College Student Questioning Obama Was Republican Staffer

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:28:18 PM EST
Tags: Grand Junction, health care reform (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Zach Lahn got a lot of attention yesterday for his question to President Obama in Grand Junction about how private insurance companies could possibly compete against a Government non-profit, and his cocky attitude, shouting out and play to the media.

He failed to disclose he was a staffer for one of Colorado's most right-wing Republicans in the State legislature. (He's taken his Linked-In profile down.) As Colorado Pols says,

It also takes some "chutzpah" to fail to disclose to either the President or to reporters interviewing you afterward that you're a staffer for one of the hardest-right Republicans in the Colorado Senate, Sen. Greg "Obama's Gonna Take Yer Guns" Brophy, wouldn't you say? It's not like that should have disqualified him from asking the question--much like the infamous Brooks Brothers riot of Florida 2000 legend, though, it would have helped explain why he was so, um, "passionate."

[More...]

Here's how he describes himself on his Twitter page (his tweets are private:)

Determined Christian Conservative in CO, home state of IA not stopping until everyone agrees w/me Pro-Life, Pro-Guns, Pro-Reagan, Anti-Big Gov

Two days ago, his profile read:

Determined Christian Conservative Legislative Aide in CO, home state of IA not stopping until everyone agrees w/me Pro-Life, Pro-Guns, Pro-Reagan, Anti-Big Gov (my emphasis)

Before he privatized his tweets, there were:

over 2 days ago | View Tweet on Twitter
just got tickets 2 Obama's townhall on health care in Colorado.. Any suggestions on REAL questions for him? #tcot #hhrs #redco #gop #912

over 1 week ago | View Tweet on Twitter
Great Heritage Article: 5 must ask questions on healthcare for every townhall meeting. http://bit.ly/y5YTX #tcot #hhrs #sgp #912

He lists the Heritage Foundation as his website. Here's a thread in which he expounds on his views.

As an aside, when Brophy's bike was stolen in Denver, he blamed the Democrats and said he was sure it was stolen by someone who voted for Obama. On one of his websites, he writes:

I have earned a reputation early in my Senate and House career as a champion for agriculture, tort reform, life and the Second Amendment, but I may best be known for my efforts against judicial activism.

Here's another Brophy website where Zach Lahn left a comment to one of his posts about global warming being a farce.

< Woodstock Then, Woodstock Now | Sunday Night Open Thead >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

College Student Questioning Obama Was Republican Staffer | 75 comments (75 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

I dunno (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:35:45 PM EST

It seems to me that he was expressing his personal and genuine views. Now, if there were some suggestion that he was paid by someone to attend and ask a question, that would be a different story.

Well (5.00 / 5) (#2)
by Steve M on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:37:49 PM EST

I wouldn't be surprised that a Republican has Republican views on the issues. But it still makes a difference if you're a paid employee.


I'm really not convinced that it does (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:41:50 PM EST

He's not representative of the population, but neither is any other single person who might ask a question at such an event.

Are Doctors not allowed to ask self-interested questions? Insurance agents? People without insurance?


I read, horror of horrors, the guy (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by oculus on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:45:14 PM EST

is a blogger!


Shrug (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Steve M on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:49:18 PM EST

I guess we'll just have to disagree on this. I honestly can't believe you think those other situations are comparable.


You have perhaps an argument (none / 0) (#11)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:51:35 PM EST

as to why you think his job is important? I'm willing to listen.


I would rather (none / 0) (#15)
by Steve M on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:54:25 PM EST

agree to disagree, like I said in my last comment.


: OK, fine (none / 0) (#19)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:56:52 PM EST

I don't feel that strongly, but if you don't want to try out your reasoning on me, whatever.

And that's fine...he has a right to those views (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:43:11 PM EST

But here's my frustration. He will probably get invited on FOX, and MSNBC. Just like that twit from Lebanon, who was NOT honest about who she is and what she represents.

And yet in the last few weeks, I have seen focus on a ton of extreme right wingers, pro lifers, pro gun people....all being given credence as "real Americans." Where are the other real Americans, some of the 70% who want health care/insurance reform. When does the news showcase an agnostic, educated city dwelling lefty who thinks health care is a right. Why does every "town hall" give a mike to the angry, nasty, we don't want no commies, don't want no government running our lives?

Where's the balance?


Liberals are simply not as fired up (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:44:36 PM EST

about healthcare reform.


Why not? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:48:45 PM EST

Can anyone explain to me why liberals are not fired up? I have listened for years some of the "left" trashing the Clintons, especially Hillary, for failing on health care.

I don't understand.


Multiple factors (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:54:03 PM EST

This proposal is amorphous and many liberals aren't supporting it, even tepidly;
Until this past week or so, the President hasn't really made an effort to get the base fired up about it;
This President's biggest supporters really just weren't that fired up about healthcare to being with. Remember how he didn't even support an individual mandate (until he did)?

I think you are conflating "liberal" (4.72 / 11) (#25)
by Anne on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:07:12 PM EST

with "obama supporter," as there are a lot of real liberals - not the wishy-washy "progressives" who seem to be cut more from the same give-away-the-store cloth as Obama - who are very fired up about health care, and who have been begging and pleading and blogging and writing and calling and tweeting for the kind of reform that will actually improve access to and affordability of care.

It may well be that Obama supporters aren't all that fired up, but I think those may be many of the same supporters who could never really identify Obama's positions or philosophy beyond "he wants to change things" and "he delivers a message of hope."

But I don't think those supporters are liberals.


An overwhelming majority of people (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:10:34 PM EST

who describe themselves as liberals voted for the President last November. You can look it up.


Fair enough; perhaps what we are (5.00 / 7) (#30)
by Anne on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:19:27 PM EST

seeing now is a divergence of the "liberal" contingent away from "Obama supporter" on this issue.

If a sizeable chunk of the Obama supporters are "taking a break from politics," and another chunk of them are not getting behind the plan because it does not fit their definition of advancing a liberal agenda, and they believe it is a bad plan that caters to the big-money interests, it's no wonder he cannot get any traction.

I think if it was a good plan, if people weren't already talking about how to fix something that hasn't even passed yer, we wouldn't be having so many of these discussions.


But Obama was not the first pick of (5.00 / 5) (#53)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:55:16 PM EST

many who voted for him.

Just sayin'


: Heh (5.00 / 4) (#55)
by daring grace on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:09:31 PM EST

As far as that goes, I've been voting since 1974, and my first choice for a president liberal enough for me has never even been in the running to make it as a credible also ran.
I've sort of resigned myself that if I want a liberal prez, I'm going to have to build one in my basement.

if that's sarcasm, apologies (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by The Last Whimzy on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:08:25 PM EST

i really doubt i'd be the first one to point out that just cause someone trashes the Clintons on healthcare, that doesn't mean they really care about healthcare.


Can only speak for myself (5.00 / 6) (#33)
by MO Blue on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:43:43 PM EST

Health CARE (not insurance) is one of my three top issues. I am not fired up about the legislation currently being proposed by Congress because I think it is very bad legislation.

If Congress wants to go back and draft legislation that contains a public option that is available to everyone and is not hampered by items in the legislation to defeat it, and removes the back room deals, I will be only happy to spend my time doing whatever is necessary to see that it gets passed.


GOP staffers have other avenues for making their (5.00 / 5) (#24)
by ruffian on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:06:33 PM EST

views heard, and they are doing a fine job of it.

The town hall questions are supposed to be for people without a paid voice in the system.


Bingo (5.00 / 3) (#57)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:20:17 PM EST

"The town hall questions are supposed to be for people without a paid voice in the system."


: Where is this rule written down? (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by wagnert in atlanta on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:28:16 PM EST

whoever he was (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Dadler on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:38:21 PM EST

obama should have been able, in a polite and respectful way, kick his rhetorical ace. but he didn't.

sigh, we shall see, we shall see.

So what? (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by JoeCHI on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:44:17 PM EST

Being a GOP staffers doesn't mean that you have relinquished your right to pose a question to the President, or debate him, for that matter.

But even being a democrat, (5.00 / 3) (#12)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:51:49 PM EST

let alone a democratic staffer, pretty much locked one out of being at Bush gathering, let alone questioning him. I think maybe twice in 8 years I saw democrats manage to get past the right wing guards and be able to on a national level challenge Bush.
In the last month I have heard ONLY right wing voices.......loud, obnoxious in untruths, and at times quite scary.


That seems to speak more (none / 0) (#43)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:31:09 PM EST

to the inabilities of the "Democrats" than anything else.

Of course I don't remember Bush going to the public near as much as Obama has done. I think that is to Obama's credit, although he may be getting over exposed.

And yes, the Left is losing the yelling contest at the Town Halls. That is a reflection of the enthusiasm of the "Right." The Left reminds me of the Repubs wanting "reasoned" debate over the war 6 years ago, and not getting it.


Again (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by Socraticsilence on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:12:32 PM EST

I've tried to point this out to you in Earlier threads- when Health Care Reform cripples America's standing in the world and leaves thousands of Americans and Hundreds of Thousands of others dead then this might be a valid comparison. Oh, and when you have the right telling people to "watch what you say" and screaming "love it or leave it" and suggesting opposition to the war= support/endorsement of Al Queda and/or Saddam well you'll forgive if I think they were being less than genuine in their desire for honest and open debate about the war.


You pointed what out and when??? (none / 0) (#60)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:42:11 PM EST

I remember dozens of huge demonstrations in which the Right was demonized and shut down. If they were yelling I would say it was them giving back what they were being called. One hand insults the other, eh?

And if health care is crippling America's standing in the world please explain why we have 12 million illegals here now and millions more wanting to get in?

Again. I am for a single payer system modeled on Medicare. Obama's planS are not SP and don't even get everyone covered.


They are here (none / 0) (#66)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:56:15 PM EST

for jobs and education. Health care is a bonus for those able to get it.....which is often in the ER.
People leave their homes, their family, their elderly parents mostly because staying there means no jobs, no food, no education.

I taught in a school where we had many undocumented citizens. They wanted their children to have a better chance in life. They valued public education and mostly, their children excelled despite the language issue. Both parents worked and worked hard.

Health care meant as much to them as it does to many without it.


: So you agree that the the health care issue (5.00 / 1) (#79)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 08:28:44 PM EST

does nothing to erode our "standing in the world" whatever that means.
And there is no such thing as an "undocumented citizen." You are either a citizen or you are not.

No but (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by Socraticsilence on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:55:16 PM EST

while I think everyone here is okay with him asking the question (with full disclosure), common sense prevents him from debating the president- its just not feasible for the POTUS to debate a college student on every issue, god knows I would have loved to debate Bush on the merits of Iraq, but somehow I have to think if I infiltrated one of his Townhalls to ask him to do so I would have been escorted out by security then laughed at by virtually every media outlet if I was given any coverage at all.


But the impression at the time of his question (5.00 / 4) (#23)
by byteb on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:03:10 PM EST

was that he was a particularly poised and articulate college student asking a tough question. Period. I feel that if it was disclosed he was a staffer for a conservative GOP legislator, the impact of his question would have been diluted...which is probably why he omitted the information.
Shades of the Brooks Brothers riot.


Well (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:54:36 PM EST

For whatever reason he was less than honest in his description of himself. Did he think that his question would mean less if he described himself as a GOP staffer?

Yes (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:22:01 PM EST

And to be sure, he would be the one to scream bloody hell if someone connected to a Dem staffer asked a question without disclosing his or her position.

Ironic that Obama pegged him as an GOP activist and humorously mentioned he was picking him so as to not be accused of picking a shill.


What context? (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:36:57 PM EST

The question spoke for itself.


No Question About The QUestion (5.00 / 0) (#47)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:42:30 PM EST

Although the poser was a poser.

He presented himself in a way to suggest he was someone other than who he was, a paid GOP professional.


My question was to Donald, but... (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:50:21 PM EST

The question speaks for itself. It makes no difference who the person who asked it was unless he pretended to be a Democrat or someone who you would expect to be pro.

Which is what happened in Houston, but no matter.

And did every person asking a question give a personal resume with his question?? Did any other "college students" ask questions??

Really, Obama's answer wasn't all that bad but he really should have been able to nail that one because it is been out there for some weeks now.


Not No Difference (5.00 / 0) (#52)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:52:47 PM EST

But arguably little difference, imo.


The woman in Houston (none / 0) (#62)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:45:49 PM EST

made a false claim to gain credence for her answers/questions/opinions.

This guy asked a question that was not political.

Huge difference in my opinion.


That is meaningless. (5.00 / 1) (#80)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 08:33:36 PM EST

He is allowed to ask whatever he wants. That it reflects his and the outlook of his employer is no different than if he was a Obama supporter asking a softball question.


: The fact remains (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 11:07:57 PM EST

that many other questioners did not give a resume.
Should they have?
If the question had been a trick question you might have a complaint. But it was a garden variety question that has been around for weeks. If your man Obama can't handle it, what can he handle?

And your position on the Democrat who posed as a (none / 0) (#34)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:04:52 PM EST

Doctor in the Town Hall meeting???

Can I assume it is just as negative??


: Thank you (none / 0) (#61)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:43:38 PM EST

I was there (none / 0) (#35)
by rdandrea on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:06:23 PM EST

Obama seemed to know he was a ringer.

Watch the meeting again on C-SPAN. The question comes up about 32 minutes into the Q&A period.

Obama said he called on the kid just because he was yelling at him.

The crowd groaned when he said he was majoring in "Political marketing."

He put nothing past anyone.


Ringer (none / 0) (#37)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:11:38 PM EST

Is quite different from an activist. Obama identified him as an activist, from what I saw and heard on the live stream.


Semantics (none / 0) (#42)
by rdandrea on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:21:29 PM EST

But I'll stipulate to your definition of the kid.

I have another way to describe him, but Jeralyn wouldn't tolerate it on her site.


Not Really (none / 0) (#44)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:32:15 PM EST

imo. From what Obama said, I assumed that he was one of the protesters, and from how he described himself a college student, it all made sense, he admitted that he was an activist.

A ringer is a pro, usually hired or called into an event consisting of amateurs.

An activist can be a ringer, or a pro. But that is not how the guy described himself.

Not just semantics, imo. Not that it meant so much to me, mostly irony that Obama picked him to show that he was not picking a Dem ringer, something he has been accused of in the past.


: If he's a legislative staffer (5.00 / 1) (#84)
by rdandrea on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 09:50:55 PM EST

Then by definition he is a "pro."
In Colorado, legislative staffers don't make much money--less, in most cases, than working fast food, but they are in it because they are 1) serious, and 2) using the job as a stepping stone to something else. I've worked with many of them, and they are all smart kids.
He's definitely a smart kid, but arrogant as the day is long. Having watched him at the meeting, there is no doubt in my mind that he was calling attention to himself in hopes of finding that next job--the one that pays better than fast food.

Now that's a different point (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 03:55:43 PM EST

I would not be surprised if he broke some office rules by doing what he did.

I have less of a problem with the (5.00 / 8) (#22)
by Anne on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:00:35 PM EST

hard questions, which do need to be asked and then answered to some degree of satisfaction, than I do with softball-type questions.

And then I wonder why was there little notice of this:

The Houston Chronicle has addressed the "Dr." Roxana Mayer incident that Patterico posted on here and here. It specifically states Mayer is not a physician but is a University of Houston student as well as an organizer and delegate for the Obama campaign. In addition:

"U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said today she does not know the woman who falsely claimed to be a physician when she made a statement supporting the White House's health care overhaul at the congresswoman's town hall meeting Tuesday."

Mayer also said she has been advised not to talk further about this incident.

Which gets a little worse here:

I don't know if Jackson Lee had anything to do with Mayer's attendance. But I do know that Mayer was invited to the event by a radical Obama supporter who ran an Obama campaign office that sported a picture of Che Guevara.
Mayer yesterday told me that she was invited to the town hall meeting by a listserv message sent by Maria Isabel, who ran an Obama campaign office sporting a Che Guevara flag:

Look, Maria Che-Guevara lady, or whatever, I saw her at about three events during the primaries, and she was a county delegate, too. I know she has been very involved with a lot of stuff with the campaign, but I did not get involved in the general election. I am on a listserve where she sent out a message about the town hall. I haven't coordinated with her, didn't even say that I was going. She's a bit over the top, huh?

[snip]

UPDATE: As I reported last night, the Lone Star Times was the first to report Ms. Isabel's presence, and her Che Guevara connection. What this post adds is the fact that Ms. Mayer was invited by Ms. Isabel (who is, by the way, one of Ms. Mayer's Facebook friends). In addition, most of the photos in this post are from the Lone Star Times site. They have done excellent work on this.

So, one questioner did not disclose his background, and one not only did not disclose her connections to the Obama campaign, but made up a background as a physician in order to make her expressed support for Obama's "plan" carry more weight.

Not exactly a proud moment for either side of this issue.

Exactly (5.00 / 4) (#36)
by jbindc on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:09:03 PM EST

Not only did she impersonate a doctor, she's actually an organizer for OFA and was an Obama state delegate.

But nothing about this on the so-called liberal blogs.


'Maria Che-Guevera Lady' (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by daring grace on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:18:06 PM EST

Yep.

Ms/'Dr' Mayer definitely wins the comic relief contest with Mr. Lahn.

Although maybe he can get back in the running by claiming it was the 'Che Guevera lady' Obama supporter who stole his boss' bike.


Patterico is a right wing blogger (5.00 / 1) (#73)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 07:42:43 PM EST

(and a prosecutor.) I take everything he writes with several grains of salt.

Besides, two wrongs don't make a right.

This event got massive national attention and the staffer posed as just an ordinary college kid interested in participating in democracy. So people (and perhaps future employers) would say, "What a bright young man."

He had every right to be there and to ask the question, but he should have disclosed his affiliation.


: I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't (5.00 / 2) (#77)
by Anne on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 08:06:03 PM EST

have plenty of salt at the ready for whatever information makes it into the headlines.
My only point in bringing the faux-doctor incident here was to highlight that posing as something one is not, or omitting important information about one's professional background, is not limited to those who oppose Obama.
If I were to be able to ask a question at a town hall, what should I say about myself that would cover "full disclosure?" I could say that I am a married mother of two grown daughters, a lifelong liberal Democrat, a paralegal who works in the area of estates and trusts, and comments on a regular basis on liberal blogs - would that be enough? Do I need to disclose that I voted downticket, but did not cast a vote for president?
It just seems to me that those who are likely to show up at town halls are people who have taken an active interest in the issues, whether through work or not. All these college students who failed to disclose a professional connection, or who fabricated a professional identity, ended up doing was put more emphasis on their omissions and fabrications than the content of their questions or comments.
Their questions and their comments were valid regardless, something which is getting lost in the shuffle.

Ha! (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by ruffian on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:10:38 PM EST

As an aside, when Brophy's bike was stolen in Denver, he blamed the Democrats and said he was sure it was stolen by someone who voted for Obama.

Well, odds are it was since more people voted for Obama than didn't. Somehow I don't think that's what he meant.

he's been outed (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by The Last Whimzy on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 04:28:05 PM EST

who this guy is doesn't concern me as much as the stupidity of the question he asked and the obnoxious way he asked it.

Tell me why (5.00 / 3) (#38)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:17:10 PM EST

he can't ask the question as obnoxiously as he wants? Obama is President, no some supreme being sent to lead the great unwashed.

And the question was a very good question and, I am surprised, Obama gave a half way decent answer although it was way short on details.

As for "outed," why was it necessary that he tell the world who he worked for? Did every other person give us a personal resume?

At the least he didn't pose, as the young woman did in Dallas, as a Doctor to lend credence to her views. That is unacceptable.


He has his right to be obnoxious (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by The Last Whimzy on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:49:06 PM EST

I have my right to say he's obnoxious and wrong to suggest insurance markets are free in the first place.

I think the rest of my comment sort of makes it clear that I don't really care who he works for. I care about the content of his remarks.


OK, so you think his question was stupid. (none / 0) (#64)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:48:57 PM EST

insofar as the premise (5.00 / 1) (#69)
by The Last Whimzy on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 07:00:06 PM EST

of the question itself portrays the situation falsely, yes.


His premise was that a government owned (5.00 / 1) (#81)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 08:44:00 PM EST

insurance company would unfairly compete with corporations owned by private citizens as stockholders.

He gave a partial list of items to support his question. Obama gave a partial list of items to refute them.

My belief is that a rabbit cannot live with a python. Sooner or later the snake will eat the rabbit.

Remember that I support a single payer system modeled on Medicare.


Which implies (none / 0) (#83)
by The Last Whimzy on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 09:08:00 PM EST

The situation as it exists right now is fair.

And it's not.


: Since the government owned (none / 0) (#85)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 11:04:21 PM EST

corporation doesn't exist how can anything be fair or unfair when related to it?

Wait a minute (none / 0) (#68)
by dead dancer on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:59:54 PM EST

I reserve the right to be obnoxious to supreme beings also!


Why do Republicans get to be obnoxious (none / 0) (#88)
by Militarytracy on Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 08:56:40 AM EST

to Democrats who are President, but Democrats don't get to be obnoxious to Republicans who are President? Your bias is showing Jim. I don't particularly care if the guy was seemingly "obnoxious" in tone. But I remember when some Americans were publicly seemingly obnoxious to Bush and that really riled you up.


: I can't speak for you (none / 0) (#90)
by Militarytracy on Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 10:10:04 AM EST

Only you know how botty you really are :) I am such a bot though :)

Note that there is no denial (5.00 / 2) (#48)
by Anne on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:44:19 PM EST

that this impersonation happened...

I'm pretty sure that refusal to hold your own side accountable for the things you rip the other side to shreds over is called "hypocrisy," but since someone changed the dictionary definitions of a lot of words so that Obama could still be viewed through the rosiest of rose-colored glasses, the old-school definition may no longer hold.

Rip? (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by squeaky on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 05:47:18 PM EST

Who is ripping? No big deal. Only pointing out that the guy misrepresented himself, and asked a good question.

You on the other hand are making a big deal out of this, looking to point to the democrats as hypocrites at every chance.

Pretty much what the GOP does, imo.


Ho Hum (none / 0) (#54)
by daring grace on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:02:37 PM EST

Maybe I'm just too cynical, but that this happens on both sides is just not a big surprise to me.

My cynicism makes me believe this has ALWAYS gone on except now we mere citizens (as opposed to 'professional' news media) have the means to out it fairly fast.

This sounds like a zealous supporter getting friendly questioners to attend a political event. Even if the Che Guevera Lady asked the questioner to misrepresent herself as a physician, it says more to me about the questionable judgment of them both than about the Obama admin.


Do you extend the same tolerance (none / 0) (#63)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 06:47:30 PM EST

to the Repub side?


: Quite A Hair Trigger There (5.00 / 0) (#71)
by daring grace on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 07:31:50 PM EST

Did you read what I wrote? That I'm cynical enough to believe that this happens on both sides and has probably always been so?
Actually, I focused on the Dem incident because I thought the misrepresentation as a doctor was a bigger deal than the incident in Colorado Springs.
But am I as tolerant of Repubs doing this? When they dress up in suits and thwart the lawful process of democracy as they did in Florida in 2000, no. When they stuff political events with their own stooges softballing questions? Sure.
I don't know if tolerate is the right word. But there's very little in politics I automatically take at face value any more.

this thread is about the guy at the forum (none / 0) (#74)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 07:44:30 PM EST

you made your point about someone at another forum. Please don't hijack the thread.


Jeralyn, posted my comment (none / 0) (#78)
by MO Blue on Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 08:09:21 PM EST

in the proper thread. Please feel free to delete the one above.

Well (none / 0) (#91)
by catmandu on Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 04:16:18 PM EST

At least he didn't claim to be a doctor.
His political orientation and involvement shouldn't matter when he asks a question of
the Pres. I liked his question and his offer
of a debate. I would be hard pressed to pick
a winner!
I also liked the Pres reaction. I wish all
congress would act so professionally at a town
hall meeting.

He inadvertently made an argument for single payer (none / 0) (#92)
by JL on Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 05:00:01 PM EST

The guy in question asked this:

How in the world can a private corporation providing insurance compete with an entity that does not have to worry about making a profit, does not have to pay local property taxes -- (applause) -- they do not have to -- they're not subject to local regulations? How can a company compete with that?

EXACTLY!!!!!! Private health insurance CANNOT provide payment for healthcare more efficiently with a government insurance entity that does not have to make a profit and more.

Why would we WANT to get our health insurance company that values profit over paying for our needed care?!