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June 13, 2008

Obama: GOP Trying to Paint Me & Michelle as 'Too Black'

@ 11:21 am by Andy Barr

Barack Obama said Thursday at a fundraiser in Chicago that the GOP is trying to make him and his wife Michelle appear "scary" and "too black."

"They’re going to try to make me into a scary guy. They’re even trying to make Michelle into a scary person. Right?" Obama said at an event in the Hyde Park area, according to CNN.

Obama said Republicans were trying to start a drumbeat questioning Obama's patriotism and whether he is "too black."

"I don’t know, before I wasn’t black enough," Obama said. The Illinois senator then suggested Republicans might say, "'now he might be too black.'"

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns

252 Comments »

The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate.

That's exactly right Sen. Obama - it's simply another version of the same tactics Billary tried to use - remind the people that he's Black and "not one of us."

The silver lining to this is that the Republicans obviously have nothing to attack your candidacy with.

The TIDE IS TURNING! GOBAMA '08!

Comment by Just Capri — June 13, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
It is pathetic that they will go after Sen. Obama or his wife on race, and that is exactly what this is. What I find even more pathetic is that among some people already harboring prejudice and fear - it will work. There is plenty to attack Sen. Obama on regarding policy. Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama have widely differing views on where to take the country.

Comment by Dawn — June 13, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Dawn says, "Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama have widely differing views on where to take the country." That's correct. McCain wants to stay the course, and Obama wants to change course and go in a new direction.

Comment by fivecard — June 13, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
This is why the Republican Party is becoming increasingly irrelevant in America. It is not a part of Regan or Goldwater Conservatives. It has become a party of intolerance on so many critical issues. When you make it part of your strategy to denigrate people for being progressive and open minded, it is a sign that an entity has lost its soul. John McCain is a fictional american hero, a morally and intectually bankrupt corporate shill who cannot run on a record of accomplishment so instead will run on the theme of I am white, I was in the Navy…vote for me, the other guy is too black.

Comment by Christopher London — June 13, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
It's kind of ironic. Obama spent most of his career trying to prove he was "black enough". Now some people think he's too black. Can't he just be who he is?

Comment by Laura — June 13, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Lacking any defense at all on the issues, they are appealing to the latent racism in some Americans.

For once they are underestimating the American people.

Comment by Eileen — June 13, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Cindy McCain stole life saving donated medications , that were for poor and needy babies , woman & children here and abroad. She sold those drugs , use the money to pay her drug dealer , for Cocaine / Heroin and LSD. Using a fake charity that she founded as cover not only to steal the drugs , but to bring into the USA illegal drugs to feed her habit. She also open illegal bank accounts , in the names of some of her employees , so the money could not be traced back to her. Now she is making a trip abroad + have all these credit card debts. $250 ,000 is this the money she is paying her blackmailing drug dealer. Why is this woman not in jail ? As john McCain said she is nothing but an over made - up CU-T

Comment by Joyeta E. Anderson — June 13, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
The allegation that Michelle got up in church and started railing against 'whitey' is a prime example.

The term 'whitey' has not been used since the blaxploitation films of the 70's. Absolutely, no black person no matter how racist would use this outdated term unless they are still sporting an Afro and got stuck on expressions like:

Can you dig it, can you DIG it ?
DyNoMite
Give Me Five
Let's Groove
.

Comment by LeftLeanWing — June 13, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Rather than trying to paint the Obama’s as something scary, which is absolutely absurd… the Republican’s should be more concerned that their candidate is falling apart, everyone is wondering what the guy actually stands for, I don’t even think he knows at this point! McCain’s flippin’ all over the place!

Comment by Ag — June 13, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Eileen said: Lacking any defense at all on the issues, they are appealing to the latent racism in some Americans.For once they are underestimating the American people.

I hope your right. I'm trying to stay positive that most Americans won't allow themselves to be duped by scare-tactics any more. Yet, so many still believe the negative chain emails or they just don't care to want to know the truth. Hopefully those individuals are few and will be outweighed by the decency of the rest of us.

Comment by Monica — June 13, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Republicans are insulting the intelligence of Americans by trying to use race. It is not going to work. The better candidate will win. I like Obama's response about this issue a few weeks ago. He said if he lost it wouldn't be because of his race but because he failed to offer what the people want or something to that effect. I like to believe that.

Comment by romeo — June 13, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Commenting on Eileen and Monica comments….

I also hope that the American people can make a judgement past race. I have my doubts though. It is absolutely critical that everyone votes this time. I try to stress the importance of this particular election to anyone I can, especially the younger people. This Presidential election will do a lot in determining where our country will be heading.

Comment by Dawn — June 13, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
@LeftLeanWing - Great point. Only other way is if it was tongue in cheek. Considering that a decent portion of that congregation is white, no one - particularly not a politician's wife - is about to get up in the pulpit and start dissing white people as "whitey" with even a shred of sincerity.

Comment by will — June 13, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Obama is campaigning to "change the ways" of Washington. I'd like to campaign for "changing the ways" of America.

Race has served no purpose in America and throughout the world. How the concept that race is has stood the test of time is beyond me, but I do know this: It's time to end it.

We need to re-educate our country. We haven't the slightest of idea of what race is and how it became to be.

Comment by Ronald Lewis — June 13, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
It's a sad day when Blacks have to be put down
for who God made them,Black as he may be, He's
Qualified to be The President of the U.S.A.
Are you? I Feel so sorry for you who have nothing but Hate !! in your Heart.

God Forgive you, You'll Need it.

Comment by Norma Grant — June 13, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Has none of these people stood up and took notice of how the whole world (earth) is beginning to view us favorably sense a black candidate has made nominee? Mccain and his few followers need to come into the 20 th century. Black isn't important any more, people are people and it's time it became common place like it has around the world. mrs. Obama is a dignified, intelligent woman, who will make a great First Lady of the United States. The only thing about their skin color is the fact the world see us in a more favorable light than before, for haveing them out in front and center in this campagne! Ya for us!

Comment by alberta treaddway — June 13, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
I have always said this election would be decided by Race. McCain as a candidate does not what he stands for. He says one thing today and says another tomorrow and still with all that, the polls still show Sen. Obama struggling.
Its not because he is not a good Candidate its just that he is a Black Man. If the Democratic candidate was a child´s doll but white as McCain, I do not think we would be still talking of who would be the President in January, with all what the Republican Party has done to the image of America as a nation. Funny enough Sen. Obama is 50% Black and 50% White.
Americans the World is watching. After this election must have been taken from Sen. Barack Obama because of his Race and I should say here Racism, then I really do not know how then, President McCain and Americans would come out to the World and say we are planting Democracy in the Middle east or some other non-democratic nation somewhere in Africa, Asia or the Middle East.
Waiting to see to see "Racism" in the 21 Century in America of all Nations.

Comment by Chrys — June 13, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
The Republicans have been all about racial fear since the 60s. They lost track of 'conservatism' and became reactionary. And as The Shrub has shown, they still rely on fear, ignorance, prejudice and paranoia, playing to the darkest side of human nature. That's all they're about, and all they have to offer. America is starting to realize it, but this will be the Republican approach during the election. "This scary black man is going to be the end of us! There goes the country!"

We can remain paralyzed by their fear of progress, among all the others, or we can make the future.

Comment by John — June 13, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Surely Obama didn't try a blatant and ridiculous political sham like that and expect anyone but his true believers to fall for it!

Anyone with a knowledge of American history knows that the GOP has been the Party instrumental in paving the way, and providing the means for a black person to be running for POTUS.

The color of his skin didn't make him a flaming leftist with the reputation of being the most liberal senator in the United States Senate. THAT is why I won't vote for him. There are any number of conservatives with blacker skin that he or Michelle. I'd vote for any one of them before either he OR John McCain.

What's scary is that so many of his lemmings will swallow that drivel, and that he isn't a bit ashamed of the sham.

The most disgusting thing of all is those in the mainstream news media who know better and don't call him on his lies.

Comment by J1cw — June 13, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
This election will have been decided by race only if Obama loses. I am an Obama voter and financial supporter. I am white, male, 51 and southern. If Obama wins he wins despite his race. If he loses when the majority of Americans prefer his policy stance on every single major policy facing us this year, sometimes by as much as 75%, that is ample evidence that people voted race.

Some will say they voted "experience". That's just B.S. code for race; they didn't vote experience when it was Bush v. Gore, and the "experience" they are voting for has promised four more years of the experience we have had the last 7.5 years: Failure, bankruptcy and utter corruption.

Comment by Tony C. SA TX — June 13, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Well, Well, Well, quite a unanimity of posts here, at the moment. Here's a different one: Obama is pulling the old Saul Alinski "head fake". Nobody I know says, or even "thinks", that Obama is "too black". Many think he is too unqualified, inexperienced, and, because essentially unknown, a potentially risky choice for President. Speaking of choice, he did belong to a racist (Black "Liberationist"/Black Value System) church for 20 years, didn't he; who forced him to do that? Who made that up? He was an ACORN style "community organizer", wasn't he? Praise for surrogate(for the alcoholic one who abandoned him)"father", Communist Party member Franklin Marshall Davis? Read about it in Obama's Book. Who made that up? Interesting topic: what is the psychlogical baggage associated with that issue? Reasonable topic for discussion about a Presidential candidate? Of course. Space here is short. You get the picture, however: a thin-skinned "whiner", attempting to "cow" the "PC crowd" into running interference for him. Cover up potentially interesting information, necessary to know. And, just palying the "race card": tacky, tacky, tacky.

Comment by Bruce Hodge — June 13, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
As an African-American woman who has been in a positon of authority for my entire adult life (33 years)primarily in male dominated fields, it is disheartening that although much has changed, by the same token, little has changed. We, as blacks, cannot be judged on the merit of our work, because the emphasis has to be on tbe color of our skin. Why is it so intimidating to know that a person of color possesses the skills and acumen to hold a positon of authority, and to actually be better at it than a white counterpart? Too many of our accomplishments have to be conditional - as if they not valid based on merit alone - as if they are some type of illusion (or dream to paraphrase Bill Clinton).It's not enough to just be black, we than have to have varying degrees of "blackness". A little black, too black, just black enough - and that has to be quantified by
a nonblack, be it a subordinate, a superior, or an adversary. Obama's nomination is a testament to the fact that times have changed, but the undercurrent of racism is never far from the surface. In the military some 30 years ago I was threatened by a white male who could not accept my being his superior - so he pointed an M-16 at me and said "I'll kill you you black b—h".
About 6 years ago a white subordinate, with the same mentality, said "why don't you go get a green card". I am an American citizen, and was his boss, but he had no problem saying that to me. That was not military, but in a very high end event planning business. It's as if we are not afforded our dues, not matter what our qualifications, without having to be judged for no other reason than the color of our skin.

The Obama's are expected to walk a tightrope to appease all that feel they have the right to determine if they're worthy of this position - not based on political merit, but by the yardstick of a moral superiority that feels the right to make these judgements. I know the entire population is not guilty of such animus, but it's a sad commentary on our country that the highest position one can attain has to be qualified by the unwarranted opinions of those who still feel empowered and entitled to judge us by race and not merit. It's no wonder that even the Clintons chose to be the moral authority when faced with the prospect that Obama was winning. When will it be recognized that all men are created equally? All of this posturing simply states the obvious - despite attaining the positions we hold - myself, others, and the man who will possibly hold the highest position in the United States - we are still often seen as less than worthy. The woman who called Obama an "inadequate black man" spoke the sentiments of far too many, and felt the right to make such a distasteful statement publicly. Ignorance isn't bliss, it's just ignorance. We are not required to awake each day and choose the shade of black that will be most accomodating to our white counterparts, to make them feel more comfortable, or to be more acceptable.

Comment by Debora — June 13, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
The Republicans are pushing string. Obama looks like a nice kid with big ears and it has served him well. He does not appear to have a suppressed ugly side to him like McCain has. Obama does not appear scary nor threatening. Though the Republicans should be scared of him. Obama has the potential to send their party into political oblivion for the next 20 to 30 years.

Comment by afgail — June 13, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
My mother use to say "GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY AND VERY FEW PRETTY". She also told me that "if something is for you, it can not be un-for you. If it is in God's plans, can't no man keep it from you". My mother was a wise woman, too bad the memebers of the GOP wasn't raise by her!!!!!

VOTE

Comment by Sharon in Oakland, CA — June 13, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
I grew up in an all white town in Wisconsin, went to college in an all minority neighborhood in Chicago and worked in primarily all minority units in county hospitals as a nurse for multiple years. I have been assaulted twice by minority men and watched young men shooting eath other out my window in the alley. I also have lived in middle and upper middle class neighborhoods later in my life, have worked for civil rights, turned liberal after Viet Nam and have always had multiracial friends as an adult.

My kids have always had multiracial friends and now my son is married to a beautiful South American who is multiracial and they have a beautiful multiracial son. Oh, I'm an Obama supporter and have supported his campaign financially for over a year. I live in Texas now just outside of Dallas in a town that is that is integrated. We bus our kids economically, not racially which is pretty unusual. Mine is just a normal American story now.

Comment by Barbara Mathews — June 13, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
For those of you who think Obama is "playing the race card" here…

He is trying to pre-empt the kind of racial codewords being used by republicans on TV to scare us… such as "terrorist fist jab" (Michelle Malkin) and "exotic" (Buchanan).

Comment by jj — June 13, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
[…] he wasn't black enough, now Obama and his wife are being painted as too black by the GOP. Who could have […]

Pingback by seriouslypolitics » Blog Archive » Midday open thread — June 13, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
[…] he wasn't black enough, now Obama and his wife are being painted as too black by the GOP. Who could have […]

Pingback by Midday open thread | Bloggers For Change — June 13, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
The scary one is McCain. His speech from New Orleans with his lopsided smile under wild eyes gave him the classic Hollywood look of a demented villain. The Manchurian candidate made palpable. The amazing thing is he spent two weeks preparing for that speech.

Comment by afgail — June 13, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
It's a fact. So what else is new?

Comment by avepa — June 13, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
I guess I am a racist too - I think that Michael Jordan is the best player to have ever played the game, I think Tiger Woods will prove himself the best golfer of all time, I think that Lewis Hamilton is the best driver of Formula 1 race cars, I think MLK was the most visionary human on the planet at the time, and I think that Barack Obama is the best choice for president. funny, for a white guy, all my heroes are black..go figure.

Comment by Neil — June 13, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
obama's nomination as the presumed democrat's nominee affirms his post racial stance and confirms that mccain is stuck in america's shameful past of racial apatheid.

Comment by dele — June 13, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
The nerve of these people, "too Black," what the hell is "too Black," it's funny how you can be "too Black," but you can never be "too White," matter of fact you can't be White enough… what nerve… you damn near have to be a Black Anglo-Saxon to be accepted in this country. The nerve of these people… it makes me sick to my stomach!

Comment by Mike Jones — June 13, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Let me see..
The Obamas have the same organs as everyone else.
They eat food and expel waste, just like everyone else.
They put pants on the same way as everyone else, on leg at a time.

Hm, I would say the are human beings just like everyone else. No difference there. And right now, we need some simple respect for basic human dignity in the Oval Office, 'cause it hasn't been there since 2001.

Comment by Rev. Spaminator — June 13, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
It is not the Republicans, nor even the Press that is making Obama and his wife seem scarey, they have done it to themselves. As a caucasion woman who is the mother of a mixed race child I have had the opportunity that many caucasions have not had. One of them was to attend briefly Trinity Church. I did not go back because of the racism that was DOMINENT in that church. Fact: Obama remained a member of that church for better then twenty years. Fact: Michelle Obama wrote a racially provocative paper for her Degree. It espoused and encouraged a segregationist viewpoint. So, my opinion is that they remained members of that church not in spite of the Rev. Wright's viewpoints, but rather because of them. That is what makes them scarey!

Comment by slp1954 — June 13, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
slp1954 is clearly racist and never ever in her life attended Trinity Church. She is trying to cover for hatred of people with other skin colors.

Comment by RM — June 13, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
Well, Barack, if the are doing so you deserve it for the race-baiting you have done in the last few months. I'm not voting for Barack, and it has nothing to do with race. He is a sleezy Chicago pol who wants us to believe he represents change.

Comment by JayM — June 13, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
#35

Please read:

http://www.peggynoonan.com/article.php?article=417

"nobody left that church and punched anybody in the eye."

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
JayM #37

what proof do you have that he is a sleezy Chicago pol? You must still have your hillary goggles on.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Google "my brothers keeper mccain" , it is heartbreaking for the Indians

Comment by Jules — June 13, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RPYMaF2vAmg

I made a youtube about the Obama's. I hope you will watch and enjoy it!

Comment by Chloe — June 13, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
They should be attacking the fact that he is a terrorist.

Comment by dyoung — June 13, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Thank you, Chloe. Very nice, they are really a love match and a wonderful example for all.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
It's not that he's too black, it's that he's too socialist.

Comment by Trevor — June 13, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
42 dyoung
You are a complete fool. Not this year, not this time, Not this election. Ain't gonna work!
The GOPeeing their pants! lol

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Barack Hussein Obama,
Prove, prove otherwise. Up until this point in time, you have demonstrated anything but, "change" and "crossing the bridge".

Comment by Mark Duecker — June 13, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
Trevor,
Where do you get your information from. Please find out the truth. Read his plan. You really think our country is on the right track?

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
slp 1954,

i am very suspicious of your claim that you attended trinity. if you did, can you name some people of the congregation and some events they put up on their bulletin?

More importantly, your cut and paste of smear emails against Obama clearly denotes your need to justify your racism. How do you know what Michelle Obama wrote in her thesis? That thesis is not viewable until after the election. Were you her professor or committee member who read and approved the thesis?

Your second fact regarding the Reverend Wright.Is it your opinion that the Reverend preached the exact same sermon, held the exact same opinions for the last 20 years in the exact same way? The Reverend maybe a bit colorful and eccentric but there is enormous truth to the ways in which Black oppression still exists in our society. And given that this man has served for our country, he has earned the right to criticize his government.

Lastly, Obama is not the same person as the Reverend. He has the right to agree and disagree with the Reverend's perspectives. He knows the Reverend in a very different way than you and I know him from the media soundbyte. If you are going to judge Obama, judge him by Obama's words, his actions, his voting records. Anything else is a reflection of your own racial prejudice.

Comment by anita — June 13, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Mr Obama is right that some don't think he is "Amirican" enough. I am one of those. Once I heard the clip of him at a commencment address saying that "some of you will go out and make as much money as you can and buy a big house, but I hope most of you don't as we are a collective community". Isn't the American dream to work hard, makes lots of money, and live in a nice house? It was when I was growing up!! That's what I am teaching my children. How can be be too black? He has a white mother, to me that makes him white but with an agenda of socaialism I will that the other guy!!!

Comment by SCOTT — June 13, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
46 Mark Duecker

Look at his track record:

http://www.democraticuderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&adress=388×275

Ill. State Senate;

http://www.democraticudergroud.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×4379566

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
This kind of preemptive strike by the Obama campaign is actually a subtle form of race bating and reverse racism that is known in the psychological domain as paradoxical intent. He and his campaign have utilized htis technique quite effectively throughout the campaign on several issues. Once someone crosses any line they set up this way, the pouncing will be swift and forceful and very loaded. McCain and the Republicans better watch out. Of course, by issuing this they then can have the freedom to claim even true facts, such as LBJ's efforts with the passage of the Civil Rights Act is really being racist because it did not give full (and untrue) credit to MLK.

Comment by Galee — June 13, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
49 SCOTT

He was just saying that material things are not the most important things to reach for. Money doesn't always buy happiness. He was appealing to their better angels to give back something to your fellow man, to your country. If you would find out about him you would see that he is very patriotic and loves this country. Ignorance = fear

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
51 Galee

I guess Fox news calling their little affectionate fist bump = terrorist?

Or refering to the wife of the democratic nomineee for president as "Obama baby momma"

Read some history about MLK role please.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
I just read all of the above, and my comment is not sophisticated or lofty. I just feel happy after I see and listen to Barack and Michelle. After watching McCain in New Orleans, with his intermittent smiles, I just thought: "What in the world?" He was just weird.

Comment by JoAn — June 13, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Obama and his wife ARE scary. He is a bona fide Alinksky neo-Marxist who is taught to look moderate to get power and his wife's speeches sound just like Che Guevara (and its no wonder one of his Houston campaign managers has Che hanging on the wall).

Who the heck could vote for a guy that wants sex education for kindergartners (he endorses that) and "gay police" from the department of justice enforcing strange things like the "gender expression" he wants to make protected (its on his website and in his speeched to homosexual groups - who needs innuendo with Obama? ).

Add the above to glowing endorsements from Farrakhan, Ortega, Sharpton, Hamas, Wright etc and who could vote for this weirdo rationally? Plus his party took the side of the enemy during the war and now is using tons of Soros money to further attack the country.

Obama is a weirdo and if people weren't so dumbed down and corrupt he wouldn't have a chance to even be nominated. Good people who are informed can't vote for this racist, neo_Marxist phony who has more slogans than idea for his creepy followers.

Comment by Johns — June 13, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
I just love Barack Obama…everything about him. He is amazing and we are so fortunate as Americans to have him willing to serve our country. What an extraordinary individual. There's never been a presidential candidate (in my lifetime) as intelligent and forward-thinking as he is. I love that he will likely be a role model for my young boys.

Comment by Emily — June 13, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
McCain is the creepy one…man. He looks robotic and his wife is plastic…Stepford city.

Barack and Michelle are REAL. I don't want doughy McCain and his billionaire zombie bride representing me. No thank you.

McCain just says whatever he's told. Another idiot puppet. I want a real, inspirational person in the white house again. Obama is strong and smart and knows what to do for this country. Not another puppet.

My bank account can't handle another George freakin' Bush. What an embarrassment.

Comment by Persian — June 13, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Do you people really believe this crap that the GOP wants you to believe. A bunch of liars who manipulated the country into an illegal and immoral war, a war that has brought us to our knees financially a war that has shown the limits of our military power and has ruined our reputation around the world.
The only thing that the republican's can do is try to destroy him with the politics of personal destruction they have nothing to offer so they cannot run on issues. Fear and hate are not american values.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
wow…as an independant, I have many issues with both parties…Obama's idea of 'change" seems to be to make the country more socialist - ie. let the govt. take care of everything…add mmore taaxes to the "rich" and the big companies, redistribute to the 'poor', etc. when will you folks on both sides start to listen and really understand what is being said by this guy? All of you seem to be drinking the Obama coolaid without real questioning, etc…so are the republicans with McCain…. We don't need to discourage companies that are creating jobs, punishing those who are making big money (and also creating jobs, spending their money back into the economy etc.)…when has raising taxes EVER helped an economy? If you go back and do a analysis you will see that when taxes go down, the tax revenue to the Govt. goes UP, as does the growth in the economy….taxes up has the opposite effect… Think people…what sort or "change" are these guys talking about…?? As for the Mrs. Obama "whitey" comment - that runmor was started in a DEMOCRAT blog…not by the RIGHT…again..research folks…don't just accept everything you are spoon fed….

Comment by eric — June 13, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
I am an Independent who is going to vote for Senator Obama. The democrats and republicans have made our country much weaker and disrespected. I feel our last chance is Senator Obama, and he represents ALL of us from every walk of life.

Independent for Obama '08

Comment by Joyce — June 13, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Lenin brought change, too.

Obama would bring the same type of change, government controlling where you live, what you do, what you eat, where you work and exactly how much money you have. The great Obama/Messiah knows better than you do what you need to do with your life.

That is not America. Obama is trying to make this about race. It isn't. Obama's "former" church is anti-white and he and his wife attended it for 20 years, but that is besides the point. Obama's ideas are pure Karl Marx, anti-capitalism, pro-communist lies. Government does not know what you want, believe me, as someone who works for the government (prosecuting attorney) the people in government don't have a clue about true life, and yet most agencies are "Experts" in what you need…although they always create an exception for themselves.

Obama is not God. He is socialist who will take everything from you, including our will to create and grow. I lived and worked in France for two years–there is no will for new ideas/products/innovation because socialism has robbed the people of their will to be better.

Obama must be stopped.

Comment by Apollo — June 13, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
55 Johns

Republican talking points = B/S
Creepy followers? How regressive and repulsive you and your ilk are. You will let fear and hate lead you over the cliff and drag us all over with you. Time to turn the page, write a new chapter. GOP=Toast!

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
margoharrisa…of course FOX was racist which is one of many reasons I don't watch it. The standards they use allowed the Obama campaign to issue this gauntlet to assure it does not enter main stream media in the same way and FOX gave them the excuse. They, You and I know that no one who depends on FOX for news is someone who will ever vote for them anyway. But they have thus been able to forwarn MSM that to expect hell to pay if they go there. Smart, effective move.
And, by the way, I lived through MLK (don't have to go read about it) and know he led us by his words, but the passage of the bill was maneuvered through congress by back room phone calls from President LBJ. MLK had talked for years about the need for the civil rights bills and many of us white and black marched for them, just as I also marched a few years later for years to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed. Women did not have their LBJ to push ERA through so 20 years later we are still second class. I hope in your young life time ERA comes up again and passes because even three weeks ago a Supreme Court decision said that it is okay to discriminate in salary unless a woman finds out within three months of being hired she is being paid less that a man doing the same job and files a lawsuit. So if you don'ot find out for 4 months or 20 years, SOL. But read your history of government and learn that without LBJ, it would have taken years longer to get the Civil Rights act passed or met the same fate ERA did. Better yet, go to the LBJ Library and listen to some of the tapes of phone calls he made to recalcitrant senators when the voting was called telling them what bills with their earmarks would be vetoed if they voted the wrong way on this vote. I think he knew if it did not pass, there would be more death and destruction and burnings in the streets of places like Detroit and he pulled out all stops to protect this nation from its raging self.

Comment by Galee — June 13, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
..I have read his plan….it looks like a lot was borrowed from Marx….punish business, raise taxes on the righ, create more "social programs" (more taxes by the way), etc. I am not even a Republican and I can see that this guy (Obama) is more like a Socialist Party member than a Democrat…

Comment by eric — June 13, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
I think the real problem is that John McCain is too white… just too too white! Well, maybe I need to reconsider this. Yes I've reconsidered and I think John McCain is not white enough. By the way where is his daughter? we never seem to see her on the campaign trail. I think she is just right!

Comment by Cynthia Waller — June 13, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
The problem with obama are his idiotic ideas. how can you pay for everything he is promising and not raise anyone's taxes that make up to 250k per year. that covers 95% of workers. does it make any mathmatical sense that the remaining 5% could make up the difference? get a hold of yourselves, this guy is no different than any other power monger. what difference does it make if the money spent on Iraq is spent on something else, you're still are spending more than we have. and remember folks, money spent on the military supports real human beings just the same as giving away to welfare recipients only we get work from the military and jobs for the private sector. Most O supporters just hope for a change in political workings in Washington. Obama won't change that no matter what he says or what you hope. And speaking of change how you liking the change since the Dems took over congress? Real progress huh? Be smart folks, register Independant. don't vote for someone based on hopes and dreams or "he has such a nice smile". These people don't walk on water and if you look at their accomplishments in office you'find lots of building dedications and fluffy work. and then they get paid to work part time, ignoring the real work while they aggressively look for another job. Now is that right? People, senators are not leaders, they are hand shakers and fund raisers. research people research. "If nominated I will not run, if elected I will not serve".

Comment by lowdowndave — June 13, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
eric
you have not read his plan. You are not being honest.
btw, don't vote for him, if you don't want to, for whatever reason. But STFU and stop spreading lies and false rumers. Why not tell us about what great ideas McSame is offering?

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
The Obamas are very scary.
Just look at their role model preachers.

Comment by Bubba — June 13, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
lowdowndave
Obama's Senate Record:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388×275

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
This from the year 1911. Interesting!
Hate
——————————————————————————–

I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him. Engrave this quote in Our Store! | Rate this Quote! |

-Booker T. Washington

Racism
——————————————————————————–

There is a class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs-partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs. Engrave this quote in Our Store! | Rate this Quote! |

Comment by Leon — June 13, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
He is the one that always brings up race. His wife constantly talks about race. These two are affirmative action Ivy league grads who use their color any chance they can get.

Barak Hussein Obama insists he was not born a Muslim. Then why on earth would he have a Muslim name?

Comment by Get real — June 13, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
I knew that he would eventually play the race card.
If you critize me, you are a bigot.
If don't vote for me, you are a bigot.
If you critize my wife you are a bigot.
If you are white, you are a bigot.

I guess I should enroll in bigot rehab.

adios,
A. B. Normal
Lancaster, Mexifornia
dial 1 for english mano

Comment by A. B. NORMAL — June 13, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
I do make over 250,000 a year. I am not rich. I went to college, med school etc. Why does Barak hate me so much? I too have huge student loans.

Comment by Get real — June 13, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
This was his suggestion?
This is news?
What happened to the uniter
Thin skinned?

barry, remember:

'In politics nothing is contemptible.' Disreali

adios
A. B. Normal
Lancaster, Mexifornia
dial 1 for english and viva la raza

Comment by A. B. NORMAL — June 13, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
We all recall that Susan Eisenhower endorsed Barack Obama. When asked what her grandfather, Ike, would have said about this, she said that Ike wouldn't recognize the republican party of today. Ike had character. I doubt that he would want to be a member of a party that has done the things the republicans have done in their efforts to stay in power and to contain the wealth for a few. As Ike was leaving office, he warned America that we faced a danger from the direction of a Military/Industrial complex. His words were prophetic and it has come to pass. Now it's time to clean up the mess. John McCain isn't capable of doing the job. Barack Obama is.

Comment by karela — June 13, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
One more thought. To "Get Real". Obama doesn't hate people who make over $250,000 a year. He just thinks that they have made their money from the people of the country and it is reasonable to ask that they share a little bit of the wealth. If you pay a little more tax, you'll still be able to eat. Your children won't have to go without medical care. Your home won't have to be kept at 55 degrees through the winter. The people at the other end of the spectrum face those challenges. I make about $70,000 a year. I don't feel rich either, but I feel that I should pay a bit more tax than a single mother with three kids and an income of $30,000. Don't you? Really?

Comment by karela — June 13, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
I have student loans too with an annual in the $100,000 range. I am happy to pay a little more. Obama is going to put a great deal of funding into early education, which is critical to helping children in general and poor and rural children in particular in developing the skills they need to be READY TO LEARN. Invest in America's future by investing in our children.

Comment by Jeanie — June 13, 2008 @ 9:28 pm
[…] he wasn't black enough, today Obama and his wife are existence varnished as too black by the GOP. Who could have […]

Pingback by Naval News Today · Real Clear Politcs — June 13, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
How absolutely LAUGHABLE! Obama played the RACE CARD AGAINST HILLARY - now he's going to play it against the republicans! How predictable he is and how predictable you sheep followers are!

Comment by Breana — June 13, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
Obama is running out of steam. His half bro says he was raised a muslim and practiced the faith until he was 24. Another "O" lie. Obama is a muslim-marxist.

Comment by michael loehrer — June 13, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
it starts again. is obama using the "race card"?

Comment by jrterrier — June 13, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Obama doesn't represent the majority of Americans, only the haters who hate our country and think it is evil. He will represent the interests of the entitlement generation (and race) who believe the government abused them, should take care of them, and that hard work is for old white guys. He thinks people who worked hard for their money and took risk should give it to people who watch TV. NObama for me!

Comment by Tim — June 13, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
I have a black hero. Tiger Woods! To me, most every other black person is a disaster. Look at Barry Bonds, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Gary Sheffield, Charles Barkley, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson. Name me a black hero!! I'm waiting. Barry Hussein and his wife openly hate Americans.
Wait until the tape of her speech comes out. Then everyone will know.

Comment by Pete — June 13, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
Wow, John McCain really has no agenda for defeating Obama. He cannot beat him on the issues. He can not beat him with charm and appeal so now we have to try and defeat him based on my skin is white and yours is black therefore you should vote for me. That is so sad. The GOP would be smarter to spend their time teaching McCain the difference between Sunni and Shi'ah or developing a plan to bring our children home from Iraq. They would do better informing McCain that there is something wrong with the economy and people do not have jobs. Definitely they would do well to teach McCain how to speak in front on an audience, because currently if he comes to town, no one will show up and if he is on the TV, no one is interested in listening. Absolutely, these are things for the GOP to consider and work on instead of painting Obama as a radical black man that will destroy white people. Really, Senator Clinton was the start of this foolishness and she should really think about how she gave the GOP the idea that it is okay to make race such an issue. I see someone wrote that Obama used the race card on Hillary Clinton. I have to wonder how and when did he do this? I dream of a day when Obama and any other man or woman will be looked at as a man or a woman instead of a black man, white man or whatever. We must continue to evolve in our thinking.

Comment by Cindy — June 13, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
82 michael loehrer
You are a liar. Where is the proof? From a rethuglican smear website? You are a real creep.
Get a life and wise up. a$$hole!

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
Race card. WTF is that? Who coined that phrase. The white supremists? The KKK? the rethuglicans?
He has more of the ideals that we call American than all of you haters put together. To be honest he has had the "race card" played against him. The rethugs are playing to the lowest common denominator as usual, as they have no ideas or vision for the future. All they want is to use his race and his name, how sad is that, to spread hate and fear is the minds of people like you. To drive a wedge to divide to
keep their corporate buddies in the money and fu$k the people of this country.
Obama wants us to be involved in the government make it transparent, cut waste, cut taxes on the middle class.
The rethugs want to give our tax dollars to the industrial military complex. That's who they care about, talk about transfer of wealth, that's where the real transfer of wealth is.
But you sad stupid and ignorant people will fall for it again. Talk about drinking kool-ade.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
The only scary thing I see in this campaign is the forced phony deathlike grin of John McCain and the possibity of him nominating more Supreme Court Justices like Alito, Scalia and Thomas.

Comment by MizLiz — June 13, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
Actually John, the civil rights act passed not so much by democratic votes as the dixiecrats split from the party and became republicans after its passage. There were a number of fine, moderate socially progressive republicans from northern states back then who on some issues put what is right above party. They tended to be the same ones who in the 70's stood up and said Nixon needed to go. I am not sure thre are any left now except maybe on some issues Hagel. People like Lowell Wicker, Schweiker, Nelson Rockefellor, and a others would not be recognized these days.

Comment by Galee — June 13, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
Get real, I am sure after medical school you do have school loans to pay off. So my question to you is are you denying yourself other niceties in life, trips, etc, the nicest house and the like in order to pay them back sooner or are you like many who drive an expensive car when a less expensive one would get them to work, buy the best etc first. Do you pack a lunch or eat out at an expensive restaurant and try to live up to the standard of your peers and pay back your student loans slowly becaue they are the lowest of your loans? Just what are your priorities about how fast you will pay the student loans back? Several of my doctor acquainances live a pretty good life and are intheir 50's still paying back those loans and complaining about student loans, but from my observations they seem to live a pretty high life for someoen so in debt. Most teachers I know probably on their low salaries are much more diligent about getting out of debt quickly…but then they cannot affort the financial advisors telling them how to maximize their income to their advantage.

Comment by Galee — June 13, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Hey friends and neighbors - there are many of us that aren't going to vote for Obama - and it has NOTHING to do with his race. Black man, white woman, purple transvestite, just give me a candidate who has experience and isn't a socialist.

Comment by tired — June 13, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
85 pete
Show the tape. Put up or STFU! The Obama's are quality people and the rethugs know it. Personal destruction is the politics they practice. That's all they know how to do. Dirty tricks, nasty lies, totally morally corrupt. They have broken a once great country and shredded the Constitution. A bunch of liars who manipulated the country into an illegal and immoral war a war that has brought us to our knees financally a war that has shown the limits of our military power, and has ruined our reputation around the world.

They have no ideas or solutions to move us forward. They are anti-science, anti-education and will end up in the dust bin of history.
————————————————

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, the you win."
——-Mahatma Gandhi

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
There's a lot of comments about Obama here.

The right wing stuff is all nonsense.

Say this, say that. Just say we won't have another Republican for President. Praise God, for sending us a rational thinker like Barack Obama.

Someone said Communism? Excuse me, but the Republican's have already replaced our Democracy with a totalitarian government!
They make communism look good.

Barack is a middle of the road democrat. They can yack all they want but he's still gonna be the next President of the United States*

Comment by georgia atkins — June 13, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
NoBama08 is so far left that Clinton is a conservative by comparison.

This black nationalist and his wife belong anywhere but the USA….maybe Camp Gitmo for these commies……..

Comment by Moishe katz — June 13, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
89 MizLiz - What is it about Supreme Court Justices who actually APPLY THE CONSTITUTION that is so scary? It's activist judges like Kennedy, Souter & Bader Ginsburg that have severely crippled the country and the Constitution. More like them and God help us all.

Comment by tired — June 13, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
tired 92

John McSame has no experience being president either. The only people with presidential experience are ex-presidents, brainiac.
McSame has the worst attendence record in the Senate. He collects social security, and also collects 100% disability from the Navy. He has government healthcare (cradle to grave) and his wife is worth 200 million. He is totally out of touch with reality and is flip-flopping all over the place. His own party hates him. Give me a break.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
margoharrisa 97 - I said nothing in support of McCain, genius. You give ME a break.

Comment by tired — June 13, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
Recently Fox News had a caption on their show alongside a picture of Michelle Obama, with the text "LIBERALS SAY: STOP ATTACKING OBAMA'S BABY MAMA."(sic) Where they could have used the respectful term, "Wife", they chose a stereotypical uneducated black attributed phrase.

Of course the right wing is trying to paint Obama as too black.

Comment by Bob Markal — June 13, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
The high court has set in motion the destruction of this country. Activist judges have to be exposed for what they are and removed by the president. When the hight court begins to make law as opposed to interpreting the law the beginning of the end begins.

Comment by Moishe katz — June 13, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
tired
Sorry.
"Bitter" Hillaryite or Ron Paul devotee?

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
tired
I guess bitter Hillaryite.

Comment by margoharrisa — June 13, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
Addendum - McCain's party does hate him because he is a RINO who serves the Leftist nightmare more than he does his constituents. They are both two distasteful, left-leaning politicians, and my distaste for Obama and McCain has nothing to do with race; it has to do with policy. I'm hoping that whichever of these two get into office, that their term will be no more than four years and everything that they try to do will be blocked by Congress. Doubtful, but I can hope.

Comment by tired — June 13, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
You are wonderful at assuming, but incorrect - Hillary and Ron Paul were just as nauseating, albeit in different ways. Frankly, I haven't been impressed with a candidate since Reagan was in office. I am bitter, though, but only because my country has nothing better to offer me than these two.

Comment by tired — June 13, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
To number 85: you're a bit of a disaster yourself, Pete.

You want the name of a black hero, ok, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Rosa Parks, Harriett Tubman, The four little girls who were murdered in 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Mohammad A

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June 13, 2008

Obama: GOP Trying to Paint Me & Michelle as 'Too Black'

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