George Will, Man Of The People, MisQuotes Obama, Pushing the Elitist Tag

Today on ABC's This Week, George Will denounced Barack Obama as an "elitist" and then told an outright lie about Obama, claiming that Obama had tried to "commiserate" with Iowans about high food prices by citing the price of Arugula at Whole Foods. Will observed mockingly that there are no Whole Foods stores in Iowa.

Unfortunately for Will, the reality is much different. Obama wasn't showing his sympathy about high food prices. He was talking to Iowa farmers and making the point that farmers often don't receive the high prices paid. That's why Obama said last year, "Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula? I mean, they're charging a lot of money for this stuff."

Last August, Will wrote an OpEd on Obama and judicial confirmations that began by quoting Obama's arugula remark. In that piece, however, Will accurately noted the context about farmers, how at places such as Whole Foods the prices were exorbitant and so farmers in places like Iowa should be entitled to some of the profits. So why is Will lying about it now? He wants to push the "elitism" story to try to take down a popular progressive leader. Of course, the notion of George Will as the man of the people, defending them against liberal elitists, should start everyone laughing.

All of this is part of the longstanding attacks against Obama as the "wine track" candidate, the candidate of liberal elites rather than the working people. It's been a lie told about Democratic presidential candidates many times before. But Obama has a certain advantage: with his grassroots campaign, his massive rallies, and his ability to use YouTube to gain direct access to the voters, the power of mainstream media and the unchallenged lies of George Will and other pundits has been severely weakened. Obama can overcome the nattering nabobs in the press, the elitists who falsely imagine that they have direct understanding of what the "working man" thinks.

Read more John K Wilson here.

Comments

[Rule Of Law]

When Obama straps on his bow tie, then I will consider him to be Will's equal in elitism.

[roneckley16823]

Whats with the republicans and eating arugula? I love the stuff. Aren't they the ones being condesinding? I'm small town and we have it at our grocery stores. Hey, maybe the repubs don't have a NAFTA contract for the stuff. Call the Clintons and see what they can arrange. Get with it George, you are not the only person that knows about arugula. Its just a little bitter like you.

[TerenceHartnett]

Look, here's the argument: "Just let the right-wing run things because . . ."

It is a peasant/lord ideology. Let the lords and barons run everything and then something will trickle down to you peasants. BEWARE: anyone (Dems) who say they will represent your interests are just elitist snobs who are not like you--and they are only interested in power. Quick look! There's a man in a cowboy hat clearing brush! He IS a man of the people. Vote for him. It's just sad.

Will Americans ever stand up to these bastards and vote for what for someone who will actually represent their interests?

[Umungus]

How the hell is George Will in touch with the American People? How does he know what affects us from day to day? When was the last time he had to worry about the price of food or gas for his car?

Give me a freaking break. There is nothing wrong with being an elitist, but c'mon George, we're supposed to believe you care about the common person? Yeah... right!

[danceswithyids]

Yeah lets focus on Will who doesn't even matter in this, rather than address Obama ruining this for himself and the Democratic party.
They always say it, and I guess they do that because its true.
We have the greatest ability to snatch defeat from the hands of victory

[elbamash]

Will also brought up, on the same program yesterday, that Michelle Obama was complaining about the high price of lessons for their daughters ($10,000 for music lessons, etc) implying, again, elitism and being out of touch. I find it very hard to imagine that Michelle Obama ever said such a thing. But then again, it came from the mouth of George Will.

[herronsmith]

George Will is a putz. It doesn't surprise me that he is a liar as well. It's pathetic how this primary has spun the facts to fit the Clintons. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, they have been given enough rope that they are hanging themselves with no need from outside sources. How sad it must feel to be so desperate.