Would a black man want to be president anymore?

[LittleBlue]

Not to say that Obama hasn't done a fine job of shooting himself in the foot. However, there has been a ridiculous amount of racist behavior. From terrorist fist bumps to accusations he's a Muslim, birthers nuts, and furious gun purchasing. Let's not even mention the Christian militias who would do the unthinkable. None of this would be happening if Obama was white.

So I wonder why any black kid would ever dream of becoming president after seeing the underlying hatred and racism in this country. Who would want that? If anything, Obama's presidency will ensure that rarely will a person of color ever run for president again, at least until this country changes dramatically.

[ProSense]

1. "Not to say that Obama hasn't done a fine job of shooting himself in the foot. "

It's because he's a black man, a complete incompetent.

[WI_DEM]

2. Why not? The GOP would be doing this to any Dem who was elected

If it had been Hillary, whoever--the only thing they know how to do is the politics of personal destruction.

p.s.
Obama has been a very good president and has accomplished a great deal. If the economy were better right now he'd be riding high. In the next two years it will get better and he will be easily re-elected.

[gateley]

4. You're right - they've just used the "bonus" of Obama's race to stir up racist fears. nt

[CakeGrrl]

5. But to the OP's main point, the hatred is amped up by racism

And to respond to the OP, you can't let the terrorists - including or maybe especially the American white racist variety - win.

This presidency has been the best thing to drag this crap out into the light; to stop giving cover to those who'd like to claim that America is post-racial or doesn't really have a racism problem.

What good does it do to deny it while it festers under the surface? Bring it out in the open, I say.

[impik]

37. Pssst:

http://downwithjugears.blogspot.com/2009/09/get-that-worthless-nigger-out-of-white.html


Yep, they would do this to any Dem.

[Bryn]

3. So what? Remember Martin L King?!

It doesn't matter. As long as a person can be a great leader and stands up strong for the people. Anyone who whines has a BIG PROBLEM themselves.

[hlthe2b]

6. Are you oblivious to how Carter was and is treated today?

Do you not remember the attacks on Clinton and attempts to impeach him from the moment he took office? This is the nastiest side of the RW. But, it is not new and Obama's race is not the first excuse for them to go after.

[madmax]

7. Does anyone in their right mind? nt

[zipplewrath]

8. Jackie Robinson

Jackie suffered all manner of insults, as did most black atheletes that were breaking "color barriers" back then. Those that follow tend to get to avoid most of that, i.e. the second and third to do so. Women have similar histories in male dominated occupations. Not that it ever completely goes away, but the novelty wears off.

I suspect the next "man of color" will have a slightly easier time in this regard. Although there will probably be some unique variations on the first Hispanic, female, or Asian american that gets elected. And wait until the first Jew gets elected president. It'll make what Obama's gone through look tame.

[Uzybone]

9. nailed it

the next minority president will have an easier time because of what President Obama is going through.

I do disagree 0on the Jewish president part; there is no prejudice as venomous as racism in the USA. Nothing comes close.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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

[Uzybone]

14. "Its not really a contest"

right after you finished making it a contest.

Hypocrite.

[zipplewrath]

16. A different kind

You'll note we have yet to have a jewish president. And there is a level of "closet bigotry" with jews that still exsits. If there is a large distinction, it is that the underlying stereotype of one is as stupid and shiftless and the other as cruel and cunning.

[JoePhilly]

49. The Jackie Robinson comparison is spot on.

I suspect Obama is familiar with that story too. And so I also suspect that he knows that his legacy in African American history is cemented in gold. And I hope that gives him some comfort as he deals with the array of bullshit he has to put up with at this time.

My sense is that Jackie took all the treats and so on, without exploding, because knew THAT was what the racists wanted. They wanted him to explode, or give up. He did neither. And it drove the racists crazy.

I think Obama is doing the same thing. He can't give up, and he can't explode. He needs to keep moving forward. And when he's done, his record will stand on its own, just as Jackie's does. And yet for each of them, their accomplishments can be raised just that much higher because of the adversity they faced, and for the walls they broke down.

For many in the Tea Party, they are old, not happy with people not like them, and they will not live to regret their extreme attacks on Obama. But many of their kids will.

Jackie brought down the color barrier in baseball. Obama's Presidency likely marks the start of the collapse of those social color barriers that the civil rights movement helped to weaken, but failed to destroy.

[Empowerer]

54. Bingo!

I was just getting ready to make the same point, but you expressed it so beautifully and succinctly that all I can add is, "hear, hear!"

[Enrique]

10. would any black woman want Shirley Sherrod's job?

after the way she got treated?

[ProSense]

13. Wait,

there are no black women working in government or likely to apply to work in government ever again?

[Fire1]

11. Hell NO!! n/t

[CLANG]

15. I can't imaging anyone regardless of race wanting that job

It has to be the most thankless job in the world.

[mkultra]

17. yeas, clearly all black people will shrink away once they see how hard the job is

Are fucking for real? You think we have fought this hard to get this far and we are going to quite over a bunch of bullshit? What planet are you from?

[Phx_Dem]

18. From what I've seen throughout history, blacks aren't wimps, and they

don't cower from controversy or hateful name-calling racists. So, yes I think they absolutely would.

:patriot:

[spin]

19. Seriously, why would anyone want to be President?

Do you notice the gray in Obama's hair?

[golfguru]

20. absolutely, positively yes!

Racism was buried in USA with the election of Obama.
There are many qualified black candidates in the country.
Many with real world business experience and political background.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

22. "Racism was buried in the USA with the election of Obama"

You can't be serious.

[golfguru]

25. Very serious...exactly similar to Jackie Robinson

Jackie was subject to tremendous harassment as the first black to break
into major league. But he opened the doors to other blacks who received
vastly diminishing harassment. He was a pioneer.

So is Obama as POTUS.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

39. So according to you, Racism was buried in 1947

If this situation is exactly the same as Jackie Robinson, you are saying racism was buried with Jackie Robinson in 1947. Really? That would be news to many.

[golfguru]

44. Can you comprehend English? I guess not, so let me make it more clear...

Racism in major leagues was given a body blow by Jackie Robinson.
He paved the way for more blacks in major leagues.

Same thing with Obama. He has paved the way for more blacks to
be elected president.

It does not mean racism is dead in every aspect of life. That will never
happen until there are different races. May be after 2000 years there will be
so much mixing of races, that there will be just one race of humans.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

48. Read what you wrote in post 20. Do you know what the word "buried" means?

Hint: It doesn't mean "helped to lessen".

[golfguru]

53. Since the thread is about a black man elected as president

I figured you would comprehend I was referring to racism as it
pertains to election of POTUS.

Racism in general can not be eliminated 100% so long as there are people
of different races who look different.

[SoxFan]

40. Tell that to Hank Aaron

[golfguru]

45. Hank Aaron would never be in major leagues if Robinson

did not pioneer blacks in baseball.

[Number23]

28. "Racism was buried in USA with the election of Obama."

Sweet Lord in Heaven...

[impik]

34. More like "the false notion that racism was buried with the election of Obama

ended the first day he actually became president". It is all out there for everyone to see. Pure racism, from right and yes, left too.

[NoGOPZone]

36. Racism was reborn in USA with the election of Obama nt

[POAS]

41. +100

[Cha]

42. No, it wasn't..if you've been paying attention..it only brought out more closet racists than

we were aware of.. really showing off their ugly selves.

[firedupdem]

43. 'Racism was buried in USA with the election of Obama.'

Is that some kind of joke? You couldn't be serious.

[Kahuna]

46. Is that so? How do you explain the tea party then? nt

[Pisces]

21. What a ridiculous op. Racism will not hold back someone who wants to be President.

THere is always someone to break down the barriers and the people behind them always find a much easier road.

[Cha]

23. In more ways than one. nt.

[Kind of Blue]

24. Amen to that. n/t

[craigmatic]

26. Even before the repubs got at the President the media tried to make him disavow

every inner city contact he made while he was just a regular citizen. Remember Rev. Wright? They did the same thing to JFK. It's no wonder why we haven't had an Irish Catholic president again either.

[akbacchus_BC]

27. I disagree with your premise. If a person is fair and wants to fight for

justice in his/her country, colour does not matter. I really wish more people of colour could get into the political system, then there will be much needed change.

This current President is taking a lot of flack, there is only one thing I disagree with him on, this shit about working with the rethugs, bipartisanship my ass! Those people are horrible, not one of the rethugs voted to repeal DADT. If President Obama still looking to work with them, then he is naive! That's all!

[Hekate]

29. "None of this would be happening if Obama was white." You mean JFK & Carter were black?

The Southerners hated JFK with a white-hot passion. Then he was assassinated in broad daylight.

Carter was also seriously hated. Then he was run out of town with mocking laughter ringing in his ears.

You really think this is unique and if we only had a white man in the White House, that it would be any better? Christ on a trailer hitch, Bill Clinton was accused of the cold-blooded murder of one of his best friends. He was impeached for the crime of trying to cover up a common dalliance when they couldn't get him for anything else.

What did these three men have in common with Barack Obama?

They were Democrats.

Sad to say, your specious argument is a wee bit racist. Somewhere out there are many young people of color -- boys and girls alike -- who now see the White House as an attainable dream for them. Their dream will not die because the first black president is being hated on.

Hekate

[old mark]

30. For the last 40 years or so, I have wondered why anyone would really want to be President...

It's certainly not a great job, despite the perks, and the experiences of the Big Dog and Mr. Obama seem to be GOP politics as usual.
I would not want it, and I think you have to be a little abnormal to try so hard to get it.
Just my opinion, worth all you paid for it.
mark

[chowder66]

31. Get your head straight.

Obama is working against a system that has been entrenched. Do you get that? ENTRENCHED. It is going to take a long ass time to untangle that bullshit. Like it or not, lobbyists, corporations, banks, etc have had a huge influence on our politics. This guy is trying to dismantle it piece by piece. I am sick of the the color crap. Think of the man as he should be thought of....he is a man. The end. Forget the color. Others will not but those on this side must. If not...we beome part of the problem.

[CTLawGuy]

32. don't forget the backstabbing from your own "side"

saying nonsense like "he's more conservative than Reagan" and the like.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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

[CBR]

47. The elephant in the room. Of course ALL democrats are treated this way

:eyes:

[impik]

33. No.

[superduperfarleft]

38. Most people that get into politics are not nearly as thin-skinned as some DUers. n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

50. Taking away color from the situation. I honestly think GOD, yes GOD put the right person in office

at the right time. If we had McCain/Quitter we would already be in a war with Nort Korea and Iran. They just love war of course their kids wouldn't go. These people are horrible and quick tempered. On the other hand Obama is calm, cool and collected and doesn't jump off the handle like those two numbnuts. Thank your lucky starts.

[fadedrose]

51. The Obama's are courageous people...

whether you do or don't like their policies.

They knew ahead of time what it would be like.

If he had been in the military, he would have received all kinds of medals for bravery and courage in circumstances less dangerous than the presidency.

[opihimoimoi]

52. Why would anyone run for the OVAL? we hope its to do us GOOD>!! The Dems have EMPATHY..thats GOOD!!

[Skip Intro]

55. Tell Bill Clinton the right wouldn't be as viscous to a president who is not black.