Republican Congressman Attacks Sasha And Malia Obama

[alp227]

Source: Think Progress

This week, Breitbart News broke a long-standing security protocol and published a story detailing the precise location where President Obama’s daughters are vacationing this week. On Wednesday, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) used the report to attack the First Daughters for taking a vacation.

King’s comments came during an appearance on Mickelson in the Morning, an Iowa-based radio show. A caller, Carla, brought up sequestration and proceeded to criticize the Michelle Obama and her daughters for taking a vacation in the Bahamas. King agreed — “Carla, you’re on point and on the mark all the way through” — before criticizing them for also taking a vacation last year in Mexico. “That was at our expense, too,” King bemoaned.

CALLER: When I see the First Lady and the beautiful girls going off to the Bahamas waving goodbye to us, it’s really hard to stomach. When we’re tightening our belts, either all of us should do it or none of us should do it. This, I am pretty tolerant, I always have been, I usually shut my mouth. This is not acceptable.

KING: Carla, you’re on point and on the mark all the way through. … You’re right on the president. He needs to show some austerity himself. Instead he wanted to tell America how bad it was going to be. … We’ve got the president doing these things. He sent the daughters to spring break in Mexico a year ago. That was at our expense, too. And now to the Bahamas at one of the most expensive places there. That is the wrong image to be coming out of the White House.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/03/27/1783981/steve-king-obama-daughters/

---

Audio at link.

Mickelson in the Morning is on Newsradio 1040 WHO of Des Moines.

[The Wizard]

1. Arrest him

seize his assets.

[Rebellious Republican]

17. Seems like you are the only one who gets it!

all the threads sound more like the Lamestream media. More focused on the content as opposed to the real threat here.

[Jenoch]

41. The idiot congressman

did not reveal anything, Breitbart did (and he's dead).

The congressman was an asshole to go after President Obama's family, but he did not violate the law. He cannot be arrested for violating the 1st Amendment.

[hack89]

42. For what crime? nt

[liberalgunwilltravel]

82. Criminal Stupidity

For being criminally stupid and for grand larceny. This idiot steals a 6 figure salary from the federal government and does virtually nothing of value in return.

[hack89]

83. That encompasses a good percentage of America. nt

[liberalgunwilltravel]

84. Not really

Yes, there seems to be an increasing number of low information Americans, but most of them aren't drawing 6 figure salaries from the U.S. Government.

[UpInArms]

2. wrong image?

How about Dimson telling everyone to go "shopping" after 9/11

how I hate these freaks of nature.

[JI7]

5. yeah, but they weren't black

and you know that's what it's really about.

[secondwind]

79. ABSOLUTELY

[PolitFreak]

3. But he supports war with Iran

Chickenshit chickenhawk.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. Obama must be doing something right

The right wing haters seem to be getting more and more desperate to find anything they can possibly find to tear him down. They're in full retreat on virtually every substantive issue so they're getting creative.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

6. Nit wit.

Another bagging tool with no brain.

[atreides1]

7. King of Iowa

The Grand Dragon without his sheet and hood...

[appleannie1]

8. I would rather we stop wasting money on the orange man's scotch bill than to lock up

the Obama girls.

[RVN VET]

9. Once an A-hole, always an A-hole

And as for the caller: racist much? Oh, my, she says, I am "pretty tolerant". Tolerant of what, bimbo? Of Blacks, right? Tolerant! King is a complete moral disgrace. And both he and the caller are, simply, goddam racists. I'm not "tolerant" of them and people like them. I despise them. Especially the ersatz Congressperson.

Frak them both.

[YarnAddict]

10. It does seem sort of tone deaf

WH tours were cancelled because of Secret Service cuts due to the sequestration, but I can't imagine those costs were nearly as high as the costs for the SS to protect the First Daughters in a foreign country for a week. I think they shouldn't have gone.

[Rebellious Republican]

19. Read my posts!

[madmom]

20. Their secret service detail will be with them no matter where they are...

[GoCubsGo]

27. The tours were not cancelled because of Secret Service cuts.

They were cancelled because many of the people who ran the tours will be affected by the furloughs. The White House didn't want to continue the tours, because it makes the tours seem more important than those employees.

As far as the First Daughters go, they get protection regardless of whether or where they vacation. The cost of their protection should no more be an issue that it was when the Bush daughters went gallivanting in South America. At least we know Sasha and Malia aren't going to be asked to leave Argentina because they were drunk and disorderly, like the Tequila Twins were. Funny how we never heard a peep from the righties then, eh?

[brucefan]

32. Tone deaf?

Where should they have gone?The Jersey Shore

[amandabeech]

62. Florida?

The Florida economy could probably use all the tourist dollars that they can get.

[GoCubsGo]

99. Florida?

You mean that state where some nutbag threatens to kill their father every other day?

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Dade-Man-20-Arrested-for-Threatening-President-Barack-Obama-During-His-Miami-Visit-Authorities-140636953.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/christopher-castillo-obama-facebook_n_2137360.html

http://rt.com/usa/health-kill-obama-espalin-607/

http://rt.com/usa/billionaire-employees-obama-siegel-289/

Including cops: http://features.rr.com/article/0bD49pN7T6b2C?q=Barack+Obama

And, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[Hekate]

33. (a) The Secret Service goes wherever (b) POTUS pays for household expenses and vacations

I don't know how it works, but the President receives a salary, plus a household allowance that separately allows for upkeep and maintenance of the residence. Neither of those is in the CEO bracket, by many orders of magnitude. The "family" food in the WH is paid for out of POTUS' salary, though not the state dinners.

Incidentally, Bush spent 5 times more on flights to Texas than Obama has ever for going to Hawai'i or any other place. For security reasons, means of travel are paid for by us.

When on vacation, food and lodging are paid for by the President. When the First Couple goes out on a date night, they pay for their dinners. We pay for Secret Service -- who are on duty 24/7 regardless of location.

As for the girls and their "foreign" travel, last year one of them went with her school classmates and teachers to do charity service in Mexico. I forget the details, but it was kept secret as long as possible for security reasons. The President paid for all of his daughter's expenses except the Security detail.

The security issue and the means of travel go together. The President and his family, no matter who they may be, and no matter which party they belong to, are high-value targets for assassination or kidnap in this day and age. Again, in case you didn't get it the first time, the SS is on duty 24/7 no matter where the President and family happen to be.

There are several sites to do some fact-checking -- you might try Snopes.com.

Welcome to DU.

[toopers]

38. They could be spending the money in the US . . .

as opposed to sending the money out of the country.

[wordpix]

53. kind of like the very rich, right? Socking it away in the Caymans and other offshore locales

[Hekate]

56. Every time they go home to Hawai'i people bitch about that, too

Because apparently a lot of people are not aware that Hawai'i has been a state for over half a century.

[Skittles]

39. LOLOL

but I bet you think 6 trillion dollar senseless wars are A-OK - now back to the Freak Republic! SCAT!!!

[WilliamPitt]

60. Oy

[kestrel91316]

61. Thank you for your concern. Welcome to DU.

Enjoy your stay.

[olegramps]

70. Crawl back to Freepervile.

[Arkana]

74. The Secret Service is bound by law to protect the President's children. Nice try.

They aren't private bodyguards.

[appacom]

88. The girls have secret service coverage sequester, or not

[Rebellious Republican]

11. Treason, Breitbart and Rep. King........

Giving up the location of the daughters of POTUS. He is only one of the most powerful people in the world. What a great idea to give up their location so that you can have some one unfriendly to this country do something that would pit him against choosing between his offspring's safety and loyalty to the security of our country. That is pure treason, IS THERE NO ONE HERE THAT IS SAVVY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT AND POST THE LOCATION OF HIS FAMILY'S LOCATION?

I am sure (King) would not be upset if his children's lives were in danger, even if he is just a small fish in the political pond.



ON EDIT: Rec

[xtraxritical]

58. I'll reread the post but I'm pretty sure it was the caller that first mentioned the Bahamas.

[xtraxritical]

59. Yes, it was the caller.

"A caller, Carla, brought up sequestration and proceeded to criticize the Michelle Obama and her daughters for taking a vacation in the Bahamas. King agreed — ". What a mole hill.

[Arkana]

75. Yet more ammo for Bruce Braley to use if/when King wins the IA Republican nomination

for Senate.

"This fuckin' guy attacked the President's children. He has no sense of decorum. Are you REALLY gonna vote for someone who would use children to score political points?"

[obama2terms]

12. Seriously!

They can criticize BO all they want, but his children? Come on, they are little girls, they have no control over their parents' decisions, why can't these nuts leave the Obama girls alone? I have an extreme disgust for politicians on either side who go after a politicians child or children.

[Rebellious Republican]

15. Its more than criticism, its tantamount to treason!

The fact that these people gave out the location the daughters of the President of the United States of America can have serious and I mean SERIOUS repercussions to the security of our country. This is tantamount to treason, they have crossed a line. I SAY ALL BETS OFF arrest the fools.

[GiveMeFreedom]

45. You are correct,

as a parent, I would use any means necessary to save my children from harm. Now if I was POTUS, Seal Team 6 would be my post operatives selection for checking out the carnage I would unleash. I can imagine the President is as human as any father. As far as security, these factors could trouble the decision making process of someone who's loved ones are under duress and with that type of real power, at this persons discretion, we would have to wait for the freedom of information act to kick in before all the gory details would become more clear? Peace.

Also Rebellious Republican,

I noticed your avatar, the U. S. Navy. I served from 1975-1979 with Patrol Squadron 1 (VP-1) stationed at Barbers Point, Hawaii. We had P-3 Orion's, I was an AW2 radar operator (SS3) during that time. So, one Vet to another,

[octothorpe]

49. Wouldn't that depend on how much of a secret it was to begin with?

The guy is obviously an ass and looking for anything to bitch about, but I don't think the vacation plans are that much of a secret.

[virgogal]

36. Maybe it's me but I saw nothing

in the article criticizing the girls.

[TeamPooka]

13. That's all you got King? Whining about a couple of young girls on vacation?

Coward

[nolabear]

14. How DARE the Obamas live in that great big house! They should move into something more appropriate.

And those bullet proof cars and private planes...economy class is good enough. And why aren't those girls in public school? And dammit, they ought to be eating Mac and Cheese instead of all those expensive vegetables and fruits. And cooked by a cook!

It would be enraging if it wasn't so thoroughly a waste of oxygen and cortisol.

[noiretextatique]

18. and of course: it has nothing to do with race

[nolabear]

21. Yeah, I left a lot out of that post because I just couldn't go there.

I could scream sometimes.

[noiretextatique]

25. they don't believe it is about race

it is obviously the case, but i am sure they will deny it, and be absolutely outraged by the suggestion. at least it is on display for all those who choose to see.

[noiretextatique]

103. i hear you

and and me too...it is sickening.

[Blue_Tires]

28. +1

[progressoid]

16. Ah shit. Of course it would be King.

He never fails to disappoint.

[cyberswede]

22. ...and they're the only people in the US on vacation over Spring Break.

Steve King is a constant boil on Iowa's backside.

[truthisfreedom]

23. Someone needs to have his background and his family's background investigated and published online.

Immediately.

[Rebellious Republican]

26. Thats what I am Talking about! Does no one understand this treason?

[Grassy Knoll]

24. Is this payback for the drunk.....

Bush girls? Silly cons.

[jessie04]

29. What a slimy dirtball.

He should be arrested.

[struggle4progress]

30. "... the first family uses their own money to pay for vacations ... President Bush spent

more than a thousand days on vacation over the course of his presidency. President Obama ... has taken ... 131 days in his first term ..."

GOP congressman criticizes Obama girls for vacation
Morgan Whitaker, @morganwinn
4:34 PM on 03/27/2013

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. I wonder how "Carla" feels about $1.3 million going to Dumbyass

...so he can maintain the lifestyle he was accustomed to when he lived in the White House.

[indepat]

34. What a perfect world this would be if only the President and his family practiced the same personal

austerity junior and his family had shown the world, the incessant trips to the ranch, to Maine, to Camp David, and especially those never-ending fund-raising trips. Yes, Mr. President, if only you would equal junior's personal austerity.

[corkhead]

35. we're a vast country with a large population of generally good people

why is it we are stuck with so many shit-stains like him in our representative government?

[virgogal]

37. That's quite an inflammatory header.

[Demo_Chris]

40. King is an idiot, but he illustrated something to be aware of...

We are in the middle of a crushing recession / depression, made even worse by this sequestration nonsense. Right now it is wiping families out, causing federal employees to wonder how in the hell they are going to pay their bills, all the rest. It's cutting funding to everything and causing an incredible amount of hardship on top of the recession.

A recession no one in this White House even seems aware of. Hell, they're passing tax cuts for the wealthy and proposing destroying Social Security, so let's not pretend they give a damn about average people.

And now, with all that going on, the President's middle school Age daughters are on a "Spring Break" vacation in the Bahamas. College kids with wealthy parents sometimes take Spring Break, not freaking middle schoolers. This is the kind of tone-deaf BS that causes people in both parties to shake their heads.

So be angry at this GOP dickhead all you like -- there's no shortage of reasons to hate that clown -- but on this he's on target.

[alp227]

46. Do you not think the Obama kids' spring break in the Caribbean is WAY different

from that of the usual spoiled college kid? Maybe the Obama sisters are visiting historical sites or doing sober sightseeing unlike the uber excited college kids.

[Demo_Chris]

47. Since we do not know why are our guesses relevant?

I don't want to get into "spoiled" or anything like that. To be honest I am a huge fan of spoiling kids if you can do it.

I am talking here about the message this sends.

[alp227]

48. Is it really that expensive traveling to the Caribbean? n/t

[Demo_Chris]

50. For a hundred million Americans buying groceries at Walmart is a luxury

In other words, the answer to your question is YES.

[alp227]

52. So your point is: The Obamas should sacrifice their luxuries to honor the rest of us?

Petty politics like Obama's vacation days being in our national dialogue is just annoying. If a President Romney voluntarily cut his office staff and budget, would you see that as genuine?

[Demo_Chris]

57. I am fairly certain I made my point. We are discussing this now...

Because, like it or not, it is a political issue. Right now the nation is in a devistating recession or depression and showing little sign of any real recovery. For many Americans things are only continuing to get worse. The bottom half of all Americans are in desperate shape.

There's no real jobs growth, the jobs we are currently adding are largely low or minimum wage and part time. Gas and food are going through the roof, people's savings are gone, one in five American kids go to bed without food because their parent's cannot afford it and the safety nets have been gutted, something like one in ten US kids are homeless... and the White House isn't even proposing legislation to do anything about it. They are too busy planning their next war, passing permanent tax cuts for the wealthy, and fighting to destroy social security.

They are not even PROPOSING anything to deal with this disaster.

Right now as I type this one in five American children are going to bed without fucking food. The Obama children are partying in the Caribean or wherever.

And you expect everyone to ignore this? Why would they?

[amandabeech]

63. I understand your point, and agree with you.

A Florida vacation would have been a better idea if a vacation was going to be had. Surely there are nice places available.

And King *is* a dickhead, too.

[Demo_Chris]

64. Thanks. Rereading the post you are responding to...

...Has left me with the uncomfortable realization that it got a bit off track, so allow me to be clear. I think Obama's girls look like nice kids. I think it's great that they have wealthy parents who can afford trips like this for them, and I wish them nothing but the best. In this case those wishes are almost certainly prophetic, as the best is exactly what they will spend their lives enjoying. I would do the same for my daughter if I could, but like most Americans I can barely pay my bills and may soon loose everything. And that's the problem.

My point was that there is absolutely no QUESTION that vacations like this are at least arguably inappropriate for a Democratic leader at a time like this, and that Obama doesn't even seem to realize this is just one more example of the disconnect between the man we voted for and the man he truly is.

[onpatrol98]

85. I get your point...

Republicans have nothing else to squall about at the moment. They're fighting a losing battle, so they're whining about the President's daughters having a nice vacation. There's nothing wrong with sending the kids off for a nice vacation. It probably helps to get away from the White House and politics 24/7. But, you're thinking for a boat load of American children, there are no vacations, nice or otherwise. For many, there isn't even food. Every parent would love to do the same for their kids. But, we spend most of our days...treading water or drowning. No one even talks about the jobs anymore. In fact, any other topic, worthy or not...now, takes precedent over a conversation about jobs and the lack of jobs. And, job numbers going down are a great talking point, and it has value for people who are a part of the newly employed. But, for literally millions of Americans, there is no work...unemployment has run out, insurance doesn't exist, and all hope on some days seem lost. It's not that you begrudge the President's daughter a great vacation. You're just wondering if he realized to so many families struggling, this seems tone deaf from a President, who as a candidate could eloquently convince us he felt our pain and his first priority would be to make it better.

I would like to think he thought about it. But, his kids are growing up, now. Although he works for us, his kids don't. They didn't ask to be in the White House during an economic slow down. And, he's a president...but, he's also a father. As a parent, you want to do nice things for your kids. Things seem to be picking up. I wish the best for you Chris. I wish there was a way we could we could force these politicians to work on jobs.

[Demo_Chris]

87. Nicely said n/t

[noiretextatique]

86. nonsense

though i do understand where you are coming from, but please tell me how denying two kids a vacation is going to make anyone feel better about the economy? i am not an Obama fanatic, but this is ridiculous.

[Demo_Chris]

91. Come on now, you say "Denying them a vacation" as if not going to the Caribean were a sacrifice

We are talking about a nation in which one in five children go to bed hungry every night because they don't have FOOD. And with this sequester, I believe (could be wrong) that some of the funding for the programs that provide the food these kids do get just got cut. And while this is going on our Royalty are taking a break from their grueling Gray Poupon lives of plenty to party in the tropics.

We might expect souless behavior and a complete lack of reflection from a GOP President, but this is OUR guy, a Democrat -- the party that claims to give a damn about the poor.

Now let me be clear: I do not think this a big deal, so I think I will leave it at that.

[noiretextatique]

100. stop being silly

whether or not the Obama's go on vacation, just as every presidential family has, will do nothing to solve the many problems average americans face. to even suggest so is beyond absurd. bush spent more time on vacation than any modern president, and i don't ever recall any suggesting that his daughters miss spring break so americans would feel better about his illegal war. this is a silly argument...and i am done with it.

[TinkerTot55]

95. Oh, BS and you know it.

Are you getting paid by the reply? Cause I don't want to feed your nonsense.
Your Republican talking points are duly noted.
Take your concerns to your Republican Congress critters, and tell them to stop OBSTRUCTING and start WORKING.......
that's where the stalemate is.

As for the vacations, vent your outrage over the Bush2 and Ronnie Reagan vacation-abuses, then we'll talk.....

[roody]

66. No, it is not far from the US.

[LanternWaste]

65. It sends no other message than the girls are on spring break.

It sends no other message than the girls are on spring break.

However, I do realize that many brain-dead idiots could see a message which doesn't exist-- "if I can't go on spring break... no one should".

Yet those same brain-dead idiots will read any message into any action or inaction that better validates their preconceptions anyway.

Additionally, those brain-dead idiots never did, will not, and never will vote for the Pres.


At some point, people-- even the brain-dead idiots, need to take the personal responsibility for seeing a cigar when presented with nothing more and nothing less, than a cigar.

[Blue_Tires]

89. The good ol' GOP race to the bottom

In Wisconsin and elsewhere, remember that "I don't get all those benefits at my private sector job that the state employees/union members/schoolteachers do, so eliminate them ALL!" -talking point? Who actually says this shit with a straight face?

[Demo_Chris]

93. People who don't get those benefits?

I guess I am missing your point.

[Blue_Tires]

96. The point of it is...

The mock outrage non-union private sector RW employee should either apply for one of those state jobs, or try to fight for those benefits in their own workplace...(of course, it's just easier to find some public scapegoat and go batshit)

[Demo_Chris]

98. Gotcha.

[CRK7376]

68. I took spring breaks in college

two trips to FL with the university scuba club and one trip to DC, the other year of Spring Break I didn't get a break as I was doing my student teaching. My boys take Spring Break, my eldest, grad student, just stays home to save money, sleep late and eat all our food, plus rehease for his upcoming recital. Other son, college Freshman, spent 2-3 days at Myrtle Beach with a couple of buddies, the rest of his break was at home though we did take one day to go skiing in WV. Our high school freshman daughter started Spring Break/Easter today. SHe and I will probably do a mountain biking camping trip here in NC for a day or two, but nothing big. I don't begrudge people taking Spring Breaks. Most of us can not afford lavish trips abroad, but those who can, enjoy them. Travel is great.

Now in the austere times we are in, seeing the First Family go to the Bahamas doesn't bother me too much. All our Presidents and their families take vacations, more often than most of us, but that is to be expected. Why not vacation here in the states at our great National Parks...Would Mr King be upset if the Obama family took a cruise of the glaciers in Alaska or visited Denali, probably. But it would be spending more money here at home and not look so glamorous floating through the ice flows rather than on a sunny beach somewhere. But the he also gets upset when the Obamas go home to vacation in Hawaii. Can't please everybody. Piss of Mr. King; wonder where he goes on vacation?

[Blue_Tires]

90. That's bullshit and you know it...

Even if they weren't on spring break, the GOP would find *something* for mock outrage; that's what they do...What's next? The Obama family is eating too much food in the White House while everyone else starves?

[noiretextatique]

101. and of course

it has nothing at all to do with race

[TinkerTot55]

92. Your concern....

is duly noted.
Buh-bye.

[muntrv]

43. Vacation? As in what the repukes were doing a week before the sequester deadline?

[GoCubsGo]

67. Yep. The hypocrisy is astounding.

But, not at all surprising.

[Blue_Tires]

97. and of course the derp squad is going full throttle

"I may not like King, but he *DOES* have a point!"

[Bluenorthwest]

44. Bush daughters were too drunk to find the Bahamas...

AUSTIN, Texas — President Bush's 19-year-old twin daughters were charged Thursday with underage alcohol offenses after an incident in a popular restaurant known for its Tex-Mex food and ice-cold margaritas.

It was the second alcohol-related citation against Jenna Bush in less than five weeks. Police accused Jenna Bush of attempting to buy alcohol with false identification and Barbara Bush of being a minor in possession of alcohol.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2001-05-31-bushdaughters.htm

[AverageJoe90]

51. Typical Stevie King bullshit.

Unacceptable, man. If one of us had raised even a finger against the Bush daughters when Dubya was in office, the right would be all over it like flies to manure.........and yet.......gah!

[wordpix]

54. a few stats on King - note Club for Growth contributions

FIRST ELECTED:2002
Leadership PAC (1):
Conservative Principles PAC

Career Fundraising
1989 - 2012 Total Receipts: $7,594,293
1989 - 2012 Total Spent: $7,419,771

Debts: $0
Last Report: Monday, December 31, 2012

Top 5 Contributors, 2002 - 2012
Contributor Total Indivs PACs

Club for Growth $267,507 $257,271 $10,236
American Bankers Assn $49,500 $1,000 $48,500

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=Career&type=I&cid=N00025237&newMem=N

[Politicub]

55. King a waste of oxygen

Hell is too good for King. Fuck him.

[Festivito]

69. OK for some CEO's kids, but not a POTUS.

Yeah, right.

[olegramps]

71. These ultra-right wing Repuks are a revolting subspecies that failed to evolve.

[Janecita]

72. Jealous woman!

She can't afford a vacay, so we are all supposed to stay home! She probably had nothing bad to say about the Bush twins and their hangover filled holidays!

[bhikkhu]

73. The republican War on Vacation must stop!

...or, at least, let them lead by example first.

[samsingh]

76. as opposed to bush who was golfing when the troops were dying in iraq

repugs continue to be as stupid as possible

[santamargarita]

77. This traitor should be arrested, now!

[Javaman]

78. "sir, have you no decency?" nt

[Turbineguy]

80. Dog bites man.

King is scum. It's to be expected.

[Enrique]

81. King is a hateful person, and this is a stupid attack

but he's not attacking the girls. He's making a lame phony politician point that is as old as dirt.

[BE10sCoach]

94. Dictionary defination

Hey, ya think if you look up the definition of the word asshole, you would see a photo of Congressman Steve King?

[oldandhappy]

102. ethics, ethics, ethics