Nader: Obama Trying To "Talk White" And "Appeal To White Guilt"

In an interview with the Rocky Mountain News, independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he's disappointed with Barack Obama:

"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards.

Nader says he's on to Obama strategy:

"He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician. He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."

Nader plans to go to Denver during the Democratic National Convention to highlight his own agenda.

Comments

[xmw]

I was wondering why Nader doesn't get any press time...now they just gave him too much!!!

[patriotic008]

i feel sorry for Nader who must make racist remarks about the leading contender in the Presidential race simply to remain relevant

i pity the fool

Listen. Think. Vote
Obama 08

[TinaGirlla]

Through Nader's culturally incompetent lens, so-called "ghetto" issues are "black" issues, even though there are many people who identify as "black" and care about the war and the environment. I am so tired of this.

[Moka11]

Speaking as a white, irish catholic, 54 yr old male, Naders remarks offend me to the core of my being. I wish so sincerely that the mindset that believes and mouths these words will fade away quicker than the dinosaur brain Nader reveals he possesses.­.
Not only should these words offend all colors of people but I find them personally offensive to me as a supporter of Barack Obama who happens to be ...I guess... "an unthreatened white supporter" and is somehow duped by a candidate because of his color or his lack of "Jesse Jackson-ing" himself.
Obama has flaws but they are miniscule in comparison to John McCain. I cannot believe I once voted for Nader. He belongs in a museum along with the Corvair and the T-Rex.

[ScandalousCandice]

I was wondering when the spoiler would try and rear his ugly head.

[robiform]

My theory is that Nader realized that no one is paying any attention to him--so, therefore we have these comments that are thisclose to racist!

Mr. Nader, your efforts on behalf of consumers in the sixties were wonderful--but many of us (especially in Florida!) have not forgotten the election of 2000. Please, before your legacy is completely ruined, go do something useful like inventing a car that runs on prune juice!!

[barackobama4prez]

Earth to Nader....B­lacks have been having this conversation for decades bruh. Senator O is 1/2 white so that makes your comments even more ridiculous. I have two black parents who would only let us speak proper English and I too was accused by other Blacks of trying to sound white. This debate is sooo yesterday!

[mindact]

Ralph sounds like a dumb kid in elementary school in the hood, who turns around and ask the black kid who sounds propeor, why he's trying to sound white?

[ZimboChick]

Lol that is so true! I always got daggers for 'speaking through my nose' - man you can't win

[LoveTruth]

Can you not stereotype or insult children in the "hood". I hear many say this same things. My white professors at Columbia have all said at one point that Obama's appeal is that "he talks white". I was so offended each time that I heard it from my white professors at an ivy league and fellow white counterparts. So please so not limit this...I work with inner city children and I dont hear them saying this these days. Some may but many don't. I have been hearing many more whites saying this.

[doofmann02]

Nader is a nobody now. Of course every nimrod comment from any has-been is going to get coverage on the networks now, just for shock value. My reaction is similar to the possibility of another Cheney heart-attack, to borrow a phrase; "So?"

[personalpolitical]

DK has a great response to this:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/25/9353/55952/443/541628

[ZimboChick]

That was awesome. Everyone keeps forgetting that this is technological era - the revolution of the internets.­....I guess he also needs to be introduced to 'a Google tradition' just like methuselah

[chicagojosh]

He hasn't taken a stand against those things? Are you sure, Mr Nader? Positive?

The truth is that Barack Obama has helped the black community a great deal. Specifically, he has dealt with economic property and asbestos.

See, it's this thing we call "fact checking," or as we called it in college "research.­"

[markkraft]

Now would be a good time to point out that Winona LaDuke, Ralph Nader's running mate in 2000, has endorsed Barack Obama.

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

What purpose does Nader think he comments will serving...­.These people just come out of woodworks and say anything then it gets reported as if it 's news.My mother taught me, if you don't have anything good to say, say nothing at all.

[barackobama4prez]

that was my first thought. the Naders and Ferraros are so insignificant, they have to say something about race to make the news.

[soapington]

If only Ralph had been "half African-American," just think of the political career he might have had...

[PAposter]

Yeah, 'cause we all know what an "advantage" that is.

[AlexVonHussein]

If Obama did what Nader wants he would put Al sharpton and friends out of business , its already hard enough for them now...

Putting race back on the top..and he is liberal my foot

[Mdazes]

Why do so many nuts like Nader think Obama is the answer to every black person problems. As an African American I am looking for a good President for the United States not a President for Black America. Obama is not God.

[livesimply]

Exactly. Obama is an excellent candidate who (actually like God) cannot be all things to all people.

[Choicelady]

This is appalling! Nader sent women down the river on choice last time. Now he's sending people of color down the river with disgusting stereotypes. I agree with most of the previous comments here- this is so racist and smarmy I cannot believe he SAID it.

He's looking more and more like a nasty white guy who'll do anything to win. Well, he lost me years ago, and I was a BIG fan.