Barack Obama Exposed! This provocative, better to say inflammatory, headline screamed from the website and a handful of other websites virtually from the moment that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced his "dream campaign" for presidency on the steps of the State Capitol at Springfield, Illinois last February. The website promised to reveal the "truth" about Obama, from his alleged role in corruption scandals to doubletalk on the issues. This was rightly laughed off as a typical smear and slander hit by one of the pack of ultra-conservative hit squads.
The squad consists of the Fox News Network, talk shock jocks, New York Times neo-liberal, Wall St. Journal neo-con columnists, and Christian Evangelical politicos. In this case, the squad member doing the Obama hit was Human Events, a fringe, ultraconservative outfit.
The laughter at the Human Events attack was before Obama's smash win in Iowa. That instantly marked him as the potential Democrat's presidential go-to guy. It also set off alarm bells and whistles among the hit squads. With the exception of Human Event's website, they have rapped Obama with the most tepid criticism or kept hands off.
There are two reasons. One is Hillary Clinton. The media-driven vendetta against her has been unprecedented. It has matched, and at times exceeded, even the worst of the hit attacks on hubby, Bill. The thousands of Stop Hillary websites that sprouted up piled shrill personal attack on shrill attack on her. The second reason is the sneaky and sometimes open smugly expressed belief that an African-American had about as much chance of bagging the White House as a Martian. Legions of white voters in Iowa, one of the whitest, and most rural states, donned their color neutral lens and bought Obama's much touted pitch that he's a change agent and can repair the shambles reverse of Bush's domestic and foreign policies shattered that belief.
There were early warning signals of the ugliness that could come. Talk show gasser Rush Limbaugh took the first real swipe when he derisively sneered at Obama as the Magic Negro. Limbaugh kind of sort of backed away from it (the guns were still holstered). But the message was that Obama was not exempt from a racial dig. That was also evident in the knock at Obama's Southside Chicago church, or to be more exact the minister at the church, Jeremiah Wright. He is an outspoken afro-centric activist on racial and social issues. The inference was that Obama's guilt by membership and friendship with him made him a closet radical and a race baiter.
There were the whispers and innuendos about Obama's self-admitted youthful drug use; the hint was that there might be a character issue with him a la Bill Clinton. That got no traction either but sent a signal that he was fair game for character assassination and dirt digging. The picking continued on the most trivial things such as his chain smoking, and pokes at his wife, Michelle as outspoken, bossy and domineering.
Then there was Oprah's much heralded barnstorm for Obama. That drew veiled snickers and jibes that Obama was an Oprah creation. Some mused out loud that Oprah was blatantly playing the race card by publicly gushing over a black candidate. Some cartoonists had a field day drawing an over-sized, muscular Oprah dangling a puny Obama puppet style from her fingertips.
But this was mostly fun and games stuff, and few took it seriously since Obama at that point hadn't got a single vote from anyone in a primary election. Now that he has, the hit squads will dig and dig and dig, and comb through every inch of his personal life and poke through his voting record in the Illinois state legislature to find any bit of dirt, damaging scandal or damaging accusation. Obama's zig and zag record on some issues during his stint in the state legislature, and his still work in progress positions on health care, education, terrorism, and foreign policy will be ripe for the pickings.
Then there's the inexperienced tag that Obama's been saddled with from the start of his campaign. That will be tossed out repeatedly with the hope that it will imprint him as a greenhorn who will bumble and stumble on policy issues if entrusted with the highest office; in other words a Democratic version of Bush.
If none of that works, there's always the favored trump card: race. It has derailed a few black candidates in past elections that were thought to be shoo-in winners in head to head contests with white opponents. It's always lurking in the deck waiting to be pulled.
Obama well knows the history of dirty political tricks against Democrats, especially liberals, black and women Democrats. If his surge becomes a tidal wave, the hit squads will load up on him as they have on countless others. It's nasty and brutal, but sadly, it's what passes for politics American-style.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His forthcoming book is The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House (Middle Passage Press, February 2007)
hutchinsonreport@aol
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Well we know how Hillary will handle the onslaught from the Republican party-she'll blame the media, a right-wing conspiracy, the American voter, and she'll break down in tears.
I have to say that Earl almost sounds conciliatory in this column. But alas, sorry Earl, there's no more room on the bandwagon.
Most of the white people who ignore the race issue are typical of the problem with race in America. You do not see overt racism anymore or the few black faces you see in high positions lead you to conclude that race is no longer a problem in America. You do not have to deal with race every day: on the job, in school, in your neighborhood (if, as a black person, you have the audacity to move into a predominantly white suburb), in department and grocery stores. You do not have to explain to your young children why the white man, whose cheap cologne is irritating their noses, is following us around the store--from the entrance to the checkout counter. Employers do not hold you to an unrealistic, double standard while your white colleague"s imperfections go unchallenged or unnoticed. Your skin color does not make you guilty by association.
In fact, most white people do not interact with people of color outside of the office or school (I know, most whites have at least one black friend they can point to and feel good about).
Obama is excepted by more whites, at the moment, because he is as white as he is black-problem is he developed too much of his fathers" features, particularly skin color. This will be a problem as the southern states come into play. Too many white people cannot accept a black man determining policies that affect their well-being. Hell, most white people will not watch a movie if it is black themed, excluding the few accepted black actors white America has adopted.
I am a black male who was born in Georgia, and I have lived in New England, Arizona, Florida and California. My experience tells me that America, overall, is not ready to relinquish white supremacy. A powerful, black man has always been a threat to white America.
If whites in ALL states do not show courage, Obama will not win.
Again and again I say that this is the fuel for Obama's fire.
This is one of the major differences between Hillary and Obama. Obama thrives on being attacked while Hillary just barely survives it. That's what makes him the best candidate for these times. (His superior character and judgement will make him the best choice for president).
When I watched the caucus coverage on CNN last Thursday, I noted how many times Blitzer and crew discussed the fact that one can register to participate in the Dem caucus, and then register as a Republican for the general election. They also kept marveling at the huge Dem turnout. Now Iowa is a purple state, with pretty much equal Dems to Reps. I find it highly suspicious that Obama got the support he did given the fact that he has little experience and has demonstrated his lack of knowledge or foresight in the debates. I find it highly likely that many Republicans supported him to give themselves a fighting chance in the General Election. They will do whatever they have to win. Obama is the easiest target on the Dem side. Its not illegal, after all. Just a hair short. Which is how the Reps roll. They arent going to start their attacks in earnest until he is the nominee. The Dems have to stop allowing the Reps to get the best of them. I wish at least one person commenting on the Iowa results had brought this possibility up. Now New Hampshire is getting sucked in. I really dont want anyone on the right getting the White House. But that is exactly where we are headed. And now Hillary is collapsing, nearly coming to tears on national tv. That was the end of the campaign for the last women candidate.
If Obama can get the nomination, I believe he has the savvy to choose a well-seasoned running mate of unassailable character, a Biden, Dodd, Kucinich.In that order. And he will stay on his message.That should pretty much take care of whatever the opposition throws at him.
Dems, stop being such cowards.
Obama came up through Chicago, where they know how to make powerful political machines.
Don't worry so much. Just stay out of the way and let the Obama steamroller go right on through all the way to the White House.
Depends who Obama would face on the Republican aide (should he be the nominee.) McCain would probably be the least dirty. Romney? Look what he is already doing to win, he is already doing dirty campaigning on fellow Republicans. Don't forget what Romney said in the debates, the solutions for blacks in America is too few of them are married. Any reference to Obama's family origin since Obama was a child abandoned by both parents? And Obama's father from Kenya had a family in Kenya at the same time he was involved with Obama's mother? Ok - you get the picture.
Obama's mother on welfare at the same time she was getting her doctorate degree - remember Reagan's "welfare queens." Ok - you get the picture.
Again, it would depend upon the Republican candidate - McCain doesn't seem to like dirty politics - it was used on him by Bush and now by Romney.
There is stuff in Obama's past that can easily be twisted. Look at what they did to the "boy scout" candidate Gore in 2000 referring to him over and over again as "the liar" and Kerry in 2004. And look what the Republican MSM attack machine is currently doing to Clinton which for the moment is benefiting Obama - but they can just as easily turn on him when the time comes. Why would they change tactics when it's been so effective at destroying Democratic candidates. Let's not leave out tampering with voter machines, losing votes, etc.etc.etc.
Obama is not invincible. He's just temporarily benefiting from the fact that the MSM is feasting on Hillary Clinton - when her bones are dry they will go after Obama. Expect them to go after Obama early if he knocks off Clinton 1) to kill his mommentum 2) once they destroy him and get his numbers down, it will not only assure that he will never get the White House. 3) if they sour Americans on Obama sufficiently, Republicans could get back Congress (reference RNC website)
Not even sure if they won't start touting Edwards over Obama next.
It's all disgusting!
If the Democrats want to WIN the White House, they would rally around Obama as the nominee. Hillary Clinton is a sure loser. Her negatives and polling numbers put her in the same realm as John Kerry, able to win the Democratic nomination, unable to win the presidency.
Also, Hillary does not have the capacity to cross over. Republicans can't stand her. And you can't even count on the woman vote, because as Iowa demonstrated last night, Obama pulled from more women voters than Hillary.
And we've all seen the Zogby poll that predicts she will lose against the Republicans.
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/poll_obama_more_electable_than_hillary_and_edwards.php
And as was proven in Iowa, Obama has the capacity to EXPAND the base of the Democratic Party in that he is a crossover candidate. 11,000 Republicans voted for Obama in the Iowa caucus.
A Democrat can't win by just appealing to Democrats, which is where Hillary and Edwards are pretty much stuck. Obama brought in NEW voters who had never caucused before, thereby raising the number of voting DEMOCRATS in Iowa to almost twice the number of Republicans.
If Obama can do this across the nation, then the Democrats would be in a secure position to take the presidency.
Why oh Why is America still stuck on the Clintons? Why are Democrats still stuck on race? If we can have black governors, senators, and a secretary of state, we can have a black president.
I'm a Democrat and I want to WIN and that's why I support Barack.
ps: Earl, we know you're a Hillary supporter. Nice try.
I say bring it on.
So far he has been called a drug dealer, a Muslim operative, inexperienced and naive (and this is all from the Clinton campaign!!!)
And, guess what... he has ATTRACTED Republicans to his campaign.
So, yeah..keep up the attacks. They work in our favor.
Democrats had better wake up fast!!! There is a reason why the corporate owned media has been slamming Hillary and gloating over Obama. Given what will be waiting for this country when that dumbass bush leave office will make all of us nervous as hell. Do you think for a minute if Obama was facing McCain in the national election that people would elect Obama?? Hell no!!! This country is going to be in a world of hurt when bush leaves office after eight years of republican policy. Not to mention that we have troops stuck in the desert surrounded by people who would love to kill them. Obama and his "Hot apple pie and Ice cream" message isn't going to fix this. EXPRIENCE is what we need here. Democratic lead exprience.
Bring it on!
Earl, you sound like you can't wait for the nastiness to begin. Your enthusiasm is palpable!
Remember, if you accomodate craziness - YOU become crazy.
Obama supporters: HOW is he going to effect great change? There will still be Republicans in Congress who don't want to change, and won't roll over and accept Obama's great liberal initiatives (whatever those may be). I am very depressed that our party is being won over by such mindless and empty rhetoric. I thought we were Democrats. I thought we cared about policy, not words and promises that can't be kept.
Of course the GOP slimers are going to go after Obama full-bore -- it's Hillary they want to run against in November, afterall.
If they can eliminate Obama, it makes her nomination a sure thing and they can relax and coast to the election.
Hillary's the gift-that-goes-on-giving to the GOP. And they've already invested considerable resources towards defeating her in the general election. Being the tight-ass pricks that they are, they're not about to waste all that time, effort, and money on a lost cause.
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Posted January 6, 2008 | 11:12 AM (EST)