A View From the Sears Tower's Ledge
Illinois Is Getting Fatter
Kuma's Pats Itself On Back With Block Party
Mayor Blames Violent Holiday Weekend On Booze, Heat
Are spouses of presidential candidates fair game? It's a question that always arises, especially during this election cycle. After all, candidate spouses are important topics to potential voters. But at what point does such criticism and coverage go from legitimate to absolutely ridonkulous? Take, for instance, Fox News's coverage of Michelle Obama. Between "terrorist fist bumps" and being "Obama's baby mama," it's clear Rupert's peeps have been hitting the crazy sauce. But the Obamas could be in for more nuanced attacks on Michelle from Republicans as focus turns from the now-settled Democratic primary to the general election.
The highly visible wife of Senator Barack Obama has already taken her share of criticism revolving around a speech she made during primary season in which she said "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Some argue that Michelle's prominence during the campaign makes her fair game. David Bossie, president of Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group, says, "She's a Harvard Law graduate. She's a very savvy, incredibly educated, capable woman. She can stand on her own, and that's why they have her out there speaking. If she was just sitting back not being involved, she wouldn't get scrutiny." How aggressive the Republican Party will actually act towards Michelle remains to be seen.
Critics have to play this carefully, said Democratic strategist Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, known in party circles for his expertise in courting the regular guy.We'll see soon enough: next Wednesday, Michelle will be making another high-profile appearance as a special co-host on ABC's daytime talk show The View. Meanwhile, Fox News will release their new expose, "Malia and Sasha Obama: Budding Glitter Artists or Paste Eaters?""A shot at Michelle could backfire every bit as easily as drive votes, especially if it is done with a race-based argument," Saunders said. "It could be they're just laying the groundwork for the ol' timey whisper campaign."
Photo from Barack Obama's Flickr stream
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
How do you get a nickname like "Mudcat"?
While Michelle Obama's comments during the primary season are fair game as far as I am concerned, the Fow News crawl at the bottom of the screen describing her as "Obama's baby mama" is simply uncouth. For the record, I think referring to McCain's wife as simply a "trophy wife" is almost as reprehensible.
I'd like to ask Michelle about that kick-ass promotion and pay raise she coincidentally received after Barack was elected senator...are we allowed to ask her about that?
If she's gonna be out there on the campaign trail actively campaigning and giving her own speeches; sure as hell better bet she's fair game.
What is with politican's and thinking shit like that is 'off limits'? You can't talk about this and that, endorse so and so, and then say you don't know that person and that person is off limits to criticize etc...
In this day and age, if you don't know that you should be careful as hell about what you say, and who you say it to when your running for presidency, you shouldn't be president.
ad, mccain's wife is definitely not a trophy wife.
She's a Sugar Mama.
McCain's first wife, the former model, was a trophy wife, until she was in a terrible, disfiguring car wreck.
And McCain dumped her for it.
and let's not forget about mccain's wife robbing the nonprofit she headed up to feed her drug problem.
i'd really like to see michelle beat that.
I think spouses are fair game, if you are asking legitmate questions like asking for tax returns or looking at their actions. Calling Michelle Obama "Obama's Baby Mama" is inappropriate. It insinuates that they children were born out or wedlock and has a racial/racist edge to it. Calling the pound a terrorist fist jab is also inappropriate and stupid.
As the Republicans decide about how far to go when attacking Michelle Obama, I hope they keep in mind that John McCain left his wife, who was devastated by a car wreck, for a younger incredibly wealthy woman, who became addicted to drugs and stole drugs from her own charity resulting in that charity folding.
if you don't know that you should be careful as hell about what you say, and who you say it to when your running for presidency, you shouldn't be president.
So McCain really is going to "Veto every single beer"? Let's hope not.
McCain wants to bring back prohibition?
BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
We all have to agree that Michelle Obama puts herself out in the public eye more so than Cindy McCain.
Just look at the posts here...nobody is even saying her first name, just "McCains wife" and "McCains trophy wife" etc etc.
Yet, when referring to Barack's wife, we all know her name is "Michelle".
So to compare these two women seems a bit off.
The image of a fossil like McCain with a milf nearly two decades younger than him is probably going to be a turnoff to a lot of the "faith and values" crowd that he's trying to court. I imagine she's ecnouraged to lay back.
Navin,
I agree 100%. I think she is encouraged to lay back as well.
Can McCain count on the MILF loving crowd?
Do they have a high voter turnout?
:-)
Hey I'm now a MILF lover for Obama! unless I get so disgusted that I become a MILF lover for Nader!
p.s
did any one see the NYT OP-Ed by Gail Collins that while pointing out yet again Barack's utter loyalty to Corp. America, said that McCain "has so far not demonstrated that he can manage any thing more challenging than a backyard barbecue"
simply Hellarious I say, Hellllllarious!
I agree that the "whitey" quote was likely manufactured and will thus never be proven. Sure, I don't agree with most things she says. But I can't picture her saying "whitey."
However, the "not proud" quote was real and unambigous. She deserves the heat for that. She is fair game, justifiably open to criticism for anything she says on the stump.
And these Obama-loving mainstream media outlets ignore the fact that they go after Republican spouses with glee. Talk about a double standard.
As for the New York Times, somebody put that in the bathroom for me. I want to wipe my ass with it. To you loyal readers of "The Onion," you'll recognize that last sentence from the old Gillette razor article.
"ad", "Ward Up": citations, please? Because until you can show me a CNN clip deriding Cindy McCain in any way comparable to Fox's barrage of "baby mama" and "terrorist fist pump" childishness, shut the hell up about double standards.
I'll defend Fox News' right to air such ridiculous and inflammatory messages because they pay their bills just like everyone else, but don't pretend that it's news or somehow balances out some imagined suffering. It's shameful tabloid silliness and should be treated as such.
Heeeyyyyy Wardie old pal old chum,
And here I thought we had that sort of relationship were despite your opinion of the NY Times
you might actually at least google( which is why I included the writers name) the article because the article seemed to be thoughtfully critical of both instead of playing favorites, instead you of reach into the depths of your third grade education to find a bathroom "reply".
p. s oh and I don't think the NY Times has actually ever graced you hands. You just know from Rush Limpbrain, not to like it, Of course its easier that way because having to read a real paper is probably too difficult for you.
Now excuse me, its been a long day and daddy needs his medicine
p.s good point Eamon, I would write more but again see the above, as in medicine ;-)
"I heard your wife started a health charity and she ate all the drugs in the health charity and they had to close the health charity."
apparently they are. no one is taking any chances. 8 years from now she may want to sport the Pant-Suit combo and claim her "qualifications" and lie about her experiences. . .
but seriously, i am thrilled for Obama but do not drag his or McCain's wife into the argument. Stick to the candidate. . . .
Fox News plays an important role as a counterpoint to the Democrat-supporting CNN and MSNBC, along with the left-of-center traditional networks. Furthermore, Fox News has treated Michelle Obama fairly, with several exceptions. However, even I am disappointed with them about several issues.
First, Fox News failed to fire, or even suspend the dim-witted producer who typed the "...Obama's baby mama.." words on the screen.
Second, Fox News failed to announce any suspension of use of the contributor who made the "...terrorist fist jab..." comment.
Third, Fox News at fault for dragging out this "..whitey.." rumor. They should have mentioned the rumor once (all other outlets have reported the rumor), said it was unsubstantiated, and moved on.
They blew it.
"I heard your wife started a health charity and she ate all the drugs in the health charity and they had to close the health charity."
I gotta check into this! Holly Republican Crack Head Batman!
Now, if you say, "But they're the only thing we've got!" I completely sympathize. To you I say, "Demand better."
It isn't the place of Fox News, CNN or MSNBC to provide a counter to each other. If we're to believe in journalistic ethics then those three networks are supposed to report solely on the news, without slant.
Then, in the case of Fox News, their history of "fair and balanced" reporting has been documented and skewered so hard and often that I'm surprised that people other than their target audience watch the channel.
Go ahead, Democrats. Pretend that CNN and MSNBC don't cheerlead for Democrat Party causes. The list is so endless that I will not mention even one item. Not one. Liberals, since they are so smart, should be able to figure it out for themselves.
Uh...Really, Ward? REALLY? I'll admit those stations have done some inane stuff but have they EVER approached the ridiculousness of the "terrorist fist jab" and "Obama's Baby Mama" level? I mean, O'Reilly did use to work in tabloid television journalism so he's not that far outside his comfort zone now.
Attack those stations all you want for liberal bias, but to suggest they operate on the same level of propaganda as Fox News is as ridonkulous as Fox News itself.
@Marcus...good point. I think there is a "part of the press" that is "liberal". But the whole Fox News Station does have a right wing skew. There is a difference between the two.
@Chuck...couple things.
"If we're to believe in journalistic ethics then those three networks are supposed to report solely on the news, without slant."---where do you put editorials and endorsements in this statement? Aren’t those examples of journalists giving the news and their slant?
I don't ever remember reading about a time in history when the "press" did not have a slant. Newspapers (Journalism) have always endorsed a candidate in an election. That is going past giving the "news" and actually giving a "slant".
I agree with you 100% about the audience. I think more staunch liberals that watch Fox News than any other group out there. Why do staunch liberals even KNOW what is on Fox News?!?