Charlie Rangle calls Obama “absolutely stupid”

[peoli]

In a candid interview on “Inside City Hall,” Rep. Charles Rangel calls Barack Obama “absolutely stupid” for attacking Hillary Clinton for remarks she made about President Lyndon Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“How race got into this thing is because Obama said ‘race,’” Rangel tells Political Anchor Dominic Carter. “But there is nothing that Hillary Clinton has said that baffles me. I would challenge anybody to belittle the contribution that Dr. King has made to the world, to our country, to civil rights, and the Voting Rights Act. But for him to suggest that Dr. King could have signed that act is absolutely stupid. It’s absolutely dumb to infer that Doctor King, alone, passed the legislation and signed it into law.”

Rangel was responding to remarks Obama made Sunday while campaigning in Las Vegas: “I am baffled by that statement by the Senator. She made an ill-advised statement about Dr. King, suggesting that Lyndon Johnson had more to do with the Civil Rights Act. For them to somehow suggest that we’re interjecting race as a consequence of a statement she made, that we haven’t commented on, is pretty hard to figure out.”

(Campaigning in New Hampshire last Monday, Clinton said: “Dr. Martin Luther king led a movement. He was gassed. He was beaten, and then he worked with President Johnson to get the civil laws passed. The dream couldn’t be realized until finally it was legally permissible.”)

Rangel, a prominent Clinton supporter, also spoke about Obama’s admission of past drug use in his memoirs: “I assume that the book was not written for political purposes. It was honest..It was a big mistake for him to have done it For him to be honest enough to write about it, I guess he thought it might sell books.”



http://thepage.time.com/ny1-release-on-rangel-interview/
MFMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMF

[Cha]

1. Who knew charlie rangle was such

a stupid fucking asshole.

[ruggerson]

3. Well a little bit smarter than the two of you, as he can spell his name correctly

n/t

[Cha]

I don't care how he spells

his asshole name..No respect for assholes.

[springhill]

20. In this perticular case..............

He is right on the money. Obama has made this a race issue, not Hillary.

[Cha]

28. No, Obama didn't ...it's fucking hillary

all the way..but assholes like to turn it around.

[springhill]

40. Are you calling me an asshole..........

because I disagree with your assessment of that happened? You really need to get over yourself.

[Cha]

44. You are not

an asshole...the people who are trying to turn this around and take the blame off of hillary where it belongs are assholes. You can believe what you want.

charlie fucking rangel is an asshole.

[babylonsister]

6. Really. And saying he should never have written a book?

I think that's ridiculous. I'm so glad he wrote the damned book instead of lying about or distorting his history. Sounds like old school politics; maybe Charlie needs to hang it up.

[cali]

27. I always knew he was a pompous

creep.

[JackORoses]

34. i knew it when he was pushing for a Draft

[Cha]

43. I know...totally rhetorical

because I caught of whiff of him when he was raggin' on my man Dean.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080101332.html

[Essene]

95. He's a NY partner/supporter of Hillary

And now she owes him BIG TIME.

[sandnsea]

2. And it continues to be the Clinton campaign pushing this

The Obama campaign has never pushed this story.

[Quixote1818]

11. I agree. nt

[flpoljunkie]

16. Hillary was trying to diminish Obama and disparaged MLK in the process. That was "stupid!"

[anamandujano]

71. not quite

It's her job to question the (empty) slogans of her adversaries. She is not that dumb to question the contributions of Dr. King. Nobody is that dumb. It just came out wrong.

[David Dunham]

4. Smart man

[Essene]

92. He's a Hillary tool (and he almost killed me once)

True story.

His limo almost ran me over at the intersection of Central Park North and Malcolm X Blvd.

Don't be confused. When they decided to race bait, part of the plan was to follow-up with close, trusted black politicians who would say Obama's "playing the race card."

[Proud2BAmurkin]

5. Obama isn't stupid but those were STUPID moves he's right.

.

[thunder rising]

14. Thank you for your concern. I'm sure it will work out.

[cali]

36. scrambled eggs.

beat two eggs with a tbs of milk a pinch of salt and ground pepper. Heat a tsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat, pour eggs in skillet and stir until done to your liking. enjoy.

[madrchsod]

59. i like mine with cheese....yummy!

[DJ13]

7. IM glad the Clinton supporters like Rangle are making friends as

.......they destroy the party just to try and win her the nomination.

Nice job you dumbshit!

[Cant trust em]

8. Ironically, by making this statement, Rangel is the one who looks stupid

When did Obama say that MLK signed the Civil Rights Act into law? No one ever said that.

[VotesForWomen]

88. Not really, and hilary never said MLK never did anything because he was black. nt

[emilyg]

9. K&R

[mentalsolstice]

10. Owwiee! nt

[loveangelc]

12. dumbass.

[BenDavid]

13. Charlie is only speaking the truth as a vast majority of black

people also understand and not a minority of people that only listen to a flame thrower like jesse jackson jr and some of obama surrogates.....The truth it seems is tough for the obama campers in here to understand.

[thunder rising]

17. Thank you for your concern. I'm sure it will work out.

[Yael]

57. You are cracking me up with this

:D

[Occam Bandage]

21. a "vast majority of black people" think Obama is absolutely stupid? Link to poll?

[gaiilonfong]

30. There is no link

that statement comes from the 4000 PAID Clinton commentors that are organized and sent out by Taylor Marsh and Left-Coaster.

here are links that think the Clintons are stupid.

http://field-negro.blogspot.com/

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2008/1/14/145734/692

[Essene]

96. Stop lying, thanks.

The vast majority of blacks know smears and race baiting when they see it.

Which is why Obama signs have been going up in Rangel's part of town. I'm not a fan of Jesse Jackson, but this isnt about him or his son although i've noticed you like using his name in every other sentence about Obama.

The truth... is actually that the Clinton's have engaged in a divisive smear and race baiting campaign, and this is just a part of it. When all is said and done, you'll have to ask yourself how sincere and honest you were about this.

I assume you are jewish and would respect the dangers of race baiting and affiliated lies.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. he has a lot at stake in the Clintons

him and a lot of other NY politicians want a job in the federal government and they know that Clinton is their mealticket.

Rangel would also be a much more powerful ways and means chairman if Hillary was in the white house.

[gaiilonfong]

31. They should take him OFF the committee

I would suggest that!

[bunnies]

18. Its offically Clinton v. Obama.

Sucks for both if either get the nomination.

[Mass]

19. Rangel should actually read what Obama said. He never said that King could have signed the civil

Right Act himself. He would be an idiot he had said that and he is certainly not an idiot.

[VotesForWomen]

89. yeah, and hilary didn't say a lot of stuff either, okay?

[Essene]

97. I assure you Clinton said what she originally said with Rangel's support

Their smear and race baiting campaign required having several black leaders ready to come to her defense, and to attack Obama for "playing the race card."

He's just doing his part... pretending somehow Obama's to blame for all of this.

[gaiilonfong]

22. Charlie rangel is an IDIOT

He is known in NY for being an ass-kisser of the corporations.
Too bad he has never come out and call Chimpy stupid.....

[rox63]

23. Must... Control... Fist... Of... Death...

I promised here to STFU about this. I only wish others would do the same:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4066323&mesg_id=4066376

[Cha]

24. Yeah, I'll kick it too ..I want this

out there ..what a shill charlie asshole is.

[Cant trust em]

25. Actually it was smart to write the book

Because sooner or later someone would have come out with the info that he did drugs in the 80's and it would have been an even bigger issue. Better to release this information off before hand than have someone else bring it up.

[Jim Lane]

54. I agree -- this is a case where honesty is the best policy.

Also, aside from its being the best policy, it is, you know, honest.

Rangel's was on the House Judiciary Committee when it investigate Watergate and voted for impeachment. By the logic of his criticism of Obama, his only criticism of Nixon was that the cover-up wasn't carried out effectively.

[Nedsdag]

26. Thank you, Charlie Rangel!

You have COMPLETELY cemented my support for Barack Obama.

Any other black Clintonites want to come out and blast Obama with ridiculous comments?

[DURHAM D]

29. And now we know why Obama is finally trying to stop the race discussion.

Earlier this pm I was trying to figure who got to Obama and told him to put a lid on it. I was guessing either Conyers or Lewis. Now, it looks like it was Rangle.

No doubt the reporter called the Obama camp for a response to Rangle's comments and the Obama response was "Oh, shit - we have got to get out in front of this".

[rox63]

33. The only person that looks bad here is Rangel

He should know better than to call a sitting US Senator and presidential candidate stupid. WTF is he thinking? This is low-class. I expected a lot better of him.

[Essene]

98. Only in the eyes of those objectively paying attention

Which is likely going to be a small portion of americans. Unless the media turns on Clinton and gets the facts straight, Obama's going to tank and black voters are going to not turn-out after all the division.

[kikiek]

32. I'm hoping this wasn't today. Let's move on.

[durrrty libby]

35. K & R for truth against Distortionist Contortionists

[peoli]

37. Clinton people must be REALLY AFRAID of Obama

They are screaming as if they see a train coming full speed for them as they are stuck on the tracks.

The end is near Clintons.

youve been B.O.'d!

[rox63]

38. They've resorted to name-calling, just like kids in the schoolyard n/t

[indimuse]

39. about time Obama was called out for what HE's PUT OUT THERE...

First you go public with your dirt ...then capitalize on it. HOW MANY BOOKS HAS HE SIGNED I WONDER..then try to accuse others for YOUR MISTAKE... what part of the RW/Media/ Christian groups do you think will not exploit this...Great "Judgement!!!" next.

[Fresh_Start]

41. I never thought I'd be in the position of defending LBJ

but to be fair to him....he knew he was destroying the Democratic Party for the next generation when he signed the legislation and he did it anyway.

This does not excuse Vietnam, but he did the right thing on Civil Rights even though it was NOT the politically expedient thing to do. And God bless her, Ladybird went to the mouth of the lion to speak of civil rights to her fellow Southerners even though it meant death threats for her personally.

This Civil Rights Act was not a parlor trick for Johnson. He couples it with education bills including education starting in elementary school and including higher education. He also pushed and got the Voting Rights Act.

He was never the soul or voice or inspiration for Civil Rights. But his contribution was great.

MLK is and always will be in a different class. I'd hazard Saintly would not be too high a praise for him (saintly as in Joan of Arc on the battle line and martyr for the cause).

[peoli]

45. Hillary made this into an issue between MLK and LBJ...

the point is Barack Obama has the capacity to be someone who both inspires people and be a great President at the same time!

She made this an either/or. And it isnt an either or... its a both in one and thats why the Clintons are so scared shitless out of their ever loving minds.

Barack can INSPIRE PEOPLE
and
be a great PRESIDENT!


DERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR..............

something we have all been HOPEing for for a long time!

We have come to a point in our history where we can have both. It's an evolution of our society. Hillary and Bill and the tangled web people that have metamorphosized themselves to that family of POWER are being threatend. They will lose the POWER, the CONNECTIONS, the FAVORS!

Fucking A! Its so fucking obvious. :puke:

[anamandujano]

66. Thanks for the post. I didn't know the political situation

surrounding this.

[Essene]

99. Sorry, but her comments were nothing more than race baiting

Let's not pretend this is some nuanced historical matter about LBJ.

This was a conscious attempt at race baiting... an attempt to turn the dialog into a divisive one about race, with Obama on the attack, so that folks could then blame him for "playing the race card." This is politics 101.

And it's working.

[robbedvoter]

42. He's right. But ..case closed? I hope.

[cali]

46. Case closed?

He attacked Obama using all the Clinton talking points. Obama has done his best to defuse the vile crap that the Clintons unleashed. They are really hard to take.

[Connie_Corleone]

47. He is NOT right.

Where in the hell did Obama said anything about King signing the civil rights act?

Both Clinton and Obama are trying to stop this madness, and here comes Rangel opening his big mouth making it worse!

[Essene]

93. He's certainly not right and all he's doing is hurting his people

...by letting Clinton use and abuse them with this race baiting.

Then again, Rangel isn't actually dumb. She owes him BIG TIME now. He risked himself and his powerbase in Manhattan. Anybody else here in Harlem will agree... there's a lot of Obama signs going up, and people around here don't forget.

[BeyondGeography]

48. That's suppposed help Hilly in NY?

Thanks, Charlie. :thumbsup:

[Kahuna]

76. According to Countdown, she got booed and walked out on in NYC

...today I think... :thumbsup:

[Thrill]

49. Yeah he wrote about drugs to help sell books?

Come on Rangel. Who is the real stupid one?

The same moron, who thought it was a good idea to talk about a draft.

[grantcart]

50. Good to see Rep Rangel

got the memo and is on message. Clinton ok on patronizing Dr King, bringing up Obama's teenage drug use, yup Clinton puppet theater working fine. But really calling Obama Editor of Harvard law review, etc etc etc "absolutely stupid" you get bonus points for being a complete lackey. You still are not going to get any cabinet positions Charlie because ah well Hillary isn't going to get the nomination.

I wonder how "absolutely stupid" Rangel will feel attending Pres Obama's inauguration knowing that all of this contrived and stage managed Obama bashing is unifying the Democrats behind Obama.

Another Edwards supporter moving closer to Obama with each Clinton mis step. She cant keep up with Obama so she has her surrogates attack him. Now that is "absolutely stupid". You couldn't help Obama more if you were a paid consultant.

[bvar22]

51. Rangel SOLD OUT long ago.

Shortly after the Democrtic WIN in 2006, he used his new "Chairmanship" of the Ways and Means Committee to negotiate a SECRET Free Trade Deal directly with Bush.
This Secret deal was written by Corporate Lobbyists without ANY input from LABOR, Human Rights, Environmental Rights OR the Democratic Caucus.

When questioned why he Locked Out LABOR and Human Rights, Rangel, diamonds and gold flashing from his fingers, replied that, They only get in the way of business.

Inside U.S. Trade reports that House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel expects he will require votes from the vast majority of Republicans in order to pass the secret deal - over the objections of most Democrats.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/52709/

Charlie Rangel BELONGS in the Hillary Camp because he certainly is NOT in mine.
I'm with Americans who Work for a Living.


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Yael]

52. So much for bringinig it down a notch

:rofl:

[Mike03]

53. I can't believe he would say this. I had such a high regard for this man,

but he is WAY OFF BASE talking about Obama this way.

I still can't believe it...

[Donna Zen]

58. I've liked Charlie too

But the weekend after my town lost every job when our only remaining factory closed down, we had a meeting with our Dem. representative. Since the jobs were a direct loss because of Chinese cheap imports, the talk included questions about "fast track" trade deals, a policy that was coming up for reauthorization. Well, my representative told us to not hold our breath. He said powerful Dems were all for pushing it through. Huh? What? Yes, and he mentioned Rangel specifically.

Sure enough within weeks Rangel announced a series of new trade deals that had been negotiated with the WHouse in secret. Now aren't you glad we fought the good fight to get Rangel in charge of Ways and Means?

Sounds like the Clinton call for a truce doesn't mean squat.

[Essene]

100. The Clintons had a plan to race bait and then blame Obama for "playing the race card"

And Rangel signed up.

[Mike03]

55. If we can't trust Charles Rangle, who can we trust???

I have no faith whatsoever in the guideposts of my own party anymore.

[Bethany Rockafella]

56. Listen to all of you.

I don't agree with Rangel but dear God, why are some of you so protective and sensitive toward Obama? Charlie Rangel has always said smart assed remarks and he doesn't apologize for them. When he called Republicans out, most of you high fived him but now that he said something stupid about Obama, you want to call him an asshole and a creep?

!!

[madrchsod]

62. this statement is total bullshit...

Rangel, a prominent Clinton supporter, also spoke about Obama’s admission of past drug use in his memoirs: “I assume that the book was not written for political purposes. It was honest..It was a big mistake for him to have done it For him to be honest enough to write about it, I guess he thought it might sell books.”

depending on one`s level of offensive the other statement is up for interpretation

[anamandujano]

64. How is it bad to be called "honest," twice?

Selling books? That's what all writers try to do, a publisher expects it or you don't get a deal.

He wasn't intimating that Obama was money hungry. Good freaking grief!

[Kahuna]

60. Awww. Poor Charlie. His girl Hill was booed in NY and attendees

walked out on her according to Countdown tonight. :evilgrin:

Charlie sees the writing on the wall. Black voters are sick of the stupid crap and let them know that they're votes are not to be taken for granted.

[Glimmer of Hope]

61. Great. Let's drag this out a little more.

[anamandujano]

63. Charlie is trying to put an end to the race fiasco.

He is able to criticize Obama because he is black. If he spoke against Hillary, it would only foment more. I think he is correct that Hillary just phrased it wrong. Also, I believe it was Edwards who commented on Hillary's remark by saying it was ridiculous to say that politicians can change anything, it has to begin with the people.

Why don't all of our candidates stop jumping on every little quip or idea to use to make the other look bad, especially the racist and sexist stuff.

Of course the stupid@ssf*ckingCorporatepukefest media will continue to fan the flames and ask them all questions about race, to which they can answer, "I tend to doubt that's what so-and-so meant when they said that. Are you trying to start something," or words to that effect.

JUST STOP IT, and let the corporate jerks blow a gasket when they can't get any traction.

Again, prominent blacks should take the lead on this. Who is going to listen to a white person? They should just blow this out of the water and clean up the campaign right now.

Anyway, Charlie called what he said "stupid," not Obama.

[rox63]

67. Rangel has endorsed Clinton, so he won't speak against her

I don't think he's trying to put an end to anything. Sounds like he's trying to inflame it further.

[anamandujano]

69. "She made an ill-advised statement about Dr. King, suggesting

that Lyndon Johnson had more to do with the Civil Rights Act"

Looks like criticism to me, about the same as the selling books remark.

[rox63]

73. What? Polite criticism (from Obama) is the same as calling someone stupid? (as Rangel did) n/t

[Essene]

94. It must certainly WAS an ill-advised statement. And attacking obama for merely saying that is silly

Again, the Clinton campaign engaged in systematic race baiting.

Folks are going to pretend he took the bait, when he didn't really. He had to say SOMETHING, so he said the least possible and has tried to move ahead.

The cynics, republicans and thehillary camp will try to tear him down with strawman arguments... as you can see on this board.

[Alexander]

65. Charlie "I won't vote for my own draft bill" Rangel?

Yeah, he's one to trust. :eyes:

[zulchzulu]

68. Imagine a Hillary surrogate NOT being a butt-headed asshat...

Good for Charlie to at least be a consistent asshole supporting Hillary... birds of a feather...

[CyberPieHole]

70. Obama is not "stupid". He is just playing the race card because he is DESPERATE.

he can't rely on his record since he has none to speak of...so he has to stoop to attempting to label the Clinton's as racists. I may or may not work. If it doesn't work (which is what I believe will happen) Obama will be seen as no different than the Rev. Jesse Jackson. That will seal the deal as far as most Americans are concerned...they would never elect Jesse and they won't elect a Jesse in Obama clothing.

[jasmine621]

77. Charile DID NOT call Obama stupid.

He called his actions stupid. And they were. Clinton stated facts. Only the President has the authority to sign an Act into law. Johnson risked a lot and used a lot of strong-arm tactics behind the scenes to get that Civil Rights legislation. MLK paid with his life and so did many others, both black and white. It is stupid to not recognize the role Lyndon Johnson played in getting passed civil rights legislation and many white folks who helped in that battle find Obama's distortion of the facts offensive.

[Sulawesi]

79. Your post is stupid, notice that I did not call YOU stupid, so you should be OK with that.

[jasmine621]

82. I am ok with that.

Next?

[fightindonkey]

72. Everyone Is Saying The Same Thing.

[anamandujano]

75. HE DIDN'T CALL OBAMA STUPID. (Sorry for the yelling)

He called what he did stupid.

[LowerManhattanite]

102. Hope you're enjoying the peat-moss nap

Finally!

[TerwilligeRedux]

74. sell books, Charlie?

For someone seeking the presidenial nomination, admitting to past drug use is problematic enough. But you think admitting it was about selling books, CHarlie? Sheesh :crazy:

[Evergreen Emerald]

78. Finally. Some common sense from this big mess.

[TheJizzaking]

80. This is really

not a racial war, but a generational one.

It's not about black vs. white. It's about the older generation, the baby boomers, and the old black civil rights leaders trying to hang onto power and not let the younger generation (black or white) take over.

That's why people like Charlie Rangel, and Andrew Young are acting like such fools.

[peoli]

81. That is part of it for sure

The Past vs. The Future

[BeyondGeography]

84. Absolutely right...welcome to DU

:thumbsup:

[SoxFan]

103. BINGO!

Bingo! You win!

[IndianaGreen]

83. Charlie Rangle is opposed to impeaching Cheney

Now, who is really stupid? Charlie for protecting Cheney, or the people that voted for Charlie?

[SOS]

85. In the words of Alvy Singer

"What an asshole"

[AtomicKitten]

86. When surrogates attack!

[Califooyah Operative]

87. That's the best they got? nt

[FrenchieCat]

90. Deeply disappointed in this man.

He can't even recognize that it is time for the passing of the guards when he sees it.

As old as he is, it may be time for him to retire with his dignity. Right now, he's really shaky from where I sit. :(

[oasis]

91. Give 'em hell Charlie. Obama wants to play the victim, so let him have it.

:spank:I'll give you something to whine about.

[Essene]

101. "Obama is playing the victim"... way to be suckered

[greguganus]

104. Wonder which cabinet position Rangel wants. n/t

[greguganus]

105. Kicked because Charlie Rangel is an asshole. n/t

[LostinVA]

106. Very shameful, especially since Senator Obama asked for this to stop

"Supporters" vs. supporters. Senator Obama does not have my vote in the primaries, but he does if he gets the nom. He is a decent man who deserves better than this. The posts made since his announcement last night insult him.

[ieoeja]

107. Thanks. Jesse Jackson Sr's comments are much better.

"When Obama said that Hillary was "likeable enough,'' it was not a gender insult; it was a gentle compliment. These two were friends; they have campaigned together. To turn it into anything else is simply silly. When Hillary said Lyndon Johnson was necessary to get the Voting Rights Act passed, of course she's right. It took years of demonstrations, litigation and legislation to challenge segregation. King appreciated what Johnson helped achieve, even as he continued to challenge him. Hillary's statement is not a racial insult. When surrogates start demeaning Obama's experience as an organizer or insinuating garbage about his past, that degrades all of us, not just him.

"The problem with this stuff is that it can easily get out of hand, embittering supporters on both sides. We're having a vital competition inside the team about who should be the first-string quarterback. And it's great that the competition is stiff and the competitors all highly skilled. But the battle for position shouldn't be so bitter that it divides the team and makes it impossible for the winner to bring us together to meet the real competition."

Source http://www.suntimes.com/news/jackson/740744,CST-EDT-jesse15.article

[Beacool]

108. He did NOT call him stupid, he called what Obama said stupid.

There is a difference in stating that what someone said is stupid as opposed to saying that the person is stupid. Get it? Changing the meaning of people's words is how we got into this mess in the first place.

“How race got into this thing is because Obama said ‘race,’” Rangel tells Political Anchor Dominic Carter. “But there is nothing that Hillary Clinton has said that baffles me. I would challenge anybody to belittle the contribution that Dr. King has made to the world, to our country, to civil rights, and the Voting Rights Act. But for him to suggest that Dr. King could have signed that act is absolutely stupid. It’s absolutely dumb to infer that Doctor King, alone, passed the legislation and signed it into law.”