Obama Mocks Socialist Attacks: "I Shared My Toys"

Here's a funny moment from Obama's rally today in North Carolina -- a rally in which (not so humorously) two attendees passed out, in the process stopping the event while Obama urged medical personnel to attend to them and even offered up his own bottled water.

Responding to charges that his economic policies were socialistic in nature, the Democratic nominee ridiculed his opponent for resorting to trivialities and distractions.

"Now, because he knows that his economic theories don't work, he's been spending these last few days calling me every name in the book. Lately he's called me a socialist for wanting to roll-back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. I don't know what's next. By the end of the week he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

The line was reminiscent of when Obama chastised Hillary Clinton during the primary for citing his kindergarten papers as evidence that he had a long-held presidential ambition. Now, as then, Obama chose to parlay the attack through humor as much as substance, a method that has proved effective not just in dismissing charges but drawing media attention towards his rebuttal.

Comments

[haveitoldyoulately]

When Palin gave every Man, Woman and Child $2,069, PLUS On top of that, the checks included another $1,200 from the state treasury to help offset soaring fuel prices. THAT'S every Alaskan age 1 day till 110 years old That's a share of the state's oil wealth.
AND let's not forget the $600 to 1200 stimulus check from the federal government.

I'd say Alaskan's did pretty well this year

Was THAT NOT SHARING THE WEALTH............IS THAT SOCIALISM?

[arcticterrier]

Which came from the leasing of PUBLIC land. PUBLIC meaning it belongs to the people not the government. As a resident of Alaska I put it to you like this.....

WE own the land that is leased to various interests. Therefore, if the budget is balanced (and it is here) then WE should get any profit from the leasing of OUR land. If you owned a piece of land that you chose to allow someone to use for a profitable purpose would you not expect to be reimbursed?

[ContraEgoiste]

Yes, you should be reimbursed, and yes that reimbursement IS socialism.

[huff-n-puff-post]

The truth of what you tell is completely lost on this rabble.
All they are interested in hearing are the stories about Palin that fit the template of destruction that Obama has woven throughout his campaign strategy.

[Aapje]

Arcticterrier,

Giving everyone the same amount of money for free, without them having to earn it, is most definitely a socialist policy. You may like it, but that means you like socialism. The conservative choice would be to sell the land to the highest bidder and lowering taxes for tax-payers (so only working people profit, instead of everyone, including children, retired people, sick citizens and other non-productive people).

Having the government own land (and companies) and giving everyone the same salary is a core tenet of communism. So you can call this policy communist.

[knollfence]

Whether the state gives it to each indivisual in a check to use as they see fit or whether the state uses it to build roads and bridges for use by indivisuals living in the state it is still being directed for the good of all who live in the state.

[sdskelton03]

That's fine that he likes to share his toys.

I like to share my toys also. I just don't want him to steal my toys, give them to someone else and then take credit for it.

[Bob H]

Here... take my toys and quit yer whinin.

[sdskelton03]

I don't want your toys. I think you should keep them.

If you feel you have too many toys, feel free to give them to someone who needs them more than I do.

[arcticterrier]

huzzah! It would appear his next toy will be the IRS. The Obama/Pelosi/Reid junta will have a new shiny thing to play with. I seem to remember, I'm old so my mind is fuzzy, a quaint old idea that if you worked hard and earned it than it was yours. I know that idea must sound insane to a hardcore lib...you know..personal responsibility, the work ethic, trying to make a better life through effort rather than government fiat.

[EyeballKid]

It IS a quaint old idea that is always a quaint old myth. The only person who doesn't pay the piper is the piper's employer. The common person has always had to pay his or her way by paying taxes of some kind, to royalty or an organization. Modern governments are stable and generally do better when the elites pay their fair share (a cultural definition) in support of a middle class. The population is then less likely to turn on one another (this is the theme that is riding the undercurrent of the McCain and other Republican campaigns).

Taxes are always a reality, as are the disparities in the quality of life in various countries and societies. Always, some do very well. How can we not acknowledge what works?

Republican and neo-con operatives figure that if they can get the rabble fighting one another, they can remain in power. If violence erupts, it's good for Republicans. They can blame the "liberal movement" for unleashing civil unrest, take control once again, and bring in troops for domestic policing.

Do we now know that there's a US Army brigade that's specifically stationed on home soil to take military action against movements that Bush perceives as "domestic terrorism"? All it takes is for a few people to dress up as nut jobs, get in front of a camera, and scream something that sounds like terrorism, and here come the troops.

And here stay the Republicans.

[ContraEgoiste]

"..personal responsibility.."

You also owe a responsibility to that society which gives you the ability to can earn that living.

A good deal of the poor hold 2 or 3 jobs and still don't make enough to support their families, so your old tired stereotype is not true. Meanwhile you hypocrits don't mind spending over a TRILLION dollars to go kill brown people halfway around the world.

BTW, Get informed....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

Obama v. McCain Tax Proposals

Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.

[ContraEgoiste]

"..personal responsibility.."

You also owe a responsibility to that society which gives you the ability to can earn that living.

A good deal of the poor hold 2 or 3 jobs and still don't make enough to support their families, so your old tired stereotype is not true. Meanwhile you hypocryts don't mind spending over a TRILLION dollars to go ki// brown people halfway around the world while begrudging a few crumbs to those who need it.

BTW, Get informed....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

Obama v. McCain Tax Proposals

Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.

[knollfence]

Obama is not trying to take anything from you!!!

Look around you.......can't you see Bush has already done that?

And will continues to rip you off if McBush gets into office.

"How many times do you have to be hit over the head before you realize whoes hitting you?"
Harry S. Truman

I swear I think the entire human race is devolving!!!!

[Hankinson]

are you really this ignorant? Have you not heard what he's said? Do you count on Fox News for what's going on? If so, you really are ignorant.

[begging4change]

gee whiz...the 19th brumaire of barack obama??

LMAO

does joe the plumber even know what a socialist is? does palin even know what communism is? these 'attacks' are pretty damned LAME. Obama is smart to laugh this off, because it is basically a joke.

so if the dems are bourgeoise socialists, and GOP fascists...which is worst? socialism of course!
god forbid, everyone in the USA insured and healthy, and OMG SAY IT AINT SO >>> EDUCATED.

[Plank]

The McCain campaign is running Ads using slogans from the 50's. These guys repeat the same crap and have no idea what socialism and marxism mean. Call it what you want, but I will take the fair distribution of wealth under Clinton over the unfair distribution of misery of the past 8 years, anyime. The democrates under clinton created 22.4 million jobs. Under the Rethugs, we lost over 700,000 so far this year. These incompetent bastards inherited a surplus and ran the largest deficit in history.
These thugs do not deserve another shot at running this country. Please make sure you vote and volunteer your time obama.comm is a good start) to help other vote.

[Takae]

The funny thing is, McCain has confirmed on the Larry King show tonight that Obama isn't a socialist.

Transcript here
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/29/larry.king.mccain.transcript/

[Gidster]

So McCain has said on a national news network program that Obama is not a socialist, so when he or Palin say it at the next rally, he will be consciously lying.

It will be his decision to fabricate a falsehood to smear his opponent.

Write, email your Congressman and your Senator that McCain should be censured upon his return to the Senate!

[Plank]

Cowards typically do that. So much for the straight talk express.

[Rhia]

Yeah. Obama is now an enemy of Israel because he's friends with an alleged spokesperson for PLO.

Crazy old man...

[1will]

Obama can share all of his "Toys" that he wants. Just don't involuntarily take the toys from others for yet another grand social scheme.

[hortonhearsawho]

fine we don't want your kids sharing their sixpacks anyway...so there.

[Bluejay00234]

lmao.

[SonofLiberty1]

Not you Horton, I was responding to 1will:)

[judyc]

Just latch on to any talking point that you can since you can't think for yourself.

Rolling back taxes to the Clinton levels is not socialism. By the way--can you define socialism without googling it?

Now, I'm gonna' go out on a limb here and guess that you make under $200K/yr. In that case, you will receive a tax cut under Obama that is at least twice what you will get from McCain.

I, on other hand, make $400K/yr and will not mind paying 3% more in taxes under Obama. I should pay more than someone makingless. It's called a "progressive" tax system which we have had in our country for many years.

[SonofLiberty1]

judyc,

I would hope that you were responding to 1wll, as I was.

My entire office was sold and then the jobs were outsourced.

[sdskelton03]

I am all for cutting taxes for people making under 250k.

I am against a tax cut for those who don't pay taxes.

[gisellestwocents]

You're a true patriot. With people like you to count on, we will get this country on the path to economic stability through energy independence and green technology.

I don't understand how people who purport to be "Country First" whine that a slight tax increase for the financially well off is "punishing the successful."

[sdskelton03]

You could have paid that extra 3% all along, nobody was stopping you.

I don't want to pay any more in taxes.

I currently pay over half my income in taxes, and I am nowhere close to rich. I pay federal income tax, state income tax, city income tax, city real estate tax, city personal property tax, city sales tax, state sales tax, state gasoline tax, federal gasoline tax and both sides of the FICA tax because I am self employed.

I recognize that government serves an important function in our free society, and I don't have a problem paying my fair share. I am even okay with paying more than my fair share because I make more money.

What I have a problem with is politicians taxing me, then handing my money off to others in exchange for votes and then calling me greedy for wanting to keep my money.

[arcticterrier]

I think I can get pretty close to socialism without looking it up.....government control over heavy industry, transportation, and other means of production. Also government deciding how much wealth is too much (paraphrase of course).

Why should you pay 3% more because you make 400K? Because you can afford it? So what? Why don't YOU decide what to do with YOUR money instead of allowing the government to confiscate it. If you make that much, and I mean MAKE not receive or inheirit, it is fairly reasonable to assume you are not a fool. Do you really believe you should be punished for being successful? Do you really believe the government is capable of making better and more informed decisions of how to spend YOUR money than you are?

If you wish to surrender your wallet to the government that is your choice...when you fill out your withholding you can set it however you like and when tax time comes tell them to keep it. That is your perogative. Just do us the favor of leaving the rest of us the liberty to make the same choice and not mandate it.

Excuse me now, I have a new toy to play with. If the neighbor is nice I'll share with him.

[SonofLiberty1]

Well, since you've already taken out jobs away and gave them to foreign nationals, I have no problem with making sure you get less tax cuts!

[haveitoldyoulately]

Well, think of it this way....we've had our taxes raise many a time....and we had NO IDEA where the money went

[huff-n-puff-post]

Yeah and that's like the frog in the pot that doesn't notice its' getting hoter and hotter.

[charleez]

When you mock somebody as socialist, you must know what is socialism and what this person says, then if you do not like it, you have to reject it according to the reason. This is what we must do in a civilized society. To those who are not familiar with the concept of socialism, I offer to read this:
http://democracyandsocialism.com/Articles/ALittleTalkAboutSocialism.html

[hortonhearsawho]

Pallin around with toys, oh man...i dunno.

[ensure]

Barack Obama says change needed: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/barack-obama-says-change-needed.html

AP Poll: Barack Obama Leads or Tied in 8 Crucial States: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/ap-poll-barack-obama-leads-or-tied-in-8-crucial-states.html

Barack Obama Ridicules John McCain Charge He's Socialist: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/barack-obama-ridicules-john-mccain-charge-hes-socialist.html

US History Professor Allan Lichtman Says 'Obama Will Win': http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/us-history-professor-allan-lichtman-says-obama-will-win.html

[pir anha]

obama is such an excellent example of how to retaliate against fantastical, senseless attacks -- humour.

[huff-n-puff-post]

Yeah, he'll probably use those same tactics against deadly, senseless attacks too.

[ContraEgoiste]

Yes, I would call con's attacks senseless, but they are only deadly to themselves. heh

[Bongborg]

You mean like your breath?

[Agent420]

And again. Please try to say something that makes sense. Stop being silly.

[hortonhearsawho]

They won't mess with him....

[AlaskanWannaB]

The Obamba Song (World of Friends): Bridges for Obama

http://blip.tv:80/file/1338283

or

www.blip.tv:80/file/1338283

Obama/Biden ‘08

[aBr1t]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XjLafQUyUY

keep our faith... in humanity atleast!!!

and i just want to say thank you to everyone on huffy for making me smile and cry with all the emtions this election has come with

i cant vote but GET OUT THERE AND LET THAT VOICE OF YOURS BE HEARD!!!

[huff-n-puff-post]

When the Hindenburg blew up the reporter exclaimed "OH, THE HUMANITY!"
When Obama is elected, the last honest reporter will exclaim, "OH THE HUMANITY!"

[Bongborg]

Jaysus wept, you're ignorant.

[grata2ude]

Hey Huffypuff. Let me give you some good advice. Honestly the best advice you'll ever get.

Bend over.........grab your ears firmly and pull your head out of your A$$

[begabug]

sound check

[huff-n-puff-post]

Echo echo echo.

Sounds good! Tell Obama the sound check is good.

[ContraEgoiste]

Since you lack a brain, I can see how things would echo inside your skull. Carry on.

[hortonhearsawho]

They recently dropped you off just inside the Nebraska border did'nt they....

[Marmee]

Here's what I want: I want every penny of my tax money back from all you McCain supporters who have benefited in any way from: Social Security, Medicare, public schools, roads, national defense, the postal service, etc.

I expect my check asap, McCainiacs--I could really use the funds, and I just know you proud, freedom-loving, ruggedly individualistic capitalists would want me to have it. After all, it's my money and I earned it; and besides I'm sure you cannot bear the thought that your all-American grannies are living on redistribution.

So my deal is this: you can pay for your own grannies, home school your kids, stay the hell off my highways, and fend for yourselves in the event of floods, hurricanes or other national disasters (my National Guard will have its hands full helping us socialists dig out of the collective rubble ).

[hairball68]

WORD.

[aBr1t]

marmee !!!

the only problem is there is one rule for them and another for you and me "unless it benifits them ofc"

i know walls with more to say that makes sens than some of the trolls who post on here...

nice post :)))

[dct1999]

D-amn straight!

[worldview47]

yes, AT LAST, tell it like it is(mine didn't post)....all the do it yourself(ers) go for it and GOD BLESS YOU....THANK YOU MARMEE.....I THINK SOME PEOPLE ON THIS POST SHOULD ALSO LOOK UP WHAT A SOCIALIST IS.

[ContraEgoiste]

Id/ot,

1st. Pull out an electorate map and locate the red and blue states.

2nd. Then find out where the most educated and highest income per capita live.

3rd. Then find which states receives most of the benefits, subsidies, ect, of the taxes collected.

Republicans, especially those on red states, should be kissing the Democrats collective @.s.s.

[ContraEgoiste]

ooops, this was supposed to be a response to some dumb con below.

[AudacityOfHype]

Why are you talking like a snob if you actually want to help these people out with your money?

[ContraEgoiste]

".talking like a snob .."

lol

To cons, puting up facts is being a snob. Is this the same thing as having an education being "elite"??

Wanting to help has nothing to do with slapping trolls who come to level false or uninformed accusations.

[AKAchip]

Audacity-of- stup-pid is a better moniker. LOL!!

[huff-n-puff-post]

The traditionally Red states have the lowest welfare rolls.
The usual blue states have the inflated welfare rolls.

Recent changes to those red/blue states is the result of wishful thinking by Obama's fawning media.

[ContraEgoiste]

Doesn't change the fact that most productivity and revenue and is made on blue states and the biggest recipient of these taxes are the red ones.

And yes, we like to give a hand up to the disfranchised. We don't kick people when they are down like republicans.

[degenerate1991]

Traditionally red states have the most job growth because they have lower taxes. In fact, Alabama, a state as red as they come, has over half of the job growth in the country.

[ContraEgoiste]

Growing from 10 jobs to 20 would also constitute as a 100% job growth, which is not the same as to where most of the jobs ARE, and where the highest income per capita is and hence were most taxes are paid.