Althouse: "There was no pot of gold at the end of the adult-in-the-room rainbow... and there were only so many times Lucy could pull away the football."

March 21, 2012

"There was no pot of gold at the end of the adult-in-the-room rainbow... and there were only so many times Lucy could pull away the football."

An unnamed former Obama aide utters one of the silliest sentences we've ever read.

The context is the third year of Obama's presidency, which "did not produce outcomes sufficient for frustrated liberals [but] mark the end of the compromiser-in-chief" as described by David Corn in his new book, "Showdown: The Inside Story of Obama's Fight to Save His Presidency."

Speaking of Corn's new book, Instapundit has a story about Corn yelling at a manager at a Barnes & Noble over the stores failure to give his book its own display.

48 comments:

traditionalguy said...: I understand the mixed metaphors to be a good description of Obama's frustration.

That skilled of a liar has to be very frustrated when no one believes anything he says anymore.

Obama has always claimed that his role as PRESIDENT is to fool all of the people all of the time.

And if he cannot do that, then by his Marxist beliefs he is not The Leader anymore.

It's required by his plan to isolate, personalize and destroy the US Congress leaders and the US Supreme Court. Those counter-revolutionary institutions are the demons he is dedicated to casting out.; 3/21/12, 8:11 AM
KCFleming said...: "This isn't class warfare. This is simple math."

Since when do the Democrats care about math?.

They've spent more in 3 years than we can possibly pay back, and now they want to highlight trade-offs?

Fact is, we can't afford any spending they're talking about; it's all on borrowed money.

Romney had the correct question in re: what is important enough to borrow from China to do.

Obama is just going to be Mr. Free Stuff.; 3/21/12, 8:14 AM
The Crack Emcee said...: Speaking of Corn's new book, Instapundit has a story about Corn yelling at a manager at a Barnes & Noble over the stores failure to give his book its own display.

I like how you're running stories the Instapundit reports on, and I'm talking about the ones he skews or doesn't.

We make a good team!; 3/21/12, 8:21 AM
David said...: Seems like a dreadful book.; 3/21/12, 8:26 AM
Robert Cook said...: "Obama has always claimed that his role as PRESIDENT is to fool all of the people all of the time."

Has he? Where and when?

"And if he cannot do that, then by his Marxist beliefs he is not The Leader anymore."

I always wonder if people who declare Obama a socialist or a Marxist are really so utterly self-deluded or if they just like making shit up.

Which is it with you?; 3/21/12, 8:34 AM
Roman said...: A great horses ass was ruined when teeth were put in David Corn's mouth!; 3/21/12, 8:35 AM
TMink said...: So our President is Charlie Brown?

Fits for me.

Trey; 3/21/12, 8:37 AM
Roger J. said...: Re Mr Cook's comment: I dont personally believe Mr Obama has any philosophical grounding, either in Marxism, socialism, or free markets--he is simply a political huckster along the lines of Huey Long. The only important thing is to get reelected and say anything or do anything that helps him achieve that goal. He is simply a caricature of a a corrupt politician. At least Harry Truman, an avid poker player, would understand the limits of bluffing.; 3/21/12, 8:39 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: A Mother Jones columnist reveals he is a capitalist a heart. What's next? Cookie starts pimping his own blog?; 3/21/12, 8:40 AM
The Crack Emcee said...: TMink,

So our President is Charlie Brown?

Fits for me.

Trey

No, Glenn Reynolds is Charlie Brown.

The president is "Token" on South Park - just without the brains,...; 3/21/12, 8:43 AM
Chip S. said...: @Pogo--I think "simple" math is just the right term for it.

simple:

4: a : lacking in knowledge or expertise
b (1) : stupid (2) : mentally retarded; 3/21/12, 8:43 AM
Anonymous said...: ""and there were only so many times Lucy could pull away the football"

So that makes Obama Charlie Brown.

Which is about right.

Good grief, we're doomed if this guy gets reelected.

I can see the needles falling off his drooping health care plan as I type.; 3/21/12, 8:43 AM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: What could a Clinton apologist have to say about the apologist-in-chief?; 3/21/12, 8:45 AM
Christopher said...: "Compromiser-In-Chief", eh?

Wasn't there just a major story about how the grand compromiser scuttled a major bi-partisan deal on the national debt because he wanted to score points with his base?; 3/21/12, 8:47 AM
garage mahal said...: I always wonder if people who declare Obama a socialist or a Marxist are really so utterly self-deluded or if they just like making shit up.

I blame right wing blogs.; 3/21/12, 8:49 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: "... I always wonder if people who declare Obama a socialist or a Marxist are really so utterly self-deluded or if they just like making shit up..."

In one of his books he claimed to be attracted to Marxist types and radicals in college. His dad was a self described Marxist. His buddies Van Jones is an admitted communist and Anita Dunn said Mao is her favorite philosopher.

I hold the belief that the folks you hang around with tend to share your beliefs and values, particularly ones you give jobs in your administration. He's obviously of the mindset that we should share the wealth so he shows an affinity for collectivism.

If it walks like a duck....; 3/21/12, 8:50 AM
Robert Cook said...: "I dont personally believe Mr Obama has any philosophical grounding, either in Marxism, socialism, or free markets--he is simply a political huckster along the lines of Huey Long. The only important thing is to get reelected and say anything or do anything that helps him achieve that goal. He is simply a caricature of a a corrupt politician."

BINGO!!! Give that man a cigar!; 3/21/12, 8:56 AM
garage mahal said...: He attracted Marxism from the loins of his father he never knew.

#plausible; 3/21/12, 8:57 AM
Roger J. said...: Mr Cook: I am partial to Partagas!; 3/21/12, 8:57 AM
Robert Cook said...: "Mr Cook: I am partial to Partagas!"

Cubans, eh? What are you, a commie?!; 3/21/12, 9:01 AM
Roger J. said...: Mr Cook--my grandfather was a major cigar manufacturer in Ybor City and the early 1920s and 30s.--I know cigars pretty well, and there are very few real cuban cigars on the market--Partagas, made by the Cifuentes family, and Cohibas as well, are all now made in the Dominican Republic. A real Cuban cigar is highly overrated, as all the good manufacturers left after the revolution.

Commies dont do anything well except genocide.; 3/21/12, 9:05 AM
Robert Cook said...: I don't know, Roger J., by the six-degrees-of-separation standards of some who comment here, (see, e.g., Hoosier Daddy), that you have a preference for cigars that have any suspect provenance makes you suspect!

I kid, I kid. Consider yourself metaphoricaly gifted with a box of Partagenas cigars!; 3/21/12, 9:09 AM
Roger J. said...: Mr Cook: loved your comment--and I knew you were kidding. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously--and I am off to my tobaconist to get some partagas--I will light one up in your honor, sir.; 3/21/12, 9:12 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: "... He attracted Marxism from the loins of his father he never knew.

#plausible.."

Sure cause mom never said anything about him which is why his book Dreams of My Father is fictional.; 3/21/12, 9:19 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: "... I don't know, Roger J., by the six-degrees-of-separation standards of some who comment here, (see, e.g., Hoosier Daddy.."

Six degrees of separation? LOL!

I guess I just can't take his word for it. Ok.; 3/21/12, 9:24 AM
Chip S. said...: How ridiculous to think that a candidate endorsed by the "New Party" could in any way be construed as a socialist!

Cook, I'll spare you the trouble of typing out your utterly predictable reply. The fact that Obama's actions in his first term have been constrained by electoral considerations is a saving grace, but does not constitute evidence of his true political preferences.

With a bit of luck, we'll be spared the ordeal of finding out what he'd try to do without reelection considerations staying his hand.; 3/21/12, 9:24 AM
edutcher said...: Poor GodZero, nothing is ever his ('scuse me, His) fault.

It's those terrible, awful Republicans.

Or those... people who just don't see his wonderfulness.; 3/21/12, 9:28 AM
Joe said...: What difference would it have made if Corn's book had been given a display; doesn't he know that nobody shops there anymore?; 3/21/12, 9:38 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: "... The fact that Obama's actions in his first term have been constrained by electoral considerations is a saving grace, but does not constitute evidence of his true political preferences..."

Well he did say it would be easier to be President of China.

But of course that statement is really six degrees of separation from Obama.; 3/21/12, 9:40 AM
Nathan Alexander said...: @Robert Cook & Garage Mahal,
Socialist:
- Obamacare is a program clearly part of a strategy to bring about single-payer socialized medicine
- "At some point you've made enough money" is a socialist view
- "It is better for everyone when you spread the wealth around"...paraphrase of unscripted conversation (w/ Joe the Plumber) reveals a world view that is very nearly a textbook thumbnail description of socialism

Marxism:
One of his most intimate mentors, Bill Ayers, was so into Marxist-Leninism he was willing to kill for it.

So unless you are using a non-standard definition of Marxism or Socialism (such as the Socialist Purity "No True Scotsman" fallacy), Obama is clearly both socialist and Marxist.

If you are using a non-standard understanding of Marxism and socialism, the only honest thing to do would be to admit it.

Especially if you are using a clearly non-standard understanding in order to obfuscate reality in the service of smearing your ideological opponents.; 3/21/12, 9:41 AM
traditionalguy said...: Cookie...It's too late to pretend Obama is an out of touch Chicago community organizer struggling against rich GOP guys.

His dedication to cooperate in an international rule over a USA that has half its energy production , half its military budget and half its traditional allies is all Marxist all of the time. Community organizers don't need to do that stuff 24/7 like Chairman Obama does.; 3/21/12, 9:42 AM
Anonymous said...: "There's a rational choice to be made, and there's only so much money."

The only rational choice is to stop spending, because...there is no more money.

No. More. Money.; 3/21/12, 10:04 AM
Robert Cook said...: Cookie...It's too late to pretend Obama is an out of touch Chicago community organizer struggling against rich GOP guys."

When have I ever suggested that? Obama is happily cooperating with "rich GOP guys!"; 3/21/12, 10:10 AM
William said...: This Althouse link is the blog equivalent of a center aisle display table in Barnes & Noble. However, I don't think Althouse readers are Korn's target audience. I only read about three or four paragraphs before giving up.; 3/21/12, 10:20 AM
Robert Cook said...: "(Obama's) dedication to cooperate in an international rule over a USA that has half its energy production , half its military budget and half its traditional allies is all Marxist all of the time."

Um...what?

Aside from your apparent confusion--as none of what you describe is taking place--decisions regarding management of energy production (?) or whether to adjust the military budget have nothing to do with Marxism.; 3/21/12, 10:21 AM
bagoh20 said...: The quote makes perfect sense to me on a number of levels.

Separately but related: There is nothing about being a socialist that precludes one from being a hack, an opportunist or to cooperate with those who have money and power. That just separates the successful ones from the mere writers.; 3/21/12, 10:43 AM
ricpic said...: Compromiser-in-chief. You mean the guy who said "I won" ad nauseum?; 3/21/12, 10:43 AM
Joe Schmoe said...: Sounds like David Corn was the inspiration for Beavis' alter ego The Great Cornholio.; 3/21/12, 10:51 AM
Joe Schmoe said...: 'Adult-in-the-room' is such an appropriate tactic for Obama.

It belittles the congressional leaders involved, like they're just children irrationally arguing over a playtime event. I've come to expect that level of condescension from Obama and his inner circle. How about looking at these people as coworkers and not your lackeys? Adversarial and contentious coworkers, sure, but still your coworkers.

He's also more concerned about being an adult than being a leader. Grab the reins, for Christ's sake. Make something happen rather than wait to play some Solomonic arbiter.

As long as we're using Peanuts metaphors, how about Obama as Charlie Brown and alternative energy as the kite-eating tree? How many frickin' kites is he going to fly into that thing?; 3/21/12, 11:38 AM
bgates said...: But of course that statement is really six degrees of separation from Obama.

I'm sick of you wingers who say that just because a thought forms in your mind, from neurons firing in your brain, due to signals from your auditory nerves caused by vibrations in your ears, which were caused by pressure waves in the air, which just happened to form immediately after Obama started talking, that somehow he's responsible for your opinion of him.; 3/21/12, 11:44 AM
Scott M said...: I'm sick of you wingers

Could this be less politically descriptive? I suppose it does exempt the moderates, but still...; 3/21/12, 11:46 AM
Caroline said...: Obama is not a compromiser. He does not try to hide his disdain and contempt for those who do not agree with him. He doesn't act like a President of the US- more like the leader of the Democratic Party. I believe this is his undoing- it is why he can find no common ground with Republicans in congress- he truly doesn't believe there is any, and they know it.

If Obama can't effectively negotiate with the opposition party in Congress, then he is a bad leader. Period. No matter how Corn and others try to spin it.; 3/21/12, 11:51 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: What difference would it have made if Corn's book had been given a display; doesn't he know that nobody shops there anymore?

I think that the absurdity there is that Corn was naive enough to think that this sort of product placement was up to the bookstore. Those display places in big bookstores? The publishers pay for them. If he had a beef, it was with his publisher, for failing to pay B&N for that sort of product placement. His publicist for failing to push for that, etc.

I learned long ago not to buy things that were prominently displayed in stores. For example, if you want to buy soft drinks, you buy them when they are not in huge displays at the front of the store. That is because the soft drink companies' advertising money is more likely to be going to buy down the price, than when it is being used for floor placement.; 3/21/12, 12:11 PM
ricpic said...: ...somehow he [Obama] is responsaible for your opinion of him.

Who else would be responsible for my opinion of the vicious punk other than the vicious punk's vicious punk words and vicious punk actions, bgates, you smoke blowing lefty?; 3/21/12, 1:23 PM
Rusty said...: I always wonder if people who declare Obama a socialist or a Marxist are really so utterly self-deluded or if they just like making shit up.

Cliche's are cliche's because they happen to be true.

"You are known by the company you keep."
Who has our president hung out with in his life?; 3/21/12, 3:48 PM
Nathan Alexander said...: @Robert Cook,
Why do you avoid addressing my points, hmm?

Just address the one about Marxism, then. That should be easy.

Which is it: Obama has no connection to Bill Ayers, or Bill Ayers has no connection to Marxism?

If you can't refute that Obama's closest mentor is someone willing to kill for the Marxist ideology, then I guess you'll have to admit you are the one "utterly self-deluded or just like making shit up."

But I can appreciate the attempt at projection.; 3/21/12, 5:04 PM
Known Unknown said...: That's one corny sentence.; 3/21/12, 7:09 PM
TMink said...: Obama is NOT a socialist according to some of you.

OK.

What is his base political/economic philosophy. Is he one of those horrible capitalists you guys keep complaining about? Is that what you are saying?

Throw us a bone of your confident wisdom.

Trey; 3/22/12, 8:28 AM