Duckworth obscures her message
Monday, Jul 6, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* US Sen. Tammy Duckworth on CNN’s “State of the Union” yesterday…
DANA BASH: “Senator, I know that you support change in the name of military bases named after Confederate leaders, but there are leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who were slave owners. And some people are demanding their monuments come down, too. In your view, where does it end? Should statues, for example, of George Washington come down?”
DUCKWORTH: “Well, let me just say we should start off by having a national dialogue on it at some point. But right now we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. And one of our countries that are opposed to us, Russia, has put a bounty on American troops’ heads. What really struck me about this speech that the president gave at Mount Rushmore was that he spent more time worried about honoring dead Confederates than he did talking about the lives of our 130,000 Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19, or by warning Russia off of the bounties they’re putting on Americans’ heads. His priorities are all wrong here. He should be talking about what we’re going to do to overcome this pandemic. What are we going to do to push Russia back? Instead, he had no time for that. He spent all his time talking about dead traitors.”
BASH: “That may be true, but George Washington, I don’t think anybody would call him a traitor and there are moves by some to remove statues of him. Is that a good idea?”
DUCKWORTH: “I think we should listen to everybody. I think we should listen to the argument there, but remember that the president at Mount Rushmore was standing on ground that was stolen from Native Americans who had actually been given that land during a treaty.”
1) Duckworth has often pridefully boasted that some of her ancestors fought under George Washington during the Revolutionary War. She also has an MA from George Washington University.
2) Never tweet…
3) The Senator’s response…
4) The far right went way overboard with its response…
5) Duckworth made the classic mistake of wanting to get her talking points out without first adequately dealing with the question she was asked. As a result of essentially dismissing the question with vague rhetoric, her talking points were overshadowed. Oops. She wants to run on the same ticket as a guy with gaffe issues. So, he’ll likely need someone who doesn’t regularly make gaffes. This was minor in the grand scheme of things, but still important to those who are watching super-closely. Don’t fall for the gotchas and don’t be afraid of Twitter leftists…
* Related…
* Susan Rice sees stock rise in Biden VP race
[Headline changed because, well, she can’t physically step on her message. Sorry about that. Wasn’t thinking.]
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 11:51 am:
If I remember correctly George III called Washington a traitor
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 11:58 am:
So what?
- Arock - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 11:58 am:
Much like the responses we the people of Illinois get from our Senators who supposedly represent us in DC. Contacted her and Senator Durbin numerous times and it is like the staff can’t read with comprehension and we receive some form letter email that may or may not pertain to the subject we wrote our concern about. It is like reading comments on an article where it is obvious that half the commenters only read the headline. She is not ready for the position she is currently in let alone a higher one.
- Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:01 pm:
Shorter answer to the “have you stopped beating your wife yet” type of monuments questions:
“Washington and Jefferson didn’t join or fight for the Confederacy. The subject, despite your attempts to deflect and change the debate - is *Confederate monuments*- monuments to people who took up arms to destroy our Union, our nation, put up by people on the losing side who still support what the Confederacy stood for.”
- Huh? - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
Not sure Duckworth stepped on her message. It seems she was trying to differentiate between civil war slave owners and revolutionary war slave owners.
Washington and Jefferson were slave owners. The battles they fought against England were over their objection to Parliament’s direct taxation and its lack of colonial representation.
The battles fought during the Civil War were over state’s rights to uphold slavery.
- Gage Park - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:07 pm:
Duckworth has no business being on Biden’s short list. Completely unqualified and her responses just prove it.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:13 pm:
=== has no business being on Biden’s short list. Completely unqualified===
LOL
According to the constitution, she’s qualified. Keep up, please.
To the post,
The only answer is;
“All statues and monuments to traitors of the United States must go. The confederate traitors weren’t fighting for freedom within the United States, they wanted their own country, based on racism and slavery. They are not patriots of the United States.”
That’s it. The rest is parsed noise.
All that being said, being from Illinois, a state Biden will carry easily, choosing Duckworth isn’t smart to the national political need for Biden.
- Gage Park - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:27 pm:
Sorry Willy that you cannot distinguish between being able to do the job and meeting the criteria to apply for the job. Wow
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:31 pm:
===Sorry…===
… words matter. That’s where you fail. Again.
Duckworth is qualified.
The argument is she prepared.
After Trump, I’m confident in almost *anyone* being named to be far more competent than the current racist and dividing President, who failed us all during a global pandemic.
If the bar is Trump, lol
Still, the argument isn’t about qualifications.
- wondering wendy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
Have to agree with Arock. Durbin and Duckworth are great at not answering a question. I have received so many form letters from them……not willing to give a definite answer.
- Amalia - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
saying you want to listen to the argument is not being in favor of tearing down a statue. the Republicans are terrified of running against a war s/hero.
- Huh? - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
Gage park - please provide a list of education, work experience, and training needed to be president. Other than being a citizen of the USA and at least 35 years old, what other qualifications are required to be president?
Anything not listed in the US Constitution is your opinion and it is up to the public to decide whether a candidate is qualified.
The US elected a failed businessman, who blustered and lied his way into office.
You say a wounded, and decorated military veteran, duly elected senator isn’t qualified to stand for office against a draft dodger who claimed bone spurs 5 times.
Let me see, hmmm Joe & Tammy versus tramp & pence. Hmmm, gotta pull the lever for the Democrats.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
Simple; George Washingon is a revered hero of the American War of Independence, constitutional statesman, and our first President. Despite his flaws, he is among the greatest of all Americans. Then she could have compared him to our current president.
- iggy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
Duckworth, who has spent her entire career as an enthusiastic supporter of the US armed forces could have done her party a lot of good by drawing a line in the sand. I have yet to see anyone on the left make this clear statement. Yes we should be removing statues of Confederate leaders. No we should not be removing Washington, Jefferson, and even Abe. Just because orange man bad doesn’t mean you cant have some respect or strength to stand up to the twitter mob and acknowledge the importance of our founding fathers.
- Norseman - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
Duckworth gave Trumpies/GOP a freebie ad if she becomes VP candidate. They’d play that clip over and over with their narrative that radical left is after our values.
I don’t see her as ready for prime time and not simply because of this gaffe. Everyone makes gaffes, but I’ve not seen a rhetorical flourish from her that would make her a compelling candidate.
- High Socks - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:54 pm:
Ok I’m not gonna bite on a semantics argument over the definition of “qualified”. That said, Tammy Duckworth should not in any way be on the short list for VP in 2020. Her political strengths and skills have always been over-hyped and to the extent that they exist, do not compliment Joe Biden or play to any electoral strengths for the Democrats.
- Jocko - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 12:54 pm:
To add to what Barabbas was saying (and in my best Donald Trump impersonation)
“I don’t think we should have any monuments or army bases named after losers.”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:00 pm:
===semantics===
Yeah, about that, it’s not a thing to ignore what words mean.
Qualified versus “able” are two very different distinctions;
If you’re not qualified… being “able“ or not is inconsequential
- striketoo - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:13 pm:
Despite her education credentials, I never thought she was the brightest bulb.
- CubsFan16 - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
So let’s be clear, Sen. Duckworth was proud of Mt. Rushmore, enough so to intend to wear it as a costume, 5 years ago, but now throws a national monument under the bus to pander to the latest political winds of the far left? Sigh.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:18 pm:
Meh. If anyone should talk and criticize our country’s heritage it’s someone who served in the military and paid a dear price, like Duckworth. Contrast her statements and service history to Trump, who regularly foments bigotry.
- Boston Celt - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:21 pm:
She’s not criticizing it as a war hero, which she is. Instead she’s acting like a typical pandering politician.
- Gary Ind - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:36 pm:
That’s what happens when people are looked at because of how many boxes they check rather than if they are really able to do the job.
- All this - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:40 pm:
== So let’s be clear, Sen. Duckworth was proud of Mt. Rushmore, enough so to intend to wear it as a costume, 5 years ago, but now throws a national monument under the bus to pander to the latest political winds of the far left?==
Why can’t both be true? Facts are facts. The land was indeed stolen. That is US history, not some “far left” made up thing.
- M - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:41 pm:
“So let’s be clear, Sen. Duckworth was proud of Mt. Rushmore, enough so to intend to wear it as a costume, 5 years ago, but now throws a national monument under the bus to pander to the latest political winds of the far left? Sigh.”
In my opinion, Duckworth is saying she does not have enough information to make that decision yet.
- Mama - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:44 pm:
Which VP candidate on the short list would be better than Duckworth?
- Pundent - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
It seems that the President is going to make this an election about monuments although he rarely stays on topic. The Democratic party would be well advised to have a quick and concise talking point on this topic as that’s all it warrants. With the fatalities mounting and the economy crumbling there’s no need to be unable to respond to such a ridiculous topic while focusing on what really matters at this particular moment in time. Remind the American people that while over a hundred thousand have died and millions more lost their jobs the President was focused on statues and demonizing an African-American NASCAR driver.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
=== That’s what happens when people are looked at because of how many boxes they check rather than if they are really able to do the job.===
This makes no sense.
Not one person has made this about “qualifications” and confusing that with ability… except - Gage Park -, and now you.
As for me… as a VP nominee, she’s more able than the current president was and is showing now…
… but I see her leading DoD more than being a VP, the politics are not her friend with geography.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:47 pm:
Sarah Palin was a Vice Presidential candidate…just sayin’.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 1:51 pm:
The only downside I can think of for Senator Duckworth being the nominee for Vice President is all of the silly things that I’ll have to hear members of the Illinois GOP say about her that are untrue and resemble recycled failed campaign talking points.
To that I would suggest that my own inconvenience is not something that should be considered when selecting a Vice Presidential candidate.
Even to that end, I’m not sure this really represent obscuring her own messaging as I’m not sure how much of this was something that actually existed in a traditional campaign message box. I don’t think the voters of Illinois are making decisions on who to send to the United States Senate based off of what their ancestor did in the 1780s, but it is something nice to talk about. Senator Duckworth’s service to this nation is apparent, noteworthy, and does not need to be qualified by anything other than her service.
As a nation we do have some things to address as we step into a future where the mythology we built of our founders, framers, and revolutionaries faces the realities of the people they were and victims of their bonds.
- CubsFan16 - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:00 pm:
M at 1:41 PM - She doesn’t have enough information to make what decision regarding Mt. Rushmore? It’s been around since 1941, what further decisions need to be made? Tear it down?
All This at 1:40 PM-The “Far left thing” is feeling the need to spend 2020 obsessing over the flaws of American history, tearing down statues of Presidents, and vandalizing historical monuments. This puts in context Sen. Duckworth’s comments, if the highlight of Mt. Rushmore, in her opinion, is that it was stolen land, logically shouldn’t the monument be destroyed and the land returned?
- Head Turn - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
Stop it Willy. While Duckworth was a distinguished soldier, she’s done nothing as a Senator to warrant considerable as a VP.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:06 pm:
=== While Duckworth was a distinguished soldier, she’s done nothing as a Senator to warrant considerable as a VP.===
Opinion, not fact.
Your silliness made my head turn, lol
- Pundent - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:11 pm:
=she’s done nothing as a Senator to warrant considerable as a VP.+
Being a Senator isn’t a requirement to being a vice president. In fact I can’t recall any Republican VP office holders or candidates in recent memory that served anytime in the Senate.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:12 pm:
A simple “I don’t support removing statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln” would have been sufficient.
- All this - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:16 pm:
== if the highlight of Mt. Rushmore, in her opinion, is that it was stolen land, logically shouldn’t the monument be destroyed and the land returned?==
We all know the history. Are you going to return your condo/house/rental? Do tell what is your logical conclusion?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:18 pm:
===she’s done nothing as a Senator to warrant considerable===
OK, time for you to take a nap. The misspelling is the cue.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:20 pm:
===she’s done nothing as a Senator to warrant considerable===
Just noticed you’ve posted under six different names on a single post. Bye.
- Practical Politics - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:27 pm:
Duckworth’s argument about the land being stolen from the Lakota tribe is weakened by the fact that the Lakotas took the land of other Native American tribes in the first place by driving them off in a series of wars.
- phocion - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:27 pm:
==Being a Senator isn’t a requirement to being a vice president. In fact I can’t recall any Republican VP office holders or candidates in recent memory that served anytime in the Senate.==
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Quayle
- Huh? - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
“Bye.”
Thank you.
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 3:12 pm:
== A simple “I don’t support removing statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln” would have been sufficient.==
That would have been the politically safe thing to say. Kudos to Duckworth to not wrap herself in a star spangled burrito. She said “ We should start off by having a national dialogue on it at some point.” And “I think we should listen to everybody.”
Let the people decide on taxpayer funded statues on public land. Not random vandals, not powerful elites, the people. Democracy. What a concept.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 3:17 pm:
- 17% Solution -
You think traitors of the United States who fought for their own country with racism and slavery… they deserve statues and monuments?
Hmmm….
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
== You think traitors of the United States who fought for their own country with racism and slavery… they deserve statues and monuments?==
Nope.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 4:22 pm:
=== That would have been the politically safe thing to say. Kudos to Duckworth to not wrap herself in a star spangled burrito. She said “ We should start off by having a national dialogue on it at some point.” And “I think we should listen to everybody.” ===
Sometimes answering the question that was asked is not only the right thing but also the smart thing and the safe thing.
We spent less than $1 million and it generates far more revenue for the “taxpayers” than they ever put in. It’s not going anywhere.
Nor should the question of whether statues and honors of leaders of the Confederacy be left to popular rule. I am not interested in whether removing idols of Jefferson Davis or General Lee is “popular,” it ought to be done simply because it is right.
All of those statues were erected at one point because they were “popular” and whether or not they remain so is the wrong litmus test.
- Graduated College Student - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 4:26 pm:
===Duckworth’s argument about the land being stolen from the Lakota tribe is weakened by the fact that the Lakotas took the land of other Native American tribes in the first place by driving them off in a series of wars.===
Wars which were in turn necessitated by the Lakota being pushed westward by other tribes, who had been pushed westward by Europeans. The point stands.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 4:29 pm:
Duckworth may see a cabinet spot… but not the VP slot. I’m on the Susan Rice bandwagon… at least for now.
- up2now - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 4:57 pm:
Washington, Jefferson, Adams… ALL of the Founding Fathers were traitors — to Great Britain, not the United States.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 5:05 pm:
=== Washington, Jefferson, Adams… ALL of the Founding Fathers were traitors — to Great Britain, not the United States.===
They formed a new country, and are not revered in Britain.
Confederates, racist traitors… they lost, they have no new country, they tried to destroy the union.
The founding fathers are not the target, but pretending they *are* to save the racist traitors, confederates, that the play here by Trump to save the monuments… by pretending it’s about *all* monuments.
So, before this becomes “founding fathers”, because Duckworth gave an answer that isn’t politically smart or relevant to what does make sense…
With respect.
- Norseman - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 6:06 pm:
=== … weakened by the fact that the Lakotas took the land of other Native American tribes in the first place by driving them off … ===
Your argument is weakened by the fact the Lakota had treaties with the U.S.
- Nick - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 6:11 pm:
It’s not great. I think she and a lot of other Dems need to get better at not being drawn into debates on the likes of Washington or Jefferson.
But at the end of the day I don’t think you’re going to be able to successfully accuse an amputee who served their country of somehow being anti-patriotic or something. This isn’t 2002, good luck trying to Max Cleland her.
- CubsFan16 - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 8:40 pm:
Willy, I agree that the focus has been shifted to founding fathers to divert from the original push to preserve Confederate monuments, but I don’t think that shift is completely without credibility…see Washington, Jefferson, and now even Roosevelt statues/monuments being taken down/destroyed.
Overall, let’s reject any glorification of the Confederate traitors, and instead promote preservation and protection of key American historical figures and monuments.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 8:57 pm:
=== I don’t think that shift is completely without credibility…see Washington, Jefferson, and now even Roosevelt statues/monuments being taken down/destroyed.===
Here’s the rub, with respect…
We *all* can say we feel that the founding fathers and revolutionary heroes are not the same as the traitors…
… what Trump and others like Trump are saying that you can’t remove *any* because the vandalism of the founding fathers must end.
That’s the rub.
How this is being politicized from the obvious to the cover of vandals to protect the unworthy is protecting… systemic and institutional racism… by its own definition.
Respectfully.
Stay well.
- Southwest Sider - Monday, Jul 6, 20 @ 9:48 pm:
Correct answer. The Biden candidacy may aim to seem moderate. He did not embrace “defunding the police.” Nor tearing down non Confederate statues. I am biased though, with my Northern sympathies.
- JM - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 4:59 am:
Duckworth is holding up the careers of thousands of soldiers so she can do a cheap political grandstanding:
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/02/tammy-duckworth-alexander-vindman-military-nominees-348183
Tells you ewverything you need to know about her — she is all about her own career, at the expense of everone else’s.
- Fly like an eagle - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 6:19 am:
==Tells you ewverything you need to know about her.==
Yes it does. Good for you, Tammy. Vindman is an American Hero.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 7:27 am:
===Tells you ewverything you need to know about her.===
… a person of honor, integrity, and honesty.
Good on her to block ALL, until the Lt. Colonel becomes a Colonel.
*That’s* not grandstanding, that’s standing up to the White House gaslighting.
- Abby Normal - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 7:52 am:
“Duckworth is holding up the careers of thousands of soldiers”
I thought Duckworth was mediocre til she did this. She’s a great Senator.
- 17% Solution - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 9:29 am:
== Sometimes answering the question that was asked is not only the right thing but also the smart thing and the safe thing.==
Yeah she did answer the question. I get it she didn’t answer the question the way you would have answered the question.
== Nor should the question of whether statues and honors of leaders of the Confederacy be left to popular rule.==
I respectfully disagree. It would give the removal authenticity.
== All of those statues were erected at one point because they were “popular” and whether or not they remain so is the wrong litmus test.==
Did they let blacks vote when those statues were popular; the late 19th and early 20th century? Maybe the statues weren’t as popular as you think.
Democracy is a scary thing. Maybe have a little more faith in your fellow man.
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/503226-poll-majority-supports-removing-confederate-statues-from-public-places
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 7, 20 @ 9:38 am:
=== == Nor should the question of whether statues and honors of leaders of the Confederacy be left to popular rule.==
I respectfully disagree. It would give the removal authenticity.===
LOL
“Look, we need to have a vote to decide if traitors of the United States *still* deserve to have racist signaling statues and monuments”
For the love of Pete… get rid of them.
What other country, in history, has statues and monuments to the treasonous of their existence?
Have a vote… are you trolling?
lol