Obama defends himself and his wife. It is well and graciously done.

[madfloridian]

This is very impressive, the way he speaks out about some of the attacks. It is classy.

Obama fights back on questions about his patriotism

After a town hall meeting in Lorain, Ohio, a reporter asked Obama about "an attempt by conservatives and Republicans to paint you as unpatriotic."

The reporter cited the fact that Obama once failed to put his hand over his heart while singing the national anthem. Obama replied that his choice not to put his hand on his heart is a behavior that "would disqualify about three-quarters of the people who have ever gone to a football game or baseball game."

Then the reporter continued......"the Illinois senator does not wear an American flag lapel pin, has met with former members of the radical anti-Vietnam War group, Weather Underground, and his wife was quoted recently as saying she never felt really proud of the United States until recently."

Obama continues.

The way I will respond to it is with the truth: that I owe everything I am to this country," he said.

...""You will recall that the reason I came to national attention was a speech in which I spoke of my love of this country," said Obama.

He and his wife, Michelle, had already explained her comments. "She simply misspoke," he said. "What she was referring to was that this was the first time she has been proud of politics in America.

And more of his response.

About not wearing an American flag lapel pin, Obama said Republicans have no lock on patriotism.

"A party that presided over a war in which our troops did not get the body armor they needed, or were sending troops over who were untrained because of poor planning, or are not fulfilling the veterans' benefits that these troops need when they come home, or are undermining our Constitution with warrantless wiretaps that are unnecessary?

He said "That is a debate I am very happy to have. We'll see what the American people think is the true definition of patriotism."

A spokesman mentioned to the New York Sun that he was an 8-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous."

I heard Mark Penn was accusing Obama of ugly attacks. I don't think so. Someone needs to look in the mirror.

[thevoiceofreason]

1. Intellegent dignity

[anamandujano]

It took his speechwriter long enough to think of it.

[milkyway]

6. Wrong. It was at a press conference.

If Hillary is such an experienced politician, why is she getting crushed by Obama? After all, he's just an empty suit reciting speeches, right? Why can't she beat him? Do you think that it might be because she's not much of a politician, and a horrible executive mismanaging one of the worst campaigns in history?

[Bicoastal]

10. Hillary has no speechwriters, obviously.

She came up with "Change you Can Xerox" spur of the moment, all by herself, correct?

[D23MIURG23]

77. Sometimes I have to wonder...

It would actually explain a few things if she didn't.

[surfermaw]

67. He was right on with the flag pin

it is a republican thing that started with the Iraq WAR..Right on Obama!

[blogslut]

2. I love those answers

To the point without vitriol or nonsense.

[Flabbergasted]

3. These are the kinds of answers that will win the WH.

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. thank you madf......

i have every confidence that obama will be as capable of taking on the rightwing smear machine as well as anyone still in the running.

I'm just waiting to hear Hillary say "Enough with the Faux Patriotism"; "Enough with the Yellow Bumperstickers"; "Enough with the Lapel Pins".

Patriotism for me is more than symbolism. The right has managed to pervert patriotism, just as they've turned so many off to religion.

Thanks Sen. Obama.....

[madfloridian]

40. You are right about their subversion of patriotism.

We have let them get away with it for too long.

[cbayer]

5. Nicely done Mad.

This exemplifies what we want and need to be.

If you could have kept that last line out
"I heard Mark Penn was accusing Obama of ugly attacks. I don't think so. Someone needs to look in the mirror."

and just stayed positive, this OP would have been close to perfect.

[madfloridian]

8. But I could not do that, you see.

Penn amd others had a press conference saying he was the one doing outrageous attacks. That is sad.

I can find it, I guess, was in the news today.

I don't think I was ugly, just honest.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. This is what I like to see from Obama

I agree, handled very well.

[madfloridian]

41. I agree, Tom.

:hi:

[ClericJohnPreston]

9. "It is well and graciously done"...

Like a steak? Way to articulate a concise and cogent point of view. Do the words get jumbled up, or the thought behind it?

[madfloridian]

13. Another one. Okay...go for it.

When I figure out if that is another insult...I'll get back to you.

I have never seen DU quite this bad.

[ClericJohnPreston]

15. I'm not going for anything

madfloridian. I'm just stating a fact. I agree with you about the state of DU. I have never seen such absurdly written posts, mangling English in such an accomplished fashion.

[dailykoff]

16. There's nothing wrong with the English.

Well and graciously are both adverbs modifying "done." Get a grip.

[madfloridian]

20. I think this is an organized thing....

It is getting so ridiculous, and it is simply meant to bait me.

I can hear them laughing over at a site that rhymes with DU.

[dailykoff]

23. Some people don't handle losing very well.

In fact a lot of people don't.

[madfloridian]

25. Well, since I minored in English comp. with many refresher courses

I think I can put together a decent sentence.

Every post I do now is attacked, and last night I was called loon over and over. Anything goes here now, and it is sad.

[dailykoff]

27. Yes they've been attacking the messenger regularly.

In fact they put up a gloat thread every time they get somebody TSed which is pretty juvenile if you ask me.

[madfloridian]

17. I find your remark insulting about the order of the words. It was unnecessary.

It is the way I chose to write it. You are still referring to my post as being absurdly written. Is this being organized at CU or FR. I am a favorite target there by now.

You are not very polite.

[madfloridian]

30. ClericJohnPreston is on a mission to correct speech of others as well.

I found this today.

"Oh Cali
you are such a "real Dem". Is the alternative an artificial Dem? You have such a way with words; an especially inarticulate way."

Ooopsy

And this:

" Take clear notice of the remark
"if your post is still up".

As the author of a successful post recommended 68 times in 12 hours, it was unsuccessfully refuted, and thus, the echo chamber had it taken down. This poster is part of the Obama thread police."

And this thread is a beaut...a lovely piece. Just like they did to Dean in 04...putting the supporters down.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=257&topic_id=5778&mesg_id=5778

[dailykoff]

31. Petty is one thing but petty and wrong is another.

However, I will not pursue the interesting connections here further so as not offend partisans here. :)

[ellisonz]

35. Just put his ass on ignore like I did.

:kick:

[madfloridian]

43. My list is full.

:hi:

Some I like to keep visible.

[Laurab]

55. Mad - as I noticed some time ago.

this particular "Obama thread policeman" is really prolific - it took me a LONG time to rack up a thousand posts here, and I certainly didn't do it by posting insult after insult from the time I joined. There is an arrogance, for sure, and he has learned the ways of how not to get his posts deleted very well, very early on. I find him interesting but haven't quite figured out what he's trying to accomplish. I don't really find him worth paying much attention to, though.

It does appear that he's running out of ammunition, if he's been reduced to insulting proper grammar. That, to me, is a good sign!

[madfloridian]

56. Heh, heh. Good point there. Love the term..

"Obama thread policeman."

:rofl:

Gotta be on the watch for those folks.

[ClericJohnPreston]

69. Desperate, aren't you?

My, my. Touchy aren't we? I was absolutely bemused by the fluff that some people find important enough to post about, and therefore was drawn to your thread. We could argue inanely over the order and use of of redundant adverbs, but that isn't the point, is it?

When you cannot logically defeat an argument, you go instantly for the nuclear option, to smear me ( as your group always accuses Hillary of doing to Obama ), in order to devalue the message of the messenger. In this case, you tried to reach into the past, to quote me out of context.

I make no apologies for being a dyed in the wool LEFT WING POPULIST PROGRESSIVE. In other words, a PROUD LIBERAL, of the Edwards vein. I am anti-Corporatist to the core, anti-Conservative, anti-Libertarian and anti-Evangelical Theocratic Fundie.

There isn't a conservative bone in my body.

So, using the wonderful logic of an Obamaton, who cedes reason to others, you arrive at the conclusion that my anti-Obama rhetoric, is equivalent to being a member of Free Republic or CU.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Your powers of analysis, being as fraudulent as your command of language, are absolutely preposterous. Imagine the chagrin of the Democratic Party, considering that I am a precinct captain in my community and also one of the Party's volunteer legal staff on Election Day, to combat allegations of voter disenfranchisement.

If you bothered to read my posts so far back, you certainly wouldn't be intellectually dishonest enough to even hint at my loyalty to Party being suspect, such is the venom I reserve for Republicans. However, since you are interested, the reason I am anti-Obama is mostly because of people like YOU.

I pride myself on being a rational, thinking person. I am not swayed by emotional rhetoric or manipulation. When I see an Obamite taking their broad brush of impugning the integrity of anyone who opposes their point of view, I am sickened to the core.

We shall see where the path leads under an Obama Presidency, something I will campaign for if he is the nominee. I make no bones about my preference for that Democrat of dubious pedigree ( :sarcasm: ), John Edwards. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed yet to be anti-Corporate, so he was marginalized by those he was a threat to, like the corporate media, with corresponding result. I only HOPE that Obama will bring half the CHANGE that is needed to rout Corporatism from the political fold. If not, we ALL will be the lesser for that evil remaining in power.

Now, do you know who I am and what I stand for? I'm a LIBERAL LEFT WINGER with CORE DEMOCRATIC VALUES, inherently suspicious of anyone who speaks of making nice with Republicans. In other words, anyone who might be a shill for Corporatist politics. Only one person I like was assured of going after Republican and Corporate scum....John Edwards. Anyone else is a very weak and distant alternative.

[madfloridian]

70. Well, then, ClericJohnPreston, Obama thread policeman...

You might just be interested to know that my hubby and I....with all my "fraudulent" powers of analysis...were Edwards supporters to begin with.

You might be interested to know vacuous little old me only decided to vote for Obama for sure when Hillary started demanding the FL delegates count.

You are really something.

Anything goes here now. CU and FR know it. They are laughing up their sleeves now.

Credibility counts for nothing here anymore...so I think I will make up some sh** that sounds pompous, post it, and become important.

:eyes:

Keep up the good work...keep all the Obamamania folks in line.

[ClericJohnPreston]

73. If you were with Edwards

as you say, then you know the unimpeachable credibility of my Edwards support. In fact, I still support Edwards philosophy of FIGHTING for the disadvantaged.

When you ironically comment that "anything goes", you should be referring to your own histrionics and pointed fingers of accusation. Too bad you have no retort for the TRUTH. Some feigned self-deprecation, a ridiculous characterization of my post as "pompous" ( gee, I'm sorry if I'm a law school graduate with an excellent vocabulary )and you are now through.

So, yeah, I will be around next time someone takes liberty with my well earned Democratic bona fides, for no better reason than they were embarassed.

[madfloridian]

75. Are you issuing a veiled threat toward me?

"So, yeah, I will be around next time someone takes liberty with my well earned Democratic bona fides, for no better reason than they were embarassed."

Why would I be embarrassed about my post. It is apparently respected enough to get many recommends. I used quite proper terminology. I am concerned that is a threat, and it worries me.

I will probably have my post deleted for saying that, and you won't. That's the shame of it now.

[ClericJohnPreston]

78. What in the world are you saying now???

Its bad enough that you take issue with my Democratic Party bona fides, when I actually do work for the Party, and you just rant, but this latest entry from you is beyond the pale.

You dare to mischaracterize the CLEAR meaning of my words to twist them into a non-existent threat? Have you now totally lost your mind? To say I will not let someone mischaracterize my words by POSTING a response, as opposed to allowing your nonsense go unanswered or uncontested, is a threat?

If anyone should be worried it is me. I have no idea what absurdity you will speak next.

[madfloridian]

79. Okay, you are making me nervous.

Someone said just ignore it, but it is disturbing.

[Laurab]

54. Yes, you're going for something - you always are.

Although the fact that you've been reduced to such petty arguments is pretty telling. You must be a real joy to live with....

[Shakespeare]

59. Perhaps you should re-enroll in English, because there's nothing wrong with her writing.

Or perhaps you could go into a little more detail on what, specifically, you found absurd or mangled?

I await your response most curiously.

[Political Heretic]

11. He is a total master of deflecting attacks.

If Kerry would have had this kind of response to the Swift Boat attack, he would be President right now.

[backscatter712]

18. Like I said, he's a black belt at verbal judo.

Seriously, in the debates, on the campaign trail, at rallies, press conferences, you can see his skill. He's damned good. He very easily blunts and defangs the smears coming at him, and makes them backfire on his attackers.

This is exactly what Gore and Kerry are lacking - the ability to stand and face the Beltway poo-flinging brigades and come out the other side smelling like a rose.

Let the Rovians do their worst. It'll be like watching Bruce Lee at work.

[dailykoff]

12. Wow they've got the swiftboats all revved up.

Couldn't wait for the freakin' GE could they?

[Thrill]

26. They need to do whatever they can so they can face Hillary

[babylonsister]

14. He is classy, he never wastes words on attacking anyone else.

Think about that. Senator Barack Hussein Obama is the real deal; he's running on his record, and his words. And I like it!

[BenDavid]

19. maybe he is going to heal us all since we have a hole in our soul

if he wins the nomination and the presidency. The right is licking their lips, especially the christian right and maybe this will be part of their attack on him. Hell, it will be easy to do given the present rhetoric from the Obamians. Mrs. Obama describes her husband as a "cure" rather than a candidate. In her view, he is going to change us, permanently.

I, for one, do not wish to be "changed" by any politician. I do not want to have the "hole in my soul" repaired. I do not wish to be forbidden to go on with my own little life in my own little way and I would think that would be the feeling of a majority of folks in the U.S.

[madfloridian]

22. Would you do that? Would you go on with your life? Thank you.

We would appreciate it.

[Kahuna]

37. Seems some people need it more than others. Just sayin.'

:shrug:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. Hellooooo!!! over here a minute please!

:hi:

If you enjoy reading the Obama Daily News, can you help out tomorrow?

I will start the thread if no one else does, but its simple to do.

Here is the thread for today's Obama Daily News
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4757111


This is a way to post lots of news articles without being limited by the three post rule
and without alot of flaming.

PM me if you can help or want to help another time.
Thanks!!!!

[madfloridian]

24. Thanks...let me check it out.

:hi:

[Raine]

28. Obama=Class

Obama is total class, something this country and the Whitehouse has lacked for along time. I will be so proud to have someone with class and dignity leading and representing this country once again. :thumbsup:

[CyberPieHole]

29. I'm not buying it and neither will many other people...

His lines ring hollow. And everyone knows what Michelle meant...he doesn't need to clarify her words for her, she said it clearly enough: Michelle Obama is ashamed of America.

[madfloridian]

32. 11 states in a row seem to believe him.

:shrug:

[CyberPieHole]

33. We'll see how the other states vote...

California and New York both went for Clinton...they didn't buy Obama's dog and pony show.

[madfloridian]

34. I don't attack Hillary.

But things are getting unnecessarily ugly.

[Kahuna]

38. Except a recent poll shows Obama getting more votes in NY vs. McCain

than Hillary. Now why do you suppose that is? This is a test. ;)

[SoCalDem]

39. 5 million absentee ballots were sent out a month before the primary

and people voted for a month before too..

There's no way to tell how many of them would have wanted those votes back on primary day ...and a do-over..

early voting always favors the more well-known ..

just sayin'

[UALRBSofL]

51. If you got the chance to read MO's thesis paper

It would give you a better understanding of why people called her statement in to question. Her thesis is very reflective of her statement and that can't be hidden or changed. This is why the Princeton Library has decided to lock it up until after the GE.

[rodeodance]

62. i thought the library released it?? didn't they??

[Laurab]

65. Have you read it? I'd like to...

Do you have a link, please?

[Laurab]

64. What was NY again, Hil's "home state"?

60-40%, with irregularities still being counted? Obama didn't campaign here, she should have swept NY, yet she didn't. He pretty much swept HIS home state. I'm not really sure you can say NY "went for Clinton" - it was actually pretty close, and it shouldn't have been.

[geiger]

81. yep.

[Kahuna]

36. I'm ashamed of America too. I'm ashamed that Americans sat by while

buscho stole TWO elections with nary a peep. I'm ashamed that Americans have allowed bushco to trash the Constitution and pilfer our treasury with nary a peep. I'm ashamed that Americans allowed bushco to attack a defenseless country that never did anything to us with nary a peep. And if you aren't ashamed, you have no moral compass.

[Harry Monroe]

45. Michelle Obama is just saying what ALL of us are thinking

She is ashamed of what America has become. I am as well.

[democrattotheend]

52. Are you sure you're a Democrat?

You sound kind of like a "liberals are unpatriotic" Republican to me.

[UALRBSofL]

42. Concerning the patriotism issue the MSM

Has painted him as lacking in that department. They basically are calling him and MO out saying "actions speak louder then words".

[madfloridian]

44. Well, then if you believe them vote for John McCain.

The media calls him a true patriot.

[UALRBSofL]

53. I can't believe you would suggest I vote for McCain

I don't think that is a way to implement the theory of change. There are many change models and I believe Obama's "Change" model is an all inclusive and one that wants everyone involved in practice. That said, I'll vote for Hillary in the General Election. Besides, I don't believe I fit the Republican's mold of what a good Republican should be.

[madfloridian]

61. Don't feel bad. I can't believe all the stuff I hear here now.

In just two days I have been called a loon and then called stupid. And those are two of the nicer things.

[Harry Monroe]

47. True patriotism does not mean marching lock step and parroting words

Patriotism does not mean marching "lock step" with the party line and giving blind and unquestioning allegiance to our leaders. Quite the contrary, true patriotism requires from each of us that we love this country enough to question it when we see that things are not right to make this a better country for us and our descendents. True patriotism requires from each of us that we question our government and elected officials from time to time and remind them that yes, “We the People”, the citizens of this country, the employers or our elected officials and the people who actually pay their salaries are doing our jobs as employers and are actually paying attention and keeping an eye on our elected employees, those whom we put into office to represent each and every one of us.

To question ones "patriotism" because he/she does not utter meaniningless slogans or wear a flag pin is laughable. Barack Obama is a true patriot, in my eyes, for wanting change and challenging the status quo and wanting to make this a better country

[bunnies]

46. It'll be so nice to have a brilliant President.

Gobama. :bounce:

[ramapo]

48. Oh my god!

Simple, direct, no nonsense answers. No spin. No lame excuses. Can the American people handle it?

I can't wait to watch the video later (no sound at work).

[madfloridian]

49. The video....gets a little snide.

Too much faux outrage.

They even had a voice over of a caller saying if you don't like America, then leave. Sound familiar?

Same old talking points. I wouldn't bother with the video.

[TexasLady]

50. It's not only what you say

but how you say it. And I do enjoy his delivery.

[Freida5]

57. The handlers must have got to him

[Freida5]

58. So what is he saying that we should not love our country because Bush sent troops without armour

into battle???

[madfloridian]

60. Stop acting like that.

That is not what he said at all.

I am shocked again at the level of the speech here.

He did a classy job of defending himself. Some are lacking in that ability.

[tammywammy]

66. Yes, that's exactly what he said

Right after he said "I hate American" and then pissed on a flag.



:eyes:

[Forkboy]

68. You know, you're really just making yourself look like a complete reject.

You're either incredibly stupid or incredibly dishonest.

Which one is it Freida0?

[bicentennial_baby]

72. You have *such* a way with words...

;)

[Forkboy]

74. I'm a regular wordsmith!

Tolstoy has nothing on me! :)

[AtomicKitten]

63. I look forward to the debate between McCain and Obama.

It will be spectacular on many levels, not the least of which is the fact that and as Obama points out he taught Constitutional law, he worked as a civil rights attorney, he will uphold the Constitution, and he rejects the patriotism trap set out by the wingnuts.

[parkeradison]

71. Obama's response

Do you think this will be enough for Hillary and his other critics? Fat chance!

[mojowork_n]

76. You know, I live in Milwaukee, I was there when Michelle gave her

"unpatriotic" speech. I don't remember the slightest hiccup, hesitation or reservation while I was listening... It was an awesome, terrific, wonderful gift to the audience.

But in hindsight, until I started hearing about some of the "official" commentaries on her remarks (from Tweety, among others), I guess I must be all messed up.

Having previously held partially-positive responses to some of the public pronouncements made by Angela Davis and Cynthia McKinney (among other uppity black females), I'm wondering, maybe I should just put a stop to it all.

Just keep tuning in to sports, and old movies? Forget anything I have to actually think about?

[madfloridian]

80. You got it...the media is very good at manipulating us.

They can twist and spin something until we are not sure at all what we saw or heard.