At one point, Obama "disowned" Jeramiah Wright. Then Steph gave

[jasmine621]

him a chance to clean it up. I heard it and I know hundreds of members of his church heard it too. It was a slip of the tongue? Perhaps. But it demonstrates something about Obama that is becoming more and more clear. He's a big phony.

And, you know, the notion that somehow that the American people are going to be distracted once again by comments not made by me, but somebody who is associated with me that I have disowned, I think doesn't give the American people enough credit.

STEPHANOPOULOS: You've disowned him?

OBAMA: The comments, comments that I've disowned. Then that is not something I...

[Pirate Smile]

1. No, he didn't. He was saying he disowned the comments.

Pathetic.

[JuniperLea]

49. The OP says that... did you read the whole thing?

You misread. Obama misspoke, and was given the opportunity to revise and correct to say the he disowned the comments... which is an odd way to put it... you disown people, you disavow comments.

[Qutzupalotl]

50. The OP is misinterpreting,

perhaps deliberately.

There should be a comma after "associated with me":

And, you know, the notion that somehow that the American people are going to be distracted once again by comments not made by me, but somebody who is associated with me, that I have disowned, I think doesn't give the American people enough credit.


So it is not a slip at all. He is saying here that he disowned the comments, which is fine.

If he had meant to say that he disowned the person, he would have said "whom" instead of "that".

[JuniperLea]

51. Not necessarily...

Spoken language rules are sometimes different from the rules for writing.

[Qutzupalotl]

53. If the first statement has two meanings

and the second has only one, which meshes perfectly with the first, shouldn't you assume that's what he was saying and move on?

[JuniperLea]

55. You have to listen to him say it

I did. Merely reading it doesn't give you the inflection, nor does it give you the look on his face when he changed his tune. I'm not saying this is anything bad, I'm just tired of all the misinterpretation and assumptions floating around here lately.

[Qutzupalotl]

56. I saw it.

I read the look on his face as a realization that the first statement could be spun the wrong way, and irritation at having to further clarify in his limited speaking time. Nevertheless, he clarified well. That should be the end of it.

[JuniperLea]

57. LOL!

Well, you must have super vision to be able to dissect the sentence and know which part the look was for! LOL! I saw it as a little mistake, and a good recovery. I saw the frustration as being for himself... he's said since that he may mush up his words from time to time. Damn him for being human.

It's not that big a deal either way. I just don't like seeing assumptions... especially something like this where you seem to have ESP and know exactly what part of the sentence was in question.

[Qutzupalotl]

60. LOL!

You have ESP! You can dissect the sentence and know which part was a little mistake!

Do you see how hypocritical you sound?

I repeat my question: If the first statement has two meanings, and the second has only one, which meshes perfectly with the first, shouldn't you assume that's what he was saying and move on?

[JuniperLea]

62. Of course... when you assign your own "rules"

Please.

[Windy]

2. the fact that you hone in on a non-issue shows your lack of intellectual prowess!

Tabloid mentality pervades the Clinton campaign! Sad for our country.

[JoFerret]

The poster

...is not a member of the Clinton campaign. So far as any of us here know.

The poster is merely commenting on an aspect of the debate that - trivial, unfair and irrelevant or not - was not handled well.

[Windy]

15. He did just fine considering he was ambushed by the moderators and Clinton

Take a look at the Washington Post and other media this morning, as well as the blogs. All agree that the "debate" was a coordinated hit on Obama.

[JoFerret]

19. Ambushed?

Crikey! This was hardly a new topic. How come he was not ready for this topic and this question?

[rodeodance]

37. he blow it---what a whimp. why wasn't he prepared like Hillary for the debate??

[Texas Hill Country]

46. he was prepared... he seemed to know all of Bills pardons off hand, and hillarys comments from '92

Obama just SUCKS at debates. He is very good when it comes to speeches but debates... teh fail.

[SaveAmerica]

22. Do you have a list of DUers who are members of the Clinton campaign? George can't understand a

complete sentence so it's crazy talk to come here with the same lame stuff and spout it. You could almost hear Obama's commas as he separated "comments" from "I've disowned them" with the phrase between them. The aspect that was not handled well was George Stephawhosawhatsis inability to comprehend.

[aquart]

29. "A list of DUers who are members of the Clinton campaign"?

Sounds like someone planning mass arrests. Or just flitting with the fantasy?

[JoFerret]

32. Round 'em up

they must be silenced.
dissent is verboten

[JuniperLea]

47. This is insulting and uncalled for

Personal attacks are getting way out of control around here.

[Madam Mossfern]

3. I understood that statement to mean the comments

Stephanopolulos just tried to make it the way it would play better for ABC's agenda.

[Adelante]

4. He refers to the comments

The transcriber could have put in a comma, but didn't -

distracted once again by comments not made by me, but somebody who is associated with me (insert comma here) that I have disowned

distracted once again by comments not made by me, but somebody who is associated with me, that I have disowned

That's how I heard it and that is what Obama clarified:

OBAMA: The comments, comments that I've disowned.

[Mezzo]

5. How is this such a big deal?

[BeyondGeography]

6. Snuffball was the one who fucked up that one, not Obama

Nice wasted thread.

[Cosmocat]

7. Let me get this straight ...

Hill spent the weekend doing beer and shots, talking up her "huntin" background, and volutarily embellished a story about being under sniper fire in Bosnia at least three different times ...

Obama faces endless grilling over comments made BY SOMEONE else ...

And, HE is the "phony" ...

[northzax]

30. we are supposed to believe that Obama's words are inspiring

and will heal the nation, except of course, when he picks the wrong ones, then they don't mean anything at all.

[Buzz Clik]

8. Your title is wrong. Dead wrong. Obama made it clear that he did not rebuke Wright.

Do you read? Have trouble remembering facts? Or, was your title intentionally misleading.

[jasmine621]

12. Read the transcript. When he said it my sister and I did a double take.

We heard it for ourselves and wasn't until Steph came back with his own double take that Obama cleared it up. Why is it important? Just as you ascribe sinister motives to any slip of the tongue by Hillary, the same can apply here. The fact is, Obama lied all the way through this episode. Anyone with half a brain knows that Obama knew about Wrights comments all along. He can deny that he was not at some of those services but I guarantee you, as Charlie pointed out, it defies sensibility that he was unaware or had not heard some of those comments in time to disavow them long ago and not just when confronted about them during a poliltical campaign.

[Buzz Clik]

14. Transcript of the debate? Provide the quote. This is your ridiculous notion, not mine.

Obama has for months now -- in this unbelievably stupid Hillary-generate episode -- stated again and again and again that he does not like Wright's comments but he will not condemn the man.

If you disagree with any of if, prove it. It's on you.

EDIT: I'll save you some time -- here's the transcript.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/DemocraticDebate/story?id=4670271&page=1

Find the quote. Post it here.

[Buzz Clik]

21. Still waiting. I'll be back in an hour.

[JoFerret]

40. Did you get a chance to check the transcript yet?

But - in the end: It's all a ridiculous piece of nonsense. Fluff and puff like bowling and beer and endive and arugala and cookies. Just like the flag pin and all the rest of it. But - unfortunately - these are the trigger issues that are used to tear candidates down.

[izzybeans]

9. Hey I heard the other day that John Kerry really shot himself in the foot. Some dude in another boat

said so. Now here is an issue that matters. :sarcasm:

[bowens43]

10. No he didn't but keep lying and spinning and distorting.

[Stephanie]

11. If you can't understand a complex sentence go back to school

I note you don't give the link to the transcript so we can see what he actually said that Steph attempted to pounce on -

[JoFerret]

20. Here's your transcript. (the whole topic is crap imo)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/politics/16text-debate.html


And, you know, the notion that somehow that the American people are going to be distracted once again by comments not made by me but by somebody who is associated with me, that I have disowned, I think doesn't give the American people enough credit.

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: You've disowned him?

SENATOR OBAMA: The comments, comments that I've disowned. Then that is not something that I think --

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: But you do believe he's as patriotic as you are?

SENATOR OBAMA: This is somebody who's a former Marine.

[Stephanie]

33. thank you

He says "that I have disowned," not "who" I've disowned, referring to the COMMENTS, not the person. And immediately clarified by Steph's question and his response. Shame on the OP for this.

[JoFerret]

43. You're welcome.

I am still surprised he allowed himself to get rattled. This crap has been doornailed but we know it will get a whole other life in the GE (if/ when he gets the nomination.)

[rodeodance]

13. Obama sputtered thought that response. He was trying to recall which LIE he wanted to conjure up.

.......OBAMA: The comments, comments that I've disowned. Then that is not something I...

[Buzz Clik]

16. Quotes, rodeodance. Enough of your silly ballerina routine.

Provide substance.

[JoFerret]

23. Stop stooping to personal name-calling

it demeans you.

Check post #20 for the transcript link and the excerpt.
This whole palaver is a bunch of bs.

[Buzz Clik]

24. If you don't like my posting style, hit the alert button. I've done the same with rodeodance.

You, no doubt, have noted that just about anything goes here in GD-P. Intentional disruptors like rodeodance are given free rein as long as they don't openly endorse non-Democrats.

Nevertheless, thanks for illustrating the point to our disruptive ballerina.*

===========
*Calling rodeodance a ballerina is the nicest thing I've called him. If you're looking for decorum, you're in the wrong forum.

[JoFerret]

25. That's good

Now you won't be tempted to stoop to the level of a guttersnipe.
People who disagree with you are not "disrupters". They are people who disagree with you.
There are "disrupters" in the world. genuine Clinton supporters are not among them.
They may challenge your world view but would be a good thing.

[Buzz Clik]

27. Calling rodeodance a ballerina makes me a guttersnipe? Some people are sooo sensitive.

Is it your assessment that it is impossible for some people to be genuine Clinton supporters (or Obama detractors) and also be disrupters? Good lord.

I didn't insult you; I insulted rodeodance, who deserves a helluva worse than being called a ballerina.

As far as my giving rodeodance a swift kick in the nuts being an act that demeans me -- no. You don't seem to understand the nature of this place. We have sunk far below reasonable discourse. Far, far below. Check out this post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5522982&mesg_id=5539596

That hideous bit of juvenile namecalling survived moderator scrutiny. And you think I can demean myself further than that by calling rodeodance a ballerina?

Toughen up, cupcake, or find a new playground. I'll talk issues with you if you want, but that won't keep me from dishing it out to those who have it coming.

[rodeodance]

35. You mack like your leader and do not deserve a response. bye

[progressoid]

38. Guttersnipe!

:rofl:

You, rapscallion. You, you scallywag!!

:rofl:

[Hawkeye-X]

26. Buzz didn't even name call.

He just described rodeodance's clown routine. That's something entirely different.

[Buzz Clik]

28. (you're correct, of course. I didn't call him a ballerina, I asked him to quit the dance)

However, now that I have her attention...

[rodeodance]

39. Thanks. Most of the time i refuse to talk with school-yard bullies.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

41. "sputtered" "LIED" "conjured up" "fucking immature"

:rofl:

[JoFerret]

63. Here's your quote btw.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/politics/16text-de...


And, you know, the notion that somehow that the American people are going to be distracted once again by comments not made by me but by somebody who is associated with me, that I have disowned, I think doesn't give the American people enough credit.

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: You've disowned him?

SENATOR OBAMA: The comments, comments that I've disowned. Then that is not something that I think --

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: But you do believe he's as patriotic as you are?

SENATOR OBAMA: This is somebody who's a former Marine.

[ecstatic]

61. Why don't you try answering a 3 way attack on live TV without

misspeaking. He cleared it up. GET OVER IT!

[TexasLady]

17. the gotcha moment that wasn't

[ShortnFiery]

18. I'm not surprised, he was being attacked on three sides, but he's not running a SCORCHED EARTH

campaign.

Barack Obama, unlike HRC, is not known for his displays of *self-righteous indignation.*

I can relate to Barack, because my beloved late father (battlefield commissioned in Italy during WWII, IMO, a true American patriot) repeatedly VOICED racist comments toward Black people. HOWEVER, just like Barack's "father figure" Rev. Wright, my dad NEVER (not ever) treated anyone unfairly: man, woman, black, asian, latino, etc.

Rev. Wright and my Father are from a different era, but still GOOD PEOPLE. Their actions betrayed their voiced prejudices.

Further, my dad, retired Major, Combat Engineers LOVED the Army and his country. Just like Barack's Grandfather taught him, my dad taught me to *stand at attention* during the Star Spangled Banner. STANDING AT ATTENTION is how WWII veterans viewed as their demonstration of patriotism when The Star Spangled Banner was played.

I'm so f**king sick of people accusing Barack of not being patriotic. There are times when expressions of patriotism are the last refuge of a scoundrel. For example, my family FELT INTIMIDATED when everyone around us put their flags up outside their homes and those dumb-a** China magnet flags on their vehicles. Expecially given that my husband, a retired USMC and myself, an Army Vet ... well, we felt that such transparent gestures are all but MEANINGLESS! I rued to my husband, "You and I actually SERVED our country in the active duty military - but - NOW all these pretenders, whose families never sacrificed any DAMN thing want to believe that they're more patriotic than you and me? :crazy:

Both Rev. Wright and my late father DEFENDED our beloved country in the armed forces. For all the horrific racist statements my dad made, he had "the heart" of a social worker.

Shame on those ruling elites (whose children will NEVER serve) implying that Rev. Wright is ANY LESS patriotic as my late white battlefield commissioned father.

Although I believe in REGULATED Capitalism, The real ENEMY to the American Dream are those who attempt to pit GOOD Americans against one another. IMO, those people are MOSTLY from "the upper 1%" and they are VILE. :puke:

Because Rev. Wright served IMO as "a father figure" to Barack Obama, I can *fully empathize* not disowning him ... someone you love and admire for countless OTHER reasons.

[aquart]

31. Now Hillary's not allowed to be indignant.

Damn. Why don't women stick to baking cookies?

[uponit7771]

34. are you fuckin stupid? Thx in advance for your answer

[rodeodance]

36. and you are F**king immature. grow up and engage in a conversation instead

of demeaning name calling

[redqueen]

42. Aaaaah... the STUPID!

Make it stop!

[barack the house]

44. He has to so stay on top of things glad he cleared that up. Thanks for highlighting that.

[Bensthename]

45. 45 minutes of an Obama bashing transcipt and that's all you got??

Good for Obama. Oh, did you know Hillary admitted to lying too.

[Orangepeel]

48. that's the stupidest thing I've heard today

(and it really speaks to what a farce this whole campaign is that I've heard stupider things on other days)

Obama said "I've disowned them." Steph heard it as "I've disowned him." Obama told him what he'd said.

[Seabiscuit]

64. Go back and read the transcript. Obama never said "I've disowned them" during that exchange.

[smiley_glad_hands]

52. At least he's not a phony democrat like Hill. eom

[EFerrari]

54. No, he didn't. n/t

[ecstatic]

58. You deserve McCain

I don't, but people like you will cause me to be stuck with him too. I hope it's worth it.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

59. You know jasmine, I hear too much Pastorbaiting can make you go blind.

Just saying. :shrug:

[Bluenorthwest]

65. Blind?

I thought it gave one a sweet singing voice like McClurkin's.