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April Fools: Hillary Challenges Obama to Bowl-Off

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 01:38:36 PM EST
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It's very funny. Any other April Fools' stuff out there?

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    April Fools: Hillary Challenges Obama to Bowl-Off | 53 comments (53 topical)

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    The Criticism Of Gore And Kerry (5.00 / 6) (#1)
    by flashman on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 01:50:40 PM EST
    were that they were too stiff.  Hillary is real, loose, funny ( remember her shtic about the heavens opening up... etc? )  I always thought Americans would like her once they get to know her, but circumstances have prevented that thus far.  She needs to keep showing us who she really is.

    Obama took recordings of Wright to Harvard (5.00 / 4) (#24)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:26:30 PM EST
    Hillary's bowl-off challenge is a great idea - funds to charity would make it even better. Obama's 'gutter-balls' would also make great fodder for future McCain ads.

    I'm assuming this is an open thread, so new topic.

    This 4/30/07 NYTimes story, A Candidate, His Minister and the Search for Faith, by Jodi Kantor, has come back into the spotlight since the Rev. Wright story metastasized.

    I find it relevant because it contradicts Obama's recent claims that he wasn't fully acquainted with the content of Rev. Wright sermons. He repeated this on The View last week, saying something like he hadn't 'watched all of Rev. Wright's DVD, or anything'.

    However, the NYTimes story demonstrates the degree to which Obama was thoroughly surrounded by, and immersed in, his pastor's sermons. In fact, he fortified himself with RECORDINGS of the sermons during the early years, when he left Chicago to go to Harvard. Evidently, Mr. Obama also taught himself to mimic the Reverend's sermonizing style of speech.

    "Services at Trinity were a weekly master class in how to move an audience. When Mr. Obama arrived at Harvard Law School later that year, where he fortified himself with recordings of Mr. Wright's sermons, he was delivering stirring speeches as a student leader in the classic oratorical style of the black church."

    Parent

    This kind of gives me chills (none / 0) (#29)
    by Anne on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:46:47 PM EST
    as well as another occasion of wondering if there is anything about Obama that is authentic.

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    It gives me the willies and the creeps. (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:18:35 PM EST
    Anne, that's a good question. But I'd put it this way: is there anything about Obama that isn't proving to be inauthentic?

    Parent
    So, the past three weeks on this (none / 0) (#37)
    by 0 politico on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:32:26 PM EST
    topic were...What, play acting on his part?

    But, of course Olberman, Tweety, Russert and company over at MSNBC and NBC will totally expose the miss direction - right?

    Parent

    That fact about Obama's full knowledge of Wright (none / 0) (#55)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 08:52:00 PM EST
    and the content of his sermons, was in the NYTimes nearly a year ago.

    I didn't even go looking for it. It's just popped up several times when I've been searching other subjects during the past 2-3 months.

    I'm sure it's no secret to any news entity.

    Certainly, the NYTimes knew about it; and they could have put it back on the front burner if they had the balls to come out and say that Obama is totally fudging about the 'oh, I didn't know' defense.

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    Hillary and likability (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by stillife on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:50:18 PM EST
    I always thought Americans would like her once they get to know her, but circumstances have prevented that thus far.

    "Circumstances" being the MSM.

    She was fantastic on SNL, TDS and Letterman.  I've seen her speak in person twice, and she's very likable, sincere and humble in her speeches.   But as long as the MSM keeps pushing the "Shrillary" meme, likable Hillary can't gain any traction.

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    Obama and likablity. (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by lentinel on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 08:22:39 PM EST
    I never liked Obama.
    I didn't like his speech at the convention.

    But when he turned to Hillary Clinton and said, "You're likable enough, Hillary", my dislike turned to a loathing from which it has not recovered.

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    Yeah, That's My Point (none / 0) (#43)
    by flashman on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:54:31 PM EST
    And all the silly charges she has to defend.  

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    I know. (none / 0) (#46)
    by stillife on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 04:06:15 PM EST
    :(

    I was talking to a friend at work today who is also a Hillary supporter.  I'm not sure what news channels she watches, but she seemed quite discouraged about all the coverage of the Bosnia kerfluffle.

    Parent

    Just when I thought (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Kathy on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 01:51:18 PM EST
    I couldn't love her anymore.

    Who on earth let that guy bowl, anyway?  What a huge mistake.  Even I can bowl better than a 37, and I use a kiddie ball.

    Tweety said he did not (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:06:42 PM EST
    look manly bowling.
    he didnt say how anyone could look "manly" bowling.

    Parent
    I am sure (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:14:25 PM EST
    that Tweety has never bowled in his life.

    He's a complete idiot.

    Parent

    I always thought (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:20:22 PM EST
    he sort of looked like a bowler.
    no offense to any bowlers reading this but cant you just see him in one of those shirts that say "Tweety".

    Parent
    Well (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Steve M on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:30:33 PM EST
    Matthews is a Catholic kid from Philly, right?  There's no way he didn't bowl growing up.

    Parent
    Heh. (none / 0) (#31)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:51:33 PM EST
    You're both probably right.

    My brother was an awesome bowler because he took lessons, belonged to a league, had his own shoes and bowling balls, etc.

    As for me, I'm about as good as Obama, although I have broken 100 a few times. LOL

    Parent

    How about a Tweety vs Russert bowl-off? (none / 0) (#26)
    by cymro on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:36:50 PM EST
    This bowl-off idea brings to mind all manner of interesting match-ups, and the associated mental images. For example, can you imagine Tim Russert bending over to bowl without popping all the buttons off his suit?

    Parent
    Ha! I can also imagine people (none / 0) (#28)
    by Anne on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:40:29 PM EST
    not seeing much difference between Timmy's head and the bowling ball...

    Parent
    for one (none / 0) (#15)
    by Kathy on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:11:15 PM EST
    you actually throw the ball instead of tossing it like you're pitching in the World Softball Championship.  I suppose it's good he didn't do it granny style, but come on--take some lessons before you go out in public like that!

    Parent
    To Look Manly (none / 0) (#44)
    by flashman on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:55:14 PM EST
    He has to get a tingle in his leg while watching.

    Parent
    I haven't bowled in (none / 0) (#38)
    by 0 politico on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:33:40 PM EST
    about 15 years, but I'd hit the lanes with her just for fun.

    Parent
    Obama would beat her (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by magster on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 01:51:39 PM EST
    if he had bumpers in the gutter.

    Thank you!! (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by SantaMonicaJoe on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 01:58:09 PM EST
    that was indeed fun.

    White House Bowling years (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:02:42 PM EST
    Huh, maybe all those years she was doing nothing in the White House, she was bowling day after day and now she is some kind of bowling queen.  

    This is good (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by dianem on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:05:01 PM EST
    I had a friend ask me why she should support Clinton, and I was very weak in my reply. There are good reasons. She is smart, hard-working, and knowledgeable about political and international affairs. But that isn't why Americans vote for President's. They vote for someone they like, someone they trust. They want a sense of humor and perspective. I think that Clinton has this, but she has been attacked so much that she has retreated into a shell. Losing is good for her, like it was for Gore. There is something about fighting for an almost lost cause that brings out the best in some people.

    thanks for this (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Anne on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:24:30 PM EST
    I really needed it today.

    Good for Hillary to remember it's April Fool's Day, and to have a little fun with the press and Obama.  She was so somber and serious at the beginning that I have a feeling the Obama people may have been on the edges of their seats wondering if she was finally heeding the call to concede...

    I am smiling thinking about the media playing that stupid video of Obama's really bad bowling alongside her challenge.  :-)

    ESPN chimes in (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by rghojai on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:03:39 PM EST
    http://www.espn4.com/

    Fine print at the end is a nice touch.

    Thanks for that link (none / 0) (#45)
    by Democratic Cat on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:58:08 PM EST
    Who knew we could count on ESPN for some MI/FL snark?!

    Parent
    Hmmm... (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by huzzlewhat on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:38:44 PM EST
    Am I the only one who took her offering to spot him two frames as a jab at Florida and Michigan?

    I did too :-) (none / 0) (#40)
    by LoisInCo on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:46:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Hmmm... (none / 0) (#47)
    by huzzlewhat on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 04:08:54 PM EST
    Glad I'm not alone! I was feeling very cynical. :-)

    Parent
    omigosh (none / 0) (#52)
    by LCaution on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 07:15:45 PM EST
    I missed that.  Thank you. :)

    Parent
    Another Hmmmm (none / 0) (#53)
    by lentinel on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 08:17:00 PM EST
    She also took occasion to mention "the gutter" - where his politics have been as firmly rooted as his bowling ball.

    Parent
    Ummm (none / 0) (#7)
    by blogtopus on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:02:03 PM EST
    Did anyone hear the crickets near the end there?

    It was cute, but man she's got to work on her timing. :-P

    Press core not very clever (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:03:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Yeah, it could have been a bit shorter (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by ahazydelirium on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:04:48 PM EST
    but "too long" jokes happen to the best of us. It makes me like her more.

    Parent
    It also gains sympathy... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by dianem on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:13:38 PM EST
    ...from the large crowd of Americans who can't tell a joke to save their lives, but try anyway. Not that I'd know anything about being like that. Ahem.

    Parent
    She gave them enough time to remember... (none / 0) (#20)
    by Maria Garcia on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:20:14 PM EST
    ...that they don't like her.

    Parent
    Do they actually need time? [nt] (none / 0) (#32)
    by ahazydelirium on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:52:20 PM EST


    Parent
    This is how an April Fool's joke works (none / 0) (#30)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:47:02 PM EST
    Hillary told this one very well indeed. An April Fool's joke is not like, 'three guys walked into a bar, and then...'. An April Fool's joke is set up as something that's a, more or less believable, straight story - until the very end, when the narrator say "April Fools".

    Hillary nailed the joke, and wrapped it around real campaign issues. It was a two-fer.

    Parent

    The VERY deadpan delivery (5.00 / 4) (#16)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:12:14 PM EST
    fooled them all, I think.

    Plus, I think it was a poke at how idiotic the coverage of the presidential race has been so far. So in a sense, the joke was on them.

    As Stephen Colbert discovered, the press corps does not have a great sense of humor about itself.

    Parent

    been trying to decide if this is (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:05:31 PM EST
    an april fools thing:

    Linked text

    Mile-high tower: Saudi prince promises £5bn desert spire TWICE as tall as nearest rival being built

    **

    its all over the net today.

    OK... (none / 0) (#14)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:07:27 PM EST
    "Like we drill out Obama's ball and fill it with a magnet that will curve to the gutter side of the lane"

    He doesn't need any magnets.  His natural form is to throw it in the gutter.

    "get here (sic) bowling ball that will be very light to the touch, and right down the middle."

    Throwing a ball down the center in more likely to result in a split and a light ball results in less pin action than a heavier ball.

    You apparently have bowled very little in your life.  I don' think you are qualified to instruct anyone on the "pointers".

    As to other April Fool's things I've seen today, I like the flying penguins one (at the Rocky Mountain News) and the Hillary resigning one (at Politics1).  

    Yes... (none / 0) (#49)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 05:06:05 PM EST
    ...I'm sure a bowling team won the state championship four out of six years.  Who won the other two--the chess club?  

    You may be a decent bowler and have all the experience in the World, but your "pointers"  are teh fail.  

    And, we won't even get into the sexist nature of them.

    Parent

    Mean (none / 0) (#51)
    by lentinel on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 06:32:21 PM EST
    I know this is mean but - you said, "His natural form is to throw it in the gutter".

    I would say that has been the style of his whole campaign.

    Parent

    send your emails back in time (none / 0) (#19)
    by Klio on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:15:14 PM EST
    with Gmail's Custom Time

    Oh, and Fafblog is back {which may be a bit of April Foolery ....}

    Cheers,

    That was cute. (none / 0) (#22)
    by Marco21 on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:21:50 PM EST
    i hope Obama responds in a similar fashion.

    Even with this - MSNBC is Obamafried (none / 0) (#27)
    by lentinel on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 02:38:36 PM EST
    They show Clinton making her statement. Swell.

    But MSNBC doesn't want to give the impression that they might be getting a little more objective and fair when it comes to Clinton.

    So they give her a postage stamp sized picture and the rest of the screen is filled with Obama bowling.

    Ick.

    My contempt knows no bounds.

    Let's think about that (none / 0) (#34)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:09:43 PM EST
    Lentinel, MSNC put Hillary's video in a small picture and Obama's atrocious bowling in a big picture? Obama's bowling does not make him look good!

    I take that as a good sign for the future at MSNBC.

    Sure, Matthews and Olberman have done a ton of Clinton-bashing in the past. But, the way MSNBC is covering this latest development makes me believe that MSNBC, and all of their affiliates, are actually fully intent on coming around to a totally pro-Clinton perspective, starting this week. APRIL FOOLS! (Sorry, I know that was a bad joke.)

    Parent

    It's okay (none / 0) (#35)
    by nell on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:12:09 PM EST
    Because then everyone gets to see how bad Obama is at bowling. I mean, honestly, a 37??? Haha...

    If the press hated him, this could be Kerry windsurfing lite.

    Parent

    You asked about other April Fools... (none / 0) (#41)
    by alsace on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 03:49:35 PM EST
    http://www.larknews.com/march_2008/secondary.php?page=1


    That really cracked me up (none / 0) (#50)
    by shoephone on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 06:19:38 PM EST
    How she kept a straight face through that delivery I'll never know.

    37? There is such a score as 37???

    I won't say I'm the greatest bowler in the world, but my grandparents used to take me bowling as a kid. I scored a 186 was when I was 13.

    Hillary could take her act on the road here to Seattle, where we are desperately trying to save one of our last bowling alleys in the city limits from the developer's wrecking ball (Sunset Bowl in Ballard.)

    37 (none / 0) (#56)
    by Left of center on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 08:58:51 PM EST
    37? I could kick the ball down the lane and do better than that.

    Parent
    April Fools: Hillary Challenges Obama to Bowl-Off | 53 comments (53 topical)

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