Obama: Hope, fear and a black man

Obama makes up a hypothetical race attack from McCain and then responds to it. What a jackass.

So, the Big O is demonizing his opponents as racists, before the fact? That strikes me as "the old stuff" that Obama claims to be running against. So far in this campaign it has been other Democrats--the Clintons--who have used the race card, not Republicans.
-Wm Tate,
http://www.atimelikethis.us/

Unfortunately, Senator Obama is right ! This is America, and while some of the racist attitudes have subsided, there are still a considerable amount of Americans who are still victims of their own racism. I say they are victims of their own racism, and that includes myself, because, here in America, thinking less of non-whites was a basic tenet of being white. I say, victims of racism, because thinking less of another human being, doesn't bode well for how you think about yourself !!! I have worked for a good portion of my adult life to reduce, if not, eliminate these attitudes, but , as anybody knows about behavioural changes, there always remains, a hang-over of remnants of the old, undesirable attitudes. That has been accomplished by education, education and more education. It also helps a great deal, if we were to get to know our fellow citizens, Americans of color, because it has been with their numbers, comparable to the whites, that we have made America, the good nation that is !! All of this occurring while our citizens of color were being treated with a great deal of disrespect, to put it mildly !! That is why this election is so very important for all of us, Americans. It allows us to say thank you to those of our citizenry, our African-American, our Hispanic-American, and our Oriental-American citizens, for their support of America, under extremely difficult circumstances, today and yesteryear !!
I am not asking you to vote for Senator Obama because is of his African ancestry. I am asking you, if you are not going to vote for him, to not vote for him because of the color of his skin. He is the most qualified and honest candidate running for our Presidency !! That is why you should vote for Senator Obama, in my humble opinion !!
It is time we put the scourge of slavery behind us, once and for all !!
P.S.I hope my word choices didn't offend anybody, if they did, I regret that. I tried my best not to offend anybody !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Obama is right.. you should be afraid! Look at what Chicago polticians have done to this city. Horrible public schools, high crime, high taxes, political corruption at the highest levels... NO BAMA!

It seems that it is Obama and his more zealot supporters are playing the race card. It is the same old Democratic trick of playing the race card against your political opponents. Seeing those type of tactic you really start to wonder who the real racists are.

He doesn't need to make me afraid - I am already afraid!!! I can't imagine what will happen to the business world if he gets elected - and I'm so sick of every black person standing up for him because of his color! Obama loves it when the"black thing" works in his favor - doesn't when it works against him - he can't have it both ways.

Only one candidate has played the race card and that candidate is Obama. Pathetic\

No -- Obama is telling the truth! Come on, people -- it is VERY clear that Sen. Obama is not pulling this stuff out of thin air. You don't think the Republican's attack on Barack have been bourne out of religious and racial intolerance!? If so, then you're not being realistic. It's the same old story -- "fear the Black, intellectual, liberal." And God help you if his wife is outspoken and witty. These folks (Republicans) will use ANY trick in the book to win. You think they're beyond racist rhetoric or pandering to racial stereotypes? Personally, as a Black person, I'm pretty tired of this "playin' the race card" attack whenever a Black person talks about what has been pervasive in this great country since its inception. Race is a very real divisive issue. The 'playing' the race card attack effectively makes people shut up and keep their opinions and thoughts to themselves. Well, it's high time Black people not fall for that trick anymore and speak out on the issue whenever or wherever it exists. Sen. Obama has done something (besides the obvious) that has NEVER been done in the history of politics in this country. He's brought the issue race to the forefront. Maybe now, we can start addressing the issue instead of ignoring the 500 pound gorilla in the room.

He used the race card early didn't he! Very bad mistake, should have waited until later when he is really going to need it. After a few more things come out about him he will need it later. Since it is now used, he will use it more and more than ever.

Unless you're a conservative, you have nothing to be afraid of. If you're a conservative, start packing your bags. Now.

The mainsteam media are still not paying enough attention to the Rezko connection with the good Senator. He gave $150k to Rezko-controlled charities, Rezko paid for 15% of his Illinois Senate campaign, a huge amount while serving on committees for his Federal Senate campaign. A reading of the unsealed indictments in the Rezko case detail two bagmen singing like birds as to bringing money to Obama from Rezko.

Topping off all of this, are the real estate deal, Obama telling the Tribune that Rezko gave him only about $60 thousand for the current campaign when an examination of election records shows over a quarter million.

When last Illinois made history, we elected Carol Mosely Braun to show how non-racially we behave.

Another disaster anyone?

No we're afraid of you because we're ON TO YOU. and do you notice for some reason he doesn't try to publicize that he is HALF WHITE?

His wife and him are both racists.

We're not afraid of blacks.. we're afraid of corruption and your hidden agenda and your bad ideas. That's what we're afraid of..

and the people who vote FOR someone just because the color of their skin. .

sad sad sad.

I am not "afraid of him" because he is black, I am "afraid" of him because he is incompetent and I do not think he will be good for American, considering his wife is just recently "proud" of this country.

This is desperation: up till now it has been Obama's surrogates who have done the race baiting while he stayed "above" it. Now he's doing it himself. Well at least that's honest.

Obama should make every American quake in fear. His tax ideas are scarier than a Steven King novel.

More propaganda from an egotistical, condescending fraud...

It is pretty clear to me that the Obama strategy is to focus this election on race as a means to deflect attention from his light (relative to the office he seeks) record and questionable affiliations.

This guy is unbelievable. He basically set his entire campaign up around the race card. Criticize him for anything, his far left marxist policies, lack of experience and you are a racist. Say anything bad about him, you are a racist. I haven't seen one single ad where McCain or the Republicans have talked about him being black. I am so sick and tired of this empty suit spewing his unsubstantiated garbage, and the lap dog media reporting it all as it if is fact.

So, it is obvious that we Republicans are just not racist enough for Obama. What a race baiting loser!

Democrats who actually want good race relations should be ashamed to support Obama.

EricTitus

As an adult, I am capable of differentiating between disgust and fear. I'm not afraid of this guy, but I sure find him disgusting.

Gimme a break. It's about ideology. Barack Obama is the most liberal senator from a corrupt political system.

Conservatives vote ideology. We don't fall in love with people because they can come up with a catch phrase. We understand that there is a wolf behind the sheep cloth. And that wolf wants to mirror failed European and Asian policies of yor. Liberals are a one trick pony. Outside of civil rights, the party is a failure of epic proportions.

I'd vote for Alan Keyes if he ran against any Democrat for President. Democrats should keep the racism where it belongs, in the Democratic party.

Since Obama brought it up, here is a bit of trivia.

I worked as an enumerator for a Census Bureau special census in 1993.

We were told that in the extremely rare case that the race of an individual was in question, to refer to the race of the mother.

No point, just a fact.

Obama = Race-baiter-in-Chief

They started with distorting Bill Clinton's critisism of Obama's Iraq war voting record (which is identical to HRC's) who Clinton call "a fairy tale" but Obama took it as a "black man president is a fairy tale" and now Obama continues to do that. He dismissed his pastor racism as long as it was posible, for 20 years, to be exact, and now he plays the same race card he was told "the whities" will for sure throw at him. So who here has an old stereotypes. Anybody for this kind of change? I am a democrat and am discrusted. Nader gets my voted just to make a point that I am discusted with both parties and it is time for a political reform and giving away to third parties and true polotical compomises vs. current you are with us or against. Not a healthy way for a society to live.

I think Bill Clinton was right - he is nothing more than Jesse Jackson.

I won't vote for him because he will be weak on foriegn policy, his economic policies of redistribution will ruin America, I don't want gov't run healthcare, global warming over-kill (although McCain isn't far behind).....and I could go on. He could be the whitest craker on the planet and I still wouldn't vote for him.

No matter what Chicagoans may think of Chicago
America and the world has always looked at Chicago as a model for politics
so something good can come out of Chicago

Read: The Obama Code easy and ridiculous. http://article.nationalreview.com A few months ago , historian Sean Wilentz dubbed this tactic the 'race-baiter card'. Smear your opponents as racists, and if no evidence for the claim, accuse them of using 'coded language'. There is no authoritative racial code book, so the charge is easy to lodge. The campaign need not make such accusations directly, since sympathetic writers will do so. Obama campaign uses this code throughout the primary and now for the general election, media buys into it!

I'm not afraid of Obama. I just think his policies are bad for this counry. By the way, it's a lot easier to hide behind the race card than to face the truth.

Terry- Are you against the income redistribution that occurs in America now?

Massive amounts of income are being redistruibuted, from the poor and the middle class to the wealthiest in the country.

http://www.frbsf.org/publications/economics/letter/2007/el2007-28.html

http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/Bernanke20070206a.htm

http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/Bernanke20070206a.htm

I bet you're all for that kind of income redistribution. You're not against redistribution, your against the poor not getting poorer.

Lois, if poor people don't have any money, then what is there to re-distribute?

One quick look at my paycheck tells a different story.

A lot of us are past the race issue - and as the campaign goes on real issues will become more focused - hopefully. I'm not sure why the senator brought it up.There's stuff that needs fixin' in our country, Lets get to that instead.

Those who are opposed to Obama's campaign apparently have had to look themselves in the mirror and really question where they stand on race in the U.S. How much truth can each handle when they express their outrage at Obama for being who he is and has had much success running in an election, playing by the "rules", and coming out ahead in his party. If there is anything to be afraid of then it has to be the ignorance that surrounds itself with people who reason that they can not vote for Obama. Still a sad day for America...take a few lessons from Iowa...they did get it right.

yeah Jerome, let's round up all the people who vote for McCain and send them to the gallows or off to the gulag. Clearly the man is perfect and a vote against him is a vote for racism.

You havn't a clue what you're talking about which is par for the course with you liberals. Iowa, a farm state voting for Barack, a liberal beholden to the Global Warming crew pushing ethanol and various farm subsidies. Clearly there is no relation there.

..so he play's the race card to defend against the race card.

Interesting.

I think playing the race card would be to remind voters that he is 1/2 white, was born in Hawaii, went to private school and was raised by his white mom and grandparents.

Those facts would frighten and confuse the guilty white voters he is counting on.

Never have I seen the race card played as often as Obama plays it. He says "unity" but "divide" is all we see. His slogan is "CHANGE" but we now know what that really means, "I done "change" my mind". The only thing Obama has to run on is his word and he keeps going back on that, so whats left???????????

Obama wants race to be the primary issue, it diverts attention away from Rezko, Auchi, Wright, Ayers, NAFTA flip flop, lack of experience, outrageous wife's comments, narccissim (have you seen his seal??). Obamobts recite every talking point while the rest of us cannot help but focus in on the cult of personality that reminds us of fascist dictators throughout history.

Call it what you like -- "perceived racism" or "imaginary racism" -- it's still racism, and just because Barack "perceives" it or "imagines" it, it doesn't mean he is paranoid!
I'm voting for Barack to demonstrate my moral superiority over those who prefer some over-experienced war hero instead of a hip, affable (though not very smart) guy who is of color. We may find ourselves in deep do-do a few days after his inauguration, but doggone it, I'll feel a lot better about myself!

'He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?'''

And, he added, drawing a big cheer, "He's got a feisty wife."

This is the kind of "cult of personality" driven rhetoric you use when you have nothing to say... Is this is way of engaging in a frank discussion of race?
Vague, unsubstantiated references to charges of racism?

What an insulting joke he is-

And BTW - what happened to leaving my wife out of this- ?

Call it what you like -- "perceived racism" or "imaginary racism" -- it's still racism, and just because Barack "perceives" it or "imagines" it, it doesn't mean he is paranoid!

Posted by: Democrat Danielle | June 23, 2008 1:32 PM

So racism is only based on your perceptions? what kind of alternate universe does your perception of racism make it real?

He is saying one of three things about himself here;

I am paranoid- When he perceives things that are not real.
Or
I have really bad judgment- when he perceives things, and draw then draws inaccurate conclusions"
OR
I am dishonest- He makes "stuff" up to get elected president..

Pick which characteristic you want you president to have- my opinion is he is both dishonest and has really bad judgment- accusing him of being paranoid would be complimenting him in this case.

The only ones bringing up the race issue is Obama and his "handlers." I'd like to know where the "Change" is inasmuch as he is recycling all the old pros from the Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton Administrations. Big change. "Fast Eddie" seems to fit him to a tee.

For many years, African American has waited for someone to represent us. One who can relate to what we've endured as a race--and you're telling us not to stand up for Obama. People were excited when Jesse Jackson ran for the nomination of President of United States. But he didn't get the magnifying attention and support that Obama have been getting. Jesse Jackson mainly stands up for Equal rights for African Americans. Obama continuously say he will represent all AMERICANS. Never once has Obama denied his Caucasian heritage. I don't know where that came from.

In all, AMERICANS is seeking a change, but the one who is speaking of CHANGE is OBAMA NOT MCCLAIN. People want a change but not with Obama. You hear people saying Obama is full of hot air--what have McClain said that makes him the better candidate? I’ve heard NOTHING. He said he will follow in the current president's footsteps. Those steps have leaded us to HIGH GAS PRICES and into WORTHLESS AND COSTLY WAR. And not to say--He cut spending on EDUCATION. And you all want another REPUBLICAN. GOD BLESS AMERICA. SUPPORT THE TROOPS BY BRINGING THEM HOME.

For many years, African American has waited for someone to represent us. One who can relate to what we've endured as a race--and you're telling us not to stand up for Obama.

Posted by: Angela Davis | June 23, 2008 2:34 PM

So standing up for one particular race qualifies him for president?

When you say represent us- who is us? and for the americans that are not part of the " us " who will represent them?

Vote for Obama if you like- but if you are voting for him because he is black - then you are part of the problem and you are contributing to a more racially divided America-

Raising tax rates is a great way to encourage domestic investment, especially when its the captial gains rate. What a spectacular idea for spurring the economy. Oh yeah, and McCain is "giving big oil millions of dollars".... what a manipulative statement. I can only assume he was talking about the bracket wide tax cuts that McCain supports in order to spur on the economy and encourage companies to remain domestic. If we tax these companies so much, they are going to take their ball and go play somewhere else, and where does that leave working Americans? He focuses on the race issues in order to take the burdern off of his weak policies.

Lois - I think Uncle Ben got it right in this quote

"Although we Americans strive to provide equality of economic opportunity, we do not guarantee equality of economic outcomes, nor should we. Indeed, without the possibility of unequal outcomes tied to differences in effort and skill, the economic incentive for productive behavior would be eliminated, and our market-based economy--which encourages productive activity primarily through the promise of financial reward--would function far less effectively. "

Maybe you are starting to get it.

Obama is a clever chap; he knows exactly what he is doing. Just as Bush pre-emptively struck Iraq, Obama is doing his own pre-emptive strike at the Republicans. However, just as Bush's Iraq War turned out to become a quagmire, so too will Obma's pre-emptive "racism accusations" turn against him in November.

Everyone who is an independent or a Clinton supporter should vote for NADER. He is the only honest candidate out there, it appears. We really do need a third party.

"Yes, we can" really means "Yes, I (Obama) can. The "we" will become non-existent once he wins or "we" will belong to the lobbyists and/or interst groups who are supporting him behind the scenes.

Meh, it's a preemptive strike by Obama. Race will be used in this campaign, without a doubt. Maybe the "If Obama is elected, can we still call it the White House" buttons set him off.

Terry-

Thank you for confirming that you have absolutely no problem with economic and tax policies which redistribute money from the poor to the rich. Rather than attacking "re-distribution " in the future, you should make it clear that you are in favor of one way re-distribution only, that which makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Perhaps you should have read Bernake's very passage:

"That said, we also believe that no one should be allowed to slip too far down the economic ladder, especially for reasons beyond his or her control. Like equality of opportunity, this general principle is grounded in economic practicality as well as our sense of fairness. To a significant extent, American economic success has resulted from the flexibility and adaptability of our dynamic market economy. Indeed, the ability of our labor and capital markets to accommodate and adapt to economic change has helped make possible the strong productivity performance of the U.S. economy over the post-World War II era, including the past decade. But this very dynamism sometimes creates painful dislocations, as when a shift in consumer demand, the advent of new technology, or new competition leads to the closing of a factory or causes a worker's skills to become obsolete. If we did not place some limits on the downside risks to individuals affected by economic change, the public at large might become less willing to accept the dynamism that is so essential to economic progress."

Your Dickensian approach to economics is not sustainable forever. As the gap grows wider everyday, the amount of time it can continue shrinks. An economy which only improves the lot of a small fraction of the people is not healthy for anyone, even the rich. They will end up on top of a third world economy.

Terry,
Despite you quoting of Uncle Ben, I bet you believe getting rid of the Estate Tax is good policy. This only exposes the hollowness of your "economic incentive for productive behaviour" rhetoric. What is Paris Hilton's incentive to get a job, go to school and join the workforce? She's rich just for being Paris Hilton. No skill or effort involved in that.

Heartburn-I am (we are) not part of the problem--the problem is those whose not voting for Obama because of his race. He can identify with the racist that still exist in this country. And when I said (for US), I’m speaking of the Democratic Party. He doesn't stand up for a particular race--he stands up for all races. For non African American or minority descents can't get pass just that -- he can relate to those of us (African American) and what we have encountered in America. I'M NOT VOTING FOR HIM BECAUSE HE'S BLACK -- I'm voting for him because he represents the Democrat party and he's against going over to another country and killing people. For the record, had Hilary Clinton or John Edwards won the nomination--I still will be voting for the Democratic Party as have I’ve done in previous election. FOR US--THE DEMOCRAT PARTY

Anyone ever propose tax breaks for domestic corporations, or corporations where a majority of their operations is domestic? This country rose to the top on production, not service industries. The US needs to provide some mitigating factor to companies for staying in the US and tolerating the high cost of labor

He doesn't stand up for a particular race--he stands up for all races.

Posted by: Angela Davis | June 23, 2008 5:10 PM

Unless you are one of those people clinging to their guns and or religon...

Obama - at best- represents the politics of identity and group politics- giving victim hood status to anyone that would support him as their champion.

He does not represent anymore than that. He has no inside track on identifying racism-

His statement alone -"'He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?''' exposes this. He has "self created" himself as the candidate who has been victimized by race baiting, but cites no examples of this..

I couldn't care less about his age, religon or race- I do have serious doubts about his credibility, honesty and judgement.

It is very childish for the "brave and honest" posters that post under false names and make false claims, simply to further the failed and bankrupt policies of the Bush administration. Senator Obama will make an excellent President and Senator " Questionable Conduct " McCain will continue to represent the good people of Arizona, at their pleasure. The phony posters will continue their nonsense and intelligent readers will see through their stupidity and mean-spiritedness !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Lois, just when I thoght you might be getting, I guess the concept is too hard for you to handle. I do not beolieve in redistribution of wealth from poor to rich or rich to poor. Unlce Ben's qutoe states - provide economic equal OPPORTUNITY, but not guarentee equal OUTCOMES. If equal OUTCOMES are guarenteed, there is no incentive to succees and create in theis CAPITALISTIC economy. Redistribution of wealth is the mechanism for guarenteeing equla OUTCOMES.

JO, I am in favor of eliminating the estate tax, not that I care what Paris Hilton does for aliving, but the estate of her heirs has already had one tax bite (probably a big one at that) when the income was first earned. It does not need a second might. Second, what is the economic activity that has taken place when a person dies anyway? So what if Paris Hilton is rich? Does that effect you? Paris Hilton won the genetic lottery - so be it.

Girls come back and try again when you have some better material.

Let us not forget that the folks who are bankrolling Senator Obama and guiding his political career are the same one who brought us Todd Stroger and Illinois' beloved governor. Scared? YOU BET!

As Dennis Miller correctly pointed out on O'Reilly, it's as if the Obama camp is concerned because the Republicans aren't playing the race card, so Obama had better play it for them.

All you anti-Obama people are blind to all the stealing and scandals of the republican party and you are those whites who don't want all the races to be equal.Any fool knows that republican policies are skewed to the rich. Obama is the president for the people and not for big business like the republicans are. Wake up. Only a fool would vote for McCain!!!

An Open Letter to Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee:

September 2, 2008

Dear Senator McCain and Mike Duncan, Chairman, Republican National Committee:

"Dear" is all you will get from me. By now you all should be in Minneapolis for your shindig that you call a “convention.”

I am an African-American, and I cannot hold back my anger any longer. It is a documented fact that the Republican Party before and during the Civil War supported and benefited from slavery. As a matter of fact, the Republican Party was started for the express purpose of defending slavery and holding down black people.

It is also a matter of record that the Ku Klux Klan was started by Republicans after the Civil War to terrorize and murder black and white Democrats in the South. Republicans hated the fact that many ex-slaves were serving in state and federal government. They also hated the fact that everyone of the ex-slaves were all members of the Democratic Party. All the white Democrats, before and after the Civil War, were sympathetic to the cause of abolition of slavery and of civil rights for blacks, therefore racist Republicans had no use for them.

The Republicans historically have been bitter opponents of the following Democratic initiatives:

• The 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in 1865
• The 1866 Civil Rights Act
• The First Reconstruction Act of 1867
• The 14th Amendment in 1868 that made all persons born in the U.S., including former slaves, U.S. citizens.
• The 15th Amendment in 1870 that give every citizen the right to vote
• The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 which was to stop Republican Klansmen to terrorized white and black Democrats
• The 1875 Civil Rights Act
• The 1957 Civil Rights Act
• The 1964 Civil Rights Act
• The 1965 Voters Rights Act

In every case, the white Republicans in the Senate, especially Senator Everett Dirksen, and in the House of Representatives fought passage of these laws in every turn as well as being compelled to give up their slaves after the Civil War. The Democratic leadership, especially Senator Robert Byrd who has always despised the Ku Klux Klan and who discouraged white Americans from joining that gang, fought very hard to have those laws passed. Democratic Senator Al Gore Sr., not only voted for the Civil Rights Act in 1964, but he, along side of Senator Byrd, fought a 74-day filibuster by Republicans to defeat the legislation. The Congressional Quarterly of June 26, 1964 recorded that, in the Senate, only 69% of Republicans (46 for, 21 against) voted for the Civil Rights Act as compared to 82% of Democrats (27 for, 6 against) the Civil Rights Act. In the House of Representatives, 61% of Republicans (152 for, 96 against) voted for the Civil Rights Act and. 80% of Democrats, (138 for, 34 against) voted for it.

The Republicans have also opposed every Democratic anti-lynching bill to their shame. The Democrats have always been opposed to lynchings for decades.

For these reasons, we black people deserve an apology from the Republican Party for the following:

• support of slavery, on record in their platforms
• support of the Dred Scott decision
• support of segregation and Jim Crow prejudice
• opposition to anti-lynching laws
• attempts to destroy black schools and colleges, and the burning of black churches
• efforts to defeat the Reparation Bill of 1866
• efforts to defeat every piece of Civil Rights legislation from 1863 to 1964
• efforts to have the 1875 Civil Rights Act declared unconstitutional
• support of the Ku Klux Klan, composed of entirely Republicans, and its vile and violent racist agenda:
• Republican participation in the lynchings of thousands of blacks.

History will also show the following:
• Eugene “Bull” Conner (the poster boy of American racism) was a Republican.
• The poll tax was a Republican institution.
• Black codes and Jim Crow laws were instituted by Republicans.

Africans Americans are even due reparations from the Republican Party since it supported and benefited from slavery as well as supporting KKK terror, racism, etc. The Civil Rights movement started because of the majority white racist Republican power structure in the South.

The Democratic Party, of course, has had its problems racially here and there, unfortunately, but it does not have the consistent racist legacy for decades and decades, stretching back to the early 1800’s as the Republican Party has had. The Democratic Party, in general, has always been supportive of and open and honest with African Americans throughout its history.

You Republicans have been very slick in ignoring and even hiding your racist past from black people. It is time for the Republican Party to come clean, tell the truth, and settle the debt.

Sincerely,

Brother X

Now all who want to vote for Mc watever his name is first think about it he is a Republicans so was Bush. after Bush became President gas went up food and maybe more things. like Obama said it is time to make a change and that is right now. If you 16 or older and you are driving do you pay for gas or your parents
if Mcclain become president we will be walking or riding bikes and i know all of you
don't want that now think bout it.