The New Karl Rove: Sidney Blumenthal (And Hillary Is in Bed with Both of Them)
The good senator from Illinois and the Great Black and White Hope for America Barack Obama has been absurdly and ridiculously raked through the coals because of "guilt by association" with his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. I'm not going to dignify that nationally destructive feeding frenzy with any statement except that it is the perfect example of how not to help our country recover and heal -- get back on its feet -- after the tremendous and purposeful demolition of these dis-United States over the last seven years. The reverend was and is a non-issue, and this campaign was purely an attack against Barack Obama that the traditional media pathetically -- again -- fell for.
Initiated by whom? Hillary Clinton looked into the cameras, as she usually does whether she's telling the truth or flat-out lying, and said that she would've left Wright's church if she had been a member. Whatever. She didn't stand up against George Bush or Dick Cheney when they were publicly spewing about truly important issues like going to war and stamping their approval on torture and spying on us and acting like they were supreme patriots for doing so. Hillary bought into and helped keep the Bush/Cheney illusion going with her statements and votes -- like she was a Republican.
And maybe she is a Republican. She's embraced some of the worst aspects of the Republican Party, including their immoral campaigning. It's politics after all, you say. Shame on you if you do! Politics may be politics, but this is part of the reason our country is in the mess it's in right now. We should NOT expect a lack of integrity from our leaders. We should expect them to measure up to what the U.S. was and is meant to be. We should expect them to lift us up with their example -- not to drag us into the muck of their hypocrisy, cynicism, and what is ultimately disrespect for us. Want another George W. Bush? Hillary is looking more like him every day.
Public manipulation at any cost to her party and to her country, and, sisters, yes, to her sex -- as long as it gives her a leg up to win the presidency. That's what seems to define Clinton ethics.
So Sidney Blumenthal, the creator of the phrase "the vast right-wing conspiracy," is now sending out prolific smearing emails from/like "the vast right-wing conspiracy" to wreck the best chance America has had in years by electing Barack Obama. And Hillary pays him to do this. Where is the crowd fomenting the "guilt by association" now? By not only embracing but so creatively employing these tactics that almost did the Clintons in AND cozying up to the GOP that used them in the 90s, I would say that Hillary and her campaign have set a new record for lowness in politics. I consider this worse than the Republicans, because we expect the GOP to have no ethics about such things. That's their calling card.
Hillary got into bed with both Rove and Blumenthal and seems to like it there. Then she looks into the eyes of the public and the television cameras, and she says she's sorry that the Republicans are using the Wright (non)issue against Obama. But this is exactly what her campaign has done every single day. And, again, bedmate Blumenthal is paid a lot of money for this. Where is the respect for the working class that she claims to have? Probably in that bar where she left her photo-op shot glass.
Was it good for you, Karl?
Beth Arnold lives and writes in Paris. You can see more of her work at www.betharnold.com.
Follow Beth Arnold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BethArnold
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She and her campaign have been running the Rove playbook since New Hampshire!!! Are you just now catching on? Wellseley - a woman of the common man? Shooter and a beer? Who told her what a shooter and a brew was? The woman will say, or do, anything AT ALL to get herself into the White House - doesn't have to be true, logical, OR realistic. If she could manage to get this gas tax roll-back going (which she AND McCain CAN'T) watch what the oil companies do when she trys to make THEM pay for it!!!
The Billary backers are offended when their tactics are compared to Rove's. The truth hurts. This commentary reflects the reality. Meanwhile, reprehensible threats to "obliterate" foreign countries would result in the continuation of outlaw status by a restored Clinton regime. It is unfortunate that Blumenthal, who did good work exposing the GOP tactics up until 2006 felt that loyalty outweighed truth in his coming on board following the same Rove playbook in the struggle to preserve the Clinton succession of in 2008. This is a throwback to the middle ages or the renaissance, when personal loyalty outweighed the commitment to the common good. It is the definition of machiavellianism.
Obama has been using the Rove playbook, not Ms. Clinton. His campaign guru, David Axelrod, blamed Ms. Clinton for the death of Benazir Bhutto, a Rove-style attack. When Obam called the Clintons racists that was very Karl Rove.
But as usual, the Obama supporters cannot admit the truth.
Bubba, I'm just not buying your posts. When, where, and on what date did Axelrod blame Hillary Clinton for the death of Benazir Bhutto?
And Obama called the Clintons racist when?
I finally figured out why these message boards are so anti-Hillary. It's because most anti-Obama messages don't get "approved". That's one reason why there is such a big disparity between these posts and the actual primary vote totals. I have put up many pro-Hillary msgs. and only a few get through. HuffPo joins the MSM.
Beautiful article, thank you. I personally think, that Barack is to good for America. We don't deserve leader like him, truthful, honorable, with high integrity.... I wish, but .... On the other hand, I feel sorry for him, the majoryty of people are just to stupid to see great person and that's why we'll have a president, we deserve. Same like 8 years ago with W - we didn't deserve any better. McSame and Billary are cut from tne same cloth as W .... there is no difference. Only as someone said hill has a better hairdo ....
"Hillary got into bed with both Rove and Blumenthal and seems to like it there. "
Saying something as despicable as equating Hillary and Karl Rove is as republican and as Rovian as you can get. Obama portays himself as taking the high road while his media mouthpieces undercut Hillary by playing the victim card.
Breaking News: Hillary Clinton has been playing pattycake with Obama. If he can't take this then he won't be able to withstand the 24/7 tornado of dirty tricks the republicans have in store for him.
They will make the Jeremiah Wright fiasco look like a day at the ballpark.
If Hillary is so unscrupulous, why didn't she break the Rev Wright story when she could have? Do you think McCain will have such scruples?
Please Democrats, let's don't bring another knife to a gunfight. Hillary has beaten the republicans before and she'll do it again.
Hillary Clinton has beaten the Republicans before? Like with her healthcare plan? When there was a Democratic President, House and Senate?
The Clinton's closet is so full of skeletons that the Republicans can use a new one every day. Remember Bill Clinton lying on camera? To the American people? I remember that very clearly and I would never vote for another Clinton co-presidency? Remember what the meaning of "is" is? Remember Monica's face? If you don't - no worries, because you are going to be seeing a lot of it.
And all that time the MSM has spent on church bulletins in Chicago? Well, they're going to start looking at Bill's business deals - not just with the Kazhaks and the UAE and the union-murdering Colombians, but with China and satellite secrets. And at some point, someone is going to wonder why the files of a former Sec. of Commerce are sealed. That's just the start. Obama was 9 during the height of Vietnam - the Clintons weren't and there were some interesting trials in New Haven.
Then there are all those revisions Hillary has made during this campaign - a new agenda for every state - and we are going to see them over and over and over.
Dead on...
Face it Clintonian's she will leave you cold when she gets what she wants. Anybody that can't see that she is a complete opportunist that would turn on you in a heart beat to curry favor with the "in crowd" probably actually voted for a prom queen in high school. You people need someone to tell you what to say and think which is why Obama's style of actually talking to people like adults doesn't suit the "moo".
Individual= Obama
Insecure jellyfish=Clinton...Unfortunately I fear there are more children needing to be told than those that can actually hold a conversation and resolve.
Bottom line if you want another 4 years of bullshit vote for Clinton. If you have the character to take some responsibility and actually participate, vote for Obama.
Excellent post, Beth! Thank you for writing how the majority of the American people feel regarding this concerted war against America's only hope to survive the ravishing of this country by right-wing zealots and corrupt Republican rule.
It hurts deeply that the people I had loved so dearly, our 42nd President and his First Lady have now shown their true faces. The mask of kindness towards the black people to the point Bill was even lovingly known among the black community as "America's 1st black President" now shows how badly power corrupts.
Hill is doing what the Repukes cannot, and that is to attack an African-American pres. candidate who is clearly loved by the majority of the people in the United States. McCain cannot go on the attack of Obama since the GOP already has a rep for being racist, so who better to do the hit job than the "1st black President" of the United States?
You are so right. The Clintons have shown their true faces, and it looks a helluva lot like George "Dubya" Bush's - more so even than McCain. And that's deeply troubling.
Hillary and Bill Clinton are not and never have been Democrats or Republicans; they're Clintonians. Whatever adances their political ambition is what they will do. No amount of pandering, lying, or destructive politicking is beneath them. THEIR partriotism is what should be in question for they will destroy party and country out of sheer narcissisticism. What is heartbreakingly disappointing and infuriating is that so many Americans fall for it.
What a great post.
I agree with Hillary. She should have her MI and FL delegates seated. We all know she would have won those states anyway. Having no competition just made it a little simpler. Hell, Obama was dumb enough to keep his name off the ballot just because he SAID he would! Puleeeze! Integrity is elitist. He should be penalized for being a chump! And Hillary should definitely be rewarded for knowing how to play to win. Why should she should be punished because no one else was as smart as she was! She knew it couldn't hurt to accidentally leave her name on. That's what I'm looking for in a President! Someone forward thinking and clever enough to be able to get what she wants no matter WHAT it takes! Just think of how a President Hillary would improve the lives of Americans in "negotiating " with the rubes governing other countries. They wouldn't even have a clue! And if they insult us by lying about their misinterpretation of some agreement, well Hill' would have the balls to shut them up! (And I don't mean TAKLIN' with them either!) This country needs a President Hillary to make sure we are given the proper respect we deserve in the world. Sheeeit, we don't need no wimp who'd rather talk before fightin' and who doesn't have the guts to scheme, lie and do what you gotta do to get and stay ahead! Vote for Hillary! Vote for an unstoppable America! Woof! woof!
You sound exactly like a republican.
Republicans like Rove think that cheating in elections, changing rules in the middle or doing something illegal and not getting caught, is being smart and people who don't do the same are dumb and should not complain.
Imagine saying that integrity is elitist. This is what we come to in the US. Such people actually are proud of taking the low road, there is absolutely no shame.
Why of course I do. I "sound" just like a Hillary supporter.
His name was off the ballot because he followed a rule set by the DNC...
hahahaha... "rules" such an insignificant little word that the Clinton's have no need.
Seriously if you can't look at how Florida and Michigan were agreed on before the campaigns actually started and see that she has given the finger to the whole process. Then your just a dick. And there is no amount of logic, argument or debate that could get you to believe that she has and is cheating on that subject.
If you support cheaters, rule breakers and liars you probably vote Republican and see NO reason why you shouldn't follow your heart and do the same hear and vote for Hillary.
"Sheeeit, we don't need no wimp who'd rather talk before fightin' and who doesn't have the guts to scheme, lie and do what you gotta do to get and stay ahead! "
I can't tell if you're for real - but if you are - guess what? We've had one of those lying, fighting, gangs in the White House for the past seven years - and it really hasn't been so good - it's been the worst American presidency in my lifetime.
You're kidding, right?
Well done. I applaud your cut-through-the-crap sarcasm.
Here is a quote for all the Obama supporters here that claim i am a liar and need to seek the truth :
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/8/8/194812.shtml
"It was ... at Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side of Chicago that I met Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who took me on another journey and introduced me to a man named Jesus Christ. It was the best education I ever had," Obama described his spiritual pilgrimage to a group of church ministers this past June.
My point was that Wright is very close to Obama and was his spiritual guide for years. And now Wright says Obama is faking some of his views by being just a politician. Then we might believe Obama was saying something else to Wright for the last 20 years! What is the true Obama about?
What he said to Wright for 20 years, what he said in March when he said he could not disown Wright, when he said typical white people, when he said cling to their religion because they are bitter, or when he disowned Wright last week (conveniently, no?)
Wright also said that the media overstated his closeness to Obama, but I don't see you mentioning that little piece of information.
Proven again. Hillary's largest voting block is the under-educated.
CNN exit polls show the below. (No exit polls available at all for RI, NH, NV.)
First percentage is those with no high school education, second percentage is those with only high school, third percentage is those with some college, but no college degree.
TX, Hillary 71%, 58%, 57%, total with less than a college degree is 57%.
CA Hillary 80%, 60%, 57%, total with less than a college degree is 53%.
TN Hillary 64%, 62%, 58%, total with less than a college degree is 65%.
AR HIllary 78%, 76%, 72%, total with less than a college degree is 61%.
NY Hillary, NA, 69%, 61%, total with less than a college degree is 39%.
NJ Hillary, NA, 66%, 59%, total with less than a college degree is 46%.
OK Hillary, NA, 60%, 67%, total with less than a college degree is 60%.
AZ Hillary, NA, NA, 63%, total with less than a college degree is 22%.
OH Hillary, NA, 65%, 58%, total with less than a college degree is 62%.
MA Hillary, NA, 67%, 64%, total with less than a college degree is 39%.
NM Hillary, NA, 66%, 61%, total with less than a college degree is 44%.
PA Hillary, NA, 64%, 53%, total with less than a college degree is 53%.
having 3 post high school diplomas I find interesting when I read Obama supporters quoting numbers like these as though not all Americans votes should count equally. Yes I am a physicist and make a lot of money, but I am not an elitist. I believe every American is just as valuable to the country if he wants to as any other!!
Why are Obama supporters always so negative and frustrated!!!
Beth Arnold....bitter party of one. You say potatoe, I say potato. Have you been sitting on this inane piece in hopes of wrecking Hillary's campaign? It won't work, because as you may or may not have noticed, the general public is now on to the dirty tactics of the obama campaign and the fact that he is plainly a weak candidate. Not wasting anymore time on this stupid piece, another one among many that has not gained traction and that fact is chafing the butt of obama followers big time.
Dirty tactics of the Obama campaign? Name one.
They sent negative attack flyers with untrue facts in Pa, Ohio and Indiana!
They claim they are a new cleaner politics, yet they use attack and negativity against Clinton overtly and covertly.
They send hecklers at Clinton events and do not tell their supporters to be polite at dinners where both Clinton and Obama are speaking!
Class is definitely unkown to Team Obama!!!
Remember when Obama "played the race card" on Bill and put a "hit job" on Bill?
Your anger is overwhelming Beth and it seems misplaced, as is a lot of the anger toward Hillary that is vented at this web-site. Could it be self-loathing. I don't see what else it could be. Has she hurt you personally?
I suspect that when she becomes President there will be a lot of angry women in therapy.
HRC won't be president sweetie. She's lost the black vote, she's pissed off the activists and the youth. The media hates her. If she steals the Nom, media darling John McCain is going to wipe the floor with her. You are dreaming. She's so done it's not even funny.
She's almost there now. Chicky.
If I were Sen. Clinton I would be feeling sorry for deluded blacks, who have bought into the race-baiting. It is quite sad, but for myself, I believe many of the blacks are coming around as they have figured out they have been hoodwinked.
We need to stop pretending the media is some objective referee that just got duped. They have an agenda. They are already bought and paid for by CORPORATIONS with ties to certain interests. As Obama gets closer to winning, we will see all sorts of attacks that skirt around race because it's a demon within the culture fighting for it's existence.
Better people than you have tried to dismiss the fact that grandiloquent, done-nothing tyro Obama spent nearly two decades complacently listening to his hate-fueled "spiritual guide" derogate his country.
Obama lifted neither finger nor tongue in defense of his country for all that time. Now he wants us to let him play Commander in Chief. It's like some kind of sick joke.
Obama tried to float the laughable lie that he didn't know what was up with Wright. Then he flapped in the political winds and finally felt it expedient to pretend to disavow the hatemonger. Then came the amusement...all the Obama groupies who were singing Wright's praises suddenly despise him, because Obama told them to. Obama groupies are complaisant zombies.
It's really too bad that the Democrats couldn't come up with a better candidate than Bill Clinton's wife.
You poor, poor Republican......
You THEhillbilly {and such a befitting sn too} have ZERO credibility to even *discuss* Barack Obama, okay?
After the betrayal by your fascist party against America, against the American people, stripping us of our pride, our young men and women, our economy, rights and jobs in pursuit of more greenbacks for the already uber-wealthy, you have the audacity to criticize the Democratic Party??
If you wanna play "guilt by association" we'll win *hands down*. While you screeched "Four more years! Four more years!" in your blind, ignorant Nazi-style loyalty of your ultra-right-wing party, Bush was rubbing footsies with the likes of the Taliban in Texas, the bin Laden's AND Rummy-boy and DICK Cheasy with the likes of Saddam Hussein all for profit, proliferating the myth of a "free market".
Neither Reverend Wright nor Senator Obama has ever done anything to harm the American people, or killed their sons and daughters in an illegal war, or took money from the poor to give to the rich, stripped NINE out of TEN of our rights as listed under the Bill of Rights, or helped caused the economic meltdown we face today. Get your priorities straight.
Like I said, you wanna blame Obama for his association with Reverend Wright? Bring it on.
Who needs Rove, you Obama supporters here are the most negative campaigners in the business!
This is like the pot calling the kettle black!
The point is not so much Wright's association as the fact that Obama lied about it by claiming he was clueless about all this! Obama is rising above what? Being a liar and having his cult followers not even realising it!
He said he could not disown Wright, then weeks later he changed his mind!!! The only new information is that Wright called Obama just another politician! So it is not any of the Wright hate speech against America that mattered to Obama but it is about him being called just another politician by his spiritual mentor!!! The man that married him, baptised his kids and converted him to Christianity actually thinks Obama is a fake!!!
What more proof do any of you need ?
truth --
Let's see . . . you say that Wright is a dangerous lunatic, on one hand, and that he says Obama is a fake, on the other. Hmmmmm . . .
It would seem that you have undermined your own argument -- we are to believe (according to your logic) that nothing coming out of Wright's mouth is sane, yet, when it comes to his judgment of Obama, he is THE authority on the subject, right?
As for your question about whether or not more proof is necessary, anyone with any intelligence would answer that, yes, much more is needed.
i did not say Wright was insane, that is your statement!!
one can be smart and still be racist or hateful!!!
I guess as an Obama supporter you make your own facts up about people and then bring their arguments down inaccurately!!!
If Wright was Obama's spiritual adviser for years, and he thinks Obama is a fake then I would tend to believe him. Wright, if anything should be biased for Obama form what i see if his views on race!!
"Converted him to christianity"?!?! I get it Vern, you think he's Muslim. Why you are a clever fella, there Vern. Do all politicians have "Spiritual Mentors" ? or is that just a negro thing? Should we be concerned about Catholics who continue to attend Church that covers up pediphilia? Should people stop going to Churches that advocate WWIII, Armageddon, and the Rapture, since these ideas are even more preposterous than anything Wright has said?
Alas, the seeker has such a long way to go. Love that "converted to Christianity" line though.
The awful truth is that Obama made the fatal error of going to a black church. Moreover it kept videos of sermons--from 20 years of which a whole minute of irrational ranting could be found. Shoulda gone to the Crystal cathedral, Obama, you phony Christian convert. Hanging with those white folks in Orange County mighta even made a Republican out of you so you could join Ken Blackwell, Clarence Thomas and other elite (AKA token) black people on the right.
no I do not think he is Muslim! As an Obama supporter this is your standard no facts reply!
He is a Christian but he (Obama) himself said that Wright converted him to Christianity 20 years ago!!!
Wow you guys do not even listen to what Obama is saying!!!
here this one was for you, hope you read it and start being less negative and hateful!!
In Obama's own words:
Rev Wright brought me to Christianity -
that does not imply he was a Muslim or anything else, do a google on Obama :
here is a link for you, with facts!!!
here is the link and a quote from that article (there are many more like it!!)
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/8/8/194812.shtml
The connection between the two goes back to Obama's days as a young community organizer in Chicago's South Side when he first met the charismatic Wright. Obama credited Wright with converting him, then a religious skeptic, to Christianity.
If your going to bash someone, try to do it with a little class.
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