Obama rejects Ralph Nader's claim that he tries to 'talk white' and appeal to 'white guilt'

[kevinmc]

CHICAGO - Barack Obama dismissed independent presidential Ralph Nader's claim that the Democratic candidate is trying to "talk white" and has failed to challenge the power structure to appeal to "white guilt."

Obama told reporters on Wednesday that Nader, who has run for president several times, including 2000 and 2004, was trying to get attention with "an inflammatory statement."

In a story published Wednesday, the Denver-based Rocky Mountain News reported that Nader said he was not impressed with Obama and that the senator was playing down poverty issues. The interview took place Monday in Washington, the News reported......

...SNIP....


Obama said Nader had not been paying attention because he has discussed predatory lending, housing foreclosures and similar economic issues throughout his campaign.

"I think it's a shame because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections, it's an extraordinary one. But at this point, he's somebody who's trying to get attention and whose campaign hasn't gotten any traction," Obama said.

Nader, 74, is a consumer advocate and political activist.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Nader's ego: Livin' la vida loca.

Or loco. But it's an astounding ego all the same.

[libodem]

2. Hmmm, let me see

Have I said this before? FUCK NADER.

[Maat]

3. F.U., Ralph!

Obama is a constitutional law instructor, and talks like one! HE gets to adopt whatever speaking style he wants, with whatever audience he wants. I used to respect Ralph Nader, but, now, the egomaniac is telling people how they have to behave! Screw you, Ralph.

[mokawanis]

4. I'm done with Ralph

I respected and even admired the man for years but it just gets harder and harder. I'll keep the framed autographed poster I got at the founding convention of the Labor party but he's just pissed me off one too many times.

[Maat]

7. I understand (n/t)!

[blondeatlast]

9. You took that rant right out of my, well, wherever rants originate. Well said, Maat; I absolutely

agree.

[Maat]

11. Take care, BAL (n/t)!

[keep_it_real]

5. There was always something about Nader I didn't like

[genna]

6. Michelle Bernard ready to eat nails and split woods. I think Nader can forget about the AA vote.

On edit, I changed Michelle Obama to Michelle Bernard. I guess I've watched too much Hard Ball.


It was good to see Obama get some extra emotion in considering it was he who was attacked.

I've only seen him get that emotional when Michelle Obama was attacked. I can see that he has some unchartered depths.

[Thrill]

8. Isn't Obama half white? How the hell is he trying to talk white?

[LiberalFighter]

10. Nader is a senile old turd. And Nader hasn't done much for his consumer legacy in the last 20 years.

[Maat]

12. So true, LiberalFighter.

And, that Jefferson quote of yours is the best.

(I'm not an atheist, but I do believe in a strict separation between church and state.)

[Political Heretic]

13. Ralph has jumped the shark. :(

[Dems to Win]

14. Nader's productive contributions were all long ago

Ralph Nader: Another old white man trying to tell African Americans how they must think and behave.

Wow. I am appalled. I truly never thought Ralph would stoop this low.

I wonder if these comments will rebound to Obama's benefit, if people who were on the fence react in disgust and become Obama supporters. Though that wouldn't make me any less mad at Ralph.

I wish the press would cease covering this pathetic old has-been.

[bluedawg12]

15. Crazy meet irrelevant + offensive = RN [( - ) viable ] n/t

[saltpoint]

16. It doesn't seem as if the need for sustainable working wages, health care

for the old and the young, across-the-board improvement and equity in education, respect and proper care of our veterans, progressive judicial appointments, restoration of our global reputation, and a recommitment to community-building values in inner cities and rural towns are particularly white or black issues, but rather human needs which quite a few of us feel that Barack Obama is more capable of meeting than John McCain.

Go to hell, Ralph Nader.