Whose Ass to Kick....

[Embar Angylwrath]

Oh COME ON!!!

"I'm gonna push back hard on this. Because I think that this is just an idea that got in folks' heads and the media's run with it. I was down there a month ago, before most of these talking heads were even paying attention to the Gulf.

"A month ago, I was meeting with fishermen down there, standing in the rain talking about what a potential crisis this could be. And I don't sit around just talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially had the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick. Right? So, you know, this is not theater."

Ok, so this is day old news or so. But really? From Mr. Spock to Jack Bauer??? What a bunch of horseshit. Another misplayed publicity stunt by Obama. He didn't need to say that (and shouldn't have said it) even if he felt it. That's not the message and image he's married to, and just reinforces peoples' opinion of how shallow and fake the administration is. He's not Bill Clinton, he can't get away with it. And what's more... he doesn't have to!

He struck the perfect tone when he talked about how even though he's angry, he can't let that distract him from the job of restoring the Gulf and helping the people. But that went out the window with the chest thumping comment of looking for "WHOSE ASS TO KICK". This really shows how bad the admin is in dealing with publuic relations after a crisis. They blew the public perception on the two failed terrorist attackes, and they are blowing it here. And the thing is, Obama had it right. He had it absolutely nailed before this comment (except he needed to do more of what he was doing) All he needs to do is show more involvement, but be the person he is.

Here's how it works... get the media in tow, get a few of them on AF-1 or M-1. Then get down to the Gulf. With media in tow. get to the beach, start talking to the guy who runs the local crabshack, talk to the captains of the empty fishnig boats, talk to the out-of-work boat repair guy, talk to the owner of the fish processing plant who has to lay off workers because there is no fish coming in, talk to the mom-and-pop bed and breakfasts on the coasts about how much pressure they are under, talk to the people trying to clean up the marshes, talk to the animal rescue.. toss in a couple of scientists for good measure... does anyone but me see what a publicity goldmine this is for Obama and his image branding? The guy could jump 20 points in the polls. AND he'd have adefense against right-wing windbags like Rush, Hannity and Beck by brining in the small business elements.. the UNITED STATES small business elements... the people that are the backbone of this economy. He wouldn't be anti-business, he'd be pro-US business and anti-elements that hurt US small businesses. JEEZ.. I cant beleive they are missing this opportunity.

Hell... get on the Coast Guard ships near the BP operation, fuck that, get on the BP ships themselves, they're in our waters! The imagery of him taking charge and connecting with the public would launch him into firmly positive poll numbers again, I don't know how his staff is missing this opportunity.

[Lurker]

Another misplayed publicity stunt by Obama. He didn't need to say that (and shouldn't have said it) even if he felt it. That's not the message and image he's married to, and just reinforces peoples' opinion of how shallow and fake the administration is.

Publicity stunt? My lord you are a moron. Obama was responding to a question that framed it that way. Your entire post proves that you didn't listen to the interview. You only read the headline... as usual. Either that or you really are a total moron, because you completely mis-characterized Obama's tone and answer.

And nothing - and I mean NOTHING - is more shallow and fake than you and your constant stream of complaints about meaningless crap.

==========

Here's the full question and answer for anyone who wants more context than they can get from a drudge feed.

MR. LAUER: Critics are now talking about your style, which is the first time I’ve heard that in a long time. And they’re saying here’s a guy who likes to be known as cool and calm and collected, and this isn’t the time for cool, calm and collected –

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

MR. LAUER: — that this is not the time to meet with experts and advisers. This is a time to spend more time in the Gulf and — I never thought I’d say this to a president — but kick some butt.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: (Chuckles.)

MR. LAUER: And I don’t mean it to be funny.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: No. And I understand. And here’s what — I’m going to push back hard on this, because I think that this is just an idea that got in folks’ heads and the media has run with it. I was down there a month ago, before most of these talking heads were even paying attention to the Gulf. A month ago I was meeting with fishermen down there standing in the rain talking about what a potential crisis this could be.

And I don’t sit around just talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers so I know whose ass to kick, right?

So, you know, this is not theater. Most of the decisions that I make on a day-to-day basis, I make because I have gathered the best information possible in very difficult situations, and my job is to figure out how can I move the federal government, the private sector, all the various players who are involved, to perform some very, very difficult tasks.

And I don’t always have time to perform for the benefit of the cable shows. What I do have is dedication and commitment to make sure that the people who are actually being affected by this are going to get the best possible service from me. And as long as I’m president, that’s the approach that I’m going to take to this job.

and a video of the question and answer


There was nothing wrong with his answer or tone. I'm not even going to bother commenting on anything else you posted because it's just more idiotic bullshit. I mean, jeez... you're still whining about them blowing public perception on the two failed terrorist attacks... whatever that even means.

[Partha]

I think we all agree that Obama should just kick Embar's ass.

[Fallakin Kuvari]

MR. LAUER: — that this is not the time to meet with experts and advisers. This is a time to spend more time in the Gulf and — I never thought I’d say this to a president — but kick some butt.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: (Chuckles.)

MR. LAUER: And I don’t mean it to be funny.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: No. And I understand. And here’s what — I’m going to push back hard on this, because I think that this is just an idea that got in folks’ heads and the media has run with it. I was down there a month ago, before most of these talking heads were even paying attention to the Gulf. A month ago I was meeting with fishermen down there standing in the rain talking about what a potential crisis this could be.

And I don’t sit around just talking to experts because this is a college seminar. We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers so I know whose ass to kick, right?

There was nothing wrong with his answer or tone. I'm not even going to bother commenting on anything else you posted because it's just more idiotic bullshit. I mean, jeez... you're still whining about them blowing public perception on the two failed terrorist attacks... whatever that even means.

There was no need to curse, and thats the problem everyone has with this. Matt Lauer was smart enough not to, our President should be as well.

[Lurker]

There was no need to curse, and thats the problem everyone has with this. Matt Lauer was smart enough not to, our President should be as well.

First of all, Obama saying "ass" (omg, a naughty word... where's my fainting couch!?!) wasn't what Embar was whining about. Embar read a headline and a few negative things on the internet, never watched the interview, and then came here to post something that was completely inaccurate. It would be nice if Embar would just admit that.

Secondy, not "everyone" has a problem with this. Almost nobody does. Only the same crowd of people who have a problem with everything Obama says or does have a problem with this.

And third... grow up. That applies to Embar, who posted this thread inaccurately accusing Obama of trying to sound like Jack Bauer and of engaging in a publicity stunt (which anyone watching the video knows isn't true), and it applies to you, who's pretending to be offended by an adult saying the word "ass". Just grow up.

[Embar Angylwrath]

Didnt read a headline chuckles, I read the interview.

Obama is a very careful speaker. He choose that word, that particular word, for effect. And it came out hollow and fake. Because that's not him, its not the image he's projected from day one. It came off as pandering. He's been catching heat from the media for not reacting forcefully enough (undeservedly so, in my opionion.. what is he gonig to do, put on a wetsuit and go fix it himself?). He's ben catching heat for not being angry enough, not being tough enough. and this was his weaksauce attempt at trying to coutner that.

That's my point, which you totally seemed to miss Lurker. Turning, as you always do when you don't want to address the point of a post, to an ad hominem attack.

[Lurker]

That's my point, which you totally seemed to miss Lurker. Turning, as you always do when you don't want to address the point of a post, to an ad hominem attack.

I debunked the point of your post and correctly called you a moron. I did both.

You completely mis-characterized the interview and you engaged in some really idiotic concern trolling, accusing Obama of engaging in a publicity stunt when he wasn't and then saying what he really needs to do is engage in a huge publicity stunt with the media in tow.

Anyone have a guess what Embar would be whining about if Obama did exactly what Embar posted he should do? I'm guessing instead of complaining about a word in an interview that Embar never watched, he'd be complaining about the massive waste of taxpayer money staging shallow and fake media events.

Grow up.

[Partha]

Didnt read a headline chuckles, I read the interview.

Obvious lie is obvious.

Seriously. Embar should play the bad guy from Out For Justice and Obama should do his Seagal impersonation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJsswPuStl4

Obama could even leave out the corkscrew, though.

[Taxious]

Really?? We have an issue with the president because he said "shit"? How is this even remotely a big deal?

Seriously. Embar should play the bad guy from Out For Justice and Obama should do his Seagal impersonation.

I love that movie!

[Riggen]

People are actually getting excited about this?

Granted, Obama has been pretty ineffectual in dealing with this crisis, but what exactly can the president do, besides enable the right people who are specifically qualified to deal with this mess to do their jobs? Tour the region some more? Why? He's basically a lawyer. You think he's supposed to be out there personally scooping up oil and cleaning off birds and delivering checks to out of work shrimpers? He doesn't know any more than the public at large about drilling for oil or the environmental and ultimate economic impact of a disaster like this. Once he's got the right people set in motion--which he can do from the Oval Office--pretty much all he can do is make encouraging noises until the real experts can give him a clue on how to act further.

So maybe the ass comment was just posturing, but you know what? So is making a big deal about it.

[Lurker]

So maybe the ass comment was just posturing, but you know what? So is making a big deal about it.

Obama wasn't posturing. I suggest everyone watch the video so they can listen to the entire question and answer, as well as tone.



Embar never watched the interview. Everything he posted about what Obama said, what tone he had while saying it, and what motivated him to answer the way he did was wrong. Watch the video.

This is just the latest in a stream of whining about meaningless crap by people who never supported Obama and never will. Embar really needs to grow up.

[Jarochai Alabaster]

Jesus fucking tapdancing Christ.

Seriously? People actually give a shit about this?

Fuck you people and your nonsensical baseless attacks on a prez for saying "ass." Rant fucking denied. Come back when you have something substantial to bitch about.

[Harlowe]

This is more melodramatic (but less entertaining) than Bohemian Rhapsody.

[Freecare Spiritwise]

Heh, that comment totally reminded me of this:



Oh, and for the record Obama's "whose ass to kick" is something he got right IMO. People say he doesn't show enough emotion; well there ya go!

[Riggen]

So maybe the ass comment was just posturing, but you know what? So is making a big deal about it.

Obama wasn't posturing. I suggest everyone watch the video so they can listen to the entire question and answer, as well as tone.

Embar never watched the interview. Everything he posted about what Obama said, what tone he had while saying it, and what motivated him to answer the way he did was wrong. Watch the video.

This is just the latest in a stream of whining about meaningless crap by people who never supported Obama and never will. Embar really needs to grow up.

I already heard the whole question and answer.

It was an interview. Of course it was posturing. It's just that it was business-as-usual posturing. It's not the kind of thing to get excited about. He was being literally truthful when he said "this isn't theater."

[Kulaf]

It was a puff piece. You make a comment to the President about kicking butt and while he is answering just the way you knew he would you run footage of him in the Gulf taking action prior to everyone complaining he wasn't doing anything. It was crappy "journalism" in that it revealed nothing. It was more like a political ad for Obama.