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Obama Says GOP "Trying to Make Michelle Into a Scary Person"

June 13, 2008 7:58 AM

At a posh fundraiser for the Democrat's White House Victory Fund last night -- $28,500 a head -- at the fancy Lincoln Park abode of Sara and James Star in Lincoln Park, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, appreciatively noted the homemade nametag of former Leo Burnett advertising executive Rick Fizdale.

"They have these wonderful stickers that said, 'Rick Hussein Fizdale,'" Obama said. "The theory was, we’re all 'Hussein.'"

"But that accurately captures, I think, the strategy" Republicans are trying to use against him, Obama said. "Come on. They’re going to try to make me into a scary guy. They’re even trying to make Michelle into a scary person. Right? And so that drumbeat – we’re not sure if he’s patriotic or not, we’re not sure if he is too black. I don’t know, before I wasn’t black enough. Now he might be too black. We don’t know whether he’s going to socialize – well, who knows what.”

At a second fundraiser last night, Obama acknowledged a moment's hesitation before venturing out Sunday on his bike in not his most flattering photo-op.

“I had an internal debate,” he said. “Because I knew that the A.P. was going to take a picture, and they were trying to portray it like Dukakis wearing that tank helmet. But I wanted to make sure that the children who saw that picture knew that even the Democratic nominee for president wears a helmet when he goes biking. Now, obviously the rest of my apparel was apparently not up to snuff, because I got a hard time from all sorts of blogs who said I looked like Urkel.”

- jpt

June 13, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (142)

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"GOP Trying to Make Michelle Into a Scary Person"?

They don't have to try very hard!

Posted by: Rhys | Jun 13, 2008 2:57:22 PM

I don't care what McCain called his wife. Just make sure we never call Michelle a First Lady because that ain't gonna happen.

Michelle called America a "mean country." Well, Michelle, I can't even print what we call you.

Thanks Michelle for helping McCain defeat your husband.

When you and your husband are sent back to the senate, you can continue to bash America. Just do it outside the Oval Office.

Posted by: Jo | Jun 13, 2008 2:56:25 PM

I don't think you have to try very hard to make her scary.

Posted by: tww | Jun 13, 2008 2:48:19 PM

McCain and his army of
Republican supporters.

The blind leading the
blind into a ditch.

Posted by: anon | Jun 13, 2008 2:44:59 PM

The scariest thing is that the
Republicans are offering McCain
as a serious candidate for POTUS.

His understanding of the economy
is vague and blurry. He hasn't
figured out Iraq. He doesn't know
who is fighting whom or why.

On the two most critical issues,
the septuagenarian draws a blank.

Posted by: anon | Jun 13, 2008 2:28:47 PM

republicans rule:
"At the time, legal experts told the Phoenix New Times that had she not been married to John, she likely would have been sentenced to federal prison."

On the other hand, had she not been married to McCain, maybe she wouldn't have been ABLE to steal from them.

Besides, people that rich do NOT go to prison -- especially for some little drug heist -- in case you haven't noticed.

Betcha McCain wishes, first thing every morning, that he had his FIRST wife back.

Posted by: Belle Starr | Jun 13, 2008 2:15:31 PM

Man, this blog proves you can't cure stupid.

Posted by: Jeanne from Michigan | Jun 13, 2008 1:42:14 PM

Want to see something REALLY SCARY?

Read some of the immature, ill-informed, and vicious comments in blogs like this.

It scares me to death that these people will vote and help decide who runs our country.

Be afraid; be very afraid.

Posted by: Becky | Jun 13, 2008 1:36:49 PM

Cindy McCain.... Now that's scary.

Posted by: Omentum | Jun 13, 2008 1:34:56 PM

"Obama has mental health issues. Identity problems"

As evidenced by his inability to quit smoking and the self anguish that he wrote about in his books.

Posted by: Mack | Jun 13, 2008 1:34:48 PM

His policies are a moving target. He doesn't get too specific, because he is afraid of being held accountable(Hence, all of the Present votes). With him in office, it would be 4 years of the race card and excuses. No thanks.

Posted by: Mack | Jun 13, 2008 1:25:17 PM

Lee - Believe everything you're told, eh?

Posted by: A | Jun 13, 2008 12:50:11 PM

Obama or Dems are not raising taxes, that is a republican lie. They plan on ending the occupation of Iraq, and quit Bush's tax cuts for the rich and corporations, which are now laying off the middle class working people, what do
they need tax cuts for, to pay their CEO's,and when they get fired, golden parachutes to live in castles for the balance of their lives, hell no, we need change, I am tired of corporate America running the Government, tax breaks for the working class and middle
income earners should be the change.

Posted by: Lee | Jun 13, 2008 12:46:28 PM

Mack | Jun 13, 2008 12:11:16 PM -- I vote based on the issues that are important to this country and my family and my perception of a candidate’s ability to deliver the goods. Barack Obama is not the one for me. He is well educated, but indecisive, wishy-washy, and back slides when it serves him best to do so. Michelle Obama is educated well, too. Though, she needs to think before she opens her mouth and inserts her foot into it, again. Both are haughty and arrogant: A trait I do not find overly redeeming.

I have served this country proudly during my lifetime. Your arrogance and ignorance implies otherwise. I dare you.

I have spent more that enough time with you this day troll. Have a good day. Bye.

Posted by: OpusRooster | Jun 13, 2008 12:39:30 PM

these are the same tactics used against hillary; smear tactics, and fearmongering.

Posted by: sonia trevino | Jun 13, 2008 12:26:33 PM

Michelle is definitely not first lady material.

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 13, 2008 12:25:47 PM

She is a scary person. boo

Posted by: Kitty | Jun 13, 2008 12:21:35 PM

Repost after being deleted:

Jason, you have totally misrepresented the Republican proposal for Social Security. It is not to totally privatize Social Security. Instead the proposal is to allow (this is an option, not a mandate) individuals to take 2%-4% of what they currently pay into Social Security and place that into a private account. Upon retirement the normal Social Security benefits will be reduced accordingly but not eliminated. But that 2%-4% placed into the private account IS part of that individual's estate.

Now then you wrote: "SSA is well run..." Social Security is a racist program. The current life expectancy for white men and white woman are 74.7 years and 80.1 years respectively. The life expectancy for black men and black men are 68.3 years and 75.1, years respectively. Full retirement age for individuals born in 1960 or later is 67. So the average black male born in 1960 or later is only expected to receive 1.3 years of benefits. While his average white male counter part is expected to received 7.7 years of benefits.

I, personally, wish that Social Security would be grandfathered out -- completely. Here is a interesting example. About 20 years ago a county in Texas wanted to take their county employees off Social Security and replace it with a private pension. In order to do that, the county employees had to vote. A simple majority, either way, meant that the entire workforce had to go along with the vote of the majority. It was a close vote, but the workforce elected to opt out of Social Security. There were a lot of unhappy county workers. ALL of the money withheld from their paychecks was invested into government guaranteed bonds. When the time came for the first retirees to begin receiving their pensions they, and their former co-workers were shocked. While the average Social Security payment is about $1,000 per month, these retirees received payments of between $8,000-$9,000 per month. Needless to say, the county workers are no longer unhappy about the decision to opt out of Social Security.

Posted by: James Danley | Jun 13, 2008 12:20:20 PM

Kafir, Social Security did begin in the 1930s. However, Galveston Co., TX (thank you for reminding of the name of the county) was under Social Security for all those years until they voted to opt out about 20 years ago or so.

Posted by: James Danley | Jun 13, 2008 12:17:54 PM

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SMARTER THAN THIS SO STOP THE FEAR MONGERING!
------------------------
Mike agree with the first part of your comments about Michelle. However, I think you overestimate the intellegence of much of our country.

Many Americans are gulible. They want dirt and controversy. Many believe everything they hear without questioning it.

That's the GOP's only hope.

Posted by: Lame Tactics | Jun 13, 2008 12:16:45 PM

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