Tenacious

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From Minneapolis Star-Tribune cartoonist Steve Sack...

comment #1

T. Holly says ...

People alter their perception so it fits back into the same little box.

comment #2

lindenen says ...

The real answer is that he wants to be elected president.

comment #3

Josh Massey says ...

A Republican gets crucified for simply making a speech at Bob Jones University, but a Democrat attends a similarly hateful church for 20 years and it's somehow not indicative of his character.

Makes sense.

comment #4

cbuckie says ...

It may not reflect in his wriintg or actions but by attending this church on a regular basis and not speaking up during the past 20 years is a form of silent endorsement.

comment #5

Edward says ...

It's Jeff's site, the elections are important. Nuff said.

comment #6

travis b says ...

You guys know that you don't have to read everything Jeff writes. If you're not into the political stuff, just move on. The commentary by Jeff on the election has been interesting, and the comments from those in the peanut gallery who are angry about there even being a running election commentary are entertaining. It's a win/win.

comment #7

HoopersX says ...

Josh,

For whatever it's worth:

While I tend to agree that there is hypocracy in the way the media treated these two situations I think there's a bit of an apples/oranges argument to be made. In Bush's case (and in the case of most right-leaning political figures), I find that they tend to wear religion on their sleeve. I don't think too many people will argue that for Bush, religion is a way of life and he hasn't been shy about using his position to preach to the masses.

In Obama's case, I hear him speak of his religion but more often it's a reference to his faith. Either way, it tends to remain a more personal matter and rarely, if ever have I heard him use his position to preach his beliefs.

I agree that there is a lack of consistency in the media coverage. But I think perhaps the reason Obama gets a pass is that he seems to keep his thoughts out of his politics. The same can't be said of Bush.

For me, I have no love for any religion. In fact, I find most of it silly. I think the basic tenets of most of the religions provide a good foundation for how to live one's life and that part is good. I hold no ill will towards anyone's desire to believe in whatever they choose to believe in. But I believe that there is always a group of fanatics that literalize the words in every religion and decide it's their responsibility to force it on everyone else. I get this sense from Bush. I don't from Obama.

comment #8

Rob says ...

Yes, it's amazing the adversity that Obama has had to deal with as a candidate, it's a wonder he's survived at all. (intense eye rolling, shoving if finger down throat)

comment #9

Rob says ...

Yes, it's amazing the adversity that Obama has had to deal with as a candidate, it's a wonder he's survived at all. (intense eye rolling, shoving of finger down throat)

comment #10

D.Z. says ...

Josh: "A Republican gets crucified for simply making a speech at Bob Jones University, but a Democrat attends a similarly hateful church for 20 years and it's somehow not indicative of his character."

When Obama executes a bunch of white people, then we'll talk.

comment #11

BurmaShave says ...

What in the hell are you talking about?

comment #12

CinemaPhreek says ...

"Jesse Jackson Can't Swim"

Point is moot....

comment #13

JaySmack says ...

The cartoon makes the point briliantly, though it will clearly go ovr the heads of those whose noggins are in the sand.

And why is that Barack has to be responsible for what someone else says, but Hillary doesn't have to be responsible for lying about her Bosnia trip and McCain doesn't have to be responsible for admitting he doesn't know jack about the economy, which is kind of important at a time when that economy is disintegrating?
Maybe Barack should take responsility for Bush's State of the Union speech about Sadaam and uranium. It would make as much sense.

comment #14

Mgmax says ...

"And why is that Barack has to be responsible for what someone else says, but Hillary doesn't have to be responsible for lying about her Bosnia trip ?"

Yes, that's exactly what's happened, no one has said a word about that issue.

Oh if only I were as smart as JaySmack and could see the pristine, Dasani-like clarity of Obama...

comment #15

CinemaPhreek says ...

Took me a moment to see the sarcasm in Mgmax's rebuttal

Yes, they have taken Hillary to task about the Bosnian-running-from-sniper-fire comment. Stop getting all your info from film sites that should be limiting their political postings to once or twice a week at best.

comment #16

christian says ...

"A Republican gets crucified for simply making a speech at Bob Jones University"

What a nice way putting that the President of the United States gave a warm speech at a university that forbade interracial dating and promised to arrest an alumni who was gay if he stepped on campus.

Just a li'l bit of difference, huh?

comment #17

SaveFarris says ...

"The commentary by Jeff on the election has been interesting"

Not really. It's been all genuflecting at Obama's cult of personality. Nothing substantive. Nothing insightful. Though that's his right, of course.

comment #18

Josh Massey says ...

"Just a li'l bit of difference, huh?"

Um, not really. He made a speech. And he made it at Bob Jones University. That's what I said.

More details don't make the meaning different (and I assumed most of you knew the details).

comment #19

D.Z. says ...

Josh: "Um, not really. He made a speech. And he made it at Bob Jones University. That's what I said."

He didn't just make a speech, but chose not to speak out on their policies. Obama at least has stated how he feels about Wright's comments.

comment #20

Josh Massey says ...

"He didn't just make a speech, but chose not to speak out on their policies."

So you're saying he ... just made a speech.

And yes, you're right - Bush didn't speak out on the place he visited once. Obama had a little more time - about 19 years, 364 days, and 20 hours - to craft his opinion.

(And by the way, not defending Bush's visit to that repulsive place, just noting the difference in treatment).

comment #21

christian says ...

(And by the way, not defending Bush's visit to that repulsive place, just noting the difference in treatment).

That difference would consist of Bush being elected President twice and without a litany of non-stop attacks that the right wing are hoping to use for the rest of the election season.

But here's McCain's excuse for pastor Hagee, who called the Catholic Church "the mother whore" and who said Katrina was God's punishment to New Orleans for a gay pride parade:

"I don't have to agree with everyone who endorses my candidacy. They are supporting my candidacy. I am not endorsing some of their positions. . . .

And I am very proud of the Pastor John Hagee's spiritual leadership to thousands of people and I am proud of his commitment to the independence and the freedom of the state of Israel. That does not mean that I support or endorse or agree with some of the things that Pastor John Hagee might have said or positions that he may have taken on other issues."

comment #22

D.Z. says ...

Josh: "So you're saying he ... just made a speech."

Then you could argue the same thing about Jane Fonda.

"And yes, you're right - Bush didn't speak out on the place he visited once. Obama had a little more time - about 19 years, 364 days, and 20 hours - to craft his opinion."

Bush has yet to speak out against his grandpappy's Holocaust profits, and he's been benefiting from them a lot longer than Obama...

comment #23

D.Z. says ...

longer than Obama hung out with his pastor...

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