Rep. Waters 'suprised' Obama told the African-American community not to complain

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Hill

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Monday complained that President Obama had unfairly singled out the African-American community and characterized them as complainers over the weekend.

"Despite the fact that he's appointed Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, he has an office for excellence in Hispanic education right in the White House, still pushing him," she said. "He certainly didn't tell them to stop complaining, and he would never say that to the gay and lesbian community, who really pushed him on Don't Ask Don't Tell. Even in a speech to AIPAC , he would never say to the Jewish community to stop complaining about Israel."

Obama, speaking at a Congressional Black Caucus dinner Saturday, called on his African-American supporters to "stop complaining" and begin fighting.

"Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying," he said, asking the crowd to "march with me and press on."


Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/183815-rep-waters-suprised-obama-told-the-african-american-community-not-to-complain

[TheWraith]

1. He wasn't speaking to "African Americans" in general, he specifically meant the Cong Black Caucus.nt

[LeftyMom]

2. It's a good thing Rep. Waters has you to tell her what Obama said to the CBC.

:eyes:

[No Elephants]

3. LOL!

[CakeGrrl]

56. He WAS at an event held by the CBC. That's who he was addressing.

Hope Ms. Waters got the message to stop sitting around lobbing bombs at the POTUS on the media outlets while the Tea Party gets a boost from that same media.

[LeftyMom]

74. Yep, that Maxine Waters is totally a tool of the right wing.

Seriously, do you guys listen to yourselves without laughing?

[ClarkUSA]

16. TheWraith is correct. Pres. Obama addressed the black leaders at the CBC dinner w/"some of y'all".

I watched the speech live and again on whitehouse.gov. It's clear who he was addressing and he never targeted "the African-American community".

Waters is making a strawman argument because it's obvious she wasn't paying attention to the speech.

[LeftyMom]

75. Presidential speeches usually aren't intended to address anybody outside the room.

Which is why they're never broadcast. Got it.

[TheWraith]

88. When he specifically references someone, that's generally who he's referring to.

It's not rocket science. When he refers to the CBC and talks about them, it's a good bet he's talking about them.

[treestar]

62. Right! How many times has this been ignored in discussing

this speech? Repeatedly it is portrayed as talking to everyone.

[rfranklin]

4. March with me....

like he marched with those union people in Wisconsin. Okay...

[KoKo]

78. Has anyone seen Obama shake off his bedroom slippers and march with his Party?

:eyes: I really wish he wouldn't say these kinds of things. It reminds me of how Rahm Emmanuel and others in his Administration (like his former Press Secretary Robert Gibbs) called Dem Activists who'd supported Obama/donated/worked for him)out as "Fucking Retards..on drugs and more.

NOW Obama goes before his Black Caucus in the US House of Representatives and accuses them of whining, etc.

He talked down to them...and even though they cheered him...the cuts keep coming and getting deeper.

WHY DOES HE DO THIS? :shrug:

[TheWraith]

87. Would you like to try that again, with actual facts this time?

"It reminds me of how Rahm Emmanuel and others in his Administration (like his former Press Secretary Robert Gibbs) called Dem Activists who'd supported Obama/donated/worked for him)out as "Fucking Retards..on drugs and more."

Problem for you: Rahm Emanuel never said that, or anything like it. He DID tell liberal PACs like MoveOn that running ads against conservative Dems opposing healthcare reform was "fucking retarded" because the ads weren't going to do anything. Quite the opposite, it would make those conservative Dems dig in to avoid looking like they were caving to liberal interest groups, making it completely counter productive.

But that little fact has been lost, since it's so much more fun to claim that Emanuel called liberals "fucking retards" even though it never happened. Like claiming Geithner worked for Goldman Sachs, even though that ever happened either.

[bhikkhu]

5. If you listen to what he said, that's hardly a fair characterization

...its more like the kind of "selective misinterpretation" to gain political points that goes on all the time.

I watched the speech, and I didn't see a single offended person by what was actually said - it was really beautiful to see a crowd so united and invigorated and ready to work together for common goals.

[young but wise]

6. +1

[No Elephants]

29. Apparently, Maxine Waters might beg to differ.

[TheWraith]

44. Apparently, Maxine Waters is full of shit.

It's blatantly obvious on the face of it who Obama was referring to: the people in that room, who have the power to do things. The fact that Waters is apparently choosing to misrepresent his remarks, either because she wants to complain, or because she wasn't listening, seems to reinforce his point that Congress is stuck in whining mode.

[Cherchez la Femme]

58. How nice

Maxine Waters is now tossed under the bus with the rest of us.

One thing I can say: there's one hell of a crowd of fascinating, principled people under here...

[yardwork]

73. Maxine is welcome and I hope that she'll come lie with me, under this tire over here.

[Cherchez la Femme]

77. Dang

I forgot to call dibs :>

[Autumn]

81. A very nice bus it is.

All the best people are under it.

[Cherchez la Femme]

89. Yes, there are :)

:hug:

[bhikkhu]

85. Yes, in re-reading, Waters' statement about Obama's statement is pretty poorly presented

...so my apologies for taking the journalist's characterization at face value. In fact, the whole piece is crap, likely concocted to make it look like a feud between Waters and the administration, and between Obama and the CBC...none of which is really the case.

Perhaps the "New Journalism" values its work based upon page views, and this kind of crappy s**t-stirring is the recipe for success.

[SidDithers]

76. +1...nt

Sid

[elleng]

95. THANKS so much for pointing this out;

others did the same yesterday, like Rachel, I believe.

POTUS received HUGE applause.

[chill_wind]

7. In her own words:

"I'm not sure who exactly the president was talking to," she said on CBS' "Early Show." "We're certainly not complaining. We support him and we're protecting that base, because we want people to be enthusiastic about him when that election roles around."

Waters said Obama certainly "heard" the African-American community expressing "pain and desperation" at job fairs and town hall events over the summer.

"He certainly heard us," she said. "That speech that he did to the CBC included the words black and African American for the first time. He's energized. And yes, we helped him get energized."

[ProSense]

8. See

this is how bullshit starts.

Here is the clip.

What is the likelihood that Waters was asked a question about Obama criticizing the African American community and responded with her defense of the CBC, which was also supportive of the President?

Politicians get ambushed with questions all the time, and it's much too easy for the media to misconstrue them.

The fact is that the President's comment was not directed at the black community.

CBC members react to President Obama's speech

Other reaction

Rep Frederica Wilson

"So proud of OUR President tonight: "I expect all of you to march with me, and press on"."

Reverend Al Sharpton

"Leaving CBC Dinner, the President made a great speech. I told him it was a grand slam."

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. Exactly!! And if we refuse to see how the Corporate Media is determined

to create discord and division, then we really do deserve a Repuke for president!

I mean that, too!

Unrecc'd!

[chill_wind]

27. "Ambushed" LOL

CBS had the nerve to explicitly invite her on for a Monday morning political reaction to his speech.
Who knew they would then actually ASK her.

[No Elephants]

32. In fairness, people on message boards make up all kinds of stuff

all the time.

[No Elephants]

31. Al Sharpton is not a member of the CBC. Moreover, he got his job because his

predecessor was deemed too critical of Obama.

[ProSense]

49. Wait

"Al Sharpton is not a member of the CBC."

...he isn't a member of the black community and wasn't present at the speech?

Is Frederica Wilson a member of the CBC? How about these three Democratic Reps?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. It didn't occur to the OP or anyone reading this thread why the Corporate Media

singled out this one quote from Maxine Waters? I mean, really, it's so transparent that to even spend time on this is issue is ridiculous!

[Historic NY]

23. That the biggest by-line in all the blogs & stories this morning...

Maxine Waters........why am I not amazed.

Can anyone tell me its not a concerted operation to ferment displeasure and push back on support for the POTUS. They chose her for the shock value.

[totodeinhere]

92. Well either she said it or she didn't. n/t

[Nancy Waterman]

11. She is doing just what he said not to do

Stop nitpicking and whining and get constructive. The spirit of the speech was magnificent. Taken out of context,"stop complaining" has a whole different sound. Just one more thing to "complain" about. I am getting really tired of all the in-house whining.
He is trying to rally the troops. He works nonstop, 24/7, to get things done for this country and for everyone in it. We need to get over our addiction to complaining and figure out what positive steps we can take to move forward.

[Gormy Cuss]

30. The speech was magnificent until he blamed the CBC for the failure to pass this act.

In or out of context, that's what he did with that language.

This is not encouragement, it's blame:

Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC.

[No Elephants]

34. Aren't you complaining, too?

[treestar]

65. LOL. Since we are not allowed to complain about complaining

all complaining will continue without ceasing.

Complainers are, I once read, analytic people under stress. Just quit being such perfectionist. Then you can leave complaining behind and get somewhere.

[Beacool]

79. "The beatings will continue until morale improves ."

Sorry, your response reminded me of this quotation.

:7

[babylonsister]

83. Sounds like that to me also, thanks. As much as I love Ms. Waters,

maybe she should be reading your comment.

[totodeinhere]

93. After all, this is an Internet message board. Complaining comes with the territory.

And if we didn't have a certain amount of "nitpicking and whining" this would be a pretty boring place.

[Enrique]

12. "Maxine Waters on Monday complained..."

could The Hill have maybe used a different word, in an article about African-Americans being complainers?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. Understand that what The Hill did is deliberate.

[Tarheel_Dem]

18. And even my beloved NPR is running with the Hill's version of things.

This is what we're up against, and it's not gonna get better.

[No Elephants]

33. Did Obama say, "Stop complaining?" So the Hill is zinging her.

[Demeter]

14. What? Did she think Blacks were exempt from being thrown under the Obama bus?

Wow! There's no tooth fairy, either, Representative.

I do not for a minute believe she was taken out of context. I believe the heart of the matter was laid out in black and white, if you will pardon the expression.

[ProSense]

15. Add

"What? Did she think Blacks were exempt from being thrown under the Obama bus?"

...blacks to the list of people Obama hates, huh?

This just proves how easy it is for people to take comments out context and create ridiculous memes.

[ClarkUSA]

17. It's clear you haven't listened to the actual speech before typing out your invective.

Pres. Obama addressed the black leaders at the CBC dinner w/"some of y'all". I watched the speech live and listened to it again on whitehouse.gov. with friends the same day. It's clear who he was addressing and it wasn't "the African-American community".

Waters is making a strawman argument because it's obvious she wasn't paying attention to the speech.

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. This is the new DU, where soundbites & snippets from NorquistDogLake have replaced...

investigation and nuance. I'm African American, and wasn't offended in the least. :shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

20. Is that what PUMA Jane Hamster Face is pushing now? I'll bet her GOP clients are pleased as punch.

[No Elephants]

36. According to everyone here, he was not referring to African Americans in general, only to the CBC.

If that's correct, why should anyone not in the CBC be offended, regardless of genetics?

[chill_wind]

21. "Waters wasn't paying attention to the speech."

Sure she wasn't. LOL!

[ClarkUSA]

22. If she was, she wouldn't be making this strawman argument because he was addressing "some of y'all".

Anyone who listened to this speech would see and hear him addressing the audience of assembled black leaders directly and pretty succinctly.

BTW, there was loud applause, a standing ovation and much cheering after he said it, so Waters' taking offense is obviously an outlier opinion based on a misunderstanding on her part or it's just the RW media trying to stir up shit again.

Did you listen to the speech? From your comment, I doubt it. If you did, you would know what I was talking about.

[chill_wind]

41. Yes I did listen to the speech and was among the those to agree

that it had been well received. And that even the evil AP made that point quite clearly.

I also listened to the whole CBS segment this morning. As a political leader she is trying to do two things at once. Be supportive to Obama and also continue aggressively speaking up for her constituency- making sure they feel she is doing just that, and taking some credit with CBC for "getting Obama energized" on issues important to the CBC. Is she to be faulted for that?

"He certainly heard us," she said. "That speech that he did to the CBC included the words black and African American for the first time. He's energized. And yes, we helped him get energized."

[ClarkUSA]

43. Then you also know that Waters is making an incorrect statement.

She can't have it both ways. It's clear she and some others in the CBC (they were the "some of y'all" President Obama were speaking to) were "complainin" and to pretend otherwise while loudly taking credit is disingenuous.

[chill_wind]

50. No.

I listened to what she was saying in August about asking for and getting feedback from her constituents- asking for a permission to push Obama for harder address of critical AA economic issues. I listened to her praise and positive, encouraged comments on Sept 9 about the Jobs bill and the benefits to the AA community, and that she was gratified to be able to see the CBC's 'handprint' all over the bill via targeted spending. I listened to her interview this morning.

She is working to be both a supporter of Obama where she can be, and a hard advocate for what she wants and needs for her community. Yes she CAN have it both ways and she is not incorrect to be defensive. Her advocacy is not passive idle complaining. That is her point. That is THE point.

[ClarkUSA]

51. Where did Pres. Obama target "the African-American community" with his comment at the CBC dinner?

Give me his complete quote in context where he says that, because I think Waters is full of shit about this.

Obama supporters charge that some of Obama's more vocal black congressional critics - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus - were Hillary Clinton supports who are now engaged in a policy of "I told you so."

"Ordinary (African-American voters) are hurting and want action, but they are not going to abandon ship and are not the ones who are all but saying (Obama) sold-out," said a Democratic staffer for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. "That's coming from people who didn't back Obama from the start."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/09/25/2011-09-25_obama_right_to_tell_congressional_black_caucus_foundation_to_stop_complaining_re.html#ixzz1Z50tPowj

Figures. :eyes:

[xchrom]

24. +1

[ProSense]

25. Here's

the relevant portion of the speech:

<...>

And I know at times that gets folks discouraged. I know. I listen to some of you all. (Laughter.) I understand that. And nobody feels that burden more than I do. Because I know how much we have invested in making sure that we’re able to move this country forward. But you know, more than a lot of other folks in this country, we know about hard. The people in this room know about hard. (Applause.) And we don’t give in to discouragement.

<...>

Dr. King once said: “Before we reach the majestic shores of the Promised Land, there is a frustrating and bewildering wilderness ahead. We must still face prodigious hilltops of opposition and gigantic mountains of resistance. But with patient and firm determination we will press on.” (Applause.)

So I don’t know about you, CBC, but the future rewards those who press on. (Applause.) With patient and firm determination, I am going to press on for jobs. (Applause.) I'm going to press on for equality. (Applause.) I'm going to press on for the sake of our children. (Applause.) I'm going to press on for the sake of all those families who are struggling right now. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I am going to press on. (Applause.)

I expect all of you to march with me and press on. (Applause.) Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. (Applause.) Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC. (Applause.)

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

[chill_wind]

42. Here's

what Maxine had to say on CBS.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7382385n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

[emulatorloo]

70. I prefer to think you haven't read the speech, rather than cravenly misrepresenting it

In order to start a new lie-meme.

[Autumn]

26. Maxine Waters is awesome, but she's going to be in trouble for

saying this:

"I'm not sure who exactly the president was talking to," she said on CBS' "Early Show." "We're certainly not complaining. We support him and we're protecting that base, because we want people to be enthusiastic about him when that election roles around."

And stressed she hasn't been wearing slippers:rofl:

[sad sally]

64. When politicians, Presidents included, start dropping g's they're doing their "I am one of you"

The language of power in the anti-prestige age
How Presidents avoid sounding elite.
Published on March 2, 2011 by Julie Sedivy, Ph.D.

You're not likely to hear this on NPR, or the CBC, or—God forbid—the BBC:

"The last few days have seen protests spreadin' throughout the Arab world, and leaders there are becomin' increasingly nervous about the possibility of large-scale unrest landin' on their doorsteps. Containin' the uprisings is provin' to be an unexpected challenge for dictators who have become accustomed to holdin' on to power for decades."
---
In the political world, too much prestige is a liability, and strategists counsel candidates to downplay their Ivy League credentials—and, if they did have the poor taste to acquire a Yale degree, to be sure to emphasize the fact that they earned only middling grades.
---
But Obama's non-standard language is very selectively applied. His State of the Union address was delivered with impeccable radio broadcaster enunciation. And in many of his speeches where he does drop g's, if you pay close attention, you'll hear that there's a pattern: when he talks about policy and legislation, he'll use the buttoned-up ing form. The non-standard in' turns up when he's expressing concern for regular Americans or when he's bonding with the audience.
---
"Because the truth of the matter is, they're not premiers of anyplace, they're not sultans from wherever. They don't fly in to the Mayo and suddenly decide they're gonna spend a couple million dollars on the absolute best health care. They're folks who are left out. The vast majority of ...the people we're talkin' about, they work. Every day. Some of ‘em work two jobs. But if they're workin' for a small business, they can't get health care."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sold-language/20110...

[Autumn]

67. That was a good article

I've noticed him doing that.

[Cigar11]

28. Let the so called .... African-American community

decide who's really on their side come election time.

Then we'll see who is really Complaining, Grumbling and Crying.

I think the last three (3) years has been indication enough.

[Hubert Flottz]

35. I have nothing but respect for Maxine Waters.

She's one of the few patriots left in Washington. She never has failed to stand up for the American people. NEVER!

[Cigar11]

37. I agree …

and if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything and She has the everyone best interests in mind.

[ProSense]

38. Here's the most fascinating thing about Waters' comment

she singled out three groups:

"Despite the fact that he's appointed Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, he has an office for excellence in Hispanic education right in the White House, still pushing him," she said. "He certainly didn't tell them to stop complaining, and he would never say that to the gay and lesbian community, who really pushed him on Don't Ask Don't Tell. Even in a speech to AIPAC , he would never say to the Jewish community to stop complaining about Israel."

Interesting.

[chill_wind]

54. Why is that "fascinating?"

[ProSense]

63. Don't

"Why is that 'fascinating?'"

...you think it's fascinating that Waters says that the President would never tell these three groups to stop complaining?

I found it so, your opinion may vary.

[Historic NY]

39. Rev. Al agreed with the POTUS.....

Obama supporters charge that some of Obama's more vocal black congressional critics - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus - were Hillary Clinton supports who are now engaged in a policy of "I told you so."

"Ordinary (African-American voters) are hurting and want action, but they are not going to abandon ship and are not the ones who are all but saying (Obama) sold-out," said a Democratic staffer for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. "That's coming from people who didn't back Obama from the start."



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/09/25/2011-09-25_obama_right_to_tell_congressional_black_caucus_foundation_to_stop_complaining_re.html#ixzz1Z4so3PKO

[Enrique]

40. why shouldn't they?

why shouldn't Waters and Cleaver act on narrow political loyalties just like everyone else, including Sharpton and Obama?

[ClarkUSA]

46. Because their constant "complainin" is counter-productive to re-electing Pres. Obama in 2012.

Unlike Sharpton and Obama, the RW and PUMA media whores are sowing discord within Democratic ranks by creating false narratives out of Cleaver's and Waters' soundbites. But some people are okay with that, obviously.

[chill_wind]

57. Maxine Waters wasn't kidnapped and forced to go on CBS. She was invited.

Unlike Sharpton, she doesn't have a full time media narrative at her disposal night after night. But she was asked this morning and she had something to say and she said it. Did you listen to it, btw?

Where exactly again is this frightful dangerous discord in her saying we weren't passively complaining, 'we asked and pushed the President for something and we feel it's working?'

You can't seem to decide who in hell you're more pissed off about. Maxine for daring speak her own mind or the media for asking her to.

The horror!

[chill_wind]

52. For real.

People are shocked that there are multiple and competing political needs and agendas in Washington.
In an upcoming election year!!

[ProSense]

45. It's clear

that the MSM strategy to help the GOP is going to be sowing discord.

Every inartful comment, previous statement is going to be milked and taken out of context.

[ClarkUSA]

47. wrong place (self-delete)

[Beacool]

80. I was patiently waiting for someone to bring this up.

When all else fails, point the finger at former Hillary supporters. How dare these people not endorse Obama!!!! I guess people of a race or ethnicity are supposed to vote as a block. Independence of thought is not appreciated. Pity Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died prematurely, she was not shy about confronting this issue head-on.

:eyes:

[ClarkUSA]

48. A CBC Democrat's staffer: "That's coming from people who didn't back Obama from the start."

Obama supporters charge that some of Obama's more vocal black congressional critics - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus - were Hillary Clinton supports who are now engaged in a policy of "I told you so."

"Ordinary (African-American voters) are hurting and want action, but they are not going to abandon ship and are not the ones who are all but saying (Obama) sold-out," said a Democratic staffer for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. "That's coming from people who didn't back Obama from the start."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/09/25/2011-09-25_obama_right_to_tell_congressional_black_caucus_foundation_to_stop_complaining_re.html#ixzz1Z50tPowj

Therein lies the rub, eh? Of course. :eyes:

[chill_wind]

53. They never really loved him!!

[Autumn]

59. Isn't that a crock of shit.

Maxine Waters supports Obama, and some people have the nerve to blast her because she never supported him in the first place. They just have nothing else.

[ClarkUSA]

61. LOL! "some people" = A staffer for a CBC Democrat

Oh the nerve!! :rofl:

[Autumn]

66. Not a bit surprised they don't give his name

but it seems you have complained about unnamed sources. Oh the nerve!! I guess it all depends on what unnamed sources say for you to decide you like and accept it. Now that's :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ClarkUSA]

68. Or her name. The gist is of the quote is verifiable...given the long history of whining...

... oh sorry, I mean complainin'. :rofl:

But that's okay, since I know you love high-fiving named and unnamed sources... as long as they criticize President Obama.

[Autumn]

72. That's right

drop that g.

[democracy1st]

55. LMAO dont be suprised!

[ProSense]

60. More reaction

here

[yurbud]

69. in fairness, he talks to all his supporters like that (who aren't hedge fund managers)

[bvar22]

71. ..or "Democrats" from the Republican wing of the Party.

Of course, THOSE "Democrats" are getting everything they want,
so WHY would they complain? :shrug:



The DLC New Team
Liberals Need NOT Apply

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=254886&kaid=86&subid=85



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[yurbud]

84. ''the new team'' poster sums it up pretty well.

[polichick]

82. Too true.

[chill_wind]

86. :-) I think it's righteous

that for all the hand-wringing that Maxine or any media she gets is "sowing party unity discord", the third or so thing that still comes up on google for her is Maxine Waters to tea party: Go to Hell.

Rep. Maxine Waters has four words for the tea party: Go straight to Hell.

(...)

“I’m not afraid of anybody,” Waters said at the summit in Inglewood, Calif. “This is a tough game. You can’t be intimidated. You can’t be frightened. And as far as I’m concerned, the ‘tea party’ can go straight to Hell.”

A prominent tea party group shot back with a statement calling on Obama to check the members of his party and to condemn the rough talk.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/maxine-waters-to-tea-party-go-to-hell/2011/08/22/gIQAjgEeWJ_story.html

Poor fragile RW assholes.

:rofl:

[quiller4]

90. I've listened to the tape of Obama's speech twice

and I cannot understand Rep. Waters' complaint. Essentially the speech was a rallying cry to the troops, nothing more and nothing less. If Waters couldn't understand that then she isn't as smart as I thought.

[jenmito]

91. I like Al Sharpton's take on the speech and Waters' comments:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44677967#44677967

[redsoxrudy]

94. Didn't Rep. Waters read Melissa Harris-Perry's Article?

She has dared to criticize Obama, so she is obviously racist. LOL