Yes, I fully expect it. Not too sure that I believe any of it though.
Last month I got a steaming hot email from a reader, or someone, excoriating me for suggesting that Barack Obama is lost without the teleprompter.
I was told that my assertion was my “parroting” of talk radio (I only listen to talk radio in the car, and not always then), and that I was “hateful” and “full of hate” and so forth.
And today, we see that Barack Obama has begun dragging the teleprompter with him to the rodeo because he cannot be trusted to speak extemporaneously before these small local crowds, where you’re supposed to be able to do that, or at least to keep on script with the aid of a discreet notecard.
Can you imagine - just imagine - what the press and the Dems would be saying, how they’d be mocking, if Bush (or McCain or Palin) had to take a teleprompter to the rodeo? I can hear it now! “How can he lead the country if he can’t manage a small-town gathering?” “He’s an idiot!” “He’s a moron!” “The Dems are the SMART party!” You know…pretty much what they say every election. But more.
Today reader Lynda wrote, “and he tried to mock McCain for not being able to use email?”
Well, to be fair, I think they’re different things, actually. Emailing is simply a mechanical monkey-see, monkey-do. Even “I” can do email, and I am nothing but a trained monkey when it comes to computers. (No kidding, you should see the step-by-step list my son had to write for me to do podcasting.) Speaking off-the-cuff, before a crowd of people, without stumbling, without going off script, without betraying things (if you’re trying to hide them) is much, much more difficult.
I think Obama is stressed and he can’t be trusted to keep his tone and his message together, coherent and safe, and that’s why he needs the prompter. But that does raise the question, can this guy keep it together under stress?
Rick at Brutally Honest asks, will he need a teleprompter when he meets with heads of state? He suggests Obama is “lost” without the prompter.
Something tells me Mac & PC will be discussing the teleprompter pretty soon.
Suitably Flip grades Obama’s statement paper on the economy. Cute.
UPDATE: Because a commenter apparently wanted to see it, here is Sarah Palin speaking yesterday in Golden, CO (where Obama is today). Speaking. Apparently without a teleprompter - but perhaps with one; a commenter below thinks there was one available.
Thomas Lifson, unusually snarky
Slightly O/T but Patrick O’ Hannigan determines that McCain and Palin are made of sterner, and perhaps more stable stuff than Obama.
Discouraging poll news for Obama: Swing states are moving to McCain due to the Palin effect. However, a warning: The Democrats and Drive-Bys will do anything to win this election. Their sights are set on destroying Palin with Troopergate. There's nothing there, but that won't stop them. (Rush 24/7 Members: Listen Here)
» We Should Call It "Tasergate": McCain Campaign Tries to Quell "Troopergate"
Pearl of Wisdom: "The Drive-By Media are gearing up for an October Surprise. This phony trooper issue in Alaska is their focus now."
Bad News for America, Good News for Democrats: CNN says the financial crisis is just what the Obama campaign "hoped for." (Rush 24/7 Members: Listen Here)
Joe Biden promises that if Obama is elected, Americans will get a new toaster. Rumors persist that Obama will dump Biden in October. (Rush 24/7 Members: Listen Here)
We've been playing audio of Biden telling a man in a wheelchair to "stand up" so much that CNN had to cover the incident and praise Biden as a "master of a quick recovery."
McCain advisor Carly Fiorina blames President Bush for not regulating the mortgage business. Even former Clinton cabinet member Robert B. Reich admits Democrats share blame. Democrats and Clinton cronies got rich on Fannie and Freddie and gave mortgages to people who couldn't afford them. (Rush 24/7 Members: Listen Here)
» Investor's Business Daily: The Real Culprits In This Meltdown
Rush Tirade: Democrats are sitting ducks on the economy, energy, and the culture war. Obama is a sitting duck on every issue that matters to American families, and we have McCain people bashing Bush! (Rush 24/7 Members: Listen Here)
Pearl of Wisdom: "Obama's close to raising $400 million, an all-time record. What depression? What recession? What bad economy? Who is the candidate of the rich?"
A caller says Rush inspired him to enlist in the armed forces.
On the Senate floor, Dick Durbin blames Rush for the credit crunch!
In the process of denying it, the Obama campaign has confirmed Amir Taheri's story: On his trip to Iraq, Obama tried to delay the withdrawal of American troops.
» Hot Air: Did Obama Just Confirm Taheri?
McCain has a new ad out today that explains how he'll handle the banking crisis. It's effective because for the first time I'm aware of he narrates it.
This ad shows him to be what he is: experienced with the knowledge required to handle one of America's worst financial crises. It's also more personal and weightier than the other ads. Hearing him say, "I'll meeting this financial crisis head on," instead of some faceless voice makes it more compelling.