Why doesn't someone just ask Michelle Obama?

[grasswire]

"Mrs. Obama, have you ever used racist language in any setting where people outside your family and personal friends might have heard?"

There. It's as simple as that. Clear it up before the GE.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. Because it's bullshit? n/t

[Stephanie]

20. Because it's bullshit.

Exactly.

[TeamsterDem]

2. That'll clear it up, will it?

I'm sure her saying "no" will magically prevent anyone from ever speculating about it again.

[grasswire]

8. she could refuse to answer

...but that probably wouldn't go so well either.

[TeamsterDem]

11. So why are you promoting the idea of someone trapping her into an unfair question?

If she can't answer it because "it wouldn't go so well" but can only say "it's not true" if she does answer (as if that will placate everyone or prevent any future speculation), then why do you think it would be a good idea to ask her? Seems like you're trying to push the situation into an unfair outcome for her.

[grasswire]

18. so the supporters are doing the "it's not true" for her?

I honestly think the attacked person ought to defuse the situation immediately. It's called "innoculation" against further attacks.

She could jokingly refer to it in a campaign speech. She could mock the situation somehow and turn it back on itself. She could honestly, from the heart, address the issue of race in a friendly interview. Maybe with Barbara Walters or Larry King or someone like that.

Silence, a la John Kerry, is dangerous. That old college thesis is out there. The perception that she's racist has already permeated the national conversation as a possibility in the minds of many.

People here were begging Kerry to address the swiftboaters. He didn't, and the national perception was fixed.

[Stephanie]

22. Why do you keep promoting this?

I'm really surprised at you.

[TeamsterDem]

24. To my knowledge she hasn't been asked, we have

therefore we're the ones responding. And what's come out of those responses is exactly what I'd expect to come out of hers, people still insinuating it to be true when it's not proven and has been denied.

Kerry was attacked in the mainstream media; she's being attacked by a Clinton supporter on a blog. If she dignifies the blog with a response then she's going to have to respond to literally everything that appears on any blog. She's best served to wait until asked by the media, but even then people will still doubt the answer so there really isn't much point in the whole charade.

[CatnHat]

30. It's called

accountability.

[TeamsterDem]

32. That what it's called, is it?

To be asked to prove a negative? Odd definition you're using.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

31. Grasswire, the rumor has been DEBUNKED AND DEBUNKED AND DEBUNKED

and DEBUNKED. There are some people desperate to keep fanning the flames, so
here you go, DEBUNKED AGAIN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6223410&mesg_id=6223410


EDITED TO ADD LINK TO OP THAT DEBUNKS THE BULLSHIT

[grasswire]

58. not really

Someone gave an opinion of what he thought was said in a tape that doesn't exist.

That's not debunking. That's la-la-land thinking.

This opinion may satisfy you. I don't believe a tape exists, so it doesn't need to satisfy me.

But it makes no impact on what the fight will be in the GE.

[2rth2pwr]

59. There is no tape yet to debunk.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. Kinda like asking a man when he stopped beating his wife?

[Bake]

48. Actually, it's like asking him if he ever beat his wife.

That's a yes or no question.

Bake

[scheming daemons]

4. Equivalent of "When did you stop beating your wife?"

it's a question that reflects negatively on the answerer, no matter WHAT the answer is.

[Tarc]

5. Because no one trusts her to give an honest answer?

All we'd get is more of the "we're trying to move America forward" hope & change bullshit that the Obamas have been spouting since day 1.

Let's just see the video and get this over with.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Yes, let's see the video.

Where exactly is it, anyway? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[kwassa]

51. I trust her to give an honest answer. Most people do.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

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

[WeDidIt]

6. "Go tell the press my opponent fucks pigs."

You're trying to force Michelle Obama to deny what isn't true.

There is no way in hell Michelle Obama siad what LArry Johnson is spewing.

[MNDemNY]

12. And you know this because.........?

[WeDidIt]

16. Read the fucking OP

"Mrs. Obama, have you ever used racist language in any setting where people outside your family and personal friends might have heard?"

There is no way in hell the Michelle Obama I know ever used a racial slur.

None.

I say this from personal experience.

[LisaM]

23. Are you saying she uses racist language AROUND her family and friends?

I'm not saying she does, but the part of the question that says, "outside of your family and friends" sounds strange to me. I would hope she (and everyone else, Clintons included) wouldn't use it anywhere.

[Stephanie]

34. Well that's what the OP is implying and it's BEYOND THE PALE

Honest to God, what have we come to?

[grasswire]

54. nonsense

I figured that asking a politician or campaigner what goes on his/her own family and personal circle is nobody's business. What he/she says in public is another thing, and accountable to public opinion.

Stephanie, this willingness to turn on old friends and misconstrue what they say could burn a lot of bridges for you. I regret that immensely.

[Stephanie]

62. Why don't YOU look at your own OP and the way you've phrased it.

I don't understand what's got into you. It's not personal, take a look at the other responses in this thread - you've crossed a line and I really can't understand what you think you're doing.

[WeDidIt]

37. READ MY WORDS!

There is no way in hell the Michelle Obama I know ever used a racial slur.

[Stephanie]

40. I am embarrassed for the OP

I can't explain this behavior. It's outrageous.

[LisaM]

42. Well I'm glad to hear it

I just thought it was a very strange way to phrase the question.

[Stephanie]

33. SHAME on this OP.

Unbelievable. I never thought I'd see the day.

[TwilightGardener]

39. This OP wants Michelle to run around yelling "I'm not a racist!" Next maybe

she'll answer the charges that she shoplifts or sleeps with a number of men, or whatever the GOP decides to accuse her of, and then we can just keep her denying this stuff until November. That's what this is all about--forcing her to deny unfounded charges and suspicions so that she gets associated with the charges (of racism, lack of patriotism, etc.).

[grasswire]

55. Bushwah

If you can't see that a political principle is at stake here, then you're no more use than that campaign chairwoman who advised Kerry to ignore the swiftboaters.

Whether you like it or not, Michelle Obama's opinions on race WILL BE an issue in the GE. The die is already cast. The plays are already written by the RNC.

Someone better get out in front of this now.

[grannylib]

9. Because they aren't interested in the truth; they want to smear her

The truth will show them to be liars; besides, nobody who wants to smear her would choose to believe her anyway.
It IS bullshit, and I agree, it would be simple to ask her, but I don't think it would help. If there is such a tape, it needs to be seen so that people could hear for themselves what she said. A woman of her education and intelligence is unlikely, in my opinion, to have said any such thing, so if there IS a tape, it will show, I think, what many here have been saying - she ASKED "Why'd he (Bush) do _________", not STATING "Whitey __________."

But yes, if she were to be asked, maybe it would force the slimeballs to release the tape so it CAN be cleared up before the generals. On the other hand, it could be a good thing for Obama to be able to clear it up during the GE, so that the last thing on peoples' minds is the filth that is the rePiglican party...:shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

10. Why don't they just ask Hillary if she knew about all of Bill's flings?

Some questions do not need to be asked.

[Politics_Guy25]

13. Right it would not be approrpriate to ask these questions at all-n/t

[grasswire]

19. why is that relevant?

Is it a moral failing to be a wife who knew about husband's affairs and stayed with him?

[Stephanie]

25. It's at least based in reality, while this video is a FICTIONAL SMEAR CAMPAIGN

And shame on you for promoting it.

[TwilightGardener]

26. Why- do you think Michelle is a racist? Why does she not get the assumption of innocence from you,

instead of an assumption of guilt, that she must even address this? Why, because Fox and Roger Stone said she might have said it, on a tape that someone MIGHT have? What if Roger Stone said he saw a tape of Michelle molesting little boys, would you believe it and want to confront her with that allegation? Why do you assume the worst of this woman, that you believe she should address nasty rumors from scumbags to PROVE herself a good person?

[TwilightGardener]

36. By the way, do you assume Hillary and McCain might be racist, should we ask them

if they've EVER used racist language? Oh wait, they're white, they're not "angry black people" like Michelle and Barack. Go fuck yourself, asshole.

[Stephanie]

38. Mrs. Clinton, have you used racist language outside the house, or do you confine it to your home?

[grasswire]

41. I don't think she's racist.

But it doesn't matter what I think. What matters is whether this issue is defused before the general campaign.

The charges that Kerry was a coward were baseless, too.

I have no dog in this primary. I supported Edwards. I'm scared of Hillary. I'm not particularly wild about Obama, but I want a Democrat in the White House. I've been fighting the BFEE and the VRWC for more than a decade now.

[Stephanie]

45. I know you have and that's why I'm surprised at you.

1) Why do you phrase the question in such a way? Is that just sloppiness or do you seriously think MO uses racist language around her friends and family but cleans up her act in public?

2) Why do you keep posting threads about this BOGUS CHARGE? You give it credence by implying there's any truth at all to it. The charge has been debunked and debunked.

3) That old, I'M not saying it's true, but OTHERS might believe it is also crap. If you don't believe it's true then STOP promoting it. You're better than this.

[TwilightGardener]

49. There's no "issue" to defuse. If Michelle actually addresses this rumor, THEN

there's an issue, and it's all over the news. Until then, it's best that she not answer unfounded charges, same as you wouldn't want to have to convince everyone that you are NOT a goat-fucker, that you DO practice personal hygiene, that your tax filings were ALWAYS honest and accurate, etc. Because once the question is asked about your hygiene or your taxes or your goat-fucking tendencies, some people will automatically doubt your answer, no matter how truthful. And if the GOP is trying to spread lies about the first black potential First Lady being an angry anti-white racist radical, what better way to get the issue out there and have some believe it than to goad her into a response? That's what they did with the Muslim shit, after all, and it worked.

[grasswire]

60. It doesn't matter what you or I think.

I don't think she's a racist. I think her college thesis reflected youth and inexperience. I think some of her remarks are thoughtless, when one considers the stakes involved in making a gaffe.

But, again, it doesn't matter what you or I think. Democrats didn't think Kerry was a coward, either.

All the RNC needs is the cover story to steal an election. This year's cover story is going to be race. Michelle Obama has given them ammo.

She can neutralize that now. Or let it slide.

[Stephanie]

61. MICHELLE has not given them shit. Larry Johnson is inventing stories and you're promoting them

I just can't believe it.

[grasswire]

65. but she has.

The opening was created for the RNC to drive the tanks through. A thoughtless remark, a college thesis, membership in a church that looks radical to most of America -- all of those put together have opened the door for the Republicans. No, she didn't put out a tape, because it doesn't exist. But there would be no speculation about a tape if there wasn't an opportunity, an opening.

Remember Rove's tactics? Aim for a person's strength and take him/her down with it. Kerry, a war hero, was transformed in the national conversation to a coward and traitor. Max Cleland. Albert Gore.

So they will take Michelle's power and turn it against Obama.

When will Democrats learn?

Not this year, apparently.

[thewiseguy]

14. Leave her alone.

[GoldieAZ49]

68. could you say that with a crying whine like the Britney fan?

:rofl:

[jobycom]

15. Who cares, anyway? Look, people aren't going to vote for Obama

based solely on what Michelle may have said somewhere along the line. He'll have dozens of issues to deal with between now and November, and some will be unpleasant, and this is just one of the issues, or might be. He deals with it as best he can and moves on.

Anyone worried about Michelle's reputation might want to crawl in a cellar for the rest of their lives at this point, because it is shot already. Has nothing to do with her. Look at what they (and many of you) have done to Hillary. Or Laura. Or Nancy. Michelle will fare no better. She will be caricatured and distorted into the two or three roles women are allowed to fall into. She'll be the brainless Stepford Wife (Laura), or the controlling shrew (Barbara), or the Lady MacBeth (Hillary, Nancy), or some minor variation (Rosalyn Carter, Betty Ford). Once she becomes a public figure, she will be reviled and idealized with little regard to who she is or what she's done.

That's just the price of winning. Those who enjoyed trashing Hillary so much, just wait for it. You'll watch them do it to Michelle one day, if she stays in the limelight long enough. Same thing, different person. If you want party loyalty, you're in the wrong one.

[grasswire]

17. finally, a realist

First Lady Michelle is going to be the target of even more scurrilous attacks than First Lady Hillary experienced. And we all know what they did to Hillary. They're already champing at the bit waiting to go after Michelle. Even Olde Washington Society will be enjoying this.

[Stephanie]

35. You are, at any rate.

Proud of yourself?

[jobycom]

63. I wouldn't say "more scurilous." Just different.

They went after Hillary as "First Lady" (damn I hate that term) more than I've ever seen anyone gone after, largely because she put herself out there by being such an active part of Bill's administration and his campaign. Michelle doesn't seem so involved, but they'll go after her to get to hubbie. That's the Republican Way. And there probably will be a racist undertone to it, just as there was an anti-feminist overtone to the attacks on the clearly feminist Hillary.

The sad part to me is that the Dems will eventually turn on her, too, as they've now done to Clinton. Just as those who love Obama have created a fantasy about Clinton, someone down the line will do the same thing to Michelle. Maybe then the current "Democrats" who are so blind to what's happening will begin to see it. That will be a decade away, though, and too late.

[rug]

21. Ah, the Mark Fuhrman question.

[berni_mccoy]

27. Why doesn't someone just ask Clinton?

"Senator Clinton, why don't you just leave Bill for all his cheating on you?"

There. It's as simple as that. Clear it up before her next Senate race?

[TwilightGardener]

29. Did anyone ever ask her directly if she killed Vince or had something to do

with the Mena airport stuff or has sex with Huma?

[Stephanie]

46. No, because it's BULLSHIT LIES and should not be dignified with a question.

Nor would she answer, for the same reason.

[TwilightGardener]

50. Exactly. Just because RW wackos want to start shit, doesn't mean

our candidates and their families have to be associated with it or answer it.

[grasswire]

56. that's so 2004

Sigh.

DU-er Gabi Hayes went nuts at the time of the swiftboating, begging the Kerry people to fight back. He ranted and ranted about the danger.

You know the rest of that story.

[Mike L]

28. She probably wouldn't answer.....in case a church tape of her surfaces. em

[kwenu]

43. I'm sure she has no idea this bullshit is even circulating but I have no doubt that they won't

address this crap just like they've taken on and responded to all the other silly shit.

[MonkeyFunk]

69. you don't think she knows about these rumors?

That's preposterous.

[GarbagemanLB]

44. Obama needs to be asked about those 'murders' and Larry Sinclair too!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[WeDidIt]

47. Why doesn't Obama just deny he had gay sex and smoked crack with Larry Sinclair?

Your bullshit is showing.

[JackBeck]

52. Conversely:

Why doesn't anyone ask Hillary about the lesbian rumors?

[TwilightGardener]

53. They already did, and she said she wasn't a lesbian, IIRC. Doesn't stop the Huma rumors, though.

You can't satisfy people who don't care about the truthful answer, but just want you to say, "I'm not a lesbian, I'm not racist, I'm not a crook", etc. to raise doubts about you for political reasons.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

57. Too easy.

[Stephanie]

64. Please read this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6229696

[grasswire]

66. Stef, that's an echo of 2004

Yes, it's vile. Yes, it's swiftboating. What are you all going to do about it? Ignore it? Team Obama ignores it at the campaign's peril, apparently.

It will be the central issue of the GE.

So somebody had better think strategically now, not just dither.

[GoldieAZ49]

67. sure if you want her to try and scratch your eyes out, go for it

heh

[illberichtomorrow]

70. I think Larry Johnson is lying about there being a racist video about Michelle

If there was such video, it would have surfaced by now.

[vaberella]

72. I have to agree..

When Father Pfleger went on his little stint it was out within a few days...less than a week. FoxNews was on top of that----and it was apparently "hunted" down. People have been watching that church like a hawk. If this was real, this would have been out within the last year or at least within the last 6 months. Everytime one of his old contacts through someone else says somethign it goes back to him-------so this should have come out a while back.

It would have opened the doors to Ms. Clinton to take the spot and she would be against McCain and if they wanted to smear her they could easily since "The Clinton Chronicles" has been getting a lot of hits since her run. And the Vanity Fair comments about Bill aren't helping her case. A woman who is supposed to have such a feminist following married to a man who is seen as taking advantage of young women first, and secondly using his power to get a few things that he wants. These allegations may be false that Vanity Fair has printed, but this is still a sore spot within the nations hisstory and of course will get a lot of publicity.

The tape should be out there right now for public viewing added to Bill, and the Hillary supporters fiasco, and Father Pfleger we also have the DNC nightmare where you can clearly see the Democratic party is not only divided it's polarized with huge huge rifts and anger towards one another, based on the candidate they prefer. This is crazy stuff. It just doesn't make sense to even wait until the GE----> Because the Democratic party already looks a mess basically.

[Hola]

71. No.

That's her answer. I asked her a few weeks ago.

[vaberella]

73. You spoke to who?

[gort]

74. Why 'd he have to?

eom

[Imagevision]

75. A better question: ask Mccain if he called his wife Cindy a c*nt?

which he did. just google did John Mccain call his wife a cunt

[IsItJustMe]

77. Take this garbage on out of here and dump it over at the Free Republic please? They like garbage

over there. We try to run a clean house here.

[kid a]

78. I did yesterday

here is what she said:

(see last theme)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6234446&mesg_id=6234446

[BlooInBloo]

79. Pfft. Like white folks would believe her answer.