April 17, 2014
— Ace Already mentioned by @theh2 (Andy) in the morning comments, and boy, I sure wish he'd mentioned it for the podcast -- great piece at Slate by John Dickerson, linked from Hot Air.
We've talked about the Buzzfeedification of politics but this would seem to mean that's now an actual strategy.
Obama Trolls the GOPThe refined cynicism of the president.
By John Dickerson
How do I get you to pay attention to this story? I could type out a balanced tale about an incremental change in White House spin and message control, relying on your discernment, patience, and kindness toward all the creatures of the Earth. Or, I could say that Barack Obama is a cynical and manipulative liar. The first approach would get a modest number of thoughtful readers, but they probably wouldn't stay on the page very long. The second would excite the emotions. Conservatives would approve. Liberals would denounce it and point out the exaggerations. My editor would smile because the controversy would attract more readers.This is trolling. I've decided against it, but the White House has not. CBS's Major Garrett writes in National Journal about a new version of the “stray voltage” theory of communication in which the president purposefully overstates his case knowing that it will create controversy. Garrett describes it this way: “Controversy sparks attention, attention provokes conversation, and conversation embeds previously unknown or marginalized ideas in the public consciousness.”
...Under this approach, a president wants the fact-checkers to call him out (again and again) because that hubbub keeps the issue in the news, which is good for promoting the issue to the public. It is the political equivalent of “there is no such thing as bad publicity” or the quote attributed to Mae West (and others): “I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.” The tactic represents one more step in the embrace of cynicism that has characterized President Obama's journey in office.
...
Facts, schmacts. As long as people are talking about an issue where my party has an advantage with voters, itÂ’s good.
Major Garrett writes of this "stray voltage" tactic here.
The questioning of Obama's use of a Census Bureau statistic that the median wages of working women in America are 77 percent of median wages earned by men lasted almost all week. The story revved into mini-overdrive when the White House defensively swatted away criticism that salaries on Obama's watch—for which the American Enterprise Institute used the same median wages metric applied by the Census Bureau—showed that women in the president's employ earned 88 cents for every dollar earned by men.All to the delight of a White House desperate to inject the issue into the political bloodstream and amplify otherwise doomed Senate Democratic efforts to make it easier for women to sue and win damages for workplace pay differences. The controversy that played out on front pages, social media, TV, and radio did just that.
This is the White House theory of "Stray Voltage." It is the brainchild of former White House Senior Adviser David Plouffe, whose methods loom large long after his departure. The theory goes like this: Controversy sparks attention, attention provokes conversation, and conversation embeds previously unknown or marginalized ideas in the public consciousness....
A top White House adviser told me last week's pay gap dust up was a "perfect" example of stray voltage. This time it was premeditated.
Like the typical sort of blog-trolling, Obama is basically writing grabby, preposterous, eye-catching, false headlines. And as with the various outfits which practice trolling all day long, he doesn't expect to catch flack for his mangling of the facts for viral hits, because no one expects a Salon headline to be honest in the first place, and, increasingly, few expect honesty from a President, either.
So, in order to maximize viral shares, you just lie. You lie small, you lie big. You like outrageously, you lie entertainingly. This makes liberals link you in approval -- you're finally "getting tough" with the GOP -- and it makes conservatives link you to argue against you.
Whatever the reason, you're getting linked. Your claims, no matter how false, unfair, or ridiculous, are now the day's number one linked story.
Obama came into office as the world's first truly literary president, a rara avis (according to super-fan Christopher Buckley), and he goes out of office as a Gawker blog editor with a keen eye for search engine optimization and listicles.
Posted by: Ace at
07:38 AM
| Comments (340)
Post contains 761 words, total size 5 kb.
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 07:41 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: Lizzy at April 17, 2014 07:42 AM (IdOTf)
Oh, you know it, girlfriend!
I'm sorry, what?
Oooooo, you said "listicles.
That's very different.
Never mind.
Posted by: Reggie Love at April 17, 2014 07:42 AM (NXg/k)
Posted by: Lizzy at April 17, 2014 07:43 AM (IdOTf)
Posted by: Hello it's me Donna and I know nuthink! at April 17, 2014 07:43 AM (9+ccr)
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at April 17, 2014 07:44 AM (VqenQ)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 17, 2014 07:44 AM (mJqIh)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 07:44 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 07:44 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 07:44 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at April 17, 2014 07:45 AM (659DL)
Posted by: Nora at April 17, 2014 07:45 AM (RGgMp)
Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at April 17, 2014 07:45 AM (+lsX1)
Posted by: Nip Sip at April 17, 2014 07:46 AM (0FSuD)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 17, 2014 07:47 AM (mJqIh)
Posted by: Count de Monet at April 17, 2014 07:47 AM (BAS5M)
Posted by: arnim zola at April 17, 2014 07:47 AM (Jsiw/)
Posted by: [/i][/b][/s]akula51 at April 17, 2014 07:47 AM (Mj+L4)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: bruceinsocalommunity organizer operates. What is sad is that our side still engages him on it instea at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (bn38K)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Toronto Gal at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (5cS5I)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at April 17, 2014 07:48 AM (VqenQ)
Posted by: arnim zola at April 17, 2014 07:49 AM (Jsiw/)
When I can't avoid hearing him (and I try mightily to do so) I get the sense that Obama takes his greatest pleasure from his comic timing: a strawman with a rising inflection, a weighty pause, a cheap refutation and smug satisfaction.
This president is not a serious man.
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at April 17, 2014 07:49 AM (JtwS4)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 07:49 AM (8D0/R)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 07:49 AM (7ObY1)
Now imagine a nation of lazy, ignorant fools..
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 11:44 AM (phmNs)
It's like we're living in the best parts of 1984 and Brave New World, all at once!
Posted by: Phinn at April 17, 2014 07:49 AM (i5GO4)
he isn't just post racial
he's post factual
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 11:48 AM (zOTsN)
And a post turtle.
Posted by: Count de Monet at April 17, 2014 07:50 AM (BAS5M)
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/s] [/u] at April 17, 2014 07:50 AM (HsTG8)
Posted by: AmishDude at April 17, 2014 07:50 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 17, 2014 07:50 AM (t3UFN)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:50 AM (bb5+k)
he's post factual
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 11:48 AM (zOTsN)
Giorgio A. Tsoukalos deals with more facts and reality than Obama does.
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: wooga at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (6KuDG)
Posted by: Toronto Gal at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (5cS5I)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 07:51 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (9f7ZN)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: Insane Clown joncelli at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: anon a mouse at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (gXRIG)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: ontherocks at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (tUqAV)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 07:52 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:53 AM (bb5+k)
Giorgio A. Tsoukalos deals with more facts and reality than Obama does.
I loved that little mouse on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Posted by: Count de Monet at April 17, 2014 07:53 AM (BAS5M)
"The President of the United States is a liar. Not a periodic liar, but a habitual liar, about matters of grave importance to you, me, and everyone in the United States. Further, he has surrounded himself with habitual liars, the likes of which have populated the entire Executive Branch with an infestation of corrupt liars just like themselves.
Don't talk to us about doing the country's business until people go to prison for what they've done. We're not about to sit here and pretend that these individuals aren't destroying the country, the freedoms for which our ancestors and our newest generations have paid in blood. To do so, to pretend these people aren't the lowest of the low, and deserving of scorn and incarceration, is to insult the memory of those who gave the greatest sacrifice so that we can have our unique experiment in freedom.
When the Executive Branch is worth our time, and worth the sacrifice of those noble generations, then we'll treat them as such. Until then, they won't get a dime of funding from us."
and of course, that will never happen. But it would resonate just as if Boehner walked up to Pelosi and smacked her with her gavel.
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 07:53 AM (/29Nl)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:53 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 17, 2014 07:54 AM (mJqIh)
45 Anyone know why there is no twitter bird on this site? I'm not sure how to tweet anything here.
Posted by: Toronto Gal at April 17, 2014 11:51 AM (5cS5I)
Use this twitter feed. Eventually this post will show up there and you can retweet from that. https://twitter.com/aoshq
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 07:55 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 07:55 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:55 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Romeo13 at April 17, 2014 07:56 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 07:56 AM (/29Nl)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 07:56 AM (phmNs)
Obama came into office as the world's first truly literary president
Ima gonna have to call bullshit on that one, ace...
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ at April 17, 2014 11:50 AM (HsTG
I think Ace is referring to the MSM's felching of him as opposed to the illiterate monkey George "My Pet Goat" Bush.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 17, 2014 07:56 AM (zF6Iw)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:56 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Donald Trump at April 17, 2014 07:57 AM (eAJwE)
Posted by: RagamuffinB at April 17, 2014 07:57 AM (545ep)
Posted by: The Trolling Scoamf at April 17, 2014 07:58 AM (RGgMp)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 07:58 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:58 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at April 17, 2014 07:58 AM (1hM1d)
Nonsense, according to AllenG there are no fools.
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 11:50 AM (bb5+k)
He must not read many of your postings then.
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 07:59 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 07:59 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Lizzy at April 17, 2014 07:59 AM (IdOTf)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 07:59 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: MikeTheMoose Now Posting From Chrome at April 17, 2014 07:59 AM (0q2P7)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 17, 2014 08:00 AM (0HooB)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 08:00 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:00 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at April 17, 2014 08:01 AM (27KAF)
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at April 17, 2014 11:48 AM (VqenQ)
Someone should put together one of those tests. Somewhere in it, there should be a question regarding why the test-taker voted for the SCOAMF. The last optional answer should be "I didn't vote for the SCOAMF."
For all those that answered anything other than "I didn't vote for the SCOAMF," the final analysis of the test-taker is that "You're every member of TFG's administration: a crypto-Marxist totalitarian shitbag that wants to freeload off of actually-producing Americans in perpetuity."
For those that didn't vote for the SCOAMF, the answer would be, "Congrats, you're not a liberal shitbag, therefore you don't resemble ANY member of TFG's administration."
Posted by: Country Singer at April 17, 2014 08:01 AM (L8r/r)
Posted by: Romeo13 at April 17, 2014 08:01 AM (84gbM)
Ace, what does this mean? That he's written books, or is well-read? Because I think both of those are somewhat disputed.
Posted by: Null at April 17, 2014 08:01 AM (P7hip)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:02 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:02 AM (8D0/R)
Posted by: MTF at April 17, 2014 08:03 AM (F58x4)
Posted by: Nora at April 17, 2014 08:03 AM (RGgMp)
But, the only reason to troll for hits is to sell advertising.
So, what are they selling?
Because less and less people are buying.
Is it just fundraising? I think it is. Anyone have the current fundraising numbers? What are they pulling in compared to the Rs?
Do they really believe the bullshit that Obaaamacare would be popular if it had more positive advertising?
Or is it their belief they'll win in November by swamping the airways with hit jobs on the Republicans?
How can they not see that Obaaama is the Shit Midas? Every single issue he has focused on has gone to shit. It's why I hope he keeps talking about immigration reform.
Posted by: RoyalOil at April 17, 2014 08:03 AM (VjL9S)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (d+Dej)
Obstensibly, Obama did write two books before becoming President.
For you people in Loma Linda, CA, that's twice as many books as icon JFK.
Indubitably.
We rate ace's calling Onama "the world's first truly literary president, a rara avis." as mostly true and award one-half of a pinocchio nose. --- WaPo
Posted by: Count de Monet at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (BAS5M)
I guess he figures he moves the Overton window more even if he lies in his belief system than tells the truth in ours (or stays silent).
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (kCfMX)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (phmNs)
Put can opener to lid and hear a hiss. Followed by the paste start to ooze out of the puncture.
I sense a movie script - Attack of the Killer Tomato Paste.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (mJqIh)
Posted by: Woody Allen at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (0LHZx)
Weekend's close. Lining up dates. Kilts are at the cleaners..........
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 12:02 PM (8D0/R)
The sound of a zipper startles the sheep.
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:04 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Slow Sheriff Joe at April 17, 2014 08:05 AM (Aif/5)
Posted by: ace at April 17, 2014 08:05 AM (/FnUH)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 08:05 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: Shorty Johnson at April 17, 2014 08:05 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:05 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Woody Allen at April 17, 2014 08:06 AM (0LHZx)
So many lies, mistatements, factually untrue stories and misinformation that it would be hard to know where to start with Obama.
Anyone of us could immediately name a dozen specific lies of Obama right off the top of our head. Not difference of opinions but outright lies. That the press ignored one or two could be counted as mere partisanship but the dozens of lies that have basically gone unreported is criminal.
Posted by: polynikes at April 17, 2014 08:06 AM (m2CN7)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:06 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: deadrody at April 17, 2014 08:06 AM (b2D8X)
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: AmishDude at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Peggy Nooner at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (eAJwE)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Insane Clown joncelli at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 17, 2014 08:07 AM (mJqIh)
...the president purposefully overstates his case knowing that it will create controversy.
Or more likely, he's a cock-sucking liar and a dumbass who believes all those dorm room slogans because he doesn't have a clue how the world really works
Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at April 17, 2014 08:08 AM (rXcBX)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:08 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:08 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Lizzy at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (IdOTf)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Romeo13 at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (LI48c)
Do NOT make me pull over this car!
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 12:08 PM (nqBYe)
That's just shear bossiness!
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: Burn the Witch at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (HLprW)
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 17, 2014 08:09 AM (0LHZx)
Posted by: polynikes at April 17, 2014 08:10 AM (m2CN7)
Posted by: Shorty Johnson at April 17, 2014 08:10 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: Omama Speechwriter at April 17, 2014 08:10 AM (BAS5M)
Posted by: Romeo13 at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (nqBYe)
Compare Obama's canon, two ghostwritten books about himself, to the prodigious and variegated writing output of Theodore Roosevelt.
Posted by: torquewrench at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (noWW6)
There are 2 books with his name on them. I think it's a stretch to call him literary
Posted by: TheQuietMan at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (1Jaio)
Outrageously OT because I'm allowed being Way Down Under on Friday morning and it's also time for bed as in it's 2am....
You are truly a very funny bunch - reading through the threads has given me lots of laughs - I wish I could be as witty as some of you here
I've always seen your President as a troll with his middle finger permanently sticking up into all your faces - what a creep of a man - he is revolting really
Today I'm off to our wonderful Royal Easter Show where the country meets the city - and maybe catch a glimpse of our Royal visitors Prince William and his lovely Kate
Of course my dear old Aussie Bloke is mainly interested in seeing the woman with strong hair who lifts weights with her plaits and other weird people but I will be enthralled by the cows, chooks and horses as usual
So if anyone is interested look up Royal Easter Show and see what a great event this is in Sydney (I can't tiny due to only having cardboard AoSHQ membership)
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 17, 2014 08:11 AM (0LHZx)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 08:12 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Erik at April 17, 2014 08:12 AM (D4yqe)
Posted by: Pipeholder at April 17, 2014 12:11 PM (VTeUD)
Agreed! And I be a expurt on shote dicks.
Posted by: Shorty Johnson at April 17, 2014 08:12 AM (xWW96)
If you want to see a fool, just look in the mirror.
It's awesome that you're willing to take time away from commanding your militia and planning the revolution to put some knowledge to the rest of us. It must be hard to tolerate the nonsense that goes on here when you have so much important work to do!
Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at April 17, 2014 08:12 AM (+lsX1)
Posted by: Nip Sip at April 17, 2014 08:12 AM (0FSuD)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 08:13 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:13 AM (8D0/R)
So.... I just saw this commercial air on TNT. I'm quite disturbed. You must wallow in my disturbance as well.
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 08:13 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: Nip Sip at April 17, 2014 08:13 AM (0FSuD)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 08:14 AM (zOTsN)
1) Ctrl+F "sheep"
2) Skip comment which contains it
3) Save time.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at April 17, 2014 12:09 PM (HLprW)
Well that's some woolly-headed advice!
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:14 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 08:14 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:14 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (8D0/R)
"He/She/It is a liar. He lies to us. He lies to the media. He lies to the American people. Are you suggesting it is my job to treat a liar as anything but? Look, I don't have to allow liars into my orbit. He and all of his sycophants in the media may have lied enough to get him into office, but I sure as hell don't need to make the problem worse by pretending he's something he isn't."
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (/29Nl)
Posted by: Twitter Bird at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (d+Dej)
Posted by: Toronto Gal at April 17, 2014 12:12 PM (5cS5I
Use the twitter feed that provides links to every post put up on the site.
It might take some time for it to appear but it will.
Posted by: buzzion at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 17, 2014 08:15 AM (0HooB)
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 12:09 PM (DrWcr)
ewe not the boss of me!
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 12:11 PM (nqBYe)
Uh oh, willow's mad at me. Time to go on the lamb!
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Nip Sip at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (0FSuD)
Posted by: Burn the Witch at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (HLprW)
Posted by: joncelli at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (nqBYe)
He's being a dick. Yeah, he was always a dick but now it's personal to him. The MFM can work the pole all they want on this but the fact remains he's going down as the worst POTUS in history. There's not one measure of this country's economic indicators that is remotely better than it was in Jan 2009 and in most cases they're horribly worse off. He's a petulant whiny little dickhead and nobody likes him anymore. Being a dick is the only option for him because God knows the problem isn't him. Right?
None of his ideas have done fuck-all like they thought it would. Even the folks who still support Dems are embarrassed by him. I work in a building with about 600 temps who work at a call center and more than half of them are black. In 2008 it was like a literal party zone here. Now? If you can find an Obama sticker in our parking lot, I'll eat it.
The elections are going to be horrible for the Dems. There's going to be a massive Airing of the Grievances on the Dem side and you can look for a lot of Dems to suddenly become "racists" because that's ALL they've got. Hell, look at Eric Holder. If there's a guy in the government with a comparably worse record and legacy in his job description than TFG, it's him. Why do you think he's so touchy these days? He's barely keeping his rage down as it is.
Before it's over with him in 2016, TFG is going to be tagging the halls of the WH and fucking with the plumbing because frankly that's all he got left.
Posted by: B at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (twiRb)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (8D0/R)
Posted by: AmishDude at April 17, 2014 08:16 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (nqBYe)
Senator Ted Cruz
Senator Mike Lee
Sarah Palin
Who will all be in Tulsa on April 24 for the Liberty Rally. With T. W. Shannon, who is a US Senate candidate in the Republican Oklahoma primary.
LINK: http://preview.tinyurl.com/qxbsjqk
Posted by: mrp at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (JBggj)
Posted by: thunderb at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (t3UFN)
Willow
Sorry some of us came up "short". In compensation please take this gift.
http://tinyurl.com/ax4jmws
Posted by: Shorty Johnson at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: RWC at April 17, 2014 08:17 AM (fWAjv)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:18 AM (7ObY1)
"I'm insulted that you think I should work in good faith with those for whom "The Godfather" isn't just a movie, but an instruction manual."
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 08:18 AM (/29Nl)
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 12:11 PM (XURZb)
We're going to need some close angle photos of Kate. Don't make it too obvious, but we want to see fur and early morning dew.
Posted by: Country Singer at April 17, 2014 08:18 AM (L8r/r)
Is it dove season?
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 12:16 PM (8D0/R
Rabbit season.
Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at April 17, 2014 08:18 AM (rXcBX)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at April 17, 2014 08:18 AM (aDwsi)
Posted by: Achmed at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (Aif/5)
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 12:16 PM (DrWcr)
for the shearing hell of it?
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 12:17 PM (nqBYe)
Huh? What? Oh, sorry, I was woolgathering.
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (gmeXX)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 12:06 PM (nqBYe)
Two weasels sniffing each other's asses. And plotting against the country. Cantor is the most worthless lying fuck the GOPe has come up with, which is really saying something.
Posted by: Captain Hate at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (pQf67)
Posted by: AmishDude at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: Shorty Johnson, Dickless Rapper at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Blue Oyster Cult at April 17, 2014 08:19 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: [/i][/b][/s]akula51 at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (Mj+L4)
Posted by: A message at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (fsHdl)
Now having that address means truly living the Moron lifestyle.
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 12:17 PM (7ObY1)
Except while the buildings are still here, there is only one craft brewery/restaurant and a saki specialist generating new booze. No real distillery.
It's a cool place, though. There's a really fucked up Lovecraftian sculpture right outside a daycare.
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (/29Nl)
"Obama came into office as the world's first truly literary president..."
Lincoln's amazing speeches. Grant's riveting memoirs. Madison's brilliant entries in the Federalist Papers. Jefferson...just Jefferson.
No, Obama wasn't the first truly literary president. He wasn't even the first presidential troll. FDR took that title with his famous 'Fala' speech.
Posted by: troyriser at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (O66NZ)
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 17, 2014 08:20 AM (zF6Iw)
166 Citizen X
Hi and yes it will be a great day - being a Show junkie I'm also going on Saturday with my son...
Today with the old Bloke it will be looking at the exhibits and food tastings etc (sedate adult stuff)
On Saturday with my son it will be the carnival rides (Crazy thrill seeking heart attack inducing stuff)
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:21 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 12:20 PM (nqBYe)
I'll have to ruminate on that.
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:21 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Shorty Johnson, Dickless Rapper at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (zOTsN)
Not sure I'm understanding that.
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at April 17, 2014 11:48 AM (d+Dej)
That president would be Theodore Roosevelt, and Christopher Buckley is a mouth-breathing imbecile.
Posted by: Mikey NTH - Snow! AHHHHHHHH! at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (hLRSq)
Posted by: Lizzy at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (IdOTf)
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (zF6Iw)
http://tinyurl.com/pksv77c
Posted by: Mike Hammer at April 17, 2014 12:18 PM (aDwsi)
If the GOP wasn't in on it, don't you think they'd be putting the word "liar" in every sentence they say or write about this administration?
They are treating this like a political game, which means they are in on it, or horribly naive. Both of which are enabling the Dems to win.
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (/29Nl)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:22 AM (bb5+k)
How the heck ValJar gets the C+ prez to memorize this stuff is beyond me..
Posted by: Chi-town Jerry at April 17, 2014 08:23 AM (Z7PrM)
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 17, 2014 08:23 AM (0LHZx)
Posted by: thunderb also dickless rapper at April 17, 2014 08:23 AM (zOTsN)
How the heck ValJar gets the C+ prez to memorize this stuff is beyond me..
Posted by: Chi-town Jerry at April 17, 2014 12:23 PM (Z7PrM
She doesn't....
Posted by: ToTUS at April 17, 2014 08:24 AM (LI48c)
=======
Wouldn't that be Thomas Jefferson, who wrote some neat stuff, like the Constitution that's a hundred years old. He owned slaves, though.
Posted by: mrp at April 17, 2014 08:24 AM (JBggj)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:24 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Countrysquire at April 17, 2014 08:25 AM (eEBON)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:25 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:25 AM (gmeXX)
167 rickb223
Hi there - I've lurked here for years and only came out of the closet a few months back - for some strange reason I feel like a moron (ette) ....
I come here for the content...
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:25 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: mrp at April 17, 2014 12:24 PM (JBggj)
That's four hundred, H8r!
Posted by: Sheila Jackson Lee at April 17, 2014 08:25 AM (L8r/r)
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at April 17, 2014 08:26 AM (0LHZx)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:26 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:27 AM (8D0/R)
Posted by: ontherocks at April 17, 2014 08:27 AM (tUqAV)
And that, boys and girls, is why I cut the cable.
I no longer pay leftists (via my cable fees) to create their propaganda. I no longer listen to it either, from lowlifes like Chris Matthew all the way down to scum like the Preezy, I have boycotted and divested.
But not being a fascist, I have not sanctioned them.
Posted by: Steve in Greensboro at April 17, 2014 08:27 AM (bbivj)
I could just hear the limitless "ahs" and "oms"
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:27 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 17, 2014 08:27 AM (0HooB)
Obama's literary agents (to whom he provided an authorial biography describing himself as "born in Kenya") negotiated a quite comfortable advance for him from a major publisher.
On the basis, essentially, of "first black president of the Harvard Law Review", which was the single point of distinction on Obama's entire CV to date. Never mind that he got that post purely on the basis of melanin count rather than accomplishment.
(Harvard Law had been accused of TEH RAYCISS after letting go an underperforming black instructor and were desperate to prop up their bona fides; the law school brass grabbed the first dusky-hued individual who happened past, and installed him as law review head.)
Also never mind that Obama, per the account of his classmates on the law review, did not do a lick of work. He left it all to the rest of them while he rested on his laurels. Note that Obama is the very first head of the HLR, going back to its founding in 1887, not to have contributed a single article under his own byline.
But, nevertheless, the publisher expected great things. And did not get them. They waited patiently. Then got less patient. Became impatient. Started ringing bells and rattling cages at Obama's agency. Then demanded the advance money back. Ooops! Barack and Mooch had blown through it.
Obama then ran off to Bali (!) to closet himself alone with his majestic O-lympian thoughts and get _something_ down on paper. Apparently there was less in his mighty cranium than he thought, because he came back empty-handed. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where Bill Ayers entered the picture. The rest is history.
Posted by: torquewrench at April 17, 2014 08:28 AM (noWW6)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:28 AM (bb5+k)
***
Liberals like to be lied to.
Just ask them about Obama's stances on gay marriage.
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:28 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:28 AM (8D0/R)
179 98 ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire
Re upgrades
Sadly time differences stop me seeing the upgrade windows so I'm stuck here living a cardboard life..
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (XURZb)
The only way is to call them liars AND ostracize them. Gutfeld has it right with the "Not Cool" thing. As soon as it stops being "cool" to support these assholes, they are done.
We won't associate with lying criminals. There's no point in working in good faith when it isn't returned in kind.
Oh, you support and voted for the lying criminal? That makes you an accomplice. No soup for you.
Posted by: grognard at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (/29Nl)
There's an old joke about certain magazines and how "I only read them for the articles."
Posted by: torquewrench at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (noWW6)
Posted by: Truck Monkey at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (32Ze2)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (gmeXX)
All the really need long term is for people to keep voting for their party until they've finished permanently cementing their power. That part seems to be working.
Posted by: HR at April 17, 2014 08:29 AM (ZKzrr)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:30 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:30 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 17, 2014 08:30 AM (0HooB)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:30 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:31 AM (gmeXX)
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/s] [/u] at April 17, 2014 08:31 AM (HsTG8)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (8D0/R)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (XyM/Y)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:32 AM (gmeXX)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (nqBYe)
***
One of the interesting things to consider here is that the notion that Ayers wrote the book started off as a wild eyed conspiracy theory.
Then it turned out that literary analysis, of the sort used to check for plagiarism, said Ayers wrote the book. And then Ayers himself said he wrote the book. And then finally the publisher (IIRC) accidentally admitted that Ayers substantially rewrote the book.
So it turns out the crazy conspiracy theory is, at least mostly, true.
And yet this admission generated no interest. If Bush had falsely claimed to have written a book would the Dem party have let it go?
Now, in the grand scheme of Obama's lies this is a relatively unimportant one. But had the Republican elite made a bigger deal of this would he feel so free to lie?
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: thunderb also dickless rapper at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at April 17, 2014 08:33 AM (aDwsi)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at April 17, 2014 08:34 AM (ZPrif)
186 joncelli
Hi, and yes it will be lovely day
I just love walking through all the huge sheds with cows, horses, chooks, etc
And also just enjoying the crowds - people are happy at the Show
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:34 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: random lurker at April 17, 2014 08:34 AM (G+hiD)
Posted by: alexthechick - Here SMOD SMOD SMOD at April 17, 2014 08:35 AM (eKy6k)
Posted by: MikeTheMoose Now Posting From Chrome at April 17, 2014 08:35 AM (0q2P7)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:35 AM (bb5+k)
***
And even after the backlash in 2010 we still have Obamacare...and a Republican party that is united around the notion of..."fixing" Obamacare instead of ending it.
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:35 AM (78TbK)
Which changed precisely nothing--and I'm not blaming the House, because they've passed a shit-ton of bills that Harry Reid has just smirked at, and SCOAMF wouldn't sign anyway.
And then in 2012, he got re-elected .
Posted by: HR at April 17, 2014 08:35 AM (ZKzrr)
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at April 17, 2014 08:36 AM (0HooB)
Posted by: Romeo13 at April 17, 2014 08:36 AM (84gbM)
187 willow
Hi and I will be definitely looking at the sheep later today
Fruit and nuts we have a big supply to look at too....at the Show of course
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:36 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at April 17, 2014 12:33 PM (aDwsi)
You just gave me an earworm: http://youtu.be/jN2AdOjI4FI
Posted by: Sheila Jackson Lee at April 17, 2014 08:37 AM (L8r/r)
Posted by: willow at April 17, 2014 08:37 AM (nqBYe)
___
I thought about trying, but really who wants to be president? Especially if people are just going to say mean things about you.
Posted by: Mitt Romney at April 17, 2014 08:37 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: Citizen X at April 17, 2014 08:37 AM (7ObY1)
Theoretically bu not practically.
Posted by: Irish Democracy in Connecticut at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (DL2i+)
You started this thread with everyone basically supporting you on ribbing AllenG for his naivete. However, after spending the whole thread being a total jackass to everybody who got tired of your making the same point over and over again you have united everyone against you. I get it, AllenG said something naive. I get that the American Public isn't exactly a brain trust (they never were when you think about it). Still...
LET. IT. GO.
If you push a point to earnestly and strongly you turn off even your natural allies.
Posted by: Socky D. Sock at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (qJPSp)
Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 12:29 PM (gmeXX)
Because the AoSHQ is known for insantiy, cheap vodka, bad jokes, depression, and hobo carnage.
But mostly depression because woe is me is more fun than being a cock-eyed optimist.
Posted by: Mikey NTH - Snow! AHHHHHHHH! at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (hLRSq)
Posted by: wispy willowing wimper at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: thunderb also dickless rapper at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (zOTsN)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (gmeXX)
TFG= chance of Fluke flaps
Advantage Gawker
Posted by: alexthechick - Here SMOD SMOD SMOD at April 17, 2014 12:35 PM (eKy6k)
AtC invokes Fluke's Beef Drapes, and all around the world, male Ace o' Spades commenter testicles slam back up into their owner's bodies in fear. Ugh.
Any truth to the rumor that the dickless rapper screamed "RELEASE THE KRACKEN!!!!!" just before the emasculated himself?
Oh, SMOD, where is thy sting?
Posted by: Sharkman at April 17, 2014 08:38 AM (TM1p8)
Posted by: Mikey NTH - Snow! AHHHHHHHH! at April 17, 2014 12:38 PM (hLRSq)
Hard to be optimistic with a dick in your eye.
Posted by: Insomniac at April 17, 2014 08:39 AM (DrWcr)
Posted by: Tommy Flanagan at April 17, 2014 08:39 AM (APuJ7)
Posted by: Sen. from Nevada at April 17, 2014 08:39 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: AmishDude at April 17, 2014 08:40 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: SH at April 17, 2014 08:40 AM (gmeXX)
202 country singer
Hi and I'll try to take a selfie with me and Kate if you like (after I trample over the thousands of people trying the same thing)
I do have abetter chance of taking a selfie with a sheep...
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:40 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: Joey "Choo Choo" Biden at April 17, 2014 08:42 AM (pgQxn)
Posted by: Soothsayer, corn bread assassin at April 17, 2014 08:42 AM (phmNs)
Posted by: rickb223 at April 17, 2014 08:43 AM (8D0/R)
227 Anna Puma
Hi and thanks!
And I do like your very interesting posts especially about all things military...
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:43 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: Sen. from Nevada at April 17, 2014 08:43 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: [/i]KG at April 17, 2014 08:43 AM (p7BzH)
- Bates, Henry V, Act IV.1
Posted by: Kinley Ardal at April 17, 2014 08:44 AM (9LuAk)
Even worse.
Just for a nice Little starter, bing "14th Waffen Grenadier Division der SS."
Posted by: GMB (et al) at April 17, 2014 08:44 AM (nkPV9)
Posted by: Preznit Bamster at April 17, 2014 08:44 AM (pgQxn)
***
I look at the order of battle on the left, and the order of battle on the right, and I'm pretty sure I see France in 1940. We don't have the infrastructure, we don't have the equipment, and the only question is how many of our leaders want to go Vichy when the time is right.
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:44 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 17, 2014 08:45 AM (zF6Iw)
Posted by: HR at April 17, 2014 08:45 AM (ZKzrr)
***
Isn't that pretty much what her job was like when Obama got elected to the Senate?
Posted by: 18-1 at April 17, 2014 08:46 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: Kim Jong Un at April 17, 2014 08:47 AM (zF6Iw)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:47 AM (bb5+k)
___
Top 10 ways you can make sure you are only thinking government approved thoughts!
Posted by: The latest on buzzfeed at April 17, 2014 08:48 AM (78TbK)
Posted by: D-Lamp at April 17, 2014 08:50 AM (bb5+k)
I get that it is easy to "get behind" in the flow of messaging in this site. This very comment is evidence of that.
I also know that they will probably forget about anything on this thread by the time they sit down for dinner. All things considered this was not a very memorable thread. Certainly no longbows and crossbows going on here.
It's also clear you know that it went to far and you know why. You're reasonable, I respect that. I myself occasionally get too "into the moment" for my own good. So it seems there really isn't a problem in the long term.
And yes, sometimes you have to state an unpopular truth, it's just that an unpopular truth goes down easier in smaller doses.
Posted by: Captain_Cookie at April 17, 2014 08:54 AM (qJPSp)
335 Buzzsaw90 - used condom membership
I'm the one percenter cardboarder...
Goodnight everyone!
Love ewes all.....
Posted by: aussie at April 17, 2014 08:55 AM (XURZb)
Posted by: Darles Chickens at April 17, 2014 09:09 AM (z4vvZ)
Posted by: free tibet, etc. at April 17, 2014 09:36 AM (6wqZn)
Posted by: bobbymike at April 17, 2014 12:16 PM (hY7Vw)
Posted by: petunia at April 17, 2014 01:38 PM (DAcBA)
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Posted by: Joe Biden at April 17, 2014 07:41 AM (xvtYZ)