"You can have your Tiger Woods. We have Senator McCain."

[sniffa]

Discuss

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. Who said that? nt

[apocalypsehow]

4. Some Republican stooge introducing McCain today - and then McCain hugged him.

n/t.

[Cha]

9. A prime example of just how stupid you have

to be to support mccain.

[sniffa]

14. I "think" KO just mentioned it was an Iraq war vet?

Or maybe I misheard, or he was referencing some other person? :shrug:

[apocalypsehow]

19. The story is coming up - I just saw the clip on Hardball, don't know if he was a vet or not.

:shrug:

He still shouldn't have said that, even if he is a vet.

[sniffa]

22. No one should have said that

I wasn't excusing it, but pointing out that it wasn't a Republican member of Congress (or RNC, etc).

[apocalypsehow]

Oh, I see what you're saying, and you're quite right. Peace.

:hi:

[PA Democrat]

56. One of the pro-war Vets for Freedom guys.

They're doing a national bus tour promoting war.

http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/

[Irishonly]

65. You Are Correct

The man making the Tiger Woods comment was an Iraqi vet.

[redqueen]

108. Pardon me...that'd be "Iraq vet" or "Iraq War vet" but NOT

Iraqi vet, as that wording implies that the soldier himself was an Iraqi.

[Alter Ego]

114. Tiger for President, then!

[Hepburn]

2. Whoa.....

...I just heard the tail end of that on KO. WTF was that all about?

[LaurenG]

3. Well they can keep their McCain

I'll just keep on believing in change.

[MadBadger]

5. The Politico RW tool on Hardball didnt see it as a big deal

Shocker

[LSparkle]

8. Yeah -- I was surprised that Millbank thought it WAS a problem ...

Usually he's more the "go along to get along" type.

[Olney Blue]

6. That's true. McCain is not in Tiger's league.

I personally think Senator Obama should take the comparison as a compliment. Tiger is the greatest in his field!

[Celebration]

100. Exactly my thoughts

I think Tiger could beat McCain, too.

[SoCalDem]

7. And Hillary wailed... "What am I?? Chopped liver?"

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. Well, Hamburger Hill, maybe.

[quantass]

51. LOL!

[Nine]

73. Some RW tool insults your candidate and your first instinct is to slam the other Dem candidate.

What does that say about you as a Democrat? Never mind, don't answer; it will just be another slam on Hillary, I'm certain of it. And I suppose if Obama wins the nomination, you'll be one of the first demanding Party loyalty from the former Hillary supporters and insisting that we put all the remarks like this one behind us and immediately rally around your guy.

[bullwinkle428]

75. It would be nice if that stuff was confined to GD:P, but I guess

that's too much to ask these days... :shrug:

[SunsetDreams]

11. Hey Tiger Woods

kicks some ass....so maybe we should just accept the comparison LOL

[Cali_Democrat]

12. I don't get it

Is he calling Obama Tiger Woods?

:shrug:

[sniffa]

15. Yes

I had no idea Obama was that caliber of a golfer.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

29. It doesn't make sense to me either..

I get the racial dig implied with that comment, but why in the world would a McCain supporter want to compare Obama to Tiger Woods - a dominant sports figure?

[sniffa]

34. A few reasons

- reminding people that he's black

- reminding people that he's multi-racial (point 1 more than this one)

- intimating that like Tiger, he's non-threatening to white people, and his support may be because of that

- and the possibility (if he's really stupid) that Obama and Tiger get their white fandom from white guilt, rather than their ability at smashing the competition

Also, Tiger (at least when he first started on the tour) used to claim he wasn't black, and that he transcended that. I don't see any upside in that, aside from reassuring the racists that it's ok to race-bait since they don't consider themselves black.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

39. I had not thought of this point...

"intimating that like Tiger, he's non-threatening to white people, and his support may be because of that"

[sniffa]

41. Aside from the initial racial angle (that was blaring!)

this was the immediate angle I took from it after that. I've seen it enough hear on DU to not disregard it.

[reggie the dog]

88. reminding people that

he is better than the rest in his field

[JTFrog]

90. Reminding people that he's

succeeding in the white man dominated arena.

[ShortnFiery]

112. Well, Cobert (fictional) has only 1 Black friend, this guy only knows of 1 Black sports celebrity?

:shrug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. I guess that makes McCain Fuzzy Zoeller.

[sniffa]

16. To be fair

Lindsey Graham just threw McCain under the golf cart, claiming that, "If Tiger Woods would agree to play a round of golf with me, I'll withdraw my support for McCain." (paraphrase)

[SunsetDreams]

17. lollll I noticed that

[JimGinPA]

18. Yeah, Lindsey Graham My Be A Lot Of Things...

But at least he's not politically tone deaf.

[L0oniX]

45. I hate that SOB f*cking war monger

[jenmito]

52. He just said that to try to "save" the guy by making it look like it was a compliment. n/t

[redqueen]

109. Yup... trying to play it off.

I bet it'll work for those "but I'm not racist! really!" types.

[FatDave]

94. Tiger should take him up on that

[AnnieBW]

61. No, just fuzzy

He doesn't know Shiite!

[JBoy]

20. Can McCain even swing a golf club properly?

[sniffa]

23. He does have the stiff left arm, so his swing is probably not bad

[Bucky]

97. ha-ha! Good one. That's funny, cause McCain was tortured as a POW.

Wait, no. Now that I think about it, that's not funny at all. What the hell were you thinking in posting that?

[JBoy]

105. I was commenting on the stupidity of the guy comparing McCain to Tiger Woods.

If he's not a racist, he must be talking about McCain's golfing abilities.

[sniffa]

21. I hope you all let this sink in

There are several layers to this statement, and the most obvious one, IMO, is not the most offensive.

[Connie_Corleone]

24. Tiger Woods is a champion. I'll take it as a compliment of Obama. LOL!!

[sniffa]

44. True, but

He should be hammered for what is being implied. Even Lindsey jumped in to save McCain from it.

[Muttocracy]

25. sounds like a better deal for us!

Tiger is a classy winner. McCain is, well, McCain.

I'm ignoring the obvious nastiness of course.

[greenbriar]

26. that repuke is a twit

what a duntz

[loveangelc]

27. is it wrong that I don't find it a big deal?

[sniffa]

28. Um, kinda.

[ooshaunaoo]

30. His name is David Bellavia.

He has announced recently that he wants to run for the House seat in my district, NY-26. That's the seat Reynolds is leaving.

[Muttocracy]

49. whoa, has the Dem running there been determined yet? nt

[ooshaunaoo]

55. Right now there are 3 possibly 4

Jon Powers (an Iraq war veteran), Jack Davis (a millionaire business owner, republican turned democrat), Alice Kryzan (an attorney), and possibly Kathy Hochul (Erie County clerk, but she doesn't live in the district).

[Eurobabe]

85. what a fucking moron that guy was

[redqueen]

110. Well I hope he does...

he'll make a great candidate (for us to run against).

[Bonobo]

31. Them's fighting words.

[Yael]

32. I'll take Tiger for $1,000, Alex

[SunsetDreams]

33. sniffa...

I understand what the underlying tone is...however, a reaction to this, is what they want.

Let's give them the reaction that they don't want.

It can be turned around on them, and I think they well know that now after the fact.

To compare Sen. Obama to Tiger Woods is a high compliment!

Tiger Woods in his field kicks ass, so Sen. McCain's ass will be kicked by our Tiger Woods.

Don't let them have the reaction they want.

[sniffa]

35. I agree with the compliment

but that's not what is intended.

I hope all of DU will hammer the fuck out of McCain (even though it wasn't him) for this because it's very obvious what the intent is.

[SunsetDreams]

37. I hear you,

but I also know they seek to divide us, lets not let them have that satisfaction.

They made a comparison that can be turned back around on them BIG TIME!

[sniffa]

38. I agree, this shouldn't divide us

We should hammer the fuck out of him for this (and about a brazillion other things).

I give Lindsey credit for immediately realizing the potential fallout and attempting to extinguish it with humor. But, fuck him. Hammer McCain anyway.

[zulchzulu]

36. Either McCain renounces those comments or I say we give money to this guy

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_iwanttohelp.htm

Two can play, Johnny...

[Willo]

40. Obama is to the Presidency as Tiger Woods is to golf

Works for me.:thumbsup:

[L0oniX]

46. WOOT

:toast:

[AllentownJake]

42. This is to be expected

Some asshole I bowl with threatened to pull my bumper of my car because it had "that guy" on it and the last thing this country needs is a "black democrat." Expect the GOP to be unapologetically racist. Not subtly racist.

[quakerboy]

87. How exactly does one deal with that?

I know it exists out there. But I haven't had anyone bold enough to say it to my face. Maybe I just don't spend enough time in public places where alcohol is available.

[eleny]

43. I can hardly wait to bury his campaign with the weight of our Dem votes

[BklynChick]

47. totally pissed me off. tiger woods and barack obama only have in common that they are black w/multi

racial backgrounds. and mccain sits there and says nothing. the racial insensitivity (i won't call it racism yet) of that campaign is astounding.

[AnnieBW]

62. A few more things they have in common

Tiger and Barack both have great smiles, gorgeous wives and daughters, and are WINNERS!

[dancingme]

48. "they all look alike"

that's the mentality. All black men look alike so it's OK to lump them all together. Tiger Woods, Barack Obama, Will Smith...

That is racist.

[TTUBatfan2008]

50. Time for some payback...

McCain's campaign has whined the last few days about two instances where Obama wasn't even around when the comments were made and he demanded that Obama denounce Ed Schultz and the West Virginian Senator. Time for Obama to call his ass out on this. All he has to do is be like, "While John McCain is complaining about people I have no affiliation with, he's hugging a race-baiter; time for John to stop whining or live up to his supposed high standard and denounce this guy."

[scarface2004]

53. obama is michael jordan!

mkane is wilford brimley!

[HughBeaumont]

54. I just took photos of this year's RNC:

UNbelieve . . . well, really, no it's not that unbelievable that a Repuke would say that in 2008.

[uponit7771]

58. LOFL!! I don't know why I didn't expect this...too funny

[sniffa]

63. I didn't know what Bill Buckhead looked like until now

Thank you. :patriot:

[ekwhite]

98. ROFLMAO

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Zachstar]

57. If McCain did not yell at him after that then McCain is just as idiotic.

[uponit7771]

60. He most likely wasn't listening, I don't see McSame as the sharpest knife in the draw

[Binka]

72. Knife? The Old Coot Has The Edge Of A MotherFucking Teaspoon.

And since that tiny spoon fucked it's mother it has more edge. McLame is an addled old fart without the good smell. He fucked up here and we are only going to see it over and over again. He is neck deep in the sand trap digging with a fork. The 19th hole is his death spiral. Get on the protective suits, McLame is gonna spurt.

[AnnieBW]

59. I'd be happy to be compared to Tiger Woods

If I were in the Obama campaign, I'd issue a statement thanking that doofus for comparing me to one of the greatest golfers ever. (I'm from Western PA, so Arnie is STILL the greatest ever!) Obama can even promise to get us out of this massive sand trap!

[Willo]

64. I really don't think it's a good idea to attack on this.

One: it's too early in the game and;
Two: it's too easy to spin into a brag-free positive.

There will be, unfortunately, plenty more direct and less complimentary remarks to address.
If we come across as overly sensitive then we appear as trying to protect supposed weaknesses in our candidate.
His skin is black and his middle name is Hussein. These are not weaknesses, these are non-issues.

[sniffa]

67. I disagree

This isn't over-sensitive. Feel free to ignore similar statements from McCain people, or Clinton people (or any others I can't think of at the moment) if you must.

[Willo]

70. I said come across as overly sensitive because

many people will cry "race-card" if they can't see it for themselves.
They have an "out" here, "What, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just saying Tiger Woods is good."
You can see this, right?

Now, take this very primary.

When all the hints, double-edged remarks seemed to fail. They were forced to come out and say it directly. That almost always fails. Blatant racism shames. It is too stark to support. Think of incidents recently and historically.

Do you agree?

[sniffa]

71. Um..

I'm not sure I understand. :shrug:

I think, I may kinda understand, so I'll go from there.

Forget primary mode - in the GE, this should be pounced on; not from Obama, but from people like me, other internetsers, the media, and so forth. This isn't Obama's game, and he'll rightly not attack it.

As for having an "out" - they don't. His only out is to say Obama is super-fucking-awesome like Tiger, and that's all the future, congress-loser was trying to say. That could be possible in text form, but video shows he said it with contempt.

Yes, super-blatant racism shames; subtle and pretty-much overt racism, not so much. If it did, we wouldn't be seeing it over, and over in this campaign.

[Willo]

74. I am so much better at making my points verbally. I apologize

for my lack of skill here. I say that because I believe I have a good and important point. If that is correct, then I truly want you to understand it. And then, agree or disagree from there.

I'm sensing that you are in attack mode and maybe, can't "hear" me right now.

The "out" that will be taken is not based on what you or I say is an acceptable out. This is a public show. The MSM are already playing it and starting the circus. If we attack and they take the out, and we attack again....the american audience will have room to agree with them, when they say we are playing the race-card. Keep in mind, "We = Obama" His supporters actions will be transferred to him.

When did Wright get introduced? Late Feb? March? This is only April and the attack was only "Woods". The list of racial attacks is looooong. Woods is a pebble, a feeler-attack. If we cry outrage at every single racial attack, Obama runs the risk of not being heard when he does complain. Obama runs the risk of not being heard when he talks about issues.

People like Obama when they get to hear him and meet him.
He will not be heard if we, his supporters, don't pick our fights and instead, allow the republicans to keep race as the main focus. McCain can't beat Obama on issues. But, if Obama gets drowned out by the race noise, McCain will never have to say a word.

Where are the DU text geniuses? Nance, Patriot, et al...

[sniffa]

89. No need to apologize

And yes, you're right: I am in attack mode. I agree with what you're saying very much - no need to pounce repeatedly, but I don't think he should be given a pass entirely, and thankfully, the media didn't give him that.

It's true that people like Obama when the get to hear and meet him. He's good like that. :hi:

[redstate_democrat]

82. Well

It's too early to pounce on McCain over race stuff yet. That's what his campaign wants. They are doing the subtle, stupid shit right now like comparing Obama to Tiger Woods. This can be spun into a big positive. I can imagine a hundred ways Obama's camp can spin this in their favor. Besides, it isn't like he was compared to Michael Vick or somebody. He was compared to Tiger "articulate, clean, black" Woods.

We must hold tight and smoke them out of their holes by forcing them to bring the big guns with the OVERT in your face racism. If the little stuff doesn't get to the Obama campaign, then they will have to get bolder. And they will. And they will pay dearly. Then Obama and his surrogates should POUNCE and SHAME McCain and everyone who supports him. He should be made to look like a dumb, uneducated, segregationist by the time it's over if they pull that mess. He will be left with zero credibility and respect on the issue of civil and human rights, tie that to his NO votes on the King holiday, his conservative stance on civil rights, his associations with Hagee and others, his love of the war and acquiescence to Bush's torture record, and he will be deemed UNFIT to lead the free world. (as if he already isn't).

Now is not the time to pounce. Let them play themselves right into the palms of ours hands. You know they will. They have no other choice but to stoop this low. They honestly think it will work to their favor. They are honestly the dumbest bastards on the face of the earth, the GOP that is.

[FrenchieCat]

86. I agree.....can't be sweating the small stuff......

And as a mixed person, I don't see the problem here so much. I expect a little humorous comparison, cause Obama is Black/Mixed race after all. They can even use Denzel if they want to. No problem. As long as the comparison is with someone who is a positive role model and has done well based on natural abilities, there's no harm done, IMO.

[Olney Blue]

95. Frenchie, you post made me think of Barack, Tiger, and Denzel standing

together- all men at the top of their game- and how exciting the energy would be at that gathering.

[ekwhite]

99. Obama could use this for some nice verbal judo

Thank the guy for comparing him to Tiger Woods - the best golfer ever.

[Willo]

66. Also I have a fear that we may still be in "PRIMARY MODE"

Meaning we should be careful to not become (in the GE) the people we fought in the primary.

I've lived that one. We had a small, friendly but competitive sports group of three teams. Another team joined that didn't have the sportsmanship of the group. We fought them constantly for years to conform. In short, we all became bad apples and the group is no more.

[AtomicKitten]

68. Phenom. Top of his field.

Both of them.

We already know the GOP are a herd of assholes; did anyone expect better behavior from them? I think if we don't light the torches on stuff of this caliber, which btw has the potential of backfiring or diluting our very genuine outrage when warranted, we keep the high ground. And I want to savor every moment of kicking the ever lovin' shit out of them this fall.

:hi:

[faithfulcitizen]

69. Great for Obama to be compared toTiger, cause we all know he got where he is by being part black too

:sarcasm: obviously very dumb repub at that. This really helps Obama, actually. White people love Tiger in my neck of the woods. (no pun intended.)

[PA Democrat]

76. Obama, an interloper into the white man's territory as was Tiger Woods.

That's how I took it.

[sniffa]

92. Damn good point

Maybe the most striking one. :patriot:

[PA Democrat]

102. Golf was long a white man's game, and not because of lack of talent.

Tiger Woods commented at the start of his career that there were golf courses that would not permit him to play because of the color of his skin. The Masters Tournament excluded black golfers who were as good or better than many of the white players for years. It wasn't until the mid 1970s that the first black player was invited to participate.

http://www.aug.edu/sociology/StudentWork/trimgreen.htm

The article notes “Elder’s fine record over the last six years and his ranking of 31st in this year’s <1973> PGA money winners list… The statement by the National pointed out that there are 90 opportunities afforded golfers the chance to be invited to the Masters Golf Tournament.” The Masters offered 90 invitations but did not invite the player ranked 31st in the world. The headline, “National rebuffs Elder suggestion,” captures the situation perfectly.

A March 26, 1973, article chronicles Elder’s stumbles as he tries to make the tournament (“Elder Looks Ahead,” p. 10). The article begins, “Lee Elder…has but one more chance this year to become the first black golfer in the prestigious Masters Tournament.” The article discusses an Elder quotation—“the Masters changed the qualifying rules to keep blacks out”—now backing up publicly what had previously been assumed. A March 28, 1973, headline sums it all up: “Pro golf chief denies report Masters ‘gag’ rule put into effect” (p. 10). That the PGA commissioner publicly issued this statement suggests at least a fear of sanction should displeasure be voiced.

The issue of the exclusion of blacks from the Masters emerges again the following year. A March 26, 1974, headline points out: “Black golfers know: It’s talk Masters time” (p. 7). Black golfers’ combination of desire and anger is made public: the article begins, “It’s spring. The Masters is coming up. And that inevitably brings for the tired old story of the black golfer….” Did we read that right? For whom is the story “tired”? No African American has joined in on the festivities at the Masters Tournament.

It’s a touchy subject. A black has never played in the Masters, generally recognized as on of the world’s four major tests of golfing greatness. The tournament, annually staged in the Old South stronghold of Augusta, Georgia has been accused in numerous published stories of being segregationist…It’s strictly an invitational tournament, not subject to the rules and regulations of the Tournament Players Division or the PGA or the USGA or any other body. The Masters runs its own tournament…. and it has its own rules.

[smalll]

77. It's an insult to Tiger Woods to compare him to Obama. Woods is a real champion.

He's the #1 golfer in the world, and he DOMINATES the Majors. He didn't get the number one spot by losing majors, gaming the system, and going around to claim hollow victories in obscure contests in empty states.

[Binka]

81. Obama Is On The Tour? PGA? Really?

Since when? Obama is a golfer now? Please give me more info on this smalll? Small with two ll's wasn't small enough for you?

[ShortnFiery]

113. Whoa! I didn't anticipate THAT insanity of spin. You've outdone yourself with this "gem."

:crazy:

What's next? I've got it! "Barack can't bowl!" :rofl:

[Forkboy]

117. You should do standup.

:rofl:

[bullwinkle428]

78. Let's see...both have attained absolute "rock star" status, completely

transcending their respective fields and loved by countless millions throughout the world? Apparently, McCain is now seeking out spokespeople who are as completely delusional as he is, and succeeding!

Let's play the analogy game! If Obama is Tiger Woods, then McCain is the Rory Sabbatini - the whiny, pouty, completely underwhelming (in terms of talent, record, level of class) wannabe rival to Woods, continuously declaring how "beatable" Tiger is, while getting his ass handed to him...OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

(Google Woods Sabbatini rivalry for all the juicy details!)

[JackBeck]

79. Intersting.

I had no idea that Obama was Asian.

[sniffa]

91. Or that he can hit the ball 300+ yards

:hi:

[cooolandrew]

80. Tiger Woods is very good at winning so I'll take that.

[Hissyspit]

83. Countdown video here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=116208&mesg_id=116208

[Hissyspit]

84. Tweety and his panelists on Hardball just brushed it off mostly:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3128207&mesg_id=3128207

[Vinca]

93. Racism is alive and well in the Republican Party. What a shocker. nt

[Bucky]

96. Republicans are always smug, whether they deserve to be or not.

[GenDem]

101. This guy, Staff Sgt, David Bellavia, is running for Congress!

I listened to this live yesterday morning and heard the Tiger Woods comment and he also referred John McCain as the REAL "Audacity of Hope" as he introduced him. I was shocked but not surprised. He is with a group called Veterans for Freedom -- a very far right, pro-war,neocon group.

He has announced his candidacy for congress in MY district -- NY 26!

Fortunately for us, we have a very strong candidate on the democratic side that happens to be an Iraq War veteran and he is on the common sense side of this historic debacle.

http://www.powersforcongress.com/main.cfm?s=powers

[rodeodance]

103. so the Obama camp has Senator McCain!--go for it--you can have him

[samsingh]

104. isn't this racist?

[GenDem]

107. I heard it on a right wing blog radio site live

and as soon as I heard it, I thought there was no question of the intent. And when you see it on video and listen to the laughter and approval from the other people on stage it is startling.

[samsingh]

119. revolting but appropriate for their base

[Scriptor Ignotus]

106. They can have their Fuzzy Zoeller. We have Barack Obama

But at the 1997 Masters tournament, Zoeller made a controversial remark regarding Tiger Woods. After finishing tied for 34th place with a score of 78, Zoeller, referring to the following year's Master's Club Champion's Dinner, for which the defending champion selects the menu, said, "That little boy is driving well and he's putting well. He's doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it." Zoeller then smiled, snapped his fingers, and walked away before turning and added, "or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve."<2> K-Mart and Dunlop ceased sponsoring Zoeller after the incident.<3><4>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_Zoeller#Controversies

[redqueen]

111. Obama has *all kinds* of ways he could use this opportunity.

His campaign has shown the ability to deal with this kind of stuff...

[dchill]

115. And this one is a real easy lob.

;)

[invictus]

116. Senator Rockefeller's comments about McCain were accurate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/us/politics/09apology.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=politics&adxnnlx=1207760426-Lu3G/AbqdXFZ4dCbewcmSA

“McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they get to the ground? He doesn’t know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues.”

[SoonerPride]

118. Rockefeller should have added how McCain loved to kill "gooks."

McCain is not some warm and fuzzy ol' grandpa.

He's a warmongering hatemonkey.