Biden: Obama's the first articulate, bright and clean mainstream African American

[Rose Siding]

I kid you not. Here's the quote-

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jan/31/biden_unloads_on_clinton_obama_edwards

Hoo boy. I guess that's one way to lauch a presidential campaign.

[gristy]

1. lots of discussion on this over here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x90066

[Rose Siding]

4. O, wow, thanks

I've lost my search function til next month and I'm a clumsy poster as a result :(

[gratuitous]

2. Buh-Biden

Go sit in the Campanis Corner, Joe.

[lancdem]

8. lol

[patricia92243]

3. Foot in mouth. He meant well, but said it in a way that could be offensive to lots of people.

[Rose Siding]

11. I can't say for sure how he meant it, but right out of the gate

you'd think a pres candidate would be paying very close attention to what he's saying. Considering the level of racism that does exist, and the impact it could have on the election, I'm not so willing to give him a pass.

[lancdem]

5. It was bad from start to finish

He also insulted Hillary by saying she's only where she is because of her husband. Racism wasn't enough - he had to toss a sexist grenade in there, too. :mad:

[Rose Siding]

13. He played with stereotypes in all his attacks.

[earthside]

16. That's Absolutely True ...

...So what is wrong with actually saying it?

Hillary Rodham from Chicago would not be a U.S. Senator from New York.

[Richardo]

6. Wow. He shoots himself in the foot before inserting it in his mouth.

That's being thorough.

[mconvente]

14. What a blunder - or perhaps more... insidious racism i believe i've read

Even people who don't think they are racist toward blacks will show preferences for white people in IATs (Implicit Attitude Tests). Here's a great link that explains what they are - from Harvard.

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

Oh, btw, I LOVE the picture of the beagle in your sig!! I have a beagle at home too, they are sooooooo cute, but pretty feisty when it comes to territorial and food issues. lol oh well!

[dmallind]

18. I'm not sure those tests are universally valid though

I took one a while back and it said I had a slight preference for black people. Given that I'm pasty white and a British immigrant from an area where the Asian minority was ten times the size of the African at least, and live in one of the most white-bread states in the union, I'm not sure where I picked up this preference, and can assure you I don't consciously have that preference or even know why it could possibly be a subconscious one. I've never dated a black woman, have no particularly close acquaintances who are black (not that I avoid them intentionally - but Nebraska is what it is), am not especially enamored of any black celebrities or musicians and heck don't even watch the WB too often. If anything I would have expected my upbringing to make me slightly subconsciously averse to black people, since they are not a large part of my experience and since media portrayals of them are predominantly focused on negative events such as crime and poverty. Like I hope most people here I don't consciously have any racial preference one way or the other, but none of us can completely overcome nurture or eliminate cultural indoctrination.

That said though I would not be likely to make the same comment Biden did. He may or may not be racist either consciously or subconsciously but he surely is ignorant and clueless in what is appropriate language.

[Solon]

31. I have problems with that test...

First, its timed, which I view as bad, I get "tunnel vision" in that the words that correspond with the keys "e" and "i" disappear from my vision if I concentrate on the center of the screen, so I always have a delayed response, because they switch the words around, and I have to look at them.

Even with these problems, I usually end up with either an inconclusive response or a slight preference towards African Americans. I'm white(Irish) in ethnicity.

[mconvente]

32. There are white people that have preferences toward blacks

Especially those, I would assume, of the liberal/progressive type, because we all know how equality does not current exist in our country when it comes to black people, and we empathize with them. I don't know, that's just what I've gleaned from my collegiate social psychology class. Not all research is accurate though - sometimes over time it becomes molded into something else.

[flpoljunkie]

7. John Stewart's gonna get him for the "clean" comment, for sure! And deservedly so!

[Skinner]

9. Huge blunder by Biden.

It's been, like, two decades since his last presidential run, and he's already shown that he hasn't overcome his talking-without-thinking problem. This is a big-time fuck-up, IMHO.

Biden may not know it yet, but he's done. Stick a fork in 'im.

[Connie_Corleone]

10. Shortest presidential campaign ever.

Maybe he should submit his record into the Guinness Book of World Records.

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. Well he still has his gig on Sunday TV Talk Shows n/t

[FrenchieCat]

27. Yes....Always......

just like the light bulb fixtures and the walls! :)

[wizstars]

12. stick a fork in him, he's done.......

(w/ due tribute to the late, great Ann Richards, God bless her.)

[rodeodance]

15. I say let it die---

[harveyc]

19. I like Joe a lot and think this is being way overblown ...

He is very honest and straight forward. I think everyone should read the whole interview for context.

http://www.observer.com/20070205/20070205_Jason_Horowitz_politics_newsstory1.asp

[Placebo]

20. It's pure jealousy with a little bit of racism is all.

Biden is thinking, "How is this skinny negr0 who just got here, who is young and still has all his hair, running 2nd in the polls and got a real shot at winning, while a lifelong politician like me is considered the long shot/laughing stock?"

Sad. So sad.

[AlCzervik]

21. ok off to rehab with him.

[JaneQPublic]

23. Perhaps he can bunk with Isaiah Washington...

...who's apparently in rehab for homophobic remarks. Plus, he's an articulate, bright and clean mainstream African American!

[michaelwb]

22. Dear Senator. Biden

While it is clear that Senator Obama's charm and good looks have swept you off your feet - might I suggest that this is not best pick up line.

Perhaps you should stick with the classics.

[rhombus]

24. His use of the word "mainstream" is really contemptible

Would he describe the other candidates as being "mainstream"? That's so derogatory on so many levels. Biden is a disgrace.

[paulk]

25. ho - hum

this will give both the howler monkey left and right something to scream about for a couple of days, I guess.

OTOH - both the left and right helped turn Kerry's botched joke into enough of a campaign issue to knock him out of the race - so I suppose Biden will get the same treatment.

It's a wonder anybody even bothers to run for President anymore....

[Ninja Jordan]

26. Maybe this will force him to bow out

The fewer candidates, the better. Biden has no chance anyway. And now, his sole reason for running (to raise his profile for a VP slot) has been diminished (who would want him as VP after these comments?).

[enough already]

28. Wait....you mean to tell me that Biden said something stupid and self-destructive?

I mean...I'm totally shocked.

[beaconess]

29. Is he saying that every "mainstream" black who came before Obama was inarticulate & stupid & dirty?

Hmm

[cwydro]

30. Well, that's one down. eom