Robert Parry: WPost Calls Out 'Uppity' Obama

[babylonsister]

WPost Calls Out 'Uppity' Obama

By Robert Parry
July 31, 2008

snip//

Milbank’s Lens

But the out-of-context quote was only part of Milbank’s case. Virtually everything in the column was viewed through the lens of trying to prove Obama’s arrogance.

When Washington police and the Secret Service block off roads for Obama’s motorcade, that was not simply prudence in the face of extraordinary security concerns for Obama’s life; it was proof that Obama already sees himself as a head of state.

When Obama had a phone conversation with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, these weren’t just routine matters for a U.S. Senator or the presumptive nominee of a major party; they were further evidence of Obama’s “uppity” behavior.

Milbank wrote that Obama “ordered up a teleconference with the (current President's) Treasury secretary, granted an audience to the Pakistani prime minister. … Then, he went up to Capitol Hill to be adored by House Democrats in a presidential-style pep rally.

“Along the way, he traveled in a bubble more insulating than the actual President's. Traffic was shut down for him as he zoomed about town in a long, presidential-style motorcade, while the public and most of the press were kept in the dark about his activities.”

Milbank groused, too, about the tight security that the police put around Obama’s movements on Capitol Hill.

“Capitol Police cleared the halls -- just as they do for the actual President. The Secret Service hustled him in through a side door -- just as they do for the actual President,” Milbank wrote.

While Milbank portrayed these security steps as further evidence of Obama’s hubris, there is no reason to believe that Obama had any say in the decisions of his security detail to protect the candidate.

One has to wonder: Doesn’t Dana Milbank have any idea of the physical danger that surrounds the first African-American to have a serious chance to be elected President of the United States? Does Milbank really want to heighten the political pressure on Obama to take more chances with his personal safety than he already does?

more...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/073008.html

[NYC_SKP]

1. Earth to Milbank.

Get used to it.

He's getting into the grove so that thing will go smoothly in January as he officially takes office.

It's not the end of the world, you'll be fine and still have a job.

But you might need to pay more of your share toward a better America.

Thank you.

Earth out.

[mopinko]

2. ready before day one.

yup, get over it milbank. and mc same.

[crimsonblue]

3. milbank was one of the most indignant when Obama

gave the press the slip when he met with Clinton and when he traveled separately from the press. This was his childish way of getting back at Obama.

[WeDidIt]

4. Milbank should apologize

because he could bring down a friend (Olbermann).

I know Olbermann is loyal to his friends and will ahve Milbank on again. When that happens, the more I read about Milbanks ludicrous arrogance and hubris, the mroe I thnk I'll be done with Olbermann for all time.

I canot abide Milbank unless he apologizes and admits he was wrong.

[Cha]

5. dana milbank has already proven himself to be

a lying mediawhore before this article. He needs to be made a piriah.

[JackORoses]

6. don't you mean Shillbank?