The Chicago Way

Barack Obama channels his inner Sean Connery as he describes his approach to the upcoming campaign:

Barack Obama is warning supporters that the general election fight between him and John McCain may get ugly, but the Illinois senator is vowing not to back down.

"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun," Obama said at a fundraiser in Philadelphia Friday, according to pool reports.

Uh huh.  I hope he also brings a gun permit, a trigger lock, and a good lawyer.  And a health care plan.  In his next fantasy I suppose Obama will want to channel his inner Clint Eastwood, who once explained that "I've got a firm policy on gun control. If there's a gun around, I want to be the one controlling it."

Meanwhile, let me applaud any of the attendees who managed to keep a straight face while listening to Gunslinger Obama bragging on his quickness with a nine.  Here's a guy who never heard a gun control proposal he didn't like promising to brandish a handgun as if he were Annie Oakley hunting ducks.  As if.  But he certainly is a bold orator!

And since Obama said it we may not hear the typical Dem denunciations, but let me get a start on filling in the blanks:

1.  I deplore this exhortation to random gunplay - what sort of a message does this send to America's youth, too many of whom have grown up in a culture glorifying violence?  Is Obama a serious Presidential candidate or yet another rapper with yet another beef?

2.  I deplore the imagery of a black man waving a gun to settle a dispute - surely if Team Hillary's mention of Obama's teenage drug use was a despicable play on regrettable ethnic stereotypes, this is too.

That's a start - over to you.

BEING A ROLE MODEL - A SOMETIME THING WITH BARACK:

Obama explains why he wore a goofy-looking bicycle helmet last weekend:

Obama couldn't resist a little boasting. He explained that he faced a tossup: Risking ridicule or sending children the right message about bike gear. "I had an internal debate," Obama admitted when a supporter thanked him for wearing a helmet. "Because I knew that the AP was going to take a picture, and they were trying to portray it like Dukakis wearing that tank helmet.

"But I wanted to make sure that the children who saw that picture knew that even the Democratic nominee for president wears a helmet when he goes biking," he said to applause.

Sure.  And if the AP mocks you, cap 'em with a nine.

Comments

[hit and run]

Uh huh.

"They" ain't bringing a knife.

They's bringing town hall invitations -- and Obama has already redeployed over the horizon.

[Buford Gooch]

OK,I'll take a whack at it:

I deplore the escalation of violence. From a close range weapon to a longer weapon doesn't slow the vicious cycle of violence.

[SteveMG]

Looks like the "We need to transcend partisanship" sentence accidently got dropped from the teleprompter.

Sorensen forgot to put it in or was it a malfunction?

Joe Klein needs to get on top of this, pronto.

[Bill in AZ]

Obama with a gun? err... yawn...
Does he know which end to point downrange?

[Chris]

The use of overwhelming force never solved anything. Well, except for a few conflicts throughout history. But that was in the past and this campaign is about the future. What sort of future can we look forward to with this type of rhetoric?

I weep for Michelle's children.

[hit and run]

I think it's fair to assume that Obama didn't me a literal gun, right? It was just figurative violence he was suggesting...

Because when faced with the tragedy caused by a psychopath armed with a literal gun (VT tragedy), Obama chose to address the greivances of those targeted by figurative guns:

There's also another kind of violence though that we're gonna have to think about. It's not necessarily physical violence but that the violence that we perpetrate on each other in other ways.
[...]
So there's a lot of different forms of violence in our society and so much of it is rooted in our incapacity to recognize ourselves in each other - to not understand that we are all connected that we are all connected, fundamentally, as a people -- that as I said at the convention in 2004 that 'I am my brother's keeper' and 'I am my sister's keeper.' And that those who may not look like me, or talk like me, or worship the same god that I do, are nevertheless worthy of respect and dignity and a sense of common humanity.

...And if they try and knife me, I'll shoot 'em.

[Danube of Thought]

I deplore the very existence of this popinjay.

[hit and run]

Why I love Goldfarb...his last point on the Obama bringing a gun to the fight...

And finally, we're having second thoughts about our proposed series of town halls.

heh.

[py]

It's a scapegoat. Good time to disappear.

The whole thing is weird coincidence or Russians or Chinese or UFO aliens or something.

Bye.

Good luck.

[ParseThis]

we're having second thoughts about our proposed series of town halls.

McCain, I think, will set the precondition of Obama's disarmament before any town halls. Either that, or Obama better not forget one thing: a good supply of body bags.

[Bill Peschel]

First he threatens to take a stick to Congress over health care, now he's going to bring a gun to a debate. Who is this guy, Yosemite Sam?

[Rocco]

McCain should buy him a lifetime membership in the NRA and spring it on him at the first debate.

[SteveMG]

Guns for American Republicans.

Flowers for Iranian Republicans.

[Rick Ballard]

"Who is this guy, Yosemite Sam?"

Ol' Yosemite could be threatening at times - I think Elmer Fudd doing "Kill the Wabbit" may be closer.

What's next? Gangsta rap?

He's just a tad too effeminate to carry it off. He makes Alan Alda look like Sly Stallone.

[GMax]

In the lore of the lefty blogosphere, it is accepted gospel that Kerry lost because he did not respond quick enough to scurrilous Republican attacks. If you say to them something akin to exact what did the Swiftboat Vets say that was not truthful, you will not get an answer or certainly not one that makes sense. If you tell them that Kerry did not respond because the Swift Vets were telling the truth they decompensate and start firing around dirty words.

So I am sure this is code to the Kosland, that he wont be a wimp like John Kerry. Funny thing is that Kerry once said "bring it on too." Followed by make it stop pretty damn quick. I suspect that once Obama quits hiding in the bathroom behind the curtain, and decides to debate, he will be asking for a ceasefire ( or is it a hudna ?) soon enough.

[Bill in AZ]

Best place for McCain is to stand right in front of Obama. He'll flinch on the first shot and miss, and because he'll limpwrist, the gun won't cycle so there won't be a 2nd shot until McCain comes over and clears his jam for him.

[Scrapiron]

Evidently Osama Obama has been crawling through the brush with Hanoi John with his trusty shotgun while deer hunting. Crawling through the brush during deer season? Now I know who owns the two left handed gloves I found after making 5 'sound' shots with the trusty 30-06. These two clucks are dumber than a box of rusty hammers.
Osama Obama, look down the hole in the end and pull the trigger. Problem solved.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I suspect the first law of American politics is that Democrats will use any dirty trick or low campaign tactic, and blame the Republicans for making them do it.

The second law is that if a Democrat accuses a Republican of planning a dirty trick, it probably means they've already got exactly that trick in the works.

[sbw]

-- "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun," Obama said.

BHO should be aghast that anyone in his campaign would invoke such analogies of violence. He should immediately distance himself from the distraction.

In fact, if BHO had anything more than teleprompter cohones, he'd throw himself under the bus.

[kim]

Relax, he's bringing a blunderbuss.
======================

[bad]

"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun," Obama said.

This is not the Obama I knew. I am saddened by this call to violence and deplore the sterotype of a black man "poppin' a cap in yore a##" as a response to a challenge. This is a regretable chapter in the campaign but we must remember that Obama does not work for me, he is merely a volunteer.

[Jeff Alworth]

Ever get so lost in the spin you forget which direction is up?

[Michael Myers]

He's not Mr. T. He's T Cubed---Turkey Talks Tough

[kim]

That's what he throws people under, the Blunder Bus.
=================================

[PeterUK]

Obama is channeling his inner Cleavon Little.

[MikeS]

He's the Rootin' tootin', fastest shootin', high falutin, son of a gun from Chicago.

Brocko Bama, Cowboy.

[PeterUK]

Nice headline,"Chicago man threatens to shoot elderly war hero".

[Uncle BigBad]

"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,"

Isn't that statement reminiscent of John Kerry's "Can I get me a huntin' license here?"

[JM Hanes]

You could absolutely see the shift in Obama's demeanor on the night he clinched, so to speak, the nomination. It's like somebody flipped the switch and said you're talking about Republicans now, so no more Mr. Nice Guy. Of course, he never talks about what Republicans & McCain actually say and do; it's all about what Obama says they're going to say and do. He's raised fielding strawmen to high art.

[Chad Vader]

Chocolate rain. Andy made me mop the floor again...

[Missy]

Obama's words in You Tube....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

[KWFletcher]

Didn't the Connery character in the Untouchables pull a gun on a guy with a knife and then get cut down by a Tommy gun? What is this message?

[Sue]

Don't you have to know how to shoot the gun? And besides, he must have never seen any Bruce Willis movies. Guns wont' help you if you are the better man!

[Sue]

bad,

That is awesome. Tom should put it in the top so everyone coming by sees it.

This is not the Obama I knew. I am saddened by this call to violence and deplore the sterotype of a black man "poppin' a cap in yore a##" as a response to a challenge. This is a regretable chapter in the campaign but we must remember that Obama does not work for me, he is merely a volunteer.

[Jane]

test

[boris]

Jane ? Is that you ? Can barely read your post !

[Ann]

TIGER, TIGER, TIGER!!!

Where is Elliott?

Where is Jane?

[Jane]

I know, don't ask.

Go Tiger! Eagle, eagle, eagle!!!

[Jane]

YES!!!!

[Jane]

That is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

[Ann]

Sorry, Back on Topic:

Jake Tapper/ABC is really doing a great job. You have to read this:

Obama is just plain STUPID

[Lesley]

I deplore the fact that Barack Obama is running for President merely to escape being hen-pecked by his wife for not making the bed. (WH maids will do that for him, I suppose).

Barack Obama responding to Michelle's introduction: """Who is that person?" he said playfully. "She never says such nice things about me at home. But I revel in it, I really enjoy listening to her praise me like that, because when I get home, she will remind me that I didn't make the bed.""

[bad]

Thanks Sue

[Ann]

Baldilocks is on a roll, too:

Black Conservatives: Don't Fall For It

[Lesley]

What are we going to hear from Obama next?

"I was too busy painting Michelle's toenails to take that 3:00am phone call."

Whether they realize it or not, these cute comments of the Obama's (his feet smell, I didn't make the bed) render her a disrespectful nag and him a whimp.

[baldilocks]

Thanks, Ann.

Who is that person?" he said playfully. "She never says such nice things about me at home. But I revel in it, I really enjoy listening to her praise me like that, because when I get home, she will remind me that I didn't make the bed.

Dayum. Funny I believe this since she has said icky stuff about him in public before. That's a good way to precipitate a divorce.

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnb2IrsU1Cg

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

youtube link

[Lesley]

http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/jun/14/obamas-wife-charms-elderly/

Sorry, should have included the link. Same story includes M O's 4th of July baby comment.

[kim]

Clear for battle stations. Where's my blunderbus?
================================

[JM Hanes]

Ann:

Jack Tapper is one of the only MSM reporters on my daily read list. You'd think a quote from Obama defining habeas corpus would be worth putting in the habeas thread, but you're right, it's so stupid, it makes more sense here!

Obama, a former senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, cited "that principle of habeas corpus, that a state can't just hold you for any reason without charging you and without giving you any kind of due process -- that’s the essence of who we are. I mean, you remember during the Nuremberg trials, part of what made us different was even after these Nazis had performed atrocities that no one had ever seen before, we still gave them a day in court and that taught the entire world about who we are but also the basic principles of rule of law. Now the Supreme Court upheld that principle yesterday."

And I thought John McCain was a little vague on constitutional principles! Tapper's aside is hysterical:

Though Obama was clearly referring to the principle of giving criminals a day in court, it's worth pointing out the distinction here, that the Nuremberg trials did not give Nazi war criminals access to U.S. courts.....

Tapper manages to be pretty even handed, even in the face of rank idiocy, without actually ignoring it -- something that McCain can be grateful for too, unfortunately.

[kim]

This is predictable eightnine. Someone earlier said it was 'McCain the Maverick' from MSM until Obama won, and now it is 'Bush's Third Term'.

By November, people will be glad to have Bush's third term from someone who can talk to them. The hair on the back of the nation's neck will be on end over Obama.
==========================

[Sue]

I would never tell anyone my husband's feet stink. And I'm just thankful he makes the bed, sloppy or otherwise. I hate it when a spouse demeans their spouse in public. Just as I hate it when the groom shoves cake in his bride's face. Or vice-versa. It bugs the hell out of me that she belittles him.

[kim]

Yes, JMH, I've begun to read Jake occasionally, too. His comment section is a mess, though.
=======================

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
from someone who can talk to them.
---

Charles Manson spins a good yarn; five more months of McCain and the Republicans may be begging Manson to run as a Republican.

[Sue]

I wanted to get married on the 4th of July. But it was a Monday that year, so we opted for the 2nd and we celebrate it on the 4th. Every year, fireworks are shot off in celebration of our anniversary. Or so he says, and I would never dream of correcting him. In public, anyways. ::grin::

[Lesley]

Sue, exactly.

If Michelle Obama doesn't respect her husband, why should we?

[clarice]

I understand that he has no experience in foreign affairs or defense and little in economics, but this mistatement about constitutional law which he taught fer chrissakes shows without question hs is an utter dope who was made head of the law review for reasons completely independent of scholarship.

DOPE DOPE DOPE.

[kim]

We must have different standards; I don't find Charlie very persuasive.
===============================

[Sue]

If Michelle Obama doesn't respect her husband, why should we?

My aunt is that way. She is always putting him down and her 2 girls do it too. I can't stand being around her or them. But I love my goofy uncle. And he is my uncle by marriage. The aunt is blood.

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
I hate it when a spouse demeans their spouse in public.
---

link

---
At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c**t."
---

[Sue]

She is always putting him down and her 2 girls do it too.

Y'all should just read my mind, since I can't. I meant my aunt puts down her husband, and has done it for years in front of everyone. Her daughters picked up on it from her and they too belittle him. I want to knock their heads off and fight his battles for him, since he no longer even tries. But, my thought was I wonder if his girls will pick up on Mama's constant criticism of him? Will they respect him if Mama doesn't?

[kim]

The 'angry' McCain was also predictable. We've seen Obama be a bit snappish, too. 'C'mon guys, I've already answered seven questions' and stalks off, leaving reporters pondering his fate. It'll get a lot worse.
==========================

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
I don't find Charlie very persuasive.
---

Well, sure, as murderous psychopaths go, he's got some issues that might not sit well with the electorate.

But nothing that Karl Rove couldn't paper over in a pinch.

[Sue]

Seriously? Someone is here trying to play tit for tat with McCain? Not many here actually support McCain. We just really dislike Obama. ::grin::

[Sue]

Woohoo! This could be our cybernaut!!!!

[Ann]

You are more than welcome Baldilocks. I wish you would post here daily. What do you think of MO's comment about her daughter's historic birth? Why couldn't she just say she was born on a very patriotic and/or American day? Why did she have to add that it was because of her that her daughter was born on July 4th? She is really something and I don't like it.

My first date with my husband was on July 4th in eighth grade. Now that is historic!!

[kim]

Now that's pretty inane. Wearing out already?
===========================

[Sue]

8th grade? How many years have you been married?

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
It'll get a lot worse.
---

I just hope Obama doesn't mention McCain's hairline.

[kim]

Woohoo, a match made in heaven, or junior high, whichever came first.

I knew a couple who met when the girl was about six and had just been stung by a bee and was crying on the curb. The nine year old boy down the street consoled her, and they were inseparable after that. I knew them when they were in their '80's.
=============================

[kim]

Sorry, eightnine, he dare not; any suggestion about McCain's age is going to highlight Obama's immaturity.
=====================

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
I knew them when they were in their '80's.
---

I'm such a sap; love those stories. Thx!

[Sue]

I just hope Obama doesn't mention McCain's hairline.

No problem. They can negotiate. Obama doesn't mention McCain's bald spot. McCain won't mention Obama is a Muslim.

[Lesley]

Sue - our/my wedding anniversary is/was July 4th! We always planted a tree in celebration (in addition to all the fireworks).

[dhunter]

Bringing a gun to a national election? me thinks John McCain has been shot at, and hit, already by far more serious an adversary than a 1/2 black, jug eared moron from an America Hating church in Chicago Illinois.
He's nothin but a post turtle:
A turtle sitting on a post that obviously didn't get there on his own, doesn't know what to do now that hes' there, and has me wondering what dumb ass put him there.

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
any suggestion about McCain's age is going to highlight Obama's immaturity.
---

Youtube will allow folks to draw their own conclusions on this topic.

And I doubt the 'pity' vote is what carries the election this time around.

[kim]

Pity it will not be; it will be fear. Obama is going to scare the Hell out of people and I only hope he can restrain himself until September. Hillary could still beat McCain.
====================

[kim]

Is that a spoof about the Million Woman March on Denver to support Hillary? We may have a little fun yet.

Uh, I mean a little more fun.
========================

[JM Hanes]

Sue:

Ditto. This is stuff I don't need to know about other people's husbands -- let alone my President. The personal details are more tasteless than cute, IMO, and I'm not sure Obama has really thought through promoting the idea that Michelle is Dr. Jekyll & Mrs. Hyde! Are we supposed to assume she confines her dressing down to socks?

[Publius]

Late to the party, but was that Barry in
Pennsylvania the other night clinging to his gun and .....what was than in his other hand? A Koran.....oh no, that's his Bible.

[kim]

The sick thing is that they put a baby turtle up on the post. Hey, man, he coulda been a contenduh, in say, like 2020 or so.
============================

[Publius]

What will the people in San Francisco think?

[Ann]

"8th grade? How many years have you been married?"

Don't ask Sue, I would have to reveal my age. :) It's funny he was the first boy I ever kissed, too. Long story, but I am really blessed.

Hope the sappy story gets rid of you know who!!

[bad]

BO and MO are actually trying to emulate George and Laura Bush. They just suck at it.

[JM Hanes]

kim:

As a regular reader, you'd think I'd have managed Jake instead of Jack -- and in a bold faced hotlink no less! As usual, a tactful correction.

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
BO and MO are actually trying to emulate George and Laura Bush.
---

Too bad the whole IQ and competence thing blows their cover.

[Rick Ballard]

"I'm not sure Obama has really thought through promoting the idea that Michelle is Dr. Jekyll & Mrs. Hyde!"

There has been absolutely no evidence produced to this point that Obama "thinks through" anything whatsoever.First I thought that no candidate could be dumber than Gore. Then Kerry showed up and I realized my error within minutes of hearing him speak.

John Kerry is a genius in comparison to this vapidly ignorant argument against whatever policy allowed him to walk out of Columbia and Harvard with a degree in his hand. The reputation of both schools is diminished by his attendance, let alone graduation.

[kim]

Oh, this is good, JMH. I didn't even see the 'Jack'. I saw 'Jake' just from knowing about him. But, thanks anyway.
=============================

[bad]

89

Did you just talk about Barack and Michelle Obama and blow? What are you implying?

[kim]

Competence? Bush has successfully run the world for seven years, now, and Obama can't even run a mortgage. I'll let Rick persuade you about intelligence.
=============================

[Ann]

JMH,

How did you post those comments? I tried to cut and paste and Safari would not let me. Anyways, I thought of posting that on the other thread but figured no one would read it and I thought everyone should. Does that make any sense?

I love ya.

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
run
---

typo; you forgot the 'i'

[kim]

World's lookin' pretty good to me. 'Course I don't have the jaundiced 'i' you do.
===================

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

---
'Course I don't have the jaundiced 'i' you do.
---

:-)

[kim]

Tom's update is a laugh. Imagine Obama thinking a bike helmet would make him look as ridiculous as Dukakis in his tank. Clue, my young man; it wasn't just the helmet, it was the whole situation.

Boy, I can't wait until the press starts ridiculing him. Jake did a little today.
==========================

[kim]

But truly, Obama biking was a little like Kerry hiking the football. Doesn't look like a regular habit.

Hey, can a fella get a hunting license around here? I'm just waiting.
=====================================

[eightnine2718281828mu5]

bike link

[kim]

McCain is to Obama like Russert was to Stephanopoulos. Attractive. I'm not talking looks, I'm talking magnetic. Obama, despite the adulation and swooning, is fundamentally repulsive.

Ask Michelle.
========

[kim]

Great photo. That's his 'A Pet Goat' face.
==========================