Below is Keith Olbermann's special comment about Geraldine Ferraro's controversial statements about how Barack Obama has gotten to where he is because he is black:
Now, I do understand Olbermann's point, though I don't agree with it entirely. For one, the more talk there is about this episode, the worse it is for the Obama campaign. He has tried very hard not to make this contest about race, and every day he has to spend on this issue means he's not talking about the issues that have won him support.
But there is another point that my wife Tracy brought up: "Why do they call him black when he's half white?"
While Ferraro is wrong about Obama's "blackness" being his key for success, his racial heritage is a major part of who he is and why his campaign has done so well.
Does that sound contradictory?
Obama isn't winning over white voters in Wyoming, Idaho and Iowa because he's black. It's because he's half-white. What Obama's racial heritage has done is to bridge the gap between the races. Neither side sees him as threatening. They perceive him as someone who can fundamentally change the racial dynamics of this country, to get past all the old wounds, hatred and resentment.
And he does this without saying a word. It's not about promises to support the right policies. This is who he is. No one can accuse him of pandering in his efforts to end the racial divide, since he's got a foot on each side. This is why his message of hope and change have resonated so well with voters of all races.
Ferraro and the Clinton campaign don't seem to get this. They want to make this about who is the better victim, women or blacks. They want to turn Obama into the black candidate, and have been trying to do so for the entire campaign. It is a central part of their strategy.
This fact makes Ferraro's comments even more repulsive. What she is claiming is Obama's key to success is what the Clinton campaign knows is the secret to defeating him. This is what the "kitchen sink" is all about. It's the standard Democratic victimization strategy that has been a dismal failure for so long.
Obama's not a victim, and doesn't buy into the Clinton victimization crap. And he's going to have to fight to keep from being pulled into that swamp.
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Interesting but....
Obama isn't winning over white voters in Wyoming, Idaho and Iowa because he's black. It's because he's half-white. What Obama's racial heritage has done is to bridge the gap between the races. Neither side sees him as threatening. They perceive him as someone who can fundamentally change the racial dynamics of this country, to get past all the old wounds, hatred and resentment.
I respectfully have to disagree on this. The whites in Wyoming and Idaho and Iowa are not flocking to Obama cause he's half white, they are flocking to him because they get to prove that they aren't racist without having to do any of the hard social justice work that needs to be done to really end racism. Obama has made exactly zero promises to the black community and no threats to the white community that they will have to give up some privilege. That isn't healing any wounds, it's lip service at best.
You don't know Wyoming...
...or Idaho. I used to live in both states, and also Kansas. Sorry, but trying to claim Democrats in those states are trying to prove they aren't racist is not even in the ball park.
And how is not making any promises lip service? And someone has to threaten the white community in order to prove he's
"healing wounds"?
This seems to be the kind of thinking that created the wounds in the first place.
I've heard about death threats...
There are so many white guys who said Obama is going to be assasinated really gives me the goose bumps.
I think Obama will win, but
I think Obama will win, but I worry about how much it could divide America. All it takes is one lone nutter, I really hope it doesn't happen but I worry about what you said, it has before and it could again.
Obama's Race
I think it's the fact that he has a white Mother and white Grandparents that make him more acceptable to white voters.
Racism vs Racial Resentment
Racism vs Racial Resentment? Geraldine Farraro coins new phrase. What do you think?
I invite you to read my most recent post on this subject at: http://sojournersplace.blogspot.com/2008/05/not-racism-but-racial-resentment.html
SjP
Race plays a part.
As much as I would like to say no, but the fact that he has won 93% votes of Black voters is really astounding to ignore that fact.
True
It's kind of true with that astounding support within the black community.
Percentage of blacks voting for Obama
Wow, 93%? That is a huge number and one not to be ignored for sure.
I think Obama's success
I think Obama's success relies only on his views. It is time for a chance and Obama will bring it.
Obama should win hands down.
If only McCain had see Obama's grassroot in action in those videos, he would probably be peeing in his pants right now. I say at least a 15% Majority win for Obama.
One of the reasons why Obama
One of the reasons why Obama might win is because Mccain keeps changing his thoughts and words as he goes on. If someone says this is right and that is wrong.. just to get the vote, Mccain would go along with it.
voting percentage
I don't see the harm in it. Why not vote for someone who understands you and understands what are the possible problems? If he is identifiable with a community then why not vote for him.
No i don't think so:)
No i don't think so:)
This is a subject to debate.
This is a subject to debate. Nice article!
If there's a debate...
McCain's gonna be white washed for sure.
Obama
In my opinion, this has nothing to do with race. Obama is a very carismatic individual, and by far the best candidate. I wouldn´t vote for a man because of his skin color!
Yes definitely race matters
Yes definitely race matters everywhere in this dirty world
Of course it is .
and if obama hussien gets voted in our country is going straight to hell!
hYBRIDS
Half white, half black or can we say a hybrid just as in under world revolution, this could give him a big boost in gathering both clans just as legendary warrior tries to bring up his people for the same cause. I think he will be able to do it.
God knows when this racism
God knows when this racism will come to an end!
syria
yeah maybe its true that its help him i mean cuz hes black but also u cant say its the only reason that he is there right now is his skin color dont u think so?
Him being black is not the
Him being black is not the only reason - if he sounded like one of these countless black demagogue preacher-politutes he'd have to wait in a long line behind Al Sharpton.
He's a very charismatic, exceptionally educated individual and a great public speaker. He sounds more as an academic than as a politician, and that wins over many educated middle class young people regardless of color.
However his race did help him - if he were white he'd be in a large pool of people with similar credentials - I'm still sure he'd stand out on his own, but who'd see that ? It was his color, combined with his talents, that made him such a hot potato. I am not saying there's no talented black politicians - but he doesn't sound like any of them. I think the only other person I could compare him to is Colin Powell.
And race does matter - OJ trial, anyone ? He's guaranteed the black vote. There's only two people (other than himself) that can screw it for him - his Nazi pastor and his wife. And two people who're at the moment doing their best to help him - Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin, The Protector Of Moral Values.
My $.02
nice
i think obama wins
Obama accept Outsourcing?
What is Obama's rule in outsourcing? could he accept IT outsourcing?
I think he's partly right
Race is certainly not the only reason Barak Obama is where he is today but it is surely a contributing factor.
You think he's got Oprah's support for any other reason?
American's are evidently looking for something different, and he certainly fits that bill. There's no question about that.
Change...I'm just not sure he's the right kind of change and THAT has nothing to do with his race.
But will Obama win now that McCain has chosen a female VP?
Well, I hate to spoil the party, but things have not really changed that much in the States and I think that whenever a black candidate runs against a white candidate, the white candidate will win. I am going to vote for Obama, but I think he is going to lose. Hope i am wrong about that.