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You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2008 / What Worries Me About Obama

What Worries Me About Obama

by Michael D.|  February 20, 200812:25 pm| 114 Comments

This post is in: Election 2008

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I would and do support Barack Obama over Clinton any day. In an interview with Chris Matthews last night, Obama supporter, Senator Kirk Watson, can’t name a single legislative accomplishment that can be attributed to him. It’s going to be embarrassing for Obama if he wins the nomination and his supporters can’t answer a simple question like this, because Republicans are going to be beating him upside the head with questions that are a helluva lot tougher than that.

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114Comments

  1. 1.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    I agree, this was bad, but it should be pointed out that the Hillary surrogate was neither asked nor volunteered to give any of Hillary’s legislative accomplishments, and on top of that, she made the statement, “Hillary has legislative accomplishments all over the world.” Last I checked, a New York State Senator’s legislative jurisdiction didn’t extend quite that far, but then, what do I know?

  2. 2.

    zzyzx

    February 20, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    It’s a long campaign. Sometimes people will get nailed by the gotcha questions.

    Name an accomplishment that Clinton has done. McCain has one that I can think of (campaign financing) off the top of my head.

  3. 3.

    August J. Pollak

    February 20, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    I watched this live last night and I truly, until that moment, had assumed that anyone who went onto those shows to support their candidate was actually briefed first. I worked for a few years at a think tank in D.C. and that’s exactly what anyone- ANYONE- in our org did with the media team before appearing on Hardball or the Situation Room or anything like that. It honestly amazed me that a campaign as well organized as Obama’s let something like that happen. It was the equivalent of finding a stray dog running around a NORAD silo.

    Obama certainly has legislative accomplishments (especially if you’re using Clinton’s criteria- she’s taking credit for SCHIP, for example) and it’s just a dumb move on the Obama camp’s part to not have a PDF they can mail to guys like this beforehand.

    Ultimately, though, it’s a sign that Obama’s camp was unprepared, not that Obama was. And frankly, McCain’s going to hit Obama as “having no record” if he revealed a cure for cancer tomorrow morning. It’s clear that “inexperienced” is going to be the label for Obama, just as Kerry was a “flip-flopper” and Gore was a “liar.”

  4. 4.

    Zifnab

    February 20, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    Olbermann: In defense of Sen. Obama and also in context, can you name one accomplishment of the US Senate in the last seven years?

    Matthews: That’s a broader question requiring a larger preparation.

    Olbermann: Yeah, you don’t have an answer to that one either. (Studio laughs)

    Matthews: Let me say…but you know what, Keith? They should be able to make some points..

    Olbermann: I’m not disagreeing with you on that…In two weeks, Chris …

    Matthews: And I’m not here to defend the US Senate, he’s here to defend Barack Obama and he had nothing in his—he had nothing to say. That’s a problem.

    Olbermann: In two weeks, Chris and I will have complete coverage of the primaries in Ohio and Texas, at which point I’m expecting a written reply to may…

    Matthews: Why do you think they call it Hardball?

    Olbermann: Alright, but this isn’t Hardball, we’re doing election results. (more laughter)

    Matthews: Well, you know…it’s late at night…

    ~link

    Is there anything in the last 7 years that Barack Obama would actually want to have his name on?

  5. 5.

    Michael D.

    February 20, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    she made the statement, “Hillary has legislative accomplishments all over the world.”

    Agreed that this was a screwup, but at least the woman said something and just didn’t sit there in silence.

  6. 6.

    Bob In Pacifica

    February 20, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Name one single Democratic legislative accomplishment since Obama’s been in the Senate. Name one single legislative accomplishment.

    Taken at face value, all the Dems haven’t been able to do anything with Bush in the White House and the Senate effectively frozen by Republicans.

    Basically, as DA Jim Garrison called it forty years ago, Congress is reduced to a debating society.

    The theme should be “It’s time to get rid of the Republicans in Congress who keep holding America back.”

    When Tweety interrupted him the third time he should have told him, “Shut up, nutso, do you want to keep interrupting or do you want to hear an answer.”

  7. 7.

    jj

    February 20, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

    Boring.

    The concern trolls need to come up with new material.

    This “experience” stuff is stale.

  8. 8.

    Blue Neponset

    February 20, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    Don’t worry. Obama has legislative accomplishments. Here is one off the top of my head. link

    Just because some guy I never of heard of before wasn’t prepared to do an interview doesn’t mean this is a big problem.

  9. 9.

    zsa

    February 20, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    In the general election, I think it plays to the “Change” theme of the Obama campaign … admittedly making Kool-aid out of lemons here, but the more they beat him over the head for being a n00b, the more it plays to the general desire for an “outsider”.

    Err, maybe.

  10. 10.

    srv

    February 20, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    Feeling embarrassed or not being able to answer a simple question is just Egyptianism. Obama is different.

  11. 11.

    Cyrus

    February 20, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    It would be very disappointing if we had to send this link to Obama’s own campaign.

  12. 12.

    bootlegger

    February 20, 2008 at 12:41 pm

    Chris Mathews actually stole this bit from Sean Hannity, and then C-Mat gets all serious “answer, now, hurry up, if you can’t do it you’re not real” blah-blah-blah. Hannity should hit him with a plagiarism charge. It was fun seeing Oberman then ask Mathews to name one and all C-Mat could do was stutter and say “well I’m not supporting a candidate”.

    But I’d like to see a random sample of supporters, not just the gotcha that Hannity and now Mathews are pulling on some Obama supporters. Go out and ask anyone A) who are you voting for, and B) name on legislative accomplishment and I’ll be you a dozen donuts no candidate’s supporters know shit about their accomplishments.

  13. 13.

    Larv

    February 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    I’d suggest that this is a Kirk Watson problem, not a Barack Obama problem. Hilzoy at Obsidian Wings did a post about this a while back. I think she also did a more recent one comparing Obama and Clinton, and Obama comes out looking pretty good. I don’t know about a comparison with McCain, but I’m not sure what McCain’s legislative record is like aside from McCain-Feingold.

    Really, I’m not too worried about this line of attack. One of Obama’s strengths is that he’s not perceived to be part of the DC old guard, and attacks on his legislative record can be turned around to emphasize this.

  14. 14.

    bootlegger

    February 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    Dammit, I really need to proofread.

    Post above should say: B) name one legislative accomplishment and I’ll bet you….

  15. 15.

    Zuzu

    February 20, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    Well, there’s this summary of his state and federal legislative accomplishments, along with video of Watson:

    B’more Sun blog

  16. 16.

    Jon H

    February 20, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    “Obama supporter, Senator Kirk Watson”

    Dude, he’s from the *Texas* state Senate.

    You just can’t expect much from him.

  17. 17.

    Tom Shipley

    February 20, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    People like Obama because of what he can do. I think most people realize — especially after Bush — that ANYONE can be elected president without it literally falling apart.

    Obama is obviously smart, and obviously a gifted politician who is going to people talking more and more about proposals he has to offer the country. If people like what they hear, he’ll win in a landslide.

  18. 18.

    Andrew

    February 20, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    Get this kid on Hardball, stat.

  19. 19.

    Jeff Eaton

    February 20, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Hilzoy over ad Obsidian Wings has done a pretty good job of gathering up Obama’s actual accomplishments. http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/obama-actually.html is an interesting peek at the kind of work Obama’s done.

  20. 20.

    Kynn

    February 20, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    So, Michael D, without looking at any of the links provided here, what are Obama’s legislative achievements?

    If you knew before reading comments, that’s great. Feel free to share. If you didn’t know, aren’t you just as embarrassed too?

    You identify yourself as an Obama supporter. So what has he done? Do you know?

    Or do you blindly follow Chris Matthews’ lead in these kinds of things?

  21. 21.

    John S.

    February 20, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    So, let me get this straight.

    All of Hillary’s top-level surrogates have been saying ridiculous shit for weeks now, but we should really be concerned about what some low-level Obama surrogate didn’t say?

    Is that the thrust of the argument?

  22. 22.

    Andrew

    February 20, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    So, Michael D, without looking at any of the links provided here, what are Obama’s legislative achievements?

    To be fair, you should ask this of any political supporter. Chances are that 92% of them have no idea.

  23. 23.

    Elvis Elvisberg

    February 20, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    See also this comparison of brag literature from all three candidates on legislative accomplishments (note: McCain doesn’t really have any, except McCain-Feingold, which he’s not mentioning, and trying to violate).

  24. 24.

    Jack Roy

    February 20, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Um, I would be more worried if it were Barack Obama being asked this question, but do we really need to get worried that not all of a candidate’s supporters have the entire talking-point package committed to memory? It’s not like this guy is a prominent flack (or if he is, I’ve completely missed him until now). And I suspect that Barack Obama himself probably has a couple more answers in mind to that and other questions.

    That said: Neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton has any significant legislative victories under their belts. No freshman senators do, and few sophomores. That’s the way the Senate works. That Chris Matthews asked that means either (a) despite his lengthy career in Washington, he doesn’t know the first thing about Congress, or (b) he actually does know this but asked a gotcha question likely to mislead his audience in an effort to look edgy. Either way, my first instincts are not to bemoan the Obama campaign or talk up the Clinton campaign, but to conclude that Chris Matthews is a terrible cable host.

  25. 25.

    Scotty

    February 20, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    I’m sure people asked the same things of Abraham Lincoln supporters. How’d that turn out?

  26. 26.

    4tehlulz

    February 20, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    I guess “more than Bush in 2000” can’t really be a answer…

  27. 27.

    Innocent Bystander

    February 20, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    If a legislative resume was an electing criteria, Joe Biden would have the election sewn up. Off the top of my head, I don’t have a handle on what Obama has accomplished in the Senate. IIRC, JFK didn’t exactly set the legislative world afire before he won the Presidency in 1960.

    It doesn’t matter. I could care less who is the better policy wonk or who has co-sponsored the most bills. What I do care about is who can rid us of this Republican Congressional mindset. Who can talk over the obstructionists and get a new progressive agenda passed in Congress.

    If Hillary were to win, I’d happily vote for her in November. But I already know that she’s damaged goods and her/our agenda will be knee-capped by CDS (Clinton Derangement Syndrome). She can’t help the polarization that her last name creates. Obama is showing that he can bring large segments of Democrats, Independents, and even some Republicans who are looking for real change, inspiration, and competency. Whatever policy minutae differntiates Hillary and Obama, the ultimate details are going to hammered out in Congressional committees. I want the candidate that can sell the agenda to the American people, by-passing the corporate media and the RW Wurlitizer that will attempt to diffuse and minimize the change. I think Obama has shown us that he is the candidate who’ll be able to make it happen.

  28. 28.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    I’m honestly confident that most Obama supporters *know* he’s a junior at all of this, but they’d rather take a super-junior with a calm demeanor over a bratty junior who runs around screaming “I slept with a Preznit once!!!! ahaahaha”.

    This is one of those cases where Clinton’s known quantity should hurt her. Obama is all filled with Hope N’ Stuff, so people can put faith in him.

    (Not necessarily that this is a good thing, but I’m enjoying watching this asshole Clinton get taught that we pay attention and we expect bravery instead of hedging and whining.)

  29. 29.

    Jen

    February 20, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    So what worries you about Obama is that he has some supporters who are morons, and this obviously distinguishes him from all other presidential candidates.

    It worries me about TEXAS. I know Grand Moff Texan is there, but that still leaves a lotta room for a hell of a lot of twits.

  30. 30.

    ThymeZone

    February 20, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    This is a bogus issue. First of all, I saw the thing live. Matthews is a complete ass, even Olbermann laughed at him. Matthews said “This is Hardball!” and Olbermann had to point out, no, this is election coverage. Even the stage crew was laughing.

    Matthews is a butthead who blindsided this guy with a question, from out of nowhere. The fact is, there is a nice list of Obama legislative history on the website, and of course, it would be good if the people he puts out to spin for him late at night were familiar with that list.

    But this is a non-issue, and Matthews is the boob who should be dinged, not Obama, or the poor bastard who got slapped by Matthews’ parlor trick at midnight.

    Matthews could have let the guest know that the question was coming and then gently chided him on the air for not being briefed. But he handled it like the complete fuckhead that he is.

    He doesn’t even have the Hardball concept down. In baseball, you don’t just pick up the ball and throw it at the first base coach and laugh at him when you break his jaw. If you’re the pitcher, even your moves are regulated.

    Sure, Matthews had fun at the poor slob’s expense. Sure, the slob should have seen the legislation list for the campaign.

  31. 31.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    So, Michael D, without looking at any of the links provided here, what are Obama’s legislative achievements?

    I don’t, either, off the top of my head.

    But, I have looked previously, and they match up to be similar to Clinton’s record. Clinton is more orthodox, and Obama will travel and meet with people to charm people into seeing his ways.

    Frankly, their records are both of people who like being Senators. When they’re not attending to elections, their attendance records are both consistently above the median.

    I just don’t like how Clinton gets things done. I strongly believe she doesn’t have the characteristics of a leader, nor a Head of State.

    My decision is solid, despite not being able to recite legislation off the top of my head.

  32. 32.

    PeterJ

    February 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    McCain has one that I can think of (campaign financing) off the top of my head.

    That’s one republicans really don’t want to hear about. I guess most of his backers rather would shut up than talk about what he has done for campaign reform…

  33. 33.

    ThymeZone

    February 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    But I didn’t finish my thought. This is what worries you about Obama? What the fuck, man? Have we EVER seen a more impressive presidential primary run than this, a better run campaign, a more impressive hookup with voters? A better ground game?

    So this poor guy gets embarassed by a tv host who is a complete fuckstain, and … this is your thread title?

    What worries me about you is that you are taking down the property values on a decent, albeit small, blog, but posting shit that is fucking ridiculous.
    \

  34. 34.

    srv

    February 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    I’m sure people asked the same things of Abraham Lincoln supporters. How’d that turn out?

    Swell.

    Strategy here

    Lincoln’s great virtue in 1860 was that he had not been nationally prominent long enough to have powerful enemies or a real reputation. He could be the anti-slavery candidate in Massachusetts, and the tariff protection candidate in Pennsylvania, and the genial rail-splitter in places where neither issue aroused much heat.

    He could even appeal to the important Know-Nothing element in the patchwork Republican Party, which rejected Seward. Former Know-Nothings supported him. “We cannot elect extreme men,” one said [Richard M. Corwine]. “Moderation in their past life & present views, must mark them or we cannot elect them.” Corwine was one of the lower North delegates who blocked Seward early in the convention and opened the door for Lincoln.

  35. 35.

    ThymeZone

    February 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    BY posting shit that is fucking ridiculous.

  36. 36.

    IanY77

    February 20, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    Cyrus:

    Thanks for that.

  37. 37.

    Zifnab

    February 20, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    Matthews is a butthead

    That basically says it all. I’m sure we’ll get an earful about how McCain is the only serious candidate in the race and how Obama just doesn’t have the right after-shave to be President.

    Perhaps, if this came from someone I gave a damn about, I’d care. As it stands, Chris Matthew’s “Gotcha! You dumb stupid dumb guy!” Show isn’t my first pick for political insight.

  38. 38.

    Golza

    February 20, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    The more that Clinton harps on Obama’s lack of experience and qualifications to be president, the more one is led to the logical conclusion that his popular support must arise largely out of contempt for her. Which leads to more contempt for her. And thus more support for him. And so on, and so on …

  39. 39.

    Neal

    February 20, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    Funny too, because McCain’s legislative “accomplishments” (McCain-Feingold, the “Amnesty” bill, etc) are exactly why his own party’s base can’t stand him.
    Before reading the comments here I was very much aware of the nuclear non proliferation work he had done with Senator Lugar (who I would love to see in Obama’s cabinet if he is interested) and the videotaping of confessions that he worked on in Illinois.
    The nuclear non proliferation bills are so incredibly important – a much smarter way to secure WMD than by invading a country because they MIGHT have something.

  40. 40.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    What’s best about this is the Hillary people who TWO SECONDS ago were lambasting Tweety for being a sexist pig-turd, are now praising him to the high-heavens….

    …..say anything, do anything, get in bed with anyone…

  41. 41.

    Davebo

    February 20, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    More good news for Hillary.

    CNN reporting that the Teamsters are about to endorse Obama.

    Stick a fork in her. “Gently”

  42. 42.

    IU1995

    February 20, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Obama’s supporters aren’t a part of his campaign nor are they seeking the presidency. He and his team know what his accomplishments are. If THEY can’t answer those questions then we have a problem. But why should he be penalized because his supporters can’t answer questions?

    Heck, I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 without knowing a doggone thing about him. All I knew is that he wasn’t Bush #1. I voted for Gore and Kerry without knowing much about them either. Why? Because they weren’t Bush #2. My senator from Indiana, Evan Bayh? I like him alot but I can’t begin to tell you what he’s done since he’s been in the senate.

    Most voters are probably in the same boat. The political junkies only make up a small percentage of the population and even most of them probably don’t know every detail about the candidates without spending time doing research ahead of time. Keith Olbermann even caught Chris Matthews in his own game. Right after Matthews ambushed the guy last night, Olbermann asked Matthews if he could name anything the entire senate has accomplished and Matthews couldn’t answer the question. He’s a political reporter/analyst. This is his profession. What makes him any different?

    All I hear from Hillary supporters is that she has 35 years of experience … and? What does that experience involve besides several failed attempts to get her healthcare plan enacted?

    This game can really be played across the board for all the candidates and I bet you get the same of similar results. But because Obama is the new comer, it’s being focused hard and heavy on him. Overall, I don’t think this amounts to a hill of beans with the average voter. All it does is gives the 24 hour news shows more methods of trying to control the story and outcomes.

  43. 43.

    Jake

    February 20, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    What’s best about this is the Hillary people who TWO SECONDS ago were lambasting Tweety for being a sexist pig-turd, are now praising him to the high-heavens….

    …..say anything, do anything, get in bed with anyone…

    Yep. I really wish the fRighties and the Loony Libs would start a WATB party and get the fuck out of the way.

  44. 44.

    wingnuts to iraq

    February 20, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    aren’t we tired of the politics of the past?

    I don’t care what Obama has done… I like what he’s going to do: Modernize the federal gov’t for the 21st century, putting sooo much stuff online through YouTube.

    It’s the best reason to vote for Obama:

    http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/#transparent-democracy

    Read it!

  45. 45.

    Don

    February 20, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    To be fair, you should ask this of any political supporter. Chances are that 92% of them have no idea.

    Thats a pretty generous number, I think.

    What’s also kinda comic about the whole point is I think it’s a very reasonable question to ask “does it matter?” We all engage in this fiction that the Presidency is more powerful than it really is when it comes to law and doling out money (only the Cheney brigage works at making him more powerful!), but that doesn’t make it true.

    I’d like to hear Matthews and Hannity make a compelling case (ie, more than “because that’s how it SHOULD be!”) as to why personality and charisma shouldn’t be the top criteria in choosing a President.

  46. 46.

    Dennis - SGMM

    February 20, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    What’s best about this is the Hillary people who TWO SECONDS ago were lambasting Tweety for being a sexist pig-turd, are now praising him to the high-heavens….

    Hillary’s people would serially fellate Rush Limbaugh if he put the knock on Obama. Over at Hillaryis44 they are drawing straws to do the same for O’Reilly.

  47. 47.

    Toni C

    February 20, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    Yeah that guy looked pretty unprepared and it’s not the first time C Matthews has used the tactic on Obama people. The campaign needs ot put out accomplishment talking points though he rails against TPs on the stump. They also need to brace for national defense holes in resume. Although Reagan/Carter/Clinton and Bush didn’t have that to fall back on either. As far as I know O touts his work with Lugar on “loose nukes” which is thin to say the least. His early and downright scary foresight on the Iraq position is helpful from a judgment standpoint though.

    As far as voters, they just like the guy and are choosing the message because its what they hope from a President. It is about Hope…duh every election should be we just forgot with Clinton seen as annointed early on.

    I still can;t recall what Kerry had as a message. Pretty weak against a message of terror and fear. After suffering thorugh 2 cycles of FEAR vs. ????, FEAR doesn’t have a chance in fear vs hope.

    McCain was/is? sorta likable but Hillary has proven her negatives were real.

    Once Obama made clear that he started his career (post Harvard Law) working for peanuts helping black/browwn/white/ asian blue collar folk laid off from steel plants, he locked up the Edwards crowd. O’s “cares about people like me” have really spiked just by him telling his organizer story on TV. Sorta a change we can believe in ad. In a real sense that is much more imprtant than whatever ethics Bill or losse nikes got signed with a GOP in the WH. What was he going to do change the world with Bush vetoing SCHIP for the good of us all.

    People realize its harder to work for the poor when you are still poor yourself so he scores big with the ad highlighting this. It also helps that he runs out Republicans in the ad veryfying his “work across the aisle” meme.

    Clinton has worked across the aisle too but does anyone think she can get GOP people to appear in her ads? DOn;t laugh it’s an interesting question which reinforces the polarizing crown she has… whether earned rightly or by urban legend and the 90’s people beleive its so.

    Obama has pulled off in a campiagn what he promises to do as a POTUS. That is he has put together a coalition of DEM/INDY/GOP and activists to slay the most powerful and get something done.

    If he can do “the CLintons” with this message in action maybe he can actually do it with a few issues people actually view as less challenging than beating back Billary. In that sense his campaign IS his biggest accomplishment becasue it verifies his theme.

    Loose nukes pale in comparison to this get er done accomplishment. Quite simply, if he can beat Billary what in the world can a disorganized Newt remnant do to him as a popular president.

    That early work on behalf of the laid off common man was gold in WI and it will play well in OH too.

    It’s over in my opinion. If Hillary goes too negative superD’s will go to O in droves to protect the down ticket from damage from her desperate recklessness of trying to weaken him when she can;t win the race.

  48. 48.

    SenderC

    February 20, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    Oh crap, Emmitt Smith just stepped on the stage to speak for Obama. Anybody who’s seen him on ESPN knows only bad things can happen.

  49. 49.

    srv

    February 20, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    What does that experience involve besides several failed attempts to get her healthcare plan enacted?

    Yeah, there she was, 16 years ago, trying to work on universal care in a really friendly political environment. Not like she was actually trying to accomplish something historic, progressive or radical.

    Why can’t our candidates just sit back an wait for change? Because it’s just a vote around the corner. Yes we can. I don’t know what, but yes we can.

  50. 50.

    Jen

    February 20, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    This is a good op-ed on the Clinton implosion.

  51. 51.

    PeterJ

    February 20, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    More good news for Hillary.

    CNN reporting that the Teamsters are about to endorse Obama.

    Stick a fork in her. “Gently”

    So if she doesn’t give up when everybody else tells her she’s not going to win, they’ll make her disappear?

  52. 52.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Oh crap, Emmitt Smith just stepped on the stage to speak for Obama. Anybody who’s seen him on ESPN knows only bad things can happen.

    That’s funny…because it’s true. Local Dallas sportstalk station has a regular “Emmitt Watch” bit.

  53. 53.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    Stick a fork in her. “Gently”

    Sexist.

  54. 54.

    null pointer exception

    February 20, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Behold this awesome comment from hill44.

    Here is a NYT piece from David Brooks, edited for clarity i.e. I took anything slightly pro-Obama out.

    BUT there ARE a lot of good criticisms in here of Obama! Hillary fans should get practice saying these, they are good …

    Do these people have no shame?

  55. 55.

    Psycheout

    February 20, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    Great post, Mike! LOL!

  56. 56.

    Face

    February 20, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    OT, but did you guys see what Bill O said? (via Atrios):

    I don’t want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there’s evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that’s how she really feels — that America is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever — then that’s legit. We’ll track it down.

    (my emphasis)

    Damn, a discussion of lynch party, for a black person. I know he says some outrageous shit, but, damn.

  57. 57.

    Zifnab

    February 20, 2008 at 2:11 pm

    Damn, a discussion of lynch party, for a black person. I know he says some outrageous shit, but, damn.

    No no, it’s cool. Bill told me just last week that the Democrats are racists. And we can’t have racists in both parties, ergo we should probably check Mrs Obama’s counter tops for lynch material.

  58. 58.

    Golza

    February 20, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    C’mon. O’Reilly’s is saying that he won’t go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama (as long as she agrees that the U.S. has no “flaws”).

    What?

  59. 59.

    Gwen

    February 20, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    It was an idiot moment from that supporter but the Obama campaign seems to learn from their mistakes, so I imagine a detailed legislative history is being sent to all surrogates as I type. At least, I hope so.

    I will say that Obama needs to get better surrogates all around, though. Though it’s also possible MSNBC dug this guy up without the Obama campaign being involved in vetting or preparing him.

  60. 60.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Great Moments In Stating The Obvious:

    Bill O’Reilly is a fucktard who should be clubbed to death with a heavy piece of mining equipment.

  61. 61.

    The Other Steve

    February 20, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    You know what worries me about Michael?

    George Bush just hit 19%

  62. 62.

    NonyNony

    February 20, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    I don’t know why people are getting on Michael’s case about this – he’s right. If you have surrogates or supporters who go on the teevee to speak about you, you should damn well have them briefed on a few obvious points. One of the big ones that Obama’s people should have plastered everywhere is his experience – because that’s where Clinton’s people are making their case. Having one of your boosters on the teevee – someone who is a politician and thus supposedly tuned in on politics – unable to name even one thing that you’ve worked towards (let alone accomplished) in your tenure in the Senate is actually embarrassing to those of us who like to consider more than who has the prettiest speeches and who has the nicest smile when we’re picking our candidates.

    Now, I’m voting for Obama – because I’ve done the research on his platforms and find them not bad. I also know off the top of my head that he co-sponsored government transparency legislation with Tom Coburn that he SHOULD be proud of – it’s the kind of “reach across the aisle on non-partisan issues” thing he talks about AND it’s a piece of good government legislation that those on the liberal side of the aisle generally approve of. I know that he’s been active working with Kenya to quell problems there (though I don’t know if there’s any actual legislation involved with that off the top of my head). I was also able to find, via Wikipedia, a short list of other things he’s worked on in the last 7 years – not to mention legislation he worked on while in the Illinois Senate that he can be proud of. But I am not one of his surrogates going on the teevee to help his campaign out – I’m just a loudmouth on the Interents.

    Michael has a valid point here – Obama’s campaign needs to tighten up a bit and start making sure his surrogates know things they should tout about him. The attacks from Clinton on “experience” are PALE in comparison to the way “Straight Talk” is going to flout the experience issue. Obama’s camp needs to be prepared, and Michael is right to be worried that they don’t seem to be taking this stuff as seriously as they need to.

  63. 63.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    George Bush just hit 19%

    Note to self: find a church, thank God for returning to Earth and re-instituting cause and effect before it was too late.

  64. 64.

    Daniel Munz

    February 20, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/11354/7731

  65. 65.

    4tehlulz

    February 20, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    The attacks from Clinton on “experience” are PALE in comparison to the way “Straight Talk” is going to flout the experience issue.

    His experience helped get us into Iraq and wants an excuse to Bomb Bomb Iran. I don’t think America can take much more experience.

    /response

  66. 66.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    His experience helped get us into Iraq and wants an excuse to Bomb Bomb Iran. I don’t think America can take much more experience.

    /response

    /argument!

  67. 67.

    Scotty

    February 20, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    How will this change the presidential candidates discussion about Iraq?

  68. 68.

    Hypatia

    February 20, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    Obama’s supporters aren’t a part of his campaign nor are they seeking the presidency. He and his team know what his accomplishments are. If THEY can’t answer those questions then we have a problem. But why should he be penalized because his supporters can’t answer questions?

    I agree. But Clinton has been penalized throughout this process by for dumb remarks made by her supporters. I see no reason for Obama not to be held to the same standard.

    Yeah, there she was, 16 years ago, trying to work on universal care in a really friendly political environment. Not like she was actually trying to accomplish something historic, progressive or radical.

    Absolutely right. Although it’s looking more and more as if it doesn’t matter, as she’s looking like toast.

    So what worries you about Obama is that he has some supporters who are morons

    A welcome concession!

  69. 69.

    Chris

    February 20, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    What kind of wine does one bring to a Lynch party?

  70. 70.

    The Other Steve

    February 20, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    I agree. But Clinton has been penalized throughout this process by for dumb remarks made by her supporters. I see no reason for Obama not to be held to the same standard.

    Mark Penn is a bit more than just a supporter. He’s chief strategist of this disaster.

  71. 71.

    Tom in Texas

    February 20, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    Dude is now sexist and ageist.

    Or not.

    (I bring this up as some tool blathers on MSNBC about it.

  72. 72.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    For those who haven’t see it today:

    Duty Calls

  73. 73.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    I agree. But Clinton has been penalized throughout this process by for dumb remarks made by her supporters. I see no reason for Obama not to be held to the same standard.

    I would agree, if she had actually been penalized for that outrageous stuff her supporters have said.

  74. 74.

    Ninerdave

    February 20, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    George Bush just hit 19%

    There’s a very good reason for that.

    “It must be very strange to be President Bush. A man of extraordinary vision and brilliance approaching to genius, he can’t get anyone to notice. He is like a great painter or musician who is ahead of his time, and who unveils one masterpiece after another to a reception that, when not bored, is hostile.”

  75. 75.

    bartkid

    February 20, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    >can’t name a single legislative accomplishment
    1. Until Jan 2007, Republicans ran the senate, name any Democratic legislative accomplishment in 2005-2006.
    2. Not voting for the Iraq War is a good accomplishment.

  76. 76.

    The Other Steve

    February 20, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    For those who haven’t see it today:

    Duty Calls

    I’m printing that and framing it!

  77. 77.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    For those who haven’t see it today:

    Duty Calls

    I saw that this morning, and immediately became embarrassed for my pathetic and exhaustive attempts to affect Sojourner yesterday. Like trying to explain something to a chimpanzee in a flightsuit.

    Comic had perfect timing. I’m now trying to abstain from arguing directly with people whose vocal capacity overpowers their neural capacity.

  78. 78.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    I’m printing that and framing it!

    By 9:30 this morning every guy in my office had it printed and taped to his door.

  79. 79.

    Dennis - SGMM

    February 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    I agree. But Clinton has been penalized throughout this process by for dumb remarks made by her supporters. I see no reason for Obama not to be held to the same standard.

    Machinists Union President Tom Buffenbarger, introducing Clinton last night:

    Give me a break! I’ve got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won’t last a round against the Republican attack machine. He’s a poet, not a fighter.

    Clinton’s campaign has made no attempt to distance itself from the above remarks.

  80. 80.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    I would agree, if she had actually been penalized for that outrageous stuff her supporters have said.

    She did get penalized. Rational voters tuned her out and then could hear nothing but Obama’s policies and the new, low, low prices on kilos of Pony Dust.

  81. 81.

    TheFountainHead

    February 20, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    She did get penalized. Rational voters tuned her out and then could hear nothing but Obama’s policies and the new, low, low prices on kilos of Pony Dust.

    Fair enough, but the media and the rest of the thinking people in public positions haven’t dropped any penalties on her.

  82. 82.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    George Bush just hit 19%
    There’s a very good reason for that.

    Yes, people are getting a good look at a real leader in Barack Obama…

  83. 83.

    wasabi gasp

    February 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    What kind of wine does one bring to a Lynch party?

    Screw the wine, M-Fer, I want more iced tea.

  84. 84.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    I’m printing that and framing it!

    By 9:30 this morning every guy in my office had it printed and taped to his door.

    POTY, IMHO…

  85. 85.

    Jake

    February 20, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    George Bush just hit 19%

    But if you give him a sandwich he’ll get up, run a marathon and compose a symphony.

  86. 86.

    Dug Jay

    February 20, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Come on, folks. Obama is nothing more than an empty suit who can memorize words drafted by others and turn in a good dramatic reading. And according to the cover story in Newsweek, his wife is a pretty big bundle of repressed hate toward white folk.

  87. 87.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Screw the wine, M-Fer, I want more iced tea.

    no, no. The Lynch Party comes after the demand for mother-fucking iced tea. If mother-fucking iced tea is not produced immediately, then the lynch party is commenced.

    Obviously, you need to watch more O’Reilly; your knowledge of Mother-fucking Black Culture is weak.

  88. 88.

    Ben

    February 20, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    This is not really directly on topic, but this has been grating me for a while and John touched on this last night:

    Every Clinton attack on Obama has been justified with the excuse that they are just “preparing” him for a slice of what the Republicans will be throwing at him should he win the nomination. But what does it tell you that little or nothing from the Obama campaign could be characterized as such?

    I’m hoping that in this election we’re seeing a repudiation of these tactics which twist political rhetoric, and obfuscate the truth. We’re watching that play on on the Democratic side, and I believe we already saw that same dynamic play out on the Republican side as well, as McCain was the least rhetorically-divisive candidate of the bunch. McCain has really pressed that envelope recently, though, and it would take a very concerted and deliberate effort on his part to rise to that level at which Obama naturally operates.

    Bottom line, I expect this election to be a huge blowout for Obama…Reagan-in-’84-type big.

  89. 89.

    The Other Steve

    February 20, 2008 at 3:15 pm

    Come on, folks. Obama is nothing more than an empty suit who can memorize words drafted by others and turn in a good dramatic reading. And according to the cover story in Newsweek, his wife is a pretty big bundle of repressed hate toward white folk.

    Are you sure you aren’t talking about Yawn McCain?

  90. 90.

    NonyNony

    February 20, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    4tehlulz Says:

    The attacks from Clinton on “experience” are PALE in comparison to the way “Straight Talk” is going to flout the experience issue.

    His experience helped get us into Iraq and wants an excuse to Bomb Bomb Iran. I don’t think America can take much more experience.

    /response

    Sure, he can make that response. And if the press lets it get any legs I’ll track down a magical pony and EAT it myself. They’re not going to brook that kind of talk from a young pup “slandering” their Straight Talking Maverick demi-God hero. Will Obama be able to “go negative” on “Straight Talk” without suffering a penalty for it? I dunno. I certainly hope so. ‘Cause he’s going to need to.

    But, in addition to “going negative”, he’s also going to need to have things to hold up to defuse the criticism that he’s all talk and no substance. And his supporters who go on the teevee need to be coached a little bit in how to respond to those kinds of accusations (which is what Matthews was doing, albeit a bit obliquely).

    That’s actually not much for the campaign to do – find where they’re being attacked, come up with defenses against it, and post them on their website. Encourage people who are going on the teevee to talk about Obama to download responses to talking points and read them over BEFORE going on the blathering heads shows. Just something small like that would help with situations like the one on Hardball.

  91. 91.

    srv

    February 20, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    I saw that this morning, and immediately became embarrassed for my pathetic and exhaustive attempts to affect Sojourner yesterday. Like trying to explain something to a chimpanzee in a flightsuit.

    Sojourner and xkcd are the same guy.

  92. 92.

    Golza

    February 20, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    … his wife is a pretty big bundle of repressed hate toward white folk.

    Why? What’d they do?

  93. 93.

    borehole

    February 20, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Golza, the same could be said of pasty ol’ me and many of my caucasian friends. Although I wouldn’t say we’re all that repressed about it.

    Don’t get me wrong; I love white people, but I haaaate crackers.

  94. 94.

    Tom in Texas

    February 20, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Will Obama be able to “go negative” on “Straight Talk” without suffering a penalty for it? I dunno. I certainly hope so. ‘Cause he’s going to need to.

    He has.

  95. 95.

    Buck

    February 20, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    I don’t know why people are getting on Michael’s case about this

    You must be new around here. Michael can’t put up a simple R.I.P. post without getting fucked with.

    I am sure he is used to it by now.

  96. 96.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 20, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Sojourner and xkcd are the same guy.

    But… but… but… I LURV XKCD!!!

    You mean… Soj… and X… so I… and… but…

    /cognitive dissonance/
    /brain halt/
    /drool/

    buhhhhhhhhhhh…

  97. 97.

    DougJ

    February 20, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    That’s what great about primaries, they’re a dry run. Let’s hope we don’t see this in the general.

  98. 98.

    Billy K

    February 20, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    As this thread dies, I just want to say one thing I don’t remember being mentioned – thank God for Olbermann being the voice of sanity to at least attempt to neutralize Tweety’s idiocy.

  99. 99.

    Libby Spencer

    February 20, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    Thanks for the link Zifnab. I needed it for a post.

    I think the incident said a lot more about Tweety’s massive ego than it did about Obama’s accomplishments. Who hasn’t blanked out when asked a stupid and inappropriate question? I hear the O supporters flooded the YouTube with a list in the comments.

    Our political discourse would be instantly a lot less stupid if they fired that idiot Matthews.

  100. 100.

    doubter4444

    February 20, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    Does not voting for the war count for an anything?

  101. 101.

    Libby Spencer

    February 20, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Thank you too Jeff E for Hilzoy’s link.

    By the way, I don’t think the campaign gets to choose who gets on TV for something like this. Matthews gets to pick his own victims. Or at least the producers do.

  102. 102.

    peach flavored shampoo

    February 20, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    George Bush just hit 19%

    Blood alcohol level, right?

  103. 103.

    Rick Taylor

    February 20, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    Could most voters answer a question like that coherently about their candidate? Could Hillary’s? Or McCain’s?

    As far as your average right winger is concerned, McCain’s major accomplishments are pushing amnesty for illegal aliens, passing awful campaign finance reform, and being a wimp about waterboarding. I don’t they could do any better.

  104. 104.

    Cyrus

    February 20, 2008 at 5:27 pm

    Dug Jay Says:
    Come on, folks. Obama is nothing more than an empty suit who can memorize words drafted by others and turn in a good dramatic reading. And according to the cover story in Newsweek, his wife is a pretty big bundle of repressed hate toward white folk.

    That’s not what I heard. I heard she hated Americans. You aren’t saying that only white people can be American, can you?

  105. 105.

    t4toby

    February 20, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    I just wrote about this subject this morning:

    Why don’t y’all come by and sit a spell?

  106. 106.

    bartkid

    February 20, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    >For those who haven’t see it today:
    >Duty Calls

    >>SOMEONE IS WRONG ON THE INTERNET.

    Man, everyone on the internet is wrong (‘cept humble ‘lil me).

  107. 107.

    Grand Moff Texan

    February 20, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    Kirk Watson is a stuffed shirt. Nice guy, but he’s not what you’d call a thinker.

    He made Austin look dumb. No more camera for him.
    .

  108. 108.

    Ken

    February 20, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    you have learned nothing from the Obama movement.

    We don’t give a rats ass what Mathews says. We don’t give a rats ass what the blogoshere says.

    We think for ourselves.

    Try it.

  109. 109.

    Mike

    February 20, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    Watson’s response is here. I don’t think it’s possible to be any more gracious than that.

  110. 110.

    tom.a

    February 20, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    The only up-side of this guy so utterly failing to prepare for an interview on national TV is that I’m certain every Obama supporter now will do his or her homework before hand. I did think it was a fair question but an unfair attack by Matthews, the guy was obviously flustered and once embarrassed could barely get a word out of his mouth, still, no excuse, he should have been prepared and or at least had a better understanding of some of the issues Barack supports both now and in his Senate record.

  111. 111.

    Steve M

    February 20, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    Mike Says:

    Watson’s response is here. I don’t think it’s possible to be any more gracious than that.

    Yeah, I give Watson credit. He basically admits he’s an idiot, and that he should have known better. He screwed up, but kudos to Watson for laughing about and saying, ‘here is what I SHOULD have said!’

  112. 112.

    Birdzilla

    February 21, 2008 at 12:24 am

    I dont trust obama he is too liberal

  113. 113.

    rachel

    February 21, 2008 at 1:09 am

    Sigh. Birdzilla looks quite crestfallen without his caps.

  114. 114.

    jdogg333

    February 21, 2008 at 3:51 am

    I’d like to proudly announce one of my accomplishments:

    I learned how to count up TWELVE today.

    A little levity never hurts at such times!

    Not McCain ’08

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