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ManintheMiddle · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

I'm really, really beginning to wonder about Barack Obama. In his second book, The Audacity of Hope, and on the campaign trail he constantly spoke of the need to unite the nation, to reduce the rancor in Washington, and elevate the dialogue.

Yet here he is once again taking the low road. Oh, sure, it's meant to be a lighthearted occasion. But there's a difference between poking fun and hitting below the belt. Now I'll be the first to admit that Limbaugh can be a blowhard but he does have 20 million loyal listeners and many independents who often tune in. I laughed at Sykes' joke about him missing the plane but she went way too far. And one can see that she meant some of what she said. She's an idiot or she didn't bother to listen to Rush's broadcast if she believes he wants the nation to fail. No, he wants the president's policies to fail because he believes they're socialist. Moreover, her subsequent diatribe wasn't even funny. And many liberal journalists in the audience were just as turned off, as was later reported by liberal journalists themselves and as one can readily discern on video clip reactions to her routine. Three years ago Colbert was over the top and also not very funny. Bush poked fun at himself and his administration at length each time he appeared before the Press Club.

But Obama laughed throughout Sykes' routine which at the very least shows he's tacky if not outright partisan. So much for following in Lincoln's footsteps.

Not only this, but it's a strategic blunder because he is giving ammo to Rush's crowd and stooping to the latter's level by repeatedly referring to him or letting others do it for him.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Fox · Joined: 04 Mar 2009

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

So far at least, Rush has had a muted response:

"During his show Monday � his first since Saturday night�s dinner � Limbaugh alluded to the dinner just once, calling it "showbiz for ugly people, that's what politics is.�

There was, however, a mysterious moment during the show's final minutes, when Limbaugh interrupted a dialogue on fiscal policy and, in a statement seemingly directed at his prodding producer, said, "How can they be running a response, when I didn't respond? Well, there isn't going to be a response!"

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22384.html

mises · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: retired

I think the Dems were very smart in naming Rush the head of the Repubs. The belligerence of the hard-right (Cheney, Rush et al) serves as a nice contrast to Obama's style.

But Sykes took this political move as meaningful and went after Rush as if he actually is the head of the Republicans. That's likely a miscalculation.

Anyways, the news cycles are absurdly fast now and this will be out of the news by Wed or Thurs. And then it will be long forgotten and the media machine moves onto the next silly distraction.

Kuros · Joined: 27 Apr 2004

ManintheMiddle · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

Oh, lookee, at all the apologists for Obama coming out of the woodwork.

I watched Sykes' routine in replay and most of her time was devoted to attacking Obama's opponents. This affair is supposed to be an opportunity to roast the President, not the other way around. But of course Obama is once again handled with kid gloves.

Now let's see, if Bush had had a comedian who resorted to the same classless comments even about someone comparable to Rush, say Michael Moore (both fat loudmouths, too) the mainstream press and quite a few of the posters here would have bellowed from the deepest recesses of their lungs. It once again demonstrates a double standard in coverage and hypocrisy in attitude.

But I note that no one really addressed my accusation that Obama is not taking the high road. It takes CLASS to laugh genuinely at one self, and not to respond to even the most vicious attacks, which is precisely what Bush did. Obama can't take criticism unless it's qualified with praise, it would seem.

So you guys can go ahead and rationalize what happened all you want but at the end of the day this is just one more example of obsessing on a radio talk show host who hardly needs another forum to call attention to himself.

I'm thick-skinned enough--and so is Rush--to take a joke, however in poor taste. But that's not the point.

And for the record, Ya-ta Boy, I don't listen to Rush. I occasionally tuned in years ago to hear what all the hullaboo was about but not now. He's self-serving to a fault, as of course in Moore and the rest of their ilk.

It behooved Obama to comport himself in a more presidential reaction, but then he's not going to give the appearance of disapproval to one of his own.

Of course the mainstream Right didn't assault her race or sexuality. There's enough to criticize by her words. Besides, ad hominem attacks are best left to the Left.

Finally, to say this is a shrewd move on the part of the Obama Administration to caricature the Republicans as like Rush I'd say is really wishful thinking. How about if Bush or his staff had portrayed the Democrats as just like Al Franken or Keith Olbermann? No one on the Left would give it any credence and neither should the Right now.

If Obama continues to permit a sarcastic tone to be set he will eventually alienate a lot of independent voters and moderates like he's almost done with me. And that will boomerang on him and his Party.

Ya-ta Boy noted:

Fox · Joined: 04 Mar 2009

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

Rush Limbaugh is a dope but Sykes is no better probably worse.

What Skyes said was way over the top. She might have some leeway for it if she wished something bad on Osama Bin Laden or Ali Khamani. But she seems to be one of those types who hates Rush more than the real enemy. If she has time to wish Rush dead but no time to wish bad things on Ali Khamani or Bin Laden then she is a jerk.

And Obama ought to disown her. That would be presidential.

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

mises · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: retired

Just fyi OP, this is a sideshow meant to distract and rally the ignorant peasantry. Two wars, one of which is likely to expand into Pakistan, a depression, 7/10 women with no health insurance, 25% of the global prison population and you're worried and fussing about a comedian slamming a radio personality. You're being manipulated and distracted to support a party/ideology that is not in your interests.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

ManintheMiddle · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

mises swiped:

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

For a little bit different view:

Can Wanda Sykes Save the GOP?

"The Limbaughettes you hear on radio and TV are stand-up comedians who sit in a studio doing exactly what Wanda Sykes does with exactly the same material. Perhaps you think Wanda Sykes went too far? That�s what you are supposed to do if you are earning money to imitate Limbaugh.

The lesson that is available is that before you can solve a problem, you must admit you have one. Wanda Sykes is a fresh Moses, and the GOP is a startled lost tribe, but there it is, the choice: Make bricks and haul stones for no purpose other than tombs to Ronald Reagan, or get up and walk away from the priests of denial."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-12/can-wanda-sykes-save-the-gop/

The guy's got a point. Sykes was only imitating Limbaugh. The difference is that she's just a comedian hired for one 15 minute stint; Limbaugh makes 6 GOP elected officials crawl to him and apologize. Isn't it the Republicans who allow Rush to lead their party?