Edwards Skeptical of Obama

[OzarkDem]

In an interview on Barbara Walters radio show last night, Mark Halperin, Time's senior political analyst, revealed what Edwards really thinks about Obama.

"HALPERIN : I can tell you, he's really skeptical of her ability to be the kind of president he wants. But, he kinda thinks Obama is...he thinks Obama is kind of a (anatomical reference for weakling)...He has real questions about Obama's toughness, his readiness for the office."

Its a concern all of us have about the Shape shifter and its interesting to hear it validated by Edwards...

http://thephoenix.com/MediaLog/PermaLink.aspx?guid=7bc50b07-ec45-44c2-8816-edf18144313c

[Captain Hilts]

1. Mark Halperin is a former Bush speech writer. The sexist "pussy" is also unfortunate. nt

[OzarkDem]

12. Sadly, sexism seems to be en vogue w/ young males

Hence all the Hillary bashing.

[Indenturedebtor]

59. Oh my

Way to flip it around. Do they issue you some sort of handbook or do you come up with these things all by yourself?

[goclark]

My my, he is really reaching and stretching and obscene

What a horrible way of expressing his thoughts.

Edwards really used those words? Please don't tell me that, I love Edwards and I'm so sorry.

[Stevepol]

54. I'm sure that's Halperin's paraphrase of Edwards' words.

Halperin is trying to translate what Edwards said. I feel sure Edwards didn't use that term. I'm also pretty sure he did express that sentiment since he expressed it many times during the campaign. He indicated that his opponents seemed to think you can sit down with these corporation lawyers and sweet talk them, etc. Obama has often said he thinks he will be able to find a way of working with the Republicans to find common ground. I think Edwards is right here. I don't think you can do that, certainly not with the neocons who are basically criminals claiming to be Republicans.

So what would be your way of expressing that idea?

[Captain Hilts]

55. I agree about Edwards. nt

[goclark]

57. I certainly don't think Obama is afraid to express himself

He is from the South Side of Chicago.

As much as I love John Edwards,he may have not appreciated the way that Kerry ended the election but I don't recall him being able to change Kerry's mind.

And Kerry is certainly no neocon.

I can't recall a single statement from John Edwards that would cause me to believe that he would fight down the Neocons.

That is exactly why I respected him. He, in my view, was able to raise the level of debate to a higher level.

Obama is smart enough to do that as well.

As for Hillary, she is having a tough time handling her staff and her pay roll for the campaign. Not sure she is showing me much right now.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. How does Halperin know what Edwards thinks?

Please explain the connection here.

[geek tragedy]

5. Maybe he talked to him? n/t

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. Perhaps. But I'll go with what Edwards has to say

when he says it.

[MADem]

35. Halperin says, clearly, that JE used the word.

See the link at post fourteen.

[midnight]

7. Yes, If Halperin is a former Bush writer, why would Edwards

convey this to him?

[MADem]

Because he's a TIME Reporter. Edwards used the word. See post fourteen.NT

[jezebel]

Hillary's camp told him. He constantly shills for her. NT

[MADem]

39. You just made that up! That's completely UNTRUE. Pure FICTION!! nt

[MADem]

30. See post fourteen. In his apology for using the word, he just says he was repeating what

'other people' said--the implication being that the other person was JE.

Actually, I can hear that coming out of his mouth. He's of the age, generation, and culture where that was a common word for wimp or wuss--political incorrectness of the present day notwithstanding.

[geek tragedy]

3. So, is Halperin the sexist oaf, or is Edwards? n/t

[eowyn_of_rohan]

10. Poor choice of words, and NOT something Edwards would say

Looks as if the guy who paraphrased Edwards' statements is either really an idiot or has an agenda to make Edwards, Clinton, and Obama ALL look bad.

[geek tragedy]

13. If Halperin chose those words, he should be fired. n/t

[MADem]

40. Uh, he said it. Halperin is saying, PLAINLY, that JE said it.

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/02/times-halperin-sorry-john-edwards-thinks-obama-is-a-pussy.php

[eowyn_of_rohan]

58. uh-I don't think so. Edwards would never be so stupid or low to use that word in a public statement

especially. QUOTE: HALPERIN : I can tell you, he's really skeptical of her ability to be the kind of president he wants. But, he kinda thinks Obama is...he thinks Obama is kind of a pussy...He has real questions about Obama's toughness, his readiness for the office..

Sounds like paraphrasing to me. Do you also think Edwards said "I don't think Hillary has the ability to be the kind of President I want"? :P LOL

[MADem]

60. It wasn't a public statement. It was a conversation between JE and MH.

Sorry--read MH's "apology." He apologizes for saying what Edwards said.

He doesn't apologize for using a word that JE did not use. He apologizes for "passing on the message" and says he should have paraphrased, basically.

I do think he said that about Clinton as well.

This is an equal opportunity slam on the part of JE, here. Gloves off, straight analysis, no BS, no filtering. As one would expect in a one-on-one conversation. JE should have specified OTR--off the record--but he apparently didn't. He'll remember next time!

It is what it is, and only someone in major denial would insist that it didn't happen.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

63. Absolute crap. You are delusional.

[MADem]

68. No, I am not "delusional." You, OTOH, are in fucking DENIAL.

Why, I have no idea. And you take some sort of psychic repair by hollering at me because your hero is a normal guy who can let slip a slightly rude term in the company of another man in a one-on-one conversation. His halo has slipped, and you're pissed at ME because of it!

:eyes:

JE said it, MH repeated it.

MH's apology, which is on the internet for you to see if you'd bother to fucking read it instead of hurling 'delusional' invective -- like I give a shit what you think, seeing as you're the one with that particular problem-- says what it says.

MH apologized for conveying the fact that JE said the P word.

Get over yourself. Get used to it. Stop insulting people who state facts, like your weak and foolish insults will change those facts.

It isn't the end of the world.

[karynnj]

67. Nice explanation

If so, this really shows that there is a huge amount of anger in JRE and that he may not be endorsing either as he has severe problems with either as the candidate. Ignoring the language, it shows an amazing amount of chutzpah as there is nothing in JRE's history to put him in the position of thinking either Obama or HRC have less gravitas or strength in their past.

This is really not a smart interview for him if he wants to have influence or a position in either of their campaigns. It may signal that he wants to be an activist who will prod either a Democratic or Republican President on poverty, though if it were that, I would expect that he would have done, as Dean did in transforming his Presidential web site to DFA.

[MADem]

69. No, I don't think he's being angry. I think it was a private conversation, and

JE was just being "frank." He wasn't a charmer to anyone left in the race, and his comments aren't without some basis in reality. He probably had a misapprehension that he was 'on background' or thought an Off-the-Record promise from another session carried over, when it didn't.

You'd be surprised at how some of these politicians talk when they think they are OTR. LBJ was one of the saltiest, but he's certainly not the only ones. Even perceived saints can let loose when they think they won't be quoted.

The old lions, that have been around forever, don't say shit to a reporter without getting an OTR promise or a "Don't quote me" right up front. It's funny to see on the Hill. Every once in a blue moon, when CSPAN was newer, you'd see some of the old lions saying it with the damn camera in their face when doing press availabilities under the dome! It's as natural as telling a waiter how you like your coffee with some of these older guys. The newer (under sixty) generation, it's not so ingrained, I guess, in the age of TV...

[MADem]

61. Doubleclick, sorry!

[OzarkDem]

19. Halperin's choice of words

Parse it how you wish, but Edwards validates what former Edwards supporters feel - that Obama doesn't have the gravitas, experience or confidence to stand up in tough situations.

[Levgreee]

4. Why do you post this crap?

[VolcanoJen]

33. Excellent question.

:hi:

[Olney Blue]

6. I am extremely uncomfortable with the quote being posted here.

I am offended as a female, and as an admirer of Obama.

[jakem]

8. thats post is a real credit to hillary supporters.

[Straight Shooter]

28. Well, this Hillary supporter thinks Halperin needs to shut up.

Edwards is a gentleman and would never use such a term.

Wussy, maybe. He might use that term, in a joking manner. But not the other.

[calmblueocean]

9. Classy. n/t

[Johnny__Motown]

11. HA.. the guy who worked on Chicago's south side is "kind of a pussy"

Give me a F___ing break

Edwards should go spend a week in the neighborhoods that Obama worked in for years. (if this is even true, I am not sure I believe it)

[Zodiak]

48. That is IF Edwards said it

Halperin is a right-wing asshole.

It's a shame that a DUer had to use him as a reference to make Obama AND Edwards look bad for the sole purpose of scoring points on DU.

[MADem]

14. That feller is in trouble for using that P word, though!

I do wonder if, as your link insinuates, he did it to draw notice to that radio show!

And he's apologized, sorta, for saying, basically, that EDWARDS used the word....!

This probably won't make anyone happy--Obama, Clinton, OR Edwards!!! It's an equal opportunity piss-off! http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/02/times-halperin-sorry-john-edwards-thinks-obama-is-a-pussy.php

..."I'm sorry," Halperin writes. "In a live radio interview this week, I used a word I shouldn't have. The fact that I was conveying other people's words is no excuse for my lapse in judgment. It won't happen again."

What word—surely, it's not "pimped"—could Halperin be referring to, and in what context? That would be the word he used to describe Bill Clinton's attitudes about Barack Obama on Barbara Walters' radio show Monday. Asked by The View executive producer and Walters business partner Bill Geddie whether it's true that coveted endorser John Edwards doesn't like Hillary Clinton, Halperin responded ...

"Yes, that's right. And I can tell you, he's really skeptical of her ability to be the kind of president he wants. But, he kinda thinks Obama is....he thinks Obama is kind of a pussy ... He has real questions about Obama's toughness, his readiness for the office ... he has real doubts about Obama, not just as a president, but as a general election candidate...."

In short, Halperin is owning up to and apologizing for putting "pussy" in Edwards' mouth.

[bunnies]

50. Conveying other peoples words = Edwards said it.

Convey:
1. To take or carry from one place to another; transport.
2. To serve as a medium of transmission for; transmit: wires that convey electricity.
3. To communicate or make known; impart: "a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension" Saki.
4. Law To transfer ownership of or title to.
5. Archaic To steal.

Id like to get to the bottom of this.

And on another note: apologizing for putting "pussy" in Edwards' mouth. :rofl: :spray:

[ProSense]

15. Wait, is that why Obama is still in the race and Hillary has fallen behind? n/t

[Bicoastal]

16. "OK, this isn't directed at Hillary, so it's clearly not offensive to women in any way."

I can't tell who's more pathetic--Halpern, for saying it, or you, for posting it.

Shouldn't the title really read "Edwards skeptical of Obama and Clinton?"

[OzarkDem]

24. Oh I find it offensive

typical of the political discourse of many young men in the political world these days.

But the message is even more important - Edwards doesn't think Obama is tough enough for the job of President.

[ngant17]

45. Obama is popular because he stands for peace

and I believe he will be the first authentic President since Jimmy Carter. America must not continue to be a warlike culture, it's time to break that trend.

I see Obama as having the courage to stand for peace, when everyone else is demanding war.

If you couldn't stand Carter, and I sure you will detest Obama.

[islandmkl]

17. just another clairvoyant political analyst...you know....

someone who can tell you all you need to know about politics except how to get elected, how to create and pass programs and laws, and how to accomplish the difficult tasks of leading the American people. "Those who can, do. Those who can't are critics."

[Ellen Forradalom]

20. We live in a very ugly, regressive, sexist era

And this remark of Halperin's is simply more evidence of that.

[babylonsister]

21. Per Mark Halperin? Talk about a false subject line! nt

[Botany]

22. OzarkDem .... you have no class

posting 2nd hand hear say .... nice.

[OzarkDem]

25. Attack the messenger

typical schoolyard bullying by Obama supporters. Take a hike.

[Botany]

31. what you post tells me all I need to know about you

again "it" was second hand hear say and just plan vulgur.

[OzarkDem]

34. Read it again

[Zodiak]

49. and from a Right wing speechwriter

that worked for * no less.

[Sir Jeffrey]

23. Okay, trying to post this in an unlocked thread now...

http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/13/my-apologies/

"I’m sorry. In a live radio interview this week, I used a word I shouldn’t have. The fact that I was conveying other people’s words is no excuse for my lapse in judgment. It won’t happen again. — Mark Halperin"

Now. Note the language of Halperin's apology. He used the word "conveyed" re: the offensive word. He did not say that his use of the offensive word was a "misstatement" or he "mischaracterized" what Edwards said. No. Halperin seems to imply from his apology that Edwards *used* the offensive word in the exact manner as Halperin indicated, and that his mistake was in *conveying* Edwards' statement.

Halperin needs to clarify his apology. If Edwards did not use that word re: Obama, then he needs to make it more explicit.

[NastyRiffraff]

37. Typical media critter "apology"

Blame somebody else. Or, express sorrow if anyone was offended. Never take responsibility.

The original statement doesn't sound like a quote, but rather a paraphrase of what Edwards had said. If Edward did talk to Halperin (which I don't take as a given at all), I don't think he'd use the word. For one thing, it wouldn't make sense, knowing that it would be reported and quoting. Instead of quoting, Halperin paraphrased, if indeed he talked to Edwards at all. After all, Edwards' concern about Obama's not being able to stand up and fight has been reported several times before.

[Sir Jeffrey]

42. I agree that it does sound like Halperin paraphrased...

but his apology doesn't really put that to rest. Someone needs to be demanding this media guy either redraft his apology to make it explicit that Edwards did not say that, or man-up and stand by his initial apology (in other words, say that Edwards did say that phrase and Halperin should not have mentioned it publicly).

[OzarkDem]

26. Fixed it, now lets hear Obama supporters jump on Edwards

[Bicoastal]

36. It won't be fixed until it reads "Edwards skeptical of Obama AND Clinton."

[panader0]

27. I think this a-hole has his sexes mixed up.

[Skwmom]

29. Edwards repeating Clinton campaign meme. Big surprise. NOT.

[Bicoastal]

32. Not Edwards. Some TIME magazine flunky--the OP is putting words in Edwards mouth.

[jackson_dem]

38. Anyone who has watched the debate series over the past year would have to agree with Edwards

[Captain Hilts]

41. Correction: SEXIST reference to female anatomy to suggest 'weakling'. nt

[bowens43]

43. MOre nonsense. Hillary is no more prepared then Obama.

In fact with the truck loads of negatives already associated with Hillary and the overwhelming hate felt by most conservatives towards her, Obama is in a much better position to take on the republicans. Edwards has validated nothing.

[The Ghost]

44. Edwards calling Obama a Pussy

doesnt get more ironic than that.

[CoffeeCat]

46. I thought Edwards was smarter than that...

Many, many strong and prolific Presidents did not enter a room swaggering
and acting like gruff jerks.

Look at Bush. He was plenty tough. Man, he was like a cowboy--a real buffet of macho.

Where did that get us?

You could look at JFK, and his style--and see a very gentle, soft-spoken man who didn't like to
tear people down and play dirty. He was young also.

Obama may not have the years of experience, but he has the leadership, the brains, the plans
the grace, the integrity and the respect for our Constitution (he's a Constitutional scholar)
to be one of our greatest Presidents.

Edwards knows that Hillary's loyalties are to the DLC, not to the American people. He knows
she's a warmonger and a corporatist hack. So what...we're supposed to go for the more abrasive
personality--over someone who doesn't act like a back-biting barracuda?

Everyone understands that Obama may be a little greener than some candidates. However, they
see a man who can lead this nation.

If Edwards can't see that, or if he doesn't believe that Obama will rise to the occasion, then that's just one
person's opinion.

I don't mind Edwards not endorsing someone. However, when he talks like this, it feels like sour grapes.

[cooolandrew]

47. I was always dubisous about Edwards but this is getting a bit much now. ..

.. I know Edwards suppoerters are very loyal but how would you feel if Brack was doing this in reverse if Obama had left the campaign. It's a little uncool.

[Zodiak]

51. You had better read the whole thread

before you conclude that Edwards actually said this.

The guy quoted in the OP is a Bush speech-writer.

[Blue_In_AK]

52. I'll believe John Edwards said this

when I hear it coming out of his own mouth. Jeez.... I guess I should say I'm skeptical of Mark Halperin.

[Captain Hilts]

53. Write [e-mail] nt

[MoonRiver]

56. "shape shifter" how apropos!

:D

[yeswecan08]

62. Edwards is very jealous of Obama's superior intellect and natural ability

[LWolf]

66. .

:rofl:

[onehandle]

64. HEARSAY. nt

[NJSecularist]

65. Reporting second hand information and innuendo as fact?

Is this a new low for DU?

[MADem]

70. Here's the FIRSTHAND apology from Halperin

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/02/times-halperin-sorry-john-edwards-thinks-obama-is-a-pussy.php

Time's Halperin Sorry John Edwards Thinks Obama Is a 'Pussy'

Time magazine's senior political analyst and editor at large Mark Halperin, often criticized as a Republican mouthpiece, discovered the dangers of trying to speak for the other party today. A cryptic non-apology on Haperin's The Page quietly seeks to make it all go away.

"I'm sorry," Halperin writes. "In a live radio interview this week, I used a word I shouldn't have. The fact that I was conveying other people's words is no excuse for my lapse in judgment. It won't happen again."..."Yes, that's right. And I can tell you, he's really skeptical of her ability to be the kind of president he wants. But, he kinda thinks Obama is....he thinks Obama is kind of a pussy ... He has real questions about Obama's toughness, his readiness for the office ... he has real doubts about Obama, not just as a president, but as a general election candidate...."

In short, Halperin is owning up to and apologizing for putting "pussy" in Edwards' mouth.

[Leopolds Ghost]

71. SOOO, Edwards is saying that Obama is the REAL Woman in the race?

:shrug: