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

[KiaKis]

He is bringing the country together in such an incredible way. Our strength in in our unity and diversity as Powell said. I think this video speaks about that so clearly. Keb' Mo's great rendition of "America the Beautiful". Who could not be proud when watching this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BKsUrcC1nU

[ZandE]

Thank you for linking the Keb Mo song, it is lovely and exactly embodies the great and noble spirit of this whole effort. Our country's diversity is one interesting and compelling thing about the USA that differs from much of the rest of the world. For the country to embrace Obama like this is to embrace our own kaleidoscope and it's beautiful.

[dct1999]

The Republicans in Kindergarten

Sarah Palin:
stole the other kids toys then winked at them
after they reported the thefts she said she took the toys to donate to charity


John McCain:
stole the other kids' toys but told the teacher that the new kid in class did it; wanted the teacher to suspend class until the matter was resolved

[IndependentTogether]

It is Halloween, and John McCain is hosting a fundraiser in his home where he begs wealthy donors to fund his campaign. Just then, the doorbell rings and John McCain lurches toward the door:

KIDS: "Trick or Treat!!!"
MCCAIN: "Get off my lawn, you little Socialist jerks!!"

[lizr]

LOl- sounds about right.

[aBr1t]

LOL

[Manx]

According to McCain/Palin, tax cuts for the middle class would be socialism. Socialism for the middle class. So what is it when taxes are cut for the rich? By McCain/Palin logic, it would be socialism for the rich.

[dphilip]

Mannix....Republicans aren't against anyone getting a tax cut...Ok?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,What Obama is proposing is that you don't pay any tax AND the government take money from me, so they can cut you a check to boot...Now that is soclialism..
Now I'm sure you still don't have a problem with his idea.........But maybe now you can see why I might?

[ContraEgoiste]

"What Obama is proposing is that you don't pay any tax AND the government take money from me,..."

Show me where he said that. Link

Meanwhile, get educated...

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.

[ferguskhan]

What the frak are you talking about you incomprehensible dink? Learn to write in coherent sentences.

[ContraEgoiste]

~
"All propaganda has to be popular and has to adapt it's spiritual level to the perception of the least intelligent, those towards whom it intends to direct itself."
- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

~

[huff-n-puff-post]

That's right and it has to be fine tuned to the sensibilities of the lowest common denominator.

In other words to the level of an Obamaite.

[TheIncredibleM]

I was there today... I was in total awe!

I'm soooo glad I finally got the chance to witness him firsthand :)

Obama/Biden08

[huff-n-puff-post]

Were you one of those that fainted?

[grata2ude]

I guess if they were standing downwind of your breath they would faint cause you seem to talk out of your A$$

[PT6]

Republican PANIC: I guess if you TAX the money of the R1CHE$T 1% all this is bound to happen!

"DIRT" is being thrown at Obama at a RECORD RATE!

1. On Hardball the "0LD" Tom Delay is throwing the word "M@rxist and C0mmunist" at Obama!
2. McCain is saying "Soci@list" and "Redistributions"
3. Palin says she wants to bring up Rev. Wright and that is how Delay concluded "M@rxist"
4. Bachmann says he is "Ant1-Amer1can"
5. McCain is implying he is on side of "Mu$lim Terr0rists"

McCain continues the BUSH Claim that "TALKING to someone GIVES THEM POWER!"

McCain is Dangerously unprepared to be President, just as Bush was totally Unprepared!

This shows the P0WER OF the R1CH over the Republican Party!

[AlligatorShuz]

Tom Delay speech tonight on Hardball was 100% racist.
Tom Delay reminds me of George Wallace..

[huff-n-puff-post]

What? You knew George Wallace?

[Bongborg]

You piqued it's interest by mentioning it's hero, now it's panties will be all wet.

[RoSull]

To your first point. I'm going to be honest, I am 25 and throwing out the "M" word and the "C" word makes me feel as if he is trying to reach my grandparents, not me. My husband who is in his thirties and studied history and political science doesn't even understand the point of throwing out those terms. It does not relate to how voters feel TODAY not 40 years ago.

[ferguskhan]

Excellent point, you've put your finger on it. Mc Cain is still living in the Cold War era mentally. He never got his head out of the 1960's and is totally lost in the 21st century. He's still trying to scare us with evil commies and other bogeymen of a bygone era. I'm sure that he still wants to teach those evil ruskies a lesson for getting into space before us.

[Jahsmah]

At this point, I the only reason I listen to what the McCain/Palin ticket are saying is b/c there are people out there who are still so ill-informed that they may be swayed by the lies. He's a Marxist. A socialist. Anti-American. etc. . Over the passed 8 years, Bush's policy has been socialism in reverse. He has taken money from the middle class and given it to the top 1% in this country. During wartime, he cut taxes and never asked the American people to sacrifice anything. He dismantled FEMA, the EPA, and other organizations meant to protect us. During any war we have been involved in, the American people were asked to sacrifice something, Bush told the country to go shopping. Now we are in a financial crisis.
Why is not wrong for taxes to be raised on those who are making the most money? Being that the to 1% makes more money than the lower 50%, it stands to reason they should be paying taxes. Taxes should be paid. It is a civic duty to pay taxes. How else are schools maintained, roads built, and other infrastructural needs met? Obama will raise taxes, as he should, on those who should be paying higher taxes because they can afford. The middle class will not pay more taxes, and the people who do not work will not benefit from other's hard work.
In the words of The Bard, "Though do'st protest too much."

[AlligatorShuz]

Tom Delay, John McCain, Sarah Palin are all pandering to the most illiterate and under educated person in America

[RoSull]

It is insulting how many people follow these words. Repub voters almost seem proud to be labelled "low information". They follow Faux News and spit back out all the talking points. Good For O to shed some humor on the matter.

[Agent420]

The top tax bracket is lower than it has been since 1932 and the rich are crying? In 1955, the top tax bracket was 91% for over 400k. Can anyone say that things were worse then than now?

[degenerate1991]

No birth control, no women's equality, segregation, arms race, huge national debt and high taxes (everyone had higher taxes).

Most of that tax money went to the arms race and paying off the HUGE debt from WWII and the new deal.

[degenerate1991]

Oh yeah, CIA overthrowing Mossadegh in Iran, CIA coup in Nicaragua, US support of the Shah, US support of the Saudis, US support of the French in Vietnam, US support of South Korean and Taiwanese tyrants, etc.

[SwingVoteNYC]

YOU REPUBS.. Who support McCain must really do no reading or research. you yell out what ever you hear on TV. funny actually. It comes down to having Palin as president. Really a Alaskan Governor that can not complete full thoughts without going back to some old written talking points in which she does not follow as her "Experience" has spread the wealth in Alaska from Oil companies but some how nationally we get screwed. Plus all you rich educated people who have been rich along time America will not change for you just move your investments to Gold. The rest of you who support McCain your life has not changed maybe in 30 years...You live in the same place are afraid of different people so your reaction is always the same. you raise kids that either stay there or in the neighborhood and continue to believe the world is Flat.

[AudacityOfHype]

You think for yourself via Kieth Overbite

[hairball68]

pay for your war psycho.

[ContraEgoiste]

And what exactly in your response was informative or educational, he// even new??

heh.

[Bongborg]

They don't need to research anything, as long as Rush does it for them. He ruminates and produces their facts, then flushes, and the sewer runs straight into their heads.

[AlexeiJ]

As Michelle said: "One thing we have learned is that when power is confronted with real change, they will say anything"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf19H_sHMro&fmt=6

[ChipD]

I am a white, middle class, conservative Republican....and EVEN I am getting sick and disgusted with this "lets never tax anyone anywhere" line.
I agree that excessive taxation is a drag on the economy...but spending MUST be balanced with taxes....I would GLADLY pay more taxes if it will pay down this obscene deficit that Bush & Co have engorged.
And like others here, I am excited about Obama in a way I haven't felt since Reagan- sounds odd I know, but he grasps America- Obama understands something about the American character that none of the GOP does, and character and temperment counts for 90% as far as I am concerned.

[judyc]

Welcome to our side!

[liseworks]

My hero - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fulanita]

You use logic. I like that.

[aBr1t]

True american... well said

[lizr]

welcome, friend :)

[aBr1t]

The funny thing is

This is more about the world than it is about the usa

A great nation was born from the fires of imperiialism and now rests on the crusps of it once again

Lead or be a follower

simple choice here america CHINA OR RUSIA OR THE USA sure you have had your histolical hicups every nation has but NO other nation in this time in the history of the planet needs to pull them boot straps up and lead the way for ALL free people of this planet

God bless you.. the choice is clear but are you willing to do what is right and what is just and make the PNAC document something WE the people of the planet can say A BIG FY to!! cmon people this is WORLD REVLOUTION we are all sick to death of corrupt leaders who spew rubbish

the best way to keep us down is to devied us " we are all gods creatures " and i dont even think there is one and if there is then we are deeeeeep doo doo to say the least.

[Ron1951]

Obama did not have to wait long. On Hardball, Tom Delay just called him a marxist. Oh well, consider the source. A house leader with ethics violations. Sold out his career and the hopes of many republicans for some campaign dollars. Isn't that sharing the wealth?

[sharri]

Tom Delay always gave me a laugh. I thought what if he exterminated right wing slugs. bye bye Tom

[observer007]

How about Norway. You get old, you have your choice to live your life free of cost there, or you can move to a free townhouse on the coast of Spain. In fact, if you're suffering from winter blues, you can get a couple of months in one of these townhouses as paid vacation - or France where you get a year for maternity leave - this is what goes on in those nasty socialist countries that a certain political party wishes Americans didn't know about - I'd pay half my wages in taxes if I knew I had cradle to grave security, education, and was otherwise PROTECTED by my government and free to pursue my interests, but, I guess unless I outlive the Limbaughs and Palins, I'll have to keep worrying about my job security, and how we can make ends meet with both of us working more than one job and no retirement.

f* republicans and all they stand for.

[Bongborg]

"f* republicans and all they stand for." AMEN, bro.

[Danny]

observer -- you are right on. If Americans knew how European socialism improves Europeans' lives, they'd be clamoring for it. The examples you cite of Norway, France (Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, too) are on the mark, not exaggerations. I'd gladly pay 50% in taxes to have free and excellent healthcare, good education, ample time off (in order to "work to live" as opposed to "live to work" -- the present face of republican "capitalism" as practiced in the U.S. since Raygun came along).

The only way to tippy-toe into more people-friendly capitalism is to know how to vote on November 4th.

Obama/Biden! You'll be glad you did, you TRULY will.

No he's not a Muslim (not that there's anything wrong with that), no he's not "palling" with terrarists. He is what America needs right now, and the Europeans are rooting for us to PLEAZE vote Obama. And Indonesians, and Japanese, and Chinese, and South Americans -- I know, I hear from them every week in a ... secure place near the seat of power.

[mabinog]

Ah due but your "protection" is oppressive totalitarianism, I guess, and it is nothing when the government is listening into your phone conversations, reading your email and able to snatch you off the street and disappear you if the President decides you are a enemy combatant.

[lizr]

read it again. that poster was talking about "real " protection, not the 1984 version we get from Bushco.

[lizr]

long vacations, most Americans dont have nearly enough vacation time.. enough money to travel easily, great medical care, great public transportation..

more Americans should go to Europe and see what "socialistic"/capitalist countries enjoy as a std of living, they'd throw the Reps out forever!!!

[aBr1t]

Lizr ur so right.

The only problem is they would stay here ;))

[Danny]

Yes, lizr. Sad that they can't, under this regime.

[dphilip]

wow.....let's see if I understand you correctly......all the democrats are critical of republicans for calling Obama a socialist...yet you explain at great length how much you want to live in a socialist country. AND since republicans aren't willing to share their income with you to allow you to live in total comfort and security for life, then republicans can go f themselves?

[lizr]

it might be a good idea for all Americans to study how they do it in Europe..

[ContraEgoiste]

Idiot,

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 should be kissing the Democrats collective @ss.

[ContraEgoiste]

/d/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.

[Hare]

As for my post of voting straight or first for Obama, this is what I got
This is what the person that send me e-mail said. " I'm not sure if any of you are aware of this, but we know they won't tell us this at the polls."

This is confirmed to be true in Snopes

http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/straightticket.asp

My suggestion is to check before going to the polls with local democratic office or officials.