Mike Barnicle went into hyper-sensitive mode on Wednesday night's "Hardball," as the substitute host feared the McCain campaign was questioning Barack Obama's citizenship, simply because a McCain ad placed the words "foreign oil," right next to Obama's face.
Barnicle did pull back a bit, as he asked if he was "overreacting," but his initial reaction to the ad was reminiscent of the New York Times' claiming the word, "Rats" popped up in a GOP ad back in 2000.
The following exchange occurred on the July 30 edition of "Hardball:"
MIKE BARNICLE: You know we sit here in living rooms and dens across America and these ads come beamed across and you sort of, half pay attention to them. I think a lot of people just half pay attention to 'em. But there's an element in that ad, right toward the end of the ad where it has Obama's face up and the word "foreign," next to it with "more foreign oil." There it is, it's right there on the screen now.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓TODD HARRIS, FORMER MCCAIN SPOKESMAN: Well it's true! I mean you know, Obama he keeps saying no to every-, no to expanded nuclear, no to-
BARNICLE: Yeah but the "foreign," "foreign" deal. Obama is "foreign."
HARRIS: "Foreign oil." It's the-
BARNICLE: I know, I know, but you know, you know?
HARRIS: Actually it should say "Yes to foreign oil," because that's his energy policy.
BARNICLE: Am I overreacting to that?
STEVE MCMAHON, DEMOCRATIC CONSULTANT: Well I don't think these things are coincidental. I do think, though, that Senator McCain has a choice to make here. He's gotta decide whether or not he wants to be the happy warrior or he's gotta decide whether or not he wants to be, run for grouch-in-chief. And the danger, when you're 72-years-old, when you're running a campaign that just seems like a grouchy old-man campaign is, is that, that's not what people want in a President. And it's not somebody who's offering a vision for the future. If you look at the two campaigns, Senator OBama is offering a hopeful, optimistic, aspirational vision for America's future and John McCain is running as Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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What crap. Barnicle should
July 30, 2008 - 17:48 ET by zhombreWhat crap. Barnicle should apply that same deft analysis to all those hagiographic photos of Obama going out in the media. I thought this guy was revealed as a plagiarist? Why is he still occupying a major media seat?
There was a time ...
July 30, 2008 - 18:48 ET by drewinmass61... when a plagarist like Barnicle would be too ashamed to show him/herself in public. Now he fills in on a "major" cable network show -- ok -- make that -- cable network show. I for one could give a rat's arse as to what this guy thinks about anything.
If anyone's up for some entertainment, check out the comments section of Dana Millbank's editorial in today's Wash. Post -- some of the moonbats cannot get over the fact that someone (from the Post of all places), made light of their savior.
In all fairness, you have to
July 31, 2008 - 02:59 ET by FairlightIn all fairness, you have to give credit where credit is due. Mike is
doing an amazing job this week in comparison with the person he is
filling in for. Mike gets an A+ for the sheer fact that he NEVER, EVER
interrupts the guest. Just watch him and it's hard not to notice the
effort he makes not to be Chrissy Snow. Try finding an interruption on
his part--you simply won't find one. For that he should be commended and
,frankly, rewarded with his own show. At the very least, MSNBC would
save a lot on shrimp cocktails and slobber sponges.
Barnicle probably thinks
July 31, 2008 - 10:46 ET by athoughtor2Barnicle probably thinks Paul is dead as well....
Kind of nice to see people
July 30, 2008 - 17:49 ET by buddycKind of nice to see people like Matthews, Olberman, Barnicle and the like crying like babies. Obama, with all their considerable help, is just not showing up in the polls like he should. I hope it continues. It is fun to see these retards in full panic mode. Contrary to what the press believes you can't pound a square peg in a round hole. Obama just doesn't fit. He is just another version of pompus and arrogant John Kerry and Al Gore only Obama is "part black". To see Obama lose to an old retread like McCain would be such a joy, just to see the "Rather / Brokaw look" evidenced when Bush thrashed Kerry.
Yeah, the bewildered look
July 30, 2008 - 18:06 ET by deerjerkydaveYeah, the bewildered look of, "nobody we know voted for McCain, how could this happen?" It's the realization that their liberal views are not part of the mainstream of American society. They live in their Manhattan bubble and assume that everybody with high mindedness thinks like them.
If McCain wins...
July 30, 2008 - 18:10 ET by HeavyChevyIt will prove that even with the full media might behind Obama-er sorry "supreme mystic ruler of all that walks and breaths"- that the MSM could not decieve all of the American public, and I believe when its all said and done the MSM will be scrambling to regain what little dignity- and ratings- they have left. I honestly feel this Obama craze will hurt them for years to come.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
I pray for McCain's success
July 30, 2008 - 18:14 ET by mostlymoderateI pray for McCain's success and I don't even like the guy. How is that for messed up? The only thing that keeps me motivated is the fact that McCain might pick a very decent Vice President. Romney anyone? Powell? That Indian fella? (can't remember his name).
mm... Bobby Jindal is who
July 30, 2008 - 18:16 ET by bigtimermm...
Bobby Jindal is who I think you are thinking of.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
That Indian
July 30, 2008 - 18:35 ET by general companyThat Indian fella?
BS, he is a Louisianan!!..
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I agree...
July 30, 2008 - 19:25 ET by HeavyChevyI had my heart set on Huckabee or Romney but knowing I would have to live with Barack for 4 painful years I can get to like McCain a lot!
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
Sounds like standard
July 30, 2008 - 18:03 ET by deerjerkydaveSounds like standard liberal paranoia. The same kind of paranoia that brought us the 9-11 Truthers.
I love it how the press is calling the McCain ads "negative" when all he is doing is criticizing BHO. It's a dose of medicine for McCain when he and the liberal media complained when Mitt Romney did the same thing to him during the primaries.
In my opinion, going negative only happens when the attacks become personal. Pointing out the failed positions of your opponent is not going negative.
Barnicle portraying Obama as "foreign"?
July 30, 2008 - 18:08 ET by nkviking75Did you notice how hard Barnicle was working to sell that "foreign" angle? Maybe he's the one who wants us to see Obama as a foreigner.
OK, probably not. But that makes as much sense as what he said.
In trying to portray Republicans as knuckle-dragging bigots, he succeeds in showing his side to be the gullible ones.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
nkviking...
July 30, 2008 - 19:31 ET by Clear thinkerHas the issue of Obama's birth country been proven yet?
I have not seen any updates lately so I wondered if this has been vetted completely. From what little I know about it, the copy of whatever that birth document that Obama showed to the world says, the lady responsible for sending those said it was a phony!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Bouncing baby Barack
July 30, 2008 - 19:51 ET by nkviking75Someone has unearthed the birth announcement from the Honolulu Advertiser. I heard about it through Hot Air. To me, the clipping would retire the issue. We aren't going to get rid of Obama that easily.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
I thought Mike had
July 30, 2008 - 18:30 ET by Delsa1/2 a brain?
I was wrong!
I saw this...Harris was
July 30, 2008 - 18:30 ET by bigtimerI saw this...Harris was right...
Barnicle and the leftists are really stretching as usual...
As for grumpy old men...I call that discrimination.
Sounds like the leftists like Barnie baby and McMahon are protesting too much...getting worried are they?
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I thought Mike had
July 30, 2008 - 18:30 ET by Delsa1/2 a brain?
I was wrong!
Barack Hussein
July 30, 2008 - 18:36 ET by cocodrieThe skeletons in the closet are beginning to rattle. Lets see Barack Hussein's real birth certificate.
Oh my God!!!! What a
July 30, 2008 - 18:41 ET by motherbeltOh my God!!!! What a lousy, sneaky, underhanded, low-life, nasty, crummy, rotten trick!!
Uh....Mike...I hate to break it to you, but a "subliminal" message is one that you're not even aware you've been fed...the word means "under the level of consciousness." Not blatantly on the screen in big letters!
Mike's \accusation is a blatant (not subliminal) attempt to plant in people's minds the perception that McCain is running a nasty, mudslinging campaign.
Obama's theme song
mb -- and you win tonight's
July 30, 2008 - 18:50 ET by Jack Bauermb -- and you win tonight's star prize for knowing what the word "subliminal" means! Which is the opposite of what the ill-educated Barnicle imagines it means.
It truly is amazing that these people are paid millions just for demonstarting ignorance on a daily basis. Heck, I'd do that for a coffee and donut.
Oh... and you know something else...
OIL... that's black. Just like Obama... so what the ad is really saying is FOREIGN BLACK. So it's racist to.
Thank you, thank you verra
July 30, 2008 - 18:59 ET by motherbeltThank you, thank you verra much <Elvis voice>
Is there money involved???? LOL
Seriously, they are idiots, a lot of them. I guess no one ever wrote anything about subliminal messages that Barnicle was interested in plagiarizing.
Obama's theme song
Not so fast, Elvis...
July 30, 2008 - 20:00 ET by JerNot so fast, Elvis...
Don't leave the building just yet. Subliminal messages can be other than sensorily imperceptible--such as hidden images appearing for durations less than the human eye can register. The conscious message in McCain's ad is the inefficacy of Obama's energy policy because it would maintain our dependence on foreign oil. Barnicle, however, is suggesting that placing the word "FOREIGN" adjacent to Obama's face may have been intentionally designed to trigger [enhance?] a subconscious association of Obama with the notion that he is "not one of us" i.e. a "foreigner", with foreign roots, name, etc.--and therefore an example of obvious, but still subliminal messaging.
Personally, I think Barnicle is full of it.
Jer
I disagree. Obvious
July 30, 2008 - 20:22 ET by motherbeltI disagree. Obvious stimuli designed to produce an unconscious reaction are not subliminal messages. When talking about subliminal message, that word generally describes the stimulus, not the reaction.
And while we agree that Barnicle is full of it, upon re-reading the post I see that Barnicle didn't actually claim that there is a subliminal message; that was Mr. Dickens' characterization of it. However, he and his guests did talk about it like it was some kind of dirty trick.
God help the Republicans if they ever do an ad with the word "black" in it anywhere, or even refer to the campaign as a "race."
That would be beyond the pale (or is that phrase out too, as it could be seen to ostracize Obama?)
Obama's theme song
Maybe so, mb...but I read
July 30, 2008 - 20:34 ET by JerMaybe so, mb...but I read about an example of obvious subliminal messaging where a woman was sitting between two guys, one of whom wore a yellow and red shirt [Chinese communist colors] and the other dressed in a red, white, and blue shirt. She was flirting with the latter.
Anyway, I'm probably doing too much tweaking with the definition. You may leave the building now. [Just "don't be cruel".]
Jer
So I guess Rep ads showing
July 31, 2008 - 04:17 ET by Jack BauerSo I guess Rep ads showing the inevitable black outs that will occur if the US buys Obama One Kenobi's ludicous non-energy plan (sic) might be attacked as racist.
Ooops.
If you could literally
July 30, 2008 - 18:46 ET by BlazerIf you could literally manufacture outrage like a lot of liberals do, then you would have a company that would rival Microsoft.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
BARNICLE: Yeah but the
July 30, 2008 - 19:03 ET by MidAmericaBARNICLE: Yeah but the "foreign," "foreign" deal. Obama is "foreign."
Hmmm... he was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia. His father's side of the family is foreign. His longtime minister preaches Black Liberation Theology. His personal friends include shady Chicago characters, Marxists, socialists and political radicals who bombed American locations. But Barack? Why he's just this wholesome kid who identifies with his mother's Kansas roots and just loves the Fourth of July and mother's apple pie.
...let's not forget
July 30, 2008 - 19:12 ET by bigtimer...let's not forget rainbows and lollipops...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Yup M.A., the same way he
July 30, 2008 - 19:15 ET by BlazerYup M.A., the same way he loves bowling and wearing American flag lapel pins.
I'll bet the only bowling Obama ever truly enjoyed was "Bowling For Columbine".
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
I agree, MA. Obambi is
July 31, 2008 - 06:07 ET by KillgraveI agree, MA. Obambi is indeed "foreign". I would even say that he is alien. Didn't he just give a huge "people of earth" speech?
A radio commentator really cracked me up about that. He said that Obambi should've had a robot standing next to him while he (Obambi) was addressing the "people of earth".
Barnical should seriously calm down. We will continue seeing the "McCain = OLD" cheap shots happening on the other side.
I really love seeing
July 30, 2008 - 19:11 ET by CJK51I really love seeing transcripts from some of these dazzling exchanges. To be on national TV on a so-called real network and say, "I know, I know, but you know, you know?" really says a lot of about the broadcasting skills and television presence of the MSNCB cavalcade of stars.
On the other hand, it seems strangely fitting that a guy whose last name is Barnicle substitutes for Tingles Matthews -- a parasitic lifeform clinging to a rusted hulk.
You may have to squint, but.....
July 30, 2008 - 20:02 ET by BarkerIf you look real hard you'll see the face of a duplicitous dirtbag next to the words 'More Foreign Oil'.
Barker... Hear!
July 30, 2008 - 20:06 ET by bigtimerBarker...
Hear! Hear!
Have you ever got that right.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Obama and his halo
July 30, 2008 - 20:09 ET by needleWhat shocked me about this ad is that the spineless McCain organization has apparently acquiesced to the now well established custom of portraying Obama with a halo!
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Actually thats not a halo
July 30, 2008 - 20:23 ET by BlazerActually thats not a halo needle, its just the light refracting off of the wafting smoke from the Marlboro cigarette hidden out of camera view, Obama is trying to keep his worshippers from seeing.
My dad calls a cigarette a "coffin nail", maybe the Obamamessiah refers to them as Crossnails.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
It explains everything.
July 30, 2008 - 20:25 ET by Schnikeys"Hello, and thank you for calling MSNBC. For a comprehensive list of items on our socialist agenda, press 1. To place an order for a tinfoil hat personally autographed by Chris Matthews and the entire Hardball team- press 2. To place an order for a vat of MSNBC's trademark Huffing Glue, press 3. To be transferred to Senator Obama's nearest campaign office, please stay on the line."
There is a term to describe what Barnicle is communicating: "baseless accusation."
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
What number do you press
July 30, 2008 - 20:29 ET by BlazerWhat number do you press to cuss out Queef Olbermann ?
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
"To cuss out Keith
July 30, 2008 - 20:34 ET by Schnikeys"To cuss out Keith Olbermann, press 5."
But don't do it, because that connection is actually rigged so that if you press it, the police are sent to your house with a report that you are in possession of 10 pounds of the hardest illicit drugs known to man.
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
Phew, thats all ? No
July 30, 2008 - 20:44 ET by BlazerPhew, thats all ? No sweat.I figured it would be;
... your wife would be called at work and notified that you took an unpaid day off to sip champaign and play footsie in a bathhouse with Glenn Greenwald while enjoying a Bette Midler show.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
...another thing the
July 30, 2008 - 20:54 ET by bigtimer...another thing the Barnicle did today on one segment of his show, he had on that brilliant pollster Charlie Cook and another one, maybe Hart...anyway, they were going through five Senate races and looking at the polls, bad news guys...they all said, while they were laughing/mocking these candidates, that they may as well give it up and wrote them off of having any chance by their poll numbers in July....I kid you not.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Best of.....
July 30, 2008 - 22:51 ET by ScrapironAre we watching the 'best news' networks America has to offer or reruns of Saturday night live from the 60's?
Muslems in Pakistan declare they will fight Hussein O until the last drop of blood. Sounds like they consider him an Apostate (which he is) already.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
People spend countless
July 31, 2008 - 02:39 ET by OrroPeople spend countless hours and significant resources in these advertisements. Something like foreign oil and Obama's face togerther is no accident. It is logically planned and deliberate.
The real question is did it help or hurt McCain's cause???
Orro
http://www.dragonlas...
No, it's not by accident.
July 31, 2008 - 09:41 ET by motherbeltNo, it's not by accident. The ad says that under Obama's plan we will be more beholden to foreign oil. That's the point of the ad.
Barnicle is claiming that it's a sneaky effort to paint Obama as "foreign."
Obama's theme song
In all fairness, you have to
July 31, 2008 - 02:59 ET by Fairlightdeleted double post
Have a need to sceam....
July 31, 2008 - 14:50 ET by ArtisteAYYYYYY!! Could these people be more nutty? Barnicle is a real Barnacle.