Matt Drudge is famous for his ability to stir up controversy just by posting something on the Drudge Report. But Tuesday night’s much-hyped release of a 2007 speech by then-Sen. Barack Obama fell flat.
The Hampton University speech, given when Obama was a presidential candidate, was widely covered in the press at the time. His praise of Pastor Jeremiah Wright as a “friend and great leader” was included in that video; Politico called it one of the “top eight gaffes” of the 2008 campaign.
While Drudge, Fox News’ Sean Hannity and the Daily Caller website trumpeted the video, it’s gotten a skeptical reception even from Republicans.
“What’s the ‘So what’ of this video?” asked Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) on Fox News. “I don’t think it’s going to really go anywhere.”
Fox News host Greta van Susteren was skeptical, telling Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, “I think his record has a far greater impact than what he said in 2007, but I could be wrong.”
The Romney campaign, which in recent weeks highlighted a 1998 video in which Obama talked about government “redistribution,” has ignored the release and denied any involvement.
Gingrich argued that the tape has “some impact,” although a few minutes later he added, “I don’t think this particular speech is definitive.” He compared it to President Joe Biden’s “chains” comment, which Republicans greeted with far more enthusiasm.
“Not quite a yawn, but no game-changer,” wrote National Review’s Jim Geraghty. Other conservatives suggested the video could have had an impact in the 2008 primary, had it gotten more coverage.
The Daily Caller website highlighted Obama’s comment that the federal government was not doing enough in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “Tells me that somehow, the people down in New Orleans, they don’t care about as much!” he said. That comment was not in Obama’s prepared remarks. But it also doesn’t appear to be having much impact.
The Hampton University speech, given when Obama was a presidential candidate, was widely covered in the press at the time. His praise of Pastor Jeremiah Wright as a “friend and great leader” was included in that video; Politico called it one of the “top eight gaffes” of the 2008 campaign.
While Drudge, Fox News’ Sean Hannity and the Daily Caller website trumpeted the video, it’s gotten a skeptical reception even from Republicans.
“What’s the ‘So what’ of this video?” asked Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) on Fox News. “I don’t think it’s going to really go anywhere.”
Fox News host Greta van Susteren was skeptical, telling Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, “I think his record has a far greater impact than what he said in 2007, but I could be wrong.”
The Romney campaign, which in recent weeks highlighted a 1998 video in which Obama talked about government “redistribution,” has ignored the release and denied any involvement.
Gingrich argued that the tape has “some impact,” although a few minutes later he added, “I don’t think this particular speech is definitive.” He compared it to President Joe Biden’s “chains” comment, which Republicans greeted with far more enthusiasm.
“Not quite a yawn, but no game-changer,” wrote National Review’s Jim Geraghty. Other conservatives suggested the video could have had an impact in the 2008 primary, had it gotten more coverage.
The Daily Caller website highlighted Obama’s comment that the federal government was not doing enough in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “Tells me that somehow, the people down in New Orleans, they don’t care about as much!” he said. That comment was not in Obama’s prepared remarks. But it also doesn’t appear to be having much impact.