Obama Tells Trump To Stop Whining

[AGBF]

Obama Tells Trump To Stop "Whining" And Trying To Discredit The Election

Excerpts from an article in "The New York Times".

"WASHINGTON — President Obama said Tuesday that Donald J. Trump should 'stop whining and go try to make his case to get votes.'

Speaking at a Rose Garden news conference with Matteo Renzi, the Italian prime minister, Mr. Obama also called it 'unprecedented' for any presidential candidate to 'discredit the elections' before any votes were even cast, as Mr. Trump has done repeatedly in recent days.

(snip)

Speaking of the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power after presidential elections, Mr. Obama said, 'That’s how democracy survives.'

'I have never seen in my lifetime or in modern political history, any presidential candidate trying to discredit the elections and the election process before votes have even taken place,' Mr. Obama said. 'It’s unprecedented. It happens to be based on no facts.'"

Link...http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/19/us/politics/obama-donald-trump-election.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

 

[kenny]

... but Trump knows that that the really HOT women think that men who whine are really HOT!

It's all about getting laid.

 

[monarch64]

... but Trump knows that that the really HOT women think that men who whine are really HOT!

It's all about getting laid.

Kenny, I read the Atlantic article you posted in its own thread a couple days ago, and I'm not sure that the conquest is really what he's all about. What I gleaned from that piece is that he's more thrilled by the hunting/pursuing part of the deal. So, the actual physical act of sex or the actual job of POTUS isn't his end game. It's more about his need to make others bend to his will. I don't know if that makes sense, but it's how I interpret things regarding The Donald. Really? I feel like he's one of those guys who is all talk and can't complete the act.

 

[CJ2008]

You know, I have to be honest.

I wish Obama wouldn't stoop down to this kind of level and language. There's something about him telling him to stop whining that feels like middle school to me (even if that is exactly what Trump is doing). I think Obama is a better man than that. Or I want him to be.

I felt the same way when I watched the Frontline documentary that Kenny posted, when Obama made all those comments about Trump at that dinner. I liked the first couple of sentences/jokes, I thought they were well deserved - but when he kept going and going it made me feel differently about Obama. Even if he had every right to be fuming at Trump for the birth certificate issue. I am sure he felt insulted and hurt to the core. But I just wanted him to rise above it more. To show that he's way better than Trump in every way no matter what Trump tries to throw at him.

And there's a little part of me that feels a little fear for Obama - like...stop poking the bear. I just think Trump seems like he can be a vindictive person.

 

[momhappy]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

 

[ksinger]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And how, exactly, do you distinguish between campaigning and basic free speech? Or are you saying a president gives up that right? And is it reasonable to assume that we should write some sort of law restricting a president's free speech? How is a president speaking his mind a waste of time, energy, and resources?

Your lack of fandom for a previous president you don't like speaking his mind, is actually not a good reason, or any reason at all, to start disallowing him from doing it.

 

[AGBF]

You know, I have to be honest.

I wish Obama wouldn't stoop down to this kind of level and language. There's something about him telling him to stop whining that feels like middle school to me (even if that is exactly what Trump is doing). I think Obama is a better man than that. Or I want him to be.

I felt the same way when I watched the Frontline documentary that Kenny posted, when Obama made all those comments about Trump at that dinner. I liked the first couple of sentences/jokes, I thought they were well deserved - but when he kept going and going it made me feel differently about Obama. Even if he had every right to be fuming at Trump for the birth certificate issue. I am sure he felt insulted and hurt to the core. But I just wanted him to rise above it more. To show that he's way better than Trump in every way no matter what Trump tries to throw at him.

And there's a little part of me that feels a little fear for Obama - like...stop poking the bear. I just think Trump seems like he can be a vindictive person.

CJ-

I do not feel the fear that you do, but I hear you on the issue of Obama lowering himself to say that Trump is whining. I really do. I hear you and if it were not President Obama, but another president, I would probably agree with your assessment of the situation and think he should probably follow his wife's slogan of, "When they go low, we go high".

The thing is, that President Obama becomes folksy. He does it all the time. It is part of who he really is. I listened to the coverage of him on the radio when he first started to campaign for Hillary Clinton. One of the (very astute) commentators said that if he started dropping his "g"s we would know he was in full campaign mode. He rolled up his sleeves (this I saw on television) and started to talk to crowds about sports teams. Although he is not from the South, he sounded as if he was as he addressed crowds in the Carolinas. He was completely at home and at ease. The contrast with Secretary Clinton couldn't have been greater.

Given that it was this man, the man who spoke to those folks in the plain way that he did, who used the phrase about whining...I find it OK. But I grant you that one of the radio hosts said that day, "Who is this man? And what did they do with the President of the United States?"

AGBF

PS-Remember when he bent over and let the little black boy ruffle his hair, calling him "dude"?

 

[momhappy]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And how, exactly, do you distinguish between campaigning and basic free speech? Or are you saying a president gives up that right? And is it reasonable to assume that we should write some sort of law restricting a president's free speech? How is a president speaking his mind a waste of time, energy, and resources?

Your lack of fandom for a previous president you don't like speaking his mind, is actually not a good reason, or any reason at all, to start disallowing him from doing it.

I'm not talking about free speech, I'm talking about an incumbent ptesident actively campaigning for his successor (and you're right, that can be tough to distinguish). This isn't about Obama specifically. I was referring to any president, but the topic of this thread was Obama. I don't know the specifics, but I'd be interested to know how much money is spent (flight expenses, etc) giving Hillary/anti-Trump speeches?

 

[AGBF]

As far as Trump's motives go, for several weeks I have been hearing people speculate that Donald Trump's motive in running for President at all was to start a television company, not to become President of The United States. They further speculate that all the talk of "the rigged election" now is Trump just trying to whip up his "base" to follow him to his new media empire after he loses the election. His need for an audience has been put forward as the reason why he does not want a quiet transition of power. Apparently his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been negotiating a deal for him to buy a station. People behind the scenes say that being in television fits his background (having done the show, "The Apprentice") far more than being president. It really makes sense that he would be trying to make money rather than trying to earn a job that required actual work and many people have speculated all along that Trump really didn't want to be president.

AGBF

 

[the_mother_thing]

I am also not a fan of ANY sitting president using taxpayer dollars (e.g. AF1, Secret Service detail, etc) to campaign for any political candidate. If he/she does, the costs should entirely be paid by that candidate's campaign; not taxpayers. And I know, the prez will always have a SS detail, but it is increased significantly when they travel due to advanced logistics/planning, less secure areas requiring increased manpower, etc.

 

[ksinger]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And how, exactly, do you distinguish between campaigning and basic free speech? Or are you saying a president gives up that right? And is it reasonable to assume that we should write some sort of law restricting a president's free speech? How is a president speaking his mind a waste of time, energy, and resources?

Your lack of fandom for a previous president you don't like speaking his mind, is actually not a good reason, or any reason at all, to start disallowing him from doing it.

I'm not talking about free speech, I'm talking about an incumbent ptesident actively campaigning for his successor (and you're right, that can be tough to distinguish). This isn't about Obama specifically. I was referring to any president, but the topic of this thread was Obama. I don't know the specifics, but I'd be interested to know how much money is spent (flight expenses, etc) giving Hillary/anti-Trump speeches?

Your position ignores history, political reality, the free speech issue, and human nature, quite frankly.

One of the roles of a president is being the official head of his party. As outgoing president It's his job to stump for the party nominee, particularly in a second term, usually his veep, but as in this case, not always. They have been doing so since the very first - Washington wanted and pushed for Adams instead of Jefferson, for instance. Unless of course, you are saying you think parties themselves are the problem, but that is a whole other discussion. I confess I'm a fan of political parties. When they are working right, anyway....watching the GOP self destruct is interesting, but distressing - so messy and hard on everyone.

As for how many nickels of taxpayers' monies are spent on this activity that some think "wrong" - I suspect there is utterly ruthless accounting for every cent spent for activities of the office of the president. For instance, I know that outside of state dinners, he pays for all meals for himself and his family. That sort of thing. While periodic grousing about supposed too-costly presidential vacations IS a time-honored tradition, both those vacations and stumping for his/her party's candidate are also long tradition. While it might take a bit of searching, I suspect it's not that hard to get hold of that info for previous presidents if you really want to know.

 

[momhappy]

I'm not ignoring any of those things. Obama still has a job to do and although I would expect a certain level of endorsement, I would prefer the campaigning to take a back seat to his primary responsibilities.
This is not what they thread is about, however, so I apologize for going off-topic.

 

[Dancing Fire]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And ask HC why she didn't answer any of those 3:00 am phone calls from Benghazi calling for help.
And attack HC about her Emails and the way she talks behind the scenes.
And why Obama Care is dying by itself.
And the horrible deals with Iran and Russia.
And about his immigration policies.
And how he will create jobs for our country.
And how he will make our streets safe again.

 

[momhappy]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

 

[the_mother_thing]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

100% agree!

 

[sstephensid]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

 

[Tekate]

I am also not a fan of ANY sitting president using taxpayer dollars (e.g. AF1, Secret Service detail, etc) to campaign for any political candidate. If he/she does, the costs should entirely be paid by that candidate's campaign; not taxpayers. And I know, the prez will always have a SS detail, but it is increased significantly when they travel due to advanced logistics/planning, less secure areas requiring increased manpower, etc.

http://www.npr.org/2016/07/07/485097272/fact-check-air-force-one-who-pays
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/06/who-pays-when-president-obama-is-campaigner-in-chief.html

the conservative/tea party take:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/05/unprecedented-air-force-one-use-for-a-non-incumbent.html

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article55465890.html

 

[E B]

And ask HC why she didn't answer any of those 3:00 am phone calls from Benghazi calling for help.

Hey DF, are you ignoring info debunking this talking point, or do you choose to spread it disingenuously? Not the smartest thing to lead with.

 

[Tekate]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And ask HC why she didn't answer any of those 3:00 am phone calls from Benghazi calling for help.
http://www.factcheck.org/2016/04/trump-on-clintons-3-a-m-call/

And attack HC about her Emails and the way she talks behind the scenes.
So, you don't have a public and personal personna? you don't go home and say to the wife, Mr. XYZ is a pain in the ass? How does the republicans talk behind the scenes btw?

And why Obama Care is dying by itself.
Not quite dying, but it needs some assistance, I'd say we go full single payer system myself: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/08/is_obamacare_doomed_all_your_questions_answered.html


And the horrible deals with Iran and Russia.
What horrible deals per se?

And about his immigration policies
He has no immigration policy other than build a wall, throw the bums out etc.

And how he will create jobs for our country.
What jobs? he doesn't care about the lower end. He has not said much since he has no plan. Yes we can cut the corporate tax rate but that will only do so much.. we have technology taking jobs over daily, we need to deal with that and how to educate our population to take advantage of these types of future jobs. also it would be good to push zero population growth again.

And how he will make our streets safe again.
Why is it the federal government's job to make the streets 'safe again'? Isn't that a states job? What crime are you talking about??? http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/09/daily-chart-20

 

[kenny]

I don't mind a sitting pres campaigning.
Both parties get to do it so it's a wash.

Actually I'd prefer if the Democrats could do it, but the Republicans couldn't.

 

[Calliecake]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

The commercials for Hillary I've seen are basically Trump talking his usually nasty comments. How is it getting in the dirt if she is just showing clips from his speeches?

 

[Calliecake]

I don't mind a sitting pres campaigning.
Both parties get to do it so it's a wash.

Actually I'd prefer if the Democrats could do it, but the Republicans couldn't.

You're not alone Kenny.

I've been voting a long time and as far back as I can remember the current president campaigned for their party's nominee. It is certainly nothIng new. I remember as far back as Reagan doing it.

 

[AGBF]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

The commercials for Hillary I've seen are basically Trump talking his usually nasty comments. How is it getting in the dirt if she is just showing clips from his speeches?

It's dirt because Trump is dirty.

Didn't you understand that Hillary is supposed to keep silent about Trump's dirt and not repeat it?

Also: Trump has decreed that the victims of his assault are supposed to keep silent about Trump's assaults. Only Bill Clinton's assaults are fair game for television.

Have I helped make the rules clear?

Deb

 

[Calliecake]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

The commercials for Hillary I've seen are basically Trump talking his usually nasty comments. How is it getting in the dirt if she is just showing clips from his speeches?

It's dirt because Trump is dirty.

Didn't you understand that Hillary is supposed to keep silent about Trump's dirt and not repeat it?

Also: Trump has decreed that the victims of his assault are supposed to keep silent about Trump's assaults. Only Bill Clinton's assaults are fair game for television.

Have I helped make the rules clear?

Deb

Oh Deb, I love you. I also found it interesting listening to the interview Anderson Cooper did with Melania. It is always someone else's fault. Billy Bush egged Trump on, the woman are lying. Just seemed crazy to me. Your husband is bragging about assualting women.
Blame your damn husband, not everyone else.

 

[Dancing Fire]

If Trump had any sense at all, he'd be using these final days to talk about his policies. I think the whining is his way of setting himself up for a loss. If he loses, he can blame it on the system. I do think that they system is flawed, but him whining about it now isn't going to gain him anything. As far as Obama is concerned, I'm not a fan of a current president campaigning for the next one. It's a waste of time, energy, and resources and shouldn't be allowed IMO.

And ask HC why she didn't answer any of those 3:00 am phone calls from Benghazi calling for help.
http://www.factcheck.org/2016/04/trump-on-clintons-3-a-m-call/

And attack HC about her Emails and the way she talks behind the scenes.
So, you don't have a public and personal personna? you don't go home and say to the wife, Mr. XYZ is a pain in the a$$? How does the republicans talk behind the scenes btw?

And why Obama Care is dying by itself.
Not quite dying, but it needs some assistance, I'd say we go full single payer system myself: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2016/08/is_obamacare_doomed_all_your_questions_answered.html


And the horrible deals with Iran and Russia.
What horrible deals per se?

And about his immigration policies
He has no immigration policy other than build a wall, throw the bums out etc.

And how he will create jobs for our country.
What jobs? he doesn't care about the lower end. He has not said much since he has no plan. Yes we can cut the corporate tax rate but that will only do so much.. we have technology taking jobs over daily, we need to deal with that and how to educate our population to take advantage of these types of future jobs. also it would be good to push zero population growth again.

And how he will make our streets safe again.
Why is it the federal government's job to make the streets 'safe again'? Isn't that a states job? What crime are you talking about??? http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/09/daily-chart-20

I love the Dems. they'll protect their party at all cause...

 

[momhappy]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

No, that's basically it.
Most of the Clinton commercials I see focus on Trump/Trump's campaign. Whereas, most of the Trump commercials I see focus on his own campaign.
I've never said that Hillary should stay silent, but I prefer to see more positivity (focusing on your own campaign) than negativity (attacking your opponent). Maybe that's just a personal preference.

 

[Arcadian]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

This is apparently the year of the clown. Just hoping the next 4 years will be uneventful and quick.

 

[ksinger]

I don't mind a sitting pres campaigning.
Both parties get to do it so it's a wash.

Actually I'd prefer if the Democrats could do it, but the Republicans couldn't. :Up_to_something:

You're not alone Kenny.

I've been voting a long time and as far back as I can remember the current president campaigned for their party's nominee. It is certainly nothIng new. I remember as far back as Reagan doing it.

As I noted above, a sitting president stumping for his chosen predecessor has been going on since the founding of the country.

And Kenny, spoken like a true politician - wanting an advantage the opposition doesn't have.

 

[AGBF]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

No, that's basically it.
Most of the Clinton commercials I see focus on Trump/Trump's campaign. Whereas, most of the Trump commercials I see focus on his own campaign.

SOMEONE has show Trump's words up to the public for what they are. When you see Trump's words in Hillary's commercials you say you are sick and could vomit. It isn't her job to show "positivity" and to be "Pollyanna". It is her job to enlighten the electorate about who she is and who her opponent is. You object to that because seeing it makes you want to vomit. But that is secretary Clinton's job when her opponent is saying things that she can quote that make people vomit: to make the electorate see what he really thinks and says!

AGBF

 

[ksinger]

^If he stopped whining and focused instead on those things that got him where he is (like his immigration policies for example), then he'd be much better off. He won't though. He'll keep pointing fingers, calling names, and whining.... Nobody wants to hear it any more. Focus on the damn issues and how you plan to improve things The same goes for Hillary. I'm so sick of her nasty campaign commercials, I could vomit In the last debate, she talked about how she takes the high road.....what a load of BS.....she's right there in the ditch with Trump. I can't believe that we're stuck with these two clowns

I dvr most shows, so I haven't seen all of her commercials. The ones I have seen are videos/audio clips of Trump. Is she doing more than using his words against him?

No, that's basically it.
Most of the Clinton commercials I see focus on Trump/Trump's campaign. Whereas, most of the Trump commercials I see focus on his own campaign.

SOMEONE has show Trump's words up to the public for what they are. When you see Trump's words in Hillary's commercials you say you are sick and could vomit. It isn't her job to show "positivity" and to be "Pollyanna". It is her job to enlighten the electorate about who she is and who her opponent is. You object to that because seeing it makes you want to vomit. But that is secretary Clinton's job when her opponent is saying things that she can quote that make people vomit: to make the electorate see what he really thinks and says!

AGBF

Indeed. She would have to be a fool - and she is most definitely not that - to not take the gigantic club of his own words, and beat him over the head with it.

This is politics, not high tea.