McLaughlin takes heat for 'Oreo' comment (about Obama)

CNN Political Ticker ^ | July 14, 2008 | Alexander Mooney

[rightwingintelligentsia]

(CNN) — Longtime Washington talk-show host John McLaughlin is facing fire Monday for referring to Barack Obama as an "Oreo" during a segment on his Sunday political program, "The McLaughlin Group.

The veteran Washington journalist was discussing the recent comments from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was caught last week by an open microphone on Fox News saying the Illinois senator is "talking down to black people" as he campaigns for the White House. Those remarks were largely seen in reference to Obama's recent admonishment at a Chicago church of some black men who he said were not living up to their responsibilities as parents.

Referencing Jackson's comments, McLaughlin said Obama "fits the stereotype blacks once labeled as an Oreo — a black on the outside, a white on the inside."

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Of course, no one took any "heat" when the term was applied to Michael Steele . . .

[Long Island Pete]

Would this have gotten him in trouble?

[NativeNewYorker]

I think of Him as a Fig Newton...crusty and crumbly on the outside, mushy on the inside.

[Pearls Before Swine]

I wish it were true, but don’t think it is. Look at his past associations and gauge his likely appointments.

[silentreignofheroes]

Post no cookies.

[vetvetdoug]

Nooo...can't talk bad about Obama without being a racist...Race cards aren't being played...its like the atomic bomb of racism...the nuclear fission just keeps on keeping on..McLaughlin just found that out.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>Longtime Washington talk-show host John McLaughlin is facing fire Monday for referring to Barack Obama as an "Oreo" ...

LOL

[johnnycap]

As long as McLaughlin said the comment in the context “...blacks once labeld as...” he has no reason to apologize. It is contextual. Remember, if words commonly used by one part of the population are off limits to another, then we have taken away a basic constitutional right from a segment of our people in effect rendering them as second class citizens.

[ErnBatavia]

"fits the stereotype blacks once labeled as an Oreo — a black on the outside, a white on the inside."

McLaughlin got it reversed, insofar as Obama...

[Hilltop]

Is vanilla wafer okay to say?

[WayneS]

I do not care for Mr. maclaughlin.

However, he did not CALL B. Hussein an Oreo.

He said that B. Hussein fits the stereotype of someone blacks once labeled an Oreo.

B. Hussein DOES fit that stereotype. Mr. McLaughlin’s remark was a statement of fact.

[GOPyouth]

It is true that Obama is just as white as he is black. I can make that claim, backed by science, and it will somehow be labeled as racist.

[Polybius]

Those remarks were largely seen in reference to Obama's recent admonishment at a Chicago church of some black men who he said were not living up to their responsibilities as parents. .... Referencing Jackson's comments, McLaughlin said Obama "fits the stereotype blacks once labeled as an Oreo — a black on the outside, a white on the inside."

So, responsibility is "white" and irresponsibility is supposed to be "black"?

Pretty racist in my book.

[Holicheese]

WRONG!

[Smogger]

I have only ever heard blacks use that term, which is precisely what McLaughlin said.

[dfwgator]

[TheWasteLand]

Is vanilla wafer okay to say?

His experience is wafer thin, and his policies are vanilla socialism, so it's accurate at least.

[Holicheese]

How about Pecan Sandie?

[massgopguy]

But he used a term that only Blacks are allowed to use. It’s like “Nappy Headed HO”. It can be said at Rutgers in the Linguistic Antropology Class.(IT IS!)But not by Imus.

[massgopguy]

But he used a term that only Blacks are allowed to use. It’s like “Nappy Headed HO”. It can be said at Rutgers in the Linguistic Antropology Class.(IT IS!)But not by Imus.