"They're Attacking Me Because I'm White!"

[terry78]

Being a young, charismatic, handsome white man is so 20th century. His race definitely give him an advantage. But I'm going to add another layer to this racism cake. I think the fact that his is half black and half white is what really gives him the advantage. He's white enough for white people to feel comfortable voting for him, and black enough to make them feel warm and fuzzy inside because they can say they "looked past" his race. I don't know if that makes any sense to anybody else

LOL, in other words he's a "safe" black person. Basically, non-threatening. That's a double edged sword. I don't mind being viewed as not one of those street thug ghetto types, but at the same time, I don't want to be walked on either.

 

[lazur]

Obama has done nothing remarkable both before and during his political career. He has absolutely no experience whatsoever and no business becoming President, and certainly not during a time of war. While he's an exceptionally motivating speaker, he is not qualified to be President.

His 'qualifications' (or lack of), and not his skin color, are what should be scrutinized.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I found myself agreeing with Ferraro's comments. I really don't think Obama would be this far if it weren't for his ethnicity. That said, neither would Clinton if it weren't for her last name.

Still, that was extremely stupid of Ferraro to say.

 

[Matt]

I found myself agreeing with Ferraro's comments. I really don't think Obama would be this far if it weren't for his ethnicity. That said, neither would Clinton if it weren't for her last name.

Still, that was extremely stupid of Ferraro to say.

Why though? If something is true, we should say it. We shouldn't be forced to ***** foot around important issues. Maybe if Kerry had the balls to say "George Bush LIED in order to kill thousands of innocent Iraqis and US troops" our country may have been spared 4 more years under that moron.

 

[jaguarr]

Live by dirty pool, die by dirty pool. R.I.P. Geraldine.

jag

 

[hippie_hunter]

Why though? If something is true, we should say it. We shouldn't be forced to ***** foot around important issues. Maybe if Kerry had the balls to say "George Bush LIED in order to kill thousands of innocent Iraqis and US troops" our country may have been spared 4 more years under that moron.

Because something like this makes her look like a racist. Saying something like that in public makes her look like that, especially with the amount of support Obama has, and she should have known better.

Hence why she was stupid for saying it, even if it is the truth. And it's a tad bit hypocritical too since the candidate she's supporting isn't all that experienced either and has only gotten so far because she used to bone the leader of the free world and is somehow still married to him.

 

[jaguarr]

Because something like this makes her look like a racist. Saying something like that in public makes her look like that, especially with the amount of support Obama has, and she should have known better.

Hence why she was stupid for saying it, even if it is the truth. And it's a tad bit hypocritical too since the candidate she's supporting isn't all that experienced either and has only gotten so far because she used to bone the leader of the free world and is somehow still married to him.

The irony of all this is that Hillary wanted to make "experience" a focal point of the debate and now it's eating her alive. Between crap like this and the Obama campaign's point by point analysis of her lack of experience despite her claims, the entire underpinning of her campaign is unraveling.

jag

 

[Matt]

Because something like this makes her look like a racist. Saying something like that in public makes her look like that, especially with the amount of support Obama has, and she should have known better.

Hence why she was stupid for saying it, even if it is the truth. And it's a tad bit hypocritical too since the candidate she's supporting isn't all that experienced either and has only gotten so far because she used to bone the leader of the free world and is somehow still married to him.

Never the less...if more people actually spoke their minds without worrying about the ramifications of being non-PC we'd get a lot more done in this country.

 

[jaguarr]

Never the less...if more people actually spoke their minds without worrying about the ramifications of being non-PC we'd get a lot more done in this country.

Why don't you go back to preying on alcoholics, Matt?

jag

 

[Matt]

Why don't you go back to preying on alcoholics, Matt?

jag

Comeon Jag, I get that you support Obama, but do you really want to reach a point in our society where you have to ***** foot around every tiny little thing anyone says because you might offend someone?

 

[jaguarr]

Comeon Jag, I get that you support Obama, but do you really want to reach a point in our society where you have to ***** foot around every tiny little thing anyone says because you might offend someone?

I still haven't decided who to support, to be honest. I'm leaning towards Obama, though. At any rate, there's a difference between speaking your mind and purposefully saying things with the intent of dispensing misinformation and undermining someone, particularly in a political context like Ferraro did. And particularly when it carries such racist connotations which, frankly, isn't acceptable.

jag

 

[Matt]

But wouldn't you agree that what Ferraro said is true? Lets face the facts...Obama is a junior senator with barely 3 years of national experience. Do you really believe he would be running for president today if he were not black? He would be right there with Dennis Kucinich if he weren't. People would laugh at the thought of a senator who hasn't even completed half his first term running for President. And I am sure someone will say "look at JFK." The difference there is JFK's father was incredibly prominent. What he did was the equivilant to what Clinton did (running off of your name).

Therefore is it really spreading disinformation if it is infact true? I agree that it is a cheap political tactic, but I'm not sure it warrants all this uproar.

 

[jaguarr]

But wouldn't you agree that what Ferraro said is true? Lets face the facts...Obama is a junior senator with barely 3 years of national experience. Do you really believe he would be running for president today if he were not black? He would be right there with Dennis Kucinich if he weren't. People would laugh at the thought of a senator who hasn't even completed half his first term running for President. And I am sure someone will say "look at JFK." The difference there is JFK's father was incredibly prominent. What he did was the equivilant to what Clinton did (running off of your name).

Therefore is it really spreading disinformation if it is infact true? I agree that it is a cheap political tactic, but I'm not sure it warrants all this uproar.

I don't necessarily think it's true, really. The same could be said about any of the candidates, really, including McCain. Would Hillary be in it if she weren't a woman who'd boned a former President and has his last name? Would McCain be in it if he wasn't a war hero who had survived torture? Would Romney have been in it if he didn't have perfect hair? Every candidate has a reason for being in it; very few of them can claim actual experience. Really, none of them can claim having the experience it takes to be President because the only way to get that experience is to actually BE President, and even then that doesn't mean jack squat because an ass like G.W. Bush got elected a second time, had the experience for the job (or should have), and STILL screwed things up.

Obama is in the hunt because he's proven himself to be inspirational to a lot of people, giving them new hope in the political process and bringing people back into the political process who either never have been before (the youth vote) or people who have felt disenfranchised by politics for many years now. He's a dynamic speaker and is very focused, trying to hone in on the things American's care about. He's tried to present a focus on issues that people care about in this country, and he's tried to do so in a way that's open, frank and at least seems sincere and honest. None of that has anything to do with the color of his skin.

And people aren't attacking Ferraro for being white. They're attacking her for being a racist crack.

jag

 

[Matt]

I don't necessarily think it's true, really. The same could be said about any of the candidates, really, including McCain. Would Hillary be in it if she weren't a woman who'd boned a former President and has his last name? Would McCain be in it if he wasn't a war hero who had survived torture? Would Romney have been in it if he didn't have perfect hair? Every candidate has a reason for being in it; very few of them can claim actual experience. Really, none of them can claim having the experience it takes to be President because the only way to get that experience is to actually BE President, and even then that doesn't mean jack squat because an ass like G.W. Bush got elected a second time, had the experience for the job (or should have), and STILL screwed things up.

Obama is in the hunt because he's proven himself to be inspirational to a lot of people, giving them new hope in the political process and bringing people back into the political process who either never have been before (the youth vote) or people who have felt disenfranchised by politics for many years now. He's a dynamic speaker and is very focused, trying to hone in on the things American's care about. He's tried to present a focus on issues that people care about in this country, and he's tried to do so in a way that's open, frank and at least seems sincere and honest. None of that has anything to do with the color of his skin.
And people aren't attacking Ferraro for being white. They're attacking her for being a racist crack.

jag

But John Edwards had all of those traits and the media blocked him out. This election, more than any in recent history has shown how media can influence elections. Obama likely would've never had a chance to display all these great qualities you speak of if he were not black. I think it is a valid argument.

But then again, like you said, there is really no point talking about it. If McCain weren't a war hero, if Clinton weren't a Clinton, etc...It is what it is.

 

[jaguarr]

But John Edwards had all of those traits and the media blocked him out. This election, more than any in recent history has shown how media can influence elections. Obama likely would've never had a chance to display all these great qualities you speak of if he were not black. I think it is a valid argument.

But then again, like you said, there is really no point talking about it. If McCain weren't a war hero, if Clinton weren't a Clinton, etc...It is what it is.

See, I think he would have gotten a chance to display his qualities if he weren't black. John Edwards was nowhere NEAR as dynamic and inspirational a speaker as Obama is. Sorry.

jag

 

[Matt]

See, I think he would have gotten a chance to display his qualities if he weren't black. John Edwards was nowhere NEAR as dynamic and inspirational a speaker as Obama is. Sorry.

jag

I disagree. I also feel Edwards' message while not using the buzz word was actually one of change that would've benefited the middle class. Edwards had a platform while Obama was throwing around senseless buzz words and was snubbed.

But alas, this is simply a matter of opinion.

I suppose what it comes down to is the DNC convention of 2004. I really really really doubt if Obama were just another white Congressional candidate he would've made the keynote address. The DNC in all the patronizing glory, chose him because he was black. And without that speech, he would not be running for president today and no one would know who he is.

 

[jaguarr]

*sigh* Fine, go ahead and believe what you will. I really don't see the "it's just because he's black" argument, though.

jag

 

[Matt]

*sigh* Fine, go ahead and believe what you will. I really don't see the "it's just because he's black" argument, though.

jag

I'm not saying its JUST because he is black. I am saying the media and the party put him on the fast track because he is black. I mean, think about it...a Senator running for the presidency without even completing HALF OF A TERM is unprecedented. I don't think a white senator could get away with it without extreme scrutiny both from within the party and from the media. Neither of which Obama has recieved.

 

[jaguarr]

He received plenty of scrutiny early on, though.

jag

 

[Matt]

Curious, I do not remember any that did not come from his opponents or the right wing media (Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc).

 

[The Senator]

Being a young, charismatic, handsome white man is so 20th century. His race definitely give him an advantage. But I'm going to add another layer to this racism cake. I think the fact that his is half black and half white is what really gives him the advantage. He's white enough for white people to feel comfortable voting for him, and black enough to make them feel warm and fuzzy inside because they can say they "looked past" his race. I don't know if that makes any sense to anybody else

I don't think 2/3 of his supporters are aware that he's half black, half white, nor do I think that gives him an advantage.

 

[The Senator]

Curious, I do not remember any that did not come from his opponents or the right wing media (Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc).

The media didn't really attack him from the beginning. Every now and then a report would surface about his past drug use, or his rumored stay at a Madrassa, but other than that, he wasn't brutally attacked by the media on a day-to-day basis. None of his opponents attacked him until the last few months of the campaign, even though he felt the need to attack them...

 

[Matt]

The media didn't really attack him from the beginning. Every now and then a report would surface about his past drug use, or his rumored stay at a Madrassa, but other than that, he wasn't brutally attacked by the media on a day-to-day basis. None of his opponents attacked him until the last few months of the campaign, even though he felt the need to attack them...

And there is where he got an advantage from being black. I won't say he is where he is today because he is black, because that takes away from his numerous accomplishments. However, I will argue that he did get fast tracked to the presidential nomination because he is black and got a lot less scrutiny than a white man who served less than half a term when announcing his candidacy would have.

 

[bell110]

I don't think 2/3 of his supporters are aware that he's half black, half white, nor do I think that gives him an advantage.

I'm mean, his actually skin tone as well as his ethnicity. He's a very light skinned black guy. I think if he was really dark skinned, he wouldn't be given so much attention.

 

[The Senator]

And there is where he got an advantage from being black. I won't say he is where he is today because he is black, because that takes away from his numerous accomplishments. However, I will argue that he did get fast tracked to the presidential nomination because he is black and got a lot less scrutiny than a white man who served less than half a term when announcing his candidacy would have.

Wasn't John Edwards lampooned when he ran in 2004? His opponents criticized him for not having enough experience, and he had almost served out the entirety of his Senate term. So I definitely agree that the tables would have been a lot different, on that end, if Obama was white.