MSNBCer Suggests GOP Rejected Obama's Request for Speech Because of 'Color of His Skin'
MSNBC's Richard Wolffe went there. The political analyst for the Lean Forward network actually played the race card in his analysis of why the Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner did not accept Barack Obama's big foot move to deliver a speech to Congress on the same night as a GOP presidential debate, as he pondered: "it could be, let's face it, the color of his skin."
Appearing on Wednesday's edition of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, Wolffe made the following accusation of racism:
(video after the jump)
RICHARD WOLFFE, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: The interesting question is: what is it about this president that has stripped away the veneer of respect that normally accompanies the office of the president? Why do the Republicans think this president is unpresidential, unpresidential and shouldn't dare to request this kind of thing? It strikes me that it could be the economic times, it could be that he won so big in 2008, or it could be, let's face it, the color of his skin.
The following is the relevant exchange as it was aired on the August 31 edition of The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell:
LAWRENCE O'DONNELL: Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the President was not deliberately trying to overshadow the Republican candidates' debate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARNEY: It is coincidental. There is -- the president committed to speaking next week after the Labor Day holiday, and immediately upon Congress' return. And there are a lot of factors that go into scheduling a speech before Congress, a joint session speech, and again, you can't, you can never find a perfect time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'DONNELL: The chairman of the Republican National Committee did not see it the same way. Reinhold Priebus – and yes, his real first name is Reinhold -- tweeted, "Barack Obama's request to give jobs speech the same night as GOP presidential debate is further proof this White House is all politics all the time." Speaker Boehner ultimately took the advice Rush Limbaugh gave him earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIMBAUGH: This is intended to disrupt the Republican debate. It's intended to make Obama
look bigger than the Republicans, to look bigger than politics. And this is part of the presidential election campaign, and the House Republicans are gonna have to realize they are part of it. Somebody in the intelligentsia, somebody smarter than we, somebody is going to write a piece or post a blog and say, "Mr. Boehner, Mr. Boehner, you are going to send the independents running right back to Obama if you don't demand, if you don't grant him this speech, because all the American people care about right now is jobs, they don't care about the Reagan Library, they don't care about the Republican presidential debate, all they care about jobs. And if you tell the President that he can't come up on the day he wants, you're just gonna send independents running back." That's what they're gonna say to him, that's how they're gonna try to intimidate Boehner.
Boehner should say, "Mr. President, I'm not gonna assist you in your political games.'
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'DONNELL: Joining me now, the co-author of "Game Change," national affairs editor for New York magazine, John Heilemann. Also, author of Revival: The Struggle for Survival Inside the Obama White House, MSNBC analyst Richard Wolffe. Thank you both for joining me tonight. Richard, is this the night where I have to begin this program by saying Rush Limbaugh is right, the President was trying to upstage the Republican debate? Is there any real working theory to the contrary?
RICHARD WOLFFE, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: No, you don't have to say that, that Rush Limbaugh is right. This is, obviously, a campaign season, and the next day was a football game, and who really cares anyway? You can schedule both on the same day, doesn't have to be the same time. What's curious about this is not just the back and the forth, because I think people who don't tune into politics, don't tune into this show, are gonna think they are all a bunch of squabbling school kids.
The interesting question is: what is it about this president that has stripped away the veneer of respect that normally accompanies the office of the president? Why do the Republicans think this president is unpresidential, unpresidential and shouldn't dare to request this kind of thing? It strikes me that it could be the economic times, it could be that he won so big in 2008, or it could be, let's face it, the color of his skin.
This is an extraordinary reaction to a normal sequence of events when the economy is in trouble and we're entering a political season. And the reaction is out of all proportion.
- Geoffrey Dickens's blog
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Comments
The reaction may be all out of ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:45pm.
proportion, but the race card flicking BS is pretty much business as usual.
MD
When you
Submitted by Brad90956 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:24pm.
can't debate the facts or make an argument for your position...play the old reliable race card. Don't these hacks realize the American people aren't buying it anymore. Keep it up and see what happens in 2012.
hahahahahaha ohohoohohohohoh
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:47pm.
hahahahahaha ohohoohohohohoh hehehehehehehe OMG! Stop! You're killing me!
hahahahahahahah
Just go away with this racism crap.
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:52pm.
What is the latest liberal definition of racism - any time a white person disagrees with a black person? Blacks are always right? Blacks always are to get what they want?
Just on... and on... and on...and I suppose if Obama is defeated in the next election RACISM will be blamed.
Pathetic....
REALIZE THIS ASAP !
Submitted by reelman46 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:53pm.
As I have posted for years...
the apostles of utopian socialism have no ethical or moral boundaries...its pointless to ever think they have...
their goal is power over every aspect of every American (except of course for the exempted elites or special group...see OzCare for an example)...
these folks have a mental disorder, are horrible in debate and rely on distractions, lies and smears to promote or protect their secular socialist religion...its no use huffing about it...they know no other way...they are selling fire to a scarecrow so they can NEVER be honest about the true nature of fire...
we conservatives drop our jaws almost daily in disbelief at what they say or do or do not do...
the spewing of a litany of lies or distortions on TV or radio is so common...its their style...then by the time you correct lie or premise #1 the time runs out and they still have 5-15 absurd contentions out there...they rope-a-dope their way thru debates and thru campaigns.
I AM NEVER SHOCKED by them...but I am shocked that so many are and so many on our side are (still) inarticulate responders or weak at debate.
I am not in that large group...let me give you just one example...how many times has a TV lib been asked "why are federal workers exempted from OzCare"?
I mean stay on it and get some answer and make that one talking point for all conservative debate...
I have a dozen other "show stoppers" but why don't others realize what I have for years?
http://theconservativecrawfish.wordpress.com
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish<
Thank God,...
Submitted by BBallleaper on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:53pm.
for a moment there I thought it might have been because he's a marxist, or perhaps because he is a fraud who perjured himself by taking the oath of office, or because everything he says is a lie, or because he's an incompetent moron who received everything in his life because of his skin color,....ooopps! Excuse my racist comment!!
liberalsarefunny
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:53pm.
Be sure to check Rush's comments about this guy---hilarious...
Those on the left
Submitted by tcm14 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:55pm.
Those on the left must have race cards printed by the crate, they play them so much.
What's with O'Donnell's
Submitted by kareling on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 5:55pm.
What's with O'Donnell's comment about the name "Reinhold"--as if it's one of those funny names like "Barack"? Or is pointing out a name of German origin supposed to be leftist dog whistle for "Nazi"?
OK, Larry. I'll play along...
Submitted by Scout Finch on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 2:57am.
O'DONNELL: The chairman of the Republican National Committee did not see it the same way. Reinhold Priebus – and yes, his real first name is Reinhold
There's O'Donnell and Wolfe talking about Obama's speech -- and yes, his real name is Barack Hussein Obama.
i have no more doubt!
Submitted by sometimesright on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:09pm.
MSNBC is Obama's personal cheerleading squad. i wanted to give them some benefit of the doubt but i just can't. they are truly unabashadly water carriers for the ONE and his entourage. truly disgraceful. news and MSNBC can never again be used in the same sentence.
How?
Submitted by sergeant stogie on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:17pm.
How do those people (?) at that network (?) do that crap and keep a straight face?
Oh yeah, they actually believe that stuff. Scary. They must be part of that whopping 28% that think the community whore-ganizer has the country in the right direction.
Ironic that a Dick who res for Obama
Submitted by russedav on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:19pm.
Ironic that a Dick who res for Obama
What is it with these hacks
Submitted by ThePickle on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:21pm.
What is it with these hacks that they feel compelled forward every possible BS theory and accusation yet it never FOR ONCE seems to enter their minds that the best answer is the obvious answer.
That being that the rejection was for the EXACT REASONS STATED!! That being that there was a scheduling conflict with the Republican Presidential Debate.
Why does it have to be ANYTHING other than the obvious and STATED reasons?
This explains a lot . .
Submitted by The Grooter on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:28pm.
Green Room conversation - begin transcrip:
LO: "I think Rush may be ri. . . "
RW: "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO - Let me make asinine accusations that are baseless, reckless and false against the GOP! Let me deflect! I've been in the tank for Obama for years, and if he loses next year, how am I gonna get another week on Martha's vineyard?"
LO: "Yeah, but, gosh, I mean -- Obama's staff HAD to know about the debate . . ."
RW: "How!! How would they know what the racists were doing? I can tell you, the White House staff is NOT racist! They serve the first black president, and I know he's black because of the color of his skin! The color of his skin tells me he has no idea when a racist party may hold a debate! It was pure coincidence! Didn't you hear Jay say that? Are you racist now, Larry? Are you? Do you think Jay is racist like the GOP?"
LO: "NO! I am NOT a racist! I am a socialist! Marx! Lenin! Turnips! I see all! The scales have fallen! Obama was clearly reaching out to the childish republican haters and corporate racists who read Ayn Rand by night and brew tea by day when he scheduled his debate. . . "
RW: "Yes! Tea with lots of milk in it . . WHITE milk!!"
LO: "Trotsky! Barbosa! Yes, it makes more sense - Obama, in campaign mode, would never seek to draw viewers away from the GOP debate (that, of course, as you've proven, he did not know was taking place) but clearly (Labor Day!) John Boehner hates all black people, and seeks to destroy all blacks through destroying the form of a black man, the president of the united states. Bay of Pigs! "
RW: "From Each! . . uh . . have you seen my meds? They are little red ones. . . "
Crying Wolffe
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:41pm.
The problem with playing the Race Card at every opportunity is that the most folks have gotten numb to it. So, Wolffe, Rep. Carson, and all the rest are welcome to keep throwing it on the table.
He's unpresidential because he acts like a dictator.
Submitted by Phryj1 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:54pm.
Any part of his agenda that's rejected by Congress, he'll go forward with by using executive orders. He seems to think the Constitutional limitations on his power are mere suggestions. And he has a compliant media that has actually downplayed the importance of the Constitution and spun everything he's done in his favor. Frankly, it's disgusting.
Progressives seem to be completely averse to facts and logic. Apparently, reality has a conservative bias.
You're right, MSDNC. It's
Submitted by Martin2717 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:06pm.
You're right, MSDNC. It's because the Republicans are racist is why they rejected his speech request. It couldn't be any other reason. /s This crap is really getting old.
I'm going to insult him now. Really!
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:30pm.
Well, it'll be taken as an insult, but I'm stating the facts.
Fact: Soetoro is of three ethnic background: african negro, arab, and white. We already know that he's mostly white. We already know he's hardly black. Yet he choses to identify himself as black. And only black.
He's a multi-ethnic person.(I use the term person very very loosely, let's go with manchild) If I wanted to call him by a single ethnic, it'll be white. Why? Because that's what he's got the most of. Doesn't matter the "color of his skin," some people change their skin colors a lot, look at Michael Jackson or Snooki.
I'm sick to death of this phony baloney "black" mess that's used for throwing the race card out there all the time like this. IT DOES NOT EXIST!
So therefore, he will be identified as "white." And that is a fact.
And he's a racist.
That is also a fact.
-Jon
Speaking of Michael Jackson,
Submitted by killa37 on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 1:25am.
Speaking of Michael Jackson, Jon-E-Boy, did you ever wonder how such a cute black kid could end up turning into such an ugly white woman???
As far as Wolffe and this assinine comment...........psssssssssssttt........who the hell would even entertain this dumb-ass statement, except the MSM dopes and a few delusional libs, and the 'usual suspects' of people who LIVE for the 'race thang'.
I think it's long past time where any person with half a brain would think that has anything to do with it.
The fact of the matter is that Boy Blunder and his gang of puppet-masters, syncophants, boot-lickers, and lie-makers were trying to do anything they could to pump up their useless, worthless piece of Kenyan Kow Krap - at the expense of any opposition possible. Unfortunaly (for them), nobody was buying it............hell they can't compete against the Republican debate (even though it probably won't be a high ratings winner), and they can't compete against the NFL either.
Seriously, who would want to sit down, turn on the TV, and listen to Boy BlahBlah drone on about the same useless and worthless BS and lies that he always babbles on about??? Most of the people I know - even libs these days - when they see Barry on TV.............KABOOM..........change channels!!!
PS............I'm sure that you caught l'il Opie-Boy Jay Carney trying to deflect and downplay this whole thing.........as if ANYONE (even the MSM) was buying into his alibis and his BS.
I think the exposure therapy is working
Submitted by kata on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:36pm.
"racist" doesn't even register anymore. Wait... yep... fully apathetic now.
Hmmm ...
Submitted by PunditPariah77 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:39pm.
So isn't the term "WHITE House" intrinsically racist? Just wondering why neither MSNBC nor the CBC has tried to blame the Tea Party for THIS one yet ...
I am suprised they havent painted it
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:45pm.
Yellow yet
I'm not sure I could come up with a diagnosis for Wolff.
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 7:53pm.
Terminal stupidity is not in the DSM-IV(TR).
I will go out on a limb here............
Submitted by djwolf12 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 8:32pm.
but I will GUARANTEE that Wolffe, Dick will be the first to PLEAD with the Obama Regime to release the Bin Laden photos about 1 week from the 2012 elections due to horrific poll numbers.
White Scumbag Race Baiters
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 11:09pm.
Black Americans should be indignant about whites who use them to further their repressive leftist agenda. Wake up! Whites who scream "racism" care not one wit about you.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
Of course it was skin
Submitted by Rowane on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 11:40pm.
Of course it was skin color...couldn't have anything to do with Obombus purposefully scheduling a worthless speech on the same night as a debate that's been planned for months..../sarc
These morons just never stop. Wish we could flush the whole PC DC swamp, politicians and mediots.
You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything. (Aaron Tippin)
So in 2012...
Submitted by uhohshortsonthe... on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 3:56am.
...when Obama is re-elected, will that be racism? After all, in the 2008 election, Obama was overwhelming voted for by the black populace. Isn't that racism, by the liberal Democrat definition? To vote for a candidate simply because of the color of his skin, isn't that racism? I disagree with nearly everything Obama has said or done since he first came onto the scene-does that make me a racist? Help me here, I want to understand.
Seriously?
Submitted by AR72 on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 5:12am.
Because Bush was treated so respectfully by the left for 8 years, right? Seriously, how many race cards are left in the deck in the poker game called Obama?
What a joke
Submitted by lesterwink23 on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 9:08am.
That whole network is turning into nothing more than a SNL skit, only funnier.
Here’s my dream scenario for the JSOC speech:
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 9:41am.
after the applause dies down, the moment Obama begins speaking, all the Republicans pull out 3D glasses. Then Pelosi collapses.
Liberals love non sequiturs.
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 10:03am.
Liberals love non sequiturs.
Especially since they lack substance.
Obama is the racist
Submitted by ohio granny on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 11:13am.
Obama must be the racist because both the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate are both WHITE. And Obama, who considers himself BLACK (even though he is half white, and who by the way was raised by whites because his BLACK father ABANDONED him) did not clear the time or day for his boring speech with the House. The only reason for this is because as a BLACK he felt he did not need to consult with the WHITE Speaker of the House.