Obama calls Kanye West a jackass

[mspmms]

Obama calls Kanye West a jackass
“Now THAT’s presidential”
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kanye+west+jackass
Audio below -
http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-a-jackass/

[Thor Simpson]

Off the record. Just a hunch but some past presidents have said just slightly worse things off the record. Maybe even an F word or two. Gasp!

Really... "jackass?" People are going to get upset about "jackass?"

I don't cuss and I'll say jackass on occasion.

Plus this is Kanye West.

[Groucho]

This required its own thread?

[cpgator]

Nice to see Obama finally saying something that everyone can agree on.

[Thor Simpson]

If Obama told his young daughters that Kanye West of all people is a jackass, that's being a good father, not cussing in front of the kids. Focusing on this off the record comment makes Obama look like a saint.

[JasonF]

It's the "Now THAT'S presidential" that gets me. Hey, jackass journalist -- you're the one who took an off-the-record comment and published it. Perhaps he recognized that the comment was slightly undecorous, and that's why he didn't put it on the record?

As for it being presidential, George W. Bush called a reporter a major league asshole into a hot mic. Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, were also known to have used a salty word or two in their time. Somehow, the Republic has soldiered on.

[mspmms]

This required its own thread?

Well, apparently this did - Wilson calls Obama a liar

[TheBigDave]

I think the “Now THAT’s presidential” was in reference to the President commenting on a celebrity scandal at the MTV Video Music Awards. Usually, Presidents don't weigh-in on celebrity gossip stuff. Obama shouldn't have gotten involved in a local scandal like the Gates vs Cops thing, and he shouldn't be injecting himself into a Hollywood catfight.

That being said, I have no problem with Obama saying "jackass". And I finally agree with him on an issue.

[Groucho]

Commenting on something off the record is hardly "injecting yourself" into the situation.

[classicman2]

It's the "Now THAT'S presidential" that gets me. Hey, jackass journalist -- you're the one who took an off-the-record comment and published it. Perhaps he recognized that the comment was slightly undecorous, and that's why he didn't put it on the record?

As for it being presidential, George W. Bush called a reporter a major league asshole into a hot mic. Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, were also known to have used a salty word or two in their time. Somehow, the Republic has soldiered on.

Were you critical of Bush for calling the reporter that?

I'm just testing your consistency. ;)

The comment by Obama would be considered tame comparing them with some of the comments that Harry Truman made. :)

[TheBigDave]

Commenting on something off the record is hardly "injecting yourself" into the situation.

And yet, that's exactly what he did. He probably should have just blown off the question.

[DeputyDave]

As for it being presidential, George W. Bush called a reporter a major league asshole into a hot mic. Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, among others, were also known to have used a salty word or two in their time. Somehow, the Republic has soldiered on.

How come I get jumped on by the lefties on this board whenever I mention something happened the same way in the past (i.e. The Democrats in congress jeering and booing a Bush speech)?

But seriously, this is a non-issue and I completely agree with the content and context of the comment. Now if he apologizes I will lose complete respect for the man and chalk it up to one more stage in the "pussification" of America.

[orangecrush]

And yet, that's exactly what he did. He probably should have just blown off the question.Or people should turn down the sensitivity on their offensive comments meter. This is easily the most bi-partisan statement that has ever crossed his lips.

[Thor Simpson]

Or people should turn down the sensitivity on their offensive comments meter.

Exactly. Apparently the President isn't allowed to talk about casual things, even in casual conversation. It's not like West's actions weren't plastered all over the news posing as "important" to begin with. Commenting on this was perfectly natural, and he had the correct response.

Note to all: Do not get upset about the President's opinions of musicians or football teams. Do get upset about his policies. Unless it's your home team or you are Kanye West's fanboy. Then get a shoe ready.

[achau9598]

What - is he only supposed to watch CSPAN?

[Goat3001]

Barack Obama doesn't care about black people.

[orangecrush]

Exactly. Apparently the President isn't allowed to talk about casual things, even in casual conversation. It's not like West's actions weren't plastered all over the news posing as "important" to begin with. Commenting on this was perfectly natural, and he had the correct response.

Note to all: Do not get upset about the President's opinions of musicians or football teams. Do get upset about his policies. Unless it's your home team or you are Kanye West's fanboy. Then get a shoe ready.Unless he goes and messes with the BCS :mad:

[Burgundy LaRue]

Gosh forbid if the man follows regular news on any level and is aware of Kanye's latest antics, then offers an opinion after being asked about it in casual conversation. Only every person in America has had something to say about it. Why not Obama?

I think the republic will survive this.:)

[Giles]

Nice to see Obama finally saying someone that everyone can agree on.


:lol:

[Sean O'Hara]

Off the record. Just a hunch but some past presidents have said just slightly worse things off the record. Maybe even an F word or two. Gasp!

Really... "jackass?" People are going to get upset about "jackass?"


It's the President making hateful comments about private citizens, which is getting to be a habit with Obama, that concerns me.

[Venusian]

It's the President making hateful comments about private citizens, which is getting to be a habit with Obama, that concerns me.

really??

I really thought this would be something everyone could agree on.

[OldDude]

It's the President making hateful comments about private citizens, which is getting to be a habit with Obama, that concerns me.

Really? I'm pretty conservative and disagree with Obama on plenty (roughly 100% of political issues), but he got this one exactly right.

Can anyone offer a rational argument that Kayne West ISN'T a jackass? Didn't think so!

[Sean O'Hara]

really??

I really thought this would be something everyone could agree on.

Kanye was right -- Taylor Swift is another talentless white chick with too much makeup.

Unfortunately he was wrong about Beyonce's superiority.

[Venusian]

Kanye was right -- Taylor Swift is another talentless white chick with too much makeup.:lol: I'm pretty sure that aint what he said. But it looks like you're just trolling so I'll leave you at it.

[TheBigDave]

Let me clarify. I couldn't care less about Obama's comment. Here's what I meant:

When Terry Moran posted “Now THAT’s presidential”, I don't think he was saying "OMG, Obama has a potty mouth". I think it meant "Obama's gossiping about MTV celebrity feuds". Either way, I don't care.

Quite frankly, I'd rather see Obama hosting "The Soup" than shoving health care reform down the country's throat.

[uberjoe]

It's the President making hateful comments about private citizens, which is getting to be a habit with Obama, that concerns me.

It's not as if Obama called out some random soccer mom. Kanye West is a major celebrity who caused a scene on a nationally broadcast awards show. Doesn't matter that he doesn't hold a public office -- Kanye is still very much a public figure.

[cpgator]

Kanye is still very much a public figure.

:(

[Sean O'Hara]

It's not as if Obama called out some random soccer mom. Kanye West is a major celebrity who caused a scene on a nationally broadcast awards show. Doesn't matter that he doesn't hold a public office -- Kanye is still very much a public figure.

Obama is the ultimate representative of the government. Anything he says, even an off-the-cuff comment to reporters, has the imprimantur of the government, and I don't like him using it against anyone who is not an elected official or representative of a foreign government. He needs to learn to still his tongue when a reporter is in the room.

[uberjoe]

:(

Sorry! I swear it's not my choice.

[uberjoe]

Obama is the ultimate representative of the government. Anything he says, even an off-the-cuff comment to reporters, has the imprimantur of the government, and I don't like him using it against anyone who is not an elected official or representative of a foreign government. He needs to learn to still his tongue when a reporter is in the room.

I understand your opinion -- I simply disagree with it. But I will make two points:

1) While you may believe anything a president says should be regarded as "imprimatur," he's not a pope, and this wasn't an official edict. Obama didn't issue an executive order declaring Kanye West to be a jackass (though that would be hilarious).

2) The comment may have been "off the cuff," but it was certainly "off the record." The reporter blew it. "Big time."

[kvrdave]

Barack Obama doesn't care about black people.

rotfl

This is good for Obama, not bad. He is personable. He just seems opposed to the truth.

[JasonF]

rotfl

This is good for Obama, not bad. He is personable. He just seems opposed to the truth.

:hscratch: So you're saying that the truth is that Kanye West is not a jackass? Because if that's what you're saying, I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you.

[Decadance]

. He needs to learn to still his tongue when a reporter is in the room.

Or perhaps White House reporters should take a lesson from White House reporters from the 20s-60s and when the president says something off the record, it remains off the record.

In the end, it ultimately helped many reporters get private, exclusive interviews and information.

[TheGuy]

Give it a week and there will be a Beer summit at the White House with Kanye & Taylor to smooth things over.

[classicman2]

Give it a week and there will be a Beer summit at the White House with Kanye & Taylor to smooth things over.

:lol:

[Tracer Bullet]

Obama is the ultimate representative of the government. Anything he says, even an off-the-cuff comment to reporters, has the imprimantur of the government, and I don't like him using it against anyone who is not an elected official or representative of a foreign government. He needs to learn to still his tongue when a reporter is in the room.

lol whut

[General Zod]

Nice to see Obama finally saying something that everyone can agree on.

:up:

This also seems to be the first time I've seen Obama actually able to see all sides of a situation and come to a logical conclusion. For the first time.. I see hope.

[Dave7393]

The comment by Obama would be considered tame comparing them with some of the comments that Harry Truman made. :)

I remember one of my history professors at UW-Madison recall an incident that happened during a brief private meeting with Truman in the '60s. At the time, he was a graduate student conducting research.

The exact quote he attributed to Truman from the meeting was, "Every fucking Republican ever born is a goddamned fucking liar!" which he said Truman punctuated by standing up and pounding his fist on his desk while he said it.

[Thor Simpson]

Please let there be a censure vote against Kanye West. -pray-

[Baron Of Hell]

really??

I really thought this would be something everyone could agree on.

I think he was joking.

[Kmical]

1) While you may believe anything a president says should be regarded as "imprimatur," he's not a pope, and this wasn't an official edict. Obama didn't issue an executive order declaring Kanye West to be a jackass (though that would be hilarious).

I would not only vote for Obama if he runs for re-election, I would actually campaign for him if he issued that executive order :up:

[BKenn01]

Nice to see Obama finally saying something that everyone can agree on.

:thumbsup:

[Thor Simpson]

What if Obama formally apologizes?

[mspmms]

Obama calls Kanye West a jackass
“Now THAT’s presidential”
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kanye+west+jackass
Audio below -
http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-a-jackass/

EDIT with link to Obama's audio

[Thor Simpson]

I like how he talks about how stupid the fly thing was, too. Yup. Seems about right. Obama's a good guy.

[creekdipper]

This thread is proof that Obama could say, "Man, the sky really looks clear today," and Otterville will start arguing about what he said.

I get O'Hara's point about off-the-cuff comments & other comments regarding the President's right to have personal opinions...but the real shame is that anyone cares to ask/report what he thinks about such a trivial subject when there are a few more important matters at hand (which the media ought to be more concerned about).

At least he didn't appear on SNL saying, "Sock it to me!"

[creekdipper]

What if Obama formally apologizes?

He's already apologized for the beer summit thing, and, dadgummit, one apology is all anyone's gonna get.

[Josh-da-man]

Give it a week and there will be a Beer summit at the White House with Kanye & Taylor to smooth things over.

Taylor Swift isn't old enough to drink alcohol. Legally.

[DeputyDave]

Now, I ain't saying he's a drama queen...

[crazyronin]

Video is better...

IO_QIMNRreg

[X]

Video is better...Not when Rick Sanchez is in it.

[Sdallnct]

Obama is the ultimate representative of the government. Anything he says, even an off-the-cuff comment to reporters, has the imprimantur of the government, and I don't like him using it against anyone who is not an elected official or representative of a foreign government. He needs to learn to still his tongue when a reporter is in the room.

I couldn't disagree more. He is not a God or even the Pope.

I actually respect him MORE for what he said. He shows he is humane, he is keeping up with news, and that he is compassionate (towards a Taylor).

[Jason]

This thread is proof that Obama could say, "Man, the sky really looks clear today," and Otterville will start arguing about what he said.

I get O'Hara's point about off-the-cuff comments & other comments regarding the President's right to have personal opinions...but the real shame is that anyone cares to ask/report what he thinks about such a trivial subject when there are a few more important matters at hand (which the media ought to be more concerned about).

At least he didn't appear on SNL saying, "Sock it to me!"

Yep, I'm sure glad that the previous administration was above such things. Dick and bush would never call some a major league asshole or something.

Oh, wait...

http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/2000/09/04/cuss_word/

and who (other than this forum) could forget...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3699-2004Jun24.html

I wish Obama was as classy and presidential as dick and bush.

[Cheato]

^Wow, more "let's look at history to condemn or justify behavior in the present."
Children: "But he did this!" "And she did that!"
Adults: "Both of you shut up about it before I turn this car around and you can forget about Disneyland!"

I have a better idea. Let's just look at the present.

If the President Obama we saw on TV were more like the President Obama we see in that clip, I'd be far more supportive of him. The one thing I have absolutely hated about him since I first saw him in Chicago was the fact that he just seems like the result of some scientists distilling all the ideas of "politician" into one person; a kind of genetically engineered uberpolitic. That opinion has not changed in 10+ years.

However, I like seeing what's behind the facade, and I like what I see in that clip.

[Brack]

How come I get jumped on by the lefties on this board whenever I mention something happened the same way in the past (i.e. The Democrats in congress jeering and booing a Bush speech)?

Because that wasn't the same thing.