: : : : : : : : : :

The favorite right-wing meme of late is that President Obama is incapable of speaking without a teleprompter. Are they trying to say Obama is too stupid to speak without one? A Harvard graduate who was editor of The Law Review (a highly acclaimed honor only bestowed upon the brightest and best at one of the best ivy league institutions in the world), a man who authored two books and has spoken across this great land, in Town Hall fashion, taking questions outside of The Bubble, this man is unable to speak on his own? Seriously?

Let’s take a look and unpack this a little, shall we? It’s fun, honest. Click that Keep Reading link and…



From the right wing headliner:

Drudge Resorts to his Usual Garbage

And then there is:

Getting into the picture is Ron Fournier, the Washington bureau chief for the Associated Press (Remember him? His email exchange with Karl Rove encouraging Rove to “keep up the fight” for the McCain camp, and was even courted to join the McCain campaign), who wrote a 100 word “analysis piece” on last night’s speech. Five of those 100 words were “teleprompter” which begged Steve Benen to ask: This is an “analysis” piece? From where, the Republican National Committee? Good question, Mr. Benen.

Why might a president want to use a teleprompter? Oh, I don’t know, perhaps to make sure to ensure that his facts are straight? I mean, it’s not as if this president doesn’t have so many plates spinning in the air that he can readily remember every fact of every disaster which was bestowed upon him.

And, honestly, it’s not as if the teleprompter is new, or that a sitting president might want to make sure that they have their fact straight. Really, see Saint Ronald Reagan set up for his little tête-à-tête with the American people.

Reagan is hardly the only GOPer who has used the teleprompter, as John Avarosis from AmericaBlog shows.

Even Ed Henry (he of the beautiful smackdown by the President, shown at the beginning of this clip) states that Obama is being careful with what he says (see the 1:08 minute mark).

Compared to the previous resident of the White House, as shown below.

Please let us never forget the difference between a president who is thoughtful enough to use a teleprompter versus a president who is not.

The best of Rovian politics is to attack your opponent’s strongest points. Obama is a powerful speaker, one who engages people, is thoughtful and knowledgeable in his responses. And this is what the right-wing brings forth. I’ve also noticed that not one of these right-wingers has questioned Obama’s facts. But we all know that facts have that terrible liberal bias.

Thankfully, the American people are having none of it. Obama’s approval ratings continue to be strong, which is infuriating and frustrating the right. This from Erick Erickson at RedState:

I’ve been in a funk these past couple of weeks.

…

There’s something more though. I am a bit overwhelmed. I suspect many of you are too. The information is coming fast and furious, the GOP has yet to get back in the game with a full swing, socialism is creeping upon us, and many of my friends around me have decided the best course of action is to put their heads in the sand and hope for the best. The default is to shift into the doldrums in the middle of the fight.

Sorry, fellas. You’ve lost this fight. Your dog don’t hunt. The American people are just not that into you. You had eight years and you blew it. Now, you have to tough it out while the grown-up’s try to fix what you wrought upon this country. If this is all you have, considering you have completely become The Party of No, with no ideas, no ideals, no rational thought, other than more tax breaks for corporations and the rich and their constant attempts to stop any sort of recovery efforts. If this is all the right wing has, I say: Bring. It. On.

Whigs II anyone?

Fine by me.

: : : : : : : : : :