I can’t believe that I missed it! Presidential candidate Barack Obama, stumping in Pennsylvania last week, called the Penn State football team “The Nittley Lions”? While feigning being a college football fan to attempt to regain the votes his “clinging to their guns and religion” faux pas in San Francisco lost, he blew any hope of establishing credibility on the chosen subject. The only mystery is why didn’t I hear about it until it was mentioned by Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon on Pardon the Interruption on Monday evening. How the hell could I have missed something this hilarious?
This Mouse thinks Senator Obama is running scared and is trying a little too hard to get the Pennsylvania working class vote. If he just would shut his mouth, he probably would get their vote, but if he keeps putting his foot in it, enough of them could become disgusted enough to make a difference. You and I know small town Pennsylvanians. Obama is on thin enough ice with them to begin with. He ought to stop pressing his luck.
I’m lovin’ every minute of it! Let Obama keep on revealing the faker he really is.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
We’re not voting for Obama now because of one mispronunciation? Yeah…you’re right. Terrible public speaker. Can’t have him in office. We need someone better in front of a microphone like George W. Bush.
Or is it that he doesn’t like college football and doesn’t know anything about it? Yeah, we can’t have this guy making economic policy decisions, and who cares that he got it right about Iraq from the very beginning. The guy doesn’t like football.
Or, better yet, is it that he lied about liking football just to (gasp!) get votes! That scoundrel!!! That has to be the first time a politician has ever tried to sound like an every-man in the soulless attempt to get more blue-collar votes. Much different than when McCain forgot how many houses he owns…..
i think he took hints from ESPN’s own authority on PSU football; you know, the one who had a special “insider” view of PSU athletics because he worked for a few years in Philadelphia.
Stephen A. Smith.
No, Jimbo. We never were voting for Obama for reasons of ideology first and foremost, then for lack of qualifications and wisdom. Not now, not then. Not ever.
It’s just fun to pick on him when he screws up.
—TMWAX
JD, I think they’re cousins. They both shoot off their mouths too much.
—TMWAX
Reasons of ideology is a good reason, I can respect that (though I disagree). I can respect picking on him for obvious and insignificant screw-ups, too, because I do the same to other candidates. Just so long as you aren’t writing him off solely because of this one blunder.
Jimbo,
Thanks for your comments.
The main reason I wrote this story was because of its relevance to the ostensible purpose of this blog—namely, Penn State football.
If I were to write off a politician because of one verbal gaffe, there would be no one left to vote for. After all, as an extreme example, I voted for George W. Bush. He’s been known to commit at least one per hour.
Although my bias is obvious—I am opposed to expansive social programs and big government—I try to be open minded. I gave credit where it was due in my commentary of the Democratic National Convention, although I hold no doubts that I allowed my ideological bias to shine through in spots.
As for making fun of politicians’ boo-boos, they’re fair game because they’re public figures, just as long as one doesn’t hit below the belt.
—TMWAX
Obama is on record as saying he campaigned in 57 states during the primary. I don’t think he would make a good president of a university let alone a country.
Yeah, well…you put lipstick on a pig…
Doesn’t he know that one of his most ardent supporters is a coach of the nitley lions.
True, Jim. The Mouse should have mentioned that Jay’s judgment is once again on display for all to see, much to the chagrin of his dad.
—TNT