The Race War

re: The Race War

jsu4193k — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:37:53 GMT

Americans Aren't stupid Stumper. The Clintons Believe if they are going down they might as well take the whole ship down with them

re: The Race War

ndreyno — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:46:24 GMT

How does Marijuana usage have anything to do with race? The classic archetype of the "Pot" user is diametrically opposite to the "Crack "user which is the only drug I can think of that is seen to be associated with African Americans due to the high incidence of its usage among inner-city inhabitants. I don't believe the usage of "Drugs" as a general category is associated predominantly with African Americans either. So where's the "Race card" connection here?

I do believe Hiliary's comments about the Civil Rights Act are being way overblown; however, it does appear Barack's comments on it are fanning the flames which is too bad. I am an Obama supporter.

re: The Race War

Andrew Romano — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:59:11 GMT

Hi ndreyno: Clinton critics interpreted Bill Shaheen's comments about selling drugs as having racial undertones; same goes for Bob Johnson's remarks about "doing something in the neighborhood." Should they? No, not necessarily. But they did, unfortunately--and I'm merely reporting that fact. Best, Andrew

re: The Race War

Saltydog_0 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:09:38 GMT

The whole "race" issue is predictably being manufactured by the media. In reality it's a non-issue, but once the media starts picking at it, it's going to become inflated, distorted and misused for politcal gain.

Let me state that I am firmly in Barack Obama's camp, but I would hate to see him win without integrity; and bashing Hillary as a racist is totally disingenious. Hillary is a self-serving, insincere, conniving sycophant; but she's no racist - and Obama knows it.

I don't think Obama is encouraging an innacurate portayal of Hillary as a racist, but I don't think he's discouraging it either. So far, Obama has taken the high road and fought a clean fight. It has served him well and I would hope that he continues in the same direction.

re: The Race War

Johnny1967 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:27:25 GMT

The Clintons said what they said. You cannot fault Obama for what the Clintons said. The Clintons should do the explaining.

By the way, its very obvious the Clintons are trying to inject race and drug use into the campaign. I would be surprised if they didnt. They would love to sucker Obama into the fight so they can play the victim. However, its tricky because they have to do it without offending lots of people. Especially since Obama does not bite the bait so easily.

re: The Race War

Saltydog_0 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:44:12 GMT

Is there anybody in this country above the age of 10 who doesn't realize that downplaying the role of MLK in the civil rights movement would be political suicide? Does anybody actually believe that Hillary is stupid enough to make such an error?

So why all the fuss? The political spin artists and news manufacturers - ahem, 'scuse me; I meant reporters - are being willfully ignorant when addressing the issue. Why even bother disguising an obviously baseless accusation in the form of a question?

"So Mrs. Clinton, do you believe that Dr. King has been given too much credit for his role in the civil rights movement?"

While you're at it, why not "ask" her how long she's supported eating puppies and selling middle children to gypsies.

re: The Race War

dunnhaupt — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:54:03 GMT

Just wait till Hillary gets really mad when she loses South Carolina. She will have her usual temper tantrums and scream at her own staff just like in the bad old days in the White House.

God bless America!

re: The Race War

ocmack — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:54:19 GMT

I agree Saltydog - the media has been playing a number of cards in this contest - not the least of which evidenced itself in the New Hampshire campaign. I certainly hope Obama remains above the fray and continues to inspire the young voters of the country. As more and more of his policy papers come out we will see the future he holds for his country, and sadly we will see more and more of the distorted claims Hillary has of "serving my country for over 35 years." (I'm not certain planning dinner parties as the Governor's wife and the first-lady is "serving your country.") Her Senatorial voting record and stance on Iraq and Afghanistan speak for themselves.

re: The Race War

sylviaortiz — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:19:15 GMT

OK. We all know that the Clintons are not racists and if you read the entire comment made by Hillary on MLK and President Johnson, you'll see that what she's trying to say is that it took a President to make MLK's dream a reality. The truth is, however, that Obama's people know that they need the black vote to win key states and this is one way of turning the mind's of black voters against Hillary. Are Blacks now having amnesia? What happened to Bill being called "the first Black President". Where is Bill's office? Black Harlem!! Let Obama get off his high horse and come to the reality that he's not going to make it to the White House. Lets investigate his past. Lets ask the tough questions as to how he really thinks and what he really believes and what his plan is for America, all of America. I read both of his books and, although, they were well written and he's an awesome author, I don't think he's quite ready to be our President. Sorry!! Hillary's more qualified and experienced, and that's a fact.

Rhetoric is not going to get us to fix the economy or get our troops out of Iraq. We're facing serious problems in the U.S. and what we need is not a good orator but a strong experience person who's been through the fire and has survided to run the White House. That's not Obama!

re: The Race War

BrianNY — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:59:30 GMT

Stumper, you did not begin at the beginning. At the last debate, Hillary said that Obama should not be going around giving people "false hope." A day later, Obama included this in his stump speech, saying "Imagine that, it's wrong for people to have hope. Imagine if JFK said 'That moon thing up there, it's just too far, or MLK told the crowd to go home, it's too tough, we just can't do civil rights, let's just settle'." As he had so often done, Obama turned Hillary's own words against her.

That's when Hillary got incensed, claiming that Obama was comparing himself to JFK and MLK, and then kept going with the series of the race-oriented outbursts that you outline so well.

The sheer chutzpah of doing all this all the while claiming to be personally offended blows me away!

Another thing: Bill claims that Obama went through 15 debates without his stance on the Iraq war questioned. Was not Hillary a participant in every one of those debates? Couldn't she have asked?

re: The Race War

zebra1 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:51:57 GMT

While the Clintons probably are not racists, I would nevertheless admit to a growing suspicion that the Clinton campaign is, in fact, trying to make race an issue in a a sad and inappropriate way. I am starting to believe that they are trying to marginalize Obama's candidacy by working to make voters view him as "the black candidate." Ferraro's clueless statement (that black voters are his base) lends further credibility to my "conspiracy theory." As recently as one month ago, black voters favored Clinton over Obama 52% to 39%. Only in the poll released LAST NIGHT has that number appeared to have shifted.

This latest Clinton camp ploy is cynical and sad. This is NOT CHANGE.

re: The Race War

sunoverla — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:16:46 GMT

What I don't understand is since it is a fact that Barack did drugs, then how can this fact be a smear?

re: The Race War

sunoverla — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:57:51 GMT

Mr. King is and should be heralded for gathering all Americans for Civil Rights. And LBJ should be honored as well for his hardwork and beliefs in getting the 1964 Civil Rights Act passed and signed.

re: The Race War

maamamar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:33:10 GMT

The candidates should study the 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election. It wasn't all about the refund. It was the voters being fed up with politics as usual. Is this ripening into a national 3rd party opportunity?

re: The Race War

FLORISSANT — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:02:25 GMT

This race issue is being blown out of proportion. However, the above timeline suggests that the statements leading to this narrative on race was latently triggered off by statements from associates of Bill and Hillary Clinton. I am of the opinion that both Hillary and Obama should focus on what their experience as well as on what they want to. Hillary claims over three decades of experience, sixteen of which have been in Washington in the White House and Senate. I would assume that with such many years of experience she would be way ahead by just focusing on her experience. Bu it seems there isn't much and therefore the tactic is to focus on Obama. Also, I feel that the Clintons are so divisive and polarizing in their politics that I really want to move beyond the 1990s era. The Clintons had their time and they should move on. This dynastic thing will ruin this country. I mean we had Bush, then clinton, clinton, then came bush, bush, and another clinton again? I don't know why the black establishment dislikes Obama with such abandon. Is it because they benefit from the Black/white divide and that Obama's message is thereby undermining their legitimacy or what? I think Obama is the best candidate and I intend to vote for him.

re: The Race War

1goldengirl — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:11:48 GMT

To my way of thinking, it was the Oprah Push, not the Hillary Clinton camp, that began the process of viewing Obama as the "black" candidate. Once played, the race card is apparently not so easy to take back. What a shame that it was ever so openly played!

re: The Race War

ragtopdodge — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:51:49 GMT

Race or not, Hillary and Bill have employed Karl Rove-tactics to destroy their opposition.

What's a "fairy tale" is Bill claiming he was "against the war from the beginning". And the two of them are distorting Barack's COURAGEOUS opposition to the Iraq War buildup while campaigning for the Senate.

When the whole country was rooting for war, Obama had the cajones to speak out against it.

In 2004, during the Convention, he wasn't about to disparage Edwards/Kerry who voted for war, so he downplayed his anti-war stance. BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME HE DID THIS! All other times, he still was against the war.

Knowing that Bush would NEVER pull out troops, even if Congress defunded the war and the soldiers had no bullets left, Congress had to keep funding; otherwise, they'd look like they do not support the troops. Especially since they didn't have adequate body armour (thanks a lot Rumsfeld). Ted Kennedy and Barbare Boxer voted for funding, yet they voted against the war.

I'm glad Billary is bringing up this issue b/c it's something they cannot run away from; their poor judgement; not to mention she didn't read the NIE.

re: The Race War

Mwalimu — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:57:29 GMT

Hillary would be my third choice. I'm trying to decide between Edwards and Obama. I really think that Obama, Edwards, Hillary and other candidates need some sort of team approach, because they'll need to work as a team later. (Or at leat I hope they will.) Can we disagree without being disagreeable? That's my question I think the whole spat is unfortunate. My advice on all sides is to chill out, apologize, and go on. The real enemy is the GOP. (AKA Greedy Old Prostitutes.) I'm going to vote for the candidate that avoids negative campaigning as much as possible. We need a party that doesn't sell out to the rich, like the Republicans.

re: The Race War

obamalet — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:04:43 GMT

i guess the clintons finally cashed in on the help they gave Bob johnson when they helped him acquire the bobcats.Bob johson should stick to running companies or does he think that he should be the only african american to have firsts i.e bet and bobcats?!!!!!!.

re: The Race War

amurcia — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:40:13 GMT

Oprah started the race issued, she is a traitor. But the media spinned the statement both times to

make hillary look bad. The media does not want hillary as president, go figure she is the best man

for the job even if she is a woman. obama is a poster boy who took the opportunity that came his

way, he is not qualify and he knows it, this is why I do not like him, he is running when he knows

he does not have the skills, he does not love our country and further he is not a uniter. Both hillary and bill have been good for blacks how can black people, obama and oprah be so ungrateful and stupid, you are all spliting us democrats, and the country for that matter, because now is blacks vs. whites all over again. GOD HELP US BECAUSE WITH THIS KIND OF IGNORANCE OUT THERE NOTHING IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR THE COUNTRY.

re: The Race War

GAuzenne — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:56:57 GMT

It is clear that in any campaign, personal attacks are not a wise strategy. Indeed it does seem that the Hilary campaign has made some slip ups in an effort to make Hilary seem more presidential. I do not think that these statements were intentionally racist. I feel that the racial undertones of the statements speak volumes about the trust the American people have in its government.

re: The Race War

freelancer — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:58:53 GMT

The best thing about Hillary and Obama getting into their little catfights is that it causes the intelligent voters to say, "Hmmm ... isn't there another Democratic candidate out there who never stoops this low...who always talks about specifics solutions to our country's problems...who has a history of helping average Americans...?"

Oh yes, there is one! His name is JOHN EDWARDS.

Don't forget about him just because his name isn't bandied about in the news articles all the time.

This is no different than the high school fights between clique groups, where the one silent, thoughtful, intelligent guy is always overlooked.

Give your intelligent vote to JOHN EDWARDS.

re: The Race War

rocketspad — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:40:23 GMT

Rep. Jim Clyburn is either dishonest or just plain stupid. Has he learned nothing in his years in politics? Dr. King and others were shoveling it against the tide. The South was solidly against integration. (Witness George Wallace at the doors of Univ of Alabama). Despite the work of the movement, it required politicians with the guts or power to buck the southern establishment and ramrod the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act and other laws through Congress. Pols had resisted "moral suasion" for over 200 years. Absent a Lyndon Johnson or someone like him, the struggle would have gone on for decades more. So Rep. Clyburn, while you are contemplating your "neutrality," take a class or two in U.S. History and PolySci 101. Support Obama, Hilary or the Man in the Moon, if you choose, but do it honestly and intelligently. Dr. King may have provided the spark, but Johnson had the firepower to get the job done. And that ain't no fairy tale!

re: The Race War

ajironworks4usa — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:43:28 GMT

did Hillary and Bill try to bait Barack Obama into a contest over the facts of who brought the civil rights movement to life as a way to start a argument over MLK or LBJ being the originator of the official legislature , just to then make Barack look racial , if she could make it look like he was sticking up for MLK while she would have merely been point out that LBJ was the Originator of the official legislature , which no one could dispute , so then that would have gave Hillary a way to show the world that barack appeared racially divided and therefore unelectable for the job of President ??? Where is the Love ???????

re: The Race War

kmath — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:53:31 GMT

Both sides are a little bit right on this issue. That should be admitted by both and then everyone should move on. The interesting thing I find here is that everyone assumes that the signing of the Civil Rights Act occurred in a vacuum - it could only have gotten done because LBJ signed it. What everyone is forgetting is that the MOVEMENT brought the issue to the forefront. Without the courageous actions of MLK and the many, many, many people who supported the movement, there simply would have been no act to sign. There would have been no POLITICAL WILL to move civil rights forward. There would have been no reason for polticians to act - why in the world would they have ever brought such controversy down upon themselves if the black community and the righteous individuals who witnessed not only the appalling violence but the inherent unfairness of day-to-day treatment had not been moved to rise up against it. Without the MOVEMENT there would be no Civil Rights Act; without the CRA, signed by LBJ, there would have been no progress toward equal rights. Both men deserve credit as do all who gave their efforts to such a great cause. However, this is not a chicken and egg question. Clearly, the MOVERS in this instance, lead by MLK, were responsible for all the results that came out of the movement. Though I'm sure LBJ supported the movement in his heart, he would have been vilified by history had he not signed the legislation - just as the Congress that sent it to him would have been as well. With regard to Hillary's comments - she should have been much, much more thoughtful in her comments. She should have known how they might have been taken; she should have understood (if, indeed, she and Bill really understand black issues and emotions) how this might have been taken - even when the full context is printed. I'm sorry, but the subtext of the words appears to be that blacks can only take things so far, then the whites on white horses have to ride in to make real action happen. She should have known how this comment would have been perceived by some. It's unfortunate that she didn't because I don't believe she's a racist - neither she nor Bill. I have long been supporters of theirs. I am, however, starting to feel that they will do anything - whatever it takes - to continue the legacy. Much as Bush did in South Carolina to McCain to make sure he could continue in the race.

re: The Race War

DawnJ — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:06:49 GMT

I agree that it took a President to sign the bill but does anyone really believe the bill would have been brought before the President without Martin Luther King and others protesting and making the public more aware. I do not believe that a southern white President would have made this priority one without a huge nudge.

re: The Race War

miltongalfas — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:03:10 GMT

Barack Hussein Obama is black and Hillarry Rodham Clinton is white. So what! It still doesn't change the fact that Obama did drugs and Hillary did not. It doesn't change the fact that the Republicans would rather run against Obama than Hillary. I doesn't change the fact that Obama has done nothing but campaign in his life while Hillary served. It doesn't change the fact that this country is so anti-women that they would rather have a black man for president.

re: The Race War

Bwise4onec — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:26:31 GMT

Everything was fine and lovely for Hillary and her backers until she lost Iowa.

Then it started, Barack is now the bad guy. Drugs use and race became the topic of conversation.

She talks about being more qualified and experience to run the White House. (BS)

She let Monica take care of Bill and voted for the war. 2 strakes you’re out

re: The Race War

wyl5326 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:56:01 GMT

Barack's message reflects the youth's calling on causes greater than one

self while Hill's message is me, me, and me. The winner is very clear as night

and day. It reflects personal character, the calling for self-sacrifice and

willingness to learn other viewpoints to achieve a common ground. This message

is very idealistic and the youth are idealists and some older people still

haven't lost their youthful idealism. It resonates widely with voters because

most voters still has that idealism within them. I don't consider JFK is really

that great president, but he was able to tap into that idealistic callings to

promote programs that really worked. No amount of slogan changes can help

Hill's campaign and their constant adaptation only showed how out of focus was

their message or their message just doesn't carry the gravitas of an

"experienced" candidate. Hill's tearing up before NH primary shows her frustration and

fear of really losing to Barack like she was staring at reality. I consider it

to be a reflection of her true feelings and got my empathy, but not my vote !

Her time is passed, and she should just learn to accept fate as Al did and pick

to work on causes that is greater than one self !

re: The Race War

LorenaRuiz — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:57:05 GMT

ok, is this really a stumper? seriously? let's look at it.

Dec. 12-13, 2007- "Clinton's New Hampshire campaign co-chair Bill Shaheen warns"...

Jan. 7, 2007 - "Bill Clinton dismisses"...

Jan. 7, 2007 - "Hillary Clinton seems to downplay"...

Jan. 10, 2007 - "State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a prominent New York Clinton supporter, says"...

Jan. 10, 2007 - "The British newspaper The Guardian quotes a Clinton "adviser" (a notoriously slippery term) as saying"...

Jan. 13, 2007- "Referring to her MLK, Jr., remark, Clinton says"...

Jan. 13, 2007 - "Campaigning in South Carolina, BET founder and prominent Hillary Clinton supporter Bob Johnson appears to slam"...

so that leaves Jan. 11, 2007, from a (then) neutral South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, and ONE THING from the Obama camp on Jan. 11, 2007, in which she says there seems to be a pattern and wonders what's going on.

This is all very one sided, coming from Hillary Clinton, who reminds voters Barack is black and defends her self for being a woman, though no one else brings it up or attacks her for it.

re: The Race War

robinc913 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:15:48 GMT

Regarding Senator Clinton's comments about the Civil Rights Act:

It is not a distortion of civil rights history, nor is it disparaging toward Dr. King, to point out that he was not a lawmaker or a politician, and that for tangible, legal change to come about, laws must be passed in Congress and signed by a president.

I think, instead, Sen. Clinton's comment speaks volumes about the overwhelming power Civil Rights Movement, and Dr. King's influence on the legislators and president. How many activists today have that kind of power, to compel the government to pass new laws that help people? It is a rare thing.

re: The Race War

femaleveteranc — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:31:22 GMT

Some of the comments in this forum has suggested that Oprah played the race card by supporting Obama. What does Oprah's support have to do with playing the race card? It was played when Hillary started making comments that would interject race into the situation. Bringing up JFK, LBJ and MLK was what started the whole race thing. Hillary wants to paint Obama as the black candidate so that white america will not listen to what he is saying but only see his skin. This will give her a better opportunity to win the primaries. However, it won't help the Democratic party win the White House. What happens if she does win, who will she pick as her Vice President to run with her. Obama would be the best choice but is America really ready for a female President and a black Vice President. I don't think so.

I don't believe the Clinton's are really racists but do believe some of their advisers are giving them bad information in hope of getting support from the African-American community. I know there are a lot of people willing to vote for Hillary to get Bill and I think that is wrong. We need to end the way we support the same old candidates, 2 Bushes with 12 years of Bushes and 8 years of Clintons. That is 20 years of the same family, we need new blood and Barack Obama is new blood.

re: The Race War

ajironworks4usa — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:40:45 GMT

Everyone coming together is a good thing ! Everyones favorite candidate was being defended , and that shows great spirit in the debate over the contest . America is alive and well showing its will to survive , but can we ask which Candidate has what it takes to Unite Congress together to commit to getting done the work of the people that matters most in Washington ?

re: The Race War

yellowdogtarheel — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:43:31 GMT

There's something regrettable - even ominous - about the response by the Obama sympathizers to the Clinton statement about King. I have listened to and read the full text several times and I think the intent was clear: rhetoric is not enough, it takes political skills - legislative skills actually - to turn the corner on real change! That is exactly what Hilary Clinton and her supporters need to say in order to focus on the questions about this untested senator. Does this charismatic new figure - who has spent most of his adult life as an organizer around issues of race - possess the political/legislative skills to translate his exquisite rhetoric into real political change? And for those of us who are not black, is there something about this bi-racial candidate - a hypersensitivity or trigger finger about "race" - that will find the entire political dialog constantly on the defensive in the coming four years? Will every tough discussion be tilted or enmeshed with "race"? For the first time I find myself more reluctant to support Barack Obama. America has problems that include BUT go beyond race. If he can't deal with disagreement without all this "race talk", then maybe what that really means is that our country is not ready to elect this black person as our President.

re: The Race War

conceptk — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:58:11 GMT

I am an Obama supporter and have very strong feelings about who started this and why. I also believe that because of acrimony inherent in this issue the media has taken full advantage of this.

However, the Dem's need to refocus on the task at hand - getting the White House. None of the Democratic candidates are racist. This internal bickering wastes energy, is divisive and turns off independent voters - whom we are going to need in the general election. Lets get back to the issues in the campaign.

Regardless of who you support, let's put a Dem in the White House.

re: The Race War

yellowdogtarheel — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:24:03 GMT

There's something regrettable - even ominous - about the response by the Obama sympathizers to the Clinton statement about King. I have listened to and read the full text several times and I think the intent was clear: rhetoric is not enough, it takes political skills - legislative skills actually - to turn the corner on real change! That is exactly what Hillary Clinton and her supporters need to say in order to focus on the questions about this untested senator. Does this charismatic new figure - who has spent most of his adult life as an organizer around issues of race - possess the political/legislative skills to translate his exquisite rhetoric into real political change? And for those of us who are not black, is there something about this bi-racial candidate - a hypersensitivity or trigger finger about "race" - that will create a ccnstant defensiveness in the political dialog in the coming four years? Will every tough discussion be tilted or enmeshed with "race"? For the first time I find myself more reluctant to support Barack Obama. America has problems that include BUT go beyond race. If he can't deal with disagreement without all this "race talk", then maybe what that really means is that our country is not ready to elect this black person as our President.

re: The Race War

yellowdogtarheel — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:25:08 GMT

There's something regrettable - even ominous - about the response by the Obama sympathizers to the Clinton statement about King. I have listened to and read the full text several times and I think the intent was clear: rhetoric is not enough, it takes political skills - legislative skills actually - to turn the corner on real change! That is exactly what Hillary Clinton and her supporters need to say in order to focus on the questions about this untested senator. Does this charismatic new figure - who has spent most of his adult life as an organizer around issues of race - possess the political/legislative skills to translate his exquisite rhetoric into real political change? And for those of us who are not black, is there something about this bi-racial candidate - a hypersensitivity or trigger finger about "race" - that will create a ccnstant defensiveness in the political dialog in the coming four years? Will every tough discussion be tilted or enmeshed with "race"? For the first time I find myself more reluctant to support Barack Obama. America has problems that include BUT go beyond race. If he can't deal with disagreement without all this "race talk", then maybe what that really means is that our country is not ready to elect this black person as our President.

re: The Race War

lilholy69 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:15:07 GMT

I agree with so many that have said Oprah started the "Race" issue for Obama, however, I do not beleive his race should be of any concern! What about his religious affiliations? He will not swear into the Presidential office on a Bible, he turns his back on our country's flag! I firmly believe in the right of all Americans to religious freedoms but not at the expense of changing the entire fondation this country was established on! Our founding fathers included God in the Costitiution, swore into political offices on the Bible, and we still circulate currency with God printed on it...all of this hasn't hampered our country or changed what America stands for but has indeed made us stronger! Any Presidential candidate whom is not willing to follow this tradition based on personal belief has no business seeking the job! In any other high office or job in this country you would be fired or asked to resign for not following traditional policies! I have been a die hard Republican for most of my life but am disgusted and embarrassed by what the Bush administration has done in Iraq and to our country I will be voting Democrat this election but not based on race, gender, or religious preferences. I will vote for the candidate that will best serve to bring this country back to glory instead of disgrace! My vote will most likely go to Senator Edwards!!

re: The Race War

Ashleigh — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:28:05 GMT

"So what! It still doesn't change the fact that Obama did drugs and Hillary did not." What we know is that Obama did drugs. What we do not know is that Hillary never has. We know that her husband has, it it totally impossible that she never did also? No, it is not. Is it important? Absolutely not. Lets move on. They say "competition improves the breed". The detractors who say Obama shouldn't even attempt the White House are failing to understand human nature. He needs the experience, just as Hillary needs the experience of competing in a campaign. But if any of you think that ANY president will be capable, singlehandedly of turning around two terms of extreme right wing Republican leadership, they are sorely mistaken. Corporations now rule America and a President that isn't in bed with the Corporations will not last very long. Most Republicans are on board by default. Most Democrats that have achieved the level of income and power that puts them in spitting distance of the White House are also likely to become tools of the Corporations. Great for the Corporations, great for the rich. Ultimately, I fear, bad for America.

re: The Race War

orion12 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:29:16 GMT

Andrew Romano has give us a very good basis for discussion. This race issue was bound to come up as the campaign became more competitive. Without doubt Hilary Clintons's camp started this race battle. But what do we expect? Many people in America are racists; even supporters of Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama. So let us not lament this occurence, but try to understand it.

Clinton is a woman and white. She can make as much noise about being a woman and being white and it appears there is nothing wrong with that. On the other hand given the atmosphere in the US, Obama being black and male would be under the gun if he talks about being black and male. It is just the US system. He would be accused of gaining favor with blacks or being a chauvinist. His campaign seems to be more difficult than that of Clinton.

Both Clintons are not racist. But I cannot vouch for some of those helping Hilary to win. Hilary would have scored points by coming out in the open and condemning some of those sneaky comments against Obama. But being a politician, she is playing the game and now trying to make it look as if Obama is capitalizing on the faux pas of her supporters.

Whatever happens in this race, I am convinced that many in America are not going to let either Obama or Clinton sit in the White House. Many people want neither a woman nor a black man as president. In my view, and I follow both very closely, either of them (Clinton or Obama) can ably serve as president of the U.S. It does not take one to be God to serve in this position. They both can lead and have satisfactorily demonstrated this. They are smart, quick to learn and have what it takes to make people follow them. So when people start to bicker about Obama's experience, one can say the same thing for Clinton. Is the Governor of California doing such a bad job? In fact he is doing very well. What experience did he have before assuming this post? Obama can be a good president. Clinton can be a good president.

I think what Obama and Clinton should do is show some intention to continue the campaign and have a good race. In the case where any of them wins, they should run as a team for the White House; president and vice president. Some Americas need to get out of theirr stone age thinking and realize that being black or woman does not make someone stupid and incompetent. My bet is that such a team WILL win over the republicans if they get together. It will be a powerful move.

Having said all of the above I do not know who my favorite candidate is so far; democrat or republican. Sometimes the most unlikely person can be the best president. I keep an open mind and let logic rule over emotions. I think the majority of americans should be this way if they want America to stay competive and gain the respect of the rest of the world. Being a man, a woman, black or white should not be an issue in choosing a president. But how many people would support this view?

Thank you again for your useful article.

re: The Race War

tkeefejr — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:30:31 GMT

The Clintons thrive on discord. They always have. Barack Obama can do everything in his power to get the discussion off race and back on the real issues, but the Clintons will still have their kennel of attack dogs like Bob Johnson and Charlie Rangel pouring gas on the fire, and a certified loser like Andy Young rambling on about how many black women Bill Clinton bedded as proof of what a "soul brother" Clinton really is. I remember Lani Guinier, the Clinton's law school classmate, who was nominated to head the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department during the Clinton Administration. When the right wing attacked her as a "quota queen" neither Clinton said a word in her defense, and Clinton himself took the time to trash her scholarship before tossing her over the side. Some friend. Then there was Bill's famous attack on an obscure female rap artist named Sister Soulja. It's classic Clinton that the lyrics of one rap artist become political fodder for the Clintons, but they have no problem vacationing at the Caribbean home of Bob Johnson, who made literally millions out of promoting gangsta rap and the denigrated image of black women and girls on his sexploitive BET network. The same Bob Johnson who now emerges as the Stepin Fetchit of Hillary Clinton's campaign, denigrating both Barack Obama and Sidney Poitier in the same breath. What a scum bag. I can't wait to watch Bill and Hillary scrambling to the pulpits of various black churches next Monday on LBJ Day, (oops! I meant MLK Day) slipping into their phony black dialects, shamelessly pandering for the black vote while their weary old guard civil rights has-beens do their dirty work for them on a candidate who has more integrity in his little finger that they have in their combined bodies.

re: The Race War

James Killman — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:09:32 GMT

Here's what I'm concered about. I fail to see how we can tell which candidate is lying about his/her belief in the Iraq War. When George Bush told the United States that Saddam Hussein had WMD's, wouldn't everyone in the country follow him? They wouldn't want to get gassed, right? So, EVERYONE had to follow Bush. When Bush didn't find WMDs, almost half the country turned against him due to the fact he hadn't done more research about Iraq and WMDs.

Back to the point, Obama states that he had been against the war in Iraq since the very start even before we found out there were no WMDs in Iraq. So, wouldn't you think he'd be lying?

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Now, Obama apparently used illegal substances when he was a teenager. How did this information get leaked out? Did he tell the press about this? Or did someone else? If he did tell someone, why do it? Will it ruin his campaign.

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If anyone knows whats going on in 2008, plz let me know. Thanks.