Video: Campbell Brown rips Hillary for laughing off Obama speechwriter’s photo
posted at 1:45 pm on December 6, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“Grope and change,” the boss calls it. Team Clinton’s reaction:
“Senator Clinton is pleased to learn of Jon’s obvious interest in the State Department, and is currently reviewing his application.”
Enter Brown, wondering why our feminist pope is suddenly handing out indulgences to sexists among her new boss’s cronies. As gratifying as it is to see Her Majesty showing some perspective and not overreacting to what was, after all, a goof, albeit in poor taste, I’m surprised by the statement. Not so much as a word of disapproval for the president’s chief speechwriter pretending to feel up the secretary of state? She must have an awesome sense of humor; the alternative explanation, that her eternal vigilance against the forces of male chauvinism was largely a politically expedient posture for the campaign, simply couldn’t be true, could it?
Do note, Brown’s own judgment on this issue isn’t always laser sharp either. Exit question: I assumed the photo had been uploaded by a friend. Did this tool really post it to Facebook himself?
Update: From the comments, to people who are shrugging it off: “Consider what conservatives would say if Huck cupped Palin’s cutout.” Another commenter thinks this would be a firing offense at a corporation.
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Why is this picture a big deal? It is two guys acting like they had a beer or four too many!
Gatordoug on December 6, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Professional politicians aren’t real people; they’re self-serving, narcissistic power mongers that will suffer any indignation in order to secure and hold position and power. As for Hillary, she’s as crooked as a dogs leg and as phony as a $3 bill.
rplat on December 6, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Or… well… we all know that Bill has not been… interested in Hillary for a LOT of years…
And her Staff girlfriend is now going to be working for Obama…
So, maybe she does want this guy on Staff… at least he seems interested in her….
Romeo13 on December 6, 2008 at 1:52 PM
A goof? Hm, seems like a crass sexualization to me. The fact that Hillary hasn’t responded makes her campaign on behalf of women appear completely hypocritical. I actually have to agree with Brown here. This is pathetic. Not good-natured fun. Consider what conservatives would say if Huck cupped Palin’s cutout. I don’t find winking at it gratifying, I find it disappointingly political.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Hey, that’s what Hillary “Eternal Victim of Sexism” said!!1!
What a coinkydink!
PBoilermaker on December 6, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Why did they blur his face?
Valiant on December 6, 2008 at 1:58 PM
When are we going to stop electing politicians on the basis of heredity and/or celebrity?
This woman is clearly unfit for her job and she’s going to be appointed by a pop star who is clearly unfit for his job.
Until the American people stop electing Congressmen and Presidents like they’re watching an episode of “American Idol”, Congress and the President will BE the problems, not the solver of problems.
You wouldn’t plunk a guy who played a few football games in high schools into the NFL as starting QB, but what we’ve done with Barack Obama is even worse than that. Because the President of the United States actually matters.
NoDonkey on December 6, 2008 at 1:59 PM
And exactly what is she supposed to do, risk her big chance to finally get some political cred as SecState? P-off Big O by calling his cronies creeps and idiots (which they are)? She’s pretty much following the only viable option she has at this time. But she will make Big O’s political life a living hell once she can do it without jeopardizing her own career. Count on it!
rmgraha on December 6, 2008 at 2:00 PM
How true!
Viper1 on December 6, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Cry me a fricken river…………….!
…………… I guess I missed all the outrage when Gov. Sarah Palin was staring in a porno movie.
One thing the MSM has to understand is that after their appalling lack of ANY journalistic standards over the past eight years towards President Bush, the War in Iraq, and the 2008 Presidential campaign, they are irrelevant.
…………. no more than a bunch of political hacks that are now trying desperately to save an ounce of credibility.
Too late………………. that is why you are seeing newspapers and media outlets all over the country going out of business.
…………… we are just not interested in your biased propaganda anymore. If it wasn’t for this posting here at HA, I would have gone through the rest of my life never knowing of this person again.
Seven Percent Solution on December 6, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Looks like the hand is more toward the shoulder, not the breast. Perhaps the groper (and the commentator) should take an anatomy course.
whitetop on December 6, 2008 at 2:03 PM
What do you mean ‘we,’ paleface? Don’t blame me for the upcoming fiasco.
rmgraha on December 6, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Oh, this is mild, compared to Hillary’s years and years and years of having to put up with Bill’s philandering.
After all the years of that humiliation, she’s obviously become hardened to it
ToddonCapeCod on December 6, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Maybe you should take a course in spatial relations.
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 2:13 PM
So Obama’s top speechwriter is a 27 year old balding tool who will now be making 6 figures writing BS speeches for the President and banging hot Democratic Congressional aides on the side while uploading material that would be a firing offense in corporate offices to his Facebook account.
America is a hell of a country.
Tabris on December 6, 2008 at 2:16 PM
You didn’t miss it if you were here. If you’re upset by acts like this, then you’re upset by them, no matter who the woman is. If you don’t like the double standard, then don’t use it yourself.
And I’m sure that’s exactly what happened. However, do you think he was still drunk when he posted it?
Esthier on December 6, 2008 at 2:16 PM
What struck me about the photo is the youth and immaturity of the individuals. These are the guys we have directing people into positions of power. These are the close advisors/speechwriters of our President.
We are in worse shape than I thought!
Vince on December 6, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Already have.
whitetop on December 6, 2008 at 2:18 PM
If Obama wants to set an example he should fire that guy.
izoneguy on December 6, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Sorry Whitetop…couldn’t resist the pun.
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 2:21 PM
They should make a surfboard of Hillary’s cut out. She would look just about right with her head sticking out of the sand.
Let’s go surfin’ now
Everybody’s learning how
Come on and sharia with me
(Come on and sharia with…)
chunderroad on December 6, 2008 at 2:25 PM
You can put lipstick on cardboard, but it’s still cardboard.
SouthernGent on December 6, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Not so much as a word of disapproval for the president’s chief speechwriter pretending to feel up the secretary of state? She must have an awesome sense of humor; the alternative explanation, that her eternal vigilance against the forces of male chauvinism was largely a politically expedient posture for the campaign, simply couldn’t be true, could it?
Come on. In all things, different situations call for different reactions.
Had this photo surfaced at another time, a different response may have been called for. As it is now, a chuckle rather than a scold from her is appropriate.
She doesn’t want to get the guy in trouble, and there’s no value to anyone in making some larger point out of it.
MayBee on December 6, 2008 at 2:31 PM
We’re talking about a guy who is Obama’s chief speechwriter – not some drunken frat boy. Perhaps it is an example of the caliber of the people who are members of Obama’s circle? This is a guy who will be putting words in the Chosen One’s mouth – should we expect to hear “Hey dude – can I hit you later?” when Obama is talking to some country’s head of state?
katiejane on December 6, 2008 at 2:34 PM
1.get drunk and do something stupid.
2.take picture of yourself doing something stupid=really stupid
3.post picture on internet.=very stupid
4.view picture on internet and try to turn it into a political issue=incredibly stupid
Ben Franklin said beer is proof that God Loves us.
Jellybelly says that all this stupid is proof that God loves fools for He sure made a lot of them.
Oh well, I’m off to the frig for another beer.
jellybelly on December 6, 2008 at 2:35 PM
While I agree with your sentiment here 7%, I think that you overstate the case. Certainly the MSM are increasing in irrelevance with the readers of this blog and others like it, the sad fact remains that the majority of the great unwashed mass of media consumers still get their information from and trust the MSM.
The MSM has moved their role seamlessly from news reportage to message shaping, and it takes a lot vigilance on the part of the news consumer to filter out the facts without succumbing to the slickly insidious presentation.
We have our work cut out for us.
Bruno Strozek on December 6, 2008 at 2:39 PM
It’s sorta of topic but is just me or was Campbell Brown breathing so really hard that it made it kind of hard to hear her. Maybe she has a cold?
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Apparently…yes.
I know my expectations are at an all-time low.
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I think this is really the point of this whole kerfuffle. In and of itself, it’s pretty darn funny and makes for a great way for us to make fun of the Obama Administration. But, imagine if this was on the GOP side. It would make MAJOR news all over. Not only would the GOP speechwriter be deemed a sexist and his life ruined, but the GOP politician and the entire GOP and all GOP voters would be deemed sexist by this one particular thing.
So it boils down to what it usually boils down to with Democrat kerfuffles and scandals: “It’s the hypocrisy, stupid!”
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 2:42 PM
She may seem magnanimous now, but I’m betting this guy will go down in flames later. I don’t think she’ll forget. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and all of that.
theotherKate on December 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I never understood the PUMAs fascination and dedication to the Clinton’s. Just like Obama disciples, that they are more than willing to overlook all the moral and ethical shortcomings…the hypocrisy and self serving attitudes…selfishness and corruption of their chosen leader…is sickening and this is what we have to live with for the next 4 years… But it has always been more than obvious that the Clintons are evil, dishonest, hypocritical, liars and corrupt.
CCRWM on December 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Count me out of that assertion.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I completely agree with you. As much as I continue to see people on the “right” say “the mass media has proven itself to be completely irrelevant and to have lost all credibility”, the fact is that these past two election cycles have proven that false. The average person in America – tens of millions of people – continue to get their info from the mass media. And, as a result, their views are shaped by the propaganda coming from TV and print media. Until we break that control the mass media has on this nation, we are in for a long struggle.
It’s even worse when we have a large plurality of people who honestly believe the lies of the left that FOX News Channel is propaganda and lies, but believes the rest of the mass media is impartial and credible.
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Well of course this would have been a bigger deal if it was a Republican because we all know that Republicans are a bunch of sexists. Duh!
/sarc
The thing is that the Dems have women groups and minority organizations on their side. So no one is going to call “Foul!” to Democratic sexism or racism.
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Don’t know don’t care. Let Liberals debate these hyper sensitivities, Conservastives should be above it
Gatordoug on December 6, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Maybe I came across a bit crass.
What I meant by that is it’s a way to make fun of the Obama Administration for their hypocrisy. They claim to stand for being against sexism, yet here they are participating in it. They claim to be about unifying and for tolerance and such, and here they are acting completely contrary to that message.
It’s not the sexism I find funny, it’s the blatant and utter hypocrisy that is exposed and on display.
If you still don’t agree though, that’s fine. Can’t always agree!
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 2:50 PM
I think she felt she was stepping off the reservation a bit and she was both a little scared and a little exited.
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Obama won’t and he’ll not comment on this. Just like when the guy asked him about the hypocrisy of choosing Clinton for SOS and he made the stupid comments about that it wasn’t his hypocrisy that prompted the question but the reporters desire to stir trouble…He got away with it just like he gets away with not accounting for his total lack of experience, accompishments and qualifications… Like he got away with Ayers, Wright, Khalidi, Rezko and on and on and on… The Left is taking this country down and us down with them! What happened to this country?
CCRWM on December 6, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Does anyone else think it’s ironic that Obama’s speeches to “his” black people were written by a white guy?
This is the guy behind “hope and change”?
Obama is a phony.
Firebird on December 6, 2008 at 2:53 PM
It’s even worse when we have a large plurality of people who honestly believe the lies of the left that FOX News Channel is propaganda and lies, but believes the rest of the mass media is impartial and credible.
Link:
Link:
Just sayin’
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Spot-on. Which is why I don’t agree with people who say the mass media will suddenly gain a conscience and actually hold him accountable for anything. They haven’t done it for two years during his campaign, they aren’t doing is while he is PEBHO, they will not do it when he is President. Because, like him, they are constantly in campaign mode and spin mode. People keep thinking that the mass media is in their business for money, so they will change their behavior based on lost revenue. Not true, in my opinion. They will continue to carry the water and spew the propaganda for the Left, all the while being propped up with donations from the likes of George Soros and foreign donations (ie Saudi Arabia, etc) and won’t have to worry about bad stock prices.
For the mass media and the Left, this is not about money, this is about keeping the public ignorant and consolidating and keeping power.
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 2:57 PM
ha ha my girl Hillary likes it. This guy might get a job working for her. Touche’ Bill
kanda on December 6, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Well, doesn’t that mean then that 58% rate FOX News biased in terms of political coverage?
Also, side note, maybe I am making the incorrect assumption that all Obama voters think FOX News is trash. Making that assumption, my theory holds true (plurality of voters think FOX News is propaganda and lies).
For the record, I don’t like FOX News either. I just believe it is the least corrupted of all the mass media outlets. But, that’s not saying much, considering the low standards of their ‘competition’.
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Ironic at first glance, but how else to inject that crucial Liberal White Guilt Factor?
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 3:03 PM
No need to apol. ;-)
whitetop on December 6, 2008 at 3:04 PM
It’s crass, but it is a goof. They’re treating the cutout as if she’s some drunk coed at a party in the “Girls Gone Wild” mold. The absurdity of the comparison is the joke. Favreau actually appears to be laughing in the shot.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:05 PM
It really doesn’t matter whether Hillary likes it or not. Women everywhere have been insulted by this crass stupid Jr. High behavior. And if one female ends up being harmed by one ignorant male who got the idea that it’s OK because some hotshot Obama speech writer has no respect for women, then that is damn sure one too many.
And if Hillary doesn’t have enough pride, brains, character (you fill in the blank) then other women need to speak up and tell Obama and his little creepy minion enough already!!!
History Chaser on December 6, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Notice a few things. The mealy-mouth roll of the eyes and not blind outrage from Brown. Notice it is called “sexism or good-natured fun” (ending on good-natured and not sexism which suggests the intended stance).
Now play the old palor game of “what if a Republican did this)?
Brown, you suck. Where were you with the C-word t shirts and the Palin porno? I guess Campbell does not want to risk the loss of the posh party invites by making a point out of this. The media sucks!!
RobCon on December 6, 2008 at 3:13 PM
With all respect, how can you come to that conclusion without further evidence?
For this to be put up on a webpage to be viewed (and enjoyed presumably) by others, it is dependent on being easily understood. I find it less likely that Favreau is making an statement of “isn’t this an ironic comparison we are making” then it being a statement along the lines of BO’s middle finger to Hillary.
Maybe if this was posted in connection with the pictures of Hillary taking shots on the campaign trail, I would agree. As a stand-alone though, the intention seems different to me.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Sorry, forgot to update my profile:
http://sarah-palin-2012.blogspot.com/
New article up about the global warming hoax.
http://sarah-palin-2012.blogspot.com/2008/12/polars-bears-on-brink-dont-you-believe.html
History Chaser on December 6, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I was talking about the MSM, not the posts here at HA…..
……….. go back an listen to the clip again, and tell me the “outrage” isn’t a little selective.
Seven Percent Solution on December 6, 2008 at 3:19 PM
That’s an interesting thing to think about. What if an Obama speechwriter were caught wearing a “Hillary is a c*nt” t-shirts like Obama supporters did of Palin?
Also, I recall back during the Primaries or shortly after, a woman asked John McCain at a gathering “how are we going to defeat the b*tch (referring to Hillary)” and John McCain just laughed and then went on to give some statement about political strategy. There was no condemnation about referring to Hillary in that manner, as I recall. So this happens on both sides.
I think I am now leaning towards the opinion of Spirit of 1776 now, in that, where Allah noted in the update, were this a GOP aide (Huckabee’s for example) doing this to a cutout of Sarah Palin, I would be pretty annoyed. Plus we saw the mass media and the Left do this to Sarah Palin for the entire time she was McCain’s running mate (and now beyond). And I don’t find that funny.
So it’s a matter of being consistent to not blow this off, simply because it is Hillary.
I still see it mostly as a major example of hypocrisy and exposing the lies of the Left, as they are always saying that the “right” is made up of sexists and they are the tolerant, upstanding ones. When, here we have an example of that not being the case (which we already knew) and an example of Hillary blowing it off, when she would not let it go were it a GOP speechwriter doing the same thing to a cutout of her.
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I’m not saying he’s trying to be ironic; if that were so, this wouldn’t be crass, it’d be a sly criticism of crass behavior. This is crass, but the “humor,” such as it is, lies in the fact that Hillary’s not a sex object.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Good point Michael.
Rick Sanchez (Yes, that idiot) was the one who tried to sink McCain early on because he was in ear shot of the b-word comment.
Besides, these Obama guys cannot be sexist jerks because the are “progressives”. The liberal left have 100 lives in politics. A Republican only one.
RobCon on December 6, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I follow your meaning. Thanks for explaining.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Why the surprise at Hillary laying back and taking it for her own interest.
That is what she has done her whole public life
RobCon on December 6, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Geez, isn’t that the darn truth.
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Yeah, although even there I think the meaning would be subtly different. I don’t think this photo draws any blood from Hillary because she’s respected for her intelligence and experience; that’s what I mean when I say the idea of her being some sort of drunk party girl is absurd. You can’t really demean her by pulling this because no one thinks of her this way. It’s not really a “commentary” on anything about her. With Palin, because she’s a more sexualized figure and is thought of by the left as a ditz, a similar photo could be taken as a sort of commentary. It’d be grossly unfair, but still.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:27 PM
The disgusting behavior of jerk socialist drones.
Hillary herself should not shrug this off. Have that guy off the team. That would really screw Obama and his “oratory skills.”
I am offended by it, as should Hillary and her daughter and other women. It is sexist and demeaning.
I am no Hillary fan, but this is not something acceptable.
Seems to me Jon Faverau is REALLY desperate for a female.
jencab on December 6, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Aha! Now we’ve gotten to the (big) bottom of it!
So the same thing with a cutout of SP would be more offensive, no?
btw, an honor for this newby to be posting with you, AP.
captconrad on December 6, 2008 at 3:31 PM
It’s offensive either way, but because of perceptions that people have about Palin that they don’t have about Hillary, it would be demeaning at a whole other level. No one seriously believes Favreau thinks of HRC as a dizzy sex object; but some on the left — and right, per Kathleen Parker — do think that way of SP.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Either way it was inappropriate. It doesn’t matter if was taken as commentary on Hillary or not. It doesn’t matter if Hillary is a sexualized figure or not. In some ways trying to sexualize someone who is not even makes it more creepier and inappropriate. This photo also seems as people trying to take joy and rub in the face of someone as losing. Let’s humiliate her further by groping a cardboard cutout of her.
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Sexualization is just a method of marginalization. You are making an interesting argument, that it’s power is dependent on the reputation of the target.
To me, however, the only point of reference is gender – thus making the meaning the same – woman = sex object at best. i.e. Smart and experienced? In the end, it means nothing but cup-able. That is something Hillary should reject, imho.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Exactly, by sexualizing they are demeaning her. I’ve never really understood how some “feminist” can say sexualization to female empowerment (i.e. Madonna). It’s the exact opposite you are trivializing yourself.
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 3:44 PM
I’m just trying to be an intentionalist about this and not impute attitudes to Favreau that he probably doesn’t have. Do I think he really believes Hillary Clinton is a “sex object at best”? No. Do I think he thinks she’s “nothing but cup-able”? No. Do I think he was trying to humiliate her in a pointedly vulgar way and turned, as men often do, to a sexist idiom? Yeah.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:45 PM
I don’t understand why you felt the need to make that distinction though? So you can point out that people think Hillary is smart and not Palin. What’s the point?
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 3:48 PM
My point is just what So1776 said up above, that the “message” of something like this depends in part upon preexisting conceptions of the victim. Although, again, I’m coming at it from a more intentionalist angle. Do I think Favreau seriously regards Hillary as an object? No. Do I think he regards Palin as an object? No idea, but given how contemptuous some on the left are of her, it’s distinctly more likely. So if I saw a photo of him doing this to a Palin cutout, I’d have to wonder, “Does he really think of her this way?” That would annoy me a lot more than this absurdist gag on Hillary.
Allahpundit on December 6, 2008 at 3:51 PM
I see what you saying. But I guess I would say I would be equally annoyed. Their bottom line is to humiliate and marginalize whether it be Palin or Hillary. If he doesn’t think as Hillary as a sex object (which you are probably right, he doesn’t) he’s trying to marginalize her by mocking her as a sex object. If he did the same thing Palin he would still be trying to marginalize her as a sex object. The goal is still the same. Their intentions are still the same.
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Perhaps women are more inclined to see this type of behavior as a general dismissal of all women. It is a not so subltel way of implying that all women are good for is groping. Would he do it to his mother?
So it doesn’t really matter whether he sees Hillary or Palin as a sex object – it is demeaning to women in general. If I don’t find it offensive when done to Hillary I shouldn’t find it offensive if it is done to Palin.
katiejane on December 6, 2008 at 4:03 PM
I also think AP is right regarding Favreau’s personal views. But with regard to intent, yours is my interpretation as well.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 4:05 PM
So Obama’s head speech writer is gay?
(Who else would faux grope Hillary?)
What else are he and Obama up to?
Besides splitting infinitives.
profitsbeard on December 6, 2008 at 4:09 PM
What got me was how big the guy cupped his hand.
Are Hillary`s that big?
albill on December 6, 2008 at 4:15 PM
If this tool did upload it himself it speaks *volumes* about the kind of sexist environment that pervaded Obama HQ during the primary – and makes it much easier to understand how it effortlessly switched into a sexist anti-Palin swamp. No wonder their early dismissive press statements didn’t sound weird to them…
omriceren on December 6, 2008 at 4:21 PM
After reading through the back and forth from the three of you, I have come the same position. I’m glad AllahPundit joined in the discussion in the comments. Good to see this from different perspectives and realize my first take wasn’t really the best take.
Kudos to you all.
Okay, now time for #1 vs #2 SEC Championship…
Michael in MI on December 6, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Snot-nosed p**cks. The change we need.
I have a feeling clowns such as this won’t be on board for the whole 4 years. They’ll probably end up writing for The Atlantic, TNR, the NYT or WaPo.
ddrintn on December 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
No need to include Huckabee in your update. Why not use some other conservative as your example.
texasconserv on December 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
You can’t really demean her by pulling this because no one thinks of her this way.
and
In some ways trying to sexualize someone who is not even makes it more creepier and inappropriate….Let’s humiliate her further by groping a cardboard cutout of her.
I agree, terryann. It’s mean on its own to be pointing out how unsexy someone is, isn’t it? I don’t think it’s a goal of Hillary’s to be seen as someone nobody would actually think of as sexually attractive.
We are always reminded of various politician’s attraction by their hot wives. Yet it’s supposed to be hilarious that someone might even want to grope Hillary.
But I completely support Hillary being a public good sport about it.
MayBee on December 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Because it’s the one that popped to my mind. It’s a fitting comparison. Huck has a history of demeaning Palin in various subtle, and not-so-subtle, verbal jabs.
Spirit of 1776 on December 6, 2008 at 4:36 PM
I say he is an arrogant, egotistical snob and birds of a feather….
Vince on December 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
I always had the impression from the MSM that Obama wrote all of his speeches alone. This is what it took for them to come clean about that.
My overwhelming reaction to the whole thing is that if this is how Team Obama treats the SOS, then there is probably no imagining how the rest of us will be treated. So, try to think of the rifle butt to the jaw as an attempt at irony.
snaggletoothie on December 6, 2008 at 4:45 PM
It is a cut out of Hillary – who cares?
It’s not like they’re copping a feel of the baby jesus.
Ares on December 6, 2008 at 4:49 PM
If this happened in an Islamic Country, Hillary would be jailed.
Seriously though get a life! Two typical guys having a little fun!
ARom on December 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Just so you guys know I didn’t say this guys should be fired or anything. When it comes to politics I think we can be a little too quick about calling for people to be fired.
terryannonline on December 6, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Really, how is Hillary to react to this frat boy type foolishness? If she reacts negatively she comes off as a bore or uptight. If she laughs it off she looks as if she condones it.
The One needs to kicks this impudent kid’s a$$ to the street today. Being he is the chief speech writer that won’t happen, Obama needs him as speeches are really all he is about.
Concerning the groping photo, I see only kids in that room. Obama youth run his speech department/office?
Scary stuff in my opinion.
Finally on Hillary, I’m no fan but I do kind of feel sorry for her. Her own husband cheated on her in the OVAL OFFICE and now she is openly mocked by the kids in Obama’s regime.
Hillary doesn’t want my pity but she deserves to be treated with a certain degree of dignity.
FireBlogger on December 6, 2008 at 5:11 PM
For me it is the whole Frat Boy mentality. These are educated men in high paying positions for a winning campaign and they aren’t even mature enough to forgo the crude joke OR taking pictures. I am sure Senator Clinton has been called worse by better people but it doesn’t bode well for the grown ups.
Cindy Munford on December 6, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Especially when you consider she will be our world wide representative. Maybe this photo can be sent in advance to any place she will be visiting. If Mr. Obama’s folks don’t take her seriously then why should foreign countries. Yes, I am aware that this was before the election but it’s still stupid.
Cindy Munford on December 6, 2008 at 5:15 PM
He shouldn’t be fired for doing it.
But he posted it on Facebook. He needs a public reprimand from Obama for that.
She is going to be our Secretary of State.
MayBee on December 6, 2008 at 5:43 PM
I agree with you. Those she’ll be visiting don’t condone this kind of public sexism. Not handling this firmly hurts Obama, and us.
FireBlogger on December 6, 2008 at 5:48 PM
It’s not a shrug off, it is just that Dems are allowed to commit this kind of behavior. It is acceptable for them. It is only wrong for Republicans to do it because we actually promote morality.
jediwebdude on December 6, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Good thing he didn’t say “macaca” or something serious like that.
jeff_from_mpls on December 6, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I think y’all are missing the point. It doesn’t matter if this guy really wants to grope Hillary, or if the fact that he wouldn’t want to grope Hillary is part of the joke.
As a woman, I am offended by this behavior whether its object is Hillary, Sarah, or Ashley Dupree. Taking photos of yourself groping a woman (or the image of a woman) shows a lack of respect for women in general. Yes, I am more offended when it is done to someone like Hillary or Sarah because doing it to someone with whom you (or your boss) interact professionally also shows a particular lack of respect for women in your workplace.
Here’s how I see it:
a) President-elect Obama employs people who think it’s funny to pose for photos of themselves pretending to grope women who work with/for their boss. (This shows a lack of respect for women in their workplace.)
b) President-elect Obama employs people who are proud enough of this behavior to post those photos online, or to allow their friends to post them online. (This shows poor judgment, in general.)
I think this whole election, from primary to inauguration, and beyond will prove to be a huge set-back for women in this country. Unfortunately, women have ourselves to blame for allowing it (e.g., Hillary the sycophant keeping quiet to get her precious).
vermillionsky on December 6, 2008 at 5:59 PM
These perpetual adolescents grew up with all the advantages of Western Civilization, and they think civility just magically regenerates itself with every new crop of people.
Civilization is NOT the default category, it’s actually the exception in world history. Our ancestors worked hard to make the world humane, and they left us the traditions and mores to keep it, but these ungrateful little pygmies think it’s a joke, they think nothing will happen if the leaders of the free world act like animals. Shame on every one of them. They’re too far gone to recognize how serious their sin is.
jeff_from_mpls on December 6, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Why shouldn’t he be fired for doing it? He’s 27 years old. This didn’t happen at a drunken frat party when he was 19.
What would happen to “Joe-Ebay-regional-manager” if he posted pictures of himself groping a lifesize photo of Meg Whitman?.
This guy is a speechwriter for the president-elect of the United States of America.
He posted pictures of himself groping an image of the next Secretary of State of the United States of America.
He should be held to a higher standard. However, I suspect he has never had to face any real consequences for his actions his whole life, and this will be no different.
vermillionsky on December 6, 2008 at 6:27 PM
What letters will be pried off the keyboards when this group of adolescents leave?
Cindy Munford on December 6, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Are there interns in the State Department?
d1carter on December 6, 2008 at 6:51 PM
His momma might get mad?
MrC_5150 on December 6, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Yeah it looks that way but as I noted earlier what can she do? It is up to her boss to deal with this. A true leader would deal with it. For Obama it’s like having to put down the most valued horse in his stable. His loyalties are being noted by the foreign affairs offices of nations across the globe.
They are measuring the mettle of this guy and he failed his first real test of character.
If Obama won’t defend the honor of his Sec. of State why should anyone else show her respect?
I wonder how Bill Clinton feels about this?
FireBlogger on December 6, 2008 at 7:37 PM
That’s no worse than anything Bill has done!! Except Bill
didn’t use cardboard cut-outs.
gary on December 6, 2008 at 7:46 PM
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