Not that there was much doubt, but let's make it official: MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski is firmly in the Obama camp. The capper came during today's opening segment of Morning Joe. After Chris Matthews offered a plausible explanation for Obama's "present" votes in the Illinois senate, David Shuster used an apt metaphor to describe Barack's less-than-trenchant rhetorical style.
DAVID SHUSTER: It's in Barack Obama's interest to say it as sharply as you [Matthews] just did, and his inability to sort of navigate in these debates, like the giant aircraft carrier trying to make a turn. If he could make the point as simply as you just did he would be fine but the way he's trying to explain and defend everything, it's like a guy who skis down a hill who makes these wide, swooping turns, and after awhile, you know, that's not, you don't get down very fast that way.
That's when Mika made her allegiance unmistakable.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: I don't know. I actually thought he did well. Given the situation he's in, I thought he was in. It made him a little aggressive which makes me worry he's playing into a Clinton strategy.
Mika can surely see to it that her strategy suggestions get to Obama . . . via her father Zbigniew who's advising the candidate on foreign policy matters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Clintonzilla Beast
January 22, 2008 - 08:24 ET by planetrepublicanObama is up against the two-headed Clintonzilla beast (accurately shown in that movie "Cloverfield"). It has to be hard on him. I will never vote for Obama but if he can fracture the Democrat's, that is good.
It's definitely a
January 22, 2008 - 08:29 ET by motherbeltIt's definitely a two-headed beast. In the debate last night, Obama commented on an attack, and HRC said "I didn't say that,." Obama replied "Yourhusband did." And she said "He's not here. I am"
So that's the tack they're going to take. Her Royal Clintoness expects to use her husband as attack dog, but does not expect to be held accountable for what he says.
Nice.
Dean and the Machine
January 22, 2008 - 08:33 ET by allanfThe Democrats are a "machine" party. They have gotten more subtle about it since 1968. But the destruction of Howard Dean was not accidental. (Does anyone want to bet we could find some video of Hillary as embarassing as Deans rally moment?)
Obama was put out there to lose. He is not complying and the Clintons and Democrat Party will slap him down and slap him down hard.
Notice that Clinton said
January 22, 2008 - 08:55 ET by joe3Notice that Clinton said "he's not here; I am.", instead of "he's not running; I am."
You're right; that's very
January 22, 2008 - 09:45 ET by motherbeltYou're right; that's very interesting.
Michelle Malkin posted this
January 22, 2008 - 09:44 ET by motherbeltMichelle Malkin posted this Republican response to the debate:
A Farce
January 22, 2008 - 10:09 ET by iveseenitallThis soap opera stuff is a farce--it's fiction. In the end its's going to be Clinton/Obama. And ,God help us, they may win. Then the s#@%t will truly hit the fan. Get your loved ones together and practice ducking.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
motherbelt, I have a little problem with Mr Duncan.
January 22, 2008 - 10:32 ET by R D Helm...the Democrats’ tax-and-spend policies would be catastrophic.
Yes, just as catastrophic as the republicans tax and spend policies they undertook when they had control of congress.
You are correct. He should have stopped after the first paragraph.
None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe
Democrats reduce spending?????
January 22, 2008 - 18:21 ET by saintknowitallSo "motherbelt" do you really believe Democrats are the party of fiscal restraint. Your "do no wrong" democrats have had control for nearly 4 years, and I don't see any spending restraint nor do I see any plans to reduce taxes.
LOL
Uh, did I say
January 23, 2008 - 05:49 ET by motherbeltUh, did I say that????
"Strike first! Strike hard! No mercy!" - Unethical Sensei in "The Karate Kid" - 1984
"You have to deck your opponent." - Her Royal Clintoness, 2007
Uh, did I say
January 23, 2008 - 05:49 ET by motherbeltUh, did I say that????
Uhh, saintknowitall,
January 23, 2008 - 21:52 ET by R D HelmSo "motherbelt" do you really believe Democrats are the party of fiscal restraint.
First of all, motherbelt did not say that. Neither did I actually.
But under George W. Bush and a republican congress, the size of the federal government doubled. Does that sound like fiscal restraint to you? It sure does not to me.
Lyndon Johnson must be smiling ear to ear over that.
None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe
I think Obama deserves some
January 22, 2008 - 09:58 ET by BruzillaI think Obama deserves some kudos for not ripping Clinton to shreds as she, the smartest woman in the world, left the door open for a LOT of attacks:
She said she would take the fight for universal healthcare to the mat, and would never give up the fight for it. Obama should have said "then why did you quit fighting for it in 1994?"
She defended Bill on his use of false facts and misleading statements. Obama should have said "insert your own 'how can you possibly defend your husband on the question of his truthfullness' comment here."
She accused him of making votes for political purposes and changing his view on the issues. Obama could have taken 20 minutes just outlining her changes of opinion, for political purposes, on Iraq.
I don't know what's more relevant: the willingness of Obama to restrain himself and not shred her, or her stupidity in opening so many doors to be attacked through?
I agree, Bruzilla. I think
January 22, 2008 - 10:21 ET by motherbeltI agree, Bruzilla. I think Obama was stupid not to respond to her mor than he did. I didn't watch the whole debate, but what I saw was pathetic. In addition to the points you've just made, HRC used her "35 years of experience" line, and neither guy asked her "experience at what?"
He should have listened to HRC when she said "You have to deck your opponent."
I said in the debate thread "these guys deserve to lose to her."
I thought the best line of
January 22, 2008 - 13:51 ET by BruzillaI thought the best line of the night would have come after Hillary attempted to defend Bill's actions by saying they all have spouses who are dedicated to helping them win. That's when Obama should have said "when my wife gives a speech, she doesn't spend 29 minutes talking about herself and one minute talking about me. Bill tends to only mention you as an afterthought, so who's he really campaigning for.. you or himself?"
The debate drastically changed after the first commercial break, so I'm betting that Clinton and Obama were both told to ceast and desist, and I would guess Clinton was told to knock it off because she was running a lot of risk of some strong counter-attacks, and Obama was told he would look bad beating up on a woman.
Bruzilla, I agree. Assuming
January 22, 2008 - 11:58 ET by Chris NormanBruzilla,
I agree. Assuming Hillary is the nominee, I also despair that the GOP nominee will not take advantage of the openings she will provide. Republicans, for some reason, have an aversion to capitalizing on or exploiting a Dem's mistake. Heck, let's face it, many times, in a gentlemanly way, they are willing to provide the cover.
Well, um, yeah, you know ...
January 22, 2008 - 10:24 ET by KC MulvilleObama's inability to come back with short, snappy answers surprised me. By now, these candidates have been asked every possible question a hundred times. Instead, Obama delivered stumbling, halting, rambling answers. I'd say that Obama was just off his game, but he's usually that way.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know if they're going to have a pre-Super Tuesday debate? If so, that could decide the nomination right there. Obama better get someone to help him.
You're right, KC, that was
January 22, 2008 - 12:37 ET by motherbeltYou're right, KC, that was my exact description of him last night....stumbling. He started out to make a point and ended up rambling about how the American people were desperate for I don't even remember what, now. And I said to my husband he sounds completely unprepared.
It made him a little
January 22, 2008 - 12:42 ET by bigtimerIt made him a little aggressive which makes me worry he's playing into a Clinton strategy.
Mika Mika Mika....he needed to be more aggressive last night in my opinion....to let Shrillary get away with the glorious slum lord statement last night when it came to him he should of come back with any one of her/him illegal campaign contributions whether it was through communist Chinese or the guy Tsu (shoe) who just was sentenced....this is just for starters, a heck of a lot of people even in the dem party will not want to go through more years of the same ol' same ol' with the Clintoon Machine...IMO he needs to bring things up like this, but oh well, whoever our candidate is, if up against Hill we have plenty to work with...that is if the person nominated has the spine to insert this and plenty of other topics when it comes to the Clintons in the campaign and or debates.
Mika
January 23, 2008 - 14:08 ET by axemanI saw a pretty amazing admission by Mika a week or two ago. In a discussion about Clinton and Obama, she commented that she had to be "very careful" about what she said because a member of her family works for the Obama campaign.
I think it was the morning Chris Matthews gave his long-winded history lesson about how Hillary only got elected to the Senate because she was a doomat to her tomcat husband. You know.. before he (Matthews) got neutered.
Look it up... I'd love to see the clip.