Robert Gibbs: barry Special Olympics apology #2

March 20, 2009

Here’s Robert Gibbs comments during the daily briefing:

I know that the president believes that the Special Olympics are a triumph of the human spirit, and I think he understands that they deserve a lot better than — than the thoughtless joke that he made last night, and he apologizes for that.

He apologizes and still refers to it as a “joke”.

Was Imus’ comment treated as a “thoughtless joke”?

And where is the apology directly to the Special Olympians?

***

(2-19) barry’s “It’s like the Special Olympics”
(2-19) Bill Burton: Apology #1 “offhand remark”
(2-20) Robert Gibbs: Apology #2 “thoughtless joke”
(2-20) Gov Palin re: Trig & Special Olympics (video)
(2-20) Gov Palin re: barry’s Special Olympics “joke”
(2-20) Gov Arnold & Maria Shriver re: barry’s Special Olympics “joke”
(2-20) Special Olympics video: The new R-word is Respect
(2-20) Bowling in top 5 Special Olympics sports, Kolan McConiughey
(2-20) Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver statement re: barry’s ”joke”
(2-20) GMA: Tim Shriver: “This kind of language needs to be a teachable moment”
(2-21) Where are barry’s own words of apology on his Special Olympics “joke”?
(2-22) Yo, barry, you talked the trash, now back it up, and bowl

Senate candidate #5: Jesse Jackson, Jr

December 10, 2008

Jesse Jr tries to extricate himself from being named in the indictment as Senate candidate #5. He has adopted Template 118: Righteous indignation.

(10-31-08) taped call. BLAGOJEVICH:

We were approached pay to play. That, you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made [Senate Candidate #5] a senator.

Rezko set Blagojevich up for less time? Is that what got him to squeal to the feds? His sentencing was due that very day and is now indefinite. Emil Jones? Something tells me it will come back to Rezko. Another prominent fundraiser? The unions? It better not be Jesse Sr. To think Jr sold out Sr for that senate seat. I wonder what their relationship is really like. Jr always talks about his high profile name and what his father is up to but without his father he would have never gotten a start. Jr has kept himself together and has been waiting for this moment. Well, not this moment but the senate seat.

Here's Jesse on his way to the press conference. Doesn't mind talking or mugging for the camera. I saw a video of him coming out of Blagojevich's office Tuesday and he said the process was "thoughtful". We can see what Blagojevich's mind runs on...cash. The $90K Rezko addition to his house doesn't seem like a big deal now.

video courtesy of SwimmingPolarBear

JACKSON JR (12-10-08 press conference video):

I thought mistakenly I had a chance. I did not know this process had been corrupted. I did not know that credentials, qualifications and record of service meant nothing to the governor....

I did not initiate nor authorize anyone, at any time, to promise anything to Gov. Blagojevich on my behalf. I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer or to propose a deal about the U.S. Senate seat.

I spoke the the US attorney's office on Tuesday. They shared with me that I am NOT - I am not a target of this investigation. (keeps head down) and that I am not accused of any misconduct. In the days ahead, federal law enforcement want to meet and discuss what I know about senate selection process. I look forward to cooperating

Fitzgerald told him he was not a target. We already know the target was primarily Blagojevich and his top aides or the middlemen will go down too. But that doesn't mean he's not the subject of the investigation. So the door is still open. The allegations are out there and the amount of money is not unreasonable and he is candidate #5. Perhaps that's why Fitzgerald looked so sad. They acted quickly because barry's name came up. For sure it had to.

But Jackson's lawyer James Montgomery Sr set the table earlier:

Politicians and fundraisers do some very strange things from time to time. I wouldn't put it past someone to be purporting to represent Jesse without authority.

Here comes the Jesse Jr's bailout:

I have retained advice of legal counsel. Mr James Montgomery, Sr, who held his own press conference earlier this afternoon in Chicago. On his advice, and due to the ongoing investigation, I will not be taking any questions.

Nor, I think, will barry.

UPDATE 2: Rendell's new defense (#111 & 115)

December 7, 2008
CNN Late Edition

Rendell, like barry and the lipstick, doesn't know when to just say: Ok, I meant what I said, how I said it, and I lied trying to cover it up - done. He was talking with Wolf Blitzer about his (12-2) open mic comment that Gov Napolitano, who is unmarried at present, was perfect for the Homeland Security job because she had no family and thus no life. (12-3) he used Template #102. (12-4) #120 and today a combo #111 & #115. All he needed was a full mea culpa (#121) and move on.

RENDELL: What I said about Janet is true. I think she's the gold standard for governors. She works hard, she's dedicated, she's focused. Campbell Brown, who I love, as a person and respect as anewsperson, couldn't have been more wrong. She said that it was somehow sexist or a comment on single women. Let me tell you—If Janet Napolitano was Jim Napolitano and had no family, I would have said the exact same thing.

Fine, if that were true, then why the evolving statements of guilt? That should have been his immediate no further questions needed statement followed by a public apology directly to GovNapolitano - not the nebulous "if...anybody out there". He learned something - he used Alma's first and last name and he said "newsperson". Haha. Endless entertainment.

RENDELL: Wolf, we've gotten really far off field in the way we cover news if that statement which is absolutely 100 percent true is construed as something. I would have said it about man or woman in similar position. It was meant to comment on how tough the job is and how great a choice Janet is.

Fine, then why didn't he just say that. What he said he said in a good ol' boy way. What do these men's wives and daughter say to them? And what do people say to these men's wives and daughters?

UPDATE: Gov Rendell's "If I" apology

December 4, 2008

The expected faux mea culpa statements by Gov Rendell in response to his sexist remarks about Gov Napolitano's perfectly suited no lifeness.

Yesterday, Template 102: "What I meant is that Janet is a person who works 24/7, just like me."

Today, Template 120: "Janet's

[First name only like yesterday = dismissiveness + conscious omission of sir name and title - > reinforces her no familyness which = no lifeness = Rendell perfection.]

a friend of mine, and she's

[closes eyes = not]

a great, great governor. And she'll be a great Director of Homeland Security. And if

[Changes tone - knows he should be apologizing directly to Gov Napolitano but pridefully chooses the most impersonal pronoun - short of Glenn Beck's "It" reference to Sen Clinton - and the nebulous 'out there'.]

anybody out there was offended, uh,

[shakes head = no]

I apologize."

[Shrugs = Ok that's done.]

A spokesman for Napolitano said the Arizona governor considers Rendell a friend.

Curious in it's non anything mirroring his non anything words.

"IF anybody was offended" is not an apology. I am sorry...I apologize...I was insensitive...I didn't realize...What I said was unkind...yes.

And a sincere apology includes an understanding of what one did wrong and how it specifically offended the other person and an out loud admission to it.

The problem?

One must first believe what one did was wrong.

Imagine for a moment if had he said: "She's perfect - she's nobody's baby mama."

Campaign spokespeople templates

How many of the folks who make comments for barry even know what barry thinks on the issue? By now anyone can write their statements.

Template 100 = Not what The American People want to hear...
Template 101 = I misspoke/misunderstood/was mistaken
Template 102 = Clarification
Template 103 = PC translation
Template 104 = Accusation
Template 105 = They're doing it too/they did it first.
Template 106 = X does not speak for Y or for Y's campaign.
Template 107 = X no longer works for Y's campaign.
Template 108 = Was not aware/did not know/no way could have known.
Template 109 A = Soft denial
Template 109 B = Ambiguous
Template 109 C = Outright denial
Template 110 = Neutral
Template 111 = Righteous indignation
Template 112 A = Standard position
Template 112 B = Refined position
Template 112 C = Stalling for a position
Template 113 = Family off limit
Template 114 = It's X's fault.
Template 115 = It's the media's fault.
Template 116 = It's the volunteer's fault.
Template 117 A = Standard sexism
Template 117 B = Specific sexism
Template 117 C = In your face misogyny
Template 118 = They're racists.
Template 119 = No Comment
Template 120 = Sorry IF I...
Template 121 = Full mea culpa (still in the development phase)