McCain, Obama square off over racial politics

Do you think when McCain said, he's gonna knock Obama down a couple pegs? We could have interpreted that it as a racial slur. That's like saying you need to stay in you place.

If that is a racial slur. Then everything is. Oh wait, anything said about Obama that's negative IS racial slur. I stand corrected. Right~!

3rdparty, that's ladybmore's point. These instances where peropls are saying Obama is playing the race card are far-reaching. It isn't a matter of that Obama or Obama supporters think "taking it down a peg" is a racial slur - it's a matter of how PC everyone is being this election and thinking a bunch of things are racial attacks or prejudice when they really aren't. It's more beneficial to both Obama and McCain that they stay off of the race issue - it has already been brought up on unbiased news sources that McCain's statement regarding the "race card" made it only tougher for the GOP as most Americans just aren't buying it. These candidates need to stick to the issues - not petty attacks.

That's not a race card, Bridget. That's a culture showing racial preference with historic relevance. It's ignorance at it's best but not a "race card being played". lol

DuaneinIowa

Let's see it is ok for a black person to play the race card and not be a racist, but if a white person does it, it is racist?

Who said that it's OK for a black person to "play the race card"? Nothing in this article says that. It's McCain accusing Obama of such, but no where does it say that "it's OK for a black person to play the race card"...

Let's face it that is the way our society is. It is ok to have an all black or latino cable network but somehow it is not ok to have an all white network. This pattern is repeated throughout our society as it seems this is the norm. The majority of the black vote will go to Obama based solely on his being black period and that my friend is racist. No different if Clinton was in his spot and a lot of women would vote for her soley because she is a woman. Neither one is right and a real crappy way to cast a vote. The media also plays these games with the people by point this out. Hense the race card IS being played, does not matter who is playing it.

Duane, you don't understand race relations in America. Minority leaders have advocated black owned and operated businesses for years because they felt that 1) it's important for black people to own something for themselvs, and 2) because they felt that was the only way for black people to get a fair shake.

Now, I agree with you that certain things people in the black community have done has handicapped them even further, even causing segregation in certain arenas, but I honestly don't think you understand the motivations and aspirations behind those decisions. It certainly wasn't/isn't to hold themselves down, but sometimes people who are emotional and feeling underappreciated do things that actually hurt their cause.

Even still, I think there's a difference between supporting a candidate that you feel you can relate to and being racist, even if the only reason you're voting for that candidate is because he's a black man. Every decision that we make that race plays a part in isn't necessarily a racially-motivated decision, and it doesn't make you racist. I'll admit that it's not a great way to choose a president, but that's why I said that you don't understand race relations in America. People still - whether this is right or wrong - relate more to people that look like and act like they do, people that enjoy the same things they enjoy, come from the same places they come from, do the same things they do. This very fact is the reason the McCain camp, and the Clinton camp before it, has tried to paint Obama as an elitist. People all across the country, and not just black people, feel like they can relate to Obama, and more than his policies or even his speeches, they feel comfortable with him. That's been a problem for his opposition so far, because HRC comes across as insincere and unapproachable to some, and John McCain is exactly what he's accusing Obama of being.

My point is that I don't think it's racist for black people to vote for Obama because he's black (and, I think we use "race" far to liberally, more and more so as the media forces political correctness down our throats). I think that common ground draws people to him that would ordinarily not get involved in the first place. Every election cycle, I hear the most absurd reasons from people about why they are or aren't voting for a particular candidate (one person didn't vote for Gore in 2000 because he wore too much makeup during the debates). The majority of voters don't vote on the issues. They vote for who they like, who makes them feel most comfortable. Scary, isn't it? But it's the truth. And for black people to identify with Barack Obama doesn't make them racist. It makes them average voters.

Superman I agree with your post completely another thing that has hurt the black community is the exploitation by non black's using a black or woman identification with their approval to get the benefits that are available to minorities for starting a business. This goes most times uncorrected and unpunished.

It hurts those that these laws were written to benefit.

I'm ready for Obama's change presidency. I have closed 3 shops in my business, stopped all expansion, put a freeze on hiring and ready to liquidate all my business assets. Got my off shore acct right next Mr. Obama's safe deposit box and gonna sit it out for 4 -8 years. It's barely worth it now doing business in the US and I won't be taxed out of business in 2009. 55 jobs gone and I am just one of the thousands of small businesses having a clearance sale for going out of business. I am something like an R.....Realist. And I am the lucky one, I can afford too muddle through. Are you?

Mr. Obama accepts certain individuals and organizations when its to his advantage, but just as soon as it may be a liability to him...he's quick to abandon them.

Yeah, if my friends and family do anything radically questionable that reflects badly on me - I abandon them as well. When my uncle was put in prison for beating a man near to death, we entirely disowned him. When my close friend stole money from my parent's wallet, I disowned her as well.

I guess it's a bad thing to abandon associates who turn out to be bad apples?

I could see your point, but sometimes people abandon thier family and friends to protect thier own image in the community of what people think of them, and not the person who committed the crime. Most of the time, they don't want thier values and integrity questioned.

Ron-16312 "You don't get it"…

Whites and blacks always have had a problem with race in this country and when whites are confronted with the issue they can't deal with it. Case in point the "N" word… whites want to know why we as blacks can use it and they can't. Whites can't use the word because whites created the word and use it in a negative way on black slaves, so yes you can't use it! Blacks turned the 'N" word into an affectionately way of recognizing one another with respect and in playful ways and also we can use it the way you've created it against one another. Just like the "Dap" that blacks use to affectionately greet each other which came from black colleges and the black communities and when Obama and his wife use it, it was called a "terrorist bump." And here's where white people will get upset… face it when it comes to the race issue in this country you can't face it, what your ancestors have done to The American Indians and Afro-Americans and other cultures in this country, (that they thought that you could rule) you will always have a problem when it comes to race in this country! When the Constitution of the United States of America was written the whites did not think that it would have a broad effect that it did now, because back then "Blacks was consider "Property!" not men, women or family. And as far as all of us being "Americans" there are other races the use their heritage prefix name in front of the word "Americans" beside Afro-Americans... Native American who are the true "Americans", Italian Americans, German Americans, Spanish Americans, Euro Americans and on and on and on.

How about when a black republican ran for president… "Alan Keys" when he showed up at the republican convention he was arrested and was released after they found out who he was. But they saw that he was a black man and he was arrested before anyone took the time to find out who he was. Tell me that was not a racist at against one of their own a republican.

And as far as race being used by white candidates on each other, can you say "Willie Horton?

I think everyone should read a little more on Americas history, when this country was started there where also White Slaves. They where called indentured, and this could be passed on for generations. Yes slavery was a terrible thing, but I for one do not think that there is anyone left living that ever owned a slave therefore, why does anyone think that someone needs to be punished for this crime. We are all Americans and neighbors no matter what color we are. Lets unite and try to bring this country together. I will not vote for Obama, not because of his color but because of his back ground with people who do not think much of America. I am afraid of what might happen.

Point taken but there is a big differents from being a white servent and working under a contract that you made before you came to America...

Indentured servant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An indentured servant is a form of debt bondage worker, in which the indentured individual is intentionally, unethically and illegally deprived of their human rights, their civil rights and their personal freedom and liberty. The indentured laborer is under contract of an employer for some period of time, usually three to seven years, in exchange for their transportation, food, drink, clothing, lodging and other necessities. Generally speaking, unlike a slave, an indentured servant was required to work only for a limited term specified in a signed contract.

Slavery (also called thralldom) is a social-economic system under which certain persons — known as slaves — are deprived of personal freedom and compelled to work.

Slaves are held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase, or birth, and are deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to receive compensation (such as wages) in return for their labor. As such, slavery is one form of unfree labor.

In its narrowest sense, the word slave refers to people who are treated as the property of another person, household, company, corporation or government. This is referred to as chattel slavery.

Proves my point!

"Yes slavery was a terrible thing, but I for one do not think that there is anyone left living that ever owned a slave therefore, why does anyone think that someone needs to be punished for this crime."

"Why do you think someone need to punished? I just wanted let you know why white people should not be running around saying the "N" word"

I dont think anyone should go around saying the "N" word, it sounds terrible. And as for thinking someone needs to be punished for slavery I dont, but in some of the comments it seems to be an issue. I feel that the American people are getting short changed this election year because neither one of the candidates (running on the Republican or Democrat ticket) are worth voting for, I see a lot of lips moving but neither one is saying anything worth lisening to.

That's the whole point - why should people even think that way as a response, why is there that response even on the cards, when its simply avoided by:

"We don't fear the experience those people on the dollar bills represent, we fear the ignorance of inexperience, when Obama can show he has that depth of knowledge and wisdom as those Great People who served our Nation well, then he can draw a comparison"

To even think he would be stupid enough to seriously use the race card for its own sake in today's political climate is so laughable its unreal.

So why are many people thinking along those lines, is it racism - of course not - its a knee jerk response using old labels from old times. He's trying to say to everyone consider the benefits of moving away from that high ground environment, where status and wealth in search of the ultimate high ground has dominated lives, to a better way of carrying out our life. Its not race itself, its not even the possibility that people would be so stupid to directly use it. Its the sheer fact that people assumed it, when such an easy response could have been given.

Why? Why do people do that when such a clear alternative exists? Why the assumption that a candidate is going to commit political suicide by actually playing race as an issue - the logic is insane, doesn't stand up. What was interesting was peoples chain of thought and the direction they moved in - run for the high ground, not the issues.

Wouldn't it be nice for a change if peoples political reactions were based on issues not the high ground or whipped up emotions? That's a prize worth fighting for, to win that he has to overcome decades of traditional thought processes - not easy, and nothing to do with race.

zennhead: But the "they" part must be defined. I would hope that McCain flat out, stands his ground, and demands Obama to define "they." Is it John McCain who is the "they?" Is it McCain's advisors? If so, who? Which one? Where? When? Is it FOX News? If so, who? Are "they" Ku Klux Klanners? Nazis? White supremicists? Independents or Libertarians? Greens? A specific 527?

I think your question almost answers itself. You've asked good questions, but there are so many of them that neither Obama, or McCain, would get anywhere if the tried to answer them.

It's an accepted part of the media side of a presidential campaign that you have to keep it short and simple. It isn't that we're too stupid to pay attention, it's that we're drowning in information from all sides, and we've kind of got our hands full with mere survival these days. Some people get paid to follow the election in the depth you suggest -- most people don't. Most people spend 8-10 hours a day earning their bread doing things that have nothing to do with the election, and that doesn't leave much time for much else. It would be nice if a thoughtful, thorough political message had a chance of sinking in but those in a position to know think it doesn't. Those people are usually right. There's real science behind the way compaign messages are constructed, and delivered.

John McCain has proven he's not a racist -- personally. He did oppose the Martin Luther King holiday and he sucks up to el sicko right wing racists these days, but I do believe that by and large, he can't be successfully accused of being a racist. He gave a great speech to the NAACP recently and I just do not believe he's the kind of person who has decided to back him in this race. I mean, he'll welcome their votes -- he wants to win after all. But let's not kid ourselves that the way he'll get the most votes isn't by scaring people away from Obama. He simply can't win on his own merits against such an outstanding candidate. He'd be nuts to try. And although he does seem to be slipping into age-related loss of mental sharpness, he's still far from nuts.

I haven't heard Obama say it's McCain trying to make people fear him. In fact I'm pretty sure he's gone out of his way not to say that, since he knows what you know -- it's really not McCain personally doing this crap. The extent to which he approves of it only his hairdresser knows for sure, but that's not really what matters, insane as that is. What matters is the people doing it don't care if he likes it or not. They're not doing it to elect McCain since they know he's not a great candidate.

They're doing it to defeat Obama because they're creepy, ignorant, nutty, maladjusted people who don't know how to function without a boogey-man, and Obama's their boogey man du jour.

When he says there are people on McCain's side who are trying to appeal to what's ugly in human nature, he's telling the God's honest truth. It would be nice if both candidates only had to worry about what the other one actually says and does, but the truth is they can't. They have to worry about any and all the forces arrayed against them. And in Obama's case, that's the "they" you'd like him to identify with a degree of specificity that is a waste of time.

When you stand the two men up, side by side, even the biggest racist in the country can see that Obama is the superior candidate in every conceivable way. There's no reason that can be sensibly or logically defended that anyone would ever, under any circumstances, actually choose John McCain over Obama on McCain's merits alone. It's just no contest.

It isn't that John McCain doesn't have his strong points because even though he's lost much of what once made him impressive, he's still got a few left. It's that Obama is simply the far, far better candidate. I'm sure McCain knows it. I bet he'd vote for Obama if he weren't running against him. Shoot, he might vote for him anyway. It's the kind of thing he was once famous for.

They know they can't win fair and square. And although it's true that part of that "they" might be people that John McCain might disavow, they are a crucial segment of the opposition to Obama. Obama simply has to address them as part of his opposition whether McCain gave them permission to use scare tactics against him or not. This has got to be condensed, and in media shorthand. It's just the way it is.

Yes it's not right. Yes, it ought to be a clean, fair fight between the two candidates and the two candidates alone. And you know as well as I do that it's not, and you also know that if Obama plays it like Kerry did, and assumes that truth will out and he can safely take the high road and only respond to what McCain himself says or does, it's a good way to lose the election.

I don't want him to win by doing anything dishonest. But if he has to respond to voices besides McCain's, he better do it. And I think he has to.

Oh so every soldier is a Republican? That line has already been used and discredited before. I was never a soldier but I was a sailor and I can tell you there were many Democrats onboard the two ships I was on.

We also know exactly why we are there and the reason is oil and the price thereof.

That's why I had a "Veterans for Kerry" bumper sticker and will have a "Veterans for Obama" bumper sticker shortly.

I think you're right Ben, Obama has no respect for the military because he has never served in the military. Of course he will act like he does for political expediency

I think the best way to show respect for the men and women in the military is not to send them into war like pawns in your little chess game. In that regard, Obama showed great respect for them by opposing the war from the start.

The fact that Obama voted for extra medical help for those injured and assistance for those National guard families that are not able to keep their homes because of loss of income from their spouses and McCain voted against it tells me who cares about our Military. McCain missed over 400 votes many he was in DC and still did not vote, why politics that is why he didn't want to take a position.

Why indeed Prejudice maybe or afraid they would do a comparison article based on race. Who knows Mccain has some real character flaws as far as I can see. Especially when it comes to women, he is no good for women.

It sound like Bush's Twin brother to me. It make you wonder with a McCain presidency just who will be in charge? McCain or his advisers? Just like the Bush Administration. Make you wonder about who has the better judgement. I think maybe Obama wins this one.

I agree,

Did you noticed every time McCain gets caught in something. He always says I didn't hear your question or he has to check on his voting status in the senate. I don't think we can have man who was in the senate for 25 yrs and don't remember major issue he voted on. Is he going to check his facts when he talks our enemies or have someone whisper in his ear. We need someone with a alert mind to deal with our enemies, No guessing is required.

Better yet have you ever come back and say what his voting record on the issue was? No he knows and he knows that it was against whatever the question was and that is not the answer that will put in in a good light. Go Obama

I for one do not expect miricles out of elected officials but I do expect an honest effort to manage the affairs of state. Honesty is not what we have had for some time. Having been an elected local official I kept my word to my Township that I would be honest with them and vote for what appeared to be best for the community not for me.

Change is always, but there should be an effort to keep the base principles of this country. We do not have to change our core values in order to accomdade this change. People should be expected to come to this country and accept its core values, but instead our own Government threw aways our core values and created this mess we now have in the United States of America.

Amen!!! I love my country, always have and always will. I am a desert storm veteran and i am proud of serving my country. America is not with out its flaws but I promise you it is the best country in world to live in.

We are all proud to be a American, Michelle statement was taken way out of context, she retracted that statement, because it did reflect what she meant. All of us are proud American, but we can be proud for the first time in our adult life. To see a blackman run for commander in this racially divided country that has brought us together in this life time.

I understand what your saying but

All of us are proud American, but we can be proud for the first time in our adult life.

The way that it is worded could be easily interpreted many different ways. "WE" we as americans? Or we as African Americans? big difference. I am just asking purely out of curiousity, Not attacking!!!!

Thank You! Point view taken

Yes you are proud, because unlike black people, you were not lynched and sprayed with 150psi water hoses in the 60's. you were not made to sit at the back of the bus or use separate restrooms and water fountains, you were not denied access to jobs and housing. It always amazes me those of you who say you have always been proud of this country and just can not understand why a black person would be a tad bit angry. This is a great country, but we have done terrible wrongs and we should not be proud of it in those circumstances. You love your kids right? Are you always proud of everything they do? Of course not, if you admit that you have not always been proud of them does that mean that you don't really love them?

I am a desert storm veteran and i am proud of serving my country. America is not with out its flaws but I promise you it is the best country in world to live in.

I also served, US Navy for 6 years and have been all over the world. It's kind of amazing to me that you base your assertion that we are the best country to live in based upon your sole experience in desert storm. Quite humorous actually. It's a cliche and people still use it. I'm sure that people who live in Denmark and Sweden might disagree with you about America being the best place in the world to live. Or the Netherlands or many other very nice places to live in this world. We are not the land of Oz my friend.

My question is when is it time not to be angry anymore? What does it take for you to be proud of your country again????

My question was directed to PHaedrus72....

A wise man once said that if you are not angry you aren't paying attention.

Rage Against the Machine said that Anger is a gift.

Take it for what it's worth.

If the US was now the shining city on the hill and no longer did any wrong, and were doing the proper things to redress prior wrongs, instead of just saying, "oops, we made a boo boo" then maybe it would be time to no longer be angry. That day is a long way in the future if we ever get there. We have Guantanamo Bay, we had Abu Ghraib, we are waterboarding and torturing detainees, we have suspended habeau corpus in Guantanamo, we have extraordinary renditions, we are fighting a war in Iraq that we should never have been fighting while bin laden runs free, oil companies are taking advantage, people are being thrown out of homes, wondering if they should pay the electric bill or eat that week. And you ask why I'm angry? Again, if you are not angry you are not paying attention.

Anger is also a tool for action and if not careful it could lead to hate and discontent. Be angry, criticize, but most importantly what action have you taken to change the things that you despise of this country?

but most importantly what action have you taken to change the things that you despise of this country?

I'm voting for Obama for one very important thing.

I'm going to nursing school and plan to continue my education even further possibly into Social work so that I can help hurting people in their times of need. Because I too have been hurting and I understand what it's like to feel that there is no one out there to help you. I might even continue on to law school.

My girlfriend and I are now attending our local Unitarian Universalist Church and are getting involved in local volunteer work. I am probably going to help drive meals to the elderly and shut-ins through meals on wheels, for one thing.

But that's not really what you wanted to know was it? Your question was more rhetorical in nature, assuming that I'm just angry and not doing anything.

Yes you are correct my question was a bit rhetorical, but you just cleared that up. I think that it is great that you are trying to better yourself as well as others and I wish you well in all your endeavors. I do not share the feeling that Obama is going to be the "band aid" for what ails america but I respect your decision to vote for whomever you chose.

I've never made the claim that Obama was the band aid for what ails us and I do not think any of his supporters feel that way either. You do not give us enough credit. We are some pretty smart people, ya know. We DO feel that he will be hands down a much better President for America and for the world than either Bush has been or McCain will be. We believe wholeheartedly in his message of change, but we are not so stupid as to think Washington is going to change over night or in 4 or 8 years. We do believe that if he is elected, this country will make much progress towards a better America for all and not just for some.

I don't see too many people from Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands just dying to get to the US, or Australia or New Zealand. The fact is there are MANY nice places to live in the world, some may even be nicer to live than here. As I said, this is not the land of Oz. It's just Kansas.