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Majority of Republicans were fine with Obama bowing

November 19, 2009 4:59 pm ET by Eric Boehlert

Yet more proof that the right-wing noise machine doesn't even reflect mainstream conservatives. It's just its own bizarre, fact-free world that whips up an endless stream of nonsensical allegations that only truly radical Obama haters care about.

But of course, the Beltway press still takes it seriously. After all, it dutifully treated the bow idiocy as "news."

Greg Sargent as the details on the latest polling numbers, which show a huge majority of Americans thought it was fine for Obama while greeting Japan's emperor.  And yes, even Republicans thought it was appropriate. 

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    • Author by bintx (November 19, 2009 5:05 pm ET)
      6  
      Most intelligent people were fine with Obama following custom and protocol, just as his predecessors [Republican and Democratic] have done.
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      • Author by pointofview (November 19, 2009 5:44 pm ET)
          15
        None of them have done that. I watched the Nixon head bob, and it was nothing like Obama breaking his back to bow down to another. It was pathetic.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by bintx (November 19, 2009 5:49 pm ET)
          7  
          Yes, they have. You are pathetic and not very bright.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by bintx (November 19, 2009 5:50 pm ET)
          8  
          As I said, "most INTELLIGENT people" were fine with it.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Jollymon (November 19, 2009 5:51 pm ET)
          7 1
          Actually, the only "pathetic" thing about it was Obama bowed while shaking hands. I was stationed in Japan for three years. I have seen military officers (including generals) in and out of uniform bow to Japanese officials/politicians. Usually though, "gaijin" try not to bow because we don't do it properly. And you don't bow AND shake hands. You do them seperately. That is the only criticism I would have of Obama about this. Other than that, it is a show of respect and adherance to custom. But I wouldn't expect people that have no idea of, or respect for other cultures to understand that. The media is making WAY to big a deal over a matter of custom. THAT is really pathetic.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by bilbo_dies (November 19, 2009 8:15 pm ET)
            2  
            Best and least insane response I've seen
            Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (November 20, 2009 1:31 am ET)
            1  
            So, when the Emperor reached out his hand to shake Obama's hand when he was already beginning to bow, he was supposed to ignore the outstretched hand?

            That's ridiculous.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Jollymon (November 20, 2009 6:02 pm ET)
                 
              Dell, do you just argue to argue? Oh, yes you do. You are supposed to bow first, THEN shake hands. But most Japanese forgo the bowing with gaijin because they know shaking hands is the custom with Americans. Keep showing your ignorance Dell, it suits you. But I supposed you will try to make fun of my credibility of living in Japan for three years too, right? Pathetic.
              Report Abuse
        • Author by ReasonAndResolve (November 19, 2009 6:15 pm ET)
          4  
          Yes, it is just horrible to have a leader who shows humility. Oh, wait, Rush says he is a narcissist. Okay, he is a humble narcissist.

          What a complete crock. It is this attitude that the rest of the world should grovel at our feet that made us so unpopular around the world, made it difficult to enlist wide support for our global initiatives, and contributed to the ability of terrorist groups to radicalize and recruit anti-American jihadists.

          If conservatives like Rush, Hannity, Cheney, Beck, and Savage ever had to spend any time in a foxhole, they might have better informed opinions.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by New Frontier (November 19, 2009 6:35 pm ET)
          4  
          I watched the Nixon head bob, and it was nothing like Obama breaking his back to bow down to another. It was pathetic.

          Rules: A bow of an angle less than 35.6 degrees is wingnut-approved; over 35.6 degrees is "pathetic"--unless you're a Republican. Throwing-up on laps, same-sex hand-holding, back rubs, tapping feet in men's rest rooms and kissing other world leaders by Republicans is O-K.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by oscar the grouch (November 19, 2009 10:34 pm ET)
      2 1
      yeah, 'cause they know they could probably outscore him........ oh, bowing not bowling, my bad.
      Report Abuse

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