David Shuster surely knows better. Wherever you come down on the issue of who's playing the race card, one thing is glaringly, blindingly, incandescently obvious: when Barack Obama says McCain will point out Obama doesn't look like the other guys on the currency, the Dem candidate is doing much more than making the innocuous point that he is the first black major-party presidential nominee. Yet that is precisely how Shuster chose to misinterpret Obama's remark on today's "Morning Joe." Fortunately, Tiki Barber was there to run to daylight through the gaping hole in Shuster's line of logic.
The show began with a clip of Obama intoning his stock line that Bush and McCain will try to "make you scared of me" by pointing out, among other things, "he dudn't look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills. You know?"
View video here.
Permit me a momentary digression. "Dudn't"? Does anyone think Barack Obama grew up in Hawaii, or learned at Harvard, to say "dudn't," or is this the Obaman equivalent of John Kerry's "can I git me a huntin' license here?"
A bit later, Joe Scarborough read a similar line Obama had used in June: "they're going to try to make you afraid of me. 'He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?" That explicit invocation of his race puts the lie to the risible assertion by Obama communication director Robert "Baghdad Bob" Gibbs yesterday that with his currency claim, Dollar Bill Obama wasn't talking about race but alluding to the fact he's a fresh face in Washington.
That's when Shuster got off his laugh line:
DAVID SHUSTER: This is what I don't understand. What's wrong with [Obama] pointing out that he's the first major African-American candidate in US history? I mean, what's wrong with that?
Mika did her best for David.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: And he was self-deprecating!TIKI BARBER: I don't think there's anything wrong with him pointing it out. I think what McCain's campaign is upset about is that Obama is saying they're using that against him. And they haven't done that yet.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Such wisdom!
August 1, 2008 - 06:55 ET by FoolicanI see an opportunity for a whole new spin-off television show - "Are You Smarter than a Professional Football Player?"
I always like Tiki, except
August 1, 2008 - 07:10 ET by USA4freedomI always like Tiki, except when I was in Fed Ex field watching him run all over my Redskins..
If they put Obama’s face on paper money, they will have to make a bigger bill. His ego will take up all the room and the ears will put him over the edge..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendal 2012 (if,we survive)
DAVID SHUSTER:
August 1, 2008 - 10:01 ET by DoktorFrankenDAVID SHUSTER: "That isn't the dollar bill that I knew."
I may not be smarter than a football player
August 1, 2008 - 10:56 ET by Dr_Libertybut it sounds like Barber is defending the McCain camp.
I'm confused by "they" in Barber's last sentence. Who is he refering to by "they"?
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Professional Athlethes
August 1, 2008 - 11:30 ET by ElyasI've actually noticed that many professional atheletes tend to be more conservative than liberal. .
I think the last "they" he is referring to is the McCain camp.
I think you are right
August 1, 2008 - 12:11 ET by Dr_Libertybut I am only about 75% sure.
It would be news if a black athlete came out in favor of McCain.
And I agree that athletes tend conservative since their whole career is largely based on merit. If you can't catch the ball in high school you don't go to college. If you don't catch the ball in college, you don't get drafted. If you don't catch the ball in the NFL, you watch the game from home. (Unless you are T.O. -- then you get to go to fancy nightclubs.)
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Playing Dumb?!
August 1, 2008 - 07:24 ET by danhatNot so sure he is "Playing" dumb.
Normally I don't root for the disease. But in your case I am willing to make and exception.
Shuster's an idiot. Even
August 1, 2008 - 07:25 ET by motherbeltShuster's an idiot.
Even Mika knew better than to try to defend Obama on that one.
BTW...in his speech in Berlin, just over a week ago, Obama also said
I know that I don’t look like the other Americans who’ve previously spoken in this great city.
He is the one who keeps saying, oh, did you notice I'm black?
Nevermind "dusting off your shoulders" Barack.
Instead how about knocking the chips off?
Obama's theme song
Bambi in Berlin
August 1, 2008 - 09:03 ET by Blondemb,
I heard this on one of the morning shows this a.m., and it was mentioned that both Condi Rice and Colin Powwel had spoken in Berlin.
Maybe Obama meant he looks obviously Marxist?
Que'lle idiot!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Tiki hasn't been in the biz
August 1, 2008 - 07:28 ET by taterTiki hasn't been in the biz long enough to be dragged into the liberal mindset. In fact I think he is a Republican and a conservative. And not all football jocks are dumb.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
P.S.......
August 1, 2008 - 07:54 ET by motherbeltAs a P.S. to this story, the Obama campaign is now denying that that the "other Presidents on the dollar bills" was a reference to race. PowerLine has the info. (Scroll down to "Obama Removes His Mask").
When questioned about the remark
The Obama campaign denied that the comment about "presidents on the dollar bills" was a reference to race. It claimed that Obama was referring to the fact that "he didn't get here after spending decades in Washington." But, of course, neither did the presidents on the dollar bills (Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant). Thus, the campaign's spin does not pass the straight face test.
That's a response that Michelle Malkin would call "snort-worthy."
A few days ago there was a blog here about the difference in the way the two candidates handle their "gaffes" or misstatements.
McCain says "oops," corrects it and moves on. Obama and his people tend to defend, explain, clarify, and try to prove that it wasn't really a goof.
This is evidence of that. Obama falsely accuses the McCain camp of playing racial politics, all the while doing it himself and then denying it.
That is arrogance on stilts.
Obama's theme song
<< The Obama campaign
August 1, 2008 - 08:04 ET by krendler<< The Obama campaign denied that the comment about "presidents on the
dollar bills" was a reference to race. It claimed that Obama was
referring to the fact that "he didn't get here after spending decades
in Washington." But, of course, neither did the presidents on the
dollar bills (Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant). Thus, the
campaign's spin does not pass the straight face test. >>
Completely nonsensical explanations like that just make it worse for them and simply re-inforces the suspicion (in anyone who wasn't sure) what Obama was actually talking about: His race.
Obama played the race-card to the hilt - successfully - in his battle against Bill and Hillary. This is the 2nd time Obama's tried it in the general and in both instances the McCain camp and some in the media (Scarborough) have nailed him on it.
Motherbelt: I actually
August 1, 2008 - 08:32 ET by Mark FinkelsteinMotherbelt: I actually linked to that quote at "assertion."
Yes you did. I must have
August 1, 2008 - 09:37 ET by motherbeltYes you did. I must have missed it, going to the video and jumpeing around. (My early morning ADD)
Shoulda known that wouldn't get by you.... ;-)
Obama's theme song
pass the duct tape
August 1, 2008 - 08:58 ET by candancedenied that the comment about "presidents on the dollar bills" was a reference to race. It claimed that Obama was referring to the fact that "he didn't get here after spending decades in Washington."
First of all this explanation makes no sense, and second it's an insult to the founding fathers. As you've pointed out many of them were elected without decades in Congress
And how can those people *look* like they spent decades in DC? Can you pull out a particular bill, hold it up to the light, and say "yeah this guy was a DC insider"???
Obama's people are really banking on the average voter being stupid.
And how can those people
August 1, 2008 - 09:41 ET by motherbeltAnd how can those people *look* like they spent decades in DC?
That's a great point!
They apparently didn't consisder that when they came up with their B as in B, S as in S excuse.
they are not only banking on the average voter being stupid, they are counting on the MSM not to examine anything too closely.
Obama's theme song
you know mother
August 1, 2008 - 12:01 ET by candanceThe more I think about this the more I think conservies should be broadcasting this from the rooftops.
American history is full of people who made it to the White House precisely by casting themselves as something new, something better, folks who will get in there and bring reform. That was Lincoln. That was Reagan. That was Teddy Roosevelt. You look at the old guys like John Adams, they were all about hope and change - you can't get any more unconventional.
So for him to be all "oh I'm not like those people" shows a profound lack of understanding about history and a naivete in him really thinking he's got the first gig as an "outsider."
This should be plastered all over the place, that Obama thinks the founding fathers were status quo.
Washington
August 1, 2008 - 09:03 ET by Copperhead RidgeHmmm. George Washington is on the dollar bill. He couldn't have spent a lot of time in Washington because he WAS WASHINGTON!
Barry doesn't look like the guys on our currency because he doesn't wear a powdered wig. He didn't write the Declaration of Independence. He didn't guide a nation through a devisive war (The War of Northern Aggression). He wasn't Secretary of the Treasury and an aide to George Washington. He didn't defeat the British at the Battle of New Orleans and later become president. He didn't lead an army in a desperate struggle and later become president. He didn't make life improving inventions and help mold a young nation.
Is that why Barry doesn't look like the guys on our currency?
Heck, Barry, we couldn't fit your danged jug handled ears in one of those ovals on our currency.
Obama and his people tend
August 1, 2008 - 11:28 ET by FishFace222Obama and his people tend to defend, explain, clarify, and try to prove that it wasn't really a goof.
i.e. Obama forgets to ask his supporters to help pay Hillary's campaign debt at a joint appearance and has to come back out to do so. That was looked at as a brilliant move by some.
Did you watch the rest of the show??? Good Grief...
August 1, 2008 - 07:56 ET by krendlerBarber claimed repeatedly that Obama, in responding to the Celeb ad (which had absolutely nothing to do with race) is just trying to "PREEMPT" the racist attacks we all KNOW are coming from the evil McCain camp. An exact Obama speaking point.
It's not overt race-baiting, everyone. Obama is just preempting the racist attacks that are on the way. Got it?
Then the real fun started when McCaskill came on an started dancing all over the place trying to claim in one sentence that Obama's use of "they" didn't mean McCain, then in the next breath that "they" DID mean McCain. Just as she did on MTP a few weeks ago, she felt the need to smile the entire time.
What a freak show Morning Joe is. The only people with half a brain are Scarborough and Geist. The rest are imbeciles.
Frankly, I am sick to death
August 1, 2008 - 09:48 ET by motherbeltFrankly, I am sick to death of Obama getting applause, and face time, and media coverage, by claiming that Republicans WILL attack his race.
Until he has an example of what they have done...not what he thinks they WILL do...he should shut up.
And the media should call him on it. Demand that he show some basis for the accusation.
If McCain were going around saying "They're going to make you afraid of me because of age...make you think I'm feeble-minded etc." don't you think "journalists" would be cornering him and asking "Why do you think they will do that? What evidence do you have? No one has said anything about your age. On what basis do you make that accusation?"
Will they do the same to Obama?
Don't hold your breath.
Obama's theme song
I agree!
August 1, 2008 - 07:56 ET by Texndoc"What's wrong with [Obama] pointing out that he's the first major African-American candidate in US history? I mean, what's wrong with that?"
Exactly! This is a person who used his "blackness" to gain admission to Harvard, his "blackness" to gain admission to the Senate, and is trying to become the President of the United States. It's worked all his life!
Shuster doesn't have to play dumb.
August 1, 2008 - 07:58 ET by ThalpyShuster doesn't have to play dumb.
Unreal how the media misses the point & tactic
August 1, 2008 - 08:28 ET by political mavenObama is doing what other unqualified, stupid, minorities do in any job(as opposed to white stupid unqualified workers who don't get to use this tactic)....he's saying that if you don't want to hire me, it's not because of my lack of qualification, not because (in this case) because I am a leftist, socialist, blame America first bafoon...but because I am black.
He's trying to innoculate himself from any criticism. He figures it works for blacks in many jobs, why not for this one??
It's a shame the republican party /McCain can't simply say "we think he is underqualified, he is dangerous, and it has nothing to do with skin shade. We think all leftists are dangerous, regardless of skin shade or gender"
Of course if you dare point out the reasons B.Hussein is not good, that's called negative....unless Obama says that McCain has no plan, is like Bush...that's not negative...the black guy can say what he wants, his wife can say what she wants, if the white dude fights back...OOOPS! racist! yeah, we've all seen it in everyday life over & over...what else is new?
Now Tiki, he owned Shuster on this! good job!
Mika also went on to say
August 1, 2008 - 08:13 ET by cayenne523You stopped the video to soon. After Tikki said "yet" Mika went on to smuggly say "yet". To insinuate that McCain will use race in this campaign. God I wish Joe would just reach over and smack her right in the head.
I think he'd like to
August 1, 2008 - 09:54 ET by motherbeltI think he'd like to sometimes. If it were me, I would be constantly like that woman in the Dilbert cartoons....Must....control....fist....of death......
Obama's theme song
Tiki
August 1, 2008 - 08:25 ET by Delsagot Shuster. That is true BUT Tiki put it like this,
He said.... Yea but
"They have not done it yet"?????
So Tiki thinks the campaign will use RACE?
Just curious
Any doubts the MSM thinks their audience is stupid?
August 1, 2008 - 08:36 ET by CTI'm not sure I could be wrong, but I don't recall Sen. McCain attending a racist church for twenty years or having a rap artist sing his campaign theme.
NO OBAMUNISTS PLEASE!
Breitbart reports protests at Obama campaign stop!
August 1, 2008 - 10:52 ET by Dr_LibertyGiven this NB post, this story is very interesting. African American protesters at an Obama campaign stop.
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Media, Obama and blacks dying to tag McCain as a "racist"
August 1, 2008 - 11:10 ET by krendlerI thought the bar couldn't be set any lower for what it would take for the Obama campaign and surrogates to label a criticism as a "racial attack" than when they went after Bill Clinton during the Dem primary. Clinton called Obama a "kid" and his campaign a "fairy tale". Clinton was immediately branded as a "racist" or "racially insensitive" etc over remarks that had zilch to do with race. Donna Brazile squawked that she - as an African American - found his words depressing. Go figure.
Now, with the big, bad Republicans, they're not even bothering to wait for a specific comment. They've just gone ahead and claimed that the racist attacks are on the way: "We better warn you now. No they haven't done it yet but we all know it's coming." as many of the talking heads on CNN and MS-NBC nod in agreement: "Shrewd", "smart" of Obama to bring it up now....etc.
Sickening and totally expected that the MSM plays along with this kind of race-baiting bs. Dosn't matter if McCain or anyone associated with the campaign directly or indirectly brings up race - They're going to tag him with it anyway.
Breaking news!
August 1, 2008 - 13:03 ET by IamTinmanDavid Shuster doesn't have to play dumb. He truly is!!