Columnist Kathleen Parker is syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group, but she was very rarely in the Post before she started her religious-right-bashing crusade against Sarah Palin. (The Post published her wacky theory that McCain picked Palin because he had the Monica Hots for her.) On Friday, the Post published her again – as she compared Barack and Michelle Obama to Ward and June Cleaver, their ultraliberal views on social issues be damned:
You want Ward Cleaver? Meet Barack Obama. Michelle is June Cleaver with a law degree. Family values don't get more traditional than those of the Obamas, who ooze marital bliss and whose adorable daughters make feminist cynics want to bake cookies and learn to smock.
Though we may perish of boredom, the Obamas may do more to elevate the American family than all the pro-marriage initiatives conceived by those who claim to speak for the deity. As a family unit, they're not significantly different from the Bushes, but they can be an inspiration in particular to African Americans.
Parker then sounded conservative for a few paragraphs as she noted that the welfare state helped create widespread fatherlessness in the black community, which she thinks the Obamas can inhibit by the power of their example:
Obama's example could have society-altering effects, especially in the African American community. By his example, he telegraphs the following messages: Being smart is good; education is good; being a good father is essential. Being an egghead is cool.
But what about the messages that the Obamas don’t merely signal in a photograph? What about the actual legislation and judicial picks they will make on social issues? African-Americans are also more likely to get abortions. How does supporting the killing of a baby after it survives an abortion qualify you as Ward Cleaver?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Obama, worst president in history
November 29, 2008 - 08:22 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsWard and June? Naaahh, more like Bonnie and Clyde.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
She's right in one respect...
November 29, 2008 - 08:59 ET by c5thenThe Cleaver's and the Obama's are fictional. Everything we know about The Obama and his family is completely fictional because the media refuses to investigate or even ask the questions.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
And to think. This man has
November 29, 2008 - 09:25 ET by kgAnd to think. This man has yet to accomplish anything except gather other people's money.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Exactly why he's a
November 29, 2008 - 11:57 ET by GregEExactly why he's a politician......and found a home in the Democrat Party.
c5then
November 30, 2008 - 12:50 ET by charlietexashow about Palen/Keyes
???
I like Alen. How about Steele.....or Palen/Steele
mom
Biden makes a fine Eddie
November 29, 2008 - 09:02 ET by sublight68Biden makes a fine Eddie Haskell.
Hey! Now that I think about it.
November 29, 2008 - 09:13 ET by JWFWard and June were marxists with marxist friends and had a racist marxist preacher.
Yes. I do see the resemblance now.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Cleaver?
November 29, 2008 - 09:16 ET by cocodrieThe closest she will come to Cleaver is A La Lizzie Borden.
Sad to see that Kathleen
November 29, 2008 - 09:27 ET by motherbeltSad to see that Kathleen Parker has drunk the Obama Kool-Aid. I can't believe she is being taken in by all this "We're just an American family" baloney.
Yeah, I'm sure the Cleavers' family values included sticking scissors in babies' heads, or leaving them to die if they're accidentally born....
MB
November 29, 2008 - 10:13 ET by misterbillKathleen Parker's recent columns have made me feel so betrayed. I used to value her columns highly. Your reference to the Kool-Aid is the only answer that seems to be behind the radical change.
Both Kathleen Parker and Peggy Noonan Have Morphed into Liberals
November 29, 2008 - 22:17 ET by Rush FanBoth Kathleen Parker and Peggy Noonan are described as "conservative columnists". In fact, Kathleen Parker is a Consulting Faculty member at "The Buckley School" founded and headed by Reid Buckley, the brother of the late noted conservative William F. Buckley Jr. Brent Bozell, the Publisher of NewsBusters, is also a faculty member and the brother-in-law of Reid Buckley.
With those credentials you would think that her views would follow a more conservative line. But Parker not only bashed Gov. Palin, as Tim Graham noted, but she also bashes conservatives who believe in God. In an article titled Giving Up on God she writes:
"To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh."
As for Peggy Noonan, who has also bashed Sarah Palin, I gave numerous examples in a NewsBusters post here why Peggy Noonan is a liberal who is so infatuated with Barack Obama that she wrote of him:
"The case for Barack Obama, in broad strokes: He has within him the possibility to change the direction and tone of American foreign policy, which need changing; his rise will serve as a practical rebuke to the past five years, which need rebuking; his victory would provide a fresh start in a nation in which a fresh start would come as a national relief."
Both Parker and Noonan are liberals disguised in conservative clothing. Treat them as you would any liberal - with disdain.
---------------------------------------------------------
"They are actively promoting the decline of America." ~ Rush Limbaugh on liberals and Democrats
THe Obamas being like Ward
November 29, 2008 - 09:30 ET by BDTHe Obamas being like Ward and June Cleaver? Really, the idiot said that?
I seem to recall the episodes when Ward and June visited the local terrorist families home to pick up the campaign contributions from other wackjob liberals. You know, the episode when Ward was chatting with the local prof who confessed he got over on the law after setting bombs in the nations captial and Ward used it as a learning lesson for Beaver?
Or how about that episode when the whole family went the black reactionary church with the comical minister up front saying "God Damn America" while a catholic Priest cavorted in the background? I distinctly remember Ward having a discussion with the boys afterwards and saying "Remember, you were not here today..."
Or how about that episode where Beaver writes his term paper in school, all about Saul Alinsky and "Kommunity Organizing" and Ward decides not to let anyone read his paper because of the repercussions for Beavers future political career.
Of course, we all can remember the madcap episode where Ward takes the boys to the local abortion mill so they can see how efficient Planned Parenthood can be in murder. Boy that was a hilarious one, what with the never ceasing assembly line that gets stuck on high...
Don't remember these episodes Kathleen? Damn, niehter do I....
Family Values?
November 29, 2008 - 12:36 ET by northoneSo Katie Parker thinks that "Family values don't get more traditional than those of the Obamas". Really? Did she speak to The Messiah's brother who lives in a hut on the other side of the world, or his aunt who lives in the Boston slum and seems to have been ignored by her cherished nephew because he didn't realize she was still living in the country? Yeah- great family values!
Kathleen Parker may be right on McCain having "hots" for Palin
November 29, 2008 - 09:31 ET by ericdonderoI can't stand Kathleen Parker. I'm in agreement with all those who say, banish her from the Right. But on the McCain having the "hots" for Sarah Palin deal, she may have a point. What red-blooded Rightwing heterosexual male doesn't have the hots for Sarah? And why should we deny it?
Remember, McCain had that hot Brazilian model deal come up in early October. That made my respect for the man, go up even higher. To paraphrase Van Halen, if he was "hot for Sarah," so what? Good for him.
This is the difference between us libertarians on the Right, and our conservative pals. Sometimes you all do get a bit uptight on sexual matters.
Eric at Libertarian Republican blog
Don't They all Look Like Sarah?
November 29, 2008 - 16:00 ET by BW222Don't all 44 year old mothers of five look like Sarah Palin?
BW222
Parker is right.
November 29, 2008 - 09:31 ET by mizflame98I think K. Parker is spot on with the comparison. I remember watching the Leave It To Beaver marathon and I can see the resemblence. Does anyone remember the episode where the Cleavers were in church listening to their pastor's sermon? How the pastor was saying:
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law, and then wants us to sing God Bless America? No, no, no! Not God bless America. God damn America! It's in the Bible, for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating its citizens as less than human!"
That was a laugh riot episode.
Don't remember that one?
Well maybe you'll remember the episode where June said,
"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback and let me tell you something. For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because (Ward) has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I have seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues. It it's made me proud."
It was a real heartwarming episode there.
Doesn't ring a bell, eh?
Surly you must remember the episode where Ward cleaver was giving a speech in front of a large group when he said:
It was such a profound moment.
Doesn't sound familliar?
Ok, how about the episode where Ward stood up for his good friend who was grossly misunderstood and persecuted by the media by telling a large crowd,
Oh come now! Surely you must remember that episode.
Maybe my cable box is defective. I thought I was watching TV Land when I was really watching Election 2008 coverage. My mistake.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
my favorite was the Christmas episode....
November 29, 2008 - 09:53 ET by clinging to my guns and my religionwhere ward and june gave the boys' girlfriends planned parenthood gift certificates. didn't you love the angelic look on all their little faces?
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/26/Planned_Parenthood_offering_gift_option/UPI-20201227720247/
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
WOW!!
November 29, 2008 - 10:00 ET by mizflame98Now that has to be the tackiest stocking stuffer in the history of gift giving.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Yeah, in tackiness, it's
November 29, 2008 - 10:06 ET by motherbeltYeah, in tackiness, it's right up there with their collection of Christmas cards that proclaim "Choice on Earth."
smacking my forehead in disgust.
November 29, 2008 - 10:07 ET by mizflame98Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
flame, i actually wept...
November 29, 2008 - 10:06 ET by clinging to my guns and my religion...when i read that! it is appalling that certificates that could be used to kill an unborn child could be considered a "gift". oh wait, i guess under the new vernacular, i should not have written "child"; shouldn't that be unborn "punishment"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNbaig-D5pk
ward cleaver, indeed!!!
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
People make me sick!
November 29, 2008 - 10:15 ET by mizflame98The probably figure that with all this holday partying someone can get pregnant and take care of the "mistake" by New Year's. After all, if Obama doesn't want his daughters punished with a baby, then no woman should have to suffer that hardship.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Excellent riposte to the
November 29, 2008 - 10:35 ET by Jack BauerExcellent riposte to the formerly hinged Kathleen Parker.
Gosh -- what some people will write to get on the good side of the folks who'll be handing out the D.C. cocktail/dinner party invites lo these next long years.
It makes you wonder...
November 29, 2008 - 10:42 ET by mizflame98What they drop in that Kool Aid they all seem to be drinking.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
It aint kool-aid, it is
November 29, 2008 - 13:37 ET by BDIt aint kool-aid, it is liberal Therapy.
After many "Consciencnous raising seminars" other wise known as inside the beltway Washington DC cocktail parties, the attendees are all collectively subjected to hundreds of hours of liberal therapy.
After enough of this "therapy", you will understand:
Though we may perish of
November 29, 2008 - 10:12 ET by motherbeltThough we may perish of boredom, the Obamas may do more to elevate the American family than all the pro-marriage initiatives conceived by those who claim to speak for the deity.
One can only hope so.
As for the boredom...wasn't Washington Society completely bummed because President Bush wasn't a "party animal"? They were all bereft because they knew D.C. wasn't going to be the party town they knew and loved. And they made jokes about his going to bed early!
Now, however, the tables will be turned; suddenly staying in at night will become "cool" again!
Good morning MB
November 29, 2008 - 10:36 ET by cocodrieParents protect their children at all costs. The MSM will protect their Little Lord Fauntleroy to the death.
or maybe staying in at night will be "hot"!
November 29, 2008 - 10:53 ET by clinging to my guns and my religionfrom the episode where ward moves his mistress back from martinique:
http://www.blackfivemedia.net/archives/92
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
I am so sorry...
November 29, 2008 - 10:53 ET by littlemissmuffinI am so sorry I missed all the Ward and June shows that were mentioned here. Guess I better tune into TVLand to see if I can catch them on reruns.
Maybe next time Parker will be comparing them to Joseph and Mary!!!
They should switch from drinking Kool Aid to Jim Jones' Flavor Aid. That had a real "kick" in it.
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
muffin, wasn't....
November 29, 2008 - 11:01 ET by clinging to my guns and my religionstanley ann "mary"?
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
Clinging
November 29, 2008 - 11:24 ET by littlemissmuffinI'm sorry but I don't get what you're saying: stanley ann??
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
please note that this is not an endorsement of "time", lol!
November 29, 2008 - 11:37 ET by clinging to my guns and my religionhttp://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1729524,00.html
http://www.kansasprairie.net/kansasprairieblog/?p=7009
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
Exactly right mb... Sally
November 29, 2008 - 16:36 ET by bigtimerExactly right mb...
Sally Quinn...the supposed Hostess with the Most-est....was more than miffed about the Bush couple being non-party DC loving animals, when he won again four years later, her nose has been out of joint since.
Poor baby...nothing like watching political whores on the television screen whining...thinking the majority of people don't know how you really clawed your way to the so-called position you are in.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Who is Beaver?
November 29, 2008 - 10:59 ET by jackie3Gosh, if the Messiah and his woman are Ward and June then we must be--The Beaver. Ya, know--Mom and Dad looking over us. Telling us what is right and what is wrong. Feeding our young minds with wholesome American Family values. And then those danr republicans aka Eddie Haskel...Has to come and ruin it for us all.
W're so screwed.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
Ward Cleaver
November 29, 2008 - 11:53 ET by A Typical PatriotGet used to it folks. The false perception of BHO presented by the media will continue and even become more repugnent for the next four years. And unless something is done (which I seriously doubt) to effectively outlaw voter fraud El Presidente BHO will be around another four years. Maybe longer if he can get rid of term limits.
Missed that episode.
November 29, 2008 - 13:19 ET by northoneThe Obama's are like the Cleavers? Really, Kathleen? Which episode of "Leave it to Beaver" had the Cleaver family going to church and listening to their minister rant, "God Damn America!"? Must have missed that very special episode. Which episode of the series had the Cleaver family visiting Ward's long-lost brother who lived in a hut? Or how about that special Christmas episode where the Cleavers jumped in the car and drove to Boston to visit their auntie who lived in a slum? Could you please help us make those connections, Kathleen, you kool-aid-drinking twit!
This idiot
November 29, 2008 - 12:32 ET by Delsanever saw Ward and June.
Ward and June WERE NOT MARXISTS.
THEY LOVED AMERICA AND obambi and his bride, WANT TO DISTROY IT!
Not the Cleaver type
November 29, 2008 - 12:54 ET by A Typical PatriotThe Cleavers probably spent the formative years of their lives learning Christian values, about Democracy, the National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. They celebrated Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and National Holidays as well. They were surrounded by friends and associates who were of like mind and their allegiance was undoubtedly to America and they became part of American culture. When asked to produce a birth certificate they probably dug down in that drawer of important papers and were able to present it whithin 15 minutes.
BHO = Cleaver, never
Obama family values
November 29, 2008 - 12:56 ET by cocodrieHussein and Michelle valued at 100%
All other family members valued at O
A Very Special Episode
November 29, 2008 - 13:02 ET by northoneTonight, a very special episode of "Leave it to Beaver". After being influenced by the socialist/Marxist views of Noam Chomsky, Ward decides that hard work and initiave won't get his family ahead. Instead, he reaches the conclusion that the government is the great equalizer and should provide for his family. In a lighter sub-plot, Ward and June decide to send Wally and Beaver to a private school because even though they say they believe in and support the public system, they decide that a private school will do a much better job of educating their boys.
yay
November 29, 2008 - 13:02 ET by katainkentnow we're playing 'pin the conservative values on the donkey'
Its great that they have been married for almost 16-17? years and both children have the same father of said parents.
Well now, Mr Bill Cosby drew attention to this issue and got ostricized. Maybe because Bill took the blame finger and pointed squarely back at the community he was addressing. Obama says it, and its 'cool'.
I am curious why she didn't make a connection between the Obamas and the Huxtables of the 80's. Cliff a doctor, Claire a lawyer... I mean there is nothing wrong with two professionals with children?
But no, I believe what they have to sell is : June - The Stay at home Mom image. CNN ("America's vision of the stereotypical June Cleaver at-home mom is about to get a shake-up. ") and Time have been working Michelle's choice to 'stay at home with her children in the White House' as a sacrifice, as a re-invention of the at-home mom role, perhaps even a ... demotion?
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
KK
November 29, 2008 - 16:03 ET by DoktorFranken''But no, I believe what they have to sell is : June - The Stay at home Mom image. CNN ('America's vision of the stereotypical June Cleaver at-home mom is about to get a shake-up') and Time have been working Michelle's choice to 'stay at home with her children in the White House' as a sacrifice, as a re-invention of the at-home mom role, perhaps even a ... demotion?''
Michelle is setting up the U.S. government for the lawsuit she will file after Hussein gets thrown/voted out of office. Why, if it weren't for the demands on her as 'First Lady' (sorry, I have to go wash the bile out of my mouth) she would have been making many millions in her hospital job of - what in the hell did she really do for a living again?
Columnist Kathleen Parker is
November 29, 2008 - 13:32 ET by maggieqpublicColumnist Kathleen Parker is syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group, but she was very rarely in the Post before she started her religious-right-bashing crusade against Sarah Palin.
Tim, I think you have disclosed Kathleen’s motive for these bizarre musings… increased publication and readership.
What’s next… Father Knows Best?
i think you're right, mqp!
November 29, 2008 - 13:43 ET by clinging to my guns and my religionyou get more readers in the post when you have something loonie-left for them to read. i love the way she refers to God as "the deity". wow, good thing our Lord has broad shoulders!!
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
Where were these idiots
November 29, 2008 - 13:59 ET by cocodrieWhere were these idiots during the real love afair between Ronald and Nancy Reagan?
Some Comparison
November 29, 2008 - 15:48 ET by DoktorFrankenThis ''comparison'' has caused me to throw up my two-day consumption of turkey. What do these media people take for their recreational drugs?
Trying to Remake Her Career
November 29, 2008 - 15:53 ET by BW222Kathleen Parker is 58 years old, no spring chicken. This is obviously a calculated effort to resurrect her career by moving left. Her program included a face lift to make her look younger.
Her initial tactic was to attack Sarah Palin, which immediately makes a so-called conservative columnist a hero with MSM. People who hadn't previously heard of Parker were suddenly booking her on TV shows.
Put simply, Kathleen Parker is a whore.
BW222
How does supporting the
November 29, 2008 - 16:42 ET by bigtimerHow does supporting the killing of a baby after it survives an abortion qualify you as Ward Cleaver?
It doesn't Tim, and for that matter it doesn't make Michelle "For the first time in my life I am Proud of My Country" Obama anything close to June either.
Kathleen Parker is past pathetic as far as I am concerned, and most certainly proves she is NO conservative whatsoever...not even close.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Why not the Huxtables.....
November 29, 2008 - 17:51 ET by connmaninstead of the Cleavers? Dr. Hux is a much more believable community organizer than Ward could ever be. They would also look more comfortable listening to that Race Pimp Reverend! Parker needs to take off the rose colored glasses and put down the Kool Aid cup.
Good evening connman
November 29, 2008 - 17:57 ET by cocodrieThe left is "in". She's jumping on the free ride bus before she gets thrown under it.
Wasn't everybody always
November 29, 2008 - 17:55 ET by ConservativeRexWasn't everybody always just a little suspicious of Kathleen Parker from the start? She never really ever was a Conservative in her writings. It's really easier for her to continue to get invited to DC parties by embracing Obami and his ilk.
Besides, she could have compared them to Aunt Jamima and Uncle Ben....or the Huxtables...no, she has to compare them with an icon of the 50's that liberals since then have said was certainly NOT the real America and have done eveything in their power to prove it, at least to themselves.
I happen to think that a lot of American families were closer to these Cleavers than the Eldridge Cleavers, but then again, that's just me.
Ward and June
November 29, 2008 - 18:42 ET by WorriedI still don't know who Kathy Parker is, don't care. However, she shouldn't be insulting the Cleavers and the idea of the true American family. The Cleavers never were agitators, commies, liars, cheaters, and every other title that be could used to define the Obamas. The Obamas hoodwinked 52% of the voters and we all know who wears the pants in that family.
Give me a break
November 29, 2008 - 19:42 ET by boozyJune and Ward Cleaver represented everything that was right about this country..not everything that is wrong....June and Ward would never ever embrace the murder of millions of unborn children...in fact, I take great offence to the reference between these two being similar.....
The Cleavers were...
November 29, 2008 - 22:07 ET by zachlindWhen I saw the headline I knew there would be many posts. When a Rockefeller Republican trips up and sheds their skin for all to see there is no return, and more importantly, no forgiveness. She never was one of us but we allowed her to visit once in a while because it helped the numbers (“conservatives” in the press). It’s really sad too, the other side will just dump her when the romance is over.
One other thing, I know the Ms Parker is piling up the numbers and is close to 60 but you would have thought at her age she would have watched a couple of the Cleaver shows back when she was a kid. The Cleavers were white:).
Based on the lame-brained, turn-coat rubbish Kathleen Parker...
November 29, 2008 - 22:22 ET by PrairieSkyhas produced recently, I have stopped caring about anything that she does, says, or writes.
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981
Kathleen Parker's new Cleaver family
November 30, 2008 - 13:26 ET by charlietexasGee Wally, how come Dad doesn't come home anymore? Is he mad at Mom?
Shut up Beav, he is president-elect and is a big shot. Oh, we're moving too. By the way you won't be seeing Mrs. Landers anymore either...we're going to private school."
Can Lumpy come too?
No Lumpy is staying behind with Eddie.
Gee, Wally we won't be going to Sunday School at Rev. Wright's church?
No Beav, we don't talk about our pastor and friend anymore. Heck, we don't even have a new church where we're moving.
Wally, when can we see Grandma?
She is dead Beav, for some reason we didn't go to the funeral. I will miss her. Dad wasn't too upset for some reason.
When are we going back to our homeland Africa Wally to see our other family?
Beav, you can never mention that again. ok?
Gee Wally, it seems our family is all busted up now.
Be quiet squirt or I'll give you the business.
I can see similarities
November 30, 2008 - 20:12 ET by RR GOPI can see similarities between Barack and Ward. They both have no real pasts nor seem to have any friends.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.