President Obama walks his dog, Bo, on the White House lawn (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Just when it seemed that Barack Obama couldn’t dig himself any deeper into the political hole he’s in, he does something really stupid. “Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they’re not always happy with me,” he told a union crowd in Milwaukee. “They talk about me like a dog. That’s not in my prepared remarks, but it’s true.”
The comment makes him look ridiculous. First off, there are inevitable racial overtones to it. To be treated “like a dog” is to be treated as something less than human. In the Muslim world, to call someone a dog is a pretty serious insult (and no, I’m not suggesting Obama is a Muslim).
Who historically in the US has been treated as less than human? Blacks during the eras of slavery and segregation. During his campaign and since in office (the Henry Louis Gates fiasco was an exception) Obama has – to his credit – generally not sought to make racial comments or, to use that hackneyed term, “play the race card”. Now he’s going to be accused of doing so.
The other reason he looks stupid is that he himself has described both himself and black people in canine terms. Two days after he was elected, he referred to shelter dogs as “mutts like me”, a jocular reference to his mixed race. A month ago, he described African-Americans as “a mongrel people”. I don’t have a problem with either comment but if you’re going to rail about people talking about you like a dog then perhaps, er, you shouldn’t do so yourself.
The remark is also a bit odd because one of the most ridiculous bonanzas of media puffery surrounding the Obama administration (the organic vegetable patch was a close second) was the unveiling of Bo the First Dog. Obama milked it for months. It seems like the most pampered dog in the world. So, maybe not so bad to be talked about like a dog if you live in the White House .
And then there’s the basic conceit that it is “powerful interests” who oppose Obama. Come on! This man is President of the United States. He is the ultimate powerful interest. You may be able to portray yourself as a plucky outsider when you’re running for the White House but once you’re elected, it just doesn’t wash.
The sense from the Obama administration that they think that anyone who opposes their policies is stupid or racist or allied with “powerful interests” is plain wrong as well as politically disastrous.
Pretty soon, Obama is going to have to conclude that Harry Truman was right when he (supposedly) said that “if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog”. At this rate, Bo will be the only one still supporting him – if, that is, he isn’t miffed by his master’s derogatory comment about dogs.
Just when it seemed that Barack Obama couldn’t dig himself any deeper into the political hole he’s in, he does something really stupid. “Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they’re not always happy with me,” he told a union crowd in Milwaukee. “They talk about me like a dog. That’s not in my prepared remarks, but it’s true.”
The comment makes him look ridiculous. First off, there are inevitable racial overtones to it. To be treated “like a dog” is to be treated as something less than human. In the Muslim world, to call someone a dog is a pretty serious insult (and no, I’m not suggesting Obama is a Muslim).
Who historically in the US has been treated as less than human? Blacks during the eras of slavery and segregation. During his campaign and since in office (the Henry Louis Gates fiasco was an exception) Obama has – to his credit – generally not sought to make racial comments or, to use that hackneyed term, “play the race card”. Now he’s going to be accused of doing so.
The other reason he looks stupid is that he himself has described both himself and black people in canine terms. Two days after he was elected, he referred to shelter dogs as “mutts like me”, a jocular reference to his mixed race. A month ago, he described African-Americans as “a mongrel people”. I don’t have a problem with either comment but if you’re going to rail about people talking about you like a dog then perhaps, er, you shouldn’t do so yourself.
The remark is also a bit odd because one of the most ridiculous bonanzas of media puffery surrounding the Obama administration (the organic vegetable patch was a close second) was the unveiling of Bo the First Dog. Obama milked it for months. It seems like the most pampered dog in the world. So, maybe not so bad to be talked about like a dog if you live in the White House .
And then there’s the basic conceit that it is “powerful interests” who oppose Obama. Come on! This man is President of the United States. He is the ultimate powerful interest. You may be able to portray yourself as a plucky outsider when you’re running for the White House but once you’re elected, it just doesn’t wash.
The sense from the Obama administration that they think that anyone who opposes their policies is stupid or racist or allied with “powerful interests” is plain wrong as well as politically disastrous.
Pretty soon, Obama is going to have to conclude that Harry Truman was right when he (supposedly) said that “if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog”. At this rate, Bo will be the only one still supporting him – if, that is, he isn’t miffed by his master’s derogatory comment about dogs.
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