Clinton junkyard dog surrogate insults Obama, supporters, prior to Clinton's Ohio speech last night.

[seafan]

A CLINTON SURROGATE, A DEM DIVIDE?

by Domenico Montanaro
February 20, 2008



(Video at link)

From NBC's Abby Livingston


Oh snap! Who needs a Rottweiler when you’ve got surrogates?

Tom Buffenbarger president of the machinists' union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) was the the latest in a string of Clinton junkyard dogs unleashed upon Obama. Prior to Hillary Clinton’s speech last night in Youngstown, Ohio, Buffenbarger delivered nothing short of an Obama diatribe.

While campaign introductions typically sing the praises of the upcoming candidate, Buffenbarger's speech barely mentioned Clinton until the conclusion. It was all about Obama, and it was laced with venom and ad hominems.

Buffenbarger called Obama a “thespian,” and he sarcastically referred to the junior senator from Illinois as a “wunderkind.” He compared Obama to “Janus, the two-faced Roman god of ancient times.” And he pleaded with the crowd to boo Obama’s labor record.

Early in his speech, Buffenbarger asked, “So now we have a decision to make. Will we rely on the Harvard Law Review editor? The silver-tongued orator from Kansas, Hawaii and Illinois? The man in love with the microphone?”

Taking off the gloves, he said, “Barack Obama is no Muhammad Ali. He took a walk every time there was a tough vote in the Illinois State Senate. He took a walk more than a 130 times. That's what a shadow boxer does. All the right moves. All the right combinations. All the right footwork. But he never steps into the ring.”

But it was Obama supporters for whom Buffenbarger saved his most vitriolic contempt, and he proved that the Democratic Party’s coalition is nothing if not fragile. Channeling Howard Beale from the movie "Network," he yelled into the microphone, “Give me a break! I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter.”

With all this trash talk, who needs a Thrilla in Manilla?

The Clinton campaign is making a grave mistake.


This vitriol needs to end, and end now.

[NightWatcher]

1. Clinton slings mud and hate, Obama just wins, again, for the 10th time in a row

[LeftCoast]

2. There ain't no cryin' in baseball

1. You can't seriously expect people to believe that TeamObam hasn't done similar.

2. Do you actually expect the republicans to place nice in the general? You guys going to whine yourselves to the WH?

[TheWraith]

4. You claim that Obama has done the same thing, yet you can't prove it.

The worst statements that any of the Clinton supporters can dig up are milquetoast compared to anything that's been thrown around by the Clinton campaign.

And if the massive slime machine that the Clinton camp has put forward hasn't made a dent in Obama, what makes you think the Republicans will when they're going to be using the same talking points and failed strategies that Clinton has?

[elixir]

30. "you're likeable enough, Hillary", "claws", "periods where she's down.." stealing her healthcare pla

n. So many things the empty suit has brought us. Oh, how about the "racial" comments - not.

Plenty of offenses on Obama's part.

[shadowknows69]

33. So you have nothing

Stole her health care plan huh? That's rich. Can I get what you're smoking?

[elixir]

35. I'm just high on the idea of Hillary as president. Thanks for your kick.

[Alexander]

46. I wouldn't want to be around you when your withdrawal symptoms kick in.

[Alexander]

41. None of those are remotely on the level of what's in the OP.

And he certainly didn't "steal" her flawed health care plan, as she's fond of pointing out.

You're really desperate. And it shows.

[intaglio]

50. My goodness what.. a.. set.. of.. devastating.. attacks

"You're likeable enough ..." that's an attack? that's right up there with "I disagree with you ..." and "Well, you're not my cup of tea ..."

"Claws (out)" like a bear? or like a lion?

"Periods when she's down ..." I showed that to my partner, who has been a feminist since the 70's, and she burst into laughter at the stupidity of considering that an anti-female put down.

"Stealing her Healthcare plan ..." I'm old and I recall that in the dim and distant past (say 3 weeks ago) every Hillary supporter was certain that Hillary's plan was the real deal whilst Obama's plan was just froth, insubstantial and a surrender to the insurance companies. Now it has been "stolen"

Please do not be so foolish as to post this list again because it just makes you look like 'a dog in a manger'

[Hieronymus]

8. So, you really approve of the Hillary campaign's mudslinging? Will ...

you be happy with President McCain?

[greguganus]

26. Haven't you heard? Lots of Duers will vote for McLame if Obama's the nominee. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

37. Haven't heard a peep.

:shrug:

[Alexander]

48. Most of them get banned and have a lower post count than you.

Suggesting they're just trolls from Freeperville.

[Blue State Bandit]

12. The country is noticeably beyond this kind of sordid slash and burn

excuse for political rhetoric. The politics of personal attacks has lost its edge. And as will soon be seen in the next voting booths to open, name calling does not change minds, at least not in favor of the attacker. Look at the polls out of Wisconsin. How many of those voters making under 50k that went to Obama can afford Latte's or own Birkenstock's? I own Timberlands and drink WA WA coffee.

As to the GE, you can call a liar a liar, a thief a thief, a con a con, and a warmonger a warmonger. But the people that will fall for the old and tired "Liberal Commie Baby-Killer" crap ain't going to cross the line anyway. The voters we will be fighting for know the score, and will listen to reason. And they will sour to these type of attacks when they are made aware why they are leveled: a smoke screen to cover up their own faults and their incapability to run from their own smell of defeat.

[Cha]

14. Where's your proof instead of just empty

rhetoric? hilarys are vicious attack dogs who need to be sent back to the kennel.

[cali]

15. Try and find anything remotely like that

out of the Obama camp. You won't be able to because they're not that stupid. This is the type of heavy handed stuff that boomerangs right back on her. I like seeing her campaign fuck up like this. And I'm glad they're throwing this junk at him. It's good practice. Oh, and unsurprisingly most of the whinging around here is coming from the Hillary supporters. I love watching her campaign blow one thing after another.

[elixir]

36. That's funny, all the nasty threads are started by Obama supporters. This OP is just one example.

You guys are thin skinned and unable to handle any heat on the big O, orator.

[cali]

43. nah, you're confused.

and thin skinned isn't me. And luckily I won't have to get used to Madame Entitlement in the Oval Office. She'll only ever be there at the invite of YOUR President, Barack Obama. President Obama will be quite gracious to Hilly, I'm sure. And it sure is fun watching him pull the rug out from under her. I don't mind if it goes on a bit longer. Can't wait until OH and TX. It's fascinating watching such a terrible campaign fall apart.

[elixir]

44. Agreed, this will go to the end. Enjoy the viewing.

[cali]

45. Nope. She'll be done on March 4th. n/t

[anigbrowl]

18. Who's doing the whining here?

"Channeling Howard Beale from the movie "Network," he yelled into the microphone, “Give me a break! I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter.”"

Sounds pretty whiny to me, and pretty insulting to a lot of other people. I'd love to get some video of this guy...that'd be like a Dean Scream clip for Clinton's campaign.

C'mon leftcoast - tell us the worst thing Obama surrogates (ie people offically asked to speak by the campaign, not some random DUer) has said about Clinton.

[ginnyinWI]

3. If this is ANY clue as to how she would govern--

dividing the electorate, bad-mouthing enemies--this is very telling.

And if it isn't coming from her--and she's not in control--then is THAT the way she would govern?

[Botany]

5. You are judged by the company you keep

Hillary has Mark Penn who worked for Blackwater in P.R. and
now this guy?

[Mother Of Four]

6. Uhm...

This guy is a total tool...

[rox63]

7. Way to win over voters - NOT!

:eyes:

[Independent-Voter]

9. I'm sure the 150 folks at the High School Gym were really fired up too!

[tabatha]

10. Just heard Brent Budowsky on Randi Rhodes,

and he said that he has seen nothing like this in previous Dem elections. It is not pretty.
Guess the Clinton camp think that Rove tactics work.

Brent Budowsky also said that Obama has had major legislation accomplisments, that Clinton knows that, and Brent will be sending this around to various places including Chris Matthews.

[elixir]

38. They have to send around a memo to various places about Obama's record? Isn't it a little late

to be sending this stuff around? If they don't know it by know, then he clearly doesn't have much to offer. The junior senator from Illinois.

[tabatha]

51. Well, if no-one could respond to Keith Olbermann's

request for what was done in the senate by anybody in the last 7 years - then I don't think that is a valid argument.

But, if Clinton is ready to lead on day #1, why has she blown an almost surmountable lead to a junior senator.
That, alone, speaks volumes.
Why could Obama get Health Care Reform in Illinois, and Hillary could not as First lady?

Then read this - sometimes people's minds go blank (mine has).
http://www.kirkwatson.com/media/whats-new/2008/02/20/msnbc-and-me/

[madrchsod]

11. William W. Winpisinger would have kicked his ass

junk yard dog? nah this guy is a purse dog....wimpy was a real junk yard dog

"Winpisinger also gained national recognition when during the energy crisis of 1981. His union filed a lawsuit against the OPEC oil cartel, charging them with artificial price fixing in the price of petroleum. That, in turn, Winpisinger pointed out, had a negative impact on the American economy, causing production interruptions and layoffs, denying his members their right to work. And, he concluded, if the United States Government wouldn't do anything about it, his union, as a representative of American workers, would."

http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/pages/pages.asp?ldID=105&guideID=515&ID=3917
William "Wimpy" Winpisinger -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_W._Winpisinger
William W. Winpisinger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SeattleGirl]

13. If I were Hilary, I would NOTwant that man speaking at one of my

events. If he wants to sling mud at McCain, fine. But not at another Democrat.

I know Hilary wants to win, and I admire her passion, but good grief! That was ugly.

[GalleryGod]

20. The Man is a Proctologist's Dream !

A poster boy for the American Proctology Society.

[Thrill]

16. I'm speechless, This is the crap NeoCon nuts say

Please tell me no Clinton Supporters approve of this garbage. You can't be a Democrat and approve of this

[anigbrowl]

19. Well, that 'latte liberals' nonsense reminds me a lot of...

the GOP's denigration of Kerry as a wine-drinking, sushi-eating socialist.

[smalll]

17. It's like GD:P, only in real life!

And I have to admit, with all the calls for Hillary to drop out/be ostracized/be "eliminated" and the calls for us Hillarites to "respect" the will of the majority If We Know What's Good For Us, it's actually nice to see someone Out There take it to the O-man.

I'm boffo for Buffenbarger!

[GalleryGod]

28. Indeed you are,Mystery Poster.

"Small" that is..."boffo"? more like barfo

BTW...there goes New Jersey....
"Obama also won the backing of one of the state’s most powerful political insiders, George Norcross, and was endorsed by Clinton backers, including Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, Democratic County Chairmen James Beach (Camden), Rick Perr (Burlington) and Michael Angelini (Gloucester), Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, State Sen. Frederick Madden, and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty."

Funny how those "Pros" you counted-upon to "stand & deliver"...just "flip-flop" away from your candidate to mine.



:rofl: :patriot: :rofl:

[wndycty]

21. He appears to be reading which means the speech was most likely vetted and approved by the campaign

Very very bad!

[elixir]

40. True, big mistake if his material wasn't vetted.

[no name no slogan]

22. Oh SNAP! She didn't really start her story with that lead, did she?

[K Gardner]

24. Yes, and when asked to refute his words, said they were PROUD to have him as a supporter.

[no name no slogan]

29. If she gets any more "supporters" like that, it's BHO in a landslide

nt

[BigDaddy44]

23. I'll be the dissenting voice

Look, this stuff is going to come out in the GE. Let it come out now. Let Obama learn how to fight back hard NOW. He needs to be able to show he can take whatever dirt might get thrown, and throw it back harder.

It is a bit sad that its coming from a fellow Dem, but Hillary is all but done, and down to desperation tactics. Look at it as a positive, and a way for the Obama to enter the championship bout well trained by his sparring partners.

[Eurobabe]

25. Barffenburger!! I just wrote a serious email to the Clinton

campaign about this asshole. What a way to unite the party on the way to November. :eyes:

[adabfree]

27. Clinton approves of it...when asked about it...they said

we support the union..what a crap out!

Yet, if she managed to become the nominee, she expects "latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies" to vote for her..lmao!

Didn't they learn something from Bob Johnson's and Billy Sheehan's nasty speak?

Jeez..

[SoxFan]

31. Oh, yes, the "we're pro labor" canard

I hate this crap. Make it about the union, and imply that criticism is "anti-labor". I had to deal with this nonsense in my own campaign. It appears that a union friend of my opponent tampered with my campaign mail at the post office. When I notified the postal investigators, my opponent tried to imply that I was doing it to smear the good name of the labor movement.

Considering my grandfather was a retired Teamster and my great-uncle was a labor organizer in the mines of Montana in the 1920s, it was a comical tactic.

[bunnies]

32. "latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies"

Hey Buffenbarger... I want my trust fund. NOW!

[wndycty]

34. LOL the crowd heckled the shit out of him

It really is an embarrassment. LOL

[grantcart]

39. are you kidding this stuff stops and we go back to narrow election nights

I prefer landslides

[GoldieAZ49]

42. Ah the sound of desperation, endearing all those Democrats yet to vote,

I really liked it when they said their base was the uneducated.

I say let them keep talking, they will win the hearts and minds for Obama.

[damntexdem]

47. And if Obama is so bad in the trenches, why is he trouncing Hillary?

[OzarkDem]

49. Machinists have lost thousands of jobs in Ohio

They don't look to favorably on Obama and the praises he continues to sing of "globalization". Clinton has called for major changes to NAFTA to protect US jobs.

The machinists and other trade unions are fighting for their jobs and their futures. They know Obama doesn't stand with them.

[Major Hogwash]

52. Has Zell Miller endorsed Hillary yet? "She's got more spitballs!"

LoL

[RevCheesehead]

53. Why does this guy hate my footwear?

My feet hurt too much to wear anything but my Birkis and Betulas.

BTW, I drive a Saturn, do not like coffee in ANY form, and have never seen any sign of a trust fund (unless Dad's been holding out).

Leave my Birki's alone!!