Tucker Carlson claimed "the Obamas do not sleep in the same bed, Mrs. Obama is saying"
SUMMARY: Tucker Carlson quoted Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), from a recent interview with Glamour, saying of her husband and children: "We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him." But Glamour left out a key word from Michelle Obama's quote; she had said, "They come in my bed, and if Dad isn't there ..." -- the addition of "if" turning her remark into a conditional statement that her children come into bed "if Dad isn't there." But Carlson went beyond Glamour's original error, asserting, based solely on the inaccurate quote, that "the Obamas do not sleep in the same bed, Mrs. Obama is saying."
On the September 6 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, host Tucker Carlson quoted Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), from a recent interview with Glamour as saying of her husband and children: "We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him." Glamour left out a key word from Michelle Obama's quote; she had said, "They come in my bed, and if Dad isn't there ..." -- the addition of "if" turning her remark into a conditional statement that her children come into bed "if Dad isn't there." But Carlson went beyond Glamour's original error, asserting, based solely on the inaccurate quote, that "the Obamas do not sleep in the same bed, Mrs. Obama is saying." Later in the program, Carlson reported that he "just received a call from the Obama campaign taking issue" with his claim that Michelle Obama said "the Obamas do not sleep in the same bed." Carlson claimed to "know nothing about the Obama's bedroom habits beyond what Michelle Obama has told the rest of us," and reread the excerpt from the interview adding: "I don't know anything she hasn't told me. So if there's more they want to tell us about their bedroom habits, this is the show to tell us on."
Even after Glamour edited the posted transcript, CNN's Political Ticker blog posted the inaccurate version of Michelle Obama's quote in a September 7 entry, despite linking to the updated Glamour transcript:
In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Ms. Obama details her two girls' morning ritual, a time, she says, when her husband Barack is often "snore-y and stinky."
"We have this ritual in the morning," Michelle Obama told Glamour. "They come in my bed, and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him."
Michelle Obama's statement, as it originally appeared, was cited by several blogs, including a September 6 entry to The New York Times' The Caucus by reporter Katharine Q. Seelye. Seelye's post was updated on September 7 to note Glamour's update to the interview transcript:
Update: Glamour has updated its Web site now with a fuller quote from Mrs. Obama, and here's a complete transcript of the passage:
Q: Speaking of your girls, what do you think they think of Mommy? How do they think of you?
Mrs. Obama: You know my hope in my gut is that I am just Mommy. I don't think this part registers to them. I mean so much of our relationship is based on our world at home. It's getting up _ you know we have this ritual in the morning. We get up and they want ten more minutes so they can come in my bed and if Dad isn't there _ because he is too snore-y and stinky, they don't want ever to get in the bed with him _ but we cuddle up and we talk. We've talked about everything from the boy that one daughter doesn't particularly like in school to what is a period to _
Q: And they are five and eight?
Mrs. Obama: They are six and nine. To the big topic in the morning is, when we get a dog, what kind of dog?
From Michelle Obama's interview with Glamour, as it currently appears on the magazine's website:
LEE: What do your girls think of you?
OBAMA: My hope and my gut is that I am just Mommy. We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and if Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him. But we cuddle up and we talk about everything from what is a period to the big topic of when we get a dog: what kind?
From the September 6 edition of MSNBC's Tucker:
CARLSON: Time for a check of the Obameter, and there is fresh activity. First, an aide close to Obama says that Oprah Winfrey may take a visible role in that campaign, possibly as a surrogate of sorts. Winfrey hosts her fundraiser for the campaign Saturday night in California. The other development comes from Michelle Obama, who again spoke plainly about her husband to Glamour magazine. Referring to their daughters she said this, quote: "We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him. But we cuddle up and we talk about everything from what is a period to the big topic of when we get a dog: what kind?"
That's what she said. Did you want to know that? Well, you do now, and so does everyone else. Joining us again, former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and senior editor of Newsweek Jonathan Alter. Jonathan Alter -- the Obamas do not sleep in the same bed, Mrs. Obama is saying. Why is that my business? Why is she talking about this?
[...]
CARLSON: Welcome back. We just received a call from the Obama campaign during the course of our show taking issue with something I said a minute ago. It appeared to me, I said, that Michelle Obama was saying she and her husband don't share the same bed. Just to be clear, I know nothing about the Obamas bedroom habits beyond what Michelle Obama has told the rest of us. So, to be clear, let's reread what Michelle Obama said about the subject. Quote, "We have this ritual in the morning. They come into my bed" -- the children -- "and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him." Etcetera, etcetera. I don't know anything she hasn't told me. So if there's more they want to tell us about their bedroom habits, this is the show to tell us on.
Obama is "stinky"?
Why would his wife say that? Does the man not shower? Did he not give up smoking & smells like a butt? Very weird thing to say, IMO.
And yeah the word IF makes all the difference.
BTW, does anyone here really care about the sleeping arrangements of those running for President...I mean besides Tucker?
I like that he smokes. I hope he doesn't feel like he has to give it up just because he's running for president.
Me too Computer. I'm a half-a-pack a day smoker & it was almost refreshing to hear Obama shared my "evil" habit.
I don't believe for a minute that he's quit. He's probably a *closet* smoker like Laura Bush which means simply: Never in public.
I don't smoke at a lot of family gatherings if there aren't other smokers around, or around folks that have a real problem with it.
I say leave the guy alone if he want a puff now & then.
And for those here who think smoking is the most vile unhealthy habit a person can have I say...
Start lecturing alcohol drinkers & fat food eating consumers too.
Computer and Jeter, what do you mean you LIKE that he is a smoker. What an odd comment. It isn't the healthiest of habits so I find it odd that you guys seem to think it is a good thing he smokes. Jeter, I am one of those annoying people that while I don't lecture I do sometimes have comments to make about alcohol and fat food consumption...sorry I am a bit of a health nut. I wouldn't lecture anyone on these things but I also wouldn't think it was a positive they do it either.
LostLogic,
Aside from my "evil" 10 cigarette a day habit, I'm a health nut too...in that I exercise daily [run & ride a stationary bike] & eat good foods [plenty of veggies, fruits, fish & poultry.. light on red meat & fats.] I very rarely drink...just a beer now & then.
I'm not saying it's great that Obama smokes, only that it's nice for me in a way for some folks to see not all smokers are unhealthy scum.
Well, it may not make you "unhealthy scum" but apparently having Obama represent you smokers has back fired a bit....pssst, he's stinky you know (-; Sorry couldn't resist. Actually years ago I worked at a gym and you would be amazed at how many there were smokers. I couldn't help but make a comment to you and computer because of computer saying he liked that he smoked. I will stop picking on you poor abused smokers now...like dangerfield you just don't get no repsect aah. (-:
I mean I like it because I smoke and I find it very enjoyable. So, basically I was saying that if he does quit, he should do it because he wants to, not because he needs to in order to get elected. But, I also excercise as infrequently as possible, in less you count all the 12 ounce curls I'm doing bringing beer to my mouth.
Ouch! You didn't have to hit me twice! I like beer and BBQ!
Bad doggie!
Here have one of my cigarettes ;-)
Jeter
All I can say is both my parents died of Lung Cancer my father died at age 66 and my Mother at age 60. They smoked for 40 plus years. I never have smoked, I saw how destructive it is. My Grandfather died of throat cancer from smoking and my Grandmother smoked and had Emphysema and died. Smoking is the most destructive legal thing done to our bodies ,even more in my opinion than alcohol.
Sorry to get off topic but I still cry when i see people smoke.
JLyons- WOW! Hat's off to you. One thing we agree on. Lung cancer and other related "smoking" diseases are a horrible way to go.
Nicotine and all the chemical additives have caused more disease and heart break probably than any of us can count or measure.
There is nothing "benign" about smoking. It's Russian Roulette.
My sympathies on the loss of your parents too soon.
JLyons
Thank you for sharing your story with us, I also agree smoking is the worst thing we do to ourselves. I am sorry to hear that your parents died so early, my sister also died of lung cancer at age 58 , smoking since she was 18. I do not know why anyone smokes today with all we know the damage it does.
We are talking about how you are when you 1st wake up. I take a shower and brush my teeth because, well, after a night's sleep I'm stinky and have morning breath.
As for tucker, this is stupid. Why are we wasting air time focusing on every stupid little thing possible? Oh, I forgot. If you can't run on issues, then win by trashing your opponent's character.
I hope the dem ticket is Hill and Obama, a win with that pair will drive the right wing so insane we'll probably have a spate of window jumpers!
Why would his wife say that?
You must not be married. =)
I wouldn't want my wife telling her friends or the neighbors if I was "stinky"...let alone a magazine, which of course means the entire nation/world.
If I were Obama, I'd be a tad angry with her.
i know what you mean. I wouldn't want to advertise to the world that I sleep nekkid wearing nothing but a tin foil hat to keep the alien mind readers at bay.
Then why do you have that 24/7 webcam? And when are you gonna lower the price? I'm going broke here!
Do you know how much tinfoil costs? I have to make a new hat every night to ensure against a compromised protection plan!
Why would his wife say that?
Two words, Dutch oven.
I think most Americans don't care about their sleeping arrangements. They just want to be sure he supports the troops, hates gays and thinks Dallas Cowboys is "America's Team".
Anyone who thinks the Dallas Cowboys are America's Team is un-American in my book.
Dallas Cowboys America's team?
Nah, nobody has thought that for awhile.
The Patriots think they are America's team. The media tells us the Saints are America's team.
They are all wrong.
The N.Y. Jets are America's team ;-)
When the Jets came to town last time, we couldn't help but chant:
S-U-C-K SUCK SUCK SUCK
And the Browns actually won that game!
Nope, if you want to know who's america's team, look here!
Have you been astral traveling or something? :-) It appears that the entire right wing "base" deems it of utmost importance to know who sleeps with who.
Good thing, too. SOMEONE has to safeguard American Family Values, since the Democrats are nothing more than Godless Secular Liberals and Evil Satan Worshipers ;-> LOL
Jeter, conservative smoker
His argument couldn't be broker
His cigs, can't resist
They're not bad, he insists
They're making his health mediocre
:-0) Had to do it.
Now I know that Michelle Obama is one of those "tell-it-like-it-is" sisthas and all, but dayum, did we need to know about Sen. Obama having a snoaring habit and bad body odor in bed? Maybe this is her way to humanize him more beyond the cardboard "rock star" persona he has going on, but I think she shared a bit too much. lol
Definitely TMI on her part and of course Tucker with his obsession of all things Obama would use this and anything to disparage him. Obama's the golden boy and Tucker's the jealous nerd boy. The other thing is why would it be a big deal if the Obama’s didn’t share the same bed. Some people are terrible snorers and many spouses sleep in separate beds because of this. This is very silly. .
Hey, Lynn, nice to see you. You know I agree with you, as usual. I knew Tucker would pounce on this little information about Obama and use it to some how besmirch him. I just wish Michelle Obama would be a little more restraint in her interviews and speeches at times. Then again, I do find it refreshing that her—along with Elizabeth Edwards—is pretty outspoken and open unlike most politicians and their spouses on the campaign stomp. It seems that a month doesn't go by where there's not a story of either of the two making headlines due to something they have said—whether that’s a good or bad thing, it’s hard to say. However, it is interesting that both Liz Edwards and Michelle Obama are far more visible and prominent in their husbands' campaigns than other presidential hopefuls.
Until I was disgnosed with sleep apnea, my wife would sleep on the couch at LEAST 4 nights a week. Now that I have my beloved c-pap machine, we never sleep separately. So even if the Obamas DO sleep separately, it means absolutely nothing. Just Tucker looking to make a story.
Preston,
Maybe that's the way other rock stars go to bed?
It was GLAMOUR magazine. What'd you expect? Foreign affairs and economic policy?
Jesus H. Christ. I don't care if he sleeps in the garage.
Uh.. I think He's up in heaven and I'm not sure if he sleeps anymore... but what does He have to do with the Obamas?
;-)
So let me get this straight - MMFA has no problem with Tucker discussing the Obama's sleeping arrangements, no matter how irrelevant they are, just as long as he gets it right?
I'm with you on this one Tommy.
Why the heck is this here?
The real question is: Why is this being discussed on Tucker's show?
Everyone knows the answer to that, 24/7 airtime filler necessary for these types of shows.
But MMFA apparently is fine with it, as long as Tucker gets is right. So, the real question is; Are you OK with this type of silliness being discussed?
No. It's character asassination, and I find it reprehensible that the right wing thinks it's ok to trash people on a daily basis. Let all the candidates run on the issues and judge them on their positions, not on their looks or whether they fart in the tub.
One small gripe if the campaigns don't want these things discussed (and personally I don't) then perhaps they shouldn't advertise it for public consumption as Michelle Obama did here. I think Tucker is an idiot for bringing it up but gotta say Michelle memorializing it in print wasn't to bright either.
I do agree with that, she should be a little more tactful about discussing personal issues. If tucker were as true achristian as he claims though he would look beyond that and only report what matters.
Dang, Snoopy. Tucky is supposed to be a Christian? Why is it that all of these Christians have no problem with "bearing false witness"?
Because he's a far right christian. Those christians pray to god on sunday then steal your wallet on monday.
Well said Lost, Mrs. Obama was trying to humanize her husband, which is normal for wives to do - but they need to be careful as any little opening is exploited for gain by the other side if it's at all able.
LOL. Tommy, I'm not sure telling people her husband is stinky humanizes him all that much. Although, it may get him the pity vote. (-: I'm sure it will unite all those stinky husbands out there to vote for one of their own. (-;
"We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and Dad isn't there -- because he's too snore-y and stinky, they don't want to ever get into bed with him."
That statement sounds like Michelle describing what her daughters say about their father. Children especially small ones tend to use words like snor-y and stinky.
Hi Pearl, I think the comment comes off harsh no matter whose opinion it is. SHe could have told the story about their ritual without ever making the comment about her Husband's shortcoming in their daughter's eyes. Rereading it again really brings home how harsh it is--they don't EVER want to snuggle with dad because they think he stinks. I don't even think I would share that info about my husband with a confidant not to mention an interviewer. It really is a bad thing to say about someone.
Lost, I am with Pearl on this one - Mrs. Obama was just relating a personal story about her family, the characteristics she attributes to her husband may not sound complimentary, but they do sound like what their children might say......so they are pretty harmless, in my opinion.
Tommy, I disagree. I think the comments are humiliating for Obama. Not every thing is ok to put out there for public consumption. Even accepting the postiion that she was repeating comments made by her children it wasn't appropriate for her to share that kind of demeaning and humiliating private information in a national magazine interview. I am sure Michelle Obama wouldn't appreciate it if her husband did an interview and said there kids make fun of mommy because of her fat rolls.(not saying she has fat rolls just using it to make a point). I think she takes self-depreciating or spouse depreciating humor to far. It also in my opinion shows a serious lack of respect for her husband and what he is trying to do. We have enough problems with the media painting stuip charactures of the candidates we certainly don't need the candidates own spouse giving them ammunition to turn her husband into a punch line on the late night shows.
Sorry, Lost I disagree. The problem is not Michelle it's people like Tucker. I can't see what Michelle describes as a morning ritual with her daughters as "demeaning and humiliating" to Obama. Could she have described it better? Probably but IMO this is a case of woman using words her small children's say in describing their morning ritual. Snoring is a loud noise to young children and stinky could simply describe morning breath.
Hi Pearl, I posted a longer response to you and tex below. I agree with you the problem is people like Tucker but I think people like Michelle Obam give them ammunition to use that is the point I am trying to make. I don't know if you caught any of the "news" talk shows yesterday but everyone seemed to be talking about this stinky comment and having a grand old time of it...I didn't catch all of it because I had it playing in the background while doing work but what I did catch they were laughing up a storm at Obama's expense. I don't think that is the goal of how Obama wants the covergae of him to be about at this stage of the game.
LOST:
Mrs. Obama didn't say her husband was "stinky", she said her KIDS make this charge. Anyone who has kids knows that, you may be able to scrub them and night, but most of the time, kids have odors all their own. It's a matter of "stinky" being in the nose of the beholder.
To make this a political "wedge" issue, demonstrating ... what? ... character? fitness for office? Ah, hell. This is just the rightwing media seizing on any little thing to try to make political hay, to harm Democrats and help Republicans. It's asinine to the Nth degree.
Tex & Pearl, I agree with you this is an absolutley unimportant issue and totally unworthy of discussion in the media. At the end of the day it means nothing to the real issues of the day or Obama's fitness for office. In a previous post I said Tucker was an idiot for even bringing it up. My issue is really with Michelle Obama putting such a comment out there in today's climate knowing full well how it would be percieved. SHe was even reminded in the interview how a previous commnet she made was perceived so it wasn't like she was unaware of the power of her words. I have an issue with her quest to prove Obama is just a regular guy and nothing special...to me if your husband is running for president you should be pumping him up not tearing him down like you were complaining with your girlfriends at sunday bar-b-que. I think the problem is that maybe this won't effect how he is viewed by people like you or me or pearl but as we have seen in past elections becoming the punchline of the media and late night talk shows can have a detrimental effect and everything gets colored by it. As I said I don't think the comment is significant in my view but I do think it is significant that she has turned him into a punchline. You both gave a reasonable explanation for what she meant and why he is stinky but as we have seen most don't bother to look for the harmless meaning but instead will sensationalize it.
Hi Lost, I do agree with your assessment on MSM. They will take what most would view as a simple comment and try to use it for comedy. IMO part of this comes from candidates using the comedy forum (Thompson and Leno comes to mind) to announce something as important as running for President.
I remember earlier in the campaign Mrs. Obama told stories about her husband leaving his socks lying around. I thought that she was again painting a human face on a man who the media had started to portray has a "rock star". Instead of commenting on the simplicity of her remarks I remember Tucker and Joe Scarborough making snide remarks. IMO no matter what Democratic candidates (or their wives) say there is a certain segment of MSM that will only see the negative. I will have to trust that whom ever is elected to represent the Dems will have the intelligence and savvy to step over whatever land mines that conservative media lays down. The Clinton campaign of 92 comes to mind when stepping over land mines and focusing on the issues. I can only hope that who ever represents the Dems will have the ability to do the same. With some in the media you can't win for losing.
Since when is Tucker Carlson the "other side"?!
Have we all lost our marbles here? TUCKER brought this up - not Hillary Clinton, not the RNC, but Tucker Carlson from NBC News!
HE read something into a completely innocuous comment that any normal adult would think nothing of, and some how it's Michelle Obama's fault? For not being more careful?
Let's be very clear - we are in in Iraq today because of nonsense like this. This stupidity was a hallmark of the 2000 campaign, and it put George Bush - a man who couldn't even get the facts straight about his own budget in the 2000 debates - into the White House.
Now it's happening again. And while con men like Carlson make a mockery out of our electoral process, some of us caution the candidates to be a bit more careful.
This was NOT MICHELE OBAMA'S FAULT! This is all about Tucker Carlson and his cohort of pantie-sniffing idiots having access to our airwaves. If we allow them to cover 2008 like 2004 and 2000, we will get four more years of being lead by a president unworthy of the job.
This is the kind of thing that the alleged "family values" crowd would pounce on as evidence that Obama isn't a family values person. That's why it's here.
That's the most absurd leap I've read in a long while - so this is a family values issue??? Then blame Mrs. Obama, she brought it up.
That's the most absurd leap I've read in a long while
Nice debate tactic. No argument, just insult.
Obama talked about her family. She was misquoted. From that, Tucker made an apparently incorrect assumption.
Now Tucker is the one who deemed this of value to his conservative "family values" listeners. As "professionals" in the industry, I'm sure they have some idea of the audience they're talking to. I'm sure they felt this might have some resonance with their audience.
You can disagree, but it's pretty clear to anyone with a brain what's going on.
Oh, it was in your brain, well, that makes a difference.
Ah, more insults. Well done! You continue to demonstrate the strength of your character by insulting those you disagree with repeatedly, while offering no argument against their position.
Beautifully done! Everyone take note of this example of mature adult behavior!
Bitter,
Not to be argumentative, but I see no insults, only some good natured retorts. You make good points.. but it is Friday. :-)
As for the matter at hand, I hardly think Tucker has enough viewers to constitute a 'family values' viewing block.
Probably more people learn about what Tucker says here than actually watches him.
Oh, it was in your brain, well, that makes a difference.
He's implying that since it had to do with my brain, it wasn't worth anything.
He started out by calling my initial assumption "absurd." That's not the same as "inaccurate". It's a very loaded word, and Tommy's not stupid and I'm sure chose his word carefully. Further, he's already demonstrated that he can't maintain a civil conversation in a variety of places, so I can assume with some confidence that when Tommy uses words like "absurd" that his intent is to attack me, just as when he called me "Poodle" yesterday or the day before.
So I appreciate your comments, but I respectfully disagree with you about Tommy's tactics.
Oh get off your high horse, you make your living off of swooping down and insulting me, ignore me if you can't handle a little heat thrown your way.
Cry baby.
Okay, so you admit you insulted me. I appreciate that.
(Although you insulted me in doing so. You are a complex guy, huh?)
Yep. He did.
And for the record, I don't make a living 'swooping down and insulting" Tommy. I do call him on his inaccuracies and his continual attempts to derail conversations with "this doesn't belong here." I do that because the answer to speech you don't disagree with is more speech. I think I've demonstrated that I can provide a decent link or two from time to time, or make a cogent argument in defense of my positions. Tommy's response to such efforts on my part, sadly however, is as you've witnessed above.
And for the record, I don't make a living 'swooping down and insulting" Tommy
You do it for free?
No biggie, I hear the pay isn't that great anyway ;-)
The looks on the face of the children is all I need.
Why is this here? Gosh I thought you folks were never going to discuss the subject of this thread, instead you go off into sleeping arrangements. Carlson gets a quote wrong and than expands on it right out of thin air. It's conservative mis-information, that's why it's here! As I read the misquote I thought she meant daddy got up earlier and then the girls came to their bed. Carlson jumped to a different conclusion. Not even speculation, but conclusion.
The reason this is here, I believe, is that many "values voters" may be less likely to vote for a candidate who does not sleep in the same bed as his wife. Okay, I know....I'm grasping at straws here. But can't you just see some older, ultra-conservative people saying "They don't sleep in the same bed? bet they have one of those 'open marriages' with people coming in and out of the bedroom like it has a revolving door." But..maybe I'm just letting my rather liberal imagination get the better of me.
The point is he got it wrong to disparage him.
Not so sure, Bruce's point is a good one - Ms. Obama said "my bed", do you refer to you and your wife's bed as "your bed"?
Tommy,
Aren't you making two assumptions here?
1. Does Solon have a wife?
2. Does Solon have a bed?
For full disclosure, I have both. ;-)
ps. Solon, just funninwicha. Although I don't know your domestic classification, I'm sure if you are married, you probably have a beautiful and charming spouse.
Funniest post I've seen in awhile
I have a bed a very good one and I have a wife also a very good one. As I said like most wives everything is HERS. The OURS is usually broken out for problems
Solon, what a sweet wife you have. In my house when there is a problem it becomes HIS. (-:
Actually, I DO call it "my room" or "my bed"...and my wife gets mad at me for it. (But I still do it.)
The original quote did leave the impression Tucker cited but I don't see the reason why he even decided to speculate on it any way--who cares. I wasn't aware that Glamour corrected the quote--that one word did make a big difference--why did they leave it out? If when Obama called Tucker to correct the misquote he certainly didn't share that explanation he just said they called to complain about it. If they explained the quote was misstated he should have shared that with his audience at the time. On a seperate note what is this woman thinking why would you say that about your husband in an interview for public consumption--he's stinky????
She said "my bed", not "our bed". Don't blame Tucker for that.
Good catch Bruce.
Maybe they make *visits*?
Or have a Rob & Laura Petrie or Lucy & Ricky Ricardo twin bed thing going?
Of course it's none of our beeswax, but I'm still stunned she called her husband "stinky"
My wife says MY house to, which in no way means it is solely hers.
Let's face it most wives think this way:
What's mine is mine, what's yours is mine.
OR if your lucky
What's mine is mine what's yours is negotiable
;-)
Jeter, obviously your wife has trained you well. (-:
I beg, roll over and offer my paw..um I mean my hand on command too ;-)
Sounds kinky, dude.
After years of marriage, I have my wife just where she wants me.
(I'm TOTALLY gonna steal that line.)
Solon,
I guess that answered my first question. Congrats!
Bruce, Seriously why is it even a point of concern to anyone who sleeps where? Many spouses don't share the same bed and it is usually due to one of the spouses or both being terrible snorers, a condition that unless you have sleep apnea is beyond the individuals control. I know it isn’t the typical sleeping arrangement but it’s not abnormal , as Tucker taking his usual attack Obama stance wants to imply.
But Lynn, MMFA isn't questioning why it's being discussed, they are questioning it's accuracy.
Why thank you for putting me back on track and I agree with MMFA that Tucker is making assumptions without any factual support since Michelle Obama did not say I DO NOT SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AS BARAK. In addition to this I wanted to go on record to say that discussing the spousal sleeping arrangements of presidential contenders and whether those arrangements are weird is dumb.
So, you're saying a thumbs up for correcting this misinformation, even if it's "dumb" in the first place?
Now, Tommy, surely you can see how this bit of misinformation can blow out of proportion into even something bigger and inaccurate if not corrected. If Carlson peddle such a talking point such as “the Obamas don’t sleep in the same bed,” who knows what pundit after him will take it a step further by twisting this into something that backfires Michelle Obama’s “family values” speech she made not that long ago, where she suggested that her and Sen. Obama have this Leave It To Beaver family, which both have their priorities straight at home, with close and loving marriage. I can see folks like Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity—two pundits who are known for leaving out substantive information just to push their agenda—saying, “the Obamas don’t sleep in the same bed together yet preach family values and sanctity of marriage.” It would be the equivalent of John Edwards “phoniness” of advocating for the poor while he lives in a multi-million dollar house and gets $400 haircuts.
It maybe dumb to discuss Sen. Obama presumably “stinkiness” and “snoring,” I agree, but it’s not dumb to correct misinformation when it can lead to something inaccurate about both Mr. and Mrs. Obama, notably that both aren’t a close and loving couple as they pretend to be.
YES!!!!
Lynn,
My whole point is that the whole thing is ridiculous and a waste of coverage, from Tucker and MMFA.
It is just like pulling teeth for some of you to ever question an item here, and put all the blame on the media person and none ever directed here.......everyone makes weird judgements from time to time, this is one of them on MMFA, and obviously Tucker, for putting this here at all, that is all I am saying.
I think it all depends on what your definition of if is.
Well you've got that covered correct?
It's relevant because the "family values" people would point to this as proof that Obama isn't a decent family man. "He doesn't even share a bed with his wife!" they'd say. It requires a correction or retraction.
As for family values, I think it all depends on where the other bed is located.
Show me one "family values" advocate that would use this as some evidence of anything......that they have separate beds? You're not serious with that?
As for family values, I think it all depends on where the other bed is located.
I just realized I've become dependent on depends... I thought I had another 20 years... *sigh*
Tommy, I think you’re being oblivious to the fact at how many rightwing pundits in the past twisted things about Obama to fit their agenda: “Obama’s church is racist; Obama advocates riots; Michelle Obama takes jabs at the Clinton’s and their marriage, etc.” Statements by both Michelle and Barack have been twisted before so I don’t think it’s far-fetch to suggest that a talking point such as “the Obamas don’t sleep in the same bed” could be used by many on the right to discredit Obama’s campaign which promotes “family values,” “sanctity of marriage,” and other Reaganite hallmarks to reach middle-class, “value” voters. As others have mentioned before, this could be twisted to where it shows that the Obamas have a “sham” marriage.
Preston,
You make good points, and I have no doubt that many on the right will do whatever they can do discredit, unfairly, Obama and Clinton - distract from the important issues and focus on some personal irrelevancy to appeal to a segment within their party.....sadly, it happens in politics.
But frankly, I think Obama, and to an extent Clinton, are smarter than to get entrapped in all that stuff - they will highlight it for the ridiculousness it is and rise above it, at least I hope so.
There will always be dirty politics, I know some people pay attention to it and eat it up, but are those people really worth worrying about? I mean, if they vote for or against someone based on this, well, they are a lost cause. I say answer it if warranted, expose it if necessary, and sell yourself to those voters who vote on issues, character, vision, leadership and qualifications.
But frankly, I think Obama, and to an extent Clinton, are smarter than to get entrapped in all that stuff - they will highlight it for the ridiculousness it is and rise above it, at least I hope so.
It has nothing to do with what Obama and Clinton will do in response. It's that they have to respond at all. That's the tactic here. Insinuation, assumption, repeat, and suddenly it's "fact" to the middle Americans who have little more than Rush to listen to for "news" and commentary. And once that message is ingrained, a certain segment of the population is lost and nothing an Obama or Clinton will say will fix that.
It's the same crowd that voted for Bush because he was more "likable" than Cheney. Or that voted for Bush regardless of all his less than stellar qualities because "Gore lies."
And if it weren't completely obvious aready, there, in a nutshell, is what MMFA is all about. Thank you.
These disingenuous "why is this here" posts are so tired. Where's that damn ignore feature?!
The point you and others are constantly trying to make is that it's all one sided and unfair to Democrats exclusively, and it is not. Those that vote against Democrats because of some false image are mirrored by those who vote against Republicans for the same reasons.
What about those that voted against Bush because they didn't like his Daddy, or because they believe he knew or orchestrated 9/11? Are you as upset when they vote against Bush as the ones who vote against Gore? Probably not.
The fact is image helps and hurts all candidates, and false ones become engrained for all sorts of reasons. Die hard haters on both sides are not reachable no matter what by the opposition.....the center, the independents, the moderates, they are who decides elections.
Tommy
Good job...and what's the fuss anyway. Rob and Laura Petrie slept in separate beds...you can hardly get more wholesome than the Dick VanDycke Show.
The point you and others are constantly trying to make is that it's all one sided and unfair to Democrats exclusively, and it is not.
First that wasn't your point, and second it's a straw man argument. Nobody ever said politics was a fair fight.
This sight is about calling conservatives on their misinformation, and this is a perfectly legitimate example.
(Site, dammit!)
You're proceeding to tell me what my point is? It is, and always has been, that these are ridiculous irrelvancies that affect both sides of the aisle, on the plus and the negative, voting for and against the candidates. If you don't want to answer my legitimate question on anti Bush voters casting their votes against him because they say he knew about 9/11, fine.........but don't act like it's not a legitimate question simply because we are only discussing conservative misinformation here. That only makes your arguments weaker, and further highlights your unwavering partisanship.
Just because you don't want to admit Democrats are positively affected by negative images of Republicans, hardly means it doesn't exist.
You're right. I misread your post. You were saying it was my point and the point of others here. Which is still wrong. My second sentence addressed that when I said
Nobody ever said politics was a fair fight.
That this is something that's done on both sides doesn't matter. This site is about combatting what is, unfortunately, a much more effective effort on the part of conservatives to skew the overall message to the right.
I pointed out that Tucker's use of a mistaken source to insinuate something about the Obamas is fodder for the family values crowd. You said that was absurd. Others come to point out that it is indeed a reasonable answer to "why is this here." Your response is that "everyone does it, so there."
Yes, everyone does it. This site exists to combat the way conservatives do it by trying to keep them honest. Do you think it's right that people spread tried (in vain, I think) to spread the lie that Bush had anything to do with 9/11 except responding poorly to it? Go find a site that claims that and argue that point there. Whenever it comes up here, people from all sides pounce on it. (In fact, when some loon posted two rambling screeds about it the other day, I flagged it as offtopic and it was (surprisingly) almost immediately taken down.)
Regardless, by saying "both sides do it" then you're admitting this is in fact misinformation and inappropriate, and I thank you for finally conceding.
Tommy, give it time. The fact that Tucker saw fit to bring it up at all is proof that if you don't correct misinformation it will be repeated. Preston is right, if Rush thought it was OK to question whether Obama was "black" enough you can't think his marriage bed will be "off limits" can you?
Lynn, my only point was that Tucker accurately read the quote. It was the magazine that had it wrong. MMFA should go after the magazine if they don't like it, not Tucker.
That's all well and good, but wrong is wrong. If Tucker runs a correction on it, and says the magazine got it wrong, that would be wonderful.
The magazine HAS apparently corrected themselves. And now it's time for Tucker to point that out since he used it as a source.
Olbermann did the same thing after a mistake just last night. Issued a correction, and then apologized on air for a story they did EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM. That's called integrity. I'll actually say Tucker has some integrity if he makes a retraction or correction.
Yes, I agree. Tucker should correct himself.
John Stewart gave Tucker a whoopin'
On another dumb show Tucker's stoopin'
To make more crass chatter
'bout things that don't matter
Feeding dirt to the dopes he is dupin'
If it's true that Obama is stink'in
and off to another bed he's been slinkin
It must be worse
for his wife to be so terse
and sadly for him, no more *winkin*
The right wing has a fixation,
about how people sleep as a nation,
Methinks they would like
us to be dick van dyke,
with twin beds to stop baby makin'
Here I go again. Man, I'm a sucker
for limericks that make hineys pucker.
That one classic prose,
I recall it goes:
"There once was a guy from NanTucker...."
Tucker Carlson, though not from Nantucket
Gathers rumors like fish in a bucket.
when the tales have a smell
Tucker thinks it is swell
Wish he'd drop all his drool and go muck it.
or something...
heh heh.
It's hard to write about Tuck
Without using words worse than scmuck
But you gave it a try
With your poem so wry
With less vivid words we are stuck
Who cares? I do not care where Obama sleeps or what his wife does, I want to know what he will do about Iraq, the economy and providing health care for all Americans. Another case of the media defocusing.
OK, this is a pretty trivial matter, but, in response to the WITH batallion;
Do you think it possible that the right wing media couls possibly try to frame a Democratic couple as living in a "sham marriage", and use that implication to further their characterization of that couple as dishonest and calculating?
Naaah, couldn't happen.
...as compared to their real santified holy unions, unless the toe tapping gets uncovered that is.
I'll guess I'll just have to add Glamour to my list of "must read" right wing sources.
Yep, first a Glamour magazine hit piece, then followed by a speech at the Republican National Convention next summer by a "family values" candidate on Obama's hygenic habits and bed hopping antics.......stop the misinformation snowball NOW!
Disseminating misinformation isn't always malicious and deliberate, Glamour mistakenly dropped a piece of crap that Tuck immediately picked up to hurl at his favorite target, that’s just the kind of guy he is
The point is that Tucker Carlson took a quote froma magazine (a quote that happened to be inaccurate) and inferred a meaning that was a stretch (for instance, even read the way it's written, it makes at least as much sense to infer that Barack gets up early, before the kids are awake. He IS running for President, after all).
Nowhere did MMFA say, as Tommy implied, that it was okay to talk about the Obamas sleeping arrangements, "as long as they get it right".
The point is that Tucker took a quote, spun the most damaging interpretation he could get out of it, and tried to knit a sweater.
Who cares how the candidates arrange their home lives, as long as they obey the law and are honest with their constituents?
Apparently, Tucker cares, as long as he can wring a sleazy angle out of the information and shine a negative light on a progressive candidate. It's Tucker's faulty judgment that's responsible for the story. It's merely his misfortune that the quote he leaned on was inaccurate.
Who cares? Right wingers. Those supposed family values crowd who are already posting things like the following on right wing message boards. (Google for yourself.)
-- "Muslims hardly bathe."
-- "Yet one more power marriage for political purposes"
-- "So...do they maintain seperate bedrooms? Sounds very “Clintonish.”"
They're the target audience for Tucker's comments.
Bitter,
If it is as you say then there is nothing to worry about. Obviously those wingers weren't going to vote for Obmama anyway.
My guess is my Democratic friends will not be voting for Thompson no matter what his wife says about their sleeping arrangements.
We'll see. No, those particular voters probably won't vote for a Democrat, but it's about the bigger picture Once a lie or insinuation of this sort gets repeated enough, then it grows beyond the family values crowd. But to get something like a "Gore lied" meme going, you've gotta have a base that repeats it endlessly to give it its "truth."
I disagree, but in the end, I'm not going to vote for that stinkin' Obama.
;-)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Well done ARCH...
Tucker is surely the very lowest sort or vermin.
This is not the first time that Michele O'Bama has made a stupid comment like this, using some little stupid line to take a jab at her husband.
Maybe she thinks she's being open and honest. She oughta get her head out of her butt, and try to get her husband elected president.
Your post actually supports the point Tucker made: Why is the wife of a presidential candidate disclosing embarrassing personal tidbits that lower the discourse? Who cares? Maybe Barack has sleep apnea. Maybe he likes to eat sardines and cabbage before bedtime. Her comments seem juvenile and as a result, she is undermining her husbands campaign. These kind of episodes all stem from the low standard of conduct and lack of dignity displayed by B.J. Clinton while in office.
- "She said "my bed", not "our bed". - bruce1ace
Nicely done...the mmfa word smithing kings hoped to slip that one by...I wonder if the man who has deemed himself worthy of leading the most powerful country in the world...has to get permission to slip between the sheets?
Just joking...I'm with the consensus here...the is absurd and not all news worthy...but it's what happens when you have round the clock cable networks and talk radio searching furtively for filler.
How could everone miss the point?
She said "...if Dad isn't there..."
Tucker misquoted her as saying"...Dad isn't there..."
Tucker left out a huge 2 letter word--"IF"
Tucker you dishonest bow tied little bastard!!!
I'll try not to puke as I defend Tucker a bit. Apparently he took the quote from Glamour magazine, which got the quote wrong. His insinuation was pretty ugly, IMO. But the misquote wasn't his fault just using that quote doesn't make him dishonest.
UNLESS HE CONTINUES TO USE IT now that it has been corrected by the original source.
And if he doesn't issue a retraction or correction, then he lacks integrity.
Thanks Marv. (But I still think he's a little bowtied bastard.)
I said nothing about your assessment of the LBB as a LBB. =)
Like Mary said, Jon Stewart pretty much summed up Carlson's character on a few years ago.
Can we continue the rhymes though ? It felt like '84, like I was watching Jesse Jackson an a roll.
This would be news for MMFA if the story appeared on a major news network or paper. Since what Tucker does is not even close to News (in any way, shape, or form) such obvious attempts at smearing is just funny. The larger question is why MSNBC keeps him on the air. It can't be for ratings and I really can't believe companies knowingly allow ads for their products to appear on this clown's show.
This is depressing.
If this is the level of political discourse we have to look forward to over the next two years, I'm gonna go live on an island.
hmmm...Why are Republicans so interested in private lives of others ( and by implication, the sex lives of individuals) and an ever expanding Big Government. (I added the last part just for its factual irony)
I'd be pissed with my spouse if she made a comment like that in front of one other couple. Such things are private, and speaking them aloud is petty-demeaning and unnecessary. Telling them to the millions of nincompoops who read a fashion mag is infuriating.
It is character assassination. I recently read an article that discussed how US couples are increasingly sleeping in seperate bedrooms, to the extent that architects are now designing homes with 2 master bedroom suites!
My grandparents (both sides) slept in seperate rooms when they reached middle age, and my in laws do the same (my own parents are divorced). My F-in-Law has sleep apnia, and I imagine it helps his marriage that he sleeps in a different room. Its not unusual at all, and that is why this sort of character assassination is weak and really reaching.
It might even be healthy for couples to sleep in seperate beds, at least when they are no longer newlyweds.
Tucker is a putz who went to his rich and influential daddy one day and said, "Daddy, I wanna be on TV. Get me a job on TV!"
I thought this was a joke with Obama's kids but then again it could be plausible. So, this little Troll ran a few tests and found that Democrats infact do have more "stank" on them than normal people. My study was not scientific because I only know 6 democrats. Conclusion: all 6 needed a good hose down.