Have you ever heard of Oleg Lyubner? No? I hadn’t either until recently.
For background information, Lyubner is a publicist for Workman Publishing, the publishing house responsible for popular books like 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and slightly less mainstream works like The Bathroom Humor Page-a-Day Calendar and Bad President, a “humor” book about George W. Bush.
So, why does Lyubner matter — and if he does, why haven’t you heard of him before?
Here’s why. On September 15, over three weeks ago, Ben Smith wrote on his Politico blog about a letter written from a Workman Publishing spokesman to Mike Soohoo, deputy director of John McCain’s E-Campaign.
The author of this letter recommended the Workman book “Is This Thing On?” A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming by Abby Stokes as a solution, “in a format that would be very familiar and accessible to the Senator,” to McCain’s supposed out-of-touchness that results from the fact that he (gasp!) doesn’t actually send email. The letter-writer even went so far as to offer Ms. Stokes’ services for “a special one-on-one-training session” on how to get modern already and start using computers.
This, of course, echoes the Obama campaign’s official position — as articulated in an ad that said, “[McCain] admits he still doesn’t know how to use a computer, [and] can’t send an email…after one President who was out of touch, we just can’t afford more of the same” — that John McCain is grossly out of touch with mainstream America because he doesn’t personally use computers.
Either Mr. Lyubner needs to join the Obama campaign staff in taking the offered course from Ms. Stokes, as none of them even seem capable of performing the most basic Google search on Mr. McCain’s physical condition, or he thinks the results of torture endured while in a foreign Prisoner of War camp is fair game for public ridicule, because, as most of us already knew:
McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.
That’s right. John McCain doesn’t use computers or type emails because the injuries inflicted on him by his Vietnamese captors over thirty years ago rendered him permanently unable to type.
Still feeling smug about that offer, Mr. Letter-Writer?
Smith posted the letter at Politico, but with the author’s name (Oleg Lyubner) and his contact information (direct phone number 212-614-7768 and email address oleg@workman.com) redacted. The full letter is available here, complete with the official stamp of Workman Publishing at the top left of the page.
When he wrote of the letter on Politico three weeks ago, Ben Smith mentioned in passing that “Soohoo didn’t immediatley respond to an e-mail on the subject.”
The reason for that, RedState.com can exclusively report, is because the McCain campaign did not receive the letter until this week — three full weeks after Mr. Lyubner made it available to the Politico, which thanked him for it by removing his name and contact information from the publicized version.
Clearly, Oleg Lyubner (212-614-7768 direct, oleg@workman.com) thought it was a pretty clever idea to write a letter ridiculing the results of physical torture John McCain suffered over thirty years ago, and then to release that letter to the media long before actually sending it to the addressee within the McCain campaign.
Perhaps some folks should give Mr. Lyubner a call (212-614-7768 direct) and/or send him an email (oleg@workman.com) and let him know what they think about that.
Dan McLaughlin
Moe Lane
Neil Stevens
Steve Maley
Doubtful
JesusIsAlright Wednesday, October 8th at 3:45PM EST (link)The man can write and use a pen, obviously he can use a computer if he’d want to. I work on the Hill for a PAC and I’ve seen him move around. It’s not that bad.
I for one
Lorraine Wednesday, October 8th at 4:00PM EST (link)would like to smack Oleg Lyubner clear into next week
Not a big McCain fan (though I love Sarah)….but I will not have a man who was tortured by the VC to be denigrated. My husband is a VietNam vet 67 and 68 and we are very supportive of all who served proudly (which lets out Kerry)
Oleg needs to get a life
Eh...
CheaGuy Wednesday, October 8th at 4:00PM EST (link)I think this is reaching… John McCain himself said, the other day, that he had emailed someone about the bailout. The article cited here from a Boston paper is also somewhat outdated. Politico reported earlier this year that McCain was learning how to email and use a computer, therefore, the lack of computer use was largely attributed to the generation gap.
McCain has staffers to whom he can direct "Go-Do's" on the computer.
streetwise (Diary) Wednesday, October 8th at 4:03PM EST (link)The Obamites must have computers to get their daily radiant dose of The One.
That, my friends (as McCain would say) is the difference between a statesman and a cult.
I do hope the Obamites keep this computer thing going.
streetwise (Diary) Wednesday, October 8th at 4:09PM EST (link)Man, it will piss off a lot of voters, from immigrants who never had computer training and don’t have the time or money to get it, to the millions of seniors who are not very functional with computers. Their minds, however, work perfectly. And many have become quite proficient at computers. And voting.
A personal note- my late mother never could use a computer, although I tried to show her. She was a bright lady, but her arthritic fingers just had too much trouble with a keyboard. And she wasn’t that interested, as newspapers and books kept her engaged.
There are millions like her, I suspect.
really?
Tathamconnorhalo Wednesday, October 8th at 4:10PM EST (link)Stephen Hawking seems to do OK.
Mom did just fine without a computer
AbrielaJoyce Wednesday, October 8th at 5:00PM EST (link)I agree with streetwise, my late mother also suffered with arthritus and she got along very well she was a very intelligent lady and well respected. I believe this has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Mr. McCain is more focused on the problems at hand as he should be and not how to email someone. He will say (as I would if I had his avenues) to the public exactly what he wants. Did you notice that Mr. Obama has lots of things for sale on his website. Hummmmm, Anyway, Mr. McCain is a war hero and he deserves the respect of the American Citizens. Who cares is he can email, he seems to write just fine and holds that microphone forever with no problem. I respect him and his choice of VP.
Typical Liberal
jkauman07 Wednesday, October 8th at 5:05PM EST (link)I emailed this guy. I doubt he will read it but that’s ridiculous.
“Hey im an Obama supporter and I like trashing war vets.”
Another
Wayne (Diary) Wednesday, October 8th at 8:53PM EST (link)4 hour wonder? Clean up in aisle 4.
“Hell, these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal, and took Iwo Jima, Baghdad ain’t s–t”. Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, USMC, Deputy CG, First MEF
How does anyone here seriously think this is illegitimate criticism?
Chris_B Thursday, October 9th at 12:08AM EST (link)I get my news and information from a variety of sources, and many of them are online. The internet has vastly enriched my perspective on global events and issues. Does anyone here disagree? I don’t just get my news from the mainstream press and beltway advisers and have a difficult time trusting someone who does these days.
Did you actually read the letter?
SamB Thursday, October 9th at 5:13PM EST (link)I guess in trying to pathetically stir things up over a trade book press release, you were just happy to have something minutely trivial to occupy this blog so you don’t have to write about what’s really happening in our nation.
But at least that high drama over the NRA endorsement is over. It was a nail-biter.
You need
Terilyn Donaldson (Diary) Thursday, October 9th at 5:21PM EST (link)to return to your own blogs. It is not ok to ridicule a man due to limitations he endures due to TORTURE!
That is simply unacceptable.
See Ya!!!!
SURVIVING IN WYOMING…
Join the RedState Strike Force
I'm not sure if
Terilyn Donaldson (Diary) Thursday, October 9th at 5:27PM EST (link)You’ve not paid attention or if you are simply not very intelligent.
There have been several news stories about how Sen McCain’s wife, Cindy, types his replies to emails. He does know how computers work. He uses the internet just as we do. The fact that he is unable to type has nothing to do with his intelligence.
Obviously great intelligence is not a prerequisite for using the computer or the internet.
SURVIVING IN WYOMING…
Join the RedState Strike Force
sad pathetic liberal
David Hinz (Diary) Thursday, October 9th at 5:29PM EST (link)seeks blamstick, Will pander.
don’t you just love these personal ads?
The Minority Report — The HinzSight Report — TMRB.tv — MFOB “Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It’s resentment of another man’s achievement.”
Excuse me
JesusIsAlright Thursday, October 9th at 5:46PM EST (link)You need to return to reality. Just because I can see an oddity in our blog doesn’t mean im a democrat. I work for a conservative PAC here in DC. Get off my back. SEE YA!