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Sam Stein

The Huffington Post

McAuliffe Says Russert's Dad Is 'Watching From Heaven' -- He's Alive (VIDEO)

May 11, 2008 11:48 AM

Read More: Big Russ, Big Russ Dead, Mcauliffe Russert's Dad Dies, Meet The Press, Meet The Press Russert's Dad, Russert Dead, Russert's Dad Dead, Terry McAuliffe, Tim Russert, Video, Media News
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In perhaps one of the more uncomfortable moments in recent Meet the Press history, Clinton campaign co-chair Terry McAuliffe insinuated on Sunday that host Tim Russert's father was dead. He isn't.

Expounding -- for the tenth time during the interview -- the virtues of Hillary Clinton's political tenacity, McAuliffe suggested that both his and Russert's dad would be watching her admirably from heaven... perhaps drunk.

"But it's not impossible for Hillary Clinton to win," said McAuliffe. "A lot of people have said that. Big Russ, if he were sitting here today -- nothing's impossible. Jack McAuliffe, if they were with us today, they're probably both in heaven right now Tim, probably having a scotch, looking down saying, you know what: this fight goes on. It's good for the Democratic Party. Millions of people coming out to vote, it's exciting."

Not missing a beat, Russert quickly corrected his always genial guest.

"Big Russ is in the Barcalounger still watching this," he said. "God bless him."

And god bless McAuliffe as well.

 

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collapse glaze See Profile I'm a Fan of glaze

I make my living (?) caring for elderly people. Once again, reading articles like this about those who labor in The Fluff Machine, makes me realize I am astronomically underpaid.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:39 AM on 05/14/2008
collapse panderwatch See Profile I'm a Fan of panderwatch

Maybe McAuliffe thought that by resurrecting Big Russ he could also resurrect HRC"s chances. Besides the gaff, ironically McAuliffe is demonstrating why Hillary should not get the nomination: every week the campaign comes up with a new reason for her to be the chosen one. The only consistent thing about her campaign is the inconsistancy of the message. Hillary changes her core values to suit each race. Sorry Terry, but this time Hillary is not like Big Russ with a hope and dream. She was the anointed who lost her bearings (no age bias intended) and ran a sloppy campaign. She is the establishment at a moment when the people are clamoring for change.

As we"ve said here before on this blog, Hillary has every right to continue campaigning through the final primaries. She"s worked hard and the remaining states deserve a chance to cast their vote. But her campaign is so desparate to win us over they keep digging deeper for reasons for her continuted presence.

I have a recommendation: instead of pushing their candidate so hard, keep the "talking points" related to the rights of the voters and the process. Stay in because your supporters want you to stay. Give something back for a change.

To paraphrase the Beach Boys" "Surfin" USA," we can wait for June.

panderwatch.com

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:48 AM on 05/13/2008
collapse courgood See Profile I'm a Fan of courgood

The most egregious part of this - aside from the death faux pas - is that MTP is the premier Sunday political talk show - watched by politicos everywhere. And anyone who watches regularly or even semi-regularly hears Russert mention his ALIVE Dad every other week in some way - only second to his Buffalo Bills. Anyone knowing of these regular shout-outs would also know that the day Big Russ does pass, Russert would likely devote a significant mention of same. HOW ON EARTH DOES A TOP POLITICAL OPERATIVE NOT WATCH MTP ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS?!? Especially one who pandered by claiming to have read the Russert books that address a lot of time to Big Russ. There was a double faux pas - in that, in the same breath as not knowing Russert's father was still alive - Terry was also saying that he doesn't watch the show much. Even those in the political biz who may not like Russert have to make it a part of their regular viewing to be competent. Jeez - embarassing on so many levels.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:04 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse Eddieboyd2001 See Profile I'm a Fan of Eddieboyd2001

"hard for Obama to get the hard working Americans, White Americans to vote for him". I guess the rest of us are lazy good for nothing nonworking UnAmericans. And Clinton suppporters wonder why she is losing? Now who is playing the "race card"

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:30 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse mshinbone See Profile I'm a Fan of mshinbone

I recorded MTP yesterday and watched it after I put my son to sleep. Normally I would be screaming at the TV when Terry tried to bring us along on his alternate view of reality. All I could do was laugh and take comfort in knowing that it's over. Further, while he was saying the right things about getting behind Obama, I realize his moment in the sun has come and now gone. He and the rest of team Clinton will bow out and hopefully say the right things. Then they're going to have to disapear as they've lost all credibility. I would not want this guy out there giving talking points on behalf of Obama. I pray it does not come to that.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:44 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse Braves71 See Profile I'm a Fan of Braves71


And darn glad Big Russ IS upstate in his barcalounger.
Those guys should never go. Wish my WWII Dad were still here.
Keep watching, Big Russ!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:23 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse Eckfan See Profile I'm a Fan of Eckfan

Just one more example, as if we needed any more proof, of the Clintons hiring those loyal to them, instead of those most capable of the job, just like the Bushies and the Repub Party. Mark Penn being another example, not knowing about California's Democratic delegate rules and thinking it worked just like the Republicans and then not giving a damn after he was corrected. Thus, you had all the bs about "winning the big states" and the "small states don't matter." This fact alone disqualifies Clinton for the presidency. McAuliffe is a lying big money scumbag, he's no Democrat. He should be run out of the Democratic Party along with all his DLC cronies. Yeah, that's just what this country needs, another president that only cares about loyalty and big money cronies. It astounds me the number of "Democrats" that believe Clinton is the best for the job. She hired the biggest union buster in this nation's history as her top dog, because he's a loyal dog. You Hillary losers should really explain this because it defies common sense.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:26 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse donttasemebro See Profile I'm a Fan of donttasemebro

Terry reminds me more and more of "Baghdad Bob", the Iraqi information minister, who claimed steadfastly that there were no American soldiers in his country, even as the tanks were rolling by him in the background.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:14 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse dm92 See Profile I'm a Fan of dm92

He has always reminded me of a snake oil salesman...

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:49 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse repuglycon See Profile I'm a Fan of repuglycon

After watching his rant I got the same feeling as I get from watching republican senators giving speaches on C- Span. Both should require a spew alert warning.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:12 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse panchovilla See Profile I'm a Fan of panchovilla

I'm no fan of McAuliffe, who I believe is the face of big-money special interests in the Democratic Party. That said, I don't like it that we take snippets of somebody's public statements (a la Rev. Wright) and make a big deal out of them. I'd rather have the Huffington Post or anybody else from the press conducting a thorough investigation of the connections between big money interests and the policies the Democrats promote while in power. That'd be great.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:26 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse MainSpark See Profile I'm a Fan of MainSpark

panchovilla wrote:

"I don't like it that we take snippets of somebody's public statements (a la Rev. Wright) and make a big deal out of them."

That makes two of us.

Did McAuliffe come off as clueless? You betcha! Deservedly so. Did the remark have anything to do with the campaigns? Not in the least. Does it speak poorly of Hillary Clinton? Just as much as the uproar over Rev. Wright said anything about Obama. That's to say, nothing.

What's next? Will one of the Obama children be disciplined at school, thereby causing the mob to denounce him as a lousy parent? Will Hillary's dog bite the mailman, signaling to the world that she can't exercise control over a pet?

Too petty. Too shallow. Too immature.

Oh, sorry. I was thinking about voters from another party.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:31 AM on 05/13/2008
collapse ObamaEdwards See Profile I'm a Fan of ObamaEdwards

There you have it. Out of touch with reality. That is the Clinton World for you. They'll say anything to win, whether it's true or not, without fact checking or talking to the people around them. Hillary Clinton is living in her own fantasy, and her people are right there with her, sipping the blue Kool-Aid.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:22 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse TotobiAyokoh23 See Profile I'm a Fan of TotobiAyokoh23

With Hillary's campaign in distress, that guy is a dead-man-walking and therefore, thought everybody is dead! Poor boy.......

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:47 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse KyleCope See Profile I'm a Fan of KyleCope

LOL - Check out this funny Hillary spoof before she orders a hit on me!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wGMgxFE6bms

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:31 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Gumby123 See Profile I'm a Fan of Gumby123

This incident should not be turned into a wedge in dividing the Democratic Party.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:22 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse ruthinking See Profile I'm a Fan of ruthinking

Terry Auliffe seemed to be on "something" yesterday. He had a mad-dog appearance, couldn't quite focus and very unwilling to listen.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:16 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse dm92 See Profile I'm a Fan of dm92

I think it was a simple case of too much coffee - he looked a little wired.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:50 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse whatsmyname See Profile I'm a Fan of whatsmyname

ru thinking....EXCELLENT Observation..........and wish more people were that honest and aware. I'll bet he believes in Clinton's camp motto; Better Life Through Chemistry. Salute.........

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:13 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse seenitall See Profile I'm a Fan of seenitall

too much time in the Clinton vacuum...

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:22 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse hbw3 See Profile I'm a Fan of hbw3

I think it's a Kool Aid/Crown Royal cocktail.

Not his fault - the campaign is so broke that he's being paid in cocktails.

Does he realize there's a Republican to run against in November that he needs to help the whole of the Democratic Party now?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:47 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse MyNameIsJames See Profile I'm a Fan of MyNameIsJames

Ha Ha Ha - Good one!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:06 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse Bluedog12 See Profile I'm a Fan of Bluedog12

I was saddened to hear of Big Russ' s passing. Reminds me of an old Mark Twain quote.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:09 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse gladys46 See Profile I'm a Fan of gladys46

Amazing how a campaign so lauded as being a political "machine" the Clinton Machine has run amock .. out of oil and gas ... it's amazing! Terry, et als of Hillary's camp are actually embarrassing so is she.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:43 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Obamlatina See Profile I'm a Fan of Obamlatina

And the magic number is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OsYnegoV28

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:19 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse gladys46 See Profile I'm a Fan of gladys46

What is the magic # ... Hillary keeps moving the posts!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:35 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse amber09 See Profile I'm a Fan of amber09

I also think Obama's mother is watching from Heaven with tears in her eyes! How ironic that Obama's mother who was white and if alive today would be 64, the profile of the vote that Clinton says Obama can't get! Its the Clinton's that don't get it...its over and the only chice is will it end with some level of class or desgrace! I'm betting on the latter! Also, I voter for Obama last feb. and have been hanging on by my fingernails ever since praying he would win. Now that its quite certain I want to hear the media singing his praises vs. saying what he now has to do. Please, a few days for his supportors to celebrate would be nice!!!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:04 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Nekolb See Profile I'm a Fan of Nekolb

I watched this...and that Terry guy was pretty out of control. It was hilarious!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:01 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Obamlatina See Profile I'm a Fan of Obamlatina

yep, i think he may have had a couple of crown royal shots with Hillary prior to going on the show.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:20 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse rh654 See Profile I'm a Fan of rh654

Hillary and her propensity for tall tales is rubbing off on Terry.

Terry - RUN from the Clinton group as fast as you can and save yourself.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:32 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Bozwellian See Profile I'm a Fan of Bozwellian

LOL, Terry has BEEN part of the CLinton IN CROWD...helped to promote the C's as INEVITIBLE and formidible and figured could be spun that the "people" were supporting THEIR RETURN...truly good days for many CLINTONITES and reason enough for them to stay in the camp and promote the C's for as the C's go, so do they and THEIR PROSPECTS !! Terry got "caught" "shopping" for his next "gig"...he likely DOES know the C's have LOST this one bigtime but according to Clinton "rules", helle has no fury like Clinton scornings so is holding back many others as well as they YET refuse to acknowledge REALITY !!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:41 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse gladys46 See Profile I'm a Fan of gladys46

Terry's in far to deep. He appears to be on the verge of implosion but, then so does hillary. Can't understand how hillary continues to allow the media to classify her base as "uneducated," "poor" and all other perhaps meant to demean brands!! Hillary pretended to be soooo outraged at obama's perceived "bitter" remarks about her so-called base while at the same time she has said nothing of an "uneducated/ignorant" collection ... nor has that same "base!!"

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:30 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse sunzen See Profile I'm a Fan of sunzen

Terry its time for the intervention...not the convention

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:29 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Amidoinitrite See Profile I'm a Fan of Amidoinitrite

Wow.

He could have just as easily said "God Himself" and @ least half of America wouldn't care. Jesus though, dead fathers as justification? That's desperate.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:16 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Mygirl See Profile I'm a Fan of Mygirl

She has a big lead in WV. Big deal; Does this mean she will have more delegates than Obama? This was already projected just as he is projected to win Oregon. Hillary's big state little state scenario is silly. It would really be a surprise if all of those uneducated people in WV didn't vote for her especially if they realize that they she has told the world that they are dumb.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:08 AM on 05/12/2008
collapse Bozwellian See Profile I'm a Fan of Bozwellian

Hillary neds evidently to prove SHE can win a "small" state....Her BROAD BASE has been decimated further by her outrageous comment regarding "hard working WHITE folks which leaves out her other undeducated masses in the hispanic and even female communities !!! The ARROGANCE of her making that statement, now being spun as just what AP reported and nothing more, is a load of BS and shows where the CLintons truly do lie !!! They consider themselves doing the "little people" , evidently too stupid themselves so the C's sell it a sif THEY are the little people protectors and that is ABSURD if one truly investigates their record !! The C's are in it to win for themselves and woe to ALL and any others...they will use and continue to abuse and then claim THEY are the victims and others just picking on them and blah, blah, blah. SOMEBODY, get the "hook" and yank them off the center stage...they have indeed stayed too long at the fair !!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:47 PM on 05/12/2008
collapse JerseyBob See Profile I'm a Fan of JerseyBob

GRIEVING MARY

If I"m having a lie down
and McAuliffe says I"m dead,
Sweet Jesus shake me!
Wake me from a slumber deep!

But if indeed I have moved on,
McAuliffe will have my vote the same,
with five to my grieving Mary
each time she plays the game

And you my good friend I"ll trust
to keep him away from Mary
'till he needs my vote again.
I'll be watching from heaven!


(Discounting the spoof, I'd rather have McAuliffe working for me than against me. He defines loyalty.)