RSS Feed for This PostCurrent Article

Barack Skipped Visiting Wounded Troops in Germany

Barack cancelled his visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center because, his spokesman said, he decided it would be “inappropriate” to do so during a campaign trip. Wait. I thought this was a mission with fellow senators, touring the embattled countries of Iraq and Afghanistan where these soldiers were wounded. Then there’s that today he told Berliners that he wasn’t in Berlin as a candidate but as a “citizen.” I’m confused. Well, thankfully, there are good people who visit these soldiers stuck in Germany far from family and friends:

2290912451_77be32a3bd.jpg

Caption: “Wounded American soldier Ryan Newberry gives a big hug to Eddie, a black lab from the American Red Cross Pet Visitation program. Newberry is recovering at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and said he really enjoyed the visit.”


Bless Eddie. Bless Ryan. Then there’s Barack. Here’s what Jake Tapper reports:

… The German magazine Der Spiegel is reporting online that Obama has “cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl U.S. military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday.”

“Barack Obama will not be coming to us,” a spokesperson for the U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl told Der Spiegel. “I don’t know why.”

Obama senior adviser Robert Gibbs told ABC News in a statement, “During his trip as part of the CODEL to Afghanistan and Iraq, Sen. Obama visited the combat support hospital in the Green Zone in Baghdad and had a number of other visits with the troops.  For the second part of his trip, the senator wanted to visit the men and women at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to express his gratitude for their service and sacrifice. The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign.”

John McCain’s campaign didn’t buy that baloney:

"Barack Obama is wrong," said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. “It is never ‘inappropriate’ to visit our men and women in the military."

An Obama adviser, Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Gration (Ret.), later elaborated on Obama’s decision to skip the event.

"We learned from the Pentagon last night that the visit would be viewed instead as a campaign event," Gration said. "Sen. Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perveived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go."

Good god almighty.

Well, he had his priorities.

Doing a rock star turn in Berlin definitely trumps visiting wounded soldiers. Definitely.

Although he could claim that visiting the wounded troops was relevant to the work of his committee — a committee of which he is actually a member, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

But that involves doing the WORK of the committee instead of just TALKING about the committee.

Trackback URL

RSS Feed for This Post467 Comments »

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 20:42:11

I’ll start with this simple thought..

What an asshole

comments?

Comment by mystic4hillpuma | 2008-07-24 20:48:29

You are being too kind.

What a flaming asshole is more apropos.

Comment by scott in jupiter | 2008-07-24 21:06:00

I would take a lab over barky any day.

Comment by Disgusted | 2008-07-24 21:24:04

I agree 100%. The dog was most likely smarter too. The soldier seems to be enjoying his company. Doubt Obama would have had that effect.

Comment by Clara Barton | 2008-07-24 22:09:30

The Lab was definitely smarter and actually showed compassion and caring to the wounded troop. Unlike aloof, arrogant Barkarama. Hope they stick with the therapy dogs.

Comment by Spring | 2008-07-24 22:16:26

Muslims hate dogs. They consider dogs unclean. Oblowme probably had a heads up that dogs were going to be there. Kinda telling huh?

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:18:37

No one asked the dogs how they felt about Muslims, I bet.

Cambodians, Laotians, Koreans, Vietnamese and Filipinos LOVE dogs. Especially with hot peppers and lots of garlic.

Comment by Mandelay | 2008-07-24 23:28:01

There is nothing to compare with the unconditional love of a puppy dog. No strings. No intent for photo op. No comparing pros vs. cons of “scheduling a visit.” Just the pure bliss of having a warm, fuzzy puppy dog to hug and make you forget all the noise of a battlefield for just a minute or two. Dogs rule. Presumptive Democratic Nominees … drool.

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 06:30:42

Couldn’t agree more. Barky should stay away from nursing homes, too, where he likes to yell at old people. Dogs do a much better job keeping blood pressure down.

 
 

Comment by John House | 2008-07-25 01:28:49

The Chinese do, too (or have you not seen those YouTube videos?). No real sense in targeting the S/E asians (and Koreans) with that stereotype now.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:38:28

The Chinese ordered dogs off restaurant menus for the Olupics.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:39:24

maybe I should go to sleep. s/b Olympics

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 07:41:58

My increasingly Bitter Old Golden Retriever HARRY….totally agrees with you Scott…..WOOF!……snore ( Mostly, He’s tryin to sleep through this nightmare )

 
 

Comment by Chelsea Patriot | 2008-07-24 21:17:57

And you are being too kind.

What a flaming, DIRTY Asshole…

Obama is.

Comment by kat in your hat | 2008-07-24 23:53:35

 

Comment by s. hall | 2008-07-25 01:34:25

chelsea — Obama cancelled the trip to Ramstein and Lanstuhl because he wanted to get some sightseeing in as he had never been to Berlin.

This is what came out later in the day. This will come back to haunt Obama.

 
 
 

Comment by tish | 2008-07-24 21:47:09

here is what he did to the troops in afgan!
A Soldiers Glimpse of obama in The MidEast Jul 24, ‘08 10:14 PM
for everyone

Ok , let me explain that a friend’s sister in law sent her this email and it was from that ladys uncle.

Rec’d July 23, 2008:

I don’t know each of your personal political convictions, and apologize if anyone finds this offensive. I thought it was important enough to share.
This is Jeff’s first hand view of Senator Obama.

Hello everyone,
As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to ‘The War Zone’.

I wanted to share with you what happened.
He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at
Bagram.

As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn’t say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General.

As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball.

He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service.

So really he was just here to make a showing for the American’s back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.

I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheer leaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States .

I just don’t understand how anyone would
want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country.

If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake.

In service,

Comment by scott in jupiter | 2008-07-24 22:47:00

This is being posted everywhere does anyone know if it is legit and what the source is.
After the blow off today in Germany I’m sure its true.

Comment by Cappy | 2008-07-25 00:51:38

It has not been verified. Seems pretty viral to me. Passing unvetted stuff around kills the message.

Comment by K Bentley | 2008-07-25 01:51:49

My daughter is a Sgt. in the US Army. This is important for all to read.

Verified that there is actually a person by the name Gary McDermott. He was a helicopter crew chief and door gunner. He served in the 147th from October 1968 through October 1969. He is president of Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Vaughn Chapter (Vaughn Chapter’s website). He is also an accomplished athlete. Thank you sir for your service to our country.

Subject: Mudmarine

I am a VHCM member, I spent 12 months in Vietnam (147th CH47-CE) as most of us did. I am also a disabled veteran; I have been a wheelchair user for 35 years now. A few months ago I went to listen to Barack Obama at a local college. When he was done with his speech I got in line to ask him a question. When my time came, my question was;

“Senator Obama; I work with disabled veterans throughout the VA Hospital system, what is your plan for our veterans, especially our disabled veterans who use the VA Hospitals for their care?”

I stated we need mandatory funding for our VA system to ensure the care is available when needed, especially in light of the current situation in Iraq and the numbers of troops who are coming home with severe disabilities.

He told one of his aides to get my name, blew me off, did not answer my question and I never heard from him or the aide again. Is this who we want to be our “Commander in Chief”?

He wouldn’t even answer a “veterans” question, regarding other veterans. Take it for what it’s worth…..just thought I’d pass on my experience with Mr. Obama.

Regards,

Gary McDermott
147th ASH Hillclimbers
Vung Tau, RVN 68-69

CH 47 CE

If you are wishing for hope and change, you better know what the salesman is selling.

Comment by MIDem | 2008-07-25 08:06:14

Primabama gave his classic sweetie response.
‘I’ll get back with you later on that one sweetie’.

 
 

Comment by Paramedic | 2008-07-25 11:24:04

I think his referral to Commander-and-Chief (CINC) should sufficiently discredit this email. Anyone in the military that is a Captain would not make this mistake.

 
 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:41:40

I’m beginning to think this is the equivalent of the sick kid that needed cards.

 

Comment by timepassages | 2008-07-25 08:37:42

 
 

Comment by Joy | 2008-07-24 23:11:39

“Ok , let me explain that a friend’s sister in law sent her this email and it was from that ladys uncle”

And I got one from my third cousin’s aunt’s plumber’s sister-in-law. Give me a break.

The troops I saw in the video provided by the military were excited to see Senator Obama. This video was from the militray so I think is represents what happened. It really seems to get under your skin that troops there liked Obama.

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-24 23:32:28

You are fool of crap, and empty brainer. No wonder You are supporting Obama.!

 

Comment by HRocks | 2008-07-24 23:52:00

The military video you mentioned was from Kuwait City. The troops there are new in country and are happy to be in Kuwait for one more day before they get sent off to Iraq. This is a photo op for the soilders also. This is a way to say Hey, Mom & Dad, I’m okay.

Comment by Joy | 2008-07-25 10:30:18

HRocks, when you read the post below it states they were in Bagram Afghanistan not Kuwait City. Again it really seems to bother many of you that some in the militry like Senator Obama.

Hello everyone,
As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to ‘The War Zone’.

I wanted to share with you what happened.
He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at
Bagram.

As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn’t say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General.

As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball.

 
 
 

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-24 23:30:55

THANK yOU FOR SHARING, MY GUTS WERE TELLING ME FOR MANY MONTHS, THAT HE IS AS yOU SAID, AND IT WILL COME MORE. hE IS A CAWARD, AND ALL SOLDIERS fAMILIES SHOULD MAKE A BIG NOISE ESPECJALLY VETERANS, if i see another vetern standing next to Obama, i will call him caward, as i call Obama!!!
Kerry supports Obama so He is a big CAWARD for ME!!!
I just hope , tha Super Delegates finally open their eyes and vote for Hillary. It is not to late. !!!! If they dont, I will call them CAWARDS, and TRAITORS!!!! Pelosi, Reid, Dean and Richardson are first on my list!!!!

 
 

Comment by Mirlo | 2008-07-25 05:56:44

Ok, I admit that I am focussing on the negatives between the lines in the German Spiegel.
Kevin, here is my impression:

In an article written by Georg Schmitz, it’s tenor is not at all negative, but there are bits and pieces that will interest noquarter readers:

1. the title
Obama: People of the world, look at me!
(I guess they do get the general tenor)

2. He states that he is not like a typical American, doesn’t look like the former Presidents of the US, but he loves his country. Again, he comes up with his grandfather, this time the one in Kenya: after explaining that his Dad was a goatherd (you all know that story I presume) his grandfather served as a cook to the British.
(and that is interesting because?)

3. he xeroxed a sentence from former Berlin Mayor Ernst Reuter:
“People of the world, look at Berlin”
(without of course mentioning that this wasn’t his phrase!)

4.When he was critized for not stating any specifics and for not speaking to anyone from the European press, his campaign explained that he was only a candidate at this moment and he could, therefore, only speak in general terms. The author of this article mentioned, maybe, considering this, he should have been more humble and given a small speech?

My interpretation of point 4 is that Obama pimped out the German people for his campaign.

My personal observations:
The people in Europe see Obama as an anti Bush, that’s what they like about him, besides his catchy image of a Rock Star, they want him to become President because of his stance about getting out of Iraq, they expect him not to attack Iran and they certainly expect him to work on dramatically reducing global warming. When they become aware of his “liaisons” to bundlers that profit from the war in Iraq, the Wall street and all the other lobbyists he is taking money from and therefore will need to be given their due, they will wake up. When they find out how similar Obama is to Bush, we will hear a big thud across the world.

 

Comment by Elizabeth Reilly | 2008-07-25 06:18:56

That is the sum and substance of Obama (and it’s the only time that the word substance can accurately be attributed to Obama).

 

Comment by AMERICAN SAWBUCK | 2008-07-25 07:24:11

what a GIANT asshole

 
 

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 20:42:36

Puppy! OMG that is the cutest dog ever. That pic made my eyes tear up.

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 20:50:33

Me too! The power of men’s best friends…

 

Comment by Antigone | 2008-07-24 23:20:27

Same here. So sweet.

 

Comment by Karma | 2008-07-25 00:09:56

Same here…

 

Comment by Lucinda | 2008-07-25 07:39:50

All things considered, I would’ve rather had the dog in my lap than a visit from Obama.

 
 

Comment by Seattle Moss | 2008-07-24 20:43:04

Obama wishes American defeat in Iraq and the world!

 

Comment by Bill Dupray | 2008-07-24 20:44:16

Dems to Obama on the Surge: You Can Answer Katie Couric Now or The GOP is Gonna Nail You Later

Susan Estrich and USA Today slam Barry for ducking the question.

http://patriotroom.com/?p=605

Comment by karen for Clinton | 2008-07-24 21:27:23

Katie should leave baracky alooooooone. How dare she ask him a question. I guess Dolberman has to name her worst person. Again.

Speaking of dogs, like Keith -

I’d vote for Eddie over ob. He is loyal, faithful, loving, of good service to mankind, well behaved and, um, did i mention he’s black.

That’s a joke obots. Humor does not compute with the borgbots or their leader - see New Yorker cover frenzy.

Thanks for cutting through to the heart of the truth of this year NQ and for the laughs along the way too.

 
 

Comment by yttik | 2008-07-24 20:46:14

“The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign.”

I could of sworn this trip was being funded by US taxpayers. Isn’t that why Hagel went along, because this is allegedly a fact finding mission by US Senators, not a campaign event???

Is it even legal to spend campaign funds in a foreign country?

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 21:42:59

good question, yttik…I did read that part of the trip was funded by taxpayers and Germany, France and England by Obama’s campaign. He still should have visited the hospitals and soldiers and pro-rated the expenses and charged it back. He simply did not want to go. Or he could have cleared it with the DNC. Guess a group of soldiers in the hospital can’t compare with 200,000 cheering, ya think?

 

Comment by GrapeApe | 2008-07-24 22:03:54

The financial side of this better be resolved immediately. His campaign needs to pay back every dime of taxpayer money.

Since when do we have Senators just stop in Berlin for a great big speech about nothing relevant when they are in route to/from a fact finding mission in the Iraq and Afghan “war” zones?

 

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 22:48:09

Part of the trip was a CODEL, part campaign-funded.

Fact of the matter is, though, since BO is a candidate, the taxpayers are paying for huge amounts of this adventure. The Secret Service spends a fortune on security, and it isn’t enough, they say–they’ve asked for more cash, they’re running out.

Open your wallets, Americans. Cough up.

 

Comment by churl | 2008-07-24 23:13:00

You know, if he had wanted to show the troops some respect and avoid the appearance of politics, he could’ve made the trip without the cameras and entourage. Ooops! Slap! Back to reality. You’re talking about O’Precious the cosmic cover boy. Sorry. My bad.

 

Comment by s. hall | 2008-07-25 01:39:59

yttik — Obama decided not to go to these hospitals because he wanted to see the sights of Berlin instead.

 

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 06:36:36

Did it occur to him at all that he could have gone there without cameras and been a private citizen? He is such a freaking farce of a human being, much less a candidate for the office of POTUS.

 

Comment by Amae | 2008-07-25 17:29:18

Secret Service wants more money for candidates http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/3266094/
BO’s ego world trip and his acceptance speech venue is costing taxpayers millions for secret service.
READ THE ARTCLE!

 
 

Comment by VMorris | 2008-07-24 20:46:45

Obama is an asshole, asshat, jerk, idiot, fool, imbecile, f_cktard, jackass, smart ass, dumb ass, ass ass ass ass…….

Comment by Seattle Moss | 2008-07-24 21:01:18

You missed one..

Spam spam spam Ass!

Comment by VMorris | 2008-07-24 21:24:50

Thanks for covering my ass and His Assness….

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 21:44:22

ha ha that was a funny retort!

 
 
 
 

Comment by Barack "God Damn America, God Damn Democracy" Obama | 2008-07-24 20:47:20

Barack Obama hates our troops. To him they are mere props to be placed on a stage.

 

Comment by HARP | 2008-07-24 20:47:32

Hitler at least visited his troops.

Comment by Seattle Moss | 2008-07-24 21:05:07

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:11:02

Good one.
And he did serve and suffered wounds, so at least he had an idea of what it was like.
Unlike dear leader

 
 

Comment by AF catfish | 2008-07-24 20:48:38

It gets worse - just before, they found out he couldn’t bring his campaign crew or media:

*** UPDATE *** From NBC’s Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube

A U.S. military official tells NBC News they were making preparations for Sen. Barack Obama to visit wounded troops at the Landstuhl Medical Center at Ramstein, Germany on Friday, but “for some reason the visit was called off.”

One military official who was working on the Obama visit said because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops, Obama’s representatives were told, “he could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers.” In addition, “Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama’s visit.”

The official said “We didn’t know why” the request to visit the wounded troops was withdrawn. “He (Obama) was more than welcome. We were all ready for him.”

So they spent time preparing for his visit, and then there was no explanation that for why he cancelled. Imagine those wounded vets hearing he’s going to come then poof.

Comment by Bell'Artista | 2008-07-24 21:06:09

Due to regulations and politically correct constraints, I am not allowed to voice my opinion about Obama and why he was able to have a big speech, free beer and bands for a German audience and then was not able to visit the wounded American soldiers.

Suffice it to say that my views are not positive in the extreme.

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 21:46:49

comeon Bell D’Artista, tell us what you really think! (:

 
 

Comment by Baghdad BoBo | 2008-07-24 21:07:52

He’s visited the hospital in the green zone, Why do it again? Same shit, a bunch of wounded soldiers. Besides, they do not have hoops he can shoot, they do not serve waffles or arugula. Citizen of the world.

Comment by Chicago Joe | 2008-07-24 21:54:29

He wanted to sightsee. Golly, he’s never been to Berlin before.

 

Comment by GrapeApe | 2008-07-24 22:08:37

The crowd was too small for this guy’s big ego. If the media were to come along for the photo ops, he wouldn’t be able to ignore their questions.

Considering the griping we’ve already heard from the media on this trip, we could be in for a real media storm of anti-Obama stories when they get back to the US…they’re being careful now because this guy has a revenge streak that may leave them stranded without their passports if they say anything negative.

Comment by Chicago Joe | 2008-07-25 01:51:25

Here’s an interesting article about the ending of the affair between Barack and the press. More and more grumbling about His Arrogance and his self-important and locked down staff and their tightly wrapped message.
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=6e9f4a42-9540-4d99-aba2-25adc276c25d

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:52:13

Interesting.
I think I’ll start calling him the Norma Desmond of politics.

 

Comment by NotYoursweetie | 2008-07-25 05:52:57

Yeah, I am happy Nagourney got his comeuppance - but remains to be seen if B0 will get his.
So far, it looks like the media are behaving towards him the same way they did towards W.
So, not sure if the affair is ended. More like a moment of spousal abuse.

 
 
 

Comment by Amae | 2008-07-25 17:36:29

Beg your pardon, he is now “President of the World” and he just made an ad buy for the Olympics,
$5m. Big time spender at our expense (re secret
service needs more money above).

 
 

Comment by We Will Remember in November! | 2008-07-24 21:22:23

I wonder how much attention the MSM will pay to this. It is just horrific that Obama is being treated like a little kitten when it comes to the MSM. The guy is without shame. What, he can’t go to visit wounded soldiers without having a “campaign” staffer whispering in his ear the “political, poll driven” way to stand, look, act, say….What a joke.

PUMA

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 21:48:11

Actually kittens are often not treated that well. They are abused more often than puppies.

Comment by John House | 2008-07-25 01:38:08

Mmmmokay, then “treated like a brand new pimped-out iPhone”.

 
 

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-25 10:27:26

I dont see any outrage about Obama refusing to see wounded soldiers ,who were waiting to see HIM. What a idiotic explanation, that Pentagon told Him it is to political, the whole damn trip is political, those speaches , 200thousand people(waste time) in Berlin, this time it was not a political??? Does Obama and His stuff thinks , that we are a bunch of IDIOTS. Why You people are not angry writing Your opinion, why just typical discusion???
Pentagon say this or that, just like with invasion on Iraq. How naive !!!
What about all those families who are supporting rhis Hollywood style dirty politycian, what about their anger over. Their kids are handicap dying, and thist stuinky politician tells US, that His visit will be to much. What a bunch a jojos!!!

 
 

Comment by Can't stand Obama's crybabies | 2008-07-24 21:29:40

So let’s throw a tantrum Obama. What a d*ckbite! And ppl still support the creep.

 

Comment by ginaswo still says no Uhhbama | 2008-07-24 21:39:12

ahh there it is! he couldnt USE the wounded and the service members who care for them for his propaganda so he had no interest in taking the time…

Perfect illustration about what a prxxk he is, effete arrogant condescending snob who has no use for anyone for whom he has no use…….

whoosh!

thanks for letting me get that off my chest everybody

he really offends me

 

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 22:51:12

DARN…can’t use those wounded troops in a campaign commercial? Well, fuck ‘em, then!!!

Comment by csuzeq | 2008-07-24 22:57:42

Under the bus!

 
 

Comment by csuzeq | 2008-07-24 22:56:36

If I were one of the troops I would have been glad. I can’t imagine they believe he loves America when people like me keep waiting to see it, but don’t. Had he loved America, he could have waited and gained experience and given America a Hillary Clinton administration, followed by his own (if he weren’t the creep he is). That is what someone who loved his Country and his party would have behaved. He would have wanted to do all he can for a 16 year dem stretch, rather than his risking it all as an unknown. But silly me. Obama cares only about Barack. That is probably why MEchelle is so angry!

 

Comment by Isolde | 2008-07-24 22:59:27

Can’t bring the media. Why am I not surprised. What a worthless piece of crap.

 

Comment by churl | 2008-07-24 23:14:53

Well, I guess my comment above got explained!

 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:46:14

he could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers.” In addition, “Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama’s visit.”

Well this explains everything.

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 16:34:29

No he couldn’t even bring in himself. He was in the area as a candidate not as a member of the Senate. The Pentagon has very strict rules about these kind of things. The only person who can legitimately get around them is the Commander in Chief; W was more than willing to use the troops for partisan advantage but lets ignore that for a little while. The Pentagon pulled the plug on BHO visit ( with a little help from GW’s White House and the RNC)

Not that this fits in very well with the Obama derangement syndrome that permeates No Quarter these days.

By the way it’s the near end of July Larry; where are the tapes? Odd that your great sources haven’t been able to forward you even a one-second sample yet.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 16:41:37

Bull crap. He could visit anytime anywhere as a senator. You are so full of shit. You have never been on a military base when a VIP visits have you? He was asked not to bring his entourage. He could’ve just gone for a visit to cheer up a bunch of wounded military personal, just for the hell of it. The guys and girls would have been tickled pink that someone of his status gave a shit…well, we now know he doesn’t give a shit unless there are cameras rolling.

 
 
 
 

Comment by Fandango13 | 2008-07-24 20:49:22

Jake Tapper is so fine! Ya gotta check in with him every day; he’s the Lone Star in the MSM.
PUMA

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 20:57:33

Bubba: Obama Is Just Like Jesse Jackson

January 26, 2008 8:18 PM

Said Bill Clinton today in Columbia, SC: “Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in ‘84 and ‘88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here.”

This was in response to a question from ABC News’ David Wright about it taking “two Clintons to beat” Obama. Jackson had not been mentioned.

Boy, I can’t understand why anyone would think the Clintons are running a race-baiting campaign to paint Obama as “the black candidate.”

WRITTEN BY TWO-BIT HACK “JOURNALIST” JAKE TAPPER.

Comment by slobodaneee | 2008-07-24 21:06:54

Tapper’s description of the question and Bill Clinton’s answer was factually correct. Tapper has reported unflattering things about Obama as well, so join the I-don’t-like-Tapper-club. I guess that means he is equally fair (or unfair) to each side.

 

Comment by elise | 2008-07-24 22:02:51

Jack Trapper and the rest of the media wouldn’t have know it was racist if the Obama campaign hadn’t circulated a memo telling them it was. This was their plan for South Carolina, the first primary in a state with a large AA population. Not too long after, I was called a racist for the first time in my life and now it happens on a daily basis to some Hillary supporter. I never get used to it, do you Hopefloats? It always hurts and makes me angrier with Obama and Alexrod. His ambition is bottomless and it has torn the very fabric of the Party and no one can assess the damage to the country until it is passed. It will have to be examined from a different perspective.

Comment by scott in jupiter | 2008-07-24 22:53:52

Elise,
If President William Jefferson Clinton is a racist we should be proud to be called racist.

Comment by s. hall | 2008-07-25 01:47:54

scott in jupiter — if Obama called Clinton a racist then they will call PUMA’s racist too. Obama said today — I guess you don’t have people of my color speaking in your city.

Comment by scott in jupiter | 2008-07-25 07:30:28

Yeah looking out at the crowd (who was really there for a mini Octoberfest) he must have thought the sun never shines in Germany.

Plus I can only imagine what the crowd smelled like. Free beer, July heat, huge crowd packed together, and no deodorant.

If you don’t believe me on the last one hop on a U-bahn or S-bahn at 6 pm in Deutchland.

 
 
 

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 23:01:41

No, I never get used to it, either. It seems the internet has become a way to insult and harass the people you pass in the street and work alongside. You never know what people think of you now based on the candidate you support, where you live, your faith and so on. The left has poisoned the country during this election, because fringe ideas put out over the internet have been repeated in the media to promote a corporate candidate masquerading as a civil rights leader. We have been given our excuse as with each year a Democrat loses.

Gore: Nader cost him the election

Kerry: SVFT cost him the election

Obama: Racists cost him the election

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 23:13:06

Don’t blame “the left” for this bullshit. This is a precise cadre of people supporting one particular candidate who are responsible for this nonsense, not “the left” as a group.

There are plenty of lefties, and I’m ONE of them, thank you very much, who aren’t putting up with this cult worshipping lunacy.

Put away that broad brush–you might get some on yourself if you keep waving it around like that.

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 23:58:55

Fair enough. I’ve gotten plenty of paint thrown at me, anyway.

 
 

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 08:00:13

Excuses are the sanctuary for those unwilling to take responsibility. Gore couldn’t figure out how to embrace the Clinton legacy without the Monica issues (his problem). Kerry was too high and mighty to recognize the damage done by the smears until they had done their damage (his problem). Obama has played the race card whenever he couldn’t win on his record or his own merits (his problem).

I have little and no sympathy for any of them. By running poor candidates and/or bad campaigns, the Democratic party has made itself nearly irrelevant. Sadly, seeing it took running off the most qualified candidate since 1996. Enough. I am done with them. They only articulate any interest in the “little people” when it comes time for elections and to position themselves as the anti-Republican party.

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 16:48:10

Enjoy you exile in irrelevance. With our two party system locked in as it is (ever since Geo. Washington said “fair well”) the only option is retaking the party you think failed you. Third parties are a non-solution. Non-participation is an even worse solution. But go ahead and take you ball home with you and sulk; being petulant is so mature.

 
 
 
 

Comment by bemused | 2008-07-24 22:29:38

So? That is what happened. Why is it racist to mention that JJ ran and won, as he did? Because JJ is that color that starts with b that white people are not allowed to even think of, or they are racist? Or because BO is a much lighter shade of that same color?

Comment by mimi | 2008-07-24 23:11:48

It’s not racist. In fact, it was a backhanded way for Obama to diss JJ and his accomplishment. That AAs went along with this is among the many true disgraces of the Primary season.

This was back when Obama was trying to run a ‘transcendent’ campaign for white people. And in true schizophrenic form he needed to play racial politics for the AA community in order to unite them in solidarity behind him. He knew that the mere suggestion of racism would cause a domino kneejerk reaction. And sadly, he was right.

I’m AA. I was and still am proud of Jesse’s run in ‘88. He ran a shockingly good campaign back then. It should go down in history and frankly, it’s one of the main reasons Obama is where he is today. JJ Sr. paved the way.

I don’t hold the same regard for Jackson as I did then (that’s a different story). But Obama was out-of-line to use JJ as bait to get the AA community up in arms.

But that’s what he went to Chicago for. It’s a page from the Harold Washington book of racial politics. Even Jackson didn’t try that back in ‘88.

Obama is a disgrace. He’s shit stain on AA history. And it’s only going to get worse.

Comment by John House | 2008-07-25 01:42:37

Damn skippy he ran a great campaign. He received over 1,200 delegates at the convention! And yet not one of the little Obama babies seems to want to acknowledge that accomplishment (however, Bill did and they all called him racist).

 
 
 

Comment by josgirl | 2008-07-24 23:01:50

So, the answer was racist, but the question wasn’t sexist?
Poor little Hillary can’t beat the black guy without help from her big, strong man?
Nobody complained about the sexism, though.

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-25 00:04:08

I noticed that, too. “It took two Clintons to beat me.” Then all the groveling after the primaries. “I am going to need Bill Clinton to campaign for me and win this election.” I’d tell him to kiss my ass, too, after the things that were said about his wife.

 
 

Comment by Helen S | 2008-07-25 00:46:46

Hope Floats…..Have you ever heard of a thing called a ” Historical Fact”. What Clinton said was not racist.. As an African American, having been raised in the South, I know racism when I see it and hear it. I am so tired of AA’s claiming that any time someone White say something they are accused of being a racist…..Stop The Crap. The Civil Rights movement has been set back 40 years since this election process started. I too would LOVE to see an AA in tht White House but God sake LET THEM BE PREPARED. OBAMA IS NOT111111

 
 

Comment by katmandu | 2008-07-24 21:34:21

I agree, Tapper’s great. He’s also pointed out that Obama’s raising cash from his speech:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/just-hours-late.html

And that there was free time on Obama’s schedule to do the hospital tour.

Obama noted that in a break from his whirlwind schedule, “we’ve got some down time tonight. What are you guys gonna do in Berlin? Huh? Huh? You guys got any big. plans? …I’ve never been to Berlin, so…I would love to tour around a little bit.”

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/obama-on-tonigh.html

The political phase of his trip, rather than the official phase? Then why could he see Merkel? And the English dude he’s going to see? It’s complete and utter horse hockey.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 02:57:39

oh geez, he’s one of those people that you hope to avoid when a group goes to lunch and they beg to go. Every office has one.

 
 
 

Comment by JealousCarper | 2008-07-24 20:50:52

In German speech, Obama says he will tear down the wall between immigrants and natives yet he voted for the US/Mexico border wall.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/176290,CST-EDT-REF18.article

Comment by AnnieCarmel | 2008-07-24 22:18:46

And yet he is actually an open borders, global, world government kinda guy.

All that about the fence and stuff was just to bamboozle ya.

 
 

Comment by Baghdad BoBo | 2008-07-24 20:51:21

Comment by yttik | 2008-07-24 21:02:36

That was a good video. They sure made their point.

 

Comment by Baghdad BoBo | 2008-07-24 21:18:20

 

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 21:59:18

great video, thanks, Baghdad BoBo

 

Comment by Diana | 2008-07-25 02:24:12

I found his blog the other night. He has some interesting things on it.
http://www.black-and-right.com/

Money trail, read about this today on his blog. Media contributions to campaigns. This is the link to IBDeditorials.
http://tinyurl.com/5ox39y

As to this article I’ll say “No Comment” After I saw the way he treated a man that lost his limbs…now this.

 

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 08:09:38

Thanks so much for that post!

 
 

Comment by APark | 2008-07-24 20:51:57

Why am I not surprised. The pompous, arrogant jerk cares about no one is his quest for power. Our soldiers are doing the heavy lifting, the back breaking work….that concept is foreign to Nobama. He only steps in to take credit for decisions he did not have to make and make criticisms with no thanks.

This is not surprising.

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 20:52:28

If he really cared, he would have not made a scheduled stop and gone there without the press, without an announcement, no pictures. Just go and spend some time with the troops, not for an advantage, just to share some of his time with the troops, maybe learn something about valor, courage and patriotism. I think he doesn’t feel for them, and is deeply embarrassed by his own lack of empathy, somewhere inside he knows he is inadequate to be their commander in chief, and this self-knowledge causes him to hide.
What a fucking coward.

Comment by slobodaneee | 2008-07-24 21:01:12

Give it a rest. Obama visited troops unannounced at Walter Reed before he spoke at a Latino forum in just the manner you described. I don’t think he could have done what you asked in that way on this trip. He would have been in the sick ward with a whole group of reports and you Obama haters would be braying that he used the sick troops as a photo prop. He couldn’t win either way with you guys and gals.

Comment by alexei | 2008-07-24 21:03:13

you are reading challenged - he could not bring reporters to the event. So no reporters.

Comment by slobodaneee | 2008-07-24 21:16:32

The main headline does not contain the information you mention in your post. I’m sure that if Obama went and had photographs taken with the wounded troops you would not claim he was using them as photo props. Right?

Comment by Uña de Gato | 2008-07-24 21:18:35

Er, the reason he did not go was that he could not bring in his own media crew, the military was ready to take as many photos as possible. He just didn’t want to risk an uncontrolled environment with the scary, icky, wounded soldiers.

 
 
 

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 21:05:17

Actually reporters wouldn’t be permitted. And no, it’s not a bad thing to visit wounded soldiers.

Comment by slobodaneee | 2008-07-24 21:10:49

Very well. Do you deny my assertion that Obama would have been criticized if he had visited the troops?

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 21:13:35

Yes. I think it’s a lame, unproveable excuse.

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:30:46

I will criticize everything I object to. You see, I have this little advantage called the first amendment, gives me the right to call him an asshole, you too. Your assertation is true, he would have been critized, deservedly. Everything he does is subject to criticism, from his racist minister, his unpatriotic wife, his slimy friends, his lack of substance, his lack of judgement, his involvement in Grove Parc, his terrorist buddies, his campaigning in foreign countries, his wasting of a four-star general’s time to bolster his foreign policy credentials, any of it, and all of it. So yes, I will criticize him. To my last dying breath, I will call him out on his actions, words and deeds.

 
 
 

Comment by HARP | 2008-07-24 21:06:46

Don`t try and blame us just because you decided to back a 3 legged horse.

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:08:10

Read what I wrote.
I said don’t announce it. Don’t bring the press. Don’t make it political. Don’t put it on the schedule, and if asked about it, say it was a private matter and is between him and the troops.
Did he have media with him at walter reed? Was it made public by his campaign?
Then he made it political.
he is afraid of their reality, because he is not qualified to be their leader.
That’s the simple truth.

Still not gonna vote for him, or Kerry, or Kennedy if he lives.

To quote uppity…
Own your shitty candidate.

 

Comment by memyself&i | 2008-07-24 21:11:54

So once was enough? He couldn’t do it again? okie dokie

 

Comment by Baghdad BoBo | 2008-07-24 21:12:42

I don’t know about your screen name, don’t like it.

 

Comment by pasmalltowngirl | 2008-07-24 21:16:52

You are exactly right about your statement.

“He would have been in the sick ward with a whole group of reports and you Obama haters would be braying that he used the sick troops as a photo prop. He couldn’t win either way with you guys and gals”

And he proved us right. Since he couldn’t take his camera crew to do his glamor shots, he threw the wounded soldiers under the bus. If you are of no benefit to Obama, he just brushes you off of his shoulder. And if you rationalize this any other way, you really need to lay off the kool-aid and get a clue and come back to reality.

I hope the blatant disrespect for the wounded soldiers is a wake up call to all those in the military and our country.

PUMA
NOBAMA

 

Comment by katmandu | 2008-07-24 21:36:28

Correction. McCain has made many unannounced visits to Walter Reed. Without press. Obama goes announced, with press. Cite a source. I live near DC and read all this in the Post.

 

Comment by Clara Barton | 2008-07-24 22:23:31

All the politicians can go to Walter Reed for God’s sake. It’s pretty convenient for them. Landshtul on the other hand probably doesn’t get presidential pretenders too often. I’m surprised that Hagel and Reed wouldn’t have insisted (or are they still with the Messiah?

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 23:06:03

Summertime Congressional delegations routinely visit Germany, and Ramstein is a stopover on this trips, often both ways. It’s NOT UNUSUAL for Congresspeople and staffers to visit Ramstein/Landstuhl or other facilities in the European theater.

These CODELS include anywhere from seven to twenty some odd congresspeople, with varying amounts of staff along as well, and they go to places like

Rome,
Naples
Sigonella, Sicily
Kuwait
Oman
Bahrain
Iraq (carefully)
Afganistan (carefully)
Rota, Spain
Turkey
London, UK

They don’t go to ALL of them–generally, a selection.

Summertime is big for these trips, for several reasons–it’s high season in Europe, there’s shopping and golf to be fit in, and they’re in the middle of their “recess” (which sounds like something little children do in grammar school to my ear, still).

Any distinguished visitor can visit the hospitals at any military installation with only a small bit of notice. The hospital public affairs officers have the “canned tour” ready to recite at the drop of a hat. It’s not like any tremendous “arrangements” have to be made–they simply put out the word that people ought to have their workspaces looking clean and neat, and pay attention to their uniforms that day.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 17:21:45

Bingo!!!!!! Thank you. It’s the short notices that used to piss me off. VIP visits cause a hell of a ruckus and and everyone jumps through hoops. Traffic is rerouted, places become off limits…a pain in the ass but senators and congressmen are the ones who fund us so we kiss their butts. I should say used to piss me off, we’re finally out.

 
 
 
 

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-24 22:19:06

 

Comment by Hillary or Bust | 2008-07-25 10:36:44

“I think he doesn’t feel for them, and is deeply embarrassed by his own lack of empathy, somewhere inside he knows he is inadequate to be their commander in chief, and this self-knowledge causes him to hide.
What a fucking coward.”

I don’t think he’s embarrassed about not feeling for him. I think he’s a classic sociopath - i.e., no feelings or conscience whatsoever.

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 17:23:16

And you got you Psychologist PHD from where? You arrived at this diagnosis how? Ah yes, the Bill Frist School of video-tape diagnosis, glad to see a graduate. Just tell me where you practice is located so I can cross you off my list of preferred providers.

 
 
 

Comment by memyself&i | 2008-07-24 20:54:31

Shooting hoops with our troops is okay but visiting our injured troops is not okay? okie dokie

Speaking to a foreign audience is okay, but speaking to injured US soldiers is not okay? okie dokie

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:40:04

I would love it if one of those troops pulled a “Great Santini” on him.
You know, bounced the ball off his face.

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 21:59:01

Ah, “The Great Santini.” Blythe Danner never looked better. Her dim-witted daughter can’t carry her shoes…

 

Comment by scott in jupiter | 2008-07-24 23:00:50

Didn’t Danny Ainge pull one of those too?

 
 
 

Comment by jus messin wit you man | 2008-07-24 20:55:45

Well, I guess this means that all of the wounded soldiers are under the bus. Who’s going to be next?

 

Comment by HRocks | 2008-07-24 20:55:46

IMHO - Obama doesn’t like the military, the veterans or anyone else associated with DoD.

Obama Won’t Commit to Event at Military Base

By KATE ZERNIKE
Published: July 12, 2008
A coalition of military groups is planning a nationally televised town-hall-style meeting with the presidential candidates near Fort Hood, Tex., the largest active-duty military installation in the country. But so far, only Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, has agreed to attend.

CBS has agreed to broadcast the meeting live from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, Aug. 11. The candidates would face questions directly from an audience of 6,000 people, made up of veterans, service members and military families from the base.
Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has not agreed to participate.
“Senator Obama strongly supports America’s veterans and military families and has worked hard on their behalf in the Senate,” said Phillip Carter, director of Mr. Obama’s veterans effort and an Iraq war veteran. “While we unfortunately had a previously scheduled commitment on the date proposed, Senator Obama looks forward to continuing the dialogue he’s been having throughout the country with veterans on how we can better serve our men and women in uniform as they serve us.”

Carissa Picard, managing director of the Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, said she had suggested Aug. 11 and asked the campaign to suggest other dates if that was not convenient, but after several conversations she had not been able to work anything out.

“I’m having extreme difficulty getting the Obama campaign to commit to this event, and we do not understand why,” said Ms. Picard, whose husband is deployed in Iraq. “We made it very clear to them that if they would commit to the event, we would work with them on dates.”

The organizers released details about the event in hopes that it would pressure the Obama campaign to agree to the event.

“This was a decision that was made with tremendous difficulty, to publicize it,” Ms. Picard said. “We were at a point where we had no other option. We got the impression that they could talk us to November.”
The meeting would be at the Expo Center in Belton, Tex., about 25 miles from Fort Hood.

A military audience might seem more hospitable to a Republican candidate, particularly one like Mr. McCain, who has made his support for the war in Iraq the heart of his campaign. But the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a heavy toll on Fort Hood; one of the groups organizing the event estimates that up to 800 of the service people who have died in Iraq have come through the base.

And organizers say many Fort Hood residents — the base serves about 218,000 people, including service members, retirees and military families — have grown tired of the war and agree with Mr. Obama’s declaration that it must end.

Still, Mr. McCain prefers the town-hall-style format. He had proposed a series of 10 similar events with Mr. Obama, and the two campaigns were said to be working out details for a more limited series of meetings.

Organizers say the veterans and military population in the United States, including families, totals about 44 million people.

“McCain and Obama are asking to be the next commander in chief,” Ms. Picard said. “What’s a more compelling audience than this, the people that you have asked to maintain our security? It would be tremendous for the morale of this community.”

Organizers include American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans for Common Sense and Military Spouse Corporate Career Network.

Comment by pasmalltowngirl | 2008-07-24 21:22:51

Obama can’t do any town hall meetings or debates. He doesn’t have Hillary to give him his answers. And he wouldn’t have his zillion speech writers to tell him the politically correct answer for the day.

NOJOKEOBAMA
PUMA

Comment by csuzeq | 2008-07-24 23:17:33

He’s so lazy. being a superstaaaaahhhhh is hard work. Isn’t he tired yet????

Ok, so why don’t we just tell him that we are all sooooo impressed with him that we are making him King of the world, but he cannot legally hold the 2 jobs so he has to withdraw as the democratic nominee because King of the World is sooooooo much better. Then we’ll send him off to his special throne ( a vietnamese prison so he knows what war heros know) and then put Hillary in her rightful place a democratic nominee for POTUS!

America Saved! Phew!

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:04:19

I’m sure John McCains tiger cage is available. Just think of the foreign relations experience in it would give him.

 
 

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 23:24:24

It was so much easier for him when he could get away with saying

“I agree with her!”

“Yeah, what she said!!”

“I’m with Senator Clinton on this issue!”

“Senator Clinton is exactly right!”

Obama sucks at Town Hall venues. He cannot think without parroting canned responses, and he can’t string a thought together without a teleprompter.

To say nothing of the fact that his use of the royal “we” is getting extremely creepy.

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 17:54:13

You are dead on! I’ve brought this up before. That sonofabitch couldn’t argue his way out of doing the dishes much less answer McCain’s questions live.
The minute that happens, he’ll have to throw himself under the bus. I have a large brown dog who can out-debate Obama.
Damn, how I’d love to sit in front of cameras with him and argue platforms.
Barack Obama is living proof that if you pack shit tight enough, you can stack it high enough to fill a suit.
The noise coming out of the top of the suit is just farts.

 
 
 

Comment by Gloria | 2008-07-24 22:25:02

Recall how Obama was in NM on Memorial Day for what was billed as a “town hall” for veterans and active military ONLY. It was all over the papers on page 1, across the top. Except, the local vet posts knew nothing about it.

When he showed up on Memorial Day, it was for a rally, with a few planted questions. Most of the crowd was non-military, mostly supporters.

Later, he snuck into the Bataan Memorial, before the ceremonies, thus avoiding any of the vets who attend the memorial.

I wrote a running commentary on this at my blog, as well as an earlier piece on Obama’s remark about the primaries being “like the Bataan Death March”–in poor taste, to say the least…

The first in the series, which goes to just after Memorial Day, is this one from May 23…The series follows the whole build-up and event and aftermath…

Obama to Visit Site of Bataan Memorial Death March on Memorial Day…To Repair Dumb Comment Damage? (Or…To Straighten Out Foreign Policy Mix-up with Bill Richardson?)

http://tinyurl.com/6yvx8s

 
 

Comment by imustprotest | 2008-07-24 20:56:49

I’m remembering when that poor police officer was killed in a tragic accident helping one of Hillary’s motorcades…..she took the time from her campaigining to visit the family and go to the funeral. If it was Hillary she would have gone and visited the wounded soldiers without the cameras.

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 17:27:24

Um, No

She would not have been allowed to as a candidate; she could have only gone as part of a congressional party. Thats the DOD rules, BHO was barred by the Pentagon not because of the press corps he had in tow but because he was a partisan political candidate.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 17:32:06

Bullcrap again. He could’ve gone as a senator, just not with his entourage. Your talking point has been debunked about a dozen times today. The Pentagon has already released a statement. Barky was welcome, just not with his campaign staff. His senate staff was OK.

 
 
 

Comment by Guila Jackson | 2008-07-24 20:59:12

So I guess Obama is saying that if the taxpayers were paying for this trip, he would stop to see the wounded soldiers but since his “campaign funds” are paying for it, he doesn’t feel right doing it. I thought this was not a campaign trip, I thought it was to help improve America’s relationship with other countries around the world. He did a great job, with his plane sans the American flag, representing our country. He repensented just one thing—-Barack Obama. He is the most self-serving politician I have seen in my lifetime. I don’t know how he looks at himself in the mirror when he shaves every morning. He is a disgrace.

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:42:23

Did his campaign pay for Gen. Petraeus’ time?
For the general’s staff?
Did it pay for the helicopter crew, and the air cover it had?
Was it on his dime or ours?
Just wondering.

Comment by meileen | 2008-07-24 22:11:44

Gets worse. The secret service today says it needs a chunk-o-millions more to its budget to keep up with their expenses.

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 17:36:12

Hello,

It is their freeking job! He is a candidate for President and a sitting U.S. Senator; they are tasked to prevent harm coming to him. Granted a spiteful person like yourself would just love to see the assassination of BHO live and in living color; hell you would probably TIVO the thing and replay it until the hard disk crashed. But the Secret Service and the Military have no desire to have another gobsmacking failure to do the assigned task of protection happen on their watch. It is a competence thing. Just remember those are the same people tasked with protecting the light of your life and number one squeeze John Sidney McCain III.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 17:40:24

Wait, didn’t Mccain refuse SS protection?

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 17:46:34

Yup, you’ve just been caught in another lie. John Mccain did refuse Secret Service protection and that’s according to the Washington Post.

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:00:56

Mother Teresa would tell that cocksucker to get fucked.

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 22:09:16

Are you sure Mother Theresa would say THAT? (o:

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:07:10

She would be that frustrated, yes.

 
 

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 17:39:42

Mother Teresa was a very weird lady and far too fond of suffering; hers and others.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 17:41:22

Wow, you are an asshole.

 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 18:02:55

I’ve had enough Jimmy,
You can stuff your head up your anal orifice as far as you like but now you think you can tee-off on Mother Teresa too? Jimmy, you are a turd in a child’s body. There isn’t enough toilet paper in the world to wipe the shit coming out of your brain.
I crap better men than you every morning.
If you had the cojones to stand before me face to face, you wouldn’t for long. What a putrescent piece of fecal matter you are.
And if your mommy found out you were dissing Mother Teresa, she’d take away you Wii for a month.
You little shit

 
 
 

Comment by daiseymae | 2008-07-24 22:55:37

Guilda, thanks for writing that for me. I couldn’t have put it so well, but I damn sure agree with you.

 

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 23:10:20

He turned down public financing, anyway. What does the Crown family and GE an Exxon have against Obama paying a visit to our wounded troops?

 

Comment by s. hall | 2008-07-25 02:13:27

guila — So its ok to make a speech before German people who cannot vote in the GE — but its not ok to visit our soldiers in the hospital. I don’t think Obama can stand wounded soldiers. Look what he did to Max Cleland last week. Hitler had that same problem. They couldn’t stand to see someone who wasn’t perfect.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:08:33

Then all his mirrors must be draped with material.

 
 
 

Comment by HRocks | 2008-07-24 20:59:41

Is this who we want as our “Commander in Chief”?

July 2nd, 2008

I am a VHCM member, I spent 12 months in Vietnam (147th CH47-CE) as most of us did. I am also a disabled veteran; I have been a wheel chair user for 35 years now. A few months ago I went to listen to Barack Obama at a local college.

When he was done with his speech I got in line to ask him a question. When my time came, my question was; “Senator Obama; I work with disabled veterans throughout the VA Hospital system, what is your plan for our veterans, especially our disabled veterans who use the VA Hospitals for their care. I stated we need mandatory funding for our VA system to ensure the care is available when needed, especially in light of the current situation in Iraq and the numbers of troops who are coming home with severe disabilities.”

He told one of his aide’s to get my name, blew me off, did not answer my question and I never heard from him or the aide again. Is this who we want as our “Commander in Chief”? He wouldn’t even answer a “veterans” question, regarding other veterans. Take it for what it’s worth. I just thought I’d pass on my experience with Mr. Obama.

Regards,
Gary McDermott
147th ASH Hillclimbers Vung Tau, RVN 68-69
CH 47 CE

Comment by Katmoon | 2008-07-24 21:20:00

You deserve so much more; it’s disgusting, he plays for the picture, but never has a substance to follow thru.

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:23:27

Thanks for everything you gave for us, Gary.
I’m just a peacetime army vet, but of all that I have read of BOs unease with vets and the military, yours is the most telling. Not even a form letter with an 8×10 expressing his interest and concern.
I would think that BO would have a better staff around him, but maybe you go a NOI one.

 

Comment by pasmalltowngirl | 2008-07-24 21:27:11

Gary McDermott, You need to shout this from every tree top, Get on every news station, get it in every news paper. Put it in every blog.

NOJOKEOBAMA
PUMA

 

Comment by candymarl | 2008-07-24 21:27:12

Fellow vet here. I emailed the WH when Bill Clinton was in charge. I never expected to hear from him or anyone else.

He answered. He directed me to Hillary’s office. Once again I figured, here we go, like Hillary will do anything.

Funny thing is she did. I didn’t know it, Hillary had established an office for Women Veterans, her chief of staff took up my case and I got the help I needed.

Bet the news media never reported that, did they? No, they were too much into Monica and Whitewater.

 

Comment by candymarl | 2008-07-24 21:37:14

Thank you for your service. Now who was it that has a habit of avoiding wounded vets? That would be GWB.

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 18:04:45

Slip out of the past Troll. Moral equivalence is not a valid argument here and if you use it, you will be handed your head.

 
 

Comment by katmandu | 2008-07-24 21:51:35

Gary, this is courageous of you to state your story and give your identity. I don’t have nearly enough courage.

A captain at Bagram in Afghanistan told a story of Obama ignoring the soldiers there, walking by those waiting to shake hands, until he was on camera in the gym shooting hoops. I cited it in an earlier thread but am too sleepy now to look it up.

 

Comment by helen | 2008-07-24 22:56:41

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMA RULES

 

Comment by Karma | 2008-07-24 23:20:28

Thanks for posting this.

I was thinking about it today along with the recently tossed Sen Cleland.

 

Comment by mimi | 2008-07-24 23:22:55

That is an outrage!

But you know what’s really scary. He can’t even bullshit people. He has nothing to say unless it’s been written for him and he can read it from a teleprompter.

He’s an idiot!

 

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-24 23:41:20

You deserve better.

He should be ashamed, his aide should be fired.

The way you succeed in politics is through “constituent services.” It’s why some Senators and Representatives keep getting returned to their seats, year after year, even though the rest of the country thinks they’re assholes. They take care of their people, they’re responsive to questions, and they at the very least give an impression of giving half a damn.

All politics is local, and without good constituent services, and good STAFF to carry that out, the reputation of the Senator or Representative can go to shit in a hurry.

You’re an unfortunate victim of how a politician should NOT do it.

I am sorry that you didn’t get a proper response, but I’m not surprised, sadly.

 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 17:37:18

Thank you Gary.
You will always Stand Tall in my heart, man.

 

Comment by James (San Deigo) | 2008-07-25 17:58:38

And John Sidney McCain III Voted against every bill to help veterans like thee and me. McNasty did not support the New GI Bill, he spoke out against it and ducked the vote when it came up. He has supported George W’ position 95% of the time. He did nothing when the Walter Reed scandal blew despite being the ranking Republican Senator on the oversight committee. He has towed the Bush line on cutting VA services vice increasing them. But BHO is a bad person because he blew you off and his staffers did not get back to you. Did you even bother to follow up? Did you get the name of the aide? Did you get a way to reconnect? Every Military person who has done even a few laps around the structure knows that you have to be very persistent to get heard. But you weren’t really looking for answers were you? You were just looking for an excuse not to vote for BHO.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 18:05:40

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you discredited yourself and anything you say because I caught you in a lie and you refuse to admit it. John Mccain refused Secret Service protection according to the Washington Post. So you need to link to any bullshit you post otherwise we will assume you are talking out your ass.

 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 18:08:32

Jimmy isn’t a Troll, he’s a troll turd.
Jimmy boy, haul your chickenshit ass down to the Marine Training Center and spout that shit there.
It won’t hurt but just a few minutes while they separate you from your consciousness.
Your courage stops at your keyboard, asswipe. You are less than scum.

 
 
 

Comment by Fandango13 | 2008-07-24 21:00:37

The funniest things I’ve read about the Great Obama speaking in Berlin:
“Ich bin ein Beginner”
“Fuckity fuck fuck.”

PUMAs Berlitz!

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:02:09

It’s off topic but sometimes you gotta say,
“what the heck”
Anyone else here somewhat intrigued by cnn.com’s not so transparent “black in America” series? The timing is interesting, and is there some attempt to influence white guilt going on? Is this a msm attempt at manipulation?

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 21:07:57

Well, it’s not like Obama really cares about the black community anyway.

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:12:39

Grove Parc proved that

Comment by DoroB | 2008-07-24 21:41:27

What is Grove Parc? It sounds like one of Rezko’s slums.

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:43:39

 

Comment by dgr | 2008-07-25 09:03:09

Here is the link to the Boston Globe article. Watch the video on this page, it well tell you all about Obama and Grove Parc. The article says a lot as well.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_obamas_housing_policy/

 
 
 
 

Comment by Uña de Gato | 2008-07-24 21:12:52

You’d have to be headless not to see how manipulative this series is. Produced by Spike Lee, no doubt.

Comment by Katmoon | 2008-07-24 21:21:37

 
 

Comment by pasmalltowngirl | 2008-07-24 21:29:37

Hell yes it is !!!

 

Comment by Hank Collins | 2008-07-25 00:46:23

Yes, I was on to them back in March (or thereabouts) when they started pushing this series that would show in the summer. CNN is based in Atlanta, folks, a city which is about 60% African American. So what do you expect?

 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:11:05

oh yes. I didn’t watch. They are so obvious.

 
 

Comment by Seth Warren | 2008-07-24 21:05:37

This is how you lose the veterans’ vote. As an aside, I did not know that the Red Cross had a pet visitation program - that is an excellent idea! The company of dogs and cats can often be more therapeutic than the company of people, in my opinion.

Comment by memyself&i | 2008-07-24 21:15:55

Looks like the pets care more for our troops than Obama.

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-24 23:13:24

They always do. Animal companions are a gift to man.

 
 
 

Comment by Sam | 2008-07-24 21:06:51

Guys ,

I think we must not underestimate this guy machine,

I am starting to scare …

He is staring to get us out of the game …

I think we must look other options …. We should not underestimate this guy …

Look even in the past we he runs against HRC … whenever he gets trouble, he will find someone on the news and erase the history

Comment by jus messin wit you man | 2008-07-24 21:16:39

 
 

Comment by mel | 2008-07-24 21:11:01

This act by Obama has exposed who the real racist in American politics today is, the initials are BO. Placing himself above those who have valiently served our country and then snubbing them when it is made clear there will be no gain is as racist as refusing to meet with any religion or actual race.

Even if he has a change of mind and goes at this point, his damage has been done and exposed for who and what he really is.

Real nice selected one Dean, Pelosi and Kennedy’s!

 

Comment by Dot | 2008-07-24 21:13:03

I D I O T! ! ! ! !

 

Comment by Uña de Gato | 2008-07-24 21:14:50

Obama could not do what even a dog had the courage to do. Sorry for being a bitch, but it so shows that Obama grew up without parental guidance.

Comment by HARP | 2008-07-24 21:16:50

obama is just jealous because the dog has balls.

Comment by candymarl | 2008-07-24 21:40:46

 

Comment by J. J.. (The P.U.M.A.) | 2008-07-24 22:26:27

Leave Reverend Jackson out of this discussion.

 
 
 

Comment by Joe | 2008-07-24 21:21:08

Even a female dog has far more testicular fortitude than the Messiah.

 

Comment by Lil' Mike | 2008-07-24 21:24:34

Off topic but below is an email a friend of mine received today. It’s really creepy!

Dear XXXXXX,

You have an opportunity to play a major role in this nationwide movement for change.

Dedicated volunteers like you have brought us this far. But to execute our strategy for the general election, we need supporters to step into one of the most important roles of our campaign.

If you’re ready to take the next step, you are invited to attend a two-day Camp Obama training session near you.

Learn more about this special opportunity and apply to attend Camp Obama right now:

http://ca.barackobama.com/CampObamaLA

Camp Obama trainings offer a unique, in-depth look at the strategies and techniques that have driven this campaign.

These two-day sessions, to be held August 15th - 16th, are led by experienced Obama campaign staffers and other professional organizers who are eager to empower dedicated supporters like you.

After completing a camp session, attendees will be asked to fill essential volunteer positions in battleground states — these are demanding roles, but they are a vital part of our election strategy.

Supporters with experience in community organizing or political campaigns are strongly encouraged to apply. But the only requirement is that you support Barack and be ready to turn your enthusiasm and energy into action.

Here are some of the skills you’ll learn at Camp Obama:

• Tactics that will help you creatively and effectively
organize voters
• Tips to increase the visibility of the campaign in
your area
• Keys to mobilizing other volunteers to join our
movement

Apply now for a Camp Obama training near you:

http://ca.barackobama.com/CampObamaLA

We’re excited to invite our most dedicated supporters to get involved with the campaign in this crucial role.

Thank you for everything you’re doing to build this movement,

Obama for America

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 21:29:50

I watched a video on youtube on the campus organization, and they give these kids titles (that makes them important). These kids fall for it, of course. It looks like the typical political machine stuff. And they have, what looks like, group therapy.

Comment by Can't stand Obama's crybabies | 2008-07-24 21:32:47

sounds like the Nazi Youth Corp to me

Comment by HARP | 2008-07-24 21:38:25

 

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 21:40:35

Just do a search on youtube for “obama youth” and you can see it in action.

 

Comment by J. J.. (The P.U.M.A.) | 2008-07-24 22:28:55

Sounds like a religious cult.

 
 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:45:18

titles like group leader (grupenfuhrer)?

 

Comment by rjj | 2008-07-24 21:52:12

Obama’s Red Guard. Do they wear armbands.

Comment by Ferdberfle | 2008-07-24 21:52:58

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:54:51

With propellers

Comment by Ferdberfle | 2008-07-24 21:58:21

And a plastic chin strap

Comment by meileen | 2008-07-24 22:15:43

love it! great visual.

 

Comment by Joe | 2008-07-24 22:41:02

And an enema hose for their daily infusion of Kool-aid and Hopium.

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by Northwest rain | 2008-07-24 21:52:54

This is how CULTS operate.

The Group therapy is used by cults — to get their devotees to stop thinking and to “believe” the cult leader.

I’ve seen how the graduates of camp Obama operate in a caucus — they are taught how to manipulate and find more people ready to drink the koolaid.

It really doesn’t take long to induct new cult members — they’ve been doing it for many months now.

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 21:59:37

That’s interesting. I hope someone would write an article on how the youth is being manipulated and the tactics employed. Just like with the “faith healer” strategy at the rallies with the fainting ladies, there seems to be very seedy ploys used to control people’s reactions.

Comment by AnnieCarmel | 2008-07-24 23:14:07

Benny Hin, Director of Health and Education.

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 09:42:47

Memo to AnnieCarmel :
At New Party HQ we have not released the name of the New director of H & E.
However you are correct. Benny Hin is a top contender.
Sincerely,
Commissar Donna Brazeal. The New Party for a New America

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by pasmalltowngirl | 2008-07-24 21:33:44

OMG. Camp Obama. The start of his private army.

NOJOKEOBAMA

 

Comment by candymarl | 2008-07-24 23:09:10

Youth camp training? Okay.

Well it explains why those of us not on board are being depicted as old and bitter.

We remember(or studied) what happened with similar camps and youth recruitment.

The media and the powers that be don’t want to hear about that.

 

Comment by mimi | 2008-07-24 23:30:38

Saul Alinsky.

Like I said, they plan on voter intimidation in battleground states.

 

Comment by churl | 2008-07-24 23:33:01

That sounds like the Jesus Camps for Bush.

 

Comment by Hank Collins | 2008-07-25 00:48:57

Ok who’s volunteering to be a mole? :)

 
 

Comment by Katmoon | 2008-07-24 21:26:12

SO he made a decision, in public… let’s see on one hand, go with the campaign mode, have the adoring fans in Germany, give a speech, it will convince the American people to vote for me,…. or on the other hand, visit the troops, in a respectful atmosphere, no posing, no campaigning, the only thing to gain is a learned lesson in compassion, and a show of respect and honor.

Mr. “O”, this military Mom got your message loud and clear. I spit on you.

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 21:53:59

Thanks Mom,
If all the spit aimed at him were to hit him, he’d be the biggest loogie on the block!

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:14:23

I wouldn’t spit on him if he was on fire.

 
 

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 22:15:41

go get him!

 
 

Comment by Linda C. | 2008-07-24 21:28:50

If Obama left the photographers and media folks, and his campaign aids at the hotel, he could have visited..if I am reading this right?

Obama decided out of respect for the service men and woman that he could not us them as backdrops for photo ops, he threw them under the bus.

This guy is all heart

 

Comment by VMorris | 2008-07-24 21:32:03

Be afwaid…..veeeeewy afwaid!!!!

 

Comment by Can't stand Obama's crybabies | 2008-07-24 21:33:59

Wounded under the bus!!!!

Yes, that makes this one heck of a large bus.

No respect.

 

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 21:36:17

Someone needs to check Barack’s expense report for this trip.

The press was saying the other day Obama took a couple of other senators with him so they could claim this trip as a business expense paid by the taxpayer rather than Obama’s campaign having to pick up the major portion of the travel expenses.

If so, then Obama can’t have it both ways. He can’t have the taxpayers pick up the tab, while he simultaneously claims he is on campaign trip.

Comment by Can't stand Obama's crybabies | 2008-07-24 21:38:07

Very interesting!

 

Comment by candymarl | 2008-07-24 21:45:38

But, but, Obama doesn’t play typical politics like that. He’s pure I tell ya! (swoons while waiting for Obama to appear with bottled water)

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 17:37:28

Aaaaaannnddd….OooBammma crured my stutttering….mmmmkkkkay?

 
 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 21:46:45

but they flew in MYLITTLEPONY ONE

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 21:52:03

 
 

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 21:56:12

Doesn’t matter. Barack is Meeting with some of the military generals, world leaders, etc., in each country he visits is customary so he can claim that stop was part of his “business” expenses.

If he goes somewhere and just delivers a political speech, but doesn’t meet with a political/military hack, then his campaign would be required to pay for that portion of the trip.

At least that is my understanding. I may be wrong?

 

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 22:34:00

I told you…… Here is Obama’s transcript:

I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before. Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen – a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world.

So, when he is speaking to the people of Berlin, he is speaking not as a candidate for President, but as a proud citizen of the United States.

He probably said that because he was traveling as a U.S. Congressman, having taxpayers pay his travel expenses rather than his campaign.

But, when it came time to visit our soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, all of a sudden things changed and he canceled his visit and claimed he was on a campaign trip.

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 22:35:24

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER believe anything Obama says, NEVER. Period. End of subject.

 

Comment by Karma | 2008-07-24 23:28:44

Contradicting himself yet again…

 
 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:16:12

If it’s at taxpayer expense and 2 other senators went along, how does he get to to that stupid paint job on the plane?

 
 

Comment by Hank | 2008-07-24 21:45:50

What a jerk!! Everyone in the military needs to see what Obvomit did not do in Germany. VISIT OUR INJURED HERO’S!!!

 

Comment by katmandu | 2008-07-24 21:46:35

Jonathan Martin said it well:

Further, Obama met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on this, the campaign-funded, part of his trek. If that was deemed ok, than are we to assume that each of his get-togethers with European leaders is political in nature?

Assuming their rationale was on the level and not just cover to give the candidate a breather, the easier move may have been to still visit Rammstein and Landstuhl but keep the press behind.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0708/Obama_cancels_troop_visit.html?showall

 

Comment by soldier4hillary | 2008-07-24 21:47:37

Amazing. One minute its a trip paid by taxpayers on a fact finding mission. But when its time to visit the soldiers its all of a sudden a campaign? Got it Barack. Message recieved

 

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 21:50:41

I’m curious…does a senator need to be on a specific committee to be on a taxpayer funded fact-finding mission?

 

Comment by Taylor "God Damn America" Marsh | 2008-07-24 21:51:49

I wonder how political prostitute Taylor Marsh will interpret this event. She claims she is an “expert” on the military. Will she throw them under the bus too?

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 22:02:48

I used to know a whore in Germany who was an expert on the military. Could they be related?

 

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:06:48

She may have a close and illustrative relationship with many of our sailors.

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 22:12:33

reminds me of a letterman joke on cher
name of her new perfume
“Fleets in”

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:23:42

I’m not saying that TM is a media whore, But I saw her at Von’s, buying several boxes of “Prostituties.”

It’s a breakfast cereal.

They don’t Snap, Crackle OR Pop.

They just lay in the bowl and Bang…

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 22:40:33

ROFLMAO!
MERCY!!!

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 08:12:49

LOL….Mercy, Mercy, me……things aint’ what they use to be…..

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 17:38:39

Like your moniker….Ms. Marsh….chuckle….

 
 

Comment by kinthenorthwest | 2008-07-24 21:58:25

In any hospital a visit is appreciated. I have a feeling that the men and women at the hospital were looking forward to his visit. Seeing people from the states is something they probably dont get that often.
Its like every week I realize how stuck up this man is.

 

Comment by rjj | 2008-07-24 21:59:06

Bush had to be pushed into visiting the military hospitals, too.

Hospitals are a buzzkill.

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:08:42

I always thought that Shrubbie was afraid someone would get out of a hospital bed and poke him in the bazoo…

 

Comment by Katmoon | 2008-07-24 22:09:56

Yeah, reality is funny that way. He probably would have horked; not to mention it’s hard to look wounded soldiers in the face after you say things like…

‘ If you had to do it over again, knowing what you know now, would you — would you support the surge?” Obama: “No, because — keep in mind that –” Moran: “You wouldn’t?” Obama: “Well, no, keep — these kinds of hypotheticals are very difficult. Hindsight is 20/20. I think what I am absolutely convinced of is that at that time, we had to change the political debate, because the view of the Bush administration at that time was one that I just disagreed with.” Moran: “And so, when pressed, Barack Obama say s he still would have opposed the surge.” (ABC’s “World News With Charles Gibson,” 7/21/08)

Simple, he’s a coward.

 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 22:42:18

Doesn’t seem to bother McCain. Oh, that’s right! He was IN one!

 

Comment by HRocks | 2008-07-24 23:40:58

Narcisstic people can not admit their mortality so this is why they don’t visit hospitals, sick friends, dying mothers (Obama didn’t see his mom before she died, didn’t attend her funeral), etc.

Comment by mimi | 2008-07-25 08:13:38

The fact that he didn’t visit his dying mother or go to her funeral, in and of itself, costs him my vote.

What kind of a person doesn’t go to their mother’s funeral? Even people who are estranged from their parents tend to break down and go to the funeral. There’s no evidence that he and his mother were estranged. At least he never discusses it. It’s always been clear to me that he hates his mother. I ask you, how healthy is it for a person to feel this way about a parent, especially after a certain age? Unless your parent was some kind of abuser, what could legitimize such feelings? And why would anyone expect that a person like this is fit to hold the highest office in the land.

Get a therapist 0bama! Work out your issues and let Hillary have the nomination. The country really doesn’t need this right now.

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 08:33:07

Hmmmm…..Mimi since Obama has a SERIOUS CONFLICT WITH HIS INNER CRACKER…
Is there a therapist who would see this guy?

Comment by dgr | 2008-07-25 09:12:11

inner cracker…. BWAHAHAHA ROFLMAO Brilliant!

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by Elle | 2008-07-24 21:59:40

Insensitive Jerk is the understatement.
Obama is beyond thinking of others first.It only matters what is on his aganda for political gain.

 

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 22:00:53

Obama to Run for President of Europe

BERLIN — In a surprise move, United States Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) announced today that he was switching continents and is now running to become the president of Europe. He endorsed former Vice President Al Gore to take his place on the Democratic ticket for the race for president of the United States.

Political analysts were stunned by the move, but an Obama campaign worker said it shouldn’t come as any surprise: “Listen, the euro is much stronger than the dollar. Europeans love Obama. Most of Europe (except those damn Brits) was right on Iraq, from our perspective. It really was just a natural evolution for Barack.”

Insiders say that it was the Germans’ reception of him at the Victory Column in Berlin that finally convinced Obama to change continents. “Barack was overwhelmed by the love expressed for him by the Germans, who are not a very expressive people. He told me that he couldn’t leave these people behind.”

According to other sources, Obama will push to change the European Constitution to make the presidency an eght-year term and to give the president and the European Parliament the power to tax. “Obama knows that this job isn’t worth a warm bucket of spit without the power to tax, and so he will make that the centerpiece of his campaign,” a source with knowledge of the move said.

Obama will also campaign to make his campaign symbol, called the Obama Sunrise, the national flag of Europe.

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 22:07:03

well then, our troubles are ended
good work everyone

 

Comment by dgr | 2008-07-25 09:15:46

I’ve said this before, and am convinced now… that Obama Sunrise is more like a Dominic Sunset. Just sayin’… this shite is creepy as hell.

 
 

Comment by katmandu | 2008-07-24 22:01:08

Obama did have time today to do his gym thing:

++ Obama Takes Time to Work Out ++

4:49 p.m.: Obama enters the luxury Ritz Carlton hotel wearing a T-shirt, black sweatpants and white trainers — apparantly to work out in the hotel’s gym. He kept up the campaigning on the way there, smiling and waving at tourists and other onlookers.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,567821,00.html

But not enough time for the hospital.

Comment by Taylor Marsh Should Return HLF's Money | 2008-07-24 22:03:19

What a joke.

Comment by meileen | 2008-07-24 22:27:31

love the name.

 

Comment by Hope Floats | 2008-07-25 01:24:50

Me, too. Also loved Taylor “Goddamn America” Marsh.Great porn name. ;)

 

Comment by soupcity | 2008-07-25 09:41:31

love your screen name!!

What the f@@k is BO afraid of here? I think whoever said he realizes he is not fit to be CIC pretty much nails it.

He wouldn’t want to fill his pretty head with such images, adoring crowds and fawning press are much more pleasant.

He’s bush with a better vocabulary.

That photo is breaking my heart. sigh.

 
 

Comment by Clinton Fan | 2008-07-25 00:02:49

There is a gym in that hospital, too…he could’ve done a two-fer. Talked to the hospital caregivers while working out, and maybe a few of the PTSD patients, too.

Quick shower, fast run through the wards to see the physically wounded…two birds with one stone.

Wait…that takes JUDGMENT. I forgot, he only has the “POOR” version of that going on.

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 02:24:18

It would be a bad thing to let him near a PTSD.
We can be very unpleasant individuals when irritated.
It has to do with fight or flight mechanisms. When you are kept from flight, the other mechanism immediately takes over. Poof, no more candidate.
Barry, better stay away from the PTSD’s.

 
 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:19:38

If he works out why is he so flabby? his skin hangs down in ripples. Saw a beach photo. yuck.

 
 

Comment by Larse12 | 2008-07-24 22:03:04

Obama is such a fraud. I can’t stand him. He did not go see our poor boys that fought in battle because the big ass couldn’t haul the media in there. Who in their right mind would vote for this piece of shit?

Comment by anonymous | 2008-07-24 22:05:39

Other pieces of shit?

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:10:15

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 02:25:31

What do we have for him, Don Pardo?
:)

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 08:10:49

Aaaannn…..OFFICIAL STUFFED ARMADILLO…..pudum dum…ssshhh….
( vegas drum roll/finish )

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by anonymous | 2008-07-24 22:03:05

I’m might write in either that dog or Larry Sinclair if Ofuckhead is the nominee.

 

Comment by Larse12 | 2008-07-24 22:06:05

Oh yes the big piece of dung could go work out but not go see our troops in the hospital. I’m sure he did a little snort on the side. Damn people please go over to Larry’s site and help us bring this piece of dodoo down.
http://larrysinclair0926.com/

 

Comment by VMorris | 2008-07-24 22:09:41

I need your help in deciding my new nickname for Obami. Which fits better?

His Ass-Holeyness

or

His Holey-Assness?

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 22:11:07

His Holey-Assness has my vote, but then again, I like Royal Douchebag

Comment by Ferdberfle | 2008-07-24 22:14:31

Il Dufus might be appropriate

 
 

Comment by anonymous "racist" | 2008-07-24 22:11:28

I just came up with a new one: Ofuckhead
But I thought maybe Ofuckwad was good as well.

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:15:25

Husband of Sasquatch?

The Black Commissar of Chicago?

The Man with a Paper Ass?

Comment by Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-24 22:16:16

Rezko’s Lawn Jockey?

Comment by Ferdberfle | 2008-07-24 22:20:21

Oblockhead?

 

Comment by Buzz Latte | 2008-07-24 23:22:13

Slightly sick…but funny…very funny!

 

Comment by Legit Dem | 2008-07-25 02:38:17

The racism on this site is astounding.

Comment by anonymous "racist" | 2008-07-25 08:12:51

Obama is the biggest racist around.

 
 
 
 
 

Comment by anonymous "racist" | 2008-07-24 22:16:22

He’s being called a piece of shit now so how about Odungbeetle?

 

Comment by typical.white.person | 2008-07-24 22:19:00

How about Obam-bam? Obama stutters to much and says so little, he reminds me of Bam-Bam.

 

Comment by Postmaster | 2008-07-24 22:25:14

Holey-Assness for sure

 

Comment by Kevin | 2008-07-24 22:28:47

His Royal Shittieness

 

Comment by Joe | 2008-07-25 00:22:12

How about Pampers?

 

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:22:49

I vote for assholyness

 

Comment by nickoury | 2008-07-25 03:51:51

I think “stinky” is quite apropos.

Comment by nickoury | 2008-07-25 03:59:49

The initials, the offensive personal character, the entire package offend not the olfactory, but all the senses.

 
 
 

Comment by Dmitriy | 2008-07-24 22:14:25

Was this Obambi’s another flip-flop?

Comment by AnnieO | 2008-07-24 22:15:07

Do explain.

 
 

Pingback by Senator Obama Cancelled His Trip to U.S. Military Hospitals in Germany « Dianej’s Weblog | 2008-07-24 22:15:17

[...] in Germany Posted on July 25, 2008 by dianej I just finished reading a story over at noquarterusa.net regarding Obama not going to visit two military hospitals while in Germany. According to  reports [...]

 

Comment by Katmoon | 2008-07-24 22:16:55

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:23:59

Trojan, as in horse

 
 

Comment by DianeJ | 2008-07-24 22:17:03

I think it is disgusting that Obama is not going to visit the wounded troops. I guess he will get a pass on this from the mainstream media as usual.

Comment by anonymous "racist" | 2008-07-24 22:30:45

I agree it is disgusting but its also good because Obama obviously only really cares about himself and any compassion shown to the troops would be false and I bet they would see right through him.

 
 

Comment by mel | 2008-07-24 22:20:56

During Bambi’s speech today, he stated that in Afganistan, America cannot go it alone, WTF???

Obama just threw every NATO allie countgry fighting in Afganistan under the bus.

This lousy excuse of a human being is the most ignorant person walking the earth!

One selfish BO in one day, pissed off Israel at the wailing wall, every NATO allie fighting in Afganistan and our own wounded troops in hospitals in Germany.

Someone please remove this danger to America and the world from any possible means of opening his mouth and destroying what is left of American standing in the world.

Comment by HARP | 2008-07-24 22:32:13

Since 2002, 88 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan.

 

Comment by NotBrainwashed | 2008-07-24 22:37:47

It sure is getting crowded under that bus!!

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-24 22:49:31

If he keeps this up, they won’t let the bastard back into the country!
Problem solved…

Comment by csuzeq | 2008-07-24 23:28:16

I like it!

Just as he throws people off ballots on a technicality, we can throw him out on technicality, too.

Like the Logan act!

 
 
 
 

Comment by Babs | 2008-07-24 22:22:49

All the pretty speeches in the world (written by 22 speech writers), all the money in the world, all the media adulation in the world, all the hype, all the slogans, all the everything that is Barack Obama cannot overcome his all too obvious lack of grace, dignity and class. For this fraud the DNC threw Hillary Clinton, the personification of everything Obama so obviously lacks, under the bus. Makes my vote for John McCain an easy choice. PUMA.

 

Comment by helen | 2008-07-24 22:28:01

obama is scum.
he is in a foreign country trashing the USA. he does not respect our troops or the american people.
someone posted earlier today that during the primary he would not visit several states that he wants the people to vote and send him money.
this country does not need outside enemies we have obama.
He and his followers will hurt this country before they would help it.

COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMA RULES

Comment by fif | 2008-07-24 22:31:59

Quote from Obama to Ed Rendell: “We don’t need the people, just their checks.” That is the epitome of Obama. Who needs the actual soldiers when he can parade around playing the Commander in Chief? It’s an absolute disgrace. At least John McCain knows what it is to sacrifice and serve with honor.

 
 

Comment by fif | 2008-07-24 22:29:38

“We learned from the Pentagon last night that the visit would be viewed instead as a campaign event,” Gration said. “Sen. Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go.”

LOL! Oh, God forbid his visit should be viewed as a CAMPAIGN EVENT! Isn’t the whole trip an orchestrated campaign event???

This guy is truly disgusting. I cannot believe people do not see through his hypocrisy and self-serving farce. I am so tired of him already.

Comment by meileen | 2008-07-24 22:32:30

all he had to do was visit with them sans the media. he is an asswipe.

maybe that should be his new name. obasswipe.

 

Comment by Mary Kay | 2008-07-24 22:50:10

But they don’t care that his speech today was viewed as a campaign event? What’s more important, making a lame speech in front of the masses to show how popular you are or visiting the men and women who fought for this country unconditionally? I was opposed to the war, too, but I would never abandon an opportunity to visit with the troops. I know young men who are over in Iraq right now and I have nothing but respect for those guys.

Obama’s priorities are as shallow as someone trying to become a supermodel.

 
 

Comment by Matthew Weaver | 2008-07-24 22:31:43

Obama and the ultimate sign of being unAmerican: Dissing wounded American soldiers to instead play ‘citizen of the world’

He wants to be citizen of the world?! Maybe McCain can oblige and offer him UN ambassador or get the UN to put him in charge. He can renew his Indonesian and Keynan citizenship in the name of international diversity. (Hey, btw, did he ever renounce his foreign citizenship?)

Comment by Joe | 2008-07-24 23:42:09

The Messiah’s megalomania has no limits. His drones’ gullibility is bottomless once they’ve been infused with his Kool-aid.

 
 

Comment by IronMan | 2008-07-24 22:38:15

US Soldier in Afghanistan Speaks Out

God Bless you, soldier!!

Check this out from soldier in Afghanistan: Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:51:54 -0600 This is a guy that use to be in my ward - so someone I know personally. He is the father of six and currently serving in Afghanistan . This is his take of Senator Obama visit to “the troops”. Kind of a different take that what you will see on the news. Make of it what you will. *************************************************************** Hello everyone, As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to “The War Zone”. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram. As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn’t say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service. So really he was just here to make a showing for the American’s back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you. I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States . I just don’t understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country. If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake. In service, CPT Jeffrey S. Porter Battle Captain

Comment by NotBrainwashed | 2008-07-24 22:47:09

Ugh. What an elitist coward. I know that “elitist” is a common attack, but in this case, it is so true.

 

Comment by Paramedic | 2008-07-25 11:10:08

I see that Captain Porter seems to have missed his military instruction on the chain of command, which isn’t easy to do. At any rate, I would expect that a real Captain would know that his CINC was the Commander in Chief, not the Commander and Chief.

 
 

Comment by judd | 2008-07-24 22:46:09

The Brits are more likely to tell Barky to fuck off…

This should be an interesting part of the trip.

Someone should have left Obama in Afganistan permanently so he could meet Osama bin laden and so Obama could talk to Osama and make him understand with the carrots and sticks that he speaks about that will make the bad guys change and get rid of their nukes.

Obama is planning on using carrots and sticks to make Iran behave too. So, Obama should have stayed and traveled the moutains searching for Osama so he could talk offer his carrots and sticks.

The he could conveniently get lost, be forgotten and our country would be saved!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Comment by judd | 2008-07-24 22:50:37

How many anti Obama sites are there compared to pro Obama sites?

Does anyone know?

 

Comment by Jackson Pearson | 2008-07-24 22:55:04

Whatta guy. Fauxbama, and his campaign, showed how much he blatantly has contempt for the U.S. military.

 

Comment by trist | 2008-07-24 22:59:35

THERE IS STILL TIME TO STOP OUR COUNTRY FROM BECOMING AN OBAMANATION.

BOTH PLEDGE AND SUPER DELEGATES CONTINUE TO SWITCH FROM THE messiah TO HILLARY, BUT UNLESS THE KING OF SCREAM ALLOWS HER NAME TO BE PLACED INTO NOMINATION AT THE CONVENTION IT WILL BE IN VAIN!

SO PLEASE HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY SIGNING THIS PETITION FROM THE DENVER GROUP TO GET A FAIR AND OPEN CONVENTION.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/TheDenverGroup/index.html

SIGN IT THEN PASS IT ON.
THANKS!

 

Comment by chris | 2008-07-24 23:06:15

And to top all of the things already mentioned today, how about his little comment that he sure “looks different” than the other Americans that came before him to speak there. Now if I am interpreting correctly, he was referring to his being a black man vs white Presidents(jfk and rr) that gave speeches in Berlin. I was listening with my sister and we both did a “what did he just say?” response at the same time. As an american I was offended by this racist remark. Nobody is really keying in on this statement of his, but it sure mad me angry. He gets his digs and subliminal messages in all the time and no one calls him out about it.

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-24 23:12:46

I just got back from an outdoor free band concert. When it was over, I noticed a keychain on a woman with an Obama seal on it. As she passed the back of my seat, I whispered to her, “Obama sucks!” She looked embarrassed and shuffled off.

The devil made me do it!

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-24 23:24:10

Funny. I did the same thing to an aging hippy in a beat up old Subaru with a Barky bumpersticker. It happened at a red light. He pulled up next to me, both our windows were rolled down and it just…flew out…”OBAMA SUCKS!” He didn’t know what to say. But the devil didn’t make me do it, the Percocets did.

Comment by Seattle Moss | 2008-07-24 23:34:21

Barking at Obama supporters in Seattle is really easy. They’re so passive and emotional wrecks

 

Comment by churl | 2008-07-24 23:38:32

Be kind to aging hippies:”Hey Man. Obama sucks.”

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-24 23:46:33

Sorry Churl, I am usually kind to everyone, but seeing a supposedly educated person falling for Obama just makes me nuts. Besides, that was nothing compared to what I did to a douche driving a huge pickup with a fake Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes) pissing on the word ‘Liberal’. Something tells me he’ll be avoiding farmers markets and coffee bars for quite awhile.

Comment by Can't stand Obama's crybabies | 2008-07-25 00:08:45

It’s true. The scent of the man or image invoked during conversations makes me foam.

Since his assholyness believes he walks on water, I only have one questions for him:

How is Elvis and has he spoken to him yet?

 
 
 
 

Comment by AnnieCarmel | 2008-07-24 23:47:52

Similar experience last week in line at Whole Foods or as my friend calls it… Whole Paycheck. The clerk was telling a very elderly man in front of me (obviously a regular) that she was going to be volunteering for Obama. He said “Well, seems a lot of people are for him.” I interrupted, saying: “No, no, not everyone. I’m not.” She shot me a nasty look but since I was the customer, she couldn’t say a word. Loved it. I try to get in her line now and give a confident smile.

I need a PUMA button for future visits.

 
 

Comment by Babs | 2008-07-24 23:17:38

John McCain visits the soldiers at Walter Reed regularly, sans media, just because he cares. Barack Obama can’t visit the wounded in Germany because, let’s face it, without the media tagging along, what good does it do him politically? That to me is the difference between the two men in a nutshell. And why my vote for McCain will be such an easy choice. PUMA.

 

Comment by VMorris | 2008-07-24 23:32:07

Obama sucks and does blow. What more could you ask for in a candidate for POTUS???

 

Comment by Christy | 2008-07-24 23:34:36

Well, if he visited the wounded, then he might not be the center of attention. He expects everyone to kiss his butt.

It would be inappropriate to expect the wounded to kiss his butt, and BO just can’t have that.

 

Comment by vote_whore | 2008-07-24 23:43:28

Bless Eddie. Bless Ryan

I’m speechless.
*cough* ~sniffle~ Swallows lump in throat.
This is so sad. Obama snubs our warriors on our dime without an explanation of why.
Sad elections too.
Womencountpac went over to the darkside too.
*cough* {{{{wipes tear}}}}}

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-24 23:44:13

HAHAHA! Strawberry!

I am just sick of him

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-24 23:48:00

If somebody hollered at me over a Hillary sign, I’d at least say, “Go to He**!”

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-24 23:50:28

I’d probably get arrested in Seattle.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-24 23:58:31

I love Seattle, but I live closer to Olympia, which I also love. I must confess, I’m not seeing as many Obama stickers as I would have thought. Which is why when I see one I tend to…ahem…let ‘em rip.

Comment by Seattle Moss | 2008-07-25 00:06:12

I only see Obama stickers and signs in
Rolex Commie and latte liberal neighborhoods.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:29:51

Have the Starbucks stores closed yet? It’ll give the kiddies something else to focus on.

 
 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 02:35:57

Damn,
Straw, are you a homey too? Where? Lacey, DuPont. Lord God, not YELM!!!
I’m over by PLU

 
 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 02:41:18

Come there with us Say, NWRain, Moss, and now perhaps Strawberry too is invited. We know their language and can speak Birkenstock and Latte fluently, they aren’t too dangerous unless the Anarchists are loose but they usually don’t organize easily. It’ll be fun!

 
 

Comment by tamerlane | 2008-07-24 23:51:49

This picture says it all.

This is what compassion looks like, Barry. Unlike sociopaths like you, this is how us humans soften the edges of an hard world for each other. You wouldn’t understand, because you care only about yourself.

You don’t give a rat’s ass about the troops, risking life and limb for a country *they* are proud of. Which is why no way in hell will we let you be C-I-C.

 

Comment by Michelle | 2008-07-24 23:52:33

I just didn’t think it was possible for me to dislike this man anymore than I already do - but WOW - this just takes the cake. He is such an a**hole! He is so self-centered. What about all that bs at the commencement ceremony about “service” - God, I mean he’s not doing the fighting - the LEAST he could do is acknowledge and honor those who have. This man truly does not deserve to be anywhere near the White House.
Go PUMA!

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-24 23:56:32

I take every opportunity to challenge people’s stupidity on his *Ascendency*

..carry some blank voter registrations around for my neighbors if they seem interested. 150 people in my building.

Other election years in the past, I never would have done this.

 

Comment by educatedwhitewoman | 2008-07-24 23:59:01

Not visiting wounded soldiers? Soldiers who have risked their lives to defend our country? Many who will never be the same? Will never return to a normal level of function because of their service and sacrifice for our country? How can this be explained away or understood on any level? Sen. Obama, forget about your damn campaign expenditures -you have plenty of money to pay for the visit yourself. I would crawl across desert sands full of sharp stones and risk my life to honor these men and women.

Comment by mahaska | 2008-07-25 03:32:37

And don’t forget, these are volunteer soldiers. Not some poor kids drafted to go get shot at. They are out there protecting his right to swan around pretending to be president.

 
 

Comment by Babs | 2008-07-25 00:00:01

I saw this posted on another blog tonight and am still laughing -

“Barack Obama giving a speech in Germany makes him a foreign policy expert like me spending the night in the garage makes me a car.”

Comment by nickoury | 2008-07-25 03:11:30

 

Comment by nickoury | 2008-07-25 04:14:45

I’m still laughing. Thanks so much.

 

Comment by nickoury | 2008-07-25 04:23:28

It is so perfect. stinky is a totally worthless piece of inanimate dredge. No matter how hard civilizations struggle to advance, characters like this arise to drag it backwards.

 
 

Comment by TeakwoodKite | 2008-07-25 00:00:12

it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign.”

So dig deep Obama and pay for it your Dam self. You selfish pig. Great leadership skills. Take of the trappings of any vestige of the facade of decency and frakkin DO YOUR JOB BO.

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-25 00:01:11

Boo AHHH! Educated, you Go!

 

Comment by sayitisntso | 2008-07-25 00:03:11

>>>>going upstairs to read the new Repub. ad

 

Comment by vi | 2008-07-25 00:08:26

Does this surprise anyone, he did not support the soldiers with metal plates in the vests, or with providing more equipment as planes either , He gives all credit for the surge not to the men and woman who serve or died there in Iraq but to the sunis and iraqis, hes snubbed our men and woman before and he will continue to do so. As voters we wonder why are military are being disrespected from his supporters, well i suppose the enemy , murders , and criminal muslims deserver a visit rather than our men and woman who serve, it will continue to work against him as more and more Americans are taking notice. America does not need obama and his flunkies fighting for their own laws, since they feel free to take up their own law on receiving the tax free gas in Colorado, there you go their heads are so big, that they are better than the American people that they only deserve this, I suppose our fellow Americans are not worthy of such privaledges, since were not the inner circle of Obamas self serving party, we are the Democratic party fighting for Democracy.

 

Comment by Hank Collins | 2008-07-25 00:23:50

Obama, the great triangulator. Chaps my hide that this is the insult that Obamabots hurled at Hillary and Bill Clinton in their most vitriolic dirty way … when all along it was THEIR candidate who is obsessed with the politics of triangulation.

What a disgusting man, is Obama.

 

Comment by Cat in NJ | 2008-07-25 00:43:10

Ryan and Eddie … thank you.

Obama … you can’t use campaign funds to visit wounded US troops, but get that $300,000 paint job on Air Farce Won, or continue to poison the naive Obama Youth at “Camp Obama” … all on who’s dime? Your decisions have proven to be irresponsible and regrettable, comrade.

I have faith in God, karma and this country. Obama will eventually have to answer to them all.

 

Comment by Larse12 | 2008-07-25 00:49:41

Obama was an embarrassment over seas. Our boy is an officer in the Marines and they have no respect for Obama and do not want him as commander and chief. NO WAY!! Him standing up there thinking he speaks for America! He does not!!

 

Comment by judd | 2008-07-25 02:02:22

Go hang out with the vets.

You will get an ear full about barky.

They will let you know that he will not set a single foot inside that oval office.

Truth

Go test and hang out for a while with the vets…………………….

 

Comment by james | 2008-07-25 02:14:48

Had the Obama campain entourage visited Landstuhl RMC, you wouldn’t be howling about him exploiting recovering GIs for the sake of a callous, high profile media photo op?

You know you would be.

He foregoes such an “opportunity” out of respect, and you nail him for that.

How to those who assert that the troops have a very low opinion of Barack Obama account for the hugely enthusiastic, spontaneous receptions he’s received from them everywhere he’s arrived?

Are the news stories and video coverage faked?

Comment by Northwest rain | 2008-07-25 02:23:41

Obama cultist — Obama didn’t go because he couldn’t bring the MEDIA — for a photo opt.

Obama had a chance to talk to the troops in Afghanistan and he snubbed them.

You guy is a lying, lazy loser — OWN your candidate — he is yours — all yours — you damn mindless cult member from hell.

 

Comment by Diana | 2008-07-25 02:38:29

You’re missing the entire point. He told these men he was coming. He did not keep his word. He dissed injured American soldiers. You couldn’t come up with a good enough reason for him to do that.

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
~Mark Twain

Comment by james | 2008-07-25 03:26:32

No, I’ve got the entire point.

He’s damned if he goes, and damned if he doesn’t.

People here will spin it negatively either way.

People here tell me first that the troops loath Barack Obama.

Then they tell me they’re so bitterly disappointed because he doesn’t come to visit them.

Additionally, I found the article atop this thread distastefully exploitive.

“Wounded American soldier Ryan Newberry” is so happy Eddie the black lab came to visit. (Which I don’t dispute. That’s a good thing. A nice moment. A touching moment.)

But that bastard Obama…

Oh, please.

Personally, I’d be a bit ashamed to use a picture of a wounded GI like it’s being used here. I wonder what Ryan Newberry would think of the context?

My guess is that nobody asked him.

Comment by Diana | 2008-07-25 04:05:00

A man and his character are only as good as his word. So far Obama hasn’t chosen to to stand by “ANY” of his. They really are “Just Words” to him. NAFTA, FISA, Iraq, Campaign Financing…yet I’m supposed to think he is a man of character?

Tell me when have I ever said the troops loathe him? A few people is all of us? A majority of us? You said People here, how many people have told you this?

Seems to me the people that are saying that are those who have family there. Maybe just maybe they’re talking to them. I don’t have that luxury both of my cousins that were serving were killed by terrorists at checkpoints. The same terrorists Obama wants to cuddle and coo.

Tell me when I ever said I hate Obama? You can’t. I do not hate him. I do not trust him. I do not think he is being honest about a lot of things. I do not believe he would be good for this country. I do not think he has the experience needed. He knows nothing about the history of this country, which he has shown over and over. He knows nothing about the Military and it’s holidays. He has out and out lied in his ads. In his speeches. Yes, I can see why you would defend this great man of character.

A very wise man once said if you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect…

Comment by james | 2008-07-25 04:51:18

Tell me when have I ever said the troops loathe him? A few people is all of us? A majority of us? You said People here, how many people have told you this?

I’ve seen many such posts here. A few such above in this thread. But no, I can’t say that any were yours, and I apologize for overly-broad generalizations that admittedly don’t fit everybody. I’ve had some very civil debates with thoughtful people here whose views I disagree with. More often, though, people dismiss my views rather rudely. Most recently, for example, I am a “damn mindless cult member from hell”. I was tired and that didn’t amuse me.

Generalized assertions about the opinions of soldiers and vets is perhaps an overly sensitive issue with me. I’m a ‘Nam vet myself. The two buddies from there I’m still regularly in touch with are also Obama supporters. Two of the three of us were (and still are) more partial to Hillary Clinton. I suppose when people say that vets think this or feel that and it’s not what I’m thinking or feeling, I tend say what’s on my mind.

I actually like John McCain, personally. I’m not happy with his position on the war though, and I’m not happy about his voting record on veterans’ issues. Nor do I trust him to deal with our economic problems. So I favor Obama. That certainly doesn’t mean I worship the ground the guy walks on.

 
 

Comment by alee21 | 2008-07-25 07:07:36

Obama is a politician - although he is skilled in manipulating the system, in fact, he has very little knowledge himself. So presumably, someone in his 300+ foreign policy entourage came up with the idea that visiting the troops was not good for PR.
If Obama has core values like Hillary, and sticks up for what he truly believes in for the country and for every person, then he won’t be flip flopping all the time.
Obama has reneged on just about every promise, every issue he has ever spoken about.
He should go back to the Senate and actually work at the job he is paid to do so.

 
 
 

Comment by Zeke | 2008-07-25 02:47:08

What if he did it like McCain? Just snuck off to say hi?
You’re just another half-wit trying to use moral equivalence as an argument.
Barry is a disingenuous disgrace who has pissed in his own koolaid. His campaign took its first mortal wound today.
The first of many more. Each more intense and devastating.
The more your foolish leaders tell you the ship isn’t sinking, the more you should look for a lifeboat.
Have the band play, “Nearer My God To Thee”

 

Comment by Donna Brazile | 2008-07-25 07:34:02

LMAO: Didn’t go out of respect! HAHA

Keep up the delusions James they are pretty funny.

Out of respect!

I got one for you. Don’t bring a reporter and go say hi, thanks for YOUR sacrifice. It’s pretty simple.

They put some limits on what he could do and he didn’t like it. No press, senate staff only!

But hey, James, who gives a flip.

Vote for him that’s fine, NOBODY HERE is trying to stop you.

But we aren’t! It’s that simple!

Stop the hate.

 

Comment by MIDem | 2008-07-25 09:13:33

Obama refused to go because he could not exploit the opportunity for his own gain.
Primabama is all about himself.

 
 

Comment by gerard nedich | 2008-07-25 02:18:21

Baracktrack is a self-centered coward…

a. hillary
b. mccain

america first!

 

Comment by OnTheReal | 2008-07-25 03:15:06

Echo chamber

Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?
Obsess much?

/Echo chamber

 

Comment by LineMarie | 2008-07-25 04:00:01

Les Allemands ont été interdits de manifestation contre Hussein obama, tous les européens ne sont pas pour Obama, il est faux et dangereux, et les médias aussi

 

Comment by ALLY BABA WAN KENOBE | 2008-07-25 06:15:51

I would surmise that obama’’s “handlers’ or more accurately,spin-meisters-concluded after Reading http://www.blackfive military blog site that he was surely unwelcome after his discraceful behavior in Iraq/Afghanistan completely ignoring our troops and playing basketball instead of talking to those who wear the boots on the ground and in the air defending Americans at home and abroad. his photo-op campaign assistants/MSM LACKEYS advised him that there was too much risk to his “image’if a soldier in a hospital bed said something UNSCRIPTED! you know, it is really hard to “vet’ hospital patients so that there are no uncomfortable questions or statements!Or to edit out the sound at a military base in Germany if soldiers happened to boo his “holiness’!What a dirtbag! Hillary or Mcain,’08!

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 07:53:10

Just what we need! A Commander in Chief who thinks that cammo is a fashion statement and is too cowardly to hear a disagreeing voice …. hmmmmmmmmm wonder where we’ve had the no disagreeing voice before? Anyone? Anyone?

 

Comment by james | 2008-07-25 12:57:08

Strange. A 07/20/08 ABC News article says this:

“US military commanders at the main US base at Bagram north of Kabul briefed Senator Obama and other senators on the international effort against Taliban and other Islamic extremists, the US-led coalition said.

“The delegation later flew to a base in eastern Afghanistan, closer to the border with Pakistan, where they met more of the 36,000 US soldiers in Afghanistan…”

There are photographs and videos of Obama with U.S. troops in Afghanistan; photos and videos of him meeting U.S. soldiers in Iraq. In Kuwait he shot some baskets with U.S. soldiers. There’s a video clip. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves. There’s a another video of Obama surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic U.S. soldiers in Baghdad.

In what sense is shooting baskets with U.S. soldiers disgraceful behavior? And how do you happen to know what his “photo-op” people told him?

 
 

Comment by bmc | 2008-07-25 06:24:18

Change You Can’t Believe In

Der Spiegel Feb, 2008

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,536232,00.html

Vague Barack in Berlin

NYT: Obama wows Europe — vaguely
Leaders remain unsure where candidate stands on issues of trade, defense

NEWS ANALYSIS
By Steven Erlanger
The New York Times
updated 1:07 a.m. ET, Fri., July. 25, 2008

On Thursday evening in a glittering Berlin, Mr. Obama delivered a tone poem to American and European ideals and shared history.

But he was vague on crucial issues of trade, defense and foreign policy that currently divide Washington from Europe and are likely to continue to do so even if he becomes president — issues ranging from Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan to new refueling tankers and chlorinated chickens, the focus of an 11-year European ban on American poultry imports.

[...]

Eberhard Sandschneider of the German Council on Foreign Relations said, “The Obama who spoke tonight did not put all his cards on the table.” Mr. Obama “tried to use all the symbolism of Berlin to indicate that as president he would reach out to Europe,” Mr. Sandschneider said. “But between the lines he said very clearly that Europe needs to do more,” especially on Afghanistan and Iraq.

Fears of the status quo
Europeans are wary about Mr. Obama’s call for more European money for defense and more soldiers for the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. They worry that he will not alter what they see as President Bush’s unbending bias in favor of Israel.

And, despite what appears to be his sensitivity to European concerns, they perceive Mr. Obama as largely uninterested in Europe, even though he is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee responsible for the region. As the newspaper Le Monde pointed out on Thursday, Mr. Obama has never asked to meet the European Union’s ambassador in Washington.

But European leaders are particularly concerned about Mr. Obama’s positions on trade, taken during the bruising Democratic campaign against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, which seem to many to veer toward protectionism.

Europe’s trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, last month urged both Mr. Obama and his Republican rival, Senator John McCain, to reject “the false comforts of populism” and abandon “the protectionist and antitrade rhetoric” that dominated the primaries.

Stance on trade worries some
Mr. Mandelson noted that Mr. Obama had pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and had opposed a new trade deal with Colombia. “A crisis of American confidence in globalization,” Mr. Mandelson said, “could knock it off course.”

Mr. Obama in his address spoke of the need for Europeans and Americans to recognize common challenges in an easily traveled world of radical Islam, nuclear proliferation, carbon emissions, violence, poverty and genocide.

But he offered more tepid support for free trade, even as negotiators in Geneva, including Mr. Mandelson, try to break an impasse that has dogged global trade talks for seven years. He said he wanted to “build on the wealth that open markets have created” but only if trade agreements were “free and fair for all,” a phrase that suggests fidelity to the trade-wary stance of one wing of the Democratic Party.

Europeans are upset about a recent decision by the Pentagon to order a new round of bidding for a $35 billion contract for aerial refueling tankers. A European-led consortium won the lucrative contract, beating Boeing, earlier this year. But Boeing and its Congressional supporters managed to have the bid reviewed and ultimately overturned.

The Europeans are unhappy with a five-year, $289 billion farm bill that maintains sizable subsidies for American farmers, even as the Europeans vow to review their own farm subsidies as a spur to trade talks. The United States complains that the European ban on American poultry costs American farmers about $200 million a year. The Europeans do not like the chlorine bath Americans use to disinfect their chickens, an argument that is less about safety than about taste.

[...]

He referred repeatedly to “European” people and values, drawing a contrast with the Bush administration, which has often sought to recruit individual European countries, like Britain and Poland, to support its policies, while doing less to cultivate ties to the broader European Union. Washington views the European Union as being dominated by France and Germany and less eager to follow America’s foreign policy.

But Mr. Obama also called for a more muscular Europe to act with the United States in the common defense, a politically delicate matter here that is likely to prove an irritant no matter who wins the presidency.

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has sent more troops to Afghanistan, but he has faced fierce political criticism for doing so. The Germans continue to be unwilling to send their troops from the safer northern provinces of Afghanistan to the south, where the Taliban is resurgent.

Hubert Védrine, a former French foreign minister, said, “I don’t think Europe is a major stake for” Mr. Obama, adding, “It’s the support that Europeans can bring to his politics that matters.”

Mr. Obama indulged in “some pro-German demagogy on nuclear weapons to get applause,” Mr. Védrine said. But he said Mr. Obama’s call for more European engagement in Afghanistan would not go over so well.

Even on Iran, where so far Washington and the main European countries have cooperated in their effort to prevent Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon, Mr. Obama refuses to rule out a military option — a position that, as Le Monde said, “is judged unproductive by most Europeans.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25842161/

Comment by alee21 | 2008-07-25 07:01:54

Yup,
We know, Obama is just pandering to get attention and get the sheen of leadership through the use of props. But European leaders see through this empty suit.

 

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 08:06:44

Memo to BMC :
Vague is the New Clarity. You PUMAS have got to stop with this tiresome insistence for substance as Polls reflect that the majority of Americans have little or no patience for such. New Party HQ has plans in place to deal with these misplaced recalcitrant demands.
In the New America…..Individual Thought and the headaches it induces will be discouraged.
Sincerely,
Commissar Donna Brazeal. The New Party for a New America

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-25 10:43:55

GREAT PUMA… SOMEONE IS ATTACKING YOU ORGANISATION, BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT STAND, ANOTHER MOVEMENT AGAINST oBAMA, AND THIS MOVEMENT IS GROWING VERY FAST.
GET ON OBAMA AS STRONGER AS POSSIBLE, YOU GOT MY SUPPORT!!!

tHAT”WORKING CLASS ARTIST” IS A BRAIN WASH, AND NO COMMON SENSE!!!

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 11:15:09

ehemmm….er…um…..SPOOF!…..chuckle…..hiccup….

 
 
 
 

Comment by Al | 2008-07-25 06:43:43

Senator Obama,

Would it have killed you sir to take a few minutes to offer your personal thanks to the brave American men and women on the front-lines defending our freedoms?

A simple “Thank You” would have been suffice, so no teleprompter was needed.

 

Comment by Alice Paul | 2008-07-25 07:35:42

I was watching him giving his speech in Germany and the thought came to me “He and this trip to Europe remind me of when Eva Peron did the same thing in 1947″

 

Comment by researchguy66 | 2008-07-25 07:59:59

Andrea Mitchell reported on the Today show this morning that he cancelled the visits to Ramstein and Landstuhl because the Pentagon requested he not go.

Comment by chris | 2008-07-25 09:12:45

They asked he go with restrictions that reflected the fact that it could not be campaign related. He could have gone on his own without any fanfare and he should have. You know JM and HRC would have. What does she say about the fact he bypassed talking to the troops standing in line in Afghanistan? Let’s hear the spin on that. Should be just as dumb as what they just said.

 

Comment by Adam | 2008-07-25 14:30:59

shhhh researchguy, you’re getting in the way of NQ’s hatefest!

God forbid we actually look into the story and realize that the Pentagon essentially manufactured this story to give McCain some positive press.

The Pentagon flatly denied Obama’s request to visit the hospital, even though the media was going to be left on the tarmac.

Comment by StrawberrybitesBarky | 2008-07-25 14:38:51

Bullshit Adam, barky wanted to use the wounded soldiers as a campaign photo op. The Pentagon requested that he leave his entourage behind, he chose to go work out instead. He’s a douche.

 

Comment by Lyn | 2008-07-25 16:10:48

No YOU need to research, the pentegon did NOT flatly deny Obama’s request. THAT was just Obama teams latest spin,because he could not take his campaign staff or photos, he had to take his senate staff, when they saw he made a mess by not going they have given a couple different stories, until the facts come out then change the atory again, like they always do.(naftagate anyone?)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5449455&page=1
Obama Camp Pins Scrubbed Troop Visit on Pentagon
Obama Camp says Pentagon Tried to Limit Planned Troop Visit in Germany; Pentagon Pushes Back

“At the Pentagon, spokesman Bryan Whitman denied that the Pentagon had discouraged Obama from visiting the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Obama was “absolutely” told he could visit the troops at Landstuhl, said Whitman.

However, the issue of his visit was dealt with by hospital officials and military officials in Europe familiar with Pentagon guidelines for visits to military installations by a political campaign.

Whitman said Obama is “certainly welcome to visit a military medical facility any time he wants to,” as long as that visit was consistent with that of a sitting senator.

He added, “We do have certain policy guidelines for political campaigns and elections and what’s appropriate and not appropriate in those situations. But, the Pentagon, to use your words, certainly did not tell the senator that he could not visit Landstuhl.”

 
 
 

Comment by BeBe | 2008-07-25 08:24:24

Andrea is lying. The hospital was ready for him. The hospital told him he could only go in with Senate staff. He could not take the press. This is spin the campaign is sending out to put the blame on someone else.

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 08:27:54

I hope to God that this gets the same coverage some where. Andrea is becoming an absolute wh^re.

 
 

Comment by BeBe | 2008-07-25 08:28:09

Remember that NBC just got 5 million from the O campaign for ads during the Olympics. This will be the point of dissemination of spin from now on since O paid for it.

 

Comment by HillGirl | 2008-07-25 08:33:24

It’s too bad that Obama doesn’t see that compassion is part of the job title.

Comment by educatedwhitewoman | 2008-07-25 09:05:01

HillGirl, there’s certainly a wealth of evidence that Obama suffers from NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) and this decision to throw the hospital visit under the bus when no media were allowed, leaving time for his precious workout, is just one more example. But the decided lack of empathy, apparent in so many anecdotes offered by regular people who’ve met Obama on the campaign trail, conjures images of a sociopath. A sociopath does not feel empathy for others; it’s just a foreign concept for them. But they’ve learned from experience, especially the smart ones, that they must act a certain way to please others, i.e. demonstrate certain feelings and reactions in certain situations. Thus, they imitate or feign feelings of empathy, kindness, etc., in social situations. It’s all an act, hard to keep up, and if you watch them carefully, the mask slips and you can see into their true selves - cold, sefish, and really unconcerned about the feelings of others, excpet to the extent that they can be used.

Comment by educatedwhitewoman | 2008-07-25 09:06:45

correction: conjures up images

 
 
 

Comment by DancingOpossum | 2008-07-25 09:07:13

Imagine those wounded vets hearing he’s going to come then poof.

Imagine how they are going to vote in November.

This is really heartbreaking and cruel. He is such a shallow, selfish person.

 

Comment by BeBe | 2008-07-25 09:13:30

The staff worked all week in preparation for a visit. It is not a photo op but rather to inform Congress members and congressional staff what is going on and what they need. The Pentagon does not allow campaign rallies and photo ops in hospitals.

Comment by MIDem | 2008-07-25 09:31:00

Obama is a transparent opportunist not fit to be CIC.

Comment by workingclass artist | 2008-07-25 09:37:12

*** OBAMA IS UNFIT FOR ANY ELECTIVE OFFICE….nuff said ***

 
 
 

Comment by DancingOpossum | 2008-07-25 09:21:39

And James:

So what if the troops “loathe” him? They loathed Bill Clinton, too, yet he had the courage to visit them, meet with them, and shake their hands. (Not to mention give them a big pay raise.) They’re not exactly fond of Hillary either, to put it lightly, but she isn’t afraid of meeting them and she continues to fight for their interests.

So you agree, Obama is a coward? Pooor wittle Obie, afwaid to visit the mean troops!

 

Pingback by Obama: Visiting wounded troops? That would be wrong. « The Confluence | 2008-07-25 09:22:21

[...] You don’t think so?) [UPDATE] SusanUnPC had story on this yesterday Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Obama visits KuwaitObama’s Trip: [...]

 

Comment by Stormy | 2008-07-25 09:42:54

 

Comment by Yesbama | 2008-07-25 09:52:24

Obama’s opponents have used the canceled visit to charge the Democrat cares more about European sentiment then American soldiers. The Obama camp said they canceled the event after the Pentagon ruled it was a campaign event, and needed to be funded from the senator’s election kitty.

“Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go,” Obama advisor, retired Gen. Scott Gration, said in a statement.

The Obama campaign’s chief spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said: “The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign.”

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-25 10:37:57

I dont give damn, what Obama said. In the whole ellection, all we hear is explanations by Obama, or His cronies. < YOU YESBAMA JUST STOP PREACH US, AND GET OUT…
I AM SICK AND TIRE OF THOSE EXPLANATIONS, OF LIES AND IGNORANCE. IS THERE IN THIS COUNTRY AND DEMOCRAT WITH COMMON SENCE, ANY ONE WHO WILL SAY AS IS. OBAMA DIDNT WIN YET, AND HE MAY NOT WIN AT ALL. I AM SICK OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU. PENTAGON THIS, PENTAGON THAT. OBAMA IS A UGLIEST POLITICIAN AND LIAR I EVER SAW IM MY 65 YEARS OF MY LIFE. GET HIM OFF THE BALLOT!!!!
WHAT ABOUT HIS BIRTH CERTIFICAT, DOES HE HAS ANY REAL ONE????

 

Comment by BeBe | 2008-07-25 10:39:48

Spincity. Axelrod said the Pentagon canceled it because it was a campaign event. They need to get their stories straight. The military told his military adviser that he could only bring Senate staff and not press and campaign staff so Axelrod is trying to spin that the Pentagon cancelled a visit by a sitting US Senator which is a lie. O chose not to go because he could not bring his roadshow to make campaign photo ops and have the pres drooling and his campaign handlers protecting him.

 

Comment by beebop | 2008-07-25 11:08:25

As reported by Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube of MSNBC, “A U.S. military official tells NBC News they were making preparations for Sen. Barack Obama to visit wounded troops at the Landstuhl Medical Center at Ramstein, Germany on Friday, but “for some reason the visit was called off.”

One military official who was working on the Obama visit said because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops, Obama’s representatives were told, “he could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers.” In addition,
“Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama’s visit.”

The official said “We didn’t know why” the request to visit the wounded troops was withdrawn. “He (Obama) was more than welcome. We were all ready for him.”

Sorry little Bot, Oboychick is LYING … oh gee, nu?

 
 

Comment by 26 yr vet | 2008-07-25 09:52:51

I dont get it…

He wants to be Commander in Chief?

Of course, this is his first time away from the campaign trail since he slimed his way into his Senate seat (yup, he’s accomplished diddly!)…

Change we can belive in… why doesnt he change his mind (again) and step down from the Dem nomination.

Thats change I would believe in!

Go McCain!

 

Comment by BABALU123 | 2008-07-25 10:30:52

All families of those soldierds, should stop supporting OBAMA, this man dont give sh*t about them, it is all about HIM. 200.00 people, 75.000 people, now England, then Paris. Can You just get angry and start to think, how ugly person Obama is???
My nGOD, what is wrong with You people???
Were is You outrage!!!!!!

 

Comment by vi | 2008-07-25 11:39:43

His actions toward our military personnel, should not come to a surprise to most, the first explanation of him not wearing an American flag pin, was that he did not support the war and he does not wear it to protest the war and the troops that are there , his voting NO on every issue to fund it and give the military what they need to fight: As a yellow represent a prayer to return home, the American flag is a symbol of pride and support for our military men and women , and if he was not wearing the pin before , why now? Some say its just a pin, its not the pin; its the flag, if our men and woman wear it on their sleeve , for its what it represents ,,, Freedom, Pride , and Democracy . I live near Fthood, and we respect and appreciate what the men and women do , even though many of us do not agree, we Respect those who serve.Obama does not want to do a town meeting because many know he is uncapable of supporting those since he does not support the war…..

Comment by HRocks | 2008-07-24 20:55:46

IMHO - Obama doesn’t like the military, the veterans or anyone else associated with DoD.

Obama Won’t Commit to Event at Military Base

By KATE ZERNIKE
Published: July 12, 2008
A coalition of military groups is planning a nationally televised town-hall-style meeting with the presidential candidates near Fort Hood, Tex., the largest active-duty military installation in the country. But so far, only Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, has agreed to attend.

CBS has agreed to broadcast the meeting live from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, Aug. 11. The candidates would face questions directly from an audience of 6,000 people, made up of veterans, service members and military families from the base.
Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has not agreed to participate.
“Senator Obama strongly supports America’s veterans and military families and has worked hard on their behalf in the Senate,” said Phillip Carter, director of Mr. Obama’s veterans effort and an Iraq war veteran. “While we unfortunately had a previously scheduled commitment on the date proposed, Senator Obama looks forward to continuing the dialogue he’s been having throughout the country with veterans on how we can better serve our men and women in uniform as they serve us.”

Carissa Picard, managing director of the Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, said she had suggested Aug. 11 and asked the campaign to suggest other dates if that was not convenient, but after several conversations she had not been able to work anything out.

“I’m having extreme difficulty getting the Obama campaign to commit to this event, and we do not understand why,” said Ms. Picard, whose husband is deployed in Iraq. “We made it very clear to them that if they would commit to the event, we would work with them on dates.”

The organizers released details about the event in hopes that it would pressure the Obama campaign to agree to the event.

“This was a decision that was made with tremendous difficulty, to publicize it,” Ms. Picard said. “We were at a point where we had no other option. We got the impression that they could talk us to November.”
The meeting would be at the Expo Center in Belton, Tex., about 25 miles from Fort Hood.

A military audience might seem more hospitable to a Republican candidate, particularly one like Mr. McCain, who has made his support for the war in Iraq the heart of his campaign. But the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a heavy toll on Fort Hood; one of the groups organizing the event estimates that up to 800 of the service people who have died in Iraq have come through the base.

And organizers say many Fort Hood residents — the base serves about 218,000 people, including service members, retirees and military families — have grown tired of the war and agree with Mr. Obama’s declaration that it must end.

Still, Mr. McCain prefers the town-hall-style format. He had proposed a series of 10 similar events with Mr. Obama, and the two campaigns were said to be working out details for a more limited series of meetings.

Organizers say the veterans and military population in the United States, including families, totals about 44 million people.

“McCain and Obama are asking to be the next commander in chief,” Ms. Picard said. “What’s a more compelling audience than this, the people that you have asked to maintain our security? It would be tremendous for the morale of this community.”

Organizers include American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans for Common Sense and