The story behind the Palin surprise
Jonathan Martin1 hour, 11 minutes ago
John McCain today announced a running mate whom he met only six months ago and whom he spoke with just once on the phone about the position before offering it in person earlier this week.
McCain’s first encounter with Sarah Palin came at a Washington meeting of the National Governors Association in February, according to a campaign-provided reconstruction of how the little-known Alaska governor was thrust into the national spotlight. The two discussed the position by phone on Sunday before McCain invited her and her husband to Arizona to formally make the offer. McCain, joined by his wife, Cindy, did just that yesterday morning at their home near Sedona, Ariz.
By picking somebody he and most Americans barely know — an out-of-the-blue decision that sent shock waves of disbelief through the political world and still has jaws agape — McCain has taken a considerable gamble.
The choice is historic, yes. Palin becomes only the second woman to run on a major-party ticket and the first Republican woman to do so. But it’s also fraught with risks.
Palin, 44, is less than two years removed from being mayor of Wasilla, Alaska; has no military or foreign policy experience in a time of grave international threat; and has never even appeared a single time on “Meet the Press,” let alone been scrutinized by a voracious and around-the-clock modern media beast.
The coverage will be intense, relentless and, should she falter, harsh.
Yet Palin, a self-styled “hockey mom,” seems to represent compromise and promise as much as she does danger and risk.
Torn between selecting a transformational running mate and a conventional No. 2, McCain, as he has so many times in his political career, went his own way.
McCain and his good friend and colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), were tempted by the third member of their tight-knit trio, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.). Picking a Democrat-turned-independent, the idea went, would underscore McCain's anti-establishment credentials in a year when voters are fed up with Washington.
But as a former Democrat who supports abortion rights and holds a host of other conventional liberal positions, Lieberman would have spurred a revolt among conservatives already wary of the maverick-inclined McCain.
McCain also could have tapped a safer choice — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was widely thought to be the chosen one in the final day of speculation — and not risked much of anything.
Instead, he gambled on an outsider sure to draw waves of skepticism but one that, politically, his own party base could live with.
Palin, say some GOP strategists, brings considerable strengths to the ticket: She’s from just about as far from the Beltway as possible, ran and won as a reformer in a state that was aching for one, is acceptable to the party’s right wing, and has a fascinating-yet-familiar life story of success and achievement that embodies the American Dream.
“It reinforces in real time McCain’s greatest brand: reform,” said Mary Matalin. “And it epitomizes ‘shares your values.’”
“I feel a tingle up my spine,” she crowed, praising the McCain campaign’s secret-keeping and boffo execution here today.
And then there are Palin’s two most visible traits.
“We’re a party that desperately needs women and desperately needs young people,” noted Ed Rollins, a longtime Republican consultant. And the 44-year-old Palin brings both of those qualities.
But McCain’s risk is just that — and Palin’s downside is considerable. Already, some Republicans are fretting that the GOP nominee might have made a colossal mistake by picking a running mate who is a complete unknown and who has not a minute of experience under the unforgiving glare of the national and international spotlight.
In a conference call with allies of the campaign, one participant raised questions about her unknown foreign policy views, according to a GOP source on the call.
McCain adviser Matt McDonald sought to allay these concerns by citing her experience dealing with international trade issues and even her travel overseas and her eldest son’s Army service.
“But the bottom line is, she doesn’t have a whole lot of experience — she just doesn’t,” said the source on the call, who said he had mixed feelings about the selection.
And, this person noted, beyond her own inexperience, Palin's youth may ultimately pose as much peril as opportunity.
“I wonder if her youth will accentuate [McCain’s] age over time in a bad way,” this source said.
Another Republican, echoing the private thoughts of some strategists in the party, was less restrained, suggesting the Palin pick damaged one of McCain’s most valued attributes and wouldn’t help him beyond the party base.
“It hurts the experience edge and the hard abortion stuff scares moderate swing voters,” said this GOP insider. “It will appeal to some Bubbas, but that’s not enough.”
It’s the first of these issues that Obama’s campaign and Democrats are seizing upon.
In what appears to be a coordinated attack, many top Democrats have savaged McCain for picking somebody who, less than two years ago, was a small-town mayor, to be next-in-line for the most powerful job in the world.
“Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the presidency?” asked Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), making sure to note that McCain turned 72 today.
Indeed, Palin has emboldened Democrats to more frontally go after the longtime Arizona senator for his age, an issue with which many voters already associate him, according to polls.
"After his attacks on Obama's readiness for the job, it'll be amusing to hear a 72-year-old with a history of health problems justify this decision,” said Jim Jordan, a veteran Democratic strategist. "She's a talent, but that's the end of the experience message from John McCain."
McCain plainly wanted a pick that dazzled and would be sure to shake up the race. But his out-of-the-box selection seems to dance on the razor’s edge, with disaster a distinct possibility.
Even Rollins, who praised the move, acknowledged it could be a catastrophe.
“The risk is that she just craters somewhere out there on the way,” he said. “She’s just never been in this kind of environment before.”
Another Republican cited a line from “This Is Spinal Tap”: “There is a fine line between clever and stupid.”
In the next 67 days, we’ll learn which side the Palin selection falls on.
Friday, August 29, 2008
A Speech to the Delegates
The New York Times
August 29, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
A Speech to the Delegates
By DAVID BROOKS
DENVER
My fellow Americans, it is an honor to address the Democratic National Convention at this defining moment in history. We stand at a crossroads at a pivot point, near a fork in the road on the edge of a precipice in the midst of the most consequential election since last year’s “American Idol.”
One path before us leads to the past, and the extinction of the human race. The other path leads to the future, when we will all be dead. We must choose wisely.
We must close the book on the bleeding wounds of the old politics of division and sail our ship up a mountain of hope and plant our flag on the sunrise of a thousand tomorrows with an American promise that will never die! For this election isn’t about the past or the present, or even the pluperfect conditional. It’s about the future, and Barack Obama loves the future because that’s where all his accomplishments are.
We meet today to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans, a generation that came of age amidst iced chais and mocha strawberry Frappuccinos®, a generation with a historical memory that doesn’t extend back past Coke Zero.
We meet today to heal the divisions that have torn this country. For we are all one country and one American family, whether we are caring and thoughtful Democrats or hate-filled and war-crazed Republicans. We must bring together left and right, marinara and carbonara, John and Elizabeth Edwards. On United we stand, on US Airways, there’s a 25-minute delay.
Ladies and gentleman, I never expected to be speaking before you today. Like so many of our speakers at this convention, I come from a hard-working, middle-class family. I was leading a miserable little life, but, nevertheless, overcame great odds to live the American Dream. My great-grandfather fought in Patton’s Army, along with Barack Obama’s great-grand uncles’ fourth cousin once removed.
As a child, I was abandoned by my parents and lived with a colony of ants. We didn’t have much in the way of material possession, but we did have each other and the ability to carry far more than our own body weights. When I was young, I was temporarily paralyzed in a horrible anteater accident, but I never gave up my dream: the dream of speaking at a national political convention so my speech could be talked over by Wolf Blitzer and a gang of pundits.
And today we Democrats meet in Denver, a suburb of Boulder, a city whose motto is, “A Taxi? You Must be Dreaming.”
And in Denver, we Democrats showed America that we have cute daughters who will someday provide us with prestigious car-window stickers. We heard Hillary Clinton’s ringing endorsement of “the weak-looking thin guy who’s bound to lose.”
We heard from Joe Biden, whose 643 years in the Senate make him uniquely qualified to talk to the middle class, whose family has been riding the Acela and before that the Metroliner for generations, who has been given a lifetime ban from the quiet car and who is himself a verbal train wreck waiting to happen.
We got to know Barack and Michelle Obama, two tall, thin, rich, beautiful people who don’t perspire, but who nonetheless feel compassion for their squatter and smellier fellow citizens. We know that Barack could have gone to a prestigious law firm, like his big donors in the luxury boxes, but he chose to put his ego aside to become a professional politician, president of the United States and redeemer of the human race. We heard about his time as a community organizer, the three most fulfilling months of his life.
We were thrilled by his speech in front of the Greek columns, which were conscientiously recycled from the concert, “Yanni, Live at the Acropolis.” We were honored by his pledge, that if elected president, he will serve at least four months before running for higher office. We were moved by his campaign slogan, “Vote Obama: He’s better than you’ll ever be.” We were inspired by dozens of Democratic senators who declared their lifelong love of John McCain before denouncing him as a reactionary opportunist who would destroy the country.
No, this country cannot afford to elect John Bushmccain. Under Republican rule, locusts have stripped the land, adults wear crocs in public and M&M’s have lost their flavor. We must instead ride to the uplands of hope!
For as Barack Obama suggested Thursday night, wherever there is a president who needs to tap our natural-gas reserves, I’ll be there. Wherever there is a need for a capital-gains readjustment for targeted small businesses, I’ll be there. Wherever there is a president committed to direct diplomacy with nuclear proliferators, I’ll be there, too! God bless the Democrats, and God Bless America!
August 29, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
A Speech to the Delegates
By DAVID BROOKS
DENVER
My fellow Americans, it is an honor to address the Democratic National Convention at this defining moment in history. We stand at a crossroads at a pivot point, near a fork in the road on the edge of a precipice in the midst of the most consequential election since last year’s “American Idol.”
One path before us leads to the past, and the extinction of the human race. The other path leads to the future, when we will all be dead. We must choose wisely.
We must close the book on the bleeding wounds of the old politics of division and sail our ship up a mountain of hope and plant our flag on the sunrise of a thousand tomorrows with an American promise that will never die! For this election isn’t about the past or the present, or even the pluperfect conditional. It’s about the future, and Barack Obama loves the future because that’s where all his accomplishments are.
We meet today to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans, a generation that came of age amidst iced chais and mocha strawberry Frappuccinos®, a generation with a historical memory that doesn’t extend back past Coke Zero.
We meet today to heal the divisions that have torn this country. For we are all one country and one American family, whether we are caring and thoughtful Democrats or hate-filled and war-crazed Republicans. We must bring together left and right, marinara and carbonara, John and Elizabeth Edwards. On United we stand, on US Airways, there’s a 25-minute delay.
Ladies and gentleman, I never expected to be speaking before you today. Like so many of our speakers at this convention, I come from a hard-working, middle-class family. I was leading a miserable little life, but, nevertheless, overcame great odds to live the American Dream. My great-grandfather fought in Patton’s Army, along with Barack Obama’s great-grand uncles’ fourth cousin once removed.
As a child, I was abandoned by my parents and lived with a colony of ants. We didn’t have much in the way of material possession, but we did have each other and the ability to carry far more than our own body weights. When I was young, I was temporarily paralyzed in a horrible anteater accident, but I never gave up my dream: the dream of speaking at a national political convention so my speech could be talked over by Wolf Blitzer and a gang of pundits.
And today we Democrats meet in Denver, a suburb of Boulder, a city whose motto is, “A Taxi? You Must be Dreaming.”
And in Denver, we Democrats showed America that we have cute daughters who will someday provide us with prestigious car-window stickers. We heard Hillary Clinton’s ringing endorsement of “the weak-looking thin guy who’s bound to lose.”
We heard from Joe Biden, whose 643 years in the Senate make him uniquely qualified to talk to the middle class, whose family has been riding the Acela and before that the Metroliner for generations, who has been given a lifetime ban from the quiet car and who is himself a verbal train wreck waiting to happen.
We got to know Barack and Michelle Obama, two tall, thin, rich, beautiful people who don’t perspire, but who nonetheless feel compassion for their squatter and smellier fellow citizens. We know that Barack could have gone to a prestigious law firm, like his big donors in the luxury boxes, but he chose to put his ego aside to become a professional politician, president of the United States and redeemer of the human race. We heard about his time as a community organizer, the three most fulfilling months of his life.
We were thrilled by his speech in front of the Greek columns, which were conscientiously recycled from the concert, “Yanni, Live at the Acropolis.” We were honored by his pledge, that if elected president, he will serve at least four months before running for higher office. We were moved by his campaign slogan, “Vote Obama: He’s better than you’ll ever be.” We were inspired by dozens of Democratic senators who declared their lifelong love of John McCain before denouncing him as a reactionary opportunist who would destroy the country.
No, this country cannot afford to elect John Bushmccain. Under Republican rule, locusts have stripped the land, adults wear crocs in public and M&M’s have lost their flavor. We must instead ride to the uplands of hope!
For as Barack Obama suggested Thursday night, wherever there is a president who needs to tap our natural-gas reserves, I’ll be there. Wherever there is a need for a capital-gains readjustment for targeted small businesses, I’ll be there. Wherever there is a president committed to direct diplomacy with nuclear proliferators, I’ll be there, too! God bless the Democrats, and God Bless America!
Sarah Palin, McCain’s pick, forged maverick political path in Alaska
Sarah Palin, McCain’s pick, forged maverick political path in Alaska
The GOP's surprise vice-presidential nominee brings a fresh face to the '08 race.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer / August 29, 2008 edition
The young Sarah Heath once won the title “Miss Congeniality” in a local Alaska beauty contest. But her high school basketball teammates had another nickname for her, one that belied her genial surface: “Sarah Barracuda”.
Those monikers may sum up the contradictory political appeal of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s surprise choice to be his vice-presidential nominee.
She’s young, a fresh face, and a self-described “hockey mom” who eloped with her high school boyfriend after college. At the same time, she’s made a career of running against, through, and over Alaska’s old boy political network.
To win the governor’s mansion in 2006, she had to defeat the incumbent, scandal-weakened Gov. Frank Murkowski, in the primary. In the general election, she faced a former governor, Democrat Tony Knowles – and beat him handily.
“Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today,” said the McCain campaign in a news release announcing the Palin pick.
Governor Palin is energetic, staunchly antiabortion, pro-gun, and a maverick who has at times angered the Alaskan Republican Party. In that sense she might be seen as a mirror image of Senator McCain himself.
Like former Navy aviator McCain, her initial career ambitions had nothing to do with politics. An avid athlete as a girl, Palin in high school listed her career ambition as sitting in a booth with Howard Cosell, broadcasting basketball games in which her then-boyfriend (and future husband) Todd Palin was playing.
In fact, Palin graduated from the University of Idaho in 1987 with a degree in journalism. She did occasionally fill in as a television sports announcer for a few years thereafter.
But in other ways, Palin is a direct contrast to McCain and could help counter some of his weaknesses. She is decades younger than the Arizona Senator, for one. It may be tough for opponents to tie her in any way to the troubles of the Bush administration. And as a woman, she might attract some disaffected former supporters of Hillary Clinton from the Democratic camp.
Sarah Heath was born in Idaho in 1964. Her parents moved to Skagway, Alaska, when she was three months old. Eventually they settled in Wasilla, where her father, Chuck Heath, became a well-known local science teacher and track coach.
In high school she led a chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and led the Wasilla Warriors to a small-school state championship. She hit a crucial free three in the final minutes despite playing with a stress fracture in her ankle.
In 1988, she eloped with Todd Palin to save her parents the cost of paying for the wedding, according to a 2006 profile in the Anchorage Daily News. Discovering that they needed witnesses for the ceremony, they recruited two senior citizens from a home across the street from the county courthouse.
Todd Palin is a commercial fisherman, oil worker, and an avid snowmobile racer. The couple have five children. Their eldest son, Track, has joined the Army and is due soon to be deployed to Iraq. Their youngest child, Trig, born this past April, has Down syndrome.
Palin’s political career began when she won a seat on the Wasilla City Council in 1992. After reelection, she challenged and defeated the town’s sitting mayor in 1996, saying that the three terms he had served were enough. She clashed at times with the city’s staff, as she fired department heads who had been loyal to the defeated incumbent.
Booming sales-tax revenue allowed her to cut property taxes as Wasilla grew, according to the Almanac of American Politics. State GOP leaders took notice and began grooming her for higher office.
In 2002, she made an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor. A year later, Governor Murkowski appointed her ethics commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
But in 2003, she broke with the Republican hierarchy. The reason, she said at the time, was ethics. She charged that insiders in state government were involved in conflicts of interest and outright corruption and that state officials had ignored her complaints about it.
One of Palin’s particular targets was state Republican Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich, whom she accused of leaking sensitive state documents to an energy lobbyist, among other things. Mr. Ruedrich later admitted to violations of ethics rules and paid a $12,000 civil fine.
In October 2005, Palin entered the Alaskan gubernatorial race. Murkowski had been weakened by the backlash to his appointment of his daughter to his old seat in the US Senate, which had become open when he was elected governor in 2002. Some Alaskans also believed that a natural-gas pipeline deal brokered by Murkowski was too favorable to oil companies.
Upon her election, Palin became Alaska’s first female governor as well as the first to be born after Alaska achieved statehood. She remains popular in the state and has maintained an image of independence from energy producers – but, unlike McCain, she does favor drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Palin eats mooseburgers, fishes with her family, and still runs competitively in organized road races.
Appearing for the first time as McCain’s running mate at an Aug. 29 rally, Palin wasted no time making a direct play for Hillary voters.
“It turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.”
( More politics stories )
Comments
1. Trad | 08.29.08
She seems like a nice person, but I’m afraid we could be witnessing a Harriet Miers redux. I guess we’ll see.
2. Moderate | 08.29.08
Woman or not, she’s still an extreme right-winger who knows more about commercial fishing, snowmachine races and basketball than representing the real issues of middle America.
3. Don | 08.29.08
She may make the two Dem Senators look like total crooks who never ran anything but their Senate offices in Cesspool, DC.
Very interesting choice. I can see the steam coming out of Pelosi’s ears.
Has McCain picked the right running mate?
www.bbcnews.com
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 17:26 GMT 18:26 UK
Just when Hillary thought she had her low point behind her...Sarah Palin is a very shrewd pick. Obama now needs Hillary more than ever, which is particularly juicy because Hillary desperately wants Obama to lose in order to set up 2012 for her! You can't make this stuff up!
Alice Hergett
Recommended by 0 people
He's called the Dems bluff!
Mary, UK/USA
Recommended by 0 people
McCain attacks Obama for: being too young, not having enough foreign policy experience, not having enough federal experience and being a previously unkown figure.
Then he has the cheek to appoint a VP who: is even younger than Obama, has NP foreign policy experience, has NO federal experience, is almost totally unknown, is the former mayor of a town of only 9000 and its under investigation by the state of Alaska for misuse of her governorship in a grudge against her brother-in-law.
Greg Mills, Maidenhead
Beauty and the Beast.......
Hugh Janus, London, United Kingdom
Recommended by 0 people
She may have few years of experience but her focus has been on the right things: stopping wasteful spending, ending corruption, tackling special interests.
If she's too inexperienced to be VP, what does that say about Obama's being too inexperienced to be President?? Surely, that's more alarming.
Hard to believe, but she makes Obama appear even less experienced.
Andrea E, New York, United States
Recommended by 1 person
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK
This year's presidential compaign just continues to surprise me. A 44 yr old female governor as Republican VP candidate and 35 yr veteran, white, male senator as the Democratic VP candidate. If you hadn't been watching then you'd think the media got it backwards. Hold on, because the next 2 months are going to be wild ride.
Ric Slocum, Memphis, United States
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:43 GMT 17:43 UK
Eat it and weep Obama supporters, Obama is done like dinner now. You picked another loser as a candidate. Do you enjoy losing?
Steven Coran, Arlington, VA
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:42 GMT 17:42 UK
If Americans have wit and wisdom, they will vote for the President of their choice and not the vice-president. But then, they voted for Bush. Twice. So much for wit and wisdom.
Robert, Saint Louis
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:02 GMT 17:02 UK
Clever tactical selection, Possibly a winning one too!
Sarah is certainly going to attract the media. She is an attractive, smart, new to Washington, conservative and a ‘doer’.
A lot of Hillary supporters may switch to Republicans because of her.
S Joseph, London, United Kingdom
Recommended by 3 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 15:59 GMT 16:59 UK
I think it unfortunate that Gov Palin can only be viewed as a "political" choice. It is surely time that someone recognized that there are many well qualified woman in the US. BTW who cares if it is a politacl choice. Please tell me when anything in this race wasn't about positioning and politics! Congrats to McCain for a bold choice and now on with the show.
Brian
Recommended by 2 people
Interesting choice.
This election just got very interesting...Personally I like Obama more than McCain, but Ms. Palin more than Mr. Biden.
susan, New Jersey, USA
Recommended by 2 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 15:22 GMT 16:22 UK
Great Choice! Now lets just see how hypocritical the democrats will be bashing a woman who has more executive experience then Obama does.
jason garcia, atlanta, United States
Recommended by 73 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 17:26 GMT 18:26 UK
Just when Hillary thought she had her low point behind her...Sarah Palin is a very shrewd pick. Obama now needs Hillary more than ever, which is particularly juicy because Hillary desperately wants Obama to lose in order to set up 2012 for her! You can't make this stuff up!
Alice Hergett
Recommended by 0 people
He's called the Dems bluff!
Mary, UK/USA
Recommended by 0 people
McCain attacks Obama for: being too young, not having enough foreign policy experience, not having enough federal experience and being a previously unkown figure.
Then he has the cheek to appoint a VP who: is even younger than Obama, has NP foreign policy experience, has NO federal experience, is almost totally unknown, is the former mayor of a town of only 9000 and its under investigation by the state of Alaska for misuse of her governorship in a grudge against her brother-in-law.
Greg Mills, Maidenhead
Beauty and the Beast.......
Hugh Janus, London, United Kingdom
Recommended by 0 people
She may have few years of experience but her focus has been on the right things: stopping wasteful spending, ending corruption, tackling special interests.
If she's too inexperienced to be VP, what does that say about Obama's being too inexperienced to be President?? Surely, that's more alarming.
Hard to believe, but she makes Obama appear even less experienced.
Andrea E, New York, United States
Recommended by 1 person
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK
This year's presidential compaign just continues to surprise me. A 44 yr old female governor as Republican VP candidate and 35 yr veteran, white, male senator as the Democratic VP candidate. If you hadn't been watching then you'd think the media got it backwards. Hold on, because the next 2 months are going to be wild ride.
Ric Slocum, Memphis, United States
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:43 GMT 17:43 UK
Eat it and weep Obama supporters, Obama is done like dinner now. You picked another loser as a candidate. Do you enjoy losing?
Steven Coran, Arlington, VA
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:42 GMT 17:42 UK
If Americans have wit and wisdom, they will vote for the President of their choice and not the vice-president. But then, they voted for Bush. Twice. So much for wit and wisdom.
Robert, Saint Louis
Recommended by 0 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 16:02 GMT 17:02 UK
Clever tactical selection, Possibly a winning one too!
Sarah is certainly going to attract the media. She is an attractive, smart, new to Washington, conservative and a ‘doer’.
A lot of Hillary supporters may switch to Republicans because of her.
S Joseph, London, United Kingdom
Recommended by 3 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 15:59 GMT 16:59 UK
I think it unfortunate that Gov Palin can only be viewed as a "political" choice. It is surely time that someone recognized that there are many well qualified woman in the US. BTW who cares if it is a politacl choice. Please tell me when anything in this race wasn't about positioning and politics! Congrats to McCain for a bold choice and now on with the show.
Brian
Recommended by 2 people
Interesting choice.
This election just got very interesting...Personally I like Obama more than McCain, but Ms. Palin more than Mr. Biden.
susan, New Jersey, USA
Recommended by 2 people
Added: Friday, 29 August, 2008, 15:22 GMT 16:22 UK
Great Choice! Now lets just see how hypocritical the democrats will be bashing a woman who has more executive experience then Obama does.
jason garcia, atlanta, United States
Recommended by 73 people
Thursday, August 28, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Conventions/comments?type=story&id=5676191
The Obama people are the most racist and vile of all political campaigns. This life long Democrat has gone independent and will never donate or give my time to any Democrat. The party has been taken over by the progressives. They are not concerned with this nation but more concerned about themselves. The Democratic Party decided whom they wanted and denied the voting democrats their voice! The leaders like Pelosi, Reid, Kerry and Kennedy have ruined this party. They stand for nothing and certainly not for the working Americans. Obama will only bring more corruption into Washington, just as he supports the corruption in Illinois. Biden is just another Washington insider that uses government to rip off the taxpapyers. Should Obama and Biden win, we will have another Bush and Cheney in the White House. I would rather trust McCain. Hillary was given a raw deal by the Democratic Party!
Posted by:
njstoltz 3:19 PMMark As Violation
Posted by:
njstoltz 3:19 PMMark As Violation
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Clinton forcefully endorses Obama
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago
Former President Clinton forcefully endorsed Barack Obama's bid for the White House on Wednesday, telling delegates to the Democratic convention that Obama is "ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world."
Clinton pushed back on attacks — initiated by himself and his wife during the bitter primary campaign, and later taken up by Republican John McCain — that Obama is ill-prepared for the White House, especially on matters of national defense.
"With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, insight and good instincts, America will have the national security leadership we need," Clinton said.
Clinton campaigned feverishly for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her long-fought primary battle against Obama, and took her loss hard. He had not spoken out as strongly in support of Obama since he clinched the nomination in June.
But Wednesday, he was unambiguous in passing the torch of Democratic leadership to Obama.
Jabbing a finger at thousands of cheering delegates, he declared: "I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November."
Running just over 20 minutes, the speech by the godfather of the Democratic Party whipped thousands of delegates into an exuberant frenzy. Where a night before they had hoisted "Hillary" banners, on this night they waved American flags.
The delegates stood on their feet and roared for nearly 3 1/2 minutes when Clinton walked on stage. The former president basked in their affection, but after several false starts at his speech, commanded: "Sit down!"
Clinton was by turns funny, nostalgic and wonkish, touching on issues like health care and pension benefits.
Clinton, ever mindful of himself, likened Obama's presidential quest to his own bid for the presidency in 1992, when "Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief."
"Sound familiar?" Clinton said. "It didn't work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won't work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history."
He allowed that the primary campaign had generated "so much heat it increased global warming."
"In the end," he said, "my candidate didn't win. But I'm proud of the campaign she ran: She never quit on the people she stood up for, on the changes she pushed for, on the future she wants for all our children."
The former president's wide-ranging speech also attacked Republicans for an "exploding" national debt and misguided foreign policy.
Clinton's address elicited some nostalgia of its own among the delegates.
"He can still mesmerize a crowd," said Oregon delegate Sam Sappington.
Standing nearby, Lloyd Henion, who came to Denver as a Clinton delegate from Oregon, said the former president "hit a 500-foot home run. He hit all the points."
"That was as clear a message as you could get as to why Barack Obama should be president," Henion said of Bill Clinton's speech.
Clinton's challenge Wednesday night was tall, because he himself had questioned Obama's credentials.
During the primary race, the former president tried to raise doubts about whether the first-term Illinois senator had the experience to lead the country. He said Obama's opposition to the Iraq war was a "fairy tale."
Last fall, he dismissed Obama as totally unqualified.
"I mean, when is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?" Clinton said on "The Charlie Rose Show. "In theory, we could find someone who is a gifted television commentator and let them run."
Last winter, Clinton said that after "all the mean things" the Obama campaign had said about him, "I should be the last person to defend him. (But) if he wins this nomination, I'm going to do what I can to help him win."
Since Obama clinched the nomination in June, Clinton has seemed less than passionate about an Obama presidency, giving only lukewarm endorsements.
Clinton was departing Denver on Thursday morning, hours before Obama gives his acceptance speech.
Aides said this was standard practice for Clinton, and not a snub. Clinton did likewise at the 2000 and 2004 conventions.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
5 minutes ago
Former President Clinton forcefully endorsed Barack Obama's bid for the White House on Wednesday, telling delegates to the Democratic convention that Obama is "ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world."
Clinton pushed back on attacks — initiated by himself and his wife during the bitter primary campaign, and later taken up by Republican John McCain — that Obama is ill-prepared for the White House, especially on matters of national defense.
"With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, insight and good instincts, America will have the national security leadership we need," Clinton said.
Clinton campaigned feverishly for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her long-fought primary battle against Obama, and took her loss hard. He had not spoken out as strongly in support of Obama since he clinched the nomination in June.
But Wednesday, he was unambiguous in passing the torch of Democratic leadership to Obama.
Jabbing a finger at thousands of cheering delegates, he declared: "I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November."
Running just over 20 minutes, the speech by the godfather of the Democratic Party whipped thousands of delegates into an exuberant frenzy. Where a night before they had hoisted "Hillary" banners, on this night they waved American flags.
The delegates stood on their feet and roared for nearly 3 1/2 minutes when Clinton walked on stage. The former president basked in their affection, but after several false starts at his speech, commanded: "Sit down!"
Clinton was by turns funny, nostalgic and wonkish, touching on issues like health care and pension benefits.
Clinton, ever mindful of himself, likened Obama's presidential quest to his own bid for the presidency in 1992, when "Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief."
"Sound familiar?" Clinton said. "It didn't work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won't work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history."
He allowed that the primary campaign had generated "so much heat it increased global warming."
"In the end," he said, "my candidate didn't win. But I'm proud of the campaign she ran: She never quit on the people she stood up for, on the changes she pushed for, on the future she wants for all our children."
The former president's wide-ranging speech also attacked Republicans for an "exploding" national debt and misguided foreign policy.
Clinton's address elicited some nostalgia of its own among the delegates.
"He can still mesmerize a crowd," said Oregon delegate Sam Sappington.
Standing nearby, Lloyd Henion, who came to Denver as a Clinton delegate from Oregon, said the former president "hit a 500-foot home run. He hit all the points."
"That was as clear a message as you could get as to why Barack Obama should be president," Henion said of Bill Clinton's speech.
Clinton's challenge Wednesday night was tall, because he himself had questioned Obama's credentials.
During the primary race, the former president tried to raise doubts about whether the first-term Illinois senator had the experience to lead the country. He said Obama's opposition to the Iraq war was a "fairy tale."
Last fall, he dismissed Obama as totally unqualified.
"I mean, when is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?" Clinton said on "The Charlie Rose Show. "In theory, we could find someone who is a gifted television commentator and let them run."
Last winter, Clinton said that after "all the mean things" the Obama campaign had said about him, "I should be the last person to defend him. (But) if he wins this nomination, I'm going to do what I can to help him win."
Since Obama clinched the nomination in June, Clinton has seemed less than passionate about an Obama presidency, giving only lukewarm endorsements.
Clinton was departing Denver on Thursday morning, hours before Obama gives his acceptance speech.
Aides said this was standard practice for Clinton, and not a snub. Clinton did likewise at the 2000 and 2004 conventions.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Clinton Delivers for Obama
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
By David Von Drehle / Denver
No winner of a hard-fought, down-to-the-wire presidential nomination battle ever received a stronger boost from his vanquished foe than Senator Barack Obama picked up from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton here Tuesday.
After days of backstage carping among both her supporters and his, no one knew exactly what to expect. Obama didn't just beat a strong and popular candidate; he snatched the reins from the party's old guard and ticked off a former President, Bill Clinton, in the process. People might have wondered if Hillary Clinton was preparing to launch her 2012 campaign when the Pepsi Center became filled with thousands of cardboard placards emblazoned with her website address. After all, history holds plenty of examples of also-rans who achieved far less than Clinton did this year — her 18 million primary votes essentially tied Obama's over a grueling six-month race, yet those voters refused to close ranks behind their party's winner.
Clinton cleared up all doubts in a matter of seconds: "I am here as a proud mother," she declared, "a proud Democrat, a proud Senator from New York, a proud American — and a proud supporter of Barack Obama." At that the crowd of some 15,000 people, which had greeted Clinton with a solid four-minute wall of noise, erupted again, waving all those white "Hillary" signs in an enormous cloud.
Six months of pitched battle and a summer of what-ifs would change anyone; they've turned Clinton into a first-rate stage presence. She followed a tough act, Montana governor Brian Schweitzer, who woke up a drowsy crowd with a barn burner of a speech on — of all things — energy independence. Yet Clinton managed, without a lot of poetry or melodrama, to take the gathered Democrats up another couple of notches toward fever country.
She didn't merely declare her own wholehearted support for Obama. She challenged her supporters — a quarter of whom now favor John McCain over Obama, according to recent polls — to put aside their lingering resentments and think about the bigger picture. "I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me?" And at another point: "You haven't worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership. No way. No how. No McCain!"
Clinton repeated her endorsement at regular intervals through her 22-min. speech. "Barack Obama is my candidate," "I support Barack Obama," "We need to elect Barack Obama," and so on. She even added an extra one at the end of her prepared text.
But perhaps the most striking benediction she delivered to her former foe was to hand him — maybe as a loan or maybe forever — the mantle of 1990s peace and prosperity that she had hoped to wear as her own. "As I recall, we did it before with President Clinton and the Democrats," she said to a new round of cheers. "And President Obama and the Democrats will do it again."
Bill Clinton watched the speech from box seats high above the convention floor, flanked by the widow of Arkansas Democratic chairman Bill Gwatney, killed recently by a disgruntled former employee, and the son of the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio. When the speech ended, the former President wiped tears from his eyes, mouthed the words "Great speech" and let out a long sigh.
It's safe to assume Obama let out his own sigh about that same moment. He is halfway through his convention now at a critical juncture in his improbable campaign. His early summer lead in national polls has evaporated, and many Democrats have become skittish. A number of leading liberal writers have started spinning out preliminary theories about why the most effective political organization in years is doomed. Yet he surely knows it could be worse.
Not only did Hillary Clinton come through for him big-time. The campaign pivoted Tuesday from a vaguely defensive attempt to reintroduce the candidate to a more upbeat theme of future vs. past.
"The race for the future is on," keynote speaker Mark Warner of Virginia said in an otherwise generally flat performance. "John McCain promises more of the past. America has never been afraid of the future, and we shouldn't start now."
Democrats hoping to hear the sound of McCain being chewed on were probably disappointed. A number of speakers tried to tie the Republican nominee to incumbent President Bush, figuring that ought to be as lethal as a bathtub tied to a Channel swimmer. Noting that McCain sides with Bush 90% of the time, according to some estimates, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Jr. declared, "That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick."
But it was all pretty dry. The closest thing to red meat came from Schweitzer, and it wasn't very red: "We simply can't drill our way to energy independence, even if you drilled in all of John McCain's backyards — including the ones he can't even remember." The relentless inclusion, in virtually every speech, of a vague and sketchy story about Americans fallen on hard times, lost whatever power it may have had by early evening, at the latest.
Nevertheless, in that final hour, with the whole crowd finally paying attention and on its feet, with Hillary Clinton giving Obama more than he had any historical justification to expect, there was the feeling of a convention that had shifted up a gear or two. That must make a candidate exhale in relief.
Nike sees basketball as bright spot at Olympics By Associated Press
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:41 PM ET
Getty Images
After some disappointments, Nike is looking to men's basketball for one of those big medal moments companies love. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - After some disappointments among Nike's prospects, the company is looking to men's basketball for one of those big medal moments companies crave from the Olympics.
Basketball is the top sport in China and other developing markets where Nike hopes to win over consumers. With the U.S. men's team's advancement to the semifinals in Beijing after a 116-85 victory over Australia Wednesday, the time may be right for the swoosh.
Nike says its sees this year's games - which drew the company's largest Olympics investment ever - as a success. It created a new product for every sport and outfitted 22 of the 28 federations.
In U.S. men's basketball, Nike outfits 11 of the 12 players, including NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, who has spent several summers in China building relationships and is mobbed wherever he goes. His is the top-selling jersey in China.
Bryant just had his best game of the Olympics, scoring 25 points against Australia. But Nike has seen better games for big wins.
Some of its top athletes, most notably Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, faced unexpected disappointments. And Nike lost the spotlight to competitors such as Speedo, which endorses Michael Phelps and created the famed LZR Racer suit, and Puma, which outfitted Jamaica's Usain Bolt, who swept the 100- and 200-meter sprints.
"We are about sticking by athletes through thick and thin, through injury and poor performances," said Nike brand president Charlie Denson from Beijing. "That is why sports are such an exciting field - there are no guarantees. There is heartbreak and failure as well as excitement and triumph."
Associated Press
After suffering an injury, Nike-sponsored Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, faced unexpected disappointments and was forced to withdraw from the competition. In the case of the men's basketball team, Nike needs the latter.
"I think the folks at Nike do want to come out of the games with a big win...they have the luxury of multiple opportunities for that," said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.
"Not that they aren't winning medals all over the place," Swangard said. "But those big iconic victories that transcend the games - that just hasn't happened yet."
Nike could find one of those moments in the U.S. men's basketball team, which it has dubbed the "redeem team."
The U.S. team faces defending gold medalist Argentina or Greece on Friday in the semifinals. The team needs just two wins to gain its first gold medal since 2000. The Americans lost in the semis four years ago at the Olympics in Athens and then in the world championships in 2006.
But this time around the team has LeBron James and Bryant, two superstars who are among the most worshipped U.S. athletes in China. Bryant had to withdraw from the 2004 Olympic team because there was a chance he would be unavailable while facing a sexual assault trial, then pulled out on the eve of training camp in 2006 because he needed knee surgery.
But they bring a fast style of play to basketball that draws the attention of viewers everywhere.
"It's really been fun to watch and to watch this U.S. basketball team perform," Denson said. "I wouldn't say we expected it (such good performance) but we hoped for it.
China is crucial to Nike: It has surpassed the $1 billion annual sales mark there, making China the second biggest market for the Beaverton, Ore.-based company. The sport also captures attention because of its popularity in other developing markets, such as Eastern Europe, where Nike has been making inroads.
Nike finds added importance to defend its dominant position in basketball, particularly as it faces competition from Adidas, which is the NBA's official uniform and apparel supplier.
"The U.S. basketball team is becoming a global favorite again," Denson said.
He said the company has always worked with athletes from an early stage in their career, using their feedback to develop products. This gives Nike an edge in basketball, where it has a long history with consumers and players.
"It isn't a pure marketing game," Denson said. "This is how we build a brand."
Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant find special redemption in Olympic basketball gold
August 25, 2008Recommend (12)
BY GREG COUCH Sun-Times Columnist
BEIJING -- They were two little kids, free of the past and any doubts or suspicions. The U.S. basketball team won gold Sunday, beating Spain 118-107, and the players jump/hugged at center court like superstars rarely do. Redeem team, yes. But the players with the most redemption, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, left the court facing a maze of waist-high metal fences, along a row where reporters stand for interviews, and to the locker room.
So here came Wade, working a camcorder to capture things. But then he couldn't help himself. "Ahhhhhhhh," he said, and started sprinting through the whole thing.
» Click to enlarge image Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are surrounded by photographers as they celebrate after beating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game Sunday at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
(AP)
RELATED STORIESRedeem Team survives, makes Colangelo a hero
And then Bryant came, jumping and running and high-fiving anyone with a hand.
Like two kids so happy deep down that they can't help themselves but to just run and yell.
The moment meant plenty to all the players, and to the great organizer, Jerry Colangelo. But it meant something particularly special to Wade and to Bryant.
"No question it does, and it will," Wade said. "I talked to Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) and said, `Thanks for believing in me.' "
Bryant, meanwhile, was here to rebuild his name. He hasn't won an NBA title without Shaquille O'Neal at his side. And feelings about him in the U.S. are mixed, ever since his sexual assault accusation.
Now, he has a major championship. And in China, the people were surprisingly wild about him. He created a bigger stir the past two weeks even than China's Yao Ming. On Sunday, two young woman volunteer assistants working the interview room couldn't help themselves when Bryant walked in. They squealed and giggled together.
It was a much better image for Bryant than what we're used to. That, and the gold medal around his neck.
The way he took over in the fourth quarter against Spain, when his country needed him.
"What you saw today was a team," Bryant said. "People say NBA players are selfish, but we were facing adversity and came out with a win."
If Bryant goes home with a better image though, Wade's redemption is more from within. He was the best player on the team throughout the Olympics. And you could have seen that coming when he said beforehand that all he expected of his teammates was that they play the best 16 days of their lives.
He was on the 2004 team in Athens that embarrassed itself with disinterested play and a bad attitude. Wade, who's from Chicago, barely acknowledges being on the team, saying he didn't get to play.
But before the Games, he talked about the people in Athens booing the U.S. team, not just on the court, but out in public, or anywhere the players were seen.
Do you know where your bronze medal from Athens is?
"No," he said. "But I know where my gold is, and it's going to stay here for a while."
It was around his neck.
Wade, who scored 27 points Sunday, including a big late 3-pointer, was a question mark with Colangelo. He still had the endorsements of a superstar, the commercials with Charles Barkley, and even the tabloids talking about him and whether he's dating Starr Jones.
Truth is, though, Wade hasn't been playing to his reputation. His knees appeared shot, and Colangelo told him from the start that the word was Wade would never be the same. Wade had to prove himself. And once Wade said he could do it, Krzyzewski backed him, he said, and even called regularly leading up to the Games to see how he was doing.
Wade did something he said he had never done, hit the weight room to build the muscles around his knees.
"I worked damn hard to get here," he said.
From here, Wade goes back a different person. And Team USA is different, too.
Someone asked him if the team had created the blueprint for future golds.
"It's going to be a tough blueprint to follow,' he said. "Tough to get this team back together.
"But we've got great young players. They saw how we represented ourselves and enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, the next Olympics, whether I'm on it or not, everybody will take a look back at this and try to do it."
It couldn't have turned out better for these two kids.
BY GREG COUCH Sun-Times Columnist
BEIJING -- They were two little kids, free of the past and any doubts or suspicions. The U.S. basketball team won gold Sunday, beating Spain 118-107, and the players jump/hugged at center court like superstars rarely do. Redeem team, yes. But the players with the most redemption, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, left the court facing a maze of waist-high metal fences, along a row where reporters stand for interviews, and to the locker room.
So here came Wade, working a camcorder to capture things. But then he couldn't help himself. "Ahhhhhhhh," he said, and started sprinting through the whole thing.
» Click to enlarge image Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are surrounded by photographers as they celebrate after beating Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game Sunday at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
(AP)
RELATED STORIESRedeem Team survives, makes Colangelo a hero
And then Bryant came, jumping and running and high-fiving anyone with a hand.
Like two kids so happy deep down that they can't help themselves but to just run and yell.
The moment meant plenty to all the players, and to the great organizer, Jerry Colangelo. But it meant something particularly special to Wade and to Bryant.
"No question it does, and it will," Wade said. "I talked to Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) and said, `Thanks for believing in me.' "
Bryant, meanwhile, was here to rebuild his name. He hasn't won an NBA title without Shaquille O'Neal at his side. And feelings about him in the U.S. are mixed, ever since his sexual assault accusation.
Now, he has a major championship. And in China, the people were surprisingly wild about him. He created a bigger stir the past two weeks even than China's Yao Ming. On Sunday, two young woman volunteer assistants working the interview room couldn't help themselves when Bryant walked in. They squealed and giggled together.
It was a much better image for Bryant than what we're used to. That, and the gold medal around his neck.
The way he took over in the fourth quarter against Spain, when his country needed him.
"What you saw today was a team," Bryant said. "People say NBA players are selfish, but we were facing adversity and came out with a win."
If Bryant goes home with a better image though, Wade's redemption is more from within. He was the best player on the team throughout the Olympics. And you could have seen that coming when he said beforehand that all he expected of his teammates was that they play the best 16 days of their lives.
He was on the 2004 team in Athens that embarrassed itself with disinterested play and a bad attitude. Wade, who's from Chicago, barely acknowledges being on the team, saying he didn't get to play.
But before the Games, he talked about the people in Athens booing the U.S. team, not just on the court, but out in public, or anywhere the players were seen.
Do you know where your bronze medal from Athens is?
"No," he said. "But I know where my gold is, and it's going to stay here for a while."
It was around his neck.
Wade, who scored 27 points Sunday, including a big late 3-pointer, was a question mark with Colangelo. He still had the endorsements of a superstar, the commercials with Charles Barkley, and even the tabloids talking about him and whether he's dating Starr Jones.
Truth is, though, Wade hasn't been playing to his reputation. His knees appeared shot, and Colangelo told him from the start that the word was Wade would never be the same. Wade had to prove himself. And once Wade said he could do it, Krzyzewski backed him, he said, and even called regularly leading up to the Games to see how he was doing.
Wade did something he said he had never done, hit the weight room to build the muscles around his knees.
"I worked damn hard to get here," he said.
From here, Wade goes back a different person. And Team USA is different, too.
Someone asked him if the team had created the blueprint for future golds.
"It's going to be a tough blueprint to follow,' he said. "Tough to get this team back together.
"But we've got great young players. They saw how we represented ourselves and enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, the next Olympics, whether I'm on it or not, everybody will take a look back at this and try to do it."
It couldn't have turned out better for these two kids.
The joke's on McCain: Late-night comedians lay off Obama
LA Times
A hilarious new study of late-night political jokes, due to be released later today, finds the network comedians clearly avoiding humor about Democratic candidate Barack Obama, while piling the jokes on President Bush and Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
The study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs finds that only cable's Comedy Central -- whose primary comedians, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, more closely follow the day's headlines, which have been dominated by Obama -- has slightly more jokes about the freshman Illinois senator.
The study covered all jokes between Jan. 1 and July 31 in late-night monologues by Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Stewart and Colbert.
Apparently, Jimmy Kimmel was not deemed funny enough to be included, which should give his writers some ammo for tonight's show.
The center found that the network shows broadcast only 169 jokes about Obama, compared with 428 about Bush. McCain drew 328 jokes. Hillary Clinton, who dropped out of the presidential race and much political news in early June, still drew more than twice as many attempted yuk lines (382) as Obama.
On Comedy Central, Obama and McCain were close, with 207 and 201, respectively, while Clinton and Bush nearly tied at 179 and 177, respectively.
Combining the laugh lines from all five shows, Bush was the ...
... most mocked, with 605; Clinton had 562; McCain got 549; and Obama trailed, with 382.
Letterman had the most fun at Clinton's expense, with 146 jokes about her and only 46 about Obama. Leno had the most Bush jokes (208), with Clinton right behind at 204.
Colbert worked McCain over the most, with 129 jokes, compared with 91 for Obama and 79 on Clinton. An example: "It's time the media started trumpeting McCain's exciting story. He's old, and no one likes him."
It'll come as a huge surprise to everyone that the main focus of jokes about Vietnam veteran McCain was his age, which is 71. "McCain was asked how he's going to conserve energy," said Leno, who is 58 and being forced to retire from NBC next year. "He said by taking three naps a day."
Obama's recent Mideast and European tour "may strike some as presumptuous," said Stewart, who's 45. "In fact, I joked that Obama would be stopping in Bethlehem to visit the manger where he was born."
Leno on 60-year-old Clinton: "Only in America could a woman who's married to a man from Hope go to a town called Unity and fake something called Sincerity."
The study did not explore why Obama got off so lightly on the network shows from New York and Burbank. So we'll all just have to guess: probably out of simple respect for Obama's long public service.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Comments
maybe you will also present your audience with the polls or scientific data that show or suggest whether being the object of comedy actually more helps or harms a candidate's campaign? or whether, and if so how, comedy can be, or is being used, as a propaganda tool.
without further information, your material seems rather pointless.
Posted by: dave | August 21, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Well if it will make you feel better, over 70% of the media coverage about Barack Obama is negative, and 90% of the coverage of Black men in general is negative. Think about it when is the last time read a positive article about a Black man in the Los Angeles Times or any other publication.
Posted by: MrUniteUs | August 21, 2008 at 04:15 AM
The reason for this is obvious. They have more respect for him. He is more presidential than all of them.
Posted by: Tyler Durden | August 21, 2008 at 04:24 AM
thats bull, the reason is because he is black, liberal television, race fear again, double standard..its disqusting
Posted by: jeff | August 21, 2008 at 04:25 AM
is that self censor? or we will be label many kind of word form racis* , gender bia*....? oh thats not good for media freedom.
Posted by: jennifer cole | August 21, 2008 at 04:34 AM
This study reveals the bias of the entertainment industry as a whole, not just the TV "comics".
Let's face it, we moderates and conservatives are just not PC!
What a joke that is.
Posted by: Walt Hall | August 21, 2008 at 04:37 AM
"Probably out of simple respect for Obama's long public service" - good one.
Obama is comedy gold, but Hollywood types won't gore their own ox.
Mocking him pisses him off more than anything it will be fun to watch.
Posted by: Jack Sheet | August 21, 2008 at 05:31 AM
How about this story? Game changer and you don't even see it. Imagine the ads targeted at rural dems in key states. While millions of Americans lose the only home they have ever owned, John McCain tells them, Gee, I have to get back to you on how many homes I own! Wow! And who is that elitist?!
Couple this unreal moment with his claim that peopel who make over 5 mil are rich, his making millions off of his mob-tied father-in-law, and his travels to The Bahamas with Keating...and this election is done for him.
McCain unsure how many houses he owns Jonathan Martin, Mike Allen
1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview Wednesday that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own.
"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."
The correct answer is at least four, located in Arizona, California and Virginia, according to his staff. Newsweek estimated this summer that the couple owns at least seven properties.
In recent weeks, Democrats have stepped up their effort to caricature McCain as living an outlandishly rich lifestyle — a bit of payback to the GOP for portraying Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as an elitist, and for turning the spotlight in 2004 on the five homes owned by Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Pro-Obama labor groups have sent out mailers highlighting McCain’s wealth, and prominent Democrats have included references to it in comments to reporters.
Twice in the past two weeks, those Democrats have focused on McCain’s houses.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Politico’s Ben Smith that it was McCain “who wears $500 shoes, has six houses and comes from one of the richest families in his state."
And David Axelrod, Obama’s chief strategist, referred in an interview with Adam Nagourney of The New York Times to an imagined meeting of McCain strategists “on the portico of the McCain estate in Sedona — or maybe in one of his six other houses.”
McCain’s comments came four days after he initially told Pastor Rick Warren during a faith forum on Sunday his threshold for considering someone rich is $5 million — a careless comment he quickly corrected.
In the interview, McCain did not offer an alternate number, but had a new answer ready.
“I define rich in other ways besides income,” he said. “Some people are wealthy and rich in their lives and their children and their ability to educate them. Others are poor if they’re billionaires.”
McCain, by anyone's measure, is well-off, if you account for his wife's fortune. Cindy McCain inherited control of her father’s beer distributorship, the largest in Arizona, and has an estimated worth of more than $100 million.
Posted by: Joshua Generation for a New GOP | August 21, 2008 at 06:12 AM
Does the fact that Obama is not the subject of jokes work against him? O's problem is that he comes across as distant and too cerebral suggesting a lack of decisiveness when he answers questions (as happened at the Saddleback "debate"). Our humanity comes as much from our foibles as our strengths. Foibles are the prime source of humor and a visceral way we connect with our leaders and they with us (which is why laughing at one's self is so endearing).
Posted by: JMD | August 21, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Its easier to make fun of someone with more imperfections. Its no joke, that's just the way it is.
Posted by: truth | August 21, 2008 at 06:36 AM
2 words: White Guilt
Posted by: Greg | August 21, 2008 at 06:42 AM
What about Craig Ferguson?
Posted by: JimC | August 21, 2008 at 06:43 AM
We have the media, including late night talk show hosts, to thank for foisting this charlantan on the American public. Of course the DNC contributed heavily. Their actions, combined with the gullibility of many Americans, has resulted in the most unqualified candidate ever to run for the office being a hair's breath away from the presidency. Nice work!
Posted by: Marross | August 21, 2008 at 06:49 AM
I took Leno & Letterman out od my TIVO. They are not funny anymore. I think they are getting too old.
Posted by: tkd61 | August 21, 2008 at 06:51 AM
this is meaningless because comedy central destroys the argument
Posted by: HoraceManoor | August 21, 2008 at 06:59 AM
They're afraid to poke fun of Obama because they're scared of being labeled "racists." He's too "holy" for jokes.
Posted by: Chris | August 21, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Obamamania in the media started almoust immediately. One of the best example of the Obamamaniacs, i think, is Keith Olbermann. Nobody investigates who is behind all of that nonsence.
Posted by: Victor | August 21, 2008 at 07:10 AM
The Center for Media and Public Affairs that released this "study" is a conservative think tank. The president of the the CMPA is a Fox News consultant and used to be head of the American Enterprise Institute. CMPA is funded by the Olins, the Scaifes, and the same millionaire heirs that fund so many of these conservative groups. Of course, this "news" is not provided by the reporter Andrew Malcolm. Thankfully, the LA Times makes him list on this page he used to work for the Bushes (yet another bunch of millionaire heirs who never worked a day in their lives), so at least we know what angle he is trying to push.
I'm told by the software that these items are moderated and thus there is a good chance this will never show up. Of course, LA Times Tribune company's readership has been plummeting since the web breaks up their little corporate propaganda campaign, as did their stock price which went from 60 in 1999 to below 30 last year before it was finally privatized. The Times can spit out corporate PR and hide this comment, but they can't stop their plummeting readership and disappearing advertising.
Posted by: Michael Schroeder | August 21, 2008 at 07:11 AM
...so where is Craig Ferguson in this study? He's much funnier than these guys. He tells several jokes on McCain nightly. Have never heard him say a joke about Obama.
Posted by: Carl | August 21, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Remember, the new definition of a racist is someone who uses facts and logic to win a debate with a "liberal."
Americans don't want a President that comedians can't make fun of out of racial hesitations. That is for sure.
Posted by: Twok | August 21, 2008 at 08:10 AM
they don't joke about B.O. because he's divebombing in the polls. it's bad sportsmanship to mock losers.
Posted by: benitacanova | August 21, 2008 at 08:10 AM
"Well if it will make you feel better, over 70% of the media coverage about Barack Obama is negative..."
I'd like to visit your planet some day. How many Suns do you have and what color is the sky there?
Posted by: Stan | August 21, 2008 at 08:33 AM
This is news to anyone? That a black liberal who can't speak off teleprompter, is a two-legged gaffe machine, has zero grasp of history, but has a history of drug use, is totally whipped by his domineering wife, and is currently divebombing in the polls offers nothing to make fun of?
Yup, makes sense to me...
Posted by: princetrumpet | August 21, 2008 at 08:35 AM
"How about this story? Game changer and you don't even see it. Imagine the ads targeted at rural dems in key states. While millions of Americans lose the only home they have ever owned, John McCain tells them, Gee, I have to get back to you on how many homes I own! Wow! And who is that elitist?!"
When will the moonbats learn that this sort of class warfare just doesn't work? Most Americans simply don't share your resentment of success.
Posted by: Stan | August 21, 2008 at 08:36 AM
They don't make jokes about Putin in Russia either.
An investment in the future. I guess...
Posted by: Johnny | August 21, 2008 at 08:56 AM
why dont they make jokes about barack hussein obimbo
it is obvious, he is black and tthat would be wrong and they would be called racist even thoug the obamanation is a black racist
white guilt it may be however it may also be self loathing that whites are taught by the media.
i wonder where obimbo and his kind would be without whitey, getting eaten by lions and alligators and living in cesspools like somalia, kenya, the congo or the future hell hole that was a great country called south africa
tis a pity
eamon
Posted by: eamon | August 21, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Man, this article likes to start a flame war. Look at these comments, all politics and racism talk. I don't think anyone is even talking about what the article is actually about; how Jay Leno sucks and Conan rules.
And 'squinty-eyes' Kimmel is not funny
Posted by: Bobachu | August 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
They don't make fun of Obama because it would piss off the Hollywood Elite, and they might even boycott their shows, Or be accused of making jokes at Obama because he's black. So sad.
Posted by: Pamela | August 21, 2008 at 09:10 AM
And how many homes does Ted Kennedy own,? Give me a break. You liberals live in a world of your own!
Posted by: Rex | August 21, 2008 at 09:15 AM
They're scared. Look what happened to Imus.
Posted by: peterg | August 21, 2008 at 09:25 AM
For all the people who have commented to the effect of "no one makes fun of Obama because they fear being branded racist/he's too out of touch" - this argument would only hold up if people weren't telling jokes about him. They are. Just less than they are telling jokes about McCain.
Posted by: George Charlson | August 21, 2008 at 09:48 AM
The likely reason: they're terrified.
To make any jokes about Obama is to invite immediate condemnation for racism from the campaign and the entertainment industry, with calls to pull them off the air.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Hollywood blacklist."
Posted by: jblog | August 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
As a senator in the Illinois legislature, Obama voted against a measure that would have protected BABIES who were already born. Obama's action would have the effect to allow doctors to withhold medical attention from BABIES and allow them to DIE!
Gives new meaning to the song "Killing Me Softly" doesn't it?
The records from the Illinois Legislature fully support the story and the facts. When confronted with the facts and copies of official documents, Obama accused people of lying about his record. It turns out that Obama was the one who was not telling the truth. And he tried to force his deception upon The American People by calling his accusers liars. A few days later, his campaign very quietly admitted that Obama was "Mistaken" in his assertions. MISTAKEN? I think there are more appropriate words which more accurately describe Obama's assertions rather than "MISTAKEN".
These facts would lead a reasonable person to conclude that Obama supported infant killing in Illinois and then when faced with the truth tried to cover his tracks. What do you think?
Posted by: GeraldD | August 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
These people NEVER get the studies right.
The problem with evaluating these comedians according to the sum-total of their jokes about candidate X or candidate Y is that some comedians have larger audiences than others.
The audience-size thing is critical. To plausibly measure influence, one should multiply each comedian's joke-total (for each candidate) by the number of persons who're likely to have heard the joke. Dennis Miller could crack on Obama all night and it wouldn't have a tenth the impact of Leno cracking on McCain, 'cause the former has no audience and the latter does.
The same thing is the problem when people argue that, "The Mainstream Media aren't really that left-biased; after all, most editorials in small-town newspapers are written by fairly conservative people." Yes: And the small-town newspapers have a circulation of 150; the New York and L.A. Times and Washington Post circulate 15 million. This is, uh, a difference worth considering.
Once the findings of these "bias" studies are audience-weighted, they'll be meaningful.
But not until then.
(Another problem is that some jokes evoke sympathy for a person or don't bear on aspects of that person's qualifications for being president, whereas others evoke contempt and/or do reflect negatively on that person's presidential qualifications. But we'll leave that aside for a moment.)
Posted by: R.C. | August 21, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Lets stop beating around the Bush--of course it's a "white Guilt" deal, plus the Imus fear factor, fear of being labeled racist--all of it. And the fact that the majority of the entertainment industry itself is so undeniably liberal and leftist. To contend otherwise would take a Lake-Superior-sized vessel full of unmitigated gall. Let's not kid ourselves, sports-fans, the only politically acceptable category left ok to ridicule is straight white conservative Christian males. Everything else is PC-like beyond the pale--UNLESS your a member of the minority group that you're making fun of. DL Hugley, on the Lenno show only a week after Imus was fired said:"Imus was right, those WERE some ugly nappy-heads out there--although they weren't Ho's." Not a PEEP of criticism.
Posted by: Rex V. Darling, Jr. | August 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I have a great respect for America. But all these years politicians have been folling around and especially repub..
Look at unemployment,health all these have killed americans real guts but still you are talkng about security threat..you millions billions to FBI,CIA,NSG for what ..what are they doing if you are asking to be pres ..ask for health reforms jobs .....
Mccain talk about fuel and stuff like that what was he doing ...why did Sr Bush killed the electric car...
Posted by: Sameer | August 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Is Obama American? Otherwise, he can not take a joke.
Posted by: Peter Truong | August 21, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Walter Winchell, the famous gossip columnist said, "I don't give a damn what they say about me...as long as they spell my name right". McCain is easier to ridicule so I guess he wins the exposure round in this matchup.
Posted by: Thorninurside | August 21, 2008 at 11:52 AM
@Sammeer...
That's kinda ironic because all the civil rights legislation that the democrats started and continue to push for have been around since the 1960's and what have they done for the country? It seems like if these policies worked so well, we wouldn't still be talking about them, now would we?
Posted by: greg | August 21, 2008 at 11:57 AM
It's very simple: McCain is just a funny ol' dude trying to act presidential and failing.
Posted by: oaklynne | August 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM
"Apparently, Jimmy Kimmel was not deemed funny enough to be included ... "
Hahaha, I rofl'd.
Posted by: jessica | August 21, 2008 at 01:37 PM
The study is meaningless for a variety of reasons:
1. Selection Criteria is what? Conan is in, but Fergeson is out? On what basis?
2. Colbert's show is stylistic in premise and that premise inherently pokes more fun at certain targets.
3. Letterman is in NEW YORK where one of the candidates is a sitting Senator, skewing his joke selection.
4. We made more fun of Quayle than Bush I as a VP. Media bias, or are some people just better fodder? Both can be critiqued on policy, negativity, flip-flops, and the usual stuff -- but the values of their real defining characteristics for simple, base comedy (Mccain - Age, Obama - fanatic pop culture vs substance) are different, and frankly McCain's vice is easier to exploit for a quick punchline.
5. Who the heck cares?
Posted by: GW | August 21, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Simple. McCain gets the brunt of the jokes because he is the Bigger Clown. By far. The man is a buffoon who doesn't know that Pakistan and Iraq aren't contiguous, who admits to know nothing about the economy, who married a woman young enough to be his daughter shortly after dumping the wife who had stuck with him through thick and thin, who doesn't know how many houses he has, who claims to be a straight talker but who can't go a press conference without lying (the latest: his wife met Mother Teresa... bwaaah!)
Posted by: Joe Shmoe | August 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Mecane steels people heart by telling his captivitu in vetnam and when he talks about it he thinks makes his listeners to belive he is the only vetran from that wrongly started war and finished shmefully.
He uses it like a currency to buy peoples heart, ear and now their vote AMERICA WAKE UP BEFORE CRYING FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
MACANE STOP USING YOUR EXPERIANCE IN VETNAM AS ACURRENCY TO BY PEOPLS HEART BECAUSE YOU ARE FROM RICH FAMILY AND GOT A CHANCE TO BE ON NATIONAL STAGE DONT MAKE MONY AND STATUS WITH THAT EXPERIANCE. THERE ARE MANY VETRACE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE LIKE YOU AND CANNOT CASH IN TELLING THEIR STORY. WE ARE TIRED OF LISTING YOUR BLABLA BLA .....VETNAM......BLABLA.... TALK REALITY NOW.
Posted by: JOJO | August 21, 2008 at 01:58 PM
It's all for ratings people! They joke about what's funny. Those crying that the TV stations are too easy on Obama need to listen to the "Eagles" single named "Get Over It".
Posted by: Edwin L. Jones | August 21, 2008 at 02:37 PM
It doesn´t really matter which party wins its all a show, all controlled by the CFR and Bilderberg until everyone realizes that these elections are all a show then we´re in the same position that we are with Bush. Learn more people open your eyes.
www.prisonplanet.com
www.infowars.com
www.jonesreport.com
www.truthnews.us
Posted by: John Lewis | August 21, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Obama is going to get hammered now about HIS house courtesy of convicted felon Tony Rezko...and someone should ask him if he objected when John Kerry with his many mansions and his billionaire wife Teresa Heinz ran for President.
Posted by: Richard Orby | August 21, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Simply put, Bush, McCain and Clinton are more buffoonish than Obama. He doesn't really have that many qualities that lend themselves to comedic skewering. He's intelligent, speaks eloquently, always appears calm and confident, is neither strident or befuddled.
Posted by: Midgie | August 21, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Nicely put Midgie.
To exapnd a little McCain seems more like Bush a figure of fun for the late night shows and a nightmare for the rest of us.
McCain offers up an easy comedy target.
Compare: Obama goes to Germany a makes a very presidential speech. McCain goes to a supermarket and talks while cans are dropped behind him by an uninterested shopper. Come on, comedians can't pass up that kind of opportunity.
How about the bikers rally he attended were he offered up his wife for a strip dancing beauty contest!! and doing that vroom vroom thing just to get them to rev their engines - So sad.
Add the fact that he is old which means he forgets how many houses he has and mixes up Shite and Sunni gives them another easy target.
Obama talks sensibly and intelligently about subjects, even if you don't agree with him and doesn't come across as senile.
Should comedians base their jokes on the lies about Obama, muslim etc or the reality that is John McCain.
Posted by: Bob | August 21, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Maross - I presume you are talking about John McCain or are you referring to President Bush?
Posted by: Clive | August 21, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Lets see, a study stating that shows on ABC NBC etc
are biased in favor of democratic presidential hopefuls.
They are all unbiased professionals. It can't be.
It's NOT true I tell you.
Doowleb
Posted by: Doowleb | August 22, 2008 at 08:49 AM
For the multitude of people on here saying that the late nights are attacking McCain because he's an easier target - last time I checked, big ears were comic gold (see Fresh Prince).
Or how about the Obama "Uh" count, which I've only seen once or twice. Obama says "uh" more times in a day than he says "Americans." That too is comic gold.
I love late night television; jokes about Bush and McCain can be funny. I'm not a wingnut. But a "he's old" joke every night usually falls flat. I think they're not picking on Obama because the race issue. Saturday Night Live deals with race issues all the time; why have they fallen silent on this one?
Posted by: Evan | August 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Speaking of Hollywood and the media's infatuation with Senator Obama, where are Michael Moore and Susan Sarandon and Whoopi Goldberg this time around? They put W. in the White House in 2004 with their socialist ranting, and now they have an even more liberal candidate based upon Obama's voting record which is at odds with his rhetoric. The media seem to forget the part of the country not on the east and west coast, who do not share the views that the economy can be "solved" by radically expanding the welfare state and punishing success. Both BIll and Hillary Clinton undersand this, which is why both were/are electable as President. Not Senator Obama, whose record is more liberal than Ted Kennedy which is why Hollywood is fawning all over him and thus confirming his lack of electability in the heartland. Hillary would have beaten McCain by 10 points and Obama snubbed her out of ego and criticized her for supporting the liberation of the repressed and brutalized citizens of Iraq who now have freedom and democracy. How can that be a "disaster" or a "quagmire" -- ask any Iraqi citizen if they want to go back to being terrorized and murdered by Udaq and Qusay Hussein. Its gonna be 4 more years in the wilderness for the Democratic Party until we can nominate another moderate such as Bill or Hillary. Hillary in 2012!!!!!
Posted by: Reagan Democrat | August 24, 2008 at 09:30 PM
This isn't a shock! Obama's people set the precedent early on: If you make any jokes about the Black candidate we'll call you a racist!!!! Just another reason not to vote for the man if you ask me. Can you imagine four years of being called a racist any time you try to critique (or even joke about) your President? No thank! I'm going with Nader this year!!!
Posted by: gaypastor | August 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM
A hilarious new study of late-night political jokes, due to be released later today, finds the network comedians clearly avoiding humor about Democratic candidate Barack Obama, while piling the jokes on President Bush and Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
The study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs finds that only cable's Comedy Central -- whose primary comedians, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, more closely follow the day's headlines, which have been dominated by Obama -- has slightly more jokes about the freshman Illinois senator.
The study covered all jokes between Jan. 1 and July 31 in late-night monologues by Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Stewart and Colbert.
Apparently, Jimmy Kimmel was not deemed funny enough to be included, which should give his writers some ammo for tonight's show.
The center found that the network shows broadcast only 169 jokes about Obama, compared with 428 about Bush. McCain drew 328 jokes. Hillary Clinton, who dropped out of the presidential race and much political news in early June, still drew more than twice as many attempted yuk lines (382) as Obama.
On Comedy Central, Obama and McCain were close, with 207 and 201, respectively, while Clinton and Bush nearly tied at 179 and 177, respectively.
Combining the laugh lines from all five shows, Bush was the ...
... most mocked, with 605; Clinton had 562; McCain got 549; and Obama trailed, with 382.
Letterman had the most fun at Clinton's expense, with 146 jokes about her and only 46 about Obama. Leno had the most Bush jokes (208), with Clinton right behind at 204.
Colbert worked McCain over the most, with 129 jokes, compared with 91 for Obama and 79 on Clinton. An example: "It's time the media started trumpeting McCain's exciting story. He's old, and no one likes him."
It'll come as a huge surprise to everyone that the main focus of jokes about Vietnam veteran McCain was his age, which is 71. "McCain was asked how he's going to conserve energy," said Leno, who is 58 and being forced to retire from NBC next year. "He said by taking three naps a day."
Obama's recent Mideast and European tour "may strike some as presumptuous," said Stewart, who's 45. "In fact, I joked that Obama would be stopping in Bethlehem to visit the manger where he was born."
Leno on 60-year-old Clinton: "Only in America could a woman who's married to a man from Hope go to a town called Unity and fake something called Sincerity."
The study did not explore why Obama got off so lightly on the network shows from New York and Burbank. So we'll all just have to guess: probably out of simple respect for Obama's long public service.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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maybe you will also present your audience with the polls or scientific data that show or suggest whether being the object of comedy actually more helps or harms a candidate's campaign? or whether, and if so how, comedy can be, or is being used, as a propaganda tool.
without further information, your material seems rather pointless.
Posted by: dave | August 21, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Well if it will make you feel better, over 70% of the media coverage about Barack Obama is negative, and 90% of the coverage of Black men in general is negative. Think about it when is the last time read a positive article about a Black man in the Los Angeles Times or any other publication.
Posted by: MrUniteUs | August 21, 2008 at 04:15 AM
The reason for this is obvious. They have more respect for him. He is more presidential than all of them.
Posted by: Tyler Durden | August 21, 2008 at 04:24 AM
thats bull, the reason is because he is black, liberal television, race fear again, double standard..its disqusting
Posted by: jeff | August 21, 2008 at 04:25 AM
is that self censor? or we will be label many kind of word form racis* , gender bia*....? oh thats not good for media freedom.
Posted by: jennifer cole | August 21, 2008 at 04:34 AM
This study reveals the bias of the entertainment industry as a whole, not just the TV "comics".
Let's face it, we moderates and conservatives are just not PC!
What a joke that is.
Posted by: Walt Hall | August 21, 2008 at 04:37 AM
"Probably out of simple respect for Obama's long public service" - good one.
Obama is comedy gold, but Hollywood types won't gore their own ox.
Mocking him pisses him off more than anything it will be fun to watch.
Posted by: Jack Sheet | August 21, 2008 at 05:31 AM
How about this story? Game changer and you don't even see it. Imagine the ads targeted at rural dems in key states. While millions of Americans lose the only home they have ever owned, John McCain tells them, Gee, I have to get back to you on how many homes I own! Wow! And who is that elitist?!
Couple this unreal moment with his claim that peopel who make over 5 mil are rich, his making millions off of his mob-tied father-in-law, and his travels to The Bahamas with Keating...and this election is done for him.
McCain unsure how many houses he owns Jonathan Martin, Mike Allen
1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview Wednesday that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own.
"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."
The correct answer is at least four, located in Arizona, California and Virginia, according to his staff. Newsweek estimated this summer that the couple owns at least seven properties.
In recent weeks, Democrats have stepped up their effort to caricature McCain as living an outlandishly rich lifestyle — a bit of payback to the GOP for portraying Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as an elitist, and for turning the spotlight in 2004 on the five homes owned by Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Pro-Obama labor groups have sent out mailers highlighting McCain’s wealth, and prominent Democrats have included references to it in comments to reporters.
Twice in the past two weeks, those Democrats have focused on McCain’s houses.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Politico’s Ben Smith that it was McCain “who wears $500 shoes, has six houses and comes from one of the richest families in his state."
And David Axelrod, Obama’s chief strategist, referred in an interview with Adam Nagourney of The New York Times to an imagined meeting of McCain strategists “on the portico of the McCain estate in Sedona — or maybe in one of his six other houses.”
McCain’s comments came four days after he initially told Pastor Rick Warren during a faith forum on Sunday his threshold for considering someone rich is $5 million — a careless comment he quickly corrected.
In the interview, McCain did not offer an alternate number, but had a new answer ready.
“I define rich in other ways besides income,” he said. “Some people are wealthy and rich in their lives and their children and their ability to educate them. Others are poor if they’re billionaires.”
McCain, by anyone's measure, is well-off, if you account for his wife's fortune. Cindy McCain inherited control of her father’s beer distributorship, the largest in Arizona, and has an estimated worth of more than $100 million.
Posted by: Joshua Generation for a New GOP | August 21, 2008 at 06:12 AM
Does the fact that Obama is not the subject of jokes work against him? O's problem is that he comes across as distant and too cerebral suggesting a lack of decisiveness when he answers questions (as happened at the Saddleback "debate"). Our humanity comes as much from our foibles as our strengths. Foibles are the prime source of humor and a visceral way we connect with our leaders and they with us (which is why laughing at one's self is so endearing).
Posted by: JMD | August 21, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Its easier to make fun of someone with more imperfections. Its no joke, that's just the way it is.
Posted by: truth | August 21, 2008 at 06:36 AM
2 words: White Guilt
Posted by: Greg | August 21, 2008 at 06:42 AM
What about Craig Ferguson?
Posted by: JimC | August 21, 2008 at 06:43 AM
We have the media, including late night talk show hosts, to thank for foisting this charlantan on the American public. Of course the DNC contributed heavily. Their actions, combined with the gullibility of many Americans, has resulted in the most unqualified candidate ever to run for the office being a hair's breath away from the presidency. Nice work!
Posted by: Marross | August 21, 2008 at 06:49 AM
I took Leno & Letterman out od my TIVO. They are not funny anymore. I think they are getting too old.
Posted by: tkd61 | August 21, 2008 at 06:51 AM
this is meaningless because comedy central destroys the argument
Posted by: HoraceManoor | August 21, 2008 at 06:59 AM
They're afraid to poke fun of Obama because they're scared of being labeled "racists." He's too "holy" for jokes.
Posted by: Chris | August 21, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Obamamania in the media started almoust immediately. One of the best example of the Obamamaniacs, i think, is Keith Olbermann. Nobody investigates who is behind all of that nonsence.
Posted by: Victor | August 21, 2008 at 07:10 AM
The Center for Media and Public Affairs that released this "study" is a conservative think tank. The president of the the CMPA is a Fox News consultant and used to be head of the American Enterprise Institute. CMPA is funded by the Olins, the Scaifes, and the same millionaire heirs that fund so many of these conservative groups. Of course, this "news" is not provided by the reporter Andrew Malcolm. Thankfully, the LA Times makes him list on this page he used to work for the Bushes (yet another bunch of millionaire heirs who never worked a day in their lives), so at least we know what angle he is trying to push.
I'm told by the software that these items are moderated and thus there is a good chance this will never show up. Of course, LA Times Tribune company's readership has been plummeting since the web breaks up their little corporate propaganda campaign, as did their stock price which went from 60 in 1999 to below 30 last year before it was finally privatized. The Times can spit out corporate PR and hide this comment, but they can't stop their plummeting readership and disappearing advertising.
Posted by: Michael Schroeder | August 21, 2008 at 07:11 AM
...so where is Craig Ferguson in this study? He's much funnier than these guys. He tells several jokes on McCain nightly. Have never heard him say a joke about Obama.
Posted by: Carl | August 21, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Remember, the new definition of a racist is someone who uses facts and logic to win a debate with a "liberal."
Americans don't want a President that comedians can't make fun of out of racial hesitations. That is for sure.
Posted by: Twok | August 21, 2008 at 08:10 AM
they don't joke about B.O. because he's divebombing in the polls. it's bad sportsmanship to mock losers.
Posted by: benitacanova | August 21, 2008 at 08:10 AM
"Well if it will make you feel better, over 70% of the media coverage about Barack Obama is negative..."
I'd like to visit your planet some day. How many Suns do you have and what color is the sky there?
Posted by: Stan | August 21, 2008 at 08:33 AM
This is news to anyone? That a black liberal who can't speak off teleprompter, is a two-legged gaffe machine, has zero grasp of history, but has a history of drug use, is totally whipped by his domineering wife, and is currently divebombing in the polls offers nothing to make fun of?
Yup, makes sense to me...
Posted by: princetrumpet | August 21, 2008 at 08:35 AM
"How about this story? Game changer and you don't even see it. Imagine the ads targeted at rural dems in key states. While millions of Americans lose the only home they have ever owned, John McCain tells them, Gee, I have to get back to you on how many homes I own! Wow! And who is that elitist?!"
When will the moonbats learn that this sort of class warfare just doesn't work? Most Americans simply don't share your resentment of success.
Posted by: Stan | August 21, 2008 at 08:36 AM
They don't make jokes about Putin in Russia either.
An investment in the future. I guess...
Posted by: Johnny | August 21, 2008 at 08:56 AM
why dont they make jokes about barack hussein obimbo
it is obvious, he is black and tthat would be wrong and they would be called racist even thoug the obamanation is a black racist
white guilt it may be however it may also be self loathing that whites are taught by the media.
i wonder where obimbo and his kind would be without whitey, getting eaten by lions and alligators and living in cesspools like somalia, kenya, the congo or the future hell hole that was a great country called south africa
tis a pity
eamon
Posted by: eamon | August 21, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Man, this article likes to start a flame war. Look at these comments, all politics and racism talk. I don't think anyone is even talking about what the article is actually about; how Jay Leno sucks and Conan rules.
And 'squinty-eyes' Kimmel is not funny
Posted by: Bobachu | August 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
They don't make fun of Obama because it would piss off the Hollywood Elite, and they might even boycott their shows, Or be accused of making jokes at Obama because he's black. So sad.
Posted by: Pamela | August 21, 2008 at 09:10 AM
And how many homes does Ted Kennedy own,? Give me a break. You liberals live in a world of your own!
Posted by: Rex | August 21, 2008 at 09:15 AM
They're scared. Look what happened to Imus.
Posted by: peterg | August 21, 2008 at 09:25 AM
For all the people who have commented to the effect of "no one makes fun of Obama because they fear being branded racist/he's too out of touch" - this argument would only hold up if people weren't telling jokes about him. They are. Just less than they are telling jokes about McCain.
Posted by: George Charlson | August 21, 2008 at 09:48 AM
The likely reason: they're terrified.
To make any jokes about Obama is to invite immediate condemnation for racism from the campaign and the entertainment industry, with calls to pull them off the air.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Hollywood blacklist."
Posted by: jblog | August 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
As a senator in the Illinois legislature, Obama voted against a measure that would have protected BABIES who were already born. Obama's action would have the effect to allow doctors to withhold medical attention from BABIES and allow them to DIE!
Gives new meaning to the song "Killing Me Softly" doesn't it?
The records from the Illinois Legislature fully support the story and the facts. When confronted with the facts and copies of official documents, Obama accused people of lying about his record. It turns out that Obama was the one who was not telling the truth. And he tried to force his deception upon The American People by calling his accusers liars. A few days later, his campaign very quietly admitted that Obama was "Mistaken" in his assertions. MISTAKEN? I think there are more appropriate words which more accurately describe Obama's assertions rather than "MISTAKEN".
These facts would lead a reasonable person to conclude that Obama supported infant killing in Illinois and then when faced with the truth tried to cover his tracks. What do you think?
Posted by: GeraldD | August 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
These people NEVER get the studies right.
The problem with evaluating these comedians according to the sum-total of their jokes about candidate X or candidate Y is that some comedians have larger audiences than others.
The audience-size thing is critical. To plausibly measure influence, one should multiply each comedian's joke-total (for each candidate) by the number of persons who're likely to have heard the joke. Dennis Miller could crack on Obama all night and it wouldn't have a tenth the impact of Leno cracking on McCain, 'cause the former has no audience and the latter does.
The same thing is the problem when people argue that, "The Mainstream Media aren't really that left-biased; after all, most editorials in small-town newspapers are written by fairly conservative people." Yes: And the small-town newspapers have a circulation of 150; the New York and L.A. Times and Washington Post circulate 15 million. This is, uh, a difference worth considering.
Once the findings of these "bias" studies are audience-weighted, they'll be meaningful.
But not until then.
(Another problem is that some jokes evoke sympathy for a person or don't bear on aspects of that person's qualifications for being president, whereas others evoke contempt and/or do reflect negatively on that person's presidential qualifications. But we'll leave that aside for a moment.)
Posted by: R.C. | August 21, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Lets stop beating around the Bush--of course it's a "white Guilt" deal, plus the Imus fear factor, fear of being labeled racist--all of it. And the fact that the majority of the entertainment industry itself is so undeniably liberal and leftist. To contend otherwise would take a Lake-Superior-sized vessel full of unmitigated gall. Let's not kid ourselves, sports-fans, the only politically acceptable category left ok to ridicule is straight white conservative Christian males. Everything else is PC-like beyond the pale--UNLESS your a member of the minority group that you're making fun of. DL Hugley, on the Lenno show only a week after Imus was fired said:"Imus was right, those WERE some ugly nappy-heads out there--although they weren't Ho's." Not a PEEP of criticism.
Posted by: Rex V. Darling, Jr. | August 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I have a great respect for America. But all these years politicians have been folling around and especially repub..
Look at unemployment,health all these have killed americans real guts but still you are talkng about security threat..you millions billions to FBI,CIA,NSG for what ..what are they doing if you are asking to be pres ..ask for health reforms jobs .....
Mccain talk about fuel and stuff like that what was he doing ...why did Sr Bush killed the electric car...
Posted by: Sameer | August 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Is Obama American? Otherwise, he can not take a joke.
Posted by: Peter Truong | August 21, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Walter Winchell, the famous gossip columnist said, "I don't give a damn what they say about me...as long as they spell my name right". McCain is easier to ridicule so I guess he wins the exposure round in this matchup.
Posted by: Thorninurside | August 21, 2008 at 11:52 AM
@Sammeer...
That's kinda ironic because all the civil rights legislation that the democrats started and continue to push for have been around since the 1960's and what have they done for the country? It seems like if these policies worked so well, we wouldn't still be talking about them, now would we?
Posted by: greg | August 21, 2008 at 11:57 AM
It's very simple: McCain is just a funny ol' dude trying to act presidential and failing.
Posted by: oaklynne | August 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM
"Apparently, Jimmy Kimmel was not deemed funny enough to be included ... "
Hahaha, I rofl'd.
Posted by: jessica | August 21, 2008 at 01:37 PM
The study is meaningless for a variety of reasons:
1. Selection Criteria is what? Conan is in, but Fergeson is out? On what basis?
2. Colbert's show is stylistic in premise and that premise inherently pokes more fun at certain targets.
3. Letterman is in NEW YORK where one of the candidates is a sitting Senator, skewing his joke selection.
4. We made more fun of Quayle than Bush I as a VP. Media bias, or are some people just better fodder? Both can be critiqued on policy, negativity, flip-flops, and the usual stuff -- but the values of their real defining characteristics for simple, base comedy (Mccain - Age, Obama - fanatic pop culture vs substance) are different, and frankly McCain's vice is easier to exploit for a quick punchline.
5. Who the heck cares?
Posted by: GW | August 21, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Simple. McCain gets the brunt of the jokes because he is the Bigger Clown. By far. The man is a buffoon who doesn't know that Pakistan and Iraq aren't contiguous, who admits to know nothing about the economy, who married a woman young enough to be his daughter shortly after dumping the wife who had stuck with him through thick and thin, who doesn't know how many houses he has, who claims to be a straight talker but who can't go a press conference without lying (the latest: his wife met Mother Teresa... bwaaah!)
Posted by: Joe Shmoe | August 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Mecane steels people heart by telling his captivitu in vetnam and when he talks about it he thinks makes his listeners to belive he is the only vetran from that wrongly started war and finished shmefully.
He uses it like a currency to buy peoples heart, ear and now their vote AMERICA WAKE UP BEFORE CRYING FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
MACANE STOP USING YOUR EXPERIANCE IN VETNAM AS ACURRENCY TO BY PEOPLS HEART BECAUSE YOU ARE FROM RICH FAMILY AND GOT A CHANCE TO BE ON NATIONAL STAGE DONT MAKE MONY AND STATUS WITH THAT EXPERIANCE. THERE ARE MANY VETRACE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE LIKE YOU AND CANNOT CASH IN TELLING THEIR STORY. WE ARE TIRED OF LISTING YOUR BLABLA BLA .....VETNAM......BLABLA.... TALK REALITY NOW.
Posted by: JOJO | August 21, 2008 at 01:58 PM
It's all for ratings people! They joke about what's funny. Those crying that the TV stations are too easy on Obama need to listen to the "Eagles" single named "Get Over It".
Posted by: Edwin L. Jones | August 21, 2008 at 02:37 PM
It doesn´t really matter which party wins its all a show, all controlled by the CFR and Bilderberg until everyone realizes that these elections are all a show then we´re in the same position that we are with Bush. Learn more people open your eyes.
www.prisonplanet.com
www.infowars.com
www.jonesreport.com
www.truthnews.us
Posted by: John Lewis | August 21, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Obama is going to get hammered now about HIS house courtesy of convicted felon Tony Rezko...and someone should ask him if he objected when John Kerry with his many mansions and his billionaire wife Teresa Heinz ran for President.
Posted by: Richard Orby | August 21, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Simply put, Bush, McCain and Clinton are more buffoonish than Obama. He doesn't really have that many qualities that lend themselves to comedic skewering. He's intelligent, speaks eloquently, always appears calm and confident, is neither strident or befuddled.
Posted by: Midgie | August 21, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Nicely put Midgie.
To exapnd a little McCain seems more like Bush a figure of fun for the late night shows and a nightmare for the rest of us.
McCain offers up an easy comedy target.
Compare: Obama goes to Germany a makes a very presidential speech. McCain goes to a supermarket and talks while cans are dropped behind him by an uninterested shopper. Come on, comedians can't pass up that kind of opportunity.
How about the bikers rally he attended were he offered up his wife for a strip dancing beauty contest!! and doing that vroom vroom thing just to get them to rev their engines - So sad.
Add the fact that he is old which means he forgets how many houses he has and mixes up Shite and Sunni gives them another easy target.
Obama talks sensibly and intelligently about subjects, even if you don't agree with him and doesn't come across as senile.
Should comedians base their jokes on the lies about Obama, muslim etc or the reality that is John McCain.
Posted by: Bob | August 21, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Maross - I presume you are talking about John McCain or are you referring to President Bush?
Posted by: Clive | August 21, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Lets see, a study stating that shows on ABC NBC etc
are biased in favor of democratic presidential hopefuls.
They are all unbiased professionals. It can't be.
It's NOT true I tell you.
Doowleb
Posted by: Doowleb | August 22, 2008 at 08:49 AM
For the multitude of people on here saying that the late nights are attacking McCain because he's an easier target - last time I checked, big ears were comic gold (see Fresh Prince).
Or how about the Obama "Uh" count, which I've only seen once or twice. Obama says "uh" more times in a day than he says "Americans." That too is comic gold.
I love late night television; jokes about Bush and McCain can be funny. I'm not a wingnut. But a "he's old" joke every night usually falls flat. I think they're not picking on Obama because the race issue. Saturday Night Live deals with race issues all the time; why have they fallen silent on this one?
Posted by: Evan | August 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Speaking of Hollywood and the media's infatuation with Senator Obama, where are Michael Moore and Susan Sarandon and Whoopi Goldberg this time around? They put W. in the White House in 2004 with their socialist ranting, and now they have an even more liberal candidate based upon Obama's voting record which is at odds with his rhetoric. The media seem to forget the part of the country not on the east and west coast, who do not share the views that the economy can be "solved" by radically expanding the welfare state and punishing success. Both BIll and Hillary Clinton undersand this, which is why both were/are electable as President. Not Senator Obama, whose record is more liberal than Ted Kennedy which is why Hollywood is fawning all over him and thus confirming his lack of electability in the heartland. Hillary would have beaten McCain by 10 points and Obama snubbed her out of ego and criticized her for supporting the liberation of the repressed and brutalized citizens of Iraq who now have freedom and democracy. How can that be a "disaster" or a "quagmire" -- ask any Iraqi citizen if they want to go back to being terrorized and murdered by Udaq and Qusay Hussein. Its gonna be 4 more years in the wilderness for the Democratic Party until we can nominate another moderate such as Bill or Hillary. Hillary in 2012!!!!!
Posted by: Reagan Democrat | August 24, 2008 at 09:30 PM
This isn't a shock! Obama's people set the precedent early on: If you make any jokes about the Black candidate we'll call you a racist!!!! Just another reason not to vote for the man if you ask me. Can you imagine four years of being called a racist any time you try to critique (or even joke about) your President? No thank! I'm going with Nader this year!!!
Posted by: gaypastor | August 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Monday, August 25, 2008
Turai Yar'adua Seen As the New Andy Uba
Last View on Mon 25th August, 2008
Last Modified on Sat 29th March, 2008 10:11:27 pm
Author: Posted by Admin Sahara
Saharareporters, New York
Turai Yar’adua, first wife of current usurper of Aso Rock, Umar Yar'adua, has emerged as the most powerful and feared personality in her husband’s lack-luster regime.
Saharareporters has carried out a month-long and extensive investigation into the “First Lady’s” shady deals, her evolution into a dominant and domineering figure, and her rapacity. We spoke to ministers and other government appointees, officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, sources within the oil sector, some associates of the Yar’aduas in Katsina, and diplomatic contacts.
Several reliable sources within Aso Rock, Nigeria’s State House, as well as outside painted a portrait of the “First Lady” as a woman whose greed for self-enrichment and fascination with power have put her firmly in control of her husband’s notoriously colorless cabinet.
“You could say that Turai is the real ruler of Nigeria,” said one of our sources, one of the ministers who quietly despise the “First Lady” for her overbearing power but admit they dare not openly express their concerns. Several other sources echoed that view. “She is the Andy Uba of this dispensation,” said another source, also a minister.
Mr. Nnamdi Uba, former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was widely seen as the most powerful figure during the Obasanjo Presidency. Uba practically ran the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, helping Obasanjo and his associates to siphon away billions of dollars of the nation’s crude oil earnings. In the process, Uba, whose illegal bid to become Anambra Governor was forestalled by the Supreme Court, also amassed a personal fortune that make him one of the richest Nigerians today.
When asked to assess the evaluation of Mrs. Yar’adua as the new Uba, one former top PDP official paused to weigh his words. Then he said, “She is far more than what Uba was to Obasanjo. She is Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha thrown together. She not only wants power, she is pursuing wealth as if there is no tomorrow.” Most of our sources in government acknowledged that Turai Yar’adua is widely despised for her meddlesomeness, but said nobody has ever mustered the courage to ask Umar Yar’adua to restrain his wife. “Everybody knows her husband has no control over her. And we know that if she doesn’t like any official, that official’s days in office are numbered. If you cross her, you’re done with.”
In fact, one minister revealed that the secret to longevity in the cabinet may well lie in ingratiating oneself to the “First Lady.” Added the minister, “She looks harmless in public, but she is a fiery tigress within the power circles.”
The analogy with Uba speaks volumes about the sheer amount of financial control and political power wielded by the wife of the Aso Rock’s current occupant.
Turai Yar'adua’s ambition for power has been fed by her husband’s feeble health and retiring personality. “Umar Yar’adua is in bed latest by 9 p.m., leaving a vacuum in the running of this country,” said one of our sources. “On the other hand, Turai stays up till late into the night—and sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. After 9 p.m. each day, Turai enthrones herself as the ruler of this country. And her decisions stick even when her husband wakes up.”
Turai Yar’adua is known to have a daily schedule far more busy and popular than that of her husband. Umar Yar'adua, who has a history of kidney disease, is religious about conserving his energy by cutting back on his daily and weekly activities. Described by one source as a bundle of energy, Turai handles most of the business of patronage dispensation by her husband’s regime. “She decides who gets what—it’s as simple as that,” said another minister. He attributed the much-criticized ineptitude of most ministers to Turai Yar’adua’s intrusiveness. “She wants to oversee every kobo that exchanges hands in this government. And if possible, she wants all of it to come to her or her immediate family and friends.”
Like Uba, Turai Yar’adua has taken effective control over the affairs of the NNPC, Nigeria’s cash cow. Our sources said she was behind the appointment of Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. In a move that revealed more of her naked grab for power and riches, she also engineered the appointment of her blood brother, Bashir Abdullahi, to the position of Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC). In effect, she ensured that her minions now hold two of the most powerful positions in the nation's oil industry.
Turai Yar’adua’s desire to handpick candidates for several offices extends also to traditional offices. The Leadership newspaper recently reported that Turai Yar’adua was trying to influence the appointment of the Magajin Gari by the newly installed Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman. Turai is reported to be interested in imposing her son-in-law, 39-year old Badamasi Kabir Usman, in the traditional post.
There is also a whiff of salacious scandal around Turai Yar’adua. Several sources told us that the woman has been known to carry on an affair with Ibrahim Shema, her husband’s successor as Katsina Governor. “She single-handedly tipped him for the position of governor. That’s how powerful she is,” said one source.
Several sources also told Saharareporters that the “First Lady” even dabbles in diplomatic business. “Not only is she courted by businessmen, many diplomats also prefer to talk to her rather than to meet her husband.” A Nigerian with a top position in one of the European embassies in Abuja confided in us that several diplomats describe Umar Yar’adua as boring and taciturn. “He hardly makes comments at meetings, a direct opposite of Turai, who is described as chatty and sociable.”
Turai is known as the go-to-person for all Aso Rock-based requests that may be delayed by her husband’s sluggish bureaucracy. Corporate executives, including bankers with one favor or another to ask, have found out that things become quicker once they have paid courtesy visits to Turai Yar’adua.
“In banking circles, she’s called Madam President,” said a top executive of a bank. “If you make her happy, your bank stands to reap a windfall.”
Turai Yar’adua is said to demand absolute loyalty from government officials outside of and beyond their loyalty to her husband. It is an open secret in government circles that Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa and the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro report primarily to her. Early this year, she saved Okiro’s job after the IG got into trouble with Umar Yar’adua over some financial dealings with some interests who worked to remove Nuhu Ribadu from the post of chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. After Turai’s intercession, a grateful Okiro proclaimed that he was “ready to die for Yar’adua.”
Turai Yar’adua’s distribution of patronage came in handy when she anchored the massive bribes handed out to members of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal to induce their controversial favorable judgment for Umar Yar'adua. Our sources disclosed that she played a central role in raising the bribes, estimated at $100 million, for the tribunal judges.
She arranged a substantial part of the bribe through the GMD of the NNPC, Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua. Her brother, S.B. Abdullahi, supplied some of the cash while the rest were provided by Emeka Offor and Tanimu. Governor Shema of Katsina State provided a huge chunk as well. Both Abubakar Yar'adua and S.B Abdullahi are from the same local government in Katsina State.
Saharareporters exclusively reported a phone call Turai Yar’adua placed to AGF Aondoakaa as the latter reveled in a “victory party” at the Abuja home of controversial London-based businessman, Terry Waya. Mrs. Yar’adua thanked Aondoakaa for delivering on his promise to facilitate a favorable judgment.
Turai Yar’adua’s Amazonian habit extends to her domestic life where she is described as a fierce control freak. Though Turai is Yar'adua's first wife, and the mother of their five daughters, she was not always his only wife. Umar Yar’adua took a second wife, Hajiya Hauwa Umar Radda, who now lives with his two sons in Kaduna. Hauwa Radda's short-lived marriage to Yar'adua ended as a result of Turai's power and muscle flexing.
Hauwa met Umar Yar'adua in 1992 and they got married shortly afterwards and had two kids. But Turai soon kicked Hauwa out of Yar'adua's family house in Katsina. In 1997, Turai Yar’adua engineered her husband’s formal divorce from Hauwa just as he prepared to run for governorship of Katsina State. Sources told Saharareporters that Turai, still suspicious that Yar'adua was not truly divorced from Hauwa, relocated herself to Kaduna. She lived in that city until she was convinced that the divorce was sealed through her single-minded enforcement.
Several sources in Katsina and Abuja spoke to Saharareporters about Turai Yar’adua’s obsession with fetish. Turai reportedly sent marabouts after Hauwa to secure her commitment never to ask to be re-united with Umar, their husband. Our sources say she has been inviting marabouts to Aso Rock with a frequency reminiscent of the days of the late dictator, Sani Abacha.
The “First Lady’s” other passion lies in collecting jewelry. She and the wife of “Vice President” Jonathan Goodluck have struck a strong cord on account of their shared love for jewelries and expensive frippery.
During foreign trips with her self-effacing husband, Turai Yar'adua is shown to stand confidently, radiating confidence. Our sources say she uses those foreign trips to push her pet projects as well as seek foreign partners for her burgeoning business interests.
Mrs. Yar’adua was in the U.S. all of this week supposedly to receive an award in Houston, TX. But sources knowledgeable about her movements said she was in Texas to seal some private oil deals between herself (using yet-to-be identified fronts) and foreign partners. Her itinerary included meetings with several oil executives in the Texas area.
Asked to weigh in on the description of Turai Yar’adua as a combination of Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha, one associate who has known the Yar’aduas for a long time said Turai is likely to be her husband’s undoing. “Umar does not do much. Hajia Turai is the only person coordinating [Aso Rock]. At least Babangida was interested in power and pretended to be doing something. Here, Turai is left to run the show. And she is doing a few things that may explode in her husband’s face.”
Last Modified on Sat 29th March, 2008 10:11:27 pm
Author: Posted by Admin Sahara
Saharareporters, New York
Turai Yar’adua, first wife of current usurper of Aso Rock, Umar Yar'adua, has emerged as the most powerful and feared personality in her husband’s lack-luster regime.
Saharareporters has carried out a month-long and extensive investigation into the “First Lady’s” shady deals, her evolution into a dominant and domineering figure, and her rapacity. We spoke to ministers and other government appointees, officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, sources within the oil sector, some associates of the Yar’aduas in Katsina, and diplomatic contacts.
Several reliable sources within Aso Rock, Nigeria’s State House, as well as outside painted a portrait of the “First Lady” as a woman whose greed for self-enrichment and fascination with power have put her firmly in control of her husband’s notoriously colorless cabinet.
“You could say that Turai is the real ruler of Nigeria,” said one of our sources, one of the ministers who quietly despise the “First Lady” for her overbearing power but admit they dare not openly express their concerns. Several other sources echoed that view. “She is the Andy Uba of this dispensation,” said another source, also a minister.
Mr. Nnamdi Uba, former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was widely seen as the most powerful figure during the Obasanjo Presidency. Uba practically ran the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, helping Obasanjo and his associates to siphon away billions of dollars of the nation’s crude oil earnings. In the process, Uba, whose illegal bid to become Anambra Governor was forestalled by the Supreme Court, also amassed a personal fortune that make him one of the richest Nigerians today.
When asked to assess the evaluation of Mrs. Yar’adua as the new Uba, one former top PDP official paused to weigh his words. Then he said, “She is far more than what Uba was to Obasanjo. She is Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha thrown together. She not only wants power, she is pursuing wealth as if there is no tomorrow.” Most of our sources in government acknowledged that Turai Yar’adua is widely despised for her meddlesomeness, but said nobody has ever mustered the courage to ask Umar Yar’adua to restrain his wife. “Everybody knows her husband has no control over her. And we know that if she doesn’t like any official, that official’s days in office are numbered. If you cross her, you’re done with.”
In fact, one minister revealed that the secret to longevity in the cabinet may well lie in ingratiating oneself to the “First Lady.” Added the minister, “She looks harmless in public, but she is a fiery tigress within the power circles.”
The analogy with Uba speaks volumes about the sheer amount of financial control and political power wielded by the wife of the Aso Rock’s current occupant.
Turai Yar'adua’s ambition for power has been fed by her husband’s feeble health and retiring personality. “Umar Yar’adua is in bed latest by 9 p.m., leaving a vacuum in the running of this country,” said one of our sources. “On the other hand, Turai stays up till late into the night—and sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. After 9 p.m. each day, Turai enthrones herself as the ruler of this country. And her decisions stick even when her husband wakes up.”
Turai Yar’adua is known to have a daily schedule far more busy and popular than that of her husband. Umar Yar'adua, who has a history of kidney disease, is religious about conserving his energy by cutting back on his daily and weekly activities. Described by one source as a bundle of energy, Turai handles most of the business of patronage dispensation by her husband’s regime. “She decides who gets what—it’s as simple as that,” said another minister. He attributed the much-criticized ineptitude of most ministers to Turai Yar’adua’s intrusiveness. “She wants to oversee every kobo that exchanges hands in this government. And if possible, she wants all of it to come to her or her immediate family and friends.”
Like Uba, Turai Yar’adua has taken effective control over the affairs of the NNPC, Nigeria’s cash cow. Our sources said she was behind the appointment of Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. In a move that revealed more of her naked grab for power and riches, she also engineered the appointment of her blood brother, Bashir Abdullahi, to the position of Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC). In effect, she ensured that her minions now hold two of the most powerful positions in the nation's oil industry.
Turai Yar’adua’s desire to handpick candidates for several offices extends also to traditional offices. The Leadership newspaper recently reported that Turai Yar’adua was trying to influence the appointment of the Magajin Gari by the newly installed Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman. Turai is reported to be interested in imposing her son-in-law, 39-year old Badamasi Kabir Usman, in the traditional post.
There is also a whiff of salacious scandal around Turai Yar’adua. Several sources told us that the woman has been known to carry on an affair with Ibrahim Shema, her husband’s successor as Katsina Governor. “She single-handedly tipped him for the position of governor. That’s how powerful she is,” said one source.
Several sources also told Saharareporters that the “First Lady” even dabbles in diplomatic business. “Not only is she courted by businessmen, many diplomats also prefer to talk to her rather than to meet her husband.” A Nigerian with a top position in one of the European embassies in Abuja confided in us that several diplomats describe Umar Yar’adua as boring and taciturn. “He hardly makes comments at meetings, a direct opposite of Turai, who is described as chatty and sociable.”
Turai is known as the go-to-person for all Aso Rock-based requests that may be delayed by her husband’s sluggish bureaucracy. Corporate executives, including bankers with one favor or another to ask, have found out that things become quicker once they have paid courtesy visits to Turai Yar’adua.
“In banking circles, she’s called Madam President,” said a top executive of a bank. “If you make her happy, your bank stands to reap a windfall.”
Turai Yar’adua is said to demand absolute loyalty from government officials outside of and beyond their loyalty to her husband. It is an open secret in government circles that Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa and the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro report primarily to her. Early this year, she saved Okiro’s job after the IG got into trouble with Umar Yar’adua over some financial dealings with some interests who worked to remove Nuhu Ribadu from the post of chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. After Turai’s intercession, a grateful Okiro proclaimed that he was “ready to die for Yar’adua.”
Turai Yar’adua’s distribution of patronage came in handy when she anchored the massive bribes handed out to members of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal to induce their controversial favorable judgment for Umar Yar'adua. Our sources disclosed that she played a central role in raising the bribes, estimated at $100 million, for the tribunal judges.
She arranged a substantial part of the bribe through the GMD of the NNPC, Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua. Her brother, S.B. Abdullahi, supplied some of the cash while the rest were provided by Emeka Offor and Tanimu. Governor Shema of Katsina State provided a huge chunk as well. Both Abubakar Yar'adua and S.B Abdullahi are from the same local government in Katsina State.
Saharareporters exclusively reported a phone call Turai Yar’adua placed to AGF Aondoakaa as the latter reveled in a “victory party” at the Abuja home of controversial London-based businessman, Terry Waya. Mrs. Yar’adua thanked Aondoakaa for delivering on his promise to facilitate a favorable judgment.
Turai Yar’adua’s Amazonian habit extends to her domestic life where she is described as a fierce control freak. Though Turai is Yar'adua's first wife, and the mother of their five daughters, she was not always his only wife. Umar Yar’adua took a second wife, Hajiya Hauwa Umar Radda, who now lives with his two sons in Kaduna. Hauwa Radda's short-lived marriage to Yar'adua ended as a result of Turai's power and muscle flexing.
Hauwa met Umar Yar'adua in 1992 and they got married shortly afterwards and had two kids. But Turai soon kicked Hauwa out of Yar'adua's family house in Katsina. In 1997, Turai Yar’adua engineered her husband’s formal divorce from Hauwa just as he prepared to run for governorship of Katsina State. Sources told Saharareporters that Turai, still suspicious that Yar'adua was not truly divorced from Hauwa, relocated herself to Kaduna. She lived in that city until she was convinced that the divorce was sealed through her single-minded enforcement.
Several sources in Katsina and Abuja spoke to Saharareporters about Turai Yar’adua’s obsession with fetish. Turai reportedly sent marabouts after Hauwa to secure her commitment never to ask to be re-united with Umar, their husband. Our sources say she has been inviting marabouts to Aso Rock with a frequency reminiscent of the days of the late dictator, Sani Abacha.
The “First Lady’s” other passion lies in collecting jewelry. She and the wife of “Vice President” Jonathan Goodluck have struck a strong cord on account of their shared love for jewelries and expensive frippery.
During foreign trips with her self-effacing husband, Turai Yar'adua is shown to stand confidently, radiating confidence. Our sources say she uses those foreign trips to push her pet projects as well as seek foreign partners for her burgeoning business interests.
Mrs. Yar’adua was in the U.S. all of this week supposedly to receive an award in Houston, TX. But sources knowledgeable about her movements said she was in Texas to seal some private oil deals between herself (using yet-to-be identified fronts) and foreign partners. Her itinerary included meetings with several oil executives in the Texas area.
Asked to weigh in on the description of Turai Yar’adua as a combination of Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha, one associate who has known the Yar’aduas for a long time said Turai is likely to be her husband’s undoing. “Umar does not do much. Hajia Turai is the only person coordinating [Aso Rock]. At least Babangida was interested in power and pretended to be doing something. Here, Turai is left to run the show. And she is doing a few things that may explode in her husband’s face.”
Turai Yar'adua Seen As the New Andy Uba
Last View on Mon 25th August, 2008
Last Modified on Sat 29th March, 2008 10:11:27 pm
Author: Posted by Admin Sahara
Saharareporters, New York
Turai Yar’adua, first wife of current usurper of Aso Rock, Umar Yar'adua, has emerged as the most powerful and feared personality in her husband’s lack-luster regime.
Saharareporters has carried out a month-long and extensive investigation into the “First Lady’s” shady deals, her evolution into a dominant and domineering figure, and her rapacity. We spoke to ministers and other government appointees, officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, sources within the oil sector, some associates of the Yar’aduas in Katsina, and diplomatic contacts.
Several reliable sources within Aso Rock, Nigeria’s State House, as well as outside painted a portrait of the “First Lady” as a woman whose greed for self-enrichment and fascination with power have put her firmly in control of her husband’s notoriously colorless cabinet.
“You could say that Turai is the real ruler of Nigeria,” said one of our sources, one of the ministers who quietly despise the “First Lady” for her overbearing power but admit they dare not openly express their concerns. Several other sources echoed that view. “She is the Andy Uba of this dispensation,” said another source, also a minister.
Mr. Nnamdi Uba, former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was widely seen as the most powerful figure during the Obasanjo Presidency. Uba practically ran the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, helping Obasanjo and his associates to siphon away billions of dollars of the nation’s crude oil earnings. In the process, Uba, whose illegal bid to become Anambra Governor was forestalled by the Supreme Court, also amassed a personal fortune that make him one of the richest Nigerians today.
When asked to assess the evaluation of Mrs. Yar’adua as the new Uba, one former top PDP official paused to weigh his words. Then he said, “She is far more than what Uba was to Obasanjo. She is Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha thrown together. She not only wants power, she is pursuing wealth as if there is no tomorrow.” Most of our sources in government acknowledged that Turai Yar’adua is widely despised for her meddlesomeness, but said nobody has ever mustered the courage to ask Umar Yar’adua to restrain his wife. “Everybody knows her husband has no control over her. And we know that if she doesn’t like any official, that official’s days in office are numbered. If you cross her, you’re done with.”
In fact, one minister revealed that the secret to longevity in the cabinet may well lie in ingratiating oneself to the “First Lady.” Added the minister, “She looks harmless in public, but she is a fiery tigress within the power circles.”
The analogy with Uba speaks volumes about the sheer amount of financial control and political power wielded by the wife of the Aso Rock’s current occupant.
Turai Yar'adua’s ambition for power has been fed by her husband’s feeble health and retiring personality. “Umar Yar’adua is in bed latest by 9 p.m., leaving a vacuum in the running of this country,” said one of our sources. “On the other hand, Turai stays up till late into the night—and sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. After 9 p.m. each day, Turai enthrones herself as the ruler of this country. And her decisions stick even when her husband wakes up.”
Turai Yar’adua is known to have a daily schedule far more busy and popular than that of her husband. Umar Yar'adua, who has a history of kidney disease, is religious about conserving his energy by cutting back on his daily and weekly activities. Described by one source as a bundle of energy, Turai handles most of the business of patronage dispensation by her husband’s regime. “She decides who gets what—it’s as simple as that,” said another minister. He attributed the much-criticized ineptitude of most ministers to Turai Yar’adua’s intrusiveness. “She wants to oversee every kobo that exchanges hands in this government. And if possible, she wants all of it to come to her or her immediate family and friends.”
Like Uba, Turai Yar’adua has taken effective control over the affairs of the NNPC, Nigeria’s cash cow. Our sources said she was behind the appointment of Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. In a move that revealed more of her naked grab for power and riches, she also engineered the appointment of her blood brother, Bashir Abdullahi, to the position of Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC). In effect, she ensured that her minions now hold two of the most powerful positions in the nation's oil industry.
Turai Yar’adua’s desire to handpick candidates for several offices extends also to traditional offices. The Leadership newspaper recently reported that Turai Yar’adua was trying to influence the appointment of the Magajin Gari by the newly installed Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman. Turai is reported to be interested in imposing her son-in-law, 39-year old Badamasi Kabir Usman, in the traditional post.
There is also a whiff of salacious scandal around Turai Yar’adua. Several sources told us that the woman has been known to carry on an affair with Ibrahim Shema, her husband’s successor as Katsina Governor. “She single-handedly tipped him for the position of governor. That’s how powerful she is,” said one source.
Several sources also told Saharareporters that the “First Lady” even dabbles in diplomatic business. “Not only is she courted by businessmen, many diplomats also prefer to talk to her rather than to meet her husband.” A Nigerian with a top position in one of the European embassies in Abuja confided in us that several diplomats describe Umar Yar’adua as boring and taciturn. “He hardly makes comments at meetings, a direct opposite of Turai, who is described as chatty and sociable.”
Turai is known as the go-to-person for all Aso Rock-based requests that may be delayed by her husband’s sluggish bureaucracy. Corporate executives, including bankers with one favor or another to ask, have found out that things become quicker once they have paid courtesy visits to Turai Yar’adua.
“In banking circles, she’s called Madam President,” said a top executive of a bank. “If you make her happy, your bank stands to reap a windfall.”
Turai Yar’adua is said to demand absolute loyalty from government officials outside of and beyond their loyalty to her husband. It is an open secret in government circles that Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa and the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro report primarily to her. Early this year, she saved Okiro’s job after the IG got into trouble with Umar Yar’adua over some financial dealings with some interests who worked to remove Nuhu Ribadu from the post of chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. After Turai’s intercession, a grateful Okiro proclaimed that he was “ready to die for Yar’adua.”
Turai Yar’adua’s distribution of patronage came in handy when she anchored the massive bribes handed out to members of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal to induce their controversial favorable judgment for Umar Yar'adua. Our sources disclosed that she played a central role in raising the bribes, estimated at $100 million, for the tribunal judges.
She arranged a substantial part of the bribe through the GMD of the NNPC, Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua. Her brother, S.B. Abdullahi, supplied some of the cash while the rest were provided by Emeka Offor and Tanimu. Governor Shema of Katsina State provided a huge chunk as well. Both Abubakar Yar'adua and S.B Abdullahi are from the same local government in Katsina State.
Saharareporters exclusively reported a phone call Turai Yar’adua placed to AGF Aondoakaa as the latter reveled in a “victory party” at the Abuja home of controversial London-based businessman, Terry Waya. Mrs. Yar’adua thanked Aondoakaa for delivering on his promise to facilitate a favorable judgment.
Turai Yar’adua’s Amazonian habit extends to her domestic life where she is described as a fierce control freak. Though Turai is Yar'adua's first wife, and the mother of their five daughters, she was not always his only wife. Umar Yar’adua took a second wife, Hajiya Hauwa Umar Radda, who now lives with his two sons in Kaduna. Hauwa Radda's short-lived marriage to Yar'adua ended as a result of Turai's power and muscle flexing.
Hauwa met Umar Yar'adua in 1992 and they got married shortly afterwards and had two kids. But Turai soon kicked Hauwa out of Yar'adua's family house in Katsina. In 1997, Turai Yar’adua engineered her husband’s formal divorce from Hauwa just as he prepared to run for governorship of Katsina State. Sources told Saharareporters that Turai, still suspicious that Yar'adua was not truly divorced from Hauwa, relocated herself to Kaduna. She lived in that city until she was convinced that the divorce was sealed through her single-minded enforcement.
Several sources in Katsina and Abuja spoke to Saharareporters about Turai Yar’adua’s obsession with fetish. Turai reportedly sent marabouts after Hauwa to secure her commitment never to ask to be re-united with Umar, their husband. Our sources say she has been inviting marabouts to Aso Rock with a frequency reminiscent of the days of the late dictator, Sani Abacha.
The “First Lady’s” other passion lies in collecting jewelry. She and the wife of “Vice President” Jonathan Goodluck have struck a strong cord on account of their shared love for jewelries and expensive frippery.
During foreign trips with her self-effacing husband, Turai Yar'adua is shown to stand confidently, radiating confidence. Our sources say she uses those foreign trips to push her pet projects as well as seek foreign partners for her burgeoning business interests.
Mrs. Yar’adua was in the U.S. all of this week supposedly to receive an award in Houston, TX. But sources knowledgeable about her movements said she was in Texas to seal some private oil deals between herself (using yet-to-be identified fronts) and foreign partners. Her itinerary included meetings with several oil executives in the Texas area.
Asked to weigh in on the description of Turai Yar’adua as a combination of Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha, one associate who has known the Yar’aduas for a long time said Turai is likely to be her husband’s undoing. “Umar does not do much. Hajia Turai is the only person coordinating [Aso Rock]. At least Babangida was interested in power and pretended to be doing something. Here, Turai is left to run the show. And she is doing a few things that may explode in her husband’s face.”
Last Modified on Sat 29th March, 2008 10:11:27 pm
Author: Posted by Admin Sahara
Saharareporters, New York
Turai Yar’adua, first wife of current usurper of Aso Rock, Umar Yar'adua, has emerged as the most powerful and feared personality in her husband’s lack-luster regime.
Saharareporters has carried out a month-long and extensive investigation into the “First Lady’s” shady deals, her evolution into a dominant and domineering figure, and her rapacity. We spoke to ministers and other government appointees, officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, sources within the oil sector, some associates of the Yar’aduas in Katsina, and diplomatic contacts.
Several reliable sources within Aso Rock, Nigeria’s State House, as well as outside painted a portrait of the “First Lady” as a woman whose greed for self-enrichment and fascination with power have put her firmly in control of her husband’s notoriously colorless cabinet.
“You could say that Turai is the real ruler of Nigeria,” said one of our sources, one of the ministers who quietly despise the “First Lady” for her overbearing power but admit they dare not openly express their concerns. Several other sources echoed that view. “She is the Andy Uba of this dispensation,” said another source, also a minister.
Mr. Nnamdi Uba, former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was widely seen as the most powerful figure during the Obasanjo Presidency. Uba practically ran the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, helping Obasanjo and his associates to siphon away billions of dollars of the nation’s crude oil earnings. In the process, Uba, whose illegal bid to become Anambra Governor was forestalled by the Supreme Court, also amassed a personal fortune that make him one of the richest Nigerians today.
When asked to assess the evaluation of Mrs. Yar’adua as the new Uba, one former top PDP official paused to weigh his words. Then he said, “She is far more than what Uba was to Obasanjo. She is Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha thrown together. She not only wants power, she is pursuing wealth as if there is no tomorrow.” Most of our sources in government acknowledged that Turai Yar’adua is widely despised for her meddlesomeness, but said nobody has ever mustered the courage to ask Umar Yar’adua to restrain his wife. “Everybody knows her husband has no control over her. And we know that if she doesn’t like any official, that official’s days in office are numbered. If you cross her, you’re done with.”
In fact, one minister revealed that the secret to longevity in the cabinet may well lie in ingratiating oneself to the “First Lady.” Added the minister, “She looks harmless in public, but she is a fiery tigress within the power circles.”
The analogy with Uba speaks volumes about the sheer amount of financial control and political power wielded by the wife of the Aso Rock’s current occupant.
Turai Yar'adua’s ambition for power has been fed by her husband’s feeble health and retiring personality. “Umar Yar’adua is in bed latest by 9 p.m., leaving a vacuum in the running of this country,” said one of our sources. “On the other hand, Turai stays up till late into the night—and sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. After 9 p.m. each day, Turai enthrones herself as the ruler of this country. And her decisions stick even when her husband wakes up.”
Turai Yar’adua is known to have a daily schedule far more busy and popular than that of her husband. Umar Yar'adua, who has a history of kidney disease, is religious about conserving his energy by cutting back on his daily and weekly activities. Described by one source as a bundle of energy, Turai handles most of the business of patronage dispensation by her husband’s regime. “She decides who gets what—it’s as simple as that,” said another minister. He attributed the much-criticized ineptitude of most ministers to Turai Yar’adua’s intrusiveness. “She wants to oversee every kobo that exchanges hands in this government. And if possible, she wants all of it to come to her or her immediate family and friends.”
Like Uba, Turai Yar’adua has taken effective control over the affairs of the NNPC, Nigeria’s cash cow. Our sources said she was behind the appointment of Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. In a move that revealed more of her naked grab for power and riches, she also engineered the appointment of her blood brother, Bashir Abdullahi, to the position of Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC). In effect, she ensured that her minions now hold two of the most powerful positions in the nation's oil industry.
Turai Yar’adua’s desire to handpick candidates for several offices extends also to traditional offices. The Leadership newspaper recently reported that Turai Yar’adua was trying to influence the appointment of the Magajin Gari by the newly installed Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman. Turai is reported to be interested in imposing her son-in-law, 39-year old Badamasi Kabir Usman, in the traditional post.
There is also a whiff of salacious scandal around Turai Yar’adua. Several sources told us that the woman has been known to carry on an affair with Ibrahim Shema, her husband’s successor as Katsina Governor. “She single-handedly tipped him for the position of governor. That’s how powerful she is,” said one source.
Several sources also told Saharareporters that the “First Lady” even dabbles in diplomatic business. “Not only is she courted by businessmen, many diplomats also prefer to talk to her rather than to meet her husband.” A Nigerian with a top position in one of the European embassies in Abuja confided in us that several diplomats describe Umar Yar’adua as boring and taciturn. “He hardly makes comments at meetings, a direct opposite of Turai, who is described as chatty and sociable.”
Turai is known as the go-to-person for all Aso Rock-based requests that may be delayed by her husband’s sluggish bureaucracy. Corporate executives, including bankers with one favor or another to ask, have found out that things become quicker once they have paid courtesy visits to Turai Yar’adua.
“In banking circles, she’s called Madam President,” said a top executive of a bank. “If you make her happy, your bank stands to reap a windfall.”
Turai Yar’adua is said to demand absolute loyalty from government officials outside of and beyond their loyalty to her husband. It is an open secret in government circles that Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa and the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro report primarily to her. Early this year, she saved Okiro’s job after the IG got into trouble with Umar Yar’adua over some financial dealings with some interests who worked to remove Nuhu Ribadu from the post of chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. After Turai’s intercession, a grateful Okiro proclaimed that he was “ready to die for Yar’adua.”
Turai Yar’adua’s distribution of patronage came in handy when she anchored the massive bribes handed out to members of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal to induce their controversial favorable judgment for Umar Yar'adua. Our sources disclosed that she played a central role in raising the bribes, estimated at $100 million, for the tribunal judges.
She arranged a substantial part of the bribe through the GMD of the NNPC, Abubakar Lawal Yar'adua. Her brother, S.B. Abdullahi, supplied some of the cash while the rest were provided by Emeka Offor and Tanimu. Governor Shema of Katsina State provided a huge chunk as well. Both Abubakar Yar'adua and S.B Abdullahi are from the same local government in Katsina State.
Saharareporters exclusively reported a phone call Turai Yar’adua placed to AGF Aondoakaa as the latter reveled in a “victory party” at the Abuja home of controversial London-based businessman, Terry Waya. Mrs. Yar’adua thanked Aondoakaa for delivering on his promise to facilitate a favorable judgment.
Turai Yar’adua’s Amazonian habit extends to her domestic life where she is described as a fierce control freak. Though Turai is Yar'adua's first wife, and the mother of their five daughters, she was not always his only wife. Umar Yar’adua took a second wife, Hajiya Hauwa Umar Radda, who now lives with his two sons in Kaduna. Hauwa Radda's short-lived marriage to Yar'adua ended as a result of Turai's power and muscle flexing.
Hauwa met Umar Yar'adua in 1992 and they got married shortly afterwards and had two kids. But Turai soon kicked Hauwa out of Yar'adua's family house in Katsina. In 1997, Turai Yar’adua engineered her husband’s formal divorce from Hauwa just as he prepared to run for governorship of Katsina State. Sources told Saharareporters that Turai, still suspicious that Yar'adua was not truly divorced from Hauwa, relocated herself to Kaduna. She lived in that city until she was convinced that the divorce was sealed through her single-minded enforcement.
Several sources in Katsina and Abuja spoke to Saharareporters about Turai Yar’adua’s obsession with fetish. Turai reportedly sent marabouts after Hauwa to secure her commitment never to ask to be re-united with Umar, their husband. Our sources say she has been inviting marabouts to Aso Rock with a frequency reminiscent of the days of the late dictator, Sani Abacha.
The “First Lady’s” other passion lies in collecting jewelry. She and the wife of “Vice President” Jonathan Goodluck have struck a strong cord on account of their shared love for jewelries and expensive frippery.
During foreign trips with her self-effacing husband, Turai Yar'adua is shown to stand confidently, radiating confidence. Our sources say she uses those foreign trips to push her pet projects as well as seek foreign partners for her burgeoning business interests.
Mrs. Yar’adua was in the U.S. all of this week supposedly to receive an award in Houston, TX. But sources knowledgeable about her movements said she was in Texas to seal some private oil deals between herself (using yet-to-be identified fronts) and foreign partners. Her itinerary included meetings with several oil executives in the Texas area.
Asked to weigh in on the description of Turai Yar’adua as a combination of Uba, Mariam Babangida and Miriam Abacha, one associate who has known the Yar’aduas for a long time said Turai is likely to be her husband’s undoing. “Umar does not do much. Hajia Turai is the only person coordinating [Aso Rock]. At least Babangida was interested in power and pretended to be doing something. Here, Turai is left to run the show. And she is doing a few things that may explode in her husband’s face.”
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Super-celeb Kobe epitomized team-first approach
Scott Ostler, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, August 24, 2008
More...
(08-24) 08:57 PDT Beijing -- The taxi driver stared blankly at my map. I had circled the Olympic basketball arena on the map, but there was a disconnect. The driver spoke no English; I spoke no Chinese.
It was Sunday afternoon, I needed to get to the U.S.-Spain gold-medal game, but it wasn't looking good.
After several moments of gloomy silence, the cabbie shaking his head slowly, his face suddenly brightened. He pantomimed a jump shot, flicked his wrist in graceful follow-through, and cried out, "Kobe!"
And off we went to Kobe.
The Chinese fans love Kobe Bryant. He is their adopted son, who, with supernatural skill, shines above the rest of the world in the game that is their new love.
Everyone digs Kobe. When the U.S. basketball team visited the Olympic Village (the U.S. basketballers stayed in a luxe hotel), the other athletes treated Kobe like Elvis.
Seemingly the only person in Beijing who didn't embrace the Kobe-centric view of the Olympic basketball universe was Kobe.
In eight games, never did Bryant go off. Never did he shoot the ball 10 times in a row, or even three. In the few moments of stress the U.S. team faced, Bryant did not grow larger while his teammates disappeared.
He came through in the clutch, but almost quietly. He was one of the guys.
The executives, coaches and players of USA Basketball - the Olympic team - have been telling us for three years that this group of players would be different. It would be a team. The players would blend, respect one another, respect the coach, play hard for their country, not personal glory.
They would not be a bunch of knuckleheads.
The assurances sounded to skeptics like a slick sales pitch.
Why should we believe? It had become apparent that while America produces the world's greatest basketball players, those players treat the team concept with contempt and disdain.
Now we can believe. For eight games, the U.S. walked the walk, passed the pass, set the pick, played the D, and honored the game of Dr. James Naismith.
The U.S. defeated Spain 118-107 Sunday afternoon. The Spaniards played a gritty, ferocious game. Whenever the 2004 U.S. Olympic team was similarly engaged, it folded like a soggy roadmap.
"I do believe that what we instituted three years ago helped us not to crack today," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball. It was Colangelo who stripped the program down and rebuilt it, picking players based on commitment, character and class.
Colangelo's message: Don't join this team to pimp your shoe-endorsement deal or to dominate discos for Uncle Sam. Join it to re-invent American international basketball.
Sunday's postgame news conference, based on a rigid format, was to be coach Mike Krzyzewski and one or two players. Team USA was having none of that. After the medal-presentation ceremony, LeBron James told his teammates they would storm the press conference as a unit - all 12 players, Krzyzewski and Colangelo.
Panicky young Chinese volunteers scrambled to find enough podium chairs for the sweaty Americans.
Colangelo, by the way, is now the most popular man in American basketball. He is receiving and will continue to receive hundreds of pleas from American players and their agents to be allowed to jump aboard this crazy new bandwagon.
The second most popular man will be Krzyzewski, who will be fending off monster contract offers from roughly 28 of the 30 NBA teams.
If Coach K can get 12 skillionaire superstars to meld their individual brilliance into a team effort, he has a secret mojo that is priceless.
"Everybody wants to talk about NBA players being selfish, being ignorant, being individuals," Krzyzewski said. "What you saw today was a team bonding together, facing adversity, and coming out of here with a big win."
You saw a team believing in its coach, and vice versa.
"I told coach K (after the game), 'Thanks for believing in me,' " said Dwyane Wade, who came to this team with his rep badly sagging, partly because of two surgeries last year (shoulder and knee).
If the U.S. team had an MVP - and they don't, of course - it would be Wade. In terms of sheer brilliance, Wade out-Kobe'd Kobe. Wade led the U.S. in scoring Sunday with 27, including three three-pointers (in four attempts). He had four steals.
And Wade never started a game here. When a team can bring Dwyane Wade off its bench, that team is going to break some hearts. But the U.S. victory was about more than talent.
"I've seen a big improvement in (the U.S. team's) play (between '04 and '08)," said Spanish center Pau Gasol. "I think they took this tournament very seriously, they were very hungry. They gave a better feeling of a team; it wasn't so much individual stuff, individual talent."
It wasn't about one person, not even Kobe.
In the athletes' village, at the many events he attended, during pregame introductions, Bryant was a god.
Once the games started, he was one of the guys. The supporting cast consisted of 12 players, supporting one another - one golden team, knuckleheads no more.
E-mail Scott Ostler at sostler@sfchronicle.com.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
More...
(08-24) 08:57 PDT Beijing -- The taxi driver stared blankly at my map. I had circled the Olympic basketball arena on the map, but there was a disconnect. The driver spoke no English; I spoke no Chinese.
It was Sunday afternoon, I needed to get to the U.S.-Spain gold-medal game, but it wasn't looking good.
After several moments of gloomy silence, the cabbie shaking his head slowly, his face suddenly brightened. He pantomimed a jump shot, flicked his wrist in graceful follow-through, and cried out, "Kobe!"
And off we went to Kobe.
The Chinese fans love Kobe Bryant. He is their adopted son, who, with supernatural skill, shines above the rest of the world in the game that is their new love.
Everyone digs Kobe. When the U.S. basketball team visited the Olympic Village (the U.S. basketballers stayed in a luxe hotel), the other athletes treated Kobe like Elvis.
Seemingly the only person in Beijing who didn't embrace the Kobe-centric view of the Olympic basketball universe was Kobe.
In eight games, never did Bryant go off. Never did he shoot the ball 10 times in a row, or even three. In the few moments of stress the U.S. team faced, Bryant did not grow larger while his teammates disappeared.
He came through in the clutch, but almost quietly. He was one of the guys.
The executives, coaches and players of USA Basketball - the Olympic team - have been telling us for three years that this group of players would be different. It would be a team. The players would blend, respect one another, respect the coach, play hard for their country, not personal glory.
They would not be a bunch of knuckleheads.
The assurances sounded to skeptics like a slick sales pitch.
Why should we believe? It had become apparent that while America produces the world's greatest basketball players, those players treat the team concept with contempt and disdain.
Now we can believe. For eight games, the U.S. walked the walk, passed the pass, set the pick, played the D, and honored the game of Dr. James Naismith.
The U.S. defeated Spain 118-107 Sunday afternoon. The Spaniards played a gritty, ferocious game. Whenever the 2004 U.S. Olympic team was similarly engaged, it folded like a soggy roadmap.
"I do believe that what we instituted three years ago helped us not to crack today," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball. It was Colangelo who stripped the program down and rebuilt it, picking players based on commitment, character and class.
Colangelo's message: Don't join this team to pimp your shoe-endorsement deal or to dominate discos for Uncle Sam. Join it to re-invent American international basketball.
Sunday's postgame news conference, based on a rigid format, was to be coach Mike Krzyzewski and one or two players. Team USA was having none of that. After the medal-presentation ceremony, LeBron James told his teammates they would storm the press conference as a unit - all 12 players, Krzyzewski and Colangelo.
Panicky young Chinese volunteers scrambled to find enough podium chairs for the sweaty Americans.
Colangelo, by the way, is now the most popular man in American basketball. He is receiving and will continue to receive hundreds of pleas from American players and their agents to be allowed to jump aboard this crazy new bandwagon.
The second most popular man will be Krzyzewski, who will be fending off monster contract offers from roughly 28 of the 30 NBA teams.
If Coach K can get 12 skillionaire superstars to meld their individual brilliance into a team effort, he has a secret mojo that is priceless.
"Everybody wants to talk about NBA players being selfish, being ignorant, being individuals," Krzyzewski said. "What you saw today was a team bonding together, facing adversity, and coming out of here with a big win."
You saw a team believing in its coach, and vice versa.
"I told coach K (after the game), 'Thanks for believing in me,' " said Dwyane Wade, who came to this team with his rep badly sagging, partly because of two surgeries last year (shoulder and knee).
If the U.S. team had an MVP - and they don't, of course - it would be Wade. In terms of sheer brilliance, Wade out-Kobe'd Kobe. Wade led the U.S. in scoring Sunday with 27, including three three-pointers (in four attempts). He had four steals.
And Wade never started a game here. When a team can bring Dwyane Wade off its bench, that team is going to break some hearts. But the U.S. victory was about more than talent.
"I've seen a big improvement in (the U.S. team's) play (between '04 and '08)," said Spanish center Pau Gasol. "I think they took this tournament very seriously, they were very hungry. They gave a better feeling of a team; it wasn't so much individual stuff, individual talent."
It wasn't about one person, not even Kobe.
In the athletes' village, at the many events he attended, during pregame introductions, Bryant was a god.
Once the games started, he was one of the guys. The supporting cast consisted of 12 players, supporting one another - one golden team, knuckleheads no more.
E-mail Scott Ostler at sostler@sfchronicle.com.
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