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Dee Dee Myers: Obama Can’t Get Too Angry About BP Oil Because He’s Black

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» 28 comments

Countless talk show segments, op-ed columns and blog posts in recent weeks have focused on whether President Obama is emoting enough over the oil crisis in the Gulf, and/or whether or not he is angry enough. Former Clinton press secretary (and consultant on the West Wing) Dee Dee Myers thinks it would be risky for Obama to get too angry because…he’s black. Here’s the exchange from Morning Joe today:

Norah O’Donnell: “I was sort of stunned when you just walked in and I said do you think Obama is angry enough and your response was ‘he can’t be angry because he’s black.’”

Dee Dee Myers: “I think that’s hard for him. Anger isn’t the only emotion that would be helpful in this context….I would like Obama to show a little bit more emotion but it doesn’t have to be anger.”

Joe Scarborough noted earlier in the segment that he had assumed that maybe we were beyond this sort of thinking, but “we’re not beyond it.” I have to wonder if this just isn’t another case of the media snake eating its own tail: Obama’s isn’t angry enough, he gets angry (or at least says “ass”) and now the conversation (mostly thanks to Drudge) is ‘is he too angry.” It’s hard not to ponder how much easier Obama’s life would be if the cablesphere didn’t have so many empty hours to fill.

Anyway, as Norah O’Donnell remarked, it was sort of a stunning assertion to make. The President can’t show anger for fear of some sort of angry black man syndrome backlash? I find that both ridiculous and tad offensive. Of course this morning’s Drudge banner suggests (sadly) that she may have a very small point, or at least it suggests it is not in the media’s best interests for Obama to do anything right. Meanwhile, Marc Ambinder shoots down MoDo’s “Spock” description. Video below.


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  • stoogedudes

    It’s funny how to become President, you have to win, but once you become President, you never seem to win.

  • The Real Royal King

    That was a problem in the election. Obama could not seem angry at a White female.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    Here is proof that it is the libs that are racist. Affirmitive action is racist. Comprehensive immigration reform is racist. Everything about liberalism is racist.

  • stoogedudes

    Another insightful, inquisitive, thoughtful post from gordonbloyershow. You disagree with him? YOU’RE RACIST!

    Aren’t your fellow conservatives condemning (and rightly so) liberals who consider all tea partiers to be racist and that to be a tea partier, you are a racist?

    Wow. Just….wow.

  • JamesA1102

    Gordon, is the sky blue in your world?

  • stoogedudes

    Just a note, don’t know why I put “inquisitive” in my last post…that word’s been stuck in my head all day for some reason…oh well.

  • ImNotBlue

    It’s an interesting point… although, I’m not so sure I’d agree with it.

    I do disagree with the reference to the Drudge headline, though. “Goes Street” refers to the phrase, “ass to kick.” It’s not a racial reference, only a reference to the President using a very informal phrase… one that appears somewhat out of character (wasn’t he advised not to do that last week… oh, that’s right, it was advice from a Republican so it was “wrong then,” although it makes more sense now). “Seeking ass to kick,” isn’t Presidential… that’s what Billy at the bar says when he’s got one too many in him.

  • sarainitaly

    wasn’t bill maher just urging obama to go street?

    why, now that he is (talking about kicking ass is kinda street….at least for a POTUS), drudge pointing it out makes drudge the bad guy?

  • valkyrie101

    I definitely prefer a cool and calm president, as a rule.

  • rushyoungberg

    The media is framing the argument. They are describing the title as racist. They admit that they do not know what going street means. I believe going street means not being presidential. It also refers to his street language. He was encouraged by his people to demonstrate anger, because he appears aloof and out of touch. However, his language was from the school ground. You don’t use this language in polite society. I would recommend that he show honest concern for the victims by giving Florida and Louisiana whatever they request.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    To all you ignorant libs, I am just giving you what you hand out. The difference is that what I said is TRUE.

  • writer

    “Obama could not seem angry at a white female.”

    That’s okay. He had Wright and Pflager to do it for him.

  • Jelperman

    Nothing scares Middle America like an Angry Black Man, which tells me Middle America is made up of cretins.

  • TROLLING4LIBS

    This is not the first time Norah & Co. played the race card ;

    Speaking of the President’s basketball skills, Gingrich continued: “What we need is a President, not an athlete. We need somebody who actually focuses on getting people back to work.” After the clip was played, Morning Joe guest host O’Donnell lobbed her accusation at Gingrich:

    ” But I’m not sure what he means by this particular soundbite and I think it’s open to some criticism because it suggests that the President is an athlete and some people may suggest, you  know, because all black people are good athletes. I mean that’s what it sort of sounds like to me. “

  • TROLLING4LIBS
  • MichelleF

    Very good observation Sara. They love to trump up the faux outrage when Drudge is involved. It’s pretty transpartent at this point.

  • Ination

    @TROLLING4LIBS

    O’Donnell is out in left field reading a little too far into Gingrich’s remarks.

  • TROLLING4LIBS

    @ Ination , agreed, I believe that is why MSNBC pulled her as a full- time anchor, she suffers from Shuster Syndrome.

  • Ination

    @TROLLING4LIBS

    I only started watching MSNBC maybe a year or so ago (around the same time I became interested in politics) and they all seemed smug enough to be 100% on the right side of things. Luckily, that changed. While I still enjoy the shows more than Fox, I roll my eyes just as much.

  • me1ranger

    Everything is race based with these mindless libs..me, I only hate barry’s white half. Where’s the outrage? Next they’ll start throwing shit at Piglosi….

  • roxsteady

    Oh please, Libs are racists? What about that fat slob down in South Carolina, a REPUBLICAN who called Obama and Haley Ragheads? By the way, Jonathan Caphart suggested the same thing. He’s a black man so I guess he’s racist too? I just love coming on this site and seeing all the bitterness that many of you are still feeling because we Liberals continue to kick your stupid asses! It really makes me feel even more superior! So, thanks! Oh, and in case you’re a teabagger, your numbers have gone way down. Shocking that the more the American people learned about them, the less they liked them. See you in November indeed!

  • writer

    We’re glad you’re not bitter, rox.

  • ImNotBlue

    roxsteady says:
    June 8, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    What about that fat slob down in South Carolina, a REPUBLICAN…

    Excellent point. Because this Republican said something really stupid and racist… ALL Republicans are racist. Better yet, because this guy was a Republican… all Democrats AREN’T racist! Woo… logic!

    No wait… it’s just Roxy trying to divert attention again. Oh well… it almost worked.

    I just love coming on this site and seeing all the bitterness that many of you are still feeling because we Liberals continue to kick your stupid asses!

    Yes, and the 2009 really reflected that… oh wait… nevermind.

    It really makes me feel even more superior!

    I’m don’t think there’s much that could increase your sense of self worth and superiority. That feeling kinda goes along with shouting and anger, for you. They’re both very high.

  • http://thedailybarb.com Burnnotice

    Whats wrong with being an angry black man??? This Racism from the people on the left has just got to stop….

  • Liberty – Not Redistribution

    Roxsteady frothed:
    “Oh, and in case you’re a teabagger, your numbers have gone way down. Shocking that the more the American people learned about them, the less they liked them. See you in November indeed!”

    So what does that say about President Obama? His numbers have consistently declined.
    The latest polls:
    Gallup – 45% approval
    Rassussen – 49% approval
    USA Today – 48%
    NBC – 48%
    Fox News – 45%

    In fact, Obama’$ approval ratings have done nothing but fall, while his disapproval has increased. Be very careful when throwing around “numbers.” But you’re such a partisan, you don’t care. I’m sure Obama can do no wrong because if you, as an African-American, disagree with him, the DNC plantation owners will attack you. Try to at least be a little independent, utilizing your own mind as opposed to just spewing DNC talking points.

  • JohnSimpson

    I love to see racist and anti-Semitic libs on display. It swells like victory!

  • oPad

    @gordonbloyershow You seem to be quite an expert on racism. Just wondering, how many black friends do you actually have?

  • Sunnyr

    Another Liberal RACIST! These phony creeps are the only ones who constantly refer to Obama’s “blackness.”
    pfft!

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