QUESTIONS AROSE for me about what Pres. Obama said in the press conference earlier this week, video below.
Here’s the snippet I questioned:
PRESIDENT OBAMA: [...] And although these particular comments have led Governor Romney and other Republicans to distance themselves, I think the underlying notion that we should be making decisions on behalf of women for their healthcare decisions, or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues, and that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party.
I am now convinced that Pres. Obama’s habit of over-speaking is what made for such an awkward statement in the section above and made it sound like something it was not. Listening to the tape again, focusing on the reporter’s question, it’s clear. There was no effort to utilize “forcible rape” or “non-forcible rape” in any manner, except to distance himself from them. Obama’s declarative statement “rape is rape” is the bottom line for the President.
That said, Pres. Obama’s overindulgence in hearing his own voice trips him up often, which is why he’s usually scripted. There was no reason to even say “or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape.” It was stupid to do so. If he weren’t so clinical it would also help, but his empathy gene is non-existent. Why the leader of the Democratic Party can’t show sufficient passion about the subject of rape without also invoking wingnut words like “forcible rape versus non-forcible rape” is pathetic.
This post has been updated.
“Rape is rape”….that is the truth and the reality of what the President said….but does ANY one think that will make ANY difference to the Obama hatters? After all, isn’t he the MUSLIM, NOT BORN HERE, SOCIALIST in the White House?
There is no “overspeaking” here, no awkward phrasing. Just an inability (or unwillingness) to read. The “snippet” in question previously cut off “and that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party,” which is what makes his critique clear. Thus, the quote is made to suggest that the President believes there is a legitimate debate concerning gradations of rape. Which is CRAZY of course, since he bagan the statement with the most declarative statement possible: “Rape is rape.” But no matter – the distorted quote having been posted, the Pavlovian response jumped in and the regulars here (with the notable exception of Sec) began jumping the shark. Very well trained, you lot are.
Bottom-line: If you cannot understand that paragraph, the fault lies with you not the President. Stop overindulging in the fast food diet of soundbites and tweets, and eat your friggin’ vegetables. Read the entire paragraph – from the source, not some bastardized version – before you start pounding the keyboard. Seriously, how hard is that? Step One – you click on the link. Step Two – you read the President’s comments. Step Three – you realize that the “quote” is completely inaccurate. The End. Takes what – a minute, two tops?
Sec and angels81, big ups for pushing back against the bullshit. Wish there were more of you.
Well, while I agree that what the President said in total was OK, it also takes way too much thinking and reading for your average voter. IMHO sometimes he uses way too many words to get his point across, and I agree with Taylor on her latest post. I also think he could have just said “Rape is Rape” and left it at that or he could have grown some balls and said:
Of course, President Obama would never be so bold, but boy it would sure be refreshing to hear him just lay it out there like that. Fortunately, most of the electorate have the attention span of a knat, so in this case, no harm done. Obama is not perfect and IMHO, his wording on the last part was too wordy and long because a lot of people tune out after so many words. So he does need to be more careful in how much he talks. Sometimes, less is more.
On a lighter note, apparently the Republicans believe WE the Women, need a guide as to what defines rape, so I thought I would share this link:
http://jezebel.com/5936160/the-official-guide-to-legitimate-rape
I disagree. There was nothing complicated about the statement, whether for the average voter or any other sentient person. You just had to read the unedited statement. Which is always the right thing to do. As the late, great Marty Ginsberg always used to say “The first rule of reading is – read on.”
ladywalker68 22 August 2012 at 11:22 am
Absolutely. Pres. Obama’s overindulgence in hearing his own voice trips him up, which is why he’s usually scripted. There was no reason to even say “or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape.” It was stupid to do so in a press conference.
If he weren’t so clinical it would also help, but his empathy gene is non-existent.
Why the leader of the Democratic Party can’t show sufficient passion about this subject without also invoking wingnut comparisons of “forcible rape versus non-forcible rape” is pathetic.
You may not realize it, but your indictment of Obama’s communication skills is probably the highest compliment you can pay him.
“over-indulgence in hearing his own voice” — neatly put
“empathy gene non-existent” — yep
“adds up to pathetic” — yes
As you say, he sometimes “over-speaks” and as Lady Walker correctly observes, “Sometimes less is more.”
But maybe a little more feeling would be desirable. But I guess he can’t evince what he doesn’t have.