Obama makes fun of the race-baiting wing of the Democratic Party
NEW YORK (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Monday poked fun at claims that racism was behind fierce opposition to his ambitious political agenda, joking that "I was actually black before the election."
It was the latest attempt by Obama to tone down the debate, after former US president Jimmy Carter commented that much of the conservative fury directed at Obama's health care plans was motivated by racism.
Obama said on the "The Late Show" with David Letterman on CBS that the fact he was elected as America's first African-American president at all was a more accurate indicator of wider race relations in the country.
"I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."
Great point. Where was the animosity before Obama was elected? Most conservatives, including Drudge, David Brooks, Peggy Noonan, etc. (with the exception of Rush Limbaugh who pretended to "support" Hillary only once it was evident that Obama would win the primaries) rooted for Obama to win against white Hillary and white Edwards, both of whom they hated more.This shows that Republicans will simply turn against any Big Democrat who dared win an election.
September has not been a good month to be a race-baiter. First Maureen Dowd invents a scenario where Joe Wilson said, "you lie boy," instead of "you lie," in order to make her point; then Jimmy Carter accuses God-knows who of being racist, in a statement so vague that it takes a pie chart, a racismometer and an intense-o-meter for us to understand.
Then, Colin Powell says ""reducing everything to black versus white is not helpful to restoring civility" and Obama makes fun of the race-baiting wing of the Democratic Party.
Truthseeker - kudos for trying, but folks like IGMR will continue to just tell you you're wrong and accuse us of being racists. It'll be due to his famous "nuances" that we're missing.
September 21, 2009 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. Their latest attempt is to pretend that the non-racist wing of the Republican Party (the ones who accuse Obama of killing grannies, which is a false statement but not racist) are not "intense" in their protests. At least not as intense of the man who just stands there holding a racist sign of Obama dressed like an African witch.
Because Jimmy Carter said so.
September 21, 2009 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think truthseeker and Bill are both idiots.
September 22, 2009 8:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow I think Bill loves me.
There was plenty of racist invective during the election, most notably the McCain hoax attack that FOX NEWS VP John Moody said would "forever link" them to "race-baiting."
Remember that one?
People brought stuffed monkey toys to Palin McCain rallies dressed up as "Obama" same as they now bring witch-doctor posters.
Obama's joke is funny, but cuts both ways... same people, same racism, same old, same old...
September 22, 2009 12:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yup I remember all of those racist actions. I never said that they weren't racist. I just object to people who claim that those bad apples are representative of the majority of America.
September 22, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whe you find anyone discussing this issue that is claiming "I just object to people who claim that those bad apples are representative of the majority of America" let us know.
Until then, your guilty conscience is causing you to look like a fool.
September 22, 2009 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I should be able to ojbect to Carter's sweeping generalizations plus "igotmyreasons" blanket claim that "Republicans are racists" without getting accused of having a "guilty conscience". Or is psychiatry also within the bounds of your "professional capacity" in addition to knowing the main driver (ie short selling) of Lehman's demise?
September 22, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stick to the topic at hand, troll.
Which is, why are you so offended by claims that a subset of Obama's critics are using racist language an imagery? Why does this, it seems to me self-evident claim, upset you so?
September 22, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never said I was offended by claims that a subset is critics are racist. I keep saying that I AGREE that they are racist. I am disagreeing with others' views on the relative magnitude of those racists as a % of the overall base.
Got it, troll?
September 22, 2009 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I am disagreeing with others' views on the relative magnitude of those racists as a % of the overall base."
And who are these "others"?
September 22, 2009 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jimmy Carter and "igotmyreasons", to name the two most recent examples. Aren't you at least reading what I write? I just mentioned these two to you a couple posts above.
September 22, 2009 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reading just gets in the way of partisan tactical warfare. Hard to hate when you actually try to understand and empathy for anyone but the choir doesn't really suit Brew's ideological purposes.
September 22, 2009 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What "choir," Sunshine? I seem to be in the minority here in thinking that the racism on display at these teabagger parties is more objectionable than Jimmy Carter's calling out of that racism.
September 22, 2009 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're missing the point. I am saying that Carter is calling out more than just the teabaggers. So is "igotmyreasons".
Get it, Troll?
September 22, 2009 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not missing the point. You want to argue about what's rattling around in that empty head of yours, instead of the facts surrounding this issue.
So argue away. But you've grown very tiresome, so I won't be responding any further.
September 22, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have fun in your "professional capacity" with Lehman!
September 23, 2009 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
The choir who accepts your contention that the republican party is inherently racist or simply your inability to denounce that charge as being without substance.
September 22, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The choir who accepts your contention that the republican party is inherently racist or simply your inability to denounce that charge as being without substance."
So, the choir that exists only in the arguments that you are having with yourself. Got it.
September 22, 2009 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The people you are excusing for inexcusable behavior have nothing to do with my mind.
September 22, 2009 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
GREAT POSTS BILL!
September 22, 2009 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
AND JASON!!!
September 22, 2009 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know? We have at least one Republican official quitting because Joe Wilson's outburst.
September 21, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
More power to him if he wants to quit. But does that prove racism is widespread in the conservative party? Well that's what "igotmyreasons" would have you believe.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/fgdesign/2009/09/proven-republicans-conservativ.php
September 21, 2009 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he is quitting it doesn't bode well for the Republican Party.
Just another sign that the Republican Party will be a regional party at best.
September 21, 2009 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
GREAT POST BILL!!
September 22, 2009 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Get a grip Bill. You should have one, once in your life.
September 22, 2009 9:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really value added. Kudos to you.
September 22, 2009 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
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(H/T - random HuffPo blogger)
September 22, 2009 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
NICE!!!!
8-)
September 22, 2009 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice KGB. Be careful though, now that Huffpost dude, Sheppard Farley, and the AP can all sue you now.
September 22, 2009 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
No way! All those Obamas are thought-free ... vapid as a stump, wistfully reflecting on why middle America hates arugula so. Only genuine thinking-ascii-art-Obama has such keen wit and empathy. I can only IMAGINE what he'd think if one of those asshats tried to sue.
September 22, 2009 1:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet
September 22, 2009 3:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
The AFP?
Whatever...cue the crickets.
September 22, 2009 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
So AFP misquoted Obama or something?
September 22, 2009 7:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're pretty obsessed with this issue, aren't you? Have you stopped to wonder why?
Yet another "liberal" who thinks accusations of racism are a real problem. Actual racism, not so much.
September 22, 2009 1:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another liberal who can't read. Shocking.
September 22, 2009 6:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
For someone who claims that people need to get past partisanship, this is an extremely poorly considered comment.
September 22, 2009 8:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think using partisanship to call out partisanship is entirely appropriate. That is also makes the point that many on here only read what they want to see is simply icing as far as I am concerned.
September 22, 2009 8:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Have you ever stopped to realize how lacking in self awareness your whole schpiel is?
Dude, you're just not particularly bright. Maybe it was genetics, maybe it was the way you were raised. But your whole "I'm going to change the Republican Party by lecturing Democrats on their incivility" routine was the very definition of obtuse from the moment you trotted it out, and now it's so old it's starting to smell.
You really need some new material.
September 22, 2009 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not particularly bright? You made that based on what exactly?
Your own inability to understand fairly simple points or the fact that I need to explain fairly simple points over and over again to breach the partisan echo chamber that TPM is becoming? The left's whole "Stick It To Them First" routine is getting very tired.
You need some new material.
September 22, 2009 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with Obama regarding the impact of racism in our discourse. Don't suggest that Obama doesn't care about racism, please.
September 22, 2009 6:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama knows that any acknowledgement that there is a racist component to the opposition he faces will create a firestorm (or have you already forgotten the Henry Gates carnival?).
What's your excuse?
September 22, 2009 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's no more or less obsessed than "igotmyreasons".
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/fgdesign/2009/09/proven-republicans-conservativ.php?ref=reccafe
September 22, 2009 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
And Roy Blunt's monkey joke at the values voters conference had nothing to do with racism.
September 22, 2009 3:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess no other Republican made a non-racist comment against Obama that same day. I guess Blunt's racist joke represents the bulk of criticism that same day, according to your logic.
By the way, since a joke is not an intense form of demonstration, it does not pass Carter's test.
September 22, 2009 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually your post is about dealing with the racism out there in the political arena, not strictly about Carter's comment.
And what you seem to be saying is that because everyone wasn't spitting racist remarks throughout the entire conference, we are just suppose to look the other way on something like that is said by a congressman. It is that kind of wink wink comments that helps sustain racism, makes it seem not so vile. It is this refusal of the conservative leadership to stand up and denounce the racism that is making this such an issue. No, instead of denouncing it, he makes a joke about the monkey in DC - precious.
September 22, 2009 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
When did I say look away at the limited role played by racism?
September 22, 2009 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The point some of us are trying to make is that it isn't about whether everyone at the rally, or everyone at the conference, or everyone in the GOP, the south, north etc etc is being racist. It is that when it rears it head, be it one rally sign, or one outraged townhaller, or one congressman making a joke, it is not to be ignored.
And given the evidence, some of us believe, it is more than just one. And what we talking about isn't just the explicit racist rally signs and discourse, but an underlying attitude that few would be bold enough to say out loud. But which comes to the surface in jokes. So maybe if Blunt is such that he eithers finds the racism funny or so blind and insensitive to the dynamics of the situtation he doesn't clue in to how this joke is beyond bad taste.
And no one really on the Right is standing up to this. And people keep putting all this energy into things like, well if other people said non-racist things at the conference well we shouldn't be bringing up the fact that this was said at all.
Maybe the joke was an isolated thing. Maybe it was symptomatic of a mindset of the Right. Given the joke emails that leaked out, etc etc. I believe as others do that it was symptomatic.
And usually, in my experience, at a conference of like minded people, when one has a certain view, there is usally a number of others who hold the same view.
September 22, 2009 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would direct you to Obama's speech on race, the one he gave during the election.
The profound mistake of Reverend Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen - is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope - the audacity to hope - for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-th_n_92077.html
I would argue that Obama is focusing on the common ground that can be found so that we can move forward on the issue. Because of the dynamics of the race conversation in this country, he cannot wade into the nuances of the dialogue and still focus on the tasks ahead.
At the same time, he supports I am sure those who are not painting American as inherently racist, but rather are trying to isolate those whose racist views are breeding "division, and conflict, and cynicism" in our political process. To call them on this is not being divisive. In fact, it is only by standing up and calling racism for racism that we can avoid becoming static with the racists over in their corner, breeding their politics of hatred.
September 22, 2009 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I respectfully disagree with your opinion that Obama is lying.
September 22, 2009 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Him making a joke and focusing on health care and our common ground is not him stating that there isn't elements of racism that has boiled to the surface.
Or maybe you can provide me a link to where Obama has said that racism is not an issue in this country or where he has said that we as a nation need to remain silent when racism rears its head. Has he said Carter should have kept his mouth shut? Or the Republican leadership has handled the actions of their constituents just perfectly?
All of his responses are in a sense political dodges on the issue, which I would recommend he do. He staying above the fray. He is also trying to avoid this natioal dialogue from reducing down to just a "black and white" issue as Powell said, which it isn't. We need to be able to discuss race without it boiling it down to all GOP are racists or all criticism toward Obama is race based. When racism is evident we need to denounce it.
September 22, 2009 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Where was the animosity before Obama was elected?" There was none. The current animosity comes from seeing his policy in action. We knew he was black before the election, we didn't know what his policy changes would look like in real life.
September 22, 2009 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, stuffed monkey toys at rallies, supporters saying he was a terrorist, a muslim, etc, screaming "off with his head" and "kill him" (while Palin and McCain said nothing); a fake racially-charged attack on a McCain supporter, promoted by McCain staff and characterized by FOX VP John Moody as "forever" linking them to "race-baiting".
These things just didn't happen.
Also fears of "the Bradley effect" and the semi-conventional "wisdom" that many expressed that a black man COULDN'T win (that sword wielded by Hillary too, I'd point out). None of this happened.
Republicans sending out "food stamps" with Obama's picture on it next to watermelon and fried chicken... didn't happen.
Republican congressmen referring to Obama as "uppity" or saying "that boy can't have his finger on the button." (both Southern reps, natch)
Didn't happen.
To quote Barney Frank: "on what planet do you spend most of your time?"
September 22, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
So your argument is that because everyone ignored the race stories during the campaign, Obama was elected anyway, the Bradley effect didn't exist, people now still think race isn't an issue (unless they are benefiting from the exposure a la Maureen Dowdy or Congress), and the President himself thinks it is literally a laughing matter...
Race is a critical issue?
September 22, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too much logic, EP, not sure it has anywhere to connect.
September 22, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, he was making the point to RCT that racism and anomosity based on race was there before the election.
From the primary campaign, the subtle and not so subtle racist views of some Democratic voters in West Virginia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-q4MDQ0cDI
Some Clinton supportor who vote for McCain instead (or not vote at all) in the General Election did so for blantant racist reasons, others had it as just a underlying facet, and others for no racist reason at all.
September 22, 2009 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Over 90% of Clinton supporters voted for Obama. That tells you how insignificant the racism portion of this is.
September 22, 2009 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're just going to keep going around. You believe it seems to me that if one can classify the racism into a group of 3%, 6% of the overall population, whatever the number is, then it goes from being a significant problem to an insignificant problem. So we shouldn't spend our energies.
I think as long it a heavy strand exists within the mindset of people in this nation, then it is a significant problem. Racist views, and the abuse of power that feeds on it, are a cancer (to use that overwrought metaphor), but a cancer that is embedded in our language, in the very way we perceive and understand the world. There are many shades and depths to racism (and sexism,etc.), and the fact that we are unwilling to confront the most blantant forms, that we don't expect our political leaders to call on their constituency to get some decency, is troubling to me to say the least.
September 22, 2009 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wanna quote Barney Frank? To quote Barney Frank, Joe Wilson's tirade wasn't a big deal or racially motivated.
"MADDOW: A Republican Member of Congress named Joe Wilson of South Carolina screamed, “You lie” at the president tonight, interrupting his speech. Is this an “ignore the tantrum” moment or is that a big deal?
FRANK: I don‘t think it‘s a big deal. Look, I think free speech—you know, heckling is a tradition, obviously, in the British parliament. They even have mikes that come down to hear the heckles.
I think what we should take it as—it is unusual—it‘s a sign of how effective the president was. These guys just couldn‘t handle it. I looked at John Boehner and he looked about as glum and as dour as—as possibly he could be.
So what Joe Wilson did was just scream out in frustration because the president was nailing it."
Looks like Barney agree with me and my buddy Barack Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P83MuQvAtlA
September 22, 2009 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
So.
Couple of questions.
Is it illegitimate for a voter to cast their vote based (if in part) on racial prejudice?
What do we want to happen? Do we want people to be colorblind (and if so someone needs to inform the NAACP they need some white folks)? do we want people to not understand what racism is supposed ot be about (in which case maybe "educating people about race" isn't a great idea)? What is YOUR alternative to our ordinary, messy politics as replete with factional, regional, and ideological divides as any other?
Why is it a good thing to celebrate one's family history of immigration from Africa or Poland and not one's family history of brave military service in the Confederacy? Why, more to the point, is it different?
September 22, 2009 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
that's an angle we haven't approached, and it's a good one. What is it that the race-baiters suggest to do in order to change the points of view of those who hate Obama mainly due to racism?
Are there any solutions? Or we should just whine about how that minority (minority as reflected in a recent pie-chart drawn by a race-baiter)?
September 22, 2009 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe there is nothing to do to change them. But they make up the collective discourse in this country.
What should we tell the young minority children who see this? Don't mind those white folks, they're really not that racist. Really. We're all equal in everyone's eyes.
What should we tell the young white children? Hey it's a free country so believe what you will, it's all morally relative. Do worry you head about social justice or environmental justice.
Undoing racism (sexism etc etc) will take generations. Yes we have made progress. But as I've mentioned before, there was a cross burned on a lawn African American family in my community. Some disregarded it as just teenagers pulling a prank. But even if that is true, it is truly beyond sad. Like when the kids at one of the high schools who thought on the first day of school it would be funny to dress up in KKK robes and hoods to meet the African American kids, coming in on the school buses.
September 22, 2009 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I should add that the KKK robes "prank" - at least that what the guilty parties claimed it was afterwards, with no intention to intimadate -happened in 1979 in Seattle when I was going to high school. In part because of busing there was a lot racial tension, and when a black kid and a white got into a fight, everyone would be whispering (on the white side at least) "man, there's going be a race riot here, i know it." And except for a few rare cases, the whites hung out with the whites and the blacks hung out with the blacks. Now all these kids are in their forties, running business, being politicians, voting, etc.
I guess my point is that even though I was a bleeding heart liberal back then too, I was immersed in that world. If I found myself alone walking down a hallway and then a couple of black kids came down towards, yes my heart started pounding from the potential threat. It was a learned reaction.
September 22, 2009 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink