Obama Exposed As Black

okie wrote:

One example, does anyone know what Obama's stance is on the very fringe idea, an idea that is very racially charged, reparations for slave descendents? As he does on multiple issues, he dodges giving a straight answer, which I think is playing the race card big time.

It is utter bullshyt to try to characterize Obama as someone who dodges issues. When have you ever heard him asked about slave reparations, "for example"?

Okie, for once I will defer to Finn when it comes to your claim that Obama "has played the race card". I think you're wrong, and I think he explains well why in these parts of his post:

Finn dAbuzz wrote:

I suppose that one could make the argument that by offering himself as the racially transcendent candidate he is, in effect, capitalizing on the issue of race, but I think that would be unfair.

Obama, although born of a white mother and a black father, is considered by virtually everyone in America, including himself, as black. Why this is the case can be the subject of another thread, but it, undeniably, is. [..] If he never discussed his race he would still be considered black, by both his supporters and his detractors. [..]

[S]ince Obama is almost forced to identify himself as black by a world that seems instinctively compelled to label individuals (with skin color being a primary label), I think its unfair to accuse him of "playing a race card."

I really can't think of examples where he has tried to accuse his opponents or critics of being racist and never as a smoke screen to escape accountability for an error or misstatement. This is what I would call using the race card, not pointing out that his mixed heritage make him uniquely qualified to lead both whites and blacks.

You're right though that he is not race neutral, but then I don't know how he could be.

(Also, are you being sarcastic when you're using Bill Clinton as example to make the "even he says Obama plays the race card" point? Wouldnt Bill be, like, the very first person to make that claim on the Democratic side? Bill claiming that his wife's mortal opponent played the race card proves what, exactly?)

nimh wrote:

(Also, are you being sarcastic when you're using Bill Clinton as example to make the "even he says Obama plays the race card" point? Wouldnt Bill be, like, the very first person to make that claim on the Democratic side? Bill claiming that his wife's mortal opponent played the race card proves what, exactly?)

I find it interesting it is the same set of people, not exactly the same, but pretty much the same set of people that defended the Clintons for 8 years, that now are abandoning them and essentially saying they have no credibility, and why would anyone believe a Clinton.

In regard to the reparations issue, it is not so much what Obama says, but what he doesn't say and who he hangs out with

, and it is reported that John Conyers is salivating at an Obama presidency in regard to his slave reparation legislation he always brings up.

Sorry, I am not that naive

In regard to the reparations issue, it is not so much what Obama says, but what he doesn't say and who he hangs out with

okie wrote:

In regard to the reparations issue, it is not so much what Obama says, but what he doesn't say and who he hangs out with

For real? That's what you're going with now?

What about what he doesn't say about eating babies?
What about what he doesn't say about burning witches?
What about what he doesn't say about cancer?

Is Barack Hussein Obama for cancer, witch burning, and baby eating… or against it?

Barack Hussein Obama... he's for cancer, witch burning and baby eating.

This message is approved by morons everywhere.

You find it grating, well, the feeling is mutual. I am supposed to jump to it here, and be in lockstep with all the other Obama worshipers and jump on his bandwagon.

Finn dAbuzz wrote:

Many of his supporters want to vote for a black person for president. I don't think this is the main reason most of them will vote for him, but it's a nice side benefit for them. You vote for someone with whom you agree and whom you admire and you also get to vote for a black man and prove you are not a racist. Interestingly enough, I think he would lose support from some of these voters if he laid claim to being white, not because they don't want to vote for a white person or only want to vote for a black person but because, as I've already indicated, I believe his laying claim to being white would somehow be seen as running away from his black heritage. There is something sad about this, and since Obama is almost forced to identify himself as black by a world that seems instinctively compelled to label individuals (with skin color being a primary label), I think its unfair to accuse him of "playing a race card."

Excellent summation of what is going on here, in terms of the dynamics of his support. Maybe it is somewhat unfair for my accusation, however I would tend more to agree with you if he had not gone to great lengths to pander to and associate with people and ideas at the Jeremiah Wright end of the spectrum.

I agree that his association with Rev Wright is demonstrative of the practice of cynical Old Politics which he claims to reject, but I don't know that I would characterize the association as somehow "playing the race card."

The point, I think, is that one can oppose Sen Obama's bid for the presidency without alleging he is capitalizing on racial issues. This is not to say that such an allegation is always unnecessary or illegitimate as respects black candidates for president. The fact of the matter is that based on past history the allegation has been, heretofore, pretty accurate. This time around I just don't think it is.


Interestingly, Obama seems to want to do the same thing with all kinds of issues. Take the terrorist problem, rather than totally repudiating that end of the spectrum, there seems to be a projection of the idea that he wants to entertain their greviences, talk to them, understand them, and thus bring everyone to some kind of common ground.

Understandable, and this is a generally liberal way of thinking that I find objectionable as well, but it really has nothing to do with his racial identity, unless you are prepared to draw an analogy between terrorists and civil rights activists. I don't believe you do.

I guess his approach just rubs me the wrong way. I prefer someone that will take a stand on something, and oppose viewpoints that are wrong rather than entertaining them and using them. And that includes the race card.

He rubs me the wrong way too, but, again, I don't agree that he is entertaining or using racial identity politics. It is, actually, unreasonable to expect him to make some sort of declaration that he will not consider, as relevant, any argument that is centered on race. We can agree that race is too often used as a politically correct trump card, but that doesn't mean issues related to it have no significance whatsoever.

One example, does anyone know what Obama's stance is on the very fringe idea, an idea that is very racially charged, reparations for slave descendents? As he does on multiple issues, he dodges giving a straight answer, which I think is playing the race card big time.

I don't recall that he has ever been asked to comment on reparations but that, clearly, doesn't mean he hasn't. If he has been asked to comment on the issue and has been all over the map with his response, then I agree that he is dodging it, and probably because he doesn't want to alienate any of his constituencies, but I don't see how this is "playing the race card."

Such is typical of Obama, it is tough to pin the guy down to anything. This is his political strategy, and so far it seems to be working fairly well. Be all things to all people, and if one thing is the race card, he will use it. Why not, as you say it is pretty much thrown in his lap, but he makes not much effort to distance himself from it either if it gets him votes.


Perhaps it is is simply semantics, but "playing the race card," is, to me, an aggressive tactic. What you are describing is a politician who sits back and allows people to draw whatever conclusions they most desire. This is not somethin I want to see in a president, but it is not a candidate who is attempting to gain advantage by underscoring racial divides.

There are plenty of rational reasons to oppose an Obama candidacy without bringing race into the equation. I honestly do not believe he is playing a race card, but we should remain aware that if his opponents suggest, without clear evidence, that he is, it plays into the hands of his supporters who are all too willing to play the race card to suggest that those who will not vote for Obama come to this decision through reasons of race.

okie wrote:

In regard to the reparations issue, it is not so much what Obama says, but what he doesn't say and who he hangs out with

For real? That's what you're going with now?

What about what he doesn't say about eating babies?
What about what he doesn't say about burning witches?
What about what he doesn't say about cancer?

Is Barack Hussein Obama for cancer, witch burning, and baby eating… or against it?

Barack Hussein Obama... he's for cancer, witch burning and baby eating.

This message is approved by morons everywhere.

Perhaps it is is simply semantics, but "playing the race card," is, to me, an aggressive tactic. What you are describing is a politician who sits back and allows people to draw whatever conclusions they most desire. This is not somethin I want to see in a president, but it is not a candidate who is attempting to gain advantage by underscoring racial divides.

There are plenty of rational reasons to oppose an Obama candidacy without bringing race into the equation. I honestly do not believe he is playing a race card, but we should remain aware that if his opponents suggest, without clear evidence, that he is, it plays into the hands of his supporters who are all too willing to play the race card to suggest that those who will not vote for Obama come to this decision through reasons of race.

Sorry Okie, I know I'm being rude. Consider it exasperation. When the guy you like keeps being accused of harboring all kinds of evil plans and inclinations on the basis of nothing but hot air -- some guilt by association, some reading in between the lines, some generic suspicion against that kind of person thrown in -- it gets a little grating.