NEW YORK, N.Y. – Raising money among NBA players – who are no strangers to trash talk -- President Barack Obama took some shots at Republican Congressman Todd Akin, whose controversial remarks on rape Obama said were indicative of the Republican Party’s position as a whole.
Speaking at a $20,000-per-person dinner set up on the stage of Alice Tully Hall, Obama noted that the attendees, which included Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony, “have been paying attention to the commentary of the senator from Missouri, Mr. Akin.”
“The interesting thing here is that this is an individual who sits on the House committee on science and technology but somehow missed science class,” Obama said as his audience laughed.
“But it’s representative of a desire to go backwards instead of forwards. And fights that we thought were settled 20, 30 years ago,” he continued, linking Akin to a political party whose mainstream members, including Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, have disowned him.
Besides a few sharp political jabs, Obama tailored his speech to his hoops-loving crowd, likening this election, in which the candidates are neck-and-neck, to a close game.
“I can't resist a basketball analogy,” Obama said. “We are in the fourth quarter, we're up by a few points but the other side is coming strong and they play a little dirty,” he said as the crowd laughed.
“We’ve got a few folks on our team in foul trouble. We’ve got a couple of injuries and I believe they’ve got one last run in them,” he continued, describing what he thought of his opponent Mitt Romney’s campaign.
Obama also suggested he was taking some advice from Jordan, who introduced the president at the event.
“Michael's competitiveness is legendary. And nobody knows better than Michael that if you’ve got a little bit of a lead and there’s about seven minutes to go, that’s when you put ’em away,” Obama said.
“You don't let up! That's how the Bulls won six,” he said, alluding to the number of championships the Chicago Bulls won in eight years – which, incidentally, is how long Obama hopes to be in office by 2016.The basketball-themed fundraising continued Wednesday night as Obama sped five blocks to the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex, where he hosted the “Obama Classic” shoot-around.


Why is it that Republicans are only concerned with abortion/women's issues every four years? When they had control of the House, Senate, and the White House six full years during the Bush administration, why didn't they make their move against Roe v Wade? Yet, I can't recall it ever coming up. Have you righties ever asked yourself about that? Could it be, that the GOP knows how gullible and easily manipulated their base is, that they actually DON'T want ir repealed? You see, that way they can haul out the issue every time they're in hot water in the polls, which is more and more the case. I know it's a very uncomfortable question to ask yourselves, because if my premise is right, it means you guys are the biggest patsies in history.
Why won't he discuss the economy, jobs, rising gas prices - things the votors are concerned about?
Why? He's befuddled as to what to do about these issues, no plan, no corrective action. Just bash the other team and beg for another 3 bucks.
Abortion is not on my radar, life is on my radar!
I really don't need to look any further than the stock market, the unemployed, the new unemployment claims, the housing market, the desperation I see on faces of those holding signs for any work or spare change to have the real understanding of what obama is all about. He is about obama, play ball with NBA players, place blame on republicans when his dimwit controlled congress has failed to pass a budget, do ANYTHING about the grotesque over-spending, added welfare, people on food stamps and the worst economy since Jimmy Carter.
This loser needs to be out of the white house as he doesn't even resemble what a president should sound or look like. He is a ranting narcissist without a clue, he hates business and anyone that has ever started a business. The only thing he has going for him is a communist-like media bunch and many blind sheep-like followers that all have their hands out for something they have never contributed to.
Obama's obviously trying to hang on to his job because he's power hungry, and loves all the perks that go with being President - trips to Spain, Hawaii, Martha's Vinyard. He's just a mit Romney wannabe.
We know one thing for sure, Mitt isn't in it for the money. So the only logical conclusion is that he's in it to fix Obama's f*u*c*k ups.
Dk
Between 2010 and 2011 there have been almost 2000 bills submitted in the states to limit women's reproductive rights. This number is very telling as to the true agenda of the Republican party.
The laws attacking women's reproductive rights has been going on at the state level. It first appeared in the current form in the Republican platform in 2008. The GOP has been taken over by their far-right wing. Such a shame, they used to have some good ideas.
http://www.politicususa.com/proof-war-women.html
dsb - And do you have any idea what are in these bills? I didn't think so.
And what in particular in any one of these bills do you object to? No comment? I didn't think so
By By Idiot.....
Takes a Republican to know (an) idiot. Republicans are the embodiment of stupid.
The right wing doesn't understand that taxes are the PUBLIC PURSE - the money is supposed to go back to the public thru health, education, clean water and air, etc. etc. - NOT their corporate friends.
Jimee- So you understand the concept of a budget and when you run out of money. Obummer is running his campaign the same way he runs the country. Spends more money than he receives.
It really is hard to have an actual intelligent conversation with these Obama supporters.
Obama had four years - time to give a new team a chance.
Great job media...let's keep talking about things that don't realy mater while Rome burns...
Bottom line is the economy sucks and no one is doing anything about it and our leader is leaderless. We need a change.
Yes....a change in Congress. These Republicans have done NOTHING to help the situation. In fact they have done everything in their power to make things worse in order to get Obama out of office. As Mcconnell famously said "My number one legislative responsibility is to make Obama a one term President".
There is enough crap to go around...You have you head in the sand if you think the democrats are any better. How many bills is Reid sitting on that havn't even gone to a vote in the Senate? My point is IF we had a leader things would be moving and they aren't.
Let me understand this. Obama doesn't like Akin because Akin believes in the sanctity of life. Obama believes in increased poverty and increased unemployment. Obama believes in assassinating American citizens without trial. Dang right, Obama. Akin's plan would only let some kids live who might not fair to well. Your plan is killing millions of people around the world. Heck, some of them must be bad guys!
That's not why he's condemning Akin. It's due to Akin's comment that the female body can shut down its reproductive system in cases of 'legitimate rape'. Akin may be protecting the sanctity of life, but his wording on the topic was poor at best.
Wrong thread. Sorry
Yet more of Obama's addressing the stuff no one really cares about. What's he got to say about
UNEMPLOYMENT
A STALE ECONOMY
$5000000000000 of debt in 4 years
ROBBING MEDICARE TO PAY FOR OBAMACARE?
Nothing... He knows they're all indefensible.
"Mr. President.....what are you doing about jobs"........."Did you guys see Michael Jordan play what a guy"
"Mr. President.....how are you going to reduce the debt"........."Have any of you noticed that my wife Michelle looks just like Patrick Ewing man seeing him in person it's like looking at her"
"Mr. President.....are you going to answer any of our questions".........."Wow look at the time gotta go"
So is that democret rep from Minn who stuck his pee-pee in an underage boys mouth a legitimate rapist or illegitimate rapist(how come nbc doesnt have an 8 year old photo of the boy on-line,ala trevon?).I always thought that is called statutory rape but i guess not in a liberal world.Must be the little boys fault because gay men dont like little boys ,right libs?
In the incident you're referring to. The boy was 17. In MN the legal age of consent is 16. So whether you like it or not, it wasn't a crime.
Oh,so it was illegitimate rape and ok in a liberal world.Good news parents its ok to trust your kids with a gay democrat as we now know they wont touch boys under 16.
sbilemwolb, I do hope you are trolling. It wasn't rape if both parties are consenting and of legal age. Sure I find the act disgusting (not homophobic, but just find 17 to be too young, male or female) but just because I find it so doesn't mean I should call it illegal.
Also:
people stop sending lawyers to washington to represent us 99%ers. and when they say or do harm to the american people or country it's time to go stop voting reps. in office again and again just cause the are your party damn just someone from the working poor or middle class or poor to represent the people instead of the 1%. That's what wrong now they became rich and f--k up now. But I say to them move along with your bags and go count your money because there will be no more made in washington on captiol hill.
Song for Akin
we need to start voting people in that know's what it is like to work hard for a dollar and know what it's like to make end meat and know the struggles of sending your child to college when wall street makes shady investments with people retirement money. Example Enron, AIG, Shady deals with the housing market collasping and etc. Then the Bush era bail out and then Obama bailout the shady banks. And then here comes 2010 teabaggers know nothingers with all they want is 1 president term f--k the rest of the country chaos, just say NO NO NO to any of Obama plans. NO NO NO especialy Jobs, auto bailout, healthcare, extended umemployment benefits etc., but yes for the no tax rise of the 1%. Americans when going to polls in this November 2012 just remember what is at stake here for you and your children of the 99%ers.
Here is my research from ww. presidentialdebt. org
OBAMA 3 years - 5T (16077.17/citizen/year with 311 million citizens
Bush Jr 8 years - 4T
Clinton 8 years - 1.5T
Bush Sr 4 years - 1.5T
Reagan 8 Years - 1.6T
Carter 4 years - 1T
Per result of 3 years of 5T deficit - A family of 4 can receive $64k per year for 3 years (not counting the 4th year)
to pay for their mortgage, student loan, food, medical etc. Do you think you deserve the 16k per year? If no, why not?
Here is my research from ww. presidentialdebt. org
OBAMA 3 years - 5T (16077.17/citizen/year with 311 million citizens
Bush Jr 8 years - 4T
Clinton 8 years - 1.5T
Bush Sr 4 years - 1.5T
Reagan 8 Years - 1.6T
Carter 4 years - 1T
Per result of 3 years of 5T deficit - A family of 4 can receive $64k per year for 3 years (not counting the 4th year)
to pay for their mortgage, student loan, food, medical etc. Do you think you deserve the 16k per year? If no, why not?
I honor akin for his honesty in his true feelings and opinion. At less he was not saying one thing and do another. They other GOPs like fooling the people, that why Mitt said just trust me and I screw you 99%ers when I get in office.
In the case of Rpe and Incest, lets be clear, what would have the woman do? She has been through enough. I personally would not have an abortion, but I will not stop another woman from having one if so chose. An abortion, is a woman's choice, her Doctor and if so choses, GOD. In my bible, (the kings james version) it says the lord forgives everything, all you have to do is ask. Again that is womans right. And at the time a woman would chose to abort, you don't know what she is going through, JUDGE AND YEA SHALL BE JUDGED.
But if you guys, would do without sex, there would be no aborition, because there would be no babies. If all the rapist's and relatives of girls, should know better also. It is not a man's right. I know you all like being able to throw out your chest and say oh i made a baby. Big deal when you turn into a dead beat dad. and some of you are fathers not dad's it takes a real man to be a dad
rape*, let's*, what would we* women* if she so chooses* an abortion is a woman's choice* (no need for the comma after abortion), and if she so chooses, (the King James version) that is the right of a woman* OR that is a woman's right* would choose* abortion* rapists* (no need for the apostrophe), ....(actually I dunno where you were going with that sentence) "Oh, I made a baby!"* deal.* dads* (again, no need for the apostrophe) Aaaand yeah.
Now then! Will all those little errors out of the way, I would like to apologize. That's just how I am. And I would like to say I do agree with you in that abortions should be on the choice of a mother. An example given before which, sadly, isn't far too extreme is a 12 year old girl getting pregnant. Shall we force this little girl to live with this mistake for all of her days? 12 and with child, she would still have to attend grade school or live with the man who made her life this way as he provided for her, if he is willing to do even that. There are some gray areas in if a mother should get an abortion, but ultimately it's the mother's choice.
Obama with the add on from bush era your right.
I cant believe you liberal SOB's still think this jerk obama has done something good for you. Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Republicans: they have an 'incredible' ability to speak nonsense and make it actually sound credible - something that stems from their near super-human ability to believe profoundly in the total crap they spew forth.
The greatest sin Akin made, aside from stupidity, was voicing in public what the GOP have been saying for years. Their "Right to life" stance is only for the fetus, and only before that fetus is born. What is moral about the government forcing a woman to became a baby machine because, through no fault of her own, she is impregnated through rape or incest? When is victimizing the victim moral? What is "small government" about forcing a victim of rape or incest that conceives to carry that fetus to term, and then have that same government abandon the victim because the victim is totally responsible for pre-natal and post-natal care because any social safety net programs are eliminated? What is moral about no exception for the woman's health? Victimize the woman by forcing her to carry a rapist's baby, then restrict her opportunities for life if it jeopardizes her life? Does a woman become a "vessel" and a non person because some GOP legislature decides that? A recent story had a Dominican Republic pregnant young woman dying of cancer because doctor's would not treat her due to the law of "no exceptions" and criminal liabilities. By the time it was agreed to treat her with chemo, it was too late and both woman and fetus died. Where is the morality in that?
Basketbrawl; the only thing Obama knows for sure.
So-o-o-o this King Obama is out playing ball while Michelle is playing ball with the Secret Service in the W.H. Bedroom. I quess they call them the Secret "SERVICE" for a reason.
Get back to work and fix the Economy Jackass!!!
Independent
I can't believe I live in a country that has so many fools in it. We had our chance this year to elect a man that would have turned Washington upside down. A REAL fiscal conservative that for over 30 years has been voting NO on excessive spending, saying NO to attacking countries for no good reason, saying YES to common sense issues like LEGALIZING MARIJUANA and REGULATING it like alcohol, voting NO to huge government bureacracies like the dept of transportation and education. His name was RON PAUL, and he was our only hope to remain free and prosperous. He would have followed a little document named the CONSTITUTION. You know, the framework that made us the greatest country in the world? You know, the document that progressives like G. Bush and B. Obama wipe themselves with everytime they go to the restroom. We had our chance, now we're going to make Greece look like a well run country. Dr. Paul's economic advisor, Peter Schiff, wrote a book back in '06 called "Crash Proof" detailing exactly what ended up happening to us in '08. Unfortunately, in the book, he also predicted how the government would respond to the crash, with bailouts and stimulus, and soon the REAL CRASH is coming soon to a theater near you. Watch "peter schiff was right" video on youtube and educate yourselves. Libertarianism is the ONLY answer.
Sorry, but Ron Paul is proving to be as much of a sell-out as any of the others....sacrificing the hard work of his delegates leading up TO the convention for a video tribute and speaking spot for his blowhard son AT the convention.
Ron is a cantankerous, onerous, old fart who is myopic about the world and we're frankly quite tired of his B.S.
Another druggie with only one interest buries it in a sea of rhetoric about a loony egomaniac who thinks he knows everything.
Your post is worthless.
The blame for all the STUPID,IDIOTIC goings on in The House can be pointed right at Boehner. He has been the head of worst house of reps ever in this countries history.Before he became leader all he ever did was cry about not having any power ,After the GOP took over the House he somehow convinced them that he should be the great leader. This turned out to be the worst leader that the house has ever had/known. He comes off like he his on something that controls his mind[IF there is one].This country has suffered severly on his watch. It is now apparent how he convinced the Navy to kick him out while other kids fought his battles This GOP is probably the most disgraceful group ever.Now they have to live with that accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I guess he missed his science class." This coming from a moron that will not release his school records and wants The next President Romney to show 10 years of his tax returns. obama has been a complete failure.
I'd rather have a Mormon any day than a MORON! Without his telepromter this idiot can't put together a
complete sentence. I never thought in my life that I would hear the President of the United States use
the non word "yeo" whenever off the prompt. Someone please tell this idiot to say "you know"
One thing about obama you can count on, when his lips move, he is lying! He couldn't play ball with the
bros yesterday because he injured his knee last week. Excuses are his norm for failure.
Love Texaso
Please identify anything Barack Obama would have in college records that would preclude him from serving as POTUS.
Let me add one more bit of misinformation regarding use teleprompters. We all recall Obama's performance in the 2008 debates, obviously accomplished without a teleprompter. Further, it’s in my opinion, had GW Bush utilized such (more often) he would not have made the countless gaffs which he’s unfortunately been associated. Nevertheless, perhaps someone can let us all know why it’s acceptable for a Republican to use a teleprompter and no O.K. for Obama…it bogus and illogical.
All presidents in the recent past, including Reagan often utilized the teleprompter. The following appeared in several major newspapers during the Reagan presidency.
Teleprompter Snafu Brings Reagan Pause -
United Press International,
May 9, 1985
President Reagan, often spoken of as "the great communicator" for his eloquent and persuasive style, was noticeably at a loss for words when his teleprompter broke down during a major speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France Wednesday. White House press secretary Larry Speakes said Reagan's teleprompter cut out three times causing the president to lose his place.
Nonetheless, "It`s our opinion the president spoke eloquently," he said. The teleprompter, an electronic device, provides the president with a visible line-by-line text that his audience is unable to see.
Get your facts straight then distort then to meet your opinionated agenda.
Be nice, he hurt his knee during prayers.....
You know prayers to MSNBC to keep the real issues of the country off the radar.......