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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
Senate Democrats Clear
Health Care Hurdle, 60-39

Reid gets 60 votes to open full debate after Thanksgiving recess

Nov 21, 09 7:13 PM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
Neglected Ind. Fans Boo Palin

Hecklers accuse her of 'quitting on the job'

Nov 20, 09 3:50 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

Reporter: Obama Dismissed Gay Marchers as 'Fringe'

White House takes comedians more seriously, Harwood says

By Kevin Spak| Posted Oct 12, 09 9:40 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Barack Obama isn’t exactly quaking in his boots over the gay rights protesters that marched on Washington yesterday. The administration views the advocates as “part of the Internet left fringe,” CNBC correspondent John Harwood said on NBC last night. “One adviser told me, ‘those bloggers need to take off the pajamas, get dressed, and realize that governing a closely-divided country is complicated and difficult.”

The White House is actually more worried about comedians mocking his Nobel Prize, Harwood said, “because they reach a broader audience.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Gay rights advocates march past the White House in Washington, on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Gay rights advocates march by the White House in Washington, on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Barack Obama, speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

John Harwood explains that the White House doesn't take left-wing protesters seriously. (msnbc)

View larger videos >>

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11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

11.19.09

Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

24 comments

VIEWING:

riffran
Oct 12, 09 9:44 AM CDT

I don't have much confidence in the accuracy of that statement Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Oct 12, 09 9:48 AM CDT

What? Obama dare's speak against his base??? Say it ain't so.

-12

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Oct 12, 09 9:50 AM CDT

{{{ ‘those bloggers need to take off the pajamas, get dressed, and realize that governing a closely-divided country is complicated and difficult.” }}} --- It sounds like Obama is feeling the pressure..... from the Average American on main street. Enough of these whack-job leftists.... we want REAL leadership.

-11

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 12, 09 10:00 AM CDT

Which statement?

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Oct 12, 09 10:09 AM CDT

harwoods...

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 12, 09 10:32 AM CDT

First, second, or both? Your original comment indicates singularity.

IN RESPONSE:

jamerican
Oct 12, 09 2:05 PM CDT

Well the average normal American still believes in God, and that marriage is only between a man and a woman and wants to keep our country as moral as possible without giving God an excuse to destroy us for our immorality any faster than He has to.

-6

| 0 minutes ago

Aelius28
Oct 12, 09 9:45 AM CDT

This irks me... much like Obama's comments a few months ago in response to the NUMBER ONE question asked of him at that meeting, which was whether marijuana should be legalized, proponents pointing out the insane amount of money it would generate through taxation. He said "I don't know what this says about the folks on the internet but..." he continues "The answer is no, I don't think legalizing marijuana is a good idea to boost our economy". Seems to be just like most other middle-aged people, the internet is just this new "fad" for geeks, homosexuals and shitty bands, which will go away in a short time. That's something John McCain would say, I'm surprised Obama is acting like this. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Oct 12, 09 9:52 AM CDT

{{{{ Seems to be just like most other middle-aged people, the internet is just this new "fad" for geeks, homosexuals and shitty bands, which will go away in a short time. }}}} --- Obama did sign an executive order giving him the ability to effectively turn off all private ISPs which connect the American people to the internet in a "time of emergency" as defined by his administration. So, yeah, Obama does not intend to protect our rights... he will, at the earliest opportunity, infringe them just as the GWB administration did. If you think differently, you are a fool.

-13

IN RESPONSE:

Aelius28
Oct 12, 09 9:59 AM CDT

I just read through every Executive Order signed by the President thus far and the closest thing I could find was so far away from what you describe that it's similar only in that it restricts the use of an electronic device. Text messaging. When driving. So, coming from the people who claim the health care bill will allow the government into your bank account, kill grandma and give free care to José from Mexico, forgive me if I'm a little fucking skeptical. Name the EO #, @dontlikeyou, or go away.

+12

IN RESPONSE:

odowd80
Oct 12, 09 10:44 AM CDT

Aelius28: I agree with you here. Obama needs to be careful about his statements regarding bloggers and the internet culture. Without it, I don't think he would have won the Presidency. The internet buzz about him propelled him to the forefront early on, his campaign used the internet and facebook to organize supporters, and he raised a shitload of money through online donations. He'd be wise to avoid biting the hand that feeds him if he wants to get re-elected. I believe dontlikeyou is correct regarding the internet emergency authority. Although, I thought it was part of a congressional bill. It was written with the concern of an internet-based attack on important US infrastructure. So if hackers are sending an attack to shut down power to NYC, the WH can order the ISP that the attack is originating from (or passing through) to shut down service to stop an attack. That's my understanding anyway.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader65069154
Oct 12, 09 11:29 AM CDT

Oh good another marijuana legalizer type. Please don't try to jump on a legitimate bandwagon like internet users. Thanks.

-7

| 0 minutes ago

pitiful_pulp
Oct 12, 09 10:06 AM CDT

terrible headline newser. very poor "journalism". Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Jes
Oct 12, 09 10:19 AM CDT

Newser has a history of scandalous headlines, but since this one pretty accurately describes the content I don't think this one falls to that category.

IN RESPONSE:

pitiful_pulp
Oct 12, 09 10:38 AM CDT

"According to Harwood, an adviser to President Obama called protesters at the National Equality March "bloggers" who need to "take off the pajamas, get dressed and realize that governing a closely-divided country is complicated and difficult." Harwood did not name the adviser who made the remarks." so neither the unnamed advisor, the administration or obama called them "fringe"— but a cnbc correspondents paraphrasing an off the cuff comment about bloggers = "Obama Dismissed Gay Marchers as 'Fringe'" if newser has to embellish the 'small stories' why should we trust them for the important ones. I'm afraid newser has become part of the 'media problem' and not the solution.

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Oct 12, 09 11:50 AM CDT

The fringe? If people knew how many Washington staff & politicians are gay they'd be shocked. Govt. rivals Frisco in gays. You'd be shocked to know how many are Republicans. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LibertyMan
Oct 12, 09 12:03 PM CDT

....."part of the internet Left fringe".....He wouldn't he be talking about the majority of Newser posters now would he? Or, are they ever more slightly moderate Leftists than the whacked out crazies over at Daily Feast, MoveIn.org and the Huffington Boast? In any event, alway amusing watching the Left implode a few months before a Mid-Term election. Reply

-5

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
Oct 12, 09 1:50 PM CDT

Interesting, seems like the fringe gay left have not found their man after all. I always knew that those Obama would have the biggest problems with would be his "one time" biggest supporters. Its what happens when you hold somebody up so high and they let you down. He' just a man folks worship him like you would any man. Reply

-5

| 0 minutes ago

Carpediem4U
Oct 12, 09 2:25 PM CDT

Of course you dont...like you would believe him if he said the sun were hot and the sky blue, you'd swear he was lying. I can see why he thinks protests like these are fringe. Much like the teabaggers neither of these groups can sway an election. Obama didnt win because of the gay vote but in spite of it. Does anyone thin if he loses the gay vote in any state he won that he loses the state in 08? No...And instead of giving him props for blowing off this group as fringe, you would rather the information be false. If tomorrow he comes out and says the upper 5% and corporate america should pay zero taxes I'm sure you'll find a way to turn that into a negative and attack him for that. Short of turning white and republican, he'll never pass muster with you, fox, the right...Personally I'm glad he blew them off. I am for gay rights just as he is, but the problems of the entire country must come before the concerns of ONE GROUP...they seem to forget that sometimes and I know Im gonna catch heat for saying that but they need to give it rest and focus on the economy, unemployment and 2 wars in the middle east. They are not being held in camps, they can now marry if they want to travel to states where it's legal, insurance companies cant discriminate ( of course they do but they discriminate against EVERYONE, not just gays). Im not saying its perfect for gays but lets not make it out as if your being persecuted, you're not. Immigrants still have it worse than you do, trust me! He will do it....Right time, right place. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LionKing
Oct 12, 09 2:32 PM CDT

@jamerican..."the average american?" really? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

LoudProudLib
Oct 12, 09 2:40 PM CDT

Yeah LK...thats what I thought.....average normal americans??? Those must be the ones that voted for Democratic majorities in the house and senate and voted for a black man with an arab sounding name because average has never meant 20%ers.....But coming from him I am not the least bit suprised that he speaks for the "average american."

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Oct 12, 09 3:33 PM CDT

Left Fringe!? That's BO's homeboys. LOL. Oh, except he probably doesn't like gays any more than the rest of Americans. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

davidcastilloiii
Oct 12, 09 10:02 PM CDT

I would've chosen a better headline, Newser, but I'm pretty much with @Jes on this. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Adapt-Overcome
Oct 13, 09 9:56 AM CDT

I know how the media works, this guy is a jackass trying to create a story. The truth is boring and lies sell. Who the hell is John Harwood and how many people actually watch MSNBC? Could explain the story. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 24 comments »

Barack Obama • gay rights • blogosphere • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • White House • civil rights • Human Rights Campaign • Obama administration • left wing • John Harwood

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Reporter: Obama Dismissed Gay Marchers as 'Fringe'