Who’s the racist now?
Via Instapundit there’s this follow-up by John Althouse Cohen to a post titled, “How Obama Lost Me.” Quick point: Obama didn’t “lose” him in terms of how he’s going to vote in November, just that the rose-colored shades have been knocked from JAC’s eyes by Obama’s words and deeds of late. The entire post’s very worthy of a read, regardless of which side of the political fence you’re on, but this particular bit really sticks in my craw:
It’s getting clearer and clearer that what has gotten him so much attention and adoration despite his inexperience is not his ideas or policies or even his life story. It’s two things: he’s black, and he can give a great speech. If you took those two things away, it’d be inconceivable that he’d be chosen over Biden, Richardson, or Dodd, let alone Hillary Clinton. I’m not complaining about the focus on his race — I think it’s really important to have the first black president.
(Emphasis mine.) Really? Then admit it: you’re a racist. And you’re proud enough of it to say so.
As a conservative, I get painted with the broad brush from liberals, leftists, and Democrats alike that my real problem with voting for Obama is that he’s black. Obama himself has, on a half-dozen occasions, accused McCain of stoking the fires of racist fear in we who support him. But JAC’s comment is hardly unique on the left and it is a categorical, dictionary definition of racist. I don’t care if Obama’s black, white, or pink with purple polka-dots – it’s the fact that he’s a leftist with a near-socialist agenda more intent on making America follow the lead of European countries and ask their permission to defend our interests that makes me think he’s unfit to be our President. I’ve maintained that position since I first heard him speak while JAC and other Obama supporters make statements like the one above and I’m the racist?
Not hardly. That the fact of Obama’s race even weighs into their decision puts the lie to their whole “we stand for equality” mantra. They’re perfectly fine with racism. So long as it’s racism they agree with. Fine. Fair enough. Admit it and drop the act of standing there so high-and-mighty, pointing down on we boorish conservatives which sneeringly spitting out the “racist” label. Get your true colors out in the open and then let’s see what the majority of Americans think on the issue.
Comments
Pingback from Accusations of racism: the shape of things to come « HoodaThunk?
Time October 6, 2008 at 06:04
[...] sick of the race card being tossed in my face at any question of Obama’s suitability. As I mentioned, we’re not the ones being racist, here. Patterico also mentions the hesitation of [...]
Comment from Not Jeff W.
Time October 1, 2008 at 09:38
Ric, first let me give you credit for even broaching this topic, it’s hard to talk about and I wish that were not so.
I believe race will be a factor in this election, but to what degree is unknown. I think the vast number of people voting for McCain will do so because they believe he is the better of the two candidates. But I have come across people who have flat out said that Obama’s race is the only thing keeping them from supporting him. One man even pointed out that he’s voting for Warner and voted for Hilary but would never vote for a “n word,” That was significant to me because it spoke to the fact that people on both sides of the political spectrum have racist views. Sadly the “Bradley effect” is a very real phenomenon.
The problem in my estimation is that some black people want to make everything about race while some white people never want to admit there is still a problem.
Again it’s a hard subject, thanks for bringing it up.