I reject the distinction between "reject" and "denounce," but I cannot in good conscience denounce it.
Some say there isn’t much ideological difference between Clinton and Obama. To these naysayers I say have a look at the fundamental ideological split in their respective approach to the words “denounce” and “reject.” (Oh, and stop saying nay. Go with “no,” it’s much more modern.)
Obama “denounced” the antisemitic views that Farrakhan had expressed in the past, but concluded, “I can’t say to somebody that he can’t say that he thinks I’m a good guy.” (Real quote.) Clinton disagreed, arguing that Obama can’t say that Obama can’t say that Farrakhan can’t say that he thinks Obama is a good guy. (Now I’m paraphrasing.) Personally, I think Clinton can’t say that Obama can’t say that Obama can’t say that Farrakhan can’t say that Obama is a good guy. (And now I’m joking.)
Specifically, Clinton argued that Obama wasn’t taking a strong enough stance by just “denouncing.” She suggested he instead “reject.” Here’s a video of the exchange:
CLINTON: There’s a difference between denouncing and rejecting.
OBAMA: I have to say I don’t see a difference between denouncing and rejecting . . . But if the word ‘reject’ Senator Clinton feels is stronger than the word ‘denounce,’ then I’m happy to concede the point, and I would reject and denounce.
(APPLAUSE)
WILLIAMS: Rare audience outburst on the agreement over rejecting and renouncing.
Rare indeed. Okay, so the whole thing was pretty stupid. Hillary Clinton’s argument reminds us of another Clinton’s “it depends on what the meaning of is is.” But what a great response out of Obama! She ends up looking petty and semantic.
More opinion:
I’ve noticed that the pundits disagree on what to make of this exchange. While some (like me) are impressed by how Obama handled it, many of the mainstream sources view the Farrakhan exchange as an “awkward moment” for Obama. (AP News reported “Obama seemed to have an awkward moment when grilled about an endorsement from Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan.”)My view is that Tim Russert crossed a line here. The heart of the question was unfair. It would be as if Russert had asked, “Farrakhan has said that you are a good candidate. In other contexts, Farrakhan has made antisemitic remarks. Is your position (a) that you are not a good candidate or (b) that you hate the jews?”
Then, after Obama denounces Farrakhan’s antisemitic remarks, Tim Russert makes an effort to repeat the question, this time reading antisemitic remarks into the record. Obama interrupted him emphatically–which may have appeared “awkward” to the AP news–but which I very much appreciated. For such a nonissue, it really is not necessary, appropriate, or fair to quote hate speech while the cameras point at a candidate who already denounced it.
More from Silly Season:
Son of Gold suggests (satirically) that Hillary Clinton should denounce and reject Ann Coulter’s support.
Mr. Answer Man explains the proper form for denouncing and rejecting Farrakhan: renouncing.
5 Responses to “I reject the distinction between "reject" and "denounce," but I cannot in good conscience denounce it.”
That was one of my favorite moments from the debate…I also liked when Obama basically told her to stop whining.
Actually, I did not suggest Hillary Clinton denounce Ann Coulter. As a matter of fact, I suggested the opposite, that neither of them should have to denounce or reject any of their supporters. Read the blog, there’s some satire in there…
btw - I also didn’t really suggest Obama wear a “F*CK FARRAKHAN” shirt, that was also satirical.
http://overbreadth.com
Sonofgold, your satire is duly noted.
sweet!
http://mattoflamancha.blogspot.com
Funny - I denounce the distinction, but I can’t in good conscience reject it. I mean, it’s not the same thing to reject something as to denounce something. To reject is not to do it. To denounce it is to expressly hold it in low esteem. People hold things in low esteem but do them anyway all the time. These people are hypocrites.
I denounce the distinction because I wish people wouldn’t be hypocrites. But I can’t reject it (theoretically), because the world is full of hypocrites. I can, at most, reject it in practice by trying not to be a hypocrit myself.
Discussion