Obama was in a much better position to get the nomination when he was not 'black enough'. Now that the 'manipulate the black voters' crew is out in full force, he now has the O.J. Simpson curse. Blacks in overwhelmingly large numbers refused to accept that O.J. was a killer, just because he was black. Now, Obama is the best candidate for the presidency, just because he is black. It is the same kind of closed mindedness which gave us the likes of George W. Bush who could get evangelicals to line up behind him by running around be a 'born again, anti-gay, anti-abortion, war mongering, Christian. Scotty, please go ahead and beam me up. It's just too damn depressing here in the U.S. of 'brain, what brain?' America.

nice piece

But, but.... but...

Obama _isn't_ black.

Isn't that the correct point to make?

@ Sharon Ash

What you said about blacks & OJ is silly. You should know the real issue - that one of the cops was openly racist & not just a little.

Even the blacks who beleived he was guilty must've wondered this: can a black-hating N-word using cop plant evidence?

And is that reasonable doubt?

Race and gender do not have place in this debate. I work with public daily. The hurtfull truth is: Men will not vote for a woman if they think women are going to také over the country and racism is alive and well in this country. After Obama had the rallies with Oprah his popularity among white men hit the skids. Jeez talk about playing the race and gender cards at the same time. Men do not like Opra and it smacked of the ultimate pandering to his own race and uniformed house wives. What does Opra know about politics. (Not my thoughts but those of the men I encounter everyday.) As for Hillary most men are scared of strong women and that crying act pissed men off as much as the Opra events. Both need to get back to being civil and focus only on his and her own record or we will have a Morman or a wacked out baptist minister or a soul less ex mayor as president. In 04 after Obahma's keynote speech I thought Clinton/Obahma in 08 to bad that can't happen now. Based on the current atmosphere niether one is electable. I hope you democrats like republican rule, because it is going to continue if things dont change.

Just a few thoughts from a pissed off ex-democrat.

Interesting piece but please stop stereotyping all white people as racist. Why am I - a white, 50 year old engineer living in Texas - supporting Obama? Because the man has brains, charisma and a positive vision of the future. Race? Who cares. Code? What code? None of what Billary has said has raised any 'racial flags' in my mind. What has really turned me off to Billary is the smear campaign and lies that their desparation has caused.

Oh, come on.

The day after his New Hampshire loss, Obama's campaign staff, including Jesse Jackson Jr, were out in the media claiming he only lost because of the Bradley effect, implying that voters in New Hampshire were hidden racists.

Obama already admitted to Tim Russert that he was SORRY he had allowed his staff to play the race card, and hoped it would stop.

The race card was played by Obama's staff immediately after New Hampshire.

We all saw them do it.

Oh, come on.

The day after his New Hampshire loss, Obama's campaign staff, including Jesse Jackson Jr, were out in the media claiming he only lost because of the Bradley effect, implying that voters in New Hampshire were hidden racists.

Obama already admitted to Tim Russert that he was SORRY he had allowed his staff to play the race card, and hoped it would stop.

The race card was played by Obama's staff immediately after New Hampshire.

We all saw them do it.

I consider Obama to be the '08 version of Ralph Nader. If only he had waited until the 2012 or 2016 election, Hillary would have been the clear leader and could have focused on developing her issues platform sufficiently to take on the Republicans easily. The long-suffering women of America deserve to have Hillary in the White House.

As to this O.J. thing and how blacks responded to the jury finding him innocent: I'm a white man who thought Simpson was guilty. But if I were on the jury I would have voted not guilty. Why? Because the L.A. Police and DA's office blew the case. They laid themselves open to doubt. Not just reasonable doubt, but massive doubt. Racist detective lies on the stand about his racism: In rushes massive doubt about the glove. Another detective drives around with blood samples for hours for no good reason: in comes doubt about blood evidence planted. The black response was in answer to the question of whether a black man can get the benefit of the doubt. At least when he wass rich he could. Reason to cheer, I think.

barak is not going souljah. he is not bill clinton or hillary for that matter. in that, he has a moral compass and a life. go barak obama. get it done. now.

Diane may think that the long-suffering women of American deserve to have Hillary in the White House, but perhaps the rest of the long-suffering world deserve not to have Hillary in the White House. Her record is one of supporting war and of supporting big corporate interests. Not really in the interests of America's long-suffering women.

You were awesome on Colbert. "Sphincter-like?" Oh my that was really fun and funny.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

You should wait a little bit longer; Hillary will ruin things for a whole lot of Americans, especially women who can lead.

I'm going to write you in.

Just my considered opinion. Call me. ;)

Sorry, I meant to say that Diane should wait a bit longer.

Pardon the confusion please; laughing too much here.

You were great tonight on the Colbert Report!

Saw you on Colbert...
You are a great woman!!!

Loved you on Colbert, it's great to see somebody sharp enough to give him a taste of his own medicine.

I have been reading through some of your blog articles and really enjoy your writing. Great work.

-Fellow sidekick of the Satire Boys.

Maybe you could try spelling 'OpraH' correctly. Jeez, how are we supposed to take your argument seriously (even though there are some decent points in there) if you can't even spell the name of one of the world's most famous individuals?

The above was directed at Sen, not you Debra.

Loved you on Colbert by the way. Thanks for reminding me about Mother Jones! And making Colbert laugh at himself!

Mary,
It wasn't Obama that said "Bradley Effect"... it was MSNBC (at least that was the show I was watching at 11 PM night of the election)... and once one TV pundit sells a theory, it gets reproduced everywhere else in TV Pundit land. Just like now we hear that it is the "Obama people" overplaying Clinton's comment about LBJ... the first significant uproar I heard about it was from Clyburn... who is not on record as an "Obama people"...

almost forgot the real reason I am on this blog - Diane, as always, your visits to the Colber Repor are lots of fun. Keep up the fine blog and keep the insights coming.

Rachal i spelled the names wrong on for reason. Doesnt change the fact that Osama will be eaten alive by the GOP

Terrific segment tonight on 'Colbert Report.'

:-)

Someone said recently that John Edwards is the only one who could beat John McCain. This sounded right to me. I think it would be an easy win. If Romney is the opponent (and I think this is possible; too many people vote for Dick Tracy looks and see an authoritarian style as someone who can take care of them) both Clinton and Obama would be seen as even more radical
-- not as in values; they don't have that -- than they are, the poles would become vastly distant. Only John Edwards could confront the twit Romney effectively on the issues and Romney's bizarre values.

I just want someone who cares and is not full of [deleted]. Too much to ask?

Mahalo for this, Rogue. I probably wouldn't have thought of it -- at the time everyone realized this, but the racists wouldn't admit it.

Diane -- join the effort to make Hillary pledge to select Barak for her running mate, and make Barak promise to accept the #2 slot if offered. Of course, one should also take the position that it may be Barak that will be choosing the VP - I don't believe it- but if that scenario plays out, I'll never forgive Hillary if she rejects the offer. Would either ticket be electable? I don't give a rip. I'd rather see this country make history on that basis -- whichever Dem is president next time will inherit a recession from hell, and when the Dems withdraw the troops from Iraq, the Middle East will go up in flames, and McCain and his ilk will be saying "I told you so", and their mouths will be watering when they imagine another 9/11, which they will blame on Hillary (or Obama.)

It was Chris Matthews who questioned the "Bradley Effect"

Obama is a Black Racist and will discriminate against Mexicans and White people. Don't vote for him. In California we Mexicans are voting for Senator Clinton.

to begin Hill/bill already made a dael with Ricardson to get the Hispanic vote. Obama is wise enough not to get too close to the clinton slime. His integrity and character would be hard pressed to put him in that amoral circle. Additionally, hill/ bill's egos would never allow someone more eloquient and knowledgeable to be on the ticket--not to mention a family more attractive- personally and in character.

osama obama obama osama
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Borat Husein Osama is not electable in this country.

First of all...loved you on the Colbert Report. I wish I could have heard more from you...but Stephen's jokey jokes don't allow many guests to get a word in (that is why he is hilarious though). I am just caught up in this whole thing right now and have no idea which way to go. I want to hear about the real issues but I feel like the race and gender BS is clouding over the whole thing. Very FRUSTERATING!
P.S. to luv that edwards...that is not clever, try something original buddy

On the Colbert Report, you said that the old, white, millionaire candidates were all interchangeable. Much like Jackson and Sharpton? Heck of a racist remark there...

Debra,

Let me start off by saying you are very astute. I had never heard of you until the Colbert Report interview this week. I truly enjoyed listening to what you had to say even if Colbert wouldn't shut up. :)

Since the interview I have read many of your blogs and articles.

I am a 34 year old white male. I get so tired of hearing all of these candidates hint at racism. They do not have the courage to say what they really mean so they resort to beating around the bush and double talk. I consider myself middle of the road but I tend to lean towards the Republican candidates in most elections. However, this time around, I find myself leaning more and more towards Hillary and away from the Republicans for the simple fact that they seem to be faking their way through the process. I just can't seem to get behind Barack, though. It has nothing to do with his race. I actually believe he is probably the best candidate but I can't help but think there are ulterior motives when it comes to the push for Obama for President. If he is elected and swears in with his hand on the Koran, what message would that send to our "buddies" in the middle east? Personally, I don't care if our new president were purple and were to be sworn in with his hand on a roll of toilet paper. I just believe the radical Islam followers will take this as a victory for the "Jihad". I know this point of view may seem narrow minded but in reality, this could actually do more harm than good when it comes to foreign relations.

If you have any thoughts on this, I would truly enjoy reading them. Keep up the superb work.

Thanks,

Bobby
Austin, Texas

Bill Clinton was right about Sister Souljah--her comments were toxically racist, and he was correct to repudiate them. Obama would do well to take a hard look at his qualifications and weigh the option of running when he's older, wiser, and more experienced. The American people are past ready to elect a black president--they yearn to do so. It would be an unmitigated catastrophe, however, if they elected a candidate like Obama at present. His inevitable failure would set the cause of race relations back decades as white Americans began to question whether the myths of black incompetence had a ring of truth, and black Americans boiled in their resentment of the "old boy network" of white grandees who unquestionable MUST have sabotaged their candidate, denying him a chance at greatness by mounting a conspiracy to thwart him. It would be great to have a woman or African-American as president. Let's find one or the other who is actually capable of transcendant leadership.

I expected the mean old Republican's to attack Obamba, but I didn't expect the nice old Democrats to lie up one side and down the other just so Hillary can become the president. I bet Obama didn't expect to run against Bill Clinton, a much loved past president. I couldn't help but notice how papa Bush let Junior run his own race. I guess Bill doesn't think Hillary is strong enough to do it on her own. With all their meanness and distorting of the truth they lost my vote. I've voted for Clinton twice, but no more.

Sharon Ash,

I BEG TO DIFFER.

Many Blacks and others, believe that the police didn't follow specified protocols regarding the handling of evidence.

That behavior created reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors, and for many others.

Blacks have enormous experience with police and prosecutors, manufacturing and/or distorting evidence.

White people cannot lay claim to objectivity in any arena, Though you imply it is so.

You should be hang dogged ashamed when you suggest voters in other ethnic groups are biased.

Out of the loop, maybe you should get a bit more into to loop. and perhaps also get out of the tunnel in which you see the world through. pick any politician, you could surely point one or two (or thousands) of decisions/statements on which to disagree/distort.

Mary Momgret,

Since you flatly state that whites are never objective and nonwhites are never biased, I cannot help but admire your willingness to show your true colors. You are breathtakingly, unapologetically racist. Kudos for your honesty in displaying your bigotry for all to see.

Mary Momgret: Yes, most everyone is aware of the enormous amount of experience that blacks have with police, those statistics are widely available. Where may we find the statistics on the distortion of evidence?

Fact is that the average white person doesn't vote based on skin color, but the average black person puts an enormous weight on skin color. I live in Atlanta and see it every day, especially in city/county government that only cares about making the black millionaires richer off the backs of the working poor - white or black.

I am an Obama supporter (and a white 41 year-old woman from Texas who has voted for both republicans and democrats). I truly believe that only Obama can bring this country together and represent us to the world as we should be represented. So far, he is the only candidate I see with real integrity.

I'm sad when sweeping racist comments are made about ANY group. How about judging each person individually? (Or, heaven forbid, looking in the mirror the next time we feel the need to judge) When sweeping judgments are made, it only perpetuates hate. (Is that the goal? Because if it is, it's working.) There are plenty of people who get along with others in this world, but the media only seems to report on the ridiculously hateful among us. And the general public buys it. It's time for everyone to dig a little deeper and find the ALL of the truth.

I believe that I responded in kind to your racist suggestion that that blacks were unilaterally biased in favor of Obama, because a predominately black jury acquitted OJ Simpson.
Your reasoning was sufficiently bizarre to elicit my response.
If you choose to think I'm as racist as you, its okay, I am not impressed with your thought processes anyway.

Sharon,

You have inevitably reached another wrong conclusion.
It would take more time than it is worth to explain.
Maybe, you could take a sociology course?

You are assumming that your readers are white.

I viewed the Colbert Report and truly enjoyed the segment. For the most part I am in agreement with you have enjoyed your articles, but I can't help but wonder, did a Mother Jones writer have to cross a picket line to appear on the show? I had strong reservations about watching, but my strong desire for a culture and comedy fix while living overseas overrode my unionist sympathies.

Mary Momgret: My degree from college is psychology with a minor in sociology. I have a rather large number of family and friends who are both in law enforcement and serve as judges. Want to try again to make your point about your wealth of knowledge on the subject of the distortion of evidence?

I am wondering why I should post a comment. Most of the posters have gotten away from commenting on the article and have instead used this as a platform to vent or post nonsense.

Now that I have done that bit of housekeeping, I want to comment on the article itself.

Ms. Dickerson, you are insightful, and I understand your perspective here.

However, it should be mentioned that Obama does have a dilemma; if he overtly appeals to black voters, some whites and blacks will perceive him as only a "black" candidate.

This will cause some voters to automatically eliminate him from consideration. The reality is that the republican and democratic candidates must reach out to every demographic.

Bill Richardson is Latino, but there was no large backlash against him campaigning among Latinos. Obama should be given the same latitude as Richardson.

If Obama is seen by people as a "black" candidate, it is only fair that Edwards, McCain, Huckabee or Clinton and the rest of the remaining candidates be characterized as only representing the interests of whites.

Such labeling does not benefit any candidate and only heightens the racial and ethnic divisions in a country that started off as a colony of immigrants.

I think Mickey Kaus and Dick Morris are pretty much spot on. And they're usually not from the same side of the aisle. If blacks block-vote (by a very large margin) for Obama, they have demonstrated racism. And they have labelled Obama theirs.

That will cause backlash. If he's "the" "black" candidate, he can't be a candidate for all Americans. And if a bunch of white feminists got 70% of white women to vote in a block for Hillary, that too would be enough to cause me to vote against her.

The difference is, such discrimination is only accepted from one group.

BY THE TIME DR. FRANKENROVES
FINISHD WITH OBAMA........
51% OF AMERICA WILL BELEVE
HE,S WILLY HORTON WHO CONVERTED TO ISLAM IN PRISON!

Sharon, again?

Some candidates, like Hil/Bill will claim anything to get elected.

Some posters, like you, will claim anything to "one up" in a discussion.

Your credibility, as an honest, and objective human being diminished with your first posting.

Mary Momgret: So, what I am hearing you say, is when you make assertions that blacks are widely the objects of the distortion of evidence in the court system and someone asks you for statistical data to back that up, and you obviously cannot, you just begin to attack the individuals who question your claims. I will be happy to scan in my degree in the very subject we are discussing to dispute your 'claim anything', if you will be so kind as to provide your statistical data to support your claims.

Obama is as Black as Tiger Woods, is he not?

It isn't a good nor a bad thing. It just "is".

In Wood's case, he is a top-notch golf pro and he is proud of his dual heritage.

Is Obama a top notch political representative? Is he proud of his dual heritage?

I don't know about top-notch political representative" nor whether or not he is proud of his dual heritage. I know he doesn't give his non-Black heritage much play, so it would appear he does not wish to honor it as much, and it would appear so for "political" reasons.

I admit I am speculating. But the appearance of what he is doing and continues to do the more he engages Hillary is where the trouble lies.

to gtash: Obama wants what most everyone wants who goes into politics, power and money. Obama uses blacks just like whites use blacks, when they are wanting their support. Obama lives in an almost $2 million house. He had a 17 year business relationship with a slum landlord in Illinois, whose slum landlord practices hurt blacks. He only chose to become 'black enough' in S.C. when he needed to win a primary. We must, as voters, learn to really study those who run for office, and look beyond the exterior of skin color, hair style, etc. in other words, forget the package, and find out the contents.

Don't be surprised when Obama starts bringing up his white ancestry. It should happen any day now. I think the ad is suppose to be called Mother. I feel so sorry for the young, naive Obama supporters; they are so blinded they can't see him for the crafty, cunning politician he is (similar to Bush supporters).

Mary and Sharon, you both have interesting points, but your argument skills are, shall we say, wanting? As a Drama Major (yes, I'm doing it too!), I can tell you that your points should be narrowly targetted; and yes, you really should have citations to back them up.

OR...

You could simply argue from your own human experience, and leave out the unsupported claims. For instance, you could cite your own experience with cops that make up facts, such as a police report that said I started a tussle by hitting a cop first, when it was exactly the other way 'round. My own experiences lead me to severely doubt ANY cop's word for anything, whether in sworn testimony or not. Sorry Sharon, but your education and family background don't mean that cops won't lie to defend their own; or don't fabricate evidence when they have convinced themselves that they have the guilty party in hand.

I'm guessing that both of you are white women. I'm white too, and it took some first-hand exposure to the police mentality, to show me that "reality" is just as adjustable in police hands, as it is in the hands of politicians. Before my conversion, I also thought (even though I lived in "bad" neighborhoods, and should have known better), that when blacks got into trouble with the police, it was because they were in the wrong, somehow.

I now know that just being black means being in the wrong; every time, all the time. Nothing a black does, is not "because they are black." Most whites think they are not racist, and that any black pointing to racism (one of the DEFINING schizms in American culture) is just trying to find differences where none exist, and causing trouble for us all. One of the main enemies of blacks these days is the pervasive, TV-engendered white perception that, despite all of the evidence, there is "no such thing" as real, present racism in America.

Maybe we should all take a look at who promotes this view. Rush Limbaugh says there's no such thing as racism, except on the black side. So does Bill O'Rielly, who broad-mindedly includes liberals, and was so relieved when the patrons at Sylvia's didn't shoot crack at their tables.

Maybe we should look at the company we're keeping, when we say that race "shouldn't" be an issue in America. It IS an issue, like it or not, and denying it will only KEEP it one.

Ms. Dickerson--the Colbert interview was great stuff. I wished he'd have let you talk about why you wouldn't support Edwards--can someone provide a link to a previous piece?

Yes, by all means, let's find the neophyte babe in the woods to be president. Maybe we could do the Tibetan Buddhist thing and have our presidents be re-incarnations selected from birth.

The main problem with these narratives is that "whites" think white issues are merely "issues." When anyone suggests that blacks might be better served by certain policies or politicians, then idiots like Kaus et. al. blather about the "race card." Black folks in this country have a long history of voting for white candidates. White folks, on the other hand...well let's just say our record is a little more equivocal :)

Obama is a Black Racist and will discriminate against Mexicans and White people. Don't vote for him. In California we Mexicans are voting for Senator Clinton. Then she will owe us and the Black folks will get, you guessed it, nothing.

To Bobby from Austin Texas,
I happened to be skimming through the comments and I noticed your statement about Obama swearing in as the President with the Koran, and the message it will send to our enemies. I want to ask you where you are getting this information from. (If my tone doesn't convey it, this truly is a question and not an accusation). I continue to hear these kinds of rumors, but there is absolutely no evidence to back it up. I honestly don't care what religion Obama professes to (as long as it isn't devil worship), but I find it very suspicious that his supposed Muslim beliefs keep coming up, when he has says consistently that he is a Christian.

The fact is, Hillary Clinton has stood up for women. I think, in and of itself, this is a great thing. Ibelieve women are equals with men, and support this. Now, that's fine to do as a First Lady, or as a Senator, too...but as a President, one has a very broad spectrum of issues to deal with; I don't mind her continuing her fight for women, but I don't want it to dominate her term as President, were she to win. Ithink this may be used against her by the Republicans, too. Obama has similar problems. In a way, and only because it's so important to get a Democrat in the White House this election (if nothing else as the only realistic alternative to the madmen on the Republican side)that I wish the two favorite, strongest candidates(at least so far)were not a woman and an African American...while I'd love to see both a woman and an African American sit in the White House chair someday very soon, because there are so many prejudiced people still alive and voting (and they're usually prejudiced against both women AND African Americans)in this country right now, I'm saddened that we don't have a strong Democratic white male candidate in this race--someone with the vision of candidates like Kucinich and Ron Paul--main vision being returning to the rules of our Constitution, once again being genuinely good people, and our country being truly free, with sound money, a more equal distribution thereof, and Law that governs the rich and poor alike, with Justice for ALL..someone having those ideas and ideals, but with the charm and charisma of a John Kennedey, or a Bill Clinton--not because I don't want an African American or a woman as President, because I do--but because the Republicans will use these prejudices against both women and African Americans to chew Democrats up in the final election! Look how nasty it has gotten, and the rascist aspects that are coming out now, just in our own Party!! Democrats against Democrats!!Think of what the Republicans will do with it, and our nominee!
It's just so important that we beat these Republicans this year, that I wish we had a stronger Edwards on the ballot. I wonder why he's done so poorly so far?...maybe he talks too much about working men and women and we poor people...I don't know. But if Huckabee or Giuliana become President, I'm gonna shoot myself! (kidding..just.)

I am a white male in my mid-forties. I am voting for Obama, because I think he is the best positioned candidate to steer the country in the rough waters ahead. It gives me a thrill to vote for a black man, but that's really secondary, and if I thought Hilary or McCain would do a better job, I'd vote for them instead.

That being said, all the comments here about why African-Americans supported OJ Simpson in large numbers is bullcrap. A lot of African-Americans supported OJ because they knew white cops can be corrupt, and a lot of them supported him because he was Black and that's how they choose sides in these situations. An ugly display of tribalism, but it happens with most groups, so nothing special about African-Americans. Same thing will happen with Obama. Some AAs will vote for him on the merit of his arguments and qualifications, and a lot of AAs will vote for him just because he is Black.

to Diane:
Women(long suffering) are the majority(51% to 55%) of the population, and I think are the majority of those who actually vote.I've often wondered why women never used that to their advantage and voted as a block to get a woman in charge.This is what the men who have been runnibg things do.They make sure a majority of them vote for the person or persons that they want to be in charge.While women and minorities have been trying take the high road white men have concentrated on establishing and concentrating their position and power.Maybe it's time for women to use the same tactic.I don't see how you could lose.

The media has successfully limited the political debate to the race/gender of the voters and the candidates. We seldom if ever hear discussions on the real issues. Why are we not talking about impeaching the criminals and war profiteers in the white house? Why are we in debt up to our eyeballs to communist China.
Watching Bush kiss and hold hands with the very people in Saudia Arabia, who are the chief finaciers of terror, while we kill and die in Iraq. It was disgusting. I only wish their customary greeting was kissing each others butt cheeks then holding hands. Would the world have seen our president bending over? You betcha.
As an African-American female I resent the media portraying black people as simpletons with no grasp of the issues. Black sheep unable to judge a candidate based on political merit, values or any other characteristic except race. And what in the heck does OJ have to do with anything? Well I hate to shock and awe those who think we are so one dimensional, but I hope they will join the 21st century and shed the old stereotypes of superior white males vs everyone else who's not. Why is the question "can a black man or white woman be elected president?" As a child in elementary school I was told any American Citizen could be President. Obama, Clinton and the strange Repug crew, are all American Citizens. Maybe the lie told to me as a child will turn out to be the truth.

Oh, and great job on the Colbert show, it was the first time I've seen him outgunned.