It has been known for some time that D.C. is full of back-room politics, the occasional backstabbing, and sometimes, verbal attacks on other politicians. What I did not realize is that lately D.C. has become a reincarnation of the elementary school playground. The intellectual level of the disagreements and attacks has dropped to an all time low.
The first example (and probably the most poignant) is Rahm Emanuel’s use of “F***ing retards” in his belittlement of liberals who wanted to air ads targeting fellow Democrats who are against healthcare reform. This sounds less like a President’s Chief of Staff and more like a kid throwing around petty insults. My advice to anyone is that if these type of insults are the only thing that you can think of when responding to someone, you are much better off keeping your mouth shut. Emanuel’s choice of words was offensive at the least and downright childish at worst. Maybe his critics are right, he’s Obama’s Dick Cheney.
Scott Gibbs, the President’s Press Secretary, is the other example. During a briefing yesterday, Gibbs decided to take a jab at Sarah Palin by writing “hope and change” on his hand and pointing it out to the press.
I wrote down ‘hope’ and ‘change’ just in case I forgot that.
While this is not offensive, it is childish and in my opinion, a poor showing for the White House. Mr. Gibbs’ job is not to belittle those who are on the other side of the aisle, his job is to inform the public via the media. Taking little potshots, while somewhat funny, should be left to SNL and MAD TV.
I am sure that I will receive e-mails and comments about Republicans/Conservatives pulling similar antics and shame on them too. They should be focused on their job and save the comedy for when there is nothing to do in D.C.
Gibbs is a complete joke! You should watch some of his daily press briefings…ridiculous.
I guess Palin does not understand satire and she complains about telaprompters, what a hypocrite. Palin’s hand job just shows all of us what kind of dullard we are up against, I have not seen this since junior high. She is so perfect for “Fake News”. WOW and some call her a leader….please.
Milton,
Palin didn’t complain about Gibbs’ satire, I did. Palin simply commented that Emanuel’s comment was out of line and offensive.
Like I said in the post, satire should be left to Saturday Night Live and MAD TV.
I found it childish and funny (can’t it be both?). As for Palin, I encourage her to talk and act out as much as possible. She’s a gift–the Cindy Sheehan of the Right, except with the backing of a 24-hour cable infotainment network. I pray for the day she finally gives her first news conference and has to answer substantive questions about real issues. That should be a real treat.
Sure, it can be childish and funny, funny usually follows childish. The question is, was it necessary? I am not angry about it and it does not make me want to break into Keith Olbermann style alliteration. I just wonder if it is really necessary for our highest office’s press secretary to do something childish.
Necessary? Definitely not. But for all the nonsensical crap that comes out of Palin’s mouth, I don’t begrudge Gibbs for taking a fun swipe. I’m sure the self-proclaimed pit bull can take it. Gibbs defintiely shouldn’t make it a habit of engaging Palin’s looniness from the White House podium, but I’m sure he just couldn’t resist this one. Let’s face it, writing notes on your hand to presumably help her remember basic talking points during a Q&A is about as high schoolish as it gets.
Maybe high schoolish but Gibbs took the elementary school route. He could have easily taken the high road and done his press briefing like nothing had happened. What gets me is that by objecting to Gibbs’ actions I have somehow been wrangled into the “Palin supporter” camp, which is hilarious, because I am not a Palin person whatsoever.
We have somehow become this culture where it is acceptable to take digs at each other (Republicans included) instead of actually producing coherent, tangible, and useful arguments.
If we all used a little more candor when we disagree, we’d be exponentially better off.
Sorry, I don’t mean to suggest you’re a Palin supporter. I have no problem with anyone thinking Gibbs shouldn’t have had fun at Palin’s expense from the White House podium. I just don’t think it’s a big deal and don’t blame the administration for taking such an easy swipe at someone as petty and shallow as Palin. Having said that, though, I agree that Gibbs should stay above the fray in his capacity as White House Spokesman.
She was the Governor of Alaska! No small task!
Milton,
Palin didn’t complain about Gibbs’ satire, I did. Palin simply commented that Emanuel’s comment was out of line and offensive.
Like I said in the post, satire should be left to Saturday Night Live and MAD TV.