Dirty pool?
Just a few days ago, Barack Obama scoffed at the suggestion he was playing the age card when he accused John McCain of "losing his bearings." But check out the way the Obama campaign has now chosen to declare that it wouldn't leave the playing field in Michigan and Florida to its Republican opponent:
"We're not going to let John McCain wander around in those states unchallenged anymore."
Wander around? Like the nice ol' feller found ambling down the street in his bathrobe who has to be gently led back home?
Once an aberration, twice a trend. And to make an, uh, even threesome, let's throw in Obama's signature praise of McCain for his "half-century of service."
Will the MSM take note? Not that McCain would, but imagine if he were to invoke Obama's race in similarly subtle terms. I'd say the liberal media would be in an uproar.





















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Keep It Up
May 13, 2008 - 21:19 ET by Gat New YorkMaybe this level of disrespect will finally get McCain let the guns loose on this hack fraud politician.
i'm starting to wonder if
May 14, 2008 - 13:42 ET by TruthMongeri'm starting to wonder if maybe ol mc has some hearing problems...
old beat to hell dude that he is - would explain alot of things for me...
Heaven help McCain if he
May 13, 2008 - 21:25 ET by Chris NormanHeaven help McCain if he ever said he wasn't going to let Obama "shuffle around" Massachusetts...
Perfect illustration of what
May 13, 2008 - 21:27 ET by Mark FinkelsteinPerfect illustration of what I had in mind.
Mark, You think they have
May 13, 2008 - 21:33 ET by Chris NormanMark,
You think they have full-time monitors standing by, just looking for McCain to utter any of the "trigger words"?
Without a doubt. In
May 13, 2008 - 21:34 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWithout a doubt. In fairness, I'm sure the McCain campaign/RNC has its own oppo research working round the clock.
However, they're not going
May 13, 2008 - 21:48 ET by Chris NormanHowever, they're not going to call Obama on the ageist code words - are they? This "gotcha" strategy seems to be a Democrat thing.
Oh, yeah, wandering around
May 13, 2008 - 23:06 ET by motherbeltOh, yeah, wandering around Florida because he's lost his bearings???
And don't forget his comment about Sen. McCain's "50 years of service to our country."
Subtle, isn't he?
This is what I don't like about him....the sly dig, the cocky attitude. And he knows the media will let him get away with it. If he's called on it, he would just say you know, this kind of taking offense at everything has got to stop....it's distracting from the real issues... and he will immediately get the subject changed, after the damage is done.
Evening
May 13, 2008 - 23:14 ET by bigtimerEvening mb...
Damage...what damage..he's (McCain) doing that rather well all by himself.
I meant that lighthearted....I better state that ...lol.
I agree and understand full what what you meant.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Yeah, bt, McCain does get me
May 13, 2008 - 23:19 ET by motherbeltYeah, bt, I agree....McCain does get me p-o'd....but I just don't like this attitude.
Obama is handing McCain
May 14, 2008 - 07:33 ET by midnight cowboyObama is handing McCain fodder for rebuttals on a silver platter.
Hey Barry, why don't you stroll over to the 58th state and work on your bowling score.
»→ So what, Cowboy?
May 14, 2008 - 07:39 ET by Cool ArrowMcCain's too much of a wimp to say an unkind word.
He'd rather be welcoming rapists and murderers at our borders than stand up for our future.
This is the best the Republican party could come up with? We deserve Obama.
♣ a seal
Obama Does Not Respect His Elders
May 13, 2008 - 22:17 ET by BarkerObama is not only insulting John McCain, he is insulting, demeaning -and thereby alienating- America's mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles, etc.; the most loved and cherished members of our families. And they vote.
Great winning strategy, huh?
And by the way, I don't want some inexperienced snot-nosed punk that I don't even know 'wandering' around the White House.
(Did I just play the snot-nosed punk card?):^/
You're right barker. They
May 13, 2008 - 23:25 ET by motherbeltYou're right barker. They vote....in huge numbers.
If he gets called on to apologize, maybe he'll make a "speech on age" and tell us we need to have a "conversation on age."
ha motherbelt
May 13, 2008 - 23:28 ET by candance"I can no more denounce John McCain than my own ancient, bumbling, half blind grandmother. He sees his world through the prism of his history, which is a long, long time, and can teach us all to be thankful for how far we've come since we got electricity."
After McCain's speech on globaloney
May 13, 2008 - 22:07 ET by Mark_for_SenateEvery week I try to convince myself that I can hold my nose and vote for McCain, but after his speech and 'plan' for AGW I don't believe I can squeeze my nose hard enough. We are screwed. If America loses its 'character' and more importantly its liberty and freedoms which is sure to happen with any of the leading candidates, then let the liberals be saddled with it. Our only hope is the damage won't be too severe and can be corrected with solid conservative leadership for the remainder of my life and generations to come. What a horrible choice America has this election season. God help us all.
To know and not do, is to not yet know
I had no idea the words
May 13, 2008 - 23:04 ET by balboaI had no idea the words "wander around" were so inflammatory.
C'mon...
Bal, you're being
May 13, 2008 - 23:10 ET by motherbeltBal, you're being deliberately dense.
You see, that's exactly what Obama would do if called on it...act all innocent.
Nah, you're deliberately
May 13, 2008 - 23:10 ET by balboaNah, you're deliberately blowing an innocuous statement out of proportion.
Next it'll be single words.
"He used the word 'wrinkle!' What, does he think we're dumb?"
Wander around? Why didn't
May 13, 2008 - 23:14 ET by motherbeltWander around? Why didn't he say "travel around."
This was on top of last week's comment that McCain had "lost his bearings."
There seems to be a pttern developing here....
Yes, he said "lost his
May 13, 2008 - 23:21 ET by balboaYes, he said "lost his bearings" and "wander around," and I think last month he said the word "age" 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 13 times in the past year -- gasp! The Golden Ratio! I'd put Professor Nash on it.
What do you think would
May 13, 2008 - 23:29 ET by motherbeltWhat do you think would happen if McCain commented about a picture of Obama relaxing and said he looked "shiftless"?
Don't bother answering...you'll just come back with another ridiculous comment and I'm going to bed.
There is no preconceived
May 13, 2008 - 23:33 ET by balboaThere is no preconceived baggage associated with the words "wander around" as there is with "shiftless."
Care To Reconsider Bal?
May 14, 2008 - 02:49 ET by stratmanThe word "wander" has a lengthy historical as well as modern day pejorative connotation. Obama, as a person schooled enough in religion, knows the significance of using the word "wander" in the biblical sense too.
The choice of word is too coincidental to easily dismiss the subtle and overt impression it leaves on the listener aware of its definition etymologically, biblically and/or colloquially.
Additionally, "wander" dates back to before the 12th Century and "shiftless" towards the end of the 16th Century.
wan·der Audio Help /ˈwɒndər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[won-der] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object)
1.
to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam, rove, or stray: to wander over the earth.
2.
to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander: The river wanders among the rocks.
3.
to extend in an irregular course or direction: Foothills wandered off to the south.
4.
to move, pass, or turn idly, as the hand or the eyes.
5.
(of the mind, thoughts, desires, etc.) to take one direction or another without conscious intent or control: His attention wandered as the speaker droned on.
6.
to stray from a path, place, companions, etc.: During the storm the ship wandered from its course.
7.
to deviate in conduct, belief, etc.; err; go astray: Let me not wander from Thy Commandments.
8.
to think or speak confusedly or incoherently.
–verb (used with object)
9.
to travel about, on, or through: He wandered the streets.
–noun
10.
Mechanics. the drift of a gyroscope or a similar device.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME wandren, OE wandrian (c. G wandern), freq. of wendan to wend; see -er6]
—Related forms
wan·der·er, noun
—Synonyms 1. range, stroll. 2. saunter. 6. swerve, veer. 8. ramble, rave.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
wan·der Audio Help (wŏn'dər) Pronunciation Key
v. wan·dered, wan·der·ing, wan·ders
v. intr.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
wander
verb
1.
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment; "The gypsies roamed the woods"; "roving vagabonds"; "the wandering Jew"; "The cattle roam across the prairie"; "the laborers drift from one town to the next"; "They rolled from town to town"
2.
be sexually unfaithful to one's partner in marriage; "She cheats on her husband"; "Might her husband be wandering?" [syn: cheat on]
3.
go via an indirect route or at no set pace; "After dinner, we wandered into town"
4.
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course; "the river winds through the hills"; "the path meanders through the vineyards"; "sometimes, the gout wanders through the entire body" [syn: weave]
5.
lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking; "She always digresses when telling a story"; "her mind wanders"; "Don't digress when you give a lecture" [syn: digress]
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Gosh, strat...after reading
May 14, 2008 - 03:05 ET by JerGosh, strat...after reading this--yet another of your impressively comprehensive posts, I realize I have been "wandering" for much of my life. Nothing to do with age, however.
Jer
You and me both! Not so
May 14, 2008 - 04:12 ET by stratmanYou and me both!
Not so much age but competence, purposefullness and ability to go from point A to point B in direct fashion without detour.
I did learn that the word "rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming <armed brigands roved over the countryside>" as well as "to move aimlessly".
Now I wonder about the derivation of Karl Rove's family surname. Nothing about Karl appears aimless or sometimes purposeful.
Now it's time for me to wander to bed!
G'night Jer.
Sorry, but I think it's
May 14, 2008 - 10:10 ET by balboaSorry, but I think it's absolutely ridiculous to think that Obama using the words "wander around" is a cheap shot at McCain's age. The next thing is going to be the punctuation used in Obama press releases are age biased. "Look at that comma! Obvious cheap shot!"
There is no preconceived
May 14, 2008 - 11:11 ET by stratmanMy post was a direct response to your above statement. There is "preconceived baggage" attached to the word "wander" as per my post.
If your argument is that "wander" is not tied specifically to ageism, then you might have a point. A straight interpretation of the use of "wander" does not mean advanced age, though its use is nearly always a pejorative. It may, however, in the context of Obama's and the MSM's combined recent insinuations about McCain's age, connote a confused elderly person moving aimlessly about the countryside like an Alzheimer Dementia patient.
Obama is not illiterate nor obtuse. He knows the power of words and the value of using subtlety to draw mental images and shape opinion. He has shown shrewdness in playing off the machinations of the MSM, using their juggernaut as lead blocker for his poison penned points.
Regardless of an agreement on whether Obama meant "wander" to reflect a doddering McCain, there should be no doubt that Obama used the word as a smug marginalization of McCain.
RRAM Tough!
Even if Obama hadn't meant
May 14, 2008 - 11:39 ET by Chris NormanEven if Obama hadn't meant "wander" as a reference to McCain's age, the point of the post was that the Democrats, in seeking to politicize language and to feign offense at "code words", have created this climate. Or, like as with "racism", does this only apply against Conservatives and Republicans? I have never seen any of our arbiters of reasonableness rush to the boards to condemn the Democrats' offense at innocuous words.
Such as...?
May 14, 2008 - 11:56 ET by balboaSuch as...?
Such as Swiftboating
May 14, 2008 - 12:01 ET by CobraManSuch as Swiftboating.
Here's another one
May 14, 2008 - 12:07 ET by CobraManHere's another one: Katrina
How about AGW Denier? Rovian? Clean? Articulate? The White Vote? Any of these ring a bell? There's plenty more if you just look.
CobraMan...You guys stop
May 14, 2008 - 18:47 ET by JerCobraMan...You guys stop saying "borked" and we'll stop saying "swiftboating".
Jer
maccacca
May 14, 2008 - 12:01 ET by Chris Normanmaccacca
Even middle names bring offense
May 14, 2008 - 12:16 ET by CobraManEven the use of Obama's middle name brings faux declarations of slander and libel. The use of Hussein when referencing Obama has been declared VERY offensive by a lot of liberals.
I believe that when
May 14, 2008 - 12:23 ET by balboaI believe that when "macaca" occurred I stated quite a few times that I didn't think the word was offensive in any way.
»→ balboa
May 14, 2008 - 12:33 ET by Cool ArrowMcCain is just being a pansy. Like I said earlier, 3rd generation Navy man doesn't know "bearings" is a navigational term.
Apologies if I've offended pansies.
♣ a seal
Insulting behavior by Barry
May 14, 2008 - 13:05 ET by CobraManMcCain wasn't just a Navy man; he was a carrier pilot. How many pilots do you know who can’t follow a bearing? Very few, I bet. I know that, if I were a pilot, I'd be highly insulted if someone accused me of losing my bearings. As a mater of fact, I'd invite that person to a flight demonstration and let them prove to me and the rest of the world just how well THEY could keep a bearing. But that's just me.
Obama's statements were meant as an insult, nothing more and nothing less. And this is an example as to how Obama will 'bring together" the two parties? Yea, right, he’ll “bring together” the communist party and the socialist party. Everyone else need not apply, especially Republicans.
Did you come on your own to
May 14, 2008 - 13:35 ET by Chris NormanBal, at the time, did you come on here on your own to condemn the feigned outrage, or was it the result of being questioned? It makes a difference, because you came on here on your own to criticize us for bringing this example up.
I don't remember the
May 14, 2008 - 13:40 ET by balboaI don't remember the context. That was a while ago.
Uh-huh. That's what I
May 14, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Chris NormanUh-huh. That's what I thought.
C'mon CN...I'm expected to
May 14, 2008 - 15:18 ET by balboaC'mon CN...I'm expected to remember the context of a discussion more than a year ago?
Uh-huh.
May 14, 2008 - 18:37 ET by Chris NormanUh-huh.
God in Heaven Bal, even I
May 14, 2008 - 12:11 ET by PeskyDaneGod in Heaven Bal, even I was rooting for you not to walk into that one.
Chris...I don't know if I
May 14, 2008 - 18:17 ET by JerChris...I don't know if I am considered one the "arbiters of reasonableness", but, if so, then you have overlooked several of my posts which were explicitly critical of the Democrats in this area.
However, it is difficult for me to avoid the non-stop posting that we Democrats are all racists.
Jer
Oh, come now, Jer. I'm sure
May 14, 2008 - 18:36 ET by Chris NormanOh, come now, Jer. I'm sure it can't wound you all that much - it's not like it's being directed at you, personally. By the same token, as part of the Conservative group, I've been, in effect, called much worse on any number of liberal sites.
Okay, Chris...I'll (sniff)
May 14, 2008 - 18:42 ET by JerOkay, Chris...I'll (sniff) try not to let it bother me. Sorry the liberals were mean to you.
Jer
delete
May 14, 2008 - 06:33 ET by motherbeltdelete
C'mon
May 14, 2008 - 06:05 ET by Jcon96I never realized middle names were so inflammatory, or where you went to school, or the words of 20 year spiritual advisor, or the words of the candidates spouse, or... apparently only one side can decide what can be seen as inflammatory. Now where does that authority come from, I wonder?
Obama, Wright and child abuse?
May 14, 2008 - 01:22 ET by Parker1227Its one thing to be a professional politician who makes deals with the devil to get ahead. But its quite another thing to put your children in the hands of that same evil.
I can't help but wonder. Has Obama permanently damaged his own children (like Palestinian children being taught to hate the Jew ape-pigs) through his family relationship with Rev. Wright?
»→ Mark
May 14, 2008 - 03:49 ET by Cool ArrowIf McCain, a 3rd generation Navy man, confuses "losing his bearings" with "losing his marbles", I submit he is either too thin-skinned for the job, or he really is addled by years.
If McCain failed to understand "bearings" as a set of directions, he's losing his marbles.
♣ a seal
The Hustler or Color of Money?
May 14, 2008 - 09:01 ET by Great DebaterIs that picture a screenshot from The Hustler or Color of Money?
Did you say
May 14, 2008 - 09:28 ET by motherbeltDid you say "color"??????
That's playing the race card!!! ;-)
My mother is definitely in
May 14, 2008 - 09:13 ET by KillgraveMy mother is definitely in the senior-citizen category. And she is an extremely loyal Democrat.
But she said the other day that just the SOUND of Obama's name clunks in her ears. She has a hard time saying "President Obama".
If Obambi keeps up with the cheap shots on McCain's age, this will give my mother the excuse she's looking for to not to vote for him. This arrogant prick better watch his step.
Barack Obama is almost 48
May 14, 2008 - 10:34 ET by Jack BauerBarack Obama is almost 48 YEARS OLD.
Now... I know we all cling to our youth like grim death, but c'mon... 48 is no spring chicken.
Men reach their sexual peak at 18... that was thirty years ago for you Barack.
Your body started its slow decline, loss of muscle definition, slackening skin, in your 30s.
You show no particular athletic prowess. Your resume is thinner than your borderline anorexic look. And your face is beginning to look like a sun ripened peanut.
I'd forget the age thing if I were you!
Ah, I see our two arbiters
May 14, 2008 - 10:50 ET by Chris NormanAh, I see our two arbiters of "reasonable moderation" - as defined by them - sniffed a situation here and have arrived to talk sense to us in the unruly mob.
Obama loses bearings in Afghanistan
May 14, 2008 - 13:19 ET by Jack BauerToo funny...
Just heard Rush play a clip of the Obama making a total ass of himself.
He was giving an untelepromtered bloviation on Iraq, spluttering and inarticulately meandering as he claimed the US doesn't have enough Arabic speakers to work in Afghanistan...
Truly scary how dumb this guy sounds.
Okay, Jack, you have used
May 14, 2008 - 15:11 ET by Chris NormanOkay, Jack, you have used several potentially offensive words here in describing Senator Obama. Word monitors are now scanning them against a master list to see if you are in violation. Stand by.
Oh no -- not the MASTER
May 14, 2008 - 15:19 ET by Jack BauerOh no -- not the MASTER LIST. A name in itself that has racial connotations.
Fortunately it was established last year that calling Obama ARTICULATE was actually "racist." Thank you Joe Biden.
I'm calling him INARTICULATE. That's okay!
The Offensive Language
May 14, 2008 - 15:38 ET by Chris NormanThe Offensive Language Police do not accept excuses or explanations. The word "articulate" was in there, despite the "in-". However, we would like to thank you for pointing out the racially connotative word "master" and are in the process of adding it to the - er - list. This however won't mitigate your punishment.
Now you're just being
May 14, 2008 - 15:45 ET by Jack BauerNow you're just being niggardly.. OOPS there I go again.
3 strikes and I'm off to the Librerul Edgeukaishon camp to be tawt.
You'll never be Chairman of
May 14, 2008 - 16:35 ET by Chris NormanYou'll never be Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee ever again.
ROFL
May 14, 2008 - 23:29 ET by candanceYou guys are hilarious!
Awful white of Chris to provide us much needed leadership.