Shorter RNC Day Three: "Death To Community Organizers!"

You know, one of my great fears about John McCain's approach to national security is that he shows nary a whit of interest in busting out the ol' Google Map to find out the quickest route to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, where our terrorist enemies dwell and flourish, unharmed and unmolested. But after tonight, it appears all but certain that there is one group of people who McCain truly will chase all the way to the Gates of Hell: community organizers.

That's right. Tonight at the RNC, the McCain campaign made their feelings about community organizers abundantly clear. Defeated primary opponents spit on their name. Conventioneers loudly mocked their existence. Sarah Palin told not one, but two jokes about them, which is certainly a comedy foul, because everyone knows you are supposed to use the Rule Of Three.

Tonight, community organizers were made to feel the brunt of the Republicans' smarmy derision. And for what? You know, one overworked conservative trope from tonight was that the American people should not expect the government to solve all of their problems. You know who would agree with that? Community organizers. These men and women serve a public duty, taking care of those who do fall through the cracks of government largesse, motivating citizens to give their time and sweat to serve society's needs without making an unnecessary dip in the taxpayer till.

Community organizers mobilize volunteers that are young and old. They work from churches and community centers. They go to work in small towns and big cities. They assist people of all ages, and all walks of life. They tutor children, care for the infirm, spend time with the elderly, get food to the hungry, clothes to the needy. They expand opportunities and improve lives.

Why, if I'm not mistaken, they even make sure that voters can get to the polls on those odd Tuesdays in November.

It was a little surprising to see the good work of community organizers subjected to such jeers tonight. Was I dreaming when I saw all those people in the hall holding placards that read, "Service?" No, they were in fact carrying such signs, but they were doing so Tuesday, when there was a possibility that a hurricane in the Gulf Coast mattered, and when Hookers And Blow weren't playing the big lobbyist bacchanal. Tonight, they were carrying signs that read "Prosperity," which I suppose is shorthand for, "Don't hope for a better tomorrow, let Cindy McCain buy it for you wholesale."

Here's a little bit of delicious irony. It's been pointed out to me tonight that on September 11, Senators McCain and Obama will appear in New York City, participating in a forum for Service Nation. The topic? Community service and volunteerism. I imagine that many of you might have come out of tonight's RNC festivities with great concerns about the future welfare of our nations' community organizers. You might share your concerns with the event's organizers, by contacting them here. With any luck, this forum could get quite awkward for one of these candidates!

Comments

[jibaro2000]

It seems you didn't listen carefully. She was saying that is not the same to be a community organizer than a mayor or governor. Isn't that hard. And I am NOT a republican, just in case.

[LeslieT]

Yes, she said that one job (mayor) has actual responsibilities and the other (community organizer) does not. It isn't that hard to figure out why that might be considered offensive by community organizers themselves and those who have any respect for the work that community organizers do.

[MAINEREP]

Do any of you work in your community? I volunteer at rec. centers, as a firefighter and an EMT and can tell you that I was not insulted or bothered one bit by her remarks. I haven't decided on who to vote for yet, but I can tell you that I can relate much easier to McCain & Palin than Barack & Biden. Do you really think her tone was intended to hurt or put down community organizers?

[ObserverinVancouver]

Sen. Obama was a community organizer when he was approx. 22 to 25 years old. What was Gov. Palin doing at a similar age. Entering beauty contests, being a sportscaster, being a part time fisherman.

[Davwbaird]

Sorry? I consider community organizing a big responsible. It requires special people,.

[MAINEREP]

Are you serious! This is about the worst article I have read in a long, long time. Jason take some advice, I think you'd be better off writing about the dollar menu at the drive thru than attempting to criticize Palin's quick comparison remarks of Governor vs. Community Organizer. Especially after It was obscenely obvious that she was only trying to compare the responsibilities of two very different jobs. It amazes me that some of you can take something so far out of text and write a complete article, something so mundane that I actually find myself responding. I know the internet is killing your ability to write effectively and get paid accordingly. However, that leaves no excuse for this "crap"! You may pull up to the second window and obviously there's no need to ask you if you would like your meal supersized!

[msmusic2]

GIVE ME A BREAK!! What Ms. Palin said exactly was "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,'” This was clearly reflecting back to Barack’s self proclaimed “community organizing” experience and how that qualified him to be President of the United States. Just her experience as Mayor of ANY town trumps his tenure as a community organizer. Don’t jump on here and spout this unsubstantiated rhetoric and take sides with the few bruised community organizers out there who grossly misinterpreted the statement that was made. They are, in my opinion, a highly integral part of our society and nothing was maliciously directed at them as a whole in the first place!! Let’s stay focused on some REAL issues…

[LeslieT]

The only small flaw in your logic is that Barack Obama has never claimed that his community organizing experience alone qualifies him to be president. He does have some other job experience as well.

Her comment was rude, insulting and unfounded.

[kdpeters73]

Okay, so one side can talk about Mayors of small towns and Governors not being qualified or "having enough experience" to lead this country, but the other can't say that a community organizer isn't qualified? I believe that community organizers work hard for their cause, but so do Mayors and Governors.

I cannot stand the hypocrisy on either side of the coin, but it really bothers me when only one side is called on it.

[jhw22]

WWJD? He'd orgainze the community.

WWSPD? She'd say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Jennifer

[Carmeniris]

I was a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow, through Howard University, assigned to work as a community organizer, after finishing law school. I worked more than twelve hours a day including weekends, building communities from the ground up. Do I think that qualified me to be President of the United States? No. That's not to say that working for others to make their lives better is not a great thing. Is Palin qualified to be Vice President of the USA? Maybe not. But, neither is Obama, especially for the position of President of the USA. It is a shame that with so many millions of people in the USA, that's the best we can come up with. When I learned about Obama, I believed he could someday be president. I believe he was pushed in too soon because Oprah thought he should run. He was done a great diservice. Will I vote for him? Not in this election. I'm still voting Democrat for the other positions. Nope, neither will I vote for Biden. To be honest I am surprised he was willing to play second fiddle to a mixed race man. What I have learned about the guy so far is scary. I will not risk him becoming president. Maybe they will win but I will not be a part of it. People get the government they deserve. We (I didn't vote for him) chose Bush and look where he took us. God protect us from what is in our future.

[firebetty]

"...second fiddle to a mixed race man." I'm sorry, what exactly does this have to do with anything? You are clearly a bigot and a disgrace to the Democratic party. You should vote Republican all the way, because someone who's as ignorant as yourself deserves what you get when you vote for the continuation of the same political nonsense that's brought this country down for the last 8 years. I respect McCain as a politician, but just because he's a war hero doesn't mean he'd make a good president. You do remember his statements about keeping us in an unwanted war for "1000 years if that's what it takes"? Perhaps your assesment of the actual values of a Democrat are blurred by your intolerance of "mixed race" people. Good luck.

[Davwbaird]

Ability to lead and make good decisions is what I look for in President and their ability to organized the country to fight for itself for what it needs as a community. There is no one better qualified than Obama. He has demonstrated it via his amazing campaign and his great abilities shine. This not about him, but about us and us are going to win this election together for us. Want to joinis us? Or do you want to be left behind? The decision is yours make sure it is a wise one.

[dg1995]

Let's focus on the word experience. Its what this entire debate is about...community organizer vs. mayor and governor. So the Republicans say Obama does not have enough experience to run this country. Now George W. Bush had alot of experience when he assumed the presidency, especially as governor of the large state of Texas. I ask you all...where has all this experience led us? Nowhere! Bush's "experience" led us to a costly war, a huge deficit, the worst housing crisis in decades, recession, out of control gasoline prices and, need I add, increasing unemployment. So let's really ask ourselves, Americans, is "experience" the most important factor in this election? John McCain has not served as a governor either. He has served more years in the Senate..yes this is true, but, as we've heard, senatorial experience does not equal executive experience. If Palin has this executive experience as a Governor, then shouldn't Republicans put her forth as the Presidential nominee? Ohhhh..she's not experienced enough for that office. Interesting...because should anything happen to 72 year old, cancer survivor McCain, guess what, Mrs. Palin would be our President. As a woman, I would love to see the day when a woman is the leader of the free world but I'm not ready to bet on Palin.

[DenverCenterist]

But be realistic on this. Had Gore (or Kerry) won the election, he most likely would not have taken us into war in either Iraq or Afghanistan. We would have Sadam and the Taliban, still in power, still thumbing their noses at the international community, and in the case of the Taliban, still training terrorists and sending them to the US. Maybe the war was right, maybe not, but that is the subject of a different debate.
As for the economy, we would still be right where we are now. The worldwide economic downturn has nothing to do with the wars; it has to do with the people of the world NOT spending money. The President doesn't control the economy, but as in the Navy, he is the captain of the ship and does get responsibility for it. The US economy is really controlled by the 40 or so million consumers in the country. When we spend money, the economy flourishes. When we don't, the economy sags, unemployment rates go up, and a vicious cycle is started. There are things that exacerbate economic ups and downs, like the housing crisis (not in the president’s control) or the tax rebates, but regardless of who is presiding, we make or break the economy. We would be in the same boat today, whether Bush or Gore (or Kerry) won, the situation would be the same.

You need to make an argument that has some semblance of reality in it.

[btesa]

Let's be honest, Palin's comment(s) about "community organizers" was not against the "field" of community organizers but, rather, it was in response to Obama and Camp's very own comments on Palin's 'executive experience" as Mayor and Governor not qualifying her as "experienced enough".
She did not malign the purpose or value of community organizers or their accomplishments -- she instead poked fun at the Obama camp's presumption that Obama's experience as a community organizer presumably qualifies him for presidential nomination, yet Palin's experience as a Mayor and Governor does not make her "qualified enough" for a vice-presidential or potential presidental position. How absurd to rush to the blogs to cry out that Palin smeared community organizers! Move on to more important issues - please!

[Kay3]

Of course it was against community organizers. Anyone who heard her speech could see and hear that. I'm not a Dem or Rep. But it was a stupid comment. Maybe she should find a better speech writer. I had looked forward to hearing her speak. But it was flat, emotionless and down right boring. I hope she does better next time.

[jmcallahan]

Let's look at the facts: Sara Palin was the FIRST mayor in the history of her little town to hire a City Manager (at $60,000 per year that 5500 residents had to pay for) to manage the town! She couldn't even manage that small hamlet. She also pulled in $27 million of the earmarks she now so opposes and on top of that left a town with no debt when she was elected saddled with $27 million in debt when she left.

and BTW: Christ was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a Governor!

[Mia23]

jmcallahan: THANKS for sharing this. I was trying to ascertain if Wasilla had a CITY MANAGER, since we all know that many MAYORS are only CEREMONIAL, and that city managers really run the town. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! .... LOL.....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(your copy)
Mother Teresa = Would you consider her a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER? ... Sometimes, CHANGE comes from LEADERS with big hearts, big dreams, big hopes -- because they GET IT!! ... When are we ever going to LEARN?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Care to be a COO = Community Organizer for Obama? Stand proud, fellow COOs!!

[Montressor]

I agree that it's absurd to be that sensitive. It totally distracts form the real issues in the campaign. I mean, substitute the word "woman" for "community organizers" in her speech and...oh wait.

[RHagen]

Palin was not only extremely derisive to Obama's work as a community organizer two decades ago but using that as a comparison to her being a mayor of a town of 9,000, and a governor for 20 months is rediculous. He's never said that his work as a community organizer gave him experience for being President... but perhaps his seven years as a State legislator and four years as a Senator would be a more appropriate comparison. Once again the Republicans are being completely hypocritical.

[Dennis-4519]

Well, it certainly is refreshing to read an opinion piece that is TRULY factual and clear. Good for you for writing the TRUTH.
I am a registered Republican But, after hearing her speak and ALL other RNC speakers (and not just in the RNC), also on numerous talk shows etc, I am truly ASHAMED to call myself a REPUBLICAN. The LOW tactics of spreading irronious facts in a negative manner is unthinkable.
However, my deepest FEAR is ALL those peole in the USA that are so IGNORANT and DO NOT check the facts, and actually believe what they are hearing!!!!!
John Mc Cain is a VERY OLD person and does NOT have ANY leadership qualities. He has a VERY QUICK and SHORT TEMPER, OH Yeah, he's the person I would want sitting next to the RED PHONE, you bet.
Whatever experience OBAMA is short on he makes up for with his "LEADERSHIP" abilities and he surounds himself with the right experts not "YES MEN". He came from nowhere and beat the Bigest Political Machine in the Democratic Party DUH !!!
DO YOUR HOMEWORK AMERICA and EDUCATE Yourselves instead of speaking and VOTING from IGNORANCE !!!

[JustMeinCA]

Your a liar! You are not a Republican! But that is OK.. We REAL Republicans expect nothing but lies from you liberals!
Have a great day..
Sarah ROCKED the house last night and I haven't heard one REAL Republican say anything else!

[SomeBudy]

Hey buddy,
Give her a break!! Will you??
How much do you expect from a lady who was elected Mayer by 909 votes???
And YES she sold the Governer's jet with like 20% loss that Alaskan's will pay for it from the tax she collected from them. So what??? It's the ebay's fault that she couldn't sell it on e-bay after two attempts!!! Ain't it??
BTW, homeless and needy people in her town are propbably frozen and don't need a Community Organizer, why should she care???
Cheers!!!

[kuzziej]

Ha ha, I love people who yell in text. This is funny. I do sense some anger issues though. I think you missed capitalizing a few words though. Don't you think you should have capitalized RIGHT EXPERTS, and how about DEMOCRATIC?

There's no way you're a registered Republican.

[dream-n]

Dennis 4519, I think that you are right on, people should do there research and not just take the media or anybody elses word or opinion on things. That is why I am voting for McCain, the last person I want for President is Obama, because of the research and the facts that I have found. A 72 year old war veteran that suffered indignities that you can't even imagine, or a man that is for live abortions, do you know what live abortions are? Look it up, since you are so into the facts. I am a firm believer in women't rights, in fact I am an active feminist, but I would prefer a man who is completely against abortions than one who is for live abortions. And so many more issues that Obama is for makes me fearful of him becoming President. Never have I feared anybody becoming President as much as I do him!
I loved Palins speech, and her community organizer jibes were not towards anybody but Obama as a payback for all his and his campaigns slander towards her!

[terrycharles]

Dennis-4519 , I am truly ASHAMED to call you a REPUBLICAN too!!!

[TheSherpa]

You’re all missing the point. Sarah wasn’t putting down community service. Community service is a valuable activity that enhances the quality of our cities and towns. However, in order to be valuable it must accomplish something in a measurable way. There is no data that shows Obama’s community service has ever accomplished anything significant. Moreover, community service experience alone doesn’t compare with executive experience, which clearly Sarah has. So please don’t spin the facts.

[ldillworth]

i suppose you could make the argument that getting cancer causing asbestos removed from low income housing projects, or mobilizing a community to speak up for itself when it's ignored because it doesn't have economic power isn't significant.

Then again I could also make the argument that Palin's executive experience as govenor of less than 600,000 and mayor of 6,700 gives her more experience than McCain himself and should therefore be the top of the Republic ticket and not the bottom.

So please, don't spin the facts.

[Owlman]

wvdude couldn't be more right. Additionally, the assertion that Community Leaders do what they do because they believe that "the American people should not expect the government to solve all of their problems" is absolutely ludicrous and obviously wtitten by someone who has not worked alongside community leaders. Community Leaders may do what they do to improve the quality of life within their community, and that is a noble effort, but you can be sure many of them believe that the government should be doing it and they usually use that cry to advance their political careers. Sounds like the liberals are getting desperate to find something, anything, to discredit Sarah Palin. Maybe she drives a gas guzzler too......try that next!

[Rusty Russell - Huffpost Blogger]

At the risk of being presumed to be lazy, this is copied from a post on MSNBC.com:

...starting at age 23, Obama ran a faith-based charity called the Developing Communities Project.

It was made up of eight Catholic parishes when he got there and had one staff member. He was its director, meaning he was in charge. He made decisions about it, including staffing, budgets, etc. And when he left in 1988 to go to law school, he had grown its budget from $70,000 to $400,000, its staff from 1 to 13 people. More important, he created a job training program for this community and a college prep tutoring program.

As mayor, she built a hockey rink/rec center using eminent domain (because apparently there just isn't enough land in Alaska).

And keep in mind the timeline here: Obama did this as a young man BEFORE going to law school, becoming a successful lawyer and a law professor.

I don't think it's right to attack someone for working in a faith-based charity out of college. I think we all have some embarrassing first-jobs in our past. I would not make fun of Palin for being a beauty queen and sports reporter out of college during these same years. Although, I do think Obama's experience shaped his political future a bit better ... "
So while Obama was helping to get people jobs and left themselves out of poverty. Sara Palin was a pageant girl...

[Kay3]

Thanks for posting that. Good information I did not know. Maybe others should do their research too.

[jellomold]

Maybe you should do research Kay, for one to determine if this is "post" from msnbc is factual.

If it wasn't so serious a matter it would be laughable the amount of opinion that gets past off as fact on this site.

[JustMeinCA]

You liberals KILL me... A successful lawyer and a law professor??????????? He was a "guest" speaker and show me ONE thing he did as a lawyer, with JUST his name on it.... It doesn't exist! He is a "siddler" like in Seinfeld.. He "siddle"s up to someone and takes credit for what the other has done!

[stevesw2674]

This is all Clinton's fault. If she wouldn't have had the audicity to challenge Barack our leader, we wouldn't be having to deal with Palin, and we wouldn't be left here defending Biden, and Barack's judgement in not picking Clinton for VP, and falling all over ourselves with vicious slander of Palin et al, just like the repugs. used to do. Definitely all about Clinton... this is her fault!

[Steviepat]

The nervous Obama supporters are the only people complaining about the quips Palin made in regards to community organizers. Suddenly the glaring difference in experience between Obama and even the GOP's VP candidate is clear. Governor Palin was making a valid point that you cannot only use your experience as a community organizer to claim you are ready to be the chief executive of the United States of America. Its an issue that even Obama's own party -- including his VP -- has made during the campaign. Now begins the process whereby people will begin to peel layer by layer from the Obama media creation. What they will find is a magnetic personality, a very good orator, but a man very unprepared for the office of the presidency. By election day it will be obvious what a clear and present danger we are facing if we elect him as president, particularly now.

[Kay3]

Not true. here are people out there that do not support the Dem or Rep. So there is a neutral view. Palin's speech was boring, had nothing in it that was valid. I wanted to hear something that mattered. She was just very sarcastic, she didn't seem confident at all and she spoke like someone wrote the speech for her and she had just read it the night before. The speech didn't seem to suit her. It was horrible.

Some people just have sense enough to see that what she said was just plain talk. You don't have to be an Obama, Hillary, McCain supporter to see that. I personally believe that both Palin and Obama may need more experience. However, Palin just seems like and empty skin that McCain is putting out there for his own benefit. And he chose her to capture the women voters. The Repubs words, not mine.

[jedonspring]

Everyone is finding out all the juice on Ms Palin. Now it's an affair...well, maybe she and McCain ARE soulmates. He picked her by gut instinct and that is not what I want for a president. Mavericks should stay in the Senate, they should not be presidents. We need someone who actually thinks things out.

Obama/Biden'08 !