Snobs here, snobs there, snobs everywhere
We’ve all had fun with the Snob-ama story the past week (ARUGULA!). The thing is, my friends (as a certain McSnob likes to say), the GOP has a snob problem, too. When Obama derided small-town Pennsylvanians who oppose immigration enforcement, for example, it was nothing compared to the dripping condescension of open-borders Republicans. This is the subject of my latest column. Some of you will not like it.
I give you straight talk. That is my job.
***
Snob-ama is not alone
Michelle Malkin
Copyright Creators Syndicate 2008
The odor of elitism is like onion breath: It’s quick to acquire, hard to mask. Try as he might, Barack Obama cannot camouflage the political stink he exhaled when he dissed small-town Americans as “bitter” Neanderthals “clinging” to their guns, faith and belief in strict immigration enforcement. It wasn’t the first time the effete Snob-ama revealed himself.
In Philadelphia, he passed up the hometown cheesesteak—gloppy, artery clogging and blue-collar (yum!)—for a nibble of Spanish-imported, $100/pound ham. In Iowa, he moaned to voters about the price of arugula at Whole Foods market. (Fun fact: There aren’t any Whole Foods markets in Iowa.) And at an Altoona bowling alley, he couldn’t even score his age. Superficial but telling glimpses of a condescending core.
Obama is reportedly flummoxed that his remarks have been interpreted as arrogant. After all, he was a “community organizer” who came from a single-parent home! He is The Everyman. The Uniter. The Soul-Fixer. The Vessel of All Hopes and Dreams. How could he possibly be perceived as out of touch?
Well, Beltway elitism isn’t about biography. It’s a corrupted state of mind. Obama can at least console himself with the knowledge that he has plenty of out-of-touch company in both parties in Washington.
Let’s face it. Hundred-million-dollar Hillary “I’m not Tammy Wynette” Clinton, John “$400 Haircut” Edwards, John “French” Kerry and Al “$30,000 utility bill” Gore make Obama look like a peon of pretension. And it’s hard to top the imperiousness of Reps. Cynthia McKinney, Patrick Kennedy and Sheila Jackson-Lee, who all abused vlaw enforcement or service workers while demanding special privileges as “public servants.”
But Republicans are just as susceptible to the Democrats’ do-as-I-say virus.
Take Obama’s GOP presidential rival, John McCain. The New York Times-endorsed media darling got a standing ovation from the nation’s newspaper editors at a big journalism powwow in Washington this week. Some maverick. While McCain eagerly criticized Obama as an “elitist” for his derisive comments about small-town Pennsylvanians, Obama’s got nothing on McCain when it comes to insulting average Americans who oppose illegal immigration.
Pandering to the open-borders lobby as cozily as Obama panders to San Francisco billionaires, McCain has attacked grassroots enforcement activists as bitter racists and xenophobes, cursed his Senate opponents and mocked the “goddamned fence” in front of his deep-pocketed business supporters. And who can forget his disdainful admonition to conservatives, whom he berated to “calm down.”
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, McCain’s ally, infamously vowed to National Council of La Raza leaders, “We’re going to tell the bigots to shut up.” Retired GOP-Senator-turned-lobbyist Trent Lott moaned about populist conservative talk radio being a “problem” that Washington Republicans had to “deal with.”
Speaking of whom, what’s old vacant Lott up to now? The Washington Post reported last week that he’s “struggling” to adjust to life in the private sector. “I took the Metro for the first time,” he told the paper. It’s hard not having his own taxpayer-funded car and driver anymore. And this bozo bon mot: “I haven’t paid for lunch in 30 years,” he joked.
Memo to Beltway GOP: If you are looking to repair your image with your conservative base, this is not the kind of press you want. Makes for great cable TV greenroom small talk. Not so good for your beleaguered fundraising efforts.
And not so helpful if you plan to convince voters in the general election that you are materially different from Snob-ama and his Democratic colleagues who traffic in contempt for the common man.
It’s going to take more than rhetorical Altoids to dispel the smell.
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I wanted to comment on this before when Michelle mentioned it. Am I the only one who thinks he selected this “Pork” product to demonstrate he’s NOT Muslim? Maybe I’m reading too much into this
Yeah, you are.
No need for the disclaimer, we know, and we don’t like it. My guess 99% of the fine people on your site aren’t at all pleased with whom we are stuck with.
That’s funny. Maybe he had his fingers crossed when he swallowed.
but Michelle, Obama & Co are not only snobs, they’re condescending to boot. they, not so subtly, look down on anyone who doesn’t agree with their ‘learned’ political beliefs as people who are incapable of running their own lives - therefore gov’t must do it. you hear it a lot lately with democrats claiming poor people are voting ‘against their own self interests.’ i can not think of one republican fits this bill.
labeling these folks as snobs is a short cut to calling them snobbish-condescending-pandering a-holes, but i don’t think it’s fair to lump McCain, or any republican, in with this crowd.
Two words, my friends:
12 years. Done. Out!
jstain, who said he picked it? quite possibly it was offered to him - being it was the most expensive product in the store - and he ate it. that being said, who says he couldn’t have eaten it as to not offend, and run to a prayer rug to pray away his sin afterwards?
anyway, whether Obama is a muslim or not has been bumped to non-issue #537,438,658.234,659 of his campaign. we need not focus on his religion, because he provides fodder by simply speaking.
Thanks MM again for opening up comments. McCain wasn’t my first choice and his position on border enforcement stinks. How can you claim to be strong on national defense when you won’t commit to defending our national borders against illegals? This is a nation of law and every living soul on the planet does not have the right to live here, only some, and yes, we get to decide who by our laws.
Criticizing McCain as “snobbish” because of his stance on immigration and not because he owns 8 houses and married into the $100 million fortune of a beer distributorship? Puh-leeze. I’ll bet those 8 houses have plenty of snobby granite countertops if you went to take a look.
And I enjoyed lots of different varieties of Serrano Ham when I was a young enlisted sailor in Rota Spain and continue to enjoy Serrano Ham as an old enlisted sailor.
I guess I’m an “elitist”.
As badly as McCain treats voters who want a secure border (Language, culture, borders, the three things that help define a nation) I think it’s fair.. Maverick should have thick enough skin to handle it..
Evidently McCain does. After all he’s the one who was considering jumping ship and becoming Kerry’s VP.
It seems perfectly reasonable to accuse many Republicans as being snobs.
McCain and Lindsey are just a few.
Who can honestly say Trent Lott cares one bit about the thoughts of the average voter from his state? Does Spector act as someone who looks at things from a common sense aspect or someone who acts against common sense things just in order to show how special he is?
Karl Rove’s comments about the need for basically open borders because no one’s kid would dare do actual manual labor shows snobbery at its worst.
While the GOP may have fewer infected with this snobbish self righteous fever, it’s dangerous to the future of the party to pretend it’s not there and not growing.
my new bumber sticker;
I’M A NEANDERTHAL; AND I VOTE
For all the trolls who think that we’re all in love with everyone and everything Republican, we’re not.
Trent Lott is an absolute disgrace and has been for some years. I think it’s funny though that he’s having a difficult time adjusting to life in the real world. Politics sometimes seems to the regular folks an alternate universe.
I don’t think McCain is condescending but I think he’s still not thrilled with those of us who called his and Lindsey’s office last summer.
<blockquote>but i don’t think it’s fair to lump McCain, or any republican, in with this crowd.
I like that one. Mine is McCain sucks, but he’s better than Obama
No Michelle, you are wrong!
We love your standing on issues that are important to our country.
We can count on you to give the straight talk that the bumper sticker politicians can’t and will not, for fear of showing who they really are.
McCain doesn’t forget his enemies, and that includes anybody who doesn’t agree with him. He isn’t condescending, he’s vindictive, and I think we’ll have plenty of cause to regret it if he wins.
The Trent Lott statements say it all about our current crop of politicians. They are so out of touch with the common man in America that they don’t even know how to ride the subway or haven’t payed for lunch in 30 years? This is EXACTLY why we need term limits! Politics should never be a full-time multi-year career. Twelve years is plenty for anyone.
TERM LIMITS NOW!!!
Lott’s been a civilian for a couple months. I’m sure he understands our pain.
I for one, want a candidate that I can vote for. As far as whos policies and ideas win, who can say. But there is always a States Convention and referendum vote, which could alter the course of the United States.
Can we have a do-over before we have a do?
Politicians all suck. Republicans suck less.
I couldn’t help but think of our open borders problem when I heard this verse in church Sunday:
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1
I hope that wasn’t too clingy.
Beat me to it! Great work Michelle. Add: Stepping on toes to your list!
Are you kidding? I am still waiting for him to reach across the aisle - to Republicans.
Snob,slob,whatever.We have McCain Like it or not and as we say in Texas”We better dance with who brung us”.
Great article, Michelle, especially appropriate after the post on Ted Kennedy’s hypocritical use of loopholes regarding estate taxes. The politician who understands that he is in Washington to SERVE the people and not himself is a rare commodity. It seems that as soon as they get firmly ensconced in their position of power, a disconnect with the people they were elected to serve occurs. This is not a partisan problem, it’s a problem across the board, the ‘change’ Americans are looking for, is a change from politics as usual.
You’re right, but not because you said it, because it’s true…….
He shouldn’t forget who brung who though…
I can’t believe the superficiality of some of the comments here. I am not a liberal with any sense of humor. Some of the stuff is pretty funny, but if all you are looking for is a bowler who likes to eat cheese steaks, elect my uncle Frank. And as far as arugula goes, anyone living near Americans of Italian descent knows it is not a snob food, just a plain old vegetable. This is my first comment here so please don’t get too bitter.
I would rather not have term limits as long as they did not run consecutively. Eight years of Clinton was way too many, but twelve for someone great would not be enough.
You are right MM, Snobbery has no borders. John McCain n Graham consider me to be a bigot, to have something against Mexicans. Both accusations are false. I just have no use for criminals. Illegal Mexicans, (or any other nationality), should not be allowed to break the law any more than an American Citizen. At this point, going into the elections, I must say that I love my Country more than I dislike John McCain. If there were any reasonable alternative, he would not get my vote. Build the damned fence and secure the borders now!
nuf sed
I don’t like the music they’re playing at this dance.
Do snobs dance on sawdust or marble????
Italy has shown the way … You have to suffer another Carter to get a Reagan. Defending your own elitist snob is no fun, see Charlie Christ for details.
Sounds like you hit the nail on the head, Michelle. Keep up the straight talk. I, for one, like it.
The elitist’s arrogance in Washington DC does transcend both parties and isn’t relegated to members of congress only.
It’s a disease that is caught when serving in DC that flows downhill from the highest positions to the lowest of staffers (who don’t realize they’re low). The lowest of the low are the one’s who really have to suffer as they don’t have any dogs they can turn around and kick since they’re at the bottom of the elitist food chain (maybe they take it out on their families when they go home each night).
We should dump our current form of electing officials. Each citizen should be required to serve a 2 year term in congress passing laws and then return home when their tour is up. The current process of electing our representatives has become the best (or worst) that money can buy.
They dance on a bed of arugula.
You are far too generous giving them twelve years, AC.
After six, they need to be shown the door. Out of the millions of citizens in our country, I’m sure we could find someone to fill their seats in D.C.
Now, don’t be bitter, NJR.
Some comments.
1. MM’s post is like Antony’s speech (”Friends, Romans, … I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”). Of course, Antony goes on to praise Caesar to the max. And so it is with MM. She says she’s giving McCain equal dissing time, but most of the post on Obama.
2. Does it really matter what kind of salad the President likes or how good he is at bowling? The front page of the NYTimes today gives McCain’s economic proposal: more tax cuts, more money for Iraq, and all paid for by cutting “pork” (a tiny fraction of the budget). He may be in touch with people, but he’s out of touch with reality.
3. Obama never called Pennsylvanians “bitter” Neanderthals. Bitter, yes. This is undeniably true. Caling Obama a snob for saying it doesn’t change anything.
Michelle, not everyone is going to agree or like what you put on the page.
But as long as its the truth, people like myself will keep coming back. I would rather hear what’s right here, regardless, than what makes me feel good and is absolutely wrong, like the MSM does. You keep up the good work, we’ll still be around.
As for the subject at hand…
I think, at some level, that few of the people who are in government actually care about the people in which they are supposed to serve. That’s not to say that some of them don’t come from humble beginnings or didn’t work hard to get where they are today. But I *do* think that eventually, all the power they have, even on small levels, corrupts them so that they don’t care or even think about the average citizen. It becomes about playing the “politics as usual” game, so they can survive and hold on to the power they’ve been given. A sad circle, methinks.
In all honesty, if our “public servants” would agree to actually serve us, and not themselves, not special interests, not lobbyists, not foreign powers, but the people who put them there and pay their salary…I think alot more would get done.
What we should do is switch the salaries of those working in Washington D.C., with the salaries of your average McDonalds worker. I know I certainly get better service trying to get a breakfast sandwich than I do from my representatives who are supposed to be serving their constituents.
-trudges back to work-
Michelle, I agree that the real problem is politics not political parties. Both parties have abused and obliterated the middle class.
With these three potential candidates, America lost the election before it even took place. All of them are just more of the same.
The bottom line is, at a time when we need it most, there is absolutely no talent in Washington. This holds true with all other political venues as well.
The immigration issue has proven this and the current economic meltdown, with it’s proposed socialistic remedies, is further evidence.
Odd, but his web site mentions immigrants as a whole but not illegal immigrants.
Hmmm…
And, for your reading enjoyment, enter the comic relief.
Maybe all really is lost… Maybe we should form little “ranches” and stop paying the taxes that enable these politicians who are parading themselves as human beings…
This is true because Oblahma say’s so? You’re beyond naive. again ducking the Guns and religion statement. Get back up into the tree lgm, the squirrels miss you.
Term Limits!
I personally like, Soul-Glo. It’s a throwback to the movie Coming to America and we all know how much he and his wife luv America. It fits.
I wonder if they have plastic seat covers on their sofa. Nah…
…and yet Obama is up in the polls, I just don’t get it!
Want to dis McCain, try this.
more like a$$soul 30.
We lampoon obummer because he is a fool. His publicity efforts in PN were a dismal failure to connect with blue-collar workers. How would I connect with the blue collar in a deli when offered $100 pound ham? “Hey, that’s got me hungry! Make me a baloney sandwich!! We tell on ourselves by the manner of our speach…by the very foods we choose to eat.
Good one aj… very good. Can I use it?
Don’t feed the seagull.
Great post Michelle. Keep on telling it like it is.
We need to find a way to keep elitist snobs from becoming life tenured royalty lording over us. “Career politician” is a phrase that shouldn’t be in the American lexicon.
Many people say we need term limits but I disagree.
I think the solution is to outlaw pensions for anyone elected to federal office. Then we would return to citizen legislators serving the republic and then living under the laws they enacted. It wouldn’t take long for “career politician” to become an archaic term.
Just 2c worth from a gun owning, Bible thumping, bitter, typical white person.
(one of the loud people)
The founders envisioned, but hoped against hope that politics would not produce someone like Lott —
servingripping off the taxpayers for over 30 years and getting a free lunch every day for doing so.The same could be said about 95% of the rest of the “public servants” that make up all 3 branches of the government. And it has filtered down into state and local government. Whoever said the US doesn’t have a class system never took the politicians and government bureaucrats into account.
With few exceptions, they resemble Marie Antoinette, some only slightly better; many even worse.
Thanks for the balanced perspective, Michelle. I too, am disgusted with the choices afforded all of us this November when we vote for President. I wish money didn’t talk so much on either side of the aisle.
For the Dems: if you think that Snobama is any different than your average, typical politician, look closely. He does take bundled cash, cash from lobbyists, he talks out of both sides of his mouth, he hangs out with questionable sorts. It’s really too bad that he’s become a media-driven candidate because if he had been thoroughly vetted, he’d be long gone.
For the Repubs: Instead of getting back to the heart of what made the party work, you’re getting farther and farther away from it. Values, lower taxes, strong military, strong economy, enforcing our borders… these used to be hallmarks or the party. Unfortunately, when you’ve been smooching the piggies in the trough too much, some of the dirt will got on to you too.
It’s a tough choice: Republican lite or Socialist. Either way we’re screwed.
Agreed. The choices this year are about as bad as I have seen in quite a while. *sigh*
I disagree, twelve is more than enough for absolutely anyone.
For the first time in my life, I will probably stay home and forego voting. I don’t have faith in any one of these candidates and they don’t represent what is important to me. So, I’m torn between practicing my right to vote or supporting these cadidates I do not care for.
Our Nov. Ballot option: John Mcain Obama Clinton, no that isn’t three names there, that is one, that is how the names should appear on the ballot. I don’t know what difference it all makes. Politicians quit looking out for us a long long time ago. They purely look out for each other (see Congressman William Jefferson). I have attempted to contact me local Senator Martinez (FL) all I ever get is a mass produced insincere template email… two weeks after my initial question or comment.
Michelle nails it again!
McCain, Obama, Clinton - take your pick. They have no use for common people except for a vote. They will pander to the crowd so that they don’t have to pay for meals or cars - or hookers.
#56 - misscheryl - Go vote anyway. We’ll impeach McCain and hope he picked a good VP.
Why wasn’t there any fanfare when Lott retired? Usually , isn’t some sort of going away party thrown?
Did anyone hear about this?
I was puzzled that I couldn’t find anything about it.
When we the people realize we need to clean house on both sides of the isle then and only then will we be able to make a difference. McCain better pick up a great running mate or I will have a hard time voting for him based on his past discrepancies. First and foremost the illegal invasion of our country. If I not mistaken the POTUS takes an oath to protect the CITIZENS of the United States not the people that are here and attempting to get here illegally!!!!
Misscheryl I am right with you on that.
That’s a new one! I emailed Lott many times not to settle here in Mississippi.
I doubt it is true, but he sure didn’t stay long down here before he went back to DC to be close to his friends?
I just saw the latest Gallup poll and it shows Obama increasing his lead over Clinton nationally. This latest controversy may have actually helped him among Democrats, if one can trust the polls. I’d say he has nailed down the liberal snob vote with his “bitter” remarks.
somebody tell me to “SHut-up”. I’m danm sure a “Bigot” Now ! And American politics did it all . Yes we have the finest Elitie’s in the world. Just look at the way your treated. Why worry bout who to vote for ? If your a Patriot , you have no-body to vote for.
Ron Paul , maybe (he is what we need)
Alan Keyes , never get traction
Michelle,
Straight talk is what is needed. I get the distinct feeling that the majority here are not very enamoured with McCain. If he were a true conservative maybe there would be some hurt feelings but that is not the case here.
NJR: You hit it on the head.
LGM: I’ve read that a noted psychologist has come to the conclusion that liberals are mentally ill - anything we can do to help?
I’d like to ask you a few questions.
1. Do you feel you know best how to spend the money you receive in your paycheck, or, are you too inept and would rather the government decide what’s best and thus raise your taxes?
2. Do you prefer socialism, the favored form of government of the current Democratic candidates? You know, take away from those that have and give to those who don’t — i.e. give tax rebates to those who don’t pay tax or free social services for those who are here illegally.
3. Do you believe marriage is between a man and a woman or the Democratic definition that would include those of the same gender?
4. Do you believe no one should own hand guns and should depend solely on the police to arrive in just the nick of time to save you from battery, robbery or even worse?
5. Do you believe people should be arrested and tried for thoughts and words that offend certain segments of our society?
I must say, conservative blogs could get boring if we didn’t have an occassional troll to remind us there are actually liberals out there who believe as they do.
Well, TMoney - If I thought that was an option, I wouldn’t be so depressed.
I’m disgusted with all of them and if I hear one more politican look in a camera and say “What the American people want is…” Why I’m gonna…
We are screwed not matter what… McAmnesty, Shrillary, Bambi, creeping shiria, shadowy Mexicans. Goodbye good ol’ USA
More evidence or higher neural function from the Republican in touch candidate:
MisCheryl, please vote at least for your local and state people. You can always write in Mickey Mouse if you’d like to for President
but remember the guys and gals at the local and state level. I remember some years ago in Norfolk, VA, there was an election where a city council person lost by 8 points-8 points. A woman I worked for said she didn’t vote but was thinking about voting for the person who lost by 8 points. Wonder how many others there were. Besides if you don’t vote (unless you’re under 18) you can’t complain. 
Term limits is right!
My husband and I think we should vote them ALL out and start over.
Ummm, no, try again and perhaps use a better historical context. Try to recognize, through your narrow, partisan prism, that snobbery in Washington is bipartisan. Once you do that, perhaps your troll blinders will finally disappear.
Talk about someone who speaks out of both sides of his mouth:
There’s a deeper context to a candidate when he/she tries to appeal to the folks through “bowling,” “not eating sandwiches/eating ham,” or saying how the price of arugula at Whole Foods has gone up. It demonstrates an insulation from the world that WE know.
If you want your money going to social entitlement programs for the irresponsible and the undisciplined, go ahead. However, I don’t want people like you controlling how my hard-earned cash is spent. I want the mission in Iraq to be completed the right way. Too bad you’re unappreciative, don’t have someone in the military, to understand any better.
Standing up for Obummer and not admitting that what he said was, indeed, condescending, makes you just as every bit a snob elitist. Ever grow up in a small town/rural area? Ever had a family member lose their job? Ever see that person adapt and overcome, while partaking of religious and cultural traditions that gives them meaning?
This comment speaks volume of who you are and how clueless liberals need to tear other people down (those small town folks) to feel better about themselves. I would expect no different than you.
Oh, when you’ve grown up on a farm, and witness the hard work, determination, and fortitude it takes to run such an operation, while the surrounding farms disappear (for varied reasons), we’ll talk. Until then, have fun in your urban jungle, pretending that “small town folk” are bitter because they don’t want to accept liberals and their belief systems.
Self-edit: post #76… second to last paragraph… than= from.
First, would like to thank our gracious host for allowing more of us to join the discussion. I can’t count the number of times I have sat here and screamed at my monitor, wanting to add my 2 cents.
Term limits sound like a good way to help end this elitism, but I have a better solution. With today’s technology there should be no reason why the House and Senate members couldn’t spend the majority of their time in their home districts. All of their votes and debating could be done on secure teleconfrencing. This would help them stay in touch with us little people. It would also make them a lot safer from a terrorist strike(that’s if you think that would be a bad thing).
It’s soo soo true…
Im so sick & tired of these “choices” for candidates . People like Duncan Hunter should have got more attention, I’m upset he didnt get more attention, then again I dont think he really had the gusto for a fight like this.
We need someone who can be a true conservative no matter how unpopular they would be w/ the MSM. We need that now
Being wealthy and being a snob are two different things. Here’s a definition of “snob” from Merriam Webster:
Whether they’re wealthy or not isn’t the point. It’s the arrogance toward and disdain for the “plebs” to which us bitter, gun-hugging, God-clinging folk object.
My problem is I’m basically stuck with the lesser of two evils - McCain.
Well said, Michelle. Bush and McCain are just as out of touch with those small town blue-collar folks (they used to be called Reagan Democrats) as any Democrat.
Maybe the people who represent us in Washington need to look up what the word “represent” really means.
Michelle:
You are right, but I dont think the people on this blog tend to disagree with you. I still get angry over Republicans (including the President!!?!) calling people that want our immigration laws enforced “bigots”. It was a slap in the face, and I won’t ever forget it. This is why so many conservatives have to hold their nose when we vote for McCain (he who has an immigration outreach Director, Juan Hernandez as you have blogged, who has no respect for our borders). I find most politicians to be elitist; just so many pigs at the public trough, who, like Trent Lott, cant seem to even function outside the pampered halls of Congress. But some just hide it better than others. Our politicians, with their 6 figure taxpayer funded pensions, have become the new entitled class, and it makes most Americans sick. But that is what we are stuck with at this point.
Isn’t this the same Barack Obama who was bashing NAFTA in Michigan?
Oh, sorry, this thread is about elitism, not hypocrisy.
Of course. Though, think about it who was the last people’s president. One that wasn’t considered wealthy on their way in. Without research I can clearly say not in the last 30 years. Also, to run for President wouldn’t you have to have some hubris anyway? I mean the job is not a typical job, and it takes some arrogance to think you can do it. Lets be real.
Y’know, it must really be tough for all these elitist snobs to have to mingle with us commoners every two, four, or six years, in order to get us to vote for them. I mean - having to actually talk to us plebes - it must make them so sick they absolutely HAVE to run back to the shelter of the Beltway and vote themselves some more pork, just to cleanse themselves fro mingling with the great unwashed.
Have a little pity on them, having to suffer all that!
/sarc
fro = from - dyslexic fingers this early
Maybe when Lott gets used to living as a typical white person, we can send him back to Washington to lobby for us. Maybe he will be mugged by an illegal alien and see the difference between legal and illegal immigration. He could bend McCain’s ear about a real and growing threat to the fabric of our society that has nothing to do with racism or bigotry.
What does John McCain offer to Americans who love their country? I cannot think of a single thing.
I grew up in a small southern town and I don’t quite understand cheese steak sandwiches, but I have had a major prosciutto addiction for half of my life (never spent more than $20/lb for imported ham). I may be half redneck, but I’m also half italian. I don’t think that makes me an elitist. If you saw my mud covered suv and my game filled freezer you’d agree.
OOOooo Michelle… you’ve reenergized a festering sore I have… McAmnesty and Lapdog Lindsey! If only “I’m just Fred” Thompson was still running! If he was pretentious he’d point it out about himself, move on & get back to serious issues.
Its so true people that want “power” for the wrong reasons are the ones running for offices, or teaching.
It’s so cut throat its the weasels that enjoy playing the game.
And though there might be a good politician here or there or a good teacher here or there they are overpowered & ran over by the mass of weasels.
Its sick & unfortunately a majority of my peers (age 25-35) are not concerned, they are happy w/ Obama’s & Clinton’s & have a “what can government do for me” attitude.
God Help Us!
We’re not stuck with it. We can vote them out and replace them with better people at any time. But the typical Republican (and Democrat) keeps pulling the lever for the same people.
Does anyone else see the delicious irony in a person who’s supposed to be a mathmetician posting an entry whining and complaining someone has to do math, or is it just me?
Just to point out, if you look above…the article takes the GOP to task more than Obama and crew. There’s alot more material where she’s pointing out flaws in our own party. Both sides are guilty. Your apologist, finger pointing, issue-dodging posts are funny sometimes, but…not much else. Try again lgm.
See what happens when you feed a troll. I told you he is good at finding some obscure post and then trying to “educate us”. A liberal teaching us about a Republican – HA!
News flash:
McCain will not fix the tax code. Guess what? Neither will Ron Paul. We will only have one choice (and it will never be a flat tax as then the people would know how to compute what they owe 100% of the time every time).
The tax code (I.R Service???) is a giant eating machine without a brain. It does not care about you as a person. You are a number only. The ONLY thing it cares about is more money. If it could, it would take all of your money. This is one of the few areas where if they say you are guilty, you have to prove your innocence. Even if you do prove your innocence, the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing and they collect anyhow. Oh, you have the option to hire an attorney and fight it. You may even win but you will never recover your money to the extent that you lost it. We do not even want to get into what happens when someone steals you SSN – good grief.
No, McCain will not fix a thing. We can pray he will choose a good VP but (and this is just MHO) he will do his damage there as well and pick a liberal (my money is still on Rudy). That way if he should pass on (and I am not wishing that so do not even go there), his damage can be complete.
I’ve never been able to measure the integrity of a person by his/her diet.
Imagine how the rest of us have felt for the last seven and a half years.
Perhaps Obama’s comments did strike a chord with Democrats who found truth in them. But I think Democrats are also reacting (negatively) to Hillary’s overt pandering in Philadelphia and ongoing win-at-any-cost campaigning.
Thanks for railing on the Republicans Michelle, they deserve nothing but contempt. One thing I think we need to keep in mind when watching this political season is that politicians in general are inherently elitist. They care only about votes and will do whatever they can to get them. Obama gets low marks only because he’s not very good at masking his elitism - but focusing on his eating habits or bowling scores is silly.
Honestly these people all hate the common man, which will be painfully obvious with the new taxes, gun control, and inflation that’s going to come with the next president. Left/Right is dead - we have no choice.
…”beltway elitism isn’t about biography. It’s a corrupted state of mind”. Brilliant as usual Michelle. My sentiments exactly. But it goes beyond the beltway, here in the “Peoples Republic of NJ” we have elitist Jonny Corzine attempting to destroy what is left of our sad state.
As to “Bitterness”, well Barry HO, I’ll tell what I am bitter! I’m bitter about elitist career polititians who cave to every special interest activist group who knocks on their door and throws middle America under the bus.
Pay no mind to LGM..
he also believes the BOOOSH brought down the towers
And that the world leaders are under the influence of 12 lizards from another world..
An intentional, thought-out decision to not vote counts at least as much as placing a vote.
All 3 candidates are less than ideal choices (to put it mildly).
As a republican, if I vote for McCain, would I not be casting a vote in favor of open-borders and socialism and against my core conservative beliefs?
I believe there is a lot to be learned from the Carter, Reagan transition.
The problem here is the insularity of the Washington culture. Like a college campus, it has become a state within a state walled off from the realities of American life. Term limits would help, but there is too much loose money floating around.
Multiple Meanings in America Today.
When the American experiment first began, some reluctantly accepted the responsibility foisted on them…now they spend hundreds of millions to buy the chairs.
Flenser said:
While this is true Flenser; all politicians hunger for the power of the post. Vote one out, and it doesnt take long for the successor to get good and comfy on his high horse. The fact is that while people on this blog and many others are “interested” enough to try to effect a change through the vote, the vast majority of people in this country just are not involved in politics enough to care. One way that I think would be best to combat the entrenchment problem is term limits. Enough of career Senators and Congressmen.
IMHO, I have a problem with the federal level of politicians for the most part with very few exceptions(cough) Mike Pence , Jim Bunning(cough). Term limits were what our Founding Federal Legislators( how’s that for accuracy)were hoping for , you know, the Cincinnatus types. Michelle hits the nail on the head and makes it known that we have a responsibility to call these arrogant people to account.
bet he would do a better job than any of the 3 stooges that are running…..
but comparing barack, hillary, and john, to the stooges is an insult to the stooges…
Michelle, one of your best qualities is your straight talk. “Snob-ama is not alone” is right on target.
McCain, Lott, and Graham are among the most elite in DC. My Georgia senators were in the McCain/Kennedy/Bush “Shamnesty” club until we bombarded them with faxes, phone calls, and emails. One of them was even booed at a Town Hall meeting. It didn’t take long for them to get the message!
Someone said of McCain that we should “dance with the one what brung us.” Well, you wouldn’t catch me going to a dance with John McCain, let alone voting for him!
Setting term limits is an idea whose time has come, but I would add to that (#56) single stack’s solution - “outlaw pensions for anyone elected to federal office.”
This is a great article Michelle. Watching the republicans in the house (not all of them, but many) has been embarrassing the last few years. Trent Lott, one of the worst, thank goodness he’s gone, now he needs to fade into oblivion so we can forget he ever had an (R) after his name.
I think the most telling of Obama’s remarks were not the ones the media is ‘clinging’ to about guns & religion but that small town folk object to people ‘different’ than they are in their bitterness, and cling to their anti-immigrant hatred etc. Again, accusing us of ‘anti-immigrant’ sentiment, ignoring that little word “illegal” that is the only objection.
The hell with them, on a related but different note, for those of you that don’t also read http://www.powerlineblog.com the tribute to Lt. Blue is a must read. You have to page down to get to it, and then click on the link and read the entire article, you will read how these Marine Corps officers in a small Indiana town had come to pay their respects to the parents of a fallen comrade. You’ll read how Obama’s “bitter” people treated them and restored their faith in America’s belief in them & their mission.
Then the fault lies not in the politicians, but in ourselves. And I doubt things like term limits can solve THAT problem. I’m willing to give it a shot though.
I don’t remember him asking me. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s bringing a fat hairy liberal to the big dance… and he’s d@mn near telling me I better drive them or else.
Sorry, I don’t play that way.
Right on, emjem24! I am impressed with the clarity of your comments. Anyone who has had to deal with liberals at work and at home can attest to their condescending, patronizing, elitist communication. I have had direct dealings with someone who will not even engage someone in any conversation if they are not educated at least at the grad school level. This is just another brick in the foundation for term limits!
This is very hard for me to type, but that was a good post soap. I’m a McCain guy, but you’re spot on with respect to taxes and the IRS.
John McCain is unpatriotic and unAmerican.
Really? Because I when I get into conversations with Hardcore Conservatives at work or family reunions, all I get is put down and when I try to bring up something of importance all I get is Coultered.
Not partisan much, are we? So you didn’t like the tax cuts, right? Did you vote? Stop with the sour grapes already… your guy(s) didn’t win. It’s okay, lgm will understand.
Perhaps, if Obummer wins and we become a full liberal socialist state your options will open up and hope will return to your life.
I’m guessing…. not likely with any of these nincompoops running for President.
Really? You poor victim. Did you stand up to those mean, bad Conservatives?
I guess you wouldn’t sympathize with somebody like me who has a majority of liberals inhabiting my husband’s family, making snide comments about Pres. Bush, the war, or anything related to Republicans.
Did you say something useful during this conversation or did you use the typical, liberal, Bush is bad because I say so, talking points that many liberals I listen to in my family use constantly? If you did, well, let’s just say you’ll be challenged.
Way to go, Michelle! You’re only 3% EVIL according to The Village Voice. They aren’t elitists… no.
Wear it as a badge of honor.
No, that’s just stupid. I didn’t go down the line with Bush is all for war and destruction, and its his fault our economy is screwed up and we cut 30 of the 10,000 social programs.Damn him, What an evil man. What I brought up was how Welfare needs to be changed and not be a lifetime program, how abortion is not entirely evil if the girl was raped, or would cause the death of the girl, and how our government needs to stand up to Islamic Radicals and not hide from CAIR. Also in the last week or so I think I am having an identity crisis.
Great column. It’s true that we can’t forget how utterly out of touch many supposed conservatives are in addition to the liberals. It’s rather depressing, but important to remember.
maine yankee: LOL Good one!
Michelle, you’re absolutely right! I’m considering a write-in. None of these bozo’s are worth consideration.
I’m in full agreement with the above poster calling for term limits!
#114 emjem24 wrote:
Not partisan much, are we?
So you didn’t like the tax cuts, right?
Did you vote?
The debate over snobs isn’t about how rich someone is. You can be plenty rich and be normal. And you can piss and moan about your Harvard loans and be a complete and utter snob.
Half of the Democrat party is elitist. Another half is infected with socialists and poverty pimps. They both want the same thing.
YOUR MONEY.
Keep it up Michelle! We are nothing if we do not hold ourselves to the same standard we hold others too!
That’d be me.
I think, you’re playing a really dangerous game, here.
Seriously
Some good points, particularly since the GOP could easily position itself as the new party of the Regular Guy. The paradigm of the past (working joes voted Democratic, management and executives voted Republican) is gone. The GOP needs to take advantage of it.
Silky, I’m surprised you didn’t pee your pants when those mean Republicans laughed in your face. Get a grip junior. You sound like an old woman.
Great opinion piece Michelle. The truth hurts, but as luck would have it and you have pointed out, our choices are: bad, worse or disaster.
I would rank them:
McCain = Bad
Klinton = Worse
Obama = Disaster