Can Obama Stand the Heat? Sarah Palin Can!
As I reading yesterday about Barack Obama’s interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulus, it seemed the Democratic presidential nominee was whining (yet again) about non-existent attacks from the McCain campaign.
To be sure, some people on the right have leveled some pretty disgusting attacks on Senator Obama just as some on the left have leveled some pretty disgusting attacks on John McCain and Sarah Palin, but you don’t see the Republican nominee nor his running mate whining about their treatment. They leave it to the campaign staffs–and supporters on the editorial pages and in the blogosphere–to counter such nonsense.
The more Obama whines, the more voters will question whether he has the temperament to be president. Defending his hard-hitting campaign style in 1948, then-President Harry S Truman opined, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!”
This leads me to wonder what is somebody who can’t stand the rough and tumble of politics is doing in the presidential race.
The charges against Sarah Palin have been just as vicious as (if not more so than) those leveled against Barack Obama. And they’ve have gained more currency in the mainstream media where those against Obama (like the charge that he’s a Muslim) have been quickly shot down — as well they should.
But, it ill behooves a candidate to whine about the attacks against him. It makes him look weak, as if he winces whenever someone challenges him.
He should take a page from Sarah Palin and not whine about her treatment. Like her, he should let his supporters handle the rebuttals. (Sometimes even his adversaries have taken up the slack.)
The reason “the liberal media’s attack on Palin” in Victor Davis Hanson’s words had become “an unforeseen gift” for the McCain campaign is that she has not flinched under the smears, continuing to campaign energetically, enthusiastically, sticking to the Republican message and smiling as she ridicules her opponents.
As voters admire her strength and her resolve, some gain sympathy for her, the public figure unfairly maligned in the media. Seems to me that sympathy is what Obama’s been pining for.
Seems the Democratic presidential nominee could learn a thing or two from his running mate’s Republican counterpart.
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Hate to break it to you, but at the beginning of the campaign, the ones promoting Obama’s Muslim roots were not right-wingers, but the New York Times, which found his multicultural background tres chic.
For the record, I don’t think Obama is a Muslim. I think Obama worships Obama. But in all fairness, the left-wing mainstream media was promoting the Muslim angle a long time ago.
Comment by V the K — September 9, 2008 @ 9:17 pm - September 9, 2008
I think Barack’s campaign has been whining for weeks now. Having watched 3 parts of the O’Reilly interview now, someone from his campaign has also got to him about his stammering.Today on the stump he doesn’t umm ahh eh yaoh eww umm see yaoh as much. But they have him talking very slooooooowly so he can think more about his answers. His crowds seem to be scared and in shock.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 9, 2008 @ 9:18 pm - September 9, 2008
#1 Holy cow V the K. I didn’t know that. Why do the media act like this Muslim stuff came from right wing bloggers then? You nailed it, at one time they thought it would show how “cosmopolitan” (Rudy’s words) Barack was!
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 9, 2008 @ 9:21 pm - September 9, 2008
Dan, considering the fact that Sarah Palin hasn’t done any press since she was nominated, comparisons involving her are specious. Obama and Biden are all out there, meeting the press, mixing it up, giving and gaffing to reporters classified as favorable or unfavorable to them.
McCain was too, until post-convention, he hopped on the bash the press bandwagon. But I think he’ll be back in the limelight soon enough, taking on all comers.
I’m curious to see Palin make it through something like the Rachel Maddow or Keith Olberman shows, pundits in the same, though politically opposite, class as O’Reilly.
Comment by Jody — September 9, 2008 @ 9:40 pm - September 9, 2008
GPW, I remind you again: Obama *is* a Muslim - not one in good standing, but an apostate - and not in my eyes, but under Muslim law. And I read it in the New York Times. Different article than V’s. As for V’s comment:
Same here. That’s how I see it.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — September 9, 2008 @ 9:47 pm - September 9, 2008
Jody, I didn’t think Olbermann had Republicans on his show. But, if he did, I’d love to see Palin there. It would be like watching George H.W. Bush & Dan Rather circa 1987.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — September 9, 2008 @ 10:45 pm - September 9, 2008
I actually think Obama is probably kind of an atheist, or agnostic or universalist or something like that. He doesn’t seem like he would have deep convictions and beliefs about religion. This is not meant as a smear, just the read I get from him.
The muslim thing is a dead end. I wouldn’t care if he were muslim, although I realize some would, but he goes to a christian church so he’s decided he’s going to bring up the kids christian, which I personally attribute to Michelle. I think he’s a go along sort of fellow. Where Michelle leads on religion he probably follows.
Comment by Lea — September 9, 2008 @ 11:12 pm - September 9, 2008
Olbermann doesn’t even have conservative Dems on his show. And he’s nutts so. Sarah should go on real journalists shows. Olby and Matthews got fired from converntion coverage for a reason. Plus MSNBC has the least viewers of any network why bother.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 10, 2008 @ 12:01 am - September 10, 2008
More than that, you’ve NEVER seen Bush whining about his treatment. Doesn’t even acknowledge it in a round-about way. In this sense, Bush is a better leader than Comrade Obama. Leaders don’t piss and moan about “distractions” or make half-assed speeches on racism. They ignore it.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — September 10, 2008 @ 12:31 am - September 10, 2008
Given that Comrade Obama’s actually RUNNING for president and has been in the game a lot longer than Palin, shouldn’t he have to answer some questions from the press? You know, like why he still hangs out with Bill Ayers, why he listened to “God Damn America!!!” for 20 years, why he surrounds himself with America hating bigots, why we’re supposed to believe he’s not a Communist when he has regularly associated with them etc. etc. etc.
When’s Obama going to face anything but a fellating media?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — September 10, 2008 @ 12:35 am - September 10, 2008
Can’t stand the Clintons? Neither can Team Obama.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — September 10, 2008 @ 12:49 am - September 10, 2008
I think it’s arrogant for the press to get in a snit that Sarah Palin has to talk to them instead of making her case directly to the people; especially the way the press has been trashing her. But she is spending two days with ABC’s Charlie Gibson, so can we lay off the stupid “Palin won’t talk to the press” meme?
Comment by V the K — September 10, 2008 @ 5:01 am - September 10, 2008
TGC, I was referring to the fact that, of candidates in all slots, on both tickets, Palin has been the only one not to appear before the press. Comparing her to Obama is disingenuous.
Obama’s appeared on O’Reilly and opposite George Stephanopoulous in the last week. Biden made the rounds of the Sunday Morning shows post nomination. McCain was talking to the press pre-convention. He’s been playing to his base and hasn’t appeared on anything, that I’m aware of, since. Palin, finally, sits down with Ace Goodmorning America Reporter Charlie Gibson later this week.
Much like Obama and his respective churches, hopefully Gibson will ask her about her attendance at some rather crazy churches — as well as her and her husband’s long association with the AIP.
And maybe some real, pertinent questions too….
Comment by Jody — September 10, 2008 @ 5:53 am - September 10, 2008
I’d settle for Jon Stewart at this point. Can I get a Tina Fey? MTV News? Ms. Challenger’s Seventh-Grade Journalism class?
Comment by Jody — September 10, 2008 @ 5:55 am - September 10, 2008
Obama wouldn’t even face John McCain in a townhall meeting format. His supporters shouldn’t whine that Palin is being selective about her press availability.
Comment by V the K — September 10, 2008 @ 6:14 am - September 10, 2008
V the K,
you’re right, they shouldn’t whine. Then again, if they had any ethics they shouldn’t be his supporters
As to Gov Palin. I think an interview with Fox News and Pajamas Media would be fitting. Fox news since they’re not on the ‘Slime Sarah’ bandwagon and PJM because lets face it, it’s the new media.
Plus who wouldn’t want to see Saracudda sit down with Michelle Malkin for a Hot air Vent?
Comment by The Livewire — September 10, 2008 @ 6:54 am - September 10, 2008
#12 Jody, McCain has a reputation of allowing reporters constant access. To the point where they run out of questions get bored and leave McCain sitting reading the paper.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 10, 2008 @ 9:25 am - September 10, 2008
When is someone going to reask Obama the “when does life begin” question? He has had two weeks to think up a good answer or to consult scientists and his church teachings. He will either repeat the “it is above my paygrade” dumb answer or probably stick his foot in it worse.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 10, 2008 @ 9:29 am - September 10, 2008
Gene, here’s some questions I’d like to hear The Obama asked:
1. What do you think Iraq would look like today if the USA had pulled out in March of last year?
2. Should people who have planted bombs in government buildings and helped others kill police be rewarded with taxpayer-supported tenured professorships?
3. You are on record as supporting “reasonable” restrictions on gun ownership, define reasonable and unreasonable in this context.
4. When you voted ‘present’ 130 times in the Illinois legislature, were you simply indecisive, or were you trying to avoid taking a stand on controversial issues?
5. Please cite an occasion when you opposed your party on an issue, stood up to the corrupt Chicago political machine, or took a strong position on an issue even though it was not politically expedient.
Comment by V the K — September 10, 2008 @ 9:57 am - September 10, 2008
Boy - Jody sure drinks the Kool-Aid, no?
You are right on the money, Dan. Obama says that his campaign will take the “high road” and other platitudes…but in practice, we see him and his running mate not following through on this campaign promise.
As much as I am not a Hillary Clinton fan, it seems that more and more, her charge that Obama is “not ready for prime-time” is glowingly accurate. Obama knocks it out of the ball park when scripted and on the tele-prompter. Yet when Obama has to think on his feet and respond without hours of cogitation prior, he too often comes up short.
Whether the “lipstick on a pig” and “old fish” comments were intended to insult Palin and McCain is missing the point. Either they were - and then it was quite rude. Or - they were not, but then it was stupid for Obama to have given his opponents and their followers an opportunity to, not unreasonably, take offense.
Presidents need to be able to respond to the unknown and take action without all the data being at their fingertips at any given moment. Repeatedly, Obama is demonstrating that he might not be the best person to take on this challenge at present.
Comment by Peg — September 10, 2008 @ 11:09 am - September 10, 2008
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 09/10/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
Comment by David M — September 10, 2008 @ 12:51 pm - September 10, 2008
can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, even when it wears lipstick.
Comment by michael — September 10, 2008 @ 1:15 pm - September 10, 2008
#22: I guess that explains why you’re such a shut-in, michael.
Comment by Sean A — September 10, 2008 @ 1:37 pm - September 10, 2008
Jody, I was referring to the fact that Obama’s trying desperately to become the leader of our country, but won’t answer tough questions, apparently won’t allow voters to ask and neither would his drive-by media.
He appeared on O’Reilly. That’s great. Didn’t know about it, didn’t see it. Haven’t heard much of anything about it other than he apparently still doesn’t answer questions. I, and I think it’s fair to say, and a lot of people still have questions.
I agree with Hannity. The MSM died in 2008.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — September 10, 2008 @ 3:50 pm - September 10, 2008
What’s more, you’re forgetting that the original “O” had an opportunity to interview Palin. That would have been an opportunity for millions of women, at least, to find out more about Palin. Oprah refused.
You can call me crazy, Jody, but I think more people are interested in what a candidate running for president thinks than a VP candidate. It seems to me that the liberal hysteria that Palin didn’t talk to the media when THEY wanted her to shows intense fear.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — September 10, 2008 @ 3:55 pm - September 10, 2008
No, I’m not going to call you crazy. I don’t know you. Dan, I’ll call crazy, but that’ only because he and I used to stare down throngs of over-eager movie patrons massing to over-run the door at a way over-sold festival showing. What he — and I — did was crazy.
As for Palin, she is still the only one of the four not to appear before the press. It’s not unreasonable to ask why, considering she was introduced as being capable of leading the USA from the moment she was introduced.
My larger critique of Dan’s point was that in light of that reticence, it’s silly to say she can stand the “heat” when she’s been the only one of the three, so far, not to get the full bore of it.
Comment by Jody — September 10, 2008 @ 6:04 pm - September 10, 2008
#23 ” but i did, i really did do it all by myself. i stopped the bridge to nowhere.”
Comment by michael — September 10, 2008 @ 6:45 pm - September 10, 2008
look! It’s michael spreading spurrious allegations without any sources!
Let me try! “Michael told a Kevin during sex in a bathroom stall that he thought Gov Palin was so hot, he’d switch teams for her.”
See, spreading rumours without substantiation can be fun!
Comment by The Livewire — September 10, 2008 @ 7:08 pm - September 10, 2008
“As for Palin, she is still the only one of the four not to appear before the press. It’s not unreasonable to ask why, considering she was introduced as being capable of leading the USA from the moment she was introduced. ”
Perhaps you were in a cave and missed their attempt at destroying her life? I would ignore them too
Comment by Vince P — September 10, 2008 @ 7:25 pm - September 10, 2008
#22 A Barack follower should never bring up ears, esp sows ears.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 10, 2008 @ 8:28 pm - September 10, 2008
#29 exactly V the K, the lefties want Sarah to do the shows. Maybe a few of those moderators will ask her about her son, or “grandson”, maybe they say “there are reports out there that you have never had an abortion, is that true?, is Trig your son or your granson, huh huh huh, maybe they can make Sarah cry, did you really take your son to hockey games or is that a lie, you know the usual questions asked of Republicans on the media shows. It took Barack 7 months to appear on O’Reilly, 7 months from now Brokaw can interview VP Palin. Matthews rattled off the other night a few questions he wants answered by Sarah. Like does she speak in tongues, where’s the bridge, who sold the plane, does she believe God is on her side, does she have horns (j/k about that last one)
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — September 10, 2008 @ 8:35 pm - September 10, 2008
Gene, Chris Matthews is insane. Keith Olbermann is insane. Andrew Sullivan is insane. Randi Rhodes is insane. If McCain pulls this off, MSNBC is gonna be anchored by people in straightjackets come November.
Comment by V the K — September 10, 2008 @ 8:46 pm - September 10, 2008
As for Palin, she is still the only one of the four not to appear before the press.
So the press then proceeded to make up lies about her and repeat the lies passed to them by the Obama campaign, such as their claim that her child was not her own, and spread these as truth.
What that makes obvious is that the press is not interested in telling the truth; it’s interested only in destroying her and spreading hate, just like the Obama campaign ordered it.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — September 10, 2008 @ 9:43 pm - September 10, 2008
isnt sarah palin a homophobe?
Comment by gery — September 11, 2008 @ 5:02 am - September 11, 2008
What’s the bigger deal, that Sarah Palin won’t sit down with Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Meredith Viera, or Katie Couric…
… Or that Obama refuses to debate John McCain face-to-face in a townhall setting?
Comment by V the K — September 11, 2008 @ 5:03 am - September 11, 2008
No, I’ve been watching the press and their news cycles, following every crazy story about Obama, McCain, Biden, even Hillary. They seem to have been able to whether the both the pertinent and crazy press points. It seems to me you are arguing that Palin can’t. Interesting.
Comment by Jody — September 11, 2008 @ 8:05 pm - September 11, 2008