Friday, February 29, 2008

Obama's Unbearable Blackness of Being

Last week, I wrote that this presidential campaign might be more civilized because the press may continue their love-fest with McCain lest they give the conservatives ammo and well, they'll be nice to Obama because he is their guy. It might just be more civilized because of white guilt.

How will this play out in the election? Howard Kurtz wonders at the "pulled punches" because Obama is black:

"As conservative columnist Peggy Noonan wrote this month, 'Mr. Obama will not be easy for Republicans to attack. . . . There are many reasons, but a primary one is that the fact of his race will freeze them.' "

It certainly won't freeze them on the issues. But on personal matters and insinuations, that's probably right.

Politico's Ben Smith says Obama may be milking the contrition of his rivals:

"Most of them have apologized for saying something insensitive about Obama's race, his name, or his heritage. And the dynamic of outrage and offense this campaign has proved race to be a much touchier subject than gender. At times, Obama's campaign has sought to downplay burgeoning outrage. At others, he's stoked it for political advantage.

The problem with the pussy-footing is that it is, in itself, racist. When a black man or woman can be criticized or challenged like a person of any other color, then we'll know that equality has been achieved.

I don't think we'll see "equality" in this election by either the press or the candidates.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"White guilt" is a hysterical liberal pathology. Republicans get about 1 in 10 black voters. So who are they going to offend? White hating black liberals? LOL

I don't think so. Barack Hussein Obama's roots (African/Muslim) are fair game.

Anonymous said...

Since the GOP seems incapable of manning-up, someone should tell them to just focus on attacking the "white" part of Obama. The white male is always an acceptable target to the Left.

Melissa Clouthier said...

Roger,

Your comment caused me to laugh out loud. You're exactly right. Unfortunately, the white part of him is from his mom. Oops! It's a woman, can't say squat. Now, if his dad was white, jackpot!

Nice to hear from you, by the way.

Melissa Clouthier said...

Anon 7:41,
I actually think there is more white guilt on the Republican side than you'd imagine. There seems to be a collective desire to put racism in America to bed permanently and I think many on the Right believe that electing a black man would be a symbolic and watershed turning point.

Unfortunately, the candidate isn't Michael Steel. I like him, but not because he's black. Just like I dislike Obama's stances, but not because he's black. I would love to have dinner with Barack and Michelle. It would be interesting, but I don't want his finger on the big red button. No, thanks.