Not that there was any doubt that McCain walked away the winner from Rick Warren's forum, but when David Shuster cracks that Obama was lucky not too many people were watching . . . Subbing for Chris Matthews on this evening's Hardball, Shuster kibitzed Saddleback with Dem Steve McMahon and Republican Todd Harris. Shuster made his surprising remark at segment end.
DAVID SHUSTER: I think it also revealed that John McCain's going to be a much better debater than a lot of people think. And maybe also in some sense, Barack Obama is lucky in a way that Saturday night was Michael Phelps' night and not a night when a lot of people were paying attention to politics.
A bit later, Shuster used Phelps to work in an obligatory swipe at President Bush. After rolling tape of a clearly-excited Phelps mentioning that it was "pretty cool" that the president had taken pictures with him at the pool after the 400 individual medley race, Shuster pounced: "even cooler for the president, who's probably happy that someone popular wanted to get a picture with him."
View video here.
BONUS COVERAGE—Brown: Obama's Conduct 'Very Disturbing;' Chrystia Correct on Hillary, McCain
In a subsequent segment, the inimitable Willie Brown gave voice to the reported rumblings among Dems over Obama.
SHUSTER: Mr. Mayor, I understand you're hearing some of the nervousness from Democrats. What's driving this nervous rumblings?
WILLIE BROWN: I think that the conduct of Barack Obama over the last three or four weeks has been very disturbing. Because we've come to expect so much out of him. He's been such a superstar in every way. He's been on his game in every aspect from the primary to the present day. And we just want to see that continue.
In the final segment, Chrystia Freeland of the Financial Times made a lot of sense on a couple points--meaning, she agreed with me.
First, Freeland suggested that Hillary would make Obama's best VP choice, echoing a sentiment I expressed a couple weeks ago here, calling her, among other things, "the most macho of the Democratic field." Later, she opined that McCain has benefited from his handling of the Georgian situation.
SHUSTER: Chrystia, as the tensions with Russia ratchet up instead of going the other way, doesn't that help John McCain?
CHRYSTIA FREELAND: Absolutely. I think the Georgia crisis has been very, very good for John McCain. You know, for one thing, he was right. Yah, I think the Georgia crisis shows that McCain's hawkish line on Russia and on Putin, which is not a new thing, he hasn't flip-flopped here, he's been very consistent, has turned out to be prescient. And I think because he had that view, because he was very clear on how he saw events when the crisis began, he was faster than anyone, including the White House, off the mark. So I think he's done well on the issue and I think that's given him some confidence, and maybe a little bit deflated the euphoria that Obama and the Obama camp had after that fabulous Middle-Eastern and European tour.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Mark.... Wow! This coming
August 18, 2008 - 20:48 ET by bigtimerMark....
Wow! This coming from Shuster.....
...and as for the rest of this.....this made my evening...
The Chickens....are coming home.....to roost!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Yeah let's compare the
August 18, 2008 - 20:54 ET by wiwfYeah let's compare the number of people that want to get their photo taken with Bush with the number of people that want to get their photo taken with shuster.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
obama sure was
August 19, 2008 - 09:45 ET by TruthMongerobama sure was lucky!
but it's just too darn bad we have the internet now:)
no one ever freakin watches political TV anymore, shuster
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
Low Expectations
August 18, 2008 - 20:57 ET by Lee BoggsMcCain's going to be a better debater than expecting?
Shuster, McCain was strung up in a Vietnamese prison when you were wetting your diapers.
He's been winning elections for 30 years. So why would you expect him not to be a good debater?
He was # 894 in a class of
August 18, 2008 - 21:09 ET by Biff McCainHe was # 894 in a class of 899, and there because his dad went there.
Let's see how does outside a church.
I know how to win wars!
Socialist Biffy Strikes Again
August 18, 2008 - 21:20 ET by UnsaneUlysses Grant sucked at West Point and proved to be the best Union general of the Civil War. What the hell is your point, Socialist?
By the way, it is a TEENSY bit harder than that to get to a service academy. But I don't expect a whiny, military-hating Socialist like you to get that.
I'm no McCain fan, but it is clear you can't hack what he has been through. Living in the United States at present is too much of a burden for you. That's all the proof I need.
The Olympics are now under way in Beijing. May the people of Beijing gt thoroughly sick of hearing The Star Spangled Banner. May the Beijing Olympic Committee run out of U.S. flags for themedal ceremonies! USA! USA!! USA!!!
this will be a "fetal
August 19, 2008 - 09:48 ET by TruthMongerthis will be a "fetal position" week for obammie fans:)
maybe we found the real reason the press won't cover McCain?
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
Fine Biff
August 18, 2008 - 21:24 ET by Cool ArrowAnd of course you're all in favor of Planned Parenthood targeting African American babies.
I'll even take McCain last in his graduating class over the arrogant candidate who can spike a born baby to the ground like a football and smile for the cameras with a sheepish "it's above my pay grade".
I ♣ my seal
Obammy and his charming
August 19, 2008 - 07:32 ET by Seabeach4348Obammy and his charming wife have two really nice little girls, ages 6 and 9 if I'm right.
I'd like to ask the Messiah when he thought the time was right for his kids to get "human rights".
McCain kicked Obammy's ass up and down on saturday night! The Messiah was a weak, pathetic, wet noodle "a cappella" without his teleprompter!
And Shuster can rest assured that there were a lot more people than he cares to admit who watched this. And if they didn't they can always record it for later!
seabeach
August 19, 2008 - 07:40 ET by Cool ArrowCan you believe he used those cute little daughters of his for his "punished with a baby" comment? Talk about the "soft bigotry of low expectations"
I ♣ my seal
"He was # 894 in a class of
August 18, 2008 - 21:27 ET by NL207"He was # 894 in a class of 899"
What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at Med School? .................... Doctor.
What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at Annapolis? .......................... Sir.
Lets see, Obama is 47. He attended two of the most liberal universities in America during the heyday of affirmative action programs. You don't suppose his ethnic diversity had anything to do with either his admission to or success at college?
Obama lacks mental toughness and nimble wits. I think he is going to do quite poorly in an open debate.
I gathering from your post
August 18, 2008 - 22:25 ET by RESTLESS 1I gather from your post that obama faired a little better?
Just goes to show what education has become over the past 40 years, where one who graduates nearly last in his class previous to liberal indoctriation camps being set up at our universities is so much superior to one who ranks toward the top later on.
Sigh!!!! The dumbest of the "Greatest Generation" could wipe the floor with the "best and brightest" our schools are turning out today.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
And take Obama
August 19, 2008 - 07:03 ET by theduck6out from in front of the teleprompter and I'll take that bet and give you odds. And even if he is sooooo much smarter, explain why he got his arse handed to him. I'm not happy with either choice this time...an all too familiar situation lately, but I'll take the candidate who wants to amble down the road to ruin rather than take the rocket ship. There are too many potential USSC positions opening to elect a liberal Marxist to the left of the only avowed socialist in the Senate. Even a republican can appoint a loser. (Kennedy) but with a democrat is assured.
"better a RINO than a Marxist"
And even if he is sooooo
August 19, 2008 - 07:24 ET by motherbeltAnd even if he is sooooo much smarter, explain why he got his arse handed to him.
Because McCain cheated of course!! He listened and knew what the questions were going to be!
And before Saturday night, Sen. Obama had never given a moment's thought to issues like abortion and gay marriage, etc.
Anyone who's ever been to a job interview knows you're going to be asked about your successes and failures, strong and weak points etc., but apparently those questions caught Sen. Obama completely off-guard.
sooo smart in fact
August 19, 2008 - 07:31 ET by Cool ArrowHe's so smart he's already waiting for a pay grade that allows him to think like a human.
Isn't that just like a Liberal? "They don't pay me to think about stuff like that"
I ♣ my seal
he was 494 in a class of 899
August 19, 2008 - 10:00 ET by larry on LIcompletion of four years in any one of our military academies is an acomplishment in its self.
you seem so blinded by your leftist leanings ,i am supprised you can allow yourself to make a right turn while driving.
by the way biffy where did you finish?
larry, Biffy finished 1st in his class.
August 19, 2008 - 21:36 ET by R D HelmLOL-However, that was in a government school. :-O
-Dave.
The more we know the more
August 18, 2008 - 20:58 ET by d1carterThe more we know the more the Lib's suddenly get buyer's remorse...
hillary still gets a vote
August 19, 2008 - 10:16 ET by TruthMongerhillary still gets a vote too:)
so how many fantastic ways can the clintons play the saddle back thing?
should be fun to watch
operation chaos:)
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
Shuster call your Doctor
August 18, 2008 - 21:08 ET by GoodieHow is it that guys like Shuster get a Compensation package for doing really horrible work...Just another peacock junior slut, hey Davey your dress does not match the background!
who's probably happy that
August 18, 2008 - 21:21 ET by motherbelteven cooler for the president who's probably happy that someone popular wanted to get a picture with him."
You mean like Obama having Oprah?
I'm betting that way more
August 18, 2008 - 22:04 ET by Scout FinchI'm betting that way more people viewed video footage of Phelps bursting with pride over being photographed with the President than those who saw the video footage of Shuster making snarky, junior-high-style commentary.
Protocol
August 18, 2008 - 22:47 ET by Unsane...and way more people watched Mr. Phelps render the proper respect to the flag at the medal ceremonies; not to mention saw him humbled by having the National Anthem played in his honor. Unlike Obama, who seemed troubled in some pictures to even put his hand over his heart when the Star Spangled Banner was playing.
The Olympics are now under way in Beijing. May the people of Beijing get thoroughly sick of hearing The Star Spangled Banner. May the Beijing Olympic Committee run out of U.S. flags for the medal ceremonies! USA! USA!! USA!!!
People can I have your attention
August 18, 2008 - 21:23 ET by the strugglerHoward Fineman,on Olbermann,just called Andrea Mitchell a "Paragon of...objectivity."
So, Howard....
August 18, 2008 - 22:06 ET by Scout FinchIn your dictionary, does "paragon" mean "opposite"?
And he said it with a
August 19, 2008 - 08:11 ET by motherbeltAnd he said it with a straight face?????
<hysterical laughter>
humble
August 18, 2008 - 21:31 ET by WesenI think alot of people were interested in the debate... they just took it as a second course. I was amazed when Barry said a person should be humble in the face of evil. I'll tell you the truth, only an evil man would take that position.
Shuster pounced: "even
August 18, 2008 - 21:31 ET by jdhawkShuster pounced: "even cooler for the president, who's probably happy that someone popular wanted to get a picture with him."
As opposed to the dimocrats on a five week vacation while we swelter in the summer heat paying outrageous prices for oil and everything else instead of being back in Washington passing legislation to drill off our shores and ANWR, streamline oil refinery permits, and create incentives to get nuclear power plants built.
Or numb nuts (aka 57 states) nonsense over the Georgian crisis.
By the way, where is the NYT regarding the communist Russians torturing and murdering men, women, and children in Georgia. Thank goodness, the Russians didn't resort to putting panties on the Georgian men's heads or taking nudie pictures of them in weird positions. Then, the NYT would have been all over that story with 40 days of the above the fold front page "news" stories and countless nonsensetorials!
And where is Cindy Sheehan,
August 19, 2008 - 07:43 ET by Seabeach4348And where is Cindy Sheehan, Code Pink, and all the other ultra-moral "antiwar activists"?
Why are they so silent over Russia invading Georgia? (Hint: they can't blame the USA for it?)
Huh?
August 18, 2008 - 21:35 ET by WingletDriver". . .maybe a little bit deflated the euphoria that Obama and the Obama camp had after that fabulous Middle-Eastern and European tour"
What euphoria is she talking about? No bounce for BHO in the polls. Regardless of which side you're on the only way to measure "euphoria" is by getting a bounce in the poll. BHO went over there and McCain's poll numbers rose.
I bet Phelps' agent went bonkers
August 18, 2008 - 21:59 ET by Biff McCainYou would think Bush's handlers would know not to damage the kid's market value.
I know how to win wars!
No, Biff.....
August 18, 2008 - 22:09 ET by Scout FinchJust heart-felt emotions from an young American hero.
You wouldn't understand.....
You said it all
August 18, 2008 - 22:19 ET by bigtimerYou said it all Scout....
...he's just a wandering troll at his best.
Pathetic.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT
August 18, 2008 - 22:31 ET by Biff McCainThink Wheaties will go with Bush and Phelps on the box?
I know how to win wars!
Yum!!!
August 18, 2008 - 23:46 ET by Scout FinchWheaties with bananas are my fave. And I get to look at Phelps and Bush on the box? Awesome!
You know I'm buying more than a few boxes!
Scout.... Thanks...I
August 18, 2008 - 23:47 ET by bigtimerScout....
Thanks...I couldn't of answered the wandering troll better myself....
Just saw this...the site went down for me for about a half hour or so...just trying to catch up.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Nah....
August 19, 2008 - 00:02 ET by Scout FinchI think Biff justs gets his panties twisted in a bunch over posting "controversial" comments on Newsbusters in the hopes of "pushing the envelope" with us. Only on sites like this and other conservative sites are his comments welcome. If you or I were to post honest replies on Kos or Duhmies Underground would we get booted.
I love an America where we're all free to post what we like w/o gettting booted.
Only on sites like this and
August 19, 2008 - 05:30 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsOnly on sites like this and other conservative sites are his comments
welcome. If you or I were to post honest replies on Kos or Duhmies
Underground would we get booted.
Proof of the open mindedness, and tolerance, of the conservative side of the aisle.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Biff, how have you lived as
August 18, 2008 - 22:24 ET by RESTLESS 1Biff, how have you lived as long as you have being this dumb? You must never venture out of you mother's basement. Have another twinky and gratify yourself to some porn or something. Adults are trying to have a conversation here.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Restless
August 18, 2008 - 22:33 ET by Cool ArrowHis mom is upstairs having another "Tupperware Party"
Those men have to be shown over and over how to "burp the seal"
I ♣ my seal
EEWWW!!!
August 18, 2008 - 22:37 ET by RESTLESS 1You don't think that is where he gets his....motivation, do you? :)
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Did someone say motivation?
August 18, 2008 - 22:51 ET by shawn228Did someone say motivation?
Real life video games are cool
Ouch
August 18, 2008 - 23:52 ET by Scout FinchFellow NB'ers, don't go there. Trust me.
Just know that young American heroes like Michael Phelps are out there making this country a better place in the world.
There is honor in being American.
There is honor in being
August 18, 2008 - 23:58 ET by bigtimerThere is honor in being American.
Amen.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Shawn, eeewww!
August 18, 2008 - 23:57 ET by BlondeWTH is the matter with you?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Shawn
August 19, 2008 - 00:04 ET by Cool ArrowThanks, as long as I have that one bookmarked, I'll never wonder where I put that bottle of Ipecac.
I ♣ my seal
Lol....Barf bag time
August 19, 2008 - 00:07 ET by bigtimerLol....Barf bag time indeed....
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
shawn, RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLPPHH!
August 19, 2008 - 00:13 ET by R D HelmLol-And be glad I missed my keyboard.
This time. :-)
-Dave.
RD
August 19, 2008 - 00:23 ET by Cool ArrowShawn is one sick puppy.
That's why I like him.
I ♣ my seal
Cool,
August 19, 2008 - 00:30 ET by R D HelmLOL-Me, too. :-)
-Dave.
I wonder whose body that is
August 19, 2008 - 04:55 ET by motherbeltI wonder whose body that is under Rosie's head....
Where are your handlers?
August 18, 2008 - 22:28 ET by contraryWhere are your handlers? They should no better than to let you post on a public forum. People might get the impression socialists have no clue.
"I don't have time for this. You all can continue your co-dependency posts and make yourselves feel all chummy... Frankly, you all don't represent where America is going and you might as well get used to it."
--The Dooper
BHO can't carry a Tune, & will be a No Show for more debates
August 18, 2008 - 22:12 ET by JayTeeBHO, where's your Harvard education Dude ? You can't keep up with the Old Man. Young and Stupid loses, out of touch with the Real America loses, Red white and Blue Wins.
Fast talking, slow thinking.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
JayTee
August 19, 2008 - 00:20 ET by Cool ArrowY ou've got to understand. Every time he said errr . . ahhhh . . . ummmm, it was "nuanced".
I ♣ my seal
Love my DVR
August 19, 2008 - 00:18 ET by Cool ArrowI'm watching Ann Coulter on H&C again.
Her depiction of Doctors chasing a baby around the delivery room to kill it at the behest of Obama is a perfect explanation of Obama's beliefs.
Obama now admits to lying about it? Good, but it's only because the record is clear enough to prove he lied about it.
Everything about this man should be weighed now through his proven propensity to lie for purposes of hiding the ugly truth.
I ♣ my seal
Cool, he didn't lie about
August 19, 2008 - 04:59 ET by motherbeltCool, he didn't lie about it. He just "inartfully" phrased his description of what happened. Any day now he will issue a statement to "clarify."
I forgot mb
August 19, 2008 - 06:02 ET by Cool ArrowSometimes his nuance is beyond my pay grade.
I ♣ my seal
I wonder if the lefties are
August 19, 2008 - 04:23 ET by mostlymoderateI wonder if the lefties are going to feel as dumb about Obama as they feel about John Edwards. Just like John Edwards, the truth will come about about Obama. The truth is that Obama is a mental midget in comparison to the World leaders he will be up against.
Mentally diminutive Obama
August 19, 2008 - 04:40 ET by Cool ArrowT here's also more evidence Obama had a liason with Larry Sinclair than the NYT story about John McCain and a lobbyist.
One of the alleged participants in the Barry, Larry and a limo story has come out saying it's true.
And since the Obama camp admitted Obama lied about his votes against killing already born infants, we should be going back and questioning all those things Obama says were "lies"
I ♣ my seal
You dress a dog in a tuxedo
August 19, 2008 - 08:54 ET by Hunter12You dress a dog in a tuxedo and everyone stands around and exclaims, "What a beautiful tuxedo!". Then one day, someone notices, "Hey, that's a dog!".
WILLIE BROWN: I think that the conduct of Barack Obama over the last three or four weeks has been very disturbing. Because we've come to expect so much out of him. He's been such a superstar in every way. He's been on his game in every aspect from the primary to the present day. And we just want to see that continue.
Obama has been a superstar because he's gotten all this buildup and all his flaws have been glossed over. He reads speeches well, he is not a great speaker, especially off the cuff. If you think about Saddleback, the only questions he did remotely well on were the three of which he had advance knowledge. When you are not speaking core beliefs, but generating speech on the fly to speak to a target group, the little pauses and "umms" and "ahs" are what comes out while your brain is searching for a phrase.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
That quote, Hunter, is
August 19, 2008 - 09:21 ET by motherbeltThat quote, Hunter, is exhibit A in why the media have lost all credibility in covering Obama.
Like Willie Brown, they want him to succeed. Likefans of a sports superstar or undefeated team, they don't want to see the streak end. They want him to win, not because they think he is the best person to lead the country, but because they are enamored of his "winning streak" and want him to keep it going.
Shuster's comment is
August 19, 2008 - 09:00 ET by iconoclastShuster's comment is typical of how the Old Media tries to convince people that the certain event they are talking about that didn't go well for them was unimportant. There seem to be two types of messages these people use. Nobody cares, or something sinister is happening. Andrea Mitchell is a pro when it comes to the sinister message. These messages seem pretty harmless on the surface, but they aren't. As we have seen, they are very powerful. Sheep don't need much prodding, and I believe the Old Media knows how to push those buttons. The good news is, people are catching on.
"we should immediately give every working family in America a
$1,000 energy rebate, and we should pay for it with part of the record
profits that the oil companies are making" Barak Obama, Communist
hopefully enough people watched and learned.
August 19, 2008 - 10:27 ET by c5thenWhen does life begin and all our unalienable rights vest in us?
Obama - [after some hesitation and equivocation] That's above my pay grade.
McCain - [immediately, no hesitation] At conception.
Obama said he wants a tiny democratic country that was invaded by Russia to "show restraint" and not escalate the situation.
Obama doesn't even let the ideals and morals of his professed faith interfere with his basic underlying ideology.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
I saw both
August 19, 2008 - 10:28 ET by 30yrdem-not any moreHe has it wrong. I watched the Saddleback debate then I watched the event where he won his tie breaking medal.
Not to sound un-American here but it was the first Olimpic event I had watched and I would not have watched it had he not been going for his 8th gold.
I am just saying it aired after Saddleback in central states.