Michelle Malkin » Barack Obama: Gaffe machine

Barack Obama: Gaffe machine

By Michelle Malkin • May 21, 2008 07:43 AM

Here’s my syndicated column this week. Hardly a comprehensive list–and sure to grow.

***

Barack Obama: Gaffe machine
Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008

All it takes is one gaffe to taint a Republican for life. The political establishment never let Dan Quayle live down his fateful misspelling of “potatoe.” The New York Times distorted and misreported the first President Bush’s questions about new scanner technology at a grocers’ convention to brand him permanently as out of touch.

But what about Barack Obama? The guy’s a perpetual gaffe machine. Let us count the ways, large and small, that his tongue has betrayed him throughout the campaign:

* Last May, he claimed that Kansas tornadoes killed a whopping 10,000 people: “In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed.” The actual death toll: 12.

*Earlier this month in Oregon, he redrew the map of the United States: “Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go.”

*Last week, in front of a roaring Sioux Falls, South Dakota audience, Obama exulted: “Thank you Sioux City…I said it wrong. I’ve been in Iowa for too long. I’m sorry.”

*Explaining last week why he was trailing Hillary Clinton in Kentucky, Obama again botched basic geography: “Sen. Clinton, I think, is much better known, coming from a nearby state of Arkansas. So it’s not surprising that she would have an advantage in some of those states in the middle.” On what map is Arkansas closer to Kentucky than Illinois?

*Obama has as much trouble with numbers as he has with maps. Last March, on the anniversary of the Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama, he claimed his parents united as a direct result of the civil rights movement:

“There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. was born.”

Obama was born in 1961. The Selma march took place in 1965. His spokesman, Bill Burton, later explained that Obama was “speaking metaphorically about the civil rights movement as a whole.”

*Earlier this month in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Obama showed off his knowledge of the war in Afghanistan by honing in on a lack of translators: “We only have a certain number of them and if they are all in Iraq, then it’s harder for us to use them in Afghanistan.” The real reason it’s “harder for us to use them” in Afghanistan: Iraqis speak Arabic or Kurdish. The Afghanis speak Pashto, Farsi, or other non-Arabic languages.

*Over the weekend in Oregon, Obama pleaded ignorance of the decades-old, multi-billion-dollar massive Hanford nuclear waste clean-up:

“Here’s something that you will rarely hear from a politician, and that is that I’m not familiar with the Hanford, uuuuhh, site, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on there. (Applause.) Now, having said that, I promise you I’ll learn about it by the time I leave here on the ride back to the airport.”

I assume on that ride, a staffer reminded him that he’s voted on at least one defense authorization bill that addressed the “costs, schedules, and technical issues” dealing with the nation’s most contaminated nuclear waste site.

*Last March, the Chicago Tribune reported this little-noticed nugget about a fake autobiographical detail in Obama’s “Dreams from My Father:”

“Then, there’s the copy of Life magazine that Obama presents as his racial awakening at age 9. In it, he wrote, was an article and two accompanying photographs of an African-American man physically and mentally scarred by his efforts to lighten his skin. In fact, the Life article and the photographs don’t exist, say the magazine’s own historians.”

* And in perhaps the most seriously troubling set of gaffes of them all, Obama told a Portland crowd over the weekend that Iran doesn’t “pose a serious threat to us”–cluelessly arguing that “tiny countries” with small defense budgets can’t do us harm– and then promptly flip-flopped the next day, claiming, “I’ve made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave.”

Barack Obama–promoted by the Left and the media as an all-knowing, articulate, transcendent Messiah–is a walking, talking gaffe machine. How many more passes does he get? How many more can we afford?

Posted in: Barack Obama

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#101

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am, Politicalguano said:

BOs favorite show as a kid - the 4 Stooges.
BO reports that his parents actually inspired the book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which was actually written about his uncle Tom - who actually really wasn’t his real uncle but they were close.
BOs favorite part of the US Constitution, “Black Americans shall not be accused of racism, and BOs ears shall never be mentioned.”
BO remembers that while growing up, he personally handed Joseph Smith several plates of gold, but denies being a moron.
BO denies any mob connections although he is a Chicago politician with ties to indicted Tony R. “He is a supporter and a good friend and if you doubt it go ask him and he break your legs. Now get outta my face.”
BO is half white, abandoned as usual by his black father (who is Muslim) and was raised by whites, denies all knowledge of white people except that they are bitter racists.
Bo is very afraid of his wife who can easily beat his *ss, or worse, tease him about his ears.
No matter how you slice it, BO stinks.
#102

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am, nyc123me said:

LMAO check this out:
Obama Bruvva
#103

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:26 am, nyk said:

The little bit of press this got noted that there were more events going on than just Obama speaking and combine them with the great weather - was a good reason for the numbers of the crowd

One of my favorite music blogs has, in fact, posted a column making fun of this very (ludicrous) assertion.

http://17dots.com/2008/05/21/colin-meloy-bigger-than-obama/
#104

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:28 am, RedDog said:

Check this: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080521/D90PO4580.html

McCain media consultant departs May 20, 9:56 PM (ET)

MIAMI (AP) - A top adviser is leaving Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign because he doesn’t want to work against Democrat Barack Obama.

Mark McKinnon, the chief media consultant to McCain, wrote in a campaign memo last year that if Obama won the Democratic nomination, he would not actively campaign against him. With the results of Tuesday night’s primaries in Kentucky and Oregon, Obama claimed he had a majority of convention delegates.

OK. So now McCain’s guys want to just give up and let the pencil neck marxist move into the Whitehous. Why not in June? Anyone have a problem with that? And give him Chavez-style executive power by decree. No need for Congress or the courts. Cool.
#105

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am, Barry F. said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am, nyc123me said:

LMAO check this out:

Obama Bruvva

ROFLMAO

I liked that, nyc!
#106

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:31 am, jdsmith0021 said:

ha, this will be easily a daily log of stupidity.

Campaign Slogan:
There’s No Need TO Fear, Empty Suit Is Here!
#107

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am, Barry F. said:

A top adviser is leaving Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign because he doesn’t want to work against Democrat Barack Obama.

Mark McKinnon, the chief media consultant to McCain, wrote in a campaign memo last year that if Obama won the Democratic nomination, he would not actively campaign against him…

I guess he didn’t want to fight against one of their own. *sigh*
#108

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am, nyk said:

McCain media consultant departs

Wow.

Some friends and I were just wondering aloud over drinks this weekend if this guy would stick to what he’d said about a year ago. Good to see he has.
#109

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:35 am, Misscheryl said:

But when 75,000 people show up, I don’t think the weather or the band that MTV ignores gets the credit.

What YOU think doesn’t matter a whole lot really…
#110

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:35 am, tbear44 said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am, spo-con said: “until his novelty wares off and it appears hes dead in the water. Then its Under The Bus……….”
But wouldn’t that be racist? I can’t imagine Obumma ever getting thrown under the bus no matter what he does or says.
#111

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am, nyk said:

What YOU think doesn’t matter a whole lot really…

Well, apparently, what YOU think — according to every source with any knowledge of the actual situation — is clearly wrong.
#112

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:42 am, Misscheryl said:

Well, apparently, what YOU think — according to every source with any knowledge of the actual situation — is clearly wrong.

It wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong, I do find it hard to fathom so many stupid people in one place. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here - just go with it.
#113

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:43 am, undrseige247 said:

Nyk said:

Well, apparently, what YOU think — according to every source with any knowledge of the actual situation — is clearly wrong.

Arrogant latte-sipping moron.
#114

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:47 am, Misscheryl said:

aaahh - US247 - like Obama he just doesn’t realize how insignificant he truly is - arrogrance and attention getting and disrespect seems to be the rule of the day anymore.
#115

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:48 am, nyc123me said:

“..I’m not familiar with the Hanford, uuuuhh, site, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on there. (Applause.)”

applause? applause? What the..?
I think it is safe to say that every single person in that audience who applauded that statement is a complete and utter MORON, and should throw themselves in front of a bus immediately.
#116

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:49 am, nyk said:

Arrogant latte-sipping moron.

Always classy. And original. (That’s called sarcasm!)
#117

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:50 am, jsr said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am, Ditkaca said:
I got into a discussion with a Democrat yesterday

Interesting because I recently tried to have a serious, non-partisan discussion with a liberal friend about Obama. All I could get was utterly meaningless phrases like “change”, “restore America’s image”, “an historic opportunity”, “bring people together” etc… Any attempt to pin her down with specifics resulted in a BDS rant. It was spooky, especially since this person is (suprise!) a teacher and I was truly interested in some intelligent analysis, not Democrat talking points. After a few minutes I saw it was useless and gave up. (Note: This “educator” will actually refer to Micheal Moore as a source of info) Trying to logic with these people is utterly useless. While Obama, like many liberals, is naive and lacking substance, it is his supporters like the this teacher that make him dangerous.
#118

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am, nyk said:

arrogrance and attention getting and disrespect seems to be the rule of the day anymore

And seeing as how YOU tossed off the first insulting remark, I’m guessing you’re just following the “rule of the day.”
#119

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:56 am, JustifiedRight said:

GREAT piece Michelle. This one needs to be emailed round the world, made into posters, put on palm cards, etc.

Keep up the great work.
#120

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:58 am, Barry F. said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:42 am, Misscheryl said:

…I do find it hard to fathom so many stupid people in one place. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here - just go with it.

Don’t worry about giving them the benefit of the doubt, Cheryl. It is Oregon. They have that many in one place.
#121

On May 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am, DirkBelig said:

His spokesman, Bill Burton, later explained that Obama was “speaking metaphorically about the civil rights movement as a whole.”

And this explanation didn’t apply to Romney, when he said he saw his father march with MLK, why? Oh, that’s right…
#122

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm, Mohawk said:

This man is an Ivy league graduate?!

Are you serious!

When are Americans that favor this man going to wake the hell up!
#123

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm, abstractmind said:

NYK,

You mentioned earlier that the Decemberists had crowds of about 700.

I would call you out on that.

They were at Bonnaroo here in Tennessee (about 30 minutes or so from my house), and played to a crowd estimated at over 75000.

That would make the previous claim of 70000+ correct.
#124

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:12 pm, fmfnavydoc said:

Barry O is just espousing the views of the Donkeycrat Party - “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S.”

Barry = Carter, version 2.0

God help us if he’s elected….
#125

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:14 pm, undrseige247 said:

nyk said:

Always classy. And original.

It’s called a diatribe, it has nothing to do with class, it has more to do with a vocal salvo that extirpates and destroys liberal ideas like your own— moron.
#126

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm, nyk said:

They were at Bonnaroo here in Tennessee (about 30 minutes or so from my house), and played to a crowd estimated at over 75000.

Um…no.

Bonnaroo is an annual music festival that lasts three days and literally features around 100 acts — most of which are MUCH bigger than the Decembrists (in fact, last year — when the Decembrists played it — it included The White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, Ziggy Marley, the Flaming Lips, Tool and — the piece de resistance — The Police (a band which hadn’t toured for many, many years prior)). Every year the festival draws huge audiences. That’s the point — smaller bands (like the Decembrists) get to play with far bigger bands (like, any of the aforementioned) for exposure. And loads of people go, because get to see about 100 bands in three days.

On their own, however, the Decemberists draw much, much smaller crowds. And they have NEVER been able to bring in 75,000 people on their own. Not even close.
#127

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:24 pm, Misscheryl said:

NYC

yeaahh…ok…
#128

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:28 pm, nyk said:

it has nothing to do with class

It doesn’t and neither do you.
#129

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:28 pm, Misscheryl said:

ooppss I mean nyk…geee…forgot your name..
#130

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm, abstractmind said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm, nyk said:

not to nitpick, but your original statement made it seem as if they’d never played to crowds that large or been seen in anything outside of a club setting. If that was not the intent, sorry, but, thats how I took it at least.

I’m just pointing out that they have, in fact, played larger venues, and even if not every person there was there for just that band, they’ve had the larger exposure such as Bonnaroo

I would know. I was at Bonnaroo last year and saw them perform, as well as seeing The Police(which was legendary, in my opinion…they were together when i was a kid, and seeing them at this point was something very memorable).

If nothing else, it would have helped to clarify
#131

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:34 pm, bluesoc said:

They were at Bonnaroo here in Tennessee (about 30 minutes or so from my house), and played to a crowd estimated at over 75000.

-abastractmind-
I’ll call you on that. They played on the “Which Stage”, which happens to only have the capacity for 30,000 people. Please also keep in mind that this is a festival with hundreds of bands/performers (many who are much more popular than the Decemberists). Also keep in mind that only a handful of bands play at any given time. Also, in 2007, they sold a total of 80,000 tickets for the entire festival.
#132

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:34 pm, nyk said:

If nothing else, it would have helped to clarify

Gotcha.

I guess initially I (and apparently, those who run music blogs dedicated to what really is underground music) was just amazed that anyone could contend that the Decemberists single-handedly brought out 75,000 people. Anyone who genuinely and truly is passionate about indie rock — and the Decembrists — and follows this stuff would know that is just patently absurd.

So you were at Bonnaroo? Funny fact: I sing for a band that’s featured on the compilation from that year’s festival.
#133

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm, nyk said:

bluesoc wrote:

-abastractmind-
I’ll call you on that.

And if they hadn’t recently been discovered by Stephen Colbert at the time last year’s Bonnaroo happened, they’d never have even made it on the 2007 list of bands.
#134

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:43 pm, sambo said:

Can you imagine being around 70,000 Obamians? I bet it seemed like something right out of the Delta quadrant. A pack of juggernaut’s, organized as an inter-connected collective with a hive mind, with a collective consciousness, operating towards one single-minded purpose: to achieved lunacy through forced assimilation. They exhibit no desire for negotiation or reason, only to assimilate.

You must assimilate NYK. Resistance is futile. You must comply!
#135

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:46 pm, abstractmind said:

If you wish to nitpick the detail thats fine.

But even 30000 is a far cry from 700.

I dont want to sit and get into a details war over this. its not worth THAT much time.

I’m saying he should have clarified the statement first and not dismissed it out of hand, thats all.

and bluesoc, since you’re picking on it:
and played to a crowd estimated at over 75000 is what i said.

I believe your comment that they sold 80000 tickets would make my statement correct. I’m sorry i didnt remember the exact number of tickets sold on a moments notice, but i’ll make sure to keep those statistics in hand and for review anytime i do so. thanks.

not gonna waste anymore time nitpicking something that nyk said to be meanspirited, and didnt clarify. its not worth anymore effort.
#136

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm, tbear44 said:

I would concede the fact that there are 75,000 brain dead morons that would go see the empty suit in the Portland, Or. area.
#137

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm, undrseige247 said:

nyk said:

It doesn’t and neither do you.

exactly, think of me as a soldier in the trenches, unshaven, unshowered in days, hungry, cold, and real edgy. I’m coming after anything that flys the liberal banner hard and fast.
#138

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm, undrseige247 said:

tbear44 said:

I would concede the fact that there are 75,000 brain dead morons that would go see the empty suit in the Portland, Or. area.

Right, garbage in garbage out.
#139

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:53 pm, havok said:

What do these gaffes have to do with helping my children?
#140

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:57 pm, bluesoc said:

-abstractmind-

Their stage only had a capacity for 30,000. Even if they went over capacity (which I highly doubt) only 80,000 tickets were sold to the ENTIRE event. It is highly unlikely that all but 5,000 were watching them play (10 other bands were playing at the same time, including on the main stage).

They did not play to a crowd of 75,000. They played at a festival with over 75,000. There’s a pretty big difference between the two.

It may be petty, but what you asserted was false, and I was merely trying to correct your mistake.
#141

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm, abstractmind said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:34 pm, nyk said:
If nothing else, it would have helped to clarify
Gotcha.

I guess initially I (and apparently, those who run music blogs dedicated to what really is underground music) was just amazed that anyone could contend that the Decemberists single-handedly brought out 75,000 people. Anyone who genuinely and truly is passionate about indie rock — and the Decembrists — and follows this stuff would know that is just patently absurd.

So you were at Bonnaroo? Funny fact: I sing for a band that’s featured on the compilation from that year’s festival.

Yeah, and i’ve got tickets for this year too! The lineup this year is really awesome. Best 200 bucks i’ve ever spent. I’m not one usually for the crowds, but…for this kind of thing, i make an exception. Last year was really an experience., cant wait for it again this year.

Where were you last year? heading out there again this year?
#142

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:02 pm, shooter said:

Keep in mind that over 35,000 people showed up for the B. Hussein show in PA!
Yet they DID NOT VOTE FOR HIM.

The man, obama, is quite possibly, the biggest liar in the Senate, maybe all of Washington.
By November, they will not vote for him, not in high enough numbers to elect him anyway.

Does he, Obama, Barry H., have the ability to tell the truth?
#143

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:02 pm, abstractmind said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:57 pm, bluesoc said

then i’ll stand corrected.
#144

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm, nyk said:

only 80,000 tickets were sold to the ENTIRE event. It is highly unlikely that all but 5,000 were watching them play (10 other bands were playing at the same time, including on the main stage).

They did not play to a crowd of 75,000. They played at a festival with over 75,000. There’s a pretty big difference between the two

And a three-day festival at that, which means that not all of those ticket holders were there on all the days. And, it seems, they were one of the smaller bands relegated to a side stage.

And abstract, I wasn’t being

meanspirited

The post I was responding to stated that the Decembrists were the sole reason that 75,000 people attended that rally. That simply isn’t true — and it was a ridiculous statement. I was responding to a commenter’s false assertion. You may disagree with those who attended all you want — and obviously, most people here do — but to try to state that they were there for a band that (as I said before) draws about 700 people on their own as a touring band is incorrect.
#145

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm, heroyalwhyness said:

email funny

A teacher in Elmira , New York , who is an Obama supporter, asked her 4th grade class,’How many of you are Obama fans?’ Not really knowing what an Obama fan is, but wanting to be liked by the teacher, all the kids raised their hands, except for Little Johnny.

The teacher asked Little Johnny why he has decided to be different?

Little Johnny said, ‘Because I’m not an Obama fan.’

The teacher asked, ‘Why aren’t you an Obama fan?’

Johnny said, ‘Because I’m a Republican.’ The teacher asked him why he’s a Republican.

Little Johnny answered, ‘Well, my Mom’s a Republican and my Dad’s a Republican, so I’m a Republican.’

Annoyed by this answer, the teacher asked, ‘If your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot, what would that make you?’

With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, ‘That would make me an Obama fan.’
#146

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm, jsr said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:43 pm, sambo said:

You must assimilate NYK. Resistance is futile. You must comply!

Scary thought but I think I will comply now to avoid the rush later. I can already feel the change… Yes, the brotherhood of man is filling my heart. Please, raise my taxes so others must not suffer! Ah, I can feel the love.

The rest of you need to come on over. We all love Big Brother here plus there’s a big Cuddle Party tonight.
#147

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm, olympian2008 said:

Another wasted column from what is becoming a group of bitter conservative bloggers, columnists, talk radio show hosts and mediots on Fox News and elsewhere, who all know that Republicans are about to get a royal ass kicking this fall. The Republicans have a fake conservative as their candidate this year so it’s going to be hate Obama 24/7 all the way through election day.

Michelle, when are you going to post the 5 minutes of video leading up to the comment you played over and over out of context from Michelle Obama’s speech? Too skerd??? The obvious answer… YES! And I understand why because it undermines your fake outrage.
#148

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm, abstractmind said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm, nyk said

i again stand corrected.

see, i’m not so hard-hearted afterall, to be corrected
#149

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:13 pm, aldo said:

Obama is another Dan Quayle: A lightweight candidate who is over his head running for President.

The difference is that the MSM could see Dan Quayle for what he was, but they are blinded by their biases in Obama’s case.
#150

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:13 pm, nyk said:

Where were you last year? heading out there again this year?

Probably not. There’s just too many festivals every year. I went to SxSW this year (to play a few shows and see a bunch of great bands), and I think I’m going to go to the Pitchfork festival.

But 1) I’m totally jealous you got to see the Police play. They are legends and it must’ve been AMAZING. 2) There are about 30 incredible bands (IMHO, out of the roughly 100) playing Bonnaroo this year, so you’ll definitely have fun. I just get bummed when I miss these things (don’t get me STARTED on Coachella this year).
#151

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:18 pm, abstractmind said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:13 pm, nyk said:

The Police, for lack of a better term, PWNED the entire thing. Absolutely amazing. They broke up a long time ago, and being able to see icons of music like those guys was a treat.

I’m trying to remember the complete lineup without having to look it up…i know metallica and pearl jam are going to be there. someone said something about led zeppelin, but i dont have confirmation. There’s tons more, but i’m drawing a blank.

Honestly, I want to see Rammstein!

We’ll see how it goes though. Its alot to take in over the course of a few days, but…like i said, worth every penny.
#152

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:22 pm, Bulldogger said:

Nice work Michelle, Rush just mentioned this article on his radio show.
#153

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:23 pm, Barry F. said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 pm, heroyalwhyness said:

email funny…

ROFLMAO

Dang! I need a new monitor and keyboard now!
#154

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:24 pm, bilgerat said:

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King, Jr

I think this quote aptly describes Obama and his ilk.
#155

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:27 pm, Regulus said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 10:30 am, RobM1981 said:

I think it’s important for Michelle Malkin and others with access to a public forum, to remind the public of what we already take for granted: Barack Obama is an idiot.

I don’t think he’s an idiot, but he’s emblematic of what Reagan meant when he referred to, “High-IQ dimwits.” You can be smart and stupid; they’re not necessarily exclusive.

On May 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm, tbear44 said:

I would concede the fact that there are 75,000 brain dead morons that would go see the empty suit in the Portland, Or. area.

I’m not sure I would. I lived in the Portland area for several years, and the pattern for demonstrations and rallies there is:

1. The event organizers routinely at least double, and frequently triple the police estimate of attendees; and

2. The media unquestioningly parrot the organizers’ figures.

That’s not to say that there weren’t in fact 75,000 willfully ignorant, knee-jerk leftist latte-sippers in the crowd that day. Portland has much more than its quota of such people. Bear in mind as well, though, that the Saturday in question was a rare occurrence in Oregon in May: a sunny, warm, dry day. A large part of the crowd were no doubt simply one-day sun-worshipers who would’ve been out at Waterfront Park even if “Jesus 2.0″ hadn’t been there.
#156

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm, nyk said:

Honestly, I want to see Rammstein!

I’d love to see them. All that fire and Teutonic-ness…

Okay…know we’re thread jacking, so I’ll stop the Bonnaroo stuff after this, but here’s some of my favorite bands that are playing that you should please, please check out (if you’re not already a fan):
- Battles: Super tight math rock from ex-members of Helmet and Don Caballero.
- !!!: Dance/punk in the Rapture vein.
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: The Dap-Kings backed Amy Winehouse on her album. Now they’re back w/ their original singer and they’re amazing live.
- M.I.A.: Seriously one of my FAVORITES. Her album last year defined my summer. Sri Lankan woman who mixes hip-hop, bangra, Middle Eastern rhythms, reggae and punk. She’s really genre defying and amazing.
- Cat Power: Amazing (and nutty) singer-songwriter.
- Kanye West: He’s an a$$hole, but supposedly he puts on an incredible show.
And, more concisely:
Against Me; Broken Social Scene; Two Gallants; Mastodon; Lupe Fiasco.
Okay…back to the matter at hand…
#157

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm, BrianNY said:

1:17 pm EST.

Michelle,

Rush is quoting your article to an average audience of 13 million listeners right now.

Personal note - Gaffes happen on both sides, but I have always been struck by the size of the left’s cottage industry, documenting and philosophizing on the right’s gaffes.

I spent the rainy evening of 9/10/01 in the Borders Books that was located in the lobby of the World Trade Center. One of my last memories of that store (besides listening to an entire Dave Matthews CD on one of those free headphone setups) was studying the poli-sci section and marveling at the number of books claiming President Bush as a verbal idiot, flawed human being, moron, leper, demon, etc.

And this was only seven months into his Presidency!
#158

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:29 pm, Brian72 said:

Rush just plugged and is now using your column to explain to the Democrat Superdelegates that Obama can’t win, and what the hell is the point of being SUPER delegates if you are not going to be SUPER. He used the phrase “Gaffe Machine”, then mentioned you, Michelle.

That column was a dead-on bullseye!

You may have just been drafted as a special operative for Operation Chaos.

I’m sure you would enter the service as an officer, Michelle. How’s Lt. Malkin sound to you?
#159

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm, Brian72 said:

Ha. Great Brians think alike.
#160

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm, sambo said:

Regulus said:
I don’t think he’s an idiot, but he’s emblematic of what Reagan meant when he referred to, “High-IQ dimwits.” You can be smart and stupid; they’re not necessarily exclusive.

The phase “Educated beyond their intelligence” comes to mind…
#161

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm, BrianNY said:

#156 nyk said:

M.I.A.: Seriously one of my FAVORITES.

I always like her song ‘Sunshowers,’ but after listening to 2-3 more of her songs, I wanted to rip my headphones off, it was like listening to a jackhammer.

I can certainly relate to a certain song or CD defining one’s summer though.
#162

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:41 pm, undrseige247 said:

Nyk must do drugs. It makes sense now.
#163

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:47 pm, AlohaGuy said:

“He will fix the worst economy since the depression….that Bush caused”

#75, Ditkaca, it’s interesting your co-worker said this. That little ditty keeps making the rounds, yet the stock market is doing well, jobs have been relatively abundant - your friend must not have been alive when Carter was President.
#164

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:48 pm, sambo said:

undrseige247 said:
Nyk must do drugs. It makes sense now.

I’m shocked!
#165

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:48 pm, tbear44 said:

Regulus: Of course I am sure a lot of the 75,000 came down from the Seattle area as well. Plenty of mind numbed Barackites there too.
#166

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm, abstractmind said:

sorry for the threadjack..i’ll keep those bands in mind.
#167

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:51 pm, nyk said:

Nyk must do drugs. It makes sense now.

Um…no. I just have a life. Not unlike you and your ~~Real Doll~~ “girlfriend.”
#168

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:51 pm, Christian Soldier said:

Does the word LIAR come to anyone’s mind but mine?
#169

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm, Silkyinfamous said:

Annoyed by this answer, the teacher asked, ‘If your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot, what would that make you?’

With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, ‘That would make me a confederate flag waving, whatever the government is doing is right don’t question it, blow everything up and deal with it type of fellow.’

Priceless.
#170

On May 21st, 2008 at 1:57 pm, hawkeye54 said:

“He will ~~fix~~ create the worst economy since the ~~depression….~~ recession that ~~Bush~~ Carter caused.

There, now it is a correct statement.
#171

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:03 pm, AlohaGuy said:

woman who mixes hip-hop, bangra, Middle Eastern rhythms, reggae and punk

Careful, Bill C is getting excited…

and two

Not unlike you and your Real Doll “girlfriend.”

I’m hoping you meant “like” and not “unlike” …
#172

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:10 pm, tbear44 said:

Dont turn your A/C on. You don’t want to make Obummer and poor countries angry.
#173

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:12 pm, sambo said:

Here is one thats not really on B. HO but the Dems themselves.

Obama Delegate is Former Gitmo Inmate
Former Moslem Army chaplain, Captain James J. Yee, formerly stationed at Gunatanamo has recently joined the ranks of Obama delegates. If the name seems familiar that is because
The West Point graduate was accused in 2003 of being part of a spy ring at the U.S. prison for suspected terrorists in Guantanamo Bay.

After spending 76 days in solitary confinement, he was exonerated, resigned from the Army and received an honorable discharge.
#174

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:17 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

Obama has so manuy Gaffes so often,

Maybe we could work on some nicknames.

maybe DumBO,

It fits and and exploits both his giant EARS and the lack of substance between them.
#175

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:20 pm, faraway said:

His campaign is a hoax.
#176

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm, Silkyinfamous said:

sambo said:

Here is one thats not really on B. HO but the Dems themselves.

Obama Delegate is Former Gitmo Inmate
Former Moslem Army chaplain, Captain James J. Yee, formerly stationed at Gunatanamo has recently joined the ranks of Obama delegates. If the name seems familiar that is because
The West Point graduate was accused in 2003 of being part of a spy ring at the U.S. prison for suspected terrorists in Guantanamo Bay.

After spending 76 days in solitary confinement, he was exonerated, resigned from the Army and received an honorable discharge.

Exoneration occurs when a person who has been convicted of a crime is later proved to have been innocent of that crime.

So what point were you trying to make?
#177

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:26 pm, jsr said:

Incredibly, according to his post yesterday, nyk cannot imagine that anything could be worse than the Bush years. A number of posters responded but in addition I would like to point out in the Carter years not only was there massive inflation, unemployment, gas shortages, international humiliation, etc… there was no indie rock but there was DISCO. Now nyk, can you imagine anything worse than the Bush years?
#178

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm, JohnS said:

My family an I are going on a trip across the US this summer. I can’t wait to visit the new 8 states that Obama is talking about!!
Really do we need this freshman Senator running the country? I think he has answered this question many times (see Michelle’s column). Imagine if McCain made this mistake about the number of states the press would say his age is showing. Obama does it and NO ONE mentions it.
#179

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm, undrseige247 said:

nyk said:

Um…no. I just have a life. Not unlike you and your Real Doll “girlfriend.”

If I had a choice between a Real Doll and a lib fairy like yourself I’d go for the Real Doll.
#180

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm, Barry F. said:

Being a news-talk junkie, I tend to listen to WNOX in Knoxville most days. I have listened to the morning host, Hallerin Hilton Hill, talk about the Obama campaign for a while now.

Several of his shows have talked about Obama possibly being the “first black president”. Hallerin keeps asking why a man that has a black father and a white mother is considered a “black” candidate. Bear in mind, Hallerin Hilton Hill is a black man himself.

Hallerin wants to know why he might not possibly be the “first bi-racial president”.

I almost ran off the road on the way to the office the other morning, when Hallerin said he wasn’t a black candidate but was the beige candidate.
#181

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm, tbear44 said:

If by some chance Obummer did win he would be the first arab president. Don’t know where this black thing came from.
#182

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm, sambo said:

Silkyinfamous said:
Exoneration occurs when a person who has been convicted of a crime is later proved to have been innocent of that crime.

So what point were you trying to make?

If you can’nt figure that one out….

The resolution of the case means that Captain Yee will not have to face an Army court-martial. At the same time, the military did not affirmatively clear him of the charge of mishandling classified data, but said it chose not to prosecute only to protect sensitive documents.
#183

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm, nyk said:

If I had a choice between a Real Doll and a lib fairy like yourself I’d go for the Real Doll.

But you don’t have a choice. Hence, the Real Doll for you.
#184

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

Gag Gift idea.

GIANT OBAMA EARS.

You could wear them to one of his stem-winder speechs.

Plus how funny would these be on the TV Coverage. Or C-Span?
#185

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm, sambo said:

Did Michelle mention that b.ho thinks he’s running against Bush?
#186

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm, nyk said:

#177 wrote:

there was no indie rock but there was DISCO. Now nyk, can you imagine anything worse than the Bush years?

Actually, you make a valid point…
#187

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:42 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

I didn’t read all the comments, so someone might have made this point. But do you remember back in December when the Huckster ran that Christmas add for President and he had that bookcase that resembled a cross in the background and it was kind of fuzzy so you couldn’t quite tell it was a bookcase? Do you remember the T.L.H. back then when they went off the wall about putting a religous symbol in a Presidential add?

Yeah, well T.L.H. (aka do as I say not as I do) is in full swing on that one. Not only did Obama’s add in KY have a cross, a real one not a bookcase that looks like one, it is glowing! Wooot!

Gogo gaffe machine!
#188

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm, Barry F. said:

It’s just a bit of convenient hypocrisy on Obama’s part, AG.

At least Huckabee’s was in a Christmas message, a season that revolves around Christianity. Obama’s was an obvious use of the Christian symbol to solicit sympathy from a particular group of voters.

But, he is Barack Obama and you should do as he says, not as he does. Didn’t you get the memo on the double-standard?
#189

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm, tbear44 said:

Good one alaskangriz lol.. BTW hi from Redoubt Bay!!
#190

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm, jsr said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm, nyk said:
#177 wrote:

there was no indie rock but there was DISCO. Now nyk, can you imagine anything worse than the Bush years?

Actually, you make a valid point…

Alright, things are starting to become clear to me. We can never convince liberals that their ideas are dangerous for the country based on economic data or historical events. We must try to convince them that if Obama is elected their favorite pop music will morph into disco, or something even worse.
#191

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

oldcollegeguy said:
GIANT OBAMA EARS.

Shhhh! He can hear you…
#192

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:12 pm, nyk said:

We must try to convince them that if Obama is elected their favorite pop music will morph into disco, or something even worse.

Uh…I was joking…
#193

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:19 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm, tbear44 said:
Good one alaskangriz lol.. BTW hi from Redoubt Bay!!

Hello tbear44, never been to Redoubt Bay. Looks beautiful though, I lived across the bay in Anchorage for 12 years or so before moving to the Phoenix metroplex 6 years ago.
#194

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:21 pm, Senator Phillip Buster said:

it will be the old gaffer vs the young gaffer in Nov.

either way, a mistake that will hurt all 57 states.
#195

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:22 pm, sambo said:

IMO Obama’s serious political views are much funnier than his gaffes.
#196

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm, CO2 Producer said:

Michelle, this column was superb. Every voter should read it.

And not one mention of his wife or her “gaffes,” since we’re not supposed to talk about her - the woman married to the man who may become the world’s most powerful political and military leader. Is it not sexist to try to sweep her importance under the rug?
#197

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm, mike volpe said:

Good work Michelle, however I would point out at least two more gaffes that you didn’t mention.

He mentioned that people should go to Whole Foods when he was in Iowa even though that is a Chicago only area supermarket.

The more important gaffe is the speech in Milwaukee two days after the V. Tech tragedy that you talked about here. Had that speech been given any media attention his campaign would have ended right then and there.
#198

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm, sambo said:

I’ve now been in 57 islamic states. I am not only running for POTUS but also I will be the next caliphate.

Peace and many blessings be upon you.
B. Hussain Obama.
#199

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

al-Reuter’s story at Drudge. Zogby poll shows Osama with an 8% lead on McCain.

I know the formerly reliable Zogby has gotten the anti-GOP bug ever since the GWoT started, but I doubt he is cooking the numbers that badly.

And as big a RINO turd McCain may be, I don’t think people comprehend the disaster, especially 3 or 4 decades of a activist and partisan Demonrat Supreme Court will be for the survival of this country.
#200

On May 21st, 2008 at 3:47 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

Whole Foods is a semi-national chain, started in Austin, TX. Found in college towns and other bastions of liberalism, selling essentials like arugula to the elite.