Bush Echoes Biden: Obama Is ‘An Attractive Guy, He’s Articulate’
Bush Echoes Biden: Obama Is ‘An Attractive Guy, He’s Articulate’
In comments first reported in the New York Observer, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) said Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Biden’s insensitive remarks were roundly criticized, and he has since apologized. The Chicago Tribune explained:
Note to Biden. Well-spoken black people hate it when white people call them “articulate.” It’s the modern-day version of what white people used to say back in the day when they thought that by saying “He’s a credit to his race” they were saying something that a black person would welcome hearing.
Those dated words, like Biden’s comments, were patronizing at the very least. And they also appeared to carry some pretty negative assumptions about the majority of the race.
President Bush may need similar sensitivity training. In an interview today with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto, Bush echoed Biden’s remarks when asked about Obama. “He’s an attractive guy. He’s articulate. I’ve been impressed with him when I’ve seen him in person,” Bush said. Watch it:
Full transcript:
CAVUTO: How do you think the troops would feel about a President Obama?
BUSH: Oh, I don’t know. He, let’s — he hasn’t gotten elected yet. He hasn’t even gotten the party’s nomination either. He’s an attractive guy. He’s articulate. I’ve been impressed with him when I’ve seen him in person. But he’s got a long way to go to be president.
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Kommander Caterpillar sensitive?
January 31st, 2007 at 8:43 pmif only bush was attractive and/or articute.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:45 pmand not a dictator wanna-be…
Attractive?
What the hell does looks have to do with politics?
January 31st, 2007 at 8:45 pmBush=Unatractive, inarticulate.
Did I detect some “ain’t”?
January 31st, 2007 at 8:45 pmSo Bush thinks Obama is attractive and articulate? Maybe it has to do with a proper upbringing and good education. As for his attractiveness, I saw his picture on the beach and the guy is gorgeous. Too bad he (Bush) is neither.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:47 pm2 more years of smear campaign.
It’s going to be a dirty game of limbo for the right…..how low can they go?
January 31st, 2007 at 8:47 pmBush also thought Jeff Gannon was an attractive guy.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:47 pmBush Echoes Biden: Obama Is ‘An Attractive Guy, He’s Articulate’
And probably might have been President had the Clintons not Madrassaed his ass early on.
I love a President who tells it like it is.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:51 pmAs an add on to #7, he also met with Ted Haggard weekly….seems to be a fetish of heir prezident’e…..
January 31st, 2007 at 8:53 pmGawd. I thought the dinosaurs were extinct.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:53 pmWhich president was that? Not Bush, not Clinton, not Bush Sr., not Reagan, not Carter, not Ford, not Nixon, not………
January 31st, 2007 at 8:54 pmThe troops have really been saying they need someone attractive. Just listen to the generals on the ground. If only they had a hot bod in charge….
Goes to show how little the crazy right listen. I’ve liked Obama because he’s down to earth and he doesn’t beat around the….bush. Not because he may be easy on the eyes. I think most intelligent folks don’t even look at that.
I can’t wait to see “this Pres” behind bars.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:54 pmBush needs more than sensitivity training. Not only does he speak poorly, but when he does talk to people, he is condescending, patronizing, ignorant, sexist and stupid.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:55 pmMindy, do you have a reputable source implicating Clinton (link)? Not looking for a fight, just wondering. Maybe I missed something.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:56 pmI nominate Bug Bunny for President.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:04 pmSpudge_Boy,
Attractive?
What the hell does looks have to do with politics?
Mindful of the potential wrath of females I must say that the answer to your question is that women vote.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:07 pm> Kommander Caterpillar sensitive?
That would be “Captain Caterpillar”, please.
Maybe el presidente thought he was speaking about “Osama” instead of “Obama”?
January 31st, 2007 at 9:08 pmChimpy sez:
Oh, indeed…he’s got a lot of alcohol to drink and cocaine to snort, not to mention National Guard duty to skip out on.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:10 pmI love a President who tells it like it is.
Comment by madrassa mindy
I see that Oreilly went to the liberal Kennedy school of politics.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:11 pmSee how that works?
Oreilly is a Liberal.
Spudge_Boy sez:
Kennedy vs. Nixon. Ask Dick how that one worked out.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:12 pmFools on the hill~
I nominate Pedro.
Rocks911~
Consider yourself wrathed!!! I’m no feminist, but dang, give us some cred. Tell me you didn’t think Bill was hot….say it aint’ so!!!!!
January 31st, 2007 at 9:13 pmThat would be “Captain Caterpillarâ€, please.
Kommandant Katerpillar of K street =)
January 31st, 2007 at 9:15 pmThe striking similarity of the methodology for females choosing horses and presidents is too great to ignore.
Run John Edwards run!
January 31st, 2007 at 9:18 pmOh, indeed…he’s got a lot of alcohol to drink and cocaine to snort, not to mention National Guard duty to skip out on.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey
Don’t forget Cod Pieces, Flightsuits, and departing Segways!
January 31st, 2007 at 9:20 pmO…M….G….
We have a comedian for pres.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thank you, all. I thought for a while, when they told me that I was going to receive a gift here that old Chuck was going to bring a pretzel. (Laughter.) Those kind that are easy to chew. (Laughter.) If my mother is listening — Mother, I should have listened to you, always chew your pretzels before you swallow. (Laughter and applause.)
And yet, another plug.
Pres: I’m confident in the American farmer. I know the American farmer is more efficient, and can raise more crop than anybody, anywhere in the world. I’m confident we need to open up markets, not close them down. I’m confident we’ve got to get my friend Putin to be buying John Deere products. (Applause.) I’m confident what this nation needs is to level the playing field, and have trade that will create jobs all across America.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020114-2.html
January 31st, 2007 at 9:20 pmthis is a weak posting
but I’m glad to see PT approaching a post on the corruption and elitism in both business parties (elitism/racism at least)
January 31st, 2007 at 9:21 pmplease
drop in more postings on actual Progressives
Sorry TP – Biden linked Obama’s race to the articulation, Chimpy didn’t. You are reaching again – this one is a dud.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:22 pmI like it bettr when Bozo didn’t talk to the press. Who gives a shit what he thinks about anything? I’d rather know what Danny Bonaduce thinks of Obama than what Bush thinks. Hey, how about Bush boxes Danny Bonaduce when he retires and the winner takes on Donny Osmond?
January 31st, 2007 at 9:22 pmBut this doesn’t warrant a thread?
Cheney’s Handwritten Notes Implicate Bush in Plame Affair
January 31st, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Not to talk bad about homeless folks, but let me relate a true scenario.
There is a “union group” picketing outside my building at work. None of them are actually union members, but folks off the street being paid to shout loud about how some union didn’t get a contract.
They sound like fools, because they don’t REALLY feel the slighting that the supposed union contractors feel. Kinda reminds me of the trolls of late.
They yell loud, but aren’t sure why. Someone told them, in fact, paid them to. They study cards that tell them what to yell. And you know what? They’ve been outside my building for at least a year (except when it’s too cold or rainy) and no one has paid them any attention. Other than those who ar new to the area, who just look at them in a circus-clown like wonder.
Point being, they may be obnoxios, but it doesn’t work.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:33 pmi agree with terry’s official dud assessment
can’t we please deal with substance?!
January 31st, 2007 at 9:37 pmI’m sorry to say, that I still think this is why more “left” progressives are so for Obama; I haven’t seen him do anything in Illinois, and his voting record is the same as Hillary’s.
I think it’s more for Obama being perceived as a “black” man, even though he’s of mixed ethnicities, than for his accomplishments, whereas Hillary has more cred. Obama has a good future; but 2 years in the Senate does not a President make.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:40 pmFools on the hill~
I nominate Pedro.
Comment by SouthPaw
Well hell, he’s the only boy in highschool with a mustache.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:41 pmOK here’s my solution to all this race bullsh*t in America:
2008 – You put a black guy in as president
2012 – A woman with sticky-out ears
2016 – An oriental woman who might be a lesbian
2020 – A hispanic man with a wooden leg
Now you get all that race, disability stuff out of the way and in the 2024 campaign season, no one is talking about ‘the first black this, the first green bug-eyed monster that’ and you can get back to maybe electing the best candidate for the job (oh hell did I say that – this is America after all – *snorts coffee though nose*).
January 31st, 2007 at 9:41 pmComment by the Ayes halve it.
If that’s the way we have to get him, I say let’s do it.
I’m tired of Bush et al ruining this country.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:43 pmi agree with terry’s official dud assessment
can’t we please deal with substance?!
Comment by karl ex — January 31, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
Thanks for your support, but there’s nothing ‘official’ about me. I’m just a green, aquatic reptile with a keyboard.
Oh and maybe in 2024 – you should put a green, aquatic reptile into office.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:43 pm(oh hell did I say that – this is America after all – *snorts coffee though nose*).
Comment by TerrytheTurtle
Yeah, right. This is America….oy.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:44 pmHe did not say other black people weren’t articulate (or clean…)
This is a serious misrepresentation by tyranscript of pretty innocent comments. You quote: “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” needs to be changed to: “the first mainstream African-American. [Period, not comma. There was a huge pause here and even a "yeah" from the interviewer. Biden then goes on to talk specifically about Obama, glowingly.] who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.â€
Clean could easily, and I believe it does, mean “slick” or “well put together.”
Biden’s a dopey one, but this isn’t right.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:47 pmI also think that these comments are just complimentary. He is attractive, and surpassingly articulate by any standards. It impresses most people about him. What the hell is wrong with that.
I really like you guys, so take it as that.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:49 pmZooey~
He’s also got skills.
Ayes Halve it~
I read most of it from your post a few threads ago. Unfortunately, my dog is a republican…I am not allowed to read blogs without being barked at. I’ll read the rest later. I got the gist tho. Dead Man Walking.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:50 pmI can see having issues with Biden’s comments, but this time I can’t fault Dubya. I am sort of surprised he noticed that Obama at all.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:58 pm“I know that white society has always considered that one drop of black blood makes you black. To me, if one drop can do this, it only shows the power of one drop of black blood.” – Malcolm X
January 31st, 2007 at 9:59 pmObama is a stud. And he’s got my vote. I’m a big dumb truck driving white guy from Texas.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:00 pmTripmaster, and Vance, you guys kill me. Funny stuff.
What the hell is Bush talking about?
January 31st, 2007 at 10:07 pmObama better stay away from Bush, because he might be hitting on Barack sexually, since Dubya misses his paid escort hooker Jeff Gannon.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:28 pmhey wasn’t this the same meme they used to undermine Ford in Tenn. ? sure he’s attractive (hide the white women!) and(pretty is mindless and empty, devoid of integrity)…
January 31st, 2007 at 10:31 pmBush wouldn’t know attractive and articulate from a horny toad.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:51 pmGeorge, you have a long way to go to be President too. You @#%!!?***.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:53 pmI am with the group-No big deal. Would any one object to JFK being called articulate & good looking ? GWB worstest president ever but, I got no problem with this one.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:54 pmHas anyone read this treatise? Homo sapiens evolved in Africa. Anyone lacking black genes is not a member of the human race.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:10 pmI love how TP tries to bury Biden’s comments in this thread.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:11 pmExley > Sen. Biden like usual stuck his foot in his mouth and blew his chances for the presidency in 2008. Dubya unless impeached is a thorn in our sides for 2 more years.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:14 pmA bit of a stretch, TP. But I guess it wouldn’t be progressive enough to call Joe Biden down on the carpet without a slap at GWB. Biden’s remark, that Obama is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” is positively vulgar – and stupid. That sure doesn’t say much about any other successful black man. A financial suggestion to progressives, I wouldn’t crack open your checkbooks for Biden – the guy is going nowhere. I’ll be marking my TP calendar: Biden – 0, Bush – 1.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:15 pmexlax-Note to Biden. Well-spoken black people hate it when white people call them “articulate.†It’s the modern-day version of what white people used to say back in the day when they thought that by saying “He’s a credit to his race†they were saying something that a black person would welcome hearing.
Those dated words, like Biden’s comments, were patronizing at the very least. And they also appeared to carry some pretty negative assumptions about the majority of the race.
This from the thread- Not very well hidden is it? What is it with you a$$ wipes ? can’t read ?
January 31st, 2007 at 11:15 pmWell, I guess that settles that……two out of two politicians think Obama is a sweet piece of ass. He talks real purty too.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:16 pmPresident Bush, describing his Social Security privization scheme to an African-American audience at a town hall meeting, January 12, 2005:
“Another interesting idea…is a personal savings account…which can’t be used to bet on the lottery, or a dice game, or the track.”
Details here…
January 31st, 2007 at 11:22 pmHeh. C’mon guys. Biden screwed up. Don’t soften the blow with a Bush comparison. That’s some weak self-criticism.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:23 pmNice try, “joefriday”…But like your namesake, I am interested in “just the facts.” … And the fact is that TP did not mention Biden’s remarks — including the “clean” comment — until they desperately tried to disguise Biden’s inappropriate comments by linking them with the president’s innocuous remarks…TP seems very nervous that Sen. Biden might just be the Democrats’ nominee in 2008.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:24 pmIt amazes me the double standard that the right has. Biden says something dumb and now he can’t be President. Bush has been dumb most, if not all his entire life and the right will follow his sorry ass to armegeddon.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:25 pmAttractive? What the hell does looks have to do with politics?
Dennis Hastert has the answer to that.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:28 pmAnd the fact is that TP did not mention Biden’s remarks — including the “clean†comment
Exley are you blind?, it’s right at the top pf the page.
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) said Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.†Biden’s insensitive remarks were roundly criticized, and he has since apologized.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:35 pmBush still hasn’t apologized to the troops for not caring where Osama is.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:36 pmTP seems very nervous that Sen. Biden might just be the Democrats’ nominee in 2008.
Comment by Exley — January 31, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Make up your mind. Is TP protecting Biden or cutting him down to help Hillary ? Take your time this might hurt a little.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:37 pmExley says ‘the fact is’ just like JMH or Limbaugh would.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:39 pmExley are you blind?, it’s right at the top pf the page
January 31st, 2007 at 11:39 pmHoly-It is a waste of time with these people.
Good night Molly-wherever you are.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:42 pmHoly Kow,
I reiterate, TP did not mention Biden’s comments until there was some tenuous link betweeb Biden’s “clean” remarks and President Bush’s innocuous comments. Drudge was reporting Biden’s comments in the early hours of EST. The first we heard of Biden’s comments on TP was 8:40 pm EST. Why the delay in reporting Biden’s comments, Thinkprogress?
January 31st, 2007 at 11:55 pmGosh Ex,
I don’t recall you being so concerned that TP was ignoring an issue when they actually were ignoring the run up to the signing of the Military Commissions Act.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:59 pmAs much as I dislike Shrub, its unfair to attribute to Bush the same kind of patronizing mindset that Biden showed. It was a fairly innocuous statement on Bush’s part. Obama is articulate. He is good-looking. He didn’t make any mention of Obama’s race, blatantly or veiled. You can call Bush a lot of things but probably not racist. He does hate poor people though.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:00 am*
February 1st, 2007 at 12:02 amgotta give biden some credit – he showed up on the daily show…
jon gave him some good advice: “count to ten…”
…
Bush Echoes Biden: Obama Is ‘An Attractive Guy, He’s Articulate’
And probably might have been President had the Clintons not Madrassaed his ass early on.
I love a President who tells it like it is.
DudCity TP. Don`t you have anything better to write about?
TP? You are PART of the Obama Madrassa assassination.
It is like we witnessed the Kennedy assassination all over again in the 21st century without a shot being fired this time.
Obama is quite literally dead political weight. His political career is over.
I mean c`mon, who can honestly forget about the name Osama?
Anymore all someone has to do is murmur the word Obama and right away the name Osama comes to mind.
This circumstance of Osama the terrorist and Obama the politician sounding similiar has just got to be FATE and KARMA.
This word association game of Osama and Obama was played out to a T by Hillary Clintoin and her gang, with your help of course.
I mean after all, this very blog is a Soros funded, Clinton leaning blog.
Some even have called it `Hillarys Personal Blog` when it was founded.
Don`t believe me?
Search yourself.
google- center american progress clinton thinktank
Report back and let me know what you find.
And maybe next time,?
KNOW what kind of a blog you are commenting on BEFORE you comment.
This is a T.H.I.N.K.T.A.N.K.
Get it?
Not a political rally site.
Unless of course you want to sing the praises of Hillary Clinton.
That is acceptable here.
You all have contributed either knowingly or unknowingly to Hillary`s Presidential bid, along with Obama`s political downfall.
Oh the sad irony.
With Obama the Clinton target.
And you folks are the unwitting participants in an unmolested character assassination of Obama at the hands of Clinton and her very own T.H.I.N.T.A.N.K……..ThinkProgress.
Nice work on assassinating the next would be John F Kennedy.
Proud of yourselves?
You fools.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:07 amNot sure what all the fuss is about this comment. I despise this president, but I didn’t detect any sort of racial undertone in his comment about Obama. In fact, it sounded like a compliment.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:30 amWhy the delay in reporting Biden’s comments, Thinkprogress?
Comment by Exley — January 31, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
Methinks you are getting a little paranoid, Exley.
This is a blog, not a news outlet. ThinkProgress is free to comment on whatever tickles their fancy.
Having said that, Sen Biden is an ass. Pres Bush actually crosses the finish line with grace IMO -it’s one of the few times he doesn’t butcher the language…
February 1st, 2007 at 1:18 amAnyone lacking black genes is not a member of the human race.
Comment by WaltTheMan
Walt, please. We all know we come from Adan & Eve, not from some dirty monkey, it is in the Bible, and we all know the Bible tells the absolute truth. Blacks are only here to serve the white men, as have always do. Women were made to satisfy men, thats why one Moses commandment says: Neither shall you covet your neighbour’s wife (not the husband), women are not allowed to want anything, in this religion.
I dont have to say that that was sarcastic. Walt, trying to explain science to a bunch of ignorant a-holes, is futile.
February 1st, 2007 at 2:36 amwho is this madrassa mindy? can we have her banned?
February 1st, 2007 at 3:00 amArthur,
Based on what do you want to ban mindy?
Maybe we should consult the decider.
February 1st, 2007 at 5:02 amIn this case, I give Bush and Biden a pass on ‘articulate’ because Obama is significantly more articulate than other politicians (regardless of race). For example, if you didn’t know who was white or black and you could only see the transcripts, you would say that Obama was the more articulate of the three (Obama, Bush, and Biden). Obama is also an attractive guy (compared to the subset of politicians) much like Kennedy was attractive and nobody thought calling Kennedy attractive was a slight on other whites.
Biden got in trouble with describing Obama as ‘clean’. What does that mean? I don’t know. But you just don’t hear candidates (of any background) described as clean. Nice attempt by TP to shift the focus; but the real issue here is Biden’s ‘clean’ comment.
We still have a way to go with race relations in this country, but if you look at Bush’s comments (without regard to Biden’s) and conclude that they are racially motivated, you are trying to find something that isn’t there.
Obama is more articulate and better looking than Bush. Am I a racist?
February 1st, 2007 at 6:07 amI’m in the minority with Paul on this one. My wife, for example, was totally wowed by by Obama’s speech during the Democratic convention (when Kerry was running, remember?). She described him – among other praises – as “good looking” and “really articulate.” She would have voted him Prez on the spot if she could have. Was that racist?
It’s obvious that Obama IS good looking AND articulate (and so was Edwards btw). And the reason the Right is willing to go that far is because it’s an obvious and therefore safe thing to say that makes them look reasonable. Just wait for them to go into a few back-stabbing details, as in “He’s good looking and articulate all right, but did you know he hates our freedoms and eats babies with his Cheerios??”
Of course, those idiots on the right ARE racists, and it’s a real problem, but this particular issue is a bit of a reach.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:42 amBiden is a racist and there is no way around it. Do you not understand what racism is? The fact that he has to say Barak is an “articulate” black is due to racism that he does not even know he is applying. Stereotyping that come out when he is trying to make a compliment. Unless of course he is trying to say Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are “dirty†and “inarticulateâ€. You people will twist everything anyway. You will try to point out racism in the Republican party to hide what runs throughout the Democrats.
If this was a Republican running for office you would sink your teeth in and run him out of town. You would call for his arrest. But you’ll give theis stupid racist POS a pass won’t you.
Why is this article not labeled “Left-Wing Incompetence†or “Brain-Dead Candidateâ€. ROTFL
February 1st, 2007 at 8:10 amExely, Happy New Year. Anyway there is no way that JB will be the nominee even if he was to recover form his Macaca moment. His total sell out to the Credit industry with the bankruptcy bill is the real nail in his coffin, he’s just doing his best Burmese rooster imitation. Happy posting.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:14 amWatching TP’s clip yesterday with Bush being asked about the economy : we have a President who cannot even talk without sounding like a complete buffoon. He doesn’t even have a grasp of the English language. He’s an embarrassment to the US — other countries must really laugh whenever they hear him.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:18 amNO I won’t give Biden a Free Pass (Just like the Mainstream Medis has done with Chimpie the past 7 yrs.) — I don’t care if you are an dem, ind or repub : it was a STUPID thing to say. As an independent voter, I won’t put up with this crap , regardless of party affiliation.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:28 amWe should all be thanking JB for taking himself out of the race so promptly! He tends to suffer from diarreaha of the mouth and I’m still not quite over the statement that his little plagiarism incindent makes about his charachter.
I understand the racist implications of the word “articulate”, but we had better come up with an acceptable alternative. I don’t know yet who I will support in ‘08, but Obama seems to be the best orator in either party!
Dan Bell
February 1st, 2007 at 8:30 amBig Rapids, MI
This clearly illustrates a “bias” Joe Biden has and perhaps is unconscious of. I believe that these kinds of statements only serve to destroy one’s credibility to hold the highest office in this country.
If these individuals who “should know better” read the preamble to our Constitution, they would not see color, race, or creed. The fact that Biden & Bush find it necessary to make these qualifying statements speaks of a level of discrimination so deep that even they may not be aware of it….this is the most insidious type of judgment.
The fact that an individual is a woman…..or black….means absolutely nothing if, in fact, we “walk our own talk” about “all men being created equal”. Most Americans are hoist on their own pitard on this one and Biden may have just nixed any chances he may have had to become the “Candidate”.
We speak of Iraq being a nation divided yet we fail to see the rapidly-increasing, huge divide between fellow americans – and the GOP is aiding and abetting this great divide each day.
Shame on Joe Biden! Shame on George Bush! I would expect insensitive commentary from Bush because he is incapable of serious introspection and/or insight; however, I thought Joe Biden was more evolved as a human being and certainly more “politically correct”.
I think Joe Biden’s age is showing – along with a level of insidious insensitivity that perhaps even Joe is unaware of. I suggest that each candidate for office submit themselves to serious psychiatriac evaluation and counseling after what we’ve experienced with Bush.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:35 amYes, agreed – Joe Biden just moved himself quite handily out of the race! Bye, Joe!
February 1st, 2007 at 8:36 amAttractive?
What the hell does looks have to do with politics?
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Haven’t you heard? Politics is show business for ugly people.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:37 amThat must mean Cheney is a prime example of that?
February 1st, 2007 at 8:47 amBiden’s getting ripped for calling Obama ‘clean’.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:51 amLet’s move on ….. what the hell has Biden’s comment have to do with getting our ass out of Irac, which s the main problem.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:54 amI just lost most of what little respect I had for TP, but did gain a little respect for the people who actually called a spade a spade and said this post is a tenuous, one-sided semantic stretch.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:55 amAnd these are the people running this country? Bigots the bunch.
February 1st, 2007 at 8:56 amHaven’t you heard? Politics is show business for ugly people.
Comment by 20wordsorless — February 1, 2007 @ 8:37 am
That must mean Cheney is a prime example of that?
Comment by Kay
What about Ted Kennedy and Hillary? Harry Reid or John Murtha? Talk about ugly!
February 1st, 2007 at 9:05 amCheney, though, is UGLY from the inside out!
February 1st, 2007 at 9:08 amIn other words, Obama is everything that Bush and Biden are not.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:14 amI highly doubt that Biden’s reference to how attractive Osama, I mean Obama isn’t the issue. The fact he called him the first clean black man to run in politics is something only a Dem, I mean Biden, could get away with.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:15 amHell, he would make a nice domestic servant or house hand…..give me fu*king break! What century do we live in that people feel comforatble enough to talk about “We, he’s a good nigra, not like them others” or even “I agree he seems to know hwta he’s doing…” ?
February 1st, 2007 at 9:17 amThe difference, of course, between Bush’s comment and Biden’s being that Biden said Obama was the _first_ mainstream AfricanAmerican, etc. and Bush merely being complimentary.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:38 amThis whole word parsing has gone insane. How can it be that someone these days can say something entirely positive and yet still get accused of committing some thought crime? What bugs me is not the verbal boo boos of Kerry or Bidden ( but this one is not a boo boo except by the creeps attacking him), but the fact they apologize for their supposed crimes. Stop giving in to the brainless thought police.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:38 amIt says “well spoken black people…”, well isn’t the term ” well spoken” even more offensive than articulate? What about all those non well spoken Blacks who are not a credit to their race eh? And get this, so what if “well spoken” Blacks hate it when you call them , horror of horrors “articulate”? So they hate it, and your point is…? My point is all us people hate all sorts of things. What others hate should not, and cannot be allowed to control our behavior simply based on another’s hate. Lots of people hate the idea of gay sex for example. Thus gays must make it clear they never engage in gay sex?
And the key word that Bidden used is “mainstream”. Meaning the first mainstream candidate to have all those qualities in one package. And the word clean applies very well to Obama even better than it would to any other candidate including white candidates.Clean applies because Obama does not seem to have all the baggage all other candidates seem to have,in terms of scandals, misbehavior, people of unsavoredly character associated with him etc. In fact clean in this sense, combined with his apparent ability to speak in a way that never causes him to suffer from foot in mouth disease in the way most of us humans do at times, is the only real positives I know about guy. I have no idea what he would do as a President.
Finally what logic allows people to criticize others for “inappropriate” language while using nasty abusive language in doing so? .
Look. I can’t stand Bush…but this is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. There is nothing in that statement that even remotely smacks of ignorance or racism and, quite frankly, by insinuating that there is, Think Progress is undermining everything its worked so hard for.
I’d either pull this entry or update with some sort of correction/apology.
You guys are just wrong here and you’re doing damage.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:46 amWhat about Ted Kennedy and Hillary? Harry Reid or John Murtha? Talk about ugly!
As an ugly person, I am offended at the implication that ugly people are somehow less worthy than other people. Discrimination of ugly people is no different than discrimination of other groups. One day we treat others without regard to there physical appearances, but we are obviously not there yet.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:51 amHey! When did Bush see BL in person?
Also, I think Bush is confusing Bin Laden’s appearance with the photo of BL’s neice, Wafah Dufour, that was circulating on the net a few months ago.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:00 amDon’t turn this on Bush. For Christ sake, you people are nuts – it’s always about Bush to you. Biden f’d up and will likely have to drop out of the race because like most Democrats – he is an idiot. I am sure given enough time, he will continue to put his foot in his mouth and hurt the left’s cause more than he helps.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:05 amWhat a complete Dinkledorf!
Did someone already offer the observation that it takes someone inarticulate to recognize someone who is?
February 1st, 2007 at 10:11 am#112 – STFU. It’s not about Bush, it’s Biden.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:15 am#113 I have to respond that I am never going to shut up because the likes of you tells me to. What gives you that right?
If you had anything substantive to offer besides STFU, you might be taken seriously by someone.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:20 am#114 – you should shut up while you’re ahead. Comparing Bush’s remarks to Biden are like apples and oranges. It’s just that people like you HATE Bush so much you can’t fathom the idea of a people conversation that doesn’t involve attacking him.
People like you have destroyed political discourse in this country. AND you’ll lose in the end just like you did in 2004.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:29 amTo Liberals Heart Terrorists:
Of course, the likes of Rush and Coulter have only had a warming effect on discourse in this country.
Dan Bell
February 1st, 2007 at 10:45 amBig Rapids, MI
#115
michael, is that you? Yes, poor little george.
Always being attacked by those nasty liberals on the internets.
It’s a good thing you’re around to level the playing field, and to
help put political discourse back into the proper perspective.
I especially enjoyed how you started out with your post at #112.
The “For Christ sake, you people are nuts” bit was entertaining as well.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:46 amI , for one, give Joe “hoof ‘n mouth” Biden ALOT of credit. At least his comments got him some ink in the “cage-liners”. Granted, he was only on page A-7, but think where the announcement of his candidacy would have been.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:53 amI cant believe that anyone could take the Presidents comments as racist. If someone said I was attractice and articulate, I would take that as a straight out compliment. Where was race mentioned? Anybody point that out for me? Park your hatred for Bush for one second and hear what he said AS he said it, not how you would haved liked to have heard it said.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:57 amAll right, this is getting totally out of hand. Now we’re criticizing Bush for calling Obama “attractive”? How exactly did he “echo” Biden? Nothing about being “first” or “black”.
My take is that Biden was a victim of two of his most obvious shortcomings, which are closely related: he speaks without thinking, and his grammar is bad. I think he meant to say that Obama is the first mainstream black candidate and that he’s bright and articulate. I agree that he was patronizing, especially by calling him articulate. (I do have a black friend who points out when black people are well-spoken and hates hearing black people mangle the language. She has harshly criticized Magic Johnson for his speech, for example. But she’s only one person, and she’s black. It’s different when a white person says it.)
This is so tortured, especially this criticism of Bush. You’re opening yourself up to charges of nitpicking. What is worse, this could turn into a big sideshow, the kind that let’s much worse words and deeds go unremarked. But that’s our biggest problem in getting our point across—we just don’t make a strong case and stick to it; we get caught up in pissing contests. And I don’t expect it to stop.
We’d be better off pointing out how Biden is a tool of MBNA and never really does anything except go on and on and on, glorying in the sound of his own voice.
Bye Joe.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:57 amI agree with Brian (#108). Even though I despise Bush, all those things said about Obama are true regardless of his race.
I don’t know about Biden, but I don’t think Bush was putting down blacks by raising Obama up.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:59 amAs an ugly person, I am offended at the implication that ugly people are somehow less worthy than other people. Discrimination of ugly people is no different than discrimination of other groups. One day we treat others without regard to there physical appearances, but we are obviously not there yet.
Comment by paul
As a really, really, ridiculously good looking person, I’m sorry to hear of your plight. My comment was not about a person’s worth at all.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:00 ampassive racism cannot hide behind a comma.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:22 pmLiberals Heart Terrorists. You probably have something valid to offer. But when you tell someone else to shut up, you just come off as defensive.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:42 pm20wordsorless. I’ll try not to hate you just because you are beautiful. ;)
February 1st, 2007 at 12:44 pm#117 Alpa3
I like how you called out the King Troll, the Dr. of contentless comments: Michael. Good call.
People, people, people. Do we really care about this gossipy crappy posting? Right wingers certainly have no credentials of being sensitive to race, gender, religion, sexual preference. And mainstream Dems. tend to have the “pc language” down pat. But we’re talking about both business parties here, of which Obama is a full fledged member.
I’m not really sure how TP is working as a think tank for Hillary, but from what I’ve read it is credible and should be considered when commenting here. I want PT to give us more postings on substanative critiques of both parties.
I’d like to hear more ideas on how to force the Dems out of the closet as what they are: Republicans in disguise.
what most of us here care about:
universal health care, environmental protection, avoiding nuclear disaster, wresting control of govt from the corporate – military complex control, greater transparancy/publicly funded elections. Take your pick, but let’s get some thoughts on that stuff.
This whole thread seems petty to me. So let’s pull our heads out of this narrow narrow discourse of who is more racist, who is more elitist, who has done more damage, because neither Repubs nor Dems are the answer to pulling the U.S. out of the totalitarian fecal matter in which it finds itself.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:59 pmi like how michael was calle out in #117, nice alpa3
i spent alot of time writing a comment and it didnt come through, as usual. here it is in a nut shell:
this posting is petty, the conversation we’re having is petty.
is PT a think tank for hillary clinton, certainly plausible.
that said, we should be opening and ofrcing the discourse into things that we all care about: universal health care, protecting the environment, wresting control of the govt from corporate- military complex, avoiding nuclear disaster, sane foreign policy, civil rights, social justice, womens reprodutive rights, public funding of elections,etc. And talking about ways to effect that change and politicians who are vocal about these things. Take your pick.
neither Dems nor Reps are interested in allowing for a broadened discourse. We’re captive to their very narrow right of center spectrum. Really: what do you do if you have to vote between Hillary and McCain? Not much of difference there, and the difference that does exist is pretty damn minimal.
we know the Rep suck, unapologetic wealthy bigots. But the current state of the Dems is not much different. Call out the Dems for what they are, Republicans in disguise. Glom the two business parties together, there differences are superficial. at least force the important issues and non business model solutions into your vocabulary.
February 1st, 2007 at 1:12 pmwoops, sorry for the recommenting
February 1st, 2007 at 1:19 pmIs the writer a male or female? Suspect it is neither!
“So Bush thinks Obama is attractive and articulate? Maybe it has to do with a proper upbringing and good education. As for his attractiveness, I saw his picture on the beach and the guy is gorgeous. Too bad he (Bush) is neither.”
Comment by Liberal in New Mexico — January 31, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:49 pmCharlie H said “I do have a black friend who points out when black people are well-spoken and hates hearing black people mangle the language.” Yes Charlie, as much as black people LOVE being called articulate and clean, we also love hearing white people say “I have a black friend!” As if that fact alone makes everything you say valid.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:38 pmYo, Spudge boy, unfortunately, looks are very important to the public at large. If people voted based on a politician’s record (rather than looks, how ‘presidential’ they sound, etc), Jimmy Carter would never have been elected, and Obama wouldn’t even be on the radar screen since he doesn’t have a record at this point.
February 6th, 2007 at 3:31 pmHow do you think Pelosi got where she is? (oh I forgot, left wing clowns get elected in San Fran)
Hillary is working her tail off to come across as attractive and pleasant, as she knows she hasn’t got a chance in Hades if the public figures out what she actually stands for.
When did the word “articulate ” become a racial epithet?
February 8th, 2007 at 12:03 amIf Obama were homosexual, would Bush be homopbobic as well?
apparently you can’t say anything about anyone anymore. there was no patronizing on bush’s part. can a white person not even compliment another person without intense scrutiny? where are all the people protecting the first amendment anymore?
February 8th, 2007 at 2:20 amThis is exactly why a black person will never be elected president. They try to intimidate the public and suppress freedom of speech more than any other group in America. I think it’s hilarious!! You can’t do this crap when you’re’ running for president, lmao!!
February 8th, 2007 at 10:12 ami think obama is attrative to. heck, i’m a religious leader and i’d hit it. he’s a pretty boy.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:36 pmIn describing Barack “Osama†Obama, Sen. Joe Biden said: “The first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy … that’s a storybook, man.â€
Biden’s remarks could have been taken in a far more racist way by the lamestream media and the PC drones. I’ve seen the videotapes of both Biden’s and Bush’s remarks and only an unabashed race-baiter can claim with a straight face that President Bush’s remarks were “racist”.
I’m sick and tired of partisan liberal double-standards that circle the wagons around Democrats while twisting the words of Republicans and conservatives in the worst possible way. If black Americans on the liberal plantation choose to be offended by the most innocuous remarks, that’s their problem. From the very first, all we heard from old school liberals is how America is supposed to color-blind, now the neo-libs say if we are color-blind then we’re being insensitive and even more insidiously racist. It’s another reason I believe liberalism is a mental disorder, just look at all the mixed messages they have floated into the public debate which only heightens racial tensions. Northern liberals are the worst racists I’ve seen bar none. Bunch of fake superiorists. Why are there only token blacks in positions of power in the Democratic Party? Even Howeird Dean sits as the head of the DNC because white liberal powerbrokers couldn’t stand the idea of trusting the Democratic Party to a black man. The liberal plantation is alive and well in a party that only sees color and seems more than willing to use it to falsely paint their political opponents as racists.
February 10th, 2007 at 8:18 pmWHITE people just don’t get it–do they?
Clean is an old codeword used by whites so much they have forgotten that it is their way of saying he or she is an “okay negro.” End of story. The french said it best: salle negre is their way of saying a not-okay black person, i.e. a dirty black person.
A clean black man is not just clean, he is OK. This is not lost on black people. Why? Because every time a white person visits a black person’s home they will say “oh, it was so clean.” Huh? WTF.
Why comment that a black person is clean, speaks well, is hard working, and all the things that white people don’t expect black people to be? That is the point. They must still convince themselves that we are regular folks, no just human.
Heloise
February 11th, 2007 at 11:28 amWhen whites use those words to describe people of color it is to make themselves feel less racist. It’s really not about giving credit to Obama. In fact, it’s to make him the object of whites’ fancy so that they have the opportunity to show how “colorblind” they are. Bush and Biden are the only ones who do that. So many people do it without even knowing it that it’s startling. “Clean”, “articulate”, “attractive”. These are things that attest to a person’s outward appearance and demeanor. These are never words used to describe white politicians because their appearance is never questioned. But blacks, oh, they need to be questioned. “Obama looks black, but he sure isn’t!” is the thought. Of course, that’s not the explicit intentional thought, but that’s the underlying theme here.
February 27th, 2007 at 9:46 amThe Eucharist and Eschatology
The Eucharist: a gift to men and women on their journey
30. If it is true that the sacraments are part of the Church’s pilgrimage through history (99) towards the full manifestation of the victory of the risen Christ, it is also true that, especially in the liturgy of the Eucharist, they give us a real foretaste of the eschatological fulfilment for which every human being and all creation are destined (cf. Rom 8:19ff.). Man is created for that true and eternal happiness which only God’s love can give. But our wounded freedom would go astray were it not already able to experience something of that future fulfilment. Moreover, to move forward in the right direction, we all need to be guided towards our final goal. That goal is Christ himself, the Lord who conquered sin and death, and who makes himself present to us in a special way in the eucharistic celebration. Even though we remain “aliens and exiles” in this world (1 Pet 2:11), through faith we already share in the fullness of risen life. The eucharistic banquet, by disclosing its powerful eschatological dimension, comes to the aid of our freedom as we continue our journey.
The eschatological banquet
31. Reflecting on this mystery, we can say that Jesus’ coming responded to an expectation present in the people of Israel, in the whole of humanity and ultimately in creation itself. By his self-gift, he objectively inaugurated the eschatological age. Christ came to gather together the scattered People of God (cf. Jn 11:52) and clearly manifested his intention to gather together the community of the covenant, in order to bring to fulfilment the promises made by God to the fathers of old (cf. Jer 23:3; Lk 1:55, 70). In the calling of the Twelve, which is to be understood in relation to the twelve tribes of Israel, and in the command he gave them at the Last Supper, before his redemptive passion, to celebrate his memorial, Jesus showed that he wished to transfer to the entire community which he had founded the task of being, within history, the sign and instrument of the eschatological gathering that had its origin in him. Consequently, every eucharistic celebration sacramentally accomplishes the eschatological gathering of the People of God. For us, the eucharistic banquet is a real foretaste of the final banquet foretold by the prophets (cf. Is 25:6-9) and described in the New Testament as “the marriage-feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7-9), to be celebrated in the joy of the communion of saints (100).
March 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pm