Political Punch

Unfortunately, our country views politics and politicians as a pastime instead of looking at it as seriously as they should. Despite what any candidate says in speeches, we need to look at the reality of the situation.

My father and I had a conversation recently about this. He brought up Obama's "typical white person" comment and said that he was worried that if Obama were president that white people would become second class citizens. I tried to explain why exactly this wouldn't happen (checks and balances with congress and the supreme court, the, you know, bill of rights, which prevents anyone from being a literal "second class citizen" anymore, also in a more realistic sense, population density), but more or less there's no changing views about candidates.

The reason we form such powerful views and ideas about our candidates is not necessarily because they'll be in power or because we wonder whether or not they'll be good for the country as leaders; they are celebrities. Politicians are consistently in the lime-light, giving speeches, shaking hands, etc. So, of course our celebrity-obsessed American spirits would be interested in digging up dirt on politicians, seeing them make mistakes, watching them fumble in speeches, etc., etc., etc.

Reason behind this: we want to know they're human.

So, why don't we disregard idle, stray comments and focus on the issues? The only reason any of our candidates feel the need to justify any comments they've made is because we force them to. I'm looking forward to this election, honestly, simply because more Americans will be participating this year. My age demographic (18-25) finally actually pulled itself out of its self imposed apathy and decided, "Hey, maybe I should try to make a difference." So let's not tarnish things before they start.

Obama and Hillary are both hypocrites and liars. I'm not too crazy about McCain either, but if chooses Mitt as his running Mate this country might just have a chance at survival!

Sally.. I am a 60 year old W.F... and to answer your question; No I have not gotten a "Fair" shake in this country, for that reason.
With the Equal Rights bill, all my rights were taken away from me, and given to you and your people.
Yet you continue to complain and want more.
You have been given every opportunity to succeed, so if you fall short of success, look in the mirror. That is the only excuse you have.
I think I can safely say I am no angrier than you are.
And I do believe Obama is as big a racist as his preacher, and if elected, we will find that out after it's too late. But I won't be in the country if that happens.

For all his 'freshness & youth', Obama is still a 'typical' politician; he makes speeches, watches how it affects people, then adjusts (clarifies) the meanings of his statements to get the more votes, watches for the reactions of his 'clarifications' and readjusts accordingly (A.K.A. 'damage control').
His wonderful, uplifting orations remind me (now that I'm catching on) of the 'typical' TV preacher who only wants your money for his own creature comforts and a few 'token' good works (this does not defame the genuine preachers, only the self-interested). The prize, in this case, is your vote for Obama.
His words of 'change' and 'a united America' are 'typical' also. How many times have those same words been used in political campaigns over the years? But some act like Obama has come up with this 'new' idea (Wow, why didn't we think of this before?! How could we have missed it?!?!")
As for why didn't he leave the church earlier? Well, he seems to have missed most of the racist preaching (Obama says); either he seldom went or perhaps one padded pew is as good to sleep on as another. Or maybe he thought sermons are just words, after all; that 'sticks & stones, words can never hurt you' thing. And it seems he might have been confused & thinks Rev. Wright saved his soul instead of Jesus (Jesus doesn't require you to have a sponser, Obama!). Jesus never preached like that! Jesus preached regarding our souls, not our race.
I will not vote for Hillery because she's a woman and gosh, we've never had a woman president before. I will not vote for McCain because he's white and we've always had white, male presidents. I will not vote for Obama because he's black and, gosh, we've never had a black president before. Nor will my vote go to the Democrat just because I'm a Democrat or the Republican just because I'm a Republican. It will go to the one who I think will do the most good and/or the least harm to this country as a whole.
THIS IS NOT AMERICAN IDOL, PEOPLE. IT'S NOT ABOUT VOICE QUALITY, SONG CHOICE AND 'CUTENESS'!!!
IT'S ABOUT THIS DAMN WAR IN IRAQ, THE ECONOMY AND TAXES (to name just 3 issues)...AND OUR COUNTRY!!!
Obama & Hillery both promise to 'end the war in Iraq' & to give us 'universal health care'.
If either one of them yanks us out of Iraq as quickly as they 'promise', it will only make the present situation much, much worse in the long run. The war in Iraq seems to be the major thing they try to defame McCain with, "Oh, McCain is a Republican JUST LIKE BUSH, WHO SENT US INTO IRAQ. ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF BUSH!". Bush should not have invaded Iraq but should have stayed focused on the Al-Qaida who, unfortunately for the Afghanis, were hiding in Afghanistan with the Taliban. This was Bush's own choice; no one twisted HIS arm. Unfortunately, THAT Pandora's box (Iraq) has already been opened; we have to deal with the present situation, not 'what might have been'. We can't just slam the box lid closed on this one (Which is what Obama & Hillery seem to be implying they can do).
Universal health care? And just who will pay for that? Why, the average taxpayer, of course; taxes, taxes, taxes! No offense, but the liberal Democrats in office seem to be so generous spending other people's (we taxpayers) hard-earned dollars (Who cried the loudest against the elimination of earmarks???) but seem to give much less of their own money to deserving charities (unless they're campaigning for office, that is.). And Obama is one of the most liberal Democrats there is (from what I've read.... & taken with a grain of salt... but actions speak louder than words.)
I urge you all to look beyond the pretty words, promises & 'endorsements'. Pay attention to what's said and what's NOT said; there's other words between them lines in many cases. Watch out for those smooth words meant to get your knee-jerk reaction (& vote), pay close attention to those 'clarifications' & vote for who YOU feel will do their best for our country.
IT'S NOT ABOUT RACE, IT'S ABOUT AMERICA!

as for obama and hilliary i don't trust neither canidates for presidency. their both liars and don't back any of their words. now as for african americans, when asked where their from they can't even tell you where. true africans can't even stand american blacks. as for racism all of us that are born in america are consider americans not different races. if that is the case, i would be puerto rican american not the other way around. i was born in america not puerto rico thus making me american of latin descent not puerto rican american. wake up people, if you want to be called something else other than american than move out to the country you so proudly yell you are..

Upon READING the Barack Obama speech I was extremely moved and impressed. However, I understood (as I am sure he understood) the backlash that it would cause. He spoke candidly, sympathetically, and honestly to Blacks about the issues within the Black community. He challenged us to cast off mentalities of hopelessness AND anti-white sentiments that some may harbor. He attempted to explain to the Black community the feelings that the racial majority may feel when he says, "Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race." He demanded that Blacks look at life through the eyes of White America as well as the African Diaspora that we are used to. He asked us, the Black Community to reach out to our "young men and, increasingly, young women who we see standing on street corners or languishing in our prisons, without hope or prospects for the future", but he also reminds that often times the anger or negativity we harbor (due to racism & discrimination) is "not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change". I am black, and I don't think that the moral, spiritual, or political demands he posed to our community were unwarranted. And I don't hear ANYONE saying that he was too hard on the Black Community. I don't think anyone said he stereotyped Black America. No, there were no issues with those statements, so I can only assume that the majority of America had not problem when he told Black America to acknowledge their shortcomings. What he said about Blacks was considered accurate and correct. But when he ALSO asked the same of White America the overwhelming reaction seemed much different to me. A couple of my white coworkers were offended and immediately became defensive that Obama highlighted injustices and problems that they may contribute to (knowingly AND unknowingly). As I attempted to explain that he pointed out the flaws of BOTH minorities AND majorities in America I was reprimanded harshly. I just wish people were focusing on the true reason for his speech. To sum it up he was saying, "Race is STILL an issue that America ignores and downplays. We, as a nation, have not decided whether we are color-conscious OR color-blind. It is time to address the issues of the past in order to move forward. Racism STILL exist, and it's not going away unless we all take a moment to introspect! It is time out for appearances of equality, and it it time that we get HONEST!" He said the things that Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians, and everyone else says when they don't have to be politically correct. We, as Americans, claim we want an honest politician, but when we have a man stand up as address the very REAL discontentment felt by most of the minorities in this country HE is labeled a racist? If someone did not understand WHY he said the things he said they should have made it their duty to find someone who SHARED his views and try to UNDERSTAND the life experiences that birth these mentalities. At the same time you could express your point of view. This speech was given to encourage open and honest dialogue amongst and within racial and socio-econimic classes. Instead we have resorted to politics as usual. We continue to bash each other, degrade each other, and dismiss the emotions, opinions, and feelings that don't line up with our own. In a country that claims to be tolerant enough to cherish free speech, it amazes me that we are not intelligent enough to accept words spoken freely.

I can tell by the comments made here that the majority of White People have hatred and resentment for anyone other than white in their DNA. You also have a problem reading and interpeting what you read.

I'm sure that most of these comments are made by people under the age of 35 yrars. So where does all that hatred and resentment come from?

Do most of you feel that you have not gotten a fare shake in this country. Do you not feel priviledge? Do you feel you should be richer than you are? What is your problem?

You seem to always take your frustrations out on other people as well as yourselves. Why are you so Angry?

PS When I say you, I mean you plural and not singular.

I just wish that to justify his comment he would have left his grandmother, the woman who raised and supported him, out of it. He put her in danger. Recently a mob marched to her home and burned an effigy of her. Jesus! How could he have done that to her. She's old, bedridden and now in danger. I feel so sorry for her.

Ah, first is anything Obama say the truth?

Anyone walking down a street and get harassed by an aggressive panhandle is going to get nervous! just like his grandmother.

Why is Obama bringing race into the mix, we now know he is a racist.

Please not there is an article where Rev Jesse Jackson made a comment that if he is walking down a street at nite in Washington and hears someone behind him he feels relief if it is a White person!

Obama is getting caught up with his lies!

B. Obama said - "The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity, but that she is a typical white person. If she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know - there's a reaction in her that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away and sometimes come out in the wrong way and that's just the nature of race in our society.
B. Obama can explain it away however he wants but there is no "typical white person" other than the phantom white he has shrunk down and exists only in his own psyche. If his white family (or indeed he himself)is racist and/or ignorant that does not mean that racism is universal among the majority of whites. If B. Obama feels that he belongs to "one of the finest churches in Chicago", even though hate, racial superiority, warped conspiracy theories and anarchy are preached there, that is his right - in turn it is the right of Americans to gauge his suitability to be our next president by the very same ideals.

Uhhhhh, anybody ever notice that Rev Wright looks ... rather pale?

Maybe racial confusion turns into rage the older you get?

Hey dotheresearch -- If Rev.Wright's comments were not racist, reprehensible, hateful and incendiary, then why did Obama reject and repudiate them? Because they are hateful and disgusting and devised to separate, brainwash and anger his congregation... if not, they would not be called incendiary. Get it? Your fearless leader even thought they were out of line. This is the real problem here. You can NOT be on the Unity ticket and be anti-American and justify your idiotic, naive, hateful position as you are doing. By the way, Wright's comments against Hillary and Bill were just as hateful and yes, racist. Too bad you are too naive not to know that.

I believe the dilemma Obama finds himself in, is this stalemate he spoke about in his speech. The stalemate of attitudes and perceptions. Xenophobia, Racism and other types of hatreds exist in all people. But it's the ability to act on these inate feelings that separates victim from victimizer. The victimizer is unlikely to acknowledge his/her deviate behavior. And the victim may ascribe all his/her problems and failures to the individuals and institutions which afflict him/her.
Concerning the dynamics of black/white relationships in America, you can find fault on both sides, and I think this is what Obama was trying to get at. But many White people don't want to hear about their side - period. Because to do so is to give up a certain amount of power. There's also a resistance among Blacks, but this has more to do with ego and moving outside one's comfort zone, and accepting personal responsibility.

dotheresearch...Unfortunately I have listened to the whole thing. Do you read what you write? Doesn't seem like you're moving forward-and the Jesus comment was just plain out there. The stage reference was for Obama and his Reverend not you. I'm sorry you're confused.

Hey RL from Illinois - I don't have to stand on any stage and I am certainly not standing on my own. :-) I do appreciate your concern.

Research this stuff on your own (not sound bites 30 sec sound bites) the complete information. It doesn't take much. Look it up, listen or read and draw your conclusions from there. Then make the decision to help move this country forward or be happy with status quo. Up to you.

Hey Dan from Pensacola -- You said -- If John McCain went to a church for twenty years, that openly proclaimed hatred for black people, he'd be run out of town.

My challenge to you -- Provide proof on Obama or Rev Wright proclaiming hatred for any racial group.

Regarding the McCain statement - I will give you one name - you can do the research HAGEE. McCain seeked his support in this 2008 nomination. Look it up. I personally don't hold McCain accountable for Hagee or any of his controversial supporters stances. To do so is completely irrational and unreasonable. But to respond to your statement -- Hagee. That is just 1 individual. I am sure you will come across more on your own if you honestly do the research.

Blessings to all. I am out.

Hey dotheresearch...When you are on stage-you make the song your own.

one last thing. . . .lolol (I am contributing to this madness). I found nothing offensive in Rev Wrights sermon. It was all true. His sermon pales against some of the ones preached by Jesus. Read the bible.

It isn't always pretty but . . . truth is truth.

How is Obama or Rev Wright a racist? Provide one fact that shows either one is racist. Just one.

WHO CARES? Do you know how much consumers are paying for chicken in Giant these days? HOW ABOUT THE ECONOMY? Sheezzz ENOUGH ALREADY

I just have one thing to say about Obama and that is he has no religious conviction at all to go to a church where the pastor stands in the pulpit taking the Lord's name in vain. Our country is in trouble if we elect a racist like Barack Obama.

marianna, thanks for the feedback. sadly, i must admit that i was 18 when nixon first got elected. my reaction was the same - how can they vote for him? can't they see how much better the dems are? this can't be happening...., etc..... (in nixon's case, we know how it worked out, but that doesn't change the reality that we were fooling ourselves about how the country would agree with us).

obamaites have much to learn. sadly, we shall all pay for their education.

To so saddened: Excellent post. I was 18 when Reagan first got elected. My friends and I were shocked because we just couldn't fathom that anybody would vote for "that old man". And now the Obama youth are thinking the same thing about McCain. Boy are they in for a rude awakening.

I'm also ready to kiss off the Party over their latest elitist lefty savior. They just don't seem to get it no matter how many times they lose.

so saddened...I think he threw the kitchen sink under there with her.

gonzalo, what's really sad is that she ISN'T dead. he trashed his living grandmother on national tv.

the issue really is that obama is cut slack by the media at every turn he makes. so-and-so was a typical black person. let's see now, if hillary or geraldine ferraro said such a thing, good lord! they'd be crucified! if hillary's mentor and spiritual advisor of 20 years said 'god d*mn america' because the country is sexist, one gender speech wouldn't do anything. go ahead and nominate obama - he cannot win the swing states. he'll even lose a couple of blue states. then we won't have to listen to him or the rest of his glazed eyed minions anymore. welcome to the real world - it sucks sometimes, huh?

I have no doubt that if he was not in the congregation on the day Pastor Wright made those comments, then he would have at least heard of them from other congregants of the church.

Let's remember that his wife, children, and community also attend the same church - surely in 20 years, someone must have told him what kind of statements Pastor Wright was making?

How many times does Obama lecture to use using the phrase, "I want to be very clear." It makes me want to vomit everytime I hear it. Anyone else as tired of hearing that phrase?

The problem with his statement was that he said if a white person was walking down the street they would automatically be defensive. That's bull and he knew it immediately becaused he paused knowing he misspoke. Today, he's crafted a clever story to cover his blunder. He didn't say in a bad neighborhood or at night. Honestly, I'd be afraid of any person passing me at night. I say to Obama, whatever, man.

Obama is toast in the general. I think just about everybody except the Obama worshipers and MSM have already figured that out.

It's not just the Wright problem, it's also Rezko; the Florida and Michigan primaries problem; his lack of experience and substance; his arrogance, etc. And this is only March, there's going to be plenty more dirt come out on him before November.

"mel" - you are either a liar or miseducated. Obama has never called Bill or Hillary a racist. I DARE you to prove otherwise.

A'm I confused, Or a'm I the only one watching the WRIGHT CRAP.. This has to prove how angry OBOMA really is, It's sad to say but its true, cause no matter how good he did , he was still black. why else would a father expose his young daughters to this extreme prodigies against a race which they are at least 25%.. Seems to me this would harder to deal with. Please let me now if I'm wrong or just confused.

What do I think? I think that if the majority of the comments in this post reflect the broader feelings of the electorate, than those people will get exactly the candidate they want.

I want to preface the rest of my comments by saying, I don't think Obama is the perfect candidate. I disagree with some of his positions on certain issues. I think he should have exercised better judgment with the Rezcko land deal, and, because most people in this country can't seem to separate politics from spirituality, he shouldn't have put Rev. Wright on one of his committees, even if it was just an advisory role. Perception is everything in this country.

With that said, despite his imperfections, I still think he will be a great President. He doesn't have the experience that McCain (not Hillary--sorry, no executive experience by osmosis for me), has, but I think that experience, does not automatically translate into good judgment; and the last seven years have been a perfect example of that. And personally, I don't think any of the candidates have their hands clean when it comes to previous political/financial relationships and spiritual advisers. And I know we should be raising the bar, but if we honestly think we are going to find someone who hasn't made mistakes in their lifetime, than we are all deluded, because such a person doesn't exist. Except Jesus, and I doubt he will every run for the presidency.

However, in general, I feel that Obama is a man of integrity, and does want people to unite in this country so that we can move forward. As far as this whole race flap? I too, went back and did my own research with regards to Rev. Wright's statement, and even though I still don't agree with his conspiracy about AIDS and the government (though I understand the historical perspective with the Tuskegee experiment), or his divisive statements about race, I fail to see why this is such a big deal? Correction, now I understand exactly why this is a big deal. We are getting this story from the same news media that failed to conduct any meaningful inquiry into the legitimacy of war in Iraq. Why should I be surprised? If back then, people had the courage and foresight, to actually investigate, challenge, dissent, and report on meaningful stories, maybe things would be different five years later. But here we are again. With this race issue, some are trying to have an honest discussion about it, while others can't resist a scandal or a soundbite and instead want to get people all riled up.

Personally, I think it is sad that Obama has to clarify anything. Not because I think he is trying to cover anything up, but because his comments were pretty obvious the first time he made them. He specifically said that his grandma was not a racist or harbored racial resentment but was influenced by the cultural and generational norms of her time, and for that she was a typical white person (I agree with this statement, and I feel comfortable with calling myself the typical black person from my cultural experiences and generation). From there, people picked up on "typical white person", and completely ignored the rest of the statement. Now, we have people on this blog saying he threw his grandma under the bus, and he himself is a racist. Again, I would say that I am shocked that his comments were so easily distorted and misunderstood, but that would be a lie. As soon as he said it, I knew which part of his comments the media and others were going to leap on, and predictably they did. Obama has tried to talk honestly about a lot of things that have been said and unsaid about race in this country and for that, not only is he now the "race candidate," but a racist himself. Nevermind that it defies logic, since he is both Black and white, or reason, since he too acknowledged harboring his own stereotypes and worked to move past them. It seems like a lot of people aren't interested in those concepts, and for that reason, I no longer look forward to this election this November.

I think Obama, being mixed, just doesn't think of race as a big problem of course. That's why he usually doesn't talk about it & why should he. He's both black & white. And that's really what's needed in an environment where the media is always trying to make mountains out of mole hills & tap racial divisions for dollars.
I don't think Obama is a racist. I think he just made a stupid statement out of ignorance because he probably just hasn't really given the subject as much consideration as all of the other "pure" blacks & whites have been forced to by the media in this country.
I considered him the best candidate this country has seen in decades before he made that statement, and it hurt him I think, but I'll still swing-vote for him over McCain. I just wish that if someone who is white makes a stupid statement like that it change everyone's minds about them either, but that's not Obama's fault.

"Can you imagine if Hillary Clinton said someone was a "typical black person?" "

If Hillary's mother were black, I bet I would say "She's half-black so shut up"

I bet that's what I would say. Just like I point out that Obama is half-white.

Newsflash: Obama's mom and grandma are white. What does that mean? He is just as white as he is black.

Obama is HALF-WHITE!!!

End of story.

Given that Obama has been able to call Jeremiah Wright a “good friend” even as he ignored publicly expressed views that are “completely unacceptable and inexcusable”, I truly believe that he is the only candidate that can befriend Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as well. Given his desire for dialog with Iran, we can only hope that he will do a better job influencing the religious leaders of Iran than he did influencing the religious leaders of his own presidential campaign.

So now he's clarifying what was to be a clarification of a comment he made in a speech? What a bunch of BS! I won't stand for him claiming he didn't know this or that for ONE MORE MINUTE! He has to have known the ideology of good old "Uncle Pastor" all these twenty years. Remember, he wasn't just the pastor - Obama claims he was like an UNCLE to him!

I find it interesting that so many people are outraged that Obama discussed his WHITE grandmother recently. If she had been BLACK (or other NON-WHITE) would they have been so outraged? I think not. I think what is clearly happening is that white people identify with the white grandmother, and feel defensive about any suggestion about their own biases.

Bias is a part of the human experience. It's not limited to race, but it includes race. It doesn't have to be outright prejudicial, but we can't eliminate bias and prejudice by stubbornly claiming that we "don't see color" and never thinking about it. The only way to eliminate prejudice is to periodically reflect on one's thoughts and actions and ask how one can be fairer and more just in one's actions on a daily basis.

I find it so interesting that Obama is so willing to speak of his dead grandmother(who helped raise him) in such a negative light. I mean he did compare her basically to Wright during his race speech. Do you really want to vote for a candidate who would rather speak ill of the dead to do so of his pastor? Is this the courageous Obama we all speak of.

Sorry, I watched the videos and I listened to the Obama interviews. All smoke, mirror and lies!!

Caroline said: "but am first and foremost a Democrat".

This is sad. You should be first and foremost a human being, followed by a woman, followed by an American, etc.. Being a democrat should be well down the list. This is what is wrong; people identifying so strongly with a political party.

White people of his grandmothers generation - she was anything but typical - she welcomed her Black son-in-law and raised her half white grandson - and what does he do - under the bus - if a white politician would have said "typical Black" they would be done!! George Allen

Just words - all words and no leadership or JUDGMENT

Can Obama release his attendance for the church so we can judge for ourselves if he was there or not? Why is his camp refusing to provide that information?

Because he would be caught in yet another LIE.

It looks to me like the DNC has decided that Obama must be the nominee--largely for fear of alienating his core: young people, blacks, and the upper-class white liberals that are the movers and shakers in the party.

I suspect they think an Obama candidacy, whether he wins or loses, will help the Democratic "brand" with younger voters and hurt the GOP, which will be surely perceived as just as racist as the new Co-Grand Dragon, Bill and Hillary Clinton, racists extraordinaire.

But the problem, as many have pointed out, is that this is actually taking the party "brand" back to the old white, liberal elite + blacks. They will alienate the Blue Dogs, who tipped the 2006 election their way. They cannot win with the old Carter-Mondale-Dukakis coalition. Swing voters will swing hard for the GOP and probably stay there if the GOP remodels itself as a more centrist party under McCain.

In short, the DNC thinks it's making a bold move to shore up the party for a generation, win or lose. As usual, they're about to be done in by their own, classist, shortsightedness and hand the GOP an amazing victory and rebuilding opportunity.

I supported Bush in the last two elections because I found him to be a man of great conviction. I also think that McCain and Huckabee have a great deal of class especially in their responses to the Rev. Wrights sermons. I must say however I am very dissappointed with the lack of class and character being displayed by some of you in this blog. You don't prove that racism and hatred is no longer a problem in this country by mocking those who actually want to do something to fix it.
True patriotism is to love and respect your country, not the land within its borders; but the PEOPLE of the land. If I were to take bits and pieces of the blogs that I have seen here today; some of you would come out looking pretty racist. However, I believe that it would take more than a few sentences on a blog to get to really know some of you. You guys seem to be so upset with Mr. Obama and Rev. Wright. How about trying show yourselves to be a little better than what you say they are.

Wasn't there another politician who tried to make things "clear" back in the 60's or 70's?

Oh, yeah!

Richard Nixon!

What a fitting parallel of words for Barak Obama!

What I find amazing is that initially Obama didn't hear any of Jeremiah's vicious and hateful statements.

Then, about four days later Obama's story changed and he admitted to hearing some of the statements.

Now, Obama's story is that he can pick out exactly which statements he did and didn't hear!

Amazing!

Obama's next statement should be, "I am not a crook."

He's a liar and not even a good one. I cannot believe the willingness of the American people to swallow whole pretty much any idiotic thing that he says. He's a phony and a poser, the way he tries (not very convincingly) to channel black preachers like MLK, Southern lilt included (wait, wasn't he raised by typical white persons in the state Hawaii?). Am I the only one who finds that offensive? This whole episode is providing a very interesting window into contemporary American critical thought or the lack thereof, as well as our overall state of celebrity-driven lazy-mindedness. The man spins a bunch of not even very complex sentences and nonsensical lawyerese, and the people just step back and say "wow what an orator." All I see is a weazely weakling of a want-to-be leader. I do not believe I could tolerate four days of his leadership, let alone four years. Hallelujah, I am fast becoming a Republican.

Barack Obama's racist comments gneralizing a "typical white person" show that he is not ready to be EVERYONE's President. Or is this just a "typical black man" who is unable to admit his own bigotry?

To Mallard Fillmoor - I don't think their is a difference. IMO preaching hate from the pulpit is wrong no matter what religion.

The Obama supporters desperately need a history lesson. The left wing of the Democrat party has never picked a candidate who won the general election. That means the "Keith Olbermann" candidate is virtually certain to lose.

Since the 1950's, every Democrat who won the presidential general election was either moderate or conservative.

Obama is the lefty candidate - history proves that's a huge strike against him. His radical preacher is another strike. His "typical white person" gaffe is another strike. Rezko is another strike. Naftagate is another strike. And I'm certain they'll be many more before November.

Could someone please explain to me the difference between a Muslim imam preaching hate and destruction of his enemies in the name of religion, and a Christian minister preaching hate and destruction in the name of religion? I can't see how the results will be much different. Now you have someone who is practically elected who follows one of these radicals. I admit I understand poorly the belief system of these men, but I don't want them in power.

pp, you are so right about that. we dems know how to pick loser nominees, but we don't run them twice. so the only good that could come out of nominating obama would be that we'd be rid of him forever. i'd still prefer, hillary, however.

preference 1 - hillary as nominee, hillary as president
preference 2 - obama as nominee, mccain as president

notice there's no preference choice for obama as president? that's right!

The real plus for BHO getting the party nomination is that he will loose to Mccain, and the party would not run him again in future elections as the nominee.

mallard fillmore, you are right that obama believes in black liberation theology. but you fear for what will happen "when he is elected." i continue to believe that americans will not be that stupid.

to those of you who try to con people with stuff from dailykos huffpo, or politico - please learn something about considering the source.

girlinvt, looks like someone used your screenname for that zogby poll nonsense. has been happening to a lot of us hillary supporters. i guess the obamakids really are good with computers, when they're not getting term papers off the net or whatever.

Now we see the true feelings of Obama toward whites. As you might have guessed from his long association with Rev. Wright, he feels the same way about the white man. He is a blatant racist. I am very afraid of what will happen when he is elected. He will attempt to effect black liberation theology in this country.

OBAMA already knows he's cooked, thats why he was given the endorsement on thursday by the "new black panthers". OBAMA's plan B is to become the next Jesse Jackson/Rev. KING . With this issue it gives him the credentials of "being held down by the white man/government" He's from/been in the Black liberation church system. He will make more money (as Jesse has) at the top of the black leadership and make millions from corporations that fear being targeted.

I will never vote for Hillary. She is the worst type of politician, who will say anything and do anything to get back to Whitehouse. FOX news said this evening that Monica was about to endorse Hillary, but Bill said, it can be handled in private.

A Politico analysis of campaign finance and court records found Rezko’s fundraising for Obama extended well beyond the confines of the initial list and overlapped with contributions prosecutors plan to highlight in Rezko’s trial in federal court in Chicago.

The review turned up donations previously unnoted by media and Obama’s campaign. And it found a pattern in which, on at least seven occasions, groups of five or more Rezko associates and workers would on the same day write big, often matching checks to Obama’s campaigns, starting with his failed 2000 congressional race. Barack Obama on Friday acknowledged that he had substantially underrepresented the cash raised for his earlier campaigns by indicted businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

But Obama's campaign said it could not donate to charity as much as $90,000 in newly acknowledged Rezko-linked contributions because the old campaign accounts were closed and the money spent.

Obama's acknowledgment that Rezko raised as much as $250,000 for earlier campaigns, initially made in an interview with The Chicago Tribune and confirmed later to Politico, came after a year-and-a-half-long trickle of admissions about Rezko’s fundraising role and more than a month after Obama’s aides contended that they had identified and jettisoned all Rezko-linked cash. It also came as Rezko’s trial on corruption charges, underway in Chicago, brought increased scrutiny of Obama’s ties to the real estate developer, fast-food magnate and political insider.

The man is a lier,there are election finance laws he must record all donors and the amount so really just how hard could it have been for him to figure it out.

Hillary is the biggest Monster running around. She will break the democratic party very soon!!! Dems go to hell... Hillary will do the job for the Republicans. McCain 08!!!

I grew up around some seriously bigoted people in the South. They had some pretty horrible opinions and I learned very early just not to discuss some things. When my father was laid up with a bad back right when our wheat crop was due to come in and my mother hadn't a clue as to how she would get it in, a bunch of people showed up at our house with combines and trucks and got the crop in and to the grain elevator in about three days. So how do I turn my back on people like that? I really understand where Obama comes from.

He's not my candidate, neither is Hillary or Macaine. It's all one big mess and we have three evils to choose from.

Imposter_alert

Someone was posting using my screen name.....I think it is Jackie or you...

I am a Hillary supporter all the way.....

How can you comment when you did not listen to the speech of Obama. Even if you did you would not comprehend it because you first have to take a course in reading comprehension.

I agree with you MattOhio. CLINTONS ARE CORRUPT. Hillary will do anything and say anything just to get back to whitehouse. She forgot to steal all the furniture last time. Bill can't wait to get his hands on the Interns. Who will monitor him? What a terror it will be, these two running again loose in Whitehouse. McCain 08!

My Confession: I will no doubt be considered a typical white person for syaing this, but I didn't realize that there was a nationwide racial division today. Of course, there are racists of every color, gender and age. From a micro perspective, there are some areas, cities, neighborhoods, streets where you find hateful bigotry. And that racism needs to be addressed and ended forever. But in the America I live in I see people of all colors and religions having the same opportunities -- evidenced by a woman, african-american, and hispanic running for president. As a country, I didn't know that we were all hating each other until Barack Obama told me (and Rev. Wright provided me with explicit detail). For months, I looked at Obama as being a possible, but somewhat inexperienced presidential candidate. Anybody I talked to was looking at the wonderful range of candidates that democrats had to choose from. Period. We didn't talk about black, white, male, female. Now everyone's talking making race a central issue.

Did it start with Pastor Wright? Did it start with Oprah making an endorsement saying "it was our time"? Did it start with Michelle Obama, the media? All I know is that it was validated by Obama himself this past week.

I guess we do have a race problem here in America now. Thanks for uniting us, Barack Obama.

Pretty amazing to see how fast you censor your comments criticizing your coverage.

When are you planning to report that the clip of Wright saying "America's chickens are coming home to roost" is actually quoting Ronald Reagan's deputy anti-terrorism task force lead, Ambassador Peck.

You never show the lead-in to Wright's comments:

“I heard Ambassador Peck on an interview yesterday did anybody else see or hear him? He was on FOX News, this is a white man, and he was upsetting the FOX News commentators to no end, he pointed out, a white man, an ambassador, he pointed out that what Malcolm X said when he was silenced by Elijah Mohammad was in fact true, he said Americas chickens, are coming home to roost.”

Why is it you don't show that, and then censor this out of comments while allowing all manner of hate speech to remain?

lies, just lies.

avert, blame, clarify, distract, explain, fudge, gloss, hide, invent, justify, kvetch, lie, misstate, needle, obfuscate, pander, quarrel, restate, slander, twist, understate, vilify, whine, xerox, yield, zigzag.

the obama alphabet.

Dear Imposter_Alert!!!

Why do you think the "American people do not like the nasty campaigns of the Republicans and also the Clintons"?

Did I miss something?