tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post2654066805826151699..comments2024-03-26T05:22:08.256-04:00Comments on Frontloading HQ: Why Attack the Community Organizer?Josh Putnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301836432446874997noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-70453648043804730722008-09-05T00:24:00.000-04:002008-09-05T00:24:00.000-04:00I found Palin's tone incredibly offensive. She do...I found Palin's tone incredibly offensive. She doesn't have the political clout to be that snarky and condescending. I expected her to be charming, and to take some shots, but she was downright rude -- the contemptuous comments about community organizers, and then one line I haven't heard mentioned much today -- her reference to "after he's done parting the waters and healing the planet." That was a snarky, disrespectful attack that completely turned me off. I wonder how many other independents will be offended by her sarcasm, and how much she actually energized the left (see evidence of fundraising success today by obama). Time will tell. McCain was stiiiiifffff tonight.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12412563653284038793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-71376136893018433712008-09-04T15:40:00.000-04:002008-09-04T15:40:00.000-04:00I put this up on my Wisconsin blog today, fyi:http...I put this up on my Wisconsin blog today, fyi:<BR/>http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2008/09/bashing-obamas-work-as-community.htmlJames Rowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10203270946492159686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-70410035921206165812008-09-04T14:36:00.000-04:002008-09-04T14:36:00.000-04:00I missed that moment. But here's a short rundown ...I missed that moment. But here's a short rundown of what happened:<BR/><BR/><I>10:45 p.m. A pair of Code Pink activists just got to the very edge of the stage and were a moment away from apparently running on stage, right by the Kentucky slot on the floor next to a host of McCain's most senior staffers.<BR/><BR/>Secret Service men grabbed them at last minute and literally dragged them out.<BR/>--<A HREF="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/03/inside_the_convention_hall.html" REL="nofollow">Paul Kane</A></I><BR/><BR/>And here's <A HREF="http://www.codepink4peace.org/" REL="nofollow">Code Pink's</A> web page: They're women against the war.<BR/><BR/>Wow. How did they get in there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-45531333344177208322008-09-04T14:06:00.000-04:002008-09-04T14:06:00.000-04:00I saw the licking incident and loved it too! I don...I saw the licking incident and loved it too! I don't even have kids. <BR/><BR/>I thought the McCain appearance was handled poorly as well. Did anyone hear as to why the woman was dragged out? It looked like she was flashing the peace sign. I believe that you have to use both hands simultaneously, Nixon style, for it to be the victory sign.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379192575044761972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-82855055803799045892008-09-04T12:33:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:33:00.000-04:00Two other (and completely irrelevant, mind you) no...Two other (and completely irrelevant, mind you) notes from last night:<BR/><BR/>1) McCain's mother does not look 96. She must be in unbelievably good health. I have started factoring that in to my thinking about McCain on the subject.<BR/><BR/>2) In taking the "kids at the convention" torch from Obama's family, the GOP/Palins may have taken the cake last night. NBC's camera caught the youngest Palin daughter -- holding the baby after Dad had passed him off in order to stand and wave when Sarah recognized him -- smoothing the baby's hair with her hand. She then proceeded to lick her hand and continue smoothing his hair. For those of us with kids, it was an awesomely hilarious, yet human, moment. My wife, who walked in the room around that time asked, "I wonder who she's seen doing that?"<BR/><BR/><BR/>I didn't pay too much attention to McCain last night. I suppose I was trying to get over the fact that he was copying Obama's move from a week ago. That was an oddly handled moment. I had turned over to PBS to hear their panel's thoughts at that point, and Mark Shields kept pausing after every sentence and even said that he was anticipating something else happening.<BR/><BR/>...but it never came. I just thought that was odd. He came out to basically say, "Isn't she great?" and that was it. Why not just let her have the stage and not risk looking like a copycat by coming out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-81058531730115881342008-09-04T12:00:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:00:00.000-04:00Josh,That is a good response from Pouffe. I agree ...Josh,<BR/><BR/>That is a good response from Pouffe. I agree that any falling down by McCain or gaffe by Palin will exacerbate the situation, but he just looked last night like he was just not up to the job. It is the first time I had that impression. I thought Rudy's speech was a good one, but I had to laugh when he accused Obama of being part of the Chicago machine. I'm glad that his hands were pure in avoiding machine politics in NewYork.<BR/><BR/>The other thing that struck me last night was the sterling example of family values set by Judith Guiliani, Cindy McCain and Bristol Palin in a row together and Newt Gingrich nearby.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379192575044761972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-72724745315354229532008-09-04T11:30:00.000-04:002008-09-04T11:30:00.000-04:00Actually Rob, David Plouffe from the Obama campaig...Actually Rob, David Plouffe from the Obama campaign had this to say in an email that came into my inbox at 4:30 this morning*:<BR/><BR/><I>"Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin specifically mocked Barack's experience as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago more than two decades ago, where he worked with people who had lost jobs and been left behind when the local steel plants closed.<BR/><BR/>Let's clarify something for them right now.<BR/><BR/>Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies."</I><BR/><BR/>The short and sweet version, but he beat Biden to it.<BR/><BR/>...for now.<BR/><BR/>On the old thing: I haven't really talked to a whole lot of people about last night yet. However, after her introduction last week, I had several people who came to the same conclusion on the age discrepancy. I don't know. It doesn't bother me. And I don't think it is an issue unless 1) He pulls a Bob Dole and falls or something or 2) Her amateurism shows and exacerbates the perception that she may not be qualified to be second in command.<BR/><BR/><BR/>*For disclosure's sake, I get email from both campaigns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719252574677567989.post-72371653712674065772008-09-04T10:28:00.000-04:002008-09-04T10:28:00.000-04:00Josh,Good points. I don't think that Guiliani plan...Josh,<BR/><BR/>Good points. I don't think that Guiliani planned to attack the community organizer bit, but the crowd piked up on the line and he played the crowd. Palin obviously went after Obama on that point. I expect Biden to say something like the following (either in one of his stump speeches or in the debate): <BR/><BR/>"I don't know how it is in Wasilla, but in many cities and towns, large and small, citizens feel that local governments don't listen to them and they can't get the services they need. It's hard to fight city hall! Community organizers listen to the needs of citizens who are ignored by their mayors and councils and help them get what they need. Upon graduation Barack Obama passed up more financially rewarding options and went to Chicago to help give a voice to their citizens who were not being heard. If you feel like your city hall doesn't listen to you, amybe you could benefit from a community organizer."<BR/><BR/>I think she did well. Obviously she will be the attack dog, but will she have credibility outside the social conservatives in the Republican party? The moderates are realtively quiet (with some very notable exceptions), but that doesn't mean they are happpy about it. We will find out soon if she is appealing to moderates. I think there was sympathy for her and her family before the talk, but pushing her family, including her future son-in-law in everybody's face will get old real quick, particularily if she pushes parts of her social agenda. <BR/><BR/>Teen-age pregnancy is a serious problem in this country, and it seems to me that the Republicans are treating it rather cavalierly. GWB like JEC were going to have morally superior administrations. In my recollection it wasn't until the second GWB term when we heard "Well at least he isn't as bad Bill Clinton!" I stopped hearing even that after Alfredo Gonzalez. Already we are hearing "Well at least she's not having an abortion!" <BR/><BR/>One other observation to last night. I know that McCain is 72 years old, but it wasn't until I saw the ticket on the stage last night that he looked like an old man. Part of the problem was his inability to raise his arms, but it was very pronounced. I never got that impression when he made all those speeches with Cindy by his side. Was it just me or someone else notice it as well?Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379192575044761972noreply@blogger.com