Michelle Obama is fair game

[VeraAgnes]

By Jeff Jacoby
Globe Columnist / May 25, 2008

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/05/25/michelle_obama_is_fair_game/


snip>

Conclusion:

Globe ColumniMichelle Obama is undeniably smart, driven, outspoken, and charismatic. She is also relentlessly negative about life in these United States. True, she is not the one running for president. But she is Barack Obama's closest confidante and adviser; if he is elected, her influence will be considerable. That is why her words matter. And why, whether her husband likes it or not, Michelle Obama is a legitimate issue in this campaign.


Body:

In an interview on ABC, Obama growled that Republicans "should lay off my wife," and described the inoffensive Tennessee video as "detestable," "low class," and reflecting "a lack of decency


If Republicans "think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign," he added ominously, "they should be careful."

Ooh, very fierce. But unless Obama is prepared to emulate Jackson - Old Hickory defended his wife's honor by fighting duels, in one of which he killed a man - he stands no chance of putting his wife's remarks off-limits to criticism. As long as he keeps sending her around the country to campaign on his behalf, everything she says is - and should be - fair game.

And unfortunately for Obama and his allegedly sunny politics of hope, what Mrs. Obama seems to say with grim regularity is that America is a scary, bleak, and hopeless place.

Here she is, for instance, in Wisconsin:

"Life for regular folks has gotten worse over the course of my lifetime, through Republican and Democratic administrations. It hasn't gotten much better."

And in South Carolina:

America is "just downright mean" and "guided by fear . . . We have become a nation of struggling folks who are barely making it every day."

And in North Carolina:

"Folks are struggling like never before . . . When you're that busy struggling all the time, which most people that you know and I know are, you don't have time to get to know your neighbor . . . In fact, you feel very alone in your struggle, because you feel that somehow it must be your fault that you're struggling so hard . . . People are afraid, because when your world's not right, no matter how hard you work, then you become afraid of everyone and everything, because you don't know whose fault it is, why you can't get a handle on life, why you can't secure a better future for your kids . . . Fear is the worst enemy. It . . . creates this veil of impossibility, and it is hanging over all of our heads."

[Perry Logan]

1. Fair game...but rather foul-mouthed.

[Oleladylib]

25. would you say "crass"?

[roguevalley]

75. then I suppose no one should rant if Chelsea gets dumped on. the

shillery herd always has a fit when people 'pick' on her. She's only 12 years old after all.

None of them need be 'fair game' but I won't hold my breath. People with filthy sig lines have no soul anyway.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

68. Perry Logan - your signature line is FILTH

I don't think even Free Republica would condone that.

And that's pretty low.

[roguevalley]

74. since he made it up, he apparently thinks that way himself. he is

one of the lowest posters here.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

70. What if it said BILL CLINTON IS FAIR GAME

or if Obama was talking about staying in the contest because Hillary might
be assassinated?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

71. what if the talk was about HILLARY being threatened with assassination?

would that change things?

How is it that people at DU find it ok to threaten a black candidate for president,
and threaten a black wife of a candidate for president?

[JTFrog]

76. You're pizza is late. n/t

[rucky]

2. Funny how tearing her apart for saying "America is mean"

just proves her point.

[cali]

3. oooh, cute. more hillyfans posting right wing attacks on dems.

this is evidently the au courant attack from camp hillypoo.

[VeraAgnes]

5. Excuse me..............

I just posted an article from an exceptionally credible newspaper which is focusing on a current event. You do not know me to label me........

[POAS]

10. I'm just quoting here but

didn't someone once say "You shall know them by their actions"?

[cali]

19. not excused. The Globe may be a credible newspaper. Or not. But

Jacoby is a fucking wingnut. And I can pass any judgment on anything posted here.

[POAS]

21. Sometimes actions pass

judgments on their own without our need to intervene except as observers of the facts.

This OP qualifies in my mind as an attack by proxy while trying to appear as merely a messenger.

Of course that is just my judgment!

[roseBudd]

63. As is Krauthammer & Kathleen Parker, lets quote their predictable Obama bashing also

since Democrats are supposed to believe what partisan wingnuts believe.

[indimuse]

33. YOU are DU! We are NOT allowed to post ANYTHING NOT Praising the Precious and His

VP! sarc.....:evilgrin:

[POAS]

40. By "not allowed" do you mean that

this thread does not exist? If so then why am I responding to something that cannot exist because it is not allowed?

I'm getting a headache. Can I have some of your kool-aid to wash down my aspirin?

[cali]

47. coming from someone who has taken cultism to new lows

with her avject and slavish devotion to Hillary, that's priceless!

:rofl:

[rox63]

35. If you use "the Google" to look up Jacoby's other writings

You'll see what a vile wingnut he is. :puke:

[NYCGirl]

44. Jacoby is a CONSERVATIVE WINGNUT. Don't you Clintonites ever do any research

before you post something?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Jacoby_%28columnist%29

Jeff Jacoby (born February 10, 1959) is a syndicated American newspaper columnist. He is known for his reactionary opinion pieces which consistently defend the policies of the Bush administration and the Israeli government.

Jeff Jacoby's column has been published on the op-ed page of the Boston Globe since 1994, when he was hired as a counterweight to the paper's liberal columnists; from 1987 to 1994, he was chief editorial writer for the conservative Boston Herald. Within months of his debut at the Globe, he was described by the left-leaning Boston Phoenix as "the region's pre-eminent spokesman for Conservative Nation," and a columnist who had "quickly established himself as a must-read." Jacoby has also been a commentator on the local NPR affiliate, WBUR, and for several years hosted a talk show on local television. He is also a public speaker who lectures nationwide.

In 1999, he became the first recipient of the Breindel Prize, a $10,000 award (since increased to $20,000) for excellence in opinion journalism awarded by News Corporation. In 2004, he received the Thomas Paine Award of the libertarian law firm the Institute for Justice, an award presented to journalists "who dedicate their work to the preservation and championing of individual liberty." <1>

Before becoming a columnist, Jacoby worked briefly as an attorney with the firm Baker & Hostetler, and as deputy manager of Raymond Shamie's senatorial campaign in 1984. Following Shamie's loss, Jacoby worked for 15 months as an assistant to John Silber, then-president of Boston University.

In 2000, Jacoby was suspended by the Globe for four months without pay for what the paper called his "serious journalistic misconduct" in failing to provide sources for a Fourth of July column on the fate of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

[Warren Stupidity]

45. You have no idea who Jacoby is?

Then indeed you are innocent of blame, but quite a fool. Do some research on the author and his other fascinating op-ed pieces for the globe.

[DrRang]

46. And how many thousands of positive words by M.O did Jacoby ignore?

[bicentennial_baby]

48. Er, it's a Jacoby Op-Ed...He's a right winger

Trust me.

[Richard Steele]

49. You posted RW garbage, is what you posted. Shameless and despicable Repub spew.

nm

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

69. more dog whistling from the Free Republic?

have you got your troops at Fox Noise lined up yet?

[POAS]

4. Ok if she's fair game

how about we hang "I did not have sex with that woman" around Hillary's neck?

What part of strawman did you not understand when studying Politics 101?

[davidpdx]

7. But..but..but

that wasn't Bill's fault. She seduced him.

:sarcasm:

[VeraAgnes]

9. Hillary was fair game too when Bill Clinton ran for President

and during the Presidency..I agree with the thoughts that we indeed elect a First Family....

Betty Ford also was fair game if you can recall..she grew from the media frenzy focus and made drug rehab a socially acceptable crisis intervention. Betty Ford also had breast cancer.....

Fair game for Betty Ford gave her a platform to voice her choice not to live a life with shame and denial but a life with a future. She lead the way for millions of families.

[POAS]

12. Being attacked or used

in a political contest does not equate to being "fair" game!

Just because it has been done doesn't mean it should be done.

Even if the spouse is a legitimate target of debate in an election it doesn't mean that any and all arguments and attacks are necessarily "fair". If an argument is demonstrably wrong but continues to be used then fairness has flown out the window!

[VeraAgnes]

15. If you look back at history of First Ladies and

wives of Nominees, they are vetted in this fashion. It is what happens in our society and in many others. Michelle Obama needs to make this a positive as her predecessors have done before her.

[POAS]

20. But you still do not address

my point that making an unfair accusation and repeating it is fundamentally unfair and to argue it is fair based solely on the fact that unfair tactics have been used in the past is a specious argument.

If the spouse is to be scrutinized why can't it be a "fair" and honest one. Lies and distortion do not equate to fairness and do not make your argument stronger.

As I said, good luck to you. The sooner you heal the better you'll feel. Anger and resentment are a necessary part of healing but eventually they need to be put aside for the healing to continue.

[PoliticalAmazon]

60. Hillary was part of the "two-fer" Bill promised. That made her fair game. n/t

[VeraAgnes]

11. I see engaging in healthy discussion

is not an option for you. It is my way.........to vet and discuss issues. Snippet attacks have no power. Good Luck.

[POAS]

14. Good luck to you also

I'd say you need it as much as I do since both our candidates of choice are not going to be elected President in 2008.

Of course the difference between us is that I'm not bitter about it. I just moved on to the next best alternative and hope that person will accomplish some good for the people of America.

[VeraAgnes]

18. It's good to see you are willing to discuss the issue.

I think you set an example for others to follow. Thank you. O8)

[POAS]

23. Are you making a judgment call here?

I thought you berated Cali for making a judgment call about you. I guess you don't see that as wrong when the show is on your foot, hey?

[Bjorn Against]

58. And you vet issues by posting a right-wing smear column...

And arguing that the wife of the Democratic nominee is "fair game". Now I can understand putting a first lady under scrutiny especially considering she is campaigning, but if you go around spreading right-wing smears then you better be prepared to be called on it.

[LibraLiz1973]

61. This would be true if not for the fact that it has been hung around her neck the entire time

Don't kid yourself.

[LaurenG]

6. Thank goodness the media is going to keep her in "her place"

:sarcasm:

[Zodiak]

8. This line lost me

"She is also relentlessly negative about life in these United States."

There is ONE QUOTE out there where she is critical of the US. That hardly qualifies as "relentless".

Because of the spin in the first paragraph, I cannot take anything this writer says with any deal of seriousness.

[boobooday]

13. Fear is the worst enemy -- that's so scary and hopeless!

NOT.

Who is scary and hopeless, the one who wants to negotiate, or the one who wants to obliterate?

[POAS]

16. Don't know why your post reminded me

that the supposed saying above the gates of hell reads "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here"!

[boobooday]

52. It makes sense -- it's all about hope vs. fear n/t

[madrchsod]

17. so the poor guy is upset cause a woman

thinks america is`t all that great right now...
i agree with everything she said.

[Oleladylib]

22. In her early interviews, it was when "we" decided to run ..etc..etc.

every comment included the "we"..word.

[POAS]

24. This is wrong in what way?.....n/t

[Oleladylib]

27. Very over the top on the "WE" ..In a more than arrogant form...Google Michelle and see the clips.

[chascarrillo]

32. Yeah. Bill and Hill have never done that.

Jesus fucking Christ on a fucking pogo stick. It's OVER.

[POAS]

41. Nope, It ain't over!

Hillary has the "Fat Lady" tied up and gagged in the basement!

[POAS]

36. I think "we" have had a bit too much koolaid!...n/t

[Deja Q]

28. Maybe she has Asperger's Syndrome or emulated Bill and Hillary circa 1992?

:shrug:

[JerseygirlCT]

30. I don't know about you, but should either my husband or I make a decision

like that, you betcha it would be about "we".

[POAS]

37. "we" agree!

[Deja Q]

26. She is no exception; every other politician's family members have been grilled or heckled.

I've said it before; as being public officials, they are under scrutiny all the time.

[chascarrillo]

29. Using conservative columnists to support attacks on our next FIrst Lady. Have you no shame?

Really.

[POAS]

39. But she is "fair" game

much like (edited to remove a reference to an unfortunate hunting accident in the recent past- it seemed too much like an uncouth Clintonian usage)

[Window]

31. I see nothing wrong with what Michelle said. However, if she's fair game. so is Cindy McClain.

LOL! That will be fun!

[POAS]

42. Mrs. McSame

You mean the mistress (oops that is so past tense, sorry) millionaire who got her fortune the old fashioned way, by inheriting a beer fortune and refuses to disclose her finances even while using her corporate provided jet to fly her lover (there I go again with the past tense) around for political gain?

That Mrs. McInsane?

[Window]

51. Yep. That's the one alright, and don't forget the drugs she stole and used.

[POAS]

53. But at least she didn't

contribute to stealing an election from a woman.

Sorry, I'm bad, but I couldn't resist!

[rox63]

34. Jeff Jacoby is (and always has been) a right-wing hack

Intelligent people who read the Boston Globe regularly know this, and avoid his vile writings like the plague.

[against all enemies]

38. Jacoby is the idiot of the Globe, and a hero to Clinton fans. Why?

[Saturday]

43. MO is fair game and she has made many gaffe's.

But her worst one IMO was the blacks will come around comment. That took us back 40 years in civil rights. She was right, 92% are voting for Obama. People are noticing.

[susankh4]

50. Good article from a reputable publication.

Obama is fooling himself if he thinks this "lay off my wife" nonsense is gonna float until November.

K&R.

[POAS]

54. So you probably think

Bill Kristol is ok also because he writes for the NY Times.

Bad opinions are bad opinions wherever they appear!

[susankh4]

55. Opinions are opinions...

wherever they are printed.

And mine matters as much as yours.

I happen to agree with Mr. Jacoby.

[POAS]

56. But your comment implied more

than agreement with Jacoby.

You gave it credence in your based on the fact of where it was published!

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[unblock]

57. something like 80% of america thinks we're on the "wrong track". she's just agreeing.

what do you think the wrong track means?


i suspect she also thinks barack can help make things better.


heaven forbid she should echo what the vast majority already knows to be true, identify the problems, and helps her husband get into a position where he can really tackle those problems.


or are you saying that she should be all sweetness and light?

[Prophet 451]

59. Your source is dubious

Jacoby is an unashamed right-wing hack.

That aside, I could go two ways with this. On one hand, I'd like to see the candidate's spouses left alone simply because going after them seems tacky (and also because I don't find anything wrong with Mrs. Obama's statements). On the other, if the media and other candidates are going to hold Obama responsible for his wife's statements (which they will), then Cindy McCain and Bill Clinton are also fair game (do we really want to rehash Monicagate yet again?).

[populistdriven]

62. Fair Game? Maybe... Smart Game? HELL NO!

Jacoby is an idiot if he thinks that there is nothing Obama can do

I hope for all our sakes the GOP goes after her with all the slime we know them to be capable of.

Obama is prepared for it and they won't know what hit them until the morning of Nov. 3rd.

[yardwork]

64. Your posting name is lovely. Vera Agnes. What a lovely-sounding old-fashioned name.

Did you know that another newish DUer with a similarly lovely old-fashioned woman's name as a posting name posted this exact same subject line?

Wonders never cease. I declare.

[European Socialist]

65. I'm for Obama, and I agree she is fair game...

So is Cindy McCain and Bill Clinton as long as the attack is based on fact and is relevant to the campaign.

[DeeDeeNY]

66. "She is also relentlessly negative about life in these United States"??

That statement is not backed up by facts, and the entire article really makes very little sense. Why post such wing-nut trash about a Democrat?

[matcom]

67. JEFF JACOBY???

:wtf:

The Globe's token Fox News SHILL?

you quote HIM???

say hello to my ignore list. not to worry. you will find quite a few of your friends there :eyes:

[Duder]

72. Politics of hope meet the politics of fear

I’ve seen this right-wing pundit’s article regurgitated multiple times on DU. Personally I thought the article in Time was more balanced than the one in the Globe:

The War Over Michelle Obama
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1808642,00.html

[EFerrari]

73. Life for working Americans HAS gotten much more difficult

over the course of our lifetime. Wtf kind of idiot doesn't know that? So, now the right wing is blaming MICHELE for their destruction of American labor and the American middle class? That's rich.

[MrScorpio]

78. Jacoby, it seems, would prefer a first lady that likes to blow smoke up everybody's ass

I put this guy in the "Idiot" category