2012 Tuesday: When Barry met Big Bird
Barack Obama leapt to Big Bird’s defense. Big Bird said, no thanks.
If the first debate between Obama and Mitt Romney winds up being a turning point in the election, the episode involving American children’s tallest, yellowest feathered-est friend may prove to be a symbol of what went wrong for the incumbent.
During the Oct. 3 debate, moderator Jim Lehrer of PBS NewsHour asked the candidates for specifics about how they’d tackle the federal debt and deficit. Romney reiterated the test he said he’d use to decide which spending to cut: “Is the program so critical it’s worth borrowing money from China to pay for it?” For examples, he named Obamacare and then said:
I’m sorry, Jim. I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I actually like you too. But I’m not going to — I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it.
Obama did not address this remark during the debate, but within days his campaign released a short video ad mocking Romney’s position on PBS by comparing Big Bird to Bernie Madoff and saying, “Mitt Romney knows it’s not Wall Street you have to worry about, it’s Sesame Street.”
Never mind that Romney, during the same debate, said the banking industry needs regulation and accurately described the Dodd-Frank financial “reform” bill as the cementing of Too Big To Fail in federal law and thus an enormous sop to the biggest banks. Never mind that Obama’s response to the same question about debt and deficits included a mention of “18 government programs for education” that he’d cut (cutting education funds? but it’s for teh kidz!). Or that Sesame Street is such a merchandising powerhouse that it easily could survive on its own (take it from a dad whose kids have Elmo on their pajamas and Cookie Monster on their diapers, in addition to probably a dozen or more toys, stuffed animals and books with the furry characters on them).
Never mind all that. The Obama campaign decided to make an issue, albeit a fairly minor one, out of saving Big Bird.
Which probably wouldn’t have been a big deal if the Sesame Street Workshop hadn’t issued this response:
Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and we do not endorse candidates or participate in political campaigns. We have approved no campaign ads, and as is our general practice, have requested that the ad be taken down.
As the kids on Twitter would say: Obama campaign #FAIL.
Now, normally anything that keeps the Obama campaign from having to talk about the economy can be seen as a good thing for the incumbent. But getting rejected by Big Bird?
Mockery of mockery aside, this strikes me as a pretty apt summary of why the 70 million people who watched last week’s debate overwhelmingly thought Romney came out as the winner. Here was Romney, on a night when Obama attacked him for not being specific about his plans, making a specific statement about a spending cut he’d make — and one not likely to be popular with his intended audience that night, which very clearly was the small but critical group of undecided moderates in the electorate.
The Obama campaign’s response? Ham-fisted pandering that drew a rebuke from the very cause meant to be championed.
The talk throughout this general-election campaign about likeability has been overplayed because it misses the point. If the electorate wanted the most likeable guy available in the White House, Obama would have been running circles around Romney instead of never, for even a single day, leading the Real Clear Politics average of polls by even 6 percentage points (never by even 5 points since Romney effectively clinched the GOP nomination).
The voters aren’t looking for the guy they’d most like to attend a beer summit with. They’re looking for the guy who can run the country more effectively. Muppet panders, from a candidate who has presided over four consecutive $1,000,000,000,000-plus deficits and the surpassing of the $16,000,000,000,000 mark in federal debt, are not likely to resonate with them.
The race is not over by a long shot, but Obama suddenly has to do more than tread water if he’s going to win.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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481 comments Add your comment
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
9:51 am
One of the key findings was that while Americans saw their median net worth fall a full 39 percent during the crisis years of 2007-2010, the median wealth of members of Congress rose 5 percent in that time, and the wealthiest third saw their riches increase by 14 percent.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/report-while-american-families-lost-ton-wealth-crash-members-congress-did-just-fine
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
9:56 am
Since the name Barry is of no relation to Barack, we should find a new name for Kyle.
I suggest “Bubba”
killerj
October 10th, 2012
10:03 am
Good for PBS,please don,t destroy my childhood,if Mr. Rogers was still here I know he would stick a sock in the man,s mouth and Captain Kangaroo would throw a pie in his face. Go Tea Party.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
10:07 am
9 Things That Show Mitt Romney Is Morally Bankrupt
1. The smug non-smoker took big bucks to push smoking on Russians.
2. Slams government economic investment despite having taken government contracts.
3. Opposes abortion, but invested in company that disposes of aborted fetuses.
4. Decries corruption in other countries but facilitated it in his own.
5. Insults low-income Americans for not paying federal income tax, while not paying federal income tax on almost all of his income.
6. Calls for more transparency from his opponent while hiding his own tax returns, squirreling millions offshore and using accounting tricks to lower his tax rate.
7. Painted his opponent as a fibbing child while building an entire campaign on lies.
8. Claims to have the “best interests of the African American community” in his heart while running a race-baiting campaign.
9. Wears the mantle of protectionist, China-battling job creator after having put thousands of U.S. workers out of jobs and bought into a giant Chinese sweatshop.
Click here for the details:
http://www.alternet.org/election-2012/9-things-show-mitt-romney-morally-bankrupt
Kyle Wingfield
October 10th, 2012
10:09 am
Finn, et al.: By all accounts, “Barry” is how Barack Obama used to introduce himself. If you’re offended by that, take it up with him.
Btw, he’s also adopted the term “Obamacare,” which y’all used to find so “offensive” as well.
Meanwhile, I await your requests for the commenter at 9:38 a.m. to stop referring to Romney as “Cheesy Grits.” I won’t hold my breath, but I do recommend lightening up.
Kyle Wingfield
October 10th, 2012
10:11 am
And speaking of desperation, there’s Finn’s 10:07.
Among other things…paying all the taxes the federal government requires of you now makes one “morally bankrupt”?
Del
October 10th, 2012
10:15 am
Finn, Obama was adopted by his mothers Indonesian husband Lolo Soetoro and named Barry Soetoro. He was enrolled in a Jakarta school under the name Barry Soetoro and was classified as an Indonesian citizen.
ha ha ha
October 10th, 2012
10:16 am
“When Harry / Barry Met Sally / Big Bird” – Get it now?
yes…….Yes……..YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Climaxic tremors with a big yellow puppet.
Barry is in the loo, the piddly diddly department.
heh
Scott Fresno
October 10th, 2012
10:20 am
What a silly article. If you write a novel and have your main character drink a “Coke”, you will get a letter from the Coke company asserting you violated their trademark and telling you to modify your book. Are they really mad that you mentioned their product? Of course not! Will they actually sue you to make you change it? Of course not. They are delighted that you mentioned their product. But, to preserve their intellectual property rights they have maintain records showing that they are vigilant in trying to protect it.
MarkV
October 10th, 2012
10:21 am
Linda @11:50 pm
“MarkV@11:35, You didn’t “HER stupid.” What is that?”
There are people who have the intelligence to understand the difference between calling a person stupid (lacking in common sense, perception, or normal intelligence) and calling a statement stupid (pointless; worthless) [Dictionary], and some who don’t. There are also those who simply lie, such as when they charge that I call people stupid for not agreeing with me.
(For those, who have the necessary intelligence, but have not applied it yet to this subject, I offer an example: What Mitt Romney said about the “47%” was a stupid statement (one may argue whether it was stupid because of the substance, or because it was semi-publicly stated, or both). But that does NOT mean that Mitt Romney is a stupid person.)
Linda: “You used the word stupid in its various forms 5 times within 4 sentences.”
When dealing with such a conglomerate of stupidities, as the quoted statement by Dr. Barbara Bellar, candidate, Ill. State Senate (Linda, October 9th, 2012 @6:21 pm), is using it 5-times in various forms too much?
(For those, who have not read the statement in question, Dr. Bellar was quoted as attacking a piece of legislation (Affordable Care Act) on the basis of such arguments as that it was “signed by a president who smokes,” that its funding will be “administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes,” that is “to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese,” etc.)
But, perhaps I could be accused on stylistic grounds, using the same word more than once? Should I have mixed the characterization, and replace some of the “stupid” with “dumb,” “idiotic,” “asinine,” fatuous?” Would that help?
Linda: “Has anyone ever called you a narcissist?”
And then there are people who have the knowledge and intelligence to know what “narcissist” means, and those who don’t.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
10:33 am
Did Romney and his Campaign REALLY say both of these things in the same day?
“There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,” he told the Des Moines Register on Tuesday 10/09/12 . Not long afterwards, there was an apparent reversal, with his campaign spokeswoman telling the National Review’s Katrina Trinko that Romney would “of course support legislation aimed at providing greater protections for life.”
One for the moderates, one for the base…
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
October 10th, 2012
10:37 am
Meanwhile, I await your requests for the commenter at 9:38 a.m. to stop referring to Romney as “Cheesy Grits.” I won’t hold my breath, but I do recommend lightening up.
I dont have any problem with Obama being called Barry. Thats what a lot of his friends call him.
And im definitely not changing my name.
Cheesy Grits will be a disaster for this country.
Funny too Kyle how even the mention of Romenys religion. The fact that he believes Jesus came to North America and hung out with the Indians, and any other number of crazy things Mormons believe.
Thats off limits. Drew a response from you pretty quick.
Even though its true.
But ill bet you never reprimanded anyone for suggesting Obama was a Muslim.
Even though it isn’t.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
October 10th, 2012
10:40 am
One for the moderates, one for the base…
Im hoping Obama asks Romney which one he is today just before the debate.
Its hard to debate someone who basically has every position.
Romney has been running for President for 20 years.
There is nothing he will not say to get elected.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
October 10th, 2012
10:43 am
Among other things…paying all the taxes the federal government requires of you now makes one “morally bankrupt”?
Is it not morally wrong that people with so much pay half the rate I do ?
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
iggy
October 10th, 2012
10:44 am
Ths issue is the poor pay nothing and take advantage of as many entitlements as possible.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
10:45 am
It’s easy to debate when you have no backbone and refuse to take a stand on a position.
Oh, and Romney was “totally off base” with his comments about the 47%…..
You betcha!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
10:47 am
the poor pay nothing and take advantage of as many entitlements as possible.
first, people who buy stuff are paying taxes.
second, you can work two or three jobs and still not earn enough to pay income taxes.
third, do you have a problem with people not paying taxes or with people taking advantage of entitlements?
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
October 10th, 2012
10:58 am
first, people who buy stuff are paying taxes.
Republicans are about to tax internet sales in Georgia too.
Is there nothing they wont tax ?
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
October 10th, 2012
11:03 am
Finn – You are correct Barry is no Barack! We should call him by his real name, Barack Hussein Obama!! It is obvious he is very proud of his Muslim middle name. His actions illustrate that to me. Was he ever in the military or at least play soldier when he was little? Doubt it! Probably played Muslims and Indians?
iggy
October 10th, 2012
11:05 am
Everyone needs to put something in the pot and those not contributing are the very ones ripping off the contributors. Free lunch, breakfast, daycare, pre K after school babysitting etc.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
11:21 am
Come on, Kyle, how do you explain Mitt’s flip-flopping on abortion?
Hillbilly D
October 10th, 2012
11:22 am
Is there nothing they won’t tax ?
No.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 10th, 2012
11:26 am
Finn, if Obama can “evolve” regarding his position on gay marriage, why can’t Romney “evolve” regarding his position on abortion?
Why is Romney considered a “flip-flopper” and Obama is not?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 10th, 2012
11:27 am
And don’t rush with your response, Finn. I know it takes time to get back your opinion from the DNC on each issue before you post it.
Since you don’t have any opinions that haven’t already been given to you.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
October 10th, 2012
11:29 am
We should call him by his real name, Barack Hussein Obama!! It is obvious he is very proud of his Muslim middle name.
This is what im talking about.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
October 10th, 2012
11:31 am
It’s easy to debate when you have no backbone and refuse to take a stand on a position.
If that indicates success in a debate, Obama must have won. Four years of flip flopping and blaming, he should have the experience necessary to win all the debates. Hard to hold him accountable, when everything that happened on his watch was either someone else’s fault or has been misunderstood. Did he say that the attack on the Consulate was because of a video or was he misinformed by those liars in the State Dept?
southpaw
October 10th, 2012
11:31 am
Tiberius @11:26
One can only “evolve” TO the pre-approved politically correct position. Moving FROM such a position is not allowed by the Cheshire cats here in Wonderland who define such words as “evolve.”
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 10th, 2012
11:32 am
“first, people who buy stuff are paying taxes.”
Yes, but at a far lower rate than those who pay actual income taxes, and usually for very specific purposes (SPLOST) and not much towards the general welfare.
“second, you can work two or three jobs and still not earn enough to pay income taxes.”
Huge stretch there. Yeah, you can, but you’d have to be incredibly unskilled at everything (except finding work so low-paid) in order for that to happen. Otherwise, you pay income taxes once the revenues are all totaled up.
“third, do you have a problem with people not paying taxes or with people taking advantage of entitlements?”
Both. Everybody should have skin in the game as far as paying taxes, and entitlements should be a last, not first, resort.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
October 10th, 2012
11:38 am
Cheesy Grits – It is his real name, quit whining and accept it. Or just go back to Jay Bird’s blog at the rock quarry!
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
October 10th, 2012
11:40 am
I would call Barry a chameleon but he has more colors than a chameleon. Is he the peace maker that won the Nobel Prize, the Warrior that took out Osama and launched all those drones, the black preacher we saw in the Hampton 2007 video, the post racial President we elected, the marvelous orator that reads from the teleprompter, or the stumbling bumbling inarticulate debater? Is he the Professor or the ignorant pupil?
Barry/Hussein- He is what you want him to be, get on board!
md
October 10th, 2012
4:26 pm
“Is it not morally wrong that people with so much pay half the rate I do ?”
they don’t…..but it is morally bankrupt to suggest they do. The rates are the same for EVERYBODY……….unless one compares apples to oranges.