Mary Mitchell

First a comment - it seems to me that the self-proclaimed leaders in the black community like Jackson and Sharpton have the most to lose of Obama runs and wins (which he could easily do). Next 2 comments/questions:

Didn't you say the following:
"Actually, if Obama is elected President of the United States, he would become the nation's first biracial president, wouldn't he?" Aren't you taking part in the "one drop rule"?

Second, what is the "crabs in the barrel syndrome"?

I think America is not only ready for a non-white male President, but sorely needs one to lead us into the future of this great nation. The track record of our 5 past Presidents' policies and character are sorely lacking the vision, creativity, and honor that the office should carry. Look at what White men are doing to Corporate America and the Global Economy. We need fresh ideas and quality candidates to put them forward that are not a part of the good ol' boys network. Then all of our futures can be better than our past.

"Crabs-in-the-barrel-syndrome"! The things you blacks come up with sometimes are priceless.

I'm a white male - I guess my question would be is it just me or does Obama possess many of the qualities of Dr. King? He continually talks about bringing together the country - people of different background, races, interests, political parties, etc. As opposed to Sharpton and Jessie who always have their own agenda, and at least in my view, represent a small percentage of the voting population. Jessie and Sharpton could never really be a serious candidate due to their checkered pasts. By comparison, Obama is a saint and seems be be gaining momentum daily.

"crabs-in-the-barrel-syndrome" Mary, you are far too intelligent to apply this statement to this situation but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Here's my issue as to why he doesn't get my vote.

Being black is probably the absolute worst reason for wasting a valuable right to vote. Especially, for someone who's running for President of the U.S or anything else for that matter (not that I believe he'll win.) Barack has yet to take a stand for anything. I've always been leery of people who never want to ruffle feathers. Right here in this very city, in my own neighborhood the "American Dream" is a distorted term that gets far too much press. Our babies, black babies are under-educated, unaccepted, and under-motivated. All of this time in Chicago alone (a blue city that has now turned green) what has he done for them, has he even spoken for them, does he know that only up the street from his place that we even exist? Our drug, gang and trash infested neighborhoods, with overly-aggressive policeman. We have nothing as a people to share--- we need our own! So when Mr. Obama speaks of America does that include "us"? Every race selflessly applies their power to themselves first and everyone next. I have yet to hear a black pride, black power speech from him that ends in ...and this is what I want for MY people. That's why many of us in this area aren't feeling him, not to say we don't respect him because Barack Obama is due that. In order for him to receive our votes we have to be confident that his win will be a victory for "us" as well as this nation---to feel that we are an accepted part of it finally! I refuse to get on a bandwagon that will ultimately roll without me. If Hillary runs and wins, as a woman I know I will too! Although I AM BLACK, I do not apologize for applying my vote to what I feel will count for me and mine.

MIitchell Comment:

For the record, I was referring to black leadership, not black voters.

Race is not a sufficient reason for voting for a candidate for any office, particularly POTUS. In fact, a person's race should not be a reason for any opinion of that person. Leadership of the country should be based on qualifications and ability. That means experience and accomplishments, not speeches.

Obama echoes the far left of the Democratic party in calling for a 'phased withdrawal' from Iraq. This may leave liberal Democrats and those in the media who report on them 'awestruck', but it leaves those of us with a knowledge of history and geopolitics dismayed. Threatening to leave Iraq on a timetable foolishly plays into the hands of those who would do us harm. They would merely have to wait until we were gone and then take over, initiating a bloodbath reminiscent of Viet Nam and Cambodia and destroying America's credibility for decades. It would be a catastrophe.

Obama's Senate voting record gained a 100% rating from the very liberal Americans for Democratic Action (ADA). Quite frankly, Obama is a media creation, nothing more than a very far left Democrat/socialist politician who says what he thinks some people want to hear.

What with recent stories about Obama's dealings with Tony Rezko, a federally indicted influence peddler, and the above, it is clear that now is not his time. Perhaps not ever, unless his judgement and instincts improve.

THAMRS3

Do you really think it's in Obama's interest to have a "black pride or black power speech"? One of the reasons (I think) has has gained so much appeal from white voters (based on his Senate win) is that fact that he talks about broad issues that cut across races. As soon as he pulls a Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton, and has a group of black supporters behind him saying "that's right" with each point he makes, he's got no chance to get votes outside the black community. From everything I've read about him, he has made mistakes, and has flaws, but Jessie and Reverend Al could only dream about having the integrity and polish he has.

If Obama wins the presidency he'll be coming into office just in time to take the blame for the incompetencies of the last three white presidents. Bush is the president now because we elected him, twice. We are in Iraq now because the American public allowed Bush to subvert the constitutional powers of Congress.

This man is not going to fix our country overnight.

To live in Chicago and vote for someone because of thier race is ridiculous. Almost half the city coucil is black and black folks get less thatn 3% of the city contract and make up 40+ % of the city. They represent a vision of progress but none in the qulity of life for black folks.

I will vote based on what the candidate will for my community, people, city, state. My priorities are job creation in the inner city, educational funding for inner city schools, crime reduction and a change in sentencing for crimes involving drugs. An last but not least support for affirmative action.

Most importantly, stop distracting the public witn presidential talk when Bush has two more years to further take America down the wrong path.

to Wes G.---you say you are 40% of the population in Chicago population but only get 3% of the contracts....Guess what, YOU ARE RIGHT ! But guess what also, ITS YOUR COMMUNITIES FAULT. You (90%) only vote for one-party (democrats) and that party has taken you for granted. Your leaders and so-called spokesmen get kind of quiet when its crunch time, don't they? Thats because they have to put party-affiliation ahead of whats right. Anybody who has been on this blog for a long while knows I've brought up several times that these union chiefs (all democratic party cadre) have never came close to giving young African-Americans there rightful number of apprenticeships in the trades, either. Which is another example taking you for granted. And you know I'm telling you the truth.

Mark,

Obama is not running as President of Black America; he is running as President of the United States. Therefore, he must speak to ALL people, not just Black people. It is wholly unfair for you and other African Americans to apply a litmus test to him that you have never applied to White Democrats whom you have given your votes to unconditionally. He is not going to come pre-packaged in a Black power flag and wallow in your victimhood. And I'm sure you aren't going to expect Hillary to darn a dashiki to get your vote. And yes, I am an African American women. I have a 14 year old son who has never been enthusiastic about politics, which should not be surprising since the makeup of leadership in Washington screams, "Blacks need not apply," but he is ecstatic about Barack Obama. I have every hope that Barack Obama will aspire him and his generation to dream beyond what the world says their race should allow. If that's not motivation for our kids, I don't know what is.

I am impressed with the fact that Obama had hundreds of well paid law firms after him when graduated from Harvard Law, but passed it up to work for $10,000 a year as a community organizer in a poor black area of Chicago.

I totally agree with the previous poster who said Hussein Obama should run on a platform of "this is what I support for my people".

I agree with Mary L. For Obama to build his campaign around "black issues" in order to gain the confidence of black voters would be disastrous. He has to appeal to the broader consituency and be inclusive of us all. I also disagree that he does not know the plight of poor, underserved neighborhoods. He certainly knows it more intimately that a white candidate would. I believe Obama when he says he wants what's good for America. And I trust with all my heart that it includes us all. As for the blogger who says he "lacks the wisdom, knowledge and leadership abilities." George W. Bush hasn't exhibited any of that. He didn't do it in the first term and the people elected him for a second term. Go figure. As for Robert's comment, "the one-drop rule" was the law put on the books in this country. Is there another rule we can apply? And for those who can't figure out what the "crabs-in-the-barrel syndrome" is, if you've ever seen them trying to crawl over each other to get out of your sink, it shouldn't take much to figure out the analogy Ms. Mitchell was trying to make. Duh.

"We are in Iraq now because the American public allowed Bush to subvert the constitutional powers of Congress."

We are in Iraq now because the American public allowed their elected representatives and senators to give their constitutional powers to declare war to the president.

By passing the "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002" Congress essentially said "OK, we're not going to declare war. Instead, we'll give away our constitutional powers and let the president do whatever he feels is best".

Think about it this way. If you give your friend special power of attorney, you are essentially giving him or her the legal right to make decisions on your behalf in certain situations. If your friend does something that is not to your benefit or causes you harm then it would be totally hypocritical of you to blame that person. After all, YOU GAVE AWAY YOUR RIGHTS! Do you undertand this analogy? Do you see how this applies to what Congress did?

Let's stop being ignorant about the how our government works. You people who are against the war in Iraq elected the people who gave Bush the power to wage war against Iraq. Stop whining about the situations that you helped create.

I agree with you Wes G, vote for the best candidate not the blackest candidate. We need someone who will address our issues. Barack is articulate and an orator but is there substance? Dr. King's reputation was based on action and getting it done. Don't compare him to Dr. King because he's using the spotlight to be a celebrity not to make a difference. Democrats don't count on me to mail in my vote so you can bumble another presidential election by promoting a weak candidate like they did with Kerry.

As a black man, you have to look askance at any black guy whom the white press lauds for having "transcended race". Mr. Obama is a celebrity precisely because he gives permission to whites to believe that all that movement stuff is over, all the problems have been resolved, the bits of discrimination and inequality that persist are inconsequential.

In other words, he is lauded as a celebrity and visionary on race because he is a black man who disagrees with most blacks and agrees with most whites -- a always the surest formula for "expertise" and "courage".

Thus Obama's core message puts him in permanent, irreconcilable conflict with blacks who believe that the unfinished business is still there, still pressing and urgent. And that is what most of us still DO believe. Few of us subscribe to the maxim expressed in Obama's speech that "there is no white America, there is no black America..." there is but one America. This does not seem to conincide with the reality we see in front of our faces every day. Frankly it seems like a lie, but one that white America likes to hear. Obama tells it though, eloquently.

Obama could never have said that while he represented a district on the south side of Chicago in the Illinois state senate.

I totally agree with this article. I find it appalling that some of the same black leaders that supported the incompetent Clarence Thomas into his candidacy as a supreme court justice will just sit back and withhold their support for Obama. I, like most other intellectual black people out there, grow tired of the Sharpton/Jackson do nothing rallying. If something tragic goes wrong in the black community they feel as if they are the sole ambassadors to demand an apology and hold a rally, and accomplish nothing except exposing their faces to the media. Can we get some actions of actual substance. Use their money and legal prowness to demand justice. Here a black man stands on the cusp of reaching the presidency of the most powerful nation in the world. For black leaders to even think to hinder his acheivement (which is an achievement for all black people) is utterly disgusting, and belays their own self-interest. Black leaders and black people as a whole should be rallying behind Obama and throwing unwavering support to him. Here stands a proud, moral, intelligent leader in the black community who actually cares about the well-being of his people and to think that he is not being supported by his own people demonstrates their fear at his full potential and the consequences it could have for those that only act as if they truly care about blacks well-being.

I am not saying vote or support the man based on his skin color (we see what happened w/ Clarence Thomas & Condoleeza Rice). Do it based on his credentials, and if you truly research your canidate then you will have no choice but to concede that he is the best possible choice.

Mary:
Once again you and Oprah appear to be embracing Mr. Obama strictly because of his skin color and pizazz. What exactly has he accomplished in his short pollitical career? What legislation has he sheparded through congress or even for that matter in Illinois? Does he already know what buttons to push in Washington to get things done??? I don't think so. For all of his errors in judgement about Vietnam and failures with the great society somebody like Lyndon Johnson would be a far better choice. Even pres. Clinton had some experience in running Arkansas. I know you and the liberal media are probably looking for a fresh face but lets get a little substance with the flash please. Mr. Obama isn't the answer in 2 years no matter how desparate the media sounds.

This is a little off topic, but here it goes. Since King's name is being mentioned a lot on here, did anyone hear about that party some white college students in Texas had on MLK day. Go to Thesmokinggun.com to see some of the pictures. Trust me, it's a hoot!

WE NEED BLACK PRESIDENTS!!!!!!!

Blacks(most) have always had a positive reaction to Obma the powers to be are just using the divide and conquer technique.Jerksi(JERRY) are you still hiding in some basement waiting for your mom to tell you your trailer trash loan came through.You are the most vile ,lying embecile I have ever heard .You say blacks come up with some good ones?No its more like the reichwingers and neo-con artists come up with some "good" ones.(lies)Just like Bush everyone of your comments are way off base and ridiculous,and shows a fearful little man who is afraid of his own shadow.(Cause its black,probably)Obama has more honor in his toe then you can ever muster up.When after one of your bogus tirades on this blog against blacks and their supposed love of committing crimes ,I noted that 84% of serial killers were white(FBI stats) and they have the pedophile thing won hands down,Arent you tired of being the type who admires caucasian serial killers ("because they kill their own":from actual jerry comment)I am sure that endures you to your "neighbors".They must think that comment is cool.Have you had your DNA checked yet? you will see it is traced back to a African women(How ironic)the very people you hate(blacks) you are actually part of(how smart,jerksi)when Obama becomes President or Vice President I am sure you will want to leave America in fact like "whites" have always told blacks to go back to Africa.Whites love to cry the race card is being played by blacks yet fail to acknowledge that they have played the race card for 400 years on blacks!(amnesia)I will be the first to wave goodbye to you and your kind.Trailer trash(or blacks) who agree with "anything' you say needs psychological evaluations,I actually thought you had leaped out the window when I told you a while back you have DNA and you seemed shocked,and reminded you that it is traceble to Africa,your response then was,"it(DNA) was now out of my body" ..boy, "what a maroon"!You may be a cousin of Obama !Please pick up a genetics, science or history book you're getting phonier and more redundant each day.Later BRO' or should I say cousin......DOC

Doc, I would like to respond in kind to you calling me a " vile, lying embecile", but I know my response would get deleted because I am white. Although yours will get printed because you are a pampered black. Also, you really are low class bringing my mother into it. In fact that is the second time on here a black has brought my mother into it. Boy, you people really are as low class as Joe Biden thinks. You also need to take some grammar and writing lessons because your post is full of basic errors. You call me a "maroon" when I assume you mean to say "moron". You have multiple run-on sentences, capital letters in the middle of sentences. I could go on but I don't have that much time. I guess schooling in the projects wasn't so great? To the Moderator, if you allow this child named Doc to insult me and my mother, then I would hope you would be fair enough to let me do the same. Because the last time a black on here insulted my mother, I responded without profanity, but I did defend myself, yet it got deleted. All I ask for is fairness.

Mitchell comment:

OK Jerry. Enough is enough.
Your posts are routinely filled with racial insults--something you have been doing since Day One. No, you don't curse, but you push the same buttons over and over. I continue to post your comments because people of all races ought to know people like you exist.
No matter what the topic, you find a way to put black people down. Worse yet, after you start a fight, you try to drag me into it.
I don't have time on my hands. From now on, you either stick to the subject or post your racial insults on someone else's blog.

The way african americans distance themself from Barack Obama, show us that African americans ain't ready for a black president. In fact being a black candidate is probably the worst thing to be. You have to deal with white racism and ignorance, and you have to deal with the pressure of your own community. If you are not "black enough", Black leaders will quickly shot you down. In fact, the funniest thing is black people are more willing to vote for Edwards and Hillary, people who have done NOTHING for black people.

When my posts put black people down, I am usually just responding to a black person's post putting white people down. But fair enough, I will try to stick to the topic. I just hope you hold the blacks on this blog to the same standard. I hope you encourage them to stay on topic instead of going on some racist rant about how the racist white people are holding them down, thank you.

I am so mad!!! what I saw on C-span makes me think that some in black america are not ready for a black president. I was shocked to hear people talk about supporting each other then ripping Obama up verbally. TO be truthful I don't know whether to scream or cry.

I think it's ironic that white people (in general) are promoting Obama because of what he stands for, ignoring his race. Yet, many black people are obsessed with "how black" Obama is...which way do we want it? Is it just me or is this really embarassing for black people???

to Mary L: Obama would never do a Jackson or Sharpton. He'd be FINISHED if he did. He knows that. He's much smarter and a better person than that.

For the record, Obama may be Black (actually, only half), but he is NOT African American. African American is an ethnic group comprised of descendants of slaves brought to the United States. Obama, on the other hand, is of Masai and Kenyan ethnicity on his father's side, and European on his mother's side. African American culture is far different from Kenyan culture; in fact, while African Americans are of mostly West African origins, Kenya is in East Africa. Therefore, people are half right about him possibly being the first Black president, they are wrong about him being the first African American president.

to Devsky: Think what you just said? 'African-American culture is far different from Kenyan culture; in fact, while African-Americans are mostly West African origins, Kenya is in East Africa.' Then you said well that means Obama wouldn't be African-American....Yes, Obama's roots are not the same as most African-Americans in America, I grant you that. However, KENYA IS ALSO AN AFRICAN COUNTRY. And a black african nation at that. So Obama is indeed African-American, although he's also half-white.

I am so glad that Ms .Mitchell finally curbed Jerry from his B.S racist rants a few times I even let him pull me down to his level he continually started fights and then cried like a baby when someone(usually african american)read him the riot act.There is a way to hold hold decent conversations even if you dont agree with each other.But due to the sordid history of our country blacks have had to hear the rants of racists for years and now that we have a forum like this to express ourselves ,I am sure people like jerry dont realize he makes himself a good target with his constant racist off the cuff comments that dont have anything to do with the subject then dragging Ms.mitchell into it,if he can dish it out he should be able to handle the truth .That said Blacks in these modern days have said(often privately)that we need a black pres.or vice president to address our needs also. I feel the real question should be "IS WHITE AMERICA READY FOR A BLACK PRESIDENT?"

I am so glad that Ms .Mitchell finally curbed Jerry from his B.S racists rants a few times I even let him pull me down to his level he continually started fights and then cried like a baby when someone(usually african american)read him the riot act.There is a way to hold hold decent conversations even if you dont agree with each other.But due to the sordid history of our country blacks have had to hear the rants of racists for years and now that we have a forum like this to express ourselves ,I am sure people like jerry dont realize he makes himself a good target with his constant racist off the cuff comments that dont have anything to do with the subject then dragging Ms.mitchell into it .That said Blacks in these modern days have said(often privately)that we need a black pres.or vice president to address our needs also. I feel the real question should be "IS WHITE AMERICA READY FOR A BLACK PRESIDENT?"

As time moves on Obama will become less and less of a factor. So wheather anyone is ready for him to be president is irrelevant. Now, for some uplifting news! Our next president will be Rudy Giuliani! You can book it as he is way ahead of the other republicans and he will kill Hillary because she is so unpopular and such a bad public speaker. It's about time this country had a president whose last name ends in a vowel.

First of all am black and i live in canada Obama seems like hes has the right intentions to run to make america better since washington, lincoln and kenndy . I really get piss when people refered ro him as black hes not full black get educated on that hes mulatto having one black parent the other white if he had to black parents that look like oprah or any dark skin people he is black. He will not be the first black presdient he will be the for mulatto and am dark skin i do not hate on people please americans stop with the one drop blood shit mulatto is a word you know that right he will be the first mulatto president

bottom line is it will be between rudy and another besides obama and/or hillary. the system won't let a black man become president. it just won't happen..at least yet. the american system is still colored basic white. while we have oriental and other minorities working in the house or in congress,they too are colored white.i'm not so sure that it's a bad thing. it's extremely possible that for as prejudice as this country still is,that a black president would cause enough dissention between some races and peoples in this country that in many places violence would ensue. i'd be afraid,too,that fights and arguments would be the daily thing in public places throughout the country.i'm pretty sure that once hidden feelings of racism would begin to submerge in thousands throughout the U.S. none of what i say is extreme.i know what this country is like.i'm 52 years old and am very aware of what society is like,and i see that these things could easily occur(and probably will) if obama becomes president

barrack obama will not win purely due to his name...are jackson and sharpton the best black candidates that can be found? if so then there is a very good reason there has been no black presidents...there will be a black president at about the same time north korea and south korea stop fighting...