The Washington Post is reporting it as one of the most painful 40 seconds of this election cycle. Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) was asked a simple question: did you vote for President Obama. What followed in the clip below was one of the most revealing 40 seconds of how bad this election is becoming for Democrats and how radioactive the President has become. Grimes refuses to answer. She is trying to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and these mid-term elections tend to reflect the view of the incumbent president as some voters try to either add support or resistance to a president in Congress. Obama’s popularity stands at a dismal 30 percent in Kentucky. The clip is particularly interesting given the recent public statements of the President that this election is about his policies. It was an effort to rally Democrats but candidates who have been increasingly fleeing associations with the unpopular president cringed across the country. Given Obama’s national polling, an election based his policies and Administration would magnify the already great expected losses in November, including the possible loss of both houses. Even long-time ally and former campaign manager David Axelrod said that the President’s framing of the election as a vote on his policies was a huge mistake. The deer in the headlights look of Grimes reflects that point vividly.
The President’s words actually started out reflecting the national strategy of the Democratic National Committee to minimize his profile and policies in this election but he then veered directly into the wall that the Democrats are trying desperately (and unsuccessfully) to avoid:
“I am not on the ballot this fall. Michelle’s pretty happy about that. But make no mistake: these policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them.”
You could hear Democratic candidates collectively moaning with the last part of the message. Grimes vividly illustrates the fear of association with Obama. Grimes repeatedly refuses to even admit that she voted for the leader of her party in 2008 and 2012. It was, as the Post notes, an easy question to address. Just say that you voted for him but you are disappointed in him. Instead, Grimes refuses repeatedly to answer the question from the Louisville Courier-Journal editorial board.
She then takes an equally curious spin by insisting that she is a Hillary Clinton supporter, something that is only marginally better in Kentucky.
I continually find such transformations among politicians fascinating. They will flock around a popular president as they once did with Obama but have no hesitation to treat him like a pariah once his polling numbers fall. It does not play well, as shown on this video, but they assume it is worse to admit even the slightest level of prior support for an unpopular president.
Civil libertarians have long been opposed to Obama, who quickly shredded his promised reforms from the first election and launched comprehensive attack on privacy, press rights, and other core values. However, civil libertarians remain a small part of the electorate, which is why they were the first to be jettisoned by the Obama Administration. Now there is a far broader level of opposition building around policies like immigration, health care, and international relations — the very policies that Obama highlighted as the real issue for races like that of Grimes.
Grimes is the daughter of Charlotte and Jerry Lundergan, a former Kentucky Democratic chairman and state representative. She is also a law graduate of American University. Grimes was viewed as serious challenge to McConnell who could be attacked as the classic Washington insider. However, she has been criticized for a lackluster campaign. What is fascinating is that her lead among women is only one percent, according to an article in The Week.
There is still a possibility of the classic “October surprise” factor in shifting such polls and prospects. At the moment, Obama could be looking at the lamest of lame duck terms if both houses go to the GOP. He is not alone. Democratic candidates are even turning on Nancy Pelosi on the campaign trail. The wedge political issues advanced by Pelosi over things like immigration have not panned out. Instead there has been a back lash that led Obama to promise Democrats that he would not act on immigration until after voters went to the polls. Gwen Graham, one of the Democratic Party’s candidates in Florida ran an ad saying “Here’s what I believe: Congress is broken” — it showed a picture of Pelosi as well as John Boehner. Other candidates are doing the same — running against their own leader in the house. These are strange times indeed.
Paul, Good to find a fellow Waters lover. I learned 2 things about you today. A Chinese wife and John Waters lover. He and Divine grew up together. Their moms were friends.
Nick – it was sad that Divine died just before he would have been a star.
Karen, Seen it all before many times. It’s like Groundhog Day.
So Karen discusses “stalkers”, will she be deleted by Darren? This is the test.
Annie – how do you know that Darren is not targeting you?
OK SWM, thanks. I understand how much people despise McConnell. I see he and Harry Reid as two sides of the same coin. You only see McConnell as bad. I see both as the epitome of what is wrong w/ the duopoly. I’m independent.
Ohhhhh, now Nick tries to appeal to Swarthmoremom’s grief over her loss, so as to win her favor? Whoa. Nothing is sacred to some people.
How many aliases is it today, now? I’m losing count. The obsessiveness really creeps me out. But I had a very serious stalker once, so obsessive behavior will always evince that reaction.
I’m down w/ girly guys. John Waters is one of my favorite directors. Just finished reading his book about hitchhiking from Baltimore to SF. I was a little disappointed in that 2/3 was fiction. The first third was his good fantasy rides. You can imagine the details! The second part was nightmare rides. The last part was the real story. A young Republican hetero male became his best friend and went out of his way to help. If you like Waters flicks, there’s a good documentary on Showtime about Divine.
I have NEVER used the term Feminazi. I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh. Got any other stereotypes that don’t apply you want to hurl @ me? I’m sorry for your loss, SWM. That’s why I’m trying distraction. I don’t want to battle you on this. It’s a loser SWM. Let it go.
Paul dearie, who is this Annie? You seem quite taken with her. She must be wonderful!
Annie – we all know who are regardless of the name you hide behind. We are at best, bemused by your behavior.
I guess they have a penchant for turtles.
Grimes is young and inexperienced. Sure, she could have answered the question better but remember she is running against a seasoned crooked politician. I would vote for her if lived in Kentucky. Much talk about throwing the bums out around here but leader McConnell seems to be one the right wingers here want to keep.
Rich was on to the Koch sponsored tea party early on. Guess Frank Rich is a girly man to you. Kinda like a male feminazi?
SWM – I am not sure that we want to get into Frank Rich’s sexual orientation.
How Nick tries to divide and conquer, why doesn’t he realize we know exactly what he’s attempting to do. By using flattery on one person he thinks he can get that person to side with him against another. That is so obvious and junior high. There are adults here. I bet Swarthmoremom knows exactly he’s doing and just laughs.
DBQ, Great comment. I think this lightweight candidate showed us her mindset quite well!! Can you believe the defense here?? These folks will never give an inch. They have no credibility defending the defenseless. I was taught to pick your fights, literally and figuratively. I wouldn’t get too involved w/ this. The entire country knows she pissed herself, and so do those folks here. They just won’t. And don’t feed crazy trolls.
Frank Rich should have stuck to reviewing plays. I loved it when Imus used to rip the prissy little Rich a new one. But, I see you’re playing the RAAACIST card. You need to take a walk. And, 4 year old Frank Rich columns. Maybe you’re just pining for the days of Hope and Change. WTF happened w/ that?? Racism?
Nick – Frank Rich was an excellent reviewer but is a lousy columnist. John Waters is a god among men. His films are groundbreaking and very funny. I have all of them.
SWM, Come on! Now you are talking silly talk. The first rule of getting out of a hole is to stop digging. Your candidate was given an easy question. She pissed on both her legs. Everyone in the country knows it. And, when you get off your defensive posture, when you are honest like you usually are, you know you’re just being silly. Stop it. You’re better than that. I’m not sure pete is anymore.
Pet, Pete. Whatever, you are loved here.
Annie – you really need more creativity in creating nom de plumes. You are as obvious as a Mack truck.
Pet is still sharp and funny.
((((Pete))))
DBQ, Pete used to be a regular here. He’s always had a problem w/ me. But, the guy used to be sharp and funny. Now he makes vapid comments and is a humorless curmudgeon. I really miss the old, sharp, funny pete. I guess he’s gone. C’est la vie.
Taught history Petey! You’re flat ass wrong, just let it go.