Video: The obligatory “Dan Rather mumbles something about Obama and watermelons” clip
posted at 4:49 pm on March 8, 2010 by Allahpundit
Limbaugh played the audio this afternoon and now it’s anywhere and everywhere. Ironically, it’s the fact that it’s so cringeworthy that makes me think it was innocently intended: Had Document Dan meant to take a veiled racial swipe at Obama, he surely would have veiled it more thoroughly than this. (Same with Clinton supposedly saying of The One, “A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.”) Lacking the left’s ability to read minds, I feel obliged to give him a pass — although I suppose we could compromise and say he’s guilty of unconscious racism, where the audience gets to tell the speaker what he “really” intended. Good enough for “Countdown,” good enough for me.
Don’t forget to add this post to the bookmarks in your “What if a conservative had said it?” folder.
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It would be the lead story every hour on MSDNC.
Doughboy on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Me too. Screw this politically correct horse crap.
jimmy2shoes on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Well,Rather has pissed off the Left!!
Does Dan have any friends left!!
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Let’s play, “What if Bush had said that?” and top it with, “What if Palin had said that?”
Enoxo on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
I don’t think they would wait a full hour for a new update o’ outrage.
WitchDoctor on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
I dunno. I don’t see the watermelon image as racist (someone will prove me wrong I’m sure), but Rather’s admission that Obama is an EPIC FAIL of a President. I’ll file this under: Liberals Unfiltered.
conservative pilgrim on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Notice how Chrissy jumps in when Dan says “watermelons” in abject fear of what he’ll say after that.
D*mn!
Bet it would have been even more hilariously racist than what he did say!
(What happened to “He couldn’t sell ice boxes in hell…” or something without racial connotations like watermelons?)
Jenfidel on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Hahahahaha. Watch everyone speak up at that point to drown Rather out. I don’t think they care so much about the watermelons so much as Rather calling Obama out as incompetent.
Chuck Schick on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Meh. I thought lefties are expected to be hypersensitive to political correctness. Why give them a pass?
Firefly_76 on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
So Matthews forgot 0bama is black while Rather was on?
SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Nobody cares what Rather says anymore anyway.
Cicero43 on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Who was is that had to correct Obama on his religion?
Another “what if he was a pub” moment.
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
It’s probably 3rd on the list behind fried chicken and collard greens. If he’d referenced either of those(like Fuzzy Zoeller did about Tiger Woods a while back), then he’d be in hot water even with the left.
Doughboy on March 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
I think it was innocent. The bigger picture is, it reveals his personal social views on race.
It’s on his mind and came out his mouth..innocently.
katy on March 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Goerge “your Christian faith” Stephanopolous
Ted Torgerson on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
I dunno. I don’t see the watermelon image as (a) racist (someone will prove me wrong I’m sure), but Rather’s admission that Obama is an (b) EPIC FAIL of a President. I’ll file this under: Liberals Unfiltered.
conservative pilgrim on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
FIFY
The answer is
c.) Both a and b
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
At least he didn’t say Kools or Newports…
ninjapirate on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Rather is so out of it these days. I feel sorry for him when I listen to his incoherent babble.
Go RBNY on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Red meat for Chuckles and LGF.
Knucklehead on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Do the imaginary ones count?
MarkTheGreat on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
This is the only kind of guest you can get when no one is watching your network.
elderberry on March 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Thanks.
Anyone ever remember someone in the MSM saving a GOPers arse from a stupid comment ?
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 4:57 PM
This bill is so bad, it’s gonna take more than Colt 45 to wash it down. – Dan Rather.
lorien1973 on March 8, 2010 at 4:57 PM
OR CRACK : )
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 4:57 PM
What if he had said crackers?
txag92 on March 8, 2010 at 4:57 PM
But would PBHO try to hawk those watermelons with a negr0 dialect or a white guy dialect?
Bishop on March 8, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Allah, Since Ed felt to need to protect Romney, we didn’t get a post about his interview on FOX News Sunday….you know, the one where he called the Massachussets health care system, “the ultimate conservative plan.”. Wallace destroyed him over RomneyCare. I think it deserves a post. The videos can be found at mittromneycentral.com
takeamericabackin10 on March 8, 2010 at 4:59 PM
Is Rather banned from Hotair, now? Is this the last link? :)
neurosculptor on March 8, 2010 at 4:59 PM
Dan Rather: “Obama can’t bring home the bacon so Michelle can cook it”. Talk about muslim insensitivity!
SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Stay tuned for next week, when Dan Rather observes that Obama’s never even run a Kool-Aid stand.
amerpundit on March 8, 2010 at 5:00 PM
What’s the frequency Kenneth? Courage?
BHO Jonestown on March 8, 2010 at 5:01 PM
I find it fascinating that the Left have finally seen the
light on their creation of Frankenstein!!!
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Or 24′s.
jimmy2shoes on March 8, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Activities hour at the Looney Bin. Four mental cases blabbin’ on.
How does that collection of lying frauds make it on the air at all?
ontherocks on March 8, 2010 at 5:02 PM
I am not sure I can handle the psychoanalysis of Rather and Emanuels locker room persona in the same day.
percysunshine on March 8, 2010 at 5:03 PM
Who cares? Let that idiot say whatever he wants.
Metro on March 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM
+1000
katy on March 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM
heh
katy on March 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM
That’s the crux of the matter here. A conservative figure would lose their job, be forced to make a public prime time apology, be forced to sit down for a chat with the shakedown brothers Sharpton and Jackson to begin the national healing necessary after a comment that set us back decades.
Obviously I don’t think this guy meant anything here, but given the double standard it should certainly be highlighted. Plus, I don’t want to give this evil SOB a break on anything. After the forged document scandal this guy deserves any crap he gets, warranted or not.
As for “But he couldn’t sell watermelons if you gave him a State Trooper to flag down in traffic”. WTF does that even mean? Again, his intentions weren’t racial, otherwise the State Trooper would have been selling the watermelons to Obama, no? Isn’t the stereotype that blacks like watermelons.. not that they sell them (to State Troops they flag down in traffic)? I suspect Dan was trying to give us one of his old “if a frog had sidepockets he’d carry a pistol” nonsensical one liners.
Still I go back to the double standard… If he was a conservative, left would be SCREAMING that he specifically chose “watermelon” because Obama is black. Who’s up for a beer summit?
RightWinged on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Yeeeowwwch! Did he just say that! That’d get the ban hammer here at HotAir, right AP—?
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Rather should count his lucky stars,he wasn’t talking
about HilRod,ahem!
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
um hum… and if he mentioned barbeque, basketball, and cadillac’s, that wouldn’t be racist either.
gimme a break
lm10001 on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
It’s just as bad as full-blown IN YOUR FACE racism. Which to me, at least would have the redemption of being HONEST.
GarandFan on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, where art thou?
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Mmmmmm, watermelon.
Kafir on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
I got my melon baller. Now I just need a melon……..
donkichi on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Dan Rather just ruined his professional ca….
Oh, wait, nevermind.
aquaviva on March 8, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Yeeeowwwch! Did he just say that! That’d get the ban hammer here at HotAir, right AP—?
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
ted c: With a SarahCuda*Wink*,and U-Betcha!!:)
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:06 PM
I’m not well-verse on racist vernacular. Thanks for the info.
Haha. Mucho gracias!
conservative pilgrim on March 8, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Why else say watermelon?
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 5:06 PM
That’s a pretty thick folder. And LGF has now banned Dan Rather.
rbj on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
I’m sure if it were Bret Hume, for example, that Tip O’Neil’s catamite would have cancelled the commercials in order to encourage what might have come next.
That is, if anyone is dim enough to buy time on MSNBC these days. When’s the next pledge drive, BTW?
NoDonkey on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
“he couldn’t sell watermelons if you gave him a state trooper to flag down the traffic”
Is that what he said? What the hell does that even mean?
Buddahpundit on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
AP, I am offended by your title to this story. You think Salem Communications would like you to have “obama” and “watermelons” used in the same sentence?
jbh45 on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Clinton, the MSNBC news lineup, now Rather…..? WTF ? where on earth do these guys get off discerning racism?
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
I’m pretty sure what he said wasn’t English.
Abby Adams on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
I will not give any of these dirtbag Libs a pass on anything .They started this game of P.C. and by God they are going to play by the rules.They must be held accountable untill the day comes they say so loud for the whole world to hear.NO MORE WE GIVE UP FOREVER ON THIS P.C. CRAP AND WILL NEVER BRING IT BACK WE SEAR TO ALMIGHTY GOD.
thmcbb on March 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Too funny.
Denverslim on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
I’d buy a watermelon from Obama, that’s about all I would ever buy from him.
abobo on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
“Couldn’t have sold watermelons to…” Who?
It sounds like a quaint old racist saying. Anyone have a clue what the punch line is?
29Victor on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, where art thou?
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
ted c:Waiting for a RightSphere Pundit,to repeat what Dan
said!!:)
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
I think it means Dan Rather sees only people of color selling fruit on the roadside. Much like Biden only sees Indians owning convenience stores. /
CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
If I’da said this at 10:00pm, I’d be banned by 10:05–no ifs ands or buts about it.
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM
Hmmmm … this was just one of those moments when a member of the left let’s their guard down, the mask slips and the ugly truth is there for all to see.
No it wasn’t veiled, it was right out in the open.
A glimpse into the subconscious of the liberal.
darwin on March 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM
The funniest thing is hearing the leg-tingler desperately trying to interrupt him.
Will the Little Green Douchebags be covering this? In the old days the throbbing memo would’ve made it’s 4000th appearance, but I’m guessing this is a ‘nontroversy’.
mudskipper on March 8, 2010 at 5:10 PM
The story is definately everyone elses reaction.
percysunshine on March 8, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Oh Keith Olberman … where are you?
darwin on March 8, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Dan’s having trouble with his dentures and his subconscious in that clip.
ROCnPhilly on March 8, 2010 at 5:11 PM
The right must hold the left to their own standards. We must force them to abide by their rules.
Alinsky 101
darwin on March 8, 2010 at 5:12 PM
He meant the watermelon shot. He was thirsty.
1/2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
1/2 oz creme de almond
1/2 oz pineapple juice
txag92 on March 8, 2010 at 5:12 PM
I’m outrageously outraged! He would certainly be a better watermelon salesman than Rather is a newsman.
lionheart on March 8, 2010 at 5:12 PM
story about how Rather is old, senile, and struggles for relevance from his old buddies in the MSM in 3.2.1.
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Does anyone here put salt on their watermelon slices? I know people that do, but why?
SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Meanwhile,the Liberal Party CruiseShip,keeps running
into ice fields,and nasty self-inflicted icebergs!!
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Uh oh….AP puts Hot Air on Big Sis’ home-grown terrorist list; HA soon to be considered “racist or hate speech website”.
BobMbx on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
I was just thinking the other day about how unfair it was that my business (Melonpalooza, LLC) was totally getting the shaft from the state troopers when our main rivals (Watermelon or Bust, Inc.) got them to flag down traffic, even though we’ve been trying to get them to do that for years.
It’s an unfair business practice that Obama needs to enact struct governmental regulations on. We can’t just have state troopers flagging down traffic for one melon stand, but not the other.
Who’s with me?
Abby Adams on March 8, 2010 at 5:14 PM
Watch the tape again. Rather was about to go old school with the old saying, and the old saying ends with “at an NAACP meeting,” and Chrissy just starts going nuts. He’s obviously heard the old saying, too. But then Rather kind of stumbles and gives it a new ending. Raaaaacist!
Rational Thought on March 8, 2010 at 5:14 PM
Another great moment in bad timing. Way to go there, Dan!
Liam on March 8, 2010 at 5:14 PM
FIFY
BobMbx on March 8, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Does anyone here put salt on their watermelon slices? I know people that do, but why?
SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM
SouthernGent: Salt,Ick!!:)
canopfor on March 8, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Soon? We aren’t on there already?
I’m disappointed.
darwin on March 8, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Is DAn interviewing over at NBC? Maybe he’d eaten lunch over there recently in the cafeteria….
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/02/04/the-obligatory-nbc-offers-racist-lunch-menu-or-something-post/
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Wait a minute. I don’t get it. Are watermelons supposed to be easy to sell or something? Maybe Dan Rather just can’t resist buying watermelons whenever he sees one?
Zetterson on March 8, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Try it…you’ll like it.
BobMbx on March 8, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Well Dan if the police are going to flag cars so Obama as you said can try to sell watermelons.Fair is fair i want to have the fried chicken consesson on the other side of this road your talking about.
thmcbb on March 8, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Rather has watermelon on the brain. He’s so irrelevant I can’t figure for the life of me why anyone would ask him questions about anything.
scalleywag on March 8, 2010 at 5:17 PM
South Park reference:
Dan Rather’s just your average nagger guy.
BowHuntingTexas on March 8, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Is there a common Texas saying about selling watermelons? I’d be interesting in hearing if it has a racial overtone.
hawksruleva on March 8, 2010 at 5:18 PM
I have and didn’t like it. It’s like putting sugar in cornbread! :eek:
SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Try it–you’ll love it, especially on very ripe, sweet watermelon.
Also, try black pepper on cantaloupe.
Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmm.
Summer’s coming!
Jenfidel on March 8, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Even though he said it (but might not have meant it), it has to be true or something….at least until he can prove to the contrary that it is not…
Just waitin on Dan-O to prove evidence to the contrary that he isn’t a racist. It seems to be the standard he set with regards to the scandal that forced him from CBS.
ted c on March 8, 2010 at 5:20 PM
The only way to eat one, and because it’s yummy.
txsurveyor on March 8, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Nah. He was just trying to be cutesy and folksy. He’s from Texas ya know so he wants everyone to know, in spite of being in NYC for most of his career, he still knows how to turn a colloquialism. AP’s right though. If a conservative had said it, it would have been intentionally misinterpreted to be RAAAAACIST!
ncborn on March 8, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Don’t see it over there.
But Chuckles does have thread going whining about folks who use an ad-blocker with their browsers.
Poor fella.
Knucklehead on March 8, 2010 at 5:21 PM
‘Cause it’s goooooood.
ncborn on March 8, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Bo Bo da clownnnnn !!
Hummer53 on March 8, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Clearly Dan isn’t playing with a full deck of race cards.
Ronnie on March 8, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Salt on watermelon is like putting citrus wedges in your beer
thomasaur on March 8, 2010 at 5:23 PM
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