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Bre'r Obama
Author: BobR
Date: 10/15/2008 12:23:55
Brer Rabbit's eyes got very large. "Oh please Brer Fox, whatever you do, please don't throw me into the briar patch."
"Maybe I should roast you over a fire and eat you," mused Brer Fox. "No, that's too much trouble. Maybe I'll hang you instead."
"Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch." - From "The Wonderful Tar Baby Story" as told by Joel Chandler Harris [paraphrased]
The old story about Bre'r Rabbit and Bre'r Fox is a study in reverse psychology. It's about being cool enough under pressure to use your brains to get your opponent to do what you want them to, all the while making them think it's their choice and something you don't want. I was reminded of this story last night when I heard McCain say that Obama had pretty much forced his hand and assured that Bill Ayers would be brought up in tonight's debate.
As we all know, McCain has been attempting to use Ayers to smear Obama. He's brought up Ayers in stump speeches (as has Palin), and he's used him in ads. What he has not done is mention him during debates. After the last two, Obama called him out on this little fact, saying "Well, I am surprised that, you know, we've been seeing some pretty over-the-top attacks coming out of the McCain campaign over the last several days that he wasn't willing to say it to my face".
On the surface, it looks like Obama is calling McCain a "chicken". It looks like he's trying to get McCain to stop using Ayers in ads and stump speaches. I don't think so. I think he really wants McCain to bring up Ayers at the debates.
Why?
Because he's got something already prepared to throw back in his face. He's got something he would LOVE to bring up, but really can't without looking like he's unjustly attacking McCain. So - he needs McCain to throw the first punch.
I'm not the only one who's been thinking along these lines. According to Patrick Healy at the NY Times:
Senator Barack Obama is prepared to hit back, including with Keating Five scandal if necessary, if Senator John McCain uses tonight’s presidential debate to attack him over his associations with controversial figures like former William C. Ayers, the former Weather Underground leader, Mr. Obama’s chief strategist said this afternoon.
Of course this was said before the last debate, before Obama called out McCain. However, it reinforces the idea that Obama is prepared to counter an Ayers attack. What that counter-attack might be is intriguing to speculate.
Probably the most damning revelation is that McCain's transition team leader was part of a lobbying team for Saddam Hussein:
William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.
The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government.
During the same period beginning in 1992, Timmons worked closely with the two lobbyists, Samir Vincent and Tongsun Park, on a previously unreported prospective deal with the Iraqis in which they hoped to be awarded a contract to purchase and resell Iraqi oil. Timmons, Vincent, and Park stood to share at least $45 million if the business deal went through.
Timmons' activities occurred in the years following the first Gulf War, when Washington considered Iraq to be a rogue enemy state and a sponsor of terrorism. His dealings on behalf of the deceased Iraqi leader stand in stark contrast to the views his current employer held at the time.
Obama may or may not have known about this at the last debate, or when he called out McCain on his Ayers hypocrisy, but I'm sure he knows about it now. Regardless, Obama is prepared. We'll see what happens tonight.
So go ahead McCain - throw the first punch. Throw Bre'r Obama into that briar patch. You know you want to... don't be a chicken...
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 12:37:37
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 12:37:37
Morning :hug:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 12:55:03
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 12:55:03
Obama drowning out McCain in TV ads
nice to see someone fight for the VA vote for once.
In the first three weeks of September, Barack Obama ran 1,342 television commercials in the Washington media market that reaches heavily populated and contested Northern Virginia.
According to The Nielsen Company, in the same period and market, John McCain aired just eight commercials on broadcast stations.
nice to see someone fight for the VA vote for once.
Comment by 
TriSec on 10/15/2008 13:05:35
TriSec on 10/15/2008 13:05:35
Morning, comrades!
Late to the office today because I was busy being a....
Community Organizer!
The tenant's association is running a petition drive to gather support for a proposal to reduce the speed limit in our neighborhood to 20 mph. I was covering the school bus stops this morning.
Late to the office today because I was busy being a....
Community Organizer!
The tenant's association is running a petition drive to gather support for a proposal to reduce the speed limit in our neighborhood to 20 mph. I was covering the school bus stops this morning.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:11:39
Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:11:39
Morning all.. :coffee:
:blink:
amagad.. there's soured half & half in my coffee!
:blink:
amagad.. there's soured half & half in my coffee!
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:14:47
the whole reason why I like non-dairy creamer
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:14:47
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all.. :coffee:
:blink:
the whole reason why I like non-dairy creamer
Comment by 
BobR on 10/15/2008 13:16:33
I like my coffee like I like my voters: black and bitter... :rofl:
BobR on 10/15/2008 13:16:33
Quote by wickedpam:
the whole reason why I like non-dairy creamer
I like my coffee like I like my voters: black and bitter... :rofl:
Comment by Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:18:04
Oh I like that stuff too.. the only thing is I don't want McCain to label me a terrorist because I have an explosive substance in the office :rofl:
Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:18:04
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all.. :coffee:
:blink:
the whole reason why I like non-dairy creamer
Oh I like that stuff too.. the only thing is I don't want McCain to label me a terrorist because I have an explosive substance in the office :rofl:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:18:27
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:18:27
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
the whole reason why I like non-dairy creamer
I like my coffee like I like my voters: black and bitter... :rofl:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:19:03
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:19:03
must have been a good special comment
Comment by Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:22:05
Scoopster on 10/15/2008 13:22:05
South Philly Obama office target of false mail powder threat..
Turns out it was just some sugar. Still, whoever did this had better fuckin' hide 'cause they committed a federal crime.
Turns out it was just some sugar. Still, whoever did this had better fuckin' hide 'cause they committed a federal crime.
Comment by 
m-hadley on 10/15/2008 13:25:48
m-hadley on 10/15/2008 13:25:48
Mornin' Kids :coffee:
:hug: & :dance:
Cheers,
mfaye
:gobama:
:hug: & :dance:
Cheers,
mfaye
:gobama:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:29:30
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:29:30
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 10/15/2008 13:36:08
Mondobubba on 10/15/2008 13:36:08
Morning all. As soon as I finish the raisin bran, I am off to do the Lord's work at the Dem. HQ. As of 9:35 David Frum, the Douche Nozzle has not called me back.
Comment by 
starling310 on 10/15/2008 13:39:11
starling310 on 10/15/2008 13:39:11
Good morning everybody. 
Busy day at the salt mine. . . .
Busy day at the salt mine. . . .
Comment by BobR on 10/15/2008 13:41:20
welcome back!
BobR on 10/15/2008 13:41:20
Quote by starling310:
Good morning everybody.
Busy day at the salt mine. . . .
welcome back!
Comment by starling310 on 10/15/2008 13:42:00
Thanks Bobber. I'm just a passin' through, saying hello to all my buddies.
Miss you guys!
starling310 on 10/15/2008 13:42:00
Quote by BobR:Quote by starling310:
Good morning everybody.
Busy day at the salt mine. . . .
welcome back!
Thanks Bobber. I'm just a passin' through, saying hello to all my buddies.
Miss you guys!
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:43:49
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:43:49
we miss you too
:hug:
:hug:
Comment by 
livingonli on 10/15/2008 13:53:41
livingonli on 10/15/2008 13:53:41
Good morning everyone. 
Hi I missed your passing through. :waves northeasterly:
The interesting thing will be getting to work today. Since I head east to work, I would be passing Hofstra a bit to the south but I don't know how much the traffic will be screwed around with by secret service.
Hi
I missed your passing through. :waves northeasterly: The interesting thing will be getting to work today. Since I head east to work, I would be passing Hofstra a bit to the south but I don't know how much the traffic will be screwed around with by secret service.
Comment by 
Raine on 10/15/2008 13:57:27
Raine on 10/15/2008 13:57:27
Good Morning!
Nice analogy this morning Bobber!
Nice analogy this morning Bobber!
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:58:40
I know someone at Hostra right now - she said it was crazy with the blocked roads and secret service
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 13:58:40
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning everyone.
Hi
The interesting thing will be getting to work today. Since I head east to work, I would be passing Hofstra a bit to the south but I don't know how much the traffic will be screwed around with by secret service.
I know someone at Hostra right now - she said it was crazy with the blocked roads and secret service
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:00:04
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:00:04
:kickcan:
:star:?
Oh well... anyway.
:star:?
Oh well...
anyway.
Comment by BobR on 10/15/2008 14:01:05
BobR on 10/15/2008 14:01:05
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:03:22
HEre you go, in case you missed it. IT was shorter than usual, but very good.
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:03:22
Quote by wickedpam:
must have been a good special comment
Comment by livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:03:35
Newsday had an article last week on how it was almost impossible for anyone to get tickets to the debate even for students and alumni of Hofstra such as myself.
livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:03:35
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
Good morning everyone.
Hi
The interesting thing will be getting to work today. Since I head east to work, I would be passing Hofstra a bit to the south but I don't know how much the traffic will be screwed around with by secret service.
I know someone at Hostra right now - she said it was crazy with the blocked roads and secret service
Newsday had an article last week on how it was almost impossible for anyone to get tickets to the debate even for students and alumni of Hofstra such as myself.
Comment by m-hadley on 10/15/2008 14:06:29
Good to see you back, Roomie,
We have missed you and your witty repartee. :D
I know the feeling - I am swamped at work today too, so this my be my only comment for awhile :(
Cheers,
mfaye & :dance:
:gobama:
m-hadley on 10/15/2008 14:06:29
Quote by starling310:
Good morning everybody.
Busy day at the salt mine. . . .
Good to see you back, Roomie,
We have missed you and your witty repartee. :D
I know the feeling - I am swamped at work today too, so this my be my only comment for awhile :(
Cheers,
mfaye
& :dance::gobama:
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:07:29
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:07:29
Comment by livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:07:55
livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:07:55
Hi mfaye. Don't let the salt mine get you down.
Comment by livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:12:55
livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:12:55
Jim does a pretty good Daffy Duck.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:26:19
Wow! That was a good one.
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:26:19
Quote by Raine:HEre you go, in case you missed it. IT was shorter than usual, but very good.Quote by wickedpam:
must have been a good special comment
Wow! That was a good one.
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:38:50
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:38:50
:clap: Nice Random...
Comment by 
Random on 10/15/2008 14:43:21
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
Random on 10/15/2008 14:43:21
Quote by Raine:
:clap: Nice Random...
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:49:03
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:49:03
once again Cheney has a heart? :scratchhead:
Comment by BobR on 10/15/2008 14:50:59
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
BobR on 10/15/2008 14:50:59
Quote by Random:
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
Comment by wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:51:12
wickedpam on 10/15/2008 14:51:12
aaawwwwww.....:cry:
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:51:17
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:51:17
They have to Reboot him.
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:52:58
YEah, where did you ?
You are more than welcome to outlet any time you want here!
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:52:58
Quote by BobR:Quote by Random:
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
YEah, where did you ?
You are more than welcome to outlet any time you want here!
Comment by livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:53:12
Random, you can write blogs here. You just have to wait until the customary end of Steph's show so we will pay attention.
livingonli on 10/15/2008 14:53:12
Quote by BobR:Quote by Random:
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
Random, you can write blogs here. You just have to wait until the customary end of Steph's show so we will pay attention.
Comment by Random on 10/15/2008 14:53:56
I'm pokin' Cause I'm a poker, with a pokin' pokie poke poke. (Do i sound like Mrs Palin yet?)
I'm just havin' a little fun with ya.
Random on 10/15/2008 14:53:56
Quote by BobR:Quote by Random:
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
I'm pokin' Cause I'm a poker, with a pokin' pokie poke poke. (Do i sound like Mrs Palin yet?)
I'm just havin' a little fun with ya.
Comment by BobR on 10/15/2008 14:55:58
here's how I respond to getting poked ---> :punch:
BobR on 10/15/2008 14:55:58
Quote by Random:
I'm pokin' Cause I'm a poker, with a pokin' pokie poke poke. (Do i sound like Mrs Palin yet?)
I'm just havin' a little fun with ya.
here's how I respond to getting poked ---> :punch:
Comment by Random on 10/15/2008 14:55:59
Note to Self: Sarcasm doesn't work.
Random on 10/15/2008 14:55:59
Quote by livingonli:Quote by BobR:Quote by Random:
I had to have an outlet since no one would let me back and writing a blog here...
where'd you ever get THAT ridiculous idea? :scratchhead:
Random, you can write blogs here. You just have to wait until the customary end of Steph's show so we will pay attention.
Note to Self: Sarcasm doesn't work.
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 14:56:02
Raine on 10/15/2008 14:56:02
How old is Darth Cheney? Him going to the hospital today doesn't seem like it would bode well for grampy.... Sorta reminds people of his age, and health.
Comment by Random on 10/15/2008 14:57:15
And that's how I'd respond.
Random on 10/15/2008 14:57:15
Quote by BobR:Quote by Random:
I'm pokin' Cause I'm a poker, with a pokin' pokie poke poke. (Do i sound like Mrs Palin yet?)
I'm just havin' a little fun with ya.
here's how I respond to getting poked ---> :punch:
And that's how I'd respond.
Comment by Raine on 10/15/2008 15:02:54
Raine on 10/15/2008 15:02:54
You 2 ... 
Comment by livingonli on 10/15/2008 15:03:40
livingonli on 10/15/2008 15:03:40
Right now, my local Fox station is reporting on the debate and of course all the McCain supporters drift towards the Fox reporter.
Comment by TriSec on 10/15/2008 15:05:14
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30, 1941)
He's in awful shape for 67....McCain is doing better at 72.
TriSec on 10/15/2008 15:05:14
Quote by Raine:
How old is Darth Cheney? Him going to the hospital today doesn't seem like it would bode well for grampy.... Sorta reminds people of his age, and health.
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30, 1941)
He's in awful shape for 67....McCain is doing better at 72.
Comment by Random on 10/15/2008 15:10:44
whaaaaaaaaaat?
*innocent look*
Random on 10/15/2008 15:10:44
Quote by Raine:
You 2 ...
whaaaaaaaaaat?
*innocent look*
Comment by TriSec on 10/15/2008 15:11:58
TriSec on 10/15/2008 15:11:58
Idle thought....given Bob's "Daddy Complex" comment a few days back.
Is Sen. McCain running against Obama, or this guy?
Noted in the article, the elder McCains were the first father-son four-star admiral combination in US history. I'm sure McCain the younger is a tad miffed at missing the trifecta.
His Grandpa was actually instrumental in developing US carrier tactics in the early going..
Is Sen. McCain running against Obama, or this guy?
Noted in the article, the elder McCains were the first father-son four-star admiral combination in US history. I'm sure McCain the younger is a tad miffed at missing the trifecta.
His Grandpa was actually instrumental in developing US carrier tactics in the early going..