Posted by
conservativedude on Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:00:19 AM
Whether it's stepping-stone personal associations to help him get going in Chicago politics, or word associations gone awry, Obama clearly has a difficult time getting from point A to B. I want to describe the three points that sink Obama's PC battleship, but first I want to discuss his dubious personal associations.
I've never had to befriend a rich Bruce Wayne type to get my name known around town to run for office, but I know what I stand for and what I won't stand for. Unrepentant terrorist, William Ayers, seems like a man someone running for office would avoid---but Obama attended a political "coming out" party at Ayers' home. Remember, this is the terrorist whose
words, "I don't regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn't do enough" ran in the New York Times, on September 11, 2001 of all days. He and Obama also served on a board together and Obama expressed no concern over Ayers' violent, anti-American past. In fact, in his landmark interview with man of the people Bill O'Reilly this past week, he reiterated to Bill that he (Obama) was only 8 years old when Ayers was a terrorist--as if there's a expiration date on the criminality of terrorism and treason--especially when the criminal is unrepentant.
Then there's Obama's connections with Rezko, who helped him purchase his Chicago home. What about Louis Farrakhan? What about Priest Michael Pleger's sexist, racist and anti-american
rantings in church? Let's not forget the original anti-american religious leader in Obama's life: Reverend Jeremiah Wright, recently revealed to be
cheating on his wife with another married woman. Wright preached hate in his church and Obama sat in his pews about twice a month according to the O'Reilly interview, yet never heard
these horrible remarks or the ones where he accused the government of infecting black people with AIDS. Of course, Obama did uninvite Wright as a speaker at his initial speech where he declared his candidacy for president. We're just supposed to give him a pass on all of these associations.
Obama started his political career on a dubious foundation and over the past decade has layed the bricks and associated with bricklayers most Americans would avoid at all costs.
His remarks yesterday are the latest in this long line of negative associations, only this time, his word associations mid-speech when criticizing his opponents cross yet another line. However, nothing ever seems to stick to him. He said, ""You know, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig...You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called 'change,' it's still gonna stink after eight years...."
If he had only said the lipstick on a pig comment, he might've been able to pass it off as just an old saying that every politician says eventually. And it would be true, liberals and the media have paraded soundbytes of Dick Cheney, John McCain and others saying the pig remark. But there are three key elements that must be considered because every situation and usage of (any) phrase is unique.
1. Context. Okay, he's talking about his two opponents but specifically their policies, so this alone makes it easy for Obama to say he was focusing on their policies, not the candidates themselves. However, one additional element of the context is of course Palin's remark at the convention that made "lipstick" a political buzzword. Furthermore on this point, also on 9/9/08, introducing Biden, Rep. Russ Carnahan said of Palin's record, "There’s no way you can dress up that record, even with a lot of lipstick," so lipstick has clearly been a buzzword on everyone's lips for the past week and used in a derogatory manner--something Obama was aware of.
2. Intent. Obama puts his hand on his head just as he prepares to begin the pig statement showing doubt or trepidation at the joke he'd already mentally committed to. He delivered it, and the crowd cheered---they got it---so he knew he hadn't made a mistake, or at least wasn't going to get gasps from his supporters at the clear dig at Palin---the woman credited with taking the momentum out of his campaign. Here's where it gets fishy--- One comment along those lines could be excused if explained properly (it's an old saying or I was just talking about the policies), but going once more unto the breach for the "stinky old fish" comment takes away the argument it was just an off-the-cuff comment and wasn't directed at any personal traits of his opponents. One more jab, with the words he chose, reveals the first comment to be an attack---not a criticism.
3. Delivery. The fact he paused and almost wanted to hide his face with his hand shows that ivy league education paid off and he realized that "lipstick" might not be the best word choice. However, the crowd ate it up and basking in their cheers he went for a two-fer with the fish comment.
His supporters tout the fact he's such a great speaker, and a clever man--yet deny that he thought into these metaphors and comparisons. McCain is always perceived as old, so was he the "old fish" wrongfully wrapped in change? Or were both digs directed at Palin the "basketball barracuda" and hockey mom who uses "lipstick"?
In any event, it seems Obama will avoid the fallout of yet another negative 'association', leaving me to wonder: How much will the people let him get away with before enough is enough?