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Charles Krauthammer: White House Tactics Go Too Far
REAL CLEAR POLITICS ^ | October 23, 2009 | Charles Krauthammer

Posted on 10/24/2009 7:06:44 AM PDT by kellynla

WASHINGTON -- Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes' bed.

Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily.

The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led (by) and following Fox."

Meaning? If Fox runs a story critical of the administration -- from exposing White House czar Van Jones as a loony 9/11 "truther" to exhaustively examining the mathematical chicanery and hidden loopholes in proposed health care legislation -- the other news organizations should think twice before following the lead.

The signal to corporations is equally clear: You might have dealings with a federal behemoth that not only disburses more than $3 trillion every year but is extending its reach ever deeper into private industry -- finance, autos, soon health care and energy. Think twice before you run an ad on Fox.

At first, there was little reaction from other media. Then on Thursday, the administration tried to make them complicit in an actual boycott of Fox. The Treasury Department made available Ken Feinberg, the executive pay czar, for interviews with the White House "pool" news organizations -- except Fox. The other networks admirably refused, saying they would not interview Feinberg unless Fox was permitted to as well. The administration backed down.

This was an important defeat because there's a principle at stake here. While government can and should debate and criticize opposition voices, the current White House goes beyond that.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bho44; foxnews; krauthammer; obama; rahm; rahmemanuel
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Who says "Communism is dead!"
1 posted on 10/24/2009 7:06:44 AM PDT by kellynla
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To: kellynla

The White House displayed its ignorance of the nature of the media in our country. It attacked Fox in a way that threatened them all, and attempted to tell the White House press corps how to do its job. This will come back to bite Rahm and Axelrod, immediately and in the future.


2 posted on 10/24/2009 7:11:18 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: kellynla
Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster

And then they voted.

3 posted on 10/24/2009 7:13:09 AM PDT by This_far (Mandatory insurance! I thought it was about health care?)
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To: kellynla

What I’d like to know is why no one in Washington has ever slugged that little shiite Emanuel in the snoot?

Taking crap from a ballet dancer? What does that say about the current crop of Republicans and so-called blue dogs?


4 posted on 10/24/2009 7:13:16 AM PDT by Scanian
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To: kellynla

I disagree with Mr. Krauthammer that the government trying to shut down the free press is not unconstitutional. Indeed it is a direct assault on the first amendment.


5 posted on 10/24/2009 7:14:43 AM PDT by rushmom (l)
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To: kellynla
What those idiots Axelgrease, Rahmbo and Obummer are doing is great...great for us. It shows those "independents" or "moderates" who, for the most part, voted Demonrat in '08, just what they got: an English-speaking, African-American POTUS version of Hugo Chavez.

And the indemoderates do not like it.

6 posted on 10/24/2009 7:15:52 AM PDT by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: kellynla

I saw a news story this morning saying a casino worker is suing Steve (?) Wynn of Wynn hotel/casino because she was exposed to smoke in the workplace. Her attorney said he’s suprised that more dem congressmen haven’t jumped on the bandwagon. Wynn was on TV recently slamming the obama “recovery plan” - can’t help but wonder if this is payback - and a warning - by the obama crew. I’d think I’m imagining things, but with this gang - could be, right?


7 posted on 10/24/2009 7:17:51 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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To: This_far
Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster

The angry demeanor and ruddy complexion of this man makes me wonder about his health and does he have something else going on, or is he just evil....

8 posted on 10/24/2009 7:18:01 AM PDT by taildragger
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To: kellynla

When Kruschev said “We will bury you.” his voice meant just what we are going through now. The State Department has always been full of wannabe Communists (Yale, Harvard, etc.) and they naturally raised the kind of scum we have in place in government now.


9 posted on 10/24/2009 7:20:56 AM PDT by Safetgiver (I'd rather die under a free American sky than live under a Socialist regime.)
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To: kellynla
... they're engaged in a deliberate campaign to marginalize and ostracize recalcitrants, from Fox to health insurers to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
There's nothing illegal about such search-and-destroy tactics...

I'd certainly question whether or not there was anything illegal in the Chamber of Commerce action.

10 posted on 10/24/2009 7:21:32 AM PDT by Gil4 (Sometimes it's not low self-esteem - it's just accurate self-assessment.)
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To: kellynla

Words are like food.

Folkes, these people are turning genocidal and are hell bent on using famine tactics and food/word controls in order to rule their “dictatorship of the weak which cannot take criticism nor tolerate legitimate opposition”.

They will attempt to produce disarmament through such fiat legislations against speech.


11 posted on 10/24/2009 7:22:13 AM PDT by JudgemAll (control freaks, their world & their problem with my gun and my protecting my private party)
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To: kellynla

There was a song back in the day, I forget who sang it. The name I think was “The Revolution will not be televised”.

And it won’t.


12 posted on 10/24/2009 7:22:48 AM PDT by stockpirate ("if my thought-dreams could be seen. They'd probably put my head in a guillotine" Dylan)
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To: kellynla; jesseam; Piquaboy; Howie66; unkus; celtic gal; BossLady; blackbart.223; null and void; ...

One would have to assume the Zero Administration dug up Joseph Goebbel’s and brought him back to the White House where is the propaganda/Obama News Czar!

Mengele will be dug up and become the DeathCare Czar to assist Pelosi and Reid.


13 posted on 10/24/2009 7:24:13 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: ElayneJ
I believe the Wynn battle is just a continuation of the battle of "Don't go to Vegas" from Obama.

The casino always Wynns (couldn't resist).
14 posted on 10/24/2009 7:25:55 AM PDT by AGreatPer (Impeach Obama)
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To: rushmom

The thing is, technically, only the President has full right of free speech, but so does a legitimate opposition and future President.

Speech is for the love of nation, and our President can only act as a king against foreign invaders and domestic enemies sabotaging culturaly and physicaly infrastructures needed to do that job amongst others.

The nation is more about rights, it is about love of the nation and care to its functionality. Any abrogation of speech based on specious arguments of “hating being criticized” by the WHiteHouse NAzies is grounds for impeachment and removal of such using of color of uniform/office/laws for pure rioting and corrupt purposes.


15 posted on 10/24/2009 7:26:14 AM PDT by JudgemAll (control freaks, their world & their problem with my gun and my protecting my private party)
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To: kellynla

“Who says “Communism is dead!”.

Communism is a taboo word to Charles Krauthammer.
He knows Obama is a communist, but evidently doesn’t want to be disinvited from the all TV shows that would ostracize him if he ever said so in plain English.


16 posted on 10/24/2009 7:26:27 AM PDT by devere
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To: rushmom
I disagree with Mr. Krauthammer that the government trying to shut down the free press is not unconstitutional.

The Obama administration isn't trying to shut down Fox news (free press), they are trying to marginalize them and pressure them to conform to a liberal template. It's idiotic, but constitutional

The administration playing insipid stupid media games is vastly different then what Chavez does in out right shutting down his opposition in Venezuela. Of course Obama the Marxist would love to do that if he could. Even his media lapdogs would turn on him then if he did

17 posted on 10/24/2009 7:31:30 AM PDT by Popman (Am I still a racist if I disgree with Obama white half ???)
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To: kellynla

If memory serves, another President years ago had developed an “enemies list” and took strong umbrage at the reporting he was getting from certain news agencies. So he sent out his Vice-President to speak of the “nattering nabobs of negativism”. Then the match was on, with various reporters and news services competing sharply to dig up more and more deep background on the President and his Administration, resulting ing the hasty resignation of the Vice-President, and the uproar continued until the tumult grew so loud, members of his own party marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to DEMAND he resign. Or face impeachment.

It was a most curious time in our nation’s history, unlike anything since before the Civil War. But the potential of secession of any jurisdictions from the Federal Union was averted, and a widespread Civil War II never happened. There were skirmishes in the streets, and some rather bloody confrontations, but there was no declaration of a separate republic.

We face another time, when an occupant of the White House Oval Office finds himself embattled and with falling approval, who is attempting to unilaterally impose upon this nation a system of governance and taxing policy that would cripple the US for perhaps longer that the Great Depression of 1933-1945 (remarkably, just about the length of time FDR spent in office). In 1932, there was the face of one person, Herbert Hoover, upon whom all the ills of the nation were blamed.

A similar tactic has been tried using the face of George W. Bush as the boogey man. This is far less successful, because whatever ills the current now failing nascent obama regime inherited, they have exacerbated and made MUCH worse by their inaction on some things, their excessive response on others, and general ineptitude.

There is a war going on, of which one front has cooled off and become pacified, and the other, which had been on the back burner for most of a span of eight years, now suddenly flashing hot. And we have an individual in the Oval Office who will not, perhaps cannot, make a decision.

That’s what happens when your mouth keeps on writing checks your butt can’t cash.


18 posted on 10/24/2009 7:32:09 AM PDT by alloysteel (....the Kennedys can be regarded as dysfunctional. Even in death.)
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To: taildragger
The angry demeanor and ruddy complexion of this man makes me wonder about his health and does he have something else going on, or is he just evil....

You've summed up the current administration. Personal retribution.

19 posted on 10/24/2009 7:32:36 AM PDT by This_far (Mandatory insurance! I thought it was about health care?)
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To: Pharmboy

I’m waiting for the illegals to kick the arse of idiots - like the weakness racist f@gs of San Francisco amongst others.

The whole shebang is manipulated by a bunch of little clever wanabe whimps who do not like the light shone on them.

And indeed, Krauthammer is wrong. Enforcement of “bipartisanship” is unconstitutional and unhealthy on its face. If there is no leadership possible on the opposition, then that means it might as well be summarily shot - and any spirit of any individual expressing this legit opposition should not be punished but considered its legitimate employee.

This however is what we pay for with the abortion spirit. We destroy the baby before being born and call it cool and not murder before the said individual has even a right to exist.


20 posted on 10/24/2009 7:33:30 AM PDT by JudgemAll (control freaks, their world & their problem with my gun and my protecting my private party)
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To: kellynla
And when the 0bama administration bails out the 5 major newspapers in the country, he can set the publisher's and editor's salaries, so that they print what they are told (more so than now).

And Goebbels would be proud.

5.56mm

21 posted on 10/24/2009 7:38:13 AM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: ExTexasRedhead

I wonder if the current white house occupant has an autographed copy of “Mein Kampf” as he is following a lot of ideas straight out of it.


22 posted on 10/24/2009 7:39:16 AM PDT by jesseam (Been there, done that)
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To: ElayneJ

This “gang” of thugs is the most criminal group ever to reside in D.C.

And that’s saying something.


23 posted on 10/24/2009 7:42:17 AM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: Safetgiver

THEY’RE ALL COMMUNISTS
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2368307/posts


24 posted on 10/24/2009 7:43:14 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: AGreatPer

LOL!


25 posted on 10/24/2009 7:44:53 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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To: clee1

It’s astonishing. And I think that’s part of the problem - it’s so blatant that it’s hard to believe what we’re seeing.


26 posted on 10/24/2009 7:47:02 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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To: Pharmboy
There was a democrat who called into Rush's show yesterday who blew my husband and myself out of the water with his comments on the creepy, tyrannical actions of this administration. The man was amazing in his clarity and disgust at the actions of uhbama and his greasy gang of aged hippies.
27 posted on 10/24/2009 7:48:38 AM PDT by Republic
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To: stockpirate

That was Gil Scott-Heron, originally.


28 posted on 10/24/2009 7:48:51 AM PDT by Teacher317
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To: This_far

Hey Rahm, you ain’t Sicilian so get your own method of communicating threats. Schmuck.


29 posted on 10/24/2009 7:49:07 AM PDT by john drake (Roman military maxim; "oderint dum metuant," i.e., "let them hate, as long as they fear.")
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To: Popman
The Obama administration isn't trying to shut down Fox news (free press), they are trying to marginalize them and pressure them to conform to a liberal template. It's idiotic, but constitutional.

If Nixon, either Bush, or Reagan had engaged in such tactics, liberal legal scholars and ninth circuit judges would be foaming at the mouth and unable to utter a single sentence without using the phrase "chilling effect" at least once.

30 posted on 10/24/2009 8:00:01 AM PDT by Spartan79
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To: john drake
Hey Rahm, you ain’t Sicilian so get your own method of communicating threats. Schmuck.

Schmuck is a compliment to this low life. (and he's well worthy of the boot, regardless of heritage)

31 posted on 10/24/2009 8:00:39 AM PDT by This_far (Mandatory insurance! I thought it was about health care?)
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To: Republic
Yep...I didn't hear the call...but if some reasonable dems are getting it, the indemoderates surely are, since they have less of an investment in Obummer and their ideology is unformed.

Another sign was the libtards in the main stream media put their foot down and could not take the exclusion of Fox anymore. They realized that any word from them out of step with these Chicago thugs would get them disinvited to the WH Christmas and Kwaanza festivities.

32 posted on 10/24/2009 8:07:09 AM PDT by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: taildragger

Just evil, like Soros.


33 posted on 10/24/2009 8:08:10 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: kellynla
Charles Krauthhammer, during the election and the debates, made every effort to trash John McCain as unqualified to be president. Now he seems to be concerned that his actions, which, in the view of many, contributed to the election of Obama, may have put the American health care system in jeopardy. Chuckie... you should have thought of that before you opened your cerebral pie hole during the debate coverage. Sucking the wind out of a wobbly McCain base ensured you of Obama care. Enjoy it!
34 posted on 10/24/2009 8:09:31 AM PDT by April Lexington (Study the constitution so you know what they are taking away!)
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To: Spartan79
If Nixon, either Bush, or Reagan had engaged in such tactics, liberal legal scholars and ninth circuit judges would be foaming at the mouth and unable to utter a single sentence without using the phrase "chilling effect" at least once.

Can't agree more.

"chilling effect" does not equal "shutting down"

Except to most liberal minds, the constitution is really pretty clear on such things.

" ...Congress shall make no law... or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; "

The executive branch (Obama) isn't the Congress, he may think he controls them, but play all the games he wants he isn't shutting down Fox news. If he pushes them hard enough it will erode the support he has from his media lapdogs.

ABCCBSNBCPBSCNN all think he's the cat's meow, until he shuts down the media, they all know they could be next if they don't conform to every whim of Rahm and Alexrod

35 posted on 10/24/2009 8:13:11 AM PDT by Popman (Am I still a racist if I disgree with Obama white half ???)
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To: AGreatPer

Odd theory. If people don’t go to Vegas, Harry Reid goes down hard next year. How does that help BO?


36 posted on 10/24/2009 8:28:53 AM PDT by mwl8787
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To: mwl8787
...Harry Reid goes down hard next year. How does that help BO?

If Harry Reid worked for you, wouldn't you be looking for a way to get rid of him?

37 posted on 10/24/2009 8:46:36 AM PDT by okie01 (THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Ignorance on Parade)
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To: kellynla
White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news."

Not only is this a dumb tactic, it is patently false. Fox News had far more balanced coverage of the 2008 election than any other network, and actually had measurably more positive stories about Obama than McCain...

http://www.journalism.org/node/13436

38 posted on 10/24/2009 8:48:31 AM PDT by FLAMING DEATH (Are you better off than you were $4 trillion ago?)
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To: FLAMING DEATH
White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is “opinion journalism masquerading as news.”

-——————————————————————>

Current polls indicate that more and more people believe that Barrack Hussein Obama is “masquerading as President of the United States of America” .................

39 posted on 10/24/2009 9:06:53 AM PDT by not2worry (WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND)
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To: kellynla

Communism, fascism on display here in the USofA. Shocking turn of events, but shows why there is the oath to defend against all enemies foreign AND DOMESTIC. These people are continuing to cross lines that should not be crossed and it is time they be aggressively challenged and confronted for these gross injustices and infringements on our freedoms.


40 posted on 10/24/2009 9:20:34 AM PDT by bushfamfan (United States of America: July 4, 1776-November 4, 2008)
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To: not2worry

Rahm and Anita Dunn are masquerading as intelligent life.


41 posted on 10/24/2009 9:22:12 AM PDT by Joyell
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To: Pharmboy
Where are the Republicans?
42 posted on 10/24/2009 9:31:10 AM PDT by ANGGAPO (Leyte Gulf Beach Club)
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To: devere
I don't think Charles Krauthammer cares whether or not he is invited to the dance.

I always look forward when he is on the Fox panel at night.

I'm waiting for him to jump out of his wheelchair one night and strangle Juan Williams. I just love how Charles just rolls his eyes at Juan!

I may not always agree with Krauthammer’s take on things (which is very infrequent) but IMHO the man is a gentleman and one of the great thinkers of our time.

43 posted on 10/24/2009 9:32:35 AM PDT by not2worry (WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND)
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To: ElayneJ

Speaking of gangs, did you see the first 15 minutes of Beck last night?


44 posted on 10/24/2009 9:36:53 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: April Lexington
Well, I think Charles was right-on about McCain!

Rush could have endorsed someone but didn't.

I doubt if the bro’s in the hood even know who Charles Krauthammer or Rush Limbaugh are and who they supported in the last election.

But, I do believe they would know the opinions of ACORN, Lou Farrakkan, Reverand Wright, Dave Letterman, Charlie Shean, P Diddy, 50 Cents, Beyonce and a host of other unAmerican’s who put this socialist into office.

JMHO

45 posted on 10/24/2009 9:38:43 AM PDT by not2worry (WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND)
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To: not2worry

I agree that he is one of the most astute thinkers of our time.

I always read his column and look forward to his opinions on the panel on FOX.

Having said that, I was very disappointed in his attitude toward Obama before the election and shortly after his “election”. He was of that give the benefit of the doubt mindset many had. I agree with the poster who said before that it was that sort of thinking and speaking that helped get Obama elected.

People were all too willing to trust him or at least give him a chance, though they knew what his past was.

It’s come back to bite all of them in the collective ass and it’s not done yet.

He’s done a 360 now, for that I’m grateful. It shows even the smartest of men can be duped.

We must not let it happen again.


46 posted on 10/24/2009 9:42:33 AM PDT by conservativebabe (awaiting inspiration for a new tagline)
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To: Balding_Eagle

I did - Refresh my memory, though - I can’t recall anything gang-related...


47 posted on 10/24/2009 9:48:34 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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To: ElayneJ

He played clips from The Godfather movie, making comparisons of the heavy handedness of the Godfather and the Obama Administration


48 posted on 10/24/2009 9:52:09 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: not2worry

“the man is a gentleman and one of the great thinkers of our time.”

I wish I could agree with you, but I do not.

When Sarah Palin mentioned “death panels”, Charles (no gentleman) said she needed “to leave the room”. In other words, leave the discussion of health-care to serious people like him.

As for “great thinker”, he thought up the Iraq War for George Bush. Thanks a lot Charlie.

Many people forget that Krauthammer started out in public life working for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. And that he does not support the Second Amendment.

Krauthammer is an arrogant, elitist snob, who cares very much if he is invited on TV. That’s why he will never use the words “Obama” and “communist” in the same sentence.

Dr. Krauthammer epitomizes to me the old saying “You can always tell a Harvard man, but you can’t tell him much”.


49 posted on 10/24/2009 9:57:46 AM PDT by devere
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To: Balding_Eagle

That’s right - I saw that. Very appropriate I thought. And then the baseball bat prop - it shouldn’t seem so much like reality, but it does...


50 posted on 10/24/2009 10:02:22 AM PDT by ElayneJ
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