Obama's aside hashed over

For two days running, some nationally syndicated columnists have taken Barack Obama to task for a sentence he uttered -- not much commented on at the time -- during Saturday's night debate among the Democratic presidential candidates in New Hampshire.

So it goes when you lose a primary that had been virtually conceded to you.

Obama's gaffe -- which is how it's now widely perceived -- occurred when one of the debate questioners asked Hillary Clinton about her apparent "likability" problem with many voters. She responded deftly. Rather than take umbrage, as some might have anticipated, she coyly (and with a smile on her face) said, "Well, that hurts my feelings. But I'll try to go on."

She also acknowledged that Obama scores high on the likability charts, which is when he stumbled. "You're likable enough, Hillary," he interjected.

He later said his remark was meant as a "gesture of graciousness." But his delivery of the line was more churlish than friendly. As E.J. Dionne -- one of those commenting on the comment, following Tuesday's upset win by Clinton -- wrote: "Gestures of graciousness shouldn't have to be explained."

Dionne made only a brief reference ...

to Obama's aside in a column appearing Thursday, noting that "many saw it as snarky."

Count columnists Richard Cohen and Charles Krauthammer among those.

Cohen, reflecting on the moment in a piece appearing Thursday, termed it a "patronizing dismissal" of Clinton by Obama. He also opined that it "showed a side of Obama we had not seen and it might not have been characteristic."

Krauthammer, in a piece that appeared Friday, used similar phrasing as Cohen's -- though he didn't cut the candidate a break on whether the remark was in or out of character. He wrote simply that it "showed a side of (Obama) not seen before or since. And it wasn't pretty."

Cohen and Krauthammer each speculated that Obama's faux pas contributed to the burst in support from women voters that powered Clinton to victory in New Hampshire, that it joined with her now famed misty-eyed moment to spark that surge.

Who knows? But chances are Obama will resist the temptation to chime in unnecessarily in future debates.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Goodness Graciousness]

I make no bones about loathing Hillary Clinton as a person....but honestly, Obama's response was far more gracious than the question being asked in the first place.

Why didn't the debate holders ask *real* questions of the candidates, so that people like me could make a choice based on policy positions. Not if they saw a UFO or if people think their hair is pretty.

[Jennifer]

So you noticed too? I support Barack Obama completely, but I agree that this was a gaffe. Conventional Washington thinking would dictate a polite overture meant to bolster his image among women. He sounded bad, and I winced when he did it.
I do believe, however, that after Hillary's campaign has spread internet lies that Obama is a Muslim and doesn't salute the flag during the pledge of allegiance (note that Obama introduced legislation in Illinois requiring secondary students to recite the pledge of allegiance- most kids stop once they finish grade school), Hillary's co-chair in New Hampshire called Obama a drug dealer because of self-admitted experimentation with drugs in high school (best Obama quote on the subject: "I DID inhale. That was the point) and citing Obama's supposed anti-choice votes in Illinois (the Illinois Planned Parenthood called Obama a great partner in protecting women's reproductive freedom and gives him a 100% rating) I don't blame him for dissing her. She has proved she will literally say anything to get elected. Why not simply argue about who has the best ideas? The best judgement? Because that's an argument that Obama wins hands down and Hillary has felt the need to resort to mud.

And I really do say this as a former Clinton supporter. I looked forward to the smarter Clinton running for president. I have been disappointed that she would swift boat one of her own party. Rove's got nothing on Hillary.

[PulSamsara]

It's amazing that Clinton was allowed to skate on this one. WATCH THE DEBATE again. Clinton was down and was advised that she had to tear into Obama. She did and was rebuked by the other candidates for turning the debate negative. It's Unbelievable that in many press circles she's been able to play this as if she was ganged up on. Watch the debate again and judge for yourself rather than let Clinton's machine spin you another one.

I thought it was more than charitable to call Clinton "likable enough' after already being attacked. It's much more tactful than calling her the more apt... calculating and divisive. Wake Up people.

[steve]

This was my favorite moment yet of Barack Obama's campaign! Yes - it was snarky and dismissive and sarcastic. But what I loved most about it was the sheer disdain he showed to her - in direct response to yet another of Hillary's soulless, calculated ploys to endear herself to America. He was nonverbally calling her out as an insidious, conniving phony.

That right there - THAT was the moment I realized that I could really support Barack Obama (if Ron Paul ever left the race, that is).

[michael Lovelace]

Who said "no man can beat now"? It was Barack. Has his ego got to big? As far as the real questions does Barack have any real answers or his just another pretty face?

[gailley]

Oh please! People are making too big an issue over this. It wasn't a gaffe. If you watched the debate, she made very obvious attempts to bring him down a peg or two at the beginning of the debate. Even John Edwards had to jump in and call her on it. She opened that can of worms. I say don't dish it if you can't take it!

[JP]

I am a strong Obama supporter but I was bothered by his "likeable enough" comment, which he delivered with a slight sneer. He should have taken the high road and said that all candidates should be treated with respect and that he respected Senator Clinton. I still support Mr. Obama but I must admit that I was a bit glad she won N.H. after his behavior.

[michael Lovelace]

When Bill Clinton tells the truth about Barack they say it racist remark. When Barack disrespects and talks down to Hillary that not sexist. When 2 men beatup up on one woman that "OK" but when she defends herself she a racist. Barach has no class and he shows it!!!

[Toto]

Obama stumbled? His remark was an attempt after an inappropriate question was raised to be gracious and supportive to Hillary. I saw the debate and have seen replays of his remark, and his face was pleasant, THERE WAS NO SNEER OR SMUGNESS ABOUT HIS COMMENT.

His conduct throught the campaign has been absolutely admirable even as the press, Clinton surrogates including a former President, and Hillary herself attempt to smear him and distort his character.

[PJL]

Senator Obama always takes the high road.

[crys]

Another NON-ISSUE. Yeah, they were snarky but if you watch him, he's busy writing down something and half-listening b/c its a question that doesn't concern him. And with the barrage of attacks he just suffered under Hillary, i dont blame him if it was snarky. Why dont people ever put things in context?

Im also really irked by the fact that the newspapers and media keep acting like edwards and obama ganged up on hillary. hillary distorted obama's healthcare reform policy and obama went and corrected her. edwards came in to defend obama, and obama didnt say anything for edwards or hillary. he just straightened out the record about his policy.

[Obama's dealer]

Nah.

It was an awkward, spontaneous attempt to say something polite and gracious in response to a VERY awkward question which made, I think, both the candidates in question (Clinton and Obama) kind of squirm.

I think Obama's tone was more a sort of exasperation at a goofy question and at this goofy way of framing his success that demeans his candidacy; Implying he is winning because of superficial reason (he's Mr. Likeable).

I took his comment to be: "look, enough with the likeablity stuff. This isn't a Miss America Pageant. It's irrelevant."

What was he supposed to say? Hillary is the one who has run the nastier, more personal campaign against Obama. I don't think it's fair to expect him to rush to her defense, effusively describing what a lovable person she is in a serious debate.

[Jerome]

Everyone in the audience was laughing at Obama's remark, particularly people who have been following this election. I thought his remark was hilarious. Obama has a very quick and dry wit. But is is never malicious. The only people who don't get it are people who do not understand a sophisticated sense of humor, or have some ulterior motive for making it into something it was not. Considering all the things Hillary, Bill and their supporters have been saying about Obama, I thought it was rather nice of Obama to cut in and take the pressure of Hillary at a very awkward moment.

[blogAngel]

Sen. Clinton is truly a class act who has publicly faced the worst possible politically motivated attacks for over 30 years. She's proven she can hold her own in any situation. Obama still has a lot to learn and he makes mistakes.. like his Rezko fiasco, which may bite him hard. Imagine if Sen. Clinton did that one! She'd be lamblasted by the media and the blogs. Obama gets a near free ride. Fascinating when people make comments like Goodness Graciousness made - "loathing Hillary as a person." Do you know her personally? Republicans raked her over the coals using all their old tricks - even their favorite old standby - being gay. She handled it all with dignity. But people still spout the old Republican talking points. As a woman, I'm really proud that she's in this race and will be the best president we ever had. Young women will have a bigger vision and more pride in themselves because of Hillary Clinton. Obama's comment was way out of line and, yes, it made me fight harder for her, just like the Iron My Shirt signs. She handled that one with complete dignity and intelligence, too.

[Michael Kniat]

I agree with Jerome. Way too much has been made of this supposed "gaffe". I think it was Obama's tongue-in-cheek way of making fun of Hillary's hammy response to the question - all delivered in typical Obama cleverness and good taste...

The freakin' pundits are part of the problem here. You guys really need to get outside of the bubble once in awhile, and start breathing some fresh air...

[elizabeth bennett]

I think the sexist double standard has been alive and well during this campaign and that the moderator of this debate was loathsome. I also think that Mr. Obama has courted, and benefited from, this phenom. (Example #17: If Hillary Clinton had thrown her hat in the presidential ring a mere couple of years after first being elected to the Senate she would have been PULVERIZED by the media, but this guy is a Crown Prince.)

However, my take on this particular moment was that Obama was startled and blurted out something in an effort to avoid being part of the "likeability" pile-on, and unfortunately for him, the remark did sound patronising. But to be gut-honest, I don't think he meant it that way. And I would definitely whale on him if I had thought he had, because I think he is a male narcissist par excellence. But I gotta be honest--that is not how this moment came off to me.

By the same token, I thought that Hillary Clinton's Martin Luther King remarks were also an example of a moment where comments were made that came out sounding lame, but were absolutely not meant in an insulting or offensive way. Speaking off the cuff is tricky and dangerous.

[jessica]

What does Obama have to say??? nothing.. just same ole same ole.. nothing new.. dont trust him... As a young middle class woman, my vote is for Hillary clinton... come on women.. lets put Hillary in office... Men for the last 200 years have screwed and messed up the usa.. time for a woman!!!

[Marks]

I wasn't looking at the Democratic debate. I heard them talking when that event occurred. I didn't see Hillary make that face, when she said her feelings were hurt. I didn't see Obama's face when he made that remark to her.

I saw those moments days later. Who cared I thought, so many did care. Blood wasn't drawn in that conversation. No one's feelings should have been hurt.

When politics are determined based on those moments, its wrong. There is more to those candidates than sound bites and facial expressions they make.

If people determined validity of a candidate only based on that, how silly!

Hillary is a Clinton and we don't need Dynasties running the Country.

I reject Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton. The world will wonder, what's wrong with this country we can't find other qualified individuals to run the White House from different families. We need Bill in there again?

Too bad she's a Clinton and has Bill doing it his way going to battle for her. He wants the attention, take the cameras away. Diving into crowds to shake hands more than her.

He's making mistakes and she's powerless to stop him? She needs him to tear down Obama, keep saying he's not ready to be President. Obama isn't like he was, Bill repeatedly says.

Bill had challenges in his personal life America didn't know about when he was Governor of Arkansas. Those personal deficiencies continued sneaking Monica Lewinsky in the White House. He lied about about it to the American people. All is forgiven, why?

They have pardoned enough people.

Someday a lady likely will be President, but she shouldn't be from Clinton and Bush families.

Jeb Bush will be ready in 2012 to run for President. Out of spite, GOP will promote him. Can Democrats say NO MORE BUSH'S when they have both Clinton's in the White House?

Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton/Bush in 2012.

Political parties spitefully putting those families in the White House, hijacking free elections and ruining political sensibilities. America will be worse off trading the White House to those families. It will mean political parties out of control from the common person. Corporates are putting who they want in the White House and economics are more manipulated.

Bush owed the energy companies the first day he got to the White House. He cut taxes for oil companies, but they haven't built new gasoline refineries. Oil is $100 a barrel and oil companies have seen incredible profits they have never experienced before.

Some people think politicians shouldn't spend their whole life in Congress. That's why term limits are popular. I don't care Hillary promotes 35 years in politics.

She says Day one, knows everything to do.

We have a Decider in Bush who thought he knew everything as well.

I prefer a President that does have some stuff to learn. Bush and Cheney knew how to manipulate the Pentagon. Bush has manipulated the Federal Budget to near bankruptcy. Many industry are losing money and layoffs.

Look at the Federal behaviour when Katrina happened. FEMA was frozen for days. Bush flying over flooded over New Orleans did nothing about it quickly.

I don't want to hear Hillary say, she knows everything already how to be President. Of course, she'll have Bill to guide her just in case.

GOP will be stronger, bolder and braver ridiculing the First Man. When Bill is scheduling White House dinners!

The First Man job description doesn't describe sitting in policy meetings. The First Man can't answer the Red Phone just because he's the Oval Office.

How many foreign governments will call to needle the White House and ask for Bill instead of her.

Another lady being President won't have those issues, its not sexism. Its just ridicule that Bill is about to be First Man and is limited to those traditional duties.

I respect Hillary, but don't like the dynasty situation when she's President. It will weaken the Democratic party. It will cause partisanship to get worse in Congress.

[JOsh]

This, a Gaffe? Really, Obama must be running clean, if this is all that can be called against him. Truly, this is small

[Mark O]

I suppose it was Obama's expression more than the words that some people have taken umbrage to. If he had smiled - even slightly - it would have come across a whole lot differently. As Michael said, Clinton was hamming it up and Obama was playing along.

Clinton is shrewd, and will play this "poor, poor pitiful me" role for as long as she can get away with it. But surely there's a limit, even among women. Imagine having a president who owes her position to an ability to cry on cue.

[Obama is Thru]

Obama is thru, he is gone, that is it, time to concede.
We won, we are real America and nobody is going to change it. The last was Reagan, but he is long gone. We took grip of DC and nobody is going to evict us! We are the Cheney's dream: the millenial power. We going to stay for a Thousand years in power. WE WON!

[soldier]

Jessica: 'What does Obama have to say??? nothing.. just same ole same ole.. nothing new.. dont trust him... As a young middle class woman, my vote is for Hillary clinton... come on women.. lets put Hillary in office... Men for the last 200 years have screwed and messed up the usa.. time for a woman!!!'

Yeah, that's it, Jessica- don't bother to examine the woman's VALUE as a candidate, it's just 'time for a woman'. That's the very definition of sexist, little girl: you judged Senator Clinton on her GENDER rather than her CHARACTER (which is understandable, because the Clintons' character is non-existent). You've made a decision based on sexist values. Retire your feminist rhetoric and join the rest of the freely-thinking world OUTSIDE of your ivory tower: vote for Senator Obama.

If not, you might as well just vote Bush again- cuz Hillary Clinton has voted with Bush on every Iraq and Iran measure since 2003. It's in the record. LOOK IT UP.

[On And On]

Yeah, that's it, Jessica- don't bother to examine the woman's VALUE as a candidate, it's just 'time for a woman'. That's the very definition of sexist, "LITTLE GIRL"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Little girl?"

WOW....

Sounds to me like you're voting for Obama just because he's a man.

Never mind that his experience in politics is limited or that he has voted in favor of the MAJORITY of Bush's bills as a Senator - including Bush's bills for funding for this damn war to continue indefinitely. Obama's voting record as a Senator is public knowledge too.

But you won't check for that, will you? No - because you have your head stuck soooo far up Obama's behind that you can't get oxygen to your brain and THINK STRAIGHT.

[VCubed]

I and hundreds of thousands more volunteers around the country canvas and phonebank hours every week because of what Obama will do for California, the United States, and the planet. He has the highest rating from the League of Conservation Voters. He is the biggest defender of the Constitution. He's the biggest Democratic recipient of donations from active service men and women and veterans; Hillary's the biggest recipient in both parties of military contractors' donation.

I don't care about pundits with their utter failure to earn and not just hustle a paycheck. If there were one shred of policy, one tiny aspect of Obama's character in terms of his leadership that deserved the slightest attention in this piece, I might even remember the name of the writer of this utter waste of space and time.

These pundits are what make Obama more appealing by the minute. As he says: The pundits divide us into red states and blue states. We're people who care about our health, our families, our homes, our communities, our states, our country, our standing in the world. We could care less about Hillary's girlie cutesy "Oh, my feelings are hurt" nonsense, just as contrived as her "I'm your girl!" nonsense.

We want leadership. These pundits just want a paycheck for doing absolutely nothing of value to anyone but themselves and their advertisers.

[Sallyl]

Huh ? That was a gaffe ? I thought it was just right, and I was in the audience at the debate. This is nothing compared to the Clintons' racially insensitive remarks about Obama - calling him "boy" and implying that he was a drug dealer.

I voted for Bill Clinton twice but I am now disgusted with the two of them. We need to get rid of them once and for all by voting for Obama - a true class act.

Go, Obama !