H/t reader Melody. Forget "what has he done for me lately?" How about: "what has he ever done?" Columbia professor and Obama fan Jeffrey Sachs was effectively stumped when Joe Scarborough put that question to him on today's Morning Joe. Sachs is author of Common Wealth, a title that should send shivers down the spine in these days of redistributionism in the air.
It was towards the end of Sachs's appearance during the 6 AM EDT hour that Joe hit him with the "extra credit" question.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Jeffrey Sachs --
JEFFREY SACHS: This is your extra-credit question. Name the most significant thing Barack Obama has done --
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: There you go.
SCARBOROUGH: -- on the national stage. Just name one. Big one. Big thing.
SACHS: What he's done is bring the country together on a new direction.
SCARBOROUGH: No, no, no, no. That's mish-mash.
SACHS: That's the most important--that's not mish-mash. That is not mish-mash.
SCARBOROUGH: Legislatively.
SACHS: The most important thing for a senator who's been in for a few years is define a direction out of this mess, and that's what he's done. that's why he's going to win the election.
SCARBOROUGH: Not a specific, I can't get a specific. I love your hair. I can't get a specific out of him.
SACHS: The specific is that he's defined a way to achieve energy and new approaches for this country.
SCARBOROUGH: Where do I find that in the Congressional Record?
Rim shot.
A bit later, Joe traced the way Obama's career has been all about . . . Obama's career.
SCARBOROUGH: The thing is, I wonder if between now and election day, people won't wake up in the middle of the night, as I do occasionally, when I think, oh, Obama might win, it won't be the end of the world. I wonder if people are going to wake up and say what's he done other than run for president from the day he graduated from Harvard Law School?He became a community organizer because he knew that would help him become a state legislator; it would give him street cred in Chicago. The second he became a state legislator everybody said he was ready to run for Congress. When he failed at Congress everybody said—I'm talking about his Democratic allies. What has this guy done other than running for president from the day he left law school?
SACHS: He has defined a way out of this mess.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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"what's he done other than
October 29, 2008 - 11:02 ET by ThisnThat"what's he done other than run for president from the day he graduated from Harvard Law School?"
A defining question for all the Dim candidates this year: Obama; Hillary; Biden; Edwards; The Ohio Socialist.
They want to become President and ruin the country. Then they can say they have accomplished something.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
"They want to become President and ruin the country."
October 29, 2008 - 11:16 ET by vrwc13...one letter away from the truth:
obama says "i will run this country"
obama truth "will ruin this country"
v
...if you really want this country to become the United Socialists of America"...vote for obama.
The Wizard of Obama, "If I only had a record"
October 29, 2008 - 13:12 ET by Ten7sWhenever asked real and relevant questions, Obama and his supporters melt like the Wicked-Witch-of-the-West. Obama's still trying to recover from answering a simple, direct, relevant question from Joe the Plumber. And I suspect we'll see 'evil flying monkeys' in Ohio before the MSM asks simple relevant questions of Obama. (Then again 'evil flying monkeys' might be casting ballots in Ohio)
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
October 29, 2008 - 15:54 ET by stratmanSince there is more than one Ohio Socialist, which one are you referring to?
Rep. Marci Kaptur (Duh-OH), the Ohio Socialist of the week? (Advocate - 2nd Bill of Rights)
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Socialist of the election cycle? (Electioneering and voter fraud)
Rep. Martian Kookcinich (Duh-OH), Ohio Socialist of the millenium? (9-q8234hlgfy89pw34-h3e47#%^34)
Shall I continue?
That was pretty funny, Mark
October 29, 2008 - 11:08 ET by BlondeSachs was almost as inarticulate as Obama himself.
Must say, Joe was more dismissive than usual, even chewing on pretzels or something. What's up with that? That's like the third time I've seen Joe eating on air. Can't he wait until the break? It's pretty rude.
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
Blondie - come on, this is articulate stuff
October 29, 2008 - 12:44 ET by Gary HallAnd yeah, Joe's chomping is a bit weird.
My first thought from reading the transcript was that Sachs was speaking of national energy policy (cold water fusion, perhaps?) then I realize that he's saying that Obama has "achieved energy."
Goes hand in hand with the Messiah complex - enlightened one, etc.
Just a silly wish here -- what? That Obama would drop out. That would get us out of this mess.
Funnies:
There you go again, Gary
October 29, 2008 - 12:51 ET by BlondeWith those pesky facts.
Here's a nice little graphic representation of Obama's biggest accomplishment (top pic). Of course, the second picture is spot on as well.
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
Blonde...from the same link...futher down...
October 29, 2008 - 13:02 ET by vrwc13Q. Why will Jimmy Carter vote for Barack Obama?
A. Because Jimmy doesn't want to be the worst President in history.
Q. Why will Senator Hillary Clinton vote for Barack Obama?
A. Because he stole the primary election fair and square.
- Chuck
v
I think this should start a "thread" of everyones best:
Q. Why will ______ vote for Barack Obama?
A. Because_________________.
..and the cartoon, Blonde
October 29, 2008 - 13:09 ET by Gary Hall..and the cartoon, Blonde.. scroll down the page at bit. On resdistribution of wealth, is priceless. Reminds me of this jewel I received the other day:
(;~> gary
Good one, Gary....
October 29, 2008 - 13:17 ET by BlondeKind of like that ten guys go to dinner allegory (I think someone posted it over on the OT today).
I love Chuck Z.'s blog...I have it bookmarked, and check it out daily....I posted a link here to that cartoon a few days ago.
He's got some great stuff, and his photoshops are always spot-on.
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
Thanks for the link, FlaxenHair,
October 29, 2008 - 20:05 ET by FastEdand the comments by Garry are super - btw, the 10 guys thing is called "Barstool Economics" - simple search will get the tale.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Good Evening, Ed.
October 29, 2008 - 20:10 ET by BlondeGlad you enjoyed the link....one of my "must see" spots every day.
Join us on the chat later.....
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
"He has defined a way out
October 29, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Chris Norman"He has defined a way out of this mess"
Really? I think he has defined a way to go way deeper into "this mess".
McNotObama '08
SACHS: He has defined a way
October 29, 2008 - 11:13 ET by R D HelmSACHS: He has defined a way out of this mess.
LMAO! And this guy actually "teaches" at Columbia?
-Dave
In order for wealth to be spread, it first must be seized.
No he yaks
October 29, 2008 - 11:25 ET by XJ.JonWhatever it is, I am sure it ain't "teaching".
PLEASE AMERICA PLEASE!!!!
NOBAMA!
Sachs IS a mess.
October 29, 2008 - 11:17 ET by XJ.JonMr. Sachs,
Maybe you should start by defining the mess. Then you can begin to get specific as to what Obama plans to do about it. Then, we can hash away at the ridiculousness of your answer, instead of giving such a vague answer that only allows us to think where our bias takes us.
The Definition
October 29, 2008 - 11:21 ET by JoelCTSACHS: He [Obama] has defined a way out of this mess.
Yes, he has decided to tax his way out of this mess. After all, that worked so well under Carter! Oh, and just like Carter, let's cut spending on Defense and give that money to slugabeds! That worked really well under Carter, too!
Cutting taxes on those who make less than...
$250,000...
$200,000...
$150,000...
Do I hear $100,000? What will the "magic number" be today?
And the 'magic number' is!
October 29, 2008 - 12:51 ET by Ten7sThe 'magic number' is as low as is politically possible. Probably around $100,000 for dual income households, less than 20% of households are in this category, and less than 20% earn under $20,000. Thus roughly 2/3rds (probably around 64%) are between the two; plus "six figures" is a psycho-culturally significant number (i.e. will be percieved as "large" by most.)
A Quote!
October 29, 2008 - 14:15 ET by JoelCTI stole this from somewhere, but that's how the Internet works, right?
“…I will tell you this: I will not raise taxes on the middle-class to pay for these programs.” –Bill Clinton, presidential debate, 10/19/92
and then…
“To middle-class Americans who have paid a great deal over the last 12 years and from whom I ask a contribution tonight…”
–Bill Clinton, announcing the largest tax increase in history, State of the Union address, 2/17/93
The rich do not pay all the
October 29, 2008 - 13:07 ET by lotrThe rich do not pay all the taxes (although they do pay a lot) -- there simply aren't enough of them. And the poor don't pay any taxes -- they cannot even be counted as "taxpayers." Thus, the middle class, specifically the upper middle class, bear a large chunk of the burden. One thus needs to ask the question "define upper middle class." Obama's threshold does not dilineate "rich" versus "poor."
One big problem I have with Obama's seemingly arbitrary (and moving) threshold for "rich" is that someone making X dollars in one part of the country (pretty much any rural area) is not the same as someone make the same X dollars in other parts (any major metropolitan area). $200,000 may indeed seem quite rich to someone living in Wyoming, but it ain't all that to someone living in Manhattan.
Whether intentional or not, the Democratic tax strategy is to keep ordinary folks down -- they don't want us making our way up into their elite club. Obama will provide "the 95%" with a piddling tax cut (welfare check), but God help you should you ever get it into your uppity head that you intend to work for a real piece of the pie. There is a "potential-barrier" (i.e., a hump that is difficult to get over, but when you do, it's all downhill) when it comes to wealth in this country. It's the middle class, not the poor, not the filthy rich, who suffer the most under our current tax system, and Obama will only make it worse, much worse.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -- Edgar Allan Poe
I can certainly attest to that
October 29, 2008 - 14:08 ET by JoelCTI'm well aware the rich don't pay all the taxes, oh yeah.
I am divorced. I pay child-support on two children. I also pay for the health care for my two children. I rent my house, so I can't itemize.
I make well more than 50K per year. What percentage of my take-home pay do you think I pay in Federal Income taxes?
It hurts just to think about it, doesn't it?
Meh to the claim that those
October 29, 2008 - 15:05 ET by ThatDudeMeh to the claim that those in the lowest tax bracket don't pay taxes. I don't see 18-20% of my income after social security, medicaid, state and federal take their share. I earn roughly 15k per year and saw about $300 come back to me from taxes. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here in that someone who is in poverty (for the washington dc area) doesn't get to keep it all. I have no problem paying in my share, but the fairtax is the way to do it. I'm curious as to why the politicians this election have completely ignored the poor. I don't want welfare. I want to keep as much of what I earn as possible while also providing my share for what the government is supposed to do.
And don't forget
October 29, 2008 - 17:08 ET by retroconAnd don't forget, you (the consumer) paya all the taxes for the seller. Sellers/suppliers/vendors/middlemen all pay taxes, but they pass 100% of those costs back to the people who buy the products. Sure, they take a "profit," but that's AFTER TAXES ARE PAID.
Is that so hard for people to understand? Poor people WILL pay more, too.
Everytime I think I have had
October 29, 2008 - 11:25 ET by SeashellEverytime I think I have had it with Joe, he redeems himself. He really went after Richard Holbrooke the other day. He still sucks up to the liberal media in many instances, but he can let the lefties have it too. (BTW Blonde, I find the eating disconcerting also!)
All you have to ask is "what?" or "why?"
October 29, 2008 - 11:27 ET by krendlerLOL. This is exactly what I throw at these Obama Cultists I meet when they start saying how "brilliant" and "inspirational" he is. It really doesn't take much more than saying "Really? Why? What has he done to make you think that?" to stop them in their tracks.
Even worse, they might proceed to spout out a bunch of gobbley-goop, saying something along the lines of "His accomplishment is that he's inspired a generation....." blah, blah, blah.
The guy has no record.
He has no accomplishments.
He was in the IL state legistature for 6 years and he's been running for president for the past 4. As has been said repeatedly, he's far and away the least qualified and least experienced person to ever be a nominee. But he's had the media campaigning for him for 9 straight months. He's truly a media invention.
That's an "accomplishment"?
October 29, 2008 - 11:32 ET by krendlerSACHS: The specific is that he's defined a way to achieve energy and new approaches for this country
So these kooks consider that to be part of Obama's record? Some half-formed idea that he spouts while campaigning for president?
Essentially, Sachs is saying he's qualified to be president because he's running for the office. He has no record. He has no accomplishments that he can point to while he served as a senator. Hell, he was only in the senate for 2 years before he started campaigning full-time for president, and during those 2 years, he accomplished absolutely nothing.
This is just a bad marketing campaign
October 29, 2008 - 11:45 ET by MikeIf not for the media, he would be laughed at for every major gaffe that he and horrible policy position that he makes. If not for the media, he would be supporting the nomination of Hillary right now. Everybody says that they have run a smart campaign, that is not true. They have run a controlled campaign, not exposing Obama for who he really is, and knowing that when that gets exposed it will never be reported on, or focussed on. If Obama was a product that you had to buy in a store, you would make sure you got a 100% refund if you were not happy because everything is so vague. The media has kept the general public in the dark about how empty his campaign is, but they are buying Hope and Change having no idea what the details are. I want a refund today, and that will happen when McCain wins next week.
What a terrible response
October 29, 2008 - 11:56 ET by d1carterWhat a terrible response from a man who is in academia. He had no answer simply because BO has done nothing. We have an empty suit that few really know, but support on "faith". God save the USA.
A former journalist weeps...
October 29, 2008 - 12:00 ET by Tom1969caWhy wasn't the MSM asking these questions six months ago? Why wait until six days before the election - when most people have made up their minds - to bring up Obama's lack of accomplishment? Only now are we hearing about his lack of a record, his 2001 NPR interview, his toasting of terrorists (which we still haven't seen because the LAT is sitting on the video until next week); doesn't anyone at the MSM think that any of this information might be important to Americans who are about to choose the person who will essentially run the free world for the next four years?
Of course they do. And that's why they're not revealing any of it.
Good luck to y'all ... you're going to need it!
=====
Daily Sarah Palin fact:
Sarah Palin and Chuck Norris walk into a bar. The bar instantly explodes because no man-made structure can contain that much awesomeness.
Great Job
October 29, 2008 - 12:04 ET by GlennI saw this Obama tool on Morning Joe also. When he first came on I thought he might have some sense but it quickly became apparent that he was just another Obama mouthpiece.
Proud of Joe sticking it to this clown!
He brings America
October 29, 2008 - 12:19 ET by Ryan Mc.He brings America together?
He can't poll over 50% in most bias toward Obama national polls. Could he at least get half of America to vote for him before we call him a unifier?
He has found a way to get out of this mess?
What is that way exactly? I haven't heard him say a thing that would get us out of this mess. BTW is the mess Iraq, the subprime mortgage crisis, global warming? I've never heard a man so supposedly intelligent and well educated say something so stupid.
You guys missed this one...
October 29, 2008 - 12:22 ET by MrDavisonLong time reader, first time post. I can't believe you all missed this one...
---------------
SENATE RESOLUTION 1472658 -- A NEW DIRECTION TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS -- (Senate - September 30, 2008)
[Page: S0666]
---
Mr. OBAMA submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 1472658
Hope.
--------------
MrDavison
Welcome, Mr. D, and congrats
October 29, 2008 - 12:23 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWelcome, Mr. D, and congrats on a great inaugural post!
Thanks Mark
October 29, 2008 - 12:31 ET by MrDavisonI've literally been reading NB for years. My favorite blog for sure.
That's IT!
October 29, 2008 - 14:25 ET by JoelCTAfter all these years, all the squabbling, all of the partisan back-stabbing and fighting.
All we needed was one Resolution from Barack.
We are saved. Call off the election. The Congress can go home forever. The Supreme Court can disband.
We have our Emperor. His royal highness, Obama.
P.S. Great first post!
The scariest thing about
October 29, 2008 - 12:28 ET by marpelThe scariest thing about this yahoo is that he's teaching our children at Columbia. No wonder we have a generation of know-nothings. He says Obammy's brought the country closer together? No, he's brought the minority vote together....if they end up voting. That remains to be seen...
There are only so many ways
October 29, 2008 - 12:30 ET by IamTinmanThere are only so many ways a voter can evaluate a candidate. The most definitive is his/her track record. What has Barack done? Well he's written 2 autobiographies, and been elected to the Senate. That's it! As President of Harvard Law Review Barack contributed no articles to the Review. As Illinois state senator he voted "present" 130 times. Hard to define a track record when he won't commit himself on anything that he might have to defend later. As the junior senator from Illinois, he has done virtually nothing except run for president. Next is who is he? Despite the two books and the uncounted hours spent on camera and on the campaign major areas of his past are still a mystery. He hasn't been forthcoming and the media to their shame hasn't dug under the public facade. Next is Who does he hang with? A man is known by the company he keeps and Baracks company hasn't been very savory. Antiamerican radicals of any stripe aren't the kind of associates I want my president to have spent the last twenty years with. Last and least is what does he say? Words are cheap and experts like Obama and his speechwriters can and do twist them in several directions at once as we've seen all too often in this campaign. If you listen to the speeches underlaying them all is just the snake oil salesman whispering "Trust me" Well, sorry Barack, I don't!
Uh, well, uh,
October 29, 2008 - 12:37 ET by NorthCoasterBarak Obama was present in the Illinois legislature, and in the U. S. Senate.
There's a lot to be said for being there when things happen isn't there? (sarc off)
WHY, oh why won't McCain
October 29, 2008 - 12:41 ET by kit9WHY, oh why won't McCain make an ad out of all the various(I've now lost count)Obama supporters that completely blank when confronted with this question. Matthews did it to some Dem. congressman, I recall. And, there have been many others..all dear in the headlights. And now this guy. They should, as a reply to Obama's new ad bashing Palin, have an ad that lists her accomplishments-which are pretty impressive just two years into her term-and then follow it with a clips of the various Obama mouthpieces completely blanking to name a single significant accomplishment of Obama's. Come on, this ad is begging to be made.
Simple game for Barry fans
October 29, 2008 - 20:13 ET by FastEdask a Barry fan what they know of Sarah, then ask what they know of Barry - for somebody who would want Barry as pres, they seem to know more about her then the presumptive big guy - wonder why that is???
Oh, and by the way, she's only the VP candidate, while he wants to be CNC.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
wasnt there a cartoon...
October 29, 2008 - 12:42 ET by katainkentwasnt there a political cartoon with Obama, the MSM and Lady Liberty in bed ..? Lady Liberty had woken up and was looking panic-stricken at her bedmates. There was a tv on in the bedroom with "OBAMA WINS" splashed on it. I believe the caption was "the morning after" or some such thing.
This reminds me of that, only its the MSM that's panicked and they are sneaking out just before dawn.
Accomplishments, sure there's , uh, wellll, uhmmm,zzzzzzz------
October 29, 2008 - 12:56 ET by Roscoe MendagoLets face it there is nothing of substance to point out, the man, (Obama) is a raging fraud. The one thing that can be shown of substance are his oratory skills. Although he says nothing, his fans swoon and faint, it's amazing. He's a mass hypnotist, people somehow believe the lies. There are the one-on-one interviews, the subdued tones, the long answers to simple questions, his clear speaking, and how disarming, he doesn't sound like the "Reverend Al". Listen to him speak during one of these interviews, it's like "Ambien", he's popping his "P's", and at the end of said interview there should be little spit bubbles floating around the room. I'm sorry, but this guy really bugs me.
As Everly Waverly, a big shot from the east says, "I'm not voting for that jackass".
He's Done Nothing
October 29, 2008 - 13:19 ET by BW222Except run for President. Sarah Palin accomplished more as a "small town mayor" than Obama has in his entire career. And, MSM considers her unqualified. BW222
"what has he ever
October 29, 2008 - 13:51 ET by Sven"what has he ever done?"
Well, he has aahhh...er...ahhh...well he's done...ahhh...you know... he....ahhhh....uuummmm....
What a clown!
Rmember this Guys Name
October 29, 2008 - 15:17 ET by GoodieALL:
Remember the name Jeff Sachs, he will be one on many O will appoint in some position if O wins. Think about that, another Academia nut case.
C'mon folks...
October 29, 2008 - 16:57 ET by retroconWhat he has done has been to give us hope!
He has given us hope for change!
His words are hope and reflect the changes that we need!
He promises that our needs can be fulfilled by the hope that he can change the world!
He gives us hope that he can change the failed policies of the last eight years, and change that we can believe in!
But most important, he has given us the ability to believe in that change, and in that hope!
So what if he doesn't have any executive experience.
So what if he doesn't have any legislative accomplishments of his own.
So what if he really hasn't produced anything "tangable" in his life except children. Those children are so full of hope, after all.
But, by bringing together change and hope, he has created the most important thing in all the world...
Chope.
Thank you Barack! Thank you for Chope, and please, please...
Foff.
Oh, and just an FYI...
Proper english would be "Change in which we can believe." Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I shall not put.
I would have thought it was
October 29, 2008 - 20:19 ET by FastEdHopeange, which I believe is french for "being in deep . . ." - Used in a sentence, "Walking in a pasture, be sure you don't step in the hopeange, as it may cause loss of freedoms."
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Note To Self
October 30, 2008 - 13:40 ET by TeddyMust try to destroy Joe The Scarborough, his family, and a player to be named later. - Barack Hussein Obama
SACHS: He has defined a way
October 30, 2008 - 13:57 ET by bigtimerSACHS: He has defined a way out of this mess.
...ROFLMAO!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Well good
October 30, 2008 - 20:36 ET by afuelfor Scarborough, its about time.
This confirms my suspicion that MSNBC is nolonger a viable business post election.
No Obama bin Biden Ever