Mon, Jun 16, 2008 3:35pm ET

Send to a friend Print Version

Join the Discussion

MSNBC's Buchanan called Obama "exotic," said "[h]e's like the guys in the Harvard faculty lounge" who "don't know anything about their country"

Summary: MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan said of the Republican strategy against Sen. Barack Obama: "[T]hey're going to use his associations. And they're going to use his statements, his elitism. They're going to use the fact he's exotic."
Read more

Please upgrade your flash player! The video for this item requires a newer version of Flash Player. If you are unable to install flash you can download a QuickTime version of the video.

Embed this video:

Trouble viewing clip? Download: QuickTime

Threaded Comments: on / off

Post a new comment

You must be a registered user to post and flag comments on this site.
Please log in or sign up to post in this forum.

Posted by Kyle_Broflovski

I think what Pat meant was that McCain is like those guys in the White House who don't know anything about the Constitution.

Posted by wzwriter in reply to Kyle_Broflovski

I think what Pat meant was that McCain is like those guys in the White House who don't know anything about the Constitution.

Or it's like those guys on the political right (including himself) who don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground.

Posted by dbeden4153

hey Col., guess you're officially on the pay-roll now! congrats!

On a side note, Buchanan needs a nap ;) 

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to dbeden4153

"He is coming out of the left. He doesn't understand Middle America. He's like the guys in the Harvard faculty lounge. They don't know anything about their country. They sit up there and talk to one another."

Oh, and I have a question.  What is the issue the right has with Harvard?  Whenever they talk of "liberal elitism," whatever that is, Harvard is almost always mentioned in the same breath.  I mean, all those liberal elites, like Bush and Kissinger, must be so out of touch with America that they are seen as "exotic" as well, right?  Or, like Abrams says, exotic is code word for black.

Of course, when you go to Columbia to get your masters, as Buchanan did, you could be seen as out of touch with the common American as well ;) 

Posted by Kyle_Broflovski in reply to dbeden4153

I heard on Fox News that Harvard used to be a Madrassa, which is an Islamic school where they teach terrorism and various methods of hating freedom.

Posted by thedailyphosdex in reply to dbeden4153

"DBeden4153" has these words of wisdom:

Oh, and I have a question.  What is the issue the right has with Harvard?  Whenever they talk of "liberal elitism," whatever that is, Harvard is almost always mentioned in the same breath.  I mean, all those liberal elites, like Bush and Kissinger, must be so out of touch with America that they are seen as "exotic" as well, right?

Which makes you wonder if the Religiopolitical Right's delusion of "Americanism" is based upon The White Frame House on Maple Street, so to speak, as the foundation of their pseudo-idealised agenda tending, methinks, to ur-Producerism.

Posted by wzwriter in reply to dbeden4153

What is the issue the right has with Harvard?

They keep forgetting that Dubya got his fake MBA from there.....

Posted by roundhouse in reply to wzwriter

Republicans love their elitists. Laura Ingraham, Ann Coulter, Tucker Carlson, George Will, David Brooks, Tony Blankley. They all have fancy degrees from fancy universities. They just happen to be the right kind of elitists.

We all know that Republicans pay big money for their gated and planned communities, so it's not so much they don't want to be told what to do. They just want the right kind of people telling them what to do.

Buncha damn phonies.

Posted by NiceguyEddie in reply to dbeden4153

What is the issue the right has with Harvard?

Weak football program.

Posted by cArn

Now all of the other MMFA posters have to beat up Col after school for  being an overachiever.

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to cArn

Only if I get to chant "O'Doyle rules" while doing so ;)

Posted by Blueneck

Hey Col--George Soros says there will be a little extra in your bag of money this week.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to Blueneck

Excellent!I feel like Jimmy Olson, Cub Tipster I don't think I even sent a tip on this one, just mentioned it in a thread the other day. Finally MMFA Tipster Jeter2 can quit lording his status over me. Now I'm off to shop for a Drudge-style fedora, some nit-picking tools, and a large bag of moral indignation.

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

So they DO read our comments...

Posted by jeter2 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Congratulations Colonel & welcome to a very exclusive club of MMFA tipsters, or since I'm a Con, in my case it might be snitcher ;-)

I never sent a tip in either, but had mentioned something in a post about what I saw on one of the morning programs.

I keep waiting for some perks or a big fat check...but I guess neither is coming ;-)

Now on topic: I don't think "exotic" was code for Black. I think Buchanan was trying to be subtle & going for foreign or un-American. He had to do a quick sidestep when called on it & what he offered made no sense.

Pat is normally a straight shooter even if you don't agree with him. Here I think he missed by a mile.

Posted by shaggles in reply to jeter2

I was thinking foreign too. 

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to jeter2

"I don't think "exotic" was code for Black. I think Buchanan was trying to be subtle & going for foreign or un-American. He had to do a quick sidestep when called on it & what he offered made no sense."

I can agree with that, despite what I said above.  I have issue with the demonization of institutions of higher learning, from which most everyone demonizing them have graduated from (Buchanan from Columbia, for instance.  Talk about a bastion of liberalism! ;))  It's a common theme that, for me, shows the incessant need for the hardcore right to dumb down the American populace, even though we've done a pretty good job of that already.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to jeter2

Jeter, I'll need directions to the clubhouse, and the password.

Posted by worrierking in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

No password required Colonel. I'm sure once they get a load of the fedora, monocle and jodhpurs they'll know who you are.

You and Jeter are my idols.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to worrierking

Please, King. We're lowly tipsters.When we can delete disagreeable posts by simply shouting into our internet tubes, as you have shown you can, then you can be impressed with us.

Posted by worrierking in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Would I be a hateful ageist if I admitted to being so old that I forgot that I had that extraordinary power?

I'm now working on controlling numbered ping pong balls in lottery drawings by sending signals through my satellite dish.

Posted by mary59 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Col, can you order us all a round of free chicken wings at least? ;-)

Posted by funnymanpants in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Col wrote:

>>Jeter, I'll need directions to the clubhouse, and the password.

Are you a comedian or something? Every post of yours  posts is really funny.  (Well, maybe not every one, but most.)

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to funnymanpants

No, FunnyMP, I'm more of an imbecile, but I appreciate your low standards for comedy.I'm a construction worker, just like Sean Hannity, but there are some very funny posters here (including you, I've seen some real gut-busters from you),which is one of the reasons I like this site, as opposed to other sites I lurked around where posters took themselves verrrry seriously.

And i'm not even talking about the accidentally hilarious posters here, who are in a class of their own.I can write that, because they have no idea I'm talking about them.

Posted by jeter2 in reply to worrierking

You and Jeter are my idols.

Well King I am humbled by your hero worship, as I'm sure the Colonel is. I'm sure I speak for the Colonel as well when I tell you that we will promise to try to live up to your high expectations by continuing to ferret out Conservative mis-information wherever we may find it. Which of course is everywhere!! ;-)

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night...or even the MSM can stop us in our mission!

Posted by oscar the grouch in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

CHS. Fedora? You look much more exotic in the pillbox.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to oscar the grouch

Oscar, you've still got that image burned into your mind? Sorry.

And Jeter, I like your spirit. Now let's go "catapult the propaganda" into the stark light of day.   For Worrierking !!!

Posted by snoopy

Notice Acker actually took him to task and actually asked Pat outright if that was codeword for black. Ol' sheet and rope really stammered trying to explain exotic didn't mean the n word, didn't he?

Posted by tommy

Verdict is one of the fairer programs on MSNBC.  Abrams, to his credit, usually lets both sides have their say, unlike Olbermann who only wants his opinions rubberstamped.  Abrams is from the left but he doesn't brow beat those he disagrees with and is respectful and open to varying opinions.

So Buchanan said this, so what?  I don't agree with him either but he was challenged on what he meant and those that disagreed with him were given ample time to give their side.

This is called discussion and disagreement on political topics of the day, it should be highlighted here to its credit, not misinformation. 

Posted by DEMS_SOL in reply to tommy

Tommy - burried in the bowels of MMFA lexicon is that misinformation is any negative news story, comment or opinion taken against it's chosen candidate, and any positive news story, comment, or opinion in favor of said candidates opposition.

I know you've been around here long enopugh to know this, however with all the crazy styff going on in the world of golf today perhaps it slipped your mind.  Happy Monday.

Posted by Kyle_Broflovski in reply to DEMS_SOL

Misinformation usually includes a false statement, such as 'guys in Harvard lounges who don't know anything about this country'

Posted by pete592 in reply to tommy

I'll give credit to Abrams and his format, but I will not give a single iota of credit to MSNBC for employing a xenophobe like Buchanan.

Besides, does MMFA not give any credit to Acker and Abrams for their responses? 

Posted by tommy in reply to pete592

So the hardline liberals that these networks employ are fine, no matter how far to the left they are.  It's just the conservative ones that should be softer and less opinionated in their tone?

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

You agree that this item "should be highlighted here", so it's hard to get what your issue is...

Posted by tommy in reply to Governor

Read what I wrote in my first post Governor, for crying out loud. 

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

Does MMFA not give any credit to Acker and Abrams for their responses?

Posted by tommy in reply to Governor

I am talking about the entire conversation, just because Buchanan says something that MMFA doesn't like, it's here.  When conversations like this, back and forth with various opinions put forth, should be welcomed, however, because Buchanan uses a questionable term, BAM, it's here as misinformation of furthering the conservative agenda.

Ridiculous. 

Posted by mary59 in reply to tommy

Tommy, your opinion is so...exotic. And since this article came from the Colonel's tip, I'd think you would welcome it. (Unless you two have broken up again.)

Posted by juliajayne in reply to mary59

Why I just saw him pole dance for the colonel the other day. Tell me it's not so (that they broke up). :-0)

Posted by mary59 in reply to juliajayne

I don't know. Tommy would tell, but his shift is over for the day. Anyway, Julia, is that your picture that Jeter posted?

Posted by juliajayne in reply to mary59

Yes, It's my picture. He's just obsessed with me. I'm so exotic.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to mary59

Tommy's just mad, that's why I won't even dignify his attempts to belittle this item with a response. Jeter and I were chillin' in front of the malt shop, wearing our MMFA Tipster letterman jackets this afternoon, the hot babes swarming o n us, and Tommy just sat in his WITHMobile fuming and staring at us.

And his Pole dancing was a real letdown, just some workmanlike Polish folk dances done to patriotic Sousa marches.

Posted by my4cents1172 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

"Jeter and I were chillin' in front of the malt shop, wearing our MMFA Tipster letterman jackets this afternoon, the hot babes swarming o n us, and Tommy just sat in his WITHMobile fuming and staring at us."

Thanks for a good laugh. I was imagining the scene in a SpongeBob SquarePants setting with SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward as the characters. 

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to tommy

"So the hardline liberals that these networks employ are fine, no matter how far to the left they are.  It's just the conservative ones that should be softer and less opinionated in their tone?"

Tommy, I know the term "strawman" is used here a lot, but in this case your argument definitely applies.  You can only infer that Pete agrees that all those "far left" at MSNBC he agrees with without any substance from what Pete said to back your assertion up.   You're playing "obfuscate and attack" which lends little credibility to your argument.

BTW, the only one who's actually "far left" or "hardline liberal" at MSNBC is Rachel Maddow, and at least she's honest about it.  Case-in-point, she's gone on record saying that Obama is nowhere nearly progressive enough for her.

Posted by tommy in reply to dbeden4153

That's your opinion.  Pete was complaining about Buchanan being on MSNBC, but I doubt that any liberal would find him complaining, no matter how left they are.  

And if you don't lump Olbermann in with Maddow as being straight down the line liberal, then you and I don't share that opinion either, and he hosts a primetime show, devoid of one iota of an opposing opinion.  

Posted by juliajayne in reply to dbeden4153

DB, I heard her mention that too in the context of whether Obama was going to be a boon for progressive talk radio. Called him a centrist if I remember right. But it doesn't matter that Rachel is left. She is extremely bight and fair. And she has a killer smile.

Posted by juliajayne in reply to juliajayne

Well I don't think she's bight, but bright.

Posted by pete592 in reply to tommy

I'm talking about racism and xenophobia, not just having a hard, opinionated tone.  There's a difference, and it will become clear to you when you attempt to locate a hardline liberal at MSNBC who is xenophobic and racist.

 

Posted by pete592 in reply to pete592

And BTW, I didn't even mention Buchanan's political leanings.

Posted by tommy in reply to pete592

Sorry, can't.  Liberals are never either of those things.  They can't be, otherwise how would they use them to club those they don't agree with for political reasons?

Posted by pete592 in reply to tommy

Here's some more of that "liberal paternalist" B.S. oozing out.  A lazy, half-baked attempt to potray the left wing as the real enemy of non-white voters.  In this case, the left somehow views non-whites as a political weapon to use against the right.

If the right wing is that upset about the left capturing more votes from minorities, they should suck it up and start acting like they want their votes.  If they're not, they can stay apathetic toward media sources that give xenophobes like Buchanan a platform.

Posted by LeftSidePositive in reply to tommy

Tommy, this is not beyond your capacity to understand. Buchanan was dispensing conservative misinformation about Obama, and MMFA called him on it (That's why the item is titled "MSNBC's Buchanan called..."). Yes, it was his opinion, but it is a misinforming opinion and therefore ought to be brought into the harsh light of day. Makes perfect sense.

The rest of the news team behaved admirably and challenged him on it, and for that I applaud them.

Your strawman argument that MMFA is annoyed with the format of the debate is not the case, and is not how the item is presented on MMFA. If the rest of the panel had not behaved as well as they did, ably criticizing Buchanan's statements (for which MMFA gave them credit in their description), the headline would have been something like, "MSNBC's Abrams & Acker failed to challenge Buchanan's claims..."

Posted by August Heat in reply to tommy

I've gotta take issue with  your "so what" comment.  If we allow candidates to be portrayed in deragatory ways and respond with "so what" we are accepting the portrayal.  THERE IS NOTHING, NOTHING, EXOTIC ABOUT BARACK OBAMA. He's American. Period.  If someone had labeled John McCain exotic I think he would rightfully take issue with that comment.  Pat is an intelligent man, but tolerant he is not.  His America is an America where blacks know their place, latinos are all south of the border and a white republican is in the Oval Office.  In the same way most Asians find being called "oriental" offensive, calling a black man living in America "exotic" is not only offensive, but racist.  It's not an issue of oversensitivity or political correctness as much as it's an issue of decencey.  Republicans have disrespected presidential candidates in a way we have NEVER witnessed before.  Gee I wonder if it has any thing to do with this being the first time a black man and a woman garnered so much support?

Posted by princeofwheels

So now the word "exotic" has be re-described by Mr.Buconan. Don't any Cons/Republans own dictionaries. Maybe his description of the word exotic is a little misleading. Misinforming with stupid definitions...may be considered misinformation.

Posted by juliajayne in reply to princeofwheels

I remember reading an article about Victoria Principal back in the day where she said she had trouble getting parts because she was considered too exotic looking. It just means, Hey, you're not white enough!

I could give Patsy B the benefit of the doubt that he might have meant he was too foreign, having lived all over the world and having international brothers and sisters And having an unusual (by US standards) name. But when pressed he didn't say that. He stammered some BS. So one wonders.

Posted by jeter2 in reply to juliajayne

Exotic? Hot for sure when she was young. And still attractive now that she's older. Don't know why you think Victoria Principle meant not White enough when referring to herself as exotic.

 

 

 

 

Posted by juliajayne in reply to jeter2

Well, I do know what she looks like thank you very much. But that was her opinion, not mine. Maybe I didn't make that clear. It was a hollywood bias then, not so much now. And it is a fact that anything that is outside of the norm (meaning white) is considered exotic to some Wonder Bread Americans. 

Posted by jeter2 in reply to juliajayne

Well, I do know what she looks like thank you very much. But that was her opinion, not mine. Maybe I didn't make that clear.

I just like posting photos...it's the new "fad" around these here parts darlin :-)

And no you didn't make it clear that it was her opinion, but now that you have, I'm still curious why she thought she was too exotic looking? But hey, I guess for whatever reason she did.

Of course being exotic looking isn't a bad thing. It can just mean foreign. And foreign can be damn pretty :-)

Posted by juliajayne in reply to jeter2

Yes, I've had lots of "exotic" boyfriends from around the world, so that is too true. It's just a bummer if you're trying to be employed and can't be so employed because you look too "exotic". It's discrimination. And stupidity. VP was/is beautiful by anyone's standards.

Posted by juliajayne in reply to juliajayne

And I still think you're not getting what I'm saying here, but I don't feel like working that hard right now. 

Posted by jeter2 in reply to juliajayne

I know you're saying that "exotic" looking wasn't exactly a plus in Hollywood years ago & may of kept keep certain actors/actresses from getting a particular part because they didn't "fit" a certain category...which was appearing White enough.

There, I wouldn't want you to work too hard :-)

Posted by juliajayne in reply to juliajayne

Okay, before I put sticks in my eyes, it was hollywood that thought she was too exotic looking and it was her informed opinion that that was why shes didn't get more parts. I think she may have been told that by some casting agents. So I don't think SHE thought she was too exotic looking, but that casting people did. Is that clear? Ugh. Either I'm stating things badly or you're a himbo :-0) 

I'm gonna opt for you being a himbo :-0) he,he.

Hey, I guess I can insult you all day long if I use that smiley face thingy. :-0) Right?

Posted by juliajayne in reply to juliajayne

I think you have it. But we were posting at the same time. But you're still a himbo (not that there's anything wrong with that) :-0)

Posted by peebs755

Another "why is this here?" Thats actually amusing.

Posted by princeofwheels in reply to peebs755

"Exotic", "Elitest", "HARVARD Faculty"...code, code, code.....Isn't the school color of Harvard CRIMSON..which is code for RED....which could mean that Obama is a commie. Those damn Repbulacons are so smart.

Posted by friedbergboy1422

Why, if elitism and "exotic" are two different terms does Buchannan define exotic with the same examples he would use to bolster his contention Obama is elitist?

Buchannan never gave a straight answer to the question about what exotic may or may not mean which definitely lends itself to negative interpretation of other aspects of Obama.

Buchannan left himself open for racism charges by not explaining himself.

Buckman, personal message to you:  when a political candidate continuously mistakes Sunni and Shia, he or she is confused.  That's the definiton of the term!

Posted by Governor

I'm learning so much this election…
Exotic: One who doesn't understand Middle America.
Confused: Old.
Bowling: Big campaign issue.

Posted by shaggles

Buchanan is working so hard to push the Republican party line here that he doesn't even really count as a commentator.  I think he should sit out the rest of this election season.

Posted by unhipcat

BUCHANAN: Well, I mean, I don't know what we're --

Why does the man even try to pretend he provides an unbiased perspective? MSNBC needs a new whatever-that-thing-at-the-bottom-of-the-screen is called.

Posted by CityDC

"Is 'exotic' code for black" ... of course the left jumps right to the race issue. Give me a break. Only a kool aid drinker would make that leap. Buchanan was calling him an elitist, which he is.

Posted by magnolialover in reply to CityDC

And do tell us, oh great one, what makes Obama anymore of an elitist than say, John McCain, who I would wager is MORE of an elitist than Obama. Why you might ask? Let me list the reasons:

1. McCain's dad was an Admiral in the US Navy, and his grandfather also held a very high rank in the Navy as well. How do you think he got into the US Naval Academy (not some school that takes just anybody by the way, which makes it an "elite" school, nobody would argue with that.

Compare and contrast with Obama's father. A goat herder from a poor African nation. Yeah, those are some elite upbringings right there.

2. McCain has a wife who makes more money than God. Obama's wife, doesn't make nearly as much scratch as Cindy McCain. And she's always been rich. Hmm, elite, I'd say, McCain moreso than Obama don't you think?

3. McCain has been in the Senate for how long now? That's a pretty elite job. Obama, as we keep hearing, doesn't have that much experience, and has been in the Senate far less time than grandpa, and hence, I'd say McCain is MORE elite again.

4. Obama paid for his own higher education, McCain had us pay for his higher education. And yes, Obama and McCain both went to elite higher education schools. Why penalize them for that? If I could have gotten into either of those places, I would have gone as well. What do you want Obama to do? Not go to Harvard because it's perceived as being "elitist"? That's the dubmest argument I've ever heard.

How is Obama a so-called elitist? And please, be specific, and don't come in with the drooling retort that he said common folks are angry and bitter about how things are going these days in the US, because a little reality check, from where I'm sitting, and the "normal" people I talk to, it's the God's honest truth.

Posted by pearlene_scott1602 in reply to CityDC

"Is 'exotic' code for black" ... of course the left jumps right to the race issue. Give me a break. Only a kool aid drinker would make that leap. Buchanan was calling him an elitist, which he is.

Pleaseee

Pat's called Obama an 'elitist' plenty of times without using the word 'exotic'. Exotic is Pat's code word for 'uppity black'. 

 

Posted by frobert65

I think "exotic" was a very poor word to use to describe Obama but Pat has been saying all along that McCain has almost no chance to win. If a moderator asks Buchanan what can the Republicans do to defeat Obama, he's going to give them the answers they don't want to hear. The last eight years of Bush/Cheney have been a disaster and they have (thankfully) ruined the Republican brand for so many people so what are the Republicans going to do? Trash Obama any way they can, slime him and his wife with a bunch of bogus smears designed to fool the people that are responsive to crap like that, make him appear to be a far Left Wing elitist loony tune who has no idea how to relate to the working class. They have nothing else to run on unless you count staying in Iraq so we don't have another Viet Nam withdrawal on our hands and repeating the oil companies propaganda about how the evil Democrats are keeping cheap oil from hard working Americans. Buchanan has been warning the Democratic pundits at MSNBC all along about this and they totally dismissed him but we're already seeing it happen and it's going to get worse. I like how Obama has been fighting back against the smears and I hope more politicians like Harold Ford Jr. step up and do the right thing. We have had enough of the Republican brand of politics!!

Posted by tman418

The right seem to love throwing around the word "fascist" and now "elitist" without noting any Republican wealth.

Posted by cpinva

i think buchanan is absolutely correct, in his assessment of the strategy the republicans will use against sen. obama, should he be the actual dem. nominee (the convention hasn't happened yet), whether you like what he says or not.

let's bear in mind also, sen. obama has provided plenty of ammunition for all those repub 527's that will come slithering out of the woodwork, come the GE. just because sen. clinton's campaign didn't beat him to death with his questionable associations, doesn't mean the repubs won't. they will, and to horrific effect.

Posted by August Heat in reply to cpinva

This is my problem with that dull way of thinking:  It's not working.  It's worked in the past, but this is a different election and if you can't feel the mood of the country you're surrounded by too many people that think like you.  I've never heard so many registered republicans say they were voting democrat come November.  Of course this can change, but many Americans are tired of the baseless attacks.  The racist nature of some of these statements and ads will only garner sympathy.  I know everyone believes negative campaigning works, but Jesus taught Christians to "turn the other cheek" Isn't this the method Ghandi used to liberate his countrymen?  Isn't this the method Dr. King used to demand rights for his countrymen.  All of you conservatives who have not yet admitted to yourself that you are not voting for Barack because he's "exotic", pay attention.  This is what a revolution looks like. 

Posted by August Heat in reply to August Heat

Just to elaborate a little bit, I'm not talking about his questionable associations as much as I'm talking about attacks on his wife and other things.  When has any candidates wife been called a "baby mamma"?  When has any potential president been so heavily connected with terrorism.  When has any senator's faith been so heavily questioned and debated.  Finally, when has any politician been described as "exotic". 

Republicans would not be spewing such rhetoric if they did not have something in them called fear.  They would do well to attack his inexperience and questionable associations.  The personal attacks on family and race are only garnering sympathy.  I hope and pray they keep attacking.

Posted by pearlene_scott1602 in reply to cpinva

let's bear in mind also, sen. obama has provided plenty of ammunition for all those repub 527's that will come slithering out of the woodwork, come the GE. just because sen. clinton's campaign didn't beat him to death with his questionable associations, doesn't mean the repubs won't. they will, and to horrific effect.

The truth is Republican 527 groups would create issues to use against Obama, period. Kerry was involved in combat in Vietnam and Bush ran a political campaign but according to the swift boaters Kerry was the coward. The truth is it doesn't matter which Democratic candidate is the nominee,   Republicans will do and say anything to win, the candidate doesn't matter.

If you and the Republicans continue to underestimate Obama you do so at your own peril just ask the well known, well financed Hillary Clinton campaign.  

Posted by plwalsh8324

In more than fifty years of various affiliations with Harvard University, I have never seen, been in, or heard of anything called a "faculty lounge." People would cringe at the idea. Moreover, in my experience, Harvard professors don't hang out that much together. They tend to have stronger affilations with their own graduate students and specialists in their field elsewhere.

"Faculty lounge" sounds like something at a high school to me, which I suppose suits the quality of the discussion.

Posted by SMTDL

This latest commentary from Buchanan shows to all that said Obama's nomination shows how we have turned the corner on race that the same old sentiments are still very much alive and flourishing..in the usual places..conservative so called religious right venues!!! Not that all of them are racist but a lot of streotyping,prejudice and some bare racism among the well intended. George W.Bush led the life of an elistist but just manufactured a Texas accent, declared himself a good old boy and nobody said a word about him being elitist or out of touch in either campaign..gee I hope he finally got the news about $4/gallon gas!!!!!

Posted by vshdst1130

Buchanan is a racist.  He believes that Blacks should be thankful to whites for taking them from Africa. And Blacks should be thankful for everything whites have given them. 

This is insane.  A Black man with those view toward the other race wouldn't stand a chance on MSM.  I've contacted MSNBC as to why they have him on their shows.

Posted by donaldmaddog5642

Well, thank GOD! I am no longer confused. It is so CLEAR. Why did I not see it at the beginning?

1. Educated people are un-american.

2. Educated liberal people are un-american and possibly terrorists.

3. Only Republicans are pro-america.

4. Only Super Right-wing Republicans are connected to real america.

5. America will be destroyed by exotic people with funny names.

6. Older Right-Wing Republicans have to be respected, no matter what.

7. Tax and Spend, Bleeding-Heart, Left-Leaning, Liberals have to stop using

bad words about the Right-Wing Republican Saviors of Real America.

8. People with dark skin are never to be trusted. (see No. 1, above)

9. Michael Savage is the John the Baptist of our nation.

10. George W. Bush will be remembered as the greatest statesman since Atilla.

11. Tommy should be John McCain's Vice President.

12. Chris Matthews should sit on it.

Posted by CityDC

To my loyal subject Magnolialover (I love magnolias too by the way)

Elitism isn't determined by who your father was or what he did for a living. Nor is it determined by who your wife is or how much money she makes. Nor by what your job is, even if you've been in the senate for a long time. Nor by where you went to college or who paid the tuition. None of those things determine in the least whether a person is an elitist.

A person's elitism is determined by their opinion of themselves and their stance on issues. Barack Obama has said that some regular blue collar folks (apparently some who live in Pennsylvania anyway) who believe in and worship God, or who cherish the second amendment, do so because they are "bitter" toward the government. He has this narcissistic view, like most liberal politicians, that everyone is wringing their hands over what Daddy Washington isn't doing for them.

His answer to everything is more government. Health care, education, job growth, high gas prices, everything has a government answer. He apparently thinks it's all too complicated for us minions to worry about. The rich people would just steal from us and we would end up homeless on the street. Much better for him to take more money from people he thinks are too rich, run it through some expensive government bureaucracy, (a small percentage at that) and give a percentage of it to the little people.

That's what elitism is my friend. Even the son of an absentee father who was once a goat farmer can be an elitist.