The wonderfully polemic Christopher Hitchens brings up the race issue with Obama. I'm kinda tired so I'll add more to this later. But like the usual work of Hitch, a good read.
Here's the first paragraph:
To put it squarely and bluntly, is it because he is or is it because he isn't? To phrase it another way, is it because of what he says or what he doesn't say? Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is the current beneficiary of a tsunami of drool. He sometimes claims credit on behalf of all Americans regardless of race, color, creed, blah blah blah, though his recent speeches appear also to claim a victory for blackness while his supporters—most especially the white ones—sob happily that at last we can have an African-American chief executive. Off to the side, snarling with barely concealed rage, are the Clinton machine-minders, who, having failed to ignite the same kind of identity excitement with an agi
ng and resentful female, are perhaps wishing that they had made more of her errant husband having already been "our first black president."
18 comments:
It's all going to shake out tomorrow.
Go McCain!
American Power
I love Hitchens, and he got it right with that column. Obama's race shouldn't be an issue either way.
Shouldn't be an issue but will be. If he gets the nod and then doesn't win, it will for no other (claimed) reason than that America isn't ready for an African American president.
Go Thompson!
I think Fred would shred him in a debate. The impression I'm getting on Obama, the more people know of his issues, the farther they distance themselves.
And you're all right, race shouldn't be it. Now if he were a Republican, Steele from Maryland could tell how he was treated. Even Dickerson who ran against the late Rep. Carson got the Uncle Tom treatment for being conservative.
It's hilarious how the media is making such a huge deal out of this.
Bottom line is, there is the voter that does his research and votes on ISSUES, and there is the one who votes for Obama because he's black and that makes them feel good about themselves.
It's the Prius syndrome.
"It's the Prius syndrome.
Your assumption then must be that people buy them not to get better gas mileage but because they deem it to be better for the environment. My girlfriend and I wondered why people bought them. I leaned towards the gas mileage thing and she took your view.
Then one day, we saw a grotesquely obese (I mean like seriously could hardly squeeze into the damn thing fat) and we thought to ourselves...
"You damn fool. You care more about saving Mother Earth than you care about yourself and your unhealthy lifestyle."
Of course his purpose might have been the gas thing...but when you're ridiculously overweight would it even matter???
didn't al gore III clock at 100 mph + in one?
Sorry. When I said Prius Syndrome, I was referring to a study done in which Prius owners were asked why they bought the car.
The lead reason, ahead of environment and gas milage was, "It says something about me."
Huh. Green is the new black...
But What do they perceive it to be saying about them?
In the article, one owner is quoted: “I really want people to know that I care about the environment.” (which goes back to my initial point: They don't tend to mind if others care whether or not they care about themselves....)
As you said, green is the new black. It's nothing more than a trend thing.
"But What do they perceive it to be saying about them?"
I believe that it says in their mind, "Look at me. I'm a good person because I'm inclusive and I voted for a black person."
It's the same as, "Look at me. I'm a good person because I care about the environment and I drive a Prius."
It says something about them, facts be damned.
Most Obama supporters don't know one whit about his policy any more than Prius owners know why driving their car may or may not be good for the Earth.
It just makes them feel good about themselves.
Like, I just feel so wonderful and fulfilled that a woman and a black man are in the running for POTUS, I sleep so soundly and feel as though I could cuddle with my pet bunnies all day long, life is wonderful
Obama is a smart politician and definitely knows how to use RACE to his advantage. If you mention Obama and cocaine use... it's racist. If you don't vote for Obama... it's because you're not ready yet to vote for a black candidate. If you bring up his Islamic background, again, racism.
Bring me a black candidate such as Colin Powell and maybe he would get my vote but I'm not voting for anyone just to prove I'm not racist. I like Fred but he doesn't seem to have the energy and enthusiasm needed to win.
"I like Fred but he doesn't seem to have the energy and enthusiasm needed to win."
It pains me to no end that these are the best criticisms we can come up with for Fred. You'd think he was running for president merely for his health for crying out loud.
LOOK, when it comes to the most pressing issues of any presidency, what is needed is a level headedness and a great amount of clarity. These major policy decisions are made in the dark of night in closed rooms with other important cabinet members around. It's not some Super Hero save the day with your energy and enthusiasm sort of make believe world we live in.
I think I'm going to go crazy this election cycle if this popularity trend continues. I'm seriously beginning to wonder at what moment they're going to just have us all vote by phone ("Text MC001 for McCain, Text OBA0003 for Obama...etc.")
Pure insanity.
the frustration with Fred is the either lack of exposure or failure to do more.
I know he is the best man for the job, but the message doesn't seem to be out there.
Is it the lack of media love?
yeah, wellllll, howz he going to 'splain away his white side, lucy?
he doesn't, the media will make it a non-issue like his drug use. But you have a few drinks ...
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