Rare flash of anger from Obama on Halloween night

[MrBadExample]

Source: Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) – It wasn't quite a Halloween nightmare on Obama street, but journalists on Friday drew a rare flash of anger from the normally unflappable Democratic presidential nominee.

Barack Obama had taken a break from the campaign trail for a few hours of Halloween fun at home with his family four days before the election, but ended up visibly annoyed when news crews dogged their footsteps in their Chicago neighborhood.

"That's enough. You've got a shot. Leave us alone," Obama told reporters as he walked down the block with his 7-year-old daughter Sasha in her costume on the way to a party at a neighbor's home.

Obama, usually cool in public during a campaign that has turned him into the frontrunner for the White House, did not disguise his irritation when his surprise walk caused news photographers and camera crews to scramble for position on the sidewalk.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081101/pl_nm/us_usa_politics_obama_halloween_3

[bluestateguy]

1. Unfortunately

If he is the president his daughters' privacy may not be respected by the media. The media is more impulsive and juvenile than was the case when Chelsea was in the White House.

[crikkett]

8. so is the public. n/t

[skyounkin]

38. LOL- "may not be respected by the nedia"?

It won't be. At all. Period. They will be in those childrens lives forthe next (8) years. Of course, it'll be all scandal- and not hush hush like it has been with bush's idiot daughters.

[sunnybrook]

65. besides the fact that it is true what repubs said

he IS a celebrity, he is a SUPERSTAR. That is not negative, like they tried to spin it, i.e. shallow, of course he is going to be an incredible president. But I think people are aware of the magnitude of what is happening before us. However, who could begrudge him telling the media to back off? It is interesting that he is only doing that now, because he can take the heat himself, he is just being a protective father. Makes me love him even more!:loveya:

[FrenchieCat]

2. Irritation is now "Anger"......

Oookay!

[POAS]

5. Don't see a problem with such a distinction

in this case!

A father protecting his daughter and reacting with anger would not be seen in a negative light by any but the most vicious hate mongers and any attack on him for a display of anger at reporters "dogging" his children would only cause a backlash.

Just my opinion tough, probably not worth the paper it's writ....never mind!

[Bette Noir]

13. "The most visious hate mongers..."

Have you SEEN a Palin rally?

[POAS]

62. Thoswe are the very folks that would

find fault with Obama for showing anger at reporters dogging his kids, but those are also the people that find fault with him for things that have no basis in fact, like the "muslim" meme.

Reasonable people would say good for him for trying to protect his children.

[BlueJazz]

16. Yeah...The next thing you know..."Obama nearly Strikes News Crew" ..:"Daughter Terrified!!"

:rofl: :)

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

45. Of course. Gotta perpetuate the angry black man stereotype at all costs.

[cboy4]

3. I don't blame the frustration, but I hope he just keeps his cool

for only a few more days through Tuesday.

We don't need any temper issues being raised so close to victory.

[Orrex]

22. You're right, sadly

The corporate media are just dying for the chance to portray him as The Angry Black Man, even if his "anger" wouldn't even register as "minor annoyance" on the McCain Unbridled Fury scale.

[Frisbee]

44. Mostly, you're right, but...

I think most people have a slightly different standard when it is a father protecting his daughters. (Of course, GOPers have no standards)

[riverdeep]

51. I don't think so.

I think most people will see this as someone protecting their children, which is really what it is. He has always said children are off-limits, and that includes his own. The people who would see this as the angry black man are the ones who aren't voting for him anyway.

I'm glad he's setting press expectations early, actually. Here is the line, do not cross.

[sazemisery]

4. Good for him.

Trying to maintain some normalcy for his children in the media frenzy surrounding them shows depth of character. Sarahcuda has shamelessly trotted her children out on to the world stage as props for her ambitions.

[LaurenG]

6. he's entitled to be angry or irritated. He set a boundary and I'm fine with it.

I hope Sasha got some good candy and he got to rest for a few hours.

[meowomon]

7. Those kids should be left alone!

The press needs to back off the family scene. The only reason the Bush twins got in the news was their partying as young women. The little Obama girls need to be OFF LIMITS!

[mwb970]

9. A different reaction from fellow "celebrities" Hilton & Spears, eh? /nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. The man is no-nonsense. I like that about him. nt

[goclark]

30. I love no nonsense and a father';s duty to protect his child

They needed to have one or two people taking pictures and that is it!
They could give the photos to others.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

55. Exactly! nt

[hoosier_lefty]

11. OMG!!1!!11

HE LOST HIS MIND !!
"That's enough. You've got a shot. Leave us alone," Obama told reporters ...

HE TOLD THEM !!! SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY BAD TEMPER!!!!11!!!

:sarcasm:


:eyes:

[mac56]

12. Oh, good god. How does this qualify as a flash of anger?!

:eyes:

[Caradoc]

14. Sadly, there'll be no respect...

The Bush twins brought on some of the bad press themselves early, but turned it around and weren't an issue. The press treated Chelsea horribly with juvenile comments about her looks, etc. I hope they respect both candidates kids, but unfortunately you're dealing with a pathetic corporate media. Instead of ignoring 'sludge' journalism, they now get around it by saying 'so-and-so says your daughter's ugly, what's your reaction?' BUT Britain's tabloid newspapers and even Canada's FRANK magazine (the national edition is out for the last time now) can be punishingly brutal on political kids. Actually, the late night comedians can be pretty hard on political families, too.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. I don't recall

'the press' making comments about Chelsea's looks. I remember Rush Limbaugh doing that. He's not a journalist.

Now the Bush twins, frankly, they were hardly spoken of and almost never seen. They were off limits. Later they got into some public drunkeness and such, which was also barely spoken about. I recall absoluetly no bad press on them early on. It came later, and it did not 'turn around' it was shut down.

[OnyxCollie]

31. You mean like this?

The coverage of the bush twins was shut down after American Meda Inc., publisher of The ENQUIRER, was sent anthrax. Funny how that worked out. (An interesting aside- the company that cleaned up American Media Inc., BioONE Solutions, was owned in part by Giuliani Partners.)

[lonestarnot]

15. Oh fucking A.

:eyes: Send them over here! I'll show them anger! :evilgrin:

[wordpix]

18. agree---a pRes motorcade went by yesterday & you want to see anger?

it was all I could do to not give whoever was sitting behind the bulletproof SUV glass the finger --- I just ran to the curb and gave them a thumbs down.

This in my DC neighborhood. Asses went by with 50 motorcycles and 10 SUV's going 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

[Doremus]

29. Great idea for an impromptu protest, wordpix!

I'd have loved to been a fly inside the limo watching the reaction from the pampered privileged.

[lonestarnot]

37. They always get two birdies from me!

And I always tell them who's the decider!

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. If you live in DC I don't know how you stand that

Those motorcades drive me nuts when I am there visiting.

[WePurrsevere]

17. As a parent I have no problem with this. Actually I'd be

a whole lot more concerned if he used his kids as a prop all the time or if he never got irritated even when it was justified (which in this case it sounds like it was). IMO a truly loving parent will understand his frustration, I personally think he handled it very well.

[complain jane]

20. That was anger? Sounds more like putting his foot down

so his family can enjoy three seconds of Halloween before he has to get back to work

[mitchum]

21. He's a good dad

[CADEMOCRAT7]

23. I agree. He is a good father. He is protective. n/t

[treestar]

25. Exactly. I recall the flap about whether we should use McCrap's

involvement with Cindy's drug problems, and people saying we should not use it because it only makes McCrap look good as a husband protecting his wife.

Obama has been really good about the kids, he said to leave Phailin's kids out of it.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

26. Yes, he did say leave Fallin's kids out of it. Obama is a class act, good man, good father. n/t

[whistle]

24. Paparazzi journalists are a pain in the ass and in some situations

...pose a real threat because of the distractions the cause to security

[ann_american2004]

27. I dont get it

How is this a "flash of anger"? McCain does worse every two minutes. Are they so desperate to generate controversy? If anything it was a moment of irritation or annoyance. The whole article is ridiculous

[slackmaster]

28. Good for Obama for being assertive

His comment was very appropriate.

[Triana]

32. "Flash of anger?" My god they're just chomping at the BIT to call him "angry" aren't they?

I don't think someone calmly saying "That's enough. You've got a shot. Leave us alone," when the press is hounding them and their kids is a "flash of anger".

Jeesus what BULLSHIT.

Have I said today how much I H8 the goddamned lame$tream media. I HATE THEM! They are Public Enemy #1

FIRST OF ALL, Obama has a RIGHT to some goddamned privacy with his kids on a holiday. SECONDLY - what he said and how he said it was not "angry".

AIN'T IT FUNNY HOW THE LAME$TREAM MEDIA NEVER REPORTS ABOUT *REAL* ANGER - you know that NASTY shit that comes from McCain all the time - calling his wife a c*nt in public and his myriad OTHER angry outbursts on the Senate floor and in chambers and personal conversations?

How - interSTINK.

:mad:

(I'M ANGRY right now, I tell ya and THAT is angry.)

[Bippity Boo]

33. if it were Sarah Palin

a) she would have invited the press to watch her go trick-or-treating
b) she would have turned "the outrage" of the media being out to get her into campaign speech fodder for the next week

[oldcoot]

35. What a contrast between the two

Obama is trying to make sure that his daughters have a normal childhood. Palin has no problem exploiting her children when she feels it is necessary.

[Haole Girl]

34. The media is calling THAT a flash of anger?

Obama let them off easy. A lot easier than I would have!

[DollyM]

36. I saw that clip and was getting angry myself!

As a parent our first instinct is to protect our children and he was reacting normally as a parent. I didn't see anything wrong with his reaction, I would have done the same and other good parent would have also. BTW, I see a love and protectiveness from him that I never saw from Bush about his daughters. They seemed more an anoyance to him than anything when they were younger.

[orleans]

49. i saw a clip of him walking with his daughter

(i don't recall if he said anything or not to reporters--i don't think so--it was just a clip of the two of them walking) and his daughter was looking a bit shy or embarrassed as she turned in toward her dad and walked slower and looked away from cameras.

i suspect he sensed this or knew it was intimidating his little girl and *that* is the reason he said something to the reporters about backing off.

[NashVegas]

39. I Feel For Them - It's Their Last Chance for a Semi-Normal Holiday

But why not costume up?

[Gman2]

40. Shot Across the Bow.

Establish the kid policy right here and now. The power to exclude ANY inpertinent crews WILL have them treating the children ANY way Obama chooses. That will be respected by the pop at large. Unless they steal, get drunk, or any of the Bush girls antics. If they are good girls, they neednt even be in the press, but when a prepared checked off piece is shown.

[rasputin1952]

41. For Pete's sake, it's Halloween and Obama does what millions of

other parents do on such a night, and someone has to make this into an "issue". I'd have done the same thing...leave the kids alone, and let them go out and get their candy undisturbed.

All this shows me is that he's a good dad, and protects his kids...that is noble and dignified in my view...something most of those taking the pic's can't seem to understand.

[depakid]

57. That's the price of celebrity

You have to deal with paparazzi in no win situations.

Pretty much sucks- but that's how it is.

[rasputin1952]

58. Yes, I know, and I find the whole incident sad...

It is one thing if the kids are older, then they should become accountable for whatever actions they are involved in. Little kids should be left out of the equation...:hi:

[depakid]

60. I wish it might be that way, too

People sometimes don't realize sacrifices families make. In the Obama families' case, it means trick or treat through their neighborhoods isn't something they can easily do.

On the other hand, how cool would it be to see the Whitehouse decked out with fun stuff- Halloween thingys, like ordinary people do with their kids all across the country?

It's not a religous deal- it's plain old fashioned fun.

There's a long tradition of Easter eggs and such on the Whitehouse lawn.

Seems to me, having kids romping in the Whitehouse may help make a bit of a difference- and help us all to enjoy who we are again

[rasputin1952]

61. TR had his kids in the WH all of the time, often rolling around

on the floor of the OvalOffice w/them as dignitaries were brought in to meet him. TR was proctective of his kids, kept them interested in events, and always had time for them.

An absolutely amazing individual regardless of his flaws.

Obama, I figure would be alittle like TR, always finding time for his daughters, hoveering over them as a protector and imparting upon them wisdom and dignity.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

42. Hey it shows he can be tough!

They said he was not tough enough - well here you go

[KingFlorez]

43. I don't blame him

And at least he doesn't completely lose it and start pushing people, unlike a certain other candidate.

[frylock]

46. he really flew off the handle. wow..

i'm already beginning to regret my vote. such a temper. :eyes:

[jwirr]

47. This is the one thing that drives ALL news makers crazy from the

royals in Europe to Hollywood. I do not blame him but he needs to think about how to combat the problem. JFK and Jackie released photo ops for the media. The media is not the only ones to blame - we the people are hungry for all of this.

[fascisthunter]

48. Was Obama being a "Bad Example" for showing what you perceive as Anger....? lol

oh brotha... :eyes:

[NoodleyAppendage]

50. See! See! He is an Angry Black Man!! I knew it!! He's just like Malcom and Jesse!!

Here we go with the "Angry Black" meme...just in time to scare chickenshit racists who might consider crossing party lines on Nov. 4th.

BTW - the reporters that were following him were NOT part of the standard press corp. They were Polish and not keeping with standard distance.

J

[EFerrari]

54. Nobody will see this or even care but us.

These people are so lame.

[Danchi]

52. Rare flash of anger -Obama

Children of public people should be off limits unless they are used by the parent(s) to promote their agenda such in the case of Sarah Palin who drags her kids out in public at the drop of a hat. She also charges the state of Alaska for displaying them in public. Obama's children are entitled to the same rights to privacy as any citizen of this country. Back off press and allow these children to grow up as normal as possible.

[GinaMaria]

53. some things are off limits

Of course those that had a clear boundary defined for them (media)now declare it was anger. When they are one of the subjects of the story, they cannot be trusted not to be biased when relating what happened. That time was for his daughter not for himself in the media. He's a great father.

[Skittles]

56. who wouldn't get angry at those assholes?

[THUNDER HANDS]

59. i'm sorry, what did Obama expect?

he's running for president and takes his daughter out for a walk (with numerous secret service agents and aides in tow) and he didn't expect the cameras to follow him the whole time?

[woo me with science]

64. Can you imagine if he'd ever REALLY gotten mad during this campaign? nt