Gallagher Ga-Ga For Obama: 'Solid Ideas, A Moderate' [Update - Reply From Mike]

Photo of Mark Finkelstein.
  • Bookmark and Share

Let's be generous and chalk it up to the early-morning hour. Otherwise we'd have to come down hard on radio host Mike Gallagher, who as a guest on this morning's Fox & Friends Weekend went ga-ga for Barack Obama. It's one thing to acknowledge as did Mike that Obama has appeal as a candidate. But, interviewed by Keran Chetry, it was Gallagher's praise for Obama's substance that shocked, coming as it did from a putative conservative. Said Gallagher:

"He's got some pretty solid ideas. He's a moderate."

Obama - moderate? If Mike would check Obama's record, as we did here, he'd find that in addition to having received a perfect 100% rating last year from the paleo-liberals at Americans for Democratic Action, a host of other ratings Barack has received screams "cookie-cutter left-wing Democrat":

Story Continues Below Ad ↓

* Planned Parenthood 100% in 2006.
* National Right to Life Committee 0% in 2005-2006.
* Americans for Tax Reform 0% in 2005.
* NAACP 100% in 2005.
* American Conservative Union 8 percent in 2005.
* Illinois Environmental Council 100% in 2003.
* Children's Defense Fund [Hillary's old beat] 100% in 2005.
* National Organization For Women 100% in 2005.
* NRA, 'F' in 2004.
* Federation for American Immigration Reform 0% in 2005.
* 2005 AFL-CIO 92%.

So just what are those ideas Mike finds "solid," and where is the proof of Obama's moderation? Come on Mike - have an extra cup of coffee and check the record to stave off recurrences of early morning bouts of Obamamania.

Update 12-11: Mike Gallagher has responded to say he knows Obama is "no moderate." Gallagher described this column as "a well-deserved smack in the kisser," and attributes his comments about Obama to the very early hour. Give Mike credit for owning up to a mistake

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.


Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Mike is usually pretty soli

Mike is usually pretty solid. Maybe his idea is to promote him as a moderate so he'll get slammed come election time when his record is exposed for real.

Gallagher

Gallagher desperately wants to be noticed.  He's a publicity whore like most of them, who'll say whatever it takes to raise eyebrows.

Barackitis. Treatable, not

Barackitis. Treatable, not fatal except to careers.

What? (it's not some new country)

Um, Mike...WHAT IDEAS does he have?  WHAT has he accomplished? 

"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy."  -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)

The Liberal Lust For Obama: See we really do like black people.

This liberal lust and partial conservative or moderate "hoodwinkery" for Obama might seem to be based on what appears to be a "fresh face" with "fresh idea". But as Finkelstein points out as well as other unbiased reports of Obama's record, there is nothing fresh about this face or these ideas. Obama is as common a super-lib as one can find. In reality Hillary Clinton is more conservative than Obama and as both have served in congress, Obama has become MORE liberal and more of a socialist.

But the truth is this infatuative "Obamination" by libs, super-libs and a handful of drunk conservatives and moderates has nothing to do with politics in the sense of governing and whose political science/philosophy is being examined and weighed for credibility. Instead this is about social politics.

What do I mean? I am referring to the liberal black approval need by many whites in leadership, both Democrat and Republican, who have fallen prey to the extortive practice of liberal and super-lib black mouthpieces who are passed off as leaders which demand acquiescence to the idea of the "black nod of approval" before you can be accepted as non-biased and non-bigotted. You see, much like has been reported at Newsbusters and other news and information sites interested in the whole story, much of the MsM presents the rejection of Democratic black men, black women and white women as some form of bigotry; that being sexist or racial bigotry, and not politically based.

Because of this MsM and liberal black mouth piece rhetoric drummed over and over most libs and super-libs instantly feel a sense of false shame and guilt if they dare reject anyone who demographically falls into the category of a racial, ethnic or gender minority. It is a false guilt but one that has been developed and repeated so often for so long that now it is part of the indoctrination of American culture, and generally social myths like these that are emotionally based in self-hatred and guilt are usually picked up and readily incorporated by libs and super-libs, but it appears even some conservatives and moderates are falling prey to this tactic.

So now here we have an example of the, "see, we love black people" idealogy that brings disgrace on any group of people who succumb to the social extortion of another. What a shame that today, in almost 2007 the MsM and many groups can't get beyond the reality that people of all races, ethnicities and genders are able to be supported or rejected based on political idealogy and not bigotry which is the only way the MsM and some minority extortion groups are able to portray opposition. But even greater is the shame of those who lack the kind of personal consitution needed to reject such extortive practices and present the truth as it is and confront those who are the true bigots of the world.

If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.

Obamalove

Oh, I am so thrilled! A black man who can speak intelligently, ooooh!

In all fairness, if one were to use Jetset Jackson and Al Sharpie as models, this kid is fantastic. I call it Rebound attraction". After those other two idiots turn you off, you are looking for any semblance of sanity.

I wuz gonna vote fer him til I found out hiz ferst name wuz Barack not Balack!

God help America.

Too funny!

As I've said before out in HI, they call him the "third Senator".  Yes, he's handsome, articulate & really has a calming smile but what has he done?  My brother said he doesn't remember him setting the world on fire in the IL state house & not sure what he's done in the Senate besides write another book.   However, comapred to those two you mentioned, he's quite the guy. 

Look, I've been unbannded!  Yea!

They also serve, those who stand and wait.-John Conlee, Country Singer

Some of them even write wel

Some of them even write well, too, and might be "hiding in plain sight" good choices for the Presidency even if not explicitly-running for the job. For example, I can't imagine Republicans like Gingrich or Brownback or the rest of those clowns running right now writing anything like this. And that's sad...
JMR

sarcasmo

I remember you citing William's work before. I then posted Newt Gingrich's eleven points. Williams work while quite articulate is hardly something to qualify him for a Presidential shot. I greatly admire him and believe him to be one of the  greater thinkers of our time. His experience may qualify him for a cabinet post.

I also challenge your statement about any of the clowns....... Newt Gingrich is as learned and articulate as Williams. What is Williams plan to strengthen and secure America?? Who else has laid out a definitive plan for the country, besides Gingrich?  What is your interest in Warren Williams? Is it the same reaction as to Obama???

Williams is an economist, not an historian or a politician. And although I am not qualified to say this, I will anyway---He is probably very happy doing what he is doing and seeks nothing else.

Gingrich has baggage (adult

Gingrich has baggage (adultery with an underling during Monicagate + bounced house bank checks, for starters) Professor Williams lacks, and it's baggage the Democrats can & IMO-should exploit. I responded to your 11 points post by saying I didn't believe the spending-part (recall, I went "all-in" on my bet against that card!) and from a professional-politician inside-the-beltway for-decades Republican like Newt, I still don't. OTOH, I'd absolutely believe it if Walter (Warren?) Williams said the same thing, and he's said pretty-close to just-that about spending (my "big issue") in various columns over the years. Go figure.

I'm not sure what you're asking when asking about my reaction to Obama vs Williams -- obviously I'm a fan of one & not-a-fan of the other. I have no "interest" in Williams other than my opinion that he's better-qualified than the "professional" politician clowns who've taken the spotlight. If by some miracle he ran & then by some further-miracle won, I doubt he'd want to appoint me Ambassador to Costa Rica or something for saying nice things about him on an obscure blog. (But I'd love the job!)
JMR

sarc -take the job

2 things  -

first I meant, have you studied under Williams?? Have you attended some of his lectures?? I have only read a couple of his papers and I was quite impressed. I didn't know if you had more peronal exposure.

second -if he offers you Costa Rica--take it! It would probably be the only way I would get there.

I've never met him, but I'v

I've never met him, but I've enjoyed his columns for years, and friends know to call & tell me when he's subbing for Limbaugh, so I guess you could say I'm a fan. It's safe to say many Libertarians feel the same way about him and are saddened by his lack of influence despite his obvious wisdom. If Williams ran or even publicly-considered running, it's 100% certain he'd have my wholehearted support, but it's entirely possible he's too-sensible to even want the job!

Costa Rica & Panama are both a lot of beautiful fun for me, but IMO someone who doesn't butcher Spanish every time he tries to speak it while chasing chicas constantly would probably be better for the USA. :)
JMR

On Prof Williams

His writing is good. But if you hear he is subbing for Rush, RUN.

"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy."  -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)

Well, of course, if you don't stand for anything, Moderate!

Well, of course, if you don't stand for anything, Moderate!

What little I've heard from and about this guy is that he is a mouth full of mush with no ideas and no record.  He hasn't done anything except support Liberal causes and legislation.

But, since what a person does has no bearing on their electability - duh -...

Call him a Moderate.  Call him a Conservative.

With a name like Hussain Obama (Osama) he's got a snowballs chance of being elected dog catcher in a town of cats.

ACA

...

Acaiguana says:  "Ya can't win if ya don't play."

Obama..

Like I have said before...Obama is so far LEFT ;  he can't see Hillery from where he stands!!   He's LEFT of Castro!!                 .....Political correctness when dealing with  Islam will kill america....ww .....    

Barack Obama

Barack HUSSEIN Obama is an apostate Muslim.  He was educated in madrassas in Hawaii and Indonesia from an early age, up until high school.

His natural father and namesake, a Kenyan Muslim, was associated with one of the most corrupt and violent organizations in Africa, the Mau Mau of the Kenyatta regime.  He divorced Barack's mother when Barack was two years old, according to Moslem law.  Barack's mother remarried -- another Muslim from Indonesia and took Barack to Indonesia (88% Muslim).

When his mother divorced her second Muslim husband, she and Barack returned to Hawaii where Barack attended the prestigious Punahou Academy.

He attended Columbia University where he majored in political science then worked for Business International for a year and then was a community organizer at a Chicago housing project.  It was during his time spent there that Obama joined the Trinity United Church of Christ.

That makes Obama a Muslim for over twenty-five years.

In his 1995 memoir, "Dreams from My Father," Obama admits to using marijuana and cocaine.  At one time he ran his credit cards up so high that the credit card company denied him access to further use of his card.

He opposes the death penalty and school vouchers, supports racial preferences, gun control, socialized medicine and the absolute right to partial-birth abortions

America will never elect an uber-liberal, apostate Muslim and self-admitted drug user to the Office of the President of the United States.

Your Other Right

A whoopsie for Gallagher.  I'll give him a pass on this one.

But it's going to be interesting as Barak and Hillary stumble all over each other in their attempts to move right and to try to gain the conceptual middle. 

Being the die hard liberals they are, however, they'll occasionally screw up the subterfuge, and out will come thier knee-jerk leftist positions, to which I'll shout "your other right, you idiot". 

Let the spinning begin.

Gallager not who he is

Mike Gallagher was bragging how he went to a Streisand concert back in Otober. The rationale is he enjoys her music.

In my opinion, he gave money and air time support people who are totally opposed to everything most of us stand for.

This little slip and the above statements on his show indicate he is a poseur. To quote Tony Soprano "he is dead to me"

slapshot,Thanks, I hadn't hea

slapshot,

Thanks, I hadn't heard that.

His gushing over B. Hussein Obama may come back to haunt him.

You couldn't pay me to go to a Barbra Streisand concert.  She started spouting off her usual blather here a few months ago, and got heckled.  Poor guy got tossed after paying the usual big bucks for tickets.   Pretty disgusting.

1963 Edsel

This Obama guy is nothing more than a black used-car salesman intent upon selling you a junker with oatmeal in the transmission.

I saw Gallagher this morning

I saw Gallagher this morning and I was sort of taken aback... I still haven't figured out if he is wanting Obama to get more attention than Shrillary for now or what, to make sure there is a race.... it sure wasn't like him at all.

I for one still think they may run together...if they don't, Hillary will and most likely does have any/all info. that is dirt that could hurt Obama when the times get tough, to release to the press....going to be interesting.

"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland

Gallager is doing ONE thing

Gallager is doing ONE thing and ONE thing only with this foolish endorsement. He is trying to separate himself as an "independent thinker" among talk show hosts. Trying to make himself stand out.

It is a mere strategy, I'd bet. Because Gallager isn't so stupid as to know NOTHING about Osamma Obamma's far, far left voting record.

And if Gallager IS that stupid than he is... well... an idiot.

Look, at some point Mr. Obama

Look, at some point Mr. Obama is going to have to discuss the issues and his stances on them at length.  He’ll also have to answer for his past voting record (extremely liberal).

Mike, please tell us what makes this man a “moderate”?  Other than he's got a great smile...what makes him a moderate? 

Mike, I hear the defunct Air America is hiring…interested?  What a twit!

Sorry, but on this one, Mike

Sorry, but on this one, Mike Gallagher is dead wrong. Obama is a left-wing nut, and there is no way he will win the presidency in 2008 at this point---he is too young, too inexperienced, too clueless and too left-wing.  Won't happen. The media are deep into wishful thinking.

Please have a look at the U

Please have a look at the Update at the bottom of the column. Mike has been in touch to say that he is well aware Obama is no moderate and that he simply made a mistake the other morning.

You want to bet Obama can

You want to bet Obama can’t get elected President in ’08 after what just happened in the elections of ’06?
He is the next John Kennedy. JFK reincarnated as BHO . The media will make it happen. BHO will be your bro.

Yes, I will make a bet. $50 s

Yes, I will make a bet. $50 says Obama will not be elected to the presidency in 2008. Period. When November 2008 comes around and he's not elected, just send me an email and I'll send my address for you to mail the check.  Obama is not another JFK---these are different times.  The GOP lost in 2006 becuase they squandered the opportunities the American people gave them to limit government and reduce taxes and, frankly, a lot of Americans are troubled about the war, which the Administration has not made a good case explaining.  The war is against al qaeda and its supporters. In my humble opinion, our best military generals and military leaders should be given near-total authority in running this war, and not any congressional commission or the 535 thieves on Capitol Hill.  Yes, the President is the commander in chief.  He should consult with his best military experts, say some prayers, and then give them the go-ahead to do what is necessary to wipe out the terrorists.

Sorry, but your odds don't

Sorry, but your odds don't reflect the free (ie non-USA) betting marketplace, which (minus whatever the Brit government steals when a winner tries to withdraw) are currently eight to one. (Choose: "Quick Menu to Betting"|Politics|US Presidential Election atop the page for details.)
JMR