Michelle Obama challenges Eric Holder on "kick them"

[SHRED]

Fear?

I'm confused. What fear?

Michelle Obama responded Thursday to former Attorney General Eric Holder's comments during a campaign event earlier this week, in which he flipped her famous mantra for taking the high road and said, "When they go low, we kick them."

“Fear is not — it's not a proper motivator. Hope wins out. And if you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life & their opportunities, do you want them afraid of their neighbors?”

Why it matters: The Brett Kavanaugh saga of the past few weeks has reignited public debate about the role of civility in politics. President Trump, who frequently verbally attacks his opponents, condemned Holder's remark earlier this morning, calling it a "disgusting" and "very dangerous" statement to make.

https://www.axios.com/michelle-obama-eric-holder-kick-them-2a5bfc04-f6c7-47ab-8b80-62a92d221472.html

[dlk]

1. America's Diversity of Opinions and the Freedom to Express Them is Part of What Makes us Great

[BeckyDem]

2. I don't know. My thoughts on Holder was that he suggested not to let anything slide?

Not that he was suggesting a more crass response to Trump? Out trumping Trump on his level is what concerns Michele, I think.

[SHRED]

7. Standing up to bullies

That's how I read Holder's statement.

[cwydro]

3. Good for her. I admire Michelle Obama.

She is a truly good person and a great example for all of us.

She’d likely be disgusted about what some post here.

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Not Fear...

It's Called Being Treated Like One Dishes Out....

[mobeau69]

5. Holder appears to be running.

Good AG but not so sure I want to see him head our ticket.

[LovingA2andMI]

6. Why Not?

n/t....

[mobeau69]

9. Don't see him that appealing on the stump compared

to other possible candidates. We need whatever it takes to defeat this orange threat to our democracy.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Have To Disagree With Mrs. Obama Here

Playing by "nice" rules hasn't been very effective for 35 years

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

10. Nice guys finish last...

and we can't afford to keep being nice hoping it'll melt the gop hearts to our positions. We have to fight hard, as if it was a war, THEN be gentile, and make rules to defend against incivility in the future. They LOVE it when we go easy, makes their job a cake-walk. It's not in our nature, but, when we are all breaking rocks in a gulag somewhere bc we are Democrats, then it's way too late. We have done the nice guy thing, and they just use it against us.
Are we nice, or truly just servile and submissive? Better decide soon bc this will be our last chance (no exaggeration) come Nov 6th. We can't afford to put Pansies in gun barrels when they are shooting to kill us. Those days are over. (For awhile.)

[KCDebbie]

12. I agree with you! I adore Mrs Obama

But she is wrong on this one.

Trying to take the high road while campaigning against scum-sucking repubs ensures that Dem pols look weak and get sent home...

[violetpastille]

13. It has been effective for her. For progressive causes in the aggregate..not so much.

In her original quote "When they go low" she was referring to raising her children in the White House.

In this quote she refers again to raising children.

I will take mothering advice from Michelle Obama any day. Her daughters are just wonderful.

But Eric Holder wasn't talking about raising kids. He was talking about standing up to tyrants. And historically, that has worked at cross purposes to being a parent first. Not all freedom fighters had tranquil home lives. I can't think of one, actually.

(When it comes to surviving autocracy, I'm taking my cues from Masha Gessen.)

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Yes, You're Right

I knew that. But, she's criticizing was Holder just said, and with regard to that, I think she's off base

[WeekiWater]

11. There are legitimate reasons to kick them outside of fear.

We kicked Kav, It was not an operation of fear, though the prospects of his sitting on the bench is frightening.

[Jake Stern]

14. Totally disagree with Michelle here

I've dealt with bullies up close and being nice DOES NOT WORK. Bullies only respect strength.

They won't come around because you try to "be their friend" and showing understanding or compassion is taken as a sign of weakness.

A bloody nose and a fat lip, however, are real attention getters and go a long way toward educating Mr. Bully that you are not someone to be fucked with.

At this point in time Republicans are acting like schoolyard bullies and need to be dealt with like it.

[GeorgeGist]

15. Maybe it's just me but ...

Axios seems primarily a shit-stirring venture.

[Turin_C3PO]

17. I respectfully disagree with Mrs. Obama.

That’s ok though; differing opinions are allowed among Democrats.