He ain't triangulating, he's my post-partisan. That's Eugene Robinson's innovative new MSM means of covering for Barack Obama. As Obama sprints toward the center and away from many of the positions that won him the nomination from the liberal Dem base, WaPo columnist Robinson has suggested that the nominee isn't engaging in the kind of cynical "triangulating" that made Bill Clinton famous. No, Obama's just being the post-partisan he really was all along.
Robinson trotted out his theory on last evening's "Race for the White House" on MSNBC in reaction to Obama's announcement, mirabile dictu, that far from junking Pres. Bush's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives—long a target of the secular left—a President Obama would actually expand the program! Sounds like a cynical ploy to some. But not to Robinson . . .
View video here.
EUGENE ROBINSON: My headline tonight is a question: is it post-partisanship, or plain old triangulation? I think everyone's instinct, when we heard Barack Obama talk about the faith-based programs yesterday and put it together with his view of the Second Amendment again and other recent statements, the instinct was to say he's triangulating, he is moving to the right for the general-election campaign, as candidates do. That's the way you get elected.
I think there's another possibility. I think that what we're seeing is an expression of the Barack Obama of the beginning of the campaign who talked of post-partisanship, who talked about a political landscape in which Democrats didn't say well, we can't support any of those policies because Republicans support them, and we're Democrats, and people we like [don't?] support them, therefore we have to stay on our side of the fence and Republicans have to stay on their side of the fence. The Barack Obama who talks, and still talks, constantly about moving past the us vs. them politics of the 60s, getting over the Vietnam argument. And I wonder if the Barack Obama who talks about faith-based programs as important to the Obama White House, might not just be the real Barack Obama.
RACHEL MADDOW: Point taken, Gene. That said, if you had asked me a year ago whether the Democratic presidential candidate would be unveiling his own office of faith-based programs, I would have put you on my [Air America] radio show just for the pleasure of mocking you. Of course, I would have been wrong!
ROBINSON: A year ago we wouldn't have thought it was Barack Obama!
So he's not triangulating. This is the just the real Obama. It's Barack being Barack. How convenient. But if that's true, why didn't we hear about his faith-based initiative plans during primary season? And how does Robinson's theory of Post-Partisan Obama explain:
- That prior to the Supreme Court decision he suggested that the DC gun ban was constitutional, but now says he believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right.
- During the primaries, he spoke of ditching NAFTA unless it could be rengotiated and now has backed away from the threat?
- That he claimed he could never disown Rev. Wright, but ditched him when the water got hot?
- Who declared that he "will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies," then turned around and declared support for the FISA bill that grants immunit to the telecoms.
- Was the Simon-pure proponent of public campaign financing, till he realized he could outraise McCain by multi-millions?
Robinson can try to sell his post-partisan picture of Obama, but you'll excuse me if I opt for Charles Krauthammer's characterization: "By the time he's finished, Obama will have made the Clintons look scrupulous."
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
One needn't be either secular or left
July 2, 2008 - 05:56 ET by sarcasmoTo be against welfare for religions. Tax money always comes with majoritarian strings which pollute stuff like religion. And the "welfare for religions" idea began under Clinton, not Bush, but back then it was called "Charitable Choice." Guess what I thought of it back then, too? This is pork, folks.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Charity is the purview of Religions
July 2, 2008 - 07:47 ET by c5thenIt is not the responsibility of Government nor a justifiable use of taxes. Why? Taxes are money taken from citizens for the running of the Government. They are by definition taken at the threat of duress. That means that they are not freely given. Then for Government to turn around and distribute some of those funds to charities means that citizens are being forced to contribute to charities that they might have deep idiological disagreements with.
No where does the Constitution delegate the authority to the Federal Government to take citizens money and re-distribute it to people who have hit bad times or are in "worse economic positions".
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
→ Post Partisan Depression
July 2, 2008 - 06:00 ET by Cool ArrowAs I've said many times in this site:
That one's a definite. There will always be the benchmark of having had a young Black man, deserted by his father early in life, who overcame all the obstacles to garner the highest CEO position in the World.
Other benefits are:
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
racism will only change
July 2, 2008 - 06:28 ET by AgnosticYou may gain another example in support of the diminishment of white racism but with the election of Senator Obama the idea of racism will be stronger than ever for a couple of reasons.
One is that America was shocked to see the racism so prevelant in Sen. Obama's church but wait until he releases the black caucus that make up part of the Chicago political structure on America. They help to make Sen. Obama and they will have to be repaid somehow.
Two is that every political disagreement with the administration will be displayed as having racial undertones. This has already begun and he hasn't even been elected yet.
Yes you will be able to say, "but, we elected a black man president". However, as with all power hungry regimes, there response will be: "its not enough", "we need more", and "what have you done for me lately".
→ Sorry Agnostic
July 2, 2008 - 07:54 ET by Cool ArrowOh, I agree with what you're saying, and it's going to be the crybaby attitude that truncates Obama's Presidency to four years.
But his getting voted out will be nothing more than the same pragmatic decision we made to cut Carter's career short. Simply cant afford it.
Don't underestimate the American people's ability to put the clues together when they are going broke. This guy better have some ideas or we find another pitcher.
That's the big leagues.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Be REALLY careful what you ask for...
July 2, 2008 - 07:39 ET by c5thenIf Obama wins the White House, he will likely have significant majorities in the House and Senate and that means that for 4 years (or, GOD forbid, 8 years) the liberals will be in almost total control.
What could we expect?
Huge tax increases (plural)
Global Warming legislation
attempts to repeal certain amendments to the Constitution (2nd, 22nd, 10h, 12th, 27th)
Appointment of two SCOTUS justices (at minimum).
Significant gutting of the military
Tacit surrender to Islamo-fascist terrorism
Surrender of soverignty to UN
Those are just some that I could think of off the top of my head.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
→ Got that right c5
July 2, 2008 - 07:58 ET by Cool ArrowThere's very little upside to an Obama Presidency. I cited only one. An end to racism in America forever. Maybe we'll find (or demand) another Reagan in critical mass numbers, but that's not a definite.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Post Partisan Depression
July 2, 2008 - 06:24 ET by allanfHe's post partisan. That means a determined attack on McCain's military service through surrogates. Then you deny, deny deny and rely on an adoring press to give you cover.
Mr. we could use an man like Ronald Reagan again.
I know I'm repeating
July 2, 2008 - 06:43 ET by motherbeltI know I'm repeating myself, but all I can say about them is they are just shameless in their adoration and promotion of this man.
Robinson said "Post Partisan," but he really meant "Post Primary."
Robinson has suggested that the nominee isn't engaging in the kind of
cynical "triangulating" that made Bill Clinton famous. No, Obama's
just being the real post-partisan he really was all along.
As the lawyer confronts the witness who denies on the witness stand what he told the police earlier: So, Sen. Obama, were you lying then, or are you lying now?
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
"And I wonder if the Barack
July 2, 2008 - 06:36 ET by Killgrave"And I wonder if the Barack Obama who talks about faith-based programs as important to the Obama White House, might not just be the real Barack Obama."
Let's be careful here. As sarcasmo points out, this was a bad idea since the beginning. But if Obambi takes over, exactly what kind of these "churches" are going to get the federal hand-out?
Yep. Mr. "God damn America" may be wearing a new Rolex.
BHO's Flip Flops (i.e. Post Partisan)
July 2, 2008 - 06:42 ET by sndrmrv1) Flag Pin, 2) Capital Punishment, 3) Handguns, 4) Trade, 5) Faith based initiatives, 6) all his America hating buddies, 7) his white grandmother, 8) FISA, 9) Speaking to rouge nations - Iran, Cuba etc. 10) General Betray Us Ad, 11) Tony Rezko....when will th MSM have the balls? BTW is there a way to impeach MSM given that they are forsaking their duty as the fourth estate in the Constituion
If Obama would make the
July 2, 2008 - 07:59 ET by PeskyDaneIf Obama would make the following departure from BDS, then we would truly be entering a post-partisan era -
"While I do not agree with the way President Bush has prosecuted the war on Islamo-Fascism, I applaud him for taking the fight to the enemy. After decades of taking cheap shots, culminating in the unprovoked attacks on September 11th, 2001, it was evident to all that we had to respond in some way. It has been said that the pioneers take the arrows, and our President has done that for all those who will follow. Every President for the next 100 years will owe a debt of gratitude to President Bush. I plan to be the first. It is time to take the lessons learned and apply them even more vigorously. As your next president, I plan to do just that."
See? That's post-partisianship. That's also know as being (pay attention libs) a "grown-up."
Eugene Robinson is the new
July 2, 2008 - 08:11 ET by marpelEugene Robinson is the new King of Smug for this election year. I cannot stand his wheezie, breathless adoration of Obama..."Hey, Eugene, use your inhaler more before making your smug, slanted observations." I know I sound petty, but I'm just so sick of this whole thing with MSNBC and it's employees and their adoration of Obama. It's just so tiresome.
Robinson
July 2, 2008 - 08:18 ET by cvgbuckeyeRobinson would support the devil himself (and he likely is) for president if he was black. Robinson is openly and unashamedly one of the most racist people on the planet.
This is the new breed of the Klan; just a different skin color and people like Robinson would be candidates for The Grand Wizard.
→ Lighten up buckeye
July 2, 2008 - 08:25 ET by Cool ArrowThink of all the career white journalists commiserating over their whiskey about the next wave of job cuts.
They have a very high stake in the major Obama suck up.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
You're so right, buckeye.
July 2, 2008 - 09:08 ET by marpelYou're so right, buckeye. I used to think Oprah was the most rascist person in the world, but there are others out there who would give her a run for her money....she's still rascist, and Obama's candidacy has brought out more black rascists than we ever knew we had.
Robinson is the new Oprah...or at least he's being treated as such. When it comes down to it, he's just one of MSNBC's tokens.
I'm just so sick of this
July 2, 2008 - 10:03 ET by motherbeltI'm just so sick of this whole thing with MSNBC and it's employees and their adoration of Obama.
Hence, my coining of the acronym OAS....Obama Adoration Syndrome.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Touche, Motherbelt!
July 2, 2008 - 12:28 ET by marpelTouche, Motherbelt!
Government in Church
July 2, 2008 - 08:20 ET by Copperhead RidgeI've recently had a philosophical split with my church over government programs. Over my input, it decided to participate in a federally funded meal program, but I warned that we didn't want to invite the state or federal government under our steeple.
Two nights after the program started we had some wonk from a federal agency standing in the corner of our fellowship hall making sure that things were distributed properly and to make sure the right children received the meals. If any of the food was left over, the government agent made sure it was disposed of, so we had to throw away uneaten sandwiches and fresh fruit. The wonk made sure we took it to the outside dumpster.
Ah, yes, any church that falls for these "faith based initiatives" is foolish. Can't people understand that government only wants power, and if a church takes Caeser's coin, it better be ready for Caeser's agents. Today it is a humorless government social worker looming around a fellowship hall, tomorrow it could be a federal worker looking over the shoulder of a pastor while he prepares a sermon.
The scary thing is that the people in my church seemed pleased with the program and unalarmed with some government social worker standing over us like some Gestapo agent. If it wasn't
Church's should lead in charity, but no church should use taxpayers' money to fund a community program. It's wrong on so many levels. I'm definitely on the bubble leaning out on that church.
The world around me is slouching toward socialism.
Robinson: "... The Barack
July 2, 2008 - 08:35 ET by krendlerRobinson: "... The Barack Obama who talks, and still talks, constantly about moving past the us vs. them politics of the 60s..."
SHEEESHHHHH. I've heard everything.
Obama and his wife have been giving us a steady diet of "us vs. them", "two Americas", "big, bad, racist white Republican" politics for 18 straight months. All of which garnered rousing ovations at the professional victim rallies during the primaries.
Now we're in the general and Eugene Robinson - the guy who told us voters in NH were racist for not voting for Obama - tells us Obama "talks, and STILL talks, constantly about moving past the us vs. them politics."
Is he being sarcastic?
Good point, krendler; I
July 2, 2008 - 10:19 ET by motherbeltGood point, krendler; I agree. All Obama talks about is how HE wants to unite; they want to divide. But his idea of unity is everyone agrees with HIM. As a great example of his "reaching out" (?) to those who don't agree with him, in Lebanon NH he said he would "cobble together a coalition" of people who agree on certain things.
Wow! What a miracle worker, huh?
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Hmmm, looks like Obama has a mortgage problem of his own
July 2, 2008 - 08:43 ET by Prester JohnFrom the Washington Post.
Obama Got Discount on Home Loan
Campaign Defends Lower Rate as Lender Competition for Business
Shortly after joining the U.S. Senate and while enjoying a surge in income, Barack Obama bought a $1.65 million restored Georgian mansion in an upscale Chicago neighborhood. To finance the purchase, he secured a $1.32 million loan from Northern Trust in Illinois.
The freshman Democratic senator received a discount. He locked in an interest rate of 5.625 percent on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, below the average for such loans at the time in Chicago. The loan was unusually large, known in banker lingo as a "super super jumbo." Obama paid no origination fee or discount points, as some consumers do to reduce their interest rates.
Compared with the average terms offered at the time in Chicago, Obama's rate could have saved him more than $300 per month.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/01/AR2008070103008.html?hpid=topnews
I love the wording "as SOME consumers do to reduce...." Some?? How about just about everybody, unless you are a US Senator of course.
Note the $300/month savings adds up to almost $110,000 over the life of the loan.
Won't work.
July 2, 2008 - 08:38 ET by okiehawk44Electing BO will not end racism in America, just the opposite will occur IMHO.
Victimhood has been ingrained by liberals who have patronized minorities in America to gain power without ever intending to do anything about lifting the weight of racism. Socialists have no reason to lift anything off anyone's back or those victims wouldn't be their most loyal supporters. Always keep the carrot just a few inches from the horse's mouth.
BO will not do anything of importance for poor people or minorities because that would kill the "business" he and Michelle chose to go into in Chicago and into which they have openly sought the talents of the best and the brightest -- remember?
→ Maybe, okie
July 2, 2008 - 08:43 ET by Cool ArrowBut this horse forgets all about carrots when he gets a whiff of something more enticing.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Post-Post
July 2, 2008 - 08:38 ET by jaywlWhen we are finished with Obama I fear there will be a new lexicon populated by words such as post-individual, post-market economy, but most of all Post-Obama when as my Grandmother would have said "We get shed of him."
McCAIN: TRY THIS AGAINST BHO FOR THE SUMMER
July 2, 2008 - 08:43 ET by reelman46When asked to comment on some juvenile, deliberate distraction from BHO’s record…simply say, “No comment”,
then say, “Did I mention I vote pro-life? or then say, “Did I mention I want all tax cuts to stay in place?”, or then say, “Did I mention I want victory in Iraq?” or then say, “Did I mention I will not meet with thug dictators without conditions?” or then say, “Did I mention I will not support taxing Social Security or raising retirement age?” or then say, “Did I mention I support a complete border fence with hefty fines for hiring illegals”? or then say, “Did I mention I pledge to oppose all pork (earmarks) or then say, “Did I mention I support drilling here and now?” or then say, “Did I mention I support 45 new nuclear power plants?” or then say, “Did I mention I support serious income tax reform”? or then say, “Did I mention I support the marriage amendment concept”? or then say, “Did I mention illegals should get no social services or a driver’s license?” or then say, you-fill-in-the-blank here! The long overdue “did I mention” defense is an offense in disguise. The current strategy sux.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
→ Excellent reelman
July 2, 2008 - 08:47 ET by Cool ArrowFill the air with "Did I mention" and watch the Pess go crazy looking through all of it for Obama's version of "Did I mention".
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
As a conservative Catholic.....
July 2, 2008 - 09:00 ET by Missouri Conservative.....I totally agree.
"women and minorities hardest hit"
From the secluded ivory
July 2, 2008 - 11:31 ET by mattmFrom the secluded ivory halls of academia comes another euphemism for 'radical leftist tyrant' - 'post partisan'... laughable!
BJ's old tactic
July 2, 2008 - 22:12 ET by hookrightThis is the same tactic Bill "Blowjob" Clinton used in 1992. Recall those days where he and his handlers stated he was neither liberal or conservative, he transcended those labels. Hussein Obama is a joke and despite the huffing and puffing of the left winger, this muther is going down in November. Get ready for the shitstorm that's coming