Will Obama now play "The Race Card?"

[Tyler Durden]

Now that Barack Obama has effectively taken a "shot across the bow" of every Democrat left of Hilary Clinton, what's next?

To an old party campaigner, this kind of political naivete is not just disturbing, it suggests "bigger things to come." To ignore warning flairs not seen since rockets over Fort McHenry makes one wonder just what else this campaign is capable of.

The Obama Camp has made a point of trading on hope and honesty; now the leg knocked out (honesty) shows that the one left (hope) is little more than a straw dog to be burnt on the campaign altar.

Does he want it that badly? Since he was trying to bond with the African American Evangelicals with his "Gay Boys Go Home" tour, perhaps he thinks that he might take it by playing one step down the ladder, a ploy only he as the only African American Candidate can play: The Race Card.

This is all speculation of course, but maybe this is something we should all be ready for, and perhaps the Democratic Party should be ready to defuse. That sort of divisive angle could do what nothing else was going to do: split the party, and hand the election to the Republicans.

Make no mistake: since 2000 no election can be considered "in the bag." We could lose this and lose it BIG. We cannot accept even the possibility of the five star debacle that sort of situation could create.

Realize this is all speculation, but then, who in his right mind would have speculated that the country would stand for the Coup of 2000, followed by War in 2004? Sometimes it is amazing that we haven't had riots already.

I do not even suggest that Obama is that foolish, but he has exhibited a colossal talent for debacle this past weekend. Maybe this campaign bears some very close watching, even by its friends.

[gollygee]

1. I hate the term "the race card"

is he not allowed to mention that he's black?

[Tyler Durden]

3. Don't jump to conclusions.

He has crippled his campaign. The Race Card is "I'm Black and that's why our 'Gospel Tour' was picked on."

If he doesn't play it, GREAT. But Blackness/Whiteness/Purpleness used as a campaign wedge issue is despicable.

He hasn't done it. He likely WON'T if he's now listening to anyone with any brains. I'm speculating here.

[Kaylee]

14. Makes me cringe everytime....

I would say more, but I don't want to add to the fire.
:popcorn:

[Tyler Durden]

22. Why not?

It seems like "The Usual Suspects" are down thread, flaming away already.

Me? I'm scared to death of someone who talks a game like he has, then pulls a stunt like this.

THAT is the kind of candidate who takes for granted the support of communities he goes BEYOND ignoring to the point of active alienation.

[flashl]

25. If you are Black and live in America, the race card is played. n/t

[Tyler Durden]

28. Then we have already lost as a Party and a Country.

Forget equality for any reason, and deal with two colors/orientations: GREEN as in GREENBACKS and anything else.

[flashl]

40. Race is a factor in politics

Studies repeatedly show white crossover votes when the candidate is black.

[Chovexani]

64. And the deck is stacked

I'd like to say I can't believe someone on DU would seriously use that right wing bullshit term, but history has given me little hope with regard to this site's racism.

[jonnyblitz]

2. one DUer in particular has already proclaimed that

if you criticize an african-american homophobe you are racist. I would name names but you know how that is. :shrug:

[Tyler Durden]

4. Actually, I don't and I don't WANT to know.

Anyone who would suggest that is a pinhead first and anything else they are second.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Misunderstood original post.

On edit. I misunderstood the post.
I actually don't believe he would stoop to that. The issue at hand has nothing to do with race, only hate.

[Tyler Durden]

8. That's not "The Race Card"

The Race Card is "They are dissing me BECAUSE I'm black."

If he wants to use it as a "credential," that's his business, but I would think even less of him if he did. Would you think more of Clinton if she started yelling "WOMAN WOMAN WOMAN?"

[Horse with no Name]

11. Mea culpa.

I misread the original post and was editing at the same time you were posting.

[Tyler Durden]

12. No culpa necessary.

I was prepared for a lot of that when this thought came to mind.

[MADem]

6. What he's done is move rightward, because his campaign apparently believes that

he's on a "too left" track to have national appeal. At least that is what this McClurkin stunt looks like to me.

It's unfortunate that he had to hop to the right on the backs of ten percent, or maybe more, of his supporters. At the end of the day, will it result in a net gain for him? I don't think so. I think it was a mistake, a big one, that he'll become more and more aware of in the outmonths as his support erodes.

Or maybe that shit still has an audience? :shrug:

[Horse with no Name]

9. Spot on.

It was a lurch to the Right at the expense of the base.
I don't think it will be an isolated event OR an isolated candidate to do such a thing.

[Tyler Durden]

13. It speaks of a Candidate willing to do many things...

Some of them very distasteful.

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Our opposition to McClurkin was racist, so I'm told.

If Bigots are now a race unto themselves, well... them I'm guilty.

[Tyler Durden]

10. McClurkin is a Homephobe and therefore a Bigot.

Speaking out against bigotry is a liberal tradition.

[NOLALady]

15. You mean the two of diamonds?

A totally useless card.

[Kingshakabobo]

16. Maybe we should wait till he does it?

I don't think he will do it but what's the point of this speculation?

[Tyler Durden]

20. I think ANYTHING that can utterly destroy our chances next fall is fair game for question.

Up until now, I wouldn't have believe his pandering to the Homophobic fringe of the African American Evangelicals was even POSSIBLE.

This is a man who talks of HOPE. What hope is there in THIS debacle?

I figure ANYONE who would throw the entire LGBT community under his Campaign Bus, a group we have solidarity with, well, that Candidate is capable of anything.

Do you disagree? If not, then it is a fair subject for speculation, as the party had God Damned better have a response ready for that kind of destructive action.

[Buzz Clik]

17. Guess what, Durden? You beat him to it. YOU played the race card.

This thread ranks as the most offensive I've seen at DU.

IF Obama starts whining about unfair treatment and blaming it on his race, then you've got something to say. Otherwise, this is unadulterated bullshit and pure flamebait.

[Tyler Durden]

18. NO it is speculation, and he brought it on himself.

He uses a "Cured Homosexual" Gospel Singer as the MC to his little show, PISSING on the entire LGBT community in the process, A COMMUNITY THAT WE AS PROGRESSIVES EMBRACE. What else is he capable of?? I am making pure speculation, and this has been done in the past.

And if you can defend his CURRENT behavior for one moment, then YOU are spewing bullshit.

Do you defend his behavior?

[Buzz Clik]

23. I defend nothing, but I certainly condemn your "speculation."

I never thought I'd see that kind of race-baiting at DU.

[Tyler Durden]

26. I bait no races. Say what you will.

I speak of individuals who for their own aggrandizement MAY (because of recent example) now use other issues unrelated to the campaign at hand to smokescreen their failure to act within a PROGRESSIVE paradigm.

I speculate at his tools. After this incident, I speculate as to his next tool of choice, and after this betrayal, I put nothing past him.

Take your "Personality Cult" view of him to another thread: you are not addressing the issue.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[Tyler Durden]

31. AND I will put my participating membership in

The NAACP
SNCC
The Rainbow Coalition

against your baiting comments.

[Buzz Clik]

33. Sure. You can claim anything you want on a bulletin board, but your words define you.

[Tyler Durden]

34. As a 54 year old Vietnam demonstrator...

Civil Rights activist, and member of this board since it was started, I reserve the right to IGNORE someone who merely wishes to slur me and my background. Alert #3.

[Buzz Clik]

35. self delete.

[Tyler Durden]

36. All those deleted messages....and Ignored ones.

They'd likely be deleted also, except for being ignored. Enjoy yourself.

[NorthernSpy]

56. Yeah, you do. Obama did something you didn't like, so you made an issue of his color...

Then you pre-emptively accused him of fixing to "play the race card" at some time in the future.


So yeah: you do.

[Tyler Durden]

69. I'm not going to IGNORE you because I've seen you make good points....

But I will bring up your points at the next NAACP meeting I attend and see if anyone supports them, which I doubt.

For the time being, as you are sniping in with your nonsense and twisting words, I will no longer respond to your posts on this thread. I hope you will calm down, re-read and see that my suggestions are of high ambitions of the candidate and his use of tactics approaching bigotry to further his cause, and questions of how far he will go.

[ellisonz]

24. Seconded.

Edit: Fuck Identity Politics. It may make the world go round but it does not solve any problem. Thank you.

[Tyler Durden]

27. If you are also here to boost the Personality Cult, you aren't addressing the issue.

If you have something to contribute, do it, but Identity Politics appears to be now what the man is all about. I don't like it either, that is why I speculate to his next pseudo issue.

[ellisonz]

78. DU is nuts.

[Rosemary2205]

19. Which card would he play? - He's more than one race.

[Tyler Durden]

21. Now you want to split hairs too?

He has identified himself with and shown solidarity with the Evangelical Homophobic Fringe of the African American Evangelicals in word and action this weekend. I'd say he'd pretty much defined HIMSELF.

This is of course SPECULATION, and since it would wreck the party's chances next fall, fair game for discussion.

[ellacott]

37. Amazing

I have no idea what the race card is. Hillary has campaigned on her gender and Richardson has campaigned on his ethnicity.

The problem that might occur is that there may be some mention of race(it's inevitable) and he'll be accused of playing the race card.

I think there is entirely too much labeling because most of the labels are wrong. If you feel the group he is pandering to is simply a fundie or evangelical religious segment you would be very incorrect. Even saying that he is moving to the right to get this group is also wrong.

Obama's camp made a terrible mistake. The problem is it doesn't look like there will ever be chance for any type of communication.

This is probably the saddest part of this entire incident.

[Tyler Durden]

38. I view this incident as purposeful and planned.

He said something 180° out from what was PLANNED and occurred. To pander to bigots, no matter what color, religion, or their reasons for their bigotry shows a candidate capable of ANYTHING.

Hilary is not the issue here, and I don't support her. Richardson is a fool, and I don't support him either. Obama is the issue here: I want to stay focused on the issue.

[ellacott]

39. You missed the entire point

Like I said, this is the saddest thing that has come out of this mess.

[Tyler Durden]

41. I disagree with your original post.

With his choice of audience and MC, I think his purpose is obvious, and I believe him to be pandering to the Homophobic Evangelical Fringe, no mater their color or ethnicity.

[ellacott]

45. I disagree with your label

and most labels used here.

I don't know if it was pandering but he made a big mistake.

To consider this group as simply a Homophobic Evangelical Fringe is also a mistake.

[Tyler Durden]

49. I do not endorse ANY of their good facets, as long as they are bigots.

Mussolini made the trains run on time.

A Bigoted Group NEGATES ANY GOOD THEY DO. Now that is my personal opinion, but I stand by it like a rock.

[ellacott]

51. This is my point and why it's so sad

I said NOTHING about good or good facets. This has nothing at all to do with it. How did that even come up?

[Tyler Durden]

55. had to edit the title, but you picked up the gist.

Actually you did infer that there was something GOOD about this group, as they were not to be only considered Evangelical Homophobes. I disagree. I want NO BIGOTS on my side, neither will I be on the side of one.

If I am FORCED to hold my nose and vote for Obama over a Republican, I will. But I will not put his sign on my lawn, or send him a nickel.

[ellacott]

59. This has nothing at all to do with good

There was no inference on my part. If I meant that they were good I would have said that.

Again, this has nothing to do with good.

[Tyler Durden]

60. Then name something POSITIVE about this group.

There should be a damned good reason for pandering to them, and denying by proxy that an entire group of citizens are living against the Word of GOD and are therefore not worthy to live as nature made them.

[ellacott]

62. Like I said, you miss the entire point

This is not about good or positive.

baffling...........

[Tyler Durden]

63. No, you are missing the point.

If there is no good reason to appeal to this bigoted and homophobic group, then any effort that does so is pandering to bigots at the expense of good LGBT Americans.

[ellacott]

65. Good is not part of this discussion

I don't know what good reason would be acceptable. That makes no sense. Either it was the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do. It was clearly the wrong thing to do.

The religious group could try and say that Obama was pandering to the gays if he cancelled McClurkin's appearance.


I don't think the concert was put together to appeal specifically to homophobic bigots. Everyone that listens to that music is not a homophobic bigot. The problem came when they were made aware of their insensitivity and chose to do keep him on the show.

[Tyler Durden]

67. The MESSAGE of the concert was the problem.

And the applause for McClurkin was the confirmation.

And GOOD is the basis of ANY discussion. The right thing or the wrong thing to do implies the good or not good.

And frankly, who cares what the religious group says about "...pandering to gays..." The LGBT community consists of GOOD AMERICAN CITIZENS who do not deserve to be marginalized FOR ANY REASON. If your religion says that to be Gay is to be Evil, then I suggest that your religion is FALSE. And don't quote Leviticus to me if you ate shrimp last week or are wearing polyester: that's just a few verses down.

Parsing Religious Text has been a favorite pastime of religious bigots all down the centuries. I give them no pass because they are Black and like Gospel music.

Shame on them, and shame on Obama, and shame on anyone who justifies this.

[ellacott]

76. You have no disagreement from me on the message

It was terrible judgement on Obama's part.

Good is not the basis of ANY discussion. It was only an issue here because you thought I was inferring it.

I know you don't care about what those people say. The problem is at this point some of them may not care what you think either. If this is how both sides want to leave then there will be no discussion. Maybe discussion is not important.

I give them no pass because they are Black and like Gospel music.

Wow. Every black person(or white person) that likes gospel music is not a homophobe or bigot.

[Tyler Durden]

79. Why do you take that backwards?

My statement means that they are Bigots, and the fact of them liking Gospel (I LIKE IT) or being black does not get them any slack. If they cheer McClurkin, THEY ARE HOMOPHOBES.

[mondo joe]

42. I don't know. I do know some of his supporters are playing the Religion Card.

[Bluerthanblue]

43. Some of his detractors are doing the same- but hey,

bigotry only applies to everyone else.

[mondo joe]

44. What Religion Card are his detractors playing?

[Bluerthanblue]

46. he's pandering to lunatic

black evangelicals-!! I mean come ON- a "Gospel Tour"????

And he doesn't care who he insults or offends while doing it-

It doesn't matter that he's been a church-goer for over 20 yrs.- or that he's black- his only reason for seeking venues to engage people who might find any common ground there is because he's a player-

Unlike all the other politicans.

And they never back down- we want leaders who have a spine, unless we tell them to back down.


:shrug:

[mondo joe]

47. I don't know why being a church goer or black is supposed to excuse bigotry.

I'm not taking his religion or race into account - neither excuses lies and hurtful bigotry.

[Bluerthanblue]

52. Absolutely right- there is

no excuse for hateful bigotry.

I'm not excusing it-

[Tyler Durden]

54. I never used the word LUNATIC.

And I don't care if it's a tour of 12 Tone Georgian CHANTS. A Bigot is a Bigot.

And defending him with "Unlike all the other politicans (sp)" (if the analogy is accepted) makes him just as BAD as everyone else.

Do you really want to state that?

[NorthernSpy]

48. actually, whites are perfectly capable of playing the race card...

Some of them do it habitually. Oh look... you're doing it right now!

Does he want it that badly? Since he was trying to bond with the African American Evangelicals with his "Gay Boys Go Home" tour, perhaps he thinks that he might take it by playing one step down the ladder, a ploy only he as the only African American Candidate can play: The Race Card.

Just for that, I wonder what WOULD happen if blacks finally got tired of this shit and stayed home on Election Day.


Or even, formed a black party -- something like what the Vlaams Bloc in Belgium is for the Flemish people.


The Black Block.

:think:

[Tyler Durden]

50. Perhaps it's about time we STOPPED supporting BIGOTS....

...no matter what their religion, color, or good intentions are.

OBVIOUSLY he wants the nomination "...that badly..." He just threw the entire LGBT community under his own Campaign Bus.

I don't care WHAT color anyone is, When they ARE or SUPPORT Bigots...they just lost me.

[NorthernSpy]

53. that's rich coming from you, Mr. Only Blacks Can Play The Race Card...

:eyes:

[Tyler Durden]

57. IN THIS ELECTION. Note the modifier.

You are letting your emotions run away with you.

I don't see ANYONE of another race running in this election. Do you?

[NorthernSpy]

58. "I don't see ANYONE of another race running in this election. Do you?"

Gee, I dunno. Is white a race, or is it just Condition Normal for the human species?

[Tyler Durden]

61. Now you're being obtuse.

That obviates my obligation to engage you.

Care to take another tack or just admit non sequitur and get it over with?

[NorthernSpy]

82. ...and YOU say ~I'm~ being obtuse?

:argh:

[kwassa]

66. I think your speculation is bigoted in and of itself.

Your presumption is that Obama will use the race card.

Where does that come from?

All black people play the race card?

[Tyler Durden]

72. My SPECULATION IS THIS:

Obama has supported and given a platform to a BIGOT after he has stated publicly that he will not.

He has not repudiated this bigotry in any way, shape or form: silence implies consent.

Speculation: will he take bigotry to the endpoint that it may be taken considering the circumstances.

WHERE did you see that I said He WILL do ANYTHING?

This is REALLY getting boring. Will you please read the damned thing VERY CAREFULLY before gundecking it through your emotions?

[kwassa]

74. Speaking of emotional "reasoning"

Obama has supported and given a platform to a BIGOT after he has stated publicly that he will not.

He has not repudiated this bigotry in any way, shape or form: silence implies consent.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/obamas-gospel-concert-tour/

"Mr. McClurkin is the preacher who had said he was gay but was “cured” through prayer and tonight he was the star act in a parade of star acts, which included the Mighty Clouds.

His inclusion had drawn public criticism from gay activists who wanted Mr. Obama to cancel his appearance. Mr. Obama did not, but issued a statement a few days ago saying he strongly disagrees with Mr. McClurkin’s views and that he has tried to address what he called the homophobia among some black voters."

So, you are wrong on this point, aren't you?

Speculation: will he take bigotry to the endpoint that it may be taken considering the circumstances.

WHERE did you see that I said He WILL do ANYTHING?

This is REALLY getting boring. Will you please read the damned thing VERY CAREFULLY before gundecking it through your emotions?

You need to think before you type! Aside from bigoted, your OP is completely illogical.

1) You have no proof of any bigoted action on the part of Obama.

2) You make the fascinating presumption that using "the race card" is an act of bigotry. That in itself is a bigoted remark. There are many completely valid uses of race where racism is involved. To either assume or presume a black politician will play a race card shows prejudice on your part, in my opinion. You SUGGEST that he will do it; it is implied by your SPECULATION. Your ONLY reason to speculate that is that Obama is black; hence, it is a bigoted comment.

3) Your "endpoint" makes no sense. If he was a bigot, which he is not, why would play this so-called "race card" in the first place? What in the world would it do but destroy his candidacy? And why would he do that?

Obama has made his support of the gay community quite clear in previous statements. I suggest the emotional reponse is on your part.

[ecstatic]

68. I really expect more than this type of crap from progressives

shit... I don't know if I'm going to be able to stomach this site much longer. This sounds very Rushesque.

[Tyler Durden]

70. Learn how to read and reason.

You really can't do it well if that's your reaction.

A candidate acts like a bigot, and it is suggested that bigotry could be taken all the way.

Have I simplified this enough for you?

This is getting very boring, and explains much about why most Democrats act like cats being herded.

[kwassa]

75. Learn yourself

Pot calling the kettle black.

Your thesis makes no sense.

[Tyler Durden]

80. boring. another ignore.

If you can't participate with reason, I don't want to listen to what you have to say.

[xultar]

71. By far the most ignorant assed post I've ever read.

[Tyler Durden]

73. ANOTHER non reader.

Forget it.

I wash my hands of this, as no one seems to be able to READ around here today, either that, or the definition of BIGOTRY and SPECULATION are completely lost on some people.

[xultar]

77. I read it. You'd have never said "the Race Card" inconjunction with any other candiate.

That's the point. That is why people are flaming you right now. Just if you'd said Lieberman was playing the Jewish card. If you don't get that. 2 DAYUM bad.

I just don't agree. Why should they need close watching? What they do is what they do. As people note outrage on certain points the campaign will adjust or not.

[Tyler Durden]

81. I am refering to the issue of Obama trashing one of OUR communities: LGBT.

It doesn't matter HOW it was done, it was done. And it insinuates that he is capable of worse. I just took it as far as it could go.

I was talking about Obama and his oblique bigotry through surrogates. That didn't need any other candidate involved. Not that any of the rest of them (with maybe 2 exceptions) are anything to write home about.

[Bluerthanblue]

83. "OUR Communities?"-

so now I understand.

Bigotry only matters when it happens to someone you consider "yours"- ???-

It all makes sense now. :shrug:



Obama didn't "trash" the LGBT community. Your beef isn't with Obama- it is with a gay man who identifies himself as someone who is no longer gay. I pity him, because I believe he is not only betraying himself- he is despised by those who understand better than anyone else what he feels like.

When do we make a choice to stop hating? I'm ready. Are you? It has to start within each one of us.

[Tyler Durden]

84. You, then Me, THEN OBAMA.

I want his apology. He gave a bully pulpit to a BIGOT. When that happens, MAYBE he climbs back on the wagon. Not before.

By the way, ALL communities here are MINE. I am an old, white, heterosexual male, and I embrace all of OUR communities. That which discriminates against any one of them, discriminates against me.

[xultar]

85. I agree about the insult to the LGBT community. That pissed me off. I wrote him off for that.

[Tyler Durden]

87. See, I only see one small step from Bigotry to well...anything.

If he can tolerate bigotry, I see he's got only one more step to "the Dark Side" other than just declaring as a Republican.

[freestyle]

86. No. It would be impolitic and ineffective.

Even if every Black Democrat voted for Obama, there simply are not enough of us for him to win the nomination simply on that basis. It would also alienate everyone else. It would also be deeply insulting to his mother, and I think pretty much everyone draws the line there.