OPINION | Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those held by Sarah Palin.
Enough has been said about former President Obama’s return to politics, but none of the commentary and criticisms more accurately reflect the view of conservatives like a headline from satire website Babylon Bee.
The Babylon Bee, which is widely known for its satire writings on political, cultural and even religious topics, routinely japes members of both political parties.
Its latest victim: Obama.
Check this out: “Man Who Intentionally Divided Nation For Eight Years Calls For Unity.”
It’s perfect.
Man Who Intentionally Divided Nation For Eight Years Calls For Unityhttps://t.co/moLV29XFuH pic.twitter.com/AWNNcktegw
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) September 7, 2018
… and people loved it:
Most accurate headline of the day
— Bryan Jones (@bpjauburn) September 8, 2018
I thought this was a satire site? 😉
— Brad Whitt (@DBradWhitt) September 8, 2018
Isn’t this supposed to be a satire site?
— Tim Owens (@Tim_Owens13) September 8, 2018
This ain’t no joke..
— Monica Anthony (@meanthony1) September 7, 2018
Truer words never spoken…
— Keith Bennett (@TheCatFather73) September 8, 2018
I love it, you always make me smile.
— Nancy Niccum (@nwnicc) September 7, 2018
Bingo!!!!
— KHBudig (@KHBudig) September 8, 2018
Where’s the satire
— JJ (@jjbarnhart) September 8, 2018
You’re supposed to be satire!
— Simon Baumgartle (@BaumLemon) September 7, 2018
I was thinking you were all satirical, and then you switch it up and get all serious.
— UncleTravelinMatt (@sickboy595) September 7, 2018
While the article claims to be a satire piece, it is so in step with how conservatives viewed both the Obama presidency and his Friday speech:
In a moving speech delivered Friday, President Barack Obama called for the nation to turn from fear, anger, and resentment, despite having stoked these emotions at every opportunity during his time in office.
The man who had carefully stoked divisions and pushed identity politics for a full eight years called the nation to turn away from divisive “politics of resentment” and instead be loving and inclusive.
Besides serving as a reminder (perhaps even a warning) of what it was like to have Democrats in positions of power, the speech did not resonate well with those on the Right.
President Trump even told a crowd during a rally in Fargo that he fell asleep during the speech.
“I watched it, but I fell asleep,” Trump said, as ABC News reports. “I found he’s very good. Very good for sleeping.”
The Fargo crowd enjoyed the comment and met it with laughs and applause.
As the Washington Times reports, some conservatives welcomed Obama’s return to politics and campaigning because as he speaks, conservatives are that much more motivated to go to the polls. Obama is a magnet, so to speak, for conservative votes:
As the Washington Times reports, RNC spokesman Michael Ahrens said the results of the most recent presidential election speak for themselves.
“In 2016, voters rejected President Obama’s policies and his dismissiveness towards half the country. Doubling down on that strategy won’t work in 2018 either.”
Republican Congressman Steve Stivers similarly welcomed Obama’s return from political retirement.
“I have limited experience on this — my experience on that is 2010, 2012, 2014,” Mr. Stivers, Ohio Republican, told reporters at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. “So for three cycles President Obama fired up Republicans like nobody, and I’m happy if he wants to do it again.”