Audio: Michael Steele sends some “slum love” to Bobby Jindal; Update: Lefty talk show mocks Jindal’s race
posted at 5:35 pm on February 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
I blogged the phantom Helen Thomas “Slumdog” crack yesterday so I’m obliged to blog this. Big/obvious difference between the two: Steele doesn’t mean it as a putdown but as a playful jibe to signal common cultural ground with Jindal. (Of course, that’s also the difference between whites impermissibly using the N-word towards blacks and blacks permissibly using it with each other, and yet some conservatives reject that out of hand as an indefensible double standard.) Even so, knowing that the left will accept even the thinnest reed on which to build its argument that all Republicans are racist, he should have resisted Sliwa’s invitation to say it. Bad media management from a guy who’s supposed to be good at it.
Read the extended excerpts at the link and see for yourself how painfully heavy-handed Sliwa is in trying to play up Steele’s race. He name-drops not one, not two, but three different hip-hop stars in the span of about six questions. Exit question: If Steele’s off the hook on the “Slumdog” joke because of the common-ground aspect, what’s Coulter’s excuse?
Update: Ah, there’s that progressive spirit we know and love. Lots more of this in Jindal’s future if/when he finally runs for president.
Blowback
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Fixed.
Darth Executor on February 26, 2009 at 5:38 PM
This Congress is now the most unconstitutional Congress in history. The Senate just passed a bill to give a NON-STATE, a federal city, voting rights in Congress.
Enoxo on February 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Oh christ. Just when I was beginning to like her again.
MadisonConservative on February 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Coulter’s excuse is that she’s a gauche person who you shouldn’t invite to parties.
Lehosh on February 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM
My jury is still out on Steele, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it seems like he’s been trying to sell tickets to a circus or something.
Grafted on February 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Michael Steele trying to be hip is like a new, super embarrassing, national sport.
Nonfactor on February 26, 2009 at 5:40 PM
she is a blond (I’m kidding of course..)
runner on February 26, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Michael Steele is the gift that just keeps on giving.
Terry Silver on February 26, 2009 at 5:44 PM
I like it.
Good Lt on February 26, 2009 at 5:45 PM
ugh. ISnt it nice how they did this without any public comment. Someone will file suit. This is soo wrong. Beck told this guy last night that the right way to do this was with a Constitutional amendment, not Congress voting it in.
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Michael Steele is the gift that keeps on giving.
Terry Silver on February 26, 2009 at 5:47 PM
All Ann is doing here is reflecting what she sees from the left. I think Ann is making the point that because Bobby is a Republican, he gets credit for nothing. The media has not given him kudos for being the first Indian/American of color who is a Governor and in the national spot light. Her Slumdog comment merely reflects the double standard within the media and the left. Ann has an amazing wit.
LEAVE ANN ALONE!!!!!
bloggless on February 26, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Fo’ shizzle, Mr. Steele.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 26, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Steele’s common man/hipster schtick is getting old.
blue13326 on February 26, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I think Ann was quoting Helen Thomas…making fun of her comment. I dont know if she said it, but I for one wouldnt put it past her.
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Give me a break, they are clearly just joking around here.
WisCon on February 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
LOL. Curtis Sliwa is the best. He is funny, and Levin has him on his show once and a while.
He is known to be comical and savvy on word usage.
However, I will have to say that Steele is trying too much to be hip. Be yourself dude.
jencab on February 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
This is not the way you attract the youth vote, Mr.Steele.
promachus on February 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
At least she didn’t accuse anyone of having a bright blue scrotum.
bloggless on February 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Has Steele started wearing a big clock around his neck yet?
Mark1971 on February 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
She’s a loose cannon who forgets that invective has to be tempered with wit in order to be funny.
Fortunata on February 26, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Take heart, the DOW is only down 88 more points.
Bishop on February 26, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Some of you might actually read what Michael Steele said, and he was responding to a question……….
Seven Percent Solution on February 26, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Damn.
No hate comments for the big A after taking a shot at Coulter? Has she lost her touch or have I lost mine?
Allahpundit on February 26, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Steele was on Glenn Beck and Beck reamed him out for not calling out the Republicans for the earmarks they put in the budget.
Beck is also starting a new segment called…”explain your special project”
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 5:57 PM
No problem with what Steele said. He was just goofing around with Sliwa, and probably probably knew it was an awkward moment he couldn’t get away from.
But Coulter said this:
Is she an idiot?
YYZ on February 26, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Am I the only one who read it as a jab at Helen? I mean, does it really read like she’s making the joke about Bobby to anyone here?
I’m not saying she should have written it, but it feels more innocuous to me than Steele’s comment here, or Biden’s 7-11 comment.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Coulter’s excuse is a failed sex-change operation. Check out the adam’s apple.
capitulus on February 26, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I dont hate you Allah..but I do think she said that because of what was reported Helen Thomas said. I dont hate anyone. :)
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Is she an idiot?
YYZ on February 26, 2009 at 5:58 PM
You must not understand how Coulter works the left’s own words against them, how she manages to make them froth at the very things they themselves do.
Bishop on February 26, 2009 at 6:00 PM
I do!! I do!! I agree with you!
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
But I still like her funnier efforts. It’s just that she’s not in Steyn’s class, for instance.
Fortunata on February 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Helen Thomas isn’t even mentioned in Coulter’s column. And there’s no hard evidence that she even said such a thing in the first place, as I pointed out yesterday.
Allahpundit on February 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Here’s a good one for Mr. Beck.
$1.8 million for swine odor and manure management in the ’stimulus’ bill – how epic is that?
Entelechy on February 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Coulter’s excuse is a failed sex-change operation. Check out the adam’s apple.
capitulus on February 26, 2009 at 5:59 PM
How did you manage to hide yours after the operation, wear a scarf all year long?
Bishop on February 26, 2009 at 6:02 PM
This isn’t your first time discussing her. You know that most Hot Air people aren’t her biggest fans. I know very few who took her side on the Edwards comment.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:02 PM
$1.8 million for swine odor and manure management in the ’stimulus’ bill – how epic is that?
Entelechy on February 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Seems like a lot of money just to clean out Murtha’s office.
Bishop on February 26, 2009 at 6:04 PM
It’s more than Helen Thomas. It’s the whole left. I found the remark to be sort of humorous. We all know that Jindal was not in that movie. It was a total jab at the left.
bloggless on February 26, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Knowing how Glenn Beck is..he’ll be mentioning that one. He says he is going to get the Congressperson to come on his show to explain what is it. Im bettin it is gonna be a hard thing to get them on his show.
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Which I read and find no reason to dispute, but that doesn’t mean Coulter isn’t still making that joke.
I guess the better question, obviously the part I’m missing here, do those of you who disagree with me really believe she’s taking a stab at Bobby with this? I’ve read most of her columns, and she often throws little quips in there, satire aimed at Democrats, but I’ve rarely seen her throw them in there at her own side. I haven’t seen her speak or write much on Bobby, but if Palin is any indication, she must be a huge fan of him.
It just doesn’t make any sense, from my perspective, for her to be throwing out an insult about Jindal in this article at all, let alone as a negative racial comment. If someone can explain it, I’m open to listening.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:07 PM
LOL
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Real mature. If you have a problem with her saying things she shouldn’t, maybe you shouldn’t retaliate by doing the thing you claim to hate.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:09 PM
This is probably the most shallow nonsense I’ve read on here, it’s not worth the space.
jeanie on February 26, 2009 at 6:09 PM
capitulus, another one in the open registration series – things they have in common:
- one-word noms de internet, with or without meaning
- not capitalized noms
- same exact approach to commenting: short, leaving a turd, then running, or watching it steam
- hardly any dialogue intented
- not answering challenges or questions
- never commenting on items which are even a bit controversial or hypocritical for their side
It’s almost as if they have a troll union going…I wouldn’t be surprised if some get banned, and they come back with a new name and address, and start their diapertribes all over.
To be sure they are totally different from left-leaning commenters who just want to have a discussion.
Entelechy on February 26, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Steele is a Brooks Brothers button-down guy and he looks ridiculous trying to be hip.
OmahaConservative on February 26, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Like this satire aimed at the Dems?
But as long as the nation is obsessed with historic milestones, is no one going to remark on what a great country it is where a mentally retarded woman can become speaker of the house?
This is an insult I can see her making…but I dont see her attacking Jindal.
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Coulter is high maintenance. Every time she says something dumb we have come up with an excuse to defend her. She’s an idiot and she doesn’t help anybody but herself.
RadioFreeUSA on February 26, 2009 at 6:13 PM
“Oh Stewardess, I speak
JiveSteele”.portlandon on February 26, 2009 at 6:16 PM
No, that’s the dumb way to look at it, and I know few conservatives who see it that way. Many don’t consider her mainstream and have no problem saying she’s wrong when she’s wrong.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:16 PM
We know what Ann was saying (which is not what you are insinuating), and given your well-established animosity to Coulter and your desire to drive traffic, we’re just not falling for it this time.
thirteen28 on February 26, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Not likely, since Ann refers to things in the common knowledge. A twitter post doesn’t cross that threshold.
I don’t know what she was talking about, but I haven’t seen the movie. That guy is an up-by-the-bootstraps hero, no? I don’t get the joke. So no outrage from me.
Spirit of 1776 on February 26, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Coulter’s excuse is that she is an offensive person.
But most of the time I enjoy. Other times I just shrug.
myrenovations on February 26, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Exactly. It’s almost as if the line is a project; a parody of what they would say. But that’s unclear.
It makes no sense to insult him, and the context doesn’t add anything.
What you said, is the same as what I am wondering.
Spirit of 1776 on February 26, 2009 at 6:25 PM
He’s not. He comes of as a doofus, a political hack tryin’ to be “hip” while bringin’ it to the peeps and takin’ it to the Man.
But hey, he’s our Historic First Black Leader!
(Where have I heard that before?)
MrScribbler on February 26, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Man this guy is Biden-esque with gaffes.
crr6 on February 26, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Ha! Now that’s good. (Both the insight and the coinage.)
Gilda on February 26, 2009 at 6:30 PM
There’s a dozen good stories out there today about the destruction Obama’s 1.5 trillion dollar deficit will wreak and all AP can do it offer up his usual inane anti-GOP pap.
Good grief Michelle. Do you want the GOP to take back Congress in 2010 or not?
Basilsbest on February 26, 2009 at 6:37 PM
funny you should say that: http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/26/america/27webliberals.php
runner on February 26, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Nice update….the left cries racism over a chimp cartoon and then turn around and make fun of a Republican Governor’s race.
Calling Al Sharpton!!!! Where the heck is he when a lib is racist?
becki51758 on February 26, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Kinda but not really. He’s a kid from the slums who is more like Oliver Twist without the kind family adopting him in the end who basically wins the lottery (by getting on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) not with the goal of winning money but winning over his love.
Aside from both being Indian, I don’t get the joke either, which is why I can’t help but think of it as a jab at Helen, even though I agree with the points others are making (that Helen isn’t mentioned, that there’s no proof she even said it, etc.).
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Esthier:
I would say that promising to campaign for Hillary Clinton if McCain got the nomination was an example of Coulter going after her own side.
I know there are people on the right who think there is no difference between McCain and Obama, but I think that is pure unmitigated self destructive nonsense.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Well, booby is a joke now but don’t let rush hear you say that.
getalife on February 26, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Oy, the stupidity…
Study some basic anatomy, dumbass. Everyone’s got some kind of “adam’s apple.” It’s not often prominent on women, but sometimes it is, especially on thin woman. Nothing noteworthy or meaningful about it.
And you guys fancy yourselves the smart ones?
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 6:51 PM
You can’t possibly conceive of it as a crude, lazy jab at Jindal’s ethnicity?
Allahpundit on February 26, 2009 at 6:53 PM
I’m with you; I see no reason to assume that she’s taking a shot at Jindal. As far as I can see, she’d generally support a man like him enthusiastically.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Jindal has had a bad week. First the mostly bad response to his SOTU respone, now this.
Give him a break.
Who cares? Are we supposed to be as overly racially sensitive and PC as the libs always pretend to be?
I expect New York City RINOs like Allah to act that way, but come on.
By acting “outraged” over Coulter or Steele said or wrote you’re just feeding into what the Left wants you to do. At the same time, you’re painting Bobby Jindal as some pathetic weakling who can’t handle a few jokes on his behalf.
Norwegian on February 26, 2009 at 6:55 PM
OK, fair enough, but she was far from the only one. And in this case, it’s Bobby Jindal, who, as I wrote earlier, is someone I’d bet my life savings she’s a huge fan of.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:56 PM
I just don’t get the joke. Maybe it’s a shot at Louisiana? Maybe she’s suggesting that Louisiana is a slum and he’s the big hero rising out of the slum?
It’s not a great joke, but it doesn’t seem to be derisive of Jindal.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Entelechy:
I think Beck is interesting, but he spends too much time going after Republicans. The other day I saw a few minutes of Fox and Friends and Beck kind of got into it with Doocy. I did not see the whole thing, but what I did see was him ranting about how we should not let Bush run our lives or some such crap. Not a word of criticism about any Democrat. And Bush is not even president anymore for Chrisake and he did not try to run Beck’s life either.
We have to focus right now on going after the Democrats. Defeating and opposing the Democrats. I know these guys seem to think that going after recalcitrant Republicans takes courage or something, but it doesn’t. It is just another gift for the Democrats.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Ha!! That’s rich!!
But it does show progress that at least you are now acknowledging that Biden is a gaffe-machine on steroids.
thirteen28 on February 26, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Exit question: If Steele’s off the hook on the “Slumdog” joke because of the common-ground aspect, what’s Coulter’s excuse?
Don’t make excuses for Coulter, she hates apologist and so do I.
Dr Evil on February 26, 2009 at 6:58 PM
I think it’s one of those things where fans of Coulter will see in it her style of calling out the left on the ridiculous things they do and folks that don’t like her will see in it a stupid, racist remark.
It’s similar to the debate we had the other day on HA about using the /sarc tag. People that knew the poster in question had no doubt about what she was saying. Other people were confused or saw her as saying it in earnest rather than in sarcasm.
I don’t think it was Ann’s most well crafted version of pointing out the dumb things the left does, but, she probably gets tired of say, “By the way, folks on the left, have any of you noticed that…blah…blah….blah….because it’s not like you haven’t mentioned it 2 million times!”.
JadeNYU on February 26, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Not from someone who’s bound to be a huge fan of him, no. Honestly, I will listen if you have an explanation. I’m not even doing this to defend her.
Now, if Bobby were liberal or a McCain Republican, then I’d get it. But he’s the man Rush doesn’t want to listen to criticism of, and since when have you known Coulter and Rush to disagree on politicians?
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:59 PM
getalife:
Bobby Jindal is the governor of Louisiana because the Democrat who had the office before did such a sucky job. Now I know that things like education, intelligence, accomnplishment and honesty don’t mean anything to a reality revising lefty like yourself, but Jindal is not a joke. Blanco is and so is Blago and so is Gore and so are a lot of other Democrats who you fail to acknowledge.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Esthier:
You are right, Coulter was far from the only one and that is why Obama is president today. For that I do not thank Coulter.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Kathy Bay Malloy is a racist.
OmahaConservative on February 26, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Is Jindal Ivey League? I do remember Coulter making some crack about Harriet Miers for being common and going to a state university.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Clearly, and her husband is an awful human being, a loathesome cretin of the first order. He’s easily the most hateful, unhinged loon on the leftist side of the dial. He makes Michael Savage at his worst seem like a dandy.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Makes sense to me.
Disturb the Universe on February 26, 2009 at 7:07 PM
All she was trying to do, rightfully, so, was make the point that McCain wasn’t conservative enough. When he picked Governor Palin, Coulter threw her support 100% behind the ticket.
It’s not Coulter’s fault that Obama is president.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 7:07 PM
From wikipedia:
Following high school, Jindal attended Brown University, graduating with honors in biology and public policy.[8] Although he had thought of a career in medicine or law and was accepted by Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School,[9] he chose to pursue a political career. He received a master’s degree in political science from New College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar.
JadeNYU on February 26, 2009 at 7:08 PM
And these are the kinds of P’sOS the left wants to force us to listen to for balance? No thanks, I’d rather Q-Tip my ears with concertina wire.
OmahaConservative on February 26, 2009 at 7:11 PM
I just read the quote. If Ann Coulter was ridiculing Helen Thomas, she should have made it more clear.
She was writing, after all – it’s not like she didn’t have time to think about what she was saying, and the way she was saying it.
Bobby Jindal seems like the type of Republican she’d like, so it’s hard to imagine she’d deliberately insult him. She just shouldn’t have left it to speculation.
That said, I’ve been sick of her schtick for a long time.
capitalist piglet on February 26, 2009 at 7:11 PM
If you want to make a positive spin on it, sure. There used to be a commonly seen bumper sticker here in Louisiana. It read: Louisiana. Third world and proud of it!
You don’t see that bumper sticker anymore.
Lay-Z on February 26, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Race bating only when it’s good for thee…the entire race thing, female, or whatever is sooooo stupid.
Just find competent politicians who can communicate, hopefully in English (for the time-being).
Entelechy on February 26, 2009 at 7:12 PM
That’s a fact.
As I often say (with some exceptions, I’m sure): Scratch a liberal, find a bigot.
capitalist piglet on February 26, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Malloy routinely fantasizes on-air about committing violence against conservatives (not conservative politicians, not merely Republicans, but you and me), and he has the most mirthless, humorless laugh you’ll ever hear on this planet.
He is what they accuse us of being, and he only gets crazier and creepier every year.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 7:15 PM
That would be odd coming from Coulter, who went to University of Michigan law school.
thirteen28 on February 26, 2009 at 7:15 PM
I just want to understand it; that’s all.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Why blame Coulter instead of McCain? He failed to reach enough even in his own party.
Considering she loves state-college Palin, I believe you are mistaken in why she didn’t like Harriet Miers.
Exactly, that’s the kind of satire I was commenting on earlier, and that is something she employs often.
Esthier on February 26, 2009 at 7:19 PM
No. I really can’t. I think it was a total jab at the left.
bloggless on February 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Maybe it’s time I did give some of these loons a listen-to, to see more closely what they are up to.
Oh good lord I just went here for a sample and his invective is chilling, and that tone of voice…
OmahaConservative on February 26, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Esthier:
I am not mistaken in that Coulter made some remarks she herself phrazed as in defence of the Ivey League.
That was what she said. I think she is willing to overlook Palin’s proletariat background because supporting her does not imply support for Bush. In other words, she thought she was better than Miers. In fact I think I remember the words char woman being used in reference to Harriet Miers. I thought Coulter’s remarks were elitist and personally cruel.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I don’t want Michael Steele saying “Slumdog” and “Jindal” in the same sentence, period. I doubt Jindal would be amused either.
Just the other day I think it was on Bret Baier, he had a quote from Michael Steele and he said (Steele) something about one-armed midgets. WTF? Shut UP! Do you have no sense Mr. Steele?
It’s no time to talk about race. There’s no need to. I don’t look at Obama and think “black.” I think socialist, horrible president and God help us all, but I don’t think race nor do I think about Jindal’s race. I think about WHAT HE SAYS and his actions and his words, not his race.
Oink on February 26, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Getting tough out there for a blogger. But hey, you’ve got almost 100 comments so far.
thirteen28 on February 26, 2009 at 7:29 PM
And stupid. If they wanna laugh at Jindal, make fun of his real accent & be safe from accusations of racism.
jgapinoy on February 26, 2009 at 7:30 PM
BTW, I blame Coulter instead of McCain because got the nomination for the Republican party and so far at least that is left up to the GOP voters, not Coulter. It is as if she is punishing people for not kissing her behind and picking her candidate, assuming she had one. I really don’t think the woman liked anyone. And if not for McCain, Palin his running mate would still be an unknown.
So, no, I am not going to blame McCain for failing to please Coulter.
Terrye on February 26, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Holy watermelons!
The Ugly American on February 26, 2009 at 7:31 PM
You’re a better man than me; life is too short to invite that kind of nihilism into my ears.
I used to listen to him about fifteen years ago when he was still mainstream enough to be employed by a normal radio station like WLS-AM in Chicago. That was a long time ago. I can’t believe there are people who would still want to broadcast it.
Kensington on February 26, 2009 at 7:33 PM
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