Juan Williams Nails It
By Larry Johnson
Email: larry_johnson@earthlink.net
Site: http://NoQuarterUSA.net
About: Larry C. Johnson is a former analyst at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, who moved subsequently in 1989 to the U.S. Department of State, where he served four years as the deputy director for transportation security, antiterrorism assistance training, and special operations in the State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. He left government service in October 1993 and set up a consulting business. He currently is the co-owner and CEO of BERG Associates, LLC (Business Exposure Reduction Group) and is an expert in the fields of terrorism, aviation security, and crisis and risk management, and money laundering investigations. Johnson is the founder and main author of No Quarter, a weblog that addresses issues of terrorism and intelligence and politics. NoQuarterUSA was nominated as Best Political Blog of 2008.[1] He has worked as a private consultant on issues of international terrorism and security for the U.S. Government and private companies. Johnson has appeared as a consultant and commentator in many major newspapers and news programs.[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Views
2.1 1996
2.2 1998
2.3 1999
2.4 2000
2.5 2001
2.6 2003
2.6.1 Plame affair
2.7 2008
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links
[edit]Background
Larry Johnson moved to Washington, D.C. in 1979 to begin work on a Ph.D. at the American University. Although he completed successfully all coursework and comprehensive exams, he did not write a dissertation. In 1978 and in 1983-85 he worked in Latin America on community development projects as a community organizer. Returning to the United States in 1985 he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, thanks in part to a letter of recommendation from Republican Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that helped to "open doors" for him at the Agency.[3] Johnson entered on duty at the CIA in September 1985 and was a classmate of Valerie Plame. Every member of that class was undercover. After a year in the Career Trainee program, which included a stint with the Afghan Task Force, Johnson was assigned as an analyst in the Middle America Caribbean Division in the Latin American Affairs Office of the Directorate of Intelligence. He received two Exceptional Performance awards and was promoted ultimately to Senior Regional Analyst for Central America.
Johnson remained undercover in the CIA until October 1989, when he resigned from the CIA and started a new job in the Office of Counter Terrorism at the Department of State. Johnson played an instrumental role in launching the Terrorism Rewards program international advertising campaign (working with Diplomatic Security officers Brad Smith and Michael Parks). [4] Johnson also was involved in a variety of crisis management response operations, including the release of hostages from Lebanon and liaison with the Pan Am 103 families. He left government service in October 1993 and started his own business as a consultant.
After leaving government service, Johnson became a frequent guest on many major television news shows when a question of terrorism came up. He was first interviewed by CNN following the capture of Carlos the Jackal. Johnson subsequently appeared on CNN, ABC's Nightline, CBS, the BBC, MSNBC, the Jim Lehrer News Hour, NBC, and NPR. In December of 1999, for example, Johnson was hired by NBC to serve as its terrorist expert for the Y2000 and was in Time Square with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric ("a lot of fun and the best way to see in the New Year"). Johnson also was hired in January 2002 as a Fox News Analyst and remained under contract until February 2003.
Since 1994 a significant focus of Johnson's consulting work has been with the U.S. military special operations forces in scripting and conducting military counter terrorism exercises. He traveled under orders from the U.S. military to Iraq in May 2006 to work on a short term project.
A registered Republican who supported President Bush in 2000, Johnson became a strong critic of the Bush administration in May 2003 for its conduct of the war in Iraq and, a few months later, for its role in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame.[5] He was also featured in the 2004 political documentary Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism. Since Robert Novak's controversial disclosure of Valerie Plame as a CIA operative in July 2003, Johnson has contributed to public discourse on intelligence matters, often sparking further controversy. He has been interviewed by both the mass media and the alternative media and published commentaries on a variety of issues, including the Plame affair, the controversy concerning Mary McCarthy, and the resignation of Porter Goss as Director of Central Intelligence.
[edit]Views
This article or section may contain an inappropriate mixture of prose and timeline.
Please help convert this timeline into prose or, if necessary, a list.
[edit]1996
In 1996, Johnson noted that terrorism worldwide was on the decline. "Terrorist incidents [both internationally and in the US] have fallen to levels not seen since the 1970s. Whether measured by the number of incidents, the number of fatalities, or the number of groups, raw statistics demonstrate that the level of terrorist violence has declined since the mid-1980s. In fact, the evidence suggests terrorism was more widespread and deadly 10 years ago."[6]
He also wrote an op-ed piece for the New York Times suggesting that the newer and more deadly terrorist threat to the U.S. was embodied by "networks of terrorists, mostly foreign, working within its borders." Exemplifying this threat was Ramzi Yousef, one of the masterminds behind the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. In the article, Johnson suggests that enhanced cooperation between intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI and CIA, is mandatory to meet the growing threat of terror networks.[7]
[edit]1998
In 1998, Johnson argued that while overall terrorism was declining, the threat from bin Laden and al-Qaeda should be the focus of American counterterrorism policy:
The nature of the threat posed by Bin Ladin is highlighted by my final chart, number 7. Osama Bin Ladin and individuals associated with him have killed and wounded more Americans than any other group. This chart also illustrates that groups such as Hamas and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) prior to 1998 have killed more foreigners in the anti-US terrorist attacks. If we take into account the bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Osama's status as the most lethal terrorist is certain.[8]
In addition, he told USA Today that bin Laden had participated in "virtually every major attack of terrorism against the United States" in the 1990s. Johnson underlined the threat posed by bin Laden, saying that he was possessed by "hatred and craziness." If left unanswered, "he would continue to terrorize Americans around the world. He has no compunction about killing women and children. He's a complete egalitarian in his murderous attitude."[9]
[edit]1999
In an interview with PBS's Frontline for its 1999 program, Hunting bin Laden, Johnson discussed Osama bin Laden.[10] According to Johnson, Americans had "tended to make Osama bin Laden sort of a superman in Muslim garb." "Actually," he continues, "Osama bin Laden, in my view, represents more of a symptom of a problem, and the problem is this: the Saudi Arabian government, not just Osama bin Laden but many people in Saudi Arabia, have been sending money to radical Islamic groups for years." Johnson continued:
When you look at who's killed Americans in the last 10 years, the individuals he's supported and backed--I'm basing that upon the initial information that's been released in the indictments and conversations with others in the intelligence communities--Osama bin Laden has been the one killing Americans. No other terrorist group in the world has been out killing Americans except for Osama bin Laden.... Osama bin Laden remains out there as the one really targeting us. So, we recognize that he's the threat. He's serious about wanting to kill Americans, but as long as he's in Afghanistan, as long as he doesn't have access to a cell phone, as long as he can't just hop on a plane and travel wherever he wants without fear of being arrested, his ability to plan and conduct terrorist operations is extremely limited. We have to recognize [that] he would like to do a lot of damage. He would like to kill Americans, but wanting to is different from being able to, having the full capabilities in place.[11]
In the interview, Johnson doubted the ability of members of bin Laden's organization to plan and put their lives on the line:
There's not another Ali or Mustafa out there at this point and Osama bin Laden in my view has not been a very effective organizer or leader. He talks a great game and puts out terrific threats as far as stirring the passions in the United States and maybe firing up the imaginations of some young Muslims throughout the world. But when push comes to shove, can he get a group of people who are together who will say: we are going to plan an operation, we're going to put our lives on the line, we're going to go out and try and kill people and we don't care what the consequence is? It hasn't happened.[12]
Frontline asked:
[Is it] ... fair to say what you're saying is that the president of the United States, his national security advisor, his deputy national security advisor for counter-terrorism, are basically blowing smoke [about the danger posed by bin Laden] and his followers]?
Johnson responded:
They're grossly exaggerating the problem. They are hyping it. They shouldn't be talking about rising terrorism. Instead of saying "terrorism's rising," it's not. "Terrorism is spreading," it's not. "More people are dying from terrorism," not the case. But what they should be saying is, "There's one individual out there that really doesn't like us, and he's made it his mission in life to kill Americans, and we've gotta deal with him." But we need to have a voice of reason in that process instead of putting ourselves out crying wolf, because this is essentially what's taking place right now. They call it the administration that cries wolf.[12]
[edit]2000
Johnson co-authored an article in 2000 with Milt Bearden which focused on the threat posed by al-Qaeda specifically, rather than terrorism trends in general. Beardon and Johnson note that new information emerging about the bombings at Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 points to the threat posed by Imad Mugniyah and Osama Bin Laden will require "a coordinated policy that will employ a full range of covert, clandestine, diplomatic, and military operations," concluding:
The Clinton Administration has shot its bolt on the terrorist problem with small effect, and no last minute show of force will change the record. A new administration can start afresh with a more sharply defined set of terrorism goals – Mughniyeh and bin Laden and their protectors for starters – and bring the full, coordinated force of American diplomatic, military, and intelligence capabilities to bear on the problem.[13]
[edit]2001
After Johnson's testimony to the special forum at the U.S. Senate, Gary J. Schmitt, executive director and CEO of the Project for the New American Century, refers in the Daily Standard (blog) to an op-ed piece Johnson wrote two months prior to the 9/11 attacks, claiming that Johnson argued that the US had little to fear from terrorism.[14]
In an editorial entitled "The Declining Terrorist Threat," published in the New York Times on 10 July 2001, Johnson says:
Judging from news reports and the portrayal of villains in our popular entertainment, Americans are bedeviled by fantasies about terrorism. They seem to believe that terrorism is the greatest threat to the United States and that it is becoming more widespread and lethal. They are likely to think that the United States is the most popular target of terrorists. And they almost certainly have the impression that extremist Islamic groups cause most terrorism.... None of these beliefs are based in fact.... While terrorism is not vanquished, in a world where thousands of nuclear warheads are still aimed across the continents, terrorism is not the biggest security challenge confronting the United States, and it should not be portrayed that way.[15]
Ten days after the 9/11 attacks, after quoting the above passage, Timothy Noah concludes a post in his "Chatterbox" feature at Slate: "Johnson's analysis, we now see, was bold, persuasive, and 100 percent wrong."[16] Johnson defended himself against such attacks:
The rightwing is resurrecting an op-ed I wrote in July 2001. I stand by the full article. It is still relevant today. I am accused, incorrectly, of ignoring the threat of terrorism. In fact, I correctly noted that the real threat emanated from Bin Laden and Islamic extremism. President Bush, for his part, ignored the CIA warning in August 2001 that Al Qaeda was posed to strike inside the United States.[17]
After September 11, Johnson appeared several times on FOX News to address the question of military action against terrorism. On 14 November, he defended the FBI's proposal to interview 5,000 students in the U.S. suspected of having information relevant to the September 11 investigations:
I think they should talk to everyone that they feel they have a need to talk to. I mean, look, this is war. This is not a legal proceeding. This isn't the O.J. Simpson trial. The folks that attacked us -- they murdered Americans. And we've got to recognize that in wartime, we should do things differently.[18]
[edit]2003
In January 2003, Johnson wrote an analysis of the relationship between the upcoming U.S. invasion of Iraq and the threat of transnational terrorism. According to Johnson, Bremer's response was to tell him that "it didn't matter what Saddam did or didn't do, we were going to war."[19] The paper warned that an invasion would "do little to destroy the infrastructure of radical Islamic terrorism responsible for the 9-11 attacks." Noting that Saddam Hussein's regime has been a longtime supporter of regional terrorist organizations such as the PLO, Johnson examines contacts between Saddam Hussein and transnational terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda:
There is no doubt that Iraq is a state sponsor of terrorism—i.e., a country that provides financial support, safe haven, training, or weapons and explosives to groups or individuals that carry out terrorist attacks. . . . According to Central Intelligence Agency data, there is no credible evidence implicating Iraq in any mass casualty terrorist attacks since 1991. . . .
Johnson notes that the period immediately leading up to 2003 saw a rise of activity surrounding terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, suggesting that "Iraq is willing to help a movement that it would otherwise oppose on ideological grounds. Nonetheless," Johnson concludes, "it is important to understand that Iraqi entreaties to Al Qaeda, are most likely intended as a tactic to bolster Iraq’s ability to fight off a U.S. invasion rather than a deep-seated theological and ideological commitment to the terrorist agenda of Bin Laden.[20]
In that analysis Johnson also warns that the U.S.-led invasion was likely to backfire:
In fact there is a serious risk that a U.S. led war against Iraq may crystallize the diffused anger in the Arab and Muslim world — a heretofore unattained goal of bin Laden and his followers — and persuade more Muslim youths to take up the terrorist banner against America and her citizens.... If we decide to invade Iraq we must be prepared for the contingency that our attack will inspire young Muslims to pursue jihad against the West in general and the United States in particular. Just as the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan rallied many Muslims, especially young adults to the cause of jihad, a U.S. attack may enable Islamic extremists to attract new followers.[20]
Johnson also gave interviews on the topic of what to do with captured al-Qaeda leaders; while he did not condone torture, he suggested that a "sleep deprivation and reward system" might be useful for getting information from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed:
I don't see a constitutional right to have eight hours of sleep. You shouldn't subject someone to freezing but they don't get to wear mink coats, either.[21]
In May 2003, Johnson joined members of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) in condemning the manipulation of intelligence for political purposes:
It is a misuse and abuse of intelligence. The president was being misled. He was ill served by the folks who are supposed to protect him on this. Whether this was witting or unwitting, I don't know, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.[22]
[edit]Plame affair
After Robert Novak wrote a column identifying the wife of former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson as a CIA officer, the media invited Johnson to comment on the ensuing scandal because he had been a member of the same Career Trainee class with Valerie Plame Wilson. For example, in October 2003, he appeared on Democracy Now to discuss the Plame affair. He told interviewer Amy Goodman that Valerie Wilson's cover should have been respected whether she was an "analyst" or a "cleaning lady": "if she's undercover she's undercover, period. If the media allows themselves to get distracted with those kinds of curve balls, they ignore the issue."[23]
He told a Senate Democratic Policy Committee in October 2003, "My classmates and I have been betrayed. Together, we have kept the secrets of each other's identities a secret for 18 years. Each and every one of us have kept that secret, whether we were in the CIA, in other government service or in the private sector. But this issue is not just about a blown cover. It is about the destruction of the very essence, the core of human intelligence collection activities: plausible deniability, apparently, for partisan domestic political reasons."[24]
Johnson testified at a special joint hearing of Congressional and Senate Democrats on 22 July 2005 about the consequences arising from the Plame affair.[25]
[edit]2008
In 2008, Johnson emerged as a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton and a strong critic of Barack Obama. Larry Johnson's blog, NoQuarterUSA, became a rally point for Clinton supporters wary of Barack Obama's qualifications to be president. Supporters of Barack Obama insist that a story that first appeared on Johnson's blog--a report that Republican operatives have a tape of Michelle Obama making racially insenstive comments about caucasians--has been "refuted" Barack Obama's Fight the Smears website.[26]. However, Johnson never claimed to have the tape and reported that the Republican operatives controlling it intended to release the tape sometime after the Democratic Convention in August 2008. On October 21, however, he asserted that the operative in possession of the tape had been instructed by the McCain campaign not to release it.[27]
[edit]Notes
^ http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/best-political-coverage/
^ Larry C. Johnson, "About Me," No Quarter (personal blog).
^ "Former CIA Official Larry Johnson Delivers Democratic Radio Address," transcript posted on official Democratic National Committee's website for The Democratic Party, July 23, 2005], accessed November 21, 2006.
^ Interview with Larry Johnson, confirmed by his supervisor
^ "Ex-CIA official Blasts Bush on Leak of Operative's Name: Democrats' Radio Address Focuses on White House Aides' Role," CNN July 23, 2005, accessed November 21, 2006.
^ Gail Russell Chaddock, "Why Terrorists Pick On the French," Christian Science Monitor (5 December 1996) p. 1.
^ Larry Johnson, "Terrorists Among Us," New York Times (20 August 1996) p. A19.
^ Terrorism Today
^ Lee Michael Katz, "The Hunt for Bin Laden," USA Today (21 August 1998) p. 1A.
^ See Transcript of original interview with Larry C. Johnson, as broadcast on Frontline in 1999. Cf. "Interview: Larry C. Johnson," for Hunting bin Laden, transcript of interview broadcast on Frontline subsequently on 13 April 2001. See also dedicated PBS webpages for media links: Iraq and the War on Terror, Frontline PBS, online featured programs, accessed 19 November 2006.
^ frontline: hunting bin laden: interviews: larry c. johnson | PBS
^ a b [1].
^ As posted in [2].
^ Gary Schmitt, [ 07/25/2005 "Meet Larry Johnson: The CIA official Turned Democratic Spokesman Has a Pre-9/11 Mindset," Daily Standard (blog), July 25, 2005, accessed November 20, 2006.
^ *Larry C. Johnson, "The Declining Terrorist Threat," The New York Times 10 July 2001: A19.
^ Timothy Noah, "(Not Exactly a) Whopper of the Week: Larry C. Johnson," Chatterbox: Gossip, speculation, and scuttlebutt about politics (blog), hosted by Slate September 21, 2001, accessed November 20, 2006. Note the full context of this quotation:
It is, to be sure, a little bit cheap (and slightly at odds with the usual parameters of this feature) to criticize someone for making an erroneous prediction, particularly after a tragedy. Chatterbox is especially reluctant to tag Johnson because Johnson's op-ed was argued forcefully, backed up meticulously with factual data, and bravely at odds with conventional wisdom at the time of its publication. Add in that Johnson now makes his living as a consultant to corporations about terrorism, and therefore had everything to gain by exaggerating the dangers terrorism poses, and the guy practically looks like a hero. Chatterbox, who two decades ago was an editor for the New York Times op-ed page, would have published Johnson's piece had he still been an editor there this past July. In his capacity at Slate, Chatterbox might well have written up Johnson's prediction, and perhaps even endorsed it.
But boy, is he glad he didn't! Johnson's analysis, we now see, was bold, persuasive, and 100 percent wrong. Sadly, a mistake this embarrassing cannot be ignored. As a fellow skeptic, Chatterbox in all sincerity wishes Johnson better luck next time.
^ Larry C. Johnson, "Johnson vs. President Bush," re-posted and updated by SusanHu at DailyKos (blog) July 25, 2005.
^ FOX News Interview with John Garrett (14 November 2001) Transcript #111405cb.260.
^ [3].
^ a b Larry C. Johnson, "Setting the Record Straight on Iraqi Terrorism," posted in Booman Tribune: A Progressive Community (personal blog) 27 January 2003. accessed 19 November 2006.
^ Qtd. in Toby Harnden, "CIA 'pressure' on al-Qa'eda chief," The London Telegraph 5 March 2003: 16.
^ Qtd. in Nicolas D. Kristof, "Save Our Spooks," The New York Times 30 May 2003:A6.
^ Democracy Now (3 October 2003)[4]
^ U.S. Senate, Democratic Policy Committee Meeting on the CIA Operative Leak, (24 October 2003).
^ Letter to the Senate.[Needs full source citation; see "References" section.]
^ Tumulty, Karen (2008-06-12). "Will Obama's Anti-Rumor Plan Work?", Time Magazine. Retrieved on 20 June 2008.:"a story that apparently first made a big splash on the Internet in late May in a post by pro-Hillary Clinton blogger Larry Johnson"
^ Whitey Tape, API, Phil Berg, and Andy MartinSee Authors Posts (1090) on June 6, 2008 at 12:25 PM in Bamboozling, Barack Obama, Black nationalism, Current Affairs, Democrats, Disenfranchisement, Father Michael Pfleger, Fox News, Race, Race Card, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.
Juan Williams, who appears on both National Public Radio and Fox News (is that prima facie evidence of schizophrenia?), has gotten to the nub of the matter on Barack Obama’s race problem. The full piece is posted at the Wall Street Journal online. Williams writes:
The heart of Mr. Obama’s problem is that he risks being defined by Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger. Most American voters know him only as a fresh face with an Ivy League education, an outstanding credential – editor of the Harvard Law Review – an exciting speaker, and a man who stands for much-desired change. Beyond that he is a political mystery with a thin legislative record. But when voters look at his past for clues to the core of his character, they find religious leaders calling for God to damn America and concluding that America is the greatest sin against God.
To deal with this controversy effectively, Mr. Obama needs to give another speech. This time he has to admit to sins of using race for political expediency – by knowingly buying into divisive, mean messages being delivered from the pulpit. He has to say that, as a biracial young man with no community roots, attaching himself to Rev. Wright and the Trinity congregation was a shortcut to move up the ladder in the Chicago political scene. He has to call race-baiting what it is, whether it comes from a pulpit or calls itself progressive politics. And he has to challenge his supporters, especially his black base, to be honest about real problems at the heart of today’s racial divide – including out-of-wedlock births, crime, drugs and a culture that devalues education while glorifying the gangster life.
Mr. Obama also has to raise the bar for how political criticism is handled in his camp. Step one is to acknowledge that not every critic is a racist. His very liberal record and his limited experience, like his association with Rev. Wright, is a fact, not the work of white racists. Just as he calls for the GOP not to engage in the politics of fear over terrorism, Mr. Obama needs to declare that he will refrain from playing the racial victim, because he understands such tactics will paralyze political debate and damage race relations.
Only by admitting to his own sins can Mr. Obama credibly claim that he has seen the promise of our country, in which Americans of all colors work together. Only then can he convince dubious white voters that he is ready to move beyond racial antagonism and be their president.
If Barack followed this advice he would finally have demonstrated for me that he has the courage and character to be a President. His continued refusal to take on this hard issue serves to remind me he’s not ready to handle other tough issues like Iran or North Korea. What will Barack do?
(small, medium and large sizes; for both dogs and cats)
+ 
Does Hillary have something up her sleeve?
http://patriotroom.com/?p=407
Interesting theories in the comment section.
Bill…this is a post on Obama. Why raise Hillary into the conversation?
I believe Juan is correct … right on the money. However, I believe it is too late for this speech. This should have already occurred …. he would have been well receive. Now too much water under the bridge. He has no credibility left and now to go back and say all of this, is a tad too late.
Keep Obama out of the White House.. and get him out of the Senate.
Senator Obama was seated next to a little girl on an airplane, on a trip back from his many fundraisers. Trying to unwind, he turned toward her and said, “Let’s talk. I’ve uh heard that flights go quicker if you uh strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.” The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the Senator, “What would you like to talk about?”
Thinking he had an opening to dazzle her with his superior intelligence Obama said, “Oh, Uh I don’t know, How about foreign uh policy? I know more about that than anyone else,” he said with a wide grin.
“OK,” the little girl said, “That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first.”
“A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff-grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?”
Obama, visibly surprised by the little girl’s own intelligence, thinks about it for a minute and then says, “Hmmm, Uh I have no idea.”
To which the little girl replied, “Do you really feel qualified to discuss foreign policy when you obviously don’t know shit?”
f**k you (i am laughing so hard )
where u got that from ??
thats fu**king hillarious .
did u make that one up or copied it .
i mean ,its funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
It’s a variation on, “The Professor and the Bartender,” circa 1967. Sent to me by one of my ex-wives. Some of the finest women you’d ever meet.
I call them all the same name: “Plaintiff.”
bada da
rishot
Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.
I’ll be here all week!
Oh, he will follow this advice, now that he has demolished the Clintons. He will re-invent himself as needed, to try and get elected. But why would words do him any good now? His record doesn’t change, the needle is stuck on those 20 years.
Yes, that’s like the bank robber, when caught by the FBI, confesses his sins, says he’s sorry, and “can I keep the money?”
Obama is going to try to do in the General what worked so well for him in the primary. That is anything you say against him is called a racist attack. McCain, like Clinton before him, won’t be allowed to say anything against Obama. This is how Obama controls the agenda and forces adversaries to keep their mouths shut. At rock bottom it is a very sophisticated type of bullying or shakedown.
Obama forces will try to make McCain tip-toe around issues and use political correct language thus making him more tongue-tied than he normally is. He will use his race to weaken McCain’s arguments. It is a very cynical use of race.
Obama will try to force anyone who does not support him into not being able to question his integrity, his lack of knowledge of foreign affairs, his health care policy, his patriotism, his character, his stand on issues, or Michelle.
I say enough is enough. I say we call his bluff and do what has to be done to defeat this illegitimate imposter. I will urge the McCain campaign to do the same. I am pretty sure the RMC and the 527s will not allow Obama to get away with this tactic on them. Politics is a contact sport. Obama and his minions just better get used to it.
Nothing less than the future of my county, my democracy, and my Constitution are at stake here!
He didn’t demolish the Clintons, the media, and others, helped him to the Presidency.
Keep it real, the minute you start believing you earned it on merit, you’ll be starting middle east wars, because ” nobody can beat you.”
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
McCain, like Clinton before him, won’t be allowed to say anything against Obama
Not so…”be allowed”?
Clinton can still pop BO like the zit he is. You think McCain will have any connection to the fact that on the issues alone he won’t have to “go there”? That the RNC knows that the house and senate are not the main objective? The main objective is to keep the current crop of criminals from going to jail?
Oops there I have said it!
Now it is fair to ask why would I vote for that?
Because historically, for many a year, none of the illegallities of previous administrations has been outted for public consumption.
expediency and being relevant are not mutually exclusive.
For BO to do what Mr Williams suggests would be the end of his political career. First, he is a chickenshit. Second, everybody knows he is a fraud and has legged humped his wazoo up the political ladder. Third, BO doesn’t know shit.
BO did it masterfully against HRC and WJC fell into it as well. ALL dems care about this, esp. apparently blacks (who can blame them?).
as if “the first black president”, was a racist, as was his wife. amazing the magic they have performed (a credulous audience perhaps?) LCSP’s (lying, cheating, stealing party) supporters don’t give a rats sphincter. how is this tactic going to work against those who have no understanding of white guilt?
I burst out laughing when I read the second paragraph. While Juan Williams is right, that’s just never happen. He doesn’t have it in him.
Juan Williams nails it because he is indeed , an Uncle Tom.
Paid by rich right-wingnuts (Rupert Murdock) to cheerlead the Reich-wing.
Nice one David,
Race baiting yet again. Everything Juan Williams speaks of is true. Dislike the argument if you want; but save the name calling, it will not suffice as an argument.
I agree. Save it, David…you obamabots can’t use race baiting as an excuse anymore.
I think it’s racist to call people uncle toms. Black people don’t march in lockstep with each other even though racists try to steriotype them that way.
Juan Williams is a human being and he has the right to have an opinion without being accused of being a traitor or something. That kind of attempt to silence and shame somebody comes right out the Bush/Rove playbook.
u did not call him racist??
why??
because -u guys call everyone else who questions obama as racist ?
Sorry, Rupert is supporting Obama. Check your facts, Moron.
But Rupert Murdoch endorsed your boy. Remember: the owls are not what they seem.
Williams hits the nail of the head. BO has never admitted to making a mistake in anything he’s said. His arrogance is stunning and will ultimately destroy him. One has to have a record of achievement to pull off that level of arrogance. BO has done nothing but talk, and most of his talk has been empty rhetoric.
Calling someone an “Uncle Tom” reveals your racism towards whites, for it confirms that you view white individuals as the enemy, worthy of scorn, and as the “other.” Further, using such a racial slur against an African American confirms that you are wiling to condemn any member of what you perceive as your group should they not fall in lock step with your views and sentiments toward whites.
Your “us” versus “them” mentality is destructive, racist, and wreaks of a segregationist attitude where we are separate, but not equal.
I just donated to John McCain for the first time. I urge other “Hillocrats” to do the same so that the DNC sees that we were not kidding when we said we weren’t going to “fall in line” behind Obama. Even if you donate a dollar, donate something. The more that show up on both list, the more they won’t nominate someone like this asshole again when there is a stronger candidate out there.
“Uncle Tom says: Only YOU can prevent Ghetto Fires!”
Thank you. I will also become a regular support of McCain. While I do not support some of the Republican agenda, I trust McCain to answer the phone at 3:a.m. more than I would trust Obama. Those who haver left the four corners of this country let alone their states have no idea of what the reality is on who should be the next president of this country. I do not want to wake up with the reality. I will fight to avoid learning that lesson. VOTE/SUPPORT/ANYTHING for McCain. NEVER Obama. Save this country.
yeah yeah yeah…
at this stage it is all 100% spin and lies…
there is no redemption for Obama now…
he has stolen votes… he has flip flopped on absoulutely everything imaginable… he has come up with the most fundemantaly insane ideas like meeting with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad… the flip flop on israel is so bizzare its surreal…
he is part of the most sleazy political machine this country has ever seen…
everything about Obama shows that he is a disaster waiting to happen and that he has only his own thirst for power at interest in this…
you can’t rationalize a crazy person and say hey if he just did this it would be ok… he is completely and wholelly immoral, corrupt, stupid, arrogant and dangerous to the world at large… he is more dangerous than Bush because at least Bush knew he was stupid…
for fucks sake people… pull your head out!
so sorry, but bush has no idea he is stupid! none!
“[H]e has come up with the most fundemantaly insane ideas like meeting with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.”
What’s “fundamentally insane” is this consistent refusal to acknowledge our need to negotiate with adversaries, both real or potential, which in itself is a demonstration of weakness and resolve.
That said, talking with President Ahmadinejad really does nothing to change the fundamental dynamic of our relationship with Iran, because he has no more political power in that country than does the Queen of England over hers, and certainly far less political decorum. For American domestic political considerations, the GOP has created in Ahmadinejad a classic strawman.
Therefore, your rant about the Iranian president is superfluous and irrelevant, because as always, the power in Iran rests with the mullahs. If we desire to change for the better the nature of our relationship with Iran, we have to talk directly to the mullahs.
Donald,
Your are right the Mullahs are the ones with the Power in Iran.
However, your post also highlights the danger of Obama - He doesn’t KNOW who to talk to because his basic knowledge of foreign affairs is worse than lukewarm tea. Just like needing Arabic speakers to go to Afghanistan. Unless those Arabic speakers are slated to teach in fundamentalist madreasses - their language skills are useless in a country where the offical languages are Pashtun and Dari,
Therein lies the danger and stupidity of Obama. Danger because he doesn’t know what the average news watcher knows and stupidity because his own arrogance prevents him from ever acknowledging he made an error.
Really? Another speech? More words? Would that do it? I am highly skeptical Larry.
You know what will happen: he will give (rolling of my eyes) yet another speech where he would same some, hedge some and contradict some. And people will hear what they want to hear….
Why? Because that is who he is; and who he has been all this time. No doubt about that.
correction : “he would
samesay some, hedge some……”I agree. Another speech, more carefully scripted words will never adequately address or excuse Obama’s long time relationships with myriad nefarious characters. Henry David Thoreau once said: “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”
So what he is saying is that Obama can just come out and make another high faluting speech about race and all will be forgiven?
Don’t try to tell me that a man who grew up in Chicago politics was the only one to escape with his hands clean. Don’t work that way. And they went to great lengths to see that he got the nomination which means favors are owed.
Chilling thought.
favors are owed, lies were told.
So much for the skeletons of “The Others”.
Kerry, no whats sad is the fact that the DNC has turned its back on us and the candidate we support. They have done nothing but shove Obama down our throats since Iowa. Even with all the data showing Obama is a sure loser in the fall, the still nominate him over Hillary, a sure winner, because they were afraid to make black people mad. If he were John Edwards, this would be Hillary’s nomination. No caucus state wins would have stood in the way of them doing the right thing but since the DNC turned so “Politically correct” we see no way we can support there party this time around. John McCain will do for 4 years.
part of it is just dumb luck(and true moronism on the part of the dnc.) imagine for a moment if the dems had a sensible, read winning, formula like the LCSP’s: winner take all, all delegates to the winner, no phoney caucases. HRC in a walk!
Why do they talk about these things in Church, The place they call the house of God. ” Race and Politics”. What ever happened to separation of Church and State. And no one will applie a tax to them because there afraid to piss off the bible belters.
They should be taxed…
http://reflections-in-tyme.blogspot.com/
Bwahahaha! Good luck on this one. BO would NEVER give a speech like this. He could hardly admit to knowing Rev. Wright or Rev. Pfleger or Bill Ayers, he could hardly admit to taking money from Rezko and when he did, he had to keep adjusting the amounts as he got caught. When my niece and nephew were little, they would lie their little tails off, even when they got caught red-handed. As you pointed out what they did, they’d make up stories to cover it up (”What I MEANT was…”), slowly admitting parts of what they did, but never admitting any guilt or responsibility. Like 3 and 5 year olds DO. Over the course of this campaign, BO has shown to me how immature and irresponsible he is by his unwillingness to be truthful. Who is he? What does he think? I still don’t know anything about the man and that’s scarier than the things I DO know about him.
All along I have been saying just what Juan said on many other blogs.
In Obama’s race speech it looked like he was going to face the Wright issue head on about mid way through. I was even thinking my daughter was right and that I should manybe look closer at voting for him. However, Obama did not stop there and that is where he lost me and many other voters.
Obama continued with his speech in order to excuse Wright’s actions due events in prior generations. Obama also went on to say that his grandmother was a “typical white person” which insulted me and many other people of my race. What follow the “typical white person” really hit many of us in the gut hard.
After Obama’s race speech, I realized that thies was a habit of Obama’s. Obama seemed to skirt, excuse and/or avoid all issues that he was faced with. That is why his answer to the Michelle tapes still has me wondering.
Hillary ‘08 or McCain ‘08
Susan and Larry do you have a mailing address so your supporters can mail a check to help defer costs here such as hosting services and pest/rodent/troll control?
I have a brief OT message for everyone here who still wants Hillary to be the nominee but if not will support McCain even if Hillary is the VP selection by Obama:
Many Hillary supporters are understandably quite upset with this “election,” the Democratic Party and even Hillary Clinton. There is a rightful feeling in the air of betrayal as Hillary is about to lend her support to Obama. As it stands now Hillary still retains her delegates. Let’s wait until tomorrow before deciding what we should do. I anticipate exactly what she said she would do: she will offer the Obama campaign support and will suspend her campaign and hold on to her delegates until the convention. It has been reported she has asked Obama for help with her campaign debt. The VP issue is unknown. I tend to think she is not being considered or she would not accept even if offered. I’ve read that Hillary is sending out emails asking people to donate to Obama. Any distasteful things Hillary is doing is for her political survival so she may fight another day.
By the way ever since Hillary announced she would support Obama many in the MSM have been reporting this as an “endorsement.” Even if this was true I’m not clear what impact that has. I’m not concerned as long as she keeps her delegates. I would be curious to know what would happen if she did release her delegates but then Obama implodes before the convention? We can cross that bridge if we have to.
As it stands my understanding is as long as she holds on to her delegates she can still be the nominee. She may also thinking about running against McCain in 2012.
I’m still confident Obama will implode prior to the convention. These next couple of months will feel schizophrenic as on the one hand Hillary supporters will be fighting to help Obama implode and on the other hand will be planning on how to help McCain defeat Obama.
My advice is to turn off the tube and wait to hear from Hillary tomorrow. If things are as I have described take some time off to regroup as we have lots of work to do no matter what Hillary decides to do!
To: **== President & Commander-in-Chief Hillary Clinton **==
Good advice. I agree that most of Hillary’s supporters will never shift their support to Obama, irrespective of what Hillary publicly espouses. In defense of Hillary, she may support Obama, but will likely not endorse him tomorrow or at any time before the convention. I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t endorse him either. The media will still crow endlessly about her “enthusiasm,” or lack thereof, in supporting him, but I’ll never fault her for failing to demonstrate the media’s brand of enthusiastic support. I give her credit for offering him even a modicum of support. Many of us (myself included), would find it profoundly difficult to be that generous.
If she accepts money from Obama, she’s tainted.
Those stench of those people pollutes the whole world.
I’m a strong admirer of Juan Williams’ work and the fact that he stands up for what he truly believes even under extreme pressure. I’m guessing he has been called a lot of names by people like David over the years. Why can’t David address what Juan says instead of beginning with the bullying and try to diminish Juan and distract from this important topic with name calling? Yet Juan continues to try to break through to people to take a harder look at themselves and quit playing the victim and race card because he truly cares. In all sincerity some of the AA community needs to heed these words before they can begin to make true progress: Get Over It. Many of us have had to follow these words for our own challenges or injustices before we could move on as well with our issues and so we know it’s not easy to do. But it’s important and many of us would like to help but we can’t if we can’t have an open dialogue without being labelled or bullied or intimidated. As more time passes the racial baiting and excuse making will become a less effective approach.
amen
Hmm, this is interesting. Sounds like someone’s been played on the “whitey” tape. The scenario is straight out of a political novel … literally.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/6/123441/5219/827/531074
Don’t bother putting a link to the Orange Trash Recycling site.
No one here will click on it : it is trash; and won’t give them any traffic.
that orange trash site? You just ruined any credibility you may have had here. Go back to the orange sewer. And laughing because the tape exists and you boys are just going to ahve to wait for it to explode on you! Have a nice summer!
i haven’t turned on the TV in over a week now… it feels great…
and yes, we all know hillary has got to do what she feels she needs to…
and we are all 100% behind supporting her as the real nominee
I believe that if hillary isn’t the nominee that either she will get written in somehow (hey i have no idea how this shit works i am just an ignorant slob)
or we will make sure McCain wins and Hillary is up next election…
when you think about it, the minute we turn off the tv or throw away the biased newspapers etc we are suddenly free…
we can make it happen…
Obama won’t be able to run for any office much less the white house after this is all over…
his political obituary was written when he stole those votes…
it really is that simple…
I gave up tv ages ago, except for watching her speeches, and a quick glance at numbers on primary nights. All I read is No Quarter and links readers post here. I’m much healthier! When I talk to some irrational Obamabot who says Obama is the nominee, I just visit here to get a nice does of reality so I can feel like I can breath again. What the pundits and DNC elites are conveniently ignoring in a most Orwellian fashion: It ain’t August yet.
Senator Obama can try but another “mea culpa” speech has got its limits. The American people can be bamboozled once or twice, but not every time. Best of luck to the Democratic Party because they bet on the (w)right candidate to lose these must-win constituencies of any party: Reagan Democrats, Latinos, Asians, Catholics and women. In the meantime, I will start saving up to be able to make a significant contribution to Hillary in four years! After all, only a Clinton managed to end 12 years of straight Republican rule at the White House. So what’s another 4 years of John McCain? I’ll take Cindy over Michelle any day.
“I’ll take Cindy over Michelle any day.”
Cindy’s great, unless you’re a charity that has pharmaceuticals for Cindy to steal, or you’re a disabled, disfigured woman with a husband for Cindy to fornicate with in violation of your wedding vows.
I suppose if I were one of those two things, I wouldn’t be a big fan of Cindy McCain.
For everyone else, though, she’s a peach.
Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA
You might not want to mention anything drug related until Obama releases his FULL medical records. What might he be hiding?
better than having an angry bitchy scratch your eyes out person.
Cindy has given more money to Africa than Obama has even thought about it. Obama campaigns for his cousin, a murderer.
yes, I’ll take cindy any day over michelle.
dora — I agree. How many times can you say you’re made a boneheaded mistake? 20 years with a hate filled preacher, and a couple of more angry preachers who are his religious counselors. A 17 year relationship with Bill Ayers of the 60’s group The Weather Underground–who wishes he could bomb more buildings. Then there is to me — the most hateful one of all Louis Farahkan. He is a very powerful Anti-Semite with a group called the New Black Panther Party who considers himself a black muslim. I remember the original Black Panther Party and someone who knows these people is not someone you want as a president. Now we hear that Obama and his preachers are proponents of Black Liberation Theology.
Black Theology knows no authority more binding than the experience of oppression itself. This alone must be the ultimate authority in religious matters they say.
If Obama believes in Black Liberation Theology why not be proud of it. Not Mainstream enough for most Americans?
So to Juan Williams — what can Obama say now? I am conflicted by my feelings toward white voters. Mr religion is based on oppression even though I am not an African American I am into the hate. My friends who are also full of hate make me comfortable.
You get one chance to make a first impression — Obama did that. However, bit by bit we are seeing that Obama is not what he claimed to be and the American people are turning from him. The DNC made the mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket for the sake or Unity — Now they have neither Unity nor their voting base intact.
and no basket either.
Larry,
Is there gonna be a tape released any time soon?
You told us on May 26th that you “know for a fact,” that there exists “tape of (Michelle Obama) blasting ‘whitey’ during a rant at Jeremiah Wright’s church.”
And you reported, on June 2nd, that “five separate sources” report that the tape “features Michelle Obama and Louis Farrakhan. They are sitting on a panel at Jeremiah Wright’s Church when Michelle makes her intemperate remarks.”
These are items that you reported, without qualification.
You provided no evidence. No sources. We were to take your reportage on faith.
Where’s the tape, Larry?
A person of honor would now provide the evidence to support the story, or, alternately, acknowledge that his reportage was in error.
That’s what a person of honor would do.
Is that what you will do, Larry? Or are you asking us to continue to take your unqualified reportage on faith?
Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA
Dude,
Get me an address and I’ll send you an audio tape laying out the facts as reported so far. Obviously you can’t read nor comprehend what has been posted. The folks who have the tape, I am told, are waiting until after Barack is the official nominee. That’s August. They would much rather take him apart because they believe he is the weaker candidate. I promise, I’ll read loud and slow and hope you can grasp the concepts.
Mr. Johnson, not sure books on tape would help. Obama earwax infection is the leading cause of political deafness and there is no known cure but one.
The pharmas won’t have it ready till August or failing that, November 4th.
I am sure that Larry and Susan will be claiming how Obama and “big media” have conspired to squelch the tape. You see, America is now being run by a conspiracy including the Nation of Islam, Howard Dean, Donna Brazile and other members of the DNC, CNN, MSNBC, The Daily Kos, Ariana Huffington, Marxism, and Nancy Pelosi - all being directed by Barack Hussein Obama. Didn’t you know that? No? Well that means you are misogynist and a commie.
As to the tape of Michelle Obama, I wouldn’t be surprised if it does exist but I’m not sure why it even matters. My opinion about the inexperience and lack of substance Obama demonstrates will not be altered by it.
I will not reward BO with a vote even if the tape never shows up. The only people who are sweating it are the trolls. I believe that they know it’s true, how can it not be, that MO made demeaning and degrading remarks about whites? Obama’s little white disciples do it all the time, why wouldn’t his wife?
It’s certainly consistent with everything we know about her: the Princeton thesis, her 20-year membership and close alliance with Uncle Jeremiah.
I think it would be a miracle if the tape didn’t exist. It would be fun to see, but it’s very easy to imagine.
Let it rest.
One more time:
Larry. never. said. he. had. the. tape.
And one more time for you:
Then. Don’t. Bring. It. Up. If. All. You. Can. Offer. Is. Hearsay.
Patrick — Call Rudy Giuliani — he has the tape. And if you can’t take it anymore, Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.
While Larry can certainly defend himself, his prior postings were what they said they were. You are free to believe what you want to believe, but I recall Larry going no further out on a limb than saying that he has received accurate information from his sources in the past, and he is willing to trust these sources for now. Nothing more…nothing less. He never claimed possession of the materials, he never said that he had seen or heard the video, he never claimed to know who unearthed the materials, who was in possession of the materials (other than a supposition that the materials were in the possession of Republican party supporters). He said that his sources indicated that the materials would likely stay under wraps until the fall general election campaign. To Larry Johnson’s supporters, this was likely seen as a “head’s-up” preview of possible coming attractions. I doubt than any of his supporters took this as a “Nancy Grace Guarantee” that such a tape existed or that he had any control or influence over whether or when it might be released. Only his detractors saw these postings in a manner that cause his supporters to wonder if his detractors are brain dead, illiterate, or have major problems with reading and comprehension. Mr. Meighan, it is what it is, not what you may want it to be. Larry Johnson could not possibly be dishonest when he was not stating facts, and his statements were clearly labeled as supposition,and statements made by others (sources). Your posting does not cast dispersions on Larry Johnson, only on yourself.
ok i distrust BO to the max, but what about the supremes? talk to me.
CULVER CITY?!?!?
Isn’t that where the MUNCHKINS used to live?
Yellow Brick Road, and all that, eh?
Larry,
Thanks for putting up with all the trolls and providing a sanctuary for people who are fond of reality and truth. You are an honorable and courageous person, and your efforts are much appreciated!
test
i am not waiting for what hillary says tomorrow at her speech. if she throws her support behind obama and starts campaigning for him, i am done with her. what happened to i’m a fighter and not a quitter….if she allows the national negro committee todo what they did to her, she is not what i thought she was. regardless, i am voting against the party and for mccain. i am an american and i recognize tyranny when i see it. hillary will commit political suicide if she doesnt stand up for what i thought were her principals.
we got another Obamabot…
Yes. They don’t understand us Hillary supporters very well. If they did they would not have written that.
Yes, now let’s wait for the companion Obamabutt to come on and yell “you racists.”
They are like spearmint gum, aren’t they?
Wow, the trolls are really getting pathetic.
Gazmulatov, sweetie, is that you?
Guess not. Gaz can spell principles.
Kudos to Juan Williams for calling Obama out on his quid pro quo, weak, and hateful politics–all wrapped under the shiny terms “hope and change”.
But, please, please don’t ever make me listen to another lauded race speech where the puzzle is figuring out what in the hell Obama is saying.
Never have I witnessed incongruent stringings of incoherent pretty words be transformed by the pundits into something beautiful.
Obama takes so much time to say nothing.
marisa — it won’t work. This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey show. Who cares if he was conflicted? He is 47 years old. Most people I know who are 47 are worried about paying their mortgages and keeping their jobs.
Obama wants to be the leader of the free world and he is not even in touch with what’s going on in his own head. BO should pack it up. He only wanted to be Commander in Chief cause its kewl.
I only hope that Oprah the Hutt’s ratings fall so far below, “Celebrity Farting,” and she gets Senator Hope-a-Dope shoved so far up her natural brown ass that she has to go on Jerry Springer and cry to get the whole thing back to where she can get her calls returned from Gary Coleman.
from hillforum
Vote, FOX News POLL: McCain’s Democrats
——————————————————————————–
http://www.elections.foxnews.com/
Will John McCain be able to attract a significant number of Hillary Clinton supporters to his campaign?
Yes (57%)
No (43%)
Now:
59% yes
41% no
Larry, please clear something up, if Barry was to come out and say this stuff today, you would support him?
This should have been Oblahblah’s first speech on race instead of waiting for crazy Uncle Wright to point out the guy’s a politician. That would have been selling out the black community before those other primaries.
I have a Master’s Degree in Remedial Reading, Mel. But I am not sure even that would even allow me to help you understand or comprehend plain and simple English.
But here is Larry’s staement one more time.
“If Barack followed this advice he would finally have demonstrated for me that he has the courage and character to be a President.”
Where in there do you see the word support? I cannot put words in Larry’s mouth. But what this says to me is that he would see for the first time that Obama has courage and has conviction, something that is a necessary requisite for being President.
first of all bert, I asked a simple question of Larry, not you, can you grasp that?
Second, I am far from an Obama supporter as they come, do you understand that?
Third, I am not going to attack you for assuming, thus please do not attempt to belittle me for asking a simple question, got it?
Thank you!
4. If you want to ask Larry a direct question, send him a f**king email.
This is the PUBLIC COMMENTS area, not an intimate luncheon between you and Larry.
Sorry Mel for the nose under this tent..
Bert, BO has not done this… has he?
And even if BO did, he would expose his lies for what they are. He is toast either way at this point.
Mel — If Barky had to start apologize he would need 5 months of airtime. Obama is one dirty politician.
Oh I know it, the dirt hasn’t even reached the surface yet, but it will and 3 months is a long time for it to happen!
And Obama never apologizes, we all know that, he blames everyone else!
Mel, this is off topic (I apologize), but are you the person who posted a letter some time back that McCain had written Obama after Obama had reneged on some promise concerning campaign finance reform (I think)? The letter was basically “Dear Senator Obama, I apologize for not recognizing sooner what a lying dog you are . . .” If yes, do you have a link to that letter?
Yes, it is on McCain’s senator website, go to press releases and go to February 6th, 2006 the letter was released on that date!
http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a72aa248-ed25-4ec1-9c20-1386b3ee960c&Region_id=&Issue_id=
February 6, 2006
Washington D.C. – Today, Senator McCain sent the following letter to Senator Obama regarding ongoing Congressional efforts towards bipartisan lobbying reform. The following is the text from that letter:
February 6, 2006
The Honorable Barack Obama
United States Senate
SH-713
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Obama:
I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership’s preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I’m embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won’t make the same mistake again.
As you know, the Majority Leader has asked Chairman Collins to hold hearings and mark up a bill for floor consideration in early March. I fully support such timely action and I am confident that, together with Senator Lieberman, the Committee on Governmental Affairs will report out a meaningful, bipartisan bill.
You commented in your letter about my “interest in creating a task force to further study” this issue, as if to suggest I support delaying the consideration of much-needed reforms rather than allowing the committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. The timely findings of a bipartisan working group could be very helpful to the committee in formulating legislation that will be reported to the full Senate. Since you are new to the Senate, you may not be aware of the fact that I have always supported fully the regular committee and legislative process in the Senate, and routinely urge Committee Chairmen to hold hearings on important issues. In fact, I urged Senator Collins to schedule a hearing upon the Senate’s return in January.
Furthermore, I have consistently maintained that any lobbying reform proposal be bipartisan. The bill Senators Joe Lieberman and Bill Nelson and I have introduced is evidence of that commitment as is my insistence that members of both parties be included in meetings to develop the legislation that will ultimately be considered on the Senate floor. As I explained in a recent letter to Senator Reid, and have publicly said many times, the American people do not see this as just a Republican problem or just a Democratic problem. They see it as yet another run-of-the-mill Washington scandal, and they expect it will generate just another round of partisan gamesmanship and posturing. Senator Lieberman and I, and many other members of this body, hope to exceed the public’s low expectations. We view this as an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to the Congress, and, most importantly, to show the public that both parties will work together to address our failings.
As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party’s effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn’t always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senate
Exhibit A; written to witness CC.
All Irony aside.
Yes he has Obama, the Democratic primary candidate nailed.
When I got to the “needs to give another speech” part we entered the giggle zone. Enter Williams, spin doctor & standup comic, stage left.
Williams knows that the Democrat primary candidate runs as far to the left as he can and the Republican primary candidate runs to the right as far as he can. These are the fringe elements of the two parties that are actively engaged at the early stages of choosing the party’s nominee. (This is why ordinary people who have lives wish they had a “none of the above” choice.)
Williams also knows that, once the nomination is in hand, both Presidential candidates will run towards the center as fast as they can. That’s where the population resides. The ones that elect presidents.
From what I have seen so far Obama is a chameleon, channels Malcolm to blacks, touts snakehandling gun nuts to white liberals, etc. Give him enough time with focus groups, teach him to bowl and maybe it won’t be so much of a McCain landslide. Operation Rebrand must be complete six weeks before the first vote is cast (that’s the public’s attention span according to RMN)
Also Williams’ claptrap about getting the Obama surrogates to quit being racist is absurd. Republicans don’t care how loudly black people scream about racism. They’ve been ignoring them for years because black people are just not part of their voting base. Racism may be the Democrat kryptonite that KO’ed Clinton but it’s a very useful tool for the GOP: Think Southern Strategy, Willie Horton, Law and Order.
from hillforum
***Obama Confirms that HRC is “Suspending” her Campaign ***
——————————————————————————–
I just received an e-mail from the Obama Campaign (you always want to know what your enemies are up to). They say:
I’m sure you’ve heard that Hillary Clinton is suspending her campaign and announcing her support for Barack. We all owe Senator Clinton — and her supporters — a great deal of respect for running an incredible campaign and strengthening our party in all 50 states.
*****WooHoo– his visit in the middle of the night to strong arm her did not work. She is holding on to her delegates!******
I hope she says “he’s likeable enough”
sonia — thank God it didn’t work. The Clintons are not the best politicians out there for nothing.
#1 Juan Williams is great.
#2 Bob Beckel said a bombshell would be released on Wednesday. My guess is (if there is validity to the story) that “they” were assuming that Clinton was going to withdraw Tuesday night.
#3 It will be interesting to see if anything shows up Monday after she throws her support behind Obama on Saturday.
Juan Williams is an honorable man who understands that Obama has already set back race relations in this country with his routine baiting, dissembling, and practice of victimhood by association. Obama is indeed an affirmative action candidate - Hillary is clearly more qualified and electable. Honest blacks with a developed sense of consequence recognize and admit this. They know that this turn of events is hardly cause for celebration. It’s cause for concern. The racial relations clock is spinning backwards.
from some other blog —
Obamas Team F*****S Over the Press Core
——————————————————————————–
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/pol…ress.angry.cnn
Obama wants to save the earth with his green energy concept and then takes the press core on a ride to no-where in a plane.
Just in! Devastating news for Obama’s chances!!! THE NATIONAL REVIEW KNOWS WHERE THE TAPE COMES FROM!!
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Mzc3ZWNhNThmM2JhMzliZDUxMWNmMmU5M2ZiNmM1YTY=
GO HILLARY!
Larry Johnson’s unnecessarily profane and unresponsive answer
LOL What wimps you are!
Look, turnip brain: if Larry tells us these people have contacted him repeatedly then I’m on his side. Larry’s one of the good guys. Try to get that.
Stephen Frey is a principal at a Northern Virginia private equity firm. He previously worked in mergers and acquisitions at J. P. Morgan and as a vice president of corporate finance at an international bank in Midtown Manhattan. Frey is also the bestselling author of THE TAKEOVER, THE VULTURE FUND, THE INNER SANCTUM, THE LEGACY, THE INSIDER, TRUST FUND and THE DAY TRADER.
Wonder if LJ knows him or friends of friends.
That is pretty interesting. But I have often had out-of-the-blue detailed ideas for “writing” projects (never written) which played out in the news within a year or so. It is not impossible. Disinformation is even less so.
“even less so” = more likely.
and a ratfuck = a strong probable.
Bringing that novel to the attention of the public will save the Pubs money on TV ads.
People have been conditioned to blur reality/reality TV/movies/novels. They will read the novel and think Obama - ane eventually attribute the words and attitudes to him.
Fortuitous.
Hillary’s endorsement message
decoded….
Vote McCain 08
As far as we know now its not an endorsement.
We do not believe we need another ’speech’, sorry, enough is enough. There’s no way another ’speech’ will save this racist’s ass.
A ‘Whitey’ tape is what we’re waiting for.
At this point it is too late for Obama to make the statements Williams suggests. To me it would be patently disingenuous to throw the black community under the bus and have anyone believe him. Of course that may not stop him from doing so. And the DNC would act as if he is sincere and has always professed such ethics.
Yeah, doesn’t have it in him.
It would shatter his ego so completely he’d have to be institutionalized.
This is what most of the bloggers r saying –
1.I doubt the Rezko debacle will deter liberals from washing and kissing Obama’s feet. And the thrill will still be running up whatshisname’s leg.
Unless the Obamassiah gets indicted and convicted - practically impossible, considering - he’s a very strong contender for WH occupancy.
2.He cannot accurately assess the characters of people he’s known for years, such as Rezko or Wright or Ayres, yet he thinks he can size up the likes of Chavez, Ahmadinejad, and Kim Jong-Il?
Not that the MSM will ever call him on this.
3.“This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew.”
This will work until he is under oath… and then it will become, “I DO NOT RECALL.”
This is not the grandmom I knew….
This is not the Reverend I knew…..
This is not the Pastor I knew…..
This is not the Rezko I knew….
“I Know Nothing! I see nothing! Nothing!” SGT Schulz
4.
Democrats have sidelined women for years by long ago reducing them to one single issue: abortion. This year is no different. After rigging the primary process for its chosen one, the DNC is now reminds women that we must “unite” because John McCain is not “pro-choice.” True enough, he’s not. However, here’s the deal: I recognize the critical importance of Roe, BUT, as a woman and lifelong Democrat, I also refuse to be reduced to this single dimension. It means nothing to me if “Caroline” replaces Hillary Clinton with herself or the Stepford Hillary, Kathleen Sebelius. I am sick of the DNC telling me that they have me on the “supreme court/roe v. wade leash.” I am cutting the leash this year. You get no money from me. No support for your pre-fab candidate who repeatedly played the race-baiting card to your deafening silence. You do not get my vote. Don’t ever threaten me again with your supreme court “coat hanger.” Nancy P. — I just burned my leash! LIberated from the DNC.
mandelay — Obama the Manchurian Candidate needs his batteries replaced.
I am always amazed that people bring this up at all considering that McCain is a former POW. Have you seen the movie?
Yep. Both of ‘em. Read the book, too.
Angela Lansbury is SOOOO much more sinister than Streep!
However, the first use of this as a perjorative in the public media that I can remember was Laedass Limbaugh slamming McCain, pre-South Carolina, in 2000.
Your memory may vary.
Even if he said every word that Juan Cole would like to hear I wouldnt believe it, not a word. He is a liar and a cheat.
.“This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew.”.”
This is not the grandmom I knew….
This is not the Reverend I knew…..
This is not the Pastor I knew…..
This is not the Rezko I knew….
“I Know Nothing! I see nothing! Nothing!” SGT Schulz
OBAMA,S REHEARSED LINES
“This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew.”
After November, when the clueless electorate find out what Obama actually means by “change”, there will be a lot of people saying:
“This isn’t the Barack Obama I knew.”
Larry..
Thanks for putting the Juan williams story Up..since the reality is that Juan is absolutely right on many points..and he is being HONEST..
Every thing He says about Barack Obama is true and the background information is on the record and verifiable..
Barack has been mentored by known Communists, been friends with known Terrorists, and convicted Criminals, has used several resources and connections in Ch cago to make a name for himself and rapidly aadvance in the political area through questionable means…and has associated with a Racist Church teaching Radical Theology and who called its Pastor, Jeremiah Wright His Friend..
The Rantings of Jremiah Wright..and his Friend Louis Farrakhan have sounded as Anti American, and nti Jewish and Just as HATEFUL..as those of OSAMA BIN LADEN..and Al Quaeda and the Ji Haddists who call the United States Government..Evil and the Great Satan..
The final point is, that Obama has no Reliable Background or Expierence in Management or Government, such as being a GOVENOR ..to make him Reliably Qualified the be PRESIDENT of the United States and be in Control of the Executive branch of Our Government…These are Increaingly Dangerous and Complex Times, with MAJOR Problems to resolve, that require Great Wisdom, Council and JUDGEMENT..
Just look at the Price of Oil, Job Loss reports and Market reports today..Our Economy could collapse and is in a Recession, and possible depression..
Is Obama Jr….really another FDR..??
Obamas behavious seems Childish and inmature and His Judgement ..based on his background and Associates, seems to be very Irresponsible and Highly Questionable..
Like Larry said, when Obama SERIOUSLY denounces as DANGEROUS, and a THREAT to the United States.. all of the REVOLUTIONARY and REACTIONARY Comments and Ideology of the various groups and people He has associated with ..Like Jeremiah Wright, Farrakhan, william Ayers, Rezko and others,
He will never be Fit to hold the Office of PRESIDENT.. as far as I am concerned..Barack Obama is a Dishonest Phoney..and a Disciple of Jeremiah Wrights.. Who, as WRIGHT said, is the POLITICIAN..
A Politician will say all things POLITICAL…so that He can get the VOTES..and Advance POLITICALLY..while HE Sweeps everything else Under the RUG..
MORE Denial and Deception..I said it asbout the Bush administration and I will say it again..
The AMERICAN PEOPLE..Citizens of what Obamas Friend, mentor and Pastor, Jeremiah Wright HATEFULLY calls
the “GODDAMN US KKK of A.”…
I have seen Video of obama applauding other speechs of Pastor Wrights..His message is Hatred, Anti American and Blaming white People and European for African american problems and behaviour….
Juan Williams and Bill Cosby..blame African Americans for known BAD BEHAVIOUR..
Obama is a little long in the tooth to still be considered a conflicted young man. Williams is saying all the right things but he would never have put himself in this position in the first place. What we are going to see in the next couple of weeks is OBAMA THE VICTIM.
Washington doesn’t want someone like me to be President. They don’t want the change I bring. But I am not going to let them stop me from taking my message to the people–common do you want CHANGE OR WHAT?
Obama has his hand on the brass ring and he will do or say anything to capture it.
Just look at the Price of Oil, Job Loss reports and Market reports today..Our Economy could collapse and is in a Recession, and possible depression..
And all this on top of the messy world we live in. And who is the fool going to call. BO is one phone book shy of pushing the wrong buttons.
Who is he going to call?
BO will not heed Juan’s advice. His arrogance won’t allow it. Instead, Juan will now be painted as a “self-loathing AA” and trashed by BO supporters. Count on it.
Larry,
Like you, I believe there is a DVD of Michele Obama ranting at the 2004 Rainbow Coalition Conference, as you and Hillbuzz have reported. However, there’s one presumed piece of the puzzle that doesn’t seem to fit for me. Hillbuzz suggests that ABC-7 reported on the event back in 2004, and likely still has the tape. Hillbuzz indicated that ABC-7 may be “sitting on it.” What’s curious to me is that if ABC does indeed have the tape, why wouldn’t they release it?
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, given the mainstream media outlets that are clearly in the tank for Obama (MSNBC, CNN, et al). Still, as a professor of B-Comm, I continue to be amazed that journalistic impartiality and objectivity is a bygone precept.
Do you think ABC has the tape? If so, is their motivation for delaying it’s release until after Obama officially has the nomination the same as the repubs?
I hear its Rudy Giuliani who has the tape. It will be released but when is the question. Remember Rudy was a hell of a prosecutor in his day so he will save this for exactly the right time.
Unless the Obamassiah gets indicted and convicted
There are other possibilities of course.
There are also idiots like that redneck author who eats the entrails of his own mother because he thinks they’re zesty who is convinced there’s little difference between Hill and Barry, that this is like betting on a horse or rooting for the North Carolina Slime Crawlers in the Super Bowl.
An author - with books published. Hmmm… He financed it himself? But still and all. Such a person - with such a painfully obvious lack of intellect?
Oh I get it - he does finger painting and uses crayons for the story line.
So if y’all wanna know what them other possibilities be y’all ask JD ya hear?
I have gained insight into foreign affairs from your site and have thorougly enjoyed the essays, but enough Hillary and Obama already. You fought the good fight, but it’s over. Take a break. There was a reason Pickett quit charging Cemetary Ridge.
General Lee sir, I have no division
a culture that devalues education while glorifying the gangster life
YO! DAWG! CHECK IT OUT!
One born every minute.
And BTW:
Still no tape.
Obama’s still the nominee.
McCain still=Bush.
JDRhoades — and your still a fool. Life goes on.
jd nobama is not the nominee yet that will not happen till august. as for the tape i dont know if its real or not but there will be plenty of other things to come out .and as for mccain as bush your probably right bush is the president now and if nobama is the nominee im pretty sure mccain will be when they get through with nobama ………
Juan Williams ? …. Nuff Said …
Nice try, Juan, but waaaay too little, waaaaaay too late!
Larry, why’d you delete my comment? I thought good dirty fun was allowed here.
This from the NY TImes today out to wake the superdelegates up ….
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
Vote by Numbers
By NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
Published: June 6, 2008
IT appears that Hillary Clinton is going to suspend her presidential campaign this weekend, at the urging of Democratic Party leaders and superdelegates. Before that happens, Mrs. Clinton and the superdelegates might want to know this: if the general election were held today, Barack Obama would lose to John McCain, while Mr. McCain would lose to Mrs. Clinton. This conclusion comes not from wishful thinking but from a new method of analysis on the statistics of polls that has been accepted for publication in the journal Mathematical and Computer Modeling. The authors, J. Richard Gott III, a professor at Princeton, and Wes Colley, a researcher at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, are not political scientists. They are astrophysicists. And one of the tasks of scientists is to clarify the apparent complexity of the universe by using the language of mathematics.
Here’s what they discovered: in swing states, the median result of all the polls conducted in the weeks prior to an election is an especially effective predictor of which candidate will win that election — even in states where the polls consistently fall within the margin of error.
This method provides a far more accurate assessment of public opinion than most people’s politically informed commentary. In the 2004 presidential election between John Kerry and George W. Bush, many political analysts said the race was too close to call. But when Professor Gott and Dr. Colley applied the median method in 2004, they correctly predicted the winner in 49 states, missing only Hawaii.
That remarkable success left me wondering what result this method would give if I applied it to the 2008 presidential race. So I examined the past six weeks of polls, taken in 19 important states, that separately pitted Mrs. Clinton against Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama against Mr. McCain. The polls were compiled by realclearpolitics.com and include states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.
I followed the simple rules established by Professor Gott and Dr. Colley: in states in which a poll has not been taken, you give that state to the party that won it in 2004. You do the same for states where the median poll is a tie.
In 2004, Mr. Kerry won 251 electoral votes, 19 shy of the 270 that would have won him the election. Which states among those that had gone to President Bush would today swing only to Mr. Obama, or only to Mrs. Clinton? And which of Mr. Kerry’s states would swing away from only Mr. Obama or only Mrs. Clinton? All this, of course, is based on current polls.
In Ohio, for example, Mr. McCain beats Mr. Obama two polls to one. But Mrs. Clinton beats Mr. McCain two polls to nothing. So Ohio, which Mr. Kerry did not win in 2004, would go into Mrs. Clinton’s column, giving her an additional 20 electoral votes.
In Florida, Mr. McCain beats Mr. Obama three polls to zero. But Mrs. Clinton shuts out Mr. McCain two to zero. Because Florida went to President Bush four years ago, Mrs. Clinton grabs 27 more electoral votes.
In Michigan, Mr. McCain beats Mr. Obama three polls to zero. But the median poll between Mr. McCain and Mrs. Clinton is a tie. Mr. Kerry won Michigan in 2004, so Mrs. Clinton gets to keep it. But Mr. Obama loses its 17 electoral votes.
When you complete this exercise for each state, Mr. Obama picks up Colorado, Iowa and New Mexico, three states that went Republican in 2004, but he also loses Michigan and New Hampshire, two states that Mr. Kerry had won. Mrs. Clinton loses the previously Democratic states of New Hampshire and Wisconsin, but she would nab 57 electoral votes from the Republicans by winning Florida, New Mexico, Nevada and Ohio.
If the general election were held today, Mr. Obama would win 252 electoral votes as the Democratic nominee, while Mrs. Clinton would win 295. In other words, Barack Obama is losing to John McCain, and Hillary Clinton is beating him.
This analysis does not predict what will happen in November. But it describes the present better than any other known method does.
Poll results can shift, as Mrs. Clinton learned over the past year. The conventions held by both parties usually give candidates a bounce in the polls. Heavy campaigning in close states can swing the sentiments of undecided people. And political gaffes can turn voters away from one candidate and toward another. But these effects would show up monthly in the polls and be duly tracked by this method. The important point is that right now, Mrs. Clinton is ahead of Mr. McCain, and Mr. Obama is behind him.
Two questions arise in the face of this result. Whom should the Republican candidate prefer to run against to maximize his party’s chances of retaining the White House? And what does it say of the Democratic delegate selection system when its winner would lose the presidency if an election were held today, yet its loser would win it?
The median method has gotten us this far. The political analysts need to take it from here.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and the author of “Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries,” is the host of “Nova scienceNOW.”
If you’d like a rewrite:
Step one completed a long time ago. Next please.
A speech like that wouldn’t phase me in the slightest. It would be obvious that he was reading a speech that someone else (like Juan Williams) probably wrote for him for the very purpose of convincing recalcitrant voters to give him their votes. It’s too late.
What he really needs to do is go spend 20 or 25 years humbly working with whomever to actually build racial harmony and understanding, a knowledge of which he seems to claim has been bestowed on him by the gods. Maybe then I would listen to him.
it would not phase me either i can not stand to hear him it took george bush four years before i turned him off it only took nobama four months . i will not vote for obama for any reason period NOBAMA EVER HILLARY OR MCCAIN IN 08
Politico, National Review, Michelle Malkin, Reason Magazine and a whole host of others have debunked your little tape story Larry. Not exactly a list of Obama friendlies is it?
To keep it in a language you would understand: A burn notice has gone out about you and no one is ever gonna care about you or anything you say anymore.
Just saw this poll accompanying the story on AOL News Homepage about the infamous DVD/Tape.
Do you think this video exists?
Yes 54%
No 46%
Total Votes: 37,013
Do you care?
Yes 55%
No 45%
Total Votes: 36,799
The second part of the poll is the most telling, don’t you think?
lol pretty hard to fathom how fucking stupid you ppl are….whitey tape lol larry your leader is a fucking liar, not too mention a piece of shit lowlife..very entertaining though..keep hating!! lol too funny
What an intelligent response. Just what I would expect from an Obama supporter. You represent your candidate so well. Keep up the good work.
ppl lol too funny….
I don’t know you fathom…the unity pony is out of the barn in search of an Obot that can accurattly state BO’s position ON ANYTHING!
Can’t be done can it?
TYPO intentional.
Joined the PUMA PARTY today
PARTY UNITY MY ASS Party
http://blog.pumapac.org/
What else is he required to do? He’s renounced Wright and he’s left the Church. Should he have left it earlier? I don’t know–all I know about that church is the snippets of Rev. Wright I saw on the news. I have no idea what that church was like from day to day and I don’t really care much. I’m not electing parishioners or ministers, I’m electing a president. As a Catholic,I’ve sat through any sermons I completely disagreed with. I never thought religious practice required complete lock step agreement.
I’m not sure how Obama, in his campaign, has “knowingly bought in” to what Wright said. He repudiated him once in gentle terms, and then again decisively. I’m not sure what else is required.
Obama does’nt have to prove anything to Juan in order to become prez … Juan is a journo , nothing more . His opinion weighs about as much as the bloggers on this or any other site , zero …
If this is a democratic leaning site , get with the party or go repub . Don’t whine .
Your logo head says ” no quarter ” then give none , but don’t whine .
Hey Newbie, “get with the party” is what Republicans do. Democrats think for themselves.
church
Larry is a joke. I have no idea why he would throw his credibility away to preach to the insane choir. Alot of people on here are sick.
We don’t fucking need your votes. PLEASE VOTE FOR McCAIN!
Get used to hearing it…
President Barack Obama
Blow Job Queen Michelle Hussein Obama
You’re talking about your candidate’s wife this way, and you call us sick? That’s twisted.
If you guys were thinking for yourselves , you would’nt be marching to the same dumb drum beat …
If BO were smart he would do this. But he won’t. Because he’s idiot.
Larry,
I know this great book you should read….The Power Broker….
you can read about it TOO!
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/power_broker.php
(hint hint: this is more proof that Larry Johnson is a big liar; or, alternatively, a total sucker who has been played by his supposed Republican friends. You get to choose which you want to believe!)
Eli, why don’t you just say no to “big money”?
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_556214.html
Hey Douchebag, where’s the tape you were going to post? You know, the tape you were talking about when you posted this:
Where’s the tape?