Elitism on Parade: Ignorance Edition

Over at Townhall.com, Amanda Carpenter points us to another new and devastating elitist insult from Barack Obama:

Barack Obama called Republicans "ignorant" for making fun of him because he encouraged Americans to properly inflate their tires to conserve gasoline. “It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant!” Obama told an audience in Berea, Ohio on Tuesday.

Whoa nelly! Them's fightin' words… Seriously, maybe the pressure has gotten to Obama, but he certainly seems to have lowered the discourse a notch. Calling someone "ignorant" is not something casually thrown about in civil conversation. Probably because it is normally, and rightly, considered an insult. Is his new message is "Vote Democrat, or Vote Ignorant"?

So while McCain is a racist for calling Obama a "Celeb", I am sure that Obama will be considered 'brutally honest' for calling McCain, and by extension the right side of the political spectrum, "ignorant". Seems like a strange way to heal a divided nation.

Ultimately this is a grand case of the pot calling the kettle….errrr….anyhow…. This label of 'ignorant' comes from a man who's very own energy plan called for a major reduction in electricity consumption, AND an increase in cars the you can plug into an electrical socket and recharge. Does he even notice the conflicting goals here, or did they just quickly poll the interns for good energy ideas, and stick the list in a brochure without proof-reading it?

It seems to me that this could well be another "clinging to guns and religion" moment. He has just handed the GOP a great sound bite to hound him with until November. McCain should flood Ohio, PA and other flyover states with ads using the message: "John McCain and 75% of America are calling for more drilling here in America to lower oil prices. Barack Obama wants you to inflate your tires. And if you don't agree with him, he says you must be ignorant. [CLIP] So much for the message of hope and change…"

I guess we should re-write that now famous line to read "Clinging to their guns, religion, and gasoline..."

Images and their Messages

Bob Owens at Confederate Yankee points out a new DNC ad against McCain which contains the usual selective editing and some video of U.S. Soldiers in an explosion.



As disturbing as the use of such video is to make political hay, it is slightly more disturbing that television networks would allow it to run, apparently without question.

Are these the same television networks that put heavy restrictions on showing imagery from the attacks of 9/11 because they might be disturbing and (unstated) send the wrong message (e.g. retribution) to the American public?



By that measure of thinking, the DNC ad could prove traumatic for military families and veterans. But I suppose that is justified, if it will help swing an election and get the troops home faster, right?

At the very least if the networks are to air this ad, they should use an introduction warning of graphic images. But that would just highlight the crassness of the effort even more.

H/T - Instapundit

I Believe

I think that the Obama campaign has unwittingly handed the McCain campaign a great tag line.....

"FOR I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN MY COUNTRY"



We have already seen them use it....

Supporting McCain

I was a Romney supporter, so I was disappointed to see him not compete well, and ultimately pull out. Heck, I didn't even get a chance to vote for him.

I have also not been in love with John McCain as a presidential candidate. I subscribe to Hugh Hewitt's mantra that he is "A great American, an lousy Senator, and a horrible Republican".

That said, I will vote for him in November (albeit by absentee ballot...more on that later)

Why, you ask?

Because, like it or not, our choice is between a semi-conservative, and either an opportunist or a confirmed leftist. No contest.

Besides, if you are thinking about sitting this election out to "send the GOP a message", you can see how well that worked in the 2006 election.

Other thoughts in this vein from around the blogosphere:

Seven Reasons To Support The GOP's Nominee (Hugh Hewitt)
"There are seven reasons for anyone to support the eventual nominee no matter who it is: The war and six Supreme Court justices over the age of 68."

Biting the Bullet
"McCain for President. Or we're really screwed."

Letting the Dems win so they can fail, then a real conservative can win in 2012
"A retreat before victory is assured in Iraq cannot be undone in 2012. And mandatory, single-payer, universal health care, once established, will not EVER go away either."

All are worthy reads, and all point to the fact hat we must support McCain, even if you must hold your nose when you cast your vote.

The Profits of Patriotism

During the last GOP debate, John McCain stirred up a hornets nest in an attempt to tear down Mitt Romney's credentials by referring to his military service this way:

"I did it out of patriotism, not for profit"

Holy mutual exclusivity Batman!

Personally I think Romney could make a pretty good line out of this. Perhaps...

"Unlike my opponent, in my career I have served both out of patriotism, AND for profit. And there's nothing wrong with that."

Mitt, give me a ring and I will tell you where to send the residuals check. Ooops, that didn't sound very patriotic of me now did it....