Obama Lives In Glass House But Loves Throwing Stones

Obama's campaign makes an appeal to pity. Willisms debunks it thoroughly.

neo-neocon on Obama's thin skin.

Private Papers on the Obama Double Standard.

Ever since he started this campaign, he's been telling people he's something special. What he seems to mean is that he wants special consideration, special immunities, and special opportunities for attack. I'm getting real tired of Obama's thin skin, and his, "Play nice while I take choice opportunities to get nasty" schtick. I imagine a lot more people will be before the campaign is settled.

Geez, at least communists and fascists waited until they were in power to suppress dissent.

I wrote the above Friday. Another example today: Obama tells seniors McCain would threaten Social Security;

Democrat Barack Obama told seniors Sunday that Republican John McCain would threaten the Social Security that they and millions like them depend on because he supports privatizing the program.

Gratuitous attack? check. Scare tactics? Check. Blaming McCain for something he's been among the potential reformers trying to save? Check. Tell me, Senator, how is this any different from what you got all indignant about a few days ago when President Bush talked about appeasers without mentioning your name? Where a reasonable reading of the transcript says he's talking about the general concept of appeasement, (in the Knesset of Israel, in the context of events leading up to Israel's founding). Then you jumped up and cried about how he meant you when he was really talking about events that happened before you were born?

But while we're on this subject, Senator Obama, if you dig into the actuarial reality of the referenced programs, the only way to save Social Security at all is a radical change like privatization. Social Security and Medicare are headed for financial disaster too severe to save them from (I'm seeing estimates of $65 trillion of unfunded, uncovered liability under the two programs, and growing. That's every single dollar the US economy produces in five years.) So what's it going to be, Senator? Do something so that these programs are going to be there in some form, or stand athwart history yelling "Stop!" Okay, so you've already made it clear what your choice is: Pretend those two trains heading for each other on the same track are somehow not going to hit. Now go rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic. The adults have work to do.

Another example Monday Obama tells Tenn.'s GOP: 'Lay off my wife'

Obama, his party's presidential front-runner, and his wife, Michelle, were asked in an interview aired Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America" about an online video last week by the state's GOP taking her to task for a comment some considered unpatriotic.

"The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record," Obama said. "If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family."

The video repeats what his wife said speaking at a campaign even on his behalf. here's a clip containing it (I haven't watched the whole clip in this instance, just enough to see that it had what Michelle Obama was being taken to task for)

Dear Senator Glass House: If you are using someone to campaign for you, they are a fair target. What they say while campaigning for you is a particularly fair target. Let's contrast this with "how Democrats treat Republicans." For instance, Dick Cheney's daughter didn't campaign for him, but she became a campaign issue. Jenna and Barbara Bush became campaign issues when one of them had an underage drink (I don't remember which), but President Bush didn't complain about that because he had used them for youth outreach. Colin Powell decided not to run for President because of what would happen to his family. You decided to run for President in what should have been full awareness of the consequences, and if you didn't, that's hardly a recommendation in your favor - it's not like it's not common knowledge. None of the criticism of Michelle is old or irrelevant. The criticisms of Michelle Obama I've seen have fresh stuff, from campaign appearances she made on your behalf, speaking for you. Even if she were speaking solely on her own behalf, I think it's pretty relevant what your wife thinks and what her values are. Common values are one of the main supports of a viable marriage - her values are a reflection of yours. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be married. For someone who tried a few days ago to bring Cindy McCain's wealth just a few days ago (which has been held separate from her husband's money for their entire 28 year marriage), this shows a lot of gall.