Now Scott Brown Is Getting Into the Deceptive Editing Business

Lying to your face about President Obama

PoliticsJuly 2012 • Views: 36,647

Republicans are really getting some mileage out of their blatantly dishonest characterization of President Obama’s “you didn’t build that” statement. Now Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown has released a web video that edits together different parts of Obama’s speech — just like Mitt Romney did — to create a totally false impression. Greg Sargent has details: Scott Brown Gets in on the Big Lie.

Obama’s now infamous “didn’t build that” speech is similar to Elizabeth Warren’s viral remarks about how the rich didn’t get rich on their own. So it’s not surprising that Senator Scott Brown has just released a new Web video (embedded below) tying Obama’s remarks to Warren’s and painting them as vaguely anti-American. Brown says: “I will never demonize you as business leaders and business owners.”

Brown, apparently taken with the plaudits Romney has earned from the right for lying relentlessly about Obama’s quote, has now done the same. His video reproduces the audio of Obama’s speech this way:

“If you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own. You didn’t get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, ‘well it must be ‘cause I was so smart.’ Because if you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”

Just as Romney’s Web video does, the audio is edited to remove the chunk of the speech in which Obama talks about our “great American system” and “roads and bridges,” misleading listeners into believing that the “didn’t build that” line was an insult to business owners. Any listener would reasonably conclude that the language quoted above is exactly as Obama delivered it.

The real purpose of these despicable lying advertisements is pretty obvious: to portray Obama as a dangerous radical, an un-American “other” who doesn’t love this country. If anyone ever asks you why I renounced the GOP and the debased right wing, this dishonest racially motivated animus toward Obama is one of the big reasons.

Youtube Video

Romney’s New Ad Pioneers a New Low Standard of Dishonest Editing

Jump to bottom

137 comments

Kragar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:24:29am

They can't stand up on any real issues, so they've got to go with the ones they've made up.

Plus, whats up with all the Sheriff Joe Arpaio PAC ads?

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:26:25am

I don't know how this will play in MA. Are there that many wingnuts in MA that Brown thinks this will be successful? And, while MA may be one of the few places left where the state GOP isn't run by wingnuts, does the rest of the MA Republican establishment really want to go this way?

dragonfire1981 Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:27:51am

No one who gained a massive amount of wealth EVER did so without ANY HELP WHATSOEVER.

There is nothing "unAmerican" about admitting the truth.

Anyone who goes into business shunning any and all assistance available is kind of a moron.

dragonfire1981 Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:28:27am

oh and I fully expect to see the misquoted Obama clip on attack ads through November...

jaunte Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:29:53am

Even though I wanted to take that business trip to Phoenix last week using my own sovereign individual teleportation system, I must admit I cheated and went via road and airport.

GunstarGreen Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:32:16am

You know, with as common as this kind of hack-and-slash editing is, I'm sort of surprised that people delivering political speeches don't pre-plan and throw in anti-editing bits that would force a substantial, obvious break between cuts.

For example, in this case it would have been something like, "If you have a business, and I want you to think about everything I've said here real hard in its context, you didn't build that."

Such that the "OMG SO UNAMERICAN" phrase cannot be edited to be by itself without either directly mentioning that there's other context to it, or making an obvious skip-cut to remove that reference.

dragonath Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:33:25am

Scott Walker was pushing this meme too. It's the new litmus test!

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:33:34am

re: #6 GunstarGreen

Many political speeches are designed so that a 10th grade education (at today's practice) is sufficient. Too many digressions makes one sound academic.

Achilles Tang Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:35:00am

MSNBC showed a video last week of Romney saying exactly what Obama said in a speech, I think from a few years ago.

The Democrats should just show that in its entirety, over and over again.

Killgore Trout Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:35:42am

re: #6 GunstarGreen

You know, with as common as this kind of hack-and-slash editing is, I'm sort of surprised that people delivering political speeches don't pre-plan and throw in anti-editing bits that would force a substantial, obvious break between cuts.

For example, in this case it would have been something like, "If you have a business, and I want you to think about everything I've said here real hard in its context, you didn't build that."

Such that the "OMG SO UNAMERICAN" phrase cannot be edited to be by itself without either directly mentioning that there's other context to it, or making an obvious skip-cut to remove that reference.

WaPo's factchecker has a nice historical breakdown of similar statements.
An unoriginal Obama quote, taken out of context

Obama certainly could take from lessons from Warren or Roosevelt on how to frame this argument in a way that is less susceptible for quote-snipping. And Romney certainly could answer Obama’s argument by engaging in a serious discussion about whether the wealthy should pay much more in taxes as a matter of social good and equity. That would be grounds for an elevated, interesting and important debate.

But instead, by focusing on one ill-phrased sentence, Romney and his campaign have decided to pretend that Obama is talking about something different — and then further extrapolated it so that it becomes ridiculous. That’s not very original at all.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:36:45am

Yesterday was watching Breaking Bad and the Obama ad came on that shows Mitt singing and then ominously talks about his tenure at Bain. This must have been paid for as a national ad since no one is running Presidential ads in Texas. Anyway, I was disturbed by the ad because I thought it was beneath President Obama. He could do better.

jamesfirecat Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:36:57am

Lying is the last resort of a man who knows he has no accomplishments or promises to campaign on.

jaunte Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:38:14am

Greg Sargent:

"...Republicans have decided the policy difference isn’t enough. They also need to sow doubts about Obama’s alleged intentions and hostility towards private enterprise and individual initiative, to give voters a narrative about the Obama presidency and an explanation for the sluggish recovery that will make them more receptive to GOP tax and deregulatory policies they might otherwise greet with skepticism. The claim that Obama demeans success is central to that narrative. Without lies like this one about the “didn’t build that” quote, that claim and that narrative collapse. And that’s why this matters."

Joe Wilson's "You lie!" has apparently been taken up by the GOP as a tactical recommendation.

Killgore Trout Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:39:12am

re: #11 Big Steve

Yesterday was watching Breaking Bad and the Obama ad came on that shows Mitt singing and then ominously talks about his tenure at Bain. This must have been paid for as a national ad since no one is running Presidential ads in Texas. Anyway, I was disturbed by the ad because I thought it was beneath President Obama. He could do better.

It's been a bit of a bummer for me too. So many issues go without serious discussion but these attack ads serve their political purpose I suppose. Not much can be done about it.

jamesfirecat Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:39:54am

re: #8 freetoken

Many political speeches are designed so that a 10th grade education (at today's practice) is sufficient. Too many digressions makes one sound academic.

Sounds like every speech should be given with a clock in the background so people can see how the clock skips around if you're being edited.

Kinda like this...

jamesfirecat Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:40:59am

re: #11 Big Steve

Yesterday was watching Breaking Bad and the Obama ad came on that shows Mitt singing and then ominously talks about his tenure at Bain. This must have been paid for as a national ad since no one is running Presidential ads in Texas. Anyway, I was disturbed by the ad because I thought it was beneath President Obama. He could do better.

What did you not like about it using Romney's singing or is talking about Bain not fair game?

erik_t Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:41:11am

re: #15 jamesfirecat

Sounds like every speech should be given with a clock in the background so people can see how the clock skips around if you're being edited.

Kinda like this...

They'd just show audio over a montage of scary black men pictures.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:42:57am

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

there was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges.

.....How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

Charles Johnson Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:44:25am

re: #11 Big Steve

Yesterday was watching Breaking Bad and the Obama ad came on that shows Mitt singing and then ominously talks about his tenure at Bain. This must have been paid for as a national ad since no one is running Presidential ads in Texas. Anyway, I was disturbed by the ad because I thought it was beneath President Obama. He could do better.

Why was it "beneath President Obama?" Was there something dishonest in the ad?

The Obama ad with Romney singing "America the Beautiful" is pretty harsh, but it's not dishonest or deceptively edited. It's not even in the same ballpark as these lying GOP ads.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:45:03am

re: #16 jamesfirecat

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:45:26am

It's only an insult to business owners who are so delusional and narcissistic to think they alone are responsible for any successes. Heck, Romney pretty much agreed with Obama's point when later interviewed but he chose to go the deceitful route anyhow. The guy and his campaign have no problem distorting the president's words to make him out to be some kind of anti-business owner radical but when the president and his team focus on Romney's actual record. Obama needs to apologize to poor widdle Mitt.

nines09 Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:45:36am

Not only politically bankrupt, but morally and ethnically devoid of class or tact also. Quite a crop of GOP Hierarchy and quite a collection of bottom feeding candidates posing as "leaders". As empty as that suit Mitt Romney wears. His slogan should just be "Hello Suckers!"

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:47:04am

re: #19 Charles Johnson

Why was it "beneath President Obama?" Was there something dishonest in the ad?

The Obama ad with Romney singing "America the Beautiful" is pretty harsh, but it's not dishonest or deceptively edited. It's not even in the same ballpark as these lying GOP ads.

It's pointing out his actual record at Bain. The same place he tries to use to try to sell himself as a job creator.

Charles Johnson Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:47:07am

re: #18 Big Steve

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

...How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

Uh ... please go read the President's speech. He talked quite a bit about parents in it. And grandparents too.

[Link: www.whitehouse.gov...]

jaunte Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:47:40am

"My first job in Chicago, when I wasn't much older than most of you, was working with a group of Catholic churches on the South Side of Chicago in low-income neighborhoods to try to figure out how could we improve the schools, and how could we strengthen neighborhoods and strengthen families. And I saw that the work that some of these churches did did more good for people in their communities than any government program could. (Applause.)
In those same communities, I saw that no education policy, no matter how well crafted it is, no matter how well funded it is, can take the place of a parent’s love and attention."

jamesfirecat Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:47:53am

re: #18 Big Steve

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

...How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

If I had to take a wild shot in the dark I'd argue that he didn't mention parents because that would be too easily feed into the mantra of "I/my family has/have got mine/ours f*** you."

Mitt Romney's parents obviously helped him get where it is today, but it doesn't seem to have give him much in the way of empathy.

Those growing in dysfunctional homes or on the streets with one or no parents are at a disadvantage obviously, but at the same time our society already expects parents to seriously help their kids to the point that it goes without saying that a parent shapes their children's life. Pointing out how we are helped by public workers (or hired employees if you got to a private school) is a better example for making the case over how we are all in this together beyond our tribal bonds of blood.

garhighway Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:47:59am

re: #20 Big Steve

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

Weren't the quotes from third parties? (Unless you think the Boston Globe, for example, is part of "the President's camp".)

jamesfirecat Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:48:42am

re: #20 Big Steve

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

Superficial and True is miles better than superficial and false.

I'm sorry he isn't attacking Romney in a more sophisticated way to suit your taste but so long as he's landing clean hard hits I'm happy.

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:48:43am

re: #27 garhighway

Weren't the quotes from third parties? (Unless you think the Boston Globe, for example, is part of "the President's camp".)

Yeah they were. I see and hear the ad all the time here in Virginia.

garhighway Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:48:54am

re: #24 Charles Johnson

Uh ... please go read the President's speech. He talked quite a bit about parents in it. And grandparents too.

[Link: www.whitehouse.gov...]

Read the speech?! What kind of commie crap are you peddling here, bucko?

Charles Johnson Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:50:09am

re: #20 Big Steve

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

All the quotes in that advertisement were accurate, and they weren't statements from Obama, they were quotes from newspaper and media reports.

To equate this with blatantly deceptive ads that edit together phrases out of context is absurd.

Mattand Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:51:33am

re: #18 Big Steve

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

...How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

Because Obama hates all parents. It's part of his plan to wipe out the American family as we know it.

Or just an honest mistake. But the former makes so much more sense.

garhighway Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:51:56am

re: #29 HappyWarrior

Yeah they were. I see and hear the ad all the time here in Virginia.

It was here in NYC, too, which means it must have been a national ad buy.

I thought the ad made a fair point: Romney is in bed with the guys who do all the stuff to our economy that most people hate.

It is hard to take a guy with money in the Caymans seriously as an advocate of reforming our tax code. His idea of reform is not likely to be broadly popular. (If you can get him to say what, exactly, it ought to be.)

Eventual Carrion Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:52:32am

re: #18 Big Steve

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

...How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

True about your parents if they put up the money for your building, machinery, licenses, bonds, beginning capitol to pay workers while getting started, paid to train the workers, paid to put in the roads for the workers to get to work, paid for the right of way and brought in the power lines for electricity, natural gas piping if they are needed, drilled for that natural gas, water and sewage lines, etc ...

Then yes. But if other peoples money helped educate the workers over a 6th grade reading level, payed to install and maintain the roads, etc. then you had help outside your family. Probably even had help from the despised of your community or country that paid the taxes to make that all available to you (even Al Gore who created your internet).

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:53:03am

re: #24 Charles Johnson

read the whole speech....you are correct. Consider my tent folded.

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:54:22am

re: #33 garhighway

It was here in NYC, too, which means it must have been a national ad buy.

I thought the ad made a fair point: Romney is in bed with the guys who do all the stuff to our economy that most people hate.

It is hard to take a guy with money in the Caymans seriously as an advocate of reforming our tax code. His idea of reform is not likely to be broadly popular. (If you can get him to say what, exactly, it ought to be.)

It really is hard to take him seriously period honestly. He sells himself as a job creator and I've seen nothing that suggests he in fact is that. And his pandering on social issues? Don't get me started.

Interesting Times Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:54:49am

New Poll: 0% of businesses succeed without customers.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) July 23, 2012

Obdicut Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:55:05am

re: #35 Big Steve

read the whole speech...you are correct. Consider my tent folded.

Good on you. Rarer than the Loch Ness monster doing a 360 Tailfish, is the guy on the internet checking sources and admitting error.

The Ghost of a Flea Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:56:08am

re: #20 Big Steve

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

No, a problem with aesthetics is not the same thing as a problem with veracity.

And the quotes are accurate and not from the President's "camp."

Next?

Obdicut Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:56:55am

re: #37 Interesting Times

I'd pedantically put a * on there and note that rent-seeking businesses can succeed without actual customers. A business that survives by patent-trolling, for example.

Hercules Grytpype-Thynne Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:57:05am

re: #20 Big Steve

The Mitt singing was just trite. And the quotes coming from the President's camp about Bain are just as superficial as the purposeful misquoting of the President's statements. I expect more out my Presidents.

The objection to "purposeful misquoting" is not that it's "superficial", it's that it's an outright lie.

Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:57:41am

Dear SheriffJoePAC:

The America I want to cherish and defend does not look like stretches of barbed wire in front of flaming terrain. Scorched earth defense is a sign of desperation, and doing it in the face of reality smacks of insanity, or fear mongering at best.

(heh. Spell checker wants to replace SheriffJoePAC with "Shrinkage". I am amused.)

Patricia Kayden Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:57:41am

So maybe the Obama campaign needs to put out a counter ad with the context of the "controversial" comments. You've got to fight fire with fire. And call out the liars in your ads.

Interesting Times Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:57:53am

Lulz:

Romney campaign's list of participants at small business roundtable notes 3 of 11 attendees sell to federal govt or have federal contracts
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettNBCNews) July 23, 2012

Best cancel those contracts right away, lest those Real American^® businesses get tarnished by the taint of socialist Free Stuff™

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 10:59:05am

re: #44 Interesting Times

Lulz:

[Embedded content]

Best cancel those contracts right away, lest those Real American^® businesses get tarnished by the taint of socialist Free Stuff™

Damned federal government. // Of course the candidate is the same guy who bragged about getting federal money for the Olympics. He's as full if not more full of shit than they are. That's why it's comical to hear Romney act like he's the solution to big government. Can you say bullshit?

Interesting Times Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:00:07am

re: #40 Obdicut

I'd pedantically put a * on there and note that rent-seeking businesses can succeed without actual customers. A business that survives by patent-trolling, for example.

I'd put an even more pedantic * on yours and note even the parasitic patent trolls need customers for their victims so they're worth suing in the first place ;)

Charles Johnson Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:00:21am

re: #43 Patricia Kayden

So maybe the Obama campaign needs to put out a counter ad with the context of the "controversial" comments. You've got to fight fire with fire. And call out the liars in your ads.

Actually, they did:

New Obama Ad: Romney Will Say Anything

Varek Raith Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:03:36am

re: #38 Obdicut

Good on you. Rarer than the Loch Ness monster doing a 360 Tailfish, is the guy on the internet checking sources and admitting error.

What.

lawhawk Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:03:52am

re: #44 Interesting Times

The GOP would also have you ignore that cuts government spending would hurt tens of thousands of businesses across the nation. Each year some $500 billion in contracts with private companies are entered into by the federal government. That's a whole lot of jobs that would be affected by any cut in federal spending. Cuts in federal spending aren't simply going to eliminate a federal worker's job. It's going to hit the private sector too and in some instances quite hard. IT is one area where it's been outsourced to private companies. We're not just talking about small mom and pop businesses either.

Heck, you've got big name companies who do a whole lot of business that are going to hurt over contracts lost. Just in the aerospace industry alone you're talking about everyone from Boeing and Lockheed to ATK and others who had NASA contracts. That's put thousands out of work at the end of the shuttle program, and the Constellation program was canned. It saves money, but it also means thousands were put out of work.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:07:17am

Regarding both the Mitt singing ad and the "you didn't build your business" misquote ads......I am just particularly sensitive to negative ads now. I recently ran in a local election (and won by the way). I instructed those helping me that we would not say a single bad thing about my opponent and we didn't. He, however, did not take the same vow. He started a whisper campaign about me, none of which was true, and even the current girlfriend of Big Steve's, who is Jewish and had the misfortune of having simply dated me for a few months, got dragged in the rumors. These rumors were very hurtful so I am not in the mood to give anyone a pass.

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:08:09am

re: #16 jamesfirecat

What did you not like about it using Romney's singing or is talking about Bain not fair game?

As someone who cannot sing worth a damn, I think it is below the belt to emphasize that some of us can't carry a tune in a bucket.

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:08:46am

re: #18 Big Steve

Regarding the original (and uncut) quote by the President, I had one minor objection. He mentions that if you are successful you were helped

...How about parents? I can say without a doubt that any success I have had in life was far more influenced by my parents than anyone else.

I think that falls under 'teacher'. Some of us get lucky, and our parents are those teachers for us.

Obdicut Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:09:38am

re: #48 Varek Raith

What.

Nessie can usually only manage a 240. Bad knees.

wrenchwench Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:10:17am

re: #50 Big Steve

Regarding both the Mitt singing ad and the "you didn't build your business" misquote ads...I am just particularly sensitive to negative ads now. I recently ran in a local election (and won by the way). I instructed those helping me that we would not say a single bad thing about my opponent and we didn't. He, however, did not take the same vow. He started a whisper campaign about me, none of which was true, and even the current girlfriend of Big Steve's, who is Jewish and had the misfortune of having simply dated me for a few months, got dragged in the rumors. These rumors were very hurtful so I am not in the mood to give anyone a pass.

Congrats to you, and condolences to the current girlfriend. Was it a primary, or do you now hold public office (or await swearing in)?

Killgore Trout Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:11:38am

re: #50 Big Steve

These rumors were very hurtful so I am not in the mood to give anyone a pass.

Good for you. The more people who stand up against dishonest political ads the better.

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:11:46am

re: #34 RayFerd

True about your parents if they put up the money for your building, machinery, licenses, bonds, beginning capitol to pay workers while getting started, paid to train the workers, paid to put in the roads for the workers to get to work, paid for the right of way and brought in the power lines for electricity, natural gas piping if they are needed, drilled for that natural gas, water and sewage lines, etc ...

Then yes. But if other peoples money helped educate the workers over a 6th grade reading level, payed to install and maintain the roads, etc. then you had help outside your family. Probably even had help from the despised of your community or country that paid the taxes to make that all available to you (even Al Gore who created your internet).

My first work experience was working for my father, and it was a hell of a lot more useful when I started working for others than anything I learned in college.

So, if I ever start a business, my dad gets some credit, along with the national infrastructure and all. (Plus, as a small business owner, his taxes paid for some of that infrastructure, as did mine.)

This is a joint operation. Sometimes called a society.

If I were going to criticize Obama, I'd say the phrase should have been 'you didn't build that alone'. I think adding a couple of words would have headed off at least some of the criticism, albeit not much.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:11:52am

re: #52 SanFranciscoZionist

LOL.....didn't feel like "teaching" when my father would yell "Steven" and I was in serious trouble. But I suppose it was teaching in a way. Even to this day when someone calls me Steven I cringe a bit inside. BTW father of Big Steve's was 6'10" tall!

Interesting Times Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:11:52am

re: #50 Big Steve

I instructed those helping me that we would not say a single bad thing about my opponent and we didn't. He, however, did not take the same vow.

I'm glad you won regardless, but your experience is by far the exception and not the rule. In the overwhelming majority of other races, he who plays dirtiest, wins (*cough* Saxby Chambliss* *cough*). So, I endorse the dirtiest, nastiest attacks imaginable as long as they're relevant and true. (was it Harry Truman who said, "If you don't stop lying about me, I'll tell the truth about you"?)

_{*The Chambliss ad was a vicious lie, of course, but IOKIYAR. Dems shouldn't lie because a) they'd never get away with it and b) they don't need to - truth about GOP is damning enough!}

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:13:09am

re: #54 wrenchwench

I now hold office......city council

darthstar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:14:31am

"Enough about you, let's talk about me." Gotta love #Romney's ability to control the narrative. #Fail #p2 #youdidntbuildthat #endofquote
— Sean McCabe (@darthstar99) July 23, 2012

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:14:35am

re: #58 Interesting Times

I'm glad you won regardless, but your experience is by far the exception and not the rule. In the overwhelming majority of other races, he who plays dirtiest, wins (*cough* Saxby Chambliss *cough*). So, I endorse the dirtiest, nastiest attacks imaginable as long as they're relevant and true. (was it Harry Truman who said, "If you don't stop lying about me, I'll tell the truth about you"?)

That one was so dirty that I believe McCain called out Chambliss. I wonder how they get along now that Chambliss has been a member of the Senate for a while now. There were a lot of nasty attacks on Max Cleland. Just a shame.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:15:24am

re: #58 Interesting Times

I'm glad you won regardless, but your experience is by far the exception and not the rule. In the overwhelming majority of other races, he who plays dirtiest, wins (*cough* Saxby Chambliss *cough*). So, I endorse the dirtiest, nastiest attacks imaginable as long as they're relevant and true. (was it Harry Truman who said, "If you don't stop lying about me, I'll tell the truth about you"?)

In my experience the more removed people are the more the negative campaigning works. However at a local level where the people running are neighbors, friends, parents of your kids friends......I believe it has the opposite affect.

darthstar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:15:42am

re: #60 darthstar

Romney to do his next "You didn't build that!" event from the Hoover Dam.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) July 23, 2012

wrenchwench Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:17:23am

re: #59 Big Steve

I now hold office...city council

Good for you!

Mocking Jay Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:20:02am

Scott Brown, Rick Scott, Scott Walker, Rick Snyder... all of that jumbled together and I could not figure out which one this was for a good 45 seconds.

Interesting Times Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:20:11am

re: #62 Big Steve

In my experience the more removed people are the more the negative campaigning works. However at a local level where the people running are neighbors, friends, parents of your kids friends...I believe it has the opposite affect.

That's a good point, since at the local level, you have a previous reputation to build on and are therefore a little less vulnerable to being "defined" by your opponent. At the state/federal level, you have no such protection.

Hercules Grytpype-Thynne Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:21:28am

re: #65 Mocking Jay

Scott Brown, Rick Scott, Scott Walker, Rick Snyder... all of that jumbled together and I could not figure out which one this was for a good 45 seconds.

Just you wait until Walker Brown and Snyder Scott throw their hats into the ring.

darthstar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:21:28am

Gotta love "nekkid in the park" days...yesterday was sunny and nice out, and my wife and I had to drive up to the city to get a car we'd left at the ballpark on Friday. Traffic on the freeway was a mess due to an accident/car fire, so I took surface streets to cross town. As I dropped down Market street, I said, "It's one of those days where you usually see someone walking around naked." - two minutes later, we're going by Market & Castro, and sure enough, some guy is just standing there, butt naked, people watching while some other guy is standing next to him reading a book.

Big Steve Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:23:45am

re: #64 wrenchwench

Good for you!

Thanks......btw I would encourage all of you to consider running for office. I probably increased the number of people I know in my home town by ten-fold just running a campaign. I became a nicer person because you just can't fake listening to people when you are campaigning....you actually have to listen. And from my short time in office, things are really different from the back side of the dias. They say all politics is local but people have extreme passion on local issues because it affects their house, their kids, their streets.....one of the other guy's on council is fond of saying that at the local level you are just glad people don't own nukes.

darthstar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:26:13am

Mitt's first foreign stumble, and he hasn't even boarded a plane yet.

Quoting Romney: ”And this idea of America in decline, it was interesting [Carr] said that, he led the talk of America being in decline. See that’s not talk we hear about here as much as they’re hearing there. And if they’re thinking about investing in America, entrepreneurs putting their future in America, if they think America’s in decline they’re not gonna do it.”

Whether or not the SMH got it right is one question. The Hill notes that the pool reports did not have Romney clearly characterizing the comments as a warning.

And now, Australia’s Foreign Minister’s office has come forward to shoot down Romney’s characterization of the discussion, calling Romney’s interpretation “not correct.”

You cannot take a shoot down like this at face value in any case. Whatever Carr said, he almost certainly didn’t expect Romney to turn around and use it as ammo in a political speech. So he’d be under a lot of pressure to walk away from Romney’s comments, even if Romney was accurately characterizing them. But it will be interesting to see how Romney navigates this sort of stuff when he’s overseas.

Lie about the president all you like(that's expected of you, Romney), but don't lie about foreign leaders because that makes the whole country look bad.

William of Orange Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:27:15am

Your daily comic relief.

This must be Mitt's neighbor.

HappyWarrior Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:27:53am

re: #70 darthstar

Mitt's first foreign stumble, and he hasn't even boarded a plane yet.

Lie about the president all you like(that's expected of you, Romney), but don't lie about foreign leaders because that makes the whole country look bad.

Heh Romney being Romney. Pissing off everyone and pleasing no one.

b_sharp Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:30:03am

Let's get this straight shall we? Obama is a Socialist, with a capitalist '$', and he's a Communist, with little money ¢ents, and a closet gay loving, pro-death Red.

No matter what he says, or what it sounds like when you listen closely it's obvious to anyone with half a brain and half a heart that what he means is business is bad for the American business man and big government is the caped crusader with shiny boots.

If you can't read between the lines, then you are also anti-American in your heart of hearts.

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:31:12am

re: #70 darthstar

Given the epistemological bubble in which most of the American atavists live it is probably not easy for them to understand how other countries look a that the US, and how the world is changing.

Speaking of Australia, for example, the government there has a recent effort called AUSTRALIA IN THE ASIAN CENTURY.

Note that "Asian Century" bit. The American Exceptionalists take umbrage at that, but it is one way to look at the future that attempts to portray the world as expected to go due to, if no other reason, sheer population.

Decatur Deb Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:38:59am

re: #29 HappyWarrior

Yeah they were. I see and hear the ad all the time here in Virginia.

Was shocked to see an anti-Obama ad here in Alabama. We are one of 6 or so states Nate Silver has logged as "100% chance of Romney". Guess they were trying to get to me and the other 5 Obama donors in our zipcode. Let them waste their cash.

Varek Raith Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:39:32am

re: #75 Decatur Deb

Was shocked to see an anti-Obama ad here in Alabama. We are one of 6 or so states Nate Silver has logged as "100% chance of Romney". Guess they were trying to get to me and the other 5 Obama donors in our zipcode. Let them waste their cash.

Heh.

steve_davis Mon, Jul 23, 2012 11:43:38am

re: #6 GunstarGreen

You know, with as common as this kind of hack-and-slash editing is, I'm sort of surprised that people delivering political speeches don't pre-plan and throw in anti-editing bits that would force a substantial, obvious break between cuts.

For example, in this case it would have been something like, "If you have a business, and I want you to think about everything I've said here real hard in its context, you didn't build that."

Such that the "OMG SO UNAMERICAN" phrase cannot be edited to be by itself without either directly mentioning that there's other context to it, or making an obvious skip-cut to remove that reference.

All it would do would be to create ads where you see Obama in constantly changing shirts and backgrounds saying something like, "I want you to think about the hard-on I'm sporting for Joe Sandusky and the small children of Aurora that will be raped by me later this afternoon during a dog-eating session..." And don't think they couldn't splice that together.

Our Precious Bodily Fluids Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:00:59pm

re: #77 steve_davis

I wish some PAC would pay to run the Bad Lip Syncing videos, as-is, on television.

The Ghost of a Flea Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:03:51pm

Romney Picks Up ‘Didn’t Build That’ Attack Where He Left Off

Initially, the attack was a handy way for Romney to deflect questions over his tax returns and confusion over his tenure at Bain that had dogged his campaign for weeks. But the line seemed to boost Romney’s confidence the more he used it, and Republicans are continuing to make it the centerpiece of their attacks. On Monday, Romney resumed harping on “you didn’t build that” by issuing a press release doubling down on the attack. The RNC scheduled a conference call with small business owners to attack the line, and Romney debuted a new backdrop for a “small business roundtable” in California, suggesting the event will be all about that one single quote:

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:03:58pm

I see that Andrew McCarthy is all over the usual outlets (NRO, PJM) ranting about OMG!! MUSLIMS!!, trying to move what little outrage was generated by Bachmann calling out the troops to attack Abedin onto attack President Obama.

What a slurry of ugliness the atavistic, hate-filled media has become.

GunstarGreen Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:05:04pm

re: #45 HappyWarrior

Damned federal government. // Of course the candidate is the same guy who bragged about getting federal money for the Olympics. He's as full if not more full of shit than they are. That's why it's comical to hear Romney act like he's the solution to big government. Can you say bullshit?

It is important to note, as always, that Romney purports to be the solution to the problem of Big Gub'Mint™, not Big Government.

Being against Big Gub'Mint™ is easily confused with being against Big Government, as they sound so similar, but they are in fact distinct. People who are opposed to Big Gub'Mint™ do not have any problem with a very large and very powerful federal government that has control over intimate parts of its citizens' lives, their only concern is making sure that that government only does what they want it to do, and nothing else.

Big Joe Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:08:48pm

re: #79 The Ghost of a Flea

Romney Picks Up ‘Didn’t Build That’ Attack Where He Left Off

He just can't keep his messaging straight.

ROMNEY: You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities.

The Ghost of a Flea Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:11:50pm

re: #82 Big Joe

He just can't keep his messaging straight.

Athletes aren't corporations, obviously.//

Mocking Jay Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:14:12pm

Mitt Romney cannot be held accountable for the opinions of Mitt Romney over ten years ago.

Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:17:07pm

re: #84 Mocking Jay

Mitt Romney cannot be held accountable for the opinions of Mitt Romney over ten years ago.

That's like holding Windows 7 responsible for the opinions of Win ME!
///

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:24:47pm

Inhofe being the bully that he is:

Inhofe’s Pilots Bill of Rights set to pass

The House is expected to pass Sen. Jim Inhofe’s Pilot’s Bill of Rights on Monday evening, a measure that would make it easier for pilots facing disciplinary action by the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain the evidence against them.

The bill, dubbed by one wag as “The Inhofe Revenge Bill,” was sparked by an October 2010 incident in which the Oklahoma Republican, a private pilot, landed his Cessna 340 on a closed runway at a small South Texas airport — scaring the daylights out of workers doing maintenance.

A recorded call to the FAA from the crew’s supervisor said Inhofe “sky-hopped” over the men and trucks and “scared the crap out of us.” (The call is really worth listening to. [go to link to listen] )

[...]

The FAA in January 2011 barely gave Inhofe a slap on the wrist — let alone a license suspension — and ordered what he called some “painless” remedial training in lieu of any enforcement action. He praised the FAA, and said, “I could not have been treated better” by the agency.

Even so, Inhofe told us last February that he would introduce a bill to give pilots greater rights. “If a person is going to be accused of something,” he said, “he has to know what he’s being accused of.”

[....]

Charles Johnson Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:26:42pm

re: #80 freetoken

I see that Andrew McCarthy is all over the usual outlets (NRO, PJM) ranting about OMG!! MUSLIMS!!, trying to move what little outrage was generated by Bachmann calling out the troops to attack Abedin onto attack President Obama.

What a slurry of ugliness the atavistic, hate-filled media has become.

I can hardly believe how deranged the right wing has gotten on the subject of Islam and Muslims. The bigotry and fear mongering is totally out of control.

Hercules Grytpype-Thynne Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:30:53pm

re: #87 Charles Johnson

I can hardly believe how deranged the right wing has gotten on the subject of Islam and Muslims. The bigotry and fear mongering is totally out of control.

"Out of control" seems to be a theme on the right these days.

ReamWorks SKG Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:31:04pm

I'm actually shocked that, given the fact James Holmes received an NIH stipend, nobody's shouting that Obama was funding James Holmes!

[Link: www.businessinsider.com...]

allegro Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:31:47pm

re: #89 ReamWorks SKG

I'm actually shocked that, given the fact James Holmes received an NIH stipend, nobody's shouting that Obama was funding James Holmes!

Oh boy, now you've done it.

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:32:16pm

re: #87 Charles Johnson

I can hardly believe how deranged the right wing has gotten on the subject of Islam and Muslims. The bigotry and fear mongering is totally out of control.

They're addicted to it. The adrenaline rush from the surging anger and hatred, the increased attention the talking head receive, the feeling of power over getting someone booted from their job (c.f., Van Jones)... it's all one ugly mess.

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:36:15pm

I'm wondering how Romney is going to answer this... if he does at all:

Quest for science debate continues

The quest for a scientific tête-à-tête between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney continues.

On Thursday, 15 top science and engineering organizations, from the American Organization for the Advancement of Science to the Union of Concerned Scientists, released a list of 14 questions that they would like the presidential candidates to answer, preferably in a televised debate.

The group was organized by the nonprofit science advocacy organization ScienceDebate.org, which launched during the 2008 race in order to press Obama and his then challenger into a parley about scientific matters of national significance. Although over 38,000 scientists, politicians, journalists, and other supporters signed the call, the debate didn’t happen, but Obama and US Sen. John McCain did provide written responses, with a useful amount of detail, to that year’s list of 14 questions.

[...]

bigmacha Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:47:26pm

re: #20 Big Steve

While I don't disagree that we "expect more" from our president, I also believe that, for the first time in many years, the democrats are doing exactly what they should be doing in a national election. That is thoroughly "branding" their opponent with the identity they want him to have and being completely n the offensive. No Gore or Kerry response this election cycle. For too long the democrats have allowed the republicans to put them on the defensive by doubting their patriotism, backing of the military, foreign policy cajones, or some such position. Not this year and I welcome the strong, hit 'em hard and hit 'em often strategy. I vote for no pussyfooting around.

Gretchen G.Tiger Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:50:15pm

Why are white people wigging-out so much and seeming to want a backwards time machine?

SanFranciscoZionist Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:53:36pm

re: #94 ggt

Why are white people wigging-out so much and seeming to want a backwards time machine?

To be comforting, it's really only a selection of white people, I and I don't think they were too stable to begin with.

Gretchen G.Tiger Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:54:22pm

obligatory daily beebee kitteh!

Gretchen G.Tiger Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:54:58pm

re: #95 SanFranciscoZionist

To be comforting, it's really only a selection of white people, I and I don't think they were too stable to begin with.

But, it is only white people --right?

wrenchwench Mon, Jul 23, 2012 12:58:53pm

re: #93 bigmacha

Welcome, hatchling.

wrenchwench Mon, Jul 23, 2012 1:01:11pm

re: #97 ggt

But, it is only white people --right?

I feel so bad for all the young white men who will be racially profiled because of the Colorado shooting
— Lalo Alcaraz (@laloalcaraz) July 23, 2012

100

Kragar Mon, Jul 23, 2012 1:08:21pm

Mitt’s First Foreign Stumble?

Quoting Romney: ”And this idea of America in decline, it was interesting [Carr] said that, he led the talk of America being in decline. See that’s not talk we hear about here as much as they’re hearing there. And if they’re thinking about investing in America, entrepreneurs putting their future in America, if they think America’s in decline they’re not gonna do it.”

Whether or not the SMH got it right is one question. The Hill notes that the pool reports did not have Romney clearly characterizing the comments as a warning.

And now, Australia’s Foreign Minister’s office has come forward to shoot down Romney’s characterization of the discussion, calling Romney’s interpretation “not correct.”

You cannot take a shoot down like this at face value in any case. Whatever Carr said, he almost certainly didn’t expect Romney to turn around and use it as ammo in a political speech. Allies don’t want to get publicly embroiled in a US election — especially on the wrong side of an incumbent who they believe is more likely than not to get reelected. So he’d be under a lot of pressure to walk away from Romney’s comments, even if Romney was accurately characterizing them. On the other hand, maybe Mitt just made it up or gave it — probably the most likely option — a negative spin the retelling. One way or another, it will be interesting to see how Romney navigates this sort of stuff when he’s overseas.

101

Gretchen G.Tiger Mon, Jul 23, 2012 1:11:00pm

bbl

102

freetoken Mon, Jul 23, 2012 1:12:07pm

re: #100 Kragar

Now Scott Brown Is Getting Into the Deceptive Editing Business

► LGF Headlines

► Top 10 Comments

► Bottom Comments

► Recent Comments

► Tools/Info

► Tag Cloud