And this guy is the current front-runner for McCain's running mate?
Republican Mike Huckabee responded to an offstage noise during his speech to the National Rifle Association by suggesting it was Barack Obama diving to the floor because someone had aimed a gun at him.Hearing a loud noise and interrupting his speech, Huckabee said: "That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he -- he dove for the floor." [source]
What makes this all the more jaw-droppingly stupid is when you consider what happened to another Democratic candidate almost forty years ago.
Politics
Comments
And a bit more than 70 years ago:
Social Security Online
Huey Long was Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was elected to the U.S. ... A nominal Democrat, Huey Long was a radical populist, of a sort we are we are unfamiliar with in our day. As Governor, he sponsored many reforms that endeared him to the rural poor. An ardent enemy of corporate interests, he championed the "little man" against the rich and privileged....
http://www.ssa.gov/history/hlong1.html
Please note the prominent banner at the top of that page:
"This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current policies or procedures"
"... Long split with Roosevelt in June 1933 and allegedly planned to mount his own presidential bid.... Long was shot on September 8, 1935, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge; he died two days later at the age of 42. His last words were reportedly, "God, don't let me die. I have so much left to do." -- Wikipedia
And many others as well.
Posted by: Hank Roberts | May 16, 2008 8:16 PM
Unfortunately, 50 - 60 percent of Americans would read this and wonder what you are complaining about.
Posted by: Joel | May 16, 2008 8:43 PM
Like it or not the GOP noise machine will be projection Obama as a Manchurian candidate for the Muslims and black nationalists and as a clumsy, overly brainy, wimp in the Steve Urkel model.
What Obama supporters have missed is that while Hillary has high negatives it is a result of almost twenty years of no-holds-barred. An effort that included the systematic negative spinning of every piece of information and the creation of imaginary charges when there was any break in the news cycle. These included charges of murder, drug dealing, lesbianism and satanism. The only weakness of their strategy is that they jumped the shark with the accusations and hyperbole.
Obama has yet to be exposed to the smear machine at full-throttle. So far it has been softball and slightly scandalous whispering.
They are going to come at him with everything they have because they have nothing to lose. The latest congressional contests, in deep red states, have gone to the Dems. The GOP seems certain to lose both houses. Holding on to the presidency is their last best hope of keeping a lid on the rampant outbreak of liberalism.
No guarantees either way. McCain may read the riot act to his supporters and keep the worse of their lies and extremism under control but I wouldn't count on him making any noble stands to keep the contest above board and high minded.
Posted by: Art | May 16, 2008 8:55 PM
Why are so many Democrats and their sympathizers always so eager to project doom for their party, even when their prospects are historically excellent?
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | May 16, 2008 9:20 PM
We're human. Occasionally we try to make extemporaneous jokes or comments that look stupid. Big deal.
Posted by: steve s | May 16, 2008 9:31 PM
Tyler - 2000, 2004
Posted by: Science Avenger | May 17, 2008 12:18 AM
It just goes to show that the bull about being a man of god is all show and no substance. That was a joke like the joke "you are ugly and dumb!" ha ha, dont you get it? its a joke. no its not a joke, its an implicit threat. It sets the tone. The guys at the top put it out in the open and the losers at the bottom act on it. For an example, see Oklahoma City bombing.
Posted by: iRobot | May 17, 2008 6:33 AM
I'm going to have to admit ignorance on this one, an American thing?
Posted by: tincture | May 17, 2008 7:50 AM
And this guy is the current front-runner for McCain's running mate?
That's pure speculation and way too early at that, it will not be another month or so before McCain starts seriously looking for a running mate. And whom he ever chooses, liberals will not like him...lol...
Posted by: Michael | May 18, 2008 8:25 PM
@ Michael
But I'm guessing you like him ...
Posted by: John Lynch | May 18, 2008 8:33 PM
Current front-runners for Republican VP nomination according to Intrade:
Pawlenty 18.0%
Romney 16.6%
Huckabee 13.5%
Giuliani 7.0%
Rice 6.4%
Hutchison 3.1%
Graham 2.2%
Steele 1.0%
Thompson 0.4%
Gingrich 0.3%
Jeb Bush 0.2%
Paul 0.1%
Hunter 0.1%
Someone else 42.0%
I'd say it's safe to bet a lot of money against the VP being Huckabee.
Posted by: Jim Lippard | May 19, 2008 12:35 AM
Huckabee has apologized for his comment and characterized it as offensive.
Posted by: Jim Thomerson | May 19, 2008 7:53 PM