Reacting to the choices of Sperling and Daley, this comment is one of the all-time greatest here at Balloon Juice:
For 2011, I have resolved to believe my lying eyes. It makes trying to figure out the Obama presidency so much easier. Then there is that saying about first impressions: again when it comes to Obama’s picks go with the first impression.
These two picks tell me that if Obama loses in 2012, he has set himself up nicely to waltz right over to a Wall Street job when his gig in the West Wing is up.
Because a former Senator and President probably didn’t have enough of a resume to get in with Wall Street. But now that he has picked Daley and Sperling, he’s a fucking lock. Not to mention the well known transition from President to stock broker that everyone in politics covets.
This is why hippies are occasionally punched on some blogs. Because it is so easy. And you deserve it.
MoonBatista
Too easy. And yet, they often wonder why.
de stijl
Obama does have exceptional Excel skills.
Not great with Access, but not too shabby.
burnspbesq
Obama to Goldman? Naah.
He’ll be President Gillibrand’s first Supreme Court nomination.
General Stuck
Primo prog nut pick in yer own back yard. You can find variations of this genius on any number of liberal blogs these days. It is golden that anyone would think that a former editor of the Harvard Law Review that used that pinnacle to go into community organizing and dodge rats and roaches for his trouble, would be primarily interested in working on Wall Street. Not to mention the Senator to Presnit route. But there you have it folks. Just good libs with legitimate complaints.
de stijl
@burnspbesq:
Why would President Gillibrand shit all her over base like that. I was promised ponies, dammit! All you “pragmatic” Gillbots can kiss my Progressive ass!
bobbyk
Yeah, I like the writing on this blog and I know you don’t give a fuck if I ever read it again-but you know what-go fuck yourself. I’ve been voting democratic all my life-I’ve never voted for a republican-ever. And I need to read this constant bull shit about how “hippies”(I guess I must be one you know since I’ve been voting for these dems all my life) are assholes for bitching about the very real policy failings of this administration? I’ve given well over $1000 to various different dems over the past 6 years but no more-fuck them. I will however open the check book for those dems that demonstrate real liberal values. Obama ain’t gettin any of it.
I’m wondering when Obama signs the legislation to set up the destruction of SS, if you’ll find the gumption to criticize that move?
agrippa
Not all liberals are above average
Chris Wolf
Amazing.
Like Mr. Obama has to worry about how he is going to provide for his family after he leaves office.
Dee Loralei
Whatever happened to the 2010 comment of the year? Wasn’t that supposed to be a new year thing after 2008 or 2009? The “I can see the moon from my house, so I should be an astronaut?” ( My badly remembered paraphrase.)
John Cole
@bobbyk: Lighten up, Francis.
If you can’t see the in-your-face humor of that comment, you need to spend less time commenting on blogs and more time unwedging the stick up your ass.
Left Coast Tom
You forgot “and they’re not actually hippies”. Let’s not give in to attempts to redefine reality, even those professed to come from the left.
Redshirt
I’m an old school Maine Republican Hippie – I punch myself often.
Omnes Omnibus
@bobbyk:
You know what? That is true of me as well, yet I can see just how out of touch with reality the comment Cole posted is. He wasn’t attacking someone for criticizing Obama; he was attacking someone for mindlessly criticizing Obama. That kind of crap is no different that the Islamo-Kenyan crap coming from the right.
If you have criticisms, good. You have every right to have them. You have every right to express them, but, my god, if they are as mindless as the one quoted above, you should be prepared to have people criticize your cognitive capacity.
Anya
John, I know real hippies, my parents are hippies. Firebaggers, are no hippies.
mk3872
I’m pretty sure that comment was snark
burnspbesq
@de stijl:
You win the weekend. Well done.
Bob Loblaw
Oh, he’ll work in the financial sector post-Presidency, it just won’t be for an existing firm. Or on Wall Street. That would be retarded.
On the other hand, the Obama Global Foundation will be headquartered in Chicago, and it will have an endowment of over a billion dollars within the first five years. And then he and Clinton will pettily snipe at each other in the press for the next two decades over who the more successful humanitarian really is, mostly Clinton’s doing to make up for his lesser presidency. Then Clinton will die, and Obama will probably go win a second Nobel peace prize for whatever, and he might even earn that one so that would be fun.
I don’t know what this Pat guy is smoking…
ronin122
That’s definitely a doozy of a moron’s thought there. I’d pick at it, but you did the job just fine.
LosGatosCA
It’s just plain funny. Everyone knows Obama has already been ______listed by Wall Street.
It’ part of the reversal of the reverse discrimination thingee.
phantomist
Harold Ford is not laughing.
Michael
Whooptie fucking shit. Nickels and dimes…
Alex S.
Obviously stoned, as a hippie. The weed factor is getting underestimated on the internet in general.
de stijl
@burnspbesq:
Everyone knows that Gillibrand will choose Greenwald for the SCOTUS. VP Grayson is also totally on board with that choice.
WarMunchkin
semi O/T – Why would anyone ever want to work for Wall Street?
RareSanity
@bobbyk:
That’ll show ’em!
(whispers to self)
“Lord, grant me the serenity…”
Jeffro
Didn’t Hillary’s financial disclosures (back in the 2008 primaries) show that Bill had cleared $100M in 5-6 years or so, just from speaking fees and what not?
(Not to mention having Bush Sr.’s ear/company/[rolodex] on a monthly basis)
I can just see Obama now, cold-calling 50-somethings about their retirement plans, or lack thereof…
General Stuck
I adore grand gestures in politics. It is an art form, especially the sweeping exits. Been known to try my hand at that a time or two. I’d give bobbyk an 7.5 for style, but he needs to work on the dismount some.
moe99
Look I remember being stoned back in the dark ages about 40 years ago when I was a college student. When I was stoned, I just didn’t care. Wish I wasn’t so damn law abiding these days. It would be nice to nod off in THC haze again. But then I’d be setting a bad example for the children!!
RareSanity
@WarMunchkin:
I’m gonna take a wild guess and say…piles of cash.
That, and if you are surrounded by douchebags, you can convince yourself that you’re normal, and not one yourself.
Gwangung
there were fools and morons in every group.
Back in my day, though, they made an effort to learn from the past.
Sigh.
de stijl
@moe99:
These are the new leads. These are the Glengarry leads. And to you they’re gold, and you don’t get them. Why? Because to give them to you would be throwing them away. They’re for closers.
Gus
Ah, the time honored practice of nut picking. No better way to make your point.
Hal
Meh. Sperling just doesn’t strike me as all that horrible. Look, if the name of Obama’s chief Econ adviser isn’t Doctor Paul Krugman, then some people will always be pissed.
The Dangerman
I’m guessing that Obama “retires” to a position where he can watch his daughters progress to becoming fine Doctors or Lawyers (given their genes, I want futures on their, um, futures). When it’s empty nest time, it’s back to Academia for him.
ruemara
I said my bit about the Daley pick in the open thread and I don’t care for the firebagger punchieness.but, that comment should be snark. if it isn’t, sweet crispy critter jebus on a hickory smoked cross, that’s a dumb comment.
Dr. Squid
@bobbyk: Great, more rank-pulling for Greatest Democrat Evah designation.
John W.
@Bob Loblaw:
No way Bill’s heart holds out that long. Although given the Cheney precedent, who knows. Maybe Futurama is more right than we could ever know.
Anyways, on topic, the likelihood of ever getting a POTUS appealing to the base in the first term is just highly unlikely (wants to ensure re-election, and that needs the middle). And getting a Congress in the second term the same side as the POTUS is unlikely (people tire of that party).
So basically, get ready for a lifetime of failed expectations, and I’m just talking about basic structural issues, not the general moral turpitude of politicians.
Ruckus
@John Cole:
I see that you get tired of the circle jerks as well.
more time unwedging the stick up your ass
Nicely turned phrase.
Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)
If only there were some succinct way of conveying that I am, in fact, laughing out loud.
Oh well, I am.
Redshirt
Seriously: Obama is a Great Man, and he’ll be doing awesome things after he’s President. Black Jimmy Carter and all.
Left Coast Tom
@Hal:
Truthfully, I’d rather Obama take economic adivce from economists rather than attorneys, and I’d rather he restrict his choice of economic advisors to those who foresaw the housing bubble before it crashed, not those who negotiated for repeal of Glass-Stegall, on the grounds that all others have failed to produce “reproducible results”, and therefore can’t claim to be part of any “science”, regardless of how “dismal” it should be.
Damnit, if “economists” claim to have a “science”, let them be accountable for the reproducibility (or desirability) of their “results”.
WarMunchkin
@RareSanity: I guess that’s my problem. For some strange reason, we’ve decided that inventing ways to poof money out of thin air through loopholes and high frequency trading software adds more in goods and services to the economy than industrial entrepreneurship.
I went to a top business school for a year before I transferred out because it was the only college I got in. The Goldman Sachs culture there was pervasive – people view joining that company as if it were a great act of public service, call people who used to work there “alumni” and talk about corporate social responsibility – while on the other hand they are wrecking the economy in ways they don’t or can’t imagine.
To me the saddest thing is that people with high IQs or good resumes are attracted to Wall Street in such overwhelming numbers. It’s tempting to just think that people will be assholes if given the choice, but I don’t know what to do to move the “talent” elsewhere.
DougJarvus Green-Ellis
@ruemara:
I don’t think it’s snark, it doesn’t have that sound to it.
AAA Bonds
Great straw man, dude, aces.
AAA Bonds
@General Stuck:
I hope you meant this to be as funny as it reads.
Davis X. Machina
The missing detail, the one that gives the full-throated version of this narrative I found in Steve Benen’s comments its charm, is the necessity of being a one-termer and of tanking the 2012 election, because by the end of a second term, at least one of the girls will be in college, and hey, you know, tuition bills… and by then the payoffs from the health insurance companies will all be too late.
Because little things like, oh, one’s place in history, weighed in the balance with filling out the old FAFSA….
Restrung
Daphne: I can’t take all this fighting!
Jay: Yo, you guys need to turn those frowns upside down. And I got just the thing for that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6cPSKLRR2A
freelancer
@Gus:
Speaking of “dur” comments, it’s not nutpicking, when you’re looking at your own blog. That you run. And write for. And participate in.
Mark S.
@de stijl:
That’s why Obama’s gotta win re-election. Coffee’s for two-termers.
Bob Loblaw
@AAA Bonds:
That’s not a straw man. Some fool did actually write that.
It is, however, ad hominem.
de stijl
@WarMunchkin:
Here’s my semi-snarky, semi-real response: When they watched American Psycho for the first time they got boners. A lot of shame, but they also liked it at the same time.
General Stuck
@freelancer:
After thinking about it some, I think you are right in both a technical sense and one of internet traditions.
RareSanity
@WarMunchkin:
You’re preaching to the choir. I’m an engineer, which means that I can actually make stuff, and I get shat upon by people like that daily.
Who knows, maybe in our lifetime, the worm will turn. Not bloody likely, but there’s always dreamin’, I’m a rock star in my dreams.
Dave
Haha, whatever, the White House is a branch of Chase bank.
de stijl
@Mark S.:
I thought second term was a set of steak knives.
JWL
Cole calculates in numbers: republicans plus pussycat democrats= fuck you I’m right.
Lest anyone forget: Eight years ago, he cheered on the Big Lie war.
But, hey, it’s his blog. If you don’t like it, go out and create one of your own.
hhex65
The problem is: every time I go to punch a conservative a hippie jumps in the way.
Choreography is the problem, in other words.
Anya
I am more upset/disappointed about President Obama granting an interview to Bill O’Reilly. I think it’s a waist of time. It’s not like he’ll change the minds of the angry old geezers who watch O’Reilly.
SFAW
Maybe I missed the explanation but: are they mutually exclusive?
kdaug
@Bob Loblaw: Yeah, that’s more along the lines of my thinking.
the farmer
@John Cole: Because a former Senator and President probably didn’t have enough of a resume to get in with Wall Street.
And there is, also too, this:
Business International Corporation
[—]
Brogue shoe hippies.
*
the farmer
Edit @#60: That last paragraph (In his book … a Gene McCarthy presidency.) should have been in blockquotes too.
*
freelancer
@General Stuck:
Funny, I wasn’t aware of that at all.
de stijl
@the farmer:
Imagine a brogue Birkenstock stomping on a human face – forever.
Omnes Omnibus
@freelancer: I, of course, was.
Citizen Alan
Speaking as someone whose made a lot of harsh comments about Obama in the last year or so, whoever posted that was an abject moron. Whatever one’s feelings about Daley and Sperling, the idea that he picked them because he wanted to get a job on Wall Street post-presidency is just … stupid.
Whatever he achieves in his time in office, Barack Obama will never want for money again. Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton all proved that an ex-presidency can become richer than Croesus by giving thirty minute speeches, and Obama’s post-presidential memoirs will be an international best-seller.
J. Michael Neal
@WarMunchkin:
My experience is that most people are motivated by exactly what RareSanity mention: big piles of cash. I was just about the only person in the room doing it because I’d fallen in love with it. I took a two semester sequence on the math of options and derivatives, and I was fascinated by it. I liked playing with the equations. So I took a job that was offered making markets in options.
It turned out that I also loved trading. It was a continuously interesting set of puzzles. It also comes with the benefit of knowing when you win or lose. It has the thrill of high stakes gambling. And it was interesting.
Since I was one of the few there that did it because I loved it, of course I was the one that it drove crazy, literally. Did I create any social value at that job? Probably not. I agree that we need to change things so that there is a lot less money in finance.
But, man, I loved that job.
Uloborus
@AAA Bonds:
Not only is that comment a quote – and thus not a straw man by definition – it’s not exactly unique. I’ve seen a number of other claims that this selection somehow means Obama sucks up to business, which this is obviously only a variation on.
I’ll do you the courtesy of assuming that you made the accusation because YOU wouldn’t make such a stupid argument. But it’s not a straw man. It’s an actual sarcastic jab at real arguments being made by paranoid conspiracy theorist morons. Nobody said you were one of them.
WarMunchkin
@RareSanity: I became a physicist myself. I’m not really sure how to move the bar other than to aggressively change the educational climate in which the country/world operates.
@de stijl: The thing is, sociopathy isn’t so obvious. Their recruiting practices heavily emphasize the idea of using finance for social engineering or reform or solving climate change or things like that, in addition to a layer of the Enron hypermasculinized parts. These guys believe they’re doing God’s work, and many of the elite people in government and policy know them and all agree they’re good people. The issue is how to break the monopoly of talent because in a sane world, we wouldn’t even be discussing the prospect of a political figure going to Wall Street because he or she had the resume for it.
kdaug
@WarMunchkin:
None of which make anything. I get what you’re saying, but which is more effective in “solving”” climate change – playing with derivatives, or designing a better wind turbine? Which is better for the third world – dealing CDOs, or developing new drugs?
Methinks the packaging is a means of rationalizing what is, at root, greed.
Mike in NC
I confess to voting against an incredibly corrupt Democrat congressman from Rhode Island when I lived there about 20 years ago. Forget the name, but anyway, the Republican was a lawyer, a Naval Academy graduate, and a GOPer. Normally that would be for me three strikes against him, but voters wanted to give him a chance. Fucker served one term — due to corruption charges!
WarMunchkin
@kdaug: I think I was agreeing with you.
eemom
doggone it. *I* was the one who FIRST recognized, and pointed out, that the stupidity of that comment was exceptional and far exceeded the mundane stupidity of the ordinary blog comment.
But does a girl ever get a h/t around here?? NO.
RareSanity
@WarMunchkin:
What’s funny is how Wall Street types always pull the, “We efficiently allocate capital” line.
They rival doctors for inflated, God complex.
General Stuck
@eemom:
Well, Cole did recognize your nomination for it being stupid in the original thread. i will give you a h/t though, fwiw. Which is not much on the open blog market.
kdaug
@WarMunchkin: You were, and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.
And I’ve no idea how to redirect the sociopaths, but it seems that there are a good portion of the “talented&gifted”(tm) to whom the argument could be made as I presented it – fucking make something.
kdaug
@RareSanity:
“…and as proof, look at the size of my bonus this year”.
Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)
@eemom:
Agreed. I see this post as essentially yours. I say John mails it to you and you can hang it behind your desk.
eemom
@Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel):
sure, go ahead and snark. Other visionaries before me have been mocked.
JGabriel
kdaug:
Right now, I suspect neither. From what I understand, it looks like cheaply producing and distributing existing medications for common third world diseases would be better than either of those options.
.
Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel)
@eemom:
I’m more snarking the medium here. I really do think the h/t goes to you.
dogwood
The Sperling/Daley outrage is just more “sound and fury” from those with no political sense. First of all, Sperling is definitely an improvement over Summers. And since when did a Chief of Staff appointment become the catalyst for outrage? While I’m sure we’re headed for 2 years of whining that Obama isn’t passing a new stimulus, or an aggressive energy bill, the fact is no significant legislation is going to get passed in the next two years. The Republicans are playing a dangerous game right now. They need to figure out how to tank the economy further in order to beat Obama without leaving a mess that they won’t be able to clean up. That isn’t going to be easy. Obama’s political goal is to live to fight another day. Like it or not, Wall Street is sitting on a lot of money right now, and if bringing Daley into the WH has any effect on loosening up that cash that’s ok with me. Banks and big corporations don’t just have money to lend and invest right now, they’ve got money to buy the next election thanks to Citizen United. The White House is going to have to make the case that the tea party isn’t a good investment. Or maybe the tea party congress will make the case for him. I wish this weren’t the case, but alas, I’m a realist.
the farmer
Probably (in a manner of speaking) a little of both. Since designing better wind turbines or building wind farms means knowing how to raise a lot of financing for such projects. Just ask former investment banker Jerome a Paris (DKos link):
*
Little Boots
farmer, that all sounds awesome. Now as RuPaul says, Don’t fuck it up.
the farmer
#83 above – edit: Again, everything following “Jerome a Paris (DKos link):” should have been in blockquotes. sigh.
*
Little Boots
In other words we both fucked it up.
amk
These nutjobs were never hippies. They are the racist bigots of blogging world hiding behind ‘progressive’ skirts. They never had Obama’s back and never will. I love it the Prez doesn’t give a nickel’s worth of attention to these nutsos.
And yes, he and his family will do great post-presidency much to the chagrin of these racist MF’ers from the so called left.
mak
Damn, a little exasperated off-hand snark gives birth to an entire thread of hippie punching? Somebody needs a nap.
the farmer
#86 Little Boots
Well I sure did. For some reason i fucked up the blockquote tags. And i can’t find a preview or an edit button anywhere anymore so…
In any case, the wind farm financing project belongs to Jerome a Paris (see link above).
*
Little Boots
Actually, napless, somewhat cranky John is sort of amusing. And it really was a delightfully mockable comment.
Andy K
@JWL:
Well how could we, since someone brings it up every two or three days.
Funny thing about people with brains: Sometimes they change. Hell, I’ll bet you’re capable of it, too. I expect that even you might grant Cole a pardon for the crimes of his misguided youth…when President Kucinich is inaugurated.
Uncle Clarence Thomas
.
.
@John Cole:
Your comment makes a lot of sense when you consider that there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Wall Street has captured the government of the United States, or put key personnel in positions of influence, and is regularly stymied by President Obama and his Administration’s fierce financial regulation.
.
.
NobodySpecial
See, I don’t mind this, because that comment is worthy of mocking. But I’d like some equal time.
Yes, because every single person who doesn’t like the choice of Bill Daley for whatever reason is really a Klanner in tie-dye.
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
See, the dumb works both ways.
lol
Lest anyone forget, four years ago, firebaggers were cheering on a Senator who, in fact, co-sponsored the resolution to invade Iraq.
I’m not sure if this pre-dates or post-dates John’s Come-To-Obama moment, but it’s certainly amusing that as he was getting more liberal, the Professional Left was sucking John Edwards’ cock like no tomorrow.
NobodySpecial
@lol: I know it’s hard to remember back then, but he WAS one of the first Dems to publicly go back on his Iraq vote…and if we can forgive Cole two votes, we can forgive Edwards one.
Also, he had that whole ‘Two Americas’ speech going, which was very exciting, as you get a lot of Dem-leaning voters who still believe at heart that both the Dems and the Reps are products of corporate capture. So it’s no surprise that New Deal type liberals would like that.
Pat
I think thou does protest too much! After all I’m only one opinion. However, I will continue to read your blog, and believe my lying eyes.
Just Some Fuckhead
Really, an anonymous commenter named Pat who know one even fucking knows is your rationale for ensuring there is always an internecine war on the left? You are one stupid motherfucker, John. I mean that. You are a fucking clown.
Draylon Hogg
I just read Matt Taibbi’s new un and as well as the stuff about letting the sunshine in and the dawning of the age of Aquarius there was quite a bit about Obama’s Administration being well, you know, just as much of a bunch of corporate whores as the last lot.
Plus, Barack will have been to that smoke filled room that Bill Hicks talked about and seen the film of Kennedy from the grassy knoll.
“Any questions Mister President?”
“Just what my agenda is”
Odie Hugh Manatee
@amk:
I’m a real pot smoking, hair to the waist (for over 40 years now!) hippy and while I have my disagreements with Obama I am no firebagging fuckwit. I support the president and plan on voting for him in 2012.
These fuckers are grasping at anything to bitch, moan and groan about Obama. Nothing is too small or inconsequential to these asshats, they exist to bitch and whine because that’s all they know how to do.
amk
@NobodySpecial: No. Not every one. Only fuckwits like you & pat who bitch & moan about friggin’ hippie punching whenever Obama sneezes.
Draylon Hogg
@99
What are you on about?
There’s that much to grab on to with Obama that you’d need a fucking HIAB.
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Draylon Hogg:
No, YOU need it, I’m doing just fine here. :)
Draylon Hogg
@Odin
I’m British mate I’ve got enough on dealing with Call-Me-Dave and the Tories desire to drag us back into an age of Victorian charity and his ridiculous Big Society idea which essentially boils down to Mickey-Rooneyism; let’s put the library on in the backyard.
Seriously though, read Taibbi if you haven’t already, the stuff about what the Obama Administration has done is interesting and flies in the face of all his campaign promises.
John Cole
@Just Some Fuckhead: JSF- Three Months ago: ‘What happened to this website? It used to be snarky and funny with people making fun of people saying stupid things’
JSF- tonight, after 8 bourbons- “YOU SINGLEHANDEDLY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNECINE WARFARE BECAUSE YOU MADE FUN OF SOMETHING STUPID SOMEONE SAID.”
TR
Yes, Obama is doing this so he can score a job on Wall Street.
Oh, hippies. You’re so sweetly naive.
General Stuck
@John Cole:
Now you leave fuckhead alone. He went for the brass ring in an epic powerplay to unseat Kain as BJ ombudsman and arbiter of proper discourse and snarkery – because he’s been here, like forever and a day with seniority and all that kind of important shit.
snarkypsice
@Citizen Alan:
Not to mention that he’s already rich from the first two books.
Cat Lady
@mak:
Assumes facts not in evidence.
Draylon Hogg
Whatever Obama’s good intentions he’s just another lawyer in a grey suit elected to make sure a bunch of corporations don’t pay too much tax. Never has the illusion of choice been so illusory.
Ash Can
@Draylon Hogg: Feeling left out, are we? Want our own FP post, do we?
AxelFoley
@bobbyk:
U mad?
burnspbesq
@kdaug:
” I get what you’re saying, but which is more effective in “solving”” climate change – playing with derivatives, or designing a better wind turbine?”
False dichotomy. Once you have your better wind turbine designed, you are going to need large piles of money to get into production, hire a sales force, etc. The same firms that play with derivatives are your link to that money.
Whispers
Tony Blair took a job working for JP Morgan.
Who’s the idiot here?
AxelFoley
@lol:
So Rielle liked to share with others?
Admiral_Komack
@John Cole:
What the hell.
Let him keep poking himself.
Admiral_Komack
@AxelFoley:
Somebody hurt his widdle feelings.
AAA Bonds
@Bob Loblaw:
Purposely attacking a poor defender of a position – in this case, the position that the Daley appointment reflects a problem with Wall Street and the White House – and treating the defender as representative is also a straw man argument. You don’t have to build your own straw man to attack one.
AAA Bonds
@Uloborus:
See above. You don’t have to manufacture a quote to attack a straw man.
I don’t really think that responders here are ignorant of logical argument; I think it’s just hard to defend Cole when he’s like “Look at this one guy make ludicrous claims that don’t reflect any of the substantial criticisms that have been offered! This is why the people who criticize the White House get attacked, and that’s okay!”
Chris G
@Whispers: JP Morgan.
Gus
@freelancer: Really? Perhaps I’m not aware of all internet traditions, but wtf difference does it make where the nut is picked? Is there a definition you can point to that will clarify your assertion?
MikeMc
I don’t understand the disappointment with Daley. When Obama’s term began they knew they would be attempting to pass some big things legislatively, so they wanted a COS with expertise in that area. That’s why Rahm was hired. In the latter half of the first term the White House is gearing for the re-election campaign and doing more things through the executive branch. With the loss of the house – I doubt they’ll be spending a great deal of time working with congress, so they wanted a COS with strong management skills. Someone to streamline and strengthen the inner-workings of the White House. Daley seems like a sensible choice.
When did the COS become such a flash point for controversy? I don’t remember conservatives up-in-arms over Bush’s choice of Andy Card. I haven’t the slightest idea of what Andy Card did before he was selected, but I doubt Bush chose him because he thought he could help him with a gig after it was over. Shit, I can’t remember who it was before Card! This is simply something for progressives to be pissed about during a time when there isn’t anything better to be pissed about. Their entire schtick is based on perpetual outrage.
BruceFromOhio
@de stijl:
Enough! Stop it! Just. Stop.
…. that’s like teasing a hungry pet with a big bowlful of yummy goodies….completely unfair….
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@eemom:
Hey, baby, I’ll give ya a hat tip… come here, you vixen!
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
Rahm was right: the hippies are retarded.
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@AAA Bonds:
talk ’bout straw man arguments. dude look in the mirror.
Cole never said, “people who criticize the WH”, no he said “hippies”. They’re not the same people.
First of all, “hippies” is a self description derived from “punching hippies”.
KThug criticizes the WH all the time, but I don’t know of anyone who considers him a hippie, even though he looks like on.
Rachel Maddow criticizes the WH all the time, and I don’t know of anyone who has called her a hippie.
Olbermann is a lunatic, who once said Hillary wanted to assassinate Obama, but even he’s not called a hippie.
No, hippies are the wackos who say obama is gonna slash social security during the state of the union address. Hippies are the ones who wanted to “kill the bill”. Hippies are the ones who want to primary the only socialist in congress for voting for HCR. Hippies are the ones who primaried Nancy Smash in 2008. Hippies are the ones who say repealing DADT was, quote, “a crumb”, “small potatoes”, and “a bone”. Hippies are the ones who want to blacklist anyone who ever worked for a bank or in the financial industry. Hippies are the ones who want to run Alan Grayson, a guy who lost by 22 points to the teabaggers, for President. Hippies are the ones who say Elena Kagen is unqualified for the bench because she has never been a judge (see, the hippies, for all the books, have never heard of Earl Warren). And it goes on, and on, and on.
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@AAA Bonds:
talk ’bout straw man arguments. dude look in the mirror.
Cole never said, “people who criticize the WH”, no he said “hippies”. They’re not the same people.
First of all, “hippies” is a whinny self description derived from “he’s punching hippies!”.
KThug criticizes the WH all the time, but I don’t know of anyone who considers him a hippie, even though he looks like one.
Rachel Maddow criticizes the WH all the time, and I don’t know of anyone who has called her a hippie.
Olbermann is a lunatic, who once said Hillary wanted to assassinate Obama, but even he’s not called a hippie.
No, hippies are the wackos who say obama is gonna slash social security during the state of the union address. Hippies are the ones who wanted to “kill the bill”. Hippies are the ones who want to primary the only socialhist in congress for voting for HCR. Hippies are the ones who primaried Nancy Smash in 2008 with cindy sheehan. Hippies are the ones who say repealing DADT was, quote, “a crumb”, “small potatoes”, and “a bone”. Hippies are the ones who want to blacklist anyone who ever worked for a bank or in the financial industry. Hippies are the ones who want to run Alan Grayson, a guy who lost by 22 points to the teabaggers, for President. Hippies are the ones who say Elena Kagen is unqualified for the bench because she has never been a judge (see, the hippies, for all the books, have never heard of Earl Warren). And it goes on, and on, and on.
delosgatos
@LosGatosCA:
Hey, I haz a Forbes Mill too!
Gus
@Mike Kay (Chief of Staff): Perhaps your rather lengthy and very specific definition should be appended every time a hippie is punched. ‘Cause otherwise the term is pretty broad and ill-defined.