Audio: Imus hits Obama for his double standard on Wright
posted at 12:06 pm on October 22, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Gratifying yet frustrating. Follow Smith’s link for the audio and skip ahead just past halfway for the key exchange. Quote:
“When I got in the mess that I got in, Senator Obama was the first one to jump up and suggested that I be fired, which I didn’t have any problem with. And when the wheels came off with Reverend Wright, the first thing Senator Obama said was that we should put his remarks in context and also we should consider all the wonderful things that Rev. Wright had done throughout his life,” Imus said. “That was a luxury that he was affording Reverend Wright and himself to get out of that mess, and something that he was unwilling to afford me – not that that would have been appropriate, by the way. But I thought that revealed a disturbing level of hypocrisy and a willingness to employ a double standard and something worth talking about.”
Indeed. I flagged it myself two weeks ago. If you missed it, go watch the old “Hardball” clip there of Obama explaining how he’d no longer appear on Imus’s show so as not to become an “enabler” of casually racist humor. That’s precisely the right word, and proves that The One has no objection in principle to drawing moral lines among his associates. It’s just that, in his moral universe, evidently Don Imus fell on one side of the line and the domestic terrorist and hate preacher he “enabled” for years and years and years fell on the other. Or at least, they did until they became political liabilities for him. Maybe that’s Imus’s real problem. If he could convince Obama that coming on the show would benefit him more than it would cost him, doubtless we’d see that “moral” objection evaporate, too.
Thus is the subject raised, and McCain duly acknowledges that it’s a good point — whereupon he promptly moves on, failing to hammer at it even though it dovetails with his own argument that Obama’s link to Ayers is ultimately a matter of credibility. Not only is The One distorting the extent of their relationship, he’s clearly exaggerating the extent to which it discomforts him; if he wasn’t, he’d have severed the tie the same way he severed his dealings with Imus. Why McCain leaves that point unmade, I don’t know. Maybe he’s reached the point where even the mere mention of Wright is enough to warn him away from a subject. The ‘Cuda seems to have a stronger stomach; something for her next stump speech, maybe? There are some sweet Hillary quotes to borrow if she’s in the mood.
The whole thing’s worth listening to, but if you’re pressed for time, start about a third of the way through for a spirited defense of Palin. Exit quotation: “Serve 35 years in the United States Senate and say you’ve got to divide Iraq into three different countries, or be governor of a state and a reformer and give people their tax dollars back and bring about reform in the way that your state does business? Which is better?”
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Unfortunately, no one is going to actively seek the Imus endorsement.
Hannibal Smith on October 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM
OT: Is Hot Air loading slow today with a considerable drag for anyone beside me?
.
It seems to be happening to a couple sites. Could it be site meter or something like we had a wile back?
abinitioadinfinitum on October 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Imus, you’re criticizing the One. You thought making fun of basketball players was damaging to your career? You’ve put yourself back on the list of future ‘enemies of the state’.
Grafted on October 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I left this in another post this blog. Politico covered this interview twice.
http://imustimes.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/imus-mccain-talks-wright-and-palin/
Dr Evil on October 22, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Despite the fact that the racist charge leveled at him was utter BS, he’s still a jerk who needs to retire from radio.
MadisonConservative on October 22, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Maybe that’s because you were pushing your idea that it shouldn’t be used?
……or, just a thought, maybe their internal polls show that he is ahead in not pushing it?
….or, just a thought, maybe their internal polls show he is ahead, period?
Thinking does pay off sometimes, (just a thought).
Mcguyver on October 22, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I’m not exactly sure that I want Imus on my side.
Religious_Zealot on October 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Imus?
He still has a radio show?
That people still listen to?
Amazing.
Monkei on October 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM
What was Imus doing before the incident, why did he attempt this controversial satire? No one ever did try to put his sound byte in context or ask for people to consider all his good works. Both things Obama asked people to consider in The Rev Jeremiah Wright Media Event.
Imus Fires Chris Carlin, You Tube- for context this was shortly before the Imus NHH incident, Imus was trying to create Buzz, it is what DJs do. They created a buzz saw.
Good works? Well Obama brought up funding for Autism, last debate with John McCain. Obama insisted on the firing of a high profile advocate of Autistic Children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB9YJ6THBDc
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obama-first-to-call-for-imus-firing-for-racism
Dr Evil on October 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Yes.
BadgerHawk on October 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
“Hypocrisy?” “Double Standard?” You mean like preaching to avoid “middleclassness” and then retiring to a $10,000,000 house in an all white neighborhood on a golf course? Nah. That’s just the way some people “spread the wealth around.”
Star20 on October 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
………. or any of the rest of us if he becomes elected. Enjoy your last days of freedom, or vote like hell for McCain!
Seven Percent Solution on October 22, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I don’t know if Imus makes the point but the other thing you have to consider is that when Imus made his infamous remarks he was joking around. Rev. Wright, on the other hand, was dead serious.
CanadianGuy on October 22, 2008 at 12:24 PM
“I thought I was part of the in-crowd. Now that I know I’m not, I’m calling bull$hit!”
misterpeasea on October 22, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I’d been wondering when Rev. Al was coming back into this campaign…
Jim Treacher on October 22, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I know I don’t like the thought of having Imus on “my side.” Overall, he’s one of those loose cannons like many lefty radio babblers; only their ideologies differ.
And he gives bad radio, too.
MrScribbler on October 22, 2008 at 12:26 PM
You have data showing McCain is ahead on this issue? That he’s ahead? No? Then, maybe, just a thought, you’re apologizing for your feeble and inadequate candidate refusing to pick up a solid point and run with it. McCain has a track record of missed opportunities…the only ‘internal’ voice he seems to listen to is the same one that said amnesty was a brilliant idea. But, go on, make some more excuses. Maybe, just a though, McCain had to go to the bathroom, and didn’t have time to make that point. Bollocks.
austinnelly on October 22, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Don Imus is white. It’s that simple.
Geronimo on October 22, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I thought I was part of the in-crowd. Now that I know I’m not, I’m calling bull$hit!
I’m trying to work up some sympathy. I’m trying really, really hard.
misterpeasea on October 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Back when Imus’ morning show was broadcast on MSNBC, he was a one-man cheerleading band for Harold Ford, Jr., a black Congressman from TN who was running for a Senate seat there. Ford is a smart, engaging young guy who appeared often on Imus’ show, and Imus liked him a lot. When Ford lost the Senate race, Imus was so upset that at one point, he looked like he was literally going to break into tears. Imus blamed Ford’s loss on the “rednecks” in the NE part of the state.
Anybody who watched/listened to Imus’ show knew that Imus is not a racist. He is a cranky, imperious, rude old man who made the stupid “nappy-headed hos” remark because he was trying to appear hip and funny, not because he dislikes or disrespects blacks. The way prominent blacks, including Obama, dumped all over Imus after that episode was disgraceful.
AZCoyote on October 22, 2008 at 12:33 PM
It’s working now.
abinitioadinfinitum on October 22, 2008 at 12:35 PM
That was strange.
abinitioadinfinitum on October 22, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I’m listening to this interview and it shows why McCain is not winning this thing.
Imus throws so many softballs up to McCain — media bias, Ayers, Rev Wright — and McCain tries to avoid discussing any of them.
McCain is running to please the media.
CanadianGuy on October 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I’m not so sure about that.
From Wikipedia:
I realize he has lost ratings since then, but I suspect that the folks who tuned out are the New Yorkers, not the rural and western listeners/viewers. I think he is reaching a great target audience for McCain via the simulcast on RFD-TV.
I watched Imus pretty faithfully for a couple of years when he was on MSNBC (and I was in the Eastern time zone). I have little in common with him in terms of our backgrounds, but I generally enjoyed his show, particularly when he did serious political interviews as well as his musical guests (I got into Delbert McClinton through Imus). I didn’t like his “shock jock” stuff (who was that annoying sportscaster he had? — I can’t remember his name, but I didn’t like that stuff). IMHO, it was his “shock jock” roots that led to his ill-advised comments about the women’s b-ball team, not some pent up racism.
Anyway, I’m glad he’s back on the air. To me he represents a lot of what is good about the West and appeals a lot of potential McCain voters. He’s by no means a Republican or even a mainstream conservative, but he is a guy who blends self-sufficiency with some really sincere charity work.
I’m glad McCain went on the show. I’m looking forward to listening to the interview.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I’ve got a gut feeling,that Imus might throw
caution into the wind!
This whole ordeal with this socialist take over
of America might just be enough to push Imus
over the edge!!
Besides if Hopey gets in!(Gawd Forbid).
Imus will certainly be the first to go!
canopfor on October 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Yes, me too. Rush and Drudge are loading fine. LGF, Ace, and HA are slooooowwwww.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 12:40 PM
here’s a News Flash, troll: nobody here cares what you say
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 12:41 PM
…though unlike the last time, Hillary Clinton’s Media Matters® may stay on the sidelines after these Imus remarks. It ain’t over yet for 2008, and you gotta think about planning for 2012, just in case.
jon1979 on October 22, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Um. Riight.
misterpeasea on October 22, 2008 at 12:47 PM
It is beyond exasperating that McCain refuses to talk about Jeremiah Wright.
If nothing else, McCain should ask Obama how he can pretend to be a champion of the middle class after spending 20 years in a “church” whose “black values system” specifically instructs it’s members in the “Disavowal of middleclassness“.
Buy Danish on October 22, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Janos cannot post without putting ‘troll’ in there somewhere. I’m beginning to wonder if it is a named medical condition, like Turette’s.
trailboss on October 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Memo to Austin kneellying at shrine Mobama.
Internal polls are internal, as opposed to external and visible.
As a result they are embargoed and never ever exposed.
McCain knows that in war you never give your enemies the true information that will kill them (In other words: “We got them right where we want them”).
McCain on Fox News Sunday with Wallace…. with the most confident smile and grin on his face, televised something internal when he said that he is, “The most blessed person you (Chris) will ever interview.”
Here’s just a thought for you dweeb/s: Confidence is the opposite of hopey and changy.
Confidence always has to have an integrated firm element of the factual truth.
Hopey and changy on the other hand, doesn’t need facts or truth, and, when challenged gets defensive.
Does this help?
Or do I just throw in the towel and quit trying to inform you dweebs!?
*sigh*
Disclaimer:
The purpose of me borrowing the other half of Rush Limbaugh’s unused and not-needed brain, was and is to go incognito into blogs and such as….. and try to educate you dweebs.
Try not to make our effort fruitless here, because otherwise we will have no other hope left for mankind.
Signed: Mcguyver (in for Rush Limbaugh).
Mcguyver on October 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Yeah, and he’s using ugly names like “pedophile” in the cracker post.
misterpeasea on October 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM
It’s heartwarming Your Kind sticks together. Of course your statement is a lie–because that’s just what you do….
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Campaign in PA yesterday, NH today. There are only two reasons:
1. It is a 50-50 race.
2. Deaf, blind, dumb.
I’ll put my money on #1.
Limerick on October 22, 2008 at 12:58 PM
McCain was interviewed by Imus (a McCain supporter). It was an audio train wreck. He clearly is not based in any principle at all and came across as a doddering old man.
This is why we need GOP nominees who understand the Constitution.
Valiant on October 22, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I’m surprised that a leftist who calls people names would object to having the same tactic used against it
/
crr6 calls everyone who disagrees with it ‘racist’ and posted several times about my childhood.
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM
The link for today’s McCain interview is:
http://www.wabcradio.com/Article.asp?id=945681&spid=22807
Valiant on October 22, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Also why publish and flaunt that it is close. If the new citystates think it will be a Barry blowout it might keep people home on the Dems side. If they are too lazy to go vote I don’t give a rat’s glute.
Limerick on October 22, 2008 at 1:01 PM
BTW, Texas begins early voting. Record turn out on day 1.
Limerick on October 22, 2008 at 1:04 PM
I truly wonder if they have effective medication for that syndrome, or if electro-shock is the only treatment.
trailboss on October 22, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Imus has been adding radio stations, he stated he is on more now, then when he was fired (Citadel is great) also he has helped RFD TV pick up carriage, now on two more large Cable Companies Comcast and Verizon Fios. RFD TV wants to reach 50 million homes, over the next 2 years, they are over 30 Million already. Read the blog here, about how Biden used to I heart Imus. Obama/Biden have vulnerabilities that need exposed.
http://www.myspace.com/getoffmyphone
Dr Evil on October 22, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Damn. Imus is trying to help McCain and McCain is fighting him and he doesnt come across well. He insists that Palin did well in the Couric interview. Either McCain is lying or he is dumb….he would be the only person in the country who thinks Palin did well in that interview.
McCain does horrible in that interview with Imus. A capsule of why McCain is horrible. Communication skills are horrid. He needs to learn to listen before speaking.
Roger Waters on October 22, 2008 at 1:12 PM
McCain is PC. That’s why he’ll never touch the Wright connection. It’s also why he touts we gotta do something about global warming (oops! Guess it’s cooling now).
=Things I don’t like about McCain.
But things I DO like about McCain?=Palin & he’s NOT OBama!
Badger40 on October 22, 2008 at 1:12 PM
I’m surprised that you advocate electo-shock for those who disagree with you.
/
I’ve read your posts, and you start off playing the ‘concerned’ role, but when disagreed with you attack. You NEVER support conservatives or Republicans, though, and here you have nothing to say other than getting on my case
keep it up: you and the Other Libtard can spend you time on me, and let others discuss issues……..
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 1:13 PM
A face made for radio.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Third Post from Politico, today, on John McCain’s interview by Imus this morning. John McCain should go on Imus every morning!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14820.html
Dr Evil on October 22, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Maybe Sarah Palin needs to show up on Imus in the Morning. I’m just sayin it could be helpful.
Dr Evil on October 22, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I listened to the interview. My impression of McCain from the interview was that he was a bit tired, but otherwise obviously very comfortable and in command. Imus tried to steer it a certain way and McCain didn’t let him. The messages that came through most clearly to me were:
1. McCain was smart to pick Palin. He sincerely admires her reformer record and absolutely “gets” what it is about her that appeals to so many people. I have great confidence that a President McCain will be positively influenced by a Vice President Palin.
Also, I don’t think he oversold how she did on the Couric interview. He said she did “fine” and he said it in a way that clearly indicates the weight that Palin’s performance in such venues deserves, which is very little.
2. McCain acknowledged Imus’ points about Wright, but clearly didn’t want to use time in this interview to dwell on Wright. Given Imus’ recent history, that’s obviously the right decision. Again, McCain was in command in this interview.
3. McCain came across as a veteran campaigner who has been an underdog before. Supporters of McCain-Palin would do well to take their cue from them, stop watching polls, and keep working.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Fun post at RedState on the art and science of trolling (short excerpt below).
Seems to me some people protest too much.
Trolls don’t have to be liberals — they can be libertarians or “real” conservatives, too. The main objective is to knock the only viable conservative ticket in this race, McCain-Palin, by claiming McCain is a liberal and all is lost.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Even Palin acknowledges she didn’t do well in that interview. WTF, McCain.
CanadianGuy on October 22, 2008 at 1:27 PM
YES, I think she’d be great on Imus.
The thing with Imus is he’s kind of a low-energy guy in terms of his interview style, so with McCain also being lower-energy, it’s not as effective as it could be. Palin would knock Imus dead.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Yes, some good stuff there. ‘trailboss’ and ‘misterpesea’ are very much like ‘program callers’ on talk radio: they start off noting something they agree with and say they’ve been listening for years, etc, but………
The purpose of the call or post is to disrupt a useful discussion among conservatives and libertarians about the issue at hand, under the pretense of being sympathetic–when the real motive is to cause harm
I strongly suspect that some of These People are affiliated with the Obama campaign
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 1:38 PM
It’s too late in the cycle for that – McCain keeps getting hammered for being mean-spirited (See Powell, Colin), he’s getting hammered in the polls for negative campaigning, and continuing to bring up these past relationships begins to look nothing but desperate. McCain’s no marshmallow, but he has painted himself into a corner.
trailboss on October 22, 2008 at 1:42 PM
See the Cracker thread, Janos. -2 for Janos.
trailboss on October 22, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Did that strik a nerve? Are you protesting Too Much?
I didn’t name you. You do use the ‘program caller’ methodology, but you don’t do the Obama talking points consistently. You just find a way to criticize the Republican candidates every time, and always find a way to try to spread despair
Janos Hunyadi on October 22, 2008 at 1:52 PM
I just can not stand Imus. I’m conservative and find I can not listen to this man.
A. He looks creepy and a chester the molester sort of way.
B. He’s rude just for the sake of being rude sometimes.
Mark Levin does something like this but only for Public personalitys and it is for purely idealogical reasons so it is entertaining.
I just get this weird feeling that Imus like to microwave cats or something(I realize he does not but his style just gives me that feeling)
kangjie on October 22, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Not to nitpick, but you’re missing a “the” before “hate preacher,” assuming you’re talking about two different people. You wouldn’t want to be accused with conflating Wright and Ayers.
By the way, it’s not that surprising of a double standard. Taken to the extreme, whom do you think a black man would be more comfortable surrounded by: KKK members or Black Panthers? How about a WASP? In this context it’s a bit more hypocritical, but I don’t think it’s worth too much energy to dwell on. McCain needs to start delivering some hope and change of his own – some positive energy – because clearly the scare tactics are not working, even if we truly do have something to be scared about.
calbear on October 22, 2008 at 2:36 PM
i JUST DO GET IT! the kkk was a DEMOCRAT
TomLawler on October 22, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Imus has always been an obnoxious creep but he is absolutely right about Obama.
Hilts on October 22, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Mac seemed to have lost his will to fight. I need someone who has the energy to go for the throat instead of writing his political epitath.
I respect Mac and love him for what he did in service to this nation, but I loathe his politics, candy ass campaign tactics and disagree with 90% of his platform.
Alden Pyle on October 22, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Wow, I didn’t take that from the interview — or from the past week or so of campaigning — at all. McCain sounded a little tired (slightly froggy throat), but he seemed pretty determined to me.
If you only agree with 10% of the McCain-Palin platform, you need to decide if that 10% is more important to you than what Obama-Biden are campaigning on… or you could vote 3rd party, but that’s just a vote for Obama.
McCain wasn’t my first (or second or third) choice, but I won’t have any problem voting for him.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I don’t think McCain has lost his will to fight, or that he lacks the stomach or any of that. I think he feels that everyone knows about Wright already and they just don’t care.
But that does not mean that Imus can not make the point for him. To be honest, it might be more effective coming from someone like Imus. He is not running for anything.
Terrye on October 22, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Imus is a good guy. I miss him.
lisalj on October 22, 2008 at 5:15 PM
HotAir is not slow, I can’t even get on today.
Wade on October 22, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Everybody knows that Obama is a hypocrite, but what can McCain do when you have the biggest propaganda machine in history is actively undermining your campaign.
Cr4sh Dummy on October 22, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Blue light special on tinfoil in aisle three…. quartz necklaces guaranteed to keep helicopters from picking up your body heat reduced 10%…. Thanks for shopping at the Paranoia Mall
Bradky on October 22, 2008 at 8:34 PM
OT: Is Hot Air loading slow today with a considerable drag for anyone beside me?
Same here. It has been like this for a few days. I go on other sites with no problem. I had to refresh to get my posts on here.
sheebe on October 23, 2008 at 12:35 AM
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