rn79870 wrote:You've brought a good argument to the forum. I'm only quoting part of your post, the part I disagree with.
Obama is perceived as black because of he chooses to align himself in that manner. He married a black woman, and is raising his family as a black family. (whatever that means). Had he, like Tiger Woods, married a white woman, things might have been different.
And I'll return the compliment. This is precisely what has soured me on Obama and I'm glad you brought it up. I used to really like him - was just disappointed that he's a Democrat. In addition to his great charisma and oratorical abilities, I also liked his approach. He wasn't presenting himself as a Black Man, unlike every other black politician until ... Rev Wright. I saw no problem with that sort of bombastic hyperbole. Wright has a large respectful following. There's no reason that Obama can't have people like him as good friends - politicians should have all sorts of associations. Obama, for instance, would benefit from knowing some people in small towns, so he wouldn't make idiotic "cling" comments.
But Obama didn't shrug Wright off. He seemed to be treading some fine line - several progressively different explanations. All he had to say was that Wright was talking to a private audience, using exaggerated preacherly rhetoric, and that he, Obama, did not share those views. Period. So what. But no, he decided not to dis Wright or the congregation. Loyalty to exactly what, I ask? Then I watched some of Michelle's speeches. Ugh. It's not just what she says, it's her attitude. THAT attitude.
So, Obama now appears to be a Black Man. His support is 25% black. His campaign periodically plays a race card. I don't react well when someone points out their race or ethnicity to me, as if it should matter.
So, yes, not only will people always see "Barry" as black, he's allowed his campaign to position him as a Black Man, and as you point out, his wife is most definitely a Black Woman. In that regard, they can't really claim to represent ME. And now he's stuck. Since he's lost the white blue-collar vote, he can't get elected without the huge black vote he's going to get.
And if anyone wants to claim that he's been unfairly painted this way, he shouldn't forget what Obama and his campaign have done to make things worse. It isn't like no one in his campaign ever thought Rev Wright would come up. I mean, really. This is one of the first things they should have had pat answers for. It's the fault of the campaign and the way it has responded to race issues.
