You will have to bear with me today- I only got two hours sleep last night because of insomnia, so I am a bit crankier than usual today. At any rate, Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) is still a blithering idiot. Looking dumb while appearing on the same show as Larry King is quite an effort, but she was up too the task last night. The question asked of the roundtable was whether or not Obama had finally put the Rev. Wright issue to bed. Take it away, Rep. Lee:
KING: OK.
Congresswoman Lee, what do you think?
REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D), TEXAS, SUPPORTS CLINTON: Well, first of all, this is a tough position, but I think Democrats are focused on the prize. And that prize is winning in November. We have two great candidates. This is a troubling time.
But I want to applaud Senator Clinton, who really gets it. She understands that most of the Democratic primary voters from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to Indiana and on want to talk about the issues. And I commend her for the stand that she’s taken over the last 48 hours and begin to continue reaching out to voters in North Carolina and Indiana…
KING: But the question was…
JACKSON LEE: Well, I think…
KING: That wasn’t the question.
JACKSON LEE: Well, I think…
KING: The question was, do you think Obama put it away?
JACKSON LEE: Well, I think he responded as Senator Clinton responded, which is the voters want to talk about the issues.
KING: All right.
JACKSON LEE: And he addressed the question of his pastor. And that’s up to him to address that question.
I like what Senator Clinton is doing…
KING: OK. OK.
JACKSON LEE: …and that is getting out and working with the voters.
KING: I appreciate that. The question wasn’t about Hillary Clinton.
Jamal, do you think he put it away?
It was painful to watch, and that is saying something because you expect a certain level of pain when you watch Larry King.
You can say what you want about Hillary Clinton, but it is clear to me she is no dummy, so it really sucks to have people like Sheila Jackson Lee out there speaking for her, no matter how well intentioned Rep. Lee might be. That is one of the things I hate the most about current politics- it is so unrelenting and endless that you, by necessity, have all these people out there speaking for you, whose support you need so you can’t tell them to just shut up, and quality control is just bad. I feel bad for Hillary for this, and hell, I just feel bad for every candidate who has to run for office and has to deal with this sort of stupid.
4tehlulz
>>Larry King
You should feel bad for watching Larry King.
*
Creepy-
Jsut got back from a late lunch take-out expedition, and some congresscritter (minority woman, not sure who precisely) regurgitated the EXACT same spiel on NPR Talk of the Nation, like five minutes ago. If I didn’t know better and was paying closer attention, I could swear it was in regards to a question about Obama…
chopper
after the interview…
KING: Me and the producers are ordering chinese take out, congresswoman Lee. You want anything?
LEE: Yes, I really do think that Clinton is right about the gas tax holiday!
Dreggas
OMG I must be hallucinating because a big black woman just metamorphosed into a red Macaw…
smiley
In psychology it’s called extinction. One way to make an unwanted response go away is to stop reinforcing it. Maybe Rep. Lee was extinguishing King’s Obama’s-pastor-questions behavior. OK maybe not. But shouldn’t she and everyone else who asked those questions put that behavior on extinction?
Zifnab
Ye gods. Exhibit 154.29.A why Hillary shouldn’t be allowed to win the Democratic Primary. Do you really want to see surrogates like Lee up there trying to turn out the voters?
But, as a Houston native, I still keep coming back to it. Between Lee and DeLay we’ve had – hands down – some of the shittiest Congressional delegations coming out of this corner of the state.
Gentle Balloon Juicers, please take heed. Not all people from East Texas are this fucking retarded. Thank you.
myiq2xu
Let’s see, last night a Clinton supporter said Hillary wanted to talk about the issues. She tried to change the subject instead of talking about Rev. Wright.
So what are you pissed about John? If she would have said “No, Obama’s fucked, he can’t win” you would have your panties in a twist right now.
But she said “talk about the issues” so you have your panties in a twist anyway.
Clinton Derangement Syndrome
DrDave
With all due respect, no, that’s not what she did. What she did was ignore a direct question and then she regurgitated her inane talking points on a completely different subject.
Which makes Rep. Jackson Lee a puppet. Or an idiot. Or a bit of both.
Caidence (fmr. Chris)
You suck at memes.
“Did Obama put the issue away? *Yes* or *no*?”
Valid answer: “No, Obama still had a creepy pastor for 20 years.” — Cole would call her an asshole.
Valid answer: “Yes, Obama is done with Wright” — Cole would say she’s being a stand-up person.
Invalid answer: “I want to talk about my idol Hillary Clinton” — Cole says she’s rather stupid. Because she is if she can’t answer a simple question.
I’m sure you can’t tell, but your obsession was Clinton at this stage has disabled your smart-organ-thingy.
Bob In Pacifica
Funny, Larry King always puts me to sleep.
Hey, there are plenty of politicians who rehearse a line and go with it, whether it’s in response to anything. Remember the poor guy (an Obama supporter) from Texas who was asked about Obama’s legislative record and was left flat-footed? On a political scale, Rep. Lee is better. She had no answer to the question so she wouldn’t stray from the talking point she went in with.
Keith
That’s just what politics has become: stay on message regardless of what is asked. Reminiscent of Hannity coaching the Schiavo nurses on how to respond to Colmes and reminiscent of almost every single point/counterpoint with Strategist X vs. Strategist Y that dominates political news segments these days.
Sadly, there are people whose expertise (and entire careers) revolve around coaching people how to do exactly what SJL did, and they get paid SICK money to do it.
Billy K
Moran, he has toxic humors in his body. Lern 2 science!!!!
John Cole
Can someone explain to MYIQ I was actually DEFENDING Hillary.
cbear
Jeebus myiq, that’s just tiresome. The subject of the post was clear:
Do you actually disagree with that sentiment, bro?
cleek
no, don’t!
it’s fun to watch Cole Derangement Syndrome in action.
firebrand
There’s no point in arguing with myiq, John. The level of Obama Derangement Syndrome he has won’t let pesky things like facts or truth through to his brain.
rob!
Yep, that was Sheila Jackson Lee on NPR.
Her day planner must be filled with stuff like “Tuesday: Larry King–Be extra stupid today. Wednesday–NPR. Have assistant explain how phone works. Be even stupider on radio.”
nightjar
I didn’t see S.J. Lee on Larry King, but you haven’t lived till you watch the lovable dingbat Stephanie Tubbs-Jones express her support for Hillary.
Ted
Don’t bother. Like trying to explain special relativity to a retarded person.
PK
No, no one can explain anything to MyIqxxtzpq or whatever! Think about the time when you were in love with Bush. Love is blind, it cannot be reasoned with, you loose your senses and your brain.
Mxqpzzt knows you are against Hillary, therefore anything that comes out of your foul mouth is anti-Hillary, even the pro Hillary is anti Hillary!
Punchy
I’ve pontificated before on exactly what, and in what order, others would dig up on me if I ever ran for political office. They could surely find bimbos I nailed and never called back. They’d easily find my lone arrest in college. They could take a biopsy of my liver and make some very easy conclusions after seeing the sorry results. Probably dig up more dirt than a cemetary.
There’s no way I could pass The Stupid scrutiny. After all, our church once had a priest who was almost certainly gay….
libarbarian
From the Obamaveda (note. Maghavan – “giver of good things”.)
1. GREAT art thou, Obama; yea, America, with gladness, and the people confess to thee thine high dominion.
Thou in thy vigour having slaughtered Clinton didst free the hope arrested by the Hillary-Dragon.
2 America trembled at the birth of thine effulgence; Washington trembled at the fear of thy displeasure.
The stedfast mountains shook in agitation. The hope flowed, and barren spots were flooded.
3 Hurling his campaign with might he cleft the White House, while, putting forth his strength, he showed his vigour.
He slaughtered Clinton with his campaign, exulting. Their captor slain, forth flowed the hope-streams swiftly.
4 Thy Father, Barack Sr., esteemed himself a hero: most noble was the work of junior’s Maker,
His who begat the strong hope’s Lord who roareth, immovable like America from her foundation.
5 He who alone o’erthrows the world of politicians, Obama the peoples’ Senator, invoked of many-
Verily all rejoice in him, extolling the boons which Maghavan the candidate hath sent them.
6 All Soma juices are his own for ever, most gladdening draughts are ever his, the Mighty.
Thou ever wast the Treasure-Lord of treasures: Obama, thou lettest all folk share thy bounty.
7 Moreover, when thou first wast born, O Obama, thou struckest terror into all the politicians.
Thou, Maghavan, rentest with thy campaign the Hillary-Dragon who lay against the hope-floods of America.
8 The ever-slaying, bold and furious Obama, the bright hope’s Lord, infinite, mighty, and strong,
Who slayeth Clinton and acquireth the presidency, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous:
9 Alone renowned as Maghavan in elections, he frighteneth away assembled special interests.
He bringeth us the booty that he winneth may we, well-loved, continue in his friendship.
10 Renowned is he when campaigning and when slaying: ’tis he who winneth public office in the combat.
When Obama hardeneth his indignation all that is Democrat and all that is Republican fears him.
11 Obama hath won all voters, all delegates, all super-delegates! Maghavan, he who breaketh special-interests into pieces;
Most manly with these men of his who help him, dealing out wealth and gathering the treasure.
Why did I post this nonsense? Because I can.
* All references to slaughtering, slaying, etc. are, of course, metaphorical. :)
wobbly
A Hillary surrogate totally deflects the question away from the whole “distraction” of Reverend Wright and you Obama fans are calling her an “idiot”.
Huh?
She equates her candidate’s response to his, says they would BOTH like to get back to the issues.
Seems like a high road response to a LOW road question.
I guess she really needed to say:
“Oh,yes,Larry,yes,yes,yes…Obama’a awesomely eloquent speech laid the Wright issue to rest forever and ever.”
Which would have been REALLY idiotic, because HOURS after the awesome speech, Larry King is bringing Wright up again…
If the awesome HE had laid it to rest, Larry King would NOT be asking the question a news cycle later.
Just stating the obvious.
Idiotic
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR HILLARY!!
Scrutinizer
That was very—interesting, libarbarbarbarian.
Doug H. (Fausto no more)
No YouTube from the office. What did she do?
She could’ve answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but instead went straight to the talking points despite being pressed for a Y/N answer. That is, well, rather vapid at the least.
w vincentz
Wow! I just saw hubby Bill point his finger multiple times and declare with the straightest of faces that Hillary is the ONE that’s run a “clean” campaign.
WOW!
libarbarian
Obama takes on Gas-Tax nonsense in new ad
This is exactly why I like him. Instead of arguing how this pander makes tactical sense for currying favor with stupid voters, he challenges the premise and open shouts “Shenanigans!” and takes em head on.
I hope it works.
drunken hausfrau
I hate her with a blinding passion.
Just seeing a small clip of her on O’Lielly is enough to make me ill. Someone please bring up MONICA/WHITEWATER/VINCE FOSTER… Paula Jones, anything to remind people about the muck that she brings with her…
and the Republicans will absolutely bring it up if she is the nominee!
ThymeZone
Not exactly a surprise that Bill has long ago learned to tell very big lies at very high levels, with a straight face.
nightjar
Just being her lovable dingbat self. I like ST Jones, she reminds me of one my wacky aunts. You have to watch it.
Keith
Bill’s finger and the word “clean” have no business in the same sentence.
Dennis - SGMM
Bill was unafraid to lie to his supporters back in the Nineties, why would he hesitate to lie to Hillary’s supporters now?
Dreggas
Well that depends, was there a cigar in his hand?
D-Chance.
Now, don’t be mean to Sheila Jackson-Lee.
After all, she got NASA to move the Pathfinder over to where we planted the flag on Mars way back in the 60s…
John S.
Whoever that person is that successfully pulls off such a feat should be immediately enlisted as the official translator for a all people blinded by politics.
Their next task will be to explain to Bush that our ‘economic slowdown’ is really a ‘recession’.
chopper
if the woman wants to decry the lack of substance in politics, that makes sense. but she’s not, she’s answering a question about obama and wright with ‘you know, that’s a real interesting question. but you know what’s really interesting? hillary clinton!’
it just adds to the overall silliness of this whole thing. its dumb enough what with all this talk about wright, but then to have someone interjecting about ‘hey, remember hillary? isn’t she totally awesome?’ just makes it that much kookier.
Notorious P.A.T.
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Whoops, sorry, wrong decade.
Ted
I love it when he starts the finger-pointing and the sneering voice.
Anyway, Hillary’s campaign is about as clean as th mafia.
Bruce Moomaw
Sheila Jackson Lee was already infamous (thanks to “Esquire” magazine) as the woman who showed up at the Jet Propulsion laboratory right after the Pathfinder landed on Mars in 1997, and asked if it could photograph Neil Armstrong’s footprints. So, guess who’s on the House committee in charge of financing NASA?
Of course, I also remember Rep. Jesse Jackson’s Jr.’s appearance on “Jeopardy” in the late 1990s, at which he was asked who the leader of Yugoslavia was and replied “Mladovich Sladovich”. (Lest this thread turn too racist, it was during his campaign for US Senator from Oregon at the same time that Democratic Rep. Ron Wyden couldn’t find Bosnia on a map of Europe. He won the Senate race anyway.) Isn’t this reassuring?
libarbarian
I’m not fan of SJL but I think that you guys might be being too hard on her.
She was CLEARLY refusing – not missing but recognizing and deliberately refusing to accept – to jump on the “Obama-Wright Nonsense Express”. Her motives for doing so were not pure but I still think its a big step-up from the other option of descending into the tabloid muck.
Regardless of motive, if more politicians were willing to respond to stupid questions about non-issues with unrelated talking points, instead of answering them like they were important questions, these stupid so-called “scandals” would disappear much faster from prime-time.
nightjar
You mean Neal Armstrong didn’t walk on Mars? Then what was all that –“One small step for mankind and one giant leap for little green men” about.
Ted
That is ignorance on multiple levels. But if she’s that interested in it, I guess it can’t be all bad that she’s on that committee. Maybe she can be easily duped by NASA into slipping more money into their budget.
p.lukasiak
Well, I suppose you could say that she was staying “on message” insofar as the Clinton “message” is that they have nothing to say about the Wright controversy. So Jackson Lee did exactly what she should do when she’s acting as a “Clinton supporter” — she ignored the question entirely.
The real message from the Clinton campaign is that it thinks that Wright makes Obama unelectable — making a point of not saying that Obama “put Wright behind him” is how you send that message without actually saying anything.
Cole thinks Lee is stupid for not answering the question — but as Cadence pointed out, any actual answer from Lee would have sent the wrong message to idiots like Cole. Lee isn’t stupid, she’s smart, and she did the smart thing on King.
RepublicanVoter
Now he’s denounced his pastor, does this mean he can come out of the closet as a Moslem.
I hope so, I was having trouble believing in both at once.
nightjar
It’s vapid comments like this from Clintonites that every day makes it more right that I’m supporting Obama. In fact, it’s a wonderful realization that this campaign has set me free in ways I hadn’t expected. All through the nineties, with all the wingnut bullshit thrown at Bill Clinton, I was torn between defending his presidency while being angry and disappointed at his poor behaviour. Thank you pluk, and all the other Clintbots for lifting that conflict from my shoulders. The Clinton’s are flaming assholes and that’s all they are and have ever been. I know that now. Praise be and pass the fucking waffles.
Frank Jacobs
Something to consider about Rep. Jackson Lee’s answer/non-answer was pointed out by Neal Conan on today’s Talk Of The Nation segment on which she appeared: when one’s opponent is floundering (or at least, appears to be), the best political strategy is to stay out of their way. Seems like the Congresswoman was doing just that. Inelegantly, to be sure, and arguably ineffective in helping her candidate, but ultimately causing harm to neither Clinton nor Obama. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure why she was there, other than to give pretext to having both campaigns represented. She just seemed like a second-string bench warmer put out to field in a non-crucial game.
John Cole
I think the thing I am most tired of from P/ Lukasiak are the accusations of bad faith- “nothing she could have said would have been good enough for cole.”
How bout I was just commenting on her being an idiot, which she is. period. if she was refusing to jump on Obama, all she had to say was something as simple as ‘you know what, Larry, I don’t know if he has put it to bed, and really, I don’t think the voters care. Hillary Clinton is working to speak to middle class voters about the issues they care about…”””
But she didn’t. All she did was babble incoherently. Here I am, in a thread defending Hillary and all politicians, and yet I am under assault from jackholes like Lukasiak. DIAF.
Andrew
Et voila, Clinton supporters bring out the dirty voter supression tactics. Double super bonus: It’s from Cole’s favorite bloggers!
Andrew
I should be clear: the link is from Pandagon, not the voter supression.
priscianus jr
I know very little about Sheila Jackson Lee, except that she was very active in opposing the war in Iraq and used to always appear in press conferences with Dennis Kucinich in that effort. In light of that, I find it peculiar that she supports Hillary.
jj
It’s called a payoff.
I write this sitting just 5 blocks from the DNC here in sunny Washington, DC.
I personally know several politically well connected black women who are supporting Hillary in exchange for promised patronage positions in her government.
In the DC political economy, Obama is much more of an outsider than Clinton, and he won’t be bringing nearly as many of the usual coterie of DNC apparatchiks, flaks and 90s holdovers into his administration.
This puts people like Sheila Jackson Lee on the outs, if you get my drift.
Just one more reason he will get my vote in November. Even if I have to write it in.
Pug
How bout I was just commenting on her being an idiot, which she is. period.
I live in Houston where Lee is widely considered to be a joke. It isn’t necessarily where she stands on the issues, but her general demeanor. She’s just a talking points robot. I think she is compeletly incapable of formulating an answer to any question extemporaneously. She can’t do anything except repeat simple talking points. Very simple talking points. She’s not a deep thinker and it shows.