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Is Obama offended by "Barack the Magic Negro"?

May 05, 2007 1:33 PM

As you may recall from a PREVIOUS POST OF POLITICAL PUNCH, Rush Limbaugh has been playing a parody song "Barack the Magic Negro," which refers to a Los Angeles Times oped by a liberal writer poking fun at the liberal view of a "magic negro" and whether or not Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, fits into this mythical non-threatening construct.

On Wednesday, May 2, in an interview with Paul W. Smith of WJR Radio in Detroit, Obama responded.
"I have to do this because Rush is on our radio station," Smith said. "We're going to see him tomorrow. You've heard the parody song 'Barack the "Magic Negro"'"?

"You know, I have not heard it but I've heard of it," Obama said. "I confess that I don't listen to Rush on a daily basis. On the other hand, I'm not one of these people who, who takes myself so seriously that I get offended by -- by every -- every comment made about me. You know, the -- you know, what Rush does is entertainment, and although it's probably not something that I listen to much, I don't -- "

"But you said not every day, so you do listen a little then, and why wouldn't you?" Smith interrupted.

"I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind folks poking fun at me," Obama said. "That's part of the job."
You can listen to the audio of this interview HERE, the remarks come toward the end of the interview.

Quoth the Limbaugh: "This is a classy way to deal with it. This is the way he should have dealt with it if anyone asked. It's the first time he's, probably, been asked about it, but this is the way for these guys to deal with it. Blow it off. Laugh it off. 'No big deal.'"

What say you guys?
--jpt

May 5, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (78)

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PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO MAN. It seems to me that Rush must be so afraid of the advancement of the Moorish Nation, The so-called black people or more offensively negro. Everyone can clearly see that he is not black nor negro his pigment is an olive hue and most know that he is truly Moorish. This ancient hate you people have for the Moorish nation will be put to an end someday. For had he been talking about a European and said the magic pale face or the magic cracker, Europeans would be mad and make complaints. Or the magic jew or the magic semite. Now I know some of you reading this is mad right now because I said this but Justice will hit you in due time, its promised. the Moorish Nation will take back what is our and there is nothing anyone can do, say nor think about it. I HAVE FULL FAITH THAT OBAMA WILL BECOME PRESIDENT, BECAUSE THIS IS APART OF THE FULLFILLMENT OF THE PROPHESY. EVEN IF SOMEONE KILLS HIM WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP COMING BACK, WE ALWAYS DO.
PEACE
RUTH THE MOABITESS, COME BACK AGAIN.

Posted by: MOORISH DEFENDER | Jun 1, 2007 4:36:04 PM

Where is the condemnation of the liberal columnist who first used the phrase "magic Negro"? Liberals can do no wrong, and are always right, therefore, how can Rush be wrong for imitating an re-quoting the columnist's words? Besides the song is meant to lampoon Sharpton...for crude, corrupt Sharpton fears the cleancut, well-spoken "magic Negro" (cleancut and well-spoken are words first uttered about Obama by another untouchable but eminently quoteable liberal icon, the plaigarizer, Joe Biden).

Posted by: Bill | May 22, 2007 2:59:49 PM

Robert Ramos, what you support (Fairness Doctrine) is truly scary. Why can't opponents to what Rush says get a radio show, get an audience, and get their point out? And remember, what Rush says is HIS OPINION. He is not a news reporter or political figure. He, heck, anyone, on the radio as a "personality" can give their opinion all day long.

Posted by: zman | May 18, 2007 2:20:23 PM

All of you who rail against Limbaugh have NOT even heard the song NOR do you know where it came from. You liberals are funny.

Posted by: zman | May 18, 2007 2:15:47 PM

One of the most difficult things for people to do is accept accountability sometimes.....Rep. Ron Paul was right to a large degree, but not entirely. First, the terrorist attacked this nation and it was wrong and evil. But part of the reason is because of America's presence in the Middle East.....that's reality.

Posted by: Tony | May 17, 2007 6:20:51 PM

Uh... Hello... The parody is about Sharpton and only indirectly about Obama. The play is that Sharpton is bigoted towards Obama not being black enough.

Posted by: Mwaudib | May 10, 2007 11:19:36 AM

Everyone here should read "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" by Al Franken. I have no opnion about Rush....I've never listened to him......but man...that book is FUNNY.

Posted by: Jacob Seal | May 10, 2007 10:07:16 AM

Last year Bryant Gumbel said he didn't watch the Winter Olympics because not enough blacks were competing..said it looked like a GOP convention. Liberals laughed. One of the Baldwins went on TV, ranting that the President should be beaten about the head and shoulders. Liberals laughed. A few nights ago Al Sharpton told his faithful not to worry about a Mormon running for President..the Mormon?? Well, he said, the people who REALLY believe in God would defeat Romney, and he would only be temporary. Liberals in the debate audience laughed. Then a Liberal columnist who thinks Conservatives are racist called Barak Obama a "magic Negro". This time, Conservatives laughed..and laughed..and laughed. Liberals were pissed. Liberals don't like to be laughed at. You see, it exposes them. Well, HA HA HA. Deal with it. Liberals generally don't get the joke. They are the joke. They are easy targets. Conservatives pretty much don't hate anything, but they sure do laugh at liberals...all the time. Limbaugh does it very well, and he's public...but all Conservatives laugh at the hypocritical, predictable buffoons that Liberals have become. When you get right down to it, Liberals are just a bunch of punch lines waiting to be delivered.

Posted by: Steve W | May 9, 2007 6:50:57 PM

Its pathetic how "left-wingers" and "right-wingers" just continue to talk past each other and have no respect for the position on the other side. Both sides make fun of the other side all the time and lefties are just as guilty as righties for approving of hateful jokes at the others expense. ADMIT IT. (I get the emails all the time) At this point anyone who doesn't know that Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer is just being obstinate. I'm not even sure he believes anything he says. Its an act that has made him lots of money. I dont even know if Al Sharpton believes everything he says. All these public figures who are floating in and out of politics, religion, entertainment and journalism and blurring the lines among them (both left and right) I find very suspect, but who cares it America!! I am sure there are some who are sincere and I am sure there are some who are hucksters and I am sure there is every combination in between. What amazes me is how much hate there is on both sides for the other. Come on these people live next door to you they work in the next cube their political ideology is probably just handed down from their parents like their religion (again BOTH SIDES!!) You are certainly not going to change minds by name calling, you will change their minds (a little) by being civil and inteligent (did I spell that right?) What is interesting is that there seems to be some respect by the right for how Obama has handled this. That guy is civil and smart and hopefully will be our next president.

Posted by: Dave | May 9, 2007 3:18:48 PM

It is amazing how the members of the left wing (largely the mainstream media) will become so outraged over one thing coming from Republicans, but content if the same thing comes out of a liberals mouth. The media is digging its own grave because they speak out of two sides of their mouth, along with a majority of the democrats in the government, and the American people are finally recognizing it.

Also, these posts wreaks of name-calling pointed at Rush like "drug-sotted hate manger." It is sad that citizens of America have followed in the paths of people like Harry Reed in the name-calling game. It is one thing to dislike the beliefs of a person, but it is another to be so close-minded and hateful that you begin in a preschool-like debate of name-calling. Isn't it sad that this is how the Dems like to converse.

Go Rush!! Keep doing what you do!

Posted by: Cole | May 8, 2007 10:15:36 AM

I like decent, smart conservatives and we need more of them. The sad thing is that people confuse Limbaugh with conservatism. Obama's comment is good 'cause we're gonna see a steady stream of racist provocation ove the next year and a half, and you can't let these people yank your chain.

Posted by: C | May 7, 2007 9:53:13 PM

This was a joke and it was NOT a Rush Limbaugh quote, yet the media is labeling it as so.

Shocking I tell you, shocking.

Posted by: Ann B | May 7, 2007 4:48:09 PM

Forgive me for sounding like Andy Rooney, Jake, but have you ever noticed that when you mention Rush Limbaugh in you blog that it receives a LOT more comments than at any other time? Is this because it's a sweeps month and you want to increase the hits on your blog? Just asking....

Posted by: chuck | May 7, 2007 2:05:45 PM

It is amazing how the members of the left wing(largely the mainstream media) will become so outraged over one thing coming from Republicans, but content if the same thing comes out of a liberals mouth. The media is digging its own grave because they speak out of two sides of their mouth, along with a majority of the democrats in the government, and the American people are finally recognizing it.

Also, these posts wreaks of name-calling pointed at Rush like "drug-sotted hate manger." It is sad that citizens of America have followed in the paths of people like Harry Reed in the name-calling game. It is one thing to dislike the beliefs of a person, but it is another to be so close-minded and hateful that you begin in a preschool-like debate of name-calling. Isn't it sad that this is how the Dems like to converse.

Go Rush!! Keep doing what you do!

Posted by: Cole | May 7, 2007 1:31:09 PM

He must have been doing his drugs again.
Who cares about Rush Limbaugh?
I think Obama responded presidentially to his foolish rant.

Posted by: Diamond | May 7, 2007 1:01:31 PM

Poster, Brian, oh so earnestly tells us, "It makes fun of the liberal members of the media that cannot judge a candidate for his or her VIEWS but instead looks at the candidate's RACE in determining whether he or she is worthy." What rubbish. And the lily white Republicans judge candidates based exactly on what? Their worthiness? 10 candidates, and they are all white male christians. Can't we see that, then, as an unspoken, yet very blatant, assertion, that only white male christians (preferably middle class and up) with a very narrow attitude toward all issues can be worthy candidates.

Another poster suggests Barack is dangerious because he doesn't respond to such racist attacks. Perhaps Barack knows the difference between ugly name calling, which can't hurt him, and the actual harms that racism causes to the real victims it afflicts. Save your ammo for a real target.

Posted by: Marecek | May 7, 2007 12:57:22 AM

The words of Black Sabbath come to mind; Just remember love is life and hate is death.

And to everyone that is a Rush hater ^_^

You can cry if you want, you can rage at the night
You can blame all your wounds on the right if you like
You can drink from the bottle no ice and no glass
You can lie in the mornin' and say it's your last
But you won't stop there, no you won't stop there
You can tell yourself different but you won't stop there

You can study the ancients, you can learn every fact
You can follow the cycles that leave and come back
How everything changes, it's been ever thus
One day you're a comet the next day you're dust
But you won't stop there, no you won't stop there
There's always the future and you won't stop there

Tyrants and kings do their usual things
And you try to stay out of their way
Follow the Truth and you'll find what you need every day

There's always Tomorrow, always a chance
You can stand in the spotlight and not have to dance
You can find something soild, stronger than steel
And it might touch your heart 'cause it just might be real
But you won't stop there, no you won't stop there
It's not in your nature and you won't stop there
No you won't stop there, no you won't stop there
There's always Tomorrow so you won't stop there

Posted by: supernaut | May 6, 2007 11:33:26 PM

Barack Obama showed just the right response about this matter. He correctly characterized Rush Limbaugh as an entertainer, which is something that Rush has always claimed - especially if you have seen or read his speeches to radio-industry groups, as opposed to political groups. His particular venue is the politcal & social landscape of this country. Like many other entertainers of all political persuasions, he attempts to amuse his audience. To be fair, he does this very well - and has the revenue numbers to prove it. I am not a member of that particular audience myself - nor do I share the views expressed by Rush.

Posted by: WakeLtd | May 6, 2007 10:40:33 PM

In Africa we say "The best answer for a fool is SILENCE." Rush is a bigot and he doesn't deserve a fraction of a second of Obama's time. That will be a waste of time.

Posted by: Ola | May 6, 2007 6:25:57 PM

gergle-
You still didn’t explain how this is racist? Is everything racist if its white making fun of black? I'm sure if rush was black and made a song called "cheney the magic nazi" you left wing guys would be out there saying "oh this is funny, its not out to harm anyone, its suppose to be funny blah blah blah." but since its against a black democrat, its a terrible terrible thing that’s "racist" but yet even you cant say how its racist.

Posted by: Bizuit | May 6, 2007 4:42:29 PM

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