Obama Event Coordinator: Get Me More White People

The Carnegie Mellon University student newspaper The Tartan reports on preparations for a Michelle Obama appearance at the school:

While the crowd was indeed diverse, some students at the event questioned the practices of Mrs. Obama's event coordinators, who handpicked the crowd sitting behind Mrs. Obama. The Tartan's correspondents observed one event coordinator say to another, "Get me more white people, we need more white people." To an Asian girl sitting in the back row, one coordinator said, "We're moving you, sorry. It's going to look so pretty, though."

"I didn't know they would say, 'We need a white person here,' " said attendee and senior psychology major Shayna Watson, who sat in the crowd behind Mrs. Obama. "I understood they would want a show of diversity, but to pick up people and to reseat them, I didn't know it would be so outright."

Ben Smith of The Politico observes:

I'm not sure there's any real reason for outrage here; every campaign, at least implicitly, includes race in the staging of events like this -- even a campaign whose supporters chant "race doesn't matter." But they don't usually get caught doing it this explicitly.

And (if you didn't pick it up from the bowling) it does give you a sense of the community Obama's trying to reach in Pennsylvania: whitefolks.

Comments

[CC1]

That's pretty low. If McCain said "we need more black people......." well you know the public reaction would have been different (outrage, and rightfully so). This speaks volumes about the character of Barack and Michelle both, judging by the character of those they choose to work their campaign.

[gmcc]

The should have given out tickets to Dave Matthews Concerts or maybe Starbucks Gift Cards....
That would'a got dem crackers running!

[CC1]

crackers?! That would not have made it past moderation if the N word was used. Says volumes for the double-standards of HP.

[sandiaview]

Give me a break. Are real story lines too hard to find? We got death in the Middle East, a crazy man and war criminals in the White House, a crazy old fart running for President who wants to stay in Iraq so oil companies can loot it, education system that produce dummies, unregulated poison food and items being shipped in so souless people can make a profit and you talk about rearranging the deck chairs. How great is it that someone wants to promote diversity and says it out loud. Give me a fricking break! Do a real job for a change..use your brain.

[CC1]

That's the problem, no brain in Obama campaign.

[GreenT2]

Sparkandy, you need to learn history. Racism is a very different mechanism depending on which direction it's going in. At least on this continent.

[sparkandy]

STOP SAYING 'REVERSE RACISM'! There's NO SUCH THING. Racism is racism is racism is racism, no matter who the perpetrator and no matter who the victim. A black person who hates Mexicans is a racist. A white who hates Asians is a racist. A Mexican who hates whites is racist. An Asian who hates blacks is a racist. PERIOD.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Now that Obama is Black enough, he wants to be White enough too. He is trying to buy 80% of the White vote with all his money. He already has 80% of the Black vote with just his skin color.

Too bad he didn't get more of his Mother's genes and a built in switch to change like he does the crowds.

[NorVaGal]

foreffect: What are Clinton and McCain trying to buy with all of their money? You obviously have some serious race issues, based on your own disrespectful rant. Sen. Obama doesn't need your vote. Please bless some other candidate.

[gmcc]

It looks like even the black voters want his money...

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-streetmoney11apr11,0,6553901.story?page=1

[gmcc]

that go messed up. here is the tinyurl

http://tinyurl.com/6nef24

[Neef]

Why is this news? It's not BO, it's not even MO...it's some unknown functionary at an unspecified level within the hierarchy.

Suppose their caterer had said something racist. Suppose it had been one of the valets? Does Mr. Obama have to project a race-free field within a mile of he and all his supporters?

Honestly, there are issues with the man, as with all the candidates. Wright, I can understand the consternation. But it seems that some of this is becoming so incredibly peripheral. It demands a standard that makes a mockery of his views, by taking them to absurd extremes, then claiming he somehow falls short.

He's claimed to be different and less divisive, but I don't believe he ever claimed to be, you know, actual Jesus.

[Ramirez]

And while we're discussing white people...
***

OBAMA visits Billionaire's Row in San Francisco, and renowned SF photoblogger "Zombie" is there.
He posts photos and commentary:

http://www.zombietime.com/obama_visits_billionaires_row/

[Nader2008]

Who is playing the race card now? Isn't America whatever color comes to the table. Or does Mrs. Obama want to manipulate the senses of America?

[remedy]

Obama and his campaign have done nothing past Clinton campaigns, and id expect this one is no different, havent.. Follow the link below and watch this interesting piece straight from the Clintons own mouth.

From Brasschecktv, a piece called "Spin"
http://www.brasschecktv.com/index.php?call=category&id=12

[foreffectivegovernment]

I agree with the photographer. I was just trying to add some "color' to the photo.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Michelle Obama said today in her speech that Barack was an accessory. Guess who wears the pants in their household. We may end up with a "First Black Female President" instead.

I personally want a 1990's, (Bill clinton like), Democratic administration instead of a 1980's, (Jimmy Carter like), Democratic administration. The "First Black President" or the "First Woman President" are not my decision making criteria for me.

[NorVaGal]

foreffect: Mrs. Obama also followed up with, "Just joking." Did you forget that part??

[elleeda]

SO??

[druidmary]

imagine if Geraldine Ferraro tried to put a group of black supporters behind Sen. Clinton.
MSNBC would be right on it and so maybe others.
seems like reverse racism?

[NorVaGal]

You haven't seen "reverse racism" until you see how the republicans scramble to find token minorities to try to add flavor to their political events. Watch when the cameras actually pan the audience. Usually, the two or three people of color are sitting right up front behind the speakers. Not too many to be seen elsewhere.

However, I will concede that it is a trick used by many political groups. I wouldn't crow too soon, because we just may see proof of this same shenanigan by other candidates and their campaigns. It's kinda like trying to regroup the audience to make the turnout look larger than it actually is.

[houseofglass]

simmah dauwn naw. One dumbass coordinator does not make an entire campaign racist.

next...

[tbone99]

So typical of America.Reminds me of a little Mexican girl I met at a school I was visiting. We were talking and she asked , very earnestly"Why are white people so popular?" I was speechless.
Why, indeed?