axelrod uses pr firm to mange Rev. Wright mess

[wrando]

Obama and Wright still together

"When the uproar over Wright started, Obama chief strategist David Axelrod asked his friends at Jasculca Terman -- a public affairs firm -- to advise Trinity on how to handle the crush of media coverage, and they did, pro bono."
Lynn Sweet
Chicago Sun Times



bill from ct

[lisa58]

1. this is old

[cliffordu]

2. Yep, old and stupid

[wrando]

23. the media fails again

this is old?

why wasn't it reported more widely?

I read quite a few papers and pay great attention to politics and this is the first I've heard of this

if Hillary had done this, however good or bad you think it is, she would have been hammered

imagine the motives the media would ascribe to her

this is just another example of the kid gloves treatment Obama has gotten

bill from ct

[DearAbby]

and?

[Saturday]

3. News to me, isn't that interesting. I wonder if they got

Wright the soft interview with Moyers.

[boston bean]

4. news to me too, obama looked like hell today, did you notice? nt

[Kber]

42. MassDem - you seem to think he always looks like hell.

I'm beginning to think you just don't like the man.

[datopbanana]

48. BO couldn't look like this on his worst day

[DearAbby]

5. Moyers is now Under the Bus!

forward all mail to that address please. :eyes:

[Kittycat]

7. That's not news to you - this came out a couple weeks or more ago.

And there's nothing wrong with helping out the church, so that their support doesn't dry up from fear. They do an incredible amount work and support a very needy community in South Chicago. Would you like to drive over there and help those kids by tutoring? Help those from losing their homes, help those sick or recently lost a family member? Help get gangs and drugs off of streets - and guns out of the hands of kids? Or do you condone the RW 30sec replay that isn't an accurate representation of Trinity?

But hey, let's help the republicans burn the church down. And someday, when some child turns in to a criminal because those support channels dry up, and they turn to the only thing they know - maybe impacting your family or a loved one... Then you can look in the mirror and say, Hey - I had a hand in spreading the RW lies that collapsed a church that sought to do what the government refused to. Help those in need, educate those in need, counsel those in need. Help put an end to the violence. But who cares right??? Keep on keeping on with your girl and her bumpy bus-ride - strewn with the bodies of those that didn't support her underneath.

[boston bean]

8. news to me kattykit too. nt

[Kittycat]

9. You don't live in the chicago area, Yadda Does

Masshole ;)

ETA: And it's been on DU, as well.

[boston bean]

12. I don't think you needed to call me an asshole, cause I inadvertently transposed two letters in your

screen name.

[Kittycat]

13. Oh - did I inadvertently mis-type your name?

My bad. People make mistakes.

And PS... I didn't call you an asshole, just as you didn't say I was catty :)

[boston bean]

16. as long as it was inadvertant, all is forgiven. nt

[JoFerret]

63. News to be. But not significant.

And as for the church doing good work...what's the big deal?
The AME, and the Methodists, and the Nation of Islam do good works too and most other places of "worship".

We need a govenrment that does it too.

[goldcanyonaz]

6. Imagine that!

[EFerrari]

10. This OP is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself. n/t

[boston bean]

18. for what, bringing news to du? nt

[wrando]

21. why?

what is disgusting about knowing about the relationship between Obama's campaign and his Pastor?

I don't see anything wrong with it except, that if you listen to Obama he and the pastor are living on different planets.

The repubs use this kind of thing, that's why I think it's relevant.

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

25. No, the Republicans don't use this kind of thing

if you are using "this kind of thing". Do you also burglarize your neighbors for their own good?

Anyone that still thinks, after all we have learned about this decorated Marine, multi lingual historian with more than one advanced degree and thirty plus years of community service to the poor, the homeless, to the GLBT community, to single moms and their kids, is somehow a reflection on Obama, won't vote for a Democrat anyway.

[wrando]

28. you're wrong

the repubs will use it, because most voters will not get the good message, but they'll hear from some 527 "GD America" over and over

besides if you're running for president it's not helpful to be connected to that kind of rhetoric, that's just the way it is

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

29. No, I'm not wrong. Anyone who buys into this bullshit

would never vote for a Democrat anyway.

And the excuse that the Republicans will do it doesn't in any way excuse what you are doing.

[wrando]

34. what am I doing

I didn't make this up!
I don't need to be excused for anything.
What is the purpose of DU, to hide information, to sweep under the rug anything that you don't think is pretty?

get real

Bill from ct

[EFerrari]

35. This is a discussion board. You are free to spread this cr@p

to your heart's content. Go for it.

[wrando]

40. crap

Lynn Sweet has been very good to Obama

do you think she is a purveyor of crap?

bill from ct

[ekwhite]

62. Lynn Sweet said something innocuous

You are trying to twist it into something sinister. She said that David Axelrod had gotten a PR firm to do some pro bono work for them. That is a good thing. You are posting it in a way to make it seem as if it was wrong. These kind of tactics are disgusting.

[wrando]

69. don't be foolish

what axelrod did is pure naked political expedience, something Obama likes people to think he is above

it's called damage control

if Hillary had done the equivalent she would be crucified

[ekwhite]

59. The OP was McCarthyism at its best

Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ?

[wrando]

70. McCarthyism?

Now I see that term thrown around here quite often.

It doesn't apply here.

What is relevant about belonging to this, or any other church, when discussing political expedience and hypocrisy?

bill from ct

[ekwhite]

79. Yes, McCarthyism

You are trying to use Obama's association with Rev. Wright as an instrument to paint Obama as some sort of scary black radical. That, in my book, is reminiscent of Joe McCarthy. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you no sense of decency?

[wrando]

81. it's not my decency that should worry you

it's the decency of McCain and his real McCarthyites

bill from ct

[ekwhite]

60. Now you are just making things up

Obama has distanced himself from Rev. Wrights comments, not from Rev. Wright himself. Personally, I think that Rev. Wright should be honored by this country, not vilified.

[wrando]

71. fine

If you feel that way about the Rev. then you should take issue with BO for not defending his one time mentor.

bill from ct

[JoFerret]

84. Why?

.

[Adelante]

11. And what? nt

[Tatiana]

14. This is old news. As I said before, good for Axelrod. n/t

[sandnsea]

15. Good people helping good people

I think that's terrific and tells me a lot about Obama and Axelrod. They didn't have to do this with the church.

[Yossariant]

17. They could hire a kajillion pr firms. How do ya spin, "GOD DAMN AMERICA?!"

So far, it ain't working.

[shayes51]

31. You can't spin it, except here on DU.

But if Obama is the nominee, it will be spinning in the heads of voters on the day that McCain is elected.

[wrando]

41. that's my only point

There is a world outside these kind of forums

sometimes strange and dangerous

BOOO!

bill from ct

[goclark]

39. You tell the truth like Rev. Wright eloquently addressed

to Moyers.

:bounce:

[Yossariant]

52. Good luck with that.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

51. Why spin the truth?

Although I believe that any self-respecting god would have better things to do than fret about America, if he/she/it would take notice, he/she/it would be more inclined to damn it than bless it.

[cyndensco]

61. If you saw the clip in context,

Rev. Wright said, "God DAMNED America" just like he/she/it did to bring down the Roman Empire and other failed governments. Just like hagee said he/she/it did to New Orleans.

And, just so you know, the "chickens coming home to roost" was a quote he attributed to Amb. Peck making on fox news 2-3 days before.

It is amazing what knowledge can do...

[wrando]

72. splitting hairs

this is political poison and will be used by McCain, disguised in 527 hit jobs

bill from ct

[cyndensco]

78. I agree, mccain will run with it,

and the clips as presented are harmful. I just think left-leaning people should at least take it in context.

[wrando]

82. irrelevant

Not just left leaning but any intelligent person can see it for what it is, if they have the time or are so inclined.

many,many voters will not consider the context or the man behind the words

bill from ct

[frickaline]

19. any politician that didn't take these steps would be incompetent, so whats the point here?

They are trying to protect Wright, a private citizen, from the media. Seems like a reasonable thing to do as far as I can tell.

[wrando]

22. that's one way of spinning it

I see it as how to shape the message and protect BO's behind more than the Pastor's

bill from ct

[frickaline]

27. hmm can't agree with you on that

but hey, to each their own.

[boobooday]

20. Who is afraid that God was listening?

It just occurred to me that all these people who are SO OUTRAGED at Wright's "Goddamn America" comments must be afraid that God was listening! But if you think his comments were absurd and unjustified, why would you care if God was listening?

Do you assign him the power to call down the wrath of God? Do you cede him that? Are you afraid that God might think that Rev. Wright has a point? Do you think perhaps Obama feels bad that an old friend is facing such a media attack just for being associated with him? Do you think the Reverend is evil? Traitorous? Do you really? Should his entire congregation be demonized because of a clip from a sermon he gave once?

"Obama and Wright still together." I respect Obama for this. At least he isn't running scared from Hannity's pathetic and despicable talking points.

[EFerrari]

26. I actually started respecting Obama for remaining loyal to his friend

but more than that, to someone who has contributed so much to his community. That's when he got my vote. :thumbsup:

[wrando]

43. now that's funny

Obama's people think of Wright as a leper

He ran from his mentor like a scalded dog when the political heat was on

Obama, or most politicians for that matter don't make good fox hole mates.

[EFerrari]

44. Um, no, He didn't run from Wright.

You are lying. And anyone who reads the transcipt of his speech can easily see that you are lying. :hi:

[wrando]

46. the speech

over rated and full of lies

Obama told the American people that he had sat in that church for 20 years and never heard that kind of rhetoric.

After a couple of days he realized that lie wouldn't hold up,then he gave his great speech to save his political behind.

I have to say that speech told me nothing about race relations in this country I haven't already witnessed.

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

53. No, that's wrong. He didn't say that.

That's been established already.

For someone who seems so concerned with truthfulness, you can't get your own facts straight, can you?

[wrando]

54. what part didn't he say?

please explain, because I heard with my own ears, Obama in an interview say he had never heard such rhetoric from the Rev.

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

56. You have access to the google and this has been hashed out here

ad nauseum.

[wrando]

74. you're dreaming

Show me, show us

where is a link that proves your point

I heard what Obama said and it was a lie, pure and simple.

not a mistake or lack of sleep, but a lie

bill from ct

[Political Heretic]

24. This is old news. Which is why the OP didn't post a link or date.

[wrando]

30. here it is 4/24/08

about two thirds down on the article

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/913018,CST-NWS-sweet24.article

bill from ct

[smalll]

32. I'll give Axelrod some much-needed Wright advice for free --

Get the pastor out of the media! No more interviews! No TV, no radio, no newspapers, no magazines, no nothing. The guy just retired; why can't the Obama camp prevail upon him to kick back, relax, and take the year off?

If the Clintons had this problem, they'd have the presence of mind to get some rich friend-of-a-friend-of-a-contributor to put Wright up in some luxury villa/beachhouse next to a golf course where Jeremiah could practice his swing through early November. If they had to send him to live in Switzerland with Marc Rich for a year at worst, they'd do that.

There's nothing Wright can say that can help Obama.

[EFerrari]

33. And there is nothing Obama can do to buy Wright even if he were so inclined

which is he not.

That integrity thing is a bitch.

[wrando]

36. I agree

not to mention the fact that Wright is enjoying his new found national fame

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

37. Wright went national long before Obama did.

If you'd stop watching Fox for a moment and use the google, you'd know that.

[wrando]

45. really?

I don't watch fox, but I'm a news and political junkie, and I have never heard his name before.

I don't doubt that quite a few regional people knew of him, but now he's playing broadway.

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

47. Yes, really. He's not only a nationally known historian

(which I didn't know) but he built that church from under 100 people to over 6k. I read it's about 8K currently.

He was bigger than Obama probably until Obama went to the Senate.

The whore media blew it, really, when they went after him because Wright's network is HUGE. His church started small and became one of the biggest --if not the biggest -- in the denomination. And while the cable talking heads keep saying this cr@p, on the ground, congregations all over the country, white, black, mixed, are FURIOUS that he is being attacked.

Above and beyond Hillary or Obama, this episode should teach us something about how stupid the media has become, that they'd go after someone like him.

[wrando]

49. it's not him they went after

It was what he said.

not just the GD America, but the government using aides to destroy black people etc.

some of what he said I happen to agree with, but it's poison to a presidencial candidate

people don't tend to look at nuance, and that's why this will be exploited

and I have to say I'm pretty well informed on politics and national news and I had never heard his name before.

I don't doubt he is a very accomplished man, but again people won't care.

and I also think it will drive some dems away from BO and quite a few independents

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

50. Voters who are "driven away" by crap like this

we could never count on in the first place.

It's crap. It's exposed crap. And it will only dry up and be blown away by November.

[wrando]

55. it's crappy alright

but get used to it

bill from ct

[EFerrari]

67. No, thanks. I recgonize the 33%ers when they present themselves. n/t

[ekwhite]

65. I don't see from your posts how you really are informed on politics and national news

If you actually heard and understood the "God Damn America" sermon or the "Chickens Coming Home to Roost" sermon, you would have to agree with it. Do you really think our country is without sin?

[wrando]

75. I heard it

lot of truth in his words

but also some strange stuff like the 911 and aids references

bill from ct

[goclark]

38. Good for Axelrod, I really respect his skills

[Barack_America]

57. Is that PR firm also advising Colombia?

If not, I don't care.

[ekwhite]

58. What, precisely, is the problem with this?

Asking a PR firm to do some pro bono work for a church is bad how?

[EFerrari]

68. It's guilt by association with an angry black man

who happens to be a decorated Marine, a scholar and a beloved community builder. So, he's BAD!!!!!!!!!!111111

LOL

[ekwhite]

80. Oh yes, the scary black man bit

Ignore the fact that Rev. Wright is a decorated Marine, a renowned biblical scholar, and took a church with a handful of people and built it into one of the largest congregations in the UCC.

[wrando]

83. similar things could be said about Pat Robertson

except the marine thing

bill from ct

[cyndensco]

64. I must be missing something,

whether it is old news or not, what harm does it do to help Trinity Church deal with the media? What would have been more appropriate - to just abandon them? Obama was looking out for his church - class act...

[QC]

66. They would have been better off with a good travel agent. n/t

[zulchzulu]

73. I work for a PR firm...there's nothing wrong with knowing how to work with the media

When you have assholes like Hillary Clinton trying to continue to make an issue of Reverend Wright, you need to have a PR firm to let you know when incoming is coming, what they are saying for further legal action and to just pass on to others as a record of how much people like her are willing to be despicable. People like Hillary and her minions are sharks, so it's actually smart to have people there to show you what would be best and in your interest.

Certainly, Hillary Clinton uses PR firms, including Mark Penn's organization and others.

You can crawl back under your rock now.

[wrando]

77. pr firm

I hope you don't use that kind of language at work (AH)

You want to blame hillary, but she has nothing to do with this, this is Obama's problem

You must remember Obama not your ordinary politician, so when he gets caught being one it looks like hypocrisy

bill from ct

[zulchzulu]

85. Are you kidding...

Do you think people in PR firms talk like a bunch of nuns in a convent?

:rofl:

As for Reverend Wright being Obama's "problem"... that's open to interpretation. People who think it is a problem are either (a) desperate, (b) stupid, (c) Repigs or (d) Hillary supporters, which is mostly (a) and (b) and oddly a fair amount of (c).

[saltpoint]

76. Good for Axelrod. His first impulse, actually, was to hire a fleet of

bulldozers to raze FOX News to the ground.

[eridani]

86. Does that PR firm work for Blackwater and the poison toy people?

Just asking.