I heart Paul Begala (and maybe Carville)

Im such a sucker for Democrats that I can't remember why I thought I hated Paul Begala after reading this piece (after the jump):

By Sam Stein
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/01 /begala-calling-gop-donors_n_110272.html

Paul Begala wants to apologize for a recent email he sent to Democratic donors in which he called Republican fundraisers "fat-cats", "wimpy, whiny wussies", and "dirtbags."

"I think it was wrong for me to call those fat cat lobbyists dirtbags," said the longtime Clinton confidante. "It is an insult to bags for dirt around the world."

Begalla recently sent an email to supporters of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in which he belittled a gathering of Republican financiers as "wall to wall" fat-cats.

"The limos were lined up around the block. If you'd stood in the middle of the ballroom and yelled, 'Hey dirtbag!' a thousand necks would have snapped around," Begala wrote.

The letter drew howls of protest from the National Republican Congressional Committee, which responded by referencing Bill Clinton as "a real dirtbag," while running a fundraising pitch of its own. Senator John Cornyn, too, sought to capitalize on the remark, sending a letter to backers paraphrasing Begala's words and writing: "Ouch, that really, really hurts coming from such a stand up guy."

Begala, reached by phone, took a sort of perverse political pride in the reaction he'd engendered. Not wanting the war of words to end, the Democratic strategist offered up several colloquialisms -- "a hit dog barks," being one -- to explain the fallout. After which, he continued to weigh the merits between dirt and the Republican financiers

"A bag of dirt will have the occasional fecal matter, but generally dirt is good," he said. "I'm a gardener and I grow tomatoes. I love dirt. I should have said oil bag [when talking about GOP donors], or a chemical bag or toxic bag. After all life grows out of dirt."

Read Begala's remarks, Ken Spain, a spokesman for the NRCC, couldn't suppress a hearty giggle and promised to get back with a reaction. Shortly later, he did, offering a personalized zinger of his own.

"Paul Begala's use of words like 'dirtbag' and 'oilbag' truly exemplify why he is considered to be such a gifted and talented communicator," wrote Spain. "One only needs to look at his contributions to the literary world with books like "Buck Up, Suck Up, and Come Back when You Foul Up" to understand why Senator Hillary Clinton's nails-on-a-chalkboard message was such an immense success this primary season."

Also I saw this last night (look at 1:05) and all of a sudden I am feeling Carville again too.
I was watching this ready to start hitting my tv with a newspaper(no Im not 90, im 29) and then I heard Carville espousing strength against republicans.

Boo-Yah!



Display:


tip jar (2.00 / 2)

there are no two CNN analysts other than Carville and begala who I will make sure to hear during the course of a day


by Lakrosse on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:24:09 PM EST

Re: No tips (1.50 / 4)

It'd be nice if the diarist would take the time to learn how to spell B-E-G-A-L-A.  You know, because he's such a fan and all.....


by Xov Wonk on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:55:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No tips (none / 0)

Thanks Know Vox, so considerate of you.

Must of mixed up the spelling with that racist douchebag who used to spam and troll this site, I think his name was mike begalla,  anyways, sorry Paul.


by DemsLandslide2008 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:57:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No tips (none / 0)

Know Vox, I did appreciate the spelling fix, I Really did, so out of respect and appreciation I gave you want.

You wouldn't want to be seen helping Democrats being you want us to lose so bad.

So how is Larry in person, does he bark orders or is he more the towel snapping type?


by DemsLandslide2008 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 08:01:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Tips for Dems being badasses? (2.00 / 4)

I know this is a fluff diary, but in the end of the day I just love seeing us strong.


by DemsLandslide2008 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:24:32 PM EST

carville has been right on (2.00 / 3)

on clark.

begala is probably one of my favorite dem spokespeople on TV.

the TV loves him and he can tear someone up without looking mean on TV


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:30:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heart Paul Begalla (and maybe Carville) (2.00 / 3)

shit son! this is a hardcore [SMACKDOWN]. man. too hilarious.

"A bag of dirt will have the occasional fecal matter, but generally dirt is good,"
he quite possibly earned some of my respect today.


[touche Paul Begala. tou-fucking-che.]


by alyssa chaos on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:33:38 PM EST

Re: I heart Paul Begalla (and maybe Carville) (2.00 / 3)

Tell me about it,  these guys are political strategists.

They might be doing this because they know the way the wind blows, but hey I like that wind so it blow.

This good for youngins like me, I grew up watching Begalla and Carville on Crossfire, so its good to see them regaining some footing.


by DemsLandslide2008 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:36:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heart Paul Begalla (and maybe Carville) (2.00 / 3)

well i appreciate it sometimes when people act like complete assholes after being too afraid of offending some people.

--its somewhat refreshing when people speak openly.


by alyssa chaos on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:52:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I heart Paul Begala (and maybe Carville) (2.00 / 1)

Except for a bit of foul odor in here this was a great diary. I have loved these guys for years. And I am quite certain that they are not really concerned with the 'way the wind is blowing' these are a couple of true blue democrats. Boo yah, and they know how to kick us some repug ass.


The Moose is on the loose. "And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"
by Hollede on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:55:35 PM EST

Re: I heart Paul Begala (and maybe Carville) (2.00 / 1)

Actually, my favorite part of the exchange was this part (not included in your excerpt):

"The Bush Republicans questioned the courage of a hero like Max Cleland. They besmirched the war heroism of John Kerry. They smeared Bill Clinton, savaged Hillary, attacked Sen. Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and Howard Dean," he said. "But when I call their fat-cat funders 'dirtbags,' they cry like babies. They are wimpy, whiny wussies."

He added, "They are going to take their beating and like it, because this Democrat believes in fighting back." (emphasis mine)

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bega la-calls-republican-donors-dirtbags-2008 -06-30.html


by DPW on Wed Jul 02, 2008 at 02:08:08 AM EST


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