Obama: Rush and Beck Don't Represent Most Americans

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Obama: Rush and Beck Don't Represent Most Americans
Obama: 'Vitriol' Against Me A Product Of The Economy
Rachel Slajda | April 2, 2010, 9:28AM

In an interview with CBS that aired this morning, President Obama dismissed the current "vitriol" aimed at him, saying people get angry whenever the economy is bad.

"I've been spending time out and about listening to talk radio," said CBS' Harry Smith. "The kindest of terms you're sometimes referred to out in America is a 'socialist.' The worst of which I've heard you called is 'Nazi.' Are you aware the of the level of enmity that crosses the airwaves, that people have made part of their daily conversation about you?"

"Well, I think, when you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, it's pretty apparent, and it's troublesome," Obama said. "But, you know, keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out. It happens often when you've got an economy that's making people more anxious, but that's not the vast majority of Americans."

He went on to say that those Americans know he wants what's best for the country and is trying to do what's right, even if they disagree with his policies.

Read more: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/obama-vitriol-against-me.php?ref=fpb

[Stumbler]

1. You mean most Americans don't have multi-million dollar contracts to tell lies?

Really?!?

[HopeHoops]

2. Rush, Beckkk, and the rest of the wingnut shitheads are inciting violence.

I support free speech, but sedition isn't protected by the 1st Amendment.

[pundaint]

3. That may explain some of the President's actions - he's listening to Right Wing talk radio

Maybe he should try some progressive talk, because the President isn't representing most voting Americans with his Republican agenda.

[sasquuatch55]

5. One would be hard pressed to find a progressive, or liberal media outlet.

Over 90% controlled and owned by (Un)Right elitest, so you will never get honesty or truth!

[Uncle Joe]

6. I agree with your take on it and that of sasquuatch, so perhaps the President should turn to the

Internet for progressive/liberal points of view.

Even if Obama consciously discounts the hate filled messages of Limbaugh, Beck, the corporate pundits etc. and there is no substantive counter criticism taken in for serious consideration, his and for that matter, Congress's political center of gravity will be skewed to the right.

I believe this kind of non-representative distortion can only damage the Democratic Party and the nation as a whole.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

9. No, Harry Smith is listening to RW radio.

Read the article.

[pundaint]

10. when you're right, you're right

But now I'm back to not understanding why Obama is soooo republican.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

11. Yes, just because he hasn't destroyed capitalism, he's a Republican.

:eyes:

[Uncle Joe]

12. Harry Smith doesn't mention RW radio.

Harry Smith only mentions listening to talk radio.

Obama automatically assumes Smith is speaking of Limbaugh, but he also mentions Beck and Beck is a television personality.

So Smith is only citing and thus magnifying hate filled criticism without mentioning substantive LW criticism of policy, Smith then becomes part of the bubble distorting the President's political center of gravity.

By this short interchange Smith might as well be an agent for the hatemongers, for he promotes them as legitimate voice while ignoring criticism of policy from the left.

"I've been spending time out and about listening to talk radio," said CBS' Harry Smith. "The kindest of terms you're sometimes referred to out in America is a 'socialist.' The worst of which I've heard you called is 'Nazi.' Are you aware the of the level of enmity that crosses the airwaves, that people have made part of their daily conversation about you?"

"Well, I think, when you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, it's pretty apparent, and it's troublesome," Obama said. "But, you know, keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out. It happens often when you've got an economy that's making people more anxious, but that's not the vast majority of Americans."

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. Oh, please.

"The kindest of terms you're sometimes referred to out in America is a 'socialist.' The worst of which I've heard you called is 'Nazi.' Are you aware the of the level of enmity that crosses the airwaves, that people have made part of their daily conversation about you?"

This clearly refers to RW radio. I don't even listen to Limbaugh, Beck or any of their ilk, and I know that's what they say on their shows. And Glenn Beck had a radio show for much longer than he has had a TV show. Just because Smith didn't add "and TV" doesn't mean it wasn't implied.

So Smith is only citing and thus magnifying hate filled criticism without mentioning substantive LW criticism of policy, Smith then becomes part of the bubble distorting the President's political center of gravity.

Do you honestly think Obama isn't aware of LW criticism of him? He's mentioned their critiques before.

[Uncle Joe]

15. My point is, Harry Smith frames it in such a way as to give it mainstream credibility.

He knew Obama would think of it as RW however by not describing it as "RW", "Conservative" or "hate mongers" Smith added to it's legitimacy, "talk radio" in and of itself is a neutral term, especially if you're politically naive or one of those people getting your information from talk radio or Beck's ilk.

Do you honestly believe, if this had been a Republican President, Smith wouldn't have used the "liberal" adjective in describing his critics?

It's not a question of whether Obama is aware of LW criticism or not, it's a question of the volume and quality of criticism presented to the President by the corporate media and from his own advisers.

The corporate media has an inherent conflict of interest, what's good for the American People or nation as a whole is not necessarily good for the corporate media and that includes Harry Smith's corporate owners.

HCR is just one example, universal health coverage for every American from the cradle to the grave based on a progressive tax would eliminate a cash flow stream to the corporate media from "health" insurance corporations' blood money profits via selling commercials and advertising.

The private for profit "health" insurance industry is a redundant, immoral, dysfunctional, illogical, inefficient system, but the corporate media would rather ring those "Nazis" and "Socialists" Pavlovian bell words.

[wisteria]

4. He is correct, but their message is carried loud and clear over all are airwaves and cable news. n/t

[Rage Inc.]

7. Well, DUHHH!!!

[and-justice-for-all]

8. SO TRUE!! nt

[shanti]

14. damn right.

tell it, o.