It Was Always Going to Be Something.

[Barack_America]

Did you actually think that it would be easy to elect a black President?

Did you actually think that the glowing praise of Obama would last through the general election?

Did you actually think that this country would take this monumental step without hesitation?


It was always going to be something that made Americans take pause in nominating a black man. It was always going to be something that allowed Americans to say, "well, I am ready for a black President, but I'm not sure my friends are".

It ended up being Jeremiah Wright and the "angry black man" stereotype. So be it.

But is Jeremiah Wright really the issue? Of course not.

The real issue is that we are on the brink of electing our first black nominee for President. The real issue is that Obama's assessment of a racial stalemate in this country is right on. The real issue is that the step we're taking in history is daunting. And some of us find ourselves lacking in courage.

You want the answer to Obama's dwindling white support in Ohio, Texas and Mississippi? Look no further. Are we going to see the same thing in Pennsylvania? Probably.

The fact is that white Americans are hesitant to put Obama "over the top", so to speak.

The question is, are you?

The question is, are the Democratic superdelegates willing to do what they were seemingly created to do? Are they willing to lead this party and support Obama, the best candidate, despite the 11th hour hesitation of white voters?

These questions will soon be answered. In the meantime, Obama supporters, keep your chins up and keep the faith. Don't be fooled, this is a civil rights struggle we are fighting. And civil rights have NEVER come easily in this country.


For the rest of you, go ahead and flame away. I'm exhausted from registering Democrats and my uncle just died. I am numb. A flamesuit is not even necessary.

[David Dunham]

1. Superdelegates will not stay with Obama if they think he will drag down the rest of the ticket

[Barack_America]

11. He won't.

At least, certainly not in comparison to Hillary. That's not a shot against her, but you have to admit that Republicans and many independents have been salivating at the chance to vote *against* her. THAT's what will kill the Dems downticket.

[Zhade]

36. Why would they think a winner would do that?

Especially given the negatives down-ticket clinton would bring if she wasn't losing?

[VolcanoJen]

2. Applause, applause!

I'm ready.

Right on, Kristi.

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks, and I am no where near hesitant. I'm energized by this man.

And I'm sorry about your uncle. :hug:

[Barack_America]

9. That's very much appreciated.

It was/is a shock. But it makes me want to fight for Obama even harder. I'm going to fight to make this country better in his honor. He was a hippie, so it's a bit like carrying the torch for him. lol.

[Solomon]

4. Relax. It's not going to work. They're shooting their load too

fast. This is a last ditch assault, but it will fail. From this point on, Obama will just be exposing all the poison. Like somebody, I think it was Shakespeare said, "let all the poisons in the mud lurk out".

[tblue37]

33. In the novel _I, Claudius_, Claudius decides to allow

Aggripina, his niece and wife, to do whatever evil she wants to do, including killing him, to make her son Nero the emperor.

He tells the tale of old King Log, the log made king because the frogs decided they just had to have a king. Claudius, who became emperor against his will, despite being committed to the ideal of the Roman Republic, finally decides, in disgust over the murderous conniving and evil he has witnessed, that he will be "King Log" and mumbles to himself, "Let all the poisons that are in the mud hatch out."

[madaboutharry]

5. How can I keep my chin up and keep the faith?

I am so disappointed at this moment in this country. At the media, at other democrats, and at the ignorance of my countrymen. I don't think we will ever get past the racial divide. I am just so incredibly sad right now at the thought that Sen. Obama may not overcome this crisis. I don't know if I can ever believe again. That is how I feel right now.

[Barack_America]

7. "This too shall pass". "We shall overcome".

These expressions are powerful because they are so very true.

The change is happening as we speak. I sense it every time I, a white woman, register voters in black neighborhoods. The divides are lessening. An understanding is building.

This IS a movement and the "change" that Obama is offering is already happening. Why? Because the "change" was in OUR power all along.

[buff2]

8. Cheer up

And be ready to celebrate with us for President Hillary Clinton!

[madaboutharry]

10. no.

I will not.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Barack_America]

13. Please delete this ridiculous post from my thread.

Your pathetic racism is not appreciated.

[buff2]

15. More of the Obama unity

Boy,he would be soooo proud. :rofl:

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Ahh... another fine disruptive candidate for my ignore list.

Hasta la vista baby! :hi: :eyes:

[buff2]

27. PLOP!

Right back atcha. You are on ignore too.

[Barack_America]

24. I have no desire to unite with racists.

And yes, I think that would do Barack, and Hillary, proud.

[buff2]

26. I don't care to unite with racists either

That's why I could never support Obama. This garbage he sat and listened to all these years...God DAMN America......Rich WHITE people running the country,our government giving aids to blacks. He didn't reject that trash until the good preacher was outed. He will not win. No way.

[NOLALady]

20. If she was Black

and voted for the war, I would not consider her in the least.

[buff2]

23. Hillary did not vote for that war all by herself

People seem to forget that. I didn't agree with that and still don't,but I still support her because she is the only one running who can beat McCain. As it stands right now,Obama has lost the independents and the undecideds.Too much baggage now for him to overcome.More is coming out on him so it will be more scandals. We don't need that.

[Barack_America]

34. You're right, she had McCain's help.

I didn't forget that.

How that helps her beat McCain though, I fail to see.

[Cha]

39. That's right...hilary created a lot

enemies in Oct 2002 who do remember her YEA vote on the IWR without even reading the 90 page NIE.

[Zhade]

37. We can't celebrate the impossible.

NT!

[babylonsister]

14. I'm "madaboutharry"! Don't get too disappointed, because

Obama is doing fine and holding his head high. What's to be worried about? Really, he WILL be able to overcome this 'made-for-TV' crisis. Ya gotta believe. :hug:

[madaboutharry]

43. Thank you for the hug.

:)

I hope you are right. Maybe I should get rid of my tv.

[rucky]

6. Yep. All the resistance - and the places it's coming from...

Make me certain that this change will be substantial, and makes me want to push harder.

This has to work. We need a champion - not another martyr.

[JimGinPA]

16. I Just Came Back From My Weekly Obama Local Region Meeting...

I specifically asked how it was going in your area and they said "even better than they had hoped" FWIW.


K&R

[cbayer]

It was never going to be easy and it is far from over.

Both democratic candidates are brave and strong beyond belief. They are trail-blazers who are trying to do something not done here before.

Whomever you support, don't let down your guard or get too complacent. This is going to be a very long and very hard race.

I am very sorry about your uncle. :hug:

[depakid]

17. It was going to be "something" for Kerry and for Gore, too.

It's how the campaign handles it- and whether they have what it takes to go on the offensive against the far right, that will make the difference.

Believe me, there's PLENTY of ammunition and the "punditocracy" on TV and hate radio is more unpopular than ever. The person (preferably persons) who finally decide to hand smarmy weasels (like Russert or Hannity) their asses in no uncertain terms is going to win a lot of populist support for the Democrats- regardless of who the candidate is.

[BumRushDaShow]

18. Sorry to hear about your uncle and may he R.I.P.

A large number of spam posts are continually appearing here to purposely demoralize. The information in them is skewed to the moment and ignores the overarching period of how we got to this point. Part of the skew relates to the very real "regionalization" of this country. Thus the myth of the "deserting white voter" that has only happened in the recent state contests but without the context of the regions that these contests were held in. Thus one is slyly guided into forgetting states like Utah or Idaho or Nebraska or Kansas or Wyoming or Alaska or Vermont or Minnesota, etc. The fact that Obama has won twice as many contests, more popular vote, and more delegates is not due to the magical cloning of the measly 12% Black population so that they are suddenly 60% of the voters across this nation. Never forget that.

As a side note, I heard on KYW that hip-hopper manager Russell Simmons was over at Penn registering young voters. Great place to do so given that it's near Drexel U as well. Am hoping they make their goal! :thumbsup:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-03192008-1505957.html

[Barack_America]

31. Thanks a lot.

So that's what was going on today. I was on the other end of campus registering folks, lol. It's great that they came to Penn, but where we really need their help is out in the neighborhoods. Hopefully they link up with the campaign for some last minute pushes this weekend.

[gulliver]

19. Turning it into a civil rights struggle will sink Obama.

He needs to do just the opposite. He needs to turn it into a progressive struggle. His big problem? IMO, he thinks it's all a big love fest. He needs to have both ends of the human emotional range covered. He's trying to be saintly. He needs to be a fully engaged, human politician. Obama has no stake in anger and fear. That's a big mistake.

[Barack_America]

25. I don't think that it was his choice.

That was my point. That eventually this would be turned into a discussion about electing a black candidate, despite his wishes that he not become the "black candidate".

Given that, has he handled it admirably? I think he has. He has embraced and explained the hesitation that Americans are feeling, rather than try to minimize it.

The ball is now in our court.

[gulliver]

28. He needs to take the same nerve he used to give...

... his speech and unite the progressive majority in both anger and hope. Look at it as a playing field if you want to. The American voter spends time in both the anger and hope sections of the field. Obama has no coverage in the anger section. So when the people need to feel anger, he gives them nothing. He should be giving them Bush. Instead, Obama has let the media give America Wright to be angry at.

It sounds goofy, and maybe it is, but Obama needs to give the people something more worthy to be angry at than Wright. And right there in front his nose is Bush and the GOP. But Obama wants to smooch them instead of giving them the tarring and feathering they more than deserve.

[skooooo]

21. you're right..

If it wasn't Rev. Wright, they would have looked for something else to play over and over on tv.

thanks for the encouragement.

[NC_Nurse]

29. I'm so sorry about your uncle.

Thanks for all of your hard work. I am working here in NC for Obama. I think we
can pull this off. Maybe I'm naive, but I have faith. :hug:
Give yourself a break. It's hard losing someone. Be sure to take care of yourself.

[Barack_America]

30. Thanks very much.

Your kindness means a lot.

I'm organizing voter registration efforts for my university. We only have 4 days left to register students, so I have to push through. But I have tons of support! I will take care of myself...next week. ;)

On a happier note, I got to listen in on a conference call with Barack yesterday! And he mentioned the registration effort that I help organize! That was an incredible boost, I just could've used it today, is all. lol.

[NC_Nurse]

32. I'm glad you have good support.

Kudos to you for ALL you do! :toast:

[Zhade]

35. I'm sorry for your loss. : (

NT!

[JeffR]

38. A good and very timely post

and condolences on your uncle.

[Window]

40. Kristi, I am so sorry for your loss. The best to you and yours.

Excellent, timely post.


:kick:

[2rth2pwr]

41. Another Obamatron blaming race for whatever happens

to Barak.

[FrenchieCat]

42. What a very serious message!

I believe too, that yesterday's speech was meant to make us think....and that's exactly what folks are doing; thinking.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. I will pray that all of you, as his loved ones, make it through this; the hardest of times.

Glad to be hearing from you!

[Barack_America]

44. Exactly. And thinking takes time.

Because it's a process of thinking, discussing those thoughts, going back and thinking some more...

I really hope that blue collar Democrats in this country wake up and join the discussion. The future of our country really hinges on their political involvement (on this and other issues).

And thanks very much for your prayers. It means a lot to me.