by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama says he has "pretty thick skin.''
He has to, as CBS News' Harry Smith suggests in an interview that aired this morning on The Early Show and spilled on to the White House basketball court. The president at times has been called a "Socialist,'' and even a "Nazi,'' Smith reminds him.
"When you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck... it's pretty apparent,'' Obama says. "It's troublesome, but keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out. It happens often when you've got an economy that is making people more anxious.... But that is not the vast majority of Americans.
"I didn't buy all the hype right after inauguration, when people were saying only nice things about me, and I don't get too worried when things are not going too well, because I know these things turn,'' Obama tells Smith.
"I do think that everybody has a responsibility, Democrats or Republicans, to tone down some of this rhetoric. And the truth is some of these comments when you actually ask, well, this is based on what? This notion that 'Obama's a Socialist,' for example...
"It used to be that somebody who said -- something crazy -- they might be saying it to their next door neighbor, or it might be on some -- you know, late night AM station at the very end of the radio dial,'' he suggests, asked if it bothers him. "You end up getting a pretty thick skin in this job. And obviously, when you've gone through a presidential campaign, there are a lot of things... that are said...that thicken your skin. I am concerned about a political climate in which the other side is demonized.
"I'm concerned about it when Democrats do it. I'm concerned about it when Republicans do it,'' the president says. "I do think that there is a tone and tenor -- that needs to change, where we can disagree without being disagreeable or making wild accusations about the other side. And I think that's what most Americans would like to see, as well."
The question, finally on the White House tennis court turned basketball court is, can Obama go to his right?
"I can go to my right, but I prefer my left,'' Obama tells Smith, as the president proceeds to sink three for three (see below as Smith fires and misses.)
Comments
Good God, he may say he has a thick skin, but it's baby-thin. And I do mean baby, because he whines like one incessently. Good there be a more juvenile performance than he gave in Maine?
And could the media be enabling the whole idea that people are mean to him, meaner than to say, Clinton or Bush? There are multiple examples of peole calling for Bush's death, or likening him to Hitler. But oh now, it's poor widdow baby Bawacki, who's being persecuted.
Grow up reporters. Do your damn jobs. Cover people, instead of adoring them.
Posted by: Beth | April 2, 2010 12:06 PM
Don't soft pedal the mystique of the Presidency.
Posted by: ornery | April 2, 2010 12:21 PM
The president at times has been called a "Socialist,'' and even a "Nazi,'' Smith reminds him... "When you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck... it's pretty apparent,'' Obama says. "It's troublesome, but keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out. It happens often when you've got an economy that is making people more anxious.... But that is not the vast majority of Americans.
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Another Mustapha Mond statement spin job. No serious minded person on the Right is calling Barrack Obama a Nazi.
IF you believe in a state planned economy, then you are a Socialist. Barrack Obama IS a Socialist. IF you adhere to the theories of Karl Marx, then you are a Marxist. Barrack Obama has promised American assets for Marxist countries. Barrack Obama IS a Marxist.
What is the shame in owning up to what you clearly believe in? Jeremiah Wright doesn’t back down. Farrahan never backs down. Obama had Anita Dunn and Vann Jones on his team. Who knows how many other un-named Socialists and Marxists are part of his staff. At any moment in time, they all are.
There is a LONG list of American industries,that these Marxists / Socialists are at war with on any given day. Why are Socialists so ashamed of owning up to being identified as to what they really are?
Glenn Beck has the red phone standing by. If Glenn Beck is re-playing the things that you, Mustapha Mond, or your esteemed staff, is saying that are in any ways falsely represented, then pay up your damn delinquent phone bill and call him up to chew him out and set the record straight. Yeah, we know, you don’t listen but you do, and the little red Maoist phone never seems to ring.
Django’s favorite sports teams are Dodgers, Red Sox, 49ers, and Celtics. I fail to see much of a home town connection there. I go to those particular sporting events with the “hope” that the home town team will have another “L” to add to their season record. Don’t hate the home teams, just don’t identify with them. They can always finish in 2nd place. I shamelessly own it. IF it is at all possible, Socialists need to quit slouching and try to prop themselves upright. Well, actually up-left. Have some stye, Do it like a gangster. This is one sorry mystery movie.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | April 2, 2010 1:06 PM
And even today, how many times have Bush and Cheney been called "war criminals," "baby killers," "terrorists," "Hitler," and other names? And all during that time, the Corrupt Lamestream Media was quiet.
Fortunately, more and more people are discovering that the Corrupt Lamestream Media is worthless garbage on the way out.
Posted by: John D | April 2, 2010 1:27 PM
I'm glad he finally called-out crackpots like druggie Rush and crazy Glenn for what they are: hatemongers. By implication so are their pathetic loser followers--the ones who would drink their purple Kool -Aid and follow them straight to hell.
Posted by: gibster | April 2, 2010 3:42 PM
Doesn't he mean fakes left, goes to the right?
Posted by: Drew Lova BnG | April 2, 2010 4:44 PM
The more stories I read about everything the President is getting done, the more proud I am to be an American.
Posted by: giantslor | April 2, 2010 9:36 PM
I don't consider those like Beck and Limbaugh as the "main-streammedia". That would be an INSULT to the legitimate media. And I am not just talking conservatives. I can't stand Keith Olbermann, either. They are all a bunch attention seeking morons who live on controversy and a loud voices. NONE of what they do should be considered news. It is JUST opinion.
Posted by: Davey S | April 3, 2010 9:26 AM
For a President of the United States to mention talk show hosts as "troublesome" is PATHETIC. Obviously he is against free speech but that is a communist tenant. Beck & Limbaugh both now know they are getting under Obama's skin which will give them some satisfaction for sure.
Posted by: wingnut master | April 3, 2010 3:55 PM
Whiney re-distributor in Chief cries that he is not a socialist. Sure, he's a capitalist. That's why he is in the car companies, the banks, healthcare and now has the student loans as part of the government, because he's a capitalist. The mainstream media is probably stupid enough to believe this BS, but nobody else is buying it.
Posted by: Free to Watch Liberals Meltdown | April 3, 2010 6:07 PM