My late father, who worked with the toughest kids in a Brooklyn high school, used to say that when a person's reaction is disproportionate to the stimulus, something else is causing it. So when Obama campaign co-chair Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) dramatically reserved the "hottest ring in hell" for those who would go after Michelle Obama, my antennae went up. Interviewing him, MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell also seemed a bit taken aback by the forcefulness of Durbin's response.
O'Donnell broached the subject by quoting from Maureen Dowd's NY Times column of this morning:
It’s good news for Obama that Hillary’s out of the race. But it’s also bad news. Now Republicans can turn their full attention to demonizing Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama is the new, unwilling contestant in Round Two of the sulfurous national game of “Kill the witch.”
View video here.
NORAH O'DONNELL: What's your reaction to that?
DICK DURBIN: Well, I know Michelle, she's been my friend, a friend of my wife, for many, many years. She can take it. She can handle herself. She's a very accomplished person. But I will tell you this: the hottest ring in hell is reserved for those in politics who attack their opponents' families. And if there are some Republican strategists who think that't the way to win the election, I think they're wrong.
O'DONNELL: Wow-w-w! Well there you have it! That's a line.
Touchy, touchy, Senator. Sure, going after a candidate's family on superficial or private matters is off limits. But Michelle Obama has played an active, substantive role on behalf of her husband. That makes her controversial statements along the campaign trail fair game for discussion. And indeed her comments, among others, about this being a "mean country," of which she is now proud "for the first time," have been much discussed. So Durbin couldn't have had that in mind. Is there something else the campaign is concerned that might emerge? Did Durbin's dire warning amount to a pre-emptive strike?
For that matter, unfairly attacking a candidate's wife is bad, but does it really merit "the hottest" ring in hell? I mean, hotter than that reserved for, I don't know, serial killers?
Dad would say something's going on—and he was a Democrat.
UPDATE | 8:50 PM EDT: Dem Talking Point? Maddow Echoes Durbin
I'm beginning to think that Durbin wasn't freelancing with his warning, but instead mouthing an Obama campaign talking point. On this evening's Race for the White House, Air America's Rachel Maddow also tried to warn Republicans off going after Michelle. Host David Gregory was discussing polling data revealing Obama's weakness in various demographics.
View video here.
DAVID GREGORY: Among white suburban women: McCain 44%, Obama 38%. Rachel, how do you read that?
RACHEL MADDOW: I think that Obama's obviously looking to bring back, to lock up the Hillary Clinton demographic, in terms of women who supported him [sic], women who supported her, bringing them over to him. One of the things we talked about earlier in the show today which I think is important here is if the McCain campaign, and conservative groups outside the Republican party proper, are really thinking about attacking Michelle Obama, that is going to drive women toward Obama in droves. There's almost nothing that Republicans and conservatives could do more than attack the spouse, I think, than to bring women home to Obama.
Is ardent liberal Maddow really offering good-faith advice to McCain—or is this a Dem campaign tactic to bluff Republicans away from attacking Obama on a vulnerable point? Can it be pure coincidence that two Obama supporters just happen to make similar points on MSNBC within a few hours of each other?

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.















Editor at Large

Comments Policy
The Obama's
June 11, 2008 - 18:09 ET by 10ksnookerAre their very on self contained culture of corruption.
I'm Sure This Was Unintended
June 11, 2008 - 18:17 ET by geoff.galeTwo points:
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
www.conservativeboot...
B. Hussein Obama's wife
June 12, 2008 - 08:02 ET by djm159If the future senator from Illinois and possible next White House contender, Mrs. B. Hussein Obama, does not wish to be criticized then she should keep her anti-American, anti-white, pro-muslim mouth shut. I can only image the coverage Laura Bush or any republican would get if she ever uttered the phrase, "This is the first time in my adult life I have ever been proud of my country." Of course defending the likes of an anti-American and anti-white Marxist is right up Dick Durbin's alley. He referred to our troops in Iraq as Nazis and related the scenario of Iraq to Pol Pot and gulags so what would one expect a fellow anti-American to do except defend another marxist? There must be something in the water in Chicago and the vote early, vote often state of Illinois. Let's see, Richard "stuff the ballot box" Daly, Jeremiah "never found a white person I like" Wright and Father Pfleger (who probably has gone through all of the alter boys at St. Sabinas and is looking for a new hobby - politics). Give me a break and get these anti-Americans out of office and for the love of God don't elect one as president. Four years of Obama and we will be wishing for the good ole' days of Richard Nixon.
The hottest ring in hell is
June 11, 2008 - 18:17 ET by kd5463The hottest ring in hell is also reserved for those who try to charecterize a war hero as a confused old man.
A liberal interviewing a
June 11, 2008 - 18:18 ET by Chris NormanA liberal interviewing a liberal about what another liberal says about the nasty things (the liberal says) the Republicans might do - yeah, sounds okay to me.
Chris, this is right out of
June 11, 2008 - 19:48 ET by motherbeltChris, this is right out of the Democrats' pre-emptive strike arsenal.
Maureen Dowd says:
Now Republicans can turn their full attention to demonizing Michelle Obama.
Can you say "straw man"?
They've already gotten two full days and who knows how many hours of TV time to complain about those evil, hateful, woman-attacking Republicans, without a single Republican having said a single thing about Mrs. O.
So whose tactics are vile?
Yet again mother,
June 12, 2008 - 00:42 ET by DEVILDOCMOMyou have stated the point I wanted to make very well. The dims are the ones stating how evil and malevolent michelle ma belle is...at least in Republican eyes, what one of us has said any of these things?
Slight correction, Durbin -
June 11, 2008 - 18:20 ET by SickofLibsSlight correction, Durbin -
the final ring of Hell in Dante's original masterpiece and thru it's myriad translations throughout history has always been reserved for traitors - like you.
I can hear Dick Turbin
June 12, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Eileen Rightnow. Uh, Satan, Dick here. I'd like to add a few more to my party?
Great thanks, see ya soon...
'Dear' Dick Durbin
June 11, 2008 - 18:23 ET by TeddyI promise Not to attack Michelle Obama if she promises to STFU about how rotten our country is, etc.
Otherwise, it's game on.
Btw scumbag, which ring in hell is reserved for those who forsake our troops in a time of war to score political points with the Rat Party?
Just Curios.
For Durban to say such a thing.....
June 11, 2008 - 18:27 ET by BEGRUNTcertainly has my attention. Is there "something" coming that he feels the need to launch a first strike? Is the so-called "tape" real? Is there a bombshell in the making? This is just too heavy handed a remark to dismiss. As long as she remains in the forefront of the campaign, she's fair game.
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
RE:
June 11, 2008 - 18:32 ET by OrangeCowboyHatAgreed. The more of these curious comments I hear, the more I suspect that the Dems are trying to pre-empt a bombshell like this alleged Michelle Obama tape......
Durbin
June 11, 2008 - 21:32 ET by David N MOWhen I watched the video I had a distinct impression that it had been canned. I'd bet they even practiced it before hand.
in the old days of C-Band satellite you could watch Durbin-types sit down 15 minutes before the "interview" to practice their lines... "the hottest rings of hell.... The HOTtest rings of hell... The hottest rings of HELL".
On the other hand sometimes they'd sit quietly and stare into the camera wondering just how many people were staring back. Sometimes I'd say BOO wishing they could hear me.
I think it was a setup.
David
"They wish us to hell and we just wish they'd get the hell out of here." David
Interesting. The thought
June 11, 2008 - 21:35 ET by Mark FinkelsteinInteresting. The thought this was canned didn't occur to me until I saw Maddow make a similar point later in the evening. Now I def smell a Dem talking point, aimed at scaring Republicans away from an Obama vulnerability.
I agree, Mark. They both use
June 11, 2008 - 23:30 ET by motherbeltI agree, Mark. They both use the word "attack," which is calculated. That's what infuriates me; this is a straw man argument. As I said above, they've already gotten considerable mileage out of something that hasn't even happened!
MB - Is this the theological advice Obama got from his secret
June 11, 2008 - 23:34 ET by Dee BunkMeeting with religious leaders in Chicago?
Was that meeting reported in the National News?
You betcha Mark, they know
June 12, 2008 - 08:27 ET by dscottYou betcha Mark, they know Michelle is as opinionated as Archie Bunker (or George Jefferson in her case) and she believes the rhertoric of Rev. Wright. The Dems are scared to death that Michelle will tell America about what she thinks of Whitey and the Jews. She is absolutely seething with ignorant stereotypes about people, if you thought big mouth Rosie O'Donnell was a loon, Michelle is even more so.
BTW- Bill O'Reilly even made a comment about this last night trying to dissuade conservatives from using Michelle.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Little leftist Dickie is
June 11, 2008 - 18:30 ET by bigtimerLittle leftist Dickie is worried...very, very, worried...circling the wagons already when the Indians aren't even ready to attack by a long way off yet...
Fun to be had yet on down that long dusty road...
Boy that video that has been rumored to be had about Michelle Mabelle must be something to behold...
Worry not...McCain will apologize....lol.
Btw...Hey Mark you got mentioned today... along with NBs for the second day in a row by Rush, just wanted to throw that in in case you hadn't heard.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
delete I'm OK, really I
June 11, 2008 - 19:50 ET by motherbeltdelete
I'm OK, really I am.... :-)
I don't think there is a
June 11, 2008 - 19:43 ET by motherbeltI don't think there is a tape, bt...but I don't even care. I am sick of them already.
I don't even want to read about this crap any more.
mb.. I know where you're
June 11, 2008 - 20:07 ET by bigtimermb..
I know where you're coming from...I have to take a break at times from politics ect...looking forward to that soon ahead, I hope....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Mr. Durban has confirmed
June 11, 2008 - 20:06 ET by dscottMr. Durban has confirmed that Michelle Obama is Barrack's Achilles Heel. The fact that he and Dowd are shrieking before the first salvo of the general election has been launched means they know Michelle will sink Barrack with her big mouth. Yes, Mr. Durban we have plans for Michelle, we will be watching The View, intently. She can't help herself, just like Roger Rabbit couldn't resist the tune of "shave and a hair cut". Michelle's big mouth will tell the whole world what Barrack really believes behind closed doors.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
dscott....I really think your on to.....
June 11, 2008 - 20:44 ET by BEGRUNTsomething. If he sinks, it will be because of her. She seems to me to be the type that has to have the last word. Those types of people usually stick their foot in it.
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
allow me to love
June 12, 2008 - 11:26 ET by JIMMY1660allow me to love America
with mrs obama, my only question?
with the elite background of the two of them. how do they claim the black experience?
seems like summer in the Hampton's was as close as they got,
and she is not proud of America? they are the top 1% , not the struggling majority they portray!!
to being anything
Durbin is a joke. He's a
June 11, 2008 - 18:32 ET by Indiana JoeDurbin is a joke. He's a total embarrassment. He's one of the reasons that living so close to Illinois sucks. ;^)
As long as Michelle keeps spouting off and playing politics and knocking America, she's fair game. I don't care what Richard "Cranium" Durbin thinks.
msm witchcraft
June 11, 2008 - 18:40 ET by NortoUnless I am mistaken it was the msm that threw Hillary into the boiling oil with the bat's ears, etc.
They are trying to turn this around and make it sound like it was the gop. There will be many of these inside outs in the next 5 months, the main one being that as the Chicago ST is saying, if the US does NOT elect Hussein, it is flat out racist.
Unfortunately, it may work as we have a lot of guilt about slavery, even tho he is 1/2 white, and may not even be natural born or a he may be a Muslim, etc., and is no question a socialist(trying to be kind).
Great Screen Cap Mark! Norah really does look a little shocked
June 11, 2008 - 18:52 ET by Dee BunkHas Bush ever damned anyone to Hell for politics? You know that born again wacko President of ours. It's unbelievable how theses people are.
You mentioned serial killers what about terrorists? Shouldn't they get a hotter ring? These people are unbelievable. Durbin is a total partisan hack.
I have to admit that
June 11, 2008 - 18:57 ET by mostlymoderateI have to admit that Michelle Obama bothers me much more than Barack Obama. The thought of her being in the White House really gives me some negative vibes. My prediction is that Michelle will be the downfall of Obama if his campaign doesn't teach her to close her mouth.
What is the ring order for
June 11, 2008 - 18:53 ET by balboaWhat is the ring order for hell?
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The IRS
Persnickety meter maids
???
Good list start bal..........
June 11, 2008 - 19:07 ET by BEGRUNTmay I add one more? The county tax collector.......;-)
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
Visceral Response
June 11, 2008 - 19:31 ET by JohanHow rude and crude the Democrats have become. There is not even any thought behind their statements, only a visceral response. It used to be that the pols surrogates would do the dirty work. People like Begala and Carville would swing the hatchets to get the message out. But even Begala and Carvelle aren't as low as the slime like Durbin, Reid, and Pelosi. Reid seems to be on this tour of all the liberal news outlets (ie., everyone but Fox) to slime McCain in front of anyone that will interview him. That job used to fall to the surrogates or to the extreme elements of the party (I know, same difference with Reid, Durbin, and Pelosi), and the leadership stayed out of it. I don't recall Dole, Lott, or Gingrich doing similar interviews heaping buckets of fecal matter on the Democratic nominees. They (Dole, Lott, Gingrich) knew at the end of the election that they had to work with the Democrats in order to get their agenda passed. Reid and Durbin apparently are not as tactful and couldn't care less what the Republicans think of them. Then these two buffoons jump around when their bills get filibustered, asking themselves: "Gee, I wonder why that happened?" And now we have Obama who is going to change all that and get people to work together. Maybe he should start his quest with the leadership of his own party.
DICK DURBIN: Well, I know
June 11, 2008 - 19:37 ET by MidAmericaDICK DURBIN: Well, I know Michelle, she's been my friend, a friend of my wife, for many, many years.
So being as friend of his makes michelle's comments such as the US being a mean country OK. Durbin has compared our troops to Nazi's so I guess her statement would be fine with him.
Turbin Durbin
June 11, 2008 - 19:43 ET by ScrapironTurbin Durbin who openly on the floor of congress supported the terrorists killing American soldier is co-chair for Hussein O. Who would have guessed one terrorist supporter would support another? I'll bet the two radical Islamist and terrorists supporters some idiots sent to congress also support Hussein O.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Disgrace!
June 11, 2008 - 20:16 ET by Tyler DurbinGee Dick, and what ring is reserved for senators who
disparage U.S.
servicemen during a time of war? Brave, honorable
kids volunteer to put their ass on the line, only to be publicly humiliated by
this unctuous, cynical, disrespectful hack.
I used to ridicule my friends in California for having elected the nation’s most
obtuse senators. Sadly, Illinois has surpassed
the fruit and nut people. The GOP here
is so broken.
"Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience."
Chicago
June 11, 2008 - 20:24 ET by okiehawk44I just have to ask. What's wrong with Chicago? Or has it permeated all of Illinois?
Seems as if Chicago is the center of radicalized America -- replacing Berkeley perhaps?
Is everyone in Chicago and Illinois a racist, Black Panther, Weatherman Underground, American hating, gang banging, thug and crook or ?
Any good is not getting out of the "black hole" any more. Why?
Irony
June 11, 2008 - 20:25 ET by dcbatlleThe Dems are complaining that the GOP is going to do to Michelle O. what the Dems did to Hilary? No irony here WHATSOEVER.
The Hillary card
June 11, 2008 - 20:45 ET by nkviking75Ironically, the Dems are playing the Hillary card on this one. During the 8 hellish years of the Clinton administration, Hillary wanted to be known as an important person in setting policy, until she was criticized. Then it was, "You can't hit the girl!" from Bubba and his stooges.
I bet Hillary envies Michelle's ace-in-the-hole: The Race Card. You REALLY can't hit the black girl.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
nkviking...
June 11, 2008 - 21:01 ET by Clear thinkerWhat if she takes the first swing?
"Abstain from McCain"
I'm Hypnotized
June 11, 2008 - 21:03 ET by the strugglerI've got it bad for Norah.I can't help it.Sorry.
not for Pro Abortion Liberals?
June 11, 2008 - 21:47 ET by ChasvsSo the hottest ring in Hell is reserved for thaose who dare criticize Michelle Obama but NOT for those Pro-baby killing liberals like her and her half-wit hubby?
For crying out loud.. will the Liberal Marxist bunch behind this fool get real for a change!
It's been a while since
June 11, 2008 - 22:21 ET by CJK51It's been a while since I've read Dante's "Inferno," but if memory serves, the ninth circle of hell, where Satan resided, was actually ice and in the three mouths of Satan were Judas, Brutus and Cassius (you'd never guess Dante was Christian and Italian, would you? :-) ). At worst, maybe Dickie boy was thinking about how the three of them were traitors and how a lying sack of garbage like him would be right at home beside those three.
At best, it shows that a US Senator isn't all that well-read.
Libs don't have any trouble
June 11, 2008 - 23:31 ET by motherbeltLibs don't have any trouble rewriting the Bible to suit their purposes; why would they have a problem rewriting Dante?
Excellent point, Motherbelt.
June 11, 2008 - 23:41 ET by CJK51Excellent point, Motherbelt. About the only thing they won't rewrite is that little manifesto thing by Marx and Engles.
LOL mb... Exactly...they
June 11, 2008 - 23:42 ET by bigtimerLOL mb...
Exactly...they certainly were in the works for Bill Clinton rewriting his Legacy for years...then he went and messed that up for the time being..of course they will go back and continue where they left off if the Clinton Machine behave themselves...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Michelle video
June 12, 2008 - 00:44 ET by hgabrahamsonMany have been hearing for months that there is a video of Michelle in a world class racist rant during some women's conference at the trinity house of horrors. The ridiculous statement by durbin the dunce leads me to believe the rumors are true and someone is about to release it. This should be fun!
Difference of Opinion is what makes a Horse Race
Gross hyperbole, thy name is Durbin.
June 12, 2008 - 09:27 ET by CortillaenNow this is interesting... The absolute worst people in hell are not serial rapists, not mass murders, not monsters who've put tens of thousands of people to death. Instead, that dishonor is reserved for politicians who dare suggest an opponent's real nature might be reflected in his/her spouse. I mean, we all know most politicians are scum (kinda goes with the job), but this is ridiculous.
Incidentally, I wonder how many Democrats are sentenced to "the hottest ring in hell" if one is to (try not to laugh) take Durbin at his word. I'm sure he'd like to apply his heavy-handed statement only to the other side, but how often do we see jabs at Cindy McCain, Laura Bush and her daughters, and other family members by political opponents? What about all the time the (again, try not to laugh) supposedly-objective media takes it upon itself to make those attacks? When a political stooge makes an attack on a politician's family, do they only get the "hottest ring" if they have official association with another politician? Come to think of it, I wonder if Mr. Durbin is speaking from personal experience...
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
CNN story this a.m. on Rep. Attack Machine going after wife
June 12, 2008 - 09:48 ET by krendlerCNN had an extremely sympathetic piece on M. Obama this morning and how the republicans are "attacking" "the candidate's wife". At no point did the story make the obvious point that the "attacks" are being made specifically about comments Michelle made while stumping for hubby. It included a nice quote from a Dem strategist that CNN, for some reason, decided to put front and center saying there there are disturbing racial overtones to the attacks Michelle's patriotism. Surprise, surprise.
You can pretty much assume at this point that any criticism of Obama, his campaign, or his wife (who is not just his wife, but a key part of his campaign) - in lieu of any kind of rational defense or the ability to counter with "the other side is doing it, too" - will simply be met with the bread-and-butter of the Obama campaign to date: Race-baiting. Bill Clinton learned this the hard way when he called Obama a "kid". That comment was determined by the black community and other Obama moonies to have a racial element to it.
Save the tape
June 12, 2008 - 11:26 ET by justmemeIf there is a tape, save it until after the Dem Convention and the apparent nominee is the actual nominee. My guess is that it will be one of many hits the O-man will take once the head-to-head campaign is in full swing.
Whose Game is This?
June 12, 2008 - 12:31 ET by HawgdrvrMaureen Dowd knows that's how the Libs play the political game so naturally she assumes (and secretly hopes) that the Republicans will also. These people are so transparent. I hope the RNC does not unjustly try to slam Mrs B Hussein; but, if she goes out and stumps for hubby and says stupid, un-American stuff then she is fair game. I don't care if she's black, green, purple or yellow. Durbin's self-righteous comment doesn't even deserve mentioning. What are they hiding about the Mrs?
Ok. So how much time have
June 12, 2008 - 13:12 ET by DarasenOk. So how much time have the liberals already spent attacking Mrs. McCain, not to mention Mrs. Bush?