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Barack, Here's How to Get the White People

By Jack White | TheRoot.com

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Barack, Here's How to Get the White People

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  • Posted By:
    stsimons at 07/22/2008 5:40:59 PM
    Comment:
    this reminds me of all the other ways in which our society believes that by following a prescribed formula we can fix anything. the way that Sen. Obama can be elected is to continue to be genuine. it will take a while for the American public to get use to the new approach to campaigning that is being offered. It may take the media longer since they still report and give opinions based on the past 40 years of manufactured images.
  • Posted By:
    BE at 07/10/2008 8:59:07 PM
    Comment:
    White's nine step program to get Obama elected is great if Obama is sincere. If he's acting, it will cost him. It sounds like just another "tell them what they want to hear and when you're elected, screw em".
  • Posted By:
    ldt1930 at 07/09/2008 7:45:09 PM
    Comment:
    First off, I am a Republican. But when I think of Obama I don't consider his race. As a person I like the man. I really thinki I would like to be his friend, not as a politiction but a friend. A lot of my friends and relaqtves are Democrats. I don't like beer but coke or ice tea would do. He seems like a nice person. A good person. I got a kicik out of his oldest daughter. She will probabvly run for president some day. I am way too conservative for his politics but I like the man. Good luck, Senater. We could do a lot worse; A MIchigan Republican
  • Posted By:
    Tracye at 07/09/2008 12:20:28 PM
    Comment:
    I think he should use a film student, really a group of film students to do that documentary for him though. I have a lot of respect for Spike, but I think it will be better if produced in a more generic form. I hear a lot of negative comments on Spike and would hate to see those votes lost over something like who produced it.
  • Posted By:
    XJSGUY at 07/09/2008 8:44:16 AM
    Comment:
    To: Soldier's Mom,
    What is it about yet MORE redundant gun laws and restrictions do you not understand?
    The restrictions and other laws are ONLY obeyed by responsible citizens.
    Even the hysterical woman in the "30 Days' show came to understand that the ones who DO obey the laws are the ONLY ones affected by these restrictions, etc.
    Criminals are criminals and do NOT obey laws anyway WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE CRIMINALS.
    BTW-I spend time in Chicago visiting friends, etc and live in a smaller CITY in WI.

    Ahh, this is yet another waste of thought upon someone who clearly CHOOSES to not see reality.
  • Posted By:
    Soldier's Mom at 07/08/2008 6:07:15 PM
    Comment:
    XJSGUY:
    Yo, I'm a white girl from Iowa. WHY does the 2nd Amendment issue give you concerns about Obama? He has TAUGHT Constitutional law, for heaven sake. He has always stood up for gun owners, while recognizing the needs of crime-ravaged communities to take resonable measures to make their environment safer. You moved out of Chicago; shouldn't those who have to stay there be able to restrict criminals' access to guns?
  • Posted By:
    XJSGUY at 07/08/2008 10:18:04 AM
    Comment:
    I'm an independent white guy originally from Chicago and now live in north central WI.
    I basically moved here because of the lakes, woods and other reasons such as more space.
    I was one of those men who would never have voted for Clinton because of her policies, etc. and, NOT due to gender reasons.
    The fem crown CHOOSES to not understnd that and sees only a gender bias.
    Just as I had my legitimate rreasons in the above instance, I have a serious concern about Obama.
    I am a gun owner and do NOT trust anyone who endangers my 2nd Amend rights in any manner.
    There are those just like the fem crowd which calls me sexist who will call me a "gun nut".
    This is just as misinformed and hysterical as the "sexist" reference.

    I watched a show on FX called "30 DAYS".
    There is an episode in it entitled "GUN NATION".
    It was a fair and excellent story which featured a 39Y/O woman from Mass who was frightened of guns and staunchly anti gun.
    It explained who we are and what we are like in a fair and unbiased manner.
    It also gave the woman every fair and open opportunity to express herself, etc.

    Now, I realize that there are those who will CHOOSE to say I am racist because I distrust Obama about guns.
    By having these attitudes, it is as poking a balloon with a pin.
    It lets all the air(substance) out of their argument and defeats them.

    If I was to have these sexist and/or racist attitudes, it would defeat me as a person.
    I am not that small and cannot be baited to react to these things.
    I am the one who chooses what is important to me and the reasons thereof.

    So, whther a politician is male or female, black or white, etc has no bearing upon my criteria for choosing/not choosing.
    It is where they stand on those issues of importance to me.
    If you make your choices based upon the above, I am better than you.

    As for distrusting a group, as a thinking, mature free American who is a veteran, I distrust politicians.
  • Posted By:
    PatraPatra at 07/07/2008 10:13:44 PM
    Comment:
    Oh, gee, why didn't Mr. White include #10 - Tapdance in blackface while eating a slice of watermelon, sing renditions of Jump Jim Crow and Mammy, and top it off with a big ole toothy grin???? Why does Mr. Obama have to resort to damned near esmasculating himself in order to appease white people??? Why not just cut off his balls and call it a day, already?????? AAAARGH!!!!!!!
  • Posted By:
    Black Dog DC at 07/06/2008 9:13:52 PM
    Comment:
    summers
    i have no idea why you think i'm caucasian! didn't the last paragraph make it clear what i am.
    Jack White
  • Posted By:
    sameera at 07/06/2008 8:50:54 AM
    Comment:
    First, I will assume that Jack White is caucasian. I'm African American. I agreed with what Mr. White said. He outlined these points based on the underlying perceptions of distrust or hesitancy that many whites have about Barack, in particular, and Blacks, in general. What he's saying is confront these perceptions with either open dialogue or simply find a way to dispell them. Mr. White is giving his view of how we should dispell them. He should know. I like the tactic "Be Nice to Mr. McCain (#5). Whether we admit it or not, whites are still looking for us to respectful to the just because of who they are. I also liked "Show off your Supporters (#6). Again, whites are more influenced by the presence of other whites. It's a signal to them that if Barack can win them over, he's not the threat (of being Black) that they think he is.
  • Posted By:
    unfilteredopinion at 07/05/2008 2:17:23 AM
    Comment:
    This list is a joke. So Obama should just say any whatever he needs to say to get elected into office. That's what all politicians do and Obama is already doing that. By the way, Obama's staff is full of Washington insiders and anybody that say's otherwise is naive. Bottom line - if Obama loses this election it's not going to be because he is biracial. He will lose because he is too liberal for many parts of this country.

    www.unfilteredopinion.com
  • Posted By:
    Pegbert at 07/04/2008 2:55:59 PM
    Comment:
    This is very perceptive advice from this honkie's perspective. After all, we are all Americans first, and black or white or red or yellow second, and democrat or republican or independents lastly. We have a planet to save, and we are all goving to have to pull together. The effort needs us all.
  • Posted By:
    Ellen at 07/02/2008 3:05:06 PM
    Comment:
    Should we elect someone just because he's black? Let's make sure he is the best candidate for the job. I'm a bit disullisioned because of his comment that anyone making $75,000 a year should be more heavily taxed. That's a lot of middle class couples in this country. Also, his comment on saving money by riding the bus or carpooling. Many of us live where there is no bus service to our jobs and it's too far to walk or bike. What about the ranchers and farmers in this country? They have to get their crops harvested and are unable to use less gas or diesel. I hope that Obama doesn't only focus on the cities. There are a lot of rural and semi-rural people to think about.
    Ellen
  • Posted By:
    Ania at 06/30/2008 11:19:01 AM
    Comment:
    Obama has a set of internal rules that has brought him to this juncture - I doubt that he needs a lot of advice from us.
    • Posted By:
      Robin08 at 06/30/2008 8:19:57 PM
      Comment:
      Ania,

      I wouldn't be to sure of that. Your comment makes me think of Proverbs 11:14 which reads, "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but MANY ADVISORS make victory sure.
  • Posted By:
    ola54321 at 06/29/2008 3:52:09 AM
    Comment:
    RESPECT ALL PEOPLE
  • Posted By:
    dsquared at 06/28/2008 11:14:00 PM
    Comment:
    Wow, Jack! You sure your eyes, ears, and your pen closely tuned to American culture. High-five! (And a fist bump, too!)

    P.S. Your 9 Rules for winning the white are head-on. Any black politician seeking to win white support would be wise to study and implement them.
  • Posted By:
    jeanrenoir at 06/28/2008 4:56:25 PM
    Comment:
    I think Obama's smart enough to have figured out that all he needs to do to win over the "hard-working, you know, WHITE" guys is to give them some economic reform they can believe in, without pandering too badly a la Hillary. AND by turning the GOP Southern Strategy version of the Southern strategy of dividing poor blacks and poor whites inside out, by choosing Jim Webb as his VP. Webb's a much more formidable and impressive WAR HERO and macho man than McCain ever hoped to be. How many best friends does McCain have with a stump arm courtesy of Vietnam? But beyond that, Webb's roots are 24-carat Appalachian Scoth-Irish working class. With Webb, Obama can achieve the ultimate nightmare for the Republicans: he can UNITE poor blacks and poor whites in fighting for their COMMON economic interests. If Obama pulls this off with Webb, '08 will be the biggest landslide for the Dems, at all levels, in modern political history, and will truly put conservtive, fat cat Republicans in the wilderness for a long, long time.
  • Posted By:
    Freedom For All at 06/28/2008 3:19:54 AM
    Comment:
    impossible, I hope All the true Americans would vote for a Bible-thumping, flag-pin-wearing, Morning in America"-type, instead of a closet communist, muslim, anti-American!!! as for lackeys sticking it to blacks and liberals, I don't think anyone has been sticking it to the poor blacks. I think it is the other way around. As for the Lib's, well, I hope someone sticks it to them till they no longer exist in any form of our government. They are the true cause of most of our problems. Why don't you just vote for the communist party, oh, I forgot, you are.
  • Posted By:
    freezerburned at 06/27/2008 9:49:20 PM
    Comment:
    I cant believe you people get away with printing this crap.
  • Posted By:
    karena228 at 06/27/2008 2:41:10 PM
    Comment:
    While I'm somewhat uncomfortable with Mr. White's article, I have to acknowledge its necessity. There's no doubt Mr. Obama has transcended racial lines in this now historical political campaign but there's still a lot of work to be done and the worst/toughest months are ahead. We all know that once the Democratic Convention is over, the mud-slinging will start from the Republican side and just about everywhere else. Mr. Obama will have to stay on course, with changes to his campaign strategy, maybe using some of the suggestions offered by Mr. White, and convince the rest of America (white) that he's the better man for the job.

    America needs a breath of fresh air after these 8 years of chaos brought on by the Republicans. Obama is the one. A lot of us know this to be true, we have to keep on spreadin the news.

  • Posted By:
    impossible at 06/27/2008 1:48:15 PM
    Comment:
    I don't see how this plan is supposed to work. Seems like if I wanted to vote for a Bible-thumping, flag-pin-wearing, corporate-shill-hiring (even if they're not from D.C.), "Morning in America"-type who flaunts his admiration for Bush lackeys while sticking it to blacks and liberals, I'd just vote for a Republican.
  • Posted By:
    inverness at 06/27/2008 12:28:31 PM
    Comment:
    White writes..."The sad but unavoidable reality is that race is likely to play a pivotal role in this experiment. If Obama were a generic white, male Democrat of similar eloquence, youthful grace and energy, he would be a guaranteed easy landslide victor over the standard bearer for a party as deeply unpopular as the Republicans have become.

    What about John Edwards?????????????? Doesn't he fit the bill? If White were correct, wouldn't Edwards have been a lock?
  • Posted By:
    j7alex at 06/27/2008 12:16:29 PM
    Comment:
    I agree with Mr. White we need to let Barack be Barack.
    Alexander NC.
  • Posted By:
    Jury Freedom at 06/27/2008 7:21:29 AM
    Comment:
    #10) Completely apologize, and reverse your prior statements on gun rights, and the right to own private property. Talk about drug legalization, and use the language of the US Constitution as your base. Explain that laws against private property (guns and drugs) are impossible to enforce fairly and equally, and are therefore illegal under the 14th amendment, which affords equal protection under the law to ALL citizens (even if they live in the "inner city"). Read a book, or this website: http://www.blackmanwithagun.com . Realize that your statements on gun rights favor "Jim Crow" era racism, making blacks subservient under the law to white suburbanites. ("we need to keep guns out of the inner cities" pg. 215 of "The Audacity of Hope") Realize that you and Daley maintained a new set of prohibitions (even more devastating to the black community than drug prohibition) that WILL be enforced unevenly on the basis of race. Realize that all laws that deny basic property rights are inherently unequal, and will be used by racist whites to make minorities legally inferior under the law. Realize that laws against owning "scary private property" make it possible for police to selectively prosecute people they don't like. Has a young black man in hip-hop style clothes broken the Chicago prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon? He goes to PRISON, and gets turned into a literal SLAVE. Has a white gas station owner just defended his life with a handgun? The cops throw the gun away, and tell him he was wrong to own it, but lucky he did, and look the other way. I know of 3 instances where this happened in Chicago alone. Laws against private property can and will be unequally enforced. Want to stop racism in government? STOP PROHIBITION, PROTECT JURY RIGHTS. http://www.lp.org http://www.fija.org http://www.jpfo.org --THINK.
  • Posted By:
    Freedom For All at 06/27/2008 3:23:56 AM
    Comment:
    This is one white vote you won't get!!! The only thing Osama will change is our life style. Maybe you like a communist style of living, and want everyone to be equal, which means the rich give to the poor, and everyone is the same. No one can make a profit, or they are evil, and must be taxed, or have it redistributed to the less fortunate (lazy). Mao's Little Red book says it all. What idiot would vote for anyone that wants to force this on us. WE WANT CHANGE, WE WANT HOPE, WE WANT A FUTURE. Christ, he can't do anything different than any we have had, except bring us closer to communism.
  • Posted By:
    merry1951 at 06/26/2008 8:29:34 PM
    Comment:
    Another thing, what to do AFTER you get elected, be a President for ALL the people, if you don't, one chance is all you will get.
  • Posted By:
    thecoloredwoman at 06/26/2008 7:12:50 PM
    Comment:
    I agree with all thats has been saiid BUT he can not and I repeat ignore or maintian a lost of intergity with the Muslim community especially the couple m illion African American Muslims and those young Muslins who want to woirk for him.he ahs to be for all of us

    Hitaji Aziz
  • Posted By:
    sundrips at 06/26/2008 6:50:31 PM
    Comment:
    It a shame the republican party failed to provide a fully qualified candidate to run for the Office of President of the United States. By that I mean an old man of McCain??? age and battle worn from many years of prison torture and suffering mentally simply because he is getting old isn???t a person I put a lot of faith in to get the job done and get it done effective.

    Being from Oregon I had the great honor and standing in an assembled large group in Portland, Oregon for the brief privilege of hearing Obama speak of his wonderful ideas and plans for change in Washington DC and America in general. Funny; but as I looked around me standing there within view of the nearby Willamette River among 75,000 other Americans; I could clearly see the vast majority of the people gathered there to be middle aged white people.

    I can only conclude from this experience; that I???ve been right about the citizens on the West coast and the Northwest sector of our country all along; that is they are not racist at all. I feel really sad for the people within the regions where this inbreeding flaw of racial hate still lingers its nasty head. My experience associating with other enlisted white guys in the US Air Force a half century ago reflected a number of Southern airmen voiced a terrible outward hate of all the black airmen. But; as I become more closely tied in friendship with these same servicemen it began to be clarified that the real truth reflects they really don???t mind blacks at, its just that their clan back home expects them to continue the centuries old traditions involving controlling others. I feel pity for these poor that know no better.
  • Posted By:
    Chrisseydawn at 06/26/2008 5:21:44 PM
    Comment:
    Excellent commentary with thoughtful ways Senator Obama can and should secure the presidency. But you might want to add; not only is he to put many of these ideas into his campaign, he needs to reassure and be committed to Whites and others that he will be the president of the entire USA not just a sector. We all know that whoever wins the election has an enormous hole to dig out of and stand on level ground. Senator Obama will be continually judged by a different scale and overly scrutinized and criticized for any and all decisions on his watch. But whatever happens in November this has been the MOST exciting life changing election. I???m thrilled to be able to witness of this most historical moment in our lives. crystaldawn
  • Posted By:
    candacemoore at 06/26/2008 5:05:21 PM
    Comment:
    The fact that you're so sure the only reason whites may have reservations about Obama is due to his race speaks less about them and more about your bias- your prejudice. The other reasons you list are a cause for pause-for everyone; thankfully the list is even longer for McCain. Obama has made it this far because he stands for all and unless and until minorities stop framing everything in terms of race nothing will ever change.
  • Posted By:
    rjgarrick at 06/26/2008 4:02:50 PM
    Comment:
    I'm all over #4! Obama may not be a perfect messanger of the message that I was raised with, that the divisions of racism will ultimately sink us all unless we end it's power, but there is certainly a critical mass of us whites ready to follow someone who can articulate a path to that goal. I'm not talking about activista either, but everyday people for whom the faces of those who they love and respect in their own lives spring to mind in reaction to expressions of racisim. They hunger for a framework in which to pursue change.
  • Posted By:
    fotogno at 06/26/2008 3:58:27 PM
    Comment:
    Interesting. Obama however already supports affirmative action. Lets hope he delivers. Strength is saying you are different but this contributes to the fabric of America. The object is not to say "I am just like you, I am not black. He is African American. I woudl urge the author to read "The Torrent."

    And on the Jeremiah Wright note, I doubt if you know Wright or Trinity, but you seem to echo what MSM echos, ignorance about the man and his message. I know both personally and I tire you everyone using them as soem sort of four letter word.
  • Posted By:
    ksilvers at 06/26/2008 3:58:20 PM
    Comment:
    I like this plan straight forward and simplistic. Go to Iraq, Remind all Americans of their obligation to society. Show case midwestern values and family who have served this nation, Not the time for reparations. Talk about the bad policies and who they have hurt the average American.
  • Posted By:
    misterunionguy at 06/26/2008 3:54:40 PM
    Comment:
    I listened recently to both of Obama's books, which were read by the author. I feel like we share some common dreams. I agree wholeheartedly with Mark Fischer's comments and relate in many ways although I'm only 53 (so young).

    I think the idea about the movie is great. I thought to myself while listening to Obama read his first book, every American should read this. They'd realize that no matter what color people are, we all have similar hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children. I believe Obama is the best person to lead an America where the tools are available to make those dreams come true.

    I'm happy to say, "He's already got this white guy!" I pray that others will open their eyes and their hearts and realize that hope can live in ALL of us again... if Barack Obama is elected as the next President of the United States.
    • Posted By:
      Chitta Nirmel at 06/27/2008 1:17:48 AM
      Comment:
      Hey, misterunionguy:

      I've read Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope", and am struck by something curious. He frequently puts into quotation marks the alleged words of a variety of people. So far, so good.!

      However, he puts as many as 18 lines in quotes, often from conversations many years earlier! Now I can't speak for you, but I am a successful lawyer and have never met anyone who could quote ,verbatim, passages from years-old conversations that contain more than 130 words. If you love Obama you may believe that he has a photographic (eidetic) memory and can honestly do so. I personally doubt that he has this ability.

      That leaves some uncomfortable possibilities. Consider, first, that he recorded every conversation, knowing that he'd use quotes to write a financially rewarding book years later. You don't really think he did, do you? If he did, he is very calculating and therefore may be quite dangerous. Did he get permission from those he now quotes to make a recording of their conversations? If not, he is quite flaky.

      Second, perhaps he is making up interesting quotes for easily impressed readers who don't (or can't) think very clearly. This raises some questions about just how good a lawyer Harvard made him, because the essence of cross-examination is the questioning os a witness' memory, credibility and respect for honesty. It appears to me more likely than not that Obama is making up stuff as he goes along, with little regard for truth. Did this occur to you? Do you care? Shouild you care? How about the millions who swoon as the mere thought of him?
  • Posted By:
    jpclyons at 06/26/2008 3:48:17 PM
    Comment:
    Well, the "O" team has done a pretty good job of reaching out to all Americans, starting in Iowa, where the population is 95% white. Senator Obama's message of change and hope touched this 55 year old white guy, so much so that I traveled to Iowa in December 2007 to knock on doors before the caucuses.

    I say we trust the "O" team to handle this one all the way to the White House, but I do like the idea for Spike to make a film.

    In Hope and in Peace,
    Jim Lyons
    http://eburgobama08.org/about
  • Posted By:
    Italian Revolutionary at 06/26/2008 3:33:20 PM
    Comment:
    Gotta tell you true, the level of ignorance, hate, race-baiting, demagoguery, and demeaning caricatures of blacks spewed like poisonous vomit throughout these comments is disgusting and disturbing to me. The amount of bile, distemper, projecting on "The Other" is distressing. Anyone from the ages of 45 and up who has lived in America probably had to completely reframe their understanding of the black experience in the US. It's clear to me that many people have chosen not to bother. Couple that with the same simpleminded nativist racial superiority that's been floating around in this land since the first native american got blown away boggles my mind. The only thing that seems proper in this context are the words of a great American, Frank Zappa: "I'm not black, but there's a whole lots a times I wish I could say I'm not white."
    • Posted By:
      rjgarrick at 06/26/2008 3:47:45 PM
      Comment:
      I'll second that diatribe!
      • Posted By:
        Italian Revolutionary at 06/27/2008 5:32:51 AM
        Comment:
        It was a desultory philipic, perhaps sophomoric; thanks for the supportive words
  • Posted By:
    russuz at 06/26/2008 3:30:20 PM
    Comment:
    Have a Sister Soulah moment
  • Posted By:
    ctvivian at 06/26/2008 3:15:17 PM
    Comment:
    A leopard can't change his spots and a panther is ugly, mean and nasty!
  • Posted By:
    bonitabarb at 06/26/2008 2:31:30 PM
    Comment:
    I agree with #8 where you say he should show that he will be a president for everyone. Obama's campaign talks so much about race that his message is
    being diluted by the constant talk of race I want the best person for president, I and don't care about the color or race of the president. Let's face it ..this country needs help. I am tired of hearing race, race, race and that this talk does a disservice to him. I think those who read Mr. Obama's book read so much about him "knowing" what whites were thinking and how much they hated him, and how he trashed his grandmother, that it it makes it sound as if he is against whites. ...and all Blacks feel the same way. He needs to address that because even if it is a false impression, if people think it is true it can drive a wedge between people and cost him votes I think we don't see enough of the man because the campaign and the media talk of race all the time. How can whites identify with that...show me the person.....he does a lot of everyday things that everyone does and can identify with. I think this ties in with your #1...let us see him in the present ...don't even bring up all that past.

    I identify with the white race, and I just want to comment on what I am hearing in order to help him.

    I think this is an excellent article...finally someone is getting the message out to his campaign. Thank you.

  • Posted By:
    ses at 06/26/2008 2:17:20 PM
    Comment:
    I hope he has a response to McCain's new ad that shows him as someone who can't keep his word. His liberal supporters at the moment are upset about his new stance on the FISA bill. He seems to have ignored his base. I thought he was adept enough to hold onto his progressive base while not threatening those in the middle, but his absence from the dialogue regarding this bill makes him look like he's playing the old politics he denounced. I spent a lot of time over the last months moving friends and family over to Obama's side and now they are questioning me about his integrity. Help me-- what can I say now?
    • Posted By:
      isingbecauseimhappy at 06/26/2008 5:09:01 PM
      Comment:
      You can say, "for years we have not behaved as citizens of a democratic republic. We have taken on the ways of the subjects of a dictatorship. Our government was seized by fascists. Now we must engage in intensive remediation. Get a copy of the Declaration of independence and the Constitution and cram. We must not leave president Obama out there being the lone U.S. Citizen facing down corporatists who think they own what selected bought and paid for politicians sold them in our name. Not to worry, if we didn't sign off on it the sale was illegal and the corporatists don't own it." That's what you can tell them. That's what I'm telling myself. We better shake off this false freedom and hustle.
  • Posted By:
    harlemchic at 06/26/2008 1:26:51 PM
    Comment:
    What I would like Obama to address is why he is supporting the Ethanol industry and why is he so involved with the ethanol lobby.
    To cause the rise in the price of food for many who are already on the edge of starvation, to put into Americans gas guzzlers is ouitrageously inmoral.
  • Posted By:
    Terri1 at 06/26/2008 1:11:29 PM
    Comment:
    Jack,
    I think that Obama has demonstrated that he pretty much knows the way to win. You are just oulining, basically, what he is already doing. This is OK though. You are definitely reinforcing what is neeed to us Obama supporters. Thanks.
  • Posted By:
    blackdragon55 at 06/26/2008 12:57:41 PM
    Comment:
    good advice,but he needs to continue moving to the center,drop the idea of socializing medicine,get a logical,realistic energy program that will give consumers confidence that gas prices will not continue to rise.this means not ONLY alternative fuels,but drill,drill,drill.and take a larger role on encouraging personell dialogue between blacks and whites.i'm 53,i've lived with this at our social forefront my entire life.its not just tired,its counter-productive.its a national handicap a disgrace and an abomination.our national enemies love it. john killebrew
  • Posted By:
    msfwdc at 06/26/2008 12:52:18 PM
    Comment:
    To put my comments in context, allow me to point out that I am a 58-year-old White man who bought into Barack Obama from the moment I heard his speech at the Democratic Convention. I know many White people of different generations who feel the same way. We are united with our Black friends and associates of many years in our enthusiasm and support for Obama. All of us have been energized by Obama in a way unlike anything in decades. Dr. King was assassinated during my freshman year of college and set off discussions and activism related to race. The Vietnam War caused questioning and protests of government policy. We made several trips to DC (now my home for 30 years) to march in national protests against the Vietnam War. I dedicated a decade of my life to education as a form of national service to help integrate southern schools and upgrade education for all. Somewhere along the line, the bond between concerned committed people, both Black and White, which had characterized the 60???s and 70???s seemed to have gotten diluted or at least forgotten by younger generations. Obama represents the resurrection and revitalization of that very important unity and the positive potential it promises. In addition, he is a talented visionary leader who has the ability to present and defend ideas that are crucial to the common good of all Americans. His knowledge of and respect for the Constitution and the human rights it guarantees reassures the majority of Americans gravely concerned by the Bush administration???s destructive actions in that regard. I agree that Obama needs to reveal his ???trans-racial??? thinking and appeal . . . but he must be careful not to compromise his integrity or appear to be pandering. The real Obama can win . . . He just has to make sure he presents himself fully and vividly to the largest possible number of people. I have faith in his judgment and that of his highly competent staff. I believe they recognize and will meet the challenges that must be overcome to win the presidency. (PS I like his comment in the new Rolling Stone article, ???Yeah, I don???t do cowering!???) Mark Fischer, Washington, DC
  • Posted By:
    bigdon22 at 06/26/2008 12:30:39 PM
    Comment:
    The Fathers Day Speech was Pandering for Votes at its worse. I lost a lot of respect for O'Bama.
  • Posted By:
    Paulettejr at 06/26/2008 12:22:48 PM
    Comment:
    To Phil Lewis -- Obama has a black entourage? ..."it looks like an outlier party from Mugabe's ranch?" ..."he needs to reassure them that their bank accounts are not going to be cleaned out to support children their fathers won't" Obama strikes me as the type to keep people accountable. If you believe that Obama is going to give welfare to all 13M blacks in America I think you're mistaken. He's about responsibility and accountability. It's been a consistent message of his. He wants to help college students pay for their education (America must be able to compete in a global economy) but they have to pay back by serving America in some form. His speech on Father's Day was the same 'theme' and it's not a new message. I think he's putting ALL dead beat Dads (black, white, yellow , brown) on notice. They're going to have to be responsible -- he seems to have a plan for deadbeat Dads; we'll have to waiti to see what it is.

    I am tickled and puzzled by your observances but don't fret Obama won't give away America. He strikes me as a very prtical person.

    Jack -- great piece. I think Obama is doing a lot of what you suggested so he's on the right track.

    Paulette
  • Posted By:
    Chitta Nirmel at 06/26/2008 12:20:46 PM
    Comment:
    White Americans, Republicans and dubious Democrats alike, should relax about Obama.

    We are all the sum of our "nature" and "nurture".

    Obama has exactly 50% white and 50% black genes. His father was a 100% pure black from Kenya, and his mother apparently was related to *** Cheney and so she must have been 100% pure white. So as far as "nature" goes, Obama is 50% white.

    But as far as "nurture" is concerned, Obama grew up almost totally "white". And he just can't stop bragging about his white grandfather who was a soldier and his white grandmother whom he often goes to see in Hawaii. He went to Kenya out of curiosity - and gave the media a lovely photo-op - but there are no reports that he has ever invited his poor black grandmother (who lived for years in a mud hut in Kenya) to visit the U.S., enjoy her grandchildren by him, meet his friends and neighbors, or be photographed next to him and Michelle.
    You know, that silly old ???family values??? stuff!

    How come no reporters have ever asked Obama whether he is as proud of his father's folks as he claims to be of his mother's parents. How come no black reporter has asked this. Doesn't anyone want to know? Strange thing though, how he has been happy to have his Indonesian half-sister around during the campaign. Verrry interesting!!

    So what is one to conclude? Just the facts: Obama???s "nature" part is equally white and black, but he is almost pure white as far as his ???nurture??? is concerned. Ergo, on the whole, Obama is more "white" than he is "black"!
    Note also that Obama has not a single living blood relative who suffered segregation or American racism. Naturally he sat in on Rev. Wright's sermons for twenty years - Obama was no doubt trying to understand how real black Americans feel. Based on personal or family experience, he probably has only a vague idea. After all, how many blacks went to private school in Hawaii, Columbia U. and Harvard Law? Not another one that you can find!

    So all whites, both Republican and Democrat, really should relax. Barack Hussein Obama is almost one of you. As your president, he won't upset you. Honest!
    • Posted By:
      bossandnova at 06/26/2008 3:47:45 PM
      Comment:
      His father abandoned him at the age of two. Then he died when Barack was still a young boy. There is a reason why he is not close to his father's relatives. The fact that he sought them out to visit them twice as an adult says good things about his ability to forgive and to reach out to his extended family. We all need to look at how this works in other broken families to see that he has been an exemplary son and should make his famiil*ies* proud. Imagine how much easier it would have been for him to change his name, yet he is proud to be Barack Hussein Obama !!, the name he was given at birth. Please do not disparage his family values. Look within yourself and see that he is doing the best he can.
      • Posted By:
        Paulettejr at 06/29/2008 6:05:39 PM
        Comment:
        From what I have heard he purchased the house his grandmother now lives in for her. Because of this the Obama family is one of the 'richest' in their village and well regarded. He offered to move them to a different area but that's where their roots are and that's where they want to stay. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to come to America -- even to visit. I tried to pursuade my grandfather to vist for 30 years before he died but he had no interets in travelling to America. If he was not proud of his paternal relatives, even if he vistied them, there would be NO pictures. Believe that.
      • Posted By:
        Chitta Nirmel at 06/27/2008 12:42:22 AM
        Comment:
        Hey, Bossandnova: Obama's father, as a Kenyan muslim, probably had a Kenyan wife before he met Berrack's mother. so the chances are that he is an illegitimate son of a bigamous/polygamous father. From your perspective, therefore, he should also be addressing the needs of out-of-wedlock children in a way that say Jesse Jackson would be addressing given that there are so many such voters in the black community. Yet one never learns such details about Obama from good investigative reporting. Don't you think that the same reportorial types who wrote gleefully about Hillary Clinton's decolletage and her tears failed to exp[lore Obama's life just as diligently?
    • Posted By:
      Terri1 at 06/26/2008 1:18:30 PM
      Comment:
      As an Obama supporter, you bring a lot of great points up that I would truly like Obama to address. I had not thought of the questions you put forth regarding his imediate remaining relatives from his father's side.
      • Posted By:
        Chitta Nirmel at 06/27/2008 12:56:09 AM
        Comment:
        Hey, Terri1: Please look at my response to the previous commentator.

        Also, consider that unlike many people who are not close to the family of a parent that abandoned one at a young age, Obama is running for President of the world's only superpower. That ain't small change!

        We have a right to expect that he realizes just how powerful that "bully pulpit" is, and that he would behave with greater charity than he apparently has done so far. Obama's dad may have left for any number of reasons (something for a good reporter to look into) but Obama could have made his black grandmother's life much brighter if he had shown HER the quality of compassion that his dad (granny's son) did not.

        My point is that Obama probably is not entirely as good as his supporters imagine. We should all have learned our lesson by now: Resident Dumbush promised us he would run a "humble" foreign policy but did the exact opposite once he got into office; Dumbush also promised to be "compassionate", but signally failed to do so - he lied, exaggerated the WMD threat, condoned torturing of prisoners, etc., etc., etc. We should, therefore, examine very closely the character and personal values (shown not just by words but by personal actions!) of a relatively unknown person before we entrust the world (yes, the world and not just the U.S.) to him. He will act in our name, and so we must be responsible and shop wisely for the next President. It is not enough that Barry is "cool". We are not looking for a one-night stand, we are choosing a leader.
  • Posted By:
    JosieOrtez at 06/26/2008 12:09:36 PM
    Comment:
    Barack (worship ME or else!) Obama should try getting his nose out of the air and drop his atitiude of "moral superiority" Which he has no claim to by the way.
    Re #5: Typical, typical attitude of Obama and his followers. You may scorn and/or be condescending towards older Americans BUT WE VOTE and we take note of this nonsense. Hopefully you will get older too, it's inevitable unless the opposite happens.
    Barack Obama is GWBush in democratic drag.
  • Posted By:
    Lewisp at 06/26/2008 11:46:07 AM
    Comment:
    Mr. White has some good points. Out of 9, I liked 8. the only one that turned me off was # 1. The last thing Obama needs is to underline, emphasize, focus a spotlight on, throw in "whitey"'s face (I am white, by the way) more of his black entourage. There are enough of them hanging around him now, it looks like an outlier party from Mugabe's ranch. Obama's rhetoric about taxes does not scare young people because they don't pay taxes anyway. His plan to raise taxes does not turn off young college graduates because they think their college degree is going to make them rich---(The world is just waiting for me.). The tax talk scares and irritates people who have worked for forty years and gotten some of the American dream in the bank. They have figured out that the world was not waiting for them but they have adjusted and now do not want to distribute what they have to people who need their money. If Obama needs their vote, he needs to reassure them that their bank accounts are not going to be cleaned out to support children their fathers won't. He needs a "no forgiveness" position on fathers supporting children whether the mothers want them to or not---That should be # 1 and # 2 and # 11.

    Phil Lewis
  • Posted By:
    Deafhead at 06/26/2008 11:42:00 AM
    Comment:
    Good points. It's naturally exciting for blacks to have a Presidential candidate who is black, but Obama can't win by being black. He wins by being the best candidate, without regard to race. Obama loses if he runs as a black candidate. He has been successful because his race is incidental to his message.
  • Posted By:
    RickySlade at 06/25/2008 10:49:31 PM
    Comment:
    So amizzo, a whole group of people shouldn't be allowed to vote. IMO it would be much easier to then just go back to the requirement of owning land to be allowed to vote. (In property tax and millages I do feel that way).

    My issue is that it seems that African Americans are not allowed (openly at least) to have enough free though to be able to support people other than Democrats. I personally cannot support any party that believes in punishing success regardless of the race or ethnicity of the candidate.
    • Posted By:
      Deafhead at 06/26/2008 11:02:22 AM
      Comment:
      Taxes punish success? Yes, it is such a burden to be successful. I only wish I could be unemployed and live off of welfare and foodstamps. Lucky dogs! Curse my good fortune, upbringing, and hard work.
  • Posted By:
    mjaybee at 06/25/2008 10:12:46 PM
    Comment:
    In the Midwest, we're all for him, regardless of skin color.
    He is sharp as a tack and slicker than Clinton. A nice change from Shrub!
  • Posted By:
    jpmzo at 06/25/2008 10:01:17 PM
    Comment:
    "If Obama were a generic white, male Democrat of similar eloquence, youthful grace and energy, he would be a guaranteed easy landslide victor"
  • Posted By:
    amizzo at 06/25/2008 9:29:25 PM
    Comment:
    We shouldn't be letting ignorant white-trash vote. Let them eat cake.
  • Posted By:
    Black Dog DC at 06/25/2008 8:28:38 PM
    Comment:
    to Daryl Cox: I think we agree. What I was trying to suggest in the piece you quoted was that I wished black voters had a rational choice because I think competition for our votes would be in our interest. I don't think Republicans have given us a choice since the days of Barry Goldwater. I've written that so many times Republicans used my work as an example of black Democratic bias! This year, I've argued that the only rational choice for us is to vote Democratic, regardless of the nominee. Some others had suggested voting for McCain if Obama were not nominated. I think that would be irrational.
  • Posted By:
    peter.griffin at 06/25/2008 8:15:43 PM
    Comment:
    Obama is a puppet of white handler. You seem very deluded. There was an eloquent young white democrat running. He's name was John Edwards, and the Mainstream Media killed him off. White Americans are too scared to be called racist to speak out against Obama. Look what happened to Imus.

    "Remind us who you are." Well, don't try to cover up his Kenyan heritige. Lay out all the rumors on the table. There are thousands of rumor email about obama flying through cyberspace. Some say he supports hamas, some say he support and have family ties to radical Islamic groups in Kenya, etc. Lay it out and shut the rumors down for once.

    Obama is my last choice of any candidate, but it will be a hundred years before we see a Libertarian or any third party make an impact on U.S. politics.
  • Posted By:
    rockingt at 06/25/2008 8:07:51 PM
    Comment:
    Black or white, it will not matter to voters who disagree with the collective rhetoric of Mr. Obama. With the GOP running such a weak candidate it is certianly his to lose but if he does will all the commentary be about race? What about the conservative whites who have supported Michael Steele, J.C. Watts, or Alan Keyes?
  • Posted By:
    rockingt at 06/25/2008 8:01:38 PM
    Comment:
    Black or White, some people aren't going to vote for B.O. because they don't believe in his socialist message. Race won't be an issue with white conservatives who have voted for Michael Steele, J.C. Watts, or Alan Keyes.
    • Posted By:
      max321 at 06/26/2008 2:43:12 AM
      Comment:
      The cold war is over.
      "Socialist" should no longer be shorthand for "Communist". They are linked only by dead history. What we have here has been a long, slow train to the same station. Capitalists; Communists......people will never stop destroying themselves out of greed, no matter their ideology. Our government has become a way too costly racket, abused by people who dn't see the need for it and who would just as soon kill it. The people who wrote the constitution tried to make sure man's inherent nature was kept in check.
      • Posted By:
        rockingt at 06/26/2008 2:39:04 PM
        Comment:
        I don't use the term socialist as a substitute for communist (both forms of which still control millions of people around the world.) They are different indeed but both deadly to the himan spirit. And while capitalism has flaws, at least I have more control. I know others will think that is a delusion on may part but anyway I was just commenting on the objection some may have about B.O. that has nothing to due with race. I am just anticipating so many post-mortum election stories if he loses written by lazy agenda driven journalists. As for the government being a racket, I totally agree with you. While it won't change mucu, I'll go with the Libertarian candidate in Nov. A disaster in foreign policy to be sure but the domestic philosophy is one I can sleep better on aftter my vote is cast.
  • Posted By:
    Darryl Cox at 06/25/2008 7:56:45 PM
    Comment:
    Websites that are not Mac friendly. The sentence should have appeared as follows:

    I no longer have the your full quote but I do have a partial quote and what you wrote was that Democrats have a "virtual monopoly on the black vote that is bad for African Americans... a demeaning form of political serfdom."

  • Posted By:
    Darryl Cox at 06/25/2008 7:43:30 PM
    Comment:
    Jack White -

    I no longer have the your fill quote but I do have a partial quote and what you wrote was that Democrats have a ???virtual monopoly on the black vote is bad for African Americans??? a demeaning form of political serfdom.???

    My problem with that statement and others you have made on this issue is that it implies that black voters are not rational political actors. As if the votes that the black electorate gives to Democratic Party candidates is reflective of some form of slavery and not any affinity between what the candidates support and what black voters support. (The word "serf" is in fact derived from the Old French word for slave.) You may object on ideological, philosophical or practical grounds to the relationship between the black electorate and the Democratic Party but arguments implying that blacks are acting as if they simply acquiescing to the whims of their masters is offensive.

    The Republican Party has had ample opportunity to persuade more than ten or fifteen percent of black voters to support its presidential candidates during the past forty years. The party has failed again and again to address its problems in this area. The black electorate is looking after its own best interests as does every block of voters in this democratic republic.

    I apologize for implying that you might be a closeted Republican or political conservative. I have grown weary, however, of black Republicans and black conservatives being given air time and ink to lambaste black voters for doing exactly what other voting blocks do in this country. These black talking heads do not represent any substantial constituency within the black electorate but they are continually given a place at the table as if they do.

  • Posted By:
    marytheknife at 06/25/2008 7:25:05 PM
    Comment:
    I hope that Mr. Obama is our next president. I ardently supported Hillary Clinton, but after the initial disappointment have decided to cast my vote for Obama. I am part of that demographic of middle-class, white women he is supposed to have to win over. Intellectually, what has impressed me is his obvious intelligence, his stand on Iraq, his ability to lead and make decisions, and so far his ability to avoid "caving". I'm glad he did not immediately give into the clamor for "hillary for VP" but put off the decision in a thoughtful way that should generate respect. Emotionally, I stopped seeing him as the opposition when the press turned on his wife...much in the same way that the conservative establishment turned on Hillary when she was the first lady. As far as drawing comparisons to RFK, that would be good but avoid linking with JFK. He was a mediocre president.
  • Posted By:
    dtown82 at 06/25/2008 7:04:10 PM
    Comment:
    I think it's the perfect time, not for a "black president", but for a MAN of Obama's character. This nation is at a very critical point in it's growth. i think we are at that fork in the road. There are alot of beautiful things about America, and some things that are just ugly (I'm a black man, from TX). Obama's ability to discuss that, then work (with reps. and dems.) towards a solution is what we need. We can no longer be that arrogant, ignorant, "it's wrong, becuase it's different", nation. A nation tht wants to put things in groups and stereotypes. Obama is a symbol of the beauty in America. He links the new and excited, with the old and wise. he knows what it means to struggle and face hard times, and still persevere and overcome. What seperates him, is his willingness to talk. to listen, and to talk. He's willing to sit down and talk with our "enemies" (which we probably created), and atleast come to an understanding. For too long our foreign and domestic policies have been based on the financial interset of some, at the expense of far to many. I'd like to see Obama as president, and someone like Huckabee (a rep. with morals, who isn't in the pockets of big business) as vice. just a thought
  • Posted By:
    Black Dog DC at 06/25/2008 7:03:20 PM
    Comment:
    to Darryl Cox: I happen to think reparations is a lousy idea on moral,political and social grounds. Plus, they ain't never gonna happen, so arguing about them is a waste of time. Obama is opposed to them already, and has expressed qualms about race based affirmative action, so all I am suggesting he do is repeat things he already has said. I never suggested, not one time, that blacks should join the Republican Party. I said I wished that they were not so tied to the Democratic Party, that I wished the Republicans were serious about recruiting blacks to their side, and that I wished we had a real choice between Republicans and Democrats because I think a competition for our votes would serve our interests. I'm not a closet Republican or a conservative.
  • Posted By:
    Thabo at 06/25/2008 6:03:57 PM
    Comment:
    I DO think the biggest obstacle to Obama winning IS race, but then again I was born way before the 80s. I work in a prison where whites, while professing 'color blindness', make much ado about Michele being too vocal, Obama's middle name, being upset (I don't know how else to state it) that he makes too much of his being half-black, and - of course - Rev. Wright (though no one has ever said anything about white ministers and their ranting and raving about New Orleans' Katrina disaster due to sin and homosexuality. And, it just goes on.

    As a 62 year old white, gay male I've heard it all - from all sides.

    So, yes . . many will vote for him because of the color of his skin while at the same time covering that up with professing his 'inexperience'.
  • Posted By:
    Darryl Cox at 06/25/2008 5:59:20 PM
    Comment:
    Sorry, Jack, but if Obama makes one more Talk Tough To Black People Speech then me and mine are going to look for another candidate to support. There is no great clamor in the black electorate for reparations so raising this issue in the context of a political campaign is simply pandering to covert and, in some cases, overt white racists.

    When you were at Time Magazine you were trying to push blacks into the Republican Party despite the fact there was no objective reason for them to go there. Now you are suggesting that Obama should raise straw man arguments that are posited against blacks. What's up, Jack?
  • Posted By:
    womenfirst at 06/25/2008 5:52:12 PM
    Comment:
    Listen, as a white female who was supporting Hilary, I will be voting for Barack. Am I bitter? Yes. Hilary is more qualified. Barack got by on this wave of charisma without ever really stating his beliefs. This is a guy who always voted "present" so that he would have no trail of actual decisions to bite him when he ran for president. I don't respect that. Say what you believe in and own it. He also promised "change" which was really just playing the race card. Hilary didn't play the sex card, and now that she's lost everyone is accusing her of doing so. She represented change as well, but didn't need to make that her whole campaign, because she actually spells out her beliefs. Do I think he'll be better than McCain? Of course! McCain doesn't support women in any way shape or form, and that is my number one issue. I think a lot of Hilary supporters are bitter, but to insinuate that we're all going to vote for McCain is insulting. I don't know a single one who would vote for that "good ol' boy" McCain. I think that Barack is smart and means well, this just shouldn't have been his year. It was Hilary's and he should have waited.
  • Posted By:
    dnorto01 at 06/25/2008 5:52:02 PM
    Comment:
    Can someone tell me how black do you have to be, to really be black.If you are 1/2 white and 1/2 black. Are you black or white. Is it your skin color or features? What if you are from a racially mixed family and you resemble your mother whom may be black and your brother looks like your father who is white? What side of the race fence do you or your brother fall upon? Senator Obama is 1/2 white also, is he not ,then why is he considered a man of color and a black man at heart who must shed his skin to reach the white man. Isnt he truely a man of both races??? So race really should'nt matter unless he is considered not of either group,black or white.
  • Posted By:
    coffeeslob at 06/25/2008 5:38:38 PM
    Comment:
    I support Mr. Obama, but if he loses it may not be that the country is not ready to elect a black man, but be because the country does not feel he is the best person for the jo