The only standard that exists at this point is that the media have only the Dems to focus on until this primary is settled. They have gone back and forth keeping both candidates in this tight race. If Obama were behind, the Clintons would be screaming for this to be over, but since they hold more respect from Bill's days as Prez, they get cart blanche. Without the primary running into June, what does the political media have to focus on? Nothing. What sells? Controversey. Look at what they've tried to sell this week- Geraldine Ferraro and some pastor? Please. Get back to the issues that matter.

I agree with his assesment. I will add one other thing. This isn't just an issue that will be around with the Democratic election, already you have seen the right jump on this with disingenous shock. Sorry...this isn't democrat-republican...this is black and white.

Here's something for you to think about as Obama's preacher spews out anti-Jewish, anti-American and anti-white rhetoric from the pulpit.

Barack = 6
Hussei = 6
NObama = 6

Paulo

Obama does not mind taking criticism, but wants to be criticized on what he has done and accomplished and managed, not on someone's prejudiced view of him. He has run an excellent campaign, well-organized, on message, with collaboration and extended grassroots effort - showing his talents, discipline and ability to organize people.

Because others are jealous, they want to imply he has only advanced because of capturing America's imagination. He has inspired people because of his work and talents.

Paulo, the only thing I'm thinking about after reading your post is how stupid your 666 numerology was. Wow, I am amazed at how the freakshows rise to the top when you give them a place to post.

Karl, your assessment is right on. I will add that the Clintons love to have the debate where it is. People are saying things like "they are tearing each other apart" like Obama is out there hitting below the belt. The truth is, he is not, but the press and Clintons need that perception to be out there.

Yeah, there's a double standard alright.

McCain/Rev John Magee:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/02/28/pastor-john-hagee-endorses-mccain-donohue-freaks-out/

McCain/Rev Rod Parsley...

http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

Since the black/white card is being played so heavly already and Obama hasn't even been chosen as the dem candidate, can you imagine what will happen in the country if he actually is seated as pres?

Let's not forget that some of the media is responsible for this to a certain extent. Treading lightly on one candidate and launching a full attack on another as some media outlets have done only ignites the fire more.

As others have pointed out, the only double standard is that he seems to be criticized more harshly for what his friends and supporters say or do than any other candidate in modern history.

Here's how much Obama deserves - http://www.obamatruth.org/ - it contains a bunch of newspapers articles (one of those known for more unbiased reporting) that the rest of the media preferred to hush up!

and I do indeed believe that if you criticize Barack Obama on something, however much strong your facts are, you will be called a racist! What a shame! This guy is anything but what he says he is.

They focused on Ferraro's comment when Obama's camp perceived her comments as an advantage. And now that the tide has turned, the Obama camp calls it foul. This is called hipocrisy. You can't have it both ways. Obama himself has made it about race, especially now that his pastor and ADVISOR spews hate and bigotry agains the nation and caucasians.

Talking about any of the candidates in a negative way has consequences - Senator John McCain - a war hero, Senator Barack Obama - An African American, and Senator Hillary Clinton a woman. One could just as well discuss the infidelity issue with McCain, funding issues, etc., with Obama - Rezko, and with Clinton - Peter Paul and the release of her taxes and papers from the Clinton Library.

Here is my thought on the matter. Vote for Obama I will. If Clinton wins, I vote for McCain..nothing against women but she is too divisive and revengeful. McCain...at least he is almost honest and a veteran...even though he seems to want war to go on and on and on. What about Gore? He needs to step in and say something as well as Edwards.

Paulo-Spoken like a true Hillaryite, If you think things are bad now just vote for the status quo (Billary). Oh yeah-Hillary Rodham Clinton=HRC Hypocritical Righteous Cad

After a lecture he gave at Johns Hopkins University in 1993, Barack Obama was overheard and caught on tape muttering to a close associate, "Fuck the white man." This story and the full transcript, I have been assured, will hit the news media hard on Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Only Hillary has managed to stay out of the racially charged atmosphere this week.

Posted by: TonyaSigne | March 15, 2008 12:56 PM

"Someone overheard Obama"? You need to quit listening to the voices in your head, you dope.

I have some swamp land I'd like to sell you after this election is over, Tonya

I've got news for you clowns, Hillary is already OUT of this race, it's just a matter of making it official and as for the Wingnut cheerleaders on here (Paulo), McCain isn't being talked about for a very good reason, he represents a third term of the Bush/Cheney administration disaster and no one is interested voting for that BS again.

Neither candidate has run a campaign based on race politics. Discussing either of them as though they are doing that is doing a disservice to the American public - yet another phony diversion from our interests.

Whether the candidates distance themselves from racist remarks made by people in their respective campaigns should certainly be fair game.

If one forcefully rejects racist comments and the other reluctantly does so, reporting on that fact DOES not equal a double standard. It means the candidates have not performed on a matter of public concern in the same way.

This issue does matter. This man advises Mr. Obama. Wake up!
He is an advisor and pastor to Obama. One of the most influencial people in Obama's camp.
I've been undecided, but this helps secure my decision. Hillary!

"Barrack is only where he is because he is black" -- one could also say "Hillary would not be where she is had she not been married to Bill Clinton".

As you can see, it is easy to argue that neither democratic candidate is running on their own merits -- merely the merits of their circumstances.

Such arguments are both specious and inflammatory, and serve only the republican candidate.

Double standard? You bet!

If, at this point in the race, John Edwards had won the most delegates, most states, most popular votes, he would have been named the presumptive nominee and Clinton would have been forced out of the race by party elders.

Obviously there is a double standard for barak, just as there is in society in general. Joe Piscapo feels he can talk about Hillary's "surgically implanted smile" without any recourse. Does he say anything about barak's ears?

Compare the blanket coverage
of Obama and Wright with,
with the near zero coverage of McCain
and his spirtual advisor Rod Parsley.
Parsley has made hateful statements againt Muslims and gays, but he gets a pass. McCain can seek out and get and endorsement from Catholic hating Hagee, but there is no demand that McCain reject or denounce.

But there has always been a double standard. Think about it when is the last time you heard a positive story about a Black man on the news, other than Obama.

Obama wins ten in row, Clinton whines that she is not getting the same that coverage, and the media especially talk radio has been on Obama's case ever since. Then there is the persistent lie the Michelle Obama said she was never proud of
America, when she was actually praising voter participation.

Listen for yourself and then lets discuss double standard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh1TddL9YvQ

She was obviously referring to the election. So we need to question those that perputate the unpratriotic lie.

Remember the lie that Obama snubbed Clinton. He turned to answer a question from Senator Clare McCaskill. The New York times and ABC cropped out McCaskill and reported that Obama turned away from
Clinton. ABC also spliced together the soundbites Wright to show him the worst light.

Double standard.
You betcha

Do Hillary or McCain ever go into a church if not pandering for votes? This is about taking down a man, a Black man who goes to church. How often does Hillary or McCain go to church when they are not campaigning for votes? Never. As for the preacher, he says with more flair exactly what Ron Paul said, that America's foreign policy led to 9/11. There is truth to that.

Tonya, please...you sound so foolish-really. The media was well aware of Rev.Wrights inflammatory comments-its only now they chose to shed light on it. One only has to wonder what agenda do some in the media have? Obama has run a stellar campaign. And their are some who want to see him swifted boated, like Kerry. But no not this time-the stakes are too high in this election. Obama is not perfect and he knows it. He's made some silly choices in the past that he's acknowledged it all. Is there a double standard? You bet there is, but no with Obama. The double standard is McCain. Wright is not an issue--we need get back to more important issues that are affecting the lives of everyday Americans.

It is not an attack to ask:

McCain - Show us your taxes.

Clinton - Show us your taxes.

blawhi awhi baka blaa bla wha wha , you know what i'm saying?

The ironic thing is that Obama has continued to say that he wants to focus on the "issues", Hillary as well, although the clinton camp likes the political dirt-party. I think that the 24-hour news cycle is the main reason all of this is going on. You guys need something to talk about 24 hours a day and so whether it is a crazy-pastor or Geraldine, who just should have been asked to clarify her statements, not be made to apologize, the onus is still on the media and your insatiable appetite for controversy. McCain is the same white-man that has come before him. I'll take Hillary or Obama because they have stronger visions than McCain's pandering to the right.

Someone once said: "people get the president they deserve". It is amazing to see the extent to which the media can manipulate, influence and shape the opinions of the american people.

In america, the perception of you is more important than who you really are and that is why the media became to play a big role in this election. People are naive, they do not want to think too much,...and nobody is taking time to really look depeer beyond what the media says about each candidate.

Yes, US is the most powerful conutry on the world and is known as the free and democratic world. The question is: what kind of freedom and democracy do we have ? Freedom is only good when used for good purposes. Likewise, democracy is good when people take the time to analyzed the info presented to them, think about it, and then freely express their opinions. We all should be critical of the media and its agenda, because they are somehow biased.

The president we will get in Nov will reflect who we are as people and where we are in our "growth".

Noriks

That double standard appears to be the case!

http://OsiSpeaks.com

Why can't anyone state the truth in the media. Senator Obama is half black, and half white....golly guys, sorry to burst your bubble! Even Mr. Obama stated this after his Ohio concession speech.

So why doesn't the media catch on here? What's the problem guys? I'll admit that he's African American, but he's also European American, and this would make him perhaps the first Mixed Race President, or the first Mulatto President, or perhaps Euro-African American President. Anyway you dice, you guys need to get right?
What are you worried about? Perhaps, if you call him Mixed Race, it will hurt is chances, under some sort of psychological, suspect, quota scenario

So, you see, it's not just black and white here, but a lot of shades of gray in between:)

The press is no longer, "THE PRESS." They are a shameful shell of the great "fourth estate" we once had. They are dedicated NOT to reporting the news and informing the public. They are dedicated to ratings, period. Obama and race, Clinton and gender...they generate controversey and attention. They sell to an American public which has become the "look at me" MySpace Narcissistic generation.

Did you know that there are over 40 INDEPENDENT candidates registered with the federal elections commission? NONE of them have received ANY PRESS COVERAGE AT ALL.

The PRESS "chooses" what they feel is news based upon their greed-driven criteria, thus failing us all as Americans. WE HAVE MANY, BETTER CHOICES, you will never hear of them in the press.

We are damned.

Tonya, do you have any more information on this alleged 1993 speech at JHU?

Race is definately an issue... at least to Obama's camp. I've never seen the racecard been payed so hard in a campaign. I dont care if he's pokadot or stripes and neither should his voters.

Mccain was endorsed by a church who then preached to destroy Islam. But now this is all Mccain's true want...right?

But Obama has has a preacher for 20 years!!! And even though this preacher is appearantly a hater of the USA and a biggot against whites, Obama never knew. And that's ok with the press?!?

Yeah definately a double standard for Obama's camp at least!

Websites below claims
aids was manufactured
and Kissinger played a role.

www.originofaids.com

Emerging Viruses - AIDS - Ebola - Dr. Leonard Horowitz - Natural ...Dr. Leonard Horowitz's Search for the Origin of AIDS Revealed a Shocking CIA - Military Industrial Genocidal Germ Warfare Program. In 1948, Henry Kissinger, ...
www.all-natural.com/horo-3.html

Recall when Kissinger took himself off the 9-11 commission.

If I'd had david Duke or Hitler as my spritual advisor for 20 years I wonder how many people would believe that I'm not a racist.

The double standard on the Democratic side is that any mention of race in the campaign is spun as racism, but the rampant sexism is rarely confronted. Among all the things Reverend Wright said, his sexist comments about Hillary were the most offensive; yet, all the media focused on was his alleged "anti-American" and "hating-one-white-people" remarks.

Is there a double standard?
You've answered your own question by writing "Sen. Obama deserves better."
I have news for you buddy, all three candidates deserve better, especially from the press. Better coverage. Better, unbiased coverage. Better, unbiased, news analysis. Come to think of it, we the readers and voters, deserve better. From you.

This issue does matter. This man advises Mr. Obama. Wake up!
He is an advisor and pastor to Obama. One of the most influencial people in Obama's camp.
I've been undecided, but this helps secure my decision. Hillary!

Posted by: Kenny | March 15, 2008 1:18 PM

Insane Kenny,

It works both ways, Champ.

Racist Geraldine Ferraro is an advisor and fundraiser for Hillary.

If Hillary's last name wasn't "Clinton" she'd already be out of this race.

The media has lost its mind and bearing. It is hard to know who is running for President. One week is Ferraro v. Wright. Another week it is Monster v. Ken Starr.

It is such irrelevant foci that alllowed Bush to hoodwink us into war.

There is most assuredly nothing timid about the way Senator Obama is attacked in any of the anti-Obama posts that I've read!

Wow, if what Tanya Signe posted is true, and that it will hit the news media soon, I wonder what reaction would Caucasians who had already voted for him feel.

THE MEDIA KEEPS DENYING THAT IT HAS used different yardsticks when judging the candidacies of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. Just yesterday I saw MSNBC's Courtney Hazlett on Joe Scarborough's morning program discussing Saturday Night Live's recent skits of a slavish press fawning over Senator Obama. Hazlett reported that Michael Lorne denies SNL is endorsing Clinton as president, but expressed her own view that the skits prove otherwise. Yet Lorne rejected the criticism in a New York Times interview. "That obviously is not the case,'' he told Bill Carter. "We don't lay down for anybody.” He said most of the show's writers are Obama supporters, but that the show's skits had touched on a truth that the media was denying.The imbalance proves once again the media's timidity in dealing with racial issues. But until it is able to tackle the uncomfortable truths about the differing standards of race from all sides of the debate, racial resentments will continue to simmer just beneath the surface, to occasionally boil over in riots, protests or the "Bradley Effect."
CrabbyGolightly.com. Taking a dim view of celebrity, media and power.

I think Obama benefited from race issue since SC primary. From exit polls, Obama won 85-90% of Black votes may not good for Black people. It is understandable for Blacks to vote their candidate, but it may be even better off in long run to vote for Clinton. First, it will show to Whites that Blacks are on issues not on races themselves. This will bring the country together. If they one-sidedly voted for Obama, at least it will leave the impression on Whites that Blacks are voted racially, not the Whites. Second, to vote objectively and consciously for the best candidate will be better to the country, it, in turn, beneficial to Blacks also. That to believe that 90% of Blacks think Obama is better candidate than Clinton is objective is less-supportive. Third, Clintons had good relations to Blacks in history. It is time for Black to show their supports to Clintons, too. If someone did some favor to you, you shall certainly do the same. Finally, in my view, it is better for Clinton to be elected for Blacks than Obama, because Clinton can implement policies that are good for Blacks without being charged with racial-oriented while Obama may have problems for such policies that maybe charged as racial-oriented from his opposition. So my view is that it is not wise and not good for Blacks to overwhelmingly vote for Obama. I hope my opinion can be viewed as positive to Blacks.

The issue isn't that Obama is black. IIt is that Hillary's campaign implied he is ONLY where he is BECAUSE he is black. That is absurd. Just as saying Hillary is only where she is because she is a woman.

It is also silly for her campaign to argue about her experience, since none of it...including her Senate seat, woukd have been hers if she had not been with Bill. She would have never met those heads of State or been allowed to even be present at overseas discussions if it hadn't been for her being with Bill.

If sleeping with a president makes you qualified for the Oval Office, why isn't Monica a candiddate?

Here is the real problem. The media is dictating the issues. According to MSM every issue is an attack on a person's character. Everything is broken down by race. This makes Joe Public think everything is bad. The fact of the matter is Hillary questioning Obama's experience is not an attack but a contrast. Same thing with Rezko. The problem is when Obama has to answer the same questions over and over and over again about his race, muslims, or what some person said about Jews or white people. Those are negative attacks. I wish the MSM would make a clear distinction when discussing topics. The hypocrisy comes into play when the MSM doesn't in turn doesn't question Hillary's 35yrs experience which by the way is not negative. Attacking hillary because she is a women is. In the end we must realize the MSM is about what sells. Controversy sells.

There is a worrisome aspect for obama campaign.
Nobody wants the 3 am decision maker to be a follower who did not know his preacher for twenty years. The answer to the 3am call hopefully will not be what the preacher said :
God damn america and the chickens have come too roost.
He should have denounced the preacher not when media exposed him but on 9/11.His continuation in the senate is a grave insult to the victims of 9/11.. Even the crimes of the new york governor are miniscule compare to this.

Imagine if Barack had broken out in tears before a primary....

Double standard????

Kate: You are absolutely right. The Clintons are telling Obama to get to the back of the bus and they know that stirring the race stew will bring out the racist lunatics you see on this site. The media is shameless in perpetuating all of this. Let's focus on what's important in this election, please--the war, the economy, our children's future.

Just look at these posts!
I am an Independent who voted for Kerry. I was leaning left. Now I see the disarray of the Democrats. They have made a mess of the Michigan -Florida primary issue because they are afraid to enforce their own rules; Hillary and Barack are playing the race and gender cards to the nth degree and both are gulling party voters with outlandish promises of "change." When Will Rogers said that the Democratic party wasn't organized, he sure hit the nail on the head. At least the Republicans, whatever else you say about them, know where they intend to go and what they intend to do.

Imagine, just for a minute, that Hillary CLinton was not a female, but rather a male politician. And remove the surname Clinton (thus detracting from name-recognition value). Let's say that part and parcel (except for gender and the Clinton name) Hillary was "Hugh R. Carson. In truth, this politician would have blended in with all the other white males running for president. His candidacy WOULD NOT have stood out as having any more signficance or importance than any of the others (like John Edwards or Joe Biden, e.g.,); in fact, less. His claims of "35 years of experience" would have resulted in him being booted offstage in favor of some of the white male candidates. And his grating, polarizing personality would have caused elimination early on. So , the real moral of this story is that Hillary is where she is because she is a woman. On the other hand, Obama, if he were white (more white), would NOT have been so eliminated because (1) he inspired huge crowds and newcomers to the party, (2) offered a message of changing old Washington politics, and (3) was not politically owned by special interests. However, he would have to compete with some of the more established candidates when it came to review of his background for holding such a high office. Therefore, I would suggest to all of you that you change the gender or race of each of these and consider them alongside others in this light, and you will see why so many people gravitate to Obama. I should mention that I am not voting for either at this point, but I would suggest that Obama is the more professional, dignified, personable, and capable of the two. Hillary reminds me of backroads Arkansas-pat-each-others'-backs politics

Yeah, I have some swampland to sell to tonya too. - Baltimoresun, you should really remove that comment.

But I guess if it isn't removed, the story of Hillary Clinton and John McCain saying "Fuck the Jews" when they crossed paths at a Mayo Clinic Conference in 1988 will hit the news media soon too.

Kate: You are absolutely right. The Clintons are telling Obama to get to the back of the bus and they know that stirring the race stew will bring out the racist lunatics you see on this site. The media is shameless in perpetuating all of this. Let's focus on what's important in this election, please--the war, the economy, our children's future.

what "he said " fuck the white man" and it is on tape. hey throw the guy out" looks lke to me, he might be a plant, from the folks we are fighting. all the talk he spits out, with nothing to back it up, he is my friend all done!

One must ask: How has Barack Obama created or aided in a double standard? It has been my observation that he has done everything he can to keep his campaign about the issues-- not centered on race or gender. Such allegations are coming from media outlets. As some posts have said, controversy sells. Those adding fuel to this inferno of racism are making money from it!

We want to hear about the issues; not a media created frenzy!

Why would anybody be surprised by the back biting between the Clinton and Obama camps? This has been the liberal m.o. for decades. In the 70's, liberals branded all non-liberals as fascists. In the 80's, non-liberals were all racists according to the liberal mantra; and in the 90's, anyone who wasn't a liberal was a fundamentalist Christian extremist. Now that there is a split in the liberal community, is it any surprise that they have resorted to their old tactics of trying to paint their enemies as racists, sexists and extreme religious fundamentalists?

it is ironic that it is democrats engulfed in the race and gender,it should have been the prorogative of republicans.
obama tried to be a preacher to covicts and it failed. a country that is used to partiality for generations cannot be ordained in a day.
this is a sad day for america. we pretend to be above race religion and gender bias but we are waist deep into it. dilema obama has is that he cannot take the high road in robber teritory if he steeps down then his whole campaign becomes baseless.
this is the begining, if he gets nomination then repulican right wing will tear him into unrecognisable bits.
he started with sheen of civilty which is soon wearing off and dems may lose the best chance to take back white house .
THE BEST WAY FOR HIM IS TO TAKE THE VP SPOT AND AVOID THE TERROR AND HELP DEMS TO TAKE BACK WHITE HOUSE ANDHELP AMERICA TO GET OUT OF MESS. HE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THEY ALSO SERVE WHO STAND AND WAIT. SEN. OBAMA I BEG YOU TO CONTROL YOUR AMBITIONS AND EGO AND DO THE
RIGHT THING FOR THE COUNTRY HE CLAIM TO LOVE
bhagwan deol los angeles

From the Huffington Post:

The knock on the Clintons -- the candidacy as well as the campaign -- has always been that they would say anything to get elected and exploit divisions rather than build bridges. Both of those traits were on fatalistic display when Geraldine Ferraro recently asserted that Barack Obama is lucky to be a black man or he could not hope to come this far.

"The country," she added, "is caught up in the concept."

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What makes these comments so consistent with the campaign has less to do with Ferraro's position as a fundraiser for Hillary than their tone. Anyone can raise money and anyone can opine. It's the familiar vituperative ring tone and an emerging take-no-prisoners attitude toward race from people who seem resentful that black voters have left them. In an emerging pattern, Hillary neither denounced nor rejected Ferraro's remarks. A day later, a bitter Ferraro resigned her unpaid post.

That bitterness also followed a pattern. Ferraro was "furious" and "livid" when Obama called her remarks "patently absurd."

"Every time that campaign is upset about something, they call it racist," she responded. "I will not be discriminated against because I am white."

Ordinarily, these are fighting words for Obama supporters. After all, they follow the Clintons' numerous campaign comments and innuendo about Obama's acknowledged drug use, Hillary's abandonment of black voters in South Carolina, Bill Clinton's belittling of black votes, Jesse Jackson's presidential runs and that demeaning "young man" comment. It's likely the campaign leaked the photo of Obama in Somali dress, and it is certain that Hillary deliberately wavered in denying that Obama was a Muslim. Even the absurdly successful attempt to cast the frontrunner as a plausible vice presidential running mate exudes a sense of entitlement any black candidate would be hard-pressed to match.

Call it a campaign because it is a campaign: To discredit Obama's standing with voters by appealing to racial myth, fear and unconscious racism.

I remember a different Ferraro. I was a proud college student and the lone male of my household when Walter Mondale picked her as the first woman running mate in 1984 and set my awe in motion. Almost 10 years later, I was working as a lowly, nameless associate at a big law firm and spent a little time with her. We were conducting a mock human rights trial on genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ms. Ferraro was our star witness. I sheepishly helped to prepare her on the law. She was just as gracious and strong and forthright as I had always admired her to be. We were briefly joined by our shared belief in humanity. I was starstruck.

But she's wrong now and in ways that may prove irreparable for the Democratic Party. The central flaw in her remarks is a conflation commonly made in talk about race -- that is, the difference between equality and symmetry.

The idea of equality is a complicated mess, but most of us agree that when it comes to racial equality the principle requires finding present opportunity in the context of a very unequal past. Therefore, most of us would not assume equal chances between someone who comes from a family of generational privileges and someone whose family has been denied them for generations. We want opportunities to be equal for both, but we know that we do not start from the scratch of the present moment.

Ferraro's comments about Obama's presidential appeal turn the reality of a first-viable black candidacy on its head by claiming that he is somehow being given unequal treatment by an electorate "caught up in the concept." If the overwhelming blackness of Hurricane Katrina's deaths and survivors were not enough evidence, news last week that one in 15 black men are incarcerated (and disenfranchised) offers only a statistical glimpse of the disfavored status of black men in the polity. Behind the numbers are anecdotes all around that reveal how in educational access and achievement, employment and economic mobility -- everywhere but on a stage or in sports -- being a black man is about the most unequal person you'd ever want to be. Obama was right. On the facts about equality, Ferraro's comment was patently absurd.

Yet Ferraro's reply to the response shows an irreconcilable demand for symmetry. Symmetry is the conservative idea of equality which sees no history, recent or long past. It demands that both sides have exactly the same thing this very moment. Symmetry is the battle cry of affirmative action opponents. "Racism works in two different directions," she explained.

This obsession with symmetry leaves a lot of people of color shaking their heads (and their fists). The more it's demanded, the more elusive it becomes. Twice since January we have seen the Clinton campaign resort directly or indirectly to racial messages -- now and surrounding South Carolina. Each time, the national press, like Ferraro, suggest that "both sides" have gotten nasty. This simply isn't true, and the expectation of symmetry obscures a lot. Comments by Samantha Power, an Obama advisor, calling Hillary a "monster" were the only ad hominem remarks about her, but they were neither about her race or her gender. One should have an equal opportunity to be feel offended by a perceived racist slight without being lumped in with your attacker.

And the great irony is -- in fact, the greatest show of asymmetry in the whole election this far -- that Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro may speak openly, fervently and proudly about their gender without dooming their campaign, and Barack Obama cannot do the same with his race. Comb the record. You will not find him doing that. His blackness is so obvious it cannot dare be mentioned by him or anyone near his campaign.

Indeed, the substance of Ferraro's remarks reflected her concern that sexism is evident in some of the campaign coverage (and there's something to this, I believe). Hillary has made similar claims more than once. Yet no one will ever assume they can find their voice on behalf of Obama with the kind of "humor" expressed by comic Tina Fey on Hillary's new favorite, Saturday Night Live: "Bitch is the new black!"

This race-gender/silence-assertion irony reveals many things -- some bad, some good. On the one hand, it is unfortunate that Obama cannot speak with his customary eloquence and thoughtfulness (outside of his books) on an issue most Americans wish they understood a little better. The fact that Hillary and Ferraro -- two highly symbolic "firsts" -- believe their frequent references to both their genders and to sexism will not hurt the Clinton candidacy demonstrates a powerful imbalance in this country's views on race. That is, the country is "caught up" in those concepts so unequally that Ferraro can take for granted her right to angrily assert her gender in public.

On the other hand, Obama's racial reticence may be part of an unprecedented approach to transformation and unity. Subtlety has its place, especially in a national campaign where substance bows to controversy every time. He seems mostly to lead by example.

However, race, like gender, does not belong only to the black candidate. There was a time when many in the country looked to the Clintons as sage observers of racial dynamics, but Hillary has clearly abandoned that mantle. Her campaign speaks of a foregone black vote, as if it were lost to science or bad luck. Yet it was not long ago that she and Bill commanded intense black voter support and affection. Never have we seen a candidate for such an important office squander so much racial goodwill so willingly.

The ultimate problem is that eventually we must all pay the costs of these moments -- even if we pay in lost opportunities. Given Obama's silence about race and Clinton's baiting of it, her rapidly eroding support among black voters may have more to do with the vision of community she is offering than with his message. Either way, nothing better demonstrates the differences between their candidacies than these issues. And nothing more clearly foreshadows electoral doom in November either. If there is anything this nation should be tired of, it's fighting unjustified wars.

TonyaSigne:
your comment about Obama saying "f*** the white man" is a complete LIE. Do a Google search-nothing comes up except for your posts.

If someone had found out about this, it would be all over the news. Do you have some sort of inside knowledge that no one else does? I don't think so.

by the way. barack obama is white too, or is that not possible for people to see?

Obama has taken almost every criticism to him and turned it around as racist. He is the one who has been playing the race card. First with Bill, then with pictures, middle name, and even now with his relationship with his pastor. Wright has almost a 17 years long relationship, a mentor to guide Obama; this is not a 'guilt by association'; this is a serious issue about Obama's character, thinking, philosophy and judgement (or lack of).

Speaking of things no one can say: If Hillary gets elected to be the President of the United States, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will surely reside in the White House with her. Let us not forget, it is the same Bill Clinton, who, while serving as President, found time to engage in sex in the hallowed grounds of the White House with a girl half his age. And then, even worse, he blatantly lied about it on national television to the whole country, until he got caught with his semen on the girl's dress. If this Bill Clinton becomes the first-mate (who, under the law, can not be assigned any significant responsibilities in the Government), his wife will be busy with the affairs of the State and he will have ample time on his hands and not very much to do. Under these circumstances, do we really expect him to behave any better than he did when he was the President? And this is not just a private matter; improper behavior on the part of a first-mate can paralyze the entire White House and even subject it to blackmail. Do we really want Bill Clinton in the White House again?

John McCain's having himself one heck of a nice honeymoon isn't he?

Some things are so obvious they need no qualifying disclaimers, and the one presently causing such interracial consternation is squarley in that vein. Racial differences in America are just as real as they've ever been, much to the frustration of naive left wing social engineers. Let the candidates say what they feel, say what they think, say what is obvious, say what is real, we're not children who need protection from the bad old boogyman!
Obama is a known racist, as is his wife and the overwhelming majority of his machine. So what. Lyndon Johnson was a notorious racist, as was Richard Nixon, as was John Kennedy(!), as was George Wallace, as was etc etc etc. Did it prevent any of them from doing what they were elected to do, nope. Racism is a fact of life and nature itself, out of the reach of any and all so called reformers. We can hide behind rhetoric and ideology all we want, it changes nothing but the appearance, never the reality. I think it is a positive and hopeful sign that we can open the door of race relations, if only a mere crack,and allow the truth to illuminate the facts, the real facts, not the sophomoric "academic" facts. Until we mature enough to have this dialogue we will be constantly guilty of denial, even deceit. Let these people get the kid gloves off and put the eight ounce leathers on, give us reality, give us progress, give us the picture of the inner people who would be the most powerful person on earth.
Alex Haley said "this nation is not a melting pot, it is a salad bowl where all the colors show", I believe that to be one of the truest judgements ever made of race in America.

CNN reported the other day that 13% of Americans thought Obama was Muslim - despite the press ernestly reporting that he is Christian.

This type of ignorance comes from rumors being started and perpetuated by those with malevolent intentions.

Don't you think that if he had said something in a speech that was on tape that it would have been reported by now? Or do you believe you have some special access that the media in this country don't?

If the moderator is serious, they'd remove this type of garbage from the post....

I'm sure there is a double standard just because it would be extremely unusual for there not to be a double standard on some level. I agree with the statement above. I'm voting for Obama. If Hillary gets the nomination I'm voting for McCain. Not because Hillary is a woman. It is because she has not demonstrated the judgement I want in a Commander in Chief.

Any text, out of context, is simply pretext. How do you know he wasn't referring to some nasty white individual in the middle of a group of black people? Oh... you DON'T know??! Well... isn't this race a little too important to be relying on here-say and innuendo, such as out-of-context quotes?

I'm somewhat taken aback that a 17 year association with an Afrocentric black racist, America-hating preacher, whom Obama has backed financially with tithes over the years, does not disqualify Obama in the eyes of the electorate.

This church awards Louis Farrakhan, leader of the black racist "Nation of Islam" the equivalent of its "Man of the Year" award for 2007.

Double standard? Imagine if a white candidate had attended a Christian Identity church, which awarded David Duke of the KuKluxKlan, its equivalent of its "Man of the Year" award, and then presented himself as a presidential candidate.

Yet Obama declares that the Rev. Wright, the racist and "damn-America" preacher, is his mentor. So Obama has accepted the views and values of the racist preacher, who damns America.

Rev. Wright and Louis Farrakhan in addition to being advocates of damn America and anti-white positions, are vociferous anti-Semites with hate Jew and anti-Israel rhetoric spewing from them. It is remarkable that considering this anti-Semitism, Jews remain among Obama supporters.

There is a remarkable disregard of their own interests by supporters of Obama.

Is racism extant in America? If racism means acting on a racial basis then support for Obama by black voters at a more than 90% rate indicates a clustering based on race. Is black America then the last bastion of racism in the United States? White voters seem to have purged themselves of racism by having voted in significant and sometimes overwhelming numbers for a black candidate. This, however, was before his noxious associations were "outed."

Will the candidacy of this racist, anti-American candidate continue to be supported by blacks and/or whites now that he has been exposed? What is the apologia and justification that could make him acceptable. Certainly his epiphany at this late date is transparent, and his conversion away from the ideology of his 17 year mentor cannot evanesce hius demonstrated predilections.

Obama made a voluntary election to join a black racist and America damning organization, support it for 17 years, adopt its leader as his mentor, and thus accept its ideology and doctrine. He remained in that status for 17 years. It is his responsibility that he did so without any coercion, and he is accountable for his involvement with racism, anti-Americanism, and anti-Semitism.

Will America exculpate him for his sins and omissions. I hope not, not if we retain any sense of self-worth.

Bo...what % of his parties vote did Ron Paul get? Apparently Obama didn't go to church very often or maybe he didn't stay for the sermon. We need to nominate some one who can win.

The comments on this very thread disprove its thesis. Nobody's handling Obama with kid gloves. Quite the opposite.
Insidious psychological tactics are more common for him than for Clinton. For example, when asked if he was a Moslem she had to conclude her negative response with "as far as I know." Conservatives all over the place are emphasizing his middle name whenever they talk about him.

Its hate! hate! and more hate, period. Barack Obama represent the most dangerous man to the mind of these virulent hate mongers. I am a black man who is very proud of all these white men and women stoutly defending Barack from these smear campaigners, ranging from Sean Hannity to Rush 'drug addict' Limbaugh. If the God Almighty wants Barack to be the president of the country, there is absolutely nothing these haters can to obstruct him. In the end, he will prevail

The real troubling aspect of this is not Wright's endorsement of Obama, it's Obama's endorsement and support of Wright over the past two decades, and the influence Wright seemed to have had on Obama's life.

Poor Barack...we don't understand that he just made a mistake and trusted Rezko who he thought was a good guy and that he never knew that Jews were good to blacks as he listened to haters sprew hate about them. He didn't know they marched and died along with MLK and all this other friend of the Jews stuff he now claims. I guess he was out of town or the country when history was being taught or the hate of the Nazi's was being repeated. No, Obama isn't getting it easy, he is getting a ride to the White House, greased by the wrong reasons...guilt and excuses and racial hatred and gender bias.

Obama has shown the poorest of poor judgement.

I am an Obama supporter who feels that he must now step out of public life for his own good. I believe this racially charged atmosphere will poison America. Obama made a tremendous and unsurmountable mistake by not rejecting and denouncing his Pastor.

Senator Obama should now take a break and rehabilitate his life and left America heal from this pain.

blacks vote for Obama cause he is Black.
whites vote for clinton and Mccain cause they are white
woman vote for clinton cause she is a woman

whites vote against Obama cause he is black

woman vote against Obama and mccain cause they are men

men vote against clinton cause she is a woman, somebody help me out with that list..

can you imagine what would happen if hillary was a black woman, and Obama was spanish lol..

Obama has shown the poorest of poor judgement.

I am an Obama supporter who feels that he must now step out of public life for his own good. I believe this racially charged atmosphere will poison America. Obama made a tremendous and unsurmountable mistake by not rejecting and denouncing his Pastor.

Senator Obama should now take a break and rehabilitate his life and left America heal from this pain.

Double standard? Is the press even noting that McCain converted to evangelical Baptist at age 71 and has kissed the ring of several high ranking Christian bigots? How about that McCain graduated 894 out of a class of 899 at Annapolis? Or that he has written about how we should have bombed everywhere in North Vietnam or joked about bombing Iran and wants us to stay in Irak for 100 years. If anybody is getting a pass it is Grandpa Munster!

Lord how I love seeing you libs tearing yourselves up!
The leader of Obamas church IS an influence on the mans thinking, Obama even said as much in his book.
Oh..and Ray MABUS is Obamas middle east advisor..now where have I heard that name before...?

Hillary C. has done well for our country, but I do think there is a certain degree of "entitlement" mentality starting to show with her run for president.

As I see it, the delegate numbers do not support her catching up to Barack, so as a result it appears she's willing to break her initial promises regarding FL and Michigan; it appears she is (or her surrogates) willing to resort to dirty politics in order to attempt to sway super delegate to vote for her; and it appears she willing to take the party down with her if she does not win the primary. What is really sad is that somewhere along the way the media has allowed itself to follow her narrative. I used to have a tremendous amount of respect for Hillary as a person, and even thought that I would vote for her, however now I am less likely.

Hillary C. has done well for our country, but I do think there is a certain degree of "entitlement" mentality starting to show with her run for president.

As I see it, the delegate numbers do not support her catching up to Barack, so as a result it appears she's willing to break her initial promises regarding FL and Michigan; it appears she is (or her surrogates) willing to resort to dirty politics in order to attempt to sway super delegate to vote for her; and it appears she willing to take the party down with her if she does not win the primary. What is really sad is that somewhere along the way the media has allowed itself to follow her narrative. I used to have a tremendous amount of respect for Hillary as a person, and even thought that I would vote for her, however now I am less likely.

And as for double standards, why does the media consistenly allow HRC to get by with her experience claim.

Let's be serious: all three are Senators, and none have executive level experience (given our current president, this may be a good thing). But to consistently claim that her experience in the East Wing counts is specious at best...and any serious analysis of her foreign policy claims would indicate vast overstatement at best...yet every every article and clip you see has her claiming experience - where is the objectivity in that?

Hillary C. has done well for our country, but I do think there is a certain degree of "entitlement" mentality starting to show with her run for president.

As I see it, the delegate numbers do not support her catching up to Barack, so as a result it appears she's willing to break her initial promises regarding FL and Michigan; it appears she is (or her surrogates) willing to resort to dirty politics in order to attempt to sway super delegate to vote for her; and it appears she willing to take the party down with her if she does not win the primary. What is really sad is that somewhere along the way the media has allowed itself to follow her narrative. I used to have a tremendous amount of respect for Hillary as a person, and even thought that I would vote for her, however now I am less likely.

As long as we are in this beautifull country called the United States of America, we will have racially issues. The important matter here is the our candidates whoever they may be, know how to deal with it. If they can't deal with something as simple as race comments, how do we expect them to run our country? Folks, is time we put a stop to this or else we better get ready for another 4 years of missery if the Republicans continue in power. Let's keep in the oval office the person that better fits the bill. I think we all agree that Hillary Clinton should be that individual. Thanks! Good luck to us all in 2009. God Bless!

Somtimes you wonder about Obama supporters. Either they are brainwashed to a pont that they can't see between day and light, or they are slogan mongering fanatics. It is so obvious that Obama twists his records to his advantage every day.

Obama's main claim to presidency is that he was against the Iraq war when he was not even a senator. This one incident makes him a person who will always be right. It is Hillary's fault that sheis not confronting Obama on the main issues. I think her fear of alienating blacks and the superdelegates has paralyzed her thinking. It is such a shame because she really is good. Hey Obamaiets, you are destroying the country. Don't you think that the truth will come out someday?

Economy, Healthcare, Education, Trade, Jobs...do people even remember that these were once the most important issues of the campaign?

Now is about skin color, religion. Gender is next - Hillary has been given a pass so far..but I think it will be her turn next.

The world will never change. I thought I would live to see it when we had an obvious qualified Black candidate but America will never see past the color of people.

RACE IS PART OF THE US.

TRY BEING A POLE RUNNIUNG AGAINST AN IRISHMAN IN BOSTON; AR AN ITALIAN RUNNING AGAINST A GERMAN IN NYC; OR A JEW RUNNING AGAINST AN ITALIAN IN BROOKLYN?

RACE PLAYS A YEAVY ROLE IN MOST ELECTIONS. WAKE UP!

Of COURSE there is a double standard. PC behavior guarantees it. When we are trained to not offend anyone - a double-standard is created from the start.

Blacks and women's true equality will not happen until there is no double standard.

...WHY CAN ALL GET ALONG??? WOWWWW..RACE,COLOR,RELIGION,GAY,NOT GAY...WHITE..ASIAN..HISPANIC..EUROPEAN..LET'S STICK TO OUR OAL....VOTE FOR A MAN OR A WOMAN TO BE A PRESIDENT...NOT BECOUSE OF ALL THOSE STANDARTS...
SIMPER FI..HUUUUUURRRAAAAAAAAA

Paulo, you are in fact, an idiot. Thanks for reflecting it for all to see with your absurd theory. You thought of that all by yourself didnt you? (No doubt when things were dull in the trailer park.....Sonya, where did you get this info? Or are you another scared white person, trying to spread rumours about the BIG BLACK MAN thats about to turn the white house black? You guys are pathetic.

I just read most of the posted comments here and I find it interesting how so many of them mention ancillary issues about the candidates. Some comments about Obama sound like adoring fans praises of a rock star. Others are clearly contemptuous against McCain or Hillary. Some are clearly very silly or absurd. Granted, this article is about race & gender issues, but none of the comments mention any of the political issues on the table. This is something that I have noticed in many of the postings in many other Blogs. I am currently in favor of Hillary, not because I particularly like her very much, but because I believe she is the only candidate who has the know-how and motivation to reform health care. I like Obama a lot more than Hillary, the guy is brilliant an absolutely mesmerizing orator. I also believe his oratory is genuine, but he has not brought any issues to the table that affect real working people like me. I think Obama would be a terrific diplomat, someone who could certainly improve if not fix the image of the United States abroad, but here at home, I really think Hillary can get more done in the health care front at any rate. It is going to take a lot more than hope and good will to change the 'monster' the health care industry has become.

In the last Obama-Clinton debate, at one point Hillary protested asking the moderators, why was she always being asked the questions first? I saw and heard this with my own ears and eyes, and yes it was true, at least up to that point most of the questions were being asked first to Hillary giving Obama extra time to think about a reply. Not only this, but in his follow up responses, he used much of Hillary's terminology from her initial and eloquent answers. Up to that point it had not occurred to me that the media was biased and that it was treating Obama with white gloves, after the debate, I had not doubt that this is the case. I agree with the assertion of this article, the fact that nobody can criticize Obama without being called a racist will eventually turn on him.

Roger Canaday: what is the law that prevents the spouse from significant governement responsibilities?

This would certainly have an impact on her claim of White House experience?

Thanks.

I found Obama's pastor shocking. If Obama wants to bring the country together, this type of preaching will set race relations back 50 years.
I find it hard to believe that Barack never heard his preacher utter any of these sentiments over the 20 years he attended church, nor was ever influenced by his teachings.

Let's replicate Geraldine Ferraro's comments but with a twist: "If Hillary Rodham Clinton hadn't slept with Bill Clinton, she wouldn't be running for president today. In fact, if she wasn't a woman, she wouldn't have any other qualifications." Is that statement true, Ms Ferraro? Is it fair, Ms Ferraro? Is it sexist, Ms Ferraro? Are your comments racist, Ms Ferraro?

"I am currently in favor of Hillary, not because I particularly like her very much, but because I believe she is the only candidate who has the know-how and motivation to reform health care." - if there is one thing she can claim as experience in Bill's White House, Healthcare would be it...how'd she do?

"I saw and heard this with my own ears and eyes, and yes it was true, at least up to that point most of the questions were being asked first to Hillary" - did you also listen when Tim threw up the question on Iraq / Al Qaida and she couldn't wait to answer first?

Puh-lease