Chris Matthews Show: Is Obama Inexperienced Or Un-American?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

VIDEO @ the URL below:

Chris Matthews Show: Is Obama Inexperienced Or Un-American?

By: Nicole Belle on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at 6:30 AM - PDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/05/25/chris-matthews-show-is-obama-inexperienced-or-un-american/



Argh. Want to know who is enjoying the primary race more than anyone? The corporate media, who, I think it’s safe to say, want to control democracy by framing the debate. Need proof? Look at this “Meter Question” from The Chris Matthews Show. After repeating how the electorate is stubbornly and willfully ignorant of Barack Obama’s background (Is he a *gasp* Muslim? What a shame he had to disavow his pastor, because the fact he calls himself a Christian doesn’t really count.), the question that Chris Matthews poses his panel of “experts” is will Barack Obama be viewed in November as “inexperienced” or “un-American.”

MATTHEWS: David, you don’t agree, you think the un-American thing could be a lethal problem.

BROOKS: Specifically, what I mean by that is, ‘is he like me? Does he get what I get?’ And that’s a question of resilience. Why doesn’t he talk about fighting? Has he suffered? Has he struggled the way I’ve suffered? This guy seems to have led a charmed life, why do I think he understands me? And I think that’s Hillary’s strength.

MATTHEWS: I agree with you, that’s a fair thing to ask. Is he one of us in the broadest sense?

Excuse me? So by virtue of a foreign name, it’s alright to question whether you’re un-American. Great. Hang it up, Yuichi. Fuggedaboutit, Consuela. Don’t even think about it, Salim. According to Tweety and Bobo Brooks, your name disqualifies you from running for the presidency.

And don’t you love Brooks’ characterization that Obama has led a charmed life? A man born of a mixed-race marriage at a time when it was illegal in some states, abandoned by his father and raised by his grandparents and getting to Harvard on scholarship. Nah, he doesn’t understand struggle at all. And I’m curious, would this have been a fair thing for Bobo to ask of George W. Bush, the legacy admittance to Yale who didn’t even bother to show up for his National Guard duty to help his father run for Senate? Or are the struggles that he’s gone through too obvious for comment?

Oh yeah, they asked a question about McCain that wasn’t exactly the news his campaign wants to hear. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Well it's not like we thought merely beating Clinton would put an end....

to the dogwhistling.

[flor de jasmim]

2. It sounds as though Brooks' problem is that Obama didn't run as a VICTIM

[VotesForWomen]

31. you mean playing the race card every other minute is running as a victim?

[rebel with a cause]

42. He didn't play the race card

Hillary played it against him while she played the gender card for her. Remember she is the "white man's" candidate because she said so. The AA voters turned against her because of what she and Bill have said, not because of anything that Barack has said.

[OzarkDem]

3. Inexperienced, very much so

and too arrogant to admit it.

Everyone has worked with someone like Obama - arrogant, inexperienced, willing to kiss arse and step on anyone to get ahead and dependent on those he steps on to actually get the work done.

Most people don't relate to it.

[Dinger]

5. Word : )

Everybody's all comfy, FOR NOW. Just wait.

[Doityourself]

9. Yawn..bitter batch

[justinaforjustice]

21. 'What's Your Factual Basis for These Charges?

How long did you work with Obama to come up with these impressions about his character? Alternatively, how many people did you interview who went to college or law school with Obama, who worked with Obama in community organizations or in the Illinois legislature, or who currently work with him in the Senate?

I expect you have zero facts to back up these allegations, and are only projecting your own insecurities. Did some smart guy beat you out for a job?

[mitchum]

27. Why don't you just call him an "uppity nigger" and get it over with?

[JoFerret]

32. Seems like you are cheerfully doing it already

why put words in people's mouths?Do you enjoy mouthing those "forbidden words"? Are you ten years old?

Why project your fears and fantasies on those who may actually have a quite different point of view. There are always more than two sides. even to a very thin coin.

[mitchum]

37. Since you love to traffic in cliches...

I'm surprised that you left out the notion that "very thin coin" has 360 sides

Oh...thank you for the free long distance analysis, Dr Frist

[JoFerret]

47. Better than trafficking

in baseless racist imaginings.

[cottonseed]

28. I've worked with people like that and they always seem to win.

Just quicker, more motivated, and more self confident. They don't think anything is owned to them. They go out and earn it.

That's what Obama did. You've probably noticed.

[Drunken Irishman]

33. haha, you're actually calling Obama arrogant?

And yet the person behind your avatar could rival Bush in arrogance? You really have the audacity to say Obama is arrogant when your own candidate has been walking through this whole goddamn primary as if it was her RIGHT to win the nomination? The same arrogant SOB who said this thing would be over on February 5th?

Let's talk about doing anything to get ahead.

It wasn't Obama who voted for the Iraq War, expecting it to help his presidential ambitions.

It wasn't Obama who walked through all of 2007 as if he were the nominee, even though a vote wasn't cast.

It wasn't Obama who took every damn gaffe Clinton made and ran with it.

Obama isn't the arrogant one, it's the person who thought she had this thing wrapped up when she joined the race in January of 2007. Of course, you'll bame Obama because your candidate is a horrible campaigner.

[Dr.Phool]

4. Mathews and Brooks?

Assholes or Idiots?

[Kierkegaard]

6. I'd have to say "Both." n/t

[kwenu]

7. Neither. He has more experience than Bush did when he was "(s)elected."

If it wasn't a serious point against Bush why try to make it an issue now. I've yet to see any evidence that Obama is any less patriotic than the rest of us. Where's your flagpin?

[MADem]

15. A few reasons.

That was a pre-Nahn Wun Wun mindset. The "CEO" attitude sold.

The GOP establishment was behind him.

And most importantly...CHENEY. That bastard was viewed as his experience ticket.

[kwenu]

16. I appreciate your point but I'm not on board that that distinguishes it.

We all know about the "gravitas" comments but there wasn't an attempt to portray that as a disqualifying issue. Every presidential nominee wants to put someone on their ticket that is seen to allow them to reach groups that the nominee hasn't been able to capture. I don't see anything and I do mean ANYTHING, even post-911 that tells me that that dynamic is any different for Obama and McCain as it has been for every other presidential nominee of either party.

[MADem]

17. You don't smell the "new cold war" in the air? It's been brewing for months.

Pooty Poot staying in the saddle, with a puppet at the front, just like in the bad old days? Rumblings of trouble with our Russkie pals? It's getting worse by the day.

Hell, quite recently, the Russkies threatened to ban the new Indiana Jones movie, because it insults them, so they say, by mischaracterizing the Cold War era and their role during that time. They resent being portrayed as villains.

The theme of this general election could very well be NATIONAL SECURITY. Obama loses on that score. That's why so many shop Nunn as his running mate, to bolster him in that area. But all that's needed is some shit hitting the fan, and the American voting public will run for the perceived safety of the mean bastard in the Reagan mold. And that isn't Obama.

[kwenu]

23. Actually, the focus is on China and has been since the late 90s.

Russia is just a warmed over modern day France on steroids still struggling to regain their former prestige.

What is your argument that McCain is superior on national security and Obama is somehow inferior? Obama has made it clear that we are not going to continue to walk around anymore acting as if our shit doesn't stink just because we're America. He intends to engage and do it in a manner that focuses on the problems. In other words, we're not going to make it up as we go along and invade an Iraq when the problem lies elsewhere. And we're going to return to the ideals of international law that won't allow us to invade on a whim. McCain has made it clear that he intends to maintain the status quo of the Dubya Administration that departed from all other prior administrations and was especially at odds with his own father's administration. Now that's the cold hard reality.

Please don't bring me some silly he's a war hero and so old he farts dust justification because I'm not the one you want to engage on that level. Age is supposed to impart wisdom but it clearly doesn't always. We've already seen McCain's Armed Services Committee "experience" in play when he was in Iraq trying to impress us but needed Lieberman to remind him of the basic facts of who's who. Bring me facts and common sense or keep it moving.

[MADem]

38. My argument is NOT that "McCain is superior on national security." He ISN'T.

He is PERCEIVED as being superior. And perception very often is reality. You can't wish that away. Polls bear it out, again and again. No shooting the messenger permitted.

I ask you to not tell me what you THINK I think without having the courtesy to ASK me first. It doesn't aid in discussion.

Ronald Reagan was an addled old movie actor who had a love of politics predating Bedtime for Bonzo. He was a New Deal Democrat back then, too. He actually wasn't a toughie who stood up to the "Dark Forces" and gave them "what for." He was a guy who GOT LUCKY, because the system in opposition to ours was crashing down under its own weight as he rolled into the White House. And as the shit hit the fan over the pond, he got--and took--the credit. For doing nothing but "being there."

But that isn't how he was PERCEIVED. See? He was perceived as being the architect of the end of the Cold War. He saw a wall about to fall, and he cleverly, artfully, and with brilliant timing, said "Tear down these walls."

He had what long-time actors develop as almost second nature: great timing. He also knew how to take credit for things that were going to happen anyway.

But beyond that, he was just a lucky schmuck with hennaed (not dyed) hair.

Don't "misunderestimate" Russia. They need oil, too. And they're RIGHT NEXT DOOR to Iran. A hop over the Caspian, and Bob's Yer Uncle.

[kwenu]

45. So what do you think the answer is then to McCain? How should Obama address the perceptions?

[MADem]

48. Well, he needs to start talking about a viable national security strategy

And that includes an economic recovery strategy and an energy component--something a little better than just nukes and clean coal, too.

He needs to stop saying that he'll meet with people who are not his equal (as an example, and FWIW, the "President" of Iran has less power than Condi Rice does on a day to day basis)--it just makes him look stupid and sort of clueless about how things work over there. Saying you'll talk to assholes isn't helpful--he's better off strengthening ties with our FRIENDS, the ones who have felt the strain of being associated with us because we're such shitheads under BushCo. If we can repair our image with our FRIENDS, we can have our FRIENDS do the initial negotiating on our behalf with some of these jerks and despots.

He needs to stop with the generalities and come up with a plan, with points, goals and timelines, for getting us the fuck out of Iraq (uhhhh...."In sixteen months...IF the generals say it's OK" is NOT a plan, IMO). He needs to talk in detail about employment in this country, growing businesses (business is NOT the enemy, it's where Americans work) and get specific IN HIS SPEECHES about this kind of stuff. Bullet items on websites don't cut it--and if he's saying it, it's not coming through. He needs to speak to the unemployed, the "under-employed," and those just barely making it. You can't eat HOPE, CHANGE doesn't do more than wash the clothes at the laundromat, and BELIEVE doesn't pay the light bill or fill the gas tank. He needs to start getting wonkishly specific.

He really needs to find himself a VP that is an antidote to those qualities that he has that people find, well, insufferable. The droning, didactic voice, the On High/Looking Down attitude--it is like fingernails on a blackboard to those who don't like KoolAid. He needs a "Down in the WEEDS" VP who talks TO people, not at them. Someone maybe rural and real, but known. I think Harry Reid is a great guy, myself, though the Mormon thing would probably screw him, and all the hyperlefties would HATE him because he's not sufficiently Birkenstock to suit them. So, maybe not him, but someone like him--and with executive experience, too.

In short, he needs to start acting Presidential. He isn't doing that now. And his supporters aren't helping him either--they're driving away hard core Dems with their angry and aggressive attitude. Don't shoot the messenger.

He should be able to pull it out if he can sell himself in that fashion, absent an OCT surprise of some sort. If an OCT surprise is scandalous, it would depend on the scandal. If it's a national security issue, then he would have a problem to overcome.

[GoesTo11]

8. Matthews followup: Is McCain more experienced or American

Alternative universe shows:

Is Obama more wise or unifying?

Is McCain more confused or corrupt?

[MADem]

10. Gee, I told you so. I predicted this a LONG time ago.

They shit on Clinton to get her gone, and they must think they've done the job BUT GOOD, and FOR GOOD.

Because now, they think, they're secure enough to start going after the EASY pickings. They coddled Obama along, they treated him with kid gloves, they soft-pedaled the rough stuff, and they enabled him in every way. He got lots of coverage, and most of it sympathetic, and good. That gravy train is now grinding to a halt.

This is just the beginning. Remember that TINGLE down Chris's leg? He'll be peeing down his leg, and at anything and everything that has to do with Obama twenty four - seven, if Clinton is shoved aside.

Because MSGOP, and the entire NBC family, to say nothing of ABC and CBS, they WANT to see President McCain in charge. And Obama is supremely vulnerable, on experience, on the stupid patriotism/unAmerican/Wright stuff, on his sleazy political ties, and they'll start using the crap they've dug up against him but GOOD once they think he's the locked-in nominee. And I'll bet there's plenty of dirt to use. The way his record was ripped off from other state senators to fluff up his resume is just one example.

Why is anyone surprised?

[MoonRiver]

11. That tingle Tweety feels every time he sees Obama

is his hard-on as he visualized a McCain presidency. :boring: how predictable this whole nomination fiasco has been. M$M picks our weakest candidate so they can propel the Repub into the White House. Nothing to see here, move along.

[PurityOfEssence]

29. Yes, you did.

Oddly, when checking DU out these days, many of the stalwarts seem absent. They aren't; they've simply lost much enthusiasm as we amble towards a choice of worse and worser.

They're going to hit him on patriotism, and they're going to hit him hard. Wright, Farrakhan, Michelle, Ayers, Auchi, Odinga, Hamas and who knows who else will be paraded endlessly with full-frontal conflation of their views with his. The lapel pin and the hand over the heart will be dredged up just to drag along the truly stupid, and it'll get ugly.

Being an appeaser, Obama will have to make more emphatic statements on subjects like Israel's sacrosanct right to do whatever it pleases, and his mealy-mouthed being "all things to all people" will backfire with nasty consequences as the direct contradictions are brought forth into the cruel light of day. They'll drag in religion, too, and he'll counter it with even more religioney religion, which will just make people like me gag.

Take heart, though: many nasty skeletons will be dragged out of McCain's closet, too, so it'll be a season of soft support and mutual malaise all around. He's got a chance of winning--even of winning substantially--but he's got a solid chance of bringing us a fine disaster, too.

America love the thrill of the new, but it REALLY LOVES the destruction of the famous, especially when there's been nothing but glowing positiveness for the person.

You called it. Others did, too, but it was calumny. Pointing out pitfalls to those who can walk on water and skip lightly on air is bad manners, you rotter.

[rebel with a cause]

44. So Barack is really, really bad in your mind

But he can admit when he makes a mistake and really apologizes for it.
But he has the courage to stand up for what he believes in.
But he doesn't stand in the back of a pick-up in a stadium as to appease the red neck crowd. (Oh, I am sorry, the white hard working americans.)
But he doesn't claim his wife's work experience for his own.
But he doesn't lie, get caught in the lies and then lie about lying.
But he doesn't.....well, he doesn't do a lot of things I have seen your canidate to.


you may want to look up some of the words used in Hillary and the repubs talking points, because they really don't mean what they say they do. They are just words that sound good to them.

[underpants]

12. They thought they could put him away with Rev. Wright

problem is that anything the MSM parrots is rejected by all sides in the general public. The MSM are the only ones who aren't aware of it.

[DemGa]

13. I missed the part about his 'foreign' name

Maybe someone could point it out - is it in the video?

[Barack_America]

14. Oh yes, Matthews and Brooks. Men "of the people".

Indeed.

Which one of them went to community college and the other not at all?

Which plants do they work at for their "day jobs"?


:eyes:

[TwilightGardener]

18. Obama's led a "charmed life"? Really. Huh. Did not know that.

[MoonRiver]

19. What, you didn't get the meme?

Not to worry. You will soon.

[FVZA_Colonel]

24. Hmm?

What meme?

[MoonRiver]

26. Should be arriving any day now!

:rofl:

[Cosmocat]

50. That is the ULTIMATE in republican framing ...

Obama has led, by the definition, THE american experience ... He had nothing and has been given nothing, and has worked his way to the top ... What the republicans SAY SHOULD be the american way, what the whine about nonstop about how democrats try to give handouts and all that other crape ...

And, SOMEHOW, this arseclown shrugs it off as "living a charmed life" ...

[KittyWampus]

20. Obama does NOT HAVE A FOREIGN NAME! Is it outside the ususal? Yes, somewhat.

[DFW]

22. What a waste of air time

David Brooks has to be one of THE most useless "commentators" I know
of, whether in print or on TV. I think he gets his hair cut by the
same guy that did the make-up for Revenge of the Nerds.

As for Matthews, he looks like he's in desperate need to make up an issue
and transform it into a world-shaking matter of concern because it's a slow
news day. My girls had "foreign" names when they went to school here in
Germany, even though they are German citizens, born and bred here, and no
one gave it a second thought. Occasionally, someone would ask "father English
or American?" and they'd say "yes," and that would be the end of it.

So his name isn't European. So what? Is a name like Tatanka Yotanka foreign?
I have news for Chris Matthews and David Brooks. Tatanka Yotanka is more
American than "Chris Matthews" or "David Brooks." Those are European (England)
names. Tatanka Yotanka is an American name. Translated into English, it
becomes "Sitting Bull."

[zulchzulu]

25. Answer: Obama is inexperienced at being un-American. n/t

[VotesForWomen]

30. I am shocked. Shocked, i tell you. time to wake up, Obamites.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

34. Fuck off with the name calling!

[indimuse]

36. lol!!!

thx!

[indimuse]

35. re: the MSM and "Framing The Debate", are you just figuring this out?

Hellllloooo...What GOD Giveth....GOD can TAKE AWAY! Just a matter of WHEN!

[Leopolds Ghost]

39. Did they Mention Hagee? Well?

:shrug:

[Leopolds Ghost]

40. Considering that Barack is also a Jewish name, what's foreign about it?

Fucking ignorant.

[rebel with a cause]

41. Who is this us he is suppose to look like?

A white man or woman I guess. Alright, all you African Americans and Latino's. Don't you vote any more because evidentially none of the candidates are going to look like you. You know that democracy is just for us whites anyway. We are still the members of the elite in the old USA, all we need is our fair complexions. :sarcasm: :banghead:

[JimGinPA]

43. Chris Matthews - Moron Or Gerbil Abuser?

:shrug:

[tledford]

46. God damn it, people, it is all more basic than that!!!!

When David Brooks asks "Is he like me?" it is with the full awareness that to a certain percentage of American voters the answer is "Hell, no, he's a n*****r!"

What these same people no longer realize is that they, by themselves, are no longer calling the shots! The country is more diverse and less prejudiced than it was forty or fifty years ago. (Once again, I feel the need to point out that this post comes from a 52-years-old white Southerner in NC.) We WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER with an incredibly important election, the election of a half-African American, and election which will forever alter the perception, both within and without our borders, of what America is and what it stands for. And it may very well be the last chance we have after 28 fucking years of Republican bullshit!!!!!!!

[Buzz Clik]

49. Question: Is Tweety a raging asshole, or just an attention whore?