Obama-Biden Whine Because Reporter Asked Real Questions
It’s amazing how thin-skinned the Obama-Biden ticket is. Today, they whined that the questions WFTV anchor-reporter Barbara West asked Sen. Biden. First, here’s a transcript of their interview:
WEST: I know you’re in North Carolina trying to help get out the vote but aren’t you embarassed by the blatant attempts to register phony voters by ACORN, an organization that Barack Obama has been tied to in the past?
BIDEN: I am not embarassed by it. We are not tied to it. We have not paid them one single penny to register a single solitary voter. We have the best GOTV operation in modern history. We’ve registered the voters ourselves and so there is no relationship. So I am embarassed for anybody in ACORN who went out there and registered somebody who shouldn’t be registered. I’m not embarrassed by our campaign because we haven’t paid ACORN a single penny to register a single voter.
WEST: But in the past, Sen. Obama was a community organizer for ACORN. He was an attorney for ACORN and certainly in the Senate, he has been a benefactor for ACORN.
BIDEN: How has he been a benefactor for ACORN? He was a community organizer. John McCain stood before ACORN not long ago and complimented them on the great work they did. Does tghat make John McCain complicit in any mistake that ACORN made? C’mon. Let’s get real.
WEST: Okay, moving onto the next question. Sen. Obama famously told Joe the Plumber that he wanted to spread his wealth around. Gallup polls show 84% of Americans prefer government focus on improving financial conditions and creating more jobs in the U.S. as opposed to taking steps to distributing wealth. Isn’t Sen. Obama’s statement a potentially crushing political blunder?
BIDEN: Absolutely not. The only person that’s spread the wealth around has been George Bush and John McCain’s tax policy. They have devastated the middle class. For the first time since the 1920’s, the top 1% make 21% of the income in America. That isn’t the way it was before George Bush became president. All we want is the middle class to have a fighting chance. That’s why we focus all of our efforts on restoring the middle class and giving them a tax break. And John McCain doubles down on Bush’s tax cuts and gives a $300 billion in tax cuts for the largest companies in America. We don’t think that’s the way to do it. We think give the middle class a break. That’s the way to do it.
WEST: You may recognize this famous quote. From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs. That’s from Karl Marx. How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?
BIDEN: Are you joking? Is this a joke?
WEST: No.
BIDEN: Is that a real question?
WEST: It’s a real question.
BIDEN: He is not spreading the wealth around. He is talking about giving the middle class an opportunity to get back the tax breaks they used to have. What has happened just this year is that the people making $1.4 million a year, the wealthiest 1%, good, decent American people, are gonna get an $87 billion tax cut. A new one on top of the one from last year. We think that the people getting that tax break and not redistribute the wealth up, should be the middle class. That’s what we think. It’s a ridiculous comparison with all due respect.
WEST: Now you recently said “Mark my words. It won’t be six months before the world tests Barack Obama.” But what worries many people is your caveat asking them to stand with him because it won’t be apparent that he got it right. Are you forewarning the American people that something might not get done and that America’s days as the world’s leader might be over?
BIDEN: No, I’m not at all. I don’t know who’s writing your questions but let me make it clear to you. The fact of the matter is that everyone with knowledge, from Colin Powell on down, the next president, whether it’s John McCain or Barack Obama. The reason is our weakened position in the world. We’re stretched thin throughout the world. Our economy is in freefall right now. And they’re gonna be tested. And the point I was making is that Barack Obama is better prepared to handle any crisis than John McCain…
Here’s Obama’s response:
The Barack Obama campaign called Barbara West’s interview with Sen. Joe Biden unprofessional and combative.
The first time that someone actually asks real questions, the Obama campaign whines that the interview was combative. That’s what happens when they’re used to getting softball questions. It’s great to hear West isn’t just sitting back and taking it. Here’s her response:
“I have a great deal of respect for him. I have a great deal of respect for Sen. Obama. We are given four minutes of a satellite window for these interviews. Four precious minutes. I got right down to it and, yes, I think I asked him some pointed questions. These are questions that are rolling about right now and questions that need to be asked. I don’t think I was rude or inconsiderate to him. I think I was probing and maybe tough. I can’t believe that in all of his years in politics, and all of his campaigning and such, that he hasn’t run into some tough questions before. He’s certainly up to it in giving good answers.”
Biden appeared insulted at times by Ms. West’s questions. His asking “Is that a real question” was the perfect example of his frustration.
Sen. Biden shouldn’t be insulted. The Obama-coddling media have insulted us with their protectionist attitude towards Obama. Prior to Ms. West’s interview, the media didn’t challenge Obama with any difficult questions. They’ve ignored Biden’s gaffes. When Biden and Obama don’t hold press conferences, they’re silent as lambs.
The American people are getting disgusted because they haven’t seen enough interviews of Mssrs. Obama and Biden like Ms. West has conducted. They want reporters who ask incisive questions. They’re hungering for journalists who read legislation and ask specific questions of politicians relating to specific provisions in that legislation.
Most importantly, they’re looking for reporters who’ll hold politicians and other public officials accountable. That’s why NY Times’ stock is almost worthless.
Finally, I want to thank Barbara West for standing up to Sen. Biden. It’s long overdue.
Technorati Tags: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Media Bias, ACORN, Corruption, Tax Increases, Barbara West, Journalists, Election 2008
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
October 26th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Asking any United Senator if they are a Marxist is insulting, especially when it is based on distortion and lies from opponents. West was attacking Biden with false McCain/Palin allegations against Obama and Biden in the form of questions. West was completely unprofessional and biased!
October 26th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Biden wasn’t “whining.” In fact he demonstrated that the straight talk label belongs to Biden not McCain. Both Biden and Obama have demonstrated integrity, judgment and leadership in spite of daily attacks by McCain, Palin and GOP surrogates in and out of the press.
October 26th, 2008 at 1:43 am
So Sarah, what’s insulting? Did Obama insult himself when he stated he Ran with Marxist students and sought Marxists professors in college? And why did he do that? And his youth mentor Davis was a card toting commie and Ayers and Dohrm are admitted commies. o where are the lies and distortions from opponents, and what’s with Biden stating “no he is not spreading the wealth around,” when that is in fact exactly what Bambi told Joe the Plumber and he stated in a post interview that he stood by that remark! And now the campaign and their cultist followers call questions about their stated positions “Palin/McCain allegations?”
And questions about the beloved ACORN for whom Bambi represented and worked for and paid $800,000 and they clearly are trying to get their Marxist One elected, those questions are unprofessional?
Those questions cut to the chase of who Obama is! You know it, I know it, that’s who and what you want, and that is who Obama is.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
You dont understand SEW. Its not fair to ask embarrassing questions of the Emperor, or at least tyhe presumed emperor.
Never mind that he represented ACORN as a lawyer, and now knows nothing about their fraudulent activities. Or that he sat in Wrights church for 20 some years but never really listened much to the sermons, or never really knew much about Wm. Ayers, he’s just a guy in the neighborhood, for cryin out loud! Or that he was born in Hawaii, sorta, just cant seem to come up with a birth certificate. T’s’no big deal!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
To Sarah:
It is only insulting if they haven’t provided evidence to the contrary. Obama has socialist written all over his agenda: redistribute the wealth? He said that he has no regrets telling Joe the Plumber that he wants to do this. Get real, and stop with the “Obama talking points.” For once, someone asked meaningful, tough questions of your candidate, and you can’t handle it.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I think some people have guts to ask these questions like Barbara West. There are lots of questions that needs to clarifies Obama’s past. This is an important issue that America wants to know. Obama-Biden are trying to mislead the American people. We want the truth.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I think if an interviewer started out probing McCain on his associations with Gordon Liddy and Oliver North, and then delved into unfounded accusations that he was nicknamed “songbird” by his fellow POWs, the McCain camp would be just as pissy.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am
By “real” do you mean “wingnut-inspired”?
Ahahahaha! It’s gonna be a sea of blue Nov. 4th!
October 27th, 2008 at 7:50 am
If he cannot handle this then how will he handle the dictators and terrorist of the world? She is an accurate questioner!! Tough leadership must be able to handle tough questions; unless she accurately describe him and his principles of socialistic thinking; I think Biden has finally been snared!!
October 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I know that there are an awful lot of wingnuts on your side, but there is no way any rational person can believe that these weren’t loaded questions. West is married to a Florida GOP operative, for Christ’s sake. Also, you do realize that the only person arrested for voter registration fraud so far is a California Republican, don’t you?
It’s entertaining to watch the Republican Party tear at the seams. It’s going to be even more fun to watch the aftermath of the election, when the Republicans have a civil war over who decides the future of the party (the theocons with all the foot soldiers, or the corporate conservatives with all the money).
October 27th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Hey, its politics, as a famous Democrtat once said, if you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Course that was when Democrats all had a set.
Its just kind of funny how Republicans are fair game for derision, ridicule, criticism, media bias, etc., etc, but the anointed
Democrats are sacrosanct.
October 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I must compliment WFTV on the employment of Barbara West. She has authenticated WFTV’s fascist bona fides. Please continue to broadcast Ms. West as she makes your station a beacon for all of us who fight to stifle free thought, racial tolerance, and Christian values.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Wow, you McBush followers had a FIT when Katie Couric asked your queen what newspapers she reads but you’re defending this ridiculous line of questioning.
Hypocrisy anyone?
FALSE PRETENSES do not make good questions.
Do you imagine Mrs. West asking Palin about her associations with Alaska Independence Party, or saying something like ‘How do you explain the fact that your own state has found you guilty of ethics violations? In recent polls 97% of Americans don’t like unethical candidates. Aren’t you embarassed that you did that?…….. aren’t you embarassed that the Alaska Independence Party hates the U.S.?…….why did you speak at their convention? Weren’t you supporting their anti-American agenda when you did that? Doesn’t that make you anti-American?”
yeah right, she would never. and if any reporter did, you people would be having a holy seizure.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
CAN I GET A WITNESS ?
If Obama is so popular, the national poles do not and have not shown any real evidence of Obama’s so called overwhelming popular support. The current mass news media erroneous pole numbers, as in the “bias” news media attempting to play off their overstating of the sudden Obama nation wide lead is pathetic subterfuge, and below amateur.
If Obama was as popular as
MSNBC, CNN, Moveon.org and the Daily Kos wishes he was,
McCain would be trailing in the low end of 20 or 30%
to Obama’s 70 to 80%
Who are they kidding–Obama cant even show a clear or clean break away from McCain in any pole numbers The mass cable news and print media claims Obama is the biggest most popular political candidate in history give me a break Mr.Olbermann, deception, hyper misrepresentation and subterfuge is thy middle name Keith.
By the way
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU AMERICA ?
How do you rationalize a vote for a guy with absolutely no domestic or foreign policy experience no gainful senate or congressional experience and no executive office experience what so ever
Hello –Obama is running to be president of the United States of America
In the real world it does not and will not work this way,
and the real world has unforgiving and devastating consequences.
IF POLITICS WAS A BURGER KING
OBAMA WOULD ONLY BE “QUALIFIED”
TO COOK FRENCH FRIES,
and he would be supervised for the first two weeks!
I can not and I do not buy into the Obama over hype of his so called superior auditory skills, his speech’s are dull uneventful and uninspiring. However entry level political auditory skills have become the single and only presidential qualification and skill levels are optional.
“QUALIFIED–QUALIFICATIONS”
it is not much to ask..
damn it.. Qualifications
It is the first friggin question to ask.
Moving forward backwards
Obama’s affordable universal health care plan? I guess he will get the money from the universal affordable banks-
Sorry Barak the banks are bankrupt. If the banks are broke the people are no doubt broker, and your Obama redistribution of wealth “tax” plan will not pay for your universal redistribution of misguided incompetents..
I guess no one told Barak about the world wide financial crisis and the national mortgage and credit and banking crisis. The financial devastation goes far beyond these countries banks, stock market credit lenders not to mention the government is going insolvent bailing the entire financial industry out of the hole the government is at insolvent from paying for two wars, congress is pissing billions of dollars away bailing out the banks, and trust me, if the bank does not have any money you don’t either and were does that leave the government? broke.. flat broke. Obama your plans have substantial flaws - no money and you want massive tax cuts eliminate income tax for seniors to? how are you going to pay for cab fare let alone a
half assed social program.
Mr. Secretary of the Treasury
Senators in congress,
Printing more money than the country or the economy can support to bail out banks, Wall Street and other various and massive trillion dollar debts has consequences, sooner or later the dollar will become worthless paper.
Obama wants billions for social programs, and how do you pay for it when your country is next to bankrupt…borrow more from China ? or tax the rich into the poor house? redistribution of wealth through taxation is a doctrine of socialism not democracy period, to burden on class for the benefit of another give me a break
Barak, in America your economic redistribution of wealth taxation plan is a violation of the fundamental foundations of democracy,.. by treating one class differently than the other. It is obvious Obama has never seen the inscription over the doorway of the United States Supreme Court
“Equal justice under the Law” … federal tax is a federal law ! therefore within the jurisdiction of judicial scrutiny under the constitution “All men are created equal.. Equal justice under the Law”
the mere contemplation of redistribution of wealth through taxation spits in the face of democracy, ..
“Boston..
Tea ..
Party…
anyone, anyone ?
By the way Barak
when do we get our redistribution checks?
What?..
What was that Barak ..
I did not hear you.. say it again
“No direct payment to anyone”
is that what your said?
Yes, “No direct payment to anyone”
In essences Barak your redistribution of wealth tax plan appears to be a scam, your buying votes indirectly under the cover of economic policy change and with no intention to pay the voters back, can you say fraud Barak?
Their money and only their money
Look everyone the democrats and Barak Obama made the WAR go away by forcing the “economy” down the throats of America. Together with a bias mass news media Barak turned the economy into the only issue that matters, I wonder how the troops feel now that their well being is SECOND to Barak Obama and the democrats pocket book. It is by their own admission the economy is only way they could Obama could succeed.
In reality, according to the democrats their personal money is worth more than the blood of America’s sons and daughters fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan
October 29th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Why is Obama even running ads in Kalifornia, the bluest of the blue, home of Politburo Chairman Pelosi, just pissing away the excess camapaign funds?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Yep! Obama and Biden are whiners, not only that they are Premmadonnas.