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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEzra Klein: Obama wasn’t joking at the White House correspondents’ dinner
Obama wasnt joking at the White House correspondents dinner
Posted by Ezra Klein on April 29, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Everybody has got plenty of advice, sighed President Obama at Saturdays White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Maureen Dowd said I could solve all my problems if I were just more like Michael Douglas in The American President. And I know Michael is here tonight. Michael, whats your secret, man? Could it be that you were an actor in an Aaron Sorkin liberal fantasy? Might that have something to do with it?
Thats it. Thats the joke. Or, perhaps more to the point, that isnt the joke. Theres no punchline. Its more of a straightforward rebuttal to a recent Maureen Dowd column.
(Pete Marovich/EPA/Pool)
Obamas speech at the White House correspondents dinner was well received, and for good reason it was very funny. But there were a lot of moments when Obama seemed to be subverting the rules of the evening in order to get away with telling harsh truths that he could later claim were just jokes.
Some folks still dont think I spend enough time with Congress, the president said. Why dont you get a drink with Mitch McConnell? they ask. Really? Why dont you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?
Everyone laughed. But do you detect an actual joke there? And lest you think Im cutting the punchline, heres Obamas next sentence: Im sorry. I get frustrated sometimes.
Juliet Eilperin and Zach Goldfarb have a nice piece delivering the context for that frustration:
more...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/29/obama-wasnt-joking-at-the-white-house-correspondents-dinner/
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)President Barack Obama-
He sees things as to how they will be some day in the near future.
Just sees them clearly, and doesn't let the bastards get him down.
because its not the day to day, but the long term forever eye on the prize.
Daily I am amazed at the genius that is.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)TIA.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)He is bringing both sides together.
Not the 50-50 war the media, the fringes and the cottage industry need to proport is there.
But the actual America that wants the hate to stop.
Most republicans don't like their draconian leaders, they are stuck with them.
Most democratic voters, especially almost all of Barack Obama's and combined with Hillary's equal a good 90% of the democratic party.
And it was foretold in the genius of working with Hillary from day one. Not having each fracture and split, but in working together and Hillary being the damn greatest SOS of all time.
Learning from what the past showed all those elections.
And it will lead to 80-20.
The 20 being 15 or so from the right, and the 5 from the ultra left, much like
Ron Paul now working together with Dennis Kucinich. The 20.
I'll take the 80.
There is no left/right/republican/democratic at the end of the day.
It is President Obama and America. After all, in all other times in the past, after election day, both sides wanting something done. Not obstructionist.
In moving forward, 80 will reclaim it, and prove that together you build bridges
apart you build walls.
As John Lennon called one of his albums "Walls and Bridges".
50-50 is a wall that is now being torn down.
as John Lennon also said "You may say I am a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." c)
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)that we actually may see a Democratic majority that would allow us to circumvent the filibuster. Unless, of course the Republicans continue putting out far right teabagger fundies, which I don't think will continue to happen.
No way we will ever see a Senatorial majority of 80-20. I would be happy to see 61, but even find that overly optimistic.
What I am afraid of is things going the exact opposite way and seeing the Repukes holding majorities in all branches of the government, which given Citizens United, is a clear and present danger. If that were to happen, I am sure I would never see a democratic president or congress in my lifetime.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)plenty of times in the past both sides had huge things together.
And instant gratification just means one is hungry in 30 minutes.
Long term victory means some battles lost.
pscot
(21,023 posts)even for DU.
Volaris
(10,260 posts)and tell the corporate boot-licker neocons to go get bent
Phlem
(6,323 posts)when you have moderate Republicans running as Democrats that continue to push the party to the right.
There is no vetting process. We elect who we think will do a good job.
It'd be nice, for once, to know that who we're voting will do a good job and get things done for the people, but until then we need to sort through Blue Dogs and Republicans running as Democrats.
A decade is roughly 2 elections and heading for the next. I would be stunned if we could turn this boat around that soon. The corruption in Washington and the media is on overload backed by a never ending waterfall of money.
Still I hope.
-p
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)We waited for 50 years from LBJ to now.
it could have been quicker without the sad sams and debbie downers each time
You vote for whatever name is in front of you on the ballot.
and speaking of vetting-Hillary is the only one vetted.
3 of the nevergonna be top candidates have major skeletons
Hillary has none.
Everyone keeps whining about excuses that it can't be done.
actually, it is simple vote for the name on your ballot. It matters little what name for 2014.
Just vote under the heading DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Phlem
(6,323 posts)"3 of the never gonna be top candidates have major skeletons
Hillary has none. " HA
A devout believer, sooo sure Hillary's the next president. Sorry I don't agree with your pitch. I tend to vote w/o blinders on. Also, to assume that I might vote "R" or not vote at all means you really make leaps with your logic.
So it's the debbie downers and whiners that get your goat. Ask your self why they exist. Because everything is going just fine? What's one supposed to think when the Democratic President we voted for offer up SS in debt ceiling debates. Debates we shouldn't even be having.
Ignorance is bliss and I'm surrounded by happy clueless people. We don't need to add to that population.
-p
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)..that won't be enough with the current Party leadership.
They will still find a way to pass conservative policy and blame the Republicans or Joe Lieberman.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)Last edited Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:12 PM - Edit history (1)
Boston made me see it clearly.
All policeman are not the few bad cops
All republicans are not bad
All democratic people are not good
All war is not bad
Conspiracy theories fester (which Barack Obama at the dinner alluded to.)
Orly Taitz would still be bad if Orly were democratic Orly Taitz.
The John Birch Society dixiecrats back in the 1960s were not good, even if they were democratic voters with George Wallace(not good).
LBJ needed both sides to pass the most important acts in American history.
FDR needed both sides to pass alot of his agenda, and to get into the war (way too late).
Lincoln needed both sides to pass his agenda and end slavery.
as someone else said, we are in a mass allignment.
and Barack Obama ran to unite America or do the best he could to do so.
And it is happening. Though not all will see it
or to use an old tv analogy
Jack Gilford didn't kick the can, and when he finally wanted to, he missed his chance, but the others got their chance. Jack the 20, the others the 80.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I ask you once again, do you have even a passing familiarity with facts and logic?
Rex
(65,616 posts)Hell he is on a roll! Who cares if none of what he said is factual in any way, shape or form? You are supposed to let your emotions rule you. Get it?
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Marr
(20,317 posts)And yet somehow, I guessed exactly who you had to be responding to. That person is getting less coherent by the day.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)So you agree that Jefferson only meant men that looked and acted like him were equal.
correct?
That is my thoughts. He left out 82% of America when he said all were created equal.
Jefferson's words were only for 18% of the country.
Ron Paul, 3rd partists and the conspiracy theorists want to go back to that.
All men that looked and acted like jefferson.
no women, no minorites, no nothing but Jeffersons who kept and abused slaves.
Thanks for the softball lob which I just like Willie Mays, hit out into the parking lot.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)It was a rejection of the entire CONCEPT of entitled Royalty and it was high treason.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)when they take the helicopter out of town, peacefully, another takes their place.
one doesn't like Bush, one doesn't elect Jeb.
but the other side needs to work with the President.
It's the way Jefferson envisioned it.
as Ben Franklin said "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Getting rid of the radical extremists from power is the pound of cure so we can keep our republican the Ron/Rand Pauls, David Dukes, John Birch Society, etc. want to take away from us (and one cant spell USA without US).
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)and they control the media because they are the vocal ones.
Rand Paul offers nothing, yet some see him as a savior. At that fillibuster, some democratic folks seemed to cheer him.
He offers ZERO to any true democratic voter. And zero to any of Barack Obama's voters and
Hillary Clinton's voters
they deserve zero airtime.Yet extremists get all the airtime, like the head of the NRA.
Barack Obama roped the dopes at the dinner last night.
He wasn't kidding.
Like Jackie Robinson, he doesn't stoop to the level of the haters.
Because he keeps his eye on the long term prize.
No one has ever done it better.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)The hope was that Republicans would have to actually put their mouth where their money is.
watoos
(7,142 posts)The Tea Party doesn't control the media. Why do you think that OWS was throttled? The MSM is controlled by 6 multi-national corporations. The MSM is the huge hurdle to get to your 80-20 goal. Good luck with that, they control the narrative, even on msnbc.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)President Obama is hated by the MSM because he can't be controlled.
I only watch Al Sharton btw.
The media hasn't existed since Dan Rather and Mary was sold down the river and stabbed in the back by those he thought were friends(like the 60 minute crew)
Why would anyone think that MSNBC is solely one, when Joe is the biggest teaparty nut there is and has the most important time slot-the morning?
The President yesterday was actually spitting in all their faces, but he doesn't do it nasty.
So most didn't even realize he was spitting in their faces.
The Tea Party gets their airtime. The head of the NRA gets their airtime.
Do you think if the mainstream media didn't want them to get airtime, they would?
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)Occupy is bigger and more vocal than the "tea party", but nobody lets them near a microphone.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)...for the most disjointed, incoherent, and irrelevant Word Salad posted at DU today.
I have an old DOS program from the early 90s that write more coherent poetry.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)You know what they say, everyone's got a crazy uncle.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)Jack Gilford didn't understand either. He never did kick the can.
When he wanted to join in later, it was way too late.
But those that did kick the can got it from the start.
Rod Serling was talking about Barack Obama I bet.And I bet both would have been on the same side.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)....and the nameless blue ninja flea brightly flopped over the crimson lily pad.
Poll_Blind
(23,864 posts)PB
JHB
(37,128 posts)madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)I think he was banned a couple of years ago.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)you have much to learn if you haven't learned that one thing, yet.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)but you, sir, appear to be delusional.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)I have wondered the same thing!
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Laughs. Applause.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Pow!
leveymg
(36,418 posts)We laugh because we don't know what the hell else to do.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)(and he supplies his own "material", too!)
Pirate Smile
(27,617 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)But his speech is less inappropriate in solemn situations.
JI7
(89,173 posts)but how it would be better to have it in the united states instead.
they should be ridiculed rather than those who claim to be legitimate news sources like CNN having them on as if they are a serious side of an issue.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)the 20 on the far sides soon will be talking to no one.
Eye on the prize long term.
The best trait Barack Obama has is not stooping to their level.
Just seeing things in the future and working for the long goal.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)You keep mistaking things.
President Obama doesn't need to get one vote anymore.
Soon, in 2018, he will be on the US Supreme Court, in the job he was born to be.
Others will continue the agenda.
Instant gratification just means one is hungry in 30 minutes.
Satifaction comes when the war is won, not crying over a battle here or there.
Ask the people in Operation Neptune.
Small steps forward later won the war.
wave on wave on wave on wave on wave
tblue37
(64,979 posts)in Nov. of 2012.
paleotn
(17,778 posts)Raine1967
(11,589 posts)that was brilliant.
Carry on.
malaise
(267,800 posts)He laughed them to scorn - quite beautiful.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)"Michael, whats your secret, man? Could it be that you were an actor in an Aaron Sorkin liberal fantasy? Might that have something to do with it?
And Republican outreach to minorities ....
arcane1
(38,613 posts)BainsBane
(53,001 posts)but I didn't think he was as funny as past years. He seemed to be taking more jabs than in the past.
Cha
(295,899 posts)out yet although in a very hilariously brilliant way?
flamingdem
(39,303 posts)most of the jokes were right on the line and the Dowd comment was true.
msongs
(67,193 posts)I think I will just let all the bush tax cuts expire
and
I will never propose cuts in Social Security
had em on the floor
whathehell
(28,968 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,129 posts)scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)I laugh so hard I cry...
bvar22
(39,909 posts)He is really strong in Stand Up and Late Night Talk.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)on their experience and views.
But...yes.. He missed his calling. Stuffed into a Box with a Nobel Peace Prize with the lives of Millions all over the world in his hands....and he would have been happier doing "Stand Up and Late Night Talk."
Why did he miss his calling and we have to suffer for it? I don't know. I suspect we will find out eventually. I wish I could be more cheerful. The WH Press Club thingy ...sort of did me in. I guess when that memory fades I will perk up...but, not sure about that..
GeorgeGist
(25,294 posts)for thinking he's a sap to reach out to republicans.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)and so he thinks we think he is a sap.
I don't know what to really think about that...except that it sort of misses "The Big Picture" of what Average Americans have been through and are going through. He's young and his life is relatively good for him and his family...so he's in that BUBBLE.
He's had a pretty good life after a rotten childhood...but, then....many of us have had rotten childhoods and sort of came to a different conclusion than "AUSTERITY IS GOOD FOR AMERICA!" Tighten Your Belts and GIVE School Privatization to your Children...and BTY...Dumpster Diving saves Restaurants. Deduct it on your Tax Form and be sure to mention the Restaurant that threw out the good stuff that fed You and Family because I want to go visit them and Put My Arms Around them and PRAISE them for Throwing out Food that has Kept so Many families alive!
OMG...don't get me started. He is just so misguided.... I keep hoping that the "Enlightenment" will dawn on him. Maybe it will. He's young...he can change his mind...and clever enough to do it...IF he has the WILL to do it...that is.
Marr
(20,317 posts)...I have to say, I find it hard to wish Obama well in his quest for "bipartisanship".
The GOP is protecting Social Security.
They just won't let Obama fulfill his evil plan to kill granny.
Maybe the death panels will work.
Marr
(20,317 posts)Obama made an offer. Republicans, stupidly, refused to take "yes" for answer.
I know you'd like to cast anyone who recognizes that simple reality as some kind of Palinesque nut job, but there it is. Cope with it.
Initech
(99,912 posts)Kahuna
(27,310 posts)Cha
(295,899 posts)dated Sorkin or not. It was brilliant. I want to know who wrote those "jokes"?
I really liked that PBO got a plug in there for "WhiteHouse.gov", too!
CTyankee
(63,769 posts)Skittles
(152,964 posts)seriously
KoKo
(84,711 posts)No one denies that, though.
We finally got OUR REAGAN HOLLYWOOD!
Meanwhile...aways back a President's Wife brought her sewing machine to the White House and her Husband (the Pres) turned down the Thermostat and wore sweaters...but the Iranians took Hostages and...that was the end of that.
Another Dem President had a wife who tried to do something for Health Care in the US and had Repug House Member saying she killed a person prominent in the Campaign and later on the President with Great Teeth, Hair and Personality Creds...was diddling in a room off the Oval Office was carrying on a "diddling affair" with a "So-Called White House Intern" that we Dems had to be embarrassed about for years of his term while he gave away legislation that had been in effect since the New Deal to the REPUG... (to save his Neck or because he really believed in it!)
I won't go on into John Edwards and Michael Dukakis and the Selection of 2000....with Gore.
What a nightmare we Dems have had to go through. But, yes...Obama doesn't seem to have signs of "Periodontal Disease" and his Grandparents and Mom had access to good Dentistry.
Cha
(295,899 posts)charmingly, funny way.
thanks babylonsistah~
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)He's never tried either pushing either traditional Democrat valies, nor crushing Republicans (and pretend Democrats).
He was elected to do the first, and it's always been clear that he needs to do the second if he wants to make the first happen.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)I'm still waiting to see he "reach out" to the left of his own party, in any way, shape, or form that he has to the entire GOP.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Pegs the guy for what he is.
And isn't.
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)not matter what they do and no matter how much the voters reject those Republican policies. Wise cracks just do not replace principled stands and liberal objectives.
I think when a man runs AS a Sorkin liberal fantasy, claiming the talent to heal DC and make progress, that man should not be surprised that voters expected him to be that which he claimed to be. Oprah called him 'The One' and he sat there and smiled. He did not say 'hey, I'm just a guy who tries' he said 'yeah I will change how Washington does business'. He did not have to indulge in all of that crap. But he did. MoDo did not do that to him, he did that because it worked and because it is fun to promise the moon to stupid kids only later to sneer at them for believing you.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)It's legerdemain...ignore the patter, watch the movements.