The President Obama Thread: "Election Year" Edition III

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This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]385261[/split]

 

[DACrowe]

Well Trump is at it again on CNN and Romney went to the Trump fundraiser tonight without denouncing the birther ****. Instead, he gave a wishy-washy, "Well, he believes one thing, I believe another" BS answer that has become his signature.

I hope this backfires on him spectacularly and the Dems paint him as endorsing birtherism. Maybe someone can get a recording of that dinner with Trump saying something stupid. Shouldn't be hard, just press record at any point tonight and it will work.

 

[Matt]

I think Katrina hit New Orleans harder than other areas and recent storms just don't compare.

and even Sean Penn, the actor was able to fly down there and help personally. Why not the federal government?

For one thing, it would've been a violation of the Constitution. The governor of Louisiana did not request federal assistance. The federal government cannot just go in. I'm not saying that the federal government handled it perfectly (far from it), but it isn't as easy as you make it sound.

As for Sean Penn, he went down in a boat to "rescue people," but could not rescue anyone because his boat was filled to capacity with his entourage and photographers. It wasn't altruistic, it was attention ****ing.

 

[chaseter]

And he also had a gun.

 

[Marvolo]

And he also had a gun.

I cant blame him for that. Yes, people needed help, but there were opportunistic looters and jackasses running around.

 

[Matt]

Oh, I forgot to mention, Penn didn't hire a proper captain for his boat (no room for a captain when you are filled to the brim with photographers, I suppose) and did not know how to adequately steer it. Therefore he ended up getting in the way of and delaying real relief workers.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

For one thing, it would've been a violation of the Constitution. The governor of Louisiana did not request federal assistance. The federal government cannot just go in. I'm not saying that the federal government handled it perfectly (far from it), but it isn't as easy as you make it sound.

As for Sean Penn, he went down in a boat to "rescue people," but could not rescue anyone because his boat was filled to capacity with his entourage and photographers. It wasn't altruistic, it was attention ****ing.

Did the federal government offer help?

If they did why would the mayor or governor refuse?

And my point about Sean Penn was not that he had ideal motives or impact but that he wss able to get down there for whatever reason.

 

[floreairfoot]

I think Obama was borrowing Biden's "put y'all back in chains" voice, or maybe Hillary's?

 

[Marvolo]

Oh, I forgot to mention, Penn didn't hire a proper captain for his boat (no room for a captain when you are filled to the bring with photographers, I suppose) and did not know how to adequately steer it. Therefore he ended up getting in the way of and delaying real relief workers.

What a dumbass.

 

[ShaDynasty]

I don't understand the argument for Sean Penn's "altruism," MessiahDecoy.

So you're saying he had good intentions going down there but didn't really do anything? How is that a good thing in any way?

I mean, hell, I could've gone down and watched the whole damn thing play out with every intention of helping, but if I didn't (which is exactly what Penn did), there's nothing virtuous or "altruistic" about that.

 

[Marvolo]

I don't understand the argument for Sean Penn's "altruism," MessiahDecoy.

So you're saying he had good intentions going down there but didn't really do anything? How is that a good thing in any way?

I mean, hell, I could've gone down and watched the whole damn thing play out with every intention of helping, but if I didn't (which is exactly what Penn did), there's nothing virtuous or "altruistic" about that.

Agreed. Its better to not go there than to go and just be in everyone's way.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

It probably was. But unfortunately, it was a double edged sword for the McCain campaign: while it has Obama saying some controversial things, it also basically puts the federal government's mishandling of the Katrina relief efforts to the forefront. I'd bet that the McCain camp felt it would do more damage to their campaign than Obama's, at the time.

Now, perhaps it is not so much a double-edged sword for Republicans, though it still has the potential to backfire on them if used improperly.

I've heard it was found and has been available online since 2007.

Which makes sense. McCain did not want to use the Rev. Wright issue, which I thought and still think was the right and smart move. So why thow that out there if it wasn't the direction he wanted to take? When it'd been used before, it backfired to high hell didn't it?

Him talking trash about the Federal government over New Orleans was, and still is, the accepted tone over Katrina. The only one, that I know of, that wasn't acceptable for most Americans was calling George Bush a racist (like Kayne West had done back during Katrina).

Surprising that this is supposed to be an "issue". Seems desperate. Really, bringing up Rev. Wright again seems really pathetic.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I wouldn't say the Reverend Wright issue backfired. Obama had to throw him under a bus.

However, Republicans would be wise to avoid bringing up religion, given their candidate's... unconventional religion

 

[Schlosser85]

I think attacking any candidate's religion is A) risky, B) a low blow.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Well, I agree with A).

 

[chaseter]

Until we get the first Mayan president that wants to sacrifice people to the sun god.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I understand that there is a double standard when it comes to discussing peoples' religious views, but when they start making policy based on their religion (like Bush), it does become a political issue.

 

[Marvolo]

I dont care what a candidate believes as long as they dont get their advice from communion with an invisible higher being. I know religious folk like to hear a candidate say they routinely ask god for guidance but when I hear that they pretty much lose my vote. I want them to take advice from advisors, scientists, professionals, and good common sense. Not some deity. Whether they seriously ask god for guidance or not i cant risk voting in a zealot. Last thing we need is someone with their finger on the button asking god to tell them when.

 

[chaseter]

I understand that there is a double standard when it comes to discussing peoples' religious views, but when they start making policy based on their religion (like Bush), it does become a political issue.

Like Obama being against gay marriage until the election year?

 

[Pink Ranger]

Until we get the first Mayan president that wants to sacrifice people to the sun god.

10% of Americans think Paul Ryan is a Mayan.


Still won't get him any of the Latino vote though.

 

[DACrowe]

I read that CNN mentioned the "controversial" remarks in two different news cycles back in 2007 and nobody cared.

Honestly, this is phony outrage. Similar to when they "found" that 1998 video after the 47 percent moment last month. It's desperate attempts to smear Obama and this one has a nasty racial tinge to it. He gives a shout out to his (then) pastor who has become the second most hated man in the right-wing blogosphere of the past four years and also questions why (accurately) 9/11 and Hurricane Andrew recovery was given a pass that New Orleans recovery was not.

Yeah....real shocking. After the debates tonight nobody will care except Sean Hannity and talk radio. In fact, I am not sure anyone but they are and their viewers/listners care now. It is phony.

 

[SV Fan]

I dont care what a candidate believes as long as they dont get their advice from communion with an invisible higher being. I know religious folk like to hear a candidate say they routinely ask god for guidance but when I hear that they pretty much lose my vote. I want them to take advice from advisors, scientists, professionals, and good common sense. Not some deity. Whether they seriously ask god for guidance or not i cant risk voting in a zealot. Last thing we need is someone with their finger on the button asking god to tell them when.

WHat if they get advice from Billy Graham of John Hagee

 

[Marvolo]

WHat if they get advice from Billy Graham of John Hagee

Graham isnt the man to go to for political or policy advice so that would be a no go for me. I dont know the other guy.

 

[SV Fan]

Graham isnt the man to go to for political or policy advice so that would be a no go for me. I dont know the other guy.

Hagee is a televangelist who is on AIPAC payroll(so guess who will be preaching going to war with Iran)

 

[Schlosser85]

Graham got caught bashing Jews on tape with his BFF Nixon.