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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

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DAVID FRUM

Pundits Lie, Numbers Don't:
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Nov 23, 09 9:26 PM CST
MICHELLE MALKIN

Blindingly White MSNBC Guilty of Hypocrisy

'Monochromatic' commentators shouldn't slam Palin crowds

Nov 24, 09 7:29 AM CST
OPINION

SNL a Right-Wing Mouthpiece

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Nov 24, 09 1:14 PM CST
Fallout From Hacked Climate Change Emails Intensifies

Scientists worry backstabbing could derail emissions agreement

Nov 24, 09 9:22 AM CST
Fading Hope
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Obama

Streetwear maven FreshJive says president hasn't lived up to hype

Nov 24, 09 10:45 AM CST
Blackwater Waging
'Secret War'
in Pakistan

Mercenaries doing CIA dirty work, plotting killings

Nov 24, 09 4:55 AM CST
NEW BOOK

Cancer May Have Killed FDR

Possible deception in 1944 election raises lots of what-if questions

Nov 24, 09 2:11 PM CST
'EPITOMe OF CONSERVATIVENESS'

What Is it
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'Issues? Where are you going with that?' fan asks interviewer

Nov 24, 09 4:17 AM CST
Report: Obama Will Send
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Prez finalized decision last night, will address nation next week

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Charge for
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LA officials cite lack of evidence against Alexandra Kerry, 36

Nov 23, 09 10:24 PM CST
PARK IT LIKE IT'S HOT

Arnold: 'No One Is Perfect'

Governor owns up to traffic violation

Nov 24, 09 7:20 PM CST
OPINION

Race-Speech Obama Is MIA

Prez's actions failing to match his clear rhetoric of past

Nov 24, 09 2:13 AM CST

|NEXT STORY »

White House-Fox Spat Now Involves ... Mao

In old video, communications director Anita Dunn calls Chinese leader a favorite

By John Johnson| Posted Oct 16, 09 2:23 PM CDT|

(Newser) – That was quick. The White House sent communications director Anita Dunn after Fox over the weekend, and now an old video has surfaced—much to the delight of Glenn Beck and others—in which she calls Mao one of her "favorite political philosophers." In a speech to high school students, Dunn draws laughs by lumping in Mao with another of her favorites, Mother Teresa.

Beck played it at length on his show, and it's now being picked up elsewhere. Michelle Malkin—"Who would joke about such a thing?"—says she doesn't buy the White House explanation that Dunn wasn't serious. Is there a Van Jones movement afoot? Mark Silva of the Chicago Tribune predicts Dunn will survive this "latest Becking," adding, "It would appear to be the White House's turn."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Anita Dunn in her Washington office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A Chinese paramilitary guard in front of the late Chairman Mao Zedong's portrait in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)

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Here's the clip of Anita Dunn citing Mao and Mother Teresa. (YouTube)

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11.24.09

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11.23.09

Books Are Bad for You

59 comments

VIEWING:

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 2:25 PM CDT

I love how a video from June 5, is an old video Reply

| 0 minutes ago

osu1067
Oct 16, 09 2:26 PM CDT

"latest Becking" LOL! Beck is really Becking the Obama administration! Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

drlarrymitchell
Oct 19, 09 2:57 AM CDT

That statement is Becking retarded!

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Wills
Oct 16, 09 2:34 PM CDT

Can't we all (excepting dly and citrix_guy, who I'm just waiting for a "see? SOCIALISM!!!" comment from) just agree that we couldn't give a shit who her favorite philosopher was if she's good at her job? Would we care if her favorite musical group was some pinko punk rock band? And no trying to make a van jones comparison. He was a 9/11 truther who publicly called republicans assholes, which is just a wee bit more crazy than saying Mao was your favorite philosopher Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 2:43 PM CDT

I do think it is important to know that people surrounding our president, consider Mao a great and 1 of her favorite political philosophers. Mao was a communist and responsible for millions of deaths. How can any one consider him a great political philosopher.

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 2:48 PM CDT

Hilarioius you STILL believe the MSM reason VJ resigned (because he was a 911 Truther and called Republicans A$$holes)...get a grip on REALITY...COMMUNIST

-12

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 2:48 PM CDT

Hilarioius you STILL believe the MSM reason VJ resigned (because he was a 911 Truther and called Republicans A$$holes)...get a grip on REALITY...COMMUNIST

-9

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Oct 16, 09 2:54 PM CDT

In Dunn & Mao's defense, China is doing pretty well right now.

IN RESPONSE:

Unaffiliated
Oct 16, 09 2:57 PM CDT

Yeah, they're doing pretty well killing those who oppose the government over there in China.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

UseReason
Oct 16, 09 3:01 PM CDT

Good point! Who cares that our White House Director of Communications favorite political philosopher was a communist who used the threat of imprisonment or death against anyone who spoke against the government? I mean, he was only responsible for 40-70 million deaths. Its not like she is going to try and discredit news organizations that disagree with her administration.......

IN RESPONSE:

Spudsy
Oct 16, 09 3:29 PM CDT

She said she enjoyed his philosophies, not his actions. There are many cases like that. I think most lefties on this site enjoy the Declaration of Independence, but they probably disagree with it's writer having owned over 600 slaves. Many righties here profess love for god. Yet that god killed the Canaanites, the Amalekites, the Midianites, the Anakim, the Bashanites (twice), the Hazorites, the Moabites, and many more. Hey, he actually set someone on fire for just selling incense without a license, talk about a tough chamber of commerce.

+11

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Oct 17, 09 11:12 AM CDT

ONE of her favorite philosophers. a distinction.

| 0 minutes ago

Wonka
Oct 16, 09 2:37 PM CDT

As if any more evidence is needed to prove Beck is insane. "Ahhh, the President is wearing a red tie! Red like the Chinese Communist flag! See, he is a Mao supporter too! Marxists! Ahhhh!" I can see why only mindless morons take this guy seriously. Reply

+11

| 0 minutes ago

KennyBoy
Oct 16, 09 2:38 PM CDT

Actually Mao's thinking on insurgency blows Petraeus out of the water and informs an excellent strategy for the game of Go. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

foodchain11
Oct 16, 09 2:53 PM CDT

Go is a great game!

| 0 minutes ago

Gallavant
Oct 16, 09 2:40 PM CDT

Classic Beck -- an intellectual interest in Mao Zedong's political philosophy turns magically into radical, communist sympathies she will bring to bear as... White House communications director. Now watch as I run the same stupid video of some innocuous statement 27 times, then break down and cry about it. Reply

+15

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Oct 16, 09 5:32 PM CDT

He just loves this country so much. Too bad he's a rapist and a murderer.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

Thinker
Oct 16, 09 2:41 PM CDT

Our president (Bush/Cheney) killed 1 million Iragis in a phony war, not to mention thousands of their own men. And they are better than Mao, how? Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

Wonka
Oct 16, 09 2:44 PM CDT

What's worse is team Bush/Cheney claimed they were going to save millions of lives by going to war in Iraq.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 2:50 PM CDT

I didn't see the part of the article that talke about Bush/Cheney. Where was that?

-7

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 2:59 PM CDT

@BOTHPARTIESSUCK- I think they finally are noticing a reoccuring trend in this administration so now it's time to blame BUSH

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 16, 09 8:05 PM CDT

No, jelly roll, it was not blaming Busch although most of the shit we are in is his fault. Wonka made a *comparison* numbnuts.....Mao killed a bunch of people, Busch killed a bunch of people, i.e., they are similar in that respect....learn to read, dick...

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Oct 16, 09 11:48 PM CDT

Why not keep repeating a lie till you believe it.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

emptycalm
Oct 16, 09 2:54 PM CDT

Mao's words and Mao's deeds were not always one in the same. His political philosophy IS very interesting.But, I doubt that bougie woman is a maoist very much. I'm sure anyone with any sense of logic can come to that conclusion. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Oct 16, 09 2:55 PM CDT

You can't take logic for granted. Has newser taught you nothing? People take pride in their ability to refuse logic and reason. It's a religion.

IN RESPONSE:

Wonka
Oct 16, 09 3:03 PM CDT

@emptycalm - "I'm sure anyone with any sense of logic can come to that conclusion. " They already have so its pretty much a non-issue. That just leaves the Republicans who want to MAKE this a big deal.

IN RESPONSE:

Spudsy
Oct 16, 09 3:32 PM CDT

They get upset over a Dem speech but could care less about the "lower class" soldiers that are dying for their beloved Halliburton profits.

| 0 minutes ago

tomodachi
Oct 16, 09 2:56 PM CDT

and (GWB) wasted $3 Trillion tax payer dollars on the Iraq war (even though Iraqi oil was supposed to pay for it)... and he looked the other way (to keep from looking FOR bin laden)... and he lied about WMDs (and he laughed about not finding any afterward)... and he failed at liberating Iraq (Iran owns it)... and he succeeded at redistributing the greatest amount of money from the ones who earned it to the ones who sell oil... and... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Spudsy
Oct 16, 09 3:36 PM CDT

True true. My biggest disappointment in the Dems is their refusal to seriously investigate the Iraq lying and the Tora Bora errors and take action against the guilty. Clinton gets a hummer and the GOP impeaches. Bush kills 4000 kids in Iraq for nothing and goes home free. I wish there was a third party. sometimes.

| 0 minutes ago

foodchain11
Oct 16, 09 2:57 PM CDT

Geez, I wish the Dem supporters would have an army of thousands looking up embarrassing stuff on the GOP! Oh, but, I remember, the liberal press doesn't run the GOP stuff 24/7 and the GOP doesn't back down, ever, on anything, ever, no matter what. Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 3:14 PM CDT

Watch PMS-NBC lately?

-5

| 0 minutes ago

Cat-Lover
Oct 16, 09 3:01 PM CDT

I'd hate to have to explain some idealistic or otherwise stupid statement I made as a kid. That's when we should make them; when we're young and hopeful. Later, we barbeque on weekends. Let's leave her alone and quit nit-picking. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 3:04 PM CDT

It was 5 months ago.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 3:21 PM CDT

Huh?!?!? To steal a phrase my boy Barney Rubble... "What planet are you living on? Also, I will refrain from commenting on your name...

-6

| 0 minutes ago

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 3:06 PM CDT

What does she keep doing with her tongue, in the video? Reply

-3

| 0 minutes ago

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 3:07 PM CDT

What is ALMOST commical about this situation is the fact the WHITEHOUSE is trying to say this was a JOKE...are you kidding? She needs to switch occupations and get into stand up Reply

-7

| 0 minutes ago

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 3:10 PM CDT

Wonder whether the Whitehouse is RE-THINKING this move? Reply

-6

| 0 minutes ago

alkaseltzersammich
Oct 16, 09 3:19 PM CDT

I couldn't give less of a shit about this. In fact, I just took a shit that is more important that this story. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

BOTHPARTIESSUCK
Oct 16, 09 3:25 PM CDT

Why are people on this site so sensitive? I get flagged for asking where in the article does it talk about Bush. Aren''t posts supposed to be about the articles. I get it, you libs don't like when people say something you disagree with, so you try to stop them from speaking. Was what I said racist or something. Get off the Bush stuff, it doesn't work any more. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 16, 09 3:33 PM CDT

Hilarious!!! I didn't realize the administration already got to Newser! Question the WH?Censorship coming to a town near you!

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Cat-Lover
Oct 16, 09 4:37 PM CDT

You ask, BOTHPARTIESSUCK, why people on this site are so sensitive. After having found this site, where else is there to go than to a porn-chat site?

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Silverbow7
Oct 16, 09 5:02 PM CDT

I would guess you were flagged because you were nit-picking, trying to side-track another persons comment rather than stay on issue. It's like complaining that someone didn't cross a T rather than answer with your honest opinion of the subject. And the 'Bush stuff will work' as long as people remember what they did.

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 16, 09 8:08 PM CDT

@suck - Why does the article have to mention Busch? The article could be about baloney sandwiches and the conversation could expand to include hot dogs....wtf is wrong with that? Get'cher pannies out of your crack and quit cryin'...

| 0 minutes ago

davjc09
Oct 16, 09 3:26 PM CDT

I like studying Roman culture. They conquered most of the known world at that time. They watched POWs, slaves, and other social castoffs fight to the death or be eaten by lions as a means of entertainment. And they were pagans. So what does that say about me if I get a government job? That I want to emulate that for my country? No. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Oct 16, 09 3:27 PM CDT

It's Mao or never! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LionKing
Oct 16, 09 3:36 PM CDT

Bush also wanted Karl Rove to read a book on Mao, a book Bush had read...so there you go! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

luvroks
Oct 16, 09 3:44 PM CDT

guano_jelly and BPS are quite adament and intense about this non issue. Hell I read the Red Book in high school and did a book report on it. Big deal. I also read Albert Speers "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich'....once again big deal. Reading neither made me a communist or Facist. You two Beckites seem pretty hardcore on this topic and it matters nothing. It's simple red baiting McCarthyism. 1950's are dead and gone...forever. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LoudProudLib
Oct 16, 09 3:54 PM CDT

@luvroks------So I am not the only one who thought that was kinda strange of 'guano' and 'both sides' being so heavy on something so freakin minute and pointless!. Talk about wasted energy! Their reaction is actually more note worthy than Dunns opinions on Mao.....lol Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Reader83540559
Oct 16, 09 3:55 PM CDT

bothpartiessuck, that's what snakes do with their tongues don't they? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Rembrandt_Q_Einstein
Oct 16, 09 4:02 PM CDT

I would all of us to a minute and thank all of the Nazi rocket scientists and all of their hard work that made it possible for us to have a space program, and furthermore let us not forget those brave U.S. Generals that at the end of WWII swept the atrocities of the Japanese Imperial Army's Unit 731 Biological Warfare Unit under the rug and declined to prosecute war criminals because of the test data that was gathered by using human test subjects was deemed too valuable. They truly helped advance the cause of "Freedom". In light of all of this doesn't it make some woman talking about Mao to a group of H.S. students fucking pale in comparison. I think it does. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

stdg406
Oct 16, 09 8:07 PM CDT

I had not heard of this. Do you have a link to a site or can you recommend a book to read about this? thank you in advance

IN RESPONSE:

Rembrandt_Q_Einstein
Oct 16, 09 8:50 PM CDT

German rocket scientists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wernher_von_Braun ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paperclip Japanese Unit 731: http://www.enotes.com/genocide-encyclopedia/medical-experimentation ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731

IN RESPONSE:

stdg406
Oct 16, 09 9:52 PM CDT

You mean those same generals who defeated the nazis and the Japanese? Based on the readings you provided, the acts attributed to those listed were indeed horrible. Fifty years later, I hope we have learned a lesson. But it looks like someone in the administration admires a dictator who is responsible for tens of millions of deaths. I don't know if a moral equivancey exists, but I do know that if you were keeping score, it would be very one-sided. Consider this situation: If a cabinet (czar) of this administration had made a speech extoling the virtures of the philosophy of Adolf Hitler and "his initiative", would you have the same response? Now consider this: What if this happened during the Bush administration? What would your reaction be?

| 0 minutes ago

Silverbow7
Oct 16, 09 5:20 PM CDT

These attacks have gone beyond outrageous. I feel so sad for people who take him seriously. He is nothing more than an ugly bully. He is deeply hurting the GOP and they cheer him on and defend him...he couldn't do the GOP more harm if he intended to. Look how the GOP is seen because of hm and the others of his ilk. Ugly is as ugly does. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

stdg406
Oct 16, 09 8:09 PM CDT

Are you a Republican?

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Oct 17, 09 3:32 AM CDT

hit hit hit ...hit the road jack...don't ya come back no Mao no Mao no Mao no Mao....hit the road jack don't ya come back no Maoooooooo WHAT YOU SAY!!!!!!!!? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

PhillytoWinnetka
Oct 17, 09 12:32 PM CDT

That's actually funny...but not nearly as funny as someone saying they admire Mao and Mother Theresa in the same breath. Watch the vid of Dunn...she looks like a nut. That's what we have going on at the WhiteHouse...freak and geeks.

| 0 minutes ago

Monjubikahn
Oct 18, 09 5:30 AM CDT

Using Glenn Becks approach we should not worship God because he flood the world killing billions of people. Did he forget that we did what Mao did right here with the American Indians. Mass murderes now have streets named after them. This is voyeuristic sensationalism at its best. The unionist and many executives, here in America,were required to read Mao's little red book because of some of the principles that work in industry and business. Good ideas are not thrown out because of the character who generated them. Beck is far into the psychology of objectification by association. He is bucking for pres secretary in the next administration. Beck is smart. And rich. He gets an excellent in his performance appraisal. He needs to be careful though. in Russia they microwaved the American embassy. I bet Glenn sizzels good. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Monjubikahn
Oct 18, 09 5:34 AM CDT

The John Birch Society is now proud of being proud of Glenn Beck. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 59 comments »

White House • Fox News • Michelle Malkin • Mother Teresa • Glenn Beck • Mao Zedong • Obama administration • conservative media • Van Jones • Anita Dunn

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White House-Fox Spat Now Involves ... Mao

In old video, communications director Anita Dunn calls Chinese leader a favorite

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