Chris Matthews on MSNBC just now repeating his stupid attack on Obama:

[jenmito]

"The big problem I have right now is the President is acting like an observer. As recently as this minute, the White House is watching. That's what they're doing. They're watching BP and saying, 'You better do this.' Or what?"

What would CHRIS like Obama to do? He has said the same thing about 5 times already that Obama is just "observing" this disaster and "sitting back," etc. He's so IGNORANT!

[Jennicut]

1. He obviously wants him to plug the leak himself, diving 5000 feet down.

Chris Mattews has been in a bad mood since Specter lost the primary. There, I said it. Everyone know's it is true.

[jenmito]

7. I really think that IS what he wants!

And I agree about Specter. He told Specter he thought he'd win the election. I know he HOPED he'd win!

[golfguru]

27. So what happens to Tweety if Crist loses in Florida?

[gateley]

2. That is so not correct. How does Matthews know what's going on

behind the scenes? Obama has done a lot - we (and Tweety) just aren't aware of all that's being done. It is troublesome that seems to be the general sense we get (especially since BP's been on the scene for so long!), but I'm hoping they begin communicating more often and thoroughly with the populace to keep us apprised.

Tweety needs to get the facts straight before he points fingers and passes judjment.

[jenmito]

10. I know, but he's been repeating this line for over a week now,

even on Jay Leno's show, going so far as to say Obama SCARES him by how disengaged he is. I think he called him a "Vatican observer." :eyes:

[gateley]

13. What a drama queen. I think I heard that "scared" remark. Absurd. nt

[Raine1967]

3. This meme is pissing me off.

If Obama had a solution, he would have done it by now, but that isn't the issue.

Don't tell me for one damn minute that if Obama was on TV more people wouldn't be screaming that he was more concerned with PR than the actual disaster.

AND don't feed me the would could should Bullshit --

This is real and this is now.

[ProSense]

20. "if Obama was on TV more people wouldn't be screaming that he was more concerned with PR"

The media and Republicans are desperately trying to pin the disaster on the administration.

They can't do that if he continues to hold BP accountable. It's their spill, and as Sylvia Earle points out:

the industry, the oil industry, has the best technology presently in the world, except maybe certain navies, for actually observing and working in the sea. link

The President should absolutely not take on BP's liability.

[emulatorloo]

4. Remember when he wanted Obama to show "Passion" during the 2008 campaign?

It was when McCain was flailing about acting like a child, and Obama was being calm cool and collected. Latter Matthews admitted that Obama's demeanor was very reassuring to voters.

Matthews is a bit of a hot head/

[jenmito]

11. Yup...

I even remember Matthews recalling that himself! I HATE that he and others like him (James Carville, Thomas Friedman, etc.) keep accusing Obama of not doing anything and not wanting to "be bothered." :eyes:

[azmouse]

5. Tweety needs a vacation... badly.

[AndyA]

6. One thing Obama COULD do is STOP all new permits and environmental waivers.

That has NOT happened, despite Obama saying so. Ken Salazar said it would only apply to brand new permits, not those already in process.

Obama could halt EVERYTHING that isn't operational at this point, pending a determination of how risky they are, now that we know the oil industry doesn't really have the ability to handle disasters in deep waters.

Obama could order an IMMEDIATE inspection of all rigs, a thorough check of all safety regulations on those rigs, and could implement some HEAVY FINES for any violations.

I got angry this morning when I learned that 19 environmental waivers have been approved under the Obama Administration since the disaster in the Gulf happened, and something like 17 new permits have been issued also during that time. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37309122/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times

Then I think about the ties Salazar himself has to the petroleum industry. Highly suspect.

Yes, there are things Obama could do that he hasn't done. The real question is WHY HASN'T HE DONE MORE?

[tosh]

9. Absolutely.

[tomm2thumbs]

15. True, and sometimes you have to 'visually' show you are doing something when you are President

unfortunately, symbolism matters in politics - for them to be on the Sunday shows saying through Gibbs that 'they are doing everything humanly possible' doesn't match up with the actions occurring in the White House or in the public arena

perhaps he should indicate we have sped up withdrawal of some of the troops in Iraq by a couple months to allow them to return to the US and help us here at home

win/win if you ask me

[Still Sensible]

8. Obviously, Matthews and others really want a

meaningless, symbolic and misleading gesture (bullhorn moment, mission accomplished photo op, etc). Obama eschews such drama.

In fairness, it would probably be a good political move if he came up with a way to have such an event--if he can do something that isn't ENTIRELY a meaningless and empty political gesture. Then again, that's never bothered the pukes.

[Jennicut]

12. Republicans excel at empty political theater. I mean, Ronnie Reagan?

He was as empty as they come and yet many felt he was "reassuring".

[jenmito]

14. He went down to the gulf about 2 weeks ago and spoke after meeting with some workers down

there, but that didn't stop Joe Scarborough from complaining that Obama should go down there "already" to show he knows what's going on.

[tranche]

16. No. He's being portrayed as an observer by cable news and the blogosphere.

Poor Chris gets caught up in all the excitement sometimes.

[jenmito]

17. "No" to what part of my post then? He's been leading the way in the criticism, even

going on Andrea Mitchell's show to repeat his criticism right after the admin.'s press briefing. :shrug:

[tranche]

18. That wasn't really a direct NO to you. Just a jab at Chris and how he's forming his reality.

[jenmito]

19. Oh, ok. Thanks for clarifying.

:hi:

[uponit7771]

21. Mathews screams for socialim for BPs oil spill

[Phx_Dem]

22. Axelrod made him look like an ass.

Matthews is one of those hysterical morons who think we should just "FIX IIIIT!" as Kenan Thompson says on SNL. He has no intelligent or viable suggestions, just FIX IIIIT!!!

Jesus Chris, if it was that fucking easy, they have "fixed it" already. STFU and let the adults work on it.

[jenmito]

25. I know! Axelrod was giving Chris the facts, that the govt. IS working to get this fixed,

that they are NOT waiting around for BP to come up with their own ideas while the most intelligent scientists and others are "sitting on the sidelines," but that they are, right NOW, giving their best ideas to BP.

Chris just wouldn't listen which was obvious when Papantonio came on next and pretty much dismissed everything Axelrod said. :eyes:

[Phx_Dem]

28. "Every scientist in the government in addition to scientists from around the world

are working on this." WTF is so hard to understand about that (James Carville)? If it was easy, the leak would have been fixed by now.

I'm as frustrated as anyone, but to say anyone is being lackadaisal or isn't reacting, is such bullshit.

[jenmito]

29. Exactly! Yet they continue to ask why they're not DOING anything, letting BP do everything,

while the govt. sits back passively. These people must be so set in their preconceived notions that they don't let the facts get in the way. :shrug:

[Phx_Dem]

31. It's sad that when we have a disaster or tragedy in the country,

everyone is more interested in pointing fingers, assigning blame and name calling than coming together to find a solution or offer support or assistance. It would be one thing if the government was literally doing nothing (as Bush did the first few days of Katrina), but that is clearly not the case.

The President is supposed to have a magic wand to miraculously fix anything regardless of the difficulty of severity of the problem.

And if Obama can't fix it personally, we should call in the Navy. OMG. What the fuck is the Navy going to do, exactly? When does the U.S. Navy become experts on oil drilling? Are you fucking kidding me? Because the U.S. Navy can do anything!! Their civil engineers and sailors are way smarter than the rocket scientists from NASA or the Nobel prizing winning psycists that are workong on the problem. The ignorance of some people is absolutely astounding.

:puke:

[VMI Dem]

23. Chill the fuck out, Chris. BP's got this.

[jenmito]

26. Ignorant comment.

[CTLawGuy]

24. did he forget that Obama was black

again?

[Political Tiger]

30. Matthews is trying too hard to prove his liberal credentials

and he seems to be taking his cue from the blame Obama crowd that we see on DU.

[Teaser]

32. Every day there is some thread that recounts something stupid Tweety has said

couldn't we just sticky the thread :)