same.
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 6:57 PM
So now we have Promul-Gate
Beto Ochoa on September 15, 2008 at 6:58 PM
They need to run a Carter/Mondale/Dukakis/Obama “tax cuts for the rich” montage. Closing with McCain turning to the camera and saying, “Is this “change” my friends.”
I’m John McCain and I approve of this message.
kevinkristy on September 15, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Dukakis, lol. “wealthiest 1%”!!! Wow, the Democrats have come so far in 20 years.
CP on September 15, 2008 at 6:59 PM
There ya go, Ed. Fixed it for you.
Bob Owens on September 15, 2008 at 6:59 PM
That line of logic reminds of this (at least arguing with them that is):
I love that story…
SkinnerVic on September 15, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Oh, it’s out there.
Beto Ochoa on September 15, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Sorry – wrong link, better one – 1:32 in.
SkinnerVic on September 15, 2008 at 7:04 PM
really, an_abstraction , you’d say “McSame”
after seeing the Democrats recycling their political garbage year after year?
Or didn’t you see the Dukakis vid?
rebecca on September 15, 2008 at 7:05 PM
“Words, just words.”
TooTall on September 15, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Tee hee!
baldilocks on September 15, 2008 at 7:06 PM
He cannot get through more than a few sentences without saying that.
Disturb the Universe on September 15, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Kind of like that “Muslim faith” gaffe. He’s unraveling.
Disturb the Universe on September 15, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
Bush/Quayle 426 Electoral College Votes
Dukakis/Bentsen 111 Electoral College Votes
Dukakis won 10 states
WA, OR, HI, MN, IA, WI, WV (!!!), NY, MA, RI and good ole DC.
I smell a repeat, except Obama will win California and Illinios.
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Promlagute…primulgat…promla…promel…dammnit! What is with Obalbo using these ten dollar words, us flyover-country hicks can’t keep up.
Bishop on September 15, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Like, what is, you know, like wrong with you know, that?
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 7:15 PM
smell a repeat, except Obama will win California and Illinios.
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 7:14 PM
and lose NY, WV,WI,MN
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 7:15 PM
What have I been telling you all for weeks now? Obama is Mike Dukakis redux. The campaign is following the exact trajectory of 1988.
rockmom on September 15, 2008 at 7:16 PM
good news?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html
unseen on September 15, 2008 at 7:17 PM
We’ve tried really hard to explain jokes to you guys. But I’m afraid it’s a losing proposition.
Maybe if we type a little slower.?…
Squiggy on September 15, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Αρχημάλακας, otherwise known as Michael Dukakis.
Teddy on September 15, 2008 at 7:19 PM
I haven’t watched yet, it not an exercise video is it? Oh, his arm is on a box, never mind.
Cindy Munford on September 15, 2008 at 7:20 PM
I can imagine Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction demanding….
Just say “You Know”, one mo’ time Mother Clucker!
Beto Ochoa on September 15, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Adlai Stevenson 1952 – Same talking points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUcahKuXzb4&NR=1
kevinkristy on September 15, 2008 at 7:25 PM
The comment trolls suck. Can we please get a better class of trolls?
lorien1973 on September 15, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I just watched a film from 1957 titled “A Face In The Crowd”
Change the names, it’s today.
There’s nothing new under the sun.
Beto Ochoa on September 15, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Please Ed, tell me there is a video of this Obama interview somewhere- and then please also, post it here.
Those words of his (If we’re going to ask questions about, you know, who has been promulgating negative ads that are completely unrelated to the issues at hand, I think I win that contest pretty handily,”) are just too rich with ignorance and irony to be passed up.
localmalcontent on September 15, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Funny you should mention Dukakis, Ed. You think we could get Obama to take a ride in a tank?
tgharris on September 15, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Squiggy on September 15, 2008 at 7:18 PM
There’s nothing to explain… you are saying that Obama “gaffed” and said that he’s been running more negative ads. The problem is that he didn’t say that at all.
That’s why I think its stupid to pretend this is a gaffe… you are basically pretending he said something that he didn’t.
DaveS on September 15, 2008 at 8:57 PM
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