Dems fight back against TN GOP

[dunndw]

Gun show promoter Bob Pope, the focal point of a controversial Tennessee Republican Party video on the wife of Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, disputed a Democratic Party statement issued today labeling him a "pornographer."

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser issued a statement deriding his state party adversaries over the Obama flap.

“The Tennessee Republican Party should be ashamed of the way they have run amok in recent months, drawing unwanted attention to the state of Tennessee,†Sasser said in a written statement issued to Tennessee media. “Going so far as to use a former strip club owner to make their point, the TNGOP betrays their voter's confidence and further increases the likelihood that their deplorable attack against Sen. Barack Obama's wife will be one more national news item mischaracterizing the vast majority of Tennesseans.

“It appears that the Tennessee Republican Party would rather use a pornographer as their spokesperson than their top elected officials Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker,†Sasser added.

Pope’s financial interest in a Nashville strip club was documented in a 1994 story by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and reported again by the newspaper today.

Pope, one of the Southeast's most high-profile gun show promoters, is a long-time 2nd Amendment activist and GOP campaign contributor. He is featured in the Tennessee GOP YouTube video that attacked Michelle Obama for statements she made about feeling “proud†about America for the first time in her adult life.

"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country," Michelle Obama stated in a February appearance that created controversy for the Obama campaign.

The video has drawn international attention to the Tennessee Republican Party, and both of the state’s Republican Senators – Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander – have rebuked their own state party and asked them to discontinue use of the video.

Yet, the Sasser statement uses the word "pornographer" in a reference to Pope, admitted Democratic Party Spokesperson Wade Munday.

Pope, however, when reached by The City Paper, denied ever being involved in pornography.

“I’ve never dealt in any kind of pornography,†Pope said. “I owned that club for four years in the early 1990s. That is over and finished.â€

Munday said the Democratic Party was not aware Pope had any interest in producing pornography, adding, "That may not have been the best choice of words."

"Not that I know of," Munday said when asked if Pope was involved in pornography. "It's just that the industries (pornography, strip clubs) seem to be linked."

They had to dig DEEEEEEP to find that little tidbit.

[Guest nraforlife]

Kinda cheeky for the party of Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Barney Franks to point out anyone else's former apparent moral failings.

[The Rabbi]

Kinda cheeky for the party of Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Barney Franks to point out anyone else's former apparent moral failings.

Because when Dems do it, it's just sex and everyone does it. When Republicans do it. they are hypocrites. And there is no greater sin (no sin actually) in American public life than being a hypocrite.

[Guest Len]

The TNDP over-stepped there, and Wade Munday should know better. I know Wade and he generally is on the ball regarding these things. If I were him, I would have replaced "pornographer" with "strip-club owner" and let it be. As it is, the story now becomes how the TNDP over-reached, painting them in a similar light as the TNGOP and their chief flack Bill Hobbs. (It is generally accepted in Dem circles that Bill Hobbs is the best thing to happen to Democrats in this state in quite a while!)

As for moral failings and sex, the list of GOP failings on this issue is quite long. It is also hypocritical, since this new breed of Republican paint themselves as the moral guardians of the Republic. They are anti everything, but then get caught doing the things they are supposedly against all too often. Democrats do the same things, but they don't campaign on those issues.

Gotta love Republicans: We are for less government, except when we are not. We are for fiscal conservatism and balanced budgets, except when we're not. We're for keeping government out of the private lives of citizens, except when we're not. We're against illegal immigration, except when we're not. We're against activist judges, except when we're not. We take the moral high road, except when we're caught.

[The Rabbi]

The TNDP over-stepped there, and Wade Munday should know better. I know Wade and he generally is on the ball regarding these things. If I were him, I would have replaced "pornographer" with "strip-club owner" and let it be. As it is, the story now becomes how the TNDP over-reached, painting them in a similar light as the TNGOP and their chief flack Bill Hobbs. (It is generally accepted in Dem circles that Bill Hobbs is the best thing to happen to Democrats in this state in quite a while!)

As for moral failings and sex, the list of GOP failings on this issue is quite long. It is also hypocritical, since this new breed of Republican paint themselves as the moral guardians of the Republic. They are anti everything, but then get caught doing the things they are supposedly against all too often. Democrats do the same things, but they don't campaign on those issues.

Gotta love Republicans: We are for less government, except when we are not. We are for fiscal conservatism and balanced budgets, except when we're not. We're for keeping government out of the private lives of citizens, except when we're not. We're against illegal immigration, except when we're not. We're against activist judges, except when we're not. We take the moral high road, except when we're caught.

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Because when Dems do it, it's just sex and everyone does it. When Republicans do it. they are hypocrites. And there is no greater sin (no sin actually) in American public life than being a hypocrite.

Of course the guy is not a "strip club owner". That's false. It's a lie. Just like saying he's a pornographer. It is false. It is a smear.

But Michelle Obama really did say that only now was she proud of her country. Her husband really does see America as the problem, not the solution. Democrats really are prepared to do whatever it takes to take and retain power. These things aren't lies.

[molonlabetn]

Isn't slander a crime?

[The Rabbi]

Isn't slander a crime?

So is bribing voters. So is perjury. So is running a male prostitution ring. So is transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes.

And no Democrat has served a day in jail for any of these things, despite well documented cases of each.

Your point?

[creeky]

Isn't slander a crime?

It is also one of the most difficult cases to win, and generally

you will spend more than you will receive in any judgement. (IMHO)

(I'm not a lawyer, but I watched Matlock once while staying

in a Holiday Inn Express. )

[Guest Len]

Ok, "former strip club owner." My bad.

As for Michelle Obama, three things:

1) No one votes for President based on the spouse. (See Bill Clinton for proof.)

2) Watch her speech. The whole thing. Place the sentence in the context of the whole speech and the point she was making. Then get back to me.

3) Even taking the words at face value, out of context, the idea that many people in this country are not particularly proud of the actions of this government in recent times should be a shock to no one outside of the beltway. The only people upset with Obama's comments are people who would never vote for her husband anyway. No damage done to the Obama campaign and the TNGOP looks petty for making an issue of it. If Wade Munday could only differentiate between "former strip club owner" and "pornographer..."

As for Barack Obama, I doubt he sees "America" as the problem. Its pretty clear he sees the current government of America as the problem. Those are two different things. I agree with him that the current government (all three branches) has some serious problems. Some of our policies border on the irrational, some are hypocritical, and some unconstitutional. I see no reason to not complain about that. Shoot, its our responsibility as Americans to do something about it. Voting a corrupt administration out of office seems like the first step.

<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Of course the guy is not a "strip club owner". That's false. It's a lie. Just like saying he's a pornographer. It is false. It is a smear.

But Michelle Obama really did say that only now was she proud of her country. Her husband really does see America as the problem, not the solution. Democrats really are prepared to do whatever it takes to take and retain power. These things aren't lies.

[DavidD]

As for moral failings and sex, the list of GOP failings on this issue is quite long. It is also hypocritical, since this new breed of Republican paint themselves as the moral guardians of the Republic. They are anti everything, but then get caught doing the things they are supposedly against all too often. Democrats do the same things, but they don't campaign on those issues.

Gotta love Republicans: We are for less government, except when we are not. We are for fiscal conservatism and balanced budgets, except when we're not. We're for keeping government out of the private lives of citizens, except when we're not. We're against illegal immigration, except when we're not. We're against activist judges, except when we're not. We take the moral high road, except when we're caught.

Isn't that stereotyping, bunching the actions of a few into the masses? Why Len, that's very "UN politically correct" my left leaning friend. However, you are correct in that Republicans generally run on the morals ticket. Hypocrites? Let's look at the word as Webster defines: "1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings " Yes, the only way to be a hypocrite is to say you believe in something but do the opposite. The church, as well as all faiths, are full of those that could be labeled hypocrites. Those same people could also be (and in my mind should be) labeled as sinners. On the other hand, Atheist cannot be labeled hypocrites in the religious sense however could easily be labeled that way based solely Webster's definition in many areas. Let's not even discuss what most politicians on both sides of the isle are.....

As for Democrats, they are NOT for less government. They are for fiscal conservatism and balanced budgets, only by re distribution of wealth. They're for NOT keeping government out of the private lives of citizens. The're NOT against illegal immigration, They're NOT against activist judges. They DO NOT take the moral high road. Thus why I tend to vote Republican, I figure my chances are better than 50/50.......

As for the Tn GOP Ad, yes Mrs. Obama said it, No denying that. However, it is none the less a cheap shot. Why bring up Obama's wife when he himself gives any intelligent individual enough ammunition for debate on the real issues. I would love to see for once an election where only the issues are debated in detail. Not just general statements like "I'm for Change" or "I'm the most qualified or strongest" but actual details of how one plans on addressing the issues we Americans are interested in.

Edited May 21, 2008 by DavidD

[The Rabbi]

Ok, "former strip club owner." My bad.

As for Michelle Obama, three things:

of the whole speech and the point she was making. Then get back to me.

3) Even taking the words at face value, out of context, the idea that many people in this country are not particularly proud of the actions of this government in recent times should be a shock to no one outside of the beltway. The only people upset with Obama's comments are people who would never vote for her husband anyway.

But those people are not on the team of someone who wants to be president. And she did not say she was not proud of the actions of this gov't. That is a distortion.

As for the speech, apparently the Obama campaign has put the kybosh on it because I cant find either a video or a transcript anywhere.

As for Barack Obama, I doubt he sees "America" as the problem. Its pretty clear he sees the current government of America as the problem. Those are two different things. I agree with him that the current government (all three branches) has some serious problems. Some of our policies border on the irrational, some are hypocritical, and some unconstitutional. I see no reason to not complain about that. Shoot, its our responsibility as Americans to do something about it. Voting a corrupt administration out of office seems like the first step.

The administration is corrupt? Are you saying that because Pres. Bush accepted campaign money from shady Chinese sources, because VP Cheney went to raise money from a group of Buddhist nuns, because when Congress went to subpoena witnesses most of them fled oversees or suddenly had memory losses?

Oh no, that happened under Clinton.....

No one has shown the administration is corrupt. This is typical Democratic politics: you don't like their policies so ergo they must be corrupt. Sheesh.

[The Rabbi]

OK, here's the final word. I think these guys come in my shop once in a while. I am sure they're regulars on TGO.

[ame]

[/ame] Edited May 21, 2008 by The Rabbi

[Warbird]

Ok, "former strip club owner." My bad.

As for Michelle Obama, three things:

1) No one votes for President based on the spouse. (See Bill Clinton for proof.)

2) Watch her speech. The whole thing. Place the sentence in the context of the whole speech and the point she was making. Then get back to me.

3) Even taking the words at face value, out of context, the idea that many people in this country are not particularly proud of the actions of this government in recent times should be a shock to no one outside of the beltway. The only people upset with Obama's comments are people who would never vote for her husband anyway. No damage done to the Obama campaign and the TNGOP looks petty for making an issue of it. If Wade Munday could only differentiate between "former strip club owner" and "pornographer..."

As for Barack Obama, I doubt he sees "America" as the problem. Its pretty clear he sees the current government of America as the problem. Those are two different things. I agree with him that the current government (all three branches) has some serious problems. Some of our policies border on the irrational, some are hypocritical, and some unconstitutional. I see no reason to not complain about that. Shoot, its our responsibility as Americans to do something about it. Voting a corrupt administration out of office seems like the first step.

Len I have to disagree with you here. Michelle Obama was very clear for many many years even if you go back to papers and editorials she published that she comes from the school of racial disharmony. She has made it clear time and again that she feels, that America is do blame for much of the world's ills and that America is still an extremely racist country and rife with injustice. This is very very clear. She is just now proud of this country because her husband may win the nomination and every non-racist will vote for him and he might win over evil, while her husband prances around lying about who and what he is knowing he could not win as leftist hack he truly is. Her thoughts were not of the current administration, but of the America she was taught to believe we are from her academic upbringing and her spiritual leaders.

One need to only look at Obama's record to know he is the most liberal, about to be major party nominee in US history. He makes McGovern look like Helms. Obama comes from the same school as his wife and anybody who doesn't think Obama comes from the same line of thinking as his 'spiritual guide' Jeremiah Wright, his words not mine, then they are fooling themselves.

I'll add lastly that Obama cannot accomplish all his goals without first accomplishing one of his highest set of priorities, gut the second amendment. He supports the DC gun ban, supports the elimination of guns for home defense use, he has proven this in numerous instance, supports the federal elimination of all right to carry laws in every state, supports the banningof the sale or transfer of semi-auto weapons, the stamping of all ammo, the ban on all handguns. He as voted for or stated on the record his support for all of these things.

Anyone that afraid of us who cling to our guns and God has to be very very dangerous. Not only that but anyone who truly goes that far against common sense that they think taking guns from law abiding citizens will stop crime is just too fu*%&ng stupid to be the president of the United States. Period.

Edited May 21, 2008 by Warbird

[Guest Len]

I can see how non-liberals would be worried about Obama, so in that sense I agree with you Warbird. But I think the case is over-made. I personally vote for a candidate based on many issues, not just RTKBA. Do I ever get the perfect candidate? Nope, not even close. I take some comfort in that I really think the NRA's position on Obama borders on paranoia. I know they have to do this to mobilize the membership and increase the membership. An I also know that the other side does the same thing all the time. When I look at Obama, I see the change this country so desperately needs. I am forced to realize his views on so many other non-2A issues are closer to my own than those of Sen. McCain. (I discount the possibility of Hilary Clinton winning the Dem nomination and I pretty much agree with McCain's current stand on 2A issues as illustrated in his interview with NRA leadership.)

In the end, our system of government works in such a way that extreme positions are rarely adopted or enforced or survive the illumination of the courts or of the state governments. (Which is why I am so opposed to the current administration's attempts to circumvent this process.) Even if Obama is everything you say, it would be virtually impossible for him to force any of his ideas down the throat of congress or the courts. We have a strongly pro-2A congress and a Supreme Court who will affirm the 2A is an individual right any day now. We also have a country facing some serious issues that easily fill the plate of any incoming president. Gun issues will not be at the top of the "to do" list.

So, when I pull the lever for Obama come November, I will be able to sleep at night, gun at my side. Warbird, I hope you know I completely respect you and the job you do my friend, but I must respectfully disagree with you on this issue. In the end, I am a Democrat, and my views are more in synch with that party than those of the other party.

Len I have to disagree with you here. Michelle Obama was very clear for many many years even if you go back to papers and editorials she published that she comes from the school of racial disharmony. She has made it clear time and again that she feels, that America is do blame for much of the world's ills and that America is still an extremely racist country and rife with injustice. This is very very clear. She is just now proud of this country because her husband may win the nomination and every non-racist will vote for him and he might win over evil, while her husband prances around lying about who and what he is knowing he could not win as leftist hack he truly is. Her thoughts were not of the current administration, but of the America she was taught to believe we are from her academic upbringing and her spiritual leaders.

One need to only look at Obama's record to know he is the most liberal, about to be major party nominee in US history. He makes McGovern look like Helms. Obama comes from the same school as his wife and anybody who doesn't think Obama comes from the same line of thinking as his 'spiritual guide' Jeremiah Wright, his words not mine, then they are fooling themselves.

I'll add lastly that Obama cannot accomplish all his goals without first accomplishing one of his highest set of priorities, gut the second amendment. He supports the DC gun ban, supports the elimination of guns for home defense use, he has proven this in numerous instance, supports the federal elimination of all right to carry laws in every state, supports the banningof the sale or transfer of semi-auto weapons, the stamping of all ammo, the ban on all handguns. He as voted for or stated on the record his support for all of these things.

Anyone that afraid of us who cling to our guns and God has to be very very dangerous. Not only that but anyone who truly goes that far against common sense that they think taking guns from law abiding citizens will stop crime is just too fu*%&ng stupid to be the president of the United States. Period.

[Guest Steelharp]

So, when I pull the lever for Obama come November, I will be able to sleep at night

Len, Len, Len... just say NO!!!!!!!

gun at my side.

Not for long...

[strickj]

We all know it will happen because it already has happened..

[ame]

[/ame]

[The Rabbi]

Horrifying video.

But I am sure that all that was Pres Bush's fault and that with change we can believe in none of that will happen ever again. Right?

As for said change, yes there will be change. A muscular foreign policy that has kept the country safe for 8 years will become a bootlicking policy designed to make us lap dogs of the French and Germans, and open us up to regulation by the U.N. Some change.

[strickj]

Obama comes from the same school as his wife and anybody who doesn't think Obama comes from the same line of thinking as his 'spiritual guide' Jeremiah Wright, his words not mine, then they are fooling themselves.

He may not follow him as of right now because of the pressure on this horrible "guide" but what we must remember is that he was the obama's "guide" for 20 years.You can not forget 20 years worth of teachings.

Thats like telling us to forget everything we have ever learned during 12 years of school and 8 years of collage.Thats impossible with out some form of major head trauma

[Guest Steelharp]

You can not forget 20 years worth of teachings.

Yeah, true. Jesus only had three years or so to teach; look how long that's lasted.

[towerclimber37]

Anyone that afraid of us who cling to our guns and God has to be very very dangerous. Not only that but anyone who truly goes that far against common sense that they think taking guns from law abiding citizens will stop crime is just too fu*%&ng stupid to be the president of the United States. Period.

I agree with this 100%

I also will submit that NONE of the candidates that are running are worth a dang...

I DO fear for the wellbeing of our country though, because of this.

Len, I hate to say it bud but one of Obama's FIRST priorities will be to craft or affirm a law that bans firearms. He was not only willing to ban "assault" rifles but ANY firearm that required a magazine!!! if this isn't someone that will ban firearms, I don't know who is!

while I DO look at all the issues, I keep in mind that our 2nd amendment safeguards all the rest of the amendments. Believe it or not, even though we also have other avenues of redress in the government, the government STILL uses strong arm tactics when they can and genuinely fear armed citizens. (remember ruby ridge? think that was a farce? try it unarmed..then you get fiascos like the Elian Gonzalez affair. keep in mind that the only reason that they went in was because the INS refused to deport that child. it was unconstitutional. Janet Reno was going to have her way no matter what...so because she can "interpret" the laws any way she wished, she used force to achieve her aims.) make no mistake, the flimsiest of reasons will be used and you will be deprived of your rights...but first they have to take our ability to resist!