"Used car salesman" is actually a very common term used to refer to politicians

[quinnox]

It has been around forever, and used in this context. So, I'm kinda surprised by all the hand wringing and shock over it, especially because it is a fairly innocuous term, used commonly and often to refer to politicians. You would think it would not make the outrage meter go to an immediate level "10"
when seeing the term, anyway.

[edbermac]

1. I love used car salesmen!

[Autumn]

2. To tell you the honest truth. I've never met a bad used car salesman.

[In_The_Wind]

7. They can't expect any repeat business if they're bad.

[treestar]

58. True, how did this stereotype start?

[Hekate]

84. Nixon and his 5o'clock shadow and glower. "Would you buy a used car from this man?"....

Implied that he looked untrustworthy, not that actual used car salesmen were. Nixon's nickname was Tricky Dick from early on -- he had a real nasty side.

[In_The_Wind]

3. One would think, anyway ...

[westerebus]

6. I'm not seeing any bacon...

just sayin..

[itsrobert]

4. It probably has more to to with the added PROFANITY?

I see you conveniently left that part out. Nice try.

[Autumn]

8. Oh!! We are still reliving the previous outrage.

Sorry, I thought it was todays outrage. Never mind.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Piece of shit, I remember that from my years in college referring to oh Reagan

and our wonderful friend Nixon. who also was called a used car salesman.

[lumpy]

50. Indeed the profanity, but what can one expect when the mud is slung against someone who is

apparently hated.

[pintobean]

5. "Fuck you, Mr. President, you piece of shit used-car salesman."

was the original quote in this OP:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

That is not a fairly innocuous term on DU for our president.

[Tx4obama]

9. And another thread link...

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024734511

... but the POS part was left off of that one.

[quinnox]

10. The OP today that is generating all the controversy leaves that part out

[pintobean]

36. It will be with him forever.

Leaving that off was a tactical move. Why let another jury have a crack at it?

[ProSense]

80. It was based on the current statement and referencing a trend. n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

21. You know what I find really interesting about that thread? I mean REALLY interesting.....

Most of the people that were actually trying to HELP him are considered 'Obamabots' by many DUers.

Many of the other folks just wanted to reflexively bash Obama without even trying to figure out what was going on in Will's situation.

[lumpy]

52. I noticed that also

[Capt. Obvious]

43. *gasp*

[ProSense]

79. The OP argument was also made for

"hall-of-fame bullshit artist"

Evidently, that is also a common reference for politicians. In fact, some will try to convince you these are terms of endearment.

[n2doc]

12. Exactly

However, it is the other adjectives (piece of…) that really stirred up this particular hornet's nest. And I don't think those should have been used, or allowed, frankly.

Unfortunately, people got really upset over that description, so when this one came along, by the same person, kaboom.

FWIW, I think ALL national pols are used car salesmen. Some are a bit more truthful than others, but they all have a bill of goods they want to sell you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Here are two examples

one for Nixon

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RichardNixonTheUsedCarSalesman

And from here our own DU,

msanger Donating Member (737 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-30-03 07:30 AM
Original message
George Bush - Used Car Salesman!
You and I know that bush is a liar, but it may be hard for the general public to accept that - in part because they seem to accept his facade, they seem to like him. Now, don't get ballistic on me, you and I know what is behind that smiling face and the back slap and giving reporters nicknames.

But it may be hard for people who are't as obssessed as you and me to see past the facade.

That is what is so wonderful about "George Bush - Used Cars Salesman." The used car salesman is a perfect fit. They appear nice and friendly and chummy AND they stab you in the back. They sell you a lemon.

So maybe we should start spreading the word about The Worlds most powerful used car salesman.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x969517

[Tx4obama]

19. That excerpt does NOT say 'PIECE OF SHIT used-car salesman'

... but in the case of Bush it should.

[CJCRANE]

23. But this is *Democratic* Underground.

We're here because we generally support Democrats, we think they're better than Republicans.

If you think both sides are the same, then you won't get that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. But, but, to claim that this is not in common practice

the horror I know, defies history.

I know you won't get that either.

By the way, peel away what offends you and DEAL WITH THE MEAT of what Will said. I bet you can't do it. And as far as the Empire is concerned, they are the same. It is the Empire stupid, and I do not care who is in the WH at that point.

[CJCRANE]

32. I never claimed it hasn't happened before. I just disagree with the tone and characterization.

If someone posts in a way that disrespects their audience they will get an adverse reaction.

There were other much more soberly written OPs that dealt with the same issue.

You think both sides are the same, I think there is a difference and so do many on here. Again, that's why we're on *Democratic* Underground.

If I thought both sides were the same I wouldn't be on a partisan message board.

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. As far as the empire is concerned, they are pretty much the same

and have been since at least 1900. You could definitively make that argument since 1945 for sure. It is called real politik, and both parties practice it, hard core.

The differences actually come in domestic policy. But foreign policy, both are committed to keeping the American Empire and dominance of the Empire over distant areas of the empire. Bush made the empire no favors, and in a way Obama should distance himself from Bush, purely to preserve that empire and dominance of the Sea Lanes. I could recommend a few books but I do not think that will be useful in your case.

As far as democratic underground, it has changed, and not for the good either.

It is to the point that many of us think twice before posting. Oh and significant materials are NOT, I repeat, NOT posted here. Hell, if we have a major natural disaster or another political scandal, while I know I will be covering them, you can go read it on CNN.

[Kali]

47. why don't you switch out your sig line?

you wouldn't have to type that in every damn post.

It is to the point that many of us think twice before posting. Oh and significant materials are NOT, I repeat, NOT posted here. Hell, if we have a major natural disaster or another political scandal, while I know I will be covering them, you can go read it on CNN.

promises, promises

[lumpy]

57. I got the MEAT of Will's post and it was a tough chew.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. Yes it is a though chew

if you do not understand how the US does foreign policy.

Real politik is a real tough chew.

[DanTex]

14. Yes, teabaggers call Obama that all the time! And worse, too!

[Tx4obama]

16. Democrats calling Obama ''piece of shit used-car salesman'' is NOT common...

... and it is something that should not be tolerated on a website that promotes voting for Democrats.

[JaneyVee]

31. Now we're defending right wing nuts on a Democratic forum?

Ugh.

[JI7]

39. was that the troll who created other threads which have now been locked

and i assume hte person banned because name has been removed also ?

i wonder which banned member that one was.

going around trying to justify attacks on Obama from so called Dems because right wingers attacked other democrats.

[joshcryer]

54. I was in the middle of calling them out for being BBIs sock.

When they got the boot.

[joshcryer]

55. oops double post

[quinnox]

33. Alright, but I'm not referring to that in my OP. The latest OP that stirred up all the controversy

only uses "used car salesman", and doesn't have that other "colorful" stuff in it.

[Tx4obama]

35. You really have to go back to what cause the controversy in the first place...

... because that is what is in everyone's head...

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

and

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024734511

[RufusTFirefly]

18. Actually, the apoplexy over the appellation was designed as a diversion

It's a key tactic of Distractivists. Anything to draw attention away from the substance of the post, which was a passionate criticism of some of the President's most disappointing (if not downright duplicitous) policies.



There's no escaping the fact that many of the President's staunchest defenders are feeling deep disappointment if not outright betrayal.

[quinnox]

22. I think you make a very interesting point

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Yes he does

and I will add, there is a reason some of us no longer post meaty essays here. This place is kind of like a bad episode of the twilight zone anymore.

[CJCRANE]

26. There were other OPs that disagreed with the President in a sober manner

and I rec'd and commented on those.

If you rant and rave and use cheap insults, some people are going to miss any serious message you have.

[DanTex]

27. More likely, the provocative language was compensation for the lack of substance in the argument.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. You just had to use that Bat Signal!!!!

Prepare to be swarmed.

(And good job)

[frylock]

42. indeed

[treestar]

60. If the post had been made more substantively

you might have a point.

If it had been stated in terms of wishing the ACA were more and the President Obama should have vetoed it as not good enough, it might have started that debate.

That's how it works, if you are going to do the equivalent of screaming and yelling you can't expect the people hearing you to be utterly polite and decorous.

[Renew Deal]

29. I'm not surprised to see certain people on your side of the argument.

[William769]

30. Unfortunately it seems like most everything is "fairly innocuous" to you. nt

[BainsBane]

66. well, that's not quite fair

It's only innocuous if it's about anyone other than himself.

[Skip Intro]

37. Used car salesmen are known for being deceptive. The label does fit Obama.

It fits many politicians. Sad but true. And it does fit Obama, on the ACA and other issues. That is reality.

Those telling you not to believe your lying ears and lying eyes, to disregard your own ability to think critically and form your own opinion, demanding instead you join their blind-faith choir, are concerned only with obscuring from your view the truth.

[quinnox]

41. I agree, and Obama is not the first or last politician to do this

It seems to be a requirement for the job these days, unfortunately.

[Skip Intro]

51. I assume that's sarcasm. n/t

[840high]

72. What the hell.......... where

did u get that from?

[840high]

78. Not going to argue - but I don't

believe that. Peace.

[adirondacker]

82. +1000. nt

[TheSarcastinator]

38. You're Obviously a Racist, Quinnox

Quite trying to excuse Will Pitt's obvious bigotry. It's quite clear his KKK sheet and hood are hidden right below the desk he uses to right all those essays that support so-called "liberal" causes.....like ending the war in Iraq.

[quinnox]

40. I applaud your sarcasm!

[Vashta Nerada]

44. And it's racist.

Or something.

[Rex]

45. From what I can translate from the current gibberish...it is NOT the term, but how many times

it is used (constant)...IS a tactic the RWing uses. Nevermind the fact that CONSTANT and 2 are not even in the same universe.

[Rex]

48. The talking point was - if one constantly says something deragatory, it is a RWing tactic.

And therefore racist. At least that is the best I can translate outrage speak.

[Nye Bevan]

53. Seriously? You didn't detect the dog-whistle?

Me neither.

[treestar]

56. usually used for candidates one is against, no?

Odd to see it for our own candidate.

[lumpy]

62. I see a lot of Carsalesmenship going on in defense of using slurs and invectives against

President Obama.

[Jesus Malverde]

61. I heard it was racist....nt

[BainsBane]

63. Yep, it's used to refer to politicians one despises

and I have no doubt some think it natural to dislike Democrats, but this is supposed to be a Democratic discussion board and some of us actually think our party is better than the GOP.
Did you see the sign on the way in? DEMOCRATIC underground, not all politicians suck underground or how to make sure Democrats stay home from the polls so that Republicans can win the Senate and White House. DEMOCRATIC Underground.

It does surprise me from that particular member. Some others it doesn't surprise me at all because when people consistently oppose women's rights and civil rights, that they work to suppress the Democratic vote and pave the way for Republican electoral victory is not unexpected. Will, however, is not one of those people, so I expect better from him. I do believe it possible to express concerns about ACA or another policy issue without insulting the president as a used care salesman. That member is capable of doing so, and I hope he chooses to think his posts out more carefully in the future.

[boston bean]

64. I think calling Obama a used car salesman on DU is over the top.

I've managed to say some things myself. But a bit of self reflection is always helpful.

Expect people to push back on it.

[quinnox]

67. Fair enough.

[hrmjustin]

65. Do you agree the president is a used car salesman?

[quinnox]

68. Let's put it this way. I am not a huge fan of Obama in terms of his presidency

I said recently in another thread I think he has been fairly mediocre as president. I do think he seems like a "cool dude", and is charismatic as heck, but he has not been a great president in my opinion.

[hrmjustin]

69. That was not what I ssked though. Do you think he is a used car salesman?

[quinnox]

70. I'm avoiding to use that term, because apparently, to my surprise, it does strike a nerve with some

people.

[hrmjustin]

71. I think people on this site are used to seeing the president criticized for his policies.

That comes with the territory. What people do not expect to see is the president they supported, campaigned for, and love/like to be addressed in a manor that he was today on this site.

That posters knew what he was doing and there should be no suprise at the reaction. One should ask why he did it if he knew he eas going to get that reaction.

[quinnox]

73. Understood. I think there are limits, but also, Pitt is a writer and knows how to use

language effectively, and so, you have to expect he is going to be provocative from time to time. I think of it as "artistic license".

[hrmjustin]

74. He can say what he wants but he hss to expect a reaction.

My question is what would the reaction be if someone else poster it.

[FiveGoodMen]

87. He's a used policy salesman.

"I've got a late-model Bush initiative to imprison or kill people without due process. You can drive it home today..."

[hrmjustin]

88. Obama?

[FiveGoodMen]

89. Missed of few years of news?

[hrmjustin]

90. No. I am sorry you feel that way.

I am not saying I wasn't disappointed st times.

[obxhead]

75. Fanboyism

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/psychology-fanboy-why-you-keep-buying-same-stuff-8C11162082

[ALBliberal]

77. It is derogatory

And should not be used unless it is meant as a clear insult. WHICH IT WAS! If I wanted to read insulting commentatory about our President I could go to so very many other sights ranging from right wing to main stream. We are better than that. We are the fact based community.

[snooper2]

81. spin worthy of karl rove

[jeff47]

83. Who will be arrested in 24 business hours. (nt)

[Bobbie Jo]

85. Good grief, the protracted defense of this garbage is just bizarre.

and sickening.

[madinmaryland]

86. There are a lot of Delicate Flowers that post on DU who are offended

by such things.