Obama Pushes Back on GOP Tire Pressure Attack: "It's Like These Guys Take Pride in Being Ignorant"

[TeamJordan23]

Obama Pushes Back on GOP Tire Pressure Attack: "It's Like These Guys Take Pride in Being Ignorant"

August 05, 2008 3:47 PM

At a town hall meeting in Berea , Ohio, today, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, pushed back against the GOP attack on his advice to a voter last week that having a tuned up car and fully inflated tires would help save energy.

"Let me make a point about efficiency, because my Republican opponents - they don’t like to talk about efficiency," Obama said.

"You know the other day I was in a town hall meeting and I laid out my plans for investing $15 billion a year in energy efficient cars and a new electricity grid and somebody said, 'well, what can I do? what can individuals do?' Obama recalled.

"So I told them something simple," Obama said. "I said, 'You know what? You can inflate your tires to the proper levels and that if everybody in America inflated their tires to the proper level, we would actually probably save more oil than all the oil we'd get from John McCain drilling right below his feet there, or wherever he was going to drill.'"

"So now the Republicans are going around - this is the kind of thing they do. I don't understand it! They’re going around, they're sending like little tire gauges, making fun of this idea as if this is 'Barack Obama's energy plan.'

"Now two points, one, they know they're lying about what my energy plan is, but the other thing is they're making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent. It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.

"You know, they think it is funny that they are making fun of something that is actually true. They need to do their homework. Because this is serious business. Instead of running ads about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears they should go talk to some energy experts and actually make a difference."

http://thepage.time.com/2008/08/05/obama-slaps-back-on-tire-gauges/

Video at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akjXqfvLu28

[SpiralHawk]

1. Bwaa ha ha ha - You go Bama

All you have to do is keep telling the truth -- "it's like the republicons are proud of being ignorant" -- and you will win.

Because American ears are straining to hear something true, and you have just fed them a choice morsel.

[uberllama42]

116. I think he should have expounded on that point a little more.

I think that's a very dangerous tendency in America today that he really nailed. Republicans especially are proud of their ignorance. They didn't even try to find out if the tire gauge thing would actually work, they just came right out and said it was a bad idea. They don't even pretend to be dealing in facts.

[polichick]

2. Great moment - let's see if the msm covers it!

[madeline_con]

71. Is CNN the MSM? That's where I watched it. n/t

[wordpix]

114. I saw it on Olbermann - long after I read it on DU

[applegrove]

3. GOBAMA GO!

[Max_powers94]

4. As my people in the hood would say (bankhead)..........Obama is about to shut it down.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

23. Howdy, neighbor! I grew up in Decatur. The O-Man is getting "ig-nant!"

[Max_powers94]

27. Ha that was funny

[polichick]

5. EVERY Dem surrogate should repeat that line!

[KittyWampus]

16. Is he referring to McCain or the Mediawhores?

hmmmmmmm.

I guess McCain.

But it definitely applies to Mediawhores.

And it should be repeated liberally and with gusto.

[madeline_con]

72. He was referring to Republicans.

[wordpix]

115. WE should use it when confronted with repuke ignorance!

[Aviation Pro]

6. This needs to be repeated over and over again....

"It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant."

I cannot wait until the debates when Senator Obama gets to stand toe-to-toe (actually nose to belly button) with the wee Senator Angry Old Prick.

[SpiralHawk]

10. The phrase establishes a narrative

And this time the narrative is true -- "these guys take pride in being ignorant."

Not to mention FAIL -- which is all America has gotten from the Republicons, except of course lies, corruption and hypocritical sexual shenanigans

[petwlkr]

89. My take is a little different

I don't think the Republicans are ignorant, they know exactly what they are doing with these ads. The problem is that a huge number of Americans are ignorant, and the GOP knows how to work that to their advantage better than anyone.

These tactics only work if you have people out there dumb enough to buy into them and unfortunately America's collective IQ seems to be in a rapid free fall.

:dunce:

[nxylas]

109. That may be true, but he can't say so

Telling the voters that they're idiots is rarely a wise move in an election campaign.

[treestar]

111. Dealing with such people, it often actually helps to stand up to them

Besides, Obama didn't tell them they were idiots, he said that McMean and his crew were.

[dothemath]

119. free-falling IQ ................

Well, in all honesty, it didn't have very far to fall. It was only a little higher than whale do-do to start with.

[greenman3610]

66. that should become a campaign slogan

[chelsea0011]

7. Funniest comeback ever. LOL

[phantom power]

8. I think it's pretty easy to understand.

Anything relating to conservation is passive/feminine, in the sense that it represents adapting to the problem instead of an agressive/masculine solution like "drilling" or "jawboning OPEC" or "going after the speculators."

When the GOP made fun of tire inflation, it was nothing more than a classic reinforcement of the "Democrats are passive/feminine" narrative.

And now Obama is reinforcing the classic "Democrats are (culturally) elitist smarty-pantses" narrative, by saying that the GOP "takes pride in being ignorant."

That's right, they do, and it energizes the base to see Obama upset about it.

[cbc5g]

11. I disagree ... he wasn't upset he was mocking them

Actually most "white working class" people know that tire gauges improve efficiency. It's on the NASCAR website for God's sake.

[phantom power]

12. That will energize them equally well...

"Those elitist liberals, always thinking they're so much better than us."

[cbc5g]

15. Nah they want a fighter and that's what Obama showed today

liberal pussies don't fight or stand up for what they believe in. That's the perception that Obama is changing.

[Shakespeare]

38. So the fuck WHAT.

He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I'd much rather have him respond by doing the rhetorical equivalent of pointing and laughing at them. Ignorant fuckwads are going to be against Obama no matter what Obama does.

[phantom power]

42. So... I think it's beneficial to consider how our opponents think.

Because they've been winning a lot of elections, and the media still favors their narratives, not ours. That doesn't mean Obama need be paralyzed by second-guessing. I think he is running a good campaign.

[Shakespeare]

44. Hand-wringing and indecision has done us absolutely NO good in the past.

A break with that habit is just what we need.

[Connonym]

90. I absolutely agree

I love to see Obama standing up for himself and not letting this shit slide. We saw how well the ignoring it tactic worked on Kerry's swiftboating. The thing that I think is really ironic (and maybe this is because I'm a liberal intellectual elite?) is that the right wing neanderthals can't seem to see that bullying is just a phony posturing of a weaker animal to try to look bigger. Blow fish do it, peacocks do it, why shouldn't republicans do it too? :sigh: is it that they can't see how stupid it looks or is it that they just don't give a fuck?

[Virginia Dare]

47. That's certainly what Rush Limbaugh will say..

but anybody faithfully listening to that bloviator isn't considering a vote for Obama anyway. I think Obama handled it well, keep mocking their stupidity.

[Jawja]

94. Bingo.

Obama fighting back plays to the Independent voters who he needs to win the election. The pridefully ignorant are going to vote Republican regardless because that's why they are Republicans.

[AlbertCat]

76. Handing out tire gages

looks more smarty-pants elitist Know-it-all than Obama's comments.

I think the Purple Heart band aids really turned off a lot of military people too.

It must be remembered that the GOP did not win in 2000 or 2004. These cutesie joke tactics are not as effective as the GOP or the MSM would like for you to believe.

[awoke_in_2003]

77. It is also

in Chevron radio ads (maybe TV too, I really don't watch much)

[DCKit]

97. "...most "white working class" people know..."

Except they parsed his quote to make it sound as if that was the whole plan.

On the other hand, those NASCAR fans who did see the original quote, and in context, should know the Republics still don't have a clue.

No matter how you look at it, the folks driving (and now stuck with) F-250s, F-350s and duelies ought to be pretty pissed at the (R) brand by now.

[smoogatz]

63. The Republicans hate conservation because it works, and nobody makes

a dime off of it. They're selling the lie that domestic drilling can provide the additional production we need to offset increasing demand and flat production in Saudi Arabia, and they're selling it because the oil companies want them to--more profits for them, and the elimination of regulations they've hated from the get-go. The truth is that no amount of domestic drilling is going to solve the current energy crisis. I'm in favor of telling the American people the truth. Let the Republicans spin their lies, but be sure to call them on it. The electorate will get it if you lather, rinse and repeat enough times. That's what Kerry and Gore failed to do. Obama, on the other hand, may be getting the hang of it.

[madeline_con]

74. I call bullshit on that.

Obama said the GOP needs to do their homework and realize what he said about tire pressure is well known as a way to save fuel.

It does NOT have anything to do with elitism. :eyes:

[MadMaddie]

79. He wasn't upset....He was mocking them there is a difference.

What the Republicans expect is for the Democratic nominee to go running to his corner when they attack.....this is why they are in trouble the didn't expect Obama to fight back and call bullshit bullshit!!

Either we fight them toe to toe...or we let them attack us relentless like Kerry did.and do nothing..we saw the results of that debacle....

[HamdenRice]

100. This is so true

On some level, the entire Dem/Rep thing isn't about policy. It's about attitude. And the meat eating, macho Rethug mentality actually despises things that work policy wise that don't involve drilling or killing.

[Scurrilous]

9. K & R

:thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

13. Just watched the video. How sweet was that?

There was this burly older white guy in the background who was pretty unexcited for some time....but then as soon as Obama hit his real punchlines, the guy was the first to get up and start clapping.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. Wait for it...

The M$M will charge that Obama is being elitist and dismissive of the war hero again. Mark my words. Here it comes...

:puke::puke:

[Connonym]

91. which is pretty funny considering how much they slammed war-hero Kerry

in favor of Shrubby Fratboy. Damn that liberal media.

[Radical Activist]

17. owned!

[MasonJar]

18. Put it in an ad. No MSM is going to repeat what you said, Obama.

[grillo7]

49. Good idea. It also needs to be the talking point of every left spokesman n/t

[wowimthere]

19. K&R BRILLIANT! The GOP look stupid every time out... but it's icing on the cake when any

Democrat or sensible person points it out.

[wowimthere]

22. What's funny is when Conservatives think it's okay to make fun of the sensible... The American

people are a game to them. They don't care to know truth.

[glitch]

103. It's very elite of them to make fun of Americans trying to improve their mileage.

Since they don't pay for their own gas they could care less.

[Alexander]

20. Most people who vote Republican do take pride in their ignorance...

They don't know jack shit about politics and don't want to know.

They just want their bubble of comfort, which doesn't involve reading or learning about how government works.

[Kahuna]

59. You nailed it. Democrats have got to stop acting like the majority of

voters are smart. They aren't. They are very comfortable letting others do their thinking. And the more simplistic the information the better they like it. Repukes understand this very well.

[jefferson_dem]

21. Right on, Barack!

Swiftboat that repuglican bizzitches!

[kurtboss]

24. What the Hell is the Slaps Back???

I like how Halperin titled it "obama slaps back." Slaps? That's sort of unfortunate wording...shouldn't it be hit back? Why do the feminine when the masculine hit is the norm? Two thoughts.

1. He's trying to make Obama seem prissy.

2. He meant bitch slapped, but had the sense to realize that would be racist, making Obama out to be a pimp.

[Gabi Hayes]

52. do you know anything about Halperin? try this:

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200610030008

[demwing]

93. A punch hurts, but a slap is an insult

You punch someone to put them on the ground, but you slap someone to put them in their place - at least thats the perception I think Halperin is going after.

[Radical Activist]

25. Whoever wrote the latest concerned post about Obama not responding or fighting back.

You can STFU now!

[Kahuna]

60. LOL! I love me some DUers. Ya'll are very entertaining. nt

:loveya:

[truebrit71]

26. Nice one Senator!!! That is absolutely brilliant!

..

[woodsprite]

28. I love Obama's simplicity and style - and .....

I secretly fantasize about him coming to my work and dealing with the a$$hole repub that I have to sit next to and hear spew talking points all frickin' day long.

[Radical Activist]

30. When I read the line "I secretly fantasize about him..."

I was a little worried about where that was going. lol

[ForeignSpectator]

34. Oh, was I worried, too...

:rofl:

[samsingh]

29. Obama is right - repugs do take pride in being ignorant

i would have said stupid, moronic, mental, and treacherous

[Phredicles]

31. "It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant." - DAMN, he nails it.

From Tail Gunner Joe to Spiro to Reagan to Jesse Helms to Dan Quayle to Dick Armey to Shrub to McLame to...

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[starroute]

32. It's right-wing arrogance -- like McCain telling the bikers to vroom on

These guys get some sort of charge out of being reckless, wasteful, and destructive. It's their way of saying, "I'm so powerful that can I behave as badly as I like and there's nothing anybody can do to stop me."

It's probably also why they're so set on drilling in ANWR. Telling people like that, "you can't" is just waving a red flag in front of them. They're determine to prove there's no rule they can't break, no standard of morality they can't violate, no social norm they can't turn on its head. They all want to be Godzilla and stomp their way through life.

This has been one of the great weaknesses of the left in recent years. People who want to behave well can always be stomped on by people who actively want to behave badly and don't care who knows it.

The only cure there's ever been is for all people of good will to get together and sit on their heads and make them stop -- which, when you think about it, may be the real reason government was invented in the first place. Because as long as they keep getting away with it, they'll just keep on going.

[ericgtr]

33. K&R This is what I have been waiting for!

Well said!

:kick:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

35. The Facts -- Just in Case They're Still Relevant

Goodyear estimates that Americans could save 20 million barrels of oil JUST OVER THE SUMMER if their tires were inflated properly. That comes to 60 million barrels of oil per year (give or take).

The USGS says that ANWR could yield about 2.5 billion barrels of oil over its lifetime, which would be roughly until 2030.

So in the same 22 year period, proper tire inflation would save 1.3 billion barrels of oil. Not the same mind you, but tire inflation will keep on saving after the oil in ANWR runs dry, with not even the slightest threat of environmental degradation.

And you're safer when your tires are properly inflated.

[IndependentDem]

65. from DOT-- "fuel efficiency is reduced by one percent (1%) for every 3.3 (psi) of under-inflation"..

and that report was from 1978... current numbers are closer to one percent for every 2.96 psi of under-inflation... check out this article from the department of transportation.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/TPMS_FMVSS_No138/part5.4.html

[AZBlue]

36. "It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant." Best. Line. Ever.

Nicely done, Senator Obama.
:thumbsup:
Pardon me, I meant President Obama.
:D

[ForeignSpectator]

37. So, Obama's still against Alaska drilling?

Didn't keep up with all the news lately, last thing I heard was he was reconsidering his stance on that...

[Shakespeare]

39. Don't strain yourself too hard, but things like nuance and context would suit you well.

Of course, you already knew that.

[ForeignSpectator]

40. No need for that, seriously.

Had no internet access over the weekend after read that on Huffington Post so, really, I did not know for sure and it was a real question. And since I came across this thread ( which I recommended in total support btw ) and got reminded, I thought I just post this small question here...

But thanks for your answer. :hi:

[TheDonkey]

41. LOVE IT! YOU GO OBAMA

that is pretty much the rethuglican mantra "proud to be ignorant"

[Virginia Dare]

43. Brilliant line..

especially after McCain said publicly that he's "proud" of his campaign.

Obama is fully inflated and hitting on all cylinders..hee hee.

[Fleshdancer]

45. I think it's cute that he acts so surprised by this.

:rofl:

Seriously though, I love Obama's response. :thumbsup:

[TwilightGardener]

46. That's it exactly. The GOP takes pride in being ignorant. And in encouraging ignorance.

[Virginia Dare]

48. Exactly. Look no further than the White House...n/t

[AspenRose]

50. Hot damn!

YES! :woohoo:

[madrchsod]

51. i read a car mag from the early 50`s that said the same thing

about tire pressure........that`s when gas was 20-25ct a gallon.....

[Guaranteed]

53. I've been using that line for years.

Glad to see someone picked it up. :P

[nam78_two]

54. K&R.nt

[Demi_Babe]

55. WOOHOO

[Skittles]

56. THERE YA GO

SEE HOW EASY IT IS? :thumbsup:

[Willo]

57. Excellent Obama!

"It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant."

"...they should go talk to some energy experts and actually make a difference."

[bevoette]

58. gawd...i think i LOVE him

:blush:

[Kahuna]

61. Harold Ford tomorrow:'Obama shouldn't have said that....'

:puke:

[RollWithIt]

64. Keep in mind, that anything that Harold Ford says gets plastered all over Tennessee.....

And Harold Ford has to get elected there. He HAS to take the middle road in many circumstances because of where he's trying to build a political career. They ran a VERY similar racist ad there in 2006 like the britney/hilton ad. Actually, it was 20x worse. Sadly in Tennessee it works. That fucking state voted Bush over Gore in 2000. They spit on their own, still pisses me off. And oh yea, the SEC sucks too.

[MadMaddie]

80. Harold Ford has sold his soul to the devil.....I turn the TV

anytime he is on......

[RollWithIt]

62. Game..... Set.......

Match will be the debates...

[hisownpetard]

67. Love it!

[Kermitt Gribble]

68. That's a great response!

It's great to see a candidate not tip-toeing around the repuke attacks.

[EndElectoral]

69. Just a phenomenal response. Well done today!

[baldguy]

70. "Like" nothing - ignorance is the basis for their entire world view,

[Odin2005]

73. WOOT!!! The Puggies got BURNED by the O-Man!!!

"It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant" needs to be repeated over and over again until it gets stuck in people's heads.

[kestrel91316]

75. Note to the DINOs: THIS is spine. Learn to imitate it.

He NEVER lets them get away with crap. He ALWAYS has a good response, and damned fast.

[file83]

83. Exactly. Pelosi could learn a thing or two about spine.

She's a fucking amoeba.

[Major Hogwash]

78. Ooh, I think this counts as a bitchslap!

*slap*

That's gotta hurt.

[Waiting For Everyman]

81. "First of all, they're LYING... " Thank you, Sen. O,

for not euphemizing it. That's straight talk.

Perfect! Just perfect!

His reaction says they're ridiculous, without any need to say so!!!

[NightOwwl]

88. Damn straight!

It makes me mighty angry to hear someone say so-and-so "misspoke." It's a lie dammit!

[Chulanowa]

82. Hell, this was confirmed back in 2004

Just look how proud she seems to be mocking every soldier ever wounded in battle.

[defendandprotect]

84. Recently I realized my tires were seriously underinflated ---

and because of that they were overheating as I drove --- I ended up with a flat

on the parkway -- and the tire guy showed me all of my tires had CRACKING

in the area closest to the rim --- I needed four new tires!

So . . . it's a safety issue ---

and now I have a much better ride --- and I know I use less gas.


A lot of people know this ---

I didn't!!!

[defendandprotect]

85. .... and yes, ignorance is what they are all about ---

[Flabbergasted]

86. Simply Marvelous!! nt

[democracy1st]

87. K & R

[autorank]

92. That's the ticket. Logic and disdain. n/t

[barack the house]

95. Maybe efficiency is too big a word he should say money saving low cost. Don't over inflate though.

[Jester Messiah]

96. Now that's the O-man I know and love!

I was wondering where he's been... maybe I just haven't been paying attention, but it seemed like he'd been a little quiet for a while. This kind of stuff though... this is what got him past Hillary, and it's what will propel him past McCain!

[happygoluckytoyou]

98. BALLS OUT OBAMA!!!! being smart is the new smart !!!!!! look where stoopid got us

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

99. Nice to read an answer by a grownup

instead of a spoiled, ignorant brat.

[BearSquirrel2]

101. Well played ...

Note Obama is not attacking them, he's attacking their rhetoric. He is definitely a verbal aikidoist. He takes their negative puke and throws it back in their nasty faces.

[pipi_k]

102. I saw it on CNN this morning and

had a pretty good laugh, which isn't usual because I'm not a morning person. :7


But anyway, I'm watching it and thinking, yeah!!! If McCain and the Republicans want to try and trivialize Obama with "jokes", then they're going to have to be REAL careful they don't make themselves look like assholes in the process. As in...not serious about serious issues.

I can't wait to see what they'll say next that will make them look positively stupid while they giggle like silly little girls over some "joke" they think they had at Obama's expense. Keep the funnies coming, guys...show us all how ignorant and unsuited for leadership you really are...

bwahahahahahahahah

[Froward69]

104. Ive been using "willfully Ignorant"

for weeks now... :rofl: :applause:

[book_worm]

105. The GOP wants to appeal to the ignorant vote.

[NYDem Observer]

106. Way to hit back Barack! K&R

[Upton]

107. Nice to see him fighting back

I still think he should go on the attack more but maybe they're waiting until after the convention.

[GETPLANING]

108. Here's the funny part...

Increase in supply of oil in five to ten years by drilling here, drilling now- 1%.
Immediate savings by properly inflating your tires- 3%.

Republicans, do the math. If you can't, have a Democrat pencil it out for you.

[CitizenPatriot]

117. GOOD ONE!

have a Democrat do it for you...hee hee! love it!

I'm busy posting on freeper sites today, for what it's worth. Washington Times had article about the inflate your tires bit, so I wrote:

Inflating your tires is to be mocked? Gee, can we get some real info to help those of us who aren't beer heirs and for whom 4 dollars a gallon is a problem? What is McCain thinking?

For anyone who cares, inflating your tires has been to shown to reduce fuel consumption. Even McCain surrogates Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) have referred to the fuel economy benefits of properly inflated tires. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have cited the fuel advantages of proper tire inflation.

Don't be fooled by McCain's mocking of Obama's reply to a question. Inflating your tires can save you a few hundred dollars a year. If everyone did it, that'd be 2.8 billion gallons of gas. During an energy crisis, McCain is mocking this? Am I the only person who questions why we are not being informed of the truth of Obama's statement? Or is this just another hit the American people are supposed to take so as to not embarrass the Republican candidate?

[amb123]

110. Most Right Wingers glory and revel in their stupidity.

That's what I've been saying about the Reich Wing for years! They're proud of the fact that they let others do the thinking for them (Rush, Hannity, Dobson, etc). They all say, "Thank God I'm not a pointy-headed intellectual elitist." They're all like Frank Burns from the TV Show M*A*S*H:

"As I see it, unless we each conform, unless we all follow orders, unless we obey our Leaders blindly, there's no possible way we can remain free!"

"There's nothing wrong with ordering people to behave as patriotically as possible."

Reporter: "Doesn't patriotism have to come from the heart?"

"Thank God I don't have that problem."

:argh:

[Lorien]

112. FINALLY a Dem who calls them what they are: LIARS who are willfully

IGNORANT! Now if Gore and Kerry would have been that direct(going against the desires of their handlers), I'm sure that they would have won by margins that would have made it much harder for the repugs to steal it.

[Mad_Dem_X]

113. On target, as usual!

All the repukes know how to do is attack and make fun of people. Because when it comes to the issues, the serious stuff, they have no f'ing clue.

[redqueen]

118. Brilliant response.

"...they think it is funny that they are making fun of something that is actually true. They need to do their homework. Because this is serious business. Instead of running ads about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears they should go talk to some energy experts and actually make a difference."

:applause: