OBAMA Supporters only --May I have your attention, Please?

I have been thinking about what has transpired in the last few days, and I have been reading garbage all around the internet in reference to what Clinton and Co. have been doing, and here's what I am concluding....

We may need to stop responding to this race issue that the Clinton have baited us into raising and let it sit at this time (as Clyburn advises). Put all of the assholes on ignore that are being confrontational, and let's just squash it. Newbies, stay chilled, because if you are really for Obama, then you should want to relax and simply promote our candidate. Policy issues are never off the table, so go at it.

Here's why. this is a comment I received as an email from someone that I very much respect:

"Obama has refused to inject race into this election. Why? because a black candidate talking about race doesn't go very far and that isn't who he is.

But remember, the clinton's don't make these kind of mistakes. Everything they do has a reason. All their toeing of the race line has one intention, to talk about a subject Obama won't bring up. If a lot of Black folks, as well as real progressive liberals get mad enough, many White voters toying with backing Obama due to his message will recoil.

The clintons are willing to give up the black vote so Obama loses the white vote. They want it that bad. Call it their new and improved Southern strategy. "

I agree that this is a probable Clinton strategy.

So we should focus on talking the issues, and let this sit as it is....

If baited, throw out an issue positions, Obama's 80 Billion stimilus package that he put out last month to less fanfare of Clinton's today's offering more conservative offering.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/#tax-relief
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/
Or list all of Mrs. Clinton's lobbyist (I'll find that later...neat chart!)

Of course, I am absolutely nobody, and certainly, I'm nobody's mama.......and so folks should do as they will, but this is my recommendation at this time.

I think that this is what Sen. Obama would want us to do. The strategy has been made clear. Let the Clinton people keep talking about it, without us arguing back...since I believe that we have said as much as was needed to be said. The sad fact about racism; it is a hard thing to overcome (remember that song?) I think that it can be done, but we can't take the race bait beyond the point that we now understand the Clintons just a little bit more.

PS. I would appreciate if Clinton Supporters and those who are interested in keeping this going would simply not bother to respond. I'm not really asking for your opinion,and I will not respond to any bait at this time. Thank you!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE! Si Se Puede!

WATCH THIS AS IT IS ON POINT!
Provide it in your post as a reply if baited and you need a response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg&feature=PlayList&p=B03F10C0072F4762&index=3

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just curious about what you're referring to.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

He doesnt sink to their level. We shouldnt either. :toast:

:toast:

Particularly the Clintons' minds. Do you really need to see an opponent as a monster from hell in order to accept your own choice?

And it's cute the way you want to meet privately on a public message board.

:pals:

conclusion too..it's wasted bandwidth. At first I thought their lies needed to be addressed but now I see it's a sucker's post.

You're really working for HRC, bringing in the sympathy vote, aren't you?

--p!

She's not that Machiavellian!

Am I right, FrenchieCat?

But as importantly, nobody's fool. :)

But does that mean we have to stop making cigar jokes?

not

...We need to stop reacting to these incidents, as there will surely be more. That is not to say that we should ignore or dismiss them. Instead, I would propose that we calmly catalogue them, but not immediately react to them.

FWIW, I know that I reacted very emotionally to the comments that emerged in the past few days. And for that I am now sorry. The Clintons are obviously putting these *questionable* comments out there as bait for us all and I took it hook, line and sinker. Let's just say that my eyes have been opened and it won't happen again.

As a suggestion, could we consider starting an "Obama Issue of the Day" type of recurring thread in which we would discuss his positions one-by-one? Hopefully this will help divert our attention from the nastiness that is surely to come.

:thumbsup:

And my point has more to do with the national campaign, as opposed to the DU Universe.

I think you do a good job explaining Hillary's "new southern strategy", but you left off one important part. Even if she can't bait Obama into the conversation of his blackness, she still wins, because by not talking about, she's given a pass, while reminding the racists among us of just how black he is.

So far his campaign seems to be walking the thin line between too much response ( and allowing the issue to eclipse all others) and letting her get away with it.


The question I'd like your opinion on is, as the campaign goes on, how does he keep race from becoming an issue, while hurting her campaign for its bigotry (real or political)?

He's a smart man. That's why we support him.

It will be evident soon enough, I'm sure.

:hi:

She can only bring it up for so long before people start to realize that it's only her bringing it up. If it becomes too extensive, it will expose itself.

In the meantime, Senators and Congressmen clearly recognize this tactic for what it is and will flock to endorse Barack in droves.

are right about it.

Luckily, no matter what we say on DU it really doesn't matter either way. Frankly, I'd be embarrassed to rec'd this place to any liberal friend right now.

to say about Obama, please?

Some conservative Black guy from the Hoover Institute, Shelby Steele (I think) attempting to psychoanalyze Barack. I think he was dead wrong in his approach....and it sounded like Mr. Steele has a few issues of his own, let alone know anything about Barack. The guy sounded quite sinister and jealous, and appeared to have been wearing a mask for some time. Just read the first sentence at the Hoover site that I link to realize that this guy has his own problems to deal with.
http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/3506941.html

I didn't see anything else. :shrug:

Steele is a self-described Black conservative.<3> He opposes movements such as affirmative action, which he considers to be unsuccessful liberal campaigns to promote equal opportunity for African-Americans. He contends that blacks have been "twice betrayed": first, by slavery and oppression, and second, by group preferences mandated by the government that cause blacks to lose their self-esteem.<4>
“ The great ingenuity of interventions like affirmative action has not been that they give Americans a way to identify with the struggle of blacks, but that they give them a way to identify with racial virtuousness quite apart from blacks.<4> ”
Steele believes that the use of victimization is the greatest hindrance for black Americans. In his view, white Americans see blacks as victims to ease their guilty conscience, while blacks attempt to turn their status as victims into a kind of currency with no purchasing power. Therefore, he claims, blacks must stop "buying into this zero-sum game" by adopting a "culture of excellence and achievement" without relying on "set-asides and entitlements."<4>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_steele

Author of: A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win
http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Man-Excited-About-Obama/dp/1416559175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200122222&sr=8-1

Thanks!

he's saying about Obama. He's not putting Obama down or anything like that. He doesn't make a case for or against him, just interesting analysis that's all.

After listening to Shelby Steele as he continually contradicted himself, it would seem that he needs to solve his own issues before he opens his mouth. Steele gets away with saying nonsense because of his know-it-all demeanor. While a thinker might be disturbed with his inability to prove his thesis, Steele never misses a beat. Also, Steele is willing to work off a civil model that doesn't exist. All people regardless of race do not approach problems with confrontation, nor is this a winning strategy.

Steele's words proved only one thing: he knows nothing about community organizing.

Larry Elder.

Obama's position is a very interesting and nuanced one. There are no easy answers for what he is trying to accomplish. He is trying to thread the needle.

and the author completely missed it. Obama is from Hawai'i. It is a cultural thing, and he was interpreting race without the cultural understanding of this place, at all. Big miss.

To the thread author, Frenchie, you rock.

the next president of the United States - said the man who received more votes for POTUS than any Democrat ever.



As far as the detractors, Barack knew ya'll were coming:)

"Even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg&feature=PlayList&p=B03F10C0072F4762&index=3

as a response to all of this.

Visionary!

because it is on Point! Thanks!

pettypace! I hadn't seen them in South Carolina..I just saw DU explode over it..now I know why. Obama inspires like Dean inspries starting all those years ago.

because those are the ones that really hit at you emotionally.

but yes, i will try to avoid getting into it and focus on the issues and what Obama brings .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg&feature=PlayList&p=B03F10C0072F4762&index=3


Play this in the background, it will make you strong.

If that's what is wanted, no problem. I think if the comments continue, they will become self-evident anyway.

:pals:

I've been very guilty of forgetting this rule of Politics 101.

Not staying on message was what killed Hillary's inevitability. Obama is aware of that and will control this. I have faith in that.

:hi:

:hi:

are saying Obama is playing the race card when they know damn well that it's them that's doin' it.

They're are such a desperate reflection of hillary/bill's campaign.

He's only been burned once in this campaign (the cry). He will weather this. He saw it coming 4 years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg&feature=PlayList&p=B03F10C0072F4762&index=3

Thanks, Wolsh..I hadn't seen this .. I was still undecided when they were in South Carolina.. Wowzers!

But it is spot on, and I'm glad you liked it.

is a losing proposition for Sen Obama, which is why it's exactly what the Clinton campaign wants. It takes the discussion away from the campaign's themes and allows her campaign to frame the arguments. Sen Obama won't take the bait; neither will I.

and damn it worked! I was livid.

But I am calm as the ocean now! :)

:toast:

And my BP will definitely come down as a result! :D

I cannot believe some of the things I've read here lately. Absolutely shocking. :-(

That should have lowered your temp and raised your spirits.

And I'm feeling better already. :bounce:

:hi:

and damned good advice. Thanks.

but I'm all better now.

Letting them know that we knew, was good. But dragging it out on our side, wouldn't be sound, cause that is not what Barack is about.

...unless you know what is really at stake.

We know better now.

And will help keep us out of petty fights with the muckrakers.

I've been exercising this right liberally tonight and it feels GOOD!

They will stop at nothing to win, they have no shame.

Watch the vid! LOl!

Thanks.

That was awe-some.

I guess this is why people think I'm fickle. I just love both Obama and Edwards, and I can't stand not to rise to their defense when either are slandered. But I agree, it does no good and only plays into the divide and conquer strategy. Edwards and Obama both have stayed above it all. Let's do that, too.

Thanks, Frenchie :hi: :hug:

this is a marvelous post.

I do not think this race explosion is a Clinton campaign strategy as such, but it works out the same way no matter how it is injected into the fray. So the cause is irrelevant, and the effect is everything.

Barack has taken pains to rise above the politics of racial division, and is to be applauded for it.

Any introduction of racial animosity is damaging to Barack as both a primary and a general election candidate. It probably benefits Clinton as a primary candidate, but is damaging to her as a general election candidate.

If I had to chose between Clinton with a 99% chance of winning the Presidency and Obama with a 100% chance I wouldn't even have to think. I would take Barack in a heartbeat because that it is that important.

So nobody benefits from this race stuff except the real bad guys.

And I will continue using whatever tiny influence I have to discourage racial divisionism on this board.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks!
:hi:

And I think this is the year that we need to send someone with a midwestern mindset to the White House.

Clinton and Edwards are both from the South and I think we've had enough of the mindset of people from the South in the White House lately.

Bush is from the South, too.

Not surprisingly, the opponent's thoughts turn out to be base and reprehensible.

And it does make for a much nicer experience here at DU. I have no idea what awful names they have been calling me....but I know they are there because I see that wonderful little 'ignored' word on my posts. I highly recommend it....We don't need to hear the hate they spew.

Still I think it's important to identify the smears as they roll them out. There's so many and they're so sneaky about it that giving them a pass on any one of them makes it a fact. I've seen it happen with the DLC baloney.

Race had nothing to do with this contest till Hill, Bill and their minions threw it out there.:spank:

It certainly didn't come from Obama's camp. But yeah lets chill.

Until Hillary gets desperate again.....

Thanks, Frenchiecat.

"Obama has refused to inject race into this election. Why? because a black candidate talking about race doesn't go very far and that isn't who he is.:rofl:WASHINGTON—With polls showing African-Americans have yet to give overwhelming support to White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), his wife Michelle said “black America will wake up and get it" in an interview running on MSNBC on Monday.

MSNBC is using excerpts of a Michelle Obama interview to run in full on Tuesday morning. In a clip that’s featured in the afternoon cycle, Michelle Obama invoked the name of civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. when talking about African-American turnout, a crucial voting bloc for the Illinois senator.

Michelle Obama said there was a "natural fear of possibility" :hide: and that there were times in her life when she was put down and not encouraged. There is "always that doubt in the minds of people of color."

She said the African-American community has to shake of its fear!

“That’s what we want to show our community,” Michelle Obama said. "...We can do this too."

If elected, Obama, whose mother was white and father black, would be the first African-American president.


Why can't you be HONEST??? It has ALWAYS been about RACE for the OBAMA"S!!!!!!!!!!!:spank: SPLAIN LUCY!!

EDit to add: She's PLAYING FEAR AND RACE GET REAL!!!!!:grr: Obama criticized Hillary for appealing to women sympathies. Isn't his wife doing the same thing with blacks. The more I hear from the Obamas the more mixed messages I hear. :nopity: AND: There is also the fact that Bill Clinton and HIllary who are very popular amongst the Black community, (Often referred to as the first "black" President), is also a major reason why African Americans haven't flocked away from the Clinton Camp~~~ SOOOOOOOOO it would appear The Obama's ARE so desperate they have to USE these tactics to sway voters away!!!!!!!!!!

The whole issue needs to be neutralized, not inflammed, or it will jeapordize his candidacy.

BUT at around midnight last night I got it. The subtle surrogate driven code words being layed out by the Clintons are a trap: damned if you answer; damned if you don't. I have no idea how this tactic can be fought, but I do know that the idea was to cause an flurry of race-related commentary.

While the goal was to get Obama to respond so that TeamHillary could then respond with "he's just playing the race card," the means doesn't justify the goal of getting her elected. Of course Obama doesn't play this game because he doesn't believe in it. His every message stresses the need for us form an overwhelming force of community activism; that means all of us, or at least enough of us, to push the "common good."

I must tell you that I'm disgusted.

As well as that photo. One of my favorites. Have you seen this one from the Charleston rally? It is a powerful, moving image--these young boys staring in awe at Barack Obama.


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right shakes the hands of several youths during a rally on the College of Charleston campus in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. Obama's campaign is counting on blacks who traditionally make up half of the Democratic primary voters here to deliver the state to him on Jan. 26, a victory that he hopes will help fuel momentum going into the 'Mega Tuesday' voting in 22 states 10 days later. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Iconic.

wbere there are a high percentage of black voters. He wants to unite them against Clinton--and he is using race.

Your premise--that Clinton is doing it, makes no sense. She would not want to unite blacks against her in SC. That does not even make sense.

The timing of this faux outrage coming from Obama is not coincidental. It is a political strategy.

"The Clintons are willing to give up the black vote so Obama loses the white vote."

This doesn't mean the Clintons are racists. They did accomplish very good things for AAs in the Clinton administration (with some not so good). The shared affection I believe is genuine. It's not as critically about using racism as it is about using racial politics for the Clintons. This they are ready and willing to do, because this is how they will win.

That line - "The Clintons are willing to give up the black vote so Obama loses the white vote" - is what we Obama supporters must keep in the front of our minds at all times. The black community reacted appropriately, as did right-thinking whites, in calling out the Clintons on their use of racial politics. The Clintons heard it loud and clear, and they will feel it in South Carolina, so that was good.

Now it is time to get back to what we're doing, what Obama is doing, because we can drag America a few more feet in race relations or we can raise America miles by putting Barack Obama in the White House. That's the prize right there.

This election is not about race or gender or about identity politics at large: It can't be if we want to win.

This election is about America - Obama is about America - his vision, his record, his policies.

Let's get to work.

not about the Clintons, and it is not about Obama either.

It is about us.

Well said.

My Ignore list just keeps growing.

Edwards (looking less likely, but I really like him)

Obama (incredible guy, and I was hoping he'd be veep this time and pres in 2016)

Or will work for Hillary if she's the nom.

NONE of them are evil. ALL of them have a lot to recommend them.

I really appreciate your efforts (and that of others here) at DU peace-making.

Hekate

:hi:

sry, had to say it.

Let's keep the focus on the positives! Let's be thankful that our candidate has so many positives to focus on!

Good advices, that.