Make no mistake about it, race matters in the 2008 Presidential Election. Barack Obama is not only one of the most brilliant politicians that America has ever seen, he directly reflects the comprehensive history of America. He is a man born of a white mother and a African father. Descendants of Africans and white women have been the primary subjects of prejudice in America and Sen. Obama is descendant from both of groups. He epitomizes everything that white America would like to see black America be. As Joe Biden put it, Barack Obama is an "articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy". He has walked through the fires of racism and Clintonism to emerge as the Democratic Party's nominee. The purpose of this forum is to define how and why race is impacting the candidate and pundit behavior, strategies, and choices in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Even though Sen. Obama represents the best of African-America, many whites still have a problem with his "otherness" or to be frank, his blackness. Which means that if ever a black man were "perfect", then he still would not be good enough for them solely on the color of one of the many organs we humans share in common. They claim that they don't know him. They claim that he's a Muslim, when they know that he is not. They claim that Hillary Clinton was somehow wronged during a primary contest in which she handed the opposition a playbook, soundbytes, and video clips with which to bludgeon her Democratic colleague with. Barack Obama in no way shape or form wronged Hillary Clinton and each time they ask one of these PUMA nuts for an example, they simply can not give one. Not one!

I believe that this difficulty to visualize and to actualize a black man in the country's most prestigous position of power is rooted in the truthful origins of our country. It is rooted in white America's romance of the past, which for the rest of us reads like a study in global trauma. The truth is that Barack Obama's father would have been killed in cold blood for sleeping with a white woman were this the wrong time in America. The truth is that Barack Obama's father and mother probably would have never met in the old segregated south. The truth is that were it not for the diversity of the great state of Hawaii, then Barack Obama wouldn't have been able to flourish the way that he did because the rest of America is not as ethnically diverse nor desegregated as Hawaii is. The truth is that the resistance to vote for a black man reflects many white Americans desire to maintain white supremacy and dominance in America both consciously and sub-consciously.

As an African-American, I understand this perfectly. When blacks were surpassed by hispanics as the largest minority in this country, we lost political power and favor and it is highly reflected in this campaign. African-Americans were ready to go to political war with Hispanic-Americans if they stifled Obama's bid on a racial basis. In all honesty, no two groups in America should be more closely bonded then blacks and hispanics. So, I understand that the white man is seeing the racial composition of America change right before their very eyes and I understand that they don't particularly like it.

The historical disposition of whites in America can and may act as a choking point for progress in America. I do not wish to equate Sen. Obama to Jesus. However, African-Americans have always believed that if Jesus appeared today and appeared to be a black man, then most whites in America would surely not be saved. My point is that no matter how good what an African-American offers is, many whites are too struck by fear to accept that they may be helped by the "inferior" black man. Or as one Clinton supporter put it, an "inadequate black man".

Sen. Obama has had to walk the tightrope of race during his campaign and has at times stopped to educate and inform the American people. I ask you, when has a speech such as "A More Perfect Union", which was essentially to sooth over white people's angst about Obama's Pastor, ever been required of any candidate in this country's history? When has a candidate had to consciously place his own racial group's agenda on the back burner to prove that he is for all Americans. No white candidate has ever had to think like that, more or less act on it. No candidate has ever received US Secret Service protection so fast. No white candidate has ever had to prove his religious choice based solely on his name. No white candidate has ever had his own father's middle name used against him in an election as a smear. No candidate has ever suffered the indignity of having his racial authenticity questioned. All of these firsts reflect that America still has a problem with African-Americans as a group, even with one who is half-white.

They do not balk at a black Senator or Congressperson, Judge, Mayor, or Governor, but the Presidency is different. It's the symbol of who we are as a country and for the past 232 years we have been the country of the 43 white men who lead it and not of the whole of this beautifully diverse nation. This is how we perceive ourselves and this is how the rest of the world perceives us, as a white man's country. Sen. Obama has often said that he believe that his election would change the way that the country is viewed around the world. He never got specific about his feelings, but I will attempt to analyze them. White people are a minority on Planet Earth, yet white male dominance has exerted a power grip that has oppressed many non-white nations. The mere fact that Obama is not a white man will allow many of them to let their guard down. This will give our foreign policy a dimension not yet seen and I'm sure that it will lend itself to greater alliance building.

Charles Barkley put it plain and simple. I would only add to what he said by asking the question of whether or not white Americans are ready to do the right thing? Or will they allow their pride and prejudice to send the country down the path of destruction by their refusal to vote for a black man. What do you think they will do?

The "right thing" is for each American to vote for the candidate they feel is most qualified for the job, regardless of race.
It seems from your post that race is the defining qualification for you.
It seems from the unprecedented number of black voters in the primaries, all supporting Obama, that race was their defining qualification as well.

Tell me again, who's doing the right thing and who's not?

At least Charles Barkley was man enough to say that to him, yeah, it's about having a black man as President....so props to Big Charles for being a stand-up guy.....not smart, but stand-up.

Denny Crane!

A person's political agenda is more important to me that his/her race. Obviously, enough people feel this way to have elected people "of color" to all manner of elective positions - city councils, mayors, representatives to state governments, governors, US senators and representatives, and now Democratic candidate for POTUS.
Sure, I worry about some of these crazies for whom race is everything, but they're far from a majority. We all just have to redouble our efforts to make sure that the young, bright people who have grown up with heroes and heroines of color are involved in this election....
Keep the faith!
Sallie

Denny,

Thank you for your feedback. I assume that forward thinking individuals like yourself are already aware of Barack Obama's unique qualifications as well as his standard qualifications. I assure you that if he were Alan Keys, then you would not hear me speak in this way. It is common sense to me that Barack Obama is the right man for the job. The fact that he's black is a bonus for our posture as a nation.

P.S. I'm not telling you what you want to hear. I'm telling you what you need to hear.

Darrick Herndon

Sallie,

I cited that many African-Americans are in positions of power on many levels in my essay. We are suffering in corporate America, but hey I'm one who made it. So, I really can't complain about my own situation, but the situation of many African-Americans is grim. The public education system is failing our children and our jobs are being exported and outsourced because of it. It's time to reform the school system. No public school in America should be any better than the next. We all share in that responsibility.

The POTUS is the symbol of the most powerful man in the world. The real question is, will enough white people vote for a black man to be in that position? The numbers are great in every other demographic for Obama. The rest of us are convinced. So, what does that say? I don't have to remind you of Obama's numbers in Appalachia do I? I grew up there. It's not a pleasant place for African-Americans.

I don't at all dispute anything you are saying. I just want to shine a light on racism as the diseased rhinocerous pism that it is. I love all people. Two of my best friends are a Muslim and a Jew. So who am I to hate?

Sincerely,

Darrick Herndon

Your logic must be based on the fact that the right keeps on voting for morons. You know, people just like themselves.

Americans love newness.we are infatuated with what thrills us.thrill seekers,war winners,news junkies,Americans,love what is new.
we are so jaded.we have seen it all befor,as the bare naked ladies say/sing about,its all been done.
the majority of Americans,are good people.they dont want to be in this race war anymore.we are tired of it.we are the clear majority.

Derrick,
Every "foward thinking" person like me, knows for a fact that Obama is not remotely qualified (read that as meaning experienced enough) to be the POTUS.

Denny Crane!

And GW Bush was qualified because...

It is by far the most important issue. McCain's adherents divide neatly into two groups, racists and those who don't object to being allied to racists.

I agree. I think that the real promise of America is just now being tapped and that the nation's heart is in the right place. I believe that Sen. Obama will be elected. In terms of race, George W. Bush ruined the country so bad that, the country was made ready for Barack Obama. I guess we have at one thing to look back on his administration favorably for.

Darrick H******

This is truly a measure of how much of the last generation has died off in America and/or a measure of their ability to absorb the changes of the Civil Rights Movement. It is truly a demographic battle. The Democratic Primary was a clear example of how demographics break down for Barack Obama in America. He has a road map and unfortunately, so does McCain.

Darrick H******

I suppose Jack Kennedy and Bill Clinton weren't either. They were younger than he and left the country better than when they found it. Can you say the same for McBush?

Darrick H******

For one thing GW at least had been governor one term and was serving his second term when he decided to run for president. That in itself buries him in the experience department. All Mr Obama has for experience is 2 years as a junior senator.

I don't think that many of the racists were going to support the democratic ticket anyways. Most of the racists I have encountered do not think women should be in leadership positions either, so I really would not see them voting for Hillary. I believe someone on these boards has the signature of "Not all conservatives are bigots, but all bigots vote conservative", which is pretty accurate. For the sake of our country, I pray that their ignorance does not doom us all.

You obviously don't realize that being Governor of Texas is a part-time job as little more than a figurehead. That was his ONLY governmental experience. Obama had more governmental experience in Ohio before coming to the Senate. Bush had none.

GoU

And Bush was such a sparkling Governor?
Read Molly Ivins account of the Bush governorship, if you don't know it.

He was famous for putting his name on other people's stuff.
He laughed about a mentally retarded woman being put to death & barely glanced at appeals for a stay of execution in all the other cases presented before him?

Rather like the Enron boys on that phone message laughing about grandmothers during their rolling blackouts created to coerce residents in California & Northwest.

Yet, what did we hear about Bush in 2000? When experience was brought up?
Do you even remember that far back?

And you would tout the marvelous success Bush has become in diminishing America as valid for ANYTHING? Have you no shame?
Would you back that up with another term of BUSH????
---------

Kerry was ripped because he had "too much" time as a senator.
Gore was ripped as though pack behavior is applicable to human society.

Bill Clinton pointed out that the same crap was said about him being underqualified.

McCain --- "did I tell you I was a POW?" is not a reason or a qualification.

You guys just make shit up to suit your worldview.

Racism is so very, very much at the bottom of this.
I started out thinking maybe I was over-inflating that as a cause. That my perception was being colored.

Its like a child that learns a taboo, or dirty word & uses it, flaunts it in adult faces at every turn.
Its like demanding to be able to use the "N" word & pretend it doesn't have an evil history.

Making obliquely racist comments, but because of some little "smile & wink" technicality can't be called on it.
When the right does this, it has NOTHING to do with irony. There is just way, way too much delight in calling Obama muslim names. Those people don't care in the least about muslims in general.

When racists get pushed to the front...

If one is not racist, then why would one enable TRUE racists - and have them march the front lines
to speak for them???? THOSE RACISTS REPRESENT YOU, if you enable them.

You are tainted by association.
No pretense otherwise, changes that fact.

If you feel the GWBush was unexperienced enough to be unqualified, then you just proved my point.
Thanks,
Denny Crane!

A figurehead? Part-Time? Oh, yeah, I forgot, being a Governor means that you sit in an air-conditioned office in a big padded chair, and to you...that's not real work.

The absurdity of your posts never cease to amaze me!

Feel free to list all the "governmental experience" Obama had in Ohio before coming to the Senate, I'm sure it will be impressive.

Denny Crane!

The numbers bear it out. Nearly 80 percent of our country believes that we are on the wrong path, but the polls reflect resistance to real change. It is clear who ran this country and its assets into the ground. It should be clear who should not be put back into power.

Darrick

Denny,

So if Obama's not qualified, then I wonder if Sarah Palin is in your opinion? She would be one 72 year old heartbeat away from the Presidency if elected.

Darrick

IMO, her executive experience (Governor), although limited, still gives her more points in the experience category than the jr. senator.

Denny Crane!

Don't you be trying to tell a Texan how the Texas government works. The Governor is, essentially, a meeter-greater position. The real power lies in the Texas HOUSE and the Lieutenant Governor. If you don't know how something works, don't comment on it.
The Governor of Texas does have a veto/sign role. He/she also has the right to stop executions and/or commute sentences. Need I say more on these subjects?
Sallie

You have truly been proven to be laughable. The Governor who has served a population of 683,478 for two years pails in comparsion to a Legislator who has served a population of 12,852,548 for the last 12 years. For crying out loud, there are more people on the South Side of Chicago, than in the entire state of Alaska.

Her executive experience is simply not compatible with the grand scale of global politics. It is more likeable to George W. Bush than to William Jefferson Clinton.

Sallie, I was born in Austin, raised in Houston, and live in Dallas.

GoU 's view of the work of the Governor of Texas is wrong....of course, GoU's made an art form of being wrong.

Denny Crane!

Agreed, most self-identified racist will not vote Democratic. In fact, all of them will not. My question is not to them, but to the every day average Joe who's life is really no different from the next guy or the black guy or the white woman for that matter. To those whites I say, stop falling for flag waiving and gimmicks. Stop falling for sloganeering and character assasinations. To them I say, be conscious of your feelings about blacks and consider those feelings when you enter the voting booth. I would like for them, to ask themselves in that definitive moment, what side of history do I want to be on?

A voice of reason.

Bush was governing the State of Texas, and in his second term, mind you. Wow! I knew the left was in denial, but this is just laughable.

Oh really? Racism is not just a label for white people. Geez, it extends into all races. What a narrow view of a problem that affects everyone, not just one race. I would imagine that the black racists will support Obama. How can you categorically group racism without considering the scope of this entire presidential cycle without considering the race factor of African American voters, some of which are voting along racial lines, and care less about the issues?

This entire argument about racism just shows how far this country has yet to go before candidates are considered entirely on merit, instead of stereotypes such as this.

Interesting you bring that point up. Clinton became President with what executive experience? You just shot your entire argument out of the water.

Sure you were, and sure you do....
You might be interested in reading this: http://home.swbell.net/gr8folks/essay_4.html
which questions why anyone would seek the position of Governor of Texas. Of course, it's all in the perception. That's what GWB was betting on in 2000 and a whole lot of people were duped into believing - that being the governor of the great state of Texas was a really great prep for POTUS.
You can't tell me that you have agreed with this administration for the past eight years. How can you go with this bullshit and call yourself a Texan?
Sallie

Let me get this straight. You guys are leaning on Bush? The Republicans are truly desperate. Sarah Palin absolutely lacks the diverse American experience necessary to be sympathetic and empathetic to America's diverse population. She is a prototypical right-winger who just entered the biggest change election in American history. Good luck selling her to disgruntled Clintonites whom I suspect are just a tad bit insulted by this pick. It is the equivalent of John McCain picking up a black Republican if Obama had lost. It wouldn't have made a bit of difference to black people. In fact, it would have solidified our resolve for Clinton. Sarah Palin will make no difference to most women. She is as Geraldine Ferraro described herself, a token.

If Obama had picked a woman, then I would have said that he was pandering, but in this case it is John McCain who is the panderer. This gamble will not pay off and the era of the Christian Conservative/Karl Rove branch of the Repugnican Party is over. No way! No how! No John McCain!

I'm an average Jane. I know a jerk when I see one. I don't care what color, race, religion. A jerk is a jerk!
John McCain is a jerk! Barak Obama is NOT a jerk!
Please don't put all whites in one bag, darrick. We couldn't possibly fit - and we'd be fighting each and the bag would break and we'd all spill out to start again....
I'm not one of those whities who runs around saying, "some of my best friends are...." That has nothing to do with it. I do have Black friends and I do have Asian friends and I do have Hispanic friends and I do have White friends. None of them make me what I am. Long before I ever met any of them, I was ready for their friendship.
You either have it or you don't. Some people come to an understanding and some people have always had the understanding. I can't speak for those who were raised to hate anyone different from them. I just don't understand them and I can't answer your questions.
Sallie

Please don't use the term Mulatto. It is widely considered a pejorative because of its etymology.

The earliest studies of it's origins find that it is Portugeese for "Mule" (i.e. the mix bettween a horse and a donkey)

Others trace it to the Arabic term for a person of mixed ARAB decent.

The term is offensive to many, including me. Please do not use it.

Who are you replying to?

Post # 1, first paragraph.

I don't like the term mulatto either. As far as racism, saying that it will play no part in this election is silly. Of course racism is still with us, and of course it's going to affect how people look at Obama.

I'm nearly fifty years old, and people were drinking out of separate water fountains within my lifetime. Black/white dating was, until very recently, taboo--not seen on tv, not seen on the movies, rarely seen in real life. Equating black and white racism is crazy. On the one hand you have a group that spent over a hundred years as slaves on our continent and another hundred years being treated like crap, and on the other hand you have a group that's been privileged since the pilgrims arrived on these shores. Dismissing white on black racism, likening the black support for Obama to what a white pride maniac feels when he sees a black person is insanity.

OK, I had said I was done with rants for today. My apologies

Twist it, turn it, spin it, BUT you will NOT, I repeat, you will NOT take the high road after travelling the low road for so many years.

There's no risk of the Right ACTUALLY taking the high road. But the likelyhood that they will PRETEND they are and have been all along is quite high.

Yep. And I think Obama and Biden will call them on it.

Blacks are traditionally the most loyal Democrats. They vote about 90% Democratic in general. They will vote 99% for Obama. If you see that as racism, look into your heart a little deeper. Or is it that you're concerned we've had too many black presidents already?

Please be honest about the history of racism in America. It is not a two way street. Blacks have not oppressed whites in America. Blacks have not exerted physical force and governmental power over whites in order to subjogate them. The reverse psychologogy of "reverse racism" is bullshit. You can not turn history around to suit your psychological needs.

Secondly, I have said again and again, that if Barack Obama were Alan Keyes, then you would never hear me back him. People like you make the mistake of assuming that blacks don't think about who we vote for. You are wrong. We choose the Democratic Party because it is the party that acts like it gives a damn about the rest of America and not just the rich white elite in the GOP. Look at the conventions. Look at the candidate line ups. Look at both parties side by side and tell me which one looks more like America. African-Americans are very cognizant of why they vote Democrat and of why we support Obama and it is the same cognizant reasoning that lead us to vote for Bill Clinton 9 to 1. My advice to you, avoid slippery slopes.

Bill Clinton lost his Governorship in 1980. He wasn't elect to the presidency until 1992. That's 12 years of post-executive experience. He wasn't fresh off the farm like Palin the Impaler. Furthermore, we Democrats were not the ones making this experience argument the day before yesterday. You were and oh how it has returned to slap you in the face. LOL!

Sallie,

I don't hate anyone and I would never put all white people into a bag. If it were not for the white people in Iowa, then we wouldn't even be having this conversation. I recognize that. However, whites as a group still have a problem with minorities and Sarah Palin doesn't count since women are 51% of the nation's population. I am speaking strictly of the white population as a body and not the individual. What counts is what's truly in each individual heart.

Whites hold individual blacks accountable for how we behave as a group and I am merely offering the same service in return. I really don't think that most whites in America are ever truly challenged about race and that they could benefit from being challenged. It never ceases to amaze me how sensitive whte people are whenever a modicum of racial accountability and responsibility is brought before them. Imagine feeling some measure of that discomfort every single day of your life and you will begin to understand what it is to be African-American.

People like Denny Crane will never conduct enough self-examination to understand why he supports a tyrant like George W. Bush and he will never analyze his reasons for supporting the war mongering and now, nation risking, wild card known as John McCain.

The truth is that even if Barack Obama were offering salvation at the alter of God, Denny Crane would dismiss him as a left winger in denial. The truth is that Denny Crane and his cohorts would rather not think about politics and exactly what it means to elect a President. They just go on instinct and that instinct will inevitably lead them back to a white man. Again, this is people like Denny Crane, not like you Sallie.

They cling to guns, religion, and apathy towards those who are not like them. They cling to a 72 year old white man who threw his disabled wife under the bus while he snuck around with a wealthy heiress. They cling to a 72 year old white man who has to have skin clipped off of his face because he sunned himself so much that he gave himself skin cancer four times. They cling to a 72 year old man who makes tough guy jokes about bombing Iran. They cling to a 72 year old white man who doesn't even know how to use a computer. They cling to a 72 year old white man who called his wife a "cunt" in front of reporters. They cling to a 72 year old white man who just bet the nation on a woman whom he had only met once before placing her one 72 year old heart beat away from running our country.

And they will cling to a 72 year old white man who just strapped his ass in even tighter to the Christian Right and therefore the Bush Administration by virtue of his right-wing nut job of a severely unqualified, beauty queen, gun toting, loyal Bushie of a running mate. The intent is to compare her to Barack Obama as a minority. She is no Barack Obama. The intent is to attract disgruntled Hillary voters. She is no Hillary.

Darrick

I'm white. I'm also Native American. I don't hold you accountable for others actions. Don't hold me accountable for others either...white, black, Native, Asian, or anything else please. There is no favor to return.

I hold the United States government responsible for the oppression and forced segregation of both blacks and Native Americans. I believe that reparations are owed by today's government to repair the generational inequalities still being handed down today.

Is that enough self interspection for you?

Brother you may not, but the police in California sure do hold me accountable for the behaviors of other blacks as I get pulled over time and time again for nothing. Again, you are not who I am addressing. It's kind of tough to do this here because I'm kind of preaching to the choir. Most Ed Heads are progressive thinkers.

I lived in white assed Portland, OR for two years and I never felt more welcomed or at home anywhere else in the country. Please realize, I am not indicting white people. I'm just trying to awaken those who may be sleeping. Hell I'd like to send them all to Portland for rehab. Charles Barkley inspired me to write this post. I try to leave race out of politics as much as I can, but it can not be ignored as a factor in this election. It simply can not be.

Darrick

I think it's important to keep discussions like this going. Who knows? It might bring out opinions that some have and no others have even considered.
I can only speak for myself and my children and their children. I wasn't raised to be color-blind, it was instinctive. I will say, however, that only once did I hear the "N" word from one of my children. This little 4+ child went off to Kindergarten and came back with many words that I found objectionable - one of them was "Nigger."
In retrospect, I may have over-reacted, but I promised him that if I ever heard that word out of his mouth again I'd hit him so hard that by the time he stopped rolling his clothes would be out of style. My now-grown children still find that hilarious, and are very proud to tell everybody about their mom's stance.
Obviously, I didn't end with the threat of punishment. We discussed all the people who make up this beautiful world and how all of us are equally beautiful and important.
This may all be tempered by the fact that I was still working on my degree in anthropology and it was clear to me that other cultures had a lot more to say than our own on many issues.
Anyway, I've gone on too long. I'm not sure that I can change every racial bigot in our society, but I can say that I've done my part by raising five children who are not white racists, who have in turn raised 12 children who are equally color blind.
Sallie