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« Obama Channels Jimmy Carter | Main | Pitching Softballs » May 19, 2008Are Candidates' Spouses Fair Game?Yes, says ABC News: ...[T]he growing role played by political spouses in general makes requests like Obama's impossible to fulfill. "It's not possible to put it off-limits," said Jeffrey Berry, a political science professor at Tufts University. "If Michelle Obama is making political statements, she's fair game, and she has been doing that. Overall, she's been a plus, but she's vulnerable when she says things she shouldn't, just like everybody else."To campaign publicly and then demand immunity from criticism is arrogant elitism. Posted in Campaign Season
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Obama had no problem going after Clinton's spouse on at least one occasion. I guess only his spouse is off-limit. Posted by: Benson at May 19, 2008 9:06 PMI let everyone who would listen know that if he got to the Senate he would show his true colors! The person I speak of is the junior Senator from Tennessee Bob Corker. The republican Senator took the time to attack his own party for an ad that rightfully queried Michelle Obamas own statements. The tax loving Corker just couldn't wait to give aid and comfort to those who hate this country. This comes to me as no surprise as Corker has proven to be able to change positions shamelessly. Remember he was for abortion before he was against it, and his conversion stories were always changing. He accepted contributions from a well known abortion doctor, and never gave the money back. His hand picked successor for the Mayors office in Chattanooga, Ann Coulter, was another liberal who's lifestyle was, shall we say, highly suspect. They say you can judge a person by the company they keep. Corker should be very careful, although this advice is too late, lest his own ultra liberal wife be fully discussed by republicans. The Senator would not want people to know about his housekeeper(s) and their civil union ceremony that was held at his own home, or his wifes history of contributing to liberal causes. I wonder, has there already been a private fund raiser for Obama at Corkers Chattanooga home? This would not surprise me one bit. I hope people remember this disgusting act of providing cover to Obama when the next election comes around. During 2006 all the republicans running in contested races for the Senate lost except one, Corker. I would revise this to accurately state that all republicans lost in 2006. Posted by: Chattanooga Charlie at May 19, 2008 10:06 PMThe Tennessee GOP has started its Fall campaign on Obama by attacking his wife Michelle for her “proud of America” remarks. They must figure that it’s easier to attack a candidate’s spouse rather than go for the main contender. It’s discourteous and one that is reminiscent of the 1828 attacks against Andy Jackson’s wife Rachel. The Republicans were soundly defeated in that campaign, partly due to Jackson’s immense popularity and the distasteful attacks against his wife. It remains to be seen if history will repeat itself, but throughout the nomination process, trying to beat Obama with personal attacks instead of policy arguments has all but failed. GOP Tennesseans may feel they were being patriotic in singling out Michelle Obama for their initial attack ads, but this will only increase Obama’s popularity and make Tennessean Republicans look paltry. If McCain has any spine, he will condemn these spurious attacks and call to make political spousal abuse off limits for both parties. Politics is an ugly business, but drive-by slurs only makes the perpetrators look even uglier in the eyes of voting citizens. To denounce attacks on your wife is arrogant elitism? You're stretching WHH. Posted by: Sean Braisted at May 19, 2008 11:14 PMAs usual, Sean, you pretend I said something that I didn't say, and then attack it, rather than what I actually said. I guess I'll have to explain it to you again. I did NOT say that to denounce attacks on one's wife is arrogant elitism. You can scroll up to see it, but just in case I'll also repost what I wrote here: To campaign publicly and then demand immunity from criticism is arrogant elitism. See? Nothing about "denouncing attacks on one's wife" being arrogant elitism. Nothing at all. Of course, you knew that already, Sean. But because you can't argue with what I really said - not without coming off as yet another arrogant elitist out to squelch free speech that is critical of your favorite candidate - you pretend I said something else. Did it not occur to you that readers could see that you were making stuff up? Obama never said he should be immune from criticism, he just doesn't like attacks on his wife. Of course, you'll continue to do it, and I'm sure his daughters aren't too far off, but there is nothing arrogant or elitist about not wanting your wife attacked by the TNGOP. Posted by: Sean Braisted at May 20, 2008 11:55 AMSean, you continue to pretend I said something I didn't say. Your latest comment you wrote, "Obama never said he should be immune from criticism, he just doesn't like attacks on his wife." But of course I never said that Obama said he - Barack - should be immune from crticism. The blog post we're commenting on has to do with whether or not a candidate's spouse is fair game. I'm arguing - as, by the way, are most national political pundits weighing in on this - that a candidate's spouse who makes campaign speeches is fair game for criticism of what they say. That is what we did with the video. We created a video response to what she said, as captured on video by the national media. Of course he doesn't like his wife being criticized. No decent husband would. But he didn't say on GMA yesterday that he didn't like it, he said it was out of bounds, that his wife should be off-limits to criticism even for things she says on the campaign trail. The question remains, Sean, do you believe that the content of Michelle Obama's campaign speeches on her husband's behalf should be "fair game" or off limits to media and public scrutiny, criticism and response? If you think they are not "fair game," then please explain why Michelle Obama should have a zone of immunity against criticism while both she and Barack and his campaign and campaign allies all attacked Bill Clinton - spouse of another presidential candidate - when he said stuff on the campaign trail that they took issue with. Posted by: Bill Hobbs at May 20, 2008 1:52 PMGOP Cowards. They couldn't find anything negative on Obama so now they want to pick on his wife. What next the kids, then the dog? So childish. Posted by: Linda at May 20, 2008 2:32 PMSean, do you believe that the content of Michelle Obama's campaign speeches on her husband's behalf should be "fair game" or off limits to media and public scrutiny, criticism and response? Anything is fair game in politics, I wouldn't do it, but if you feel so inclined, that is your right (so long as your bosses agree with you). Obviously Obama has no power over what you do, he simply thinks you shouldn't do it, and apparently your Senators agree. But so long as the person signing your checks likes your attacks on Michelle Obama, you have the right to do so. That he said she shouldn't be attacked is not elitism, at worst its simply wishful thinking. Some people will focus on policy, others like you and Robin will focus on trivialities and cheap shots. And it seems to work well for you, as you're the most famous State Party Spokesman in the country. Posted by: Sean Braisted at May 20, 2008 4:23 PMGo to www.tngop.org and click the news link. Most of our releases are policy and issue oriented. Just one example: We have repeatedly urged the governor to cancel the ballroom project in order to restore funding his administration cut for mental health services for 6,000 mentally disabled kids in the state. Posted by: Bill Hobbs at May 20, 2008 4:57 PMPost a comment
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