April 16th, 2008 by everett
Here is how ABC News’s Cynthia McFadden introduced tonight’s post-Clinton / Obama Philadelphia debate:
Good evening. I’m Cynthia McFadden, reporting tonight from Philadelphia. Over my shoulder here, Independence Hall, where 220 years ago, the founders crafted a Constitution that would not have permitted either of the democratic candidates vying for the presidency in tonight’s debate to vote.
What? How is that nugget of information relevant? Franklin, Washington, Adams et al wrote the Constitution with no allowance for women and black men to vote? And if so, why is that important in 2008 America?
I may be wrong, and if I am, please cite where, but the US Constitution has no provision for the right to vote, saving that for the States. Article 1, Section 4 reads:
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.
In the Constitution and the original 10 amendments, I can’t find anything that mentions the right of a citizen to vote, nor can I find anything that excepts black men and women. It’s just not there. I think McFadden was wanting to make some point of how progressive and enlightened we’ve become since those dark days of the 1780s. Her delivery sounded forced, like she wanted to say something witty. Thanks to the historical gaffe, she comes across desperate and dumb.
Posted in abc news,constitution,election,politics. | No Comments or Trackbacks »
April 12th, 2008 by everett
Ed Morrissey has the best breakdown on Obama’s aloof, elitist statement at a San Francisco fundraiser last weekend:
Let’s break this statement into its component insults:
“[T]hey cling to guns…” Cling to guns? Americans have “clung” to guns since the founding of the Republic. It’s such a core value to this nation that its founders placed it second on the Bill of Rights, right after freedom of speech and religion. Speaking of which …
“or [they cling to] religion …” People don’t become religious because the economy hits a few bumps in the road. Obama may have chosen his religion based on politics, but most people follow a religion out of a deeper sense of spirituality. I can’t think of a more condescending and contemptuous analysis of religious dedication than this statement.
“or [they cling to] antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment…” Small-town voters are bigots and xenophobes; there’s no other way to read the first part of this statement. The second part, about them being “anti-immigrant”, is a non-sequitur. They may be anti-illegal immigrant, but that’s a far different issue. Obama offers no proof that small-town voters are xenophobes, but the Frisco audience didn’t demand any, either. It’s part of their own bigotry that makes them see middle America in those terms.
“or [they cling to] anti-trade sentiment …” And this is just jaw-droppingly hypocritical. This comes from the same candidate who opposes the Colombian free-trade agreement and wants to throw NAFTA out the window. Who’s clinging to anti-trade sentiment? Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Big Labor.
It would be difficult to be any more condescending or insulting in so many ways to so many voters in a single sentence. It reveals a deeply elitist and shockingly callow candidate. It’s the “Let them eat cake” of 2008.
Spot on analysis. Obama wants to paint small-town America as out-of-touch xenophobic gun-toting religious racists. Instead, he paints himself as an elite snob, and he’s got a pattern developing that supports my opinion. He remarked about the price of arugula at Whole Foods while in Iowa - where there are no Whole Foods to be found. He tried connect with the common man by showing off his bowling skills - and scored a 37. Then, while campaigning in Philly, he opts for rare imported Spanish ham instead of the traditional cheesesteak.
Now he bags on small-town America, making an emergent picture grow ever more clear of Obama as yet another Limousine Liberal claiming to know what’s best for the rest of us.
Posted in campaign,election,obama,politics,snobbery. | No Comments or Trackbacks »
