Obama could not even decide if he would congratulate Barry Bonds

[durrrty libby]

for breaking the Home Run record, and people think he is

capable of making presidential decisions?

Olbermann asked Obama if he would invite Bonds to the White House

after breaking the Home Run record if Obama were president


Obama could not make a decision and stuttered his way out of a straight answer


I can’t believe some people think he is presidential material

[Bonobo]

1. So true. We need a President that makes snap judgments based on emotion!

[durrrty libby]

5. It is sad

not to have enough confidence to answer a very simple question

[Bonobo]

8. Guess you didn't catch the sarcasm on that reply.

I was being sarcastic. Seeing two sides to a difficult issue is NOT a failing.

Making snap emotional judgments based upon preconceived notions is however a huge problem.

[dugggy]

48. Bonds has been in the news for over a year, if Obama has no clue

which side of the issue he is on by NOW, he is
a hopeless greenie, inexperienced rookie and has
no business tunning for the highest office in nation.

[ripple]

63. For illegal drugging, that is n/t

[durrrty libby]

71. Simple, isn't it. Why do so many bury their heads and pretend

this means nothing?

[last_texas_dem]

16. What does

confidence have to do with one's ability to answer "very simple question"s? It seems to me someone could have plenty of confidence and simply be an intelligent person who believes in considering the various aspects of a certain decision, especially if it were something he/she had not spent much time considering prior to being asked the question.

[Sparkly]

12. Especially about baseball.

:shrug:

[Tellurian]

13. An experienced candidate can find the appropriate words without the fear of blowback!

Over and over again, Obama struggles for lack of experience.

The only thing is.. his silence is a bit to late.

[killbotfactory]

2. You're right, it's over for Obama

This important sports question is the most important issue of the decade. It's the question everyone wanted asked, and Obama couldn't answer it. I smell massive protests in his future.

[TwilightZone]

3. Ah, yes, because the Barry Bonds issue is so much more important that Iraq...

or Social Security or the economy or foreign policy or unemployment or poverty or....

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Oh, my God! It's all over for Obama now!

I'll bet he can't even explain the Infield Fly Rule! No way should that guy be President if he can't make snap decisions about baseball.

[TwilightGardener]

6. I think they should kick him out of the Senate, too. He's obviously not fit for public service.

A great Senator votes for war on political calculation--without even reading the full intelligence on it. And then, when it goes south, agitates for getting out of it--based, of course, on political calculation. Obama needs to follow THAT model.

[Pirate Smile]

7. Your animosity is taking over.

[durrrty libby]

25. No animosity. In life it is the simple things that are telling, and

Obama's panic showed.

He wasn't expecting the question so he did not have a pre-approved answer ready

[Mojambo]

9. He was probably stunned by the incredible stupidity of the question. n/t

[durrrty libby]

29. It was not a stupid question. An honest answer would have been great.

[Mojambo]

44. Well, he could have asked Obama about the latest episode of American Idol too

And you could still bitch about not getting an honest answer, but shouldn't we be more concerned about the actual RELEVANCE of the question?

Unless you're just shamelessly attacking on behalf of another candidate...

[ronnykmarshall]

53. Yes it was a stupid question.

[durrrty libby]

81. It was the most telling question of the night.

Obama is incapable of speaking his mind on the spot

It is odd that you can't figure out why this is important

[Bake]

86. I gotta disagree, Ronny

It was a question about CHARACTER and INTEGRITY - specifically, about Barry Bonds' character and integrity. Has America become so enured to cheaters that we just don't give a damn anymore? It's not a big deal with regard to Bonds, and sure, it doesn't even belong in the discussion with real issues -- but the larger question goes right to the heart of what kind of nation do we aspire to be.

It's not like Obama couldn't have seen that one coming. And it shouldn't have been that difficult to answer. His non-response was more "typical politician."

"New kind of politics." My ass.

I still haven't settled on a candidate yet. But I've narrowed the field, and Obama isn't on my list.

Bake

[ronnykmarshall]

52. So was I.

And I'm a Hillary supporter.

I think Barack did fine.

[Laurab]

77. I think you're right - I was! n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

10. come on

this is as stupid as many of the attacks on Clinton.

Let's stop these ridiculous, childish attacks.

[ronnykmarshall]

56. No shit.

My partner and I just lost it when we heard that dumb ass question.

[Ethelk2044]

11. African Americans Did not appreciate that question being ask.

If it was going to be asked it should have been asked to everyone. That was a Bull Shit Question. They are also wondering why Keith had to go there.

[durrrty libby]

18. So if you don't like a question it's racist? How very small-minded

Keith is a sports guy. Why wouldn't he ask?

[Ethelk2044]

30. No I am not small minded. I am correct Baseball does not have a place in the debate

Second If you ask that question, you should ask it to everyone. What pick a black man to answer a question about another black man. Why not any of the others?

[ronnykmarshall]

55. It was a ridicules question.

And Barack handled it well.

AND I'm a Giants fan!

[IndianaJones]

96. I agree wholeheartedly with you. The whole Bonds treatment in the media...

smacks of racism, and Olbermann is on the bandwagon. Get ready to be flamed.

[hedgehog]

14. I hear that he also fumbled the answer when someone wanted to know when he

stopped beating his wife.

Sheesh!

[durrrty libby]

35. It is extremely amusing how defensive and touchy people are

over such a simple inquiry

[Windy]

43. My God... the adolescence of some Clinton supporters

It really is ridiculous. If someone has a difference of opinion with Hillary or doesn't feel comfortable voting for her you call that bashing. Some of you take every opportunity to bash other candidates and then cry that your candidate is being abused. Whatever happened to intelligent debate?

Frankly, it kinda bothered me that Keith would direct that question to the only black candidate on the panel. That would be difficult for any of the candidates to answer with a simple yes or no given the allegations of performance enhancing drugs... But to ask it of Obama and Obama only was a bit much. Frankly, I thought he handled the question with grace and poise considering the circumstances.

Can we get back to real debate between adults!!! PLEASE!!!

[durrrty libby]

82. Funny, Old fart McCain had no qualms answering the question

He didn't whine that the other candidates weren't asked about it

Sad, but Obama can not think on his feet.

He can not lead if he can not think

[Bake]

87. Good point. Good point indeed.

McLame isn't toast yet ...

Bake

[Ethelk2044]

100. Obama thinks well. He is the one who thought the war was stupid

He was the one who said we should push Pakistan to do their job. Now people are agreeing. Bush came out and said they need to step up their game. Yet Hillary supporters were saying who wrong he was. He was right for avoiding the question on Bonds. He was right for stating he need to fight the right war. He was right when he said we should not go to war. He is right to say push Pakistan to step up their game.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[journalist3072]

17. I agree

I really thought that was a softball question that he should have been able to answer.

[durrrty libby]

21. I knew he wasn't quick on his feet, but that was a debacle

[Ethelk2044]

33. He was right for not answering that question.

[Tellurian]

70. agree..

Lauer asked McCain the same question this morning on the Today Show. Without hesitation, McCain answered candidly, (paraphrased) steroid use is not a fact with Bond, if it is, it's a shame. (Proper answer to a softball question) Compared to Obama's 'deer in the headlights' response.

[Robson]

26. Who cares about Barry Bonds?

Bonds is a figment of the controlled neo-media and their sports empires that will result in subsidies by poor Americans.

American citizens pay taxes for lavish stadiums so that the team owners get billions and the players get multiple millions. It's a scam that the media perpetrates at every opportunity as though American cities can't live without their sports empires. They did it again when they equated Barry Bonds with all the major problems facing the USA.

[journalist3072]

38. Right...I could care less about Barry Bonds..and that was precisely my point! It was a softball

question.

I really could care less what Obama thinks about Barry Bonds and whether or not he'd invite him to the White Hosue.

I really feel like that was a very softball question to Obama that he should have been able to answer.

[AtomicKitten]

19. He said he would answer when Bonds actually hit the big one

Bonds did and so did Obama.

Done and done.

Dayum. Ease up before you blow a head gasket or something.

[godai]

22. So he needed coaching in the meantime to figure out the best response?

This is not a big deal but it is an example of how most candidates (except maybe those with little chance of getting nominated), are so afraid of saying the wrong thing.

[AtomicKitten]

24. call it whatever you like

Stalling techniques are renown in politics.

Just remember this is a dog and pony show. We are demanding they dance for us. A wrong move could send them down the slide (nod to Chutes and Ladders).

[godai]

32. Agree but what if they all went down the slide together?

Meaning, they acted like leaders and thoughtfully expressed their honest opinions, rather than playing gotcha politics. I tend to believe that rove has so poisoned the system that it will take a long time before we are anything but a divided country, split 50:50 on almost every issue. The goal of most current politicians is to say and do anything necessary to get elected, then start working on what will get them re-elected. Al Gore has basically said 'no thanks' to participating in this messed up process.

[AtomicKitten]

36. we'll be cleaning the ROVE stank off American politics for decades

Al Gore called it. The paradox is that the process appears to have irrevocably soured the man that has the gravitas and vision to really turn this country around. My fingers are still crossed.

[dugggy]

67. You must be kidding, Obama actually endorsed drugged Bonds to

hit home runs? Obama needs to immediately disapprove
use of any illegal drugs. The same drugs that are killing
& ruining our young.

[godai]

20. So afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Not my kind of leadership but they are all basically the same in this regard.

[parasim]

23. I love Keith, but that was a dumb question.

Ok, so let's see, we got a baseball player who breaks a long standing major league baseball record, however, he is accused of using performance enhancing drugs to increase his ability to do so, right? That's the issue. It's a sports/ethics issue. Controversial from the get-go.

Add to the that the fact that the sports guy is black and Obama is black and to some people that is significant, for whatever reason. Anyway, it's controversial.

Yet, it's not the sort of issue that defines someone's presidential potential, imho.

I am curious to what Obama's actual answer was, however. As well as what answer you, yourself, would have liked to hear from him.

[durrrty libby]

28. I just wanted his honest opinion, but he didn't have one

Just goes to show he is a run of the mill politician

Nothing Special

[parasim]

34. and I'm curious. What sort of answer could he have given...

... that would make you think that is not a run of the mill politician?

Of course, I don't know what his answer actually was, so I have no idea what to think of it. (If you have a link to the answer in the transcripts that'd be awesome)

Do you think he should have said that he would openly greet Bonds at the White House or that he would shun him? Would you have been affected by his yes or no answer?

[godai]

40. Here ya go...

Well, Barry Bonds is certainly one great hitter, as he's proven over the years. Unfortunately, there is a cloud over his current record setting situation. His trainer has gone to prison rather than testify before a grand jury investigating Bonds. He admitted to using a substance which is thought to be a steroid cream. So, I think we'll have to wait for all the dust to settle but, in the meantime, we can all just enjoy his next few at bats. 756 home runs is a lot of power hitting.

[ripple]

64. LOL!!!!! Great response!! n/t

[Superman Returns]

27. how low can you go?

Limbo!

[zulchzulu]

31. This petty, ridiculous frothing of the mouth conjecture brought to you by...

It's only money from the Right Wing. Move along...nothing to see here...

[durrrty libby]

41. Obama is a run of the mill, nothing special politician.

You may be frothing and petty. I just don't care enough

I was just curious what people thought of the stuttering non answer,
and was not disappointed by the irrational predictable gaggle

Amusing stuff

[zulchzulu]

50. So, um, nothing about Your Girl and Rupert?

Gawd... Iggy time...

[ronnykmarshall]

57. I don't believe in "iggy".

But I agree that the question was moronic. BUT what equally as stupid is to spin it as an attack on BOTH Barack and Hillary. I see that you're happy to play the same game as the OP.

Childish for both of you.

[Forkboy]

60. I pointed that out to him earlier and got put on ignore.

:)

[ronnykmarshall]

65. Oh NO!!

There goes TOK-EYO!!! GODZILLA!!!!

[Nimrod2005]

37. I know, I prefer the gutt feeling thing, or God told me to do it!!!

Get lost

[goodgd_yall]

39. Olbermann should have been more direct in what he REALLY wanted to know

Obama knew that the question was meant to have him take a stand about Bonds' deservedness of accolades. But it was couched in this "invite him to the White House" question. If Olbermann had been more direct, he may have gotten a more direct answer.

[ronnykmarshall]

58. I can see Momma aka Shephanie Miller ...

taking KO off the "Future Husband List" for that.

It's OK Momma, you still have me, your Offical Gay Stalker!

[illinoisprogressive]

42. I can't believe some people think Hillary has judgement

[ronnykmarshall]

54. Well I think it was a stupid question to Barack.

BUT you of course have to turn it around and attack Hillary.

THAT is the difference between you and I.

[FrenchieCat]

45. Can't he just say "sorry"......and it be accepted since at least no one died?

Plus Bond had not yet broken the record, and Obama is not yet President.....so that question was rather asinine. But go right ahead. Don't let facts mess up your party! :party:

[calteacherguy]

46. Yes, heaven forbid we would have a President who actually thought a postion through.

:eyes:

Lamest OP I've read all week...congratulations.

[bigdarryl]

47. IT WAS A STUPID ASS QUESTION ANYWAY !!!wHY THE FUCK DID HE...

ASK Obama anyway because he's black

[durrrty libby]

92. That statement is so unbelievably dense, ignorant and just plain dumb

[IndianaGreen]

49. Baseball: Hank Aaron got his record without steroids. Roger Maris got his without steroids.

Bonds and McGuire are dope fiends that used drugs to enhance their performance. Their records should have an asterisk next to their names, indicating that were it not for steroids, they would not have broken any records of any kind.

Bonds and McGuire are cheaters, and a bad role model for our kids.

A baseball question deserves a baseball answer.

PS: Go Yankees!

[ronnykmarshall]

59. Oh dear....

We BOTH like the Yanks???? I knew I liked you even though we don't agree on candidates. BUT I'm still a Giants fans too. BUT the DODGERS!!! SHEESH! I don't think so! :silly:

[ronnykmarshall]

51. It was a stupid question in the first place.

I'll just leave it at that.

[TheFarseer]

61. I think it's smart

to not take a "controversial" stand on something that matters so little in the scheme of things. I'd rather he takes a controversial position on Pakistan than on Barry Bonds. Frankly, I think it was an inappropriate question and he handled it just fine.

[Forkboy]

62. There's only one thing to say....

[A-Schwarzenegger]

66. I've been reading this a lot lately as a reminder:

"Do not publicly accuse another member of this message board of being a disruptor, conservative, Republican, FReeper, or troll, or do not otherwise imply they are not welcome on Democratic Underground. If you think someone is a disruptor, click the "Alert" link below their post to let the moderators know."

[OHdem10]

68. Personally, I felt that was a most unfair question--Yes, I like KO

but why Obama, why not HRC, why not Edward, Dodd or Biden????

[durrrty libby]

69. McCain was just on the Today Show. He answered the question without

stammering and stuttering. He didn't whine "Ask the other candidates too.

This is not fair. waaaaaa"

Obama was a wishy-washy wimp and people here enable it. PATHETIC

[Dawgs]

72. Hey Durrrty libby!!

Didn't you once tell me that I obsessed to much about Clinton and her Iraq vote, and that you don't jump on every anti-Obama thread?

What happened?

[last_texas_dem]

74. Good to hear

I guess I'd have to vote for McCain over Obama were the election held today, as McCain's obviously given more thought to the truly important issues facing this country, such as whether or not to invite Barry Bonds to the White House.

:eyes:

[durrrty libby]

78. Probably a good idea since Obama is incapable of making simple decisions

[nolabels]

91. So then should we look this McCain guy as someone with steadfast convictions

I study sports somewhat and have listened to this debate about Bond's issues night and day at nausea. To me it's like that warm spit, you either spit it out or swallow it, but mostly nobody knows which direction it should go and it probably don't matter all that much :shrug:


Somebody that needs somebody else to be the one person for all people needs to have something examined. If we really needed a bull-headed snotsaurus then AWOL would have already been kinged for life. When i need answers i ask people who know about the subject and have the answers for them questions. Like when was the last time you called the plumber up because you needed information on how to tune up your car?

[mdmc]

73. off with his head!

HRC would shun Barry!

[durrrty libby]

90. "off with his head!" He wouldn't miss it

"HRC would shun Barry!" If she said that then fine. At least it is an opinion

But you most likely are talking out of your ass, just like the rest of the

Obama apoligists

[mdmc]

93. No one worth shit cares about Bonds or his home runs

Hillary wouldn't make a stupid comment about Bonds. She is much too smart for that.

I only like Obama for the fact that he might have a chance of keeping Hillary out of the White House. I seriously doubt anyone can keep Hillary out of the white house.
She cant be beat by dem, puke, or green.

She is unstoppable.

[SOS]

104. Obama haters need to back up their candidates position.

This is a critical issue of great importance to the future of our Republic.
Please post Hillary Clinton's theoretical position on inviting Barry Bonds to the White House in 2009.
This is the issue that will decide millions of primary votes, so please provide a link.

[IA_Seth]

75. I'd probably stutter too...

It's a stupid question to ask of a candidate. I mean really, do you think you'd get a straight answer if you asked them how they felt about Lindsay Lohan's latest stint in rehab?

Who fuckin cares.

[Enrique]

76. BarryBondsGate

Obama's toast. :sarcasm:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

79. Bush knows a whole lot about baseball.

What does that tell you? :eyes:

[Laurab]

80. I've been upset about this for days

Obama was "my guy" and then he went and did THAT - one of the most important questions that could ever be asked. Now I like your candidate SO much more. :sarcasm:

I did miss the stuttering and stammering part, though. This really is a new low - best I've seen yet I think, and some of them are really stunning. Don't you have anything better to do?

[durrrty libby]

85. sarcasm is the truth one hates to face

HE CAN NOT LEAD IF HE CAN NOT THINK

[Laurab]

89. Not in this case it isn't

He can think just fine IMO. In fact, he DOES think, often he gives answers that he has actually thought about, rather than pre-prepared answers meant to be soundbytes. Unlike at least one of the "leading candidates". Read his books, you'll learn something about how he thinks.

Now, I know that's a silly suggestion, your mind is made up, and you don't want to be confused with facts, but the fact is it was a ridiculous question, and the OP is ridiculous, as well. You really need a new hobby - you've sunk to the point of desperation by posting this OP.

Oh, and YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL - I can see.

[durrrty libby]

94. "You really need a new hobby " Ya ya Cluless people love

giving that lame advice, cause that is all they got.


"YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL" Ironic much?

I wasn't yelling anyway, just testing out new sig lines.

[Laurab]

99. It's not "all I got", it's all someone can say

to such a ridiculous OP. Ironically, I am ironic a lot. Clueless is missing an "e", btw, and it's been nice, but a waste of time chatting with you. Have fun continuing your quest to bash Obama for nonsense reasons.

I wish I could do the same for Hillary, and I know I could find plenty of things without even really trying, but I just don't think it's productive. As much as I don't want her to win, she's a dem candidate, and I think I'd rather bash the opposing party.

[The Ghost]

83. whats pathetic

is that this is part of what makes you judge a candidates merits. that makes me scared that you vote.

[Ethelk2044]

84. You are so correct

[Bake]

88. It was a softball question he should have knocked out of the park

Oops, I used another baseball-ism.

Baseball, and indeed sport in general, is a metaphor for life. Obama COULD HAVE answered this question in a way that affirmed the AMERICAN values of integrity and fair play. He blew that chance because he didn't want to offend one side or the other with regard to Bonds personally. The question, had he seen the opportunity, was much larger than Barry Bonds.

It was a softball and he should have clocked it. Instead, he whiffed it by a mile.

What surprises me is the number of Obama supporters who are calling it a "race" thing, a racist question. I have news for you: Barack Obama is a black man. To suggest that he shouldn't answer a question about a black athlete, or that the question itself is somehow racist, is bullshit. We've got serious problems in America, and one of them is the old old problem of race relations and fairness. Any candidate, regardless of race, has to be able to address the issue and not hide from it behind a "racist question" wall -- to suggest that "you can't ask me that because I'm a black man" is pretty pathetic. Way to go, Obamaniacs.

Bake

[Ethelk2044]

95. I have no problems with them asking the questions to all candidates.

If you are going to ask one ask them all. However, Keith knows this is a controversial question and decided to ask the one and only African American candidate. If it was going to be asked it should have been asked to all of them. However, he was probably afraid of the backlash it would have cause for all the other candidates in the press. Keith chose the safe way out. If you have a problem with my response. Go to blackamericaweb.com and put a response out there. I want to see what you get. It is not just me it is others as well.

[LanternWaste]

97. As I haven't decided on a candidate to support...

As I haven't decided on a candidate to support in the primaries yet, nor have I ruled out any candidates, So I think I can safely say this...

Acting on a question by exercising caution means a person is not "presidential material"?




(Gotta be honest with you, chief... the more I see these anti-Obama threads, tearing him down by knee-jerk interpretations, the more I want to support him if for no other reason than to say "This negative attack stuff didn't work out too well for you... next time you might want to try civility.")

[rep the dems]

98. Did someone forget the sarcasm tag or is this actually serious?

If it is then I may have to leave here. I never imagined people here would be ripping our own candidates this much.

[dugggy]

101. But Obama can shoot from the hip to invade ally Pakistan

Go with HRC! She has Bill Clinton with 8 years of White House
experience to depend on. Who does Obama, the junior senator from
Illinois has? Has Obama ever had to make any executive decisions?
Did he ever run a state? A county? A city? A municipal department?

NO!!!!!!

[durrrty libby]

102. Yes the next pres will need lots of help to debush the country

[mdmc]

103. HRC cant decide whether nukes are a no-no or a go-go

Is she "inexperienced" or is she bush-lite? Either way, she will make a better pres then bushie...