Dick Durbin: People Sliming Michelle Obama Deserve The "Hottest Ring In Hell"

Following hard on the heels of this morning's L.A. Times article, warning of further forthcoming attacks on Michelle Obama, and Maureen Dowd's NYT column detailing the same, Illinois Senator and Obama-backer Richard Durbin offered up some choice, unminced words, assailing those who would traffic in such fare, telling MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell: "The hottest ring in Hell is reserved for those in politics who attack their opponents' families."

[WATCH.]

O'DONNELL: Can I ask you, too, about what Maureen Dowd wrote in today's New York Times about the Republicans targeting Michelle Obama. She wrote: "It's good news for Obama that Hillary's out of the race. But it's also bad news. Now Republicans can turn their full attention to demonizing Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama is the new, unwilling contestant in Round Two of the sulfurous national game of 'Kill the witch.'" What's your reaction to that?

DURBIN: Well, I know Michelle. She has been my friend and a friend of my wife for many, many years. She can take it. She can handle herself. She is a very accomplished person. But I will tell you this: the hottest ring in Hell is reserved for those in politics who attack their opponents' families. And if there are some Republican strategists that think that's the way to win the election, I think they are wrong.

O'DONNELL: Wow, well, there you have it. That's a line. Senator Durbin, very interesting, thanks for joining us. We appreciate it.

Comments

[GeorgeKaplan]

Michelle will get the same treatment that Hillary got in the 90's and until today.

[meanguy]

wow...out of hitler, mao, stalin, charlie manson, ted bundy, idi amin, pol pot, numerous child rapists...let's reserve the hottest ring in hell for people who criticize a politician's wife??????? ohj, yes, that sort of thing is MUCH worse that pedophilia, incest, rape, mass murder, genocide...DURBIN IS AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[skateboy30]

Add another Republican Tactic to the list that earns them the label Subhuman Fascist Filth.

[biglover]

The Repugs are desperate. You watch, this will only fly with the most ignorant of those among us. It will, for the most part, backfire in their faces.

We are going to clean house in November.

OBAMA 2008-2016

KEEP THE FAITH

[Mitchell4A]

There are web sites out there "sliming" Obama, and they claim to be run by Hillary supporters. One thing that Clinton could do right now to show her support for Obama is denounce and distance herself from these sites.

"An Open Letter to Senator Clinton: Please Help Undermine the Anti-Obama Web Sites (using your name)"
http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[joeinvt]

The only thing more ironic than hearing people who slimed Hillary based on unfounded rumors, malicious gossip, and outright lies for months on end complain when Barack is treated similarly is hearing that she is also being blamed for creating the anti-Obama slime sites. You'd have thought she would have created these sites and started these rumors before he locked up the nomination. Mark Penn dropped that ball too, I guess.

[vsign]

Let Obama stand on his own two feet for once.

[leftoflennon]

Good on ya Senator !

[CGrace]

I was watching MSNBC yesterday when Senator Durbin made that comment. I thought it was great. He would be a much better Senate Majority Leader that Reid.

As far as Cindy McCain goes, she stole prescription drugs, for her habit, from the non-profit she was working for and blamed it on a doctor. She's not only a addict and thief, but tried to send an innocent doctor to prison over it. And why didn't she serve any time for what she did?

[jomal58]

Good for you, Senator Durbin. You have shown that the fear of fear mongering no longer has a stronghold and that you are hopefully not the last to stand up and be counted to stand-up against republican manipulation.

It has come to that time for republican-suppoters to know that their form of hate mongering is no longer a win-able methodology. This is clearly demonstrated by the losses that incumbent republican candidates have been feeling of late. Hopefully they will all be forced into imposed retirement before they can further destroy this country.

So much for "Contract With America." It sounds more like that right-wing republican real goals have always been Contract ON America! Bye, bye now!

[ChrisGee]

An issue here that may be understated is that Obama's campaign, if successful, would result in the U.S. having its first African-American First Lady. This notion must be driving legions of bigoted/racist "conservative" white woman nuts. I say "conservative" in quotes because that is how a friend of mine's wife described themselves in a hushed tone one dinner-party evening a number of years ago, only to follow this statement up with numerous derogatory stories and rants about immigrants and people of color as polluting and destroying American society. I was shocked by her statements as I had never heard such things from my friend. And in later conversations with him, it became clear to me that his wife was in fact the hard-core racist of the family.

So take note, media mavens and political pundits: attacks on Michelle may have more to do with the Republican's attempt to tap into the fear among racist WOMEN voters that a strong-willed and accomplished BLACK woman (shudders all around) could become the "number one lady" in the nation. As a white male voter of the Obama's generation who tries to live a color-blind life, to see people for the skills and character they possess, I have one more thing to say on this matter: Michelle, you go, girl!

[uheardme]

"So take note, media mavens and political pundits: attacks on Michelle may have more to do with the Republican's attempt to tap into the fear among racist WOMEN voters that a strong-willed and accomplished BLACK woman (shudders all around) could become the "number one lady" in the nation. "


NO ONE wants to touch this. Why are people avoiding the obvious?

[meanguy]

it's only 'obvious' in bizarro-world

[CaptainVideo]

Michelle Obama came from a working class family and got to where she is on the basis of her own abilities. Cindy McCain was born into wealth and priviledge. She is the very personification of an elitist.

Michelle Obama is a faithful wife and mother. Cindy McCain is an adulterer and a home wrecker.

I say if they want to compare wives, bring it on.

[liberaldemdave]

...you left out drug abuser and thief regarding "cindypills"... my 2 favorite first-lady qualifications.

[biglover]

Good for you Captain,. Well said and it's all true,.

[Bocababs]

And there you have it......Stop talking about the wives.....both of them.....!!

[michaelgp72]

The GOP's only hope in this general election is a "smear campaign" and not an "issues campaign.
I swear some of these "GOP strategist do not have a soul" Thanks Sen. Durbin for steppin up to the
plate and defending Michelle! Good lookin out!

[UltraClassic]

Can you say Laura Bush and the Bush daughters? What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[CitizenFace]

Please cite which campaigns made fun of Mrs. Bush or the Bush daughters in an effort to win a campaign. Please, please do.

[seawolf77]

Oh this is so ripe. A Republican wanting to lecture us on fairness. Oh please please tell us what's fair so we'll know. Please I am lost without your sermons. Oh just being posted next to someone so wise is an honor. UGHHHH!

[TheOneironaut]

Those attacks on Laura Bush and his daughters were the Bush's reaping what they sowed! They ran cindy mc'cain through the mud when Mc'Cain ran the 1st time! So yeah obviously spousal attack is a republican weapon!

[athenasword]

Way to go, Sen. Durbin! Bravo for standing up for O's wife and family and for speaking against the slime that passes for politics.

[sheaftosser]

Get ready for Swiftboating squared. The rethuglican slime machine is just getting warmed up.

[NightRider]

We are ready. They will not have this "conversation" by themselves.

MO does not have a drug problem.

MO did not steal.

MO is no Trollop.

Cindy "fake barbie" fits that bill.

[michaelgp72]

Rethuglican? Now thst's funny! LOL! Good one!

[michaelgp72]

Rethuglican? Now that's funny, I like it. LOL! Good one!!