Barack Obama and the thorny issue of race

Earlier this week, Geraldine Ferraro lost her spot as a Hillary Clinton fundraiser after offering her unvarnished take on the role race has played in Barack Obama's political rise. The coverage led a reader to direct us to an assessment of race and Obama's election to the U.S. Senate.

The source is what caught our eye. It's a 2005 Chicago Tribune profile. Posted on his Senate website. A key passage:

"We have a certain script in our politics, and one of the scripts for black politicians is that for them to be authentically black they have to somehow offend white people," Obama said in an interview. "And then if he puts a multiracial coalition together, he must somehow be compromising the efforts of the African-American community.

"To use a street term," he added, "we flipped the script."

In winning the Democratic Senate primary in Illinois, Obama drew as many as two white votes for every black one, showing nearly unprecedented crossover appeal for a black candidate in a statewide race.

Obama acknowledges, with no small irony, that he benefits from his race. If he were white, he once bluntly noted, he would simply be one of nine freshmen senators, almost certainly without a multimillion-dollar book deal and a shred of celebrity. Or would he have been elected at all?

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Marks]

The problem with Ferraro's bias is she said the same thing about Jesse Jackson in 1988.

In that 2005 description, Obama's benefit seems to mean he's unique among other candidates, by name and background. The only black Senator among nine, a book deal was offered to share how that happened. Him becoming one of the rare black Senators in History is a story. One book sold well, he wrote another.

How beneficial is questionable if only defined by his race. Other black Senators haven't done as well or gotten the oppurtunity.

That's how Ferraro framed him with her rant. Obama is not lucky to be who is and what has happened to him.

He's made the opportunity happen by hard work. Winning elections isn't luck ever. Getting positive coverage is more lucky, because any yahoo can say something negative now and it gets press.

[Tom J]

Being unique and memorable in ANY way can certainly help get your foot in the door a little earlier in the game - ask the relatives of any celebrities (including past presidents).

But after that, it's up to the individual to show by their actions that they deserve to be successful. I think by this time Obama has shown he has what it takes, and it's pretty late in the game for Ferraro to bring this up. Jarring.

At any rate, Obama's 2005 comments clearly showed he was NOT running as the token black candidate. Ferraro apparently assumed he was, simply because she ran as the token woman candidate.

[alee21]

There is nothing in Hillary Clinton's resume that suggests she is anything but someone with a strong work ethic. She got to where she is now with guts, tolerance and hard work. And, she acknowledges and is grateful for the many opportunities she has been given and has made good use of them. You can't honestly believe that Hillary is not bothered by all the negativity directed at her through the years and through it all, she has managed it with grace and grit.

Hillary is our best candidate for the presidency. Go Hillary 2008.

[Erica]

It was the whiff of "fear the affirmative action, fear the quotas" implied by Ms. Ferraro that made her argument so implausible or offensive. Another case of an equally qualified minority candidate/applicant taking a job from a well-qualified white candidate/applicant seemed to be her misguided complaint. Her worldview is not unique, and she was speaking directly to those who may share it, hoping for a newly energized voting bloc for her candidate. Perhaps, in another election cycle---1984, anyone?---it may have worked flawlessly.

[verycold]

I think what everybody is forgetting is that Geraldine also said the same thing about herself when she was chosen for the VP spot. It was her gender, coupled with a particular time in our history, that gave her the nod above others with at least the same resume or much better. So she was NOT the best choice, but IMO a symbolic choice and very possibly she would have been a fine VP. Candidates are chosen for a host of reasons. When Jimmy Carter was given the nod, the vast majority of the US had never heard of him. It was NO accident he was chosen by a group in this country. It is NO accident that Barack was chosen again by a group of individuals that want a black president at this time. The decision was made easier because Barack is well educated, well spoken, come from a big political machine, easy on the eyes, and a great inspirational speaker at a time when the country has been crabby and dull. So it isn't just his race, but the entire package, but just the package without race would not get him where he is now. However in choosing him there was little vetting done that is now becoming more clear. I can't imagine in my wildest dreams running for office when I had relations with a slumlord that was going to trial knowing my name would come up. I can't imagine running for office knowing my "deranged uncle" was out preaching hate. Barack cant' really distance himself from this lunatic because he gives generously to this church as of last year. So is Barack picking and choosing what he is getting from this man, and what exactly on a positive note did he get from Pastor Wright? Barack must have thought enough of this pastor to bring his children to hear him. Frankly, I just don't get why people running for office think their skeletons will not surface at some point. They always do.

[ck]

"Obama acknowledges, with no small irony, that he benefits from his race. If he were white, he once bluntly noted, he would simply be one of nine freshmen senators, almost certainly without a multimillion-dollar book deal and a shred of celebrity. Or would he have been elected at all?"

What stronger admission could there possibly be -- and this, virtually straight from Obama himself -- that he has no exceptional experience or abilities to qualify him for the role of President? He is quite simply a gifted orator and opportunist, who has leveraged his gift of gab and street savvy, as well as his half-black ancestry, both positively and negatively, to arrive where he is, successfully hoodwinking the American public, very much like the pied piper of fairy tale fame.

[kat]

What's weird about Ferraro's statement is that she describes Obama as getting where he is because of race, but by only applying that`critique to Obama and herself, she seems to suggest that Hillary, by contrast, receives no boost as a result of being a woman, or more importantly, of having been the First Lady (also uniquely enabled by her status as a woman). I suspect Hillary would not take kindly to having Obama supporters attribute her prominence solely to her status as a woman,

[Ron M]

If Obama was a woman, Clinton would be behind Obama by 300 delegates but still fighting for the nomination, still feeling entitled and still undeserving.

[Sunny Florida]

You know, I am trying to cut through all the media spin, the off-handed comments and the accusations and just focus on two people and their two resumes. Afterall, we are trying to hire someone to be the CEO of our country. Someone with experience, someone with fortitude, intelligence and whom will work really, really hard for every American out there. For anyone to say that race and gender are not factors in this campaign or in the US is to be, well, out of touch. So, that said, how do we look at these two people fairly (without filters for race or gender) and pick the best candidate to beat McCain and win back the White house? Race is a factor, as is evident when prior to Senator Obama's arrival on the scene, African Americans, showed a strong support for Senator Clinton. Then, almost immediately, 80+% of African Americans threw their support behind a candidate with less experience, and did so why? Hmmm. Also, there are many men (and women, oddly enough) who, when asked flat out if they would ever vote for a woman for President, say no. No reason, even if she had a better resume. So, that's gender bias. Ok, that said, we still need to cut through the clutter and the crap being flung by both sides and really figure out who we want to get things right and on track for our country. Just electing someone "likeable" who will "be a uniter not a divider" may just get us what we got last time someone said that (ie - Bush, for all you really young folks) - and is that worth the risk? Only each one of us can answer that for ourselves, after honestly researching the candidates' resumes. This decision and election is too important not to.

[Ray]

Why is it that Wright can spew his rhetoric without comment while a white pastor who said the same things in a different context would be sanctioned without mercy? Wright is "one of the 10 most respected black pastors" in the US. Wow!! And if so, a good percentage of the black community believes this drivel. That has to say something about how Obama thinks and where he is in his concept of America. Michelle is just beginning to be proud to be an American. Where else would she be able to get a Harvard law education and advance to the status that she receives in America? Maybe try Rwanda. If she could survive without getting raped or getting her arms hacked off while collecting firewood. Obama, if elected, has to be the president of ALL Americans. If he doesn't leave his ethnic identity at the front door of the White House, he doesn't have a chance. A fine line is being walked in these proceedings and America is not ready for a President with a thin skin, whatever the color, who cannot bear up. The first time he or his wife plays the race card in the White House, the racial divide in this country will widen like it never has. We have enough problems without taking a chance on Mr. Obama. Give it another generation or two. But not now.

[18YearsRule]

I think Obama benefited from race issue since SC primary. From exit polls, Obama won 85-90% of Black votes may not good for Black people. It is understandable for Blacks to vote their candidate, but it may be even better off in long run to vote for Clinton. First, it will show to Whites that Blacks are on issues not on races themselves. This will bring the country together. If they one-sidedly voted for Obama, at least it will leave the impression on Whites that Blacks are voted racially, not the Whites. Second, to vote objectively and consciously for the best candidate will be better to the country, it, in turn, beneficial to Blacks also. That to believe that 90% of Blacks think Obama is better candidate than Clinton is objective is less-supportive. Third, Clintons had good relations to Blacks in history. It is time for Black to show their supports to Clintons, too. If someone did some favor to you, you shall certainly do the same. Finally, in my view, it is better for Clinton to be elected for Blacks than Obama, because Clinton can implement policies that are good for Blacks without being charged with racial-oriented while Obama may have problems for such policies that maybe charged as racial-oriented from his opposition. So my view is that it is not wise and not good for Blacks to overwhelmingly vote for Obama. I am an Asian-American . I hope my opinion can be viewed as positive to Blacks.

[raven29520]

I smell rats named Hillary clinton and Geradine Ferroro!
Isn't it convenient to bring this up again before the Pennsylvania primaries? Why doesn't the media compare this with Ferraro? Hagie?

[Kiah]

As if Senator Clinton has gotten to where she is now without a HUGE amount of help from others, not to mention the household name..

I'm tired of hearing about this sort of thing, please report something useful!

[Barbara Lewis]

The last few days have reflected a lot on how Obama and his wife feel about this country. Hers were revealed weeks ago in her statements. However, we are just beginning to understand that for all his talk that is just what it is...TALK! He could not have attended Rev Whites church sermons over the last 20 years and not known what was being preached in that church which is divisive hate and MORE CONCERNING OF SOMEONE RUNNING TO BE OUR PRESIDENT...ANTI AMERICAN AND HATE AMERICA SPEECH. NOT TO MENTION CAUSING GREAT DAMAGE BETWEEN THE RACES THAT WHITES AS WELL AS MANY BLACKS HAVE TRIED TO BRIDGE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. I saw his interview of denial on the stations tonight. I did not feel he was truthful at all. He tried his best to deny he had heard any of these sermons. It is difficult to believe that 20 years would have been spent in a church and church family would not have known what was being preached and taught. So NO we are not stupid enough to buy his line. We do NOT need anyone like him as President of this Great Country!

[John Connally]

The real racism is the media with its ability to play these images over and over, with no other purpose than to continue the divisions of race and to smear Senator Obama and derail his candidacy. There were a couple of guys on AC360 who tried to put things in perspective, but they were not the host and they were not the producers.

Last I heard there was such a thing as freedom of speech in this country. And last I heard, preachers don't preach what their congrations tell them.

So to blame Obama for something his pastor said is rediculous. It's like their misuse of his middle name. His mother was white and they blame him for racism. That's like the guy that kept hitting the other guys fist with his face.

I hope the American people a able to see through this smoke screen. Barack Obama has resisted over and over the opportunity to go negative against Senator Clinton. So he obviously does not endorse the negative politics that the media is trying to bestow upon him.

[NinaK]

Hillary, BIll , and her campaign aides, cochairs, and managers, as well as their minions, have continually injected race into their campaign. The most recent fiasco is being blamed on the Rebulicans. I don't buy that, McCain has more class than that. Hillary's campaign cannot really find anything on which to attack Mr. Obama, so they resort to old tapes of his former pastor to try to trash-and-burn Senator Obama. The Clintons are dispicable.

The news media had better start bringing such things as "THE CLINTON CHRONICLES" AND "THINGS HILLARY DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT" to the forefront. At least that preacher hasn't KILLED anyone!! Why did BIll have so many of his bodyguards killed? Why did he have so many people who were prepared to testify against him and the cocaine trafficking and money laundering out of Mena Arkansas? Why were these murders ruled suicides. Tell me, how does a murdered, burnt, decapitated man end up on top of a pile of trash and then ruled a suicide? Perhaps Bill and Hillary can answer that! They want to throw dirt when they have a history of crime? The media has pampered the Clintons and shielded them from the public. Now is the time for the media to out the Clintons for who they really are!!!

Please, I ask the moderator not to keep this from being posted. People need to know the Clintons....

[NinaK]

you know, I am so sick of Hillary and her trashy campaigning. Her aim is to conquer and destroy anyone and anything that crosses her path! That, ladies and gentlemen, is the Clintons' history.

Google "THE CLINTON CHRONICLES" free audio
Google "THE THINGS HILLARY DOEN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW" free audo.
Many more audios you might want to browse through regarding the Clintons.

They have NO business in our White House!! They have made asses out of our citizens and continue to do so! They are the REAL CRIMINALS!!! And they continue to get away with it!! And we are guilty of allowing them to do so!!

[Alma Ludivina MD]

I am Astonished that people who suppose to be a role model for society are behiving like sociopaths, Mrs. Ferraro and the Clintons dividing the country with no remors and lack of empathy for sentiment of the 40% population of minorities in the USA, we also pay taxes. They are doing it in the name of power and obsession for the white house. Mrs. Clinton very soon you must decide, your campain is causing more damage than good not only to the democratic party but to the country, after pennsylvannia you must make a decision, and weight the risks vs. benefits and if no realistic chances of you to succeed in this race, wake up from your denial and endorse Senator Obama.

[Susan]

Rezko is on trial on charges including mail fraud and attempted extortion. Federal prosecutors say he tried to use his connections to Illinois Gov. Rod

Blagojevich to demand kickbacks from companies wanting to do business with state government. Obama's long friendship with Rezko has hampered

his efforts to campaign as a new-style politician who abhors backroom deals and insider favors. It sort of looks like thats an Obama lie! Rezko helped

raise up to $250,000 for his various political races, Obama's campaign said. The campaign had previously put the figure at $150,000 but now says

that amount was only for his 2004 Senate race. Gee that makes Obama look a bit stupid..the guy Rezko is a real estate developer...aand then helps

him finagle a purchase ona $mill home. "Obama says He never once asked me for any favors, or ever did any favors for me," the Illinois senator said

in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. "He never gave me any gifts or gave me any indication he was setting me up to ask for any favors in

the future."......sure and you are just off the turnip truck! Rezko's staff said Friday evening that Rezko raised about $160,000 for Obama's

successful run for U.S. Senate in 2004 and $60,000 to $90,000 for his state Senate campaigns and a failed bid for Congress in 2000. Gee I wonder

why he wanted Obama to get elected?? favors perhaps. No one spends that much for nothing. Rezko advised Obama on buying a new Chicago home

in 2005 and his wife bought a vacant lot next to the Obamas' house. Rezko's wife, Rita, later sold part of the lot to Obama so they would have a

bigger side yard.(sounds crooked to me!!
Obama said he got no price break on his new house because Rezko was buying the lot next door from the same sellers. And he said it was Rezko's

idea, not his, to buy the lot..uh huh. Obama has been in the Us Senate since being sworn in Jan 2005.....prior to that 8 years in the Illinois STATE

senate...Jan 8, 1997 to Nov 4 2004................He has known Rezko since 1990 In addition to a land deal, Sen. Barack Obama’s ties to indicted

dealmaker Antoin “Tony” Rezko include an internship the senator provided the son of a contributor at the request of Rezko, an Obama spokesman

confirmed today. John Aramanda served as an intern for Obama for about a month in 2005, said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs. His father is Joseph

Aramanda, a Rezko business associate who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal corruption case against Rezko. Aramanda has

contributed $11,500 to Obama since 2000, Gibbs said. “Mr. Rezko did provide a recommendation for John Aramanda,” Gibbs said. “I think that it’s

fairly obvious that a few-week internship is not of anything of benefit to Mr. Rezko or any of his businesses.” Maybe not but is a FAVOR for a

contributor neverthe less! The revelation of the internship comes after Obama acknowledged a mistake in buying property from Rezko in January 2006 — a deal that enlarged the senator’s yard in the Kenwood neighborhood on the South Side. The transaction occurred at a time when it was widely known Rezko was under investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office.

“It was a mistake to have been engaged with him at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else, to believe that he had done me a favor,” Obama — a likely presidential candidate — told the Sun-Times in November.
Rezko was indicted in October for allegedly trying to collect nearly $6 million in kickbacks from government deals and trying to shake down a Hollywood producer for $1.5 million in campaign contributions to Gov. Blagojevich.

[mali]

THANK YOU GERALDINE FERRARO! for being truthful unlike the Obama camp and the mainstream meda like CNN who are constantly pushing Obama down our throats with every tablid news cast! EVERY night they attack Clinton and fawn all over any stupid Obama story. Mrs. Ferraro is EXACTLY CORRECT we would not be talking about obama had he and Oprah not turned this into skin color and the obama camp keeps it alive to avoid looking at his awful senate record and to keep from being questioned about being caught in constant lies, like Canada, etc…Black voters are choosing black candidate based on skin color not merit and not what he can do to help our failing country. What a serious shame...we are giving away another election. Thank the media! Obamas speeches address just black voters. The same person who claims he is not running on race? It sure isn’t experience or who is best to run this country. Don’t believe it will work in the general election He truly had divided voters since SC win. No one is so naive as not to think that black resentment towards whites could render Senator Obama unelectable. NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE MEDIA TO SCRUTINIZE OBAMA LIKE THEY HAVE DONE TO EVERYOTHER NON-BLACK CANDIDATE. MEDIA HAS FAILED AMERICAN VOTERSObama says he highly respects the opinions of Rev. Wright who Obama has said brought hope to many also gave their “ Man of the year’ award to the notorious Louis Farrakhan. Nation of Islam Minister who said we are witnessing the phenomenal rise of a man of color in a country that has persecuted us! Obama hasn't distanced himself from Farraklhan as he wants the media to believe. A number of Jewish and pro-Israel voters have concerns and raised questions about Barack Obama. In case you haven't followed this ongoing issue, here's a brief summary of the complaints:Obama has called for engaging Iran. Daniel Ayalon, Israel's former ambassador to the United States, told the New York Sun he is concerned Obama would want to negotiate with a "Hitler-like" regime. Some of Obama's policy advisors of various stripes, such as Samantha Power, Robert Malley, and Zbigniew Brzezinski, have come under attack for their views on Israel. World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder fears, it's only a matter of time before the president becomes anti-Israel Howard Friedman, the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, said the leading presidential candidate are all interested in continuing close ties with Israel. Obama in traditional muslim garb brought these questions back to the fore Obama is a closet Muslim. Obama hasn't distanced himself from Farraklhan as he wants the media to believe, Obamas and his church said Farrakhan "epitomized greatness. For Americans, Farrakhan epitomizes racism, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism. Over the years, he has compiled an awesome record of offensive statements, even denigrating the Holocaust by falsely attributing it to Jewish cooperation with Hitler "They helped him get the Third Reich on the road." His history is a rancid stew of lies. Any praise of Farrakhan heightens the prestige of the leader of the Nation of Islam. His anti-Semitism and particularly his false insistence that Jews have played an inordinate role in victimizing African Americans. Farrakhan's dream has vilified whites and singled out Jews to blame for crimes large and small. He talks of Jewish conspiracies to set a media line for the whole nation. He has reviled Jews in a manner that brings Hitler to mind. And yet Obama and Rev Wright heaped praise on Farrakhan. He applauds his "depth of analysis when it comes to the racial ills of this nation." He praised "his integrity and honesty." He called him "an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose." These words of the black man who touts change and claims to be a uniter of all people?

DO NOT VOTE FOR OBAMANATION!

[Truesdell]

Hillary has shown in this campaign why she is such a polarizing figure. Americans, apart from their president, are not dumb. They can see through the Rezko, Wright, Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson in SC smear attempts.

Just ask yourselves two questions:

Has the Clinton camp attempted to inject "race" into the voters' heads?

Has the Obama camp attempted to inject "gender" into the voters' heads?

[Pirce]

Obama is perfect candidate for Presidential post ... He strive for Change .... He can prove that ... He changed his life from drug usage and now we all see it... the fact is what matter is not the past what but is how you can overcome the past for the better futute. Who dont know about the nasty habit of former president Cl ...ont in white house so why judging negatively other people from other people mistakes

I say Obama deserve everything to be numberone man in USA.

Who say no has personal problems

WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA
WE WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENCY

[OxyCon]

Barack Obama, who calls himself a uniter (just like Bush did) is a confirmed divider.
A uniter would have said "Mrs Ferraro is no racist, I have said the same thing about myself."
A politically ambitious hack divider would say "there sure seems to be alot of racist comments coming from my opponent's campaign"