On Monday's "MSNBC News Live," journalist Andrea Mitchell and Washington Post editorial writer Jonathan Capehart discussed whether Americans are not "sophisticated" enough to understand the attempted satire in the cartoon featured on the cover of the current New Yorker magazine. According to Mitchell, "...The only question there is whether [the cover] is too sophisticated to actually be perceived the way it is intended."
The image in question features Barack Obama in Muslim clothing with a flag burning in the background and is an obvious parody and an example of the liberal contention that conservatives are questioning the patriotism of the Democratic presidential contender. The Post's Capehart suggested that the uneducated voters in Middle America might not comprehend the high minded satire: "...The folks at the New Yorker are very smart, very learned, learned people, but once you get outside of the confines of Manhattan and the Upper West Side, you sort of begin to wonder if anyone-- if there was a conversation around the table about how will this be viewed by people who won't necessarily get the joke."
Mitchell, it needs to be pointed out, has a history with snobbery. This is the same woman who in June was forced to apologize for bashing rural Virginia as "real redneck." During Monday's "MSNBC News Live," she also asserted that "critics" say the cartoon cover "depicts almost every false stereotype that Republicans have been launching against Barack Obama, plays into all the fears that are being generated on the web."
Of course, one might point out to Capehart and Mitchell that much of Middle America might not read the New Yorker. And that it's the members of the liberal media who seems to be most bothered by the "satire."
A transcript of the exchange, which occurred at 1:07pm, follows:
ANDREA MITCHELL: And now let's turn to Washington Post editorial writer Jonathan Capehart for more on this controversial New Yorker cover. Critics say that it depicts almost every false stereotype that Republicans have been launching against Barack Obama, plays into all the fears that are being generated on the web. Jonathan, do you think this is a big deal? Are we making too much of it or is this something the Obama campaign has to push back against?
JONATHAN CAPEHART (Washington Post): Good afternoon, Andrea. I think it's a big deal up to a point. Look, no one does satire better than the New Yorker, perhaps maybe the Onion does better satire. But the New Yorker is terrific at that and that cover is an example of that, every negative thing that has been floating around the internet for months now, even more than a year is depicted in that, in that cover. Things from more than a year ago and things right up to the most recent being the fist bump from the night when he-- when Senator Obama clinched the nomination. But here's the problem: And it remind me of another famous New Yorker cartoon, where you have the island of Manhattan, huge. It's a very famous map. Huge island of Manhattan, Hudson River, and then it's just the rest of the country is a sliver with California at the end. And I think that, you know, the folks at the New Yorker are very smart, very learned, learned people, but once you get outside of the confines of Manhattan and the Upper West Side, you sort of begin to wonder if anyone-- if there was a conversation around the table about how will this be viewed by people who won't necessarily get the joke. I mean, even with an American flag burning in the fireplace, I don't know if those folks, those 12 percent of people polled in that poll you just showed still believe that Barack Obama is, is Muslim. What is that cover going to do for their beliefs and whether he is a Muslim, whether he is truly an American, whether Michelle is this secret Angela Davis militant, I think it pushes-- it pushes the line on what's acceptable and what's offensive. And here's the one time you see the Obama campaign and McCain campaign agreeing on something. And they both said that the New Yorker cartoon cover, the New Yorker cover was offensive.
MITCHELL: You know, maybe we're dating ourselves. That iconic New Yorker cartoon was, I think, Steinberg, from the '70s and one of our associate producers here last night said in looking at that picture of Michelle and Barack Obama as depicted in the New Yorker, they said, she said, well, I don't get it. Why does she have the afro? What is she supposed to look like? 'Cause Angela Davis is a reference point, but not for everyone in the demographic.
CAPEHART: Right. Some folks might think she looks like Erykah Badu with that hair. The singer.
MITCHELL: Right. No, I get it. David Remnick, the editor of the New Yorker, who is a brilliant editor and has really done extraordinary things with the magazine, was interviewed by Rachel Sklar on Huffington Post today and said, "Obviously, I wouldn't have run a cover just to get attention. I ran the cover because I thought it had something to say. What I think it does is hold up a mirror to the prejudice and dark imaginings about Barack Obama's-- both Obamas-- past and their politics. The fact is, it's not a satire about Obama. It's a satire about the distortions and misconceptions and prejudices about Obama." So the only question there is whether it is too sophisticated to actually be perceived the way it is intended.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Bubbles
July 14, 2008 - 15:39 ET by okiehawk44Andrea, I hate to burst your bubble, but most of the people in the media (you may be one too sweetheart) went to J-School and at most universities, J-School was not reserved for the best-and-the-brightest.
And just because you live in the Washington D.C./NYC corridor does not -- I repeat -- does not make you more sophisticated than people in Michigan or Tennessee or Montana or Arizona or Hawaii or ... -- well I think you get the drift don't you?
Americans would indeed find
July 14, 2008 - 16:13 ET by TruthMongerAmericans would indeed find this MSNBC episode offensive
if any Americans every watch it someday
You Big-City Rubes...
July 14, 2008 - 18:00 ET by on-the-rocksIt is not that we Americans (outside of NYC) are not sophisticated enough to "get it".
It is that "WE AIN'T IMPRESSED!".
And if one of "our" Conservative magazines did this, we would NEVER hear the end of it.
Ya'll screwed up, ya'll deal with it! T'ain't our fault.
Anyone remember the
July 14, 2008 - 15:41 ET by motherbeltAnyone remember the Seinfeld episode with the New Yorker cartoon that no one could figure out? Elaine went to the mag's headquarters and asked one of the execs, and got answers like " it's a sophisticated take on interoffice politics" and "it's a slice of life."
She finally said "You have no idea what it's supposed to mean, do you?" And he said "No."
LOL
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Well, Democrats know that
July 14, 2008 - 15:39 ET by Hero SquadWell, Democrats know that Democrats are smarter than Republicans. So what's the problem?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
But not when it comes to
July 14, 2008 - 15:55 ET by Dan The Man 2But not when it comes to voting in Florida? BTW it is sterotyped Yankee from New yark that seems to be the bulk of the contested counties.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
andrea the genius!
July 14, 2008 - 15:47 ET by political mavenYeah, Andrea, we knuckle dragging, gun owning goons, couldn't possibly understand satire.
Too bad we can't all be as smart & sophisticated as you!
Besides, what makes those NYers so smart? That they keep voting in morons who raise taxes? That they love abortion, hate self defense & think that one man sodomizing another is somehow a right envisioned by Jefferson? That they choose to live in a mousetrap apartment for thousands a month?Yeah, sounds brilliant to me!
They are idiots who use big words, as opposed to the real America which is smart & uses regular words.
Liberalism is a mental disorder...what a idiot she is!
Never confuse common sense with education.
Geez, not TOO elitist, are we?
July 14, 2008 - 15:54 ET by SickofLibsWe knew this was coming, and we're not going to be disappointed. Sit back and enjoy, we've earned it!
Those 12% Capon mentioned that believe BHO is a muslim are obviously so stupid they couldn't possibly own a computer, and we can be pretty sure they are not New Yorker subscribers, so no damage done.
I live outside of the confines of Manhattan and the Upper West Side, and although not very smart or very, very learned, I think this is f-ing hysterical, even better than the castrationgate, just for how the moonbat's heads are exploding!
ps: every time I see Capon (I mean Capehart) I can't help thinking he reminds me of Henery Hawk from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons - the tiny bug-eyed chicken hawk 'who lives at home with his parents and speaks with tough-guy bravado.' And total, abject cluelessness.
Well, if there was ever a
July 14, 2008 - 15:53 ET by gopsteveWell, if there was ever a doubt where her political leanings were (looking down on millions of Americans is a sure sign someone's a lib!)
dominatrix
July 14, 2008 - 15:57 ET by Burgherooooooooh I luv it when you talk down to me Ms. Mitchell.
Can you wear leather and bring your wips and chains next time.
I've got more a sense for snark or sarc or satire than anyone else I know and I live in THE Burgh not hoity toity SHEhattan .
I also realize that if this was a right-wing rag with the same cartoon that mag would be toast.
Why to libs continue this mean spirited crap. We've all seen the Conaleza cartoons
The 1st Amendment
July 14, 2008 - 17:22 ET by needleHey, the first Amendment applies only for Liberals, doncha know!
Not the silenced [politically incorrect] Majority
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Those comments are astounding!
July 14, 2008 - 15:59 ET by ThalpyThose comments are astounding! If any of those New Yorker readers are even considering a vote for Obama, how intelligent can they be?
Okay, so maybe I'm just a
July 14, 2008 - 16:01 ET by fonzie2178dumba$$ from Iowa, but does anyone else ever notice, when a conservative makes a joke, everybody laughs... But when a liberal makes a joke, everybody gets pissed and then they have to dig the hole even deeper trying to explain themselves? Meanwhile, STILL nobody laughs? Again, I'm just a stupid flyovercountry boy.
"Green, the new Red."
Whiny and dumb
July 14, 2008 - 16:00 ET by Gary HallWell, well. My guess Scott is that it's all the whiny folks out there who are the dumb ones that Mitchell is referring to. (;~> gary
Got that right
July 14, 2008 - 16:01 ET by MidAmericaOf course, one might point out to Capehart and Mitchell that much of Middle America might not read the New Yorker.
LOL We couldn't care less what happens in New York.
Funny thing is...while
July 14, 2008 - 16:05 ET by oldArmyFunny thing is...while Andrea says "And I think that, you know, the folks at the New Yorker are very smart, very learned, learned people, but once you get outside of the confines of Manhattan and the Upper West Side, you sort of begin to wonder if anyone-- if there was a conversation around the table about how will this be viewed by people who won't necessarily get the joke."
I'm reading headlines like:
"Obama campaign outraged by New Yorker cover"....
so....I guess the "Obama campaign" are not very learned and not very smart.....cause apparently they didn't get it.
I noticed the same thing
July 14, 2008 - 16:37 ET by DEVILDOCMOMOldArmy. Well, I have never thought bho nor michelle ma belle was that smart or learned, no matter where they attended schools. After all, without affirmative action would either be where they are today?
"What I think it does is
July 14, 2008 - 16:05 ET by Hunter12"What I think it does is hold up a mirror to the prejudice and dark imaginings about Barack Obama's-- both Obamas-- past and their politics. The fact is, it's not a satire about Obama. It's a satire about the distortions and misconceptions and prejudices about Obama."
I think I said earlier today that this was coming. Now, not only are we racists, we're stupid if we don't vote for BHO. What Remnick, Mitchell, Capehart, and maybe even the cartoonist fail to remember is that in all good satire, there are those elements of the truth in the situation that drive and enhance the humor.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
I reject your premise........
July 14, 2008 - 16:05 ET by JTPI know thats a big word.. I hope I spelled it right..
"The folks at the New Yorker are very smart, very learned, learned people"
The 2ND Amendment exists to secure the rest
Hmmmm
July 14, 2008 - 16:06 ET by Mr. KafirThe Obama campaign calls it "tasteless and offensive". So when did the TRUTH become "tasteless and offensive"? Oh yeah, when it exposes the leftists. I forgot.
"Israel and Palestine should have their countries taken away from them, put in timeout, until they can prove they can get along." - balboa, ignorant bastard, 3/17/08
Sa-tire's round
July 14, 2008 - 16:06 ET by Copperhead RidgeI aeen't vuhry smaert, but I no a satire whin I seas won. I gawt fo of'em awn mah peekup truk. Deys acshully fahv -- bein won up unner the bay-ed. I's gotta chayange eet ervury oncet in awhal affer my chilluns shewt oneofum out wif a rahfuhl.
I ko-mince tuh reedun the Bahble ervurry tahm thay do hit.
And-dreya Meechul dun gon and go herself smawrter thun somwon done gon to thuh beeg state uny-varsity up yonder at Bonegreen. She maht even gawt edyoukated up bonegreen. She tawks purty lahk them purfesers up thar -- yee-no them dawkters thayat doo lots of talkin butt cayant holp ya a dang bit.
Not sophisticated enough?
July 14, 2008 - 16:06 ET by nwahsWell alls I can say is "mercy, we in the coop."
Thats French.
Whutch you talkin
July 14, 2008 - 16:11 ET by SemperrightWhutch you talkin bout,
I'm sophisticated as crap. Stick my pinky out and everything.
Gotta go, date night
Brick of velveeta and a bottle of Boones warmin in the glove box
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Hope you didn't eat beans
July 14, 2008 - 16:13 ET by Clear thinkerHope you didn't eat beans for lunch!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
CT
July 14, 2008 - 16:20 ET by SemperrightMy Brut by Faberje will mask the aroma
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
→ Semperright
July 14, 2008 - 16:24 ET by Cool ArrowI have in my cologne cellar a vintage unopened bottle of Hai Karate 1971.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Name your price good
July 14, 2008 - 16:25 ET by SemperrightName your price good sir
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
→ NoKanDoo
July 14, 2008 - 16:29 ET by Cool ArrowI must first verify you are licensed in Martial Arts.
I was thinking of presenting it to Chuck Norris.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Chuck sweats Hai
July 14, 2008 - 16:32 ET by SemperrightChuck sweats Hai Karate
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Semper...
July 14, 2008 - 16:38 ET by Clear thinkerSmart man!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Hey
July 14, 2008 - 16:26 ET by NorthCoasterAndrea aint got a clue what you're talkin bout. Ya'll er too sphisticated.
Ah'll git the Spam and macaroni for the Velveeta!
Possum...
July 14, 2008 - 16:40 ET by Clear thinkerVelveeta and Possum sandwiches for me. And a cup of Raman Noodles for desert.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Mmmmm.
July 14, 2008 - 22:18 ET by on-the-rocksWill that be with ketchup & mustard or BBQ sauce?
Of course the irony is
July 14, 2008 - 16:14 ET by MidAmericaOf course the irony is that all this talk and outrage has made the cover a source of curiosity now for all the folks who ignore The New Yorker magazine, which is almost everyone.
Sophisticated like a fox.
July 14, 2008 - 17:34 ET by needleGosh, what if this just happens to cause a spike in the New Yorker’s circulation numbers.
Sophisticated like a fox.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Adrea Mitchell is just a
July 14, 2008 - 16:23 ET by ForeverOnTheRightAdrea Mitchell is just a typical liberal upercrust New Yorker who thinks they are just a cut above everyong else. They think the world revolves around them. She is one uggly woman besides. She reminds me of a "Punch and Judy" puppet.
Whoever said it was right. Barack is not sophisticated.
July 14, 2008 - 16:26 ET by Hunter12WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's campaign says a satirical New Yorker magazine cover showing the Democratic presidential candidate dressed as a Muslim and his wife as a terrorist is "tasteless and offensive."
Can we afford to have someone so stupid in the most powerful position in the world? Lest we forget, he is from Illinois, in the heart of flyover country.
MITCHELL: So the only question there is whether it is too sophisticated to actually be perceived the way it is intended.
Andrea, good luck landing that next BHO interview.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
At least Andrea...
July 14, 2008 - 22:21 ET by on-the-rocksdidn't use the word "nuanced". Maybe some Libs know that word no longer fools anyone.
Your swiftboat sank!
July 14, 2008 - 16:25 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls. . . .how will this be viewed by people who won't necessarily get the joke."
What Andrea Mitchell and Jonathan Capehart fail to see is that this cartoon is actually a smear against conservatives. Funny how they aren't bright enough to get that and it has backfired, getting their panties all in a knot.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Why Andrea, I thought Mr.
July 14, 2008 - 16:25 ET by Ruths husband BenWhy Andrea, I thought Mr. and Mrs. 0bama were a joke even before the New Yorker cover made the news! Unfortunately, the joke is on us.
“it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.” - Justice Antonin Scalia
Careful Scott
July 14, 2008 - 16:28 ET by bradbenj5952"Of course, one might point out to Capehart and Mitchell that much of
Middle America might not read the New Yorker. And that it's the members
of the liberal media who seems to be most bothered by the "satire.""
Your point may be too simple for those sophisticated enough to read the New Yorker! ;)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31
Mizz Michul be 2 smart fer me
July 14, 2008 - 16:29 ET by Iowa BoyNormal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Condescension is the first sign of liberalism.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
I have no idea...
July 14, 2008 - 16:42 ET by Iowa Boy...where all them extree letterz cum frum in mah last post. May-bee it's cuz I's a stoopid Ioweejean. May-bee Mizz Michul kin hep me wif mah compewteeator.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
Lets see; the military
July 14, 2008 - 16:41 ET by cocodrieLets see; the military wasn't smart enough so they ended up in Iraq. I'm not smart enough to understand a joke. Ann Coulter was right, they are democrats because they don't have any brains.
I agree. Does this mean
July 14, 2008 - 16:48 ET by mjgI agree. Does this mean that the honeymoon in some media circles between Obama and the press is over?
obama cover
July 14, 2008 - 16:47 ET by heayalaThe issue is that this cover is not an example of irony. It's merely an example of hyperbole.
Heh, whatever...
July 14, 2008 - 16:53 ET by ImAllRightIts quite pathetic but anyone that truly believes that Obama is a Muslim will not understand this and would never even have seen the New Yorker unless of airplay like this.
I'm not voting for him, but I do believe that this Muslim stuff (even though its just satire) is enough. Hannity made me puke after wasting months on this instead of hammering him for his tax policies or lack of expierience on a nationwide governing level.
Sorry fellow newsbusters but there are very stupid people out there. This is just more BS that impacts our elections only negatively. The Iraqi people must be so proud of the example that we set.
He's not a Muslim, not anti-American, not an undercover Black Panther, I don't care what his pastor said, and if you're concerned about Bill Ayers then I just give up .
Can we please get to the issues now? No to Obama for any number of reasons, none of which are the ones listed above.
Issue?
July 14, 2008 - 17:44 ET by needleOK, which self-contradictory view of which issue do you have in mind? <parody off>
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Mz Mitch-hell dun gone 2
July 14, 2008 - 16:54 ET by JerryMz Mitch-hell dun gone 2 fer this time. She sayz uz dum fokes don't no what's a tire iz. I no's good'n well what's a tire iz. I gots 4 of em on my trakter.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Capehart and Mitchell Elites...
July 14, 2008 - 17:23 ET by BarrackDon't you love how these two elitist whack jobs blame conservatives for not "getting it" instead of chastising the New Yorker for failing to understand the principle of visual communication?
Perhaps that principle is "too sophisticated" for both of them.
www.benbarrack.com
Every now and then that
July 14, 2008 - 17:28 ET by BuffNBoneEvery now and then that nuanced stuff comes around and bites you in the posterior.
As we like to say "Mission accomplished", keep 'em coming learned ones.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
Like anyone in the middle of
July 14, 2008 - 17:32 ET by air conservativeLike anyone in the middle of the country reads the New Yorker. I wonder what their subscription numbers are in Wichita.
"Andrea Mitchell: Dumb
July 14, 2008 - 19:23 ET by Chris Norman"Andrea Mitchell: Dumb Americans Might Not Get 'Sophisticated' Cartoon"
It takes an elitist...
McNotObama '08
Just another elitist,
July 14, 2008 - 19:07 ET by ConservativeRexJust another elitist, dumb, ass who doesn't get it! We get it, it's you liberals that don't.
Is she a journalist?
July 14, 2008 - 19:19 ET by Kenny BunkportDoes anyone take her the least bit seriously? She's a complete shill for the Democratic party. I thought she was going to burst into tears at any moment on the Wednesday morning following the 2004 election.
PS. Is she anorexic, or is her head just way too big for her body?
A gun in your hand beats a cop on the phone.
Dumb MSM'ers might give it MORE Air Time than it deserves
July 14, 2008 - 19:23 ET by JayTeeObama should tell the MSM to quit Broadcasting it 24/7......Evidently Obama does NOT control the Media.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Libs are so concerned
July 14, 2008 - 19:30 ET by TDVthat stupid conservatives are'nt sophisticated enough to appreciate the satire, when libs themselves should be very concerned about their party selecting an empty suit. I for one cannot wait until the buyers remorse sets in.
i'm a dummy
July 14, 2008 - 20:41 ET by ronyeah, andrea i'm not sophisticated like your crowd but i'm smart enough not to watch you
The irony is
July 14, 2008 - 21:13 ET by ur-conthat Andrea and her friends have outsmarted themselves. Even better, she's making herself more irrelevant by insulting her audience. Now that's really sophisticated.
It's not like this would be
July 14, 2008 - 22:42 ET by Hero SquadIt's not like this would be the first time somebody didn't get a New Yorker joke. "Seinfeld" dedicated an episode to that very phenomenon, where even the editor himself didn't get one of the magazine's cartoons.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Dumb Americans cannot punch simple cards either
July 14, 2008 - 23:14 ET by wdhorning????
New Yorker cover - attempt at inoculation
July 15, 2008 - 00:30 ET by Parker1227They are trying to say that ALL of the "character" stuff is now off the table - and its all only right-wing propaganda.
Maybe all the stuff in the picture qualifies as ridiculous, but Trinity Church and its leader Reverend Wright - a close lifelong advisor to Barrack - are still on the table even if Barrack did say "I divorce thee" three times.
Wright is clearly insane, and has allied Trinity Church with the doubly insane Louis Farrakhan.
Barrack chose to stay by Wright's side for two decades.
If any White candidate, or any republican had such political poison in his or her closet - they would have been drummed out of the election long ago.
smart enough to get it
July 15, 2008 - 06:38 ET by welderforeI have always known that the New Yorker has had a weird sense of humor but this one I have looked at and then I go look some more and then I read the article on the inside and there is nothing there to indicate they are saying anything good about Barrack H Obama so it is kind of hard to connect the dots and say oh yeah this is a smear on conservatives and republicans .. I do appreciate the visual aspect of Obama and his lovely wife actually being portrayed in a more then real truth like setting. After all he was raised for at least two years of very formative years as Muslim, and he had terrorist friends around him , he stole the election away from a woman in Chicago and he has stolen it away from a woman for president . He also sat in a church for 23 years and called this pastor that preaches hate his mentor , no one can prove other wise , but they have tried their best to hide it all behind some hidden door that they don't want the public to see . Main stream news has been in a conclusion about Mr. Obama since he has been running .
one more item
July 15, 2008 - 06:51 ET by welderforeMost of the stuff was true , Obama seen it as a trashing of his wonderful profile so Obama is just another dumb ass American . Obama can't put together a sentence coherently he needs a speech writer and teleprompter , that should go over real good in a debate.
Barack's abilities at
July 16, 2008 - 08:56 ET by Hunter12Barack's abilities at speaking probably rank below President Bush's, who would tell you himself if asked that he doesn't do that well off-the-cuff. I like the Letterman show, but they are all a bunch of liberals with a deep seated guilt about the money they rake in from the show. They do an apples and oranges bit every night called "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" where they show a couple of clips of past presidents reading actual speeches, with the written script in hand in front of them, their eyes obviously following along with the written word, and then cut to President Bush at some news conference answering a question that he wasn't given in advance. Barack Obama has refused the Townhall style of discussion of the issues that John McCain has proposed because he too stinks when it comes to off-the-cuff speaking. He wants the debate format, where the questions can be delivered in advance and he can practice his answers. The "uhms" and "ahhs" and lenghty pauses demonstrate a man who is not speak from the heart, but crafting an answer for a target audience. He reads a mean speech but he is not a great speaker.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
I love how the leftists like
July 15, 2008 - 09:23 ET by KillgraveI love how the leftists like to pretend that they are somehow more "intelligent" than anyone who doesn't agree with them.
And these are the same people who, en mass, are intending on voting on a man who has absolutely no business running for president (I am referring to his qualifications and fitness for command). They are enthralled by a "rock star", which, by definition, is about style, not substance.
Who, but an idiot, is taken in by style, not substance?
Get over it
July 15, 2008 - 10:55 ET by ArtisteThis is so not worth talking about. Who cares about the New Yorker? Who in Iowa is reading the New Yorker.....who outside of Manhattan is reading the New Yorker? Lighten up. We "rubes" outside of Manhattan just aren't that stupid. That's not a good angle to keep playing up.