Posted on 09/22/2006 9:58:09 AM PDT by SirLinksalot
The Color of His Skin
Imagine him white.
Barack Obama, that is. Amidst all the glowing talk about the possibility of his becoming America's first black president in 2008, it's an interesting thought experiment to imagine whether Mr. Obama would elicit this swooning buzz if he were white.
That is, let's imagine a white guy with all of Mr. Obama's pluses: crinkly smile, sincere concern for the little man, fine speech a couple of years ago about bringing the nation together, a certain charisma, wrote a touching autobiography. Let's call him Barrett O'Leary.
I do not think Mr. O'Leary would be touted a year-and-change into his Senate appointment as a presidential possibility. No knock on Mr. Obama intended, mind you. For all we know, he could have the genius for national statesmanship of a Disraeli. The point is that we don't know yet. Like any new senator, Mr. Obama has been quietly learning his way around the byzantine procedures of Senate lawmaking.
The key factor that galvanizes people around the idea of Obama for president is, quite simply, that he is black. Other things about him don't hurt, but that's all — they are not the deciding factor. Take away Mr. Obama's race and he's some relatively anonymous rookie. Barrett O'Leary, even if as cute and articulate as Mr. Obama, would have to wait at least another four years, and possibly six or seven, before being considered as a possible commander in chief.
What gives people a jolt in their gut about the idea of President Obama is the idea that it would be a ringing symbol that racism no longer rules our land. President Obama might be, for instance, a substitute for that national apology for slavery that some consider so urgent.
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
And then there's the question what if his mama hadn't named him after looking in her bowl of alphabet soup.
I thought Bill Clinton was our first Black President.
He'd be Dan Quayle. By the way, the only parent I have seen supporting him is his White Mother. I wonder if she ever got kicked out of a Kwaanza celebration?
Or ugly?
In one word, NO.
I think they're talking about the kind of blackness that doesn't wash off.
A year and some change and he has already done more and probably attended more days than J"Effing"Kerry has in his entire senate career.
But that just makes him adequate(i.e. attending and doing his job) and not Presidential material. Way to soon to say he has what it takes.
Or short? Or fat? Or short, fat, and ugly?
He's a socialist, what else matters?
Wait until the Washington Post digs into his past and finds out that he's part Jewish...
... oh wait, he's a democrat...
... nevermind
Why are they making this about color? Thomas Sowell isn't white either and I'd vote for him in a heartbeat!
Were Obama all white, he'd be considered a skinny smooth-talking albeit slow-witted guy who looks somewhat like a chimp.
He confused Josh Belton for John Bolton during Bolton's confirmation hearings. That's all I need to know that he's a lightweight.
President Obama might be, for instance, a substitute for that national apology for slavery that some consider so urgent.As President he might make that apology. On behalf of all of his. Directed towards all African-Americans. Including himself.
It will be a Grand Statement of Self-Referential Regret, such as the world has never seen. Almost worth electing him for. (Or maybe not.)
He would be laughed out of politics.
He's a better speaker than Dan.
The Dems would just treat him as a young JFK/RFK-- smart and idealistic and charismatic.
Or short?
I saw him on CNN speaking in Iowa the other day. Compared to the other people in the Dem Race he appears to be much more exciting.
He is young, not bad looking, has a great story etc
What is the difference between him and John Edwards in reality
Since he has no control over that, it is not his fault and I decline to hold it against him. But his socialist positions are another matter!
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