Obama's Struggle With Typical Liberal Hypocrisy

From the beginning it's been fairly clear a big chunk of supposedly liberal America hasn't been ready for Barack Obama. Their unease obvious in the shock and awe of Joe Biden, and in Newsweek's inane, aloud wonderings of whether or not Obama was "black enough." "Black enough" for the liberals being people of color in the Sharpton/Jackson mold; Old Schoolers devoutly wed to the regressive ideology of loud haranguing and low expectations. Obama -- early on in a Pound Cake-esque fashion urging people of color to do better and questioning race-based affirmative action -- was clearly not "black enough" for the Liberal Plantation.

Any doubt that Obama was from the jump fighting not only for the presidency, but also against Lefty hypocrisy was shattered into a million pieces by Geraldine Ferraro's "lucky" black man remark. Those pieces then again refined by Clinton's talk of "hard-working Americans, white Americans."

Clearly much of the liberal Left has long seen...oh, your average non-hard-working black, as nothing more than a piece of a loyal voting bloc. Keep us anesthetized, they feel, with promises of hand outs and government mollycoddling and we will mindlessly check the "D" box on Election Day.

Conservatives are, of course, not a hair less bigoted in their hearts (nor are Independents or anyone else for that matter). But unlike Democrats, Republicans have found a way to play nicely with the ideologically aligned, regardless of the color of their skin.

That, perhaps, is part of the problem; Obama is more his own man than merely a Democratic tool. That he refused to put up a show, and then capitulate, makes him all the more frustrating to those on the Left used to their people of color playing by pre-prescribed rules.

In that regard it's too bad Obama's not an anti-war Republican. His "Yes We Can" message of hope, his Morning in America redux, would have worked much better had it not be drowned out by the typical gloom and doom drum beat of the liberal machine. And all that clack about him being elitist? Well, the Right's managed to sneak in a "down to earth" Ivy League president two cycles running. As both sides make a grab for the middle, imagine what the Right could have done with the likes of Obama.

Which is not to say that Obama won't still be elected president. At this point I think there's nothing that he can't do. Though, if so, he will do it despite the best efforts of the typical hypocrisy of the Left.

Comments

[Ladyrantsalot]

Huh? Most liberals are totally pro-Obama. They have voted for him across the country. He will be the Democratic standard bearer in the fall. Your problem is that you cannot handle the idea that American conservatives can never, and will never, nominate a man like Barack Obama--ever--even a conservative version of him. It is conservative Democrats who cannot bring themselves to vote for him right now. Many of them will come around in the fall. Needless to say, the vast majority of Republicans will caricature his ideas and reject him in the fall without a second thought. The people you need to deal with are the vast majority of conservatives, not the vast majority of liberals. Liberal America has given the country Barack Obama. Now, let's see what conservative America does to him.

[era996]

Needless to say, most sane americans will vote for McCain

[bigbingtheory]

Do some research friend and you'll come around.

[TinaFreeman]

I can't imagine any sane person voting for McCain, unless they are an extremely wealthy passive investor who gets most of their income from capital gains....a­nd are voting in their own self-interest rather than what is best for the US economy and for that matter, the world as we know it.

[clevelandchick]

Sane folks will vote for McCain? He's changed his mind more times on more than one issue nobody can keep track. Your comment is the funniest I've read in a long time. I'm hoping you were going for satire, if not it means you're the most gullible person on this planet.

[SuzieG]

Bunk! They wanted Coliin Powell to run until Powell's wife nixed it because of her past mental breakdowns!

[Ladyrantsalot]

The "they" we are talking about are conservatives. Colin Powell is a political moderate (pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, a believer in the utility of diplomacy). "They" would never have voted for him. Fact: there are no African Americans elected to the House of Representatives as Republicans. There are no African Americans elected to the Senate as Republicans. Appointed to various positions, yes. Elected? No.

[dbroad]

Excellent article. It appears from the other posts that alot of folks that read this do not understand the point and that is a shame. It is a very good point. Probably the best article I have read on this site!

[bigbingtheory]

Think this dude might be a bit cynical? All I can say to this guy is, sorry you feel that way. I'm a liberal, know lots of other liberals across the country, I'm a 30 something white guy and I don't know any of the people you are describing. And I certainly wouldn't call them liberal if I knew them.

[YuryGetsin]

The day we liberals, and I use that term proudly, start thinking that we are perfect and our views are infallible, we will have become the very thing we hate.

And yea, the U.S.A. is nowhere near as liberal as Europe. It may never be.

Vote Obama
He's Mad Smart

[Roses]

Thank you. Unfortunately, it is a hard thing to remember and practice..­....for everyone.
Obama '08

[kuulray]

"Conservatives are, of course, not a hair less bigoted in their hearts (nor are Independents or anyone else for that matter). But unlike Democrats, Republicans have found a way to play nicely with the ideologically aligned, regardless of the color of their skin."

What are you talking about? What's your proof for this blanket generalization? In my fifty-some years of living I've never once felt or thought anything like this. How does someone come up with this stuff?

[Roses]

I'm sure Mr. Ridley has many anecdotal accounts of this. One probably cannot be a black man in America without examples of racism from all quarters. As far as proof though, I don't think there have been any long-term,­replicable­, double-blind studies. I am a 50-something white woman who has lived all over in primarily Democrat areas and also in primarily Republican areas and I can tell you racism abounds in all areas among all parties. Mr. Ridley is exactly right about some Demos being obtuse, clueless, and smug about their own racism. I wouldn't be quite so kind to Republican racists though. They are still jerks.
Obama '08

[expatsteve]

Mr. Ridley,
I'm wondering if you are familiar with the term "Straw man argument"? Geraldine Ferraro? Spare me. I dislike columnists like David Broder and Thomas Friedman, who use similar intellectual masturbation to forward their agenda, damn the reality. I"m not familiar with your work, but like their shoddy work, I won't have to waste my time reading your next pointless piece.

[ntmessage]

This post perhaps sounds much more like the “is he black enough” and “anti war” rhetoric purposely used to position Obama initially, but now used in a different manner.

That was likely done to unite the liberal and black democratic voters, necessary to result in an Obama nomination. At the same time the blowback, repulsed many Reagan Democrats and Latinos.

What this means is that Obama needed to move left to get the nomination and now needs to move center if he has any hope of winning against McCain, who for all the hysteria is not really McBush to all but a fraction of fanatics. Sounds cynical and for some racial, but it is an equation that the pols use all the time.

Clinton is more centrist and always has been, so she likely would do better in the general, but likely will not be nominated.

Obama on the other hand, was little known and the PR machine known as a campaign could have positioned him in any way they wanted.

Of course, the less cynical answer is that this is the way he really is.
Way left and way too liberal for most Americans. That is the labeling used by the party, not yours truly. Now it may be too hard to present a new Barack that can win. We will see and it will be interesting for sure.

[Chalkeater]

If only those phoney liberals hadn't raised minimum wage after a decade of Republican stonewalling. If only those damn elitists hadn't made it necesarry for Bush to veto the child health bill. If only Obama would stop caring about the poor, he could be a Regular Joe like Bush and have a better chance to be President.

[scottarino]

we'll see how he cares for the working poor.

[NuisanceMan]

"people of color in the Sharpton/Jackson mold; Old Schoolers devoutly wed to the regressive ideology of loud haranguing and low expectations"

Thank you for this racist junk. Now let's get back to serious, progressive commentary.

[relevancematters]

It's a new day, John. Get used to it.

[charley0008]

"Conservatives are, of course, not a hair less bigoted in their hearts (nor are Independents or anyone else for that matter). But unlike Democrats, Republicans have found a way to play nicely with the ideologically aligned, regardless of the color of their skin."
Really!
Can you give us some examples like...how many African Americans are elected members of the GOP? How about the racist tilt of McCains campaign, fluctuating between him being a Muslim and an angry African American.
How about the cute little t-shirt being sold in W.Virginia by a Republican.
How about Huckabee's little joke today about some one pulling a gun on Obama?
I just don't get where you are coming from with this article.

[Erdgeist]

By and large Sen. Obama has been successful in not being reducible to a mere sound bite. His message, too, is not that easy to frame. There is nuance in what he says and does which often goes over the heads of the pundits both on the left and on the right. This works to his advantage. He is also "the reluctant politician" which also works in his favor since America is growing tired of the politician. There is a lot in Sen. Obama demeanor that I find interesting; who may turn out to be a new breed of politician. Above all, he seems to know what he is doing--yet seems to be reality checking himself all the time. It is a good sign. Maybe he is the Hegelian synthesis the 'time spirit' is putting here to take charge.

[Roses]

I am a 54 year-old, white, woman and I thought this post was absolutely correct. However, from the virtual screams of the comments it seems I am in a very small group within the Democratic party.
I think that the trouble begins with the definitions. I would describe myself as a progressiv­e/liberal/­independen­t who leans toward the Democratic party. Even though I think that the Democratic party embodies some of the best ideas at present, I have not fully embraced the Democratic party because of some of the smugness that I see. Mr. Ridley has described some of that smugness.
Obama '08

[lafrance]

As a 50 year old white woman, I agree with alot of what you, roses, and Ridley say.
There is hypocracy on both sides and that is how it is.
The beauty about Obama is that he refuses to be boxed into any label and neat little corner. He is his own person and refuses to play the game of either side.
He is a new breed of democrat. And with his election he will change the landscape. The stagnant and stale thinking of the past 20 years and the silly games of both parties will get shook up.
Look at how he confounds so many now.
He is forever defying the conventional wisdom and long time thinking of the parties, the journalists and everyone else. He always surprises and this is what makes Obama so fun.
He marches to his own drummer.

[bigbingtheory]

word.

[bigbingtheory]

I respect your opinion but I think there is a mis perception here. I've been a Dem for 3 decades and don't accept this interpretation of the left as some cynical bunch holding the black man down for political purposes. I became a Democrat for the opposite reasons this man lays out and frankly do not see them in my party by and large. It ain't perfect, and is frequently disorganized, but I don't buy for a second the party takes the black vote for granted and I don't see any people on the left who have a problem with a black president. If you haven't noticed many of us migrated to Obama pretty quickly when our respective candidates dropped out.

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

Why would you respect the opinion of someone like John Ridley who makes broad generalizations and half-baked notions, playing them off as if they are fact?

[Roses]

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I would think of the "left as some cynical bunch holding the black man down for political purposes". I never thought that. I respect most Democrats and respect thinking Republicans (though it seems there are far, far fewer of them at this time). Each of us are responsible for our own outlook,our own actions, and how our life works out. I just think that self-awareness is really important and people everywhere have to beware of being intolerant. We have to continually take stock and never think "it can't happen here, I'm not like that".
Also, I think in the past different voting blocs have been taken for granted by the party elite to Democratic detriment
Obama '08

[RichLiberal]

This is a pretty pointless post. Ninety percent of the Democratic Party is Liberal. There is a portion of that 90% that are elitist, which means they are generally well off and have little understanding or concern for economic policies of government and how they relate to working people.

Obama has polarized and divided the party first on age with his attacks on the baby boomers with his GenX economics as has been documented by Paul Krugman.

He then proceeded to polarize on race starting with the reverse race-baiting (having otherwise objective comments twisted as racist) MLK/JFK incident in NH.

Apparently he has also polarized the party on gender as evident by the fast-accelerating feminist organizing that is proceeding against Obama.

And finally he has most recently polarized us on education/income as evident by the remarks about low info voters in the Appalachian region.

There is only a small component of the Democratic base that has not been treated with contempt by the Obama campaign based on age, reverse race-baiting, gender, or education/income.

It is beginning to become obvious that Obama has no intention of trying to mend the fences, and is simply trying to hijack the party from working people.

[lafrance]

What kind of clinton koolaid are you drinking? Obama has done more to excite and bring together varying groups of people than anyone seen in my gneration. And I am no college student. My two kids are out of college.
I have never seen anyone so exciting, brilliant and unafraid to be himself and not pander and play the stale old games of the past 20 years.
It is fantastic!

[tlhwraith]

Of course, it's all Obamas fault!

Do you have any idea how unproductive your comments are? You start out asserting how Obama has driven all these wedges in the party (when common sense and every poll I've ever seen shows you are wrong), then at the end you blame him for not "mending fences".

In other words, Obama can't win no matter what he does, in your eyes. Now, run back along and play in the "my candidate didn't win" area. I guess anything besides the realization that although Hillary Clinton has shown a startling lack of restraint in trying to win this election, it all must be Obamas fault. I guess if you say it long enough you will believe it.

[lafrance]

what Clintonian kool aid are you drinking
Obama is the most exciting and brilliant politician of many generations. He has brought together many differing groups and has electrified the country and the process.
The fact that he is unafraid to be his own person and not play the same old stale games of the past 20 years makes it even better.

[bigbingtheory]

You have to overlook some pretty serious truths to get as petty as this. Obama hasn't polarized anybody. Look at his demographics. He attracts people across all lines and has energized people that didn't care about politics in the past. He's not perfect but he's the best candidate.
I respectfully disagree with Paul Krugman. He wrote a great book on liberalism recnetly and I agreed with much of it. But on this business of attacking the baby boomers, I don't buy it. I don't dig Obama-nomics or his record with corporations either. But it's not as bad as Hilalry and besides, he's the nominee.
The race baiting charge, Hillary was worse. And it's too bad that some women are upset with NARAL but it's hardly his fault and I'm sure it will smooth out. And I didn't here any Obama surrogate commenting on the education level of Appalachia. If there is only a small component of the Democratic base that has not been treated with contempt by the Obama campaign, then how has he managed to get so many people to vote for him? What basis do you have that he's hijacking the party for working people? Just ridiculous and absurd comments really.

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

stupid people appeasement? what's this country coming to?

[era996]

but luckyli he will not succed
Obama will join the circle of Democratic losers

[bigbingtheory]

Still can't see the writing on the wall huh? Try to be humble, cause you are wrong.

[jozielee]

When a seated president goes to a foreign country and plants seeds of doubt about a candidate running for president in the minds of foreign government officials that shows us how unsure the Republican party is that they will win the White House.

It also gives us an indication how dirty the battle ahead will become.

Whether Barack Obama is his own man or not may be obscured by the time and effort he'll expend fighting Republican attacks. Hopefully if he becomes the Democratic candidate he'll get a little help deflecting the mud.

[ernliz]

Flash! A "seated" President did not go to a foreign country and plant seeds of doubt about a presidential candidate. If you think so, what were the exact words?

[MsLiz]

Like on my Kodak Instamatic, once it flashes, the bulb is burned out.

Republicans can be subtle. It is an old trick. Hold up the straw man, list his faults, then pretend not to be referring to the actual political opponent.

Oh, did I insult you in my first paragraph? Did you think I was talking about you? See, that is how it works. My apologies for the rude demonstration.

[kocho]

Being neither a liberal nor conservative, and having intentionally registered as a Democrat in order to participate in the Colorado presidential caucus, my primary concern is having someone in the White House who is basically honest, and who is endowed with intelligence and competence. Of the remaining candidates for the office of President of the United States, Senator Obama meets these basic criteria the best, in my opinion. I leave it to others; who have the luxury of spare time, to battle over ideological inanities.
Go Obama!!
Kocho

[KMan1]

I'm with kocho. Good post!

[Gma11]

I'm with you as well - a recovered Democrat-t­urned-Inde­pendent (who left during Bill Clinton's administration). I was sick, sick, sick of Democratic hypocrisy and of the horrendous corruption of the Clinton administration. I'm back, in a sense, to support Barack Obama - a president we can ALL be proud of!

[bigbingtheory]

welcome back

[Roses]

Thank you. I'm always surprised and gladdened at Obama's diverse coalition.
Obama '08