Will Barack Obama Lose Because of Racial Battles?

It's no exaggeration to say that Obama was wounded...badly. After what has happened it is a wonder Hillary Clinton isn't polling much farther ahead by now.

That she isn't is a testament to the particular abilities of Obama to address the question of race in America. Even those who are clearly against him had to admit that they had heard something special in his speech.

However, there are some who just refuse to allow the sound bites to die. But in the last few days, folks all over the blogosphere have begun to unearth videos of the full texts of the sermons from which the offending sound bites were lifted. No self respecting "intellectual" can just refuse to listen and watch when the links are provided. Most people come away thankful that they finally can put the snippets into context. For those that may have been shaken from their original support, these videos reinforce their original connection to Obama they are back firmly in his camp, now armed with an argument for their challengers. For some, it makes no difference, they dig their heels further in the sand. These are people who weren't going to vote for him no matter what.

It will be a testament to the strength of his message and appeal if he can recapture the original excitement for his candidacy.

I think he can and the endorcement by Gov. Richardson will help.

Sent by Miss T | 12:17 AM | 3-22-2008

Ah, how soon we forget with the faster pussycat kill kill mentality of the media and the net.. who was Mr. Obama speech really speaking too. Not his under thirty-five crowd of supporters but to the older boomers over forty crowd. How much weight to these older folks carried is the question? what are the demographics or these polling figures whose answering the phone to answer the pollster questions? Do the younger voters wish to sit back and let the older voters decide their future? The older voter due to bad selection arent even in a economic position to sit back during those socalled golden years not with this market malaise.. They are already looking to working until mid 70s and thus by default occupying a seat and job that a recent college graduate or returning should be poised to do but...that is another thing. How come no one is looking at the generational contours and focusing on the race and gender ones..? Who polls the youth and heck who polls the military? How are they voting and when? What is their opinion on all of this as Mr. Obama would say "divisive" stuff and who do those registered as Democrats within the military wish to get them back from where they know they don't belong.

Obama still has more states than Clinton, right? McCain demonstrated a potential problem with attention to details for an extended period of time [ie an average three hour meeting]; da Clintons have yet to answer to white water and Ms. Clinton on how much she acquired as a WalMart director contra how many domestic job loses across all industries she impacted by her board decisions; Obama --what is his economic policy agenda to be given the recent loony antics of the federal reserve board rushing in the funding to prevent a domino in the private equity markets from crashing down on another domino and commence a economic collapse chain reaction. You can only play this trick but one or two times before the eventually the pressure exceeds one's ability to contain it.

Moral of the story - the polls dont know jack nor the house that jack tried to built...--why is ReRe in my head again...[Ms. Franklin "The house that Jack built" on A&M Records if i recall correctly

Sent by K MJUMBE | 2:51 AM | 3-22-2008

Obama is still going to beat Hillary. Obama would not be accumulating the endorsements he has garnered if Hillary were going to win. However, just in case I'm wrong... I feel sorry for Richardson, Kerry, and the rest of them. Those Clintons will make them pay the price with their careers.

Sent by alexander | 10:48 AM | 3-22-2008

I think we need to cancel the 4th of July celebration and delete it totally as a holiday. I think America has lost all sense of patriotism. Lets post some pictures of our fallen soldiers and right next to them lets post the Picture of Rev. Wright in his famous GD America Speech. These soldiers gave the ultimate price to allow Rev. Wright the right to rant whatever he wants. But I wonder if they are as proud that America is close to nominating a man who has spent 20 years in the pew listing to Black Liberation Theology who's roots are anti-white, anti-social, and very unamerican.

I am so shocked that Obama gets caught up in this and then gives a pretty speech intended to divert his own guilty to white America for his 20 years of wrong and Rev. Wright,s political anger. And, just like Jim Jones in Ghuiana the American people are drinking the Kool-Aid.
Michelle Obama said for the first time she was proud of America. Well for the first time I am ashamed of America. A man spends 20 years endroctinated in this rubbish and with a 20 minute speech of damage control when he gets caught up in his mess Americans swoon to him like he is the second coming. I have heard rubbish talk about Obama having 666 on the nape of his neck, but after seeing people swallow his lies I am not so sure.(ha! ha!)
I would never have thought America would ever consider electing such a man to the highest office in the land. Our enemies around the world will view our resolve as weak and our strength in government weaking in electing such and example of divisive canidate. I have been a life long Democrat and Mrs. Cinton would not have been my first choice for the Democratic Nominee but I had rather vote republican as support person who openly lies to the American people about his knowledge of Rev. Wrights antics and then comes on with a pretty boy speech and blames white America for his short comings and the people swallow it hook line and sinker. Obama claims to be the canidate to transcend race and I guess 20 years in a church full of white hate gives him the credentials. America the Beautiful where oh where are you headed?

Sent by Ken | 1:19 PM | 3-22-2008

I can not Believe I am Actually Reading this.....

This is the first time that you are ashamed of America. Wow... Ken I am proud of you for being able to admit that although I doubt quite seriously that you would admit the same if you had to post your picture. You speak about Obama's guilt to white America for sitting once a week and listening to a preacher talk about the corruption of American politics. First of All I am Quite sure that Reverend wright had more to say in 20 years than the three minutes of stuff that you have heard. You know what? what ever was said inspired young Barrack to want to change things and he is trying to do that. As for his guilt to America and you being ashamed I would like to offer you this. For hundreds of years my people had been slaves in this country. we fought in every war fought on this land and afeter many of the first ones went back to being slaves. Even as the Physical Slavery ended the mental slavery would not end for at least another hundred years. Not being allowed work for meaningful wages or learn in adequate schools or enjoy the same opputunity at the American dream as people who were brand new to this country while we had been hear from the very beginning. This country was built by the sweat and blood off our backs just as much as it was all early Americans. But we did not get to enjoy the Bennefits of our labor. As a matter of fact everyone who tried to tackle the issue of racial equality head on with any success was assinated. All the way back to President Lincoln. I mean you have President kennedy, Malcom X and Dr. King. All men who had gained some ground in the fight against racial injustice. all assasinated. and this 20 years if talking has made you ashamed? Not the rise of the klan that saw hundreds of black men and women and even children murdered with no real repercussions to the offenders. that didn't upset you but a black man expressing his admittedly controversial views has made you ashamed... Say what you want about the man and his views but the undeniable fact is that he has never advocated anything but progression as seen by the fact that he was invited to the white house for a dinner with other religous leaders. If he was truly considered a threat I cannot imagine he would have been invited to be so close with the president. As for patriotism reverend wright himself served as a marine and i too have served my country. You must realize that no one think anything negatively of our soldiers because they do not start wars or pick and choose who to fight. they have a job to do and they do it very well. But that doesn't excuse our commander in chief from his responsibilty to us our constitution and most of all our soldiers to not put them in harm's way unneccesarily which he did. and that also didn't make you ashamed either.the blood of our soldiers is not on the hands of anyone in Iraq it is on the hands of those responsible for 9-11 and more than that it is on the hands of this administration because because of their mistake our soldiers are still fighting and dieing whle they are not harm's way in the least bit. Bush dances on T.V. with the rulers of foreign nation and politely request aid for a consitenly rising gas prices and because of that food prices and the prices for everything that must be transported goes up. He is dancing and "politely asking" for help and that doesn't make you ashamed. This administration has made a mockery of our country and we are now somewhat of a laughing stock on the global policy stage so much so that a foreign leader came to America got on a stage and proceeded to taunt and attempt to provok our president by calling him a devil. all of that and none of that made you ashamed.

Sent by J.A. WILSON | 9:31 PM | 3-22-2008

by naijaman

Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 07:11:04 AM PDT

The truth about the Reverend Wright controversy is now starting to be revealed: The media manufactured it for ratings. How else can one explain the fact that anyone who actually takes the time to watch any of the videos would have a different impression from the one being pushed by ABC/NBC/CNN/MSNBC and most especially FOX?

I decided to pull of the video of Reverend Wright's sermon in which he allegedly made the comments blaming America for 9/11, and guess what I found? He was quoting Ambassador Edward Peck, who made those comments on FOX NEWS (oh, the irony) the day after the 9/11 attacks. Here is the evidence:
http://www.youtube.com/...

Around the 3-minute mark, Reverend Wright asks the church members if they saw the ambassador on Fox News, and what he had said. Then he proceeds to pull out a sheet of paper, and read the words of ambassador Peck.

This is another example of how the media has manufactured a controversy in order to sway the American public. We all should be very concerned about the media in the country, because after all...this is the same crowd that gave us the Iraq war.

I'd like to than NPR for staying fully with the main flow of dis-information.
Don't you guys do any research? Or, or you just turning into another GOP mouthpiece?

Sent by Steve Osterday | 1:09 AM | 3-23-2008

Erratum once again: ignore that prior posting-- My questions are who were the members of these series of Gallup pollings on 19th and 20th and in what states and what age ranges. If they were in states where Clinton has won; well, duh!!! as we have since polls don't mean jack!

The recent philly speech by Sen. Obama was not directed towards the young under 40s composition of his constituency. But to the older member over 40s, it is they who are "screeching" like learned owls[NOT!] in denial of some of the truth that former Rev. Wright might have had within his semons. If we all commence to start telling the truth instead of hiding behind a host of face-saving lies and perjury, maybe all these media pundits and pollsters might find real jobs instead of being as Obama would say "divisive" and making their daily bread by attempting to paint or "colour" mail [i refuse to use the terminology blackmail as i deem it offense to African peoples] and sway the TV watching ABC, NBC and CBS [CNN] [reference to how mama Dr. Hare defined them in 2007] populace towards the corrupt, we know Clintons. But some folks dont like the truth. You know it takes some guts for a man of mixed heritage to hang out his own family dirty laundry for all to see and still keep marching. And lest we forget, there was some personal pain there that folks missed. A white grandmother who reared her half Kenyan grandson but nevertheless had mordant, fear of African men. What kind of message was that sending in the sublime?

But the youngsters who are Sen. Obama supporters aren't TV watching as much as campaign working and net dialoguing in forums such as this...So, i gotta ask where are the composite net polls. The old gallup telephone polling is so passe within the confines of new, net media. Maybe NPR should have a online polling page that can track responses by IP address and thus grant only a single casting and perform its own analysis. And this way gauge it all better without the "talking heads" babbling or as James Brown would say "talking loud but saying nothing..."

Moral of the story rethought-- same as above.

PS - No man [or woman] can speak for another. I stand on my words [bad as they might be from typing in rage], Obama stands on his, Rev. Wright his, and even the liars like the Bushs, William Jefferson's, Cheneys, Wall Street White Collar criminals -i.e. investment bankers, equity managers, etc. You folks need to start focusing on the lies and liars of grand substance that affect/effect your economic present and future; and ignore the fooles who are grand liars lacking substance for being plain stupid..

Sent by K Mjumbe | 2:06 AM | 3-23-2008

Barak Obama is the victim of an attempt at 'political crucifixion' by the Judas-Traitors' media (the tabloid, the FAUX-TONGUED MEDIA, the one-sided am radio propagandists, people like Roosh Limbugstein and Shorn Connity.

It appears that when Roosh Limblow tries to subvert the election process by telling his repub 'deedo-heads' to vote for Repubs in Texas in order to elect H're, so they can vote against her, then one has to ask...is Roosh Limbugstein really care about H're winning against M'kain, or is Roosh, Connity, Savarage, O'really, Wawa Stinkrum and that lot so filled with hatred for the Black candidate that they will support H're instead.

As for Shorn Connity, his obsession with 'bringing down' Obama has only two reasons behind it. The first reason is the one that Malik mentioned on Fox whenConnity tried to talk over him to keep this connection hidden, the second is pure conscious and subconscious racism and racial hatred. Propaganda such as that spewed by Roosh, Connity, Savarage, Koolterberg, O'really and the cadre of 'Axis-like' propagandists comes straight out of Nazi Germany and the Geobbles era. It

Roosh Limbugstein, Shorn and the rest of that gang of propagandists began to attack Obama after Obama pointed out that America must have an 'even hand' in the Middle East and that America's trillions should be used to uplift the American peoople.

The reason why the propaganda machine has been attacking Obama is because they are determined to sacrifice the sanity, lives and hard-working 'lower than the Euro' dollar to preserve lands in the Middle East and elsewhere who care nothing about the American people, FOR WHILE BILLIONS ARE BEING SPENT TO PRESERVE NATIONS IN EAST ASIA, EUROPE THE MIDDLE EAST, THESE SAME NAITONS ARE EITHER ATTACKING US, CAUSING US ENEMIES DUE TO THEIR ACTIONS, having our men who are protecting them thrown out of their bars and clubs, and using the media to disunite our people.

Obama is being 'crucified' due to comments his pastor made. As repugnant as some of these comments are to some, THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE, WOMEN, AND OTHERS BY THE LIKES OF ROOSH, CONNITY, SAVARAGE, KOOLTARBERG, O'REALLY AND OTHERS FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF HATE SPEECH PASSING OFF ON THE RADIO AS 'CONSERVATIVE' PHILOSOPHY, IN REALITY, A BETTER TERM WOULD BE 'CONFEDERATE-SERVATIVE' PROPAGANDA.

http://blackmalepowermovement.forumsland.com/blackmalepowermovement-post-196.html#196

'A History of Racism and Terrorism, Rebellion and Overcoming," http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/author.asp?authorid=6846

Sent by Nubianem | 3:06 AM | 3-23-2008

Wow, I can't believe it took this long for America to realize that Barack Obama is a black man. I think part of his appeal was his perceived lack of connection with the civil rights politics of old. I must admit, I have grown tired of our "leaders" of late.

If America votes for Barack they will be voting for change--a change that will challenge all of us to move past our hang-ups and that will challenge us to create a new playbook. Conservative talk radio, Ferraro and Billary have all reached back to that old tried and true playbook of racial divide and conquer. The only problem is many Americans don't realize we will be conquered if we keep these irrational divisions alive. If black and brown kids don't thrive, America won't survive. Our standing as a "moral force" in the world and a super power will be threatened. The world is watching (critically).

Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama haven't said ANYTHING profound or new. What they've done is raise the level of black folks' humanity in the conversation. There has always been something comforting to whites (and some blacks) about the forgiveness and forgetfulness of black people. Black anger, rage and hate are scary, threatening, real and justified. Once we all give ourselves (black folks) the freedom to be mad about our condition, struggle and plight, we can move on and take more responsibility for ourselves. And white America needs to acknowledge that black men, women and children have a right to be mad, bitter, disappointed, disgruntled and angry with America and with white people (even the Irish and other immigrants who were treated harshly).

Barack equals change. The Clintons will once again window dress these racial issues and put a few tokens in charge in their cabinet (oh, and play the sax and move to Harlem). Check out any bus or arcade--tokens are a good substitute for real change.

Sent by Balisa | 11:45 AM | 3-23-2008

We get our info in short snips. The more we here it the more it becomes part of the memorable conversation with ourself about the candidates. There are many positives and negatives about each candidate that come out every week. From sheer bordom we wont watch a channel constantly playing the same news. By default, these days, you must have many many negatives in order to lose support because of them. Hillary has way more authentic negatives than Obama.

Sent by Rene Token | 12:07 PM | 3-23-2008

Dear Farai
I apologize for sending this somewhat off topic but I could not find an open forum to discuss my ideas.

One of the greatest problems facing our nation today is a chronic lack of involvement. Levels of invovlement in the national, state, and even local community have been decreasing for years. The voting body (which was a paltry 64% in 2004) is made up mostly of older folks as the younger generation (voter turnout 47% for 18 to 24 year olds) decides more and more often to spend their time on "more important issues". There appears to be the hidden catch 22 in democracies, or governments run by the people. The free society depends on participation from its constituents but that same freedom allows its constituents to choose not to participate. Therefore people dont vote because they have can ignore how politics effects them. But there is one facet of living in a free America that doesn't come with an option to participate. That facet is tax paying. Within that facet I believe I have found a quick and cheap method to increase voter turnout and political knowledge.

Most younger people I know dont know or even care what taxes go toward - they simply dont like them. They open their paychecks and immediately frown as they find 20% of their money was snatched by someone named FICA. Money motivates people so here is my proposition : make it a federal law that everyone who receives a pay check from McDonalds workers to stockbrokers also receive a one page summary of the federal budget. Just a simple catergorical breakdown issued with every paycheck to every employee in America. The page would also contain web links to more comprehensive info and the names of your elected officials. Then every three months you would also get a more detailed 10 - 15 page breakdown that includes your individual state and local budgets.

For the first eight to twelve months, these pages will just be thrown away without a moments look. Young Carl gets a check, throws away the budget and finds two more on the kitchen table left by his parents when he arrives home. Sooner or later someone will read it and start a discussion about how much money is spent on category X. Later the connection will be made that that money being spent is THEIR money. Later still its noticed that while example amount X is for road construction and upkeep, THEIR neighborhood roads aint never been repaired. Then they remember those officials whose names are at the bottom of those budgets. Then the conversation turns to accountability. Accountabiltity leads to voting.

Let me clarify that I dont expect this plan to make the entire population into politcal scientists or civic leaders. I only hope to to increase the voter participation to a decent 85 or 90% AND to have them vote with some knowledge and reasoning.

P.S. This email is being sent out to mutiple individuals whom I feel can get the ball rolling on this plan. I hope to engage in discussion.

Derek McGowan
www.derekofbaltimore.com

Sent by Derek McGowan | 9:14 PM | 3-23-2008

I have been and still am a very proud member of Trinity United Church of Christ, and I am sick and tired of the unfair characterization of the church and Rev. Wright. It is so easy for white America to dismiss the church and Rev. Wright as anti-white and unAmerican. How dare you say that Black liberation theology is anti white. No! It has its roots in the gospel of Luke and in Isaiah which Jesus quotes when he states that he has been anointed to preach the good news to the poor and to set the captives free. It is a message of hope and redemption to the oppressed of the world.
I thought that Obama did a masterful job confronting the issue of race and his pastor. However, over the long course of the African American experience in this country blacks have shown an amazing ability to forgive and to bless those who cursed us. I am not so sure that whites will give Obama that same show of support. They are too hung up on a few snippets of some sermons by one of the foremost African American preachers, and the realization that our churches are more than places of good music on Sunday.

Sent by David | 11:53 PM | 3-23-2008

Obama has run the most dishonest campaign I have ever witnessed. He started out by playing the race card and blaming it on Sen. Clinton. That was the tactic used to garner the black vote. He has now deceived the public into voting for him knowing good and well he withheld information about his ridiculous pastor which would have made a difference in the number of people voting for him had he revealed that information up front. What else is he hiding? He is only out front now because he has cheated and I hope the superdelegates discount him for it and give the nomination to Sen. Clinton. I will not vote for him in the general if he gets the nomination. I do not trust him and don't believe he knows enough to run this country without being totally dependent on advisors and others who could very well steer him wrong, just as they have done with Bush. I'll either vote for McCain or stay home.

Sent by Evelyn | 1:15 AM | 3-24-2008

This controversy is so unbeliveably ridiculous. This is no "buyers remorse" Mark Penn. This you and the Clintons doing what you do best--scaring up the votes. I can't believe people have fallen for the act. But then on the other hand, there are those who have used the Rev Wright controversy as THE excuse to not vote for Obama. Every other excuse has been shot to hell when those didn't work the Clintons tossed out the one thing that will get folks off the pot, RACE. We all expected it to come from the Republicans in the General but for Clinton's No Hope Slash 'n Burners they just don't realize the damage they are inflicting to the Democratic Party.

Ken, Reverend Wright's antics??? I don't get it. Bill Clinton seemed to apparently think so highly of "this unpatriot" that he is photographed with him at the White House when he was going through his Lewinsky situation. Let me tell you and those who don't know, I am from Arkansas and grew up during the years he was Governor of Life in the state. The man has been to almost every Black church in Arkansas. He has sat up their every election solicting votes and the prayers from a thousand "Reverend Wrights" and Trinities. We don't always agree with what our ministers say but does that mean we throw our ministers under the bus every time he says something we don't agree with? If so, then we will have NO church. Everyone didn't agree with Jesus Christ either. Now you want to talk about a true radical, then Jesus is YOUR man. Who didn't he take on???

Sent by Thomas B. | 1:37 AM | 3-24-2008

Im kind of shocked that the Reverend Wright comments have gotten so much spin, it's been over a week now since they have drug out comments a preacher made over 7 years ago. It's funny it seemed like Obama was getting a pass that past black politicans did not get as far as scrutiny but now it just seems like the old stalwarts of the Democratic Party and the GOP are just going all in on Obama...and they are coming at him sideways by attacking him through his preacher.

I always wondered how some were going to try to tip Obama and it seem like the uglier elements of the whole political game and the media have finally come out of the woodworks and exposed themselves.

Sent by BC Planning | 2:37 AM | 3-24-2008

A really great, and by most accounts, classic, speech came out of this attempted beat down of President-Elect Obama. I just wonder if presidential candidate Clinton will be able to make a classic gender or woman addressing speech?
Remember she has to write it herself.

My understanding is that at least since the days of David Walker. Black folks have spoken their minds in churches, and other predominately Black venues and gatherings.
What do they say in the white churches our whacky Uncle Bill attends with his wife Hillary?
The reason i ask is because i think Senator Clinton needs to distance herself from the likes of Bill, Geraldine, Andrew, Robert, and a bunch of others in this distancing race.

Sent by audiodramatist | 12:56 PM | 3-24-2008