Snark Bytes
Snarking back at the snarkmeisters
3-16-2006

 
Consider:

What's Better? His Empty Suit or Her Baggage?
By MAUREEN DOWD
The Democrats should not dismiss a politically less experienced but personally more charismatic presidential prospect.
Q.: His Empty Suit or Her Baggage?
A.: Maybe neither. But that doesn't mean Hillary shouldn't run. And anybody else willing to take some risk by taking on Dubya.

So: MoDo basically thinks Barack Obama’s charisma may yet be a saving grace, along with his sense of humor, despite his presence in the Senate being nearly devoid of meaningful content or action. The problem here is that Obama has kept his profile so low, his nose so clean, and he’s taken so few (any??) risks that we have no idea what he really stands for or what he could do (see cover story in this month's Chicago mag for a revealing slice of Not Much about Obama). And Hillary's not taking any risks, either, just when somebody should.

Dowd is dreaming — or, more likely, wishfully thinking. Obama is basically a pretty, promising, but empty suit filled with charisma and potential but nothing you can actually sink your teeth into. There’s no evidence to support her assertions about Obama’s chances, and none to indicate he’s going to take any useful (for us, not necessarily for him) political risks soon, either. Not yet, anyway. If the man can’t call the White House to account now, when it’s relatively safe to jump on the administration and particularly during an election year, what’s he waiting for? Why is Russ Feingold still the only liberal besides Ted Kennedy who's willing to stick his neck out and actually say/do something useful? (Ted really needs to 1) retire before he drops dead and 2) hand over the mantle soon to someone else equally effective in the Senate, but there's nobody who could take it on besides Feingold. Obama apparently neither wants to, nor can.) Like the call for censure: how much openly mercenary, mendacious, unconscionable crap must we tolerate and how many lies disproved by 9/11 commissions does Shrub have to tell before we — and/or the Democrats — hold him accountable for something?

I'm for having more Russ Feingolds, thanks, and fewer Obamas. Oh, and maybe a few more George Clooneys. And how desperate do we have to be politically for me to say THAT? Let's face it, I'm glad Liberal George says/does what he does and says/does it on principle; long may he continue to be earnest, principled and serious. Somebody has to be, and it even looks good on him. But I really wish he'd stop dating those silly supermodels who couldn't care less about the First Amendment and invite me to his villa on Lake Como instead (at least I could hold up my end of the conversation ... and perhaps a few other things).

Come on , Georgie, 'fess up — you’ve always liked the smart girls better: all the research shows we’re more fun and better in the bedroom, too. Of course, I understand perfectly if you prefer to check out this bit of social research personally; heaven knows I’ve always thought research an excellent idea, and Policywonk here would be happy to (ahem!) help you with yours …

Ann Coulter on the issue of AIDS: Hollywood "got caught with its pants down" and "got it right in the end"

In her March 8 syndicated column, right-wing pundit Ann Coulter wrote that Hollywood "got caught with its pants down" on the issue of AIDS and "got it right in the end." Dear me; Ann Coulter, conservative twit, shrill and clueless still. Just a little post-Oscar-night hissy-fit that reeks of sour grapes (as in, who on earth would invite her?). Never mind that the AIDS ribbon, on which she hangs so much importance (since when, anyway?), wasn't even created until 1991, as Wonkette snarkily pointed out this morning (that, and the fact that Coulter continues to starve herself to emulate the celebrity standard of beauty, even as she swipes repeatedly at Tinseltown without seeing any contradiction there; nice touch, Ann!) ... but then, when one is as clueless as Coulter and bases an entire reputation on that (blindly, in her case), perhaps one doesn't feel the need to research, let alone mention, relevant facts. Or think, for that matter, instead of just jerk knees. Please: somebody tell me quick how I, too, can get paid big bucks for being that stupid in public (not! Unlike Coulter, I DO have some self-respect left, albeit no money ... ).

I'd say that Coulter gives new meaning to that discriminatory term Dumb Blonde, but I'll bet almost anything that she was brunette as a child, unlike some of us. I'm also betting she's probably saving a gratuitous swipe at Dana Reeve for tomorrow, just to see how low she can go.