RSSObama Just Can’t Help Himself … Bows to Chinese President Hu Jintao Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC
Oops, he does it yet again … OBOWMA!
Yesterday, at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC President Barack Hussein Obama bowed once again to a foreign leader. This time it was China’s President Hu Jintao.
This has become the symbol of Barack Obama … out of control spending, higher taxes, refusing to listen to we the people and bowing to foreign leaders. A 30% approval rating cannot be far away.
I guess this is the price one pays to have China buy up American debt and to beg the Chinese to agree to talk about sanctions against Iran. Not agree to sanctions, but merely to agree to discuss.
Below is the video of Obama’s continued disgrace of America as he once again bows to a foreign leader. Just some food for thought, China is a communist country. Could you ever envision a US President bowing to Fidel Castro of Cuba or a Soviet Union, the old URRS, Prime Minister?
This President has become a joke and a laughing stock as he promotes American weakness. Gee Barack, why don’t you just kneel and kiss his ring the next time.
More Great Bows from the Obama archives:
- Barack Hussein Obama bowed to the Emperor of Japan.
- Obama bow, or did he throw his back out?
- Obama bows to Saudi King
- Barack Obama, A Tale of Two Bows
Posted April 13, 2010 by Scared Monkeys Barack Obama, Obamanation, US National Security, War on Terror, WTF, You Tube - VIDEO | 89 comments |
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89 Responses to “Obama Just Can’t Help Himself … Bows to Chinese President Hu Jintao Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC”
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What the *&#@! What is with all this bowing????
COMPLETE EMBARRASSMENT!
I wonder if he would bend over for Ahmedinejad?
LIL BOW WOW
And don’t forget he can’t throw a baseball. How horrible.
#4 I know that’s right. Obama the sissy Prez.
#4- Jack Hammer—-it doesn’t bother me or millions of other Americans in the least that Barack can’t throw a baseball.
The most dangerous thing that he cannot do:
RUN OUR COUNTRY
Your comments, while meant to be sarcastic are just plain stupid. He embraces our enemies and Terrorists—he needs to turn in that BOGUS Nobel Peace Prize he had no business accepting and, quite simply—GET OVER HIMSELF.
Americans who voted for him are not impressed anymore, so why you are still in love with the Man is beyond me.
How’s that Hopey-Changey thing working out for you, Jack?
#6 Little Jack Hammer is a troll. He can’t help himself. That’s the best ammo he has.
Barack Obama will go down in history as the worst President ever. He is weak, inexperienced and in way over his head. He will also be known as the most arrogant and self centered President EVAH!
It will take many many years to undo all the mess he has created and will create during his term as POTUS.
Buckle up folks, we are in for a bumpy ride.
I don’t understand why he feels the need to bow to every leader he meets.
Please, give it a rest already. It’s pathetic.
You people are so puerile. “He’s Muslim!” “He can’t throw a baseball!” “He’ll bend over for terrorists!” “How’s that hopey-changey thing working out for you?”
Why don’t YOU give it a rest? You sound like little brats having a tantrum.
__________
SM: You know when we will give it a rest?
When Barack Hussein Obama, Reid and Pelosi are thrown out of power. Even then we will not give it a rest as we will make sure that Republicans never lose their spine again and become like liberal progressive Democrats. If that occurs, we will throw them out of office.
R
“Obama the sissy Prez.” Are you even able to have a mature political discussion?
The out-of-control spending started with one person: George W. Bush. Oh, and his Republican Congress. But you’d rather talk about how a know-nothing show-boater like Sarah Palin feels about Obama. How Ann Coulter feels about Obama. How the talking heads feel about Obama. It’s all emotional. I used to think conservatives had liberals beat on the reason-over-emotion thing, but you are all emotion now. That was one of things I respected about conservatives back in the day, and it’s all out the window. Or down in the fake sewer with Joe the Fake Plumber.
Seriously. Do you and these commenters read books or just listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Glenn Beck all day? None of these posts has any substance whatsoever or has taken any original research or analysis to concoct.
My daddy’s a Republican, but the man is a true Renaissance man. He knows history, economics, literature, you name it. We may not agree on politics, but I absolutely respect his spirit of rigor and his intellect. He would look at your posts and dismiss them as tabloid gossip and irrelevant. Which they are.
_____________
SM: Actually Dora he would probably agree with them if he is what you say he is.
Next thing you are going to tell us is that your Republican dad voted for Obama.
R
Conservatives like my father are old-school. They don’t scare me a bit. In fact, I respect them. People like you, you do scare me, and there seem to be plenty of you shooting your mouths off without the slightest shame that you are merely cracking childish jokes and doing nothing to add to this country’s political discussion. My grandfather, same thing. Conservative. But a great man, a man of ideals and class. He would laugh at your website, and not in a good way. You sow hate for hate’s sake. Because you think it’s fun. Not because you are proposing any kind of solution or would like to see this country succeed. You are those creeps who sit in the back of the class when other people are trying to learn and mock everyone and throw spitballs. And try to bully others at recess. You have zero class. And zero ideas. You appear to just regurgitate what people like Sarah Palin tell you to believe. It’s highly depressing that a certain segment of the public likes to roll in this kind of mud.
Did I dream this or did I hear Rush L. say Valerie Jarrett was born in Iran to American parents? This scares me even more. I believe he said this on monday.
PS, He said her father was a Doctor there.
You know what is laughable and weakening America? Is it people with the attention span of children and the mental scope of a pinhole nagging at their own government or people who try to get international diplomacy flowing again?
Guess!
______________
SM: Hmm, remember when the the LEFT said that dissent against GWB was a good thing?
There is only one thing that makes America strong … A people that care enough to keep their government working for them. America is not made strong by its government … It is made strong by WE THE PEOPLE.
If you think it is the government, then you are a socialist!
R
#13 Hey Dora,
We are such Fascists here that we did not post your comment calling us Fascists what you were bitching & moaning about your comments being in moderation.
Imagine that. Imagine you calling others what you must actually think of yourself.
Actually it must be something to wake up every morning and look in the mirror to so much hate and to know you are the reason why this country is the way it is.
You are so quick to throw out comments like Fascists when you do not have the slightest clue what one is. Oh, you called us Nazi’s … wow, you just marginalized 7 million Jews.
You might want to take a history lesson, maybe poli sci, something.
You represent sadly what the LEFT has become. Nothing more than a bunch of hate filled, ill intentioned, ill advised, ignorant people who know they cannot win a debate on the facts so they use terms like Fascists, racist and hate.
When you can’t kill the message, go after the messenger. Your argument is lame, old and tired.
Fortunately the likes of you, Obama, Reid and Pelosi have awoke a sleeping giant and in the next upcoming elections … WE THE PEOPLE will remedy the MSM and Obama lies and throw them out of office.
Funny, that those that are helped in crimes against them and missing persons do not consider us hateful.
Only those of a party that that would allow tax payer $’s to have pedophiles and sex predators Viagra.
You have been weighed, you have been measured and you have been found wanting … See you in November. We might even be handing out complimentary tissues to Democrats on election eve.
Now how is that hate, isn’t that compassionate of us.
R
Mr. Monkey, if the conservatives’ reaction to Obama being elected is going to be repeated in November, we need a lot more than Kleenex. We need pacifiers and diapers. I haven’t heard so much bawling since my triplet nephews missed their nap. Well, babies, I think you are going to be in for a surprise in November. I think the Democrats will prevail.
And, Mr. Monkey, your replies to Dora proved all of Dora’s points. So when is your next post? Will it be a photoshopped picture of Obama’s head on a Polynesian with a quote by Sarah Palin about savagery? Will it be Obama’s face photoshopped onto Osama Bin Laden’s body with a quote by Glenn Beck about sex offenders getting Viagra? Or will you consider discussing real issues that affect the lives of people every day? I challenge you to post something factual and relevant that doesn’t quote a single talking head/pundit.
And I guess Dora called you out about your “moderating.” Do you have the guts to let my comment through? Or will it be like the Rush Limbaugh show, where there is no opposing viewpoint or dissent allowed?
Because I don’t think you can handle real dissent. Prove me wrong?
OMG! Dora, calm down & take a deep breath.
#10 To answer your question. Yes ma’am when I have an intelligent person to have a intellectual conversation with, I sure can. As for your comment about the out of control spending starting with George W. Bush: Can’t disagree with you there, BUT in only 17 months Barack Obama has doubled the national debt. For the record the last two years of his last term was a democrat controlled Congress. A know nothing show boater? Interesting. Seems she knows a lot more than the current President. As for Ann Coulter, I don’t really care what she thinks either. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Oh trust me, we have the liberals beat by a long shot. You’re just listening/watching too much of the MSM to get the truth. Why so much animosity towards Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, Joe the plumber? They are just ordinary citizens speaking out against what they feel is too much government control.
#11 We don’t have to listen to Rush Limbaugh or watch Glenn Beck to know what is happening with this administration. But since you mentioned it, I happen to think that Rush & Glenn speak the truth. I know that’s hard for you liberals to take. Pointing out facts instead of propaganda is what this site does. Our posts have substance, it’s just not what you want to hear.
#12 Your daddy is a Republican and yet his intellect didn’t carry down to you. That’s a shame.
#13 What is it about us that scares you? Maybe you missed all the political discussions on this blog. Perhaps you should go back and read some of the other topics of discussion. Oh, I suppose that the democrats/liberals don’t crack jokes and make up lies about Sarah and other conservatives. Yeah, right. Who’s sowing hate? I’ve seen nothing in your posts but hate. Speaking the truth is hardly a matter of hate. Might be tough to swallow but as they say “the truth hurts” We would definitely like to see this Country succeed which is why we are here discussing how to get back on track. This administration is trying their damnedest to destroy everything that is great about this country. So now you think you know us? You call us bullies because we don’t agree with the President’s agenda. We have plenty of class & plenty of ideas. You just choose not to hear them. Unlike the liberal sheeple, we can think for ourselves. I do agree that it is highly depressing that a certain segment of the public still thinks this man knows what he’s doing. It amazes me that so many people voted for a man they knew & know nothing about.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by with your little rant and your left wing talking points. Let us know if you have anything of substance that you would like to add to the topic of discussion.
By the way, Dora is my next door neighbor, and I adore her. She’s a wonderful person, as is her father. We’ve been reading your posts and commenting on the lack of any real substance, and she decided to write you. You seem to be very angered by her words, which is unfortunate. But I totally agree with her. And, by the way, her father wouldn’t really be horrified by what you’re doing here; he would just dismiss it as not real journalism or original thought.
And, by the way, I can’t see Dora calling anyone a Nazi. I don’t believe you, and that is just the sort of scurrilous attack you like to wage.
Michelle Smith, you can’t seriously be calling Barack Obama a stupid man. That’s ridiculous.
RE: Joe the “Plumber,” Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter, they are making millions stirring up people’s hatred. Fame, adoration, and money. They can’t get enough, and people like you are more than happy to give it to them. They tell you what you want to hear.
This is what the liberals do. They try to infiltrate the tea parties, conservative blogs and plant their bait. They want to get a rise out of us and make us say things they can use as fuel for their propaganda. Personally, I couldn’t care less what the liberals think of me. At the moment, it is still a free country and I’m exercising my First Amendment rights of free speech. We welcome all opinions. Why so much anger from the left?
Dora, should you be exploring somewhere in Mexico with a little monkey named boots ?
or riding a llama with diego ?
Super Dave’s comments are so typical. Making fun of Dora’s name because a cartoon character is named Dora? Don’t you know anything else you can contribute?
Michelle Smith, you, like many Tea Party people, are paranoid. No one is infiltrating anything. I’m merely exercising my right of free speech as well.
And as far as trying to get a rise out of you to use for propaganda, from what I’ve, I don’t think you guys need any help publicly embarrassing yourselves.
It’s funny how it’s free speech when it’s what you believe and “propaganda” or “infiltrating” when you disagree with what someone else is saying.
By the way, you’ve made this incredible legend out of “Liberals.” They are everywhere, and they are plotting against America in your minds, aren’t they? Frankly, my friends who are “liberals” don’t think about you very much. They are busy with happy and full lives and are trying to make a difference in their communities, not spreading hate.
Dora and Fern, I guess you miss the point of a blog.
Under your new america it is illegal to vent ones frustration as well as the right for free speech?
Try arguing the post at hand and please tell us
why our president is doing that?
And please, you live at home. Go get a job and children and look at all this with a new prospective.
Is this where the “moderation” kicks in, Mr. & Mrs. Monkey? Are you going to close this “thread” down now?
Tea Party glossary, continued
Muslim = black president
terrorist = black president
Tea Party glossary
free speech = anything I or Limbaugh has to say
propaganda = anything I disagree with
Tea Party glossary, continued
obese = disabled
Sarah Palin’s opinion = fact
Tea Party glossary, continued
Oboyma, Osama, Hussein = racist code words for Obama; don’t worry, we don’t come right out and use the N word, except at healthcare rallies
Tea Party glossary, continued
W = someone we never mention anymore
Alan Greenspan = someone we never mention anymore; most of us don’t know who he is and how he caused the economic collapse
Obama’s birth certificate = he’s different from us
Deal with it: the Census Bureau projects that by the year 2030, the non-Hispanic White population
will be less than half of the U.S. population under age 18. In many states, this will happen sooner. We’re becoming a non-White country, and it will happen in your lifetime, and if not your lifetime, your children’s and certainly your grandchildren’s. So get in all the hate you can right now, because the times, they are a-changin’.
#24 I don’t recall saying he was stupid. However, I think he’s too soft on terrorism and anti-American.
I don’t think he has the experience to do the job he was hired to do but stupid. Don’t think I called im stupid.
Nobody is promoting hate except maybe for the left wing wacko’s. What about Chris Matthews, Sean Hannity, Rachel Maddow, everyone on the view, pretty much everybody that works for the MSM? They have been so friendly towards Rush, Glenn, Sarah & Joe the plumber, right? Not hardly
I disagree with Obama & his policies so therefore I must be full of hate. That’s what you guys are saying. I don’t need Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh or Sarah Palin to tell me what to think, I can make up my own mind just by observing what this man is doing. I never said I hated anyone. So I don’t know where you got that idea. I guess you just assume that everyone that disagrees with the left is a hater.
#23 Your dear Dora came on here spewing her hatred and attacking our beliefs, views & opinions. If you dish it out, you better be ready to take it. You sir, do not know what Dora said or didn’t say if the moderator didn’t post it all. We didn’t wage anything.
Dora didn’t spew hatred. And we have jobs *and* children. Dora is a class act.
No one is trying to take your free speech away. I am laughing out loud right now. You always say people are trying to take your free speech away when someone argues an opposing viewpoint. Hahahaha! You have every right to parrot what the talking heads on TV say. Look, Klaasend has posted–drumroll please–something he saw on Bill O’Reilly! Wow. Such original thought. I am impressed, sir.
(klaasend)
________________________________________________________
SM: First off Klaasend normally doesn’t post on the SM.com front page blog, Klaasend processes the comments on SM.com and also moderates/administers in the SM.net forum. Second, Klaasend is not a he, I am a she. Third, you would likely be very surprised at how Klaasend leans politically
Rusty, who cares that Obama is leaning forward or bowing or whatever. Who cares?! You concern yourself with minutiae while the country is suffering. Why do you do that? You are the one who needs to get out there and get a life if you care about things like this. So trivial.
Michelle Smith, people on lefty blogs don’t spew the kind of racism I see in the comments sections of righty blogs, ScaredMonkeys.com included. Please explain this. Do you dare tackle this subject?
Wait, I have something to tell you. Shhhhh. Don’t tell anyone. Let me whisper it. I’m black.
That’s right, Michelle Smith, I’m black. BOO!
And, I’m married to a WHITE MAN. Double BOO!
And, we have children together. So when I read racist statements like I see in this comments section of this blog, they affect me personally. I know they probably make you laugh until you get a side stitch. But you’re talking not just about me. You’re talking about my kids.
Apologies to Klaasend.
And I have never on any of these right-wing blogs seen fellow commenters call someone out for an ugly racist statement. I’ve never even seen these people ask another poster to just tone it down. And there is some vile, sick stuff out there. Which leads me to believe that most people who read these blogs might be in tacit agreement. Is that true? I truly want to know and welcome replies to this.
Do you see that and think to yourself, (1) I totally agree with that racist statement, but I’d never say it or (2) I think that person is a jerk, but I’m too chicken to say so. Or is it somewhere in between?
#45 Uh..Hello…You show me where I posted anything racial. Why do you libs always make everything about race? I don’t care what color the man is, he’s a disgrace. I hate to inform you but the democrats are more racists than anyone on the right. You do realize that the democratic party is the very party that started the KKK, right? Please educate yourself before you start calling folks racist.
And guess what Fern? I don’t care if you’re black, white, asian, mexican, native American etc. etc. That’s not the point of the discussion. It has nothing to do with what Obama is doing. You assume that we are all a bunch of white rednecks that hate blacks. That is simply not true.
Like I said….Means nothing to me. So you can give up the racial baiting, it doesn’t work here.
Hello? Are you busy “moderating” all the N words from commenters and calls for me to get lynched?
Hey, Michelle. Fern was talking about other commenters on here that are tolerated and even encouraged. The Democratic Party is not the same thing as it was 100 years ago. Neither is the Republican Party. So applying the history of the party named Democratic Party to the current Democratic Party is useless.
I, too, am curious as to why racist talk is tolerated on right-wing blogs. I’ve seen it on this blog in the comments section! And when anyone brings it up, they get called a race baiter. Like it or not, the racial makeup of this country is changing rapidly.
Scared Monkey, I just heard Sarah Palin tweeted something about Obama. Better go check her Twitter feed so you can “craft” another post.
And Sean Hannity said something about Joe Biden on his talk show this morning. I think that would make an excellent post.
“#12 Your daddy is a Republican and yet his intellect didn’t carry down to you. That’s a shame.”
Wow, not nice, Michelle Smith.
FERN: just reading your post shows your racism. either you can’t read or hear. didn’t you know that white people are breeding a new race of children? we are having 10 illegitimate kids, letting them run the streets, bleeding the government of all it’s resources and all the freebies. sound familiar to you ? it should.
and for your people to mingle in the tea party crowd and call their own people the so called (n) word to start chaos is sickening just like your posts. so stop calling yourself and your people this name and using it as a term of endearment between yourselves. you do not own this word nor the letter X.your hate has gotten the best of you. for your kids sake you should not have chosen the one responsible for health reform. you will more than likely subject your kids to some nurse or in obama’s case, someone acting as a doctor for their well being. i feel sorry for your children. what will you tell them when they ask why you let them down ?
I’ve never let my kids down, “super” dave. And I don’t intend to ever let them down if I can help it.
And you are the main person who posts ugly racist comments on this blog. How interesting you responded right away. Your post is, of course, ugly and racist, but I don’t expect any better from you. Who I am more interested in hearing from is those who don’t address this guy’s racist comments. And please don’t act like you don’t know what I’m referring to. Gentleman super dave is quite prolific on here, and I haven’t seen anyone call out his more offensive comments. Anyone?
And, if I may ask, what are you moderating for, SM? If it’s truly free speech, why not just let people post? There must be some criteria that, when met, makes a certain post unacceptable to appear in the comments section. Are you screening for libel or threats? Obviously super dave’s comments make it through the moderation process, as they should. I think everyone should be able to see such jack-assery. What I’m more puzzled about is why your community of posters reads these posts and does not even remark that they are hateful and racist and full of sterotypes.
___________________________________
SM: I’m mostly screening for filthy language but again, I don’t own this site nor do I necessarily share the political views, I’m simply making sure that nothing X rated gets posted. You cannot allow posts to go through without moderation or spam filters or you get creative spam bots posting ads about erectile enhancement products (or much worse).
So…go ahead and debate! I’m all for an honest, non name calling debate! I just can’t promise it
(klaasend)
Thanks for the info, klaasend.
Michelle Smith, you have stated many, many times you are a devout Christian. So am I. We attend church every Sunday. What do you think Jesus would say about the racist comments in this blog? Do you think Jesus died so we could persecute each other in this manner?
__________-
SM: Actually Jesus died for our sins, we are not perfect.
Racist comments? Why because we dare question a man who happens to be a black President?
You people on the LEFT have done such a disservice to black politicians in the future. Never again will one from the Democrat Party ever be elected because no white person ever wants to be told they are a racist simply for disagreeing with some one.
I and so many could care less Obama’s skin color. I care he is a liberal Progressive and a Marxist.
R
It troubles me that so many folks in the Tea Party and on these blogs call themselves identify as devout Christians yet stand by while others are openly persecuted. If you are white, I guess it doesn’t bother you. Thank the Lord there are white people who it does bother. I ask that you ask yourself, is Jesus proud of this behavior? What would He do?
__________
SM: Others are openly persecuted? You mean like how you on the LEFT, the politicians and the MSM try and persecute those in the Tea Party as racists, Nazis and hate mongers? You mean like that?
You make a great point. How come you do not care that people are falsely being branded a rasist? Hmm. Or is that different?
You do not know any one from Adam, yet are you fine with innocent people being branded something they are not.
You might want to practice what you preach, before you preach.
What would Jesus say … I bet Jesus would say question authority and government! That is what he did.
RED
ATTENTION PLEASE!! TO DORA & FERN:
I’d like you both to know that today I observed a peaceful, mature gathering on Boston Common. Not ranting uber-Conservative lunatics as the both of you would like to believe. Sorry to disappoint.
The way you both are currently attacking others on this blog and calling them racist is just wrong. Like you- we have a right to our opinions, and if we disagree with what you post—we are going to call you out on it and give you a few of our arguments.
There is only one number one con man and he is sitting in the highest position in the land. He has even conned his base! Keep following a spend and tax leftest president. Then wait until the bill comes in. Who’s going to pay you?
*****Pay attention Dora & Fern! *** Today I saw with my own eyes (in the most Liberal and BLUE DEMOCRATIC STATE THERE IS) many, many many Independent, Libertarian and Moderate-Conservatives (such as myself) who came together for the common good—to raise their voices, object to a lot of what has been going on the past year or so and millions of Americans will continue to follow suit. We the People—WILL BE HEARD.
Remember in November when you see history being made once again. Do not be so hasty as to name call & label others here and cast broad judgement upon anyone and everyone who has a different view from you both. No one ever stated that Dora or yourself weren’t perhaps lovely people to have as neighbors. Guess what? So are we.
Got a newsflash for you—while I cannot speak for SuperDave (he has been known to post his share of racist comments)- I can for Michelle Smith who is a long time blogger here and she is not, nor has not ever to my recollection posted racist views or comments. Still, SuperDave is entitled to his political opinions and I agree with most of them. So, he may get a little colorful sometimes, so what of it??? But, please—spare us the lectures….we will continue to stand up for what we believe in regardless of the RACE BAITERS who blog here and continually use that as a poor excuse when you have nowhere else to go.
I am REGISTERED INDEPENDENT- NOT REPUBLICAN. I agree with much of their political agenda & platform, and I am proud of it. So, Conservative Republicans and Moderate Conservative Independents alike—-we have a great fire and pride in our bellies and——We, unlike OBAMA—Bow to NO ONE!
See you at Mid-Terms, America !
It’s called freedom of speech. As long as it is accepted in the music industry & the movie industry it will be accepted on the internet blogs and everywhere else for that matter. What I don’t understand is why do we not hear more outrage about these rap songs, these hip hop artists, movies and even among the African American population. It is a problem in this country, no doubt but the problem is that when Caucasians hear African-Americans use these words, they think it’s okay for them to use them. Is it not racist for any person to say those type things? Why is it only racist for when “whites” say it? I’m just asking, I’m not trying to be condescending or a smartass.
#52 You are correct, that wasn’t very nice for that I apologize. You just came on the offensive and I was having a bad day.
Like I stated earlier. My dislike of Mr. Obama is not a racial issue. I don’t agree with his policies and I don’t feel he is the right man for the job. PERIOD It’s okay if you disagree but there is no need for name-calling and stereotyping. You don’t know me and I don’t know you. So I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.
Have a nice day
This is now the FOURTH TIME our President has bowed to a foreign leader and the foreign leader did NOT bow back.
Had Mr. Jintao returned the bow, this would have been a positive display of mutual respect. Because he did not, this becomes a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader.
The GOP runs out of options for taking back the Senate
Republicans simply don’t have enough seats that they could possibly win to get to 51
By Gabriel Winant 4/15/2010
There’s no denying that the GOP is looking good going into the midterms this November. But we don’t know exactly yet how good — it’ll depend a lot on the state of the economy over the coming months. And the fact is that, after two catastrophic elections, Republicans have a lot of ground to make up.
If conditions stay extremely favorable to the GOP, then it’s very possible that control of the House of Representatives could flip. The universe of House seats that could be in serious play is larger than the margin between the two parties. On the other hand, the economy could start sinking again and it still probably wouldn’t change control of the Senate. No matter how bad a year is ahead for Democrats, the structural constraints of senatorial elections make it virtually impossible for a change in party control — especially given some recent developments.
Republicans need to pick up 10 seats in the Senate to install Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the majority leader. Even with the assumption that they knock off every possible target, and hold all of their vulnerable seats, it still looks like they’ll need a wild card or two. And those seem to be slipping away.
In New York, George Pataki, the former three-term governor, just ruled out a challenge to appointed Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. That’s probably the end of the GOP’s hopes of taking this seat. Gillibrand still seems to lack a deep connection with New York voters, but has uncannily good luck when it comes to her opponents. She seemed vulnerable in a Democratic primary, but only attracted former Rep. Harold Ford, R-Tenn., as a possible challenger, who quickly turned himself into a national joke, then bowed out. Given New York’s natural Democratic tilt, without a top-shelf Republican challenger like Pataki or Rudy Giuliani, Gillibrand is likely to cruise to a full term. That’s one wild-card possibility slipping away.
Wisconsin has a somewhat similar story. Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold has never had a complete lock on his seat. Wisconsin politics is known for quirky reformist liberals like Feingold, but it remains a swing state, with large, rural and conservative sections. Feingold is the kind of three-term senator who could go down if the right combination of national conditions and a strong local challenge came together. This time, former governor and Bush administration cabinet member Tommy Thompson seemed like the best, and maybe only, candidate who could rival Feingold. But Thompson is announcing his decision today, and the word is that it’s probably a no. Count another possibility out for the GOP.
Without either of those two seats, there’s no real way that Republicans can get to 51. But developments elsewhere are making it look like it may be harder than expected even to get to 48 or 49.
The Kentucky race this year has had some unusual twists. First incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Bunning had to be pushed out of the race by his party leader and fellow Kentuckian, McConnell. Then McConnell’s anointed candidate, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, seemed content to sit back and allow Dr. Rand Paul — son of Ron — to run right past him. Paul is now the improbable favorite, and yesterday won the endorsement of the outgoing Bunning to boot. This is a Republican state in a Republican year, so most likely, either GOP candidate is a favorite to win in the end. But Paul is idiosyncratic enough that he might alienate significant parts of the Republican base; really, does the GOP win elections in the South by opposing the Federal Reserve and international entanglements in the Middle East? And if Paul does stumble, Democrats have good candidates vying for their nomination: Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, also a doctor, and Attorney General Jack Conway.
And in Florida, the chatter about a possible independent bid by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist seems to get a little louder every day. Like Grayson in Kentucky, Crist allowed a more ideological candidate — new right-wing darling Marco Rubio — to sneak right past him and rack up a big lead. Unlike Grayson, however, Crist appears to have no chance at recovery in the Republican primary, but is obviously the strongest general election candidate around. That’s the standard recipe for an independent candidacy. Crist has ruled out the idea so far, but it’s hard to imagine he’ll just sit and take the walloping Rubio is set to give him. Rubio, by the way, only leads likely Democratic candidate Rep. Kendrick Meek by four points in the latest general election poll; Crist beats Meek by 14. In a three-way race, Crist leads with 32 points, followed by Rubio at 30, and Meek at 24. In other words, there’s only one way that the GOP can put this race away for sure, and it’s the one thing that Republicans won’t do: nominating Crist for Senate.
Since President Obama came into office and found himself unable to get his legislation through a recalcitrant, procedure-bound Senate, liberals have complained that the chamber is dysfunctional. But now that they’re looking at losing power, there is, at least, one nice thing for Democrats about the oddness of the Senate: unlike choosing a new House, when we vote for a new Senate, the results are confined by which senators happen to be up for reelection in a particular year. So this year, it looks like the GOP just doesn’t have enough targets to take control of the body, no matter how strong the wind at the backs of Republican candidates.
How does everyone who is rooting for the GOP feel about this?
_______________________
Banking Reform Will Test Republicans’ Loyalties
House Minority Leader
[photo]John Boehner criticizes the financial regulation reform bill after a meeting Wednesday with President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, right.
April 15, 2010
The unhappy truth is that without major financial regulatory reform, something like the big banking crash of 2008 could easily happen again. Congress can’t afford to do nothing — which will be precisely what it will do unless Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut can persuade a few Republicans to back his regulatory reform bill.
Most Democrats see political gain in taming the excesses of the financial sector and think it is good public policy as well. But Republicans are caught in a bad place. Traditionally, they have been best political friends with those Wall Street titans with their nine-figure salaries, heedless natures and, lately, bailout billions.
Republicans know what’s right for the country — regulatory reform now. But some are starting to tear the Dodd bill apart. Saying no to reform would be small-minded and, considering Americans’ anger at the financial sector, politically self-defeating.
The GOP’s choice — either standing arm-in-arm with Wall Street bankers or protecting average Americans — will have to be made soon enough.
Critics in his own party say Mr. Dodd’s bill isn’t tough enough. Even so, it would be the most sweeping reform since the Great Depression.
The Dodd bill would create a consumer protection agency housed within the Federal Reserve to regulate credit cards and mortgages. It would regulate but not outlaw derivatives, such as credit default swaps, that were at the heart of the 2008 collapse. It would again separate commercial and investment banking so that Wall Street speculators don’t go wild with our deposits.
And it would provide a mechanism to take down banking leviathans formerly thought to be too big to fail.
Mr. Dodd, Senate banking committee chairman, has been talking with Republican colleagues in putting together his reform package. It would be good for the country if those talks bore fruit for re-regulation.
Still, House Minority Leader John Boehner recently exhorted the bankers to stand up to “those little punk staffers” [in Congress]. It’s easy to see whose side Mr. Boehner is on.
If he and like-minded Republicans prevail, it will be bad policy, bad politics and bad news for Americans who rely on a stable banking system.
Copyright © 2010, The Hartford Courant
#61–Mr. Illinois—you hit that right on the head. Doesn’t Obama have protocol staff to teach him the proper etiquette? It is actually viewed as an insult to many Americans, yet he fails to see this.
Ridiculous.
Take a look at who George W. Bush is kissing on the mouth: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2680170.
WONDERFUL YouTube video of same George W. Bush suck-up date with King Abdullah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjtfaLtLT7s. Bush kissed Abdullah on the mouth at the airport, and they held hands for about an hour walking around in the wildflowers. I didn’t hear you guys screaming about that at the time. Wait, weren’t all the hijackers in the 911 tragedy Saudi Arabian? Hmmm. Then why is the POTUS making out with King Abdullah?
So we bombed Iraq after 911, and Bush made out with the King of the country all the hijackers came from? Where’s the indignation from you guys? Huh? Is that OK with you? Michelle? I’d like to hear your take on this.
Bowing is RIGHT OUT, but mouth-kissing and hand-holding (literally!) the leader of the country all the 911 hijackers came from is OK. I like this take, also, titled, “Brokeback Bush,” with music from “Brokeback Mountain.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRhDzpJV2TM
Sorry, correction, the vast majority of the hijackers were Saudi Arabian, with an Egyptian and a couple of Lebanese. Here are their names and nationalities:
American Airlines Flight 11
Hijackers: Mohamed Atta al Sayed (Egyptian), Waleed al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Wail al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Abdulaziz al-Omari (Saudi Arabian), Satam al-Suqami (Saudi Arabian).
United Airlines Flight 175
Hijackers: Marwan al-Shehhi (United Arab Emirates), Fayez Banihammad (United Arab Emirates), Mohand al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Hamza al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabian), Ahmed al-Ghamdi (Saudi).
American Airlines Flight 77
Hijackers: Hani Hanjour (Saudi Arabian), Khalid al-Mihdhar (Saudi Arabian), Majed Moqed (Saudi Arabian), Nawaf al-Hazmi (Saudi Arabian), Salem al-Hazmi (Saudi Arabian).
United Airlines Flight 93
Hijackers: Ziad Jarrah (Lebanese), Ahmed al-Haznawi (Saudi Arabian), Ahmed al-Nami (Saudi Arabian), Saeed al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabian).
#64 NewGirlBoston: how much more insulting was Bush’s love fest with King Abdullah to the American people than this “bow”? It’s an assault on the families whose loved ones died in the 911 terrorist attack. Yet I heard no crazed “patriots” at the time shouting that Bush was a terrorist or a terrorist-sympathizer, as Obama is insanely accused of. Goes to show you there is something else going on here.
Aren’t you just a little curious as to why there is a double standard? Why did it not offend you when Bush did this? And this is only the tip of the iceberg with Bush. But he’s a Republican. That’s right. So he’s a “better” “patriot” than everyone else. Step outside your box and think!
Fern
First the picture you posted from the democrat underground site is photo shopped. The two separate you tube videos only show the two walking hand in hand. He is not making out with anyone. There is only once picture of the two close up and you can clearly see that he’s whispering something in his ear. That is what you call spinning it to suit your argument. How many times did Bush bow to foreign leaders? I agree Bush made mistakes, never denied that. He was not perfect but he is pro life and he was against embryonic stem cell research and he was proud to be American and did not feel the need to apologize on behalf of the U.S.A. nor did he try to weaken our defenses. Actually watching that video of George Bush with King Abdullah makes me want to vomit. Again, I do not see Mr. Bush making out with the King. I don’t know why they are walking around holding hands. That is the least of our problems, people need jobs, the economy is weak, gas prices are on the rise. Mr. Obama seems to be more concerned about what the other countries think of us than what is happening right here in our Country. Obama’s job needs to be finding ways to stabilize the economy, creating jobs, not raising taxes and killing babies and pushing us further in further in debt. Barack Obama was opposed to the war and promised to bring our troops home. He has been in office for 17 months and the troops are not home, in fact he has ordered more troops to Afghanistan because it’s necessary. He has made too many promises that he hasn’t kept and his priorities are way off.
I voted on moral/religious beliefs first and who I felt would work for “We the People” and protect and uphold the Constitution set up by our founding fathers. The government has gotten farther & farther away from what our founding fathers wanted for this Country. Ronald Reagan was by far the best President during my lifetime. We have slowly been going downhill ever since he left office. We need to get back to those principles.
Fern
I had a reply typed out in regards to you asking how I think Jesus feels about racial undertones and it went poof. Rather than type the whole thing over again I’m just going to post a quick reply.
I don’t think Jesus would be happy at all about any of his children being mistreated, chastised or persecuted. It’s not only blacks that are being attacked verbally it’s people of all ages, races, sexual orientation & religions. It has been that way for thousands of years and will continue as the bible tells us. Do I agree with it? No absolutely not. The First Amendment applies to everyone and unfortunately sometimes people will say hurtful things about others, but that is their right.
Michelle, what’s sad is that the image are not photoshopped. Here is a link to the footage on the CBS News website: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/eveningnews/main691413.shtml. Please get your facts straight.
Michelle, and others, here is one of the many news stories about Bush and Abdullah holding hands. I just posted a link to this story. On this link you will find footage of this event. I’m afraid that, yes, they did kiss on the mouth and that, yes, they did hold hands.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2005
Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve
Images Of Leaders Holding Hands Doesn’t Sit Well With Americans
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* Play CBS Video Video Powerful Hand Holding
Holding hands might be a sign of friendship in the Middle East, but when President Bush grabbed Saudi crown Prince Abdullah’s hand and held on, it became water-cooler fodder, Jim Axelrod reports.
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o President Bush and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah hold on tight.
President Bush and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah hold on tight. (AP)
o Hand-in-hand through the Texas bluebells.
Hand-in-hand through the Texas bluebells. (AP)
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(CBS) President Bush and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah holding hands as they stroll. It’s only Wednesday, but I think we can all agree on a “picture of the week.”
“Picture of the week?” asks XXXX. “It might be picture of the month.”
He’s got a point, if headlines, cartoons and late night comics are any criteria.
As CBS News Correspondent Jim Axelrod reports, while it clearly strikes a nerve, you get the feeling it goes beyond coziness with the Saudis or dependence on their oil.
Asked what he makes of it, one man says, “I don’t like it.”
Michelle, did you know that Ronald Reagan was pro-choice as governor of California and for his whole life until he decided he needed the pro-life votes for president? Please look it up online. His decision to switch was a cold, calculated, political one. Revisionists now say he was always pro-life, but this is simply not true.
And my description of them as “making out” is sarcasm. I’m sorry it didn’t come across as such.
I appreciated your reply regarding persecution and Jesus. I would have liked to have read your lengthy reply because you’re obviously an intelligent, reasonable person. I value getting intelligent viewpoints from conservatives.
My point is this. I don’t think I could stand by and watch someone repeatedly denigrate an entire group of people based on race, sex, religion, etc., in such an ugly way. Why not just say something? That is one of the things wrong with this world. People stand by and let these statements go unanswered. I, too, agree that it is someone like “super” dave’s right to show his arse. I also believe it’s other people’s responsibility to speak up for what is right.
I cannot IMAGINE what would happen if President Obama kissy-faced with an Arab sheik and went strolling hand-in-hand with Kind Abdullah. The Tea Party people would riot in the streets. Militias would rise up. There would be armed standoffs. Don’t you see the disconnect?
First of all, Obama would never stroll hand-in-hand with King Adbullah. Bush did so because they are old family friends. The house of Saud and the house of Bush are thick as thieves. And Abdullah seems not to give a you-know-what that 911 happened and so many Americans died. When I think about what those people, on the planes, especially, went through that day, I feel sick and sad.
Second, a lot of people view Bush as a huge hero! He bombs a country that had nothing to do with that awful day, putting our soldiers’ lives on the line, and then invites Abdullah to his ranch in Crawford so they they can stroll hand-in-hand in the wildflowers?!! Hero? I think not.
Bush might as well have been kissing King Abdullah’s rear.
Fern
Did you read my whole post? I said the first picture was a photo shop of them kissing. There was only the one picture of them kissing and that was the first link you posted. The rest of the pictures that were on the youtube videos were only of them holding hands and in my previous post I said that it made me want to vomit. I didn’t like it. I still don’t like it and I don’t think any President of the U.S. should bow to anyone nor do I think they should go around holding hands either. But as I stated above, it’s peanuts compared to the other reasons I don’t agree with Obama. I consider myself more a Conservative and not necessarily a Republican. You can’t believe all the pictures that are posted on the internet because they can be doctored. Regardless, it don’t think we should be licking anyone’s boots.
#76 Yes, I do know that at one time Ronald Reagan was a democrat (probably during his acting career) then he switched over to the Republican party. For what reason I can’t say but maybe he had a change of heart. I do know that Obama did vote for partial birth abortion on at least three different occasions and that is unacceptable for me. I do know that Obama is pro abortion. Not pro choice but pro abortion. That is not the same as pro choice although I don’t agree with that either.
Apologies, Michelle. I misread your post or must have skipped over it. I agree that U.S. presidents bowing to people makes me uncomfortable (and holding hands with Arab oil kings). But I also agree that there are many more important things to discuss. Sorry for my misunderstanding.
and wtf is a partial abortion?
take the head but leave the legs?
#83 Dolf
It’s called partial birth abortion. Here’s a diagram for you.
http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/diagram.html
nicely portraid.
esp. the jamming with the siccors.
and isn’t Obama pro choice (as in let the ppl involved decide if they want an abortion or not) judging by his kids, it doesn’t look like he wanted 1.
Isn’t the US about personal freedom?
and for us christians:
don’t judge your neighbour so you will not be judged?
Fern,
I hate breaking this to you, but the State Department and NY Times disagree with you. There are reasons why the State Department protocols prohibiting things like bowing have been in place for over 230 years. You might want to read the June 19, 1994 Times article (“The President’s Inclination: No, It Wasn’t a Bow-Bow”) that states:
“It wasn’t a bow, exactly. But Mr. Clinton came close. He inclined his head and shoulders forward, he pressed his hands together. It lasted no longer than a snapshot, but the image on the South Lawn was indelible: an obsequent President, and the Emperor of Japan.
But the ‘thou need not bow’ commandment from the State Department’s protocol office maintained a constancy of more than 200 years. Administration officials scurried to insist that the eager-to-please President had not really done the unthinkable.
‘It was not a bow-bow, if you know what I mean,’ said Ambassador Molly Raiser, the chief of protocol.”
The day after President Obama bowed to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in November of 2009, Ralph Nader (not exactly a staunch Republican) published a piece titled “Weak Kneed in China”.
The piece begins: “There was something both sad and strange about President Obama’s weak presence in China last week.”
Further down it continues, “This first trip to China by Mr. Obama was a lost opportunity in three ways that cannot be excused, no matter the absence of proactive status and power.”
- Found at http://www.counterpunch.org/nader11252009.html
Perhaps seeing our President bow before another foreign official just a few months later shouldn’t evoke another sense of surprise, but it still does.
And, once again, the foreign official he bowed to did NOT return the bow. Had Mr. Jintao returned the bow, this would have been a positive display of mutual respect. Because he did not, this becomes a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader.
I sincerely wish that the foreign officials our nation’s leader bowed to had at least returned the same courtesy & respect.
Dolf
How can anyone not see how cruel this is? How can anyone vote for partial birth abortion? This is murder of an innocent child. This is about birth control and it’s sickening. There are 3,000 abortions in this country every day. How many of them are from the product of rape, incest or the health of the mother?
It’s deplorable.
but it is their choice.
let god judge them when they appear before him.