Barack Obama isn't Tiger Woods (at least not yet)

Mort Kondracke, writing for the Capitol Hill-centric publication Roll Call, today goes where most other commentators have shied away from -- the role of race in Barack Obama's Tuesday losses, especially in Ohio.

Kondracke makes a persuasive case that Obama's effort to, as he aptly puts it, run as a " 'post-racial' --candidate -- the political equivalent of Tiger Woods," has had only limited success.

Actually, Kondracke fleshes out his argument by relying on Jay Cost -- whom he characterizes as a "brilliant elections analyst" (we concur).

Cost, Kondracke notes, "has developed a convincing theory about the Democratic racial factor: Obama wins in states with majority-black Democratic turnout, like South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, and in states with few blacks, like Wisconsin, Washington and Vermont.

"He also has won in states with mixed populations where white family income is high, such as Maryland and Virginia.

"But [Hillary] Clinton, Cost contends, wins in states where blacks constitute a major minority, but where average white income is lower, such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Ohio.

"So, in largely white Wisconsin, Obama carried white males by a margin of 63% to 34%. But in Ohio, Clinton won, 58% to 39%."

This does not bode well for Obama in Pennsylvania, which is much more like Ohio than Wisconsin.

You can read the rest of Kondracke's piece here.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Phil]

I see racism in journalism is alive and well. Did anyone really need to make this comparison?

[Ron]

You know what they say about opinions ?...........
Right after 911 we invented a new title " terrorist expert "
and everybody became one............................ Now we have
political experts who change their minds by the minute.
The truth is nobody knows, and it is a shame that some people are making a good living just speculating.

[laurenR1]

Obama is a good guy, but not close to Tiger Woods who has worked hard to develop his game and a superb track record. Obama doesn't have the depth of resume and high net results. If Obama had a resume like Colin Powell or Condaleeza Rice, I would vote for him in a minute. As a head hunter, I would never be able to place Obama in a high level management job, there is just not enough meat in his experience at this time.

[K. M. Randall]

About Obama's race, may we be honest? Obama is mixed race. As he was raised by white grandparents in Hawaii, which is multi-cultural and attended Harvard before encountering the segregated section of Chicago, It seems to me that, other than skin-tone, he has little in common with those African Americans who have struggled with racial barriers that have limited economic, eductional and cultural opportunities.
His message of unity seems to me to be one of a man seeking to belong by making his own environment rather than a genuine call for unity. I find nothing in his resume to suggest he is qualified for the position he seeks.

[Matha Davidson]

These questions deserve thorough explanations if Clinton expects to be the nominee, let alone President! Fully VETTED my eye! No wonder she has Ken Starr on her mind. What about that fraud lawsuit in California? The American people need to be made VERY aware of these things. They need to be reminded of the turmoil, embarrassment, and great cost the previous Clinton scandals put the country through. Ask yourselves, do you really want another 4-8 years of DIRT & DRAMA Clinton style? DO YOU? There is Iraq, the economy, health care social security, etc. When would Clinton squeeze all that in?

• Norman Hsu and his bundling of money for her campaign?
• How "dishwashers, waiters and others" poured "$1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury?"
• Bill's trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian magnate, Frank Giustra, that netted Giustra $3 billion and Bill's foundation a $131 million contribution from Giustra?
• How powerful foreign donors to Bill's presidential library, such as the Saudis, may pose a serious conflict of interest to Hillary's foreign policy actions as president?
• How Bill's tangled ties to an investment concern of Clinton friend, Ron Burkle, and it's dealings with Dubai may yet, again, threaten to compromise Hillary Clinton's execution of foreign policy as president?
• The fact that with all of these questionable financial dealings, the Clintons have been unwilling to release their tax returns, especially in light of Hillary Clinton claiming that the $5 million she lent the campaign was "her own money?"

[Goldie]

So how does this square with California? And Massachusetts has a very high income. This is just more pundit foolery. But the press is not doing a good job of putting out anything but foollery. For instance, on the claim that Clinton is the better commander and chief. That is easy to refute if the press were doing its job. I can do it easily: Clinton claims she is a commander in chief and Obama is not, but she has not handled any foreign policy crisis. All she has done is had tea with foreign leaders and she gave a speech in China. But of course, Clinton has said that speeches don't mean anything, so the speech does not count. So her great claim to being commander in chief is tea and cakes? Come on. That makes no sense. And then to have her endorse McCain as the better candidate than Barack Obama, is crossing a threshold alright. It is making plenty of Obama Democrats furious. She might as well be Joe Leiberman. What is she hoping for? A spot on McCain's ticket if she loses? Or a spot in a McCain administration. How can I vote for her if she were the nominee. She is being the best thing the Republicans could have, doing all the dirty work for them.

[irishspacemonk]

For those who comment that Obama shouldn't be subjected to racism because is biracial have no understanding of the role of racism in this country. It doesn't matter how "black" a person must be, if they appear to be different people draw conclusions and allow their worst to come through, especially uneducated, poor. And this is why Hillary wins in racist states like Texas and Ohio.

[AsianMom]

Ah,, hello everyone, may I remind you that Tiger Woods is asian. Raised by an Asian Mother, taught him hardwork. Tiger Woods is not talkative just like any asian, mostly hardwork. Obama in the other hand, loves to talk just like regular americans.
So please dont insult Tiger Woods' character by comparing this all-talk DNC candidate.
Furthermore, if Hillary campaigned in the small states, Obama wouldnt have a prayer. He just have money to pay concert artists. Thats not real following, almost buying a vote. DNC has to end this spring break party, this is our economy we are talking and we cannot listen to party-goers who dont pay the bills.

[AMCLAIN]

Obama should take his delegates an run as an Independent. We do not need the Dems or the Republics

[girlfriend2]

Mort so-called writer of this so-called piece, you should know what it meaens to not be good at what you do . I betb your'er tired of these assignments the good writers refuse to take . I thought you took the cake for "ultimate racist" until I read KM Randalls response . You are the worst kind of USA racists , you both are ignorant and have no idea that you are . Randall who you live with does'nt determine your race, so please .go back . read what you wrote , think it through ,and Please,write it over....

[Venus]

Mummmm... that's weird! My reply to 1. LaurenR1 - Experience? Experience for what? Well looking at Obams WINS- 12 in a row - it appears Obama have more qualifications and more money, talent and status than you. At least he is running for president. Also - to run for president it only requires that a person be 42-year and a US Citizen. Looks like he has more votes than you will ever get! How did you get your qualifications to be a so-called head-hunter? And, Colin Powell, Connie Rice, nor McCain have any experience to be president. By the way, Bill Clinton, Bush, Regan and all the other presidents didn't have any experience. If you are bold enough to compare Tiger Woods to Obama - I wonder how you got your job! Can you find a job for Obama that will pay him 55-millon for one month? You probably make about $40,000 a year or less... Next- 2. My reply to K.M.Randall - Obama isn't applying for a job with you - He has been blessed to have black and white parents so therefore he belongs to both race. And your statement about let's be honest he is mixed? Gee... I guess you just told us all some thing we didn't know. Obama has more skills to become a president than you and let's see - blacks seems to dominate the sports, music and a list of other great things and have contributed greatly to this country - even worked for free for over 200 years.
Next 3 to asiamom - Tiger Wood's father is black - to try and credit just his asian-mother who was lucky enough to get her hooks into this wonderful man is an understatement. If you knew anything about Tiger you know that he was RAISED by both parents. And, it also appears that Obama has won more votes by all races in this country than you have and he even got a boost from Obama, Japan! If you have watched Obama at his rallies - people like Obama - and people like you just can't stand it! Vermont is a small state and Obama won that state - so what do you make of that? Also, Obama had 12 wins to Hillary's 3- that really says alot! Asian Mom - hummm have you noticed - the votes in this country seem to be counted for whites, blacks and Hispanics - no Asians?
Changes - Yes we can and I hope it starts with some of you people leaving this great country! What experience does Hillary have for president? Just because her husband was president does not give her experience - that would be like saying our head hunter have qualifications to work at NASA. Hillary couldn't control her husband when she was First Lady - so what will happen with Bill back in the White House?

[patriciad37]

Let’s talk about Presidential qualifications and the “experience” the “Corrupt Clintons” are using in their attempt to reclaim the W/H. Hillary is not fit to clean my cat's litter box. She is as likeable as a rattlesnake, and at least the rattlesnake gives warning. It’s time to turn the page and let Barack Obama become the Democrat nominee, and then our POTUS. She needs to be aware that the Clinton Amnesia may start to wear off, and voters will wake up and remember the Catastrophic Clinton Crap. Hillary claims she was “co-President” during Bill’s two terms in the W/H. “They” are after a third term. Bill has too many ties to other nations for his “charities”, so why isn’t it ruled a conflict of interest? Don’t non-profit organizations need to provide yearly returns with donors, donation amounts, payments, payees and amounts? RED FLAG: The charitable “donations” from foreign countries, but no disclosure. Red flags, in triple, for these ventures. Hillary often demonstrates her self-centered arrogance that “rules” only apply if she benefits. She proved while in the W/H how deadly she could be with “revenge” as her weapon. She has no soul, and tries to crush any opposition using any available means. When will the Clintons provide complete documentation of her years in the W/H? This time, will a lie detector test be required to guarantee that no documents were removed? RED FLAG: Sandy Berger had unrestricted access to highly classified terrorism documents at the National Archives. Failure to follow extremely strict security guidelines was a bonus for Berger, he was a familiar figure. He was eventually accused of stealing documents, but claimed that he borrowed a few copies to study, which he later returned. At his trial, the DOJ let Berger off on a misdemeanor charge and surrender of his license. He didn’t even submit to a lie detector test. RED FLAG, RED FLAG: It was later learned that the top- secret original NSC documentation, with hand-written notes (no inventory, no copies existed) covering the Clinton Administration handling of the terrorism threats were “missing” from the National Archives. The entire 9/11 Commission report was a waste of time and money, due to incomplete data. RED FLAG: We will never know the full truth about how 9/11could have/should have been prevented. Guess whom Hillary has picked to be on her National Security Team? Give that man a cigar! It’s Sandy Berger. Now does that make you feel secure?

[Will K.]

To say race is not a factor is patently ridiculous. Black Americans associate with race more than nationality, and who can blame them. Most black Americans are supporting Obama simply because he is black. Just ask Congressman Lewis – so much for loyalty. Obama is not the second coming; he is a politician no different than any other who runs for President, though much less experienced than most. I have suffered through two terms of a man not qualified to be President; I do not want to do so again.

Neither Obama nor Clinton can win the nomination based only on primary results; it will come down to back-room deals. And us Hillary supporters are no less passionate than Obama supporters. If Hillary does not get the nomination, I hope she runs as an independent. If she doesn't, I'll vote for a Republican for President for the first time in 10 presidential elections.

[Mary Mansour]

I am a Democrat who voted for Bill Clinton twice BUT his wife, Hillary, is a whole 'nother kettle of fish as we say in the south. I have loved Barack Obama since 2004 when he made the keynote speech for Kerry's nomination. I have just ordered a tee shirt reading:

Life's a bitch....why elect one? It has a picture of Hillary with one of her more egregious possum eating grins. You can tell I'm from the South.....and 68 years old, white and am for Obama.

Rascism is still alive and well in this country. AMERICA wake up and smell the coffee and nominate this great man, Obama....

[Charles Gates]

The percentage of the win in Ohio was 10%, not 19%! She won 12 delegates total in the four states, just a dent in the 152 lead that Obama had. Obama won Texas, with a +3 in delegates gain, and more to come after they finish counting the caucus. That cuts her delegate win to 9, and falling, and Obama now has a 146 delegate lead, and rising. About her popular vote win in Texas, by 4%, or under 100,000, that leaves Obama with a 700,000+ popular vote lead nationally. Obama has won the most primaries, 27 - 16, with 12 to go. He will win at least 6 of those, giving him an 11 primaries won lead at least. He leads in ALL three categories, and ALL three are LOCKS, she won't even come close to those totals. She is in a NO-WIN situation!!! The article was nothing but CLINTON SPIN. Obama WILL be the WINNER, Clinton the LOSER, in ALL THREE categories. If they GIVE Clinton, the LOSER, the nomination, EVERYONE WILL KNOW that it is to appease the Clinton's, and because of his race. They KNOW better than to cause an EXPLOSION like that. The ONLY alternative is to give the nomination to the WINNER, Obama, or make Gore the nominee to break the stalemate, if Obama doesn't have the 2025 needed. Do the math. All of this is based on UNDENIABLE FACT!

[Sidmore]

Strange how Tiger Woods "post-racial" self STILL received death threats. Wonder who those came from?

[Maria Loi]

Hi everyone,

Please, Obama will never be like Tiger Woods. Tiger won by being a great player. Obama is using double standard at his political game. A politican who claims to ignite hope and change however, he does like all politicans do with double standard behavior behind the scene. Worst of all, Tiger never work for a slump landlord who exploits the weak and vulnerable. He claims he works only 5 hours and got such great deals from a bad guy. How can you believe him? I hope Tiger lives up to his mark and not do the same.
Everyone is misled to believe in him as a hero and leader in change and hope. Please give me a break! He will never be like Tiger even if he wins the nomination due to his cunning political manoeuving of his believers. The saddest for USA when he is sworned in as the President of USA!

[Venus]

Dear patriciad37 - so let's see how your narrow mind believes the race factor regarding blacks voting for Obama. Just look at crowd in Ohio where Clinton won. Also - as most americans we can vote for who we want. The past 20-years no blacks have run for president - so what facts do you have? Can you share your facts about who blacks voted for? Also - it appears Obama has more skills to run for president than you - and by the way Obama is black and white. What are you running for?

[Venus]

Sorry patricia37 my last post was for Will-K. Will-K do you have facts about blacks only voting for Obama - and Clinton could you please tell us who the blacks voted for the past 20-years? What's makes America great is that people can vote for who they want. It appears you are not updated with the lastest news - if you look at the Ohio and TX wins you will see Hillary surrounded by blacks who voted for her and love her. Contressman Lewis over-stepped his support for Hillary with Obama running this year for president - Lewis can not go against the people who voted for HIM. His loyalty is to the people who have voted for him and not Hillary. Whatever the Clintons have done for blacks - the blacks have paid the Clintons by supporting them. However, it's a new day! Also regarding experience - read the job requirements for running for president - a person has to be 42 years old and a US Citizen. McCain, Bill Clinton, Bush and all the other presidents who have served didn't have any experienced to run for president. Obama has more experience to run for president than you - can you raise 55-million dollars in one month? Finally, looking at his 12-wins - it looks like Obama and his supporters can win without your VOTE! (:

[Marks]

My original rant wasn't posted...hmm

Anyway,

Will K.

>Most black Americans are supporting Obama simply because he is black. Just ask Congressman Lewis – so much for loyalty.

You don't know most black Americans clown. Many are smarter than you it seems, their choice for President is winning.

Congressman Lewis changed his vote because will of his constituency that overwhelmingly choose Obama. Friendship can only go so far in politics. Politicians represent their communities!

>I'll vote for a Republican for President for the first time in 10 presidential elections.

That only hurts you, self defeatist.

[Byron]

I hear Clinton supporters tout some surveys that suggest 20% of democrats will vote for McCain if Clinton loses. I guess for those 20%, they would rather have 100 more years of the Iraq war than Obama. More tax cuts for the wealthy rather than Obama. More failed economic policies rather than Obama. Which brings into question just how uneducated Clinton’s supporters really are. If you value the democrats ideas put forth in this campaign, you would be doing yourself a disservice by touting your own lack of integrity.

If the goal is to make America better, I understand why people are afraid to believe in Obama. But what I dont understand is how people can support Clinton who is so two-faced as to support the opposing team. She compared McCain and Obama saying, "I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."

Why is she praising someone who cares nothing for her beloved healthcare? Because she doesn't really care. She just wants to enjoy being in the White House again.

[Venus]

Yeah - right Maria Loi - at least Obama is running for president! Who do you work for? Here's an article you can share Sen. Clinton accepts donations from troubled firm Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 3:50 PM PT
Filed Under: Politics
By Lisa Myers and Jim Popkin, NBC News

Sen. Hillary Clinton has declined to return $170,000 in campaign contributions from individuals at a company accused of widespread sexual harassment, and whose CEO is a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record, federal campaign records show.

The federal government has accused the Illinois management consulting firm, International Profit Associates, or IPA, of a brazen pattern of sexual harassment including "sexual assaults,” “degrading anti-female language" and "obscene suggestions."

In a 2001 lawsuit full of lurid details, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims that 103 women employees at IPA were victimized for years. The civil case is ongoing, and IPA vigorously denies the allegations.

"This is by far, hands down, the worst case I've ever experienced," said Diane Smason, one of the EEOC lawyers handling the lawsuit. "Every woman there experienced sex harassment, they were part of a hostile work environment of sex harassment. And this occurred from the top down."

Sen. Clinton’s spokesman, Howard Wolfson, told NBC News in a statement that the senator decided to keep the funds because the lawsuit is "ongoing" and because none of the sexual harassment allegations has been proven in court. "With regard to the pending harassment suit, as a general matter, the campaign assesses findings of fact in deciding whether to return contributions," Wolfson said.

Allegations:
Adrienne Slick, who worked at IPA for seven months in 2000 and 2001 as a business coordinator and is now part of the EEOC suit, told NBC News in an interview that the sexual harassment was oppressive. “I had multiple managers come at me, press themselves up against me ... ask me to go home with them, and to a hotel room so they could fulfill their fantasies," she said.

The EEOC lawyers say the man at the top of the firm - IPA founder and Managing Director John R. Burgess - was among the worst offenders. The EEOC lawsuit claims, “The harassment emanated from the top: the owner and Managing Director, John Burgess, is accused of sexual harassment by at least 10 different women.”

Burgess has a criminal record, too. The former lawyer pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in 1987 and was disbarred in New York, court documents show. Burgess also pleaded guilty to “patronizing a prostitute” in 1984, according to Erie County, N.Y., court records.

Still, none of that has stopped powerful politicians in both parties from being courted by Burgess and IPA. Since 2000, IPA officials and their family members have given Sen. Clinton at least $170,000 for her Senate and presidential campaigns, federal campaign records show. Senator Clinton also spoke at a company event and rode on an IPA jet in 2004.

In May 2006, the New York Times brought Burgess's criminal history, and the allegations against IPA, to Sen. Clinton's attention. The May 7, 2006, article was titled “Rubbing Shoulders with Trouble, and Presidents.” In the article, a spokeswoman for Sen. Clinton was quoted as saying the Senator was not aware of Burgess’s criminal past and "will be reviewing" the contributions.

Almost two years later, federal records indicate that Sen. Clinton still has not returned the IPA money. Howard Wolfson, her communications director, did not dispute the $170,000 figure in an email to NBC News. He said Senator Clinton was not aware of Burgess’s past legal problems when she first accepted the donations. "In 2000 and 2003 when Sen. Clinton's campaign accepted money from Burgess, it was not aware of his legal problems from the 1980s," he said.

However, there were public reports of allegations against Burgess as early as 2000. That’s the year that Inc. Magazine first reported that Burgess had patronized a prostitute and had pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny. And Senator Clinton’s campaign has accepted other contributions from other senior IPA officials as recently as last year, the campaign records show.

Many other politicians have been quick to distance themselves from IPA, and have returned donations. In 2002 in New York, Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate at the time, returned $20,000 from Burgess. Cuomo’s office said the donations were returned after a New York newspaper reported on Burgess’s past legal problems and on the EEOC sexual-harassment allegations.

Other prominent Democrats also have returned IPA's donations including Sen. Ted Kennedy and then-Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. On the same day in 2006, Sen. Barack Obama received $4,000 in campaign donations from a senior IPA official and his wife. Obama quickly returned $2,000 from the senior IPA official, campaign records show. But the campaign has held onto the matching $2,000 donation from the IPA official’s wife, the Obama campaign confirms.

Some political analysts say it is surprising that the first viable female candidate for president would not be more sensitive to allegations of sexual harassment.

"The fact that Hillary Clinton at this point is holding onto money from a contributor who has been charged with sexual harassment can only be perceived as insensitive to women's issues and women," says Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Senior Scholar at the School of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. "I don't think that fits the definition of feminism, at least the last time I looked."

Adrienne Slick, the former IPA employee, says she's disappointed in any politician who would take or keep money from IPA. "This is not something that should be taken lightly, and to accept those funds makes a statement," she told NBC.

The EEOC lawyers would not comment on any aspect of the political donations, and confined their remarks solely to the lawsuit.

Clinton Campaign Response:
Wolfson dismissed the notion that keeping IPA money reflected a lack of concern about sexual harassment. "Sen. Clinton is proud of her long record of championing women's causes," he said. "When the EEOC rules on the allegations involving Burgess, we will consider that outcome in assessing if there is any reason to return his contribution." Of the $170,000 total in donations from all IPA officials and employees, Burgess and his family members personally contributed $16,000 to Sen. Clinton, campaign records show.

IPA Reaction:
For its part, IPA vigorously denies any wrongdoing and said it has been fighting the EEOC lawsuit for more than six years. "Since a lawsuit was filed in June 2001, IPA has continually and consistently denied the allegations," IPA spokeswoman Jennifer Cumbee wrote in an email to NBC News. "At IPA, we have zero tolerance approach when it comes to sexual harassment."

Cumbee added: "This involves primarily claims by persons who worked a short time in the mid- to late 90s (although there are some persons who worked after that). Immediately after the lawsuit was filed and by early 2001, IPA in an abundance of caution had its sexual harassment policy completely revised by competent outside professionals."

She says, "IPA has had no unresolved claim of harassment for several years now and any one of its 2,000 employees who violate the policy, after investigation, is dealt with swiftly." She would not comment directly on Slick’s claims, citing employee confidentiality. She said that the EEOC already has dropped some claimants from the suit. “All employee claims have been contested as many have no witnesses or records or current complaints,” Cumbee said.

The IPA spokeswoman did not dispute that Burgess had a criminal record from his days in New York. "All that you have asked, in regards to John Burgess, is a matter of public record," she wrote. “Mr. Burgess is not a felon and was never convicted or pled to a felony.” She said that it would be unfair to judge Burgess on two-decade-old crimes, and pointed out that Burgess and IPA are solid employers who donate generously to charities.
th your narrow mind.

[Venus]

To some of the people that posted last week - Well - let's see. Where should I start! My reply today is for Will -K, to Asianmon, and to LaurenR1, and to Maria Loi and to Marks --- Looks like you are wrong regarding only blacks will vote for Obama.... Looks like a lot of people like him in Wyoming!!! Go Obama.

Yes - we get a new president in 2009
There will be no change if you vote for McSane
No thrills if you vote for Hil
Less drama if you vote for Obama!!!

[Damita Barnes]

I hope Obama wins, everyone of these candidates has some serious baggage . I think America is ready to change things in the whitehouse.