Politicker » Sam Youngman

Paul Ryan Calls Obama China’s ‘Doorman’ ‘Doormat’

Hunter Walker — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:33:17 -0400

Paul Ryan (Photo: Getty)

The latest campaign controversy to rock this election's 24-second news cycle came after Reuters campaign correspondent Sam Youngman wrote on Twitter that Paul Ryan "said that even though potus said he would crack down on China 'they're treating him like a doorman'" at an event in Ohio. The quote was also picked up by Politico's Juana Summers, however it quickly became clear that Mr. Ryan actually called President Barack Obama China's "doormat," a phrase which, while still insulting, is far less racially charged.

Mr. Youngman quickly corrected himself as his tweet began to go viral.

"My mistake. In the auditorium, it sounded like doorman. And yeah, doormat makes more sense. Apologies," he wrote. "I REPEAT: IT WAS DOORMAT. IT SOUNDED LIKE DOORMAN IN PERSON. I AM SORRY."

According to Buzzfeed's Zeke Miller, who also attended the event, Mr. Ryan made his "doormat" comment while accusing Obama of failing on his vow to "go to the mat with China."

"Free trade is a powerful tool for peace and prosperity, but our trading partners need to play by the rules," Mr. Ryan said. "This challenge focuses on China. They steal our intellectual property rights, they block access to their markets, they manipulate their currency. President Obama promised he would stop these practices. He said he'd go to the mat with China, instead they are treating him like a doormat."

As for Mr. Youngman, the rapid flub flap apparently made him want to take his ball and go home.

"I think that's gonna do it for me and twitter today. Y'all are an unforgiving bunch," he wrote.

Tweets From The Trail: Déja Vu All Over Again

Hunter Walker — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:33:32 -0400

Today, political types experienced déja vu and marveled at Al Sharpton's weight loss. Here’s our roundup of the day’s best Tweets from the campaign trail.

According to Buzzfeed's Andrew Kaczynski, Newt Gingrich is very impressed with Al Sharpton's figure.

Newt Gingrich tells Al Shaprton he is awe struck about how much weight he has lost.
—
Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) June 12, 2012

TV appearances by Mr. Gingrich and Rick Santorum gave Politico's Jennifer Epstein a bad case of déja vu.

looks like three months ago: Gingrich on one channel, Santorum on another
—
Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) June 12, 2012

Reuters reporter Sam Youngman took note of a connection between the location of a Mitt Romney fundraiser in Florida and an infamous sports scandal.

Romney's fundraiser is in the same hood where Tiger was trapped in his SUV after hitting hydrant. Saintly (ex)wife freed him with an iron
—
Sam Youngman (@samyoungman) June 12, 2012

Senator John McCain hoped his Tweets about the Farm Bill would elicit a wide variety of emotions from readers.

Coming tomorrow: I'll tweet Top 10 pork projects in the #FarmBill - you won't know whether to laugh or cry!
—
John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 12, 2012

Lastly, this one is from yesterday, but it is just too good not to include. California Congressman Darrell Issa is apparently a Sex Pistols fan.

@BillTrack50 I'm only pro anarchy of it's "Anarchy in the UK"
—
Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) June 11, 2012

Tweets From The Trail: Viva Las Vegas

Hunter Walker — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:46:22 -0400

Today, political types were chatting about Bob Dylan tunes and fear and loathing at Donald Trump's Vegas fundraiser. Here’s our roundup of the day’s best Tweets from the campaign trail.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom presentation had New York Post editorial writer Robert George singing a few bars of "Like a Rolling Stone."

Question everyone wants to ask Bob Dylan after he received Presidential Medal of Freedom? "How does it FEEL...?" nyti.ms/LCRflz
—
Robert A George (@RobGeorge) May 29, 2012

Reuters reporter Sam Youngman was in the press pool for Mitt Romney's fundraiser in Bat Country.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the birtherism began to take hold.
—
Sam Youngman (@samyoungman) May 29, 2012

Politico's Alex Burns mused about the White House's response to Donald Trump raising questions about the president's citizenship.

"criticizes, is thrilled by" RT @politico: More from @dylanbyers -- White House criticizes Donald Trump coverage: politi.co/KUhnH9
—
Alex Burns (@aburnspolitico) May 29, 2012

Talking Points Memo reporter Benjy Sarlin accused Mr. Trump of bogarting the news cycle.

Mitt Romney: Let's talk about education. Trump: INTERCEPTED
—
Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) May 29, 2012

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley corresponded with a constituent.

@tmkrause
—
(@ChuckGrassley) May 29, 2012

(Disclosure: Donald Trump is the father in law of Jared Kushner, the owner of Observer Media Group)

Tweets From The Trail: Luke Russert Learns a Valuable Lesson

Hunter Walker — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:19:28 -0400

Luke Russert (Photo: Facebook)

Today, political types were focused on mastering the English language, reading up on Ron Paul and dubious honors. Here’s our roundup of the day’s best Tweets from the campaign trail.

NBC News reporter/heir Luke Russert made an exciting discovery.

The New York State Senate honored the mascot of baseball's worst team.

ABC newsman Jake Tapper sang a few bars.

New York Daily News editor Tracy Connor was reminded of Mitt Romney's canine controversy while reading the police blotter.

Rupert Murdoch came to an interesting, somewhat unintelligible conclusion after reading about Ron Paul.

Reuters reporter Sam Youngman had a tough time while following Mitt Romney on the campaign trail in Michigan.