No more vilifying? But President can't even live by his own words for seconds

**Telecaster** · 28th April 2011 07:48 AM

Obama Denounces ‘Sideshow and Carnival Barkers’ - Washington Wire - WSJ
At 3:20 he says we will distract the important debate if we spend our time vilifying each other. Then at 3:38 he calls major business tycoon Trump a carnival barker sideshow.

Now I have no disagreement with the President's opinion of Trump as the businessman has conducted himself in recent weeks. But this just shouldn't stand for a POTUS. He needs to use a more civil tongue. And this is a transgression the President commits almost daily. It is a flaw common amongst left-wingers in general. They have a difficult time not painting their adversaries in criminal to monstrous terms.

**Devil505** · 28th April 2011 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Telecaster

Obama Denounces ‘Sideshow and Carnival Barkers’ - Washington Wire - WSJ
At 3:20 he says we will distract the important debate if we spend our time vilifying each other. Then at 3:38 he calls major business tycoon Trump a carnival barker sideshow.

Now I have no disagreement with the President's opinion of Trump as the businessman has conducted himself in recent weeks. But this just shouldn't stand for a POTUS. He needs to use a more civil tongue. And this is a transgression the President commits almost daily. It is a flaw common amongst left-wingers in general. They have a difficult time not painting their adversaries in criminal to monstrous terms.

Bloody the nose of a bully (GOP) & this is what they'll do:

**Dangermouse** · 28th April 2011 08:05 AM

Carnival barker sideshow is a generous compliment in the circumstances.

**Rasselas** · 28th April 2011 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

Carnival barker sideshow is a generous compliment in the circumstances.

I agree. And he didn't mention any individuals--it was a generalized comment. This is exactly they way a president should behave when faced with such a ridiculous spectacle.

**Telecaster** · 28th April 2011 01:27 PM

Gentlemen, would any of you consider yourselves contemporary progressive? Or at least something stronger than moderate liberal.

Not sure how much I'm actually crying about this, but my point is the President's behavior does fit nicely with the "new normal" that the new Progressive movement presents. Up until now, Presidents left their intended name calling up to their congressional and voting supporters. But now we have a President who has no problem spewing insults straight from his own mouth. A sure sign he is in fact a Progressive.

**Telecaster** · 28th April 2011 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rassales

I agree. And he didn't mention any individuals--it was a generalized comment. This is exactly they way a president should behave when faced with such a ridiculous spectacle.

It was pretty obvious who he was talking about. And in the past he has done similar to describe US citizens who comprise the Tea Party.

I have to accept that this sort of behavior is the new normal for our highest elected leader. At least for now.

**Rasselas** · 28th April 2011 01:35 PM

First, let's clear up what the president actually said. He said that we should not denigrate or vilify PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, people who are just doing their jobs and who are not involved politics directly (who are prohibited from involvement in politics in many ways) except as pawns for politicians to blame for all our ills. He didn't say anyone should stand idly and smile while others are vilfying THEM.

Originally Posted by Telecaster

It was pretty obvious who he was talking about. And in the past he has done similar to describe US citizens who comprise the Tea Party.

I have to accept that this sort of behavior is the new normal for our highest elected leader. At least for now.

There's nothing new about it at all. Check out some of FDR's fireside chats. Eisenhower's remarks about 'creeping socialism.' How about Dick Cheney telling someone to 'fuck off' on the floor of the Senate? If you want to complain about the coursening of the rhetoric in our politics, Obama is no place to start.

You really think that Obama's response to personal attacks on himself should be an eternal, smiling silence? Really?

**Riddley** · 28th April 2011 02:57 PM

This speech is "spewing insults"?
Telecaster is going to say that either Trump has not been acting like a carnival barker or that Obama is not allowed to say that some people have been acting like carnival barkers.
I have trouble reconciling the current level of butthurtedness about three sharp words from Obama, with the absolute silence from the right about Bush and Cheney's decade of lies.