Let's have some fun deconstructing Frank Rich's NY Times column of today. The gist of The Grand Old White Party Confronts Obama is that it will be nearly impossible for McCain to defeat Obama because the Arizona senator reflects the politics of an almost all-white GOP in the age of a changing America.
Rich begins by mocking the the "collection of sallow-faced old Beltway pols" who flanked McCain during his victory speech on the night of the Potomac Primaries. Adding insult to injury, Rich replays Letterman's line about the GOP presidential hopefuls looking like “guys waiting to tee off at a restricted country club.”
Rich doesn't offer any evidence that any of the candidates do in fact belong to restricted clubs. Yet he would nevertheless invite readers to engage in the worst kind of stereotyping based on age and race. Imagine the outcry if a conservative columnist did the same about a group Rich might favor, say older black women. And if older white guys are so irrelevant and unappealing, shouldn't Rich himself have the grace to step aside? After all, he is a person of pallor who will next year begin his seventh decade on earth.
Rich then claims that "when Mr. McCain jokingly invoked the Obama slogan 'I am fired up and ready to go' in his speech Tuesday night, it was as cringe-inducing as the white covers of R & B songs in the 1950s." But McCain delivered the line with a self-deprecating laugh. Nothing cringe-inducing about it. For that matter, it appears that McCain was telling the truth: I've heard a number of much-younger reporters covering him on the campaign trail marvel at McCain's energy and endurance.
As for those failed 50s covers, Rich is again engaging in racial stereotyping. R&B of course stands for rhythm and blues. Is Frank saying only certain races have rhythm? And a decade after the 50s, I seem to remember a couple white groups doing OK with R&B covers: the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, if I remember the names of their little bands correctly.
And a bit later:
[T]he G.O.P. looks more like a nostalgic relic than a national political party in contemporary America. A cultural sea change has passed it by.
The 2008 primary campaign has been so fast and furious that we haven’t paused to register just how spectacular that change is. All the fretful debate about whether voters would turn out for a candidate who is a black or a woman seems a century ago. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama vanquished the Democratic field, including a presidential-looking Southern white man with an enthusiastic following, John Edwards. What was only months ago an exotic political experiment is now almost ho-hum.
Really? It wasn't Republicans claiming to see the "Bradley effect" after Obama's NH loss; those were fellow members of Frank's MSM. And just this week, the sitting Dem governor of Pennsylvania said that some whites won't vote for a black man.
Rich then argues against his own case, writing that Mr. McCain "has been a victim, rather than a practitioner, of the old racial gamesmanship. In his brutal 2000 South Carolina primary battle against Mr. Bush and Karl Rove, Mr. McCain’s adopted Bangladeshi daughter was the target of a smear campaign. He was also pilloried for accurately describing the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism and slavery.' (Sadly, he started to bend this straight talk the very next day.)" Rich omits that McCain has since engaged in some remarkable self-criticism for a politician, regretting his failure of political courage.
Continues Rich: "Mr. McCain remains public enemy No. 1 to some in his party for resisting nativist overkill on illegal immigration." Rich might deride as "nativist overkill" the concern of millions of decent Americans about our broken borders. But weak as McCain has been on the matter, he would certainly run to the right of Obama on it, making immigration a winning issue for the Republican.
Then this: "Though Mr. Bush ran for president on 'compassionate conservatism,' he diversified only his party’s window dressing." Is that the sound of Frank Rich telling Colin Powell and Condi Rice they're tokens?
"There are no black Republicans in the House or the Senate to stand with the party’s 2008 nominee." True. But there have recently been a number of outstanding black Republican candidates for high office, including Michael Steele in Maryland, Kenneth Blackwell in Ohio and Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania. All three received overwhelming support at the polls from white Republicans. It was Dems who voted against them. For that matter, Louisina Governor Bobby Jindal is certain to be on stage with McCain. Jindal isn't black, but he is surely among the most appealing young politicians of any race in America.
And then: "The theory of the McCain candidacy is that his “maverick” image will bring independents (approaching a third of all voters) to the rescue. But a New York Times-CBS News poll last month found that independents have even a lower opinion of Mr. Bush, the war, the surge and the economy than the total electorate and skew slightly younger. Though the independents in this survey went 44 percent to 32 percent for Mr. Bush over John Kerry in 2004, they now prefer a Democratic presidential candidate over a Republican by 44 percent to 27 percent."
So because independents don't like Bush they won't vote for McCain? A stretch. And as for that poll, it's generic. "A Republican" against a Dem. But come November, it won't be Generic Republican Man, but McCain. And a recent poll already shows McCain neck-and-neck with an Obama riding the crest of his popularity and with his most-liberal-member-of-the-Senate record as yet unscrutinized.
Instead of real evidence of Obama's electoral strength, Rich cites two anecdotes. First, "a friend in California, a staunch anti-Clinton Republican businessman," who has "drifted" toward Obama. Rich must hang in the same Republican circles as Tom Brokaw, who recently said his most conservative friend might vote for Hillary.
Rich then cites campaign consultant Mark McKinnon, who has worked for Bush and McCain, who recently announced that while he likes and agrees with McCain, he wouldn’t work for him against Obama. Rich doesn't inform readers that McKinnon is doing nothing more than returning to his Dem roots. Until signing onto the Bush gubernatorial campaign, McKinnon had worked for a Dem Texas governor and on numerous Dem campaigns.
After a parting shot at George Allen, whom he delights in depicting as "the foreigner in 21st century America, . . . in the minority in the real world of Virginia," Rich makes this bold prediction: "A national rout in 2008 just may be that Republican Party’s last stand."
Noted.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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"Mr. McCain remains public
February 17, 2008 - 08:27 ET by motherbelt"Mr. McCain remains public enemy No. 1 to some in his party for resisting nativist overkill on illegal immigration." -Rich (emphasis added)
I had to go and get my duct tape when I read that.
Great fisking, Mark, especially on the "black Republicans' issue. Black Republicans run, get defeated by white Democrats, and that's somehow the Republican party's fault???
(Good thing I already had my duct tape!)
As for his swipes at Condi Rice and Colin Powell, you should know by now (Rich and his pals have intimated it often enough) that Republicans only appoint blacks to high positions of responsibility to hide the fact that they hate blacks!!
<sarc off>
Hey, Mr. Rich, why not resign your job and insist the NYT give it to someone not only younger, but Black or Hispanic?
In other words, put your money where your mouth is!
Hey, Mr. Rich, why not
February 17, 2008 - 08:33 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsHey, Mr. Rich, why not resign your job and insist the NYT give it to someone not only younger, but Black or Hispanic?
He really should give his job to an Illegal to show he's 'with the program' (or is that pogrom?).
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Great point! Liberals are
February 17, 2008 - 08:41 ET by motherbeltGreat point! Liberals are fond of saying that pro-life people should shut up unless they are willing to adopt the non-aborted babies (they are hypocrites!!) so unless Mr. Rich is willing to pony up he should shut up about opponents of illegal immigration.
JC Watts
February 17, 2008 - 08:41 ET by jiminjerseyAnother reason why JC Watts would make a great VP.
Democrats would just claim
February 17, 2008 - 08:48 ET by motherbeltDemocrats would just claim that he is a "token" being "used" by Republicans to counterbalance Obama. And if he accepts he is just a "house n***r" toeing the line to get their approval. An Oreo. Not a "real" black guy. Because a "real" black guy wouldn't be a Republican.
But then liberals like Rich turn around and complain that there are no black Republicans.
My head hurts.
Correct
February 17, 2008 - 08:54 ET by jiminjerseyActually you are 100% correct and now my head hurts.
Who are real stereotype
February 17, 2008 - 09:04 ET by ghotifunWho are real stereotype bigots?
But there have recently been a number of outstanding black Republican candidates for high office, including Michael Steele in Maryland...
And I recall that when he was running in Maryland that he was pelted with Oreo cookies by the blacks in the crowd. Disgusting! And just where did that news item end up? On the floor of the MSM cutting room ...
I just thought of
February 17, 2008 - 10:02 ET by motherbeltI just thought of something:
Whereas: there are "no black Republicans"
Whereas: any black Republican is a race traitor or "Oreo"
Whereas: being an "Oreo" is a bad thing
Whereas: No "authentic" black person would ever be a Republican
Therefore: Shouldn't Black liberals claim the fact that there are no black Republicans as a badge of honor, rather than an offensive slight?
And, shouldn't they quit complaining about it??????
Ever notice how much more
February 17, 2008 - 10:14 ET by kgEver notice how much more intelligent, sensible, up-beat and tolerant Black
Republicans are than Black Democrats.
kg: Yes, and they see the
February 17, 2008 - 10:26 ET by ghotifunkg:
Yes, and they see the real hope in conservative thinking and action...
g
MB: You fall into a
February 17, 2008 - 10:25 ET by ghotifunMB:
You fall into a capricious trap in regards to liberals...
You used LOGIC! LOL!
Really! It's not like
February 17, 2008 - 14:38 ET by motherbeltReally! It's not like Republicans won't let anyone black into the party! Blacks are Democrats by choice. So why do they complain that no Republicans are black? Could it be that.....gasp! Blacks are prejuciced against Republicans???
I wonder if Frank has any
February 17, 2008 - 09:17 ET by AntiMediaI wonder if Frank has any black neihbor?
"A national rout in 2008
February 17, 2008 - 09:40 ET by HypocriteHater"A national rout in 2008 just may be that Republican Party’s last stand."
So, Frank, since there was a national rout in 2000 and 2004 of the Democrat party, that must mean that was YOUR party's last stand, right? He's such an idiot! Just because you wish it to be so, doesn't mean it WILL be so.
McCain's people are
February 17, 2008 - 09:43 ET by Roger the ShrubberMcCain's people are reaching out to The Albino Asian Lesbian Bowlers of America as we speak.
Albino-Asian-Lesbians
February 17, 2008 - 09:52 ET by motherbeltAlbino-Asian-Lesbians bowl????
Wow. Who knew?
There's actually a joke to go along with that, but I'll let it pass.
Rich is the KO of the NY Times
February 17, 2008 - 09:55 ET by sms5217Frank Rich is and continues to be a partisan liberal, hardline democrat masquerading as a journalist.
His weekly articles are like Democratic position papers, or more likely, the ways the Communist party put out press releases back in the day.
His article today is same old, same old Rich.
Note:
1). Seeing everything thru a democrat lens. "All" the people he knows love Obama. Hey Richy boy, where I live, he's a joke.
2). Frank Rich has a "Republican friend" who hates Hillary, but now wants to vote Obama? A true right winger despises Clinton al right, but would never vote for Obama. This whole election cycle is the old "some say", right wing Republicans considering voting for Obama thing, just to tick real conservatives off. If you are a real conservative, left-wing loon liberal Obama ticks you off just as much as Hillary. Obama is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a messianic call from the high priest of Illinois liberalism!
We conservatives need detailed rebuttals to idiots like Rich, who despite their ridiculous, childish reports are still read by many people in America who have no clue about the dangers of people like Rich.
Trial lawyers are the scum of the earth
We conservatives need
February 17, 2008 - 10:00 ET by motherbeltWe conservatives need detailed rebuttals to idiots like Rich,
Mark just provided one.
Hopefully others in other media outlets will do the same.
" Mark just provided
February 17, 2008 - 10:02 ET by Mark Finkelstein" Mark just provided one."
Thanks, MB: I was hoping someone would point that out ;-)
If You Are What You Say You Are
February 17, 2008 - 10:01 ET by third eyeBottom line -- voting for Obama doesnt make you black or young or hip -- no matter how many old white people tell you otherwise.
Obama is Walter Mondale underneath it all
February 17, 2008 - 10:15 ET by sms5217When you look at their reflexive, tired liberal positions, all Obama is is a carbon copy of Walter Mondale underneath his Kenyan-Kansas exterior.
His ideas are not new, they are the antithesis of anything new. His ideas harken back to the 1970's, his positions on taxes could have been written by the socialists of France, and his position on Iraq/national defense are cowardly and defeatist.
At least Walter Mondale put in his time and was an EXPERIENCED loony liberal! Obama is a 21st century, MTV, Hollywood casting liberal who is just as old-fashioned as Mondale in his views but so wet behind the ears (and nothing between the ears!) that he is the most dangerous leftist this country has seen!
Trial lawyers are the scum of the earth
typical
February 17, 2008 - 10:10 ET by candanceI wonder how many black people are featured columnists with the NYT.
Wow clever strategy Got
February 17, 2008 - 10:16 ET by Dave DWow clever strategy
Got to hand it to Frank to come up with a way to embarrass the electorate into voting for Obama. Basically his message is to pro-actively call anybody who votes for McCain a racist. I'm waiting for him to come up with some signs that say "Vote for Obama unless you're some kind of racist. You're not a racist, are you?"
Racists
February 17, 2008 - 10:36 ET by iveseenitallWhen a white Republican writes about this subject, no matter what his opinionn or point of view, he is termed a "racists". And if B.O., the left-wing socialists, gets nominated, "you ain't heard nothin' yet." When "liberals" get involved-- truth, honesty, logic,and reason go out the window. B.O.'s wife is a real zinger. She makes Joy Behar look like a conservative. This Frank Rich is a typical "liberal" name-caller--stereotyping every white man as a country club bigot. Real "uniters"--these libs.Can't wait to have the lefties control the "White" House again. We may have to change that name too. But they better be careful, many white men are getting real sick of this crap.
NEVER, NEVER trust a "liberal'
Rich Should Go Back To Reviewing Movies
February 17, 2008 - 10:27 ET by PamIt seemed to be more within his element of make believe..
Frank Rich is a foreigner
February 17, 2008 - 10:40 ET by zhombreFrank Rich is a foreigner anywhere outside Manhattan. He might be apprised that the Grand Old White Party includes Colin Powell, Condi Rice, JC Watts, Michael Steele and Lynn Swann. In 2004 it might be added the Democratic contenders for President were also a collection of white men (including Joe Lieberman, who has since been excommunicated by the Left) plus Al Sharpton, a demagogue and modern day minstrel performer.
Hussein Obama
February 17, 2008 - 10:44 ET by ScrapironSince Hussein Obama is not a black but a White/Arab mix (6% negro doesn't make you black, even when conning the system to get minority status/money) maybe rich is playing to the wrong crowd, but then again the NYT's has spent years aiding the Radical Islamist in the murder of thousands, why should they change now.
..... is that it will be
February 17, 2008 - 10:53 ET by MidAmerica..... is that it will be nearly impossible for McCain to defeat Obama because the Arizona senator reflects the politics of an almost all-white GOP in the age of a changing America.
So.... McCain can't win because he's of the 'wrong' race?
Wait till obie, our mixed race metrosexual (the new America), starts dealing with Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, etc. Putin will probably show us what 'audacity' really means. Khrushchev instigated the Cuban Missile Crisis partly because he saw JFK as young and inexperienced. However JFK was a WWII veteran and managed to work through the nearly fatal crisis. Obie has been a 'community organizer'. That ought to be fair warning to those who would do us harm.
So.... McCain can't win
February 17, 2008 - 13:03 ET by motherbeltSo.... McCain can't win because he's of the 'wrong' race?
I guess what Rich is trying to say is that Americans aren't interested in white male presidents any more.
Maybe, maybe not.
Liberals whine that to not vote for someone because he is black is racist. But it never occurs to them that to vote for someone because he is black is also racist.
Old Stereotypes
February 17, 2008 - 11:05 ET by CobraManHay Mr. Rich; I thought that democrats like yourself had advanced beyond racial discrimination and didn't believe in, or cater to, racial stereotypes any more? If so, then why do you portray republicans as "old white men?" That's as stereotypical as you can get.
This election is shaping up to be almost purely prejudicial
February 17, 2008 - 11:05 ET by c5thenIf the MSM has there way. The liberal MSM LOVE to pit different parts of the citizenry against each other. If Obama is the dem candidate the overtone will be "vote for obama or your're racist". If the candidate is Hillary, it will be "vote for Hillary or you are sexist".
It could be, that this might be a necessary "evil" that the country has to go through. Much like Reagan would never have won by the landslide that he did if it weren't for the 4 years of Carter. Maybe the country has to get a very liberal President along with a liberal Congress to show them what it will be like.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
C5
February 17, 2008 - 11:13 ET by OldSailor88Of course it's shaping up to be prejudicial. Liberals are running the media. Have you ever heard conservatives play the race/sex card?
Stultus est sicut stultus facit
The prissy vote
February 17, 2008 - 11:40 ET by KC MulvilleNow we know what the prissy voters are thinking ...
One man’s bias is another man’s conviction, and another man’s assumption. They’re all basically the same thing. Reality is too complex to start from scratch every day, so we need assumptions to skip over the things we‘re confident about, and focus on new stuff. Assumptions and convictions are necessary, but they come at the danger of locking you in, where you can’t see anything except your biases. When that neurosis is acute, reality contradicts assumptions, and the victim desperately tries to explain why. As the failure continues, the victim grows increasingly more frustrated. The emotion builds. The passion interferes with rationality. Finally, the victim is reduced to pathetically lashing out at all contrary viewpoints.
Thus, the opinion page of the New York Times. Sad, really …
Frank Rich is a
February 17, 2008 - 12:55 ET by Clear thinkerFrank Rich is a moron!
I'm no fan of McCain, but I still know when an idiot like Rich should be called out for his stupidity.
Did I mention that Frank Rich is a moron?
Set the GOP back on the right course. http://gopteaparty.com/
Keep This In Mind
February 17, 2008 - 13:34 ET by Wildcatter1980White males are a large group of voters. The winning candidate will have to appeal to a significant number of them if he/she hopes to win in November.
Just my $0.02
Rich and Brokaw
February 17, 2008 - 13:49 ET by Edward CropperThey both are probably lying about their conservative friends. As long suffering and tolerant as conservatives are by nature it is hard to imagine a genuine conservative being a friend to either of these liberal lowlifes.
Let's see here... Where
February 17, 2008 - 17:13 ET by bigtimerLet's see here...
Where was Rich's outrage when Obama made disparaging remarks about Dick Cheney and being related to him in one of the last speeches I heard him make, he wasn't trying to get laughs in this one at all, he meant it...(I wished I had a link to just that portion of the speech)...
My point is, if Richard Cheney was running for Prez and said the exact words Obama did about him, we would still be hearing a loud outcry from the msm and other political hacks screaming discrimination 24/7....
Frank Rich is just a little man doing menial work attempting to justify his existence....
What hypocrisy....let alone total insinuations and outright lies...but then again that is what the left does best now isn't it?
Everything about Frank Rich,
February 17, 2008 - 17:55 ET by fitzfongEverything about Frank Rich, even that picture, says "smug", "self-satisfied", "self-important", "cocky", "arrogant"...and "incredibly ignorant". You get the sense that nobody likes the guy nearly as much as he loves himself. But when November comes and shows what an overconfident buffoon Rich is, nobody will really notice...because the true value of Frank Rich will be revealed, he's irrelevant and he doesn't even know it.
Frank Rich, Racist Eastern Liberal
February 17, 2008 - 18:17 ET by Lame CherryI pointed out several weeks ago a trend no one has bothered to follow up on and that is the northeast IS filled with racists like Mark Rich. Everything they look at in life is either race based, sodomite or class envy.
Pardon the reality for which the New York Times should fire Rich for his overt racism, but national security is not a race issue. Nor is the opportunity for schooling, health and security for children a race issue. There is in fact no issue in the United States of America which is a race issue........even border busters are an issue of national security and not race.
It is beyond disgusting what Frank stoops to in literally naming all blacks nothing but race blind and white peope as race bigots. This is important as Rich likes to think his LETTERMAN COCKTAIL CROWD (people now do you see why I name Letterman all the time the racist, bigot and anti Semite and anti Christian crowd???? Rich names him as their spokesman.) is the majority in America.
Got news for you Frank Rich. The number of people in your party starts with Mike Bloomberg the bigot and ends with the name Rockefeller and fits in a room the size of a lobby with the kids snorting coke in the kitchen and assorted perverts are sexing little boys or drugged girls up in the bedrooms........I mean offices.
All Americans will decide this issue on whether they like Barak if your buddies in the globalist order do not indict him and replace him with A WHITE AL GORE or a John.
They will weigh who they trust more and then vote for the better deal. That is as simple as it is.
Smarmy is the word for you Frank Rich.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Smarmy is the word for you
February 17, 2008 - 18:30 ET by bigtimerSmarmy is the word for you Frank Rich.
That is putting it nicely LC.
The quintessential "legend
February 17, 2008 - 22:26 ET by fitzfongThe quintessential "legend in his own mind".
Who is Frank Rich to talk?
February 17, 2008 - 20:07 ET by DelsaRich represents the same racist Democrats who are hell bent on denying Obama the Nomination of their party.
I love the way Democrats see and say of others what they know of themselves.
In the end I hope obama is man enought to tell the clintons and the rest of their pals to take a hike. He should not join them in any way.
Rich is really rich
Another howler from Frank Rich.
February 17, 2008 - 20:51 ET by tomchrisI believe Rich and also Maureen Dowd are entertaining writers. They cover politics with a pop cultural fizz- something an unhinged hack like Paul Krugman could never master. That said, wouldn't you agree that part of the fun of reading Rich, albeit unintentional, is to see just how the guy's bleeding Manhattan heart will spill like an ink well at any given moment? He is, indeed, the stereotypical condescending, elite, eastern-establishment, baby boomer liberal who thinks everyone across the hudson river (with the exception of, say, San Francisco) are white bread yahoos.
Speaking of "white," apparently Rich is a self-hating one with his snide opinion of critics of illegal immigration as "nativist overkill" and his apparent glee at the notion that a black guy (or, in Obama's case, a half black guy) can beat a white guy. Isn't it funny how so-called progress intellects like Rich want to praise someone like Obama but only through the ghettoized streets of identity politics. Race, race, race, is all he'll ever see and that is, paradoxically, racist!
Also, a few things come to mind:
Hillary is still in the race and also, last time I looked, white. Why wasn't see piled onto this bonfire?
What a difference a few weeks make. McCain was endorsed by the Times for his maverick status now he's thrown under the buss as outdated fogey by one of their top columnist. For McCain this means either his useful leftist idiot status has ended now that he has nearly sown up the nomination or somebody has realized the man can win.
As all newsbusters know, Frank Rich is the guy who predicted that the "Passion Of The Christ" would be a box office flop. I mean, who in their right mind would want to see christian movie with sub titles? There is hope.