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Grow a Pair, Obama
Alex Brandon / AP Photo
In a Daily Beast exclusive, Larry Flynt, the notorious publisher of Hustler magazine, tells the president to toughen up, keep his campaign promises, and start whacking the Republicans.
President Obama:
You have proven to be a great campaigner. You have yet to demonstrate your ability to govern. Who needs the Republicans? They don’t know what compromise is. They’re just out to derail your presidency. Bitch slap ’em at every opportunity and put them in their place. They lost; you didn’t.
You need some gonads, Mr. President, and if you don’t have any, as Hillary would say, you’d better grow some.
As for disloyal Democrats, you need to yank the carpet out from under them. Remind them that their survival is dependent upon yours. Don’t pull punches, Mr. President. You need some gonads, and if you don’t have any, as Hillary would say, you’d better grow some.
You have failed to keep many campaign promises. You’ve ignored civil-liberty violations such as warrantless wiretapping. You passed a stimulus package that is obviously full of pork for Democrats. You handed over billions more in taxpayer dollars to crooked bankers. You listened to the very people who created our economic meltdown, the Mutt and Jeff team of Larry Summers and Tim Geithner. You’ve let the insurance lobbyists hijack health-care reform to the detriment of every man, woman, and child in America.
You must say what you mean and mean what you say. Closing Guantanamo means just that. You could do it right now, Mr. President. You don’t have to wait until January. You can place terrorist suspects in the federal correctional system without creating any risk to our citizens.
You’re a nice guy. Everybody likes nice guys. Sometimes they finish last. You don’t want that, and neither do those of us who voted you in.
The American people have placed their future in your hands. For heaven’s sake don’t let them down. Don’t let yourself down.
Larry Flynt
Publisher, Hustler magazine
John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
The Right Dumps Carrie
Jacob Bernstein is a senior reporter at The Daily Beast. Previously, he was a features writer at WWD and W Magazine. He has also written for New York magazine, Paper, and The Huffington Post.
Geithner's Stock Plummeting
Jeff Madrick is a contributor to the New York Review of Books and a former economics columnist for the New York Times. He is editor of Challenge Magazine, visiting professor of humanities at Cooper Union, and senior fellow at the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis. He is the author of Taking America, The End of Affluence (Random House) and The Case for Big Government.
i second that, mr. flynt. btw, love your work.
ghettosavant,
I second that, too. very honest appraisal.
Lay down the law huh????? You want a dictatorship do you Chicago48?
I agree Larry. He's trying to much to be everyman and he needs to lay down the law.
Well written. Succinct. Dead on. Perfect.
Quite true.
Agree.
you forget the primary.......remember rope a dope........he floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee.......
I can't tell you how much it pains me to say that I agree with the loathesome Mr. Flynt.
I know, me too.
Tell it like it is MR. Flynt. You are an all-American hero.Be like LBJ. He'd call in his party or the opposite and tell them he would destroy them if they did not tow the line.That's how the war on poverty got taken on.
Quite refreshing.
While I wouldn't use "salty" language to address the President, I must admit I love the pithy and painfully accurate analysis put forth by Mr. Flynt.
Surprisingly great commentary Mr. Flynt. I agree that our President has everything he needs to pave his own agenda. I just wish he would sometimes ... like say now with healthcare.
WOW!! How grateful Barry must feel tonight, as he slugs back a few Buds, to receive the advice of the King of Smut. That may not bode well for poll ratings from women, who have been nothing but objectifide by this troll.
Another arrogant ass who would do well to keep him mouth shut if he truly supports this President.
I don't know
Carole-
After reading this
I think I heart Larry Flynt.
Wise choice Ritarita.
hah ah ah ahah h ah aaa
Hey, Carole 65, you only wish you could be in Hustler. You don't have any right to call Larry Flynt an arrogant ass, you have no idea in regard to the principles he has stood up for, and fought for, and paid a price for. Take a walk in his shoes. If you dare.
"the principles he has stood for"..... ha, good one. I would be so proud to have Larry Flint speak for my party. You nimwits should be so proud. I am laughing because this very website is trying to make Senator Inhofe look bad while trying to pimp Mr. Flint. Unbelievable!!!!
Your problem
Inhofe is a kook and should not even be in Congress. Larry Flynt's letter was right on target. Obama should grow a pair and do what he said he was going to do. The time is NOW Mr. Prez.
"The principles he has stood up for and fought for, and paid the price for"........
Everyone has his or her standards, and Larry Flint doesn't represent mine. Nor would I think he represents the President's, as does Rev. Wright not represent the President's idea of morality.
Just saying that I don't think this is an endorsement I would want, as a President, at a time when my poll ratings are dropping....
By the way, I think the President's family refers to him as Barry, just as William Jefferson Clinton is referred to as Bill.
Arrogant ass?, Carole, more than just a difference of opinion on your part with your language. Never mind your bizarre strict judgments. And whatever you think of Larry Flynt's morality has zero to do with his plea to President Obama. I think the President is capable of making that distinction, unlike you. Barry-- rather intimate for someone like you to feel so privy to address this President--. sounds downright disrespectful coming from you.. My opinion. Morality was not a Rev. Wright issue, it was his hostility that was called into question, which Rev. Wright, as you would put it, owns.
And Carole, I called dozens of people like you in red states before the election and all of you wanted to talk about complaints like you have before asserting your vote for another. It did not work.
please xplain what principles a porn mag publisher has.You are a great example of what trash our country has turned into.
mcap
I am not trash. I value free speech. The hypocrites who tried to bring down the presidency of Pres. Clinton were a target of Mr. Flynt's. Perhaps you don't get him, and can only think of him as reflected in your nasty, dirty minds eye.
And please try to refrain from referring to President Obama as "Barry" It is getting so stale.
Well, if Barry is content with the lecture from that paragon of virtue, he's welcome to it. Maybe it will be the oomph he needs to stop talking and start doing....
In the meantime, you may want to lighten up a little. That hidden anger is so unbecoming, dontcha know
There is nothing to hide from you, carole, you betcha.
Carole65
Don't discount a message just because you dislike the messenger. Just because someones views don't match with your own doesn't mean the message isn't valid.
I just hope you don't have a problem with firemen when they tell you to evacuate a burning building
crngndmhm - Of course, you're right. If it were me in the President's position, I would be cringing from a lecture and endorsement from the king of smut. That's just me.......
No, I sure wouldn't have a problem of a fireman telling me to evacuate a burning building. Nor would I have a problem with a policeman investigating a possible break-in at my house. Don't quite see the relevance to this topic, however..........
For some reason, the wingnuts have determined that the nickname "Barry" is a pejorative. Who knows how their minds work?
Objectifying women like paying them good money to voluntarily and willfully doing something that they want to? Maybe you should worry about yourself.
Whatever you may think about Mr. Flynt personally, when he's right, he's right. He didn't say one wrong thing here!
Carole65!!!!
Yourrrr showing UR ignorance Larry may have a business you don't like for whatever reason, but Larry Has been an Advocate for free speech, and as for him keeping his mouth SHUT HELL NO!!! Larry, if you read this Push him into his Promises!!!! Torture, Spying on innocent citizens isn't any JOKE! Nixon is an alterboy compared to George Bush jr.
Larry Flynt took .44 slugs for daring to exercise the 1st amendment. Arrogant ass? Have you ever been anything besides an angry, castrating ballbuster? Or were you born that way?
Agreed. I've been thinking the same thing for months. Obama does need to grow a few and keep his campaign promises. So far, nothing has changed.
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Larry Flint, a man who has profitted greatly of the exploitation of women has it right? Why is it that every degenerate successful person in the U.S supports Obama.
i'm a degenrate success
i live in the usa
i don't support obama
guess you have to do a rewrite...
oh
i left something out
dick
Exploitation? Of what? Women who WILLFULLY pose nude for money? Mr. Flynt has fought to de-stigmatize sex. Kudos to him for it and all the women who pose in Hustler who realize people are allowed to feel sexy and show it off (that includes males) in an appropriate manner. The only degenerates here are the people who insist on holding back this country from prospering socially and keeping it in the dark ages of thinking.
Not that his character has anything to do with the issue at hand. Facts are facts. Deal.
I sent a copy
To the White House.
Yes I did.
BRAVO and good for you.................I would have if i had printing facility
go to whitehouse.gov and tell them to read it.if we all do it, they will get the message and Emanuel will stop preventing Obama to do the right thing
<3 Rita
Good job, Rita!
Larry Flynt, you are amazing ! And I am a woman. You have lived a true life, and that is the best life. I still have a copy of your ad from the Washington Post where you challenged certain important people on their untruthfulness. Bless your heart.
Obama was elected as an incompetent and inexperienced president so he will remain incompetent and inexperienced even with so many gonads. Didn't Biden and Hillary during the primary said that OBAMA IS NAIVE,INEXPERIENCED AND NOT FIT TO BE COMMANDER-IN -CHIEF ? Obama is anti-everything and is an all-around racist. Obama is anti-military,anti-cop,anti-America,anti-white,anti-US veteran and anti-CIA. Obama is a traitor ,an islamic sympathizer,militarily and economically incompetent.
And you are a drooling, mouth-breathing idiot who gets all of his talking points from Fox News and none from inedpendent thinking.
Yes. Certainly. Because if something swims, quacks, and flys like a duck, should you call it that, you are a drooling, mouth-breathing idiot who gets all of his talking points from Fox News and not from simple deduction.
Bravo.
@mahalapril: And you're a dumb fuck. See how I can just say whatever I want too? Everything you posted is sheer drivel. Get bent.
Yes but the Dem candidates claims and the Republican's derision looked ridiculous in light of the country having been run by GWB for two terms, Arnold being elected to Governor, etc. -- clearly it doesn't take experience or demonstrated executive wisdom to make someone an electable leader.
And while Obama didn't have experience he seemed by far the most mature of the candidates by focusing on the what was right for people, avoiding attacks on the level of viciousness of his opponents. It made him look the adult in a sea of nasty teens.
This is a country that votes celebrities and familiar dynasty names to the highest offices over and over. We're not real demanding for true wisdom.
I agree that Obama has a lot to learn about executive leadership. I also think he is a smart man who absorbs what is happening in his environment and adapts...and he'll learn. He's making the tough transition from a leading conciliator to a an executive leader.
You forgot to add the parts about being a gay Kenyan, Nazi, Communist and the anti-Christ.
Mr. Flynt,
Well said.
I agree 100%.
If President Obama is going to have any "Lyndon Johnson" moments, damnit, start having a few now!
I AGREE 100%.......................BRAVO LARRY
I really wish posters would not refer to President Obama as "Barry".
President Barry
Dickhead Matt
I am disappointed Ritarita
But you're young
Matty-
You'll get over it.
I like this guy's attitude, his honesty and the advices he gave Obama, especially about not fearing to kick those Republican butts when they deserve it, and God knows they deserve it. They don't really want what's best for the country - they want the worst for Obama, at any cost.
I have no doubt that these dim-witted mutants wouldn't mind one bit if a disaster would befall America, even with American lives lost as a result, if that would hurt Obama and could damage his presidency. These psychologically-disturbed bozos are mere immoral and deranged ideologues and demagogues. They hate his guts, no matter what he says or does, and that is not going to change - for most of them at least.
OK, so Obama isn't perfect, but who for God's sake is? I may question, and had my share of reservations about some of his policies and decisions, but I have no doubt that his heart was always in the right place, more than I can say about those fanatic nutjobs, who have no regard for their own party and its comatose condition, and even less for their own country. Let's not forget that Obama is a politician after all, albeit a nice one, and when dealing with other politicians, especially the worst and most despicable kind, he has no choice sometimes but to play the game, as a politician, as it is played, in order to win and implement his policies and plans. But, all that aside, he is as good, as clean and as honest with his intentions as they come. What the republicans offer in return, other than outright lies and pathetic conspiracy theories, in terms of leadership, intelligence, vision and ideas that make sense, leaves much to be desired. They simply got nothing to offer America, and haven't in a long time; they are devoid and vacant of anything of substance, while Obama does - and they know and hate that, whether those who hate him like it or not.
History will speak of Obama as a great president who tried hard, worked hard and really wanted to fix the mountain of internal and external disasters left for him to sort out and clean up by the worst administration in the US' history.
Well said.
Excellent post!
i like also what you wrote here...........OBAMA is a good person and wants to do good..............but Mr Flynt gave great advice.. and now that he has, OBAMA must follow his advice., without fear.
Excellent follow up Wmaatah.....Larry Flynt nailed it well, but you did a good job finishing it off. I think we need to send the URL of this piece to the White House and let President Obama and his team read and re-read this piece of advices from concerned supporters. They can print and pin it up on their office wall for encouragement when they feel down and frustrated by the republicans. Just as Larry pointed it out about the republicans : "They don't know what compromise is. They're just out to derail your presidency." And they will do it by any means necessary, whether it means dragging the whole country into a deeper ditch the second time. They care less because all they want to say in the end is The Obama Administration is a Mess. That's their ultimate goal. period.
If the Obama administration don't give the republicans a black eye, they are gonna give them a bruised and bleeding nose. That simple.%u3000The Republicans got absolutely nothing to lose right now, but the Obama administration got everything to lose if they keep listening and waiting for a republican answer to any major problem facing this country. They Blue stubborn Democrats should realize that too because in the end, the Democratic party carries the blame. But in the end, its Obama who has to twist some arms and throw in some nasty jabs and in there sometimes at certain individuals to get things done. Some media and radio shows will try to twist things and miss-quote and take sand bites off course, but in the end things get done, your way.
wmaaytah: Why don't you go buy some pom poms and a mini skirt. You need to invest in some chapstick because your lips must be awfully chapped from kissing O's butt all day. You completely side stepped everything objective for the sake of partisan politics. I like Obama as a person. I would love to have a beer with him and chat all things politics, but I don't agree with his politics on much. Because people disagree with him doesn't mean they are "psychologically- disturbed bozos", but that is the only defense you psycho liberals can do is resort to juvenile name calling.
I agree, Obama isn't perfect, but either was George Bush and I'm sure you slammed some good hate-filled diatribe toward him didn't you? I feel sorry for you that you hate a good debate or anyone who disagrees with you. What a said, peace of crap life it must be.
I love it when a bunch of nutjob liberals start thinking Larry Flint should be on the White House council. You are all too stupid and too partisan to realize that you will completely alienate moderates with Larry Flint advice. You alienate moderates and you can kiss your ass good-bye in 2010. Keep it up though, good entertainment.
I can see that I touched a personal nerve in you that prompted you to reply with the grace, intelligence and eloquence Obama haters and right wing nutjobs are graced with and famous for. Hate the guy all you want, you and your backward buddies, for he's your President, the thought of which kills you - I know - a President that has gained the respect and admiration of the whole world, like no other US President before him, after your beloved previous administration, which I have no doubt you cherished and admired, has brought contempt, shame and disgrace to this country form every corner of the globe, not to mention having brought it to its economic and financial knees, also.
As a matter of fact, you and your alikes don't deserve, by a long shot, a President like Obama, as I'm sure you'd be more at home and comfortable with a president like Bush, with whom you share the same brilliant intellect, wisdom and values. I'll go out on a limb and bet that you are an avid follower and admirer of Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck and that you don't think he's an American citizen either. God save America from those crazies and from what they are capable of doing - for they are capable of much insanity, beyond what sane people can imagine.
What an amazing post -- 1st you say "the only defense you psycho liberals can do is resort to juvenile name calling." then go on to say "What a said, peace of crap life it must be." and "bunch of nutjob liberals" and "You are all too stupid and too partisan" Huh?? YOU complain about name calling? what a brain you must have.. BTW I guess with your BIG brain you meant "what a sad" instead of the posted "what a said"
"History will speak of Obama as a great president who tried hard, worked hard and really wanted to fix the mountain of internal and external disasters left for him to sort out and clean up by the worst administration in the US' history."
Just like Jimmy Carter.
larry flynt
what a complex of interesting...
Sadly, you cannot grasp your own post.
just washed my hands
still soapy...
I see you
Finally found
The bong.
yap
i use a ballpeen hammer on my skull cap
it does make a bong sound
and comes with bonus visuals
purple floating spheres...
what's with the stanza format for posts? i feel like i'm reading a haiku or something. i'm all for poetic license, and i generally agree with your sentiment, so i mean no disrespect. it's just that generally it has no flow - i stop at the end of every line, start over at the next and it's just a jarring reading experience. like being in stop and go traffic in rush hour - gas, brake, gas, brake, gas, brake... maybe you're posting from a mobile phone or other small format? or maybe i should just appreciate the brevity and sometimes interesting duality of conceptual meaning that comes across either by accident or intentionally. :-)
Whitebread-
It's yours
To do with
As you wish.
YAWN!!
Another article from another know-nothing who thinks they can do a better job than Obama. All the while dissing his genitalia. Heard the same thing during the primaries and during the general election and each time Obama made his critics eat their own words.
Perhaps you know nothing about Mr. Flynt, and his experiences in regard to dealings with the US GOV'T in regard to the US Constitution. Your probably have a gun stash, yes?
neverbeenthere: right, Mr. Flint is all things constitutional. I'm sure you don't have a gun stash, but a porn stash....yes?
No porn stash, no , and no gun stash. dullthinker.
Mr. Flynt is not a critic.
Mr FLYNT is a REAL and TRUE FRIEND of Obama and AMERICA
and he is absolutely right.
LOOK at how the REPUBLICANS have become ARROGANT AGAIN !!
clarification was not being critical of Pres. Obama, but supportive.
Sorry, al, but I think you missed the point of Mr. Flynt's article.
I don't think he came across as thinking he could do a better job than Obama, and I don't think he was dissing his genitalia either. Mr. Flynt was being his brutally honest self. He wanted to remind Obama to stick to his pre-election promises and not back down to the bullying hard-right, no matter what.
Conservatives will do whatever it takes to bring Obama down, regardless of how it looks (and then blame it on the left). They will do what they can to make him look like a fool, twist the truth, and increase the wedge between the have and have-nots.
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I agree. He needs to use the brass knuckles on these people. I'd be very happy to help in any way I can. I don't mind at all.
the Grand Old Party was hijacked
bent, twisted and shaped into
the Great Organized Plunder
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO mr FLYNT.
Obama needs COURAGE...............HOW COULD HE LET US DOWN ?????
COURAGE is more important than AUDACITY.........
I am supporter of OBAMA the campaigner............do not allow the REPUBLICANS to KILL YOUR PRESIDENCY. and OUR MOVEMENT.
DO NOT BETRAY US.........the people who voted you in.
You have given too much to the other side.
You need a second stimulus for JOBS and HOME foreclosures.................THE only thing you have to FEAR is FEAR ITSELF.!!!!
Come on BARACK..................You can do it.
Give us a BREAK with the CAPS, Ok?
Obama needs to start giving speeches like FDR did in 1936 at Madison Square Garden--the Republicans are pure scum, and that's the end of it.
"We have not come this far without a struggle and I assure you we cannot go further without a struggle.
For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.
For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.
We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace%u2039business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.
They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.
Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me%u2039and I welcome their hatred.
I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it the forces of selfishness and of lust for power met their match. I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master."
--FDR, 1936
WOW! Change a few little things and this speech would be very accurate today!
"Republicans are pure scum"... yes, off with their heads. Man, we're getting closer and closer to becoming France by the day. It took FDR 13 years and a war to get out of the depression.
By the way, we had to nuke Japan to finally end the war. A Democrat nuked Japan killing thousands of innocent people. Sorry, just the facts. I think we should have a hearing to investigate war crimes against Truman. What do you think? Did you hear that a Democrat took us into Vietnam? Just wondering.
So you're suggesting that the GOP abandon their keystone argument about Democrats being weak on national security and the military, then?
Just wondering.
Eisenhower sent the 1st US troops to 'Nam - - get your facts right.
Along with a pair of balls, a backbone would come in handy, for both the President and the so-called Progressive Democrats in Congress. That is a pair plus one backbone EACH! Perhaps the problem is that they have been thinking they could share the nessecities of life...
BTW, I too am a woman. No one should be afraid of a little straight talk among friends. We get all twisted up in euphemisms rather than telling it the way it really is. Of course, it is even more important with your enemies. No way do you want them misunderstanding your intentions.
" I am asking you to BELIEVE...not just in my ability to bring about REAL CHANGE in Washington............I am asking you to believe in yours "
these YOUR own WORDS on the BARACKOBAMA.com website................
PLEASE Mr PRESIDENT...........where has your ability to bring REAL CHANGE in WAHINGTON gone ????
are YOU INTIMIDATED ?
No, just controlled.
Larry Flynt's sleaze kingdom set aside, he does have a point. I voted for Obama for a variety of reasons, which can be summed in that Obama claims to be able to take care of the people's business rather than that of the powers. Perhaps naive of me, but that is my expectation.
Even so, he seems a little OCD about the community organizer approach to problem resolution (like his No Chump without a Beer program). So this might just be the style that we are stuck with.
Could you elaborate on what you mean by "OBama can take care of people's business rather than that of the powers"? This sounds an awful lot like you think Obama should be the King and dictator of us all and if that's what you meant than I wonder how you call yourself an American.
Taking care of the people's business? Useful education, health care, national defense, private sector jobs, individual civil liberties, freedom from the tyranny of the majority, national highway system, energy independence, that sort of thing.
Perhaps you are projecting your own feelings that the United States requires a king or dictator manage the country, since I mentioned neither one. Personally, I think a popularly elected president and congress can take of things, admittedly at an efficiency level that is not optimal but reflective of the cost of having a representational democracy.
If you feel otherwise, I will caution you that God himself (through one of the prophets) warned the Israelites that kings don't work out, back in the ancient days when they decided that the judges weren't working out and wanted a king like all the other countries.
As for calling myself an American, wonder all you want. I did not refer to myself as an American nor did I deny it. All sorts of people call themselves Americans, which of course they are at liberty to do so.
FINALLY...proof that we buy these magazines for the articles.
They said that we were just going to go blind.
Thank You Larry Flynt..I've always admired your ability to bring the truth out and tell it like it is...you've paid a high price for your honesty....Hope to see you on CNN or MSNBC tomorrow night....
I admire Larry Flynt for being Larry Flynt.
I prefer him to the scum who have sex with women other than their wives then return to C Street to pray together.
For sure!
Plus, one thing about Larry F, he started Hustler because he felt that Playboy was Mickey Mousing sex (my words). Whatever anyone else wants to say about him, the guy is honest and true to his convictions...and on this subject he is also 100% right!
Think The People v Larry Flynt was a pretty fair representation by Hollywood on his life if I may dare to say.
You are so right!!
Excellent pt Granite!
Excellent comment.
Americans want to believe their President can win any battle.
And Larry Flynt is right. When that woman asked Obama if the government was really planning to send people out to ask old people how they wanted to die, he should have said clearly and without hesitation that it was a lie put out by the insurance industry. And then he could have gone on to point out that the nonsense the Republicans are spewing is written directly by insurance industry hacks.
Obama needs to satisfy the passive/aggressive little weenies calls themselves "Independents," but that doesn't mean sugar coating the way one calls a liar a liar.
Americans want to believe in the Presidential Magic Wand.
Thank you.
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