Ohio Republican Party Spokesman on Franken Smear: ‘It Is What It Is’
Ohio Republican Party Spokesman on Franken Smear: ‘It Is What It Is’
Yesterday, the Ohio Republican party distributed a press release claiming comedian Al Franken compared conservative to Nazis “who should drink poison and die.” The quote, represented as fact in the press release, came from a fabricated “satire” piece by right-wing author Bernard Goldberg.
The news release was also accompanied by a doctored photo of Franken, showing him dressed up like a baby bunny, wearing adult diapers and clutching a white teddy bears.
ThinkProgress contacted Ohio Republican party spokesman John McClelland, who issued the release, for comment. Here’s what he told us:
When someone gets under his skin [Franken] can’t handle it. He gets on his radio program and tries to get people fired up. … What goes around comes around. … It is what it is, nothing more.
Told of McClelland’s comments, Franken responded, “That’s an apology?”
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“It is what it is.” – - And they am what they am – - LIARS.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:23 amOh c’mon! Give us John McClelland’s phone number so we can call him ourselves. I think I’d like to see how he reacts if we get under his skin.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:26 amIt’s as much of an apology as McClelland’s fragile psyche can forumulate without imploding!
October 27th, 2006 at 11:27 amI think Franken should sue.
And what it is is BS, as usual. Even my grandmother, a Republican for 50+ years is disgusted and has seen the light.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:29 am“It is what it is.” Yes, a typical smear by desperate republican scumbags.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:31 amThis will backfire. Frankin will have fun with it. Can’t wait.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:31 amGo ahead and stitch that on a sampler to mail to McClelland on November 8th.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:31 amThat’s all the GOP has to offer: smears, smears and fear.
Franken must really be more of tha threat than O’Leilly and the rest of the right wing echo chamber wish to admit!
October 27th, 2006 at 11:32 amLet’s all say it at once, one, two, three…………BACKFIRE!
October 27th, 2006 at 11:32 amSo you guys are going to stop calling the Repugs Nazis now? Thats a step up.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:34 amI wonder how many enterprising young photoshop enthusiasts are out there that can have fun with John McClelland’s photo? do I smell a contest?
October 27th, 2006 at 11:37 amTypical conservative view: all that matters is party and power. Truth, lies, intellectual consistency and the good of the country come in a distant, distant second.
Oh, and Roger: by your logic, I could call you a pedophile, since other people are pedophiles. Doesn’t matter if you personally are a pedophile.
Fun game, huh?
October 27th, 2006 at 11:38 amIt’s strange to watch the Republican party implode in the final weeks of the election cycle. Last week it was “Only the Republicans can protect you from Terra!” Yesterday it was “Only the Republicans can protect you from Gay Marriage!” Meanwhile, even though Bush refused to comment on whether the US waterboards detainees, Cheney was more than happy to declare that the US does waterboard detainees. Add in the fact that Rumsfeld can’t stop saying “Stay the course” even though that is no longer the slogan du jour, and you can see that the Republican party is behaving like a cornered animal. Sure it can get vicious, but the final outcome remains the same. Keep trotting out the same straw men, see how that works for you.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:39 amThe more they talk, walk or shit where they eat, or throw it at people, the more Repugs are sounding like Major Frank Burns from MASH….
October 27th, 2006 at 11:40 amSo you guys are going to stop calling the Repugs Nazis now? Thats a step up.
Comment by Roger_Roger
Let’s see the republican party portrays a jewish man in a diaper and falsely accuses him of stating horrible things. Um…nope…I won’t stop it.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:41 amRoger, please provide a link to a press release from the Democratic of any state, or for that matter any elected Democrat, wherein the Republicans are called Nazis. Blog posters using a slur or name is a little different than the organized party doing the same, wouldn’t you agree?
October 27th, 2006 at 11:43 amI’m not sure why the Right can’t figure out that the minute you start fighting with people like Michael Moore and Al Franken you’ve lost by virtue of being stuck in a drag-out match with someone who has nothing to lose in your pissy local debate.
If Ohio hates Franken, he gets more publicity.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:45 amIf Ohio hates the Republicans, they lose Ohio.
“When someone gets under his skin (Limbaugh) can’t handle it. He gets on his radio program, etc………..”
October 27th, 2006 at 11:46 amwhat? republicans are nazis?
the bush empire helped to fund the nazis?
October 27th, 2006 at 11:47 amRoger, please provide a link to a press release from the Democratic of any state, or for that matter any elected Democrat, wherein the Republicans are called Nazis. Blog posters using a slur or name is a little different than the organized party doing the same, wouldn’t you agree?
Comment by oxillini
No roger wouldn’t agree because that would entail looking at the facts and admitting to the truth.
Snip
That’s the rethug party of my home state; corrupt to it’s core. Sadly they’ve been able to get away with this crap for 20 years and they’ve nearly ruined our state.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:51 amRoger is a nazi
October 27th, 2006 at 11:51 amSo you guys are going to stop calling the Repugs Nazis now? Thats a step up.
Comment by Roger_Roger
I prefer the term “Rethug Nazis” myself, and another step down to get to their level. You know, Rog, a typical republican dipshit once said, “It is what it is. Nothing more,” and I couldn’t agree with him more.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:52 amI also am questioning the intelligence (even further) of Chainy going on Rush Limbaugh’s radio program, not once, but twice!
October 27th, 2006 at 11:56 amAnd Rumpsfelt going on some radio show up in the middle of the Dakotas to blather his nonsense about war……..
Does he/they actually think that the pitiful 13 million listeners Bush Dumbaugh has are actual functioning, voting citizens?
In my observation, his listeners are more concerned about getting off work early and picking up a twelve pack, and then going to the bar………
Off topic but a question:
Something I just noticed on the outside looking in is the way the two parties use nature in their advertising. With the Democrats it seems to be that they use adverts centred around nature when talking about positive things, like conserving it; with the Republicans it seems they use nature to talk about fearing it, be it Reagan’s bear or Bush’s wolves. Is this something that is actually true, or is it just that I have not noticed the Democrats using the same imagery?
October 27th, 2006 at 11:57 amThis is actually one of the disturbing things about technology these days — it’s astoundingly easy to smear someone’s reputation by doctoring a photograph or misattributing a quote, sending it out in an e-mail or posting it on the internet, and getting a goodly perentage of people to believe it wholesale.
McClelland’s remarks are clearly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. If Franken weren’t getting under the skins of Republicans, they would have found no need to retaliate — and the fact that they chose to do so in such a tawdry, unethical, and adolescent manner suggests that they are the ones who can’t take it.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:58 amAnother aspect of the Republican sleaze machine.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:01 pmThe Ohio GOP is just crying a few days early, that’s all, since they’re about to get their BUTTS kicked on November 7. They thought their Secretary of State, Blackwell, who threw the 2004 election Bush’s way by rigging votes and discounting others, would help them sweep this year’s statewide elections as well. Gee — a bit of a miscalculation on their part, it would seem…unless Rove and Cheney are working the national Diebold angle to rig votes in all 50 states…
And by the way, Rog — I’ll agree to stop calling the repukes Nazis. I’ll refer to them instead as fascists from now on…that’s probably a more apt term anyway.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:03 pmFranken should find out whose body was used in that smear pic that the GOP attached his head onto > the body of the guy in a daiper, showing his crotch and humping a white Teddy Bear is plain perverted, so whose body is it? Could be Jeff Gannon the hooker showing Bush how to do a Teddy Bear, or even Bush himself since he acts like a baby who needs a daiper > lol.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:07 pmAM I missing something????
Doesn’t Franken think of himself as a comic? Why should he give a damn? I’m sure one could find even funnier pics of him.
Maybe, liberals have very thin skins?
October 27th, 2006 at 12:08 pmNo, had this come from Dennis Miller or Rush, I don’t think it would be a big deal. But it didn’t, it came from the Ohio Republican Party and was issued as a press release. They tried to pass it off as fact, not a joke. THAT, is what is wrong here. Do you agree that there is a difference between a joke and a press release?
October 27th, 2006 at 12:14 pmIs this something that is actually true, or is it just that I have not noticed the Democrats using the same imagery?
Comment by Bruce+Gorton — October 27, 2006 @ 11:57 am
Interesting… I don’t think I’d noticed. You’re probably right though. The neocons will use anything and everything to make people afraid. And why not nature, since it’s another realm that most neocons could’t give a damn about, while most liberals are in favor of protecting it.
When I lived in Idaho, they were just about to shoot, in cold blood, the five remaining wolves in teh state because the animal farmers there, who rented their land very, very cheaply from the government ($1 per acre), because the government (people) own 75% of the state’s land, were all pissy that a wolf would occasionally kill one of their livestock. So they shot the wolves. I was appalled. When I got a job in california, I willingly left. I didn’t want my tax money funding a government that believed killing things was an option for solving conflicts.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:17 pmGOP: We lie, so what? It is what it is… a lie. Get over it.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:17 pmI don’t think he does give a damn. It looks to me like Franken is just giving the Ohio GOP as much rope as they want. ;)
October 27th, 2006 at 12:18 pmMaybe, liberals have very thin skins?
Comment by Jkelly — October 27, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
Says the neocons who thought Stephen Colbert was serious…
Nah, we have a great sense of humor. And that’s the problem. Your side thinks this is funny.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:19 pm#24… Bruce……
October 27th, 2006 at 12:19 pmNot off topic at all…….. in my humble observations……….
It all relates to the “fear” factor……
Being controlled by corporate, resource plundering institutions, Republican party policy is to instill fear of nature, wild animals, the weather, the dark, etc., etc.
This echoes the Judeo-Christian dogma of “God” giving Man dominion over the Earth and all its creatures. Therefore, in the view of the fearful cowards and bullies who comprise the leadership of the neo-conservative element, it is necessary to bulldoze, develop, slaughter, and in general dispose of inconvenient natural systems.
On the other side of this, I see very few “Sportsmen for Bush” bumper stickers in the parking lots of bookstores, backpacking and outdoor equipment stores, wildlife refuges, museums, organic foodstores, and at wilderness trail-heads.
I see the “Sportsmen for Bush” stickers on large pickup trucks at party stores, Wal-Mart, gun shops, and in tight clusters around huge bonfires out in the desert (only where they can drive and not have to walk more than 40 or 50 feet) as they fire their rifles and pistols off into the blackness that hides what they cannot see, and therefore fear……..
If you have not read Al Frankens books (especially Lies..and the Lying lyers, or The Truth (with jokes) then you are are really missing something.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:21 pmPolitical humor at its very best. He should really run for public office.
#31…unbelievable……
October 27th, 2006 at 12:33 pmWe have the same situation in the next county over from mine, regarding a small and stuggling pack of wolves.
“Ranchers” who lease public lands for a dollar an acre per year are claiming ‘decimation of their livelihood and psychological distress’ (seriously, psychological distress) because every once in a while someone sees, or “accidently” shoots one.
The only documented predation by wolves on cattle has been on carcasss of cattle which have died from thirst or disease.
There are approximately 7 humans per square mile in this region, and the cattle that are raised are scrawny, tough, worth actually very little on the market, and do temendous damage to what precious little and fragile riparian habitat to be found here.
#2 Ed
Have at it!
Ohio Republican Party Headquarters
211 S. Fifth Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-2481 phone
(614) 228-1093 fax
info@ohiogop.org
Executive Office:
Robert T. Bennett, Chairman (email)
Kay Ayres, Vice Chair
Chris McNulty, Executive Director
Jason Mauk, Political Director
Matt Mason, 72 Hour Director
Dawn Sugasa, Finance Director
John McClelland, Communications Director
October 27th, 2006 at 12:33 pmThe Democratic party should use this ad for a gigantic billboard in Columbus, Cincinnati, etc, with the caption underneath…
October 27th, 2006 at 12:47 pmARE YOU THIS STUPID?
On the photo contest – hmmm. Find a picture of John kissing his wife but then substitute the wife with Rush Limbaugh all pucker faced (I guess there’s some picture of Rush kissing Daryn Kagan – yuk). I’m sure this suggestion that Jihn and Rush are hot lovers would not get under John’s skin!
October 27th, 2006 at 12:57 pmWow, so many people must have objected to Coulter’s suggestion that U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens be poisoned with rat killer in his creme brulee that they decided to project a similar smear coming from Al Franken’s lips.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:02 pmTrouble is, the awful remark attributed to Franken is a lie. And he is supposed to consider this “what goes around, comes around?” Give me a break. Criticize his point of view, don’t lie about what he says, oh bible-toting “Christian” righties! You are bearing false witness.
The awful remark attributed to Coulter is the truth. She espouses murdering people who differ from her point of view I don’t think Franken ever has.
The wacko righties are indeed grasping at straws by using ever-uglier tactics about people they perceive to be a threat to their attempts to force a fascist no-dissent empire upon us.
aguafiero,
I never cease to be appalled by the selfish arrogance of human beings who claim a monopoly on morality…
I think it was National Geographic that had an article on the actual cost of raising cattle, and it included the damage done by clear cutting forests for pasture, the toxins of their waste on the water system, the depletion of the ozone due to excessive methane, the stress put on the ecosystem, the stress put upon the animals that resulted in low quality of life for them and low quality meat as a result, as well as the biological problems from all the disease resistant bacteria as a result of the anti-biotics they are fed.
I went vegetarian over a decade ago. If you compare me to most people my age, I think the benefits of having given up animals as a source of food is shocking. I don’t have any of the health problems. My teeth are in amazing condition, and I haven’t had a cavity since. I look 10-15 years younger depending on how I am dressed. I have no problems sleeping. My energy level allows me to keep up with 16-18 year olds without drinking coffee. I rarely get sick, and if so – it’s a very mild head cold. No depression.
I just don’t think being carnivorous is good for anyone or anything – except perhaps those who make money from it…
October 27th, 2006 at 1:11 pmLet’s see, Republican tactic to responding to their own’s wrongdoing- blame the victim and minimize the offense. Let’s see, that fits with how they have responded to Katrina, Foley, Iraq, Plamegate, the list goes on. The party of responsibility.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:12 pmARE YOU THIS STUPID?
Comment by RUCerious — October 27, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
Unfortunately, I think some are… about the usual 29%
October 27th, 2006 at 1:13 pmThanks, unbelievable (for everything!)
Given the WWF study just released showing in facts and figures the rate of consumption for the Earths natural resources, and how little time we have left to wallow in the wasteful, selfish and shallow lifestyle Americans have come to expect and depend on, the best any individual can do is to cut back on energy use, and vote the current despots out of office.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:32 pmThe cow is truly the animal which has ruined the West, not forgetting sheep, of course, who also decimated much of the natural eco-systems.
And humans will pretty much extinctify themselves in another 1000 years, tops……..
look dumbasses… this is how comedy works… an impression is whereby a person immitates and exaggerates gestures and speach patterns of a well known person for satiric effect. If they dressed someone who resembled al franken in a bunny suit and a diaper… or perhaps just put the Franken Glasses on a real baby, then this would be funny… Republicans aren’t funny… there just funnylooking… look at Hastert’s gaping maw.. what is he.. a manatee? as HST liked to say, “Nixon was so crooked, he had to screw his pants on in the morning”.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:38 pmWhat’s the big deal? Republicans don’t have to tell the truth–they’re doing God’s work. End of story.
Read: “The farce known as America’s immigration debate“
October 27th, 2006 at 1:39 pmAnd humans will pretty much extinctify themselves in another 1000 years, tops……..
Comment by aguafiero — October 27, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
You’re right. Nature was not meant to house 6.4 billion people. The fact that there are already billions without adequate food, potable water and a clean/healthy environment is just a sign of things to come.
Sad. But I suppose it’s just more proof that evolution is NOT intelligent…
October 27th, 2006 at 1:45 pmTP,
Why are you deleting posts that have the link referenced and isn’t that long?
When you just delete stuff that you usually allow and that does not violate site rules, it’s frustrating.
The article I posted was relevent to this topic, and in fact, endorses your perspective. Sheesh…
October 27th, 2006 at 2:02 pmNow it’s back… What is going on? The CIA “Bush” spyware is malfunctioning again….
October 27th, 2006 at 2:04 pmThere is an aspect of evolution which is seemingly totally ignored, and that is the concept of spiritual/intelligence evolution.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:07 pm(Those who cannot even accept the concept of simple biological evolution will have no basis for following me any further……)
where was I, oh yeah,
My own guess is that it is a cosmos wide race for life to arise, become aware of itself by gaining consciousness, and survive by either coming to terms with the realities of the home it has arisen on, or develop the skills to find and escape to another suitable habitat.
Humans on Earth are approaching crunch time.
My guess is that the Takers, as represented by the current corporate/religio/fascist entities who are hell bent on gobbling up this Earths resources, are betting on the escape to another world theory.
The Leavers, as represented by the 98% of this worlds peoples who get by on 40% of its resources, are left with the choice of having to make do with less resources, dirtier water and air, and less space.
Small wonder they are so desperate as to be willing to blow themselves up if they can cripple a bit of the exploiter’s hardware…..
Maybe we’re onto something, unbelievable, that is making Admiral ‘Spyware’ Poindexter truly uncomfortable!!
October 27th, 2006 at 2:13 pmPerhaps the fact we’re not discussing photoshopped images of comedians in Halloween bunny costumes is rattling his cage down there in the bowels of the Hexagon……………….
#42 Unbelievable – “I went vegetarian over a decade ago.”
I also went vegetarian years back. I just turned 40 in May and I still get carded when I buy alcohol. I also sleep better, have more energy, have zero health problems, and haven’t had a cavity.
On topic though, I really think Al should sue for slander. A press release is a far cry from a joke. I work in Communications and this easily crosses the legal line from what I can tell. Of course I am not an lawyer.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:22 pmAl is a very mild and mannered radio host. To depict him otherwise would indicate that they have never listened to him.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:52 pmPure republican bullshit.
aguafiero,
I think that because they truly and selfishly believe that there is an afterlife awaiting them that will take them away from teh mess they’ve created, they don’t worry so much about the havoc they have wreaked.
Those of us who feel that life is limited to this planet for us, tend to be more inclinded to care of it – all of it. But, like you said – I don’t expect them to get it… They don’t want to.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:54 pmI also went vegetarian years back. I just turned 40 in May and I still get carded when I buy alcohol. I also sleep better, have more energy, have zero health problems, and haven’t had a cavity.
Comment by Pagan_American — October 27, 2006 @ 2:22 pm
Happy belated Birthday. I hit 40 in December. Glad to hear the same benefits are true for you. Because I think we’re walking proof that a vegetarian (though I’m now totally vegan) lifestyle is both desirable and totally healthy. Maybe why the FBI wiretaps people like us? : )
October 27th, 2006 at 2:59 pmPerhaps the fact we’re not discussing photoshopped images of comedians in Halloween bunny costumes is rattling his cage down there in the bowels of the Hexagon……………….
Comment by aguafiero — October 27, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
That’s funny! :)
October 27th, 2006 at 3:00 pmThe difference being, of course, that Al Franken is telling the truth. The Republicans, on the other hand, are lying, as usual.
October 27th, 2006 at 3:04 pmChristofascist terrorists
A better, more accurate description of Bush Republinazis would be “theofascists” or “christofascists” since most of what these mass murdering Christian terrorists do is predicated upon traditionally fascist ideologies with a Christanic taint.
The traitor Republinazi pile of Christian shit that sent this libel out did it because he’s a Christian. Non-Christians don’t engage in such behavior.
October 27th, 2006 at 3:28 pmI plan to go vegetarian in my next life.
October 27th, 2006 at 3:47 pmWhy did I look at that picture?
October 27th, 2006 at 3:48 pmFranken is a hatemonger thats about as funny as having to take a leak in the middle of a good movie.
October 27th, 2006 at 4:14 pmI’ve said that many Republiscum are humorless — they don’t recognize satire when they see it.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:17 pmRightwinger writer Bernie Goldberg – who is outrageous in his opinions – actually used satire, but the jerks at the RNC in Ohio didn’t recognize it, so they took it literally, and fabricated a ridiculous commercial.
If they weren’t so dangerous, they would make me laugh.
Rightwinger writer Bernie Goldberg – who is outrageous in his opinions – actually used satire…
Comment by Marie — October 27, 2006 @ 6:17 pm
… a sad, sorry attempt at satire anyway…
.
The difference being, of course, that Al Franken is telling the truth…
Comment by NoMoreRepublicanTrash — October 27, 2006 @ 3:04 pm
IF he had actually said those things, which he DIDN”T – as noted above, that was a goldberg invention…
October 27th, 2006 at 8:08 pm.
Yes, lots of Rogering, we will stop calling you Nazis…when you stop being Nazis.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:25 pmFranken is a hatemonger thats about as funny as having to take a leak in the middle of a good movie.
Hilarious DG. Classic.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:26 pmFranken wouldn’t know good satire if it was placed in a bag and handed to him.
Everyone is so quick to jump on limpidiot and olielly, but oh, franken is our hero..
He’s a loser.
October 28th, 2006 at 10:59 amAl Franken is one of the most witty comedians I have ever seen. Witty comedians are always very intelligent and I dig intelligence. Calling a Jew a nazi is really ridiculous. Joan Rivers once flushed Buchanan’s toilet when he did that. She said that Buchanan’s parents had died in Buchenwald. They fell out of the watch tower. All the name calling and smear ads are so childish. Sticks and stones. The rightists have no real sense of humor. They are incapable at laughing at themselves and that is a great secret to longevity. All of this crap going around by the shocked republicans at sexual language, etc. Where have they been, cooped up in a vault. This is the U.S.A. where anything goes. You can even be a Republican, God forbid, if you want. Requirements are that you be a screaming bigot.
October 29th, 2006 at 4:43 amLOL, Franken has never looked better. Yeah it’s ok to compare Bush to Hitler, use forged documents to accuse him of going AWOL, call him a liar even though there is no evidence of it, accuse him of doing coke without any evidence, call republicans bigots like the idiot who posted before me, but dare to doctor a photo of that moron Franken and all of a sudden it’s “heinous” it’s “wrong” blah blah blah. Did anyone really believe that photo was real? Only a dumb lib I would guess.
October 30th, 2006 at 3:42 pmLONG LIVE SEAN HANNITY
November 11th, 2006 at 6:04 pmonce again the libral media has shown me how biased they r. lol i posted a comment about librals being weak. how if gun control was issued thatthe only ones who would have them would b the criminals. How becouse of the librals child molesters go free. but it was deleted, becos someone cannot handle the truth. and we all know thatit is the libs :)
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