Obama’s “bitter” critics weren’t going to vote for a black man anyway
April 15th, 2008 at 12:36am Chuck Sweeny
This column by Bob Herbert in The New York Times
makes a good point about the kerfuffle generated by Barack Obama’s recent comments about small town Pennsylvanians — that they’re bitter because their jobs have disappeared and because of that sad fact, they cling to guns ‘n’ God and fear of immigrants.
Obama’s words were patently untrue about small town America. I know because in 2004 and 2006 I took long trips for the Register Star, talking at some length to voters in small town America (and in big city America.) People were concerned about their future in the small towns, especially because the young people were moving to the big cities. But folks seemed happy with their lives. Really, folks in small towns and big cities are about the same. They don’t cling to religion, they embrace their faith. Gun ownership is as much a part of small town culture as it is in the cities and suburbs.
And most people are concerned about the influx of illegal immigrants. But they’re not panicking over it. Their key concern is the word “illegal,” not immigrant.
On Monday, though, Obama was right in saying that while his original words were clumsy, people are cynical because every four years politicians come around and promise to bring them good jobs, then when the election’s over, they vanish and nothing changes.
The people in a tizzy over Obama’s “bitter” remarks were never going to vote for a black man anyway. That seems to be Herbert’s point.
There is a lot of coded racism oozing out of white America just about now. Consider what U.S Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Ky, had to say about Obama: “I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button,” Davis said. “He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.”
For those of you who don’t see the significance of a white man using the word “boy” to describe a 46-year old black man, I’ll explain. “Boy” was a commonly used word by whites in pre-1960s America, used as a polite form of the “n” word to demean black men, letting them know their place in the scheme of things, which was far, far below that of whites.
“Boy” was used prolifically, in advertisements running in major magazines, on the radio, and in popular music. One Glenn Miller tune from the early 1940s says, “Pardon me, boy, is that the Chatanooga Choo Choo? Track 29! Boy you can give me a shine.”
Rep. Davis has apologized, but he still has his head up the wrong decade.
Another incident comes to mind. When the Rockford School Board fired controversial Jefferson High School Principal Dr. Kenneth Jackson last week, it was a topic on local radio talk shows. I’m not going to get into why the board fired Jackson — it was a 7-0 vote.
Rather, I’ll talk about the disturbing reaction of white callers to those radio shows. They were positively gleeful that the dreaded Jackson was shown the door. They were filled with rage, they made tawdry jokes about the man, they danced on his grave.
One talk show host primed the anti-Jackson pump, but truth be told, the callers didn’t need goading. That’s what modern racism looks like in the Forest City. Sure, it’s dressed up in code talk that starts with “I don’t care whether you’re white, black, green, or purple,” but whenever someone says that, you can be sure that race is exactly what they care about.
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17 Comments Add your own
1. Aaron M. Funfsinn | April 15th, 2008 at 2:50 am
MUST READ: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/4/14/obamas-remarks-are-liberal-snobbery-2-2.html
2. Riverside Drive | April 15th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Come on, Charlie, Give me an absolute freakin’ break. Obama has won 27 states - Starting in Iowa. Iowa! — and including such African-American hotbeds as Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont and Connecticut. He has earned more than 13 million votes…twice as many as McCain in his primaries. And you/Bob Herbert subject us to this ultra-shallow argument …. “people in x state will never vote for a black man.” Well, 18 months ago if you had said a black man would be poised to get the nomination, what would you have said? So please, let’s try for something that resembles critical thought.
3. Menlo Bob | April 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Thank goodness you’ve come to your senses. Obama’s comments did indeed reveal how out of touch he is with rural voters. But your comments about a lot of white racism because some one used the word ‘boy’ or statements about a controversial school administrator are a tad overly sensitive. In fact lots of people don’t like other people for lots of reasons and they include all racial groups. Words aren’t the problem. You need only look at criminal statistics to show where the real problems are. You seem blissfully unaware of this reality–just as Obama was about what motivates rural voters.
4. Chuck Sweeny | April 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Wasn’t talking about the states he won. Talking about the people who aren’t going to vote for him no matter what.
5. Riverside Drive | April 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Chuckles: You’ve said that already. My point is, a year ago, couldn’t one have said, “no one in Iowa will vote for a black candidate for president?” Or, “no one in Vermont will” 27 states, 13 million votes. I’m not suggesting that no one will bring racism into the voting booth ever again.
I am saying that you — and Herbert — are incredibly tone deaf and mighty arrogant to dismiss the criticism of his remarks as universally racist. As Menlo Bob said, you’re blissfully unaware.
6. Chuck Sweeny | April 16th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I’m a keyboard player on the side and I’m not tone deaf.
By the way, some of you sound like the same guy. Any chance you might be?
7. John Quincy Adams | April 16th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I am not the same guy as any of these other posters, Chuckles. I will admit, however, to stealing the name Chuckles from another poster, and it looks like others are doing the same. It seems appropo.
8. Chuck Sweeny | April 16th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
OK, just checking. By the way, if there are any people out there who have something original to say, I invite you to join in. I’m getting bored with the same old stuff from the guys in the gimme caps up in the peanut gallery.
9. Menlo Bob | April 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Without us you’ve got bupkis. Better not destroy your fan base just yet. Say…why not post an mp3 of you tickling the ivories. I’m guessing that Liberace has noting on you–except for breathing.
10. Riverside Drive | April 16th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Chuckles…well, it remains to be seen if you’re tone deaf as a keyboardist. Why not post an mp3 as big Menlo Bob suggests, and let us judge? I think it’s fair to say we’ve already agreed upon your tone deafness in the political analysis world.
For the record, I also am not the same guy (or gal) as any of these other posters. Are you really smug to think that it isn’t possible that more than one person can see through your ridiculousness?
Further for what it is worth…It is a GREAT strategy to deride your audience as either rednecks or racist. That will surely build your following, just like it really paid off for the music industry to sue their customers. Nice work.
11. Barkus | April 17th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Whether this counts as original or not, I’ll jump in as a first time poster.
Was I offended by Obama’s “bitter” comments-no. Neither offended nor surprised.
In what he thought was a private gathering he expressed what he truly believes and I don’t think there is a touch of malice in the man. He simply reflected the core belief of East Coast Ivy League liberals. Reminds me of the east coast reporter (I believe) who expressed astonishment at the election of Ronald Reagan since she didn’t know anyone who had voted for him. Precisely.
12. Chuck Sweeny | April 17th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
When I covered Obama in Iowa back in September 2006, he spoke to about 6,000 people in Indianola at the county fairgrounds, at Sen. Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry. He was totally at ease, hocking it up with people, sitting down at tables and talking, joining in for about 20 minutes to help grill steaks, and giving a hard hitting yet humorous speech.
So, it’s not the same Obama we’re seeing now. I think the stress of the never ending campaign gets to these candidates. I think we ought to stop covering them until there’s some real news to report. The ABC debate, with Bill Clinton press secretary George Stephanopolous masquerading as a journalist, did not provide anything new.
13. Menlo Bob | April 17th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Now that Obama is getting some sharp elbows Mr. Sweeny wants a time out. Poor baby. He isn’t tough enough to do much more than grill steaks and sit on puffy pillows provided by the press. ABC should get a Pulitzer Prize.
14. Riverside Drive | April 18th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I will agree with one thing - and Obama made this point the other night - we’re going a little overboard in examining every person he knows and then suggesting he should be responsible for their previous views and actions.
HOWEVER: If the campaign is stressful, Mr. Chuckles, there’s a reason: We’re vetting candidates for the most powerful office in the world. We need to know a lot about these people and the types of judgments they’ll make.
Boo-hoo, the campaign can’t be filled with steak frys every day. Menlo Bob, you’re right, Chuckles wants to take his ball and go home.
15. Menlo Bob | April 18th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Perhaps 72 year old John McCain will give up his senior citizen seat to the wheezing 47 year old candidate.
16. charlie | April 19th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
you are right. i do not like the man, and it ain’t his color. he does not have experience to be president. right, he sold a book and has been a senator for two years. so where is the experience? on the road running for president. do not like the man. do not want my taxes raised. just do not like the man. i love my country more than i like him or hill……………….
17. Chuck Sweeny | April 21st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Curious to know from all of you anonymous posters: Who among the three leading candidates would make the best president?
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