Hume reported Michelle Obama's "cute" comment without noting that she also said, "I'm talking about me"
SUMMARY: While reporting on Michelle Obama's appearance at a women's roundtable in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brit Hume said, "While not directly mentioning Sarah Palin by name, Obama said, quote, 'People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, "I like that guy," or, "She's cute." ' " However, Hume did not note that Obama said "I'm talking about me" following her comment.
On the September 18 edition of Fox News' Special Report, while reporting on Michelle Obama's appearance at a women's roundtable in Charlotte, North Carolina, host Brit Hume said, "While not directly mentioning Sarah Palin by name, Obama said, quote, 'People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, "I like that guy," or, "She's cute." ' " However, Hume did not note that Obama said "I'm talking about me" following her comment, which, by contrast, MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell showed in her coverage of Obama's comment. The Associated Press reported that Obama "did not talk about Palin directly in her remarks."
From the September 18 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume:
HUME: Michelle Obama, meanwhile, is encouraging women to make their voting decisions based on the issues, not personalities. Obama was in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a women's roundtable on the economy.
While not directly mentioning Sarah Palin by name, Obama said, quote, "People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, 'I like that guy,' or, 'She's cute.' " Obama says her husband is the only candidate focused on equal pay, health care, and other women's issues.
We'll update the story about Governor Palin's emails winding up on the World Wide Web. That's a little later. First, though, if you think the economy's shaky here, wait till you see our next story from Russia. Stay tuned.
From the 3 p.m. ET hour of MSNBC Live on September 18:
NORAH O'DONNELL (anchor): She was doing a women's roundtable, and she talked about why and how people should vote. Take a listen to what she said.
OBAMA [video clip]: We may decide to do something that is different from Barack Obama, but we should decide that based on our self-interests and what we think is best. And the only way that will happen is that if people are paying attention and neighbors are talking to neighbors and family members are talking to family members.
People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, "I like that guy." Or, you know, "She's cute." You know, this isn't --
[applause]
OBAMA: And I'm talking about me.
Of course, since Michelle isn't running for anything, it really was aimed at Palin.
Nice how MMfA takes all Dems at their word and thinks that's enough to refute claims made by the media.
Even I don't think Michelle was talking about herself. The "I'm talking about ME" was a one-liner tacked on to add a little humor to her speech. She was playing a role for effect. There was nothing wrong, nothing offensive, nothing demeaning about her preceeding statement, unless you're someone who's voting for a candidate based on looks or personality.
That said, you're right about the Republicans being sensitive to anything that might be referring to Palin with less than gushing admiration. It's all they have, now. So they'll bring up inane issues like this one, and the media will echo it. And if we were smart, we'd be ignoring this one - the lefties would be leaving the "WITH?" comments. Instead, WE are the suckers by arguing with the righties about it.
Word to the lefties: The righties are going to eat your lunch on this one if you don't practice a little intellectual honesty and admit that yes, Michelle was talking about Sarah - But so what? Where does the conversation go from there?
Point taken... But what I am saying is that, considering the circumstances and context, it is equally plausible that what Michelle Obama said could be applicable to any of the candidates or their wives...including herself.
Sure, the plausibility is there. I just don't think it's needed. And I put a little more value in intellectual honesty than in plausible deniability. The reverse of that is what keeps this country so politically divided.
Now, enough of that. It's Friday. How is the new "forumat" going over for everybody? I kind of like it The single page is nice, but I especially like the (edit)<html> control.
Regardless whether some may see Michelle Obama's remarks as a shot at Sarah Palin, I just think in the absence of a direct reference it's unfair, and dishonest, for Hume or Hannity or anyone else to suggest that, as a matter of fact, Michelle Obama was dissing Sarah Palin. Let the public draw their own conclusions. I also think the outrage speaks more of Republican concerns about their own VP candidate. Otherwise, why are we talking about this bullshet...? ;>)
The format is excellent. You can tell who's responding to who, you don't have to click through a dozen pages posts every time you reply to someone, you can see the last message posted instead of having to hunt for it. And you can see the entire post you're replying to, which is a major improvement.
This is a lot more like the way it was a couple of years ago, but even better.
It is easier to travel the posts and much easier to reference earlier posts without either opening another window or saving the reply and going back to the original statement and re-replying. But, I do wish they would stop allowing pictures. That is annoying and unnecassary.
Thanks for the upgrade.
If she hadn't added that line, I think it would be fair to assume she was talking about Palin. But since she did, it shouldn't be interpreted that way. The only way to do that is if it made no sense to accept her clarification, and that's not the case here.
In any event, what Hume did was inexcusable.
And read the whole tag line:
OBAMA: And I'm talking about me.
Michelle Obama's remarks were, IMO, directed at all the candidates and their spouses, including Sarah Palin...and including herself.
Right, I think what people are missing is the viewpoint here. If Hillary were to allude to a woman in the campaign, it would pretty much have to be Palin, because Michelle isn't running. But Michelle is married to someone running for President. She's in the spotlight. So I think that's the viewpoint this comment comes through, where she's looking at Obama and herself as a couple that's being evaluated by the public in making their decision.
I would suggest that she was talking about herself, Palin and anyone else running for office or married to a candidate. How much would Rommney's super duper looks be an issue? How much did Hannity et al make of Edwards "Breck Girl" looks.
Michele is making an honest effort to get voters to focus on the issues and voting records.
"There was nothing wrong, nothing offensive, nothing demeaning about her preceeding statement, unless you're someone who's voting for a candidate based on looks or personality."
I (gasp) agree with you on that one.
"The righties are going to eat your lunch on this one if you don't practice a little intellectual honesty and admit that yes, Michelle was talking about Sarah - But so what? Where does the conversation go from there?"
I (gasp) agree with you again. I don't think mmfa does, though. They are intent on continually bringing up this issue as if it's important.
Careful, we got a million of those stupid one-liners on O'bama. "57 states"? "I'm in Kansas"? Of course that was a classic, since he did it in front of millions of viewers. If that guy is so stupid after a day of work, how is he going to handle the presidency? There's your qualification standard...if the candidate can't think after being awake 10 hours he shouldn't be president.
Conservative information is info in the media that is not reliable or accurate and that furthers the conservative agenda. The rightie posters who tried to push the WITH agenda on the other posting about the 'she's cute' comment were off-base here - let's see if I can't head them off on this posting so it doesn't get derailed with that nonsense.
Let's say that Michele Obama was suggesting that people shouldn't vote for Sarah Palin simply because she's cute. That would be a personal attack by Michele Obama - an attack on voters who would be shallow enough to vote for someone based upon their looks, and a smear of Palin that she might only deserve and receive the support of some people because of her looks.
So, when the media promotes that Michele Obama actually did that, they make her look worse than she actually deserves to look, because she wasn't saying anything about Sarah Palin.
If the media information makes a liberal look worse than they deserve to look, or makes a conservative look better than they deserve to look, that forwards the conservative agenda. It's pretty darn simple. That's why this is here.
Irony
I see no irony here, since that is exactly what she said.
Mary
What is ridiculous is MO denying the comment was about Palin. She said it, and she knew exactly how it would come across. The comment was not such a big deal. The denial is ridiculous.
POV, How stupid have the Republicans become to fall for a trap like this, you included. Let the Righties Cry Me A River over this one.
POV, Here is a hint...Both sides do things like this. It is like the famous Italian suppository....innuendo. If you listen to the part before the laughter, you figure it is about Princess Sarah..but like any Reeper project, you never wait until it is over to see the ending, you just make it up. Now if you listen to the above clip...maybe you did, there is an ending that grabbed you by the short hairs. Too bad..hasn't Priness Sarah done the same thing....It this case, Mrs.Obama used the Reeper motto..The END Justifies the Means. And why didn't the Brit Girl play the whole clip??? Bet you can't honestly answer that one.
Methinks the wheels are coming off the Reepers once again..because the Obama Express has finally taken action. Can't wait for the debates...unless Gramps decides that they aren't necessary. WAIT, who am I kidding, he'll be just like Ms. Maverick and do what they are told. Remember, the Crown Princess of the Alaska Civil Defense was for testifying in Troopgate until the McCain campaign TOLD her she was against it. POV, shame on you for your premature evaluation.
Thats Clown Princes.
It's not exactly what Michelle Obama said... It was Brit Hume who said:
While not directly mentioning Sarah Palin by name, Obama said...
Hume conveyed to his viewers that Mrs. Obama was, in fact, referring to Palin. Was Hume reporting that Palin or McCain took offense and accused Mrs. Obama of referring to Palin or was he simply interjecting gratuitously the suggestion that Mrs. Obama was dissing Palin?
Irony
All you have to do is listen.........actually listen to the who piece, and you know exactly what she was saying. She was with out a doubt talking about Plain. As I have said now, 3 times, I dont think what she said was a big deal. It was however, about Plain
The dishonest punk is dishonest again.
Michelle Obama said "I'm talking about me". So, all we have to do is listen to the whole piece and we will know exactly what she was saying. Without a doubt she was talking about herself, not about Palin (not Plain, Palin).
It doesn't matter whether you think it's a big deal if she was talking about Palin. As I said elsewhere, if she was talking about Palin, it would be a personal attack. Since she wasn't talking about Palin, leaving the impression that she was is media misinformation that furthers the conservative agenda by making her look worse than she deserves to look. Saying that she's making a personal attack when she was actually talking about herself and not making a personal attack forwards the conservative agenda.
Perhaps you're right, bottle. Mrs Obama could very well have been talking about herself. Mrs Obama thinks she is cute .... most men think they are good in bed, too.
Read my posts above... Considering the context and circumstances Michelle Obama's remarks could apply to all of the candidates and their spouses...including herself.
Brit Hume actually wanted to spare Michelle Obama some humiliation. Because if he DID report that she said "I'm talking about me," he'd also have to report that she told an obvious and deliberate lie. Just like the lie that Media Matters is promoting right here. Media Matters knows that Michelle Obama was lying, because she was saying that people should not make the decision to VOTE for someone because of cuteness. And no one can vote for Michelle Obama, because she is not running for office. So, as the audience clearly knew, Michelle Obama was talking about Sarah Palin.
I guess Michelle Obama was just trying to be "cute."
Nope. She was saying, no one should vote for a candidate because the candidate's spouse is good looking! It was a piece of self-deprecating humor.
It's your mistaken twist on what she said that it must be directed at candidates themselves.
Blondie
Where exactly does she use the word spouse? Oh yea,,,she didnt.
Do you expect to be taken seriously with that? You don't have to use a specific word to refer to a concept.
She said she was talking about herself. She's a spouse! Geez, reading comprehension doesn't seem all that difficult for a concept like this.
"She was saying, no one should vote for a candidate because the candidate's spouse is good looking!"
Why didn't she say "he's cute" then? Palin is married to a man, not a woman. Or maybe she was talking about McCain's wife, she's cute. Maybe Biden's wife, she's cute. Mrs Obama isn't cute, so she was definately NOT talking about herself. Maybe in a stuck-up kind of way, but only in that way.
It should be the democrats who want to divert attention. Clinton signed the bill that allowed all this to happen. Perhaps that is why we are talking about the economy on a 'did MO say cute' thread. Mmfa is already doing their duty of diverting attention away from the economic mess Clinton desired. That's what happens when your desire is to have unqualified borrowers suddenly allowed to qualify for loans they can't afford. We all know he's an idiot, but what did he think would happen when he signed that bill?
Bob, the way you called me names last week . It thought I told you that you are on my ignore list.
Do you know what ignored means?
Gee, Oscar the Grouchie, we're very upset;
We never had the votes that ev'ry Dem oughta get.
We get so misquoted:
We're misunderstood.
Deep down inside us there is good!
*apologies to Leonard Bernstein
What Michelle was saying was "don't vote for my husband because I am cute!"
She wasn't talking about some woman who is running for office. She wasn't saying that she is running for office. She said don't use the fact that you think I'm cute as a reason to vote for my husband.
No, what you are saying is the lie.
She was talking about herself. She was talking about not voting for a candidate because his wife was cute.
She even clarified the comment by saying that she was talking about herself, you dishonest punk!
"She was talking about not voting for a candidate because his wife was cute."
Ok, I won't vote for O'bama. But, his wife is definately NOT cute. She's actually kind of skanky, especially when she gets that 'radical feminist' face on. O'bama must be one hen-pecked husband!
People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, "I like that guy." Or, you know, "She's cute." You know, this isn't --
[applause]
OBAMA: And I'm talking about me.
People (voters) shouldn't make a decision (who they're going to vote for) this time (because they have done it in the past) based on "I like that guy." (which they did when they voted for Ronald Reagan and George W Bush - a guy they could drink a beer with) Or, you know, "She's cute." (like some did when they voted for JFK based upon their affinity for Jackie, or when women voted for George W Bush because they liked his wife and thought she was cute).
OBAMA: And I'm talking about me. (I'm talking about voting for my husband because you think I'm cute.)
She's not running. She was talking about voting for her husband because of foolish reasons. She was talking about not voting for a candidate for invalid reasons that might either relate to the candidate (I like him or her) or to the candidate's spouse (I like him or her).
The invalid reasons might relate to feelings about the candidate himself or feelings about other equally invalid reasons that we've seen in many recent elections!
Subjective statements offer little to bite into.
How bout Alaska's first dude's coment on non alaskans. It can easily be interpeted that he doesn't think much of the ocupants of the lower 49. But I don't see anyone pushing it.
That you can willingly twist an innocent coment to push bad feelings against Ms. Obama reinforces the image that you have presented pretty consistently in this forum. You comdem any liberal easily and fail to see any problem associated with neocon policies or attitude.
False charges and vile baseless personal attacks are all Bobthep has. His post has been flagged since it has nothing to do with the discussion and is only an assinine attempt to get attention he doesn't deserve and make accusations that are without merit.
Let's see how many of my posts get canned, Bob, versus how many of yours do.
Now that the wheels are coming off Johnny's Flip-flop Express, the new stragedy (mispell intentional) is to go back to micromanaging the words of Michelle Obama. The blatant fear mongering is amazing. Thanks Brittie.
Well, this morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Mika and Joe showed the clip again and clipped it before Michelle's comment was complete. Then they went on to moan and groan about such sexist comments. Mika and Joe are too cute...by half.
"Considering the fact that Grampy and his minions have been saying that Obama wants to kill babies, and give Sex Ed. to kindergardeners, "
Considering O'bama has agreed with those statements I don't think many who look at Mrs Obama's cuteness will vote for Mr O'bama. Michelle Obama calling herself cute is equal to wzwriter calling me smart ... it aint true
Of course, Obama doesn't want to kill babies or give Sex Ed to kindergarteners, but you know this already. You get some credit for pointing out that you aren't smart, though, that's a rare bit of truth from you that should not go unnoticed.