The Obama Watch
Caulkers, Clunkers, and Coakley
The unbearable lightness of Obama’s non-being.
An atmosphere of euphoria swirled around Barack Obama last January. A year later, the hoopla looks even more ludicrous, as liberals find themselves peering down forlornly at a few remaining crumbs on their cracked commemorative plates.
The cocky, gibbering hosts on MSNBC, who had chortled over the “end of an error” last January, were reduced on Tuesday night to hesitant silence, though Rachel Maddow did summon the energy to furrow her brow censoriously at Scott Brown’s “weird” remark about the “availability” of his daughters that he made during his victory speech.
Scott Brown had feminists and avant-garde liberals so turned around that their idea of a late hit was to talk about his improper photo spread decades ago in a magazine they have long championed. That they had helped to create and spread the Cosmo culture didn’t seem to faze them or figure into their analysis of why voters didn’t care. A female anchor on CNN mumbled something about “double standards,” though it would be safe to guess that a copy of Cosmopolitan still arrives in her mailbox.
MSNBC, doing its part to help get out the vote for Coakley, ran a streaming headline at the bottom of the screen on election day which said that Brown supports “waterboarding.” Apparently, ignorant viewers were supposed to see that, gasp, and then rush to the polls.
It didn’t seem to occur to MSNBC’s hosts that what they considered grim warnings about Brown — if he wins, ObamaCare dies, they said repeatedly — would serve instead as open invitations to vote for him. The lunges at him were a measure of their extremism, not his: If a moderate Republican like Brown qualifies as a “reactionary” in the eyes of MSNBC anchors, then the entire nation is out of touch with their superior wisdom.
Obama’s campaigning for Coakley seemed notable only for its fecklessness and ambivalence. He couldn’t be bothered to wear a tie at her campaign event; he acted like he didn’t know the name of her opponent.
It would appear that Brown’s victory isn’t just a referendum on the radicalism of Obama’s administration but also reflects a distaste and exhaustion with its overall emptiness and narcissism.
In his Inaugural address, Obama spoke of the dawn of a new “era of responsibility.” He was going to make Americans believe in politicians and government again. A year later, disgust for both is higher than ever.
His administration has proven to be as ordinary, corrupt, and unimaginative as any other, if not more so. The hype has amounted to a cavalcade of nothingness: a stimulus package that hasn’t stimulated the economy, bailouts for corrupt unions, frivolous programs for clunkers and caulkers, bribes to pliable pols, global warming dilettantism preached to Americans in a jobless torpor, a Justice Department that looks like an annex of the ACLU, a rhetoric of transparency coupled with a reality of secrecy, and a partying and porous White House that enjoys the trappings of power while not accomplishing anything to justify them.
White House officials dismiss Coakley as a charmless and complacent loser. But their own complacency contributed to her defeat. They were on vacation in December too, as the attempted Christmas bombing fiasco underscores. And if the White House’s crack political team had possessed a functioning antenna, they wouldn’t have waited so long to campaign for her.
They fulminate over her gaffes, but some of them were just clear statements of liberal policy and priorities. Democratic political consultant Bob Shrum complained that she talked too much about “choice.” That’s a novel gripe from a former Ted Kennedy adviser.
And then there was plenty of grousing about her comment that religious freedom does not apply to nurses and doctors in emergency rooms. But that comment simply reflects the straightforward secularism of the Democratic Party. Apparently, Coakley was too transparent for the White House’s taste. In any case, if a rising tide, as JFK said, lifts all boats, then Obama’s claimed one should have helped Coakley’s wobbly vessel get to shore.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (130) | Leave a comment
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metin2 yang | 1.21.10 @ 6:34AM
Good thing I'm not a youngin', otherwise that figure would skyrocket.
I agree.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.10 @ 12:24PM
Torture, Toddard, you mean like in publik skools?
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 7:27AM
"It would appear that Brown's victory isn't just a referendum on the radicalism of Obama's administration but also reflects a distaste and exhaustion with its overall emptiness and narcissism."
Isn't it amazing how everyone thinks this election proves something that they had already believed.
Mr. Neumayr, could you point us to any polls that support your conclusion? Any polls where MA voters say they were voting Brown because they have come to subscribe to Fox News Right caricatures of Barack Obama? Or does it just seem to "reflect" that because you want it to?
"a stimulus package that hasn't stimulated the economy, bailouts for corrupt unions, frivolous programs for clunkers and caulkers, bribes to pliable pols, global warming dilettantism preached to Americans in a jobless torpor, a Justice Department that looks like an annex of the ACLU, a rhetoric of transparency coupled with a reality of secrecy, and a partying and porous White House that enjoys the trappings of power while not accomplishing anything to justify them"
This, however, is right on the money. The left expected a number of measures to be taken by the Democrats by now (the Iraq war over and done with, a single-payer health-care system, Bush and Cheney et al tried for their war crimes, the banks nationalized, authoritarian Bush/Cheney policies like military kangaroo courts, indefinite detention and domestic spying discontinued, and increased transparency and accountability in Washington) and literally got none of it. Therefore the left was dispirited and dejected, while Scott Brown got to play the outsider bucking the system (represented by longtime Dem hack Coakley) to conservatives and right-leaning independents upset with rising unemployment, lavish bailouts and crazed deficit spending.
Ret. Marine| 1.21.10 @ 7:49AM
O.k. fly by, name one person who was, a) not a self proclaimed terrorist, b) not caught on the battle field shooting at your fellow countrymen/ladies, c) war crimes, name them and please if you would name a court inside this country who even had evidence of such crimes and d) and this one is tricky Toddard, name one individual who has ever been named, an American Toddard, in a warrent involving domestic spying who currently is being held as an enemy combatent?
I've got to run to a doctor's appointment this morning, so I'll give you a few hours to do the research and get back to you when I return, o.k. fly-by? Good luck, I'm looking to be educated so don't dissapoint me or the others.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 8:23AM
I am not sure what your questions even are. Name someone who is not a self-proclaimed terrorist? Ok - Chuck Woolery. Someone not caught on a battlefield shooting at my countryment? Jim J. Bullock. Name a war crime? Torture. One individual who has been named in a "warrent" [sic] "who currently is being held as an enemy combatent [sic]"? I don't know of any named in any "warrents" who are being held as "enemy combatents", or why you're even asking.
Did I pass?
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 8:33AM
Oh, and Ret. Marine, whatever differences we've had here I do hope your appt goes well and that you come back with a clean bill of health.
Ret. Marine| 1.22.10 @ 6:08AM
Thanks for the concern Toddard. The point of the questions was to get you to understand the charges of the progressives you so soundly laid out was nothing but B.S. from the get go. It was nothing but a ruse to baffle and confuse the simple minded left-birds into thinking the
Bush admin. was a danger to us all, quite the contrary, it kept us all safe after the 911 incident. Can you say say that of this current admin? Three attacks within the frist 11 months of his tern.
S.L. Toddard| 1.22.10 @ 7:16AM
I recently had a health scare of my own, RM, and it reminded me how little everything matters - including politics - compared to the health of one's loved ones and oneself. Really, all of this (all of my yapping, every pundit in history, every bloviating gasbag on television and talk radio) is a bunch of goddamned horsesh*t (excuse my French) and is ultimately meaningless. Not that I need to tell someone who has been where you have any of that.
As for the charges laid out by the progressives - some of which I share (torture, domestic spying etc) and some of which I don't (I obviously oppose federalized healthcare etc), specifically the domestic spying charge: Is it your contention that the Bush administration never broke the law spying on American citizens, or is it your contention that they *did* break the law, but it was justified because they were fighting terrorism?
I ask because I have had this argument about ten trillion times here, and what happens is I marshal and lay out all the evidence of lawbreaking (which is really insurmountable, and I'm not trying to be obnoxious when I say this, but there is no real doubt that the Bush admin broke many very serious laws designed to protect the American people), and then my opponent will switch to the argument that the "constitution is not a suicide pact" or some such thing.
Rainboskies| 1.21.10 @ 8:10AM
ummm....there is a Rasmussen poll, but you probably would'nt like that one. The Dems didn't CONDUCT ANY after-vote polling. Umm, wonder why? Think....ostrich.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 8:30AM
There was a Rasmussen poll where MA voters claimed they were supporting Brown because of Obama's "narcissism"? Could you link us to it?
bluecollarbytes| 1.21.10 @ 8:34AM
The Retodarrd are everywhere. Show them kindness. They're stuck on last years narrative, which is the continuation of the last decade's narrative.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 8:48AM
I don't get it. Obama was elected to reverse the policies of the Bush years and deliver on a number of "progressive" policies and his absolute failure to do so dispirited the Dem base - that's "last year's narrative"?
Guy| 1.21.10 @ 11:47AM
In addition there are a lot of conservatives and independents who weren't aware of what Barack stood for or to the extent he stood for these "progressive" policies. Over the past year, they have become absolutely alarmed as to what this guy and his like are trying to do to our country and culture. Some were willing give the moderate campaigner a change. But now we see how he wants to reverse "everything" we conservatives and conservative-leaning independents stand for. This is where the backlash is coming from. We'll not be fooled again. We want our country back before it is too late.
Ron| 1.21.10 @ 4:53PM
If conservatives and independents didn't know what Obama stood for prior to the election, it was because they didn't bother to listen to him. He told us what Cap and Trade was going to do. He told us he wanted to spread the wealth around. He told us the people he valued as friends and mentors. He told us he planned on a dramatic transformation of this country. When the most liberal member of the Senate tells us he plans on a dramatic transformation of the country when he is president and he has the Congress in place to do it, should anyone be surprised when he does what said he was going to do? He flip-flopped on taxing health care, but for the most part he told us right to our faces how he was going to screw this country up. The only reason he was against it was because of the unions. Well now he needs the money, so go ahead with the taxes, just exempt the unions from paying them. We have no one to blame for our situation but ourselves.
carnot| 1.21.10 @ 8:24PM
oh...baloney. he told "us"....
- 95% would see no change in taxes
- his administration would be "transparent"
- the influence of lobbyists would be reduced/eliminated
- he would close GITMO
- his government would be bipartisan
- he would restore "respect" for America abroad
- he would restore "integrity" to government
- he would implement performance based accountability for government workers
- he would end the information barriers in the intelligence community (you know...the ones the Dems have nurtured for decades beginning with Sen Church)
- his ascendancy signaled racial harmony
- his fealty to truth (you know..like Fanny and Freddie greed and government incompetence)
and a whole boatload of symbolic BS millions obviously bought into. aside from the worrisome associations that surfaced during the campaign....my tipper was the absolute and profound viciousness of his supporters in the "infosphere/blogosphere". their presumed superiority and palpable hatred was breathtaking. he and his backers likely still don't get - millions who were stung by this were never, ever going to climb aboard the "feel good...cum by ya" bandwagon. the minute things went South payback was predestined to be loud and harsh.
why can't the obvious be admitted? this man has no experience, is in way over his head, is surrounded by ideologues who are apparently quite incompetent. just ask the millions of newly unemployed whether his stimulus slush finds/pork, government motors give-aways....you know the list.....have made life better or worse.
F Obama and the horse he road in on. the problem now is finding somewhere in this mess we call our government a real leader capable of marshalling the energy, intelligence and will of this country to pull itself up by the bootstrap and climb out of this financial/budget hell-hole he has nuked to unimaginable depths.
don't get me started on his incompetence as Commander-in-Chief...ask any SEAL about what really happened during the pirate hostage situation...that's if the administration isn't prosecuting him.
Obama doesn't know how to lead a nation. What he knows is how to give technology aided speeches. His inability to read the political winds has proved amazing. We're all now seeing liberalism in its starkest reality - what matters most is intentions...not substance....not results.
Bill| 1.21.10 @ 8:30PM
That is exactly why I didn't vote for him. This guy was a Marxist then and still is. Can't wait till 2012 so I can vote against him again.
Flee| 1.21.10 @ 3:21PM
You hit the nail this time. He has done almost nothing to change substantive Bush policies which is why he is viewed as more failure than success. How can Democrats claim Republicans have blocked his agenda when they had no ability to do so? How he can grade himself at a solid B+ is beyond me. Must be grade inflation at its most extreme.
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 9:04AM
Isn't it amazing how every Amspec article proves something that you already believed about this site's denizens?
Weird how pervasive human nature is, eh?
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 9:25AM
I had no previous opinion of George Neumayr before reading this piece, and had no expectation that his analysis would reflect his own previously-held opinions rather than anything that actually happened, so no. Sorry.
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 9:33AM
Uh huh.
I forgot - your biases aren't biases; they're The Truth.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 9:39AM
You really are a sad, angry person. Why don't you move out of New York if it's making you so miserable? There has to be work in "the arts" elsewhere.
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 9:40AM
Nevertheless, I will say I noticed it too.
But I can't resist. Your bloated ego is too noxious not to spur me to try to get the air moving again.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 9:46AM
Can you tell me something? What is the origin of that name? Is it pronounced "Griz Milk"?
Also, you know it's possible for you and I to disagree without you exhibiting a real, visceral hatred of me, right? If you and I ever met we would agree on way more than we disagree on - that's a fact. Maybe.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 11:41AM
Well, I apologize for spurning your olive branch - sincerely. I don't remember that happening, or what site, but either way I apologize. Bring to my attention the next time I seem rude and I will apologize again.
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 2:17PM
I don't recall the site either - it was one I kind of stumbled upon.
Well I accept your apology. Thank you.
Origin of "Grzmlyk:"
Not very exciting. When I was a sophomore in high school (3,400 students), I was somehow accepted by a group of very high-profile, hip, popular senior guys. It was a very, uh, elite club. These guys were faux bad boys - very bright kids who worked hard, but, like Hawkeye Pierce on MASH (whom I desperately wanted to be like), always goofing off, dating the most popular cheerleaders, having the best parties and pretty much accepted by all the school's cliques - "greasers," "freaks" "rah-rahs," "burnouts," "theater fags," the demigod athletes, the student council nerds, etc.
One thing they always did was go to our school's basketball games en masse, and they created quite a ruckus in the packed stands right in front of the cheerleaders (I was humbled by their allowing me a seat in such hallowed ground).
Again, it was all in fun - very innocent. They had one cheer that amused me: One of them would jump up and yell to the crowd:
"Give me a 'G!'"
"G!"
"Give me an 'R!'"
"R!"
"Give me a 'Z!'"
"Z!"
"Give me an 'M!'"
"M!"
"Give me an 'L!'"
"L!"
"Give me a 'Y!'"
"Y!"
"Give me a 'K!'"
"K!"
"WHAT'S THAT SPELL?"
And then the bemused crowd would try to pronounce it.
Hilarity ensued.
Well, when I was first getting on the Web years ago, every user name I chose seemed to be taken. So I reached back into my memory and figured that one would never be a duplicate.
That's it.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 2:51PM
Next question: pronounciation.
Griz milk, or Grim-zlik? It always reminds me of Myxlplyx (which was the point, I see).
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 3:04PM
yes, the point of the cheer was that it is fundamentally unpronounceable. But I'd go with "griz-im-i-lick," emphasis on the second syllable.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 3:22PM
Grizimmilik it is!
jomo2009| 1.21.10 @ 5:27PM
Anybody up for a chorus of kumbaya?
Margie| 1.22.10 @ 5:05PM
How about Grrrrrzz like a grizzly?
Al Adab| 1.21.10 @ 5:11PM
Quite a conversation you two.
WOW. Myxlplyx. You are dating yourself, Superman comics and all. Impressive.
Griz is still OK?
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 5:35PM
Superfriends cartoon, actually. Although that still dates me pretty hard.
Margie| 1.22.10 @ 5:14PM
Yes, quite a conversation. Perhaps they shared a couple of hot Toddies out on the veranda.
drudge ette obama| 1.22.10 @ 5:29AM
Nice comeback. You could have ignored his routine comebacks, but you did the difficult thing, you responded calmly but with resolve.
J A Biggar| 1.21.10 @ 5:45PM
S. L. old sport, no one here has a "visceral hatred" of you. Just a visceral contempt. Don't forget Lincoln's comment that it's better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.
I admit to being a Republican from Cambridge who voted for Scott Brown. For the first time in many years I am Proud to be from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 6:17PM
I don't know who you are or care what you think, actually.
loulou| 1.21.10 @ 10:15AM
No apology needed, troll.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 11:54AM
Now this seems prophetic.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.10 @ 7:44PM
"Don't forget Lincoln's comment that it's better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it."
Rush is very entertaining, the fastest 3 hours on air.
But he is a slick--talking fool as well. If talk were money!
A golden microphone does not make a golden mind.
Or heart.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.10 @ 7:48PM
Will try to avoid "answering" (postscripts) myself,
but the Derb pointed out Rush "IS the mob."
R Martin| 1.21.10 @ 9:27AM
"Mr. Neumayr, could you point us to any polls that support your conclusion? Any polls where MA voters say they were voting Brown because they have come to subscribe to Fox News Right caricatures of Barack Obama? Or does it just seem to "reflect" that because you want it to? "
Who cares!? You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
Gas-up the truck!
Dave M.| 1.21.10 @ 11:55AM
The reason why the Left is dispirited and dejected is because they have been mugged by reality. Bush/Cheney did not create Islamic jihad and terror so it did not go away when they left office. There really are people who want to kill us because of their Islamic religious beliefs. A stimulus package that only grows government actually depresses the private sector. When you punish success and award failure, failure is all you get. The majority of U.S. citizens do not want their criminal court system and all its attendant rights corrupted by bringing terrorists in for show trials. The so-called Kangaroo Courts as you call them were actually set up by Congress under their Article 1 Section 8 Subsection [10] and [11] authorities and that is where American citizens want these terrorists tried. Additionally, the vast majority of U.S. citizens have no problem with detaining terrorists indefinitely, especially since most of them, when released, go right back to fighting the jihad. Transparency and accountability? The Left never wanted transparency and accountability, they just wanted power. (Name anyone from the Left who has complained about the lack of transparency concerning the proposed government healthcare takeover.) Finally, the Left has stopped worrying about Iraq because the MSM has stopped covering it because not enough people are dying there anymore (and, in the end, it just might be a success). Afghanistan, the "good war", was the much bigger issue in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.21.10 @ 12:45PM
A vote for Brown was a vote against Obama's health care bill, plain and simple. There's only one exit poll I know of, search for Fabrizio exit poll. One link:
http://www.politico.com/news/s.....31708.html
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.21.10 @ 12:53PM
Quoting Obama after the Mass. election:
"People are angry, they are frustrated. Not just because of what's happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years."
Blame Bush? Really?? It's laughable. Mr. president it's you who just doesn't "get it."
Appleby| 1.21.10 @ 7:33AM
Scott Brown is not pro-life; he is anti forcing the taxpayers to underwrite it.
Scott Brown does not know when to stop talking. Pimping his daughters to a world wide audience (and it was clear they were not amused) was incredibly stupid. I am all for extemporaneous speech, but not when it leads to incoherence. Someone should have written him (or he should have written) a two-page, tightly scripted acceptance speech and shut up.
I was very surprised that Coakley conceded so quickly. Do you suppose she was told to throw in the towel and get off the stage to damp down the coverage?
Ret. Marine| 1.21.10 @ 7:52AM
Pimping his daughters to a world wideaudience, did you miss the entire year with the drive-by's regarding Sarah Palin's daughter, references, tool look up the word, learn something today troll.
Darragh| 1.21.10 @ 12:22PM
The brouhaha about Brown's remark re daughter's "availability"is ridiculous. I thought it was great--a normal, fun, loving man. I'm so sick of this politically correct BS about men and women--the kind of humorless schoolmarm feminism embodied by Coakley and Maddow. It was a JOKE. I have a PhD in Sociology from a leftist university (long story) and know this breed well--as well as the Democratic Socialists of America academic male types who now infest policymaking. Look at Brown--he came from a totally crappy background and took care of his female sib. He obviously loves and respects his daughters and wife. And believe it or not, he's like a lot of other guys in this country--smart kind decent men who want to protect us (I know, the badness) and even dare to joke around sometimes. I get so sick of these polemical strictures which seem to hate people for being human.
Average Joe| 1.21.10 @ 1:05PM
Darragh,
I also was watching Senator Elect Browns speech live Tuesday night, as a Father of 4, 3 boys and 1 Girl. I agree with you, Fathers need to be Fathers and actually show emotion to their daughters rather than none at all or you end up with the likes of Maddow and her ilk. It was just a joke . I agree with every point
John - TMF| 1.21.10 @ 4:29PM
You are right. Scott Brown did nothing wrong, tawdry, or denigrating... to think so is to have a madonna-whore complex so bad that it is crippling.
Humorlessness, and a total lack of a sense of mirth is all too common a trait in society today.
Senator Elect Brown has two lovely daughters. His mirthful comment was one of such mildness and fondness for his girls that to blow up into some PC gaffe is the height of snobby insanity.
I'd love one of his daughters to give my eldest son a call... He spends too much time working, and not enough enjoying the loveliness in life.
My daughter is almost 14. She has 9 or 10 more years before I will allow eye contact... but after that who knows maybe hand holding and strolls in the park under armed escort will be allowed...
;-)
The Mighty Fahvaag
Milesdei| 1.21.10 @ 10:06PM
As I watched Brown wax idiotic during his acceptance speech, I cringed. I thought, this schmuck is about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Why give the enemy ANYTHING he can use after having crushed him utterly?
It does not, however, rise to the level (sink to the depth?) of Dean's "yeeearrrrrgh!" because the guy can be excused for being drunk on the wine of an all but impossible victory. He earned every minute of that speech, overlong and desultory as it was. Yet even before he pimped his daughters (my thought at the moment it was happening, no lie) I was thinking, "Ok, Scott, thank you, that's enough. Now please shut up and go be the 41st vote against Obamacare."
Anyway, we need to keep an eye on this guy.
Hoosier Guy| 1.21.10 @ 12:51PM
Waa waa. Boo hoo. An unhappy troll. Please continue to attack people who don't support the socialist agenda. It's comments like yours that elected Scott Brown and will cost the democrats the house if it continues.
If this election was about abortion alone then whether or not Scott Brown is pro-life would matter. People are so mad at Obama and his corrupt congress that a dead toad on the ballot would have beaten Coakley.
Obama and the democrats spent 2 years fueling the flames of anger and discontent. They didn't understand that the anger wouldn't disappear by simply electing them. They have made the things they campaigned against worse and the anger is bigger than when they swept into town on a magic carpet.
Grzmlyk| 1.21.10 @ 3:25PM
Coakley threw in the towel because the local ACORN rep was on vacation. Otherwise, it'd be in litigation today, and the trickle of "found" Coakley votes would only end when they had just enough to beat Brown.
I know, I know: not enough dead people's votes could be "found" to cover the spread.
I thought Brown's speech went on too long.
I didn't hear that comment about his daughters at the time (I was momentarily distracted) , but I heard it in sound bites.
Come on - pimping his daughters? Gimme a break. It was a joke. Lighten up.
And I believe was you who said that, no way, no how would Obama blame Bush for Coakley's loss. He pretty much did.
Why? Because Obama's a whack job.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.21.10 @ 7:41AM
The aftermath of Brown could be a tipping point in politics similar to the Brown versus Board of Education. Brown related to some simple truths regarding homeland security procedures and health care. The problem with Washington is that the Washingtonians tend to exist in their own silver palaces and forget their roots.
Obama made many promises and hasn't kept one. Last night CNN's Wolf Blitzer, who in reality is a pimple on Obama's ass, tried to do a PR job for the White House touting Obama's accomplishments, for instance, claiming that he passed 124 laws.
The average voter doesn't care how many laws are passed. In fact, a majority of the voting public perceives there are too many laws already.
Obama's promises were campaign promises and most campaigns are haunted by broken commitments. In Obama's situation, he has not only broken promises, he continues to lie with aplomb and guile.
The election in Massachusetts was a repudiation of Obama and a repudiation of business as usual in Washington, D.C. Incorporated. It's a company town all right. And it's bankrupt, morally and financially.
SCM| 1.21.10 @ 1:29PM
Too many laws is right! When will we get some national candidates (or local ones for that matter) who will run on a pledge to repeal laws? Boasting about how many laws you got passed is like boasting about the number of pimples on your face. They don't make a good impression.
Pingback| 1.21.10 @ 7:48AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Caulkers, Clunkers, and Coakley [spe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jim O'Brien| 1.21.10 @ 8:01AM
When Brown was asked if his election was a referendum on Obama, he gave an excellent reply, which was: No, it's more important than that. :)-
Every Democrat is now at significant risk of not being re-elected: Boxer, Nelson, Pelosi, Reid, etc., etc., etc., etc.. In fact, it's time for the Fair Tax (www.fairtax.org), which would eliminate the federal income tax system, eliminate the IRS, and result in unprecedented economic growth. President Reagan's son Michael is now involved with the Fair Tax campaign.
Gerd Hinken| 1.21.10 @ 10:36PM
Eliminate the IRS??? If the Fair tax was implemented, who is going to administer the program, collect the taxes, go after the businesses that keep the money they collect (just check with any State Dept of Revenue on unpaid sales taxes if you don't believe this happens), audit the businesses to make sure they're in compliance, etc., etc. Wake up fool! You still have to have an internal "REVENUE" service.
DocinMPLS| 1.21.10 @ 8:11AM
There is no way that photo is a woman.
Tony in Central PA| 1.21.10 @ 12:24PM
I know, I thought it was " Spaz " from the 1979 Bill Murray classic, " Meatballs ".
SJC48| 1.21.10 @ 8:24AM
Liberals are such good losers - let's hope they lose some more for the sake of the country.
Ah but ya know what? - it's BUSH'S FAULT!!!!!!!
roadmaster| 1.21.10 @ 10:59AM
I disagree; progressives (I no longer use liberal) are very, very bad losers. Therefore the best thing for them is to get more experience in LOSING!
Practice makes perfect.
james| 1.21.10 @ 8:38AM
Yes, yes, but my advice is that we stop trying to explain their stupidity to them. Let them live with it and we can wave them over the cliff in November as they disappear. Let's not give them any ideas. Not that they'll ever listen to advice from their inferiors, but still. Ssshhhh.
Average Joe| 1.21.10 @ 1:15PM
What do you call a busload of "Progressives" going of a cliff with 1 empty seat?
A SHAME
Dave | 1.21.10 @ 8:47AM
Well, if as John Kennedy once said, "a rising tide lifts all boats" ... then Tuesday's election in Massachusetts finally exposed the size of Obama's dingy.
Curly Smith| 1.21.10 @ 8:49AM
"His administration has proven to be as ordinary, corrupt, and unimaginative as any other, if not more so."
Obama's admin is far more corrupt, ordinary and unimaginative than any other admin in recent history simply because of the over-hyped messianic rhetoric that led to his election by vast hordes of 'utes. He, and the MSM, went out of their way to attract the "youth vote" by promising rainbows, ponies and a pristine wonderland of goodness. He's reneged on all those promises.
Older voters saw that as just the same-old, same-old. We're used to lying politicians but for the 'utes this was their first major experience with a politician talking to them, listening to them, understanding them and then playing them for the fools that they were. They were jilted by their first political crush.
The reality is that his admin is no different from any other but for the 'utes (and likely "independents") the perception is that there are historically high levels of corruption and malfeasance. He didn't just over promise and under deliver, he vastly over promised and didn't deliver anything. In politics, as the old saying goes, perception is reality.
Nick| 1.21.10 @ 9:15AM
Why is there a picture of Ens. Wesley Crusher on AS this morning?
Shouldn't she be fighting Romulans or something?
loulou| 1.21.10 @ 10:17AM
I don't mean to be rude but is she "transitioning"?
His little skewed grin was not in evidence on election night. Maybe it's the hormone therapy.
Conservative in Liberal hands| 1.21.10 @ 10:46AM
One would hope that the new owners of NBC might curtail the lunacy over at MSNBC... But that's probably a forlorn hope at best.
justplainbill| 1.21.10 @ 10:58AM
Rachel Maddow is a homosexual. God has given all homosexuals a reprobate mind. "Reprobate mind" means "a mind without judgment." That is all anyone needs to know about Rachel Maddow.
roadmaster| 1.21.10 @ 11:08AM
Why Bill, that's just plain ol' homophobia. Probably true, though.
Raychill Madcow is a mean, nasty, venomous snake. She has no conscience and a dark, disturbing outlook on life that is so evil, she fits perfectly into MSNBC's lineup - a cracked team which has pulled that network into the sewer.
carnot| 1.21.10 @ 8:38PM
you forgot a crucial point: AN ALL WHITE MSNBC TEAM.....here to defuse racism and promote equality (except, evidently, in hiring practices)
Stephanie| 1.21.10 @ 11:17AM
Like Steve Ducey said this morning, on election night, they were wetting their pants" over there at MSNBC. They just couldn't believe that the good folks in Mass. could use their brains and vote for somebody other than a Kennedy or the "one" to sit in "his" seat.
Welcome to the Revolution Massachusetts.
Bob| 1.21.10 @ 11:21AM
Welcome Home John Galt
ds80| 1.21.10 @ 11:21AM
Ha ha, S.L. Toddard ... Scott Brown pissing on your cornflakes. And your reaction is what's sooo delicious. By all means: keep posting.
Pete| 1.21.10 @ 11:38AM
Don't be so hard on "Il Deuce." I think he has it nailed..now stay with me. Because Obama hasn't succeeded quickly enough in turning the country into a socialst garbage dumb, people who for 4 decades have mindlessly checked the blue box, suddenly checked the red box. You see, that way, by breaking the liberal supermajority, it is more likely that their progressive wet dreams will come to fruition. Get it? Get it?
Tony in Central PA| 1.21.10 @ 12:15PM
Neumayr nailed it cold. There seems to be a conviction in the liberal universe that Obama's victony was a national referendum on their ideology, that the nation had experienced a " Road to Damascus " - like conversion to liberalism during the second Bush term. Of course it wasn't true any more than Brown's victory indicates a national epiphany and switch to conservatism.
I find it encouraging that liberals responding in this thread seem unable to comprehend what happened. They apparently think voters only get angry when conservatives don't represent them as promised. They really seem to believe they are the ones we have been waiting for and that means they aren't accountable to the rest of the population when in office. All I can say is I hope they ride this horse through 2012 and into obscurity.
Mike| 1.21.10 @ 12:37PM
I've always had a problem with C4Clunkers. It goes against simple supply and demand logic. We're pushing new cars into a market already saturated with countless used and repossessed cars (i.e. repofinder.com). Now new cars depreciate faster, more Americans are in debt, and more repossessions are on the horizon.
John II| 1.21.10 @ 12:47PM
And another thing. The idea that a poll could determine whether there's a general impression among the electorate that Professor Obama and his handlers are narcissists is ludicrous on its face. My guess is that most people don't know what the term "narcissist" means--otherwise, actors like George Clooney wouldn't be so popular, and it would be untenable to suppose with so many social commentators that narcissism has come to be a principal trouble with the culture.
No, polls can only tell us roughly how dissatisfied people are with the political and economic consequences of narcissism writ large. My expectation is that Professor Obama's poll numbers will tank much further as the electorate gradually enters into the persuasion that the Professor himself is not a very nice man. Some word less elevated than "narcissist" will likely be bandied about among the disgruntled voters. Some word like, say, . . . "asshole."
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 7:15PM
"The idea that a poll could determine whether there's a general impression among the electorate that Professor Obama and his handlers are narcissists is ludicrous on its face."
Really. A poll with the question "Is President Obama a narcissist" could not indicate whether that general impression exists? Or "Does President Obama think too much of himself?"
Either way, I agree with you - there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to conclude that the MA electorate voted for Scott Brown because they believe Obama is a narcissist, other than that the author of this piece feels that way.
John II| 1.21.10 @ 11:30PM
You're misusing the term "absolutely," Tod. What I guess you really mean is "no sufficient reason." For all I know, the MA electorate voted mostly AGAINST Obama's projected narcissism. All I know for sure is that I myself almost always vote more AGAINST than FOR candidates available to vote for or against. I do have some reason to suppose that I'm not at all alone among Americans in that electoral disposition.
In any event, your second theoretical poll question would probably work better, but both questions, I think, would turn off so many respondents as to render the poll useless--since both questions feel manipulative, and most Americans of my acquaintance are neither stupid nor lacking in self-respect.
You're not Bob, are you, Tod? What's with all this numbers stuff, coming from a "non-interventionist"? I never figured you for the type who thinks the human heart can be read like a gas meter.
S.L. Toddard| 1.22.10 @ 7:05AM
I don't know what you're referring to. I have cited no "numbers", and I am not Bob. The author of the piece attributed sentiments to MA voters based on (as far as we can tell) nothing more than that he himself holds them. There is nothing to indicate, as I've written, that MA voters voted against Coakley because they now subscribe to the Fox News Right caricature of Obama.
John II| 1.22.10 @ 10:46AM
Polls are mostly about numbers, and the numbers reveal very little of any lasting worth. I didn't start the reference to polls, Tod--you did.
Words such as "narcissism" and "non-interventionism" are mostly about judgment, which precedes polling in stature and endurance. I don't watch Fox News, but if they are referring to Professor Obama routinely as a narcissist, their judgment, if not their manners, is correct.
Professor Obama must present a special problem for the professional caricaturist inasmuch as the man himself is already a caricature of himself and of the culture he represents.
S.L. Toddard| 1.22.10 @ 11:13AM
"Polls are mostly about numbers, and the numbers reveal very little of any lasting worth."
So the results of this MA election - these numbers - don't reveal anything of any lasting worth. These conclusions people are jumping to - that MA voters believe Obama is a narcissist, or that it was a referendum on Obama - they cannot be rationally inferred from the meaningless numbers that put Brown over Coakley. I agree.
"Words such as "narcissism" and "non-interventionism" are mostly about judgment"
That's a meaningless statement. Those "words" are "about judgment"? That reads like someone less intelligent than you wrote it, and I truly don't know what you mean. "Non-interventionism" describes a policy whereby a nation only wages war in direct self-defense or in the face of imminent attack. I suppose any term that describes a policy is "about judgement", though. I assume I'm just not picking up what you're putting down.
John II| 1.22.10 @ 2:02PM
"That's a meaningless statement."
Again, your expression is imprecise, Tod. What you apparently intend to say is "That statement is meaningless to me." It would likely be meaningless to Bob too, which may be why many of us wonder sometimes if you and Bob are the same dude, dude. (Sorry--it's Friday, and I'll need the whole weekend to wash student-speak out of my brain cells. I shall do so with some Knob Creek and a viewing of several episodes of the old Wyatt Earp show from the late 1950s, when men were men and didn't apodictically refer to what they don't understand as "meaningless.")
Oldefarte| 1.21.10 @ 1:08PM
Ignoring for a moment the CHOSEN ONE, one obvious and obnoxious point of this editorial is the complete manical-insanity of MSNBC's [so called] 'news' shows. Maddow, Olbermann, Matthews,etc are nothing short of political hacks for the extreme leftist political officials and their Democratic Party. These homosexuals, Jewish/momma's boys, and TINGLE DOWN THEIR LEG imbiciles are allowed to pose as newsmen on national TV, when they couldn't be further from same. Olbermann's show consists of his own demented diatribes against Bush, Cheney, Limbaugh, Beck and any/all conservative Republicans that dare to critisize THE CHOSEN ONE'S greatness. How putrid and vulgar these sickos are, and for them to be allowed to pontificate their madness in brainwashing fashion to impressional viewers should be illegal!!!!!
John II| 1.21.10 @ 1:20PM
No, not illegal. Rather, subject to ferocious counterpoint from good guys like you, Oldefarte. Remember, THEY'RE the ones who want to make YOU and ME illegal. Putting the lying bastards in jail, apart from the principles at stake, would just give them a higher pulpit and a noisier megaphone. Right now all they can do is sputter. Enjoy.
S.L. Toddard| 1.21.10 @ 7:19PM
"Remember, THEY'RE the ones who want to make YOU and ME illegal."
I appreciate the attempt at a save, John, but you're describing Oldefarte just as surely as you're describing "THEM". He just wrote it.
John II| 1.22.10 @ 10:53AM
Where did I say "THEM"? I used the pronoun "them" correctly, didn't I?
On the other hand, maybe we SHOULD be referring to the Left ominously as THEM. Reminds me of the title of the 1954 SF classic about giant ants on the rampage.
Liberals as giant ants on the rampage. What an apt image. Thanks, Tod.
Margie| 1.23.10 @ 1:51PM
Watch it. You wouldn't want to insult giant ants!
Tom in Michigan| 1.21.10 @ 1:32PM
The comment in this article regarding "a partying and porous White House" stood out for me. While much criticism has been quite justifiably leveled against the Obama Administration for its handling of economic and national security matters, this quote accurately summarizes the fundamental frivolity of Barack Obama. I'm reminded of executives with whom I've worked in the past who took advantage of the perquisites of their positions; the company cars, club memberships and sports tickets while really contributing nothing to the overall success of the businesses for which they were responsible. Eventually these types all ended up being terminated or otherwise removed from their positions and replaced with more responsible types.
Pete | 1.21.10 @ 1:58PM
I watched a little of Brown's news conference last night. You know, I like the cut of this guy's jib. I think that down-to earth, clear and concise straight talk, and common sense are a refreshing change to the ex-cathedra babble and dissembling of our emperor.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.21.10 @ 4:23PM
Hi Pete
I'm right there with you, mate. I like the guy.
Also, did you note that he did not use a teleprompter? Teleprompters are designed to carefully edit one's words, and I believe Obama depends on it so much so he won't acidentally say what is really on his mind.
Thoughts?
Pete| 1.21.10 @ 4:40PM
I'll point out that Pete underlined is a different person from me, but I don't mind the guy so far. Don't know about his jib, but he seems to exude honesty. But then, maybe some or even most of our "representatives" did before they got "experience" in the government and forgot how and why they got to where they are and just started playing the game.
justplainbill| 1.21.10 @ 4:55PM
God has given homosexuals a "reprobate mind".
That is Romans 1:28. A homophobe is a queer who is deathly afraid of dying because he knows where he is going.
Louis Jenkins| 1.21.10 @ 5:07PM
In the good old days a person who could debate, think on their feet, and was good at oratory (without the teleprompter), was deemed wise and smart. Elections could be won and lost on how one answered a point or counter point, or by the very verbal reasoning that supported the candidate's policies. The teleprompter is part of the packaging that made Obama look and sound slick, even if that was far from the actual truth. The valuable ability of oratory, or public speaking, has been lost, at least in this current administration. Now, just so he won't shoot himself in the foot, the Messiah n Chief has to have a teleprompter. Ahh, ahh, ahh, repeat as necessary, if the electronics goes off line. Heaven help us if Obama really said what was on his mind. Even the statist media might blush at his hidden thoughts as they are suddenly revealed. Note the news pundits who were really at loss for words of defense on Coakley's behalf. They should have just reported the news and not searched in the slop for excuses. I believe the public hungers for a return of originality, not a canned message. Lord knows we get enough of that on the statist media news networks.
rick013| 1.21.10 @ 6:02PM
Louis,
you are absolutely correct. Question is, did ali babba have a teleprompter at his disposal when in mass.?
Mattled| 1.21.10 @ 5:09PM
Why is there a picture of one of the Hansen Brothers (Slapshot) on the main page?
BTW:
Air America is ceasing operations. Gone.
NOT reorg like in 2004. Gone.
Another Left Wing failure. If only NPR/PBS would cease as well.
Give the money for charter schools.
Semper Fi,| 1.21.10 @ 5:53PM
In the bible I think it says "The Truth Will Set You Free". America is FINALLY waking up to to the TRUTH about Obama, Pelosi ,Reid, Democrats, Socialists ,Communists and their agenda!! They are trying to destroy our great country, financially and in every other method they can. Giving these rag-heads rights , bringing them back to this country and putting them in NEW YORK of all places to be defended by lawyers!! Eric Holder and Obama, need to be impeached as soon as possible. They are killing this country from the inside. Scott Brown was a wake-up call to America!! Please join the rest of us, the Patriots and Tea Party members and let's flush them all out of office in November!! Get rid of any Democrat or Republican who is not a PATRIOT!! God Bless America!!
John II| 1.21.10 @ 7:11PM
The Biblical verse alluded to is John 8:31-32. Jesus speaks of the salvific Truth that frees us from sin and death. The truth about Obama and his henchmen isn't so elevated, I reckon.
Ret. Marine| 1.22.10 @ 6:27AM
It's already in the pipe line. The next referendum should be shouted from all roof tops, if you even so much as "dis" a patriot, you're democrap history. Down a twirl, gone to the shake up the sheet to a smell bin. Semper Fi, brother
Tenn Slim| 1.25.10 @ 9:19AM
Opine
bt
Pass the Glenn Beck Common Sense message.
bt
January 24, 2010
Congressional Representative and Senator:
The following is the Common Sense Philosophy that I would have you follow in creating; amending or modifying any Legislation created by you or brought to the Floor for debate. Your attendance daily to these Common Sense Principles will ensure your continuance in the USA Electorate Elected position of Trust that you hold.
Bt
1. The United States of America is good.
2. We believe in God and He is the Center of our lives.
3. We must always try to be a more honest person than we were yesterday.
4. The USA American Family is sacred. It is the ultimate authority not the Government.
5. Justice is blind and no one is above the Law.
6. We, the USA Electorate, have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, with no guarantee of equal results.
7. Government cannot force us to be charitable. We will work hard for what we have and we will share the results with whom we decide to.
8. It is not Un American to disagree with authority or to share our opinions.
9. The Government works for us. We do not answer to the Government, It answers to us.
End
Pingback| 1.21.10 @ 9:45PM
NFC Championship Game: New Orleans Saints special teams … | New Orleans Saints NFL An links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Yosemeti Sam| 1.22.10 @ 1:32AM
" ... He couldn't be bothered to wear a tie at her campaign event ...."
His fashion statement - a cool cat.
World traveler, bon vivant, party animal
etc etc etc.
Etc.
Always available on short notice to offer a used anchor to a Democrat in need.
LOL.
Pingback| 1.22.10 @ 6:24AM
The American Spectator : Caulkers, Clunkers, and Coakley | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.22.10 @ 6:24AM
The American Spectator : Caulkers, Clunkers, and Coakley | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.22.10 @ 11:01AM
Hugo Chavez, bringin’ teh crazy « Out West links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
JeffT| 1.22.10 @ 6:33PM
For Obama, it's three strikes, you're out. He'll continue to hector us for the remainder of his term. For that is what community activists do. They yell, they scream, they blame. They do not lead.
JJ| 1.24.10 @ 2:00PM
Obama is the most boring President ever. He's got nothing. A lame duck.
Gerald Stephens| 1.24.10 @ 4:54PM
FINALLY GOT IT ! ...
S. L. Toddard is the brilliant creation of an AS editor assigned to pump commentary!
Gerald Stephens
Hartford, CT
Tenn Slim| 1.25.10 @ 9:16AM
Opine
bt
"Apparently, Coakley was too transparent for the White House's taste..
Now. Applying the following to the Quote, says this. OBNA Cannot Afford to be truly transparent. AESOPIAN Elitism Language MUST prevail. IF the OBNA were to simply come out and acutally say where, what and why, thier agendas would lead the USA Electorate, the Impeachment process would begin, in earnest.
bt
I offer this from Glenn Beck's Common Sense for you all to consider and pass on
end
January 24, 2010
Congressional Representative and Senator:
The following is the Common Sense Philosophy that I would have you follow in creating; amending or modifying any Legislation created by you or brought to the Floor for debate. Your attendance daily to these Common Sense Principles will ensure your continuance in the USA Electorate Elected position of Trust that you hold.
Bt
1. The United States of America is good.
2. We believe in God and He is the Center of our lives.
3. We must always try to be a more honest person than we were yesterday.
4. The USA American Family is sacred. It is the ultimate authority not the Government.
5. Justice is blind and no one is above the Law.
6. We, the USA Electorate, have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, with no guarantee of equal results.
7. Government cannot force us to be charitable. We will work hard for what we have and we will share the results with whom we decide to.
8. It is not Un American to disagree with authority or to share our opinions.
9. The Government works for us. We do not answer to the Government, It answers to us.
End
Converse | 8.11.11 @ 10:46PM
is good