If the Democratic Primary is any indication of what is to come as it relates to the issue of race and racism, then hang on to your hat because the general will be all about racism. If charges of racism are being leveled at Democrats, by other Democrats, then just multiply this by 100 once the general election between Obama and McCain swings into gear.

While Obama might want to steer his campaign away from the issue race, his supporters (African Americans for the most part) will not and will regard every criticism as a racial attack on their candidate.

You can see evidence of this to a certain degree already (BETWEEN DEMOCRATES!!), so you can bet this will only intensify once the two face each in the general election. McCain is trying to keep his criticism on the issues, but in the end he will be tagged a racist too if he runs against Obama – Anyone who runs against Obama for that matter.

If you think it's getting bad now, wait until interests groups, surrogates, commentators, or reporters criticize a President Obama policy decision or question his judgment on some policy issue. That person/group will be tagged as a racist and called Hitler for not going along.

There is no way the type of criticisms and insults that are leveled against President Bush would be tolerated if they were directed at President Obama. I believe that criticisms, valid or not, will be seen/interpreted as mere opportunities to express once racial disposition against an African American President, thus the critique racial in nature.

The point here is: If Obama is elected President, can America withstand four years of racial divisiveness as accusations of racism are leveled in all directions and at administration critics.

I do not know if the nation can go through this, do you?

Yes we can. America has gone through worse and has survived. Keep your crap to yourself.

Molajoe

ITS NOT ABOUT RACE tho his supporters think it is.. He associates himself with anti americans.. ("GodDamn America" Rev Wright, "The "First time I'm proud of America" Michell his wife, "I am not sorry we didnt do more to bomb America" weatherman buddy of his) Him not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem (even tho its a law you should, if not by respect for it, then says he didnt have to) He was given a flag pin by a veteran to wear, and he put it on then took it off) What the hell kind of president is that?? He will be representing ALL Americans not just blacks. And I want someone in there who at least cares about our servicemen our country, and our soverinty. I dont want Rev.Wright in the Whitehouse as a spritial advisor and thats why McCain will win..

I agree with the majority of your post. Just look at how many people are posting that the writer of the Slate article is prejudice! There you have it folks! Creating issues out of nothing.

So you'd propose that we avoid arguments of racism by always electing white guys? You go on at some length about how accusations of racism will destroy the country if Obama is elected, do you think that will just evaporate if we put another old white man in the white house?

comment on the last post;;; thats why he isnt going to win; he and his supporters are alienating the white voters, now they're attacking Bill Clinton who did more for blacks and the poor than anyone..Not a smart move if you want to become president, Not to mention the republicans will rip him apart and the voters will vote for MCCain. Bank on it..

While you may be perfectly willing to engulf you self in the topic of race, but I believe most white people are uncomfortable with this topic. They understand the argument I make in this post, and will not run to the election polls to vote for Obama to get this racial discussion started. The race discussion needs to be had, but I do not believe it can happen within the context of a Presidential election. So whites will not vote for him, and you NEED the white vote in order to win the presidency.

Like I said its not about race if you read my comment above :) But the truth is that Obama supporters with all their retoric are alienating white voters because they are even attacking bill clinton now and he did more for blacks and the poor than any politician, Not a wise move if you want votes.

I'm ignoring Hellos now because he's posting the same thing in every forum topic. He's a troll.

But for G_222, do you really think that most of Obama's supporters are black? I mean come on, do the math. Black people only represent 12% of the entire nation!!! How is it possible that Obama could have come as far as he has if only black people were voting for him. That's ridiculous. He has a broad base of support from people of all races who are seeking to put the issue of race BEHIND us and move forward. And there will always be people out there shouting about racism every time someone opens their mouths. Just as long as Obama isn't the one pulling that card at every turn.

oldelta! it's kinda hard as a white man to vote for a negro that we don't trust! seems like about once a week now,something else comes out in the news that your negro has done,to offend white people!! "hell" offend america!!! How long will you negro lovers continue to back this muslim bastard??

reddawg, your racist filth does nothing to promote civil discourse on this topic, and I hope there are moderators monitoring the Fray on Friday evenings. Your postings are ignorant and hateful at best.

Reddawg --

As the proud, white owner of a pack of hunting redbone coonhounds -- let me say -- please shut the hell up or change tour name -- you are embarrassing my hounds.

Beathan

reddawg -

Please stay away from a thinking discussion, as it appears you are not up to one.

hello -

I believe we all get your very simple point...

oldelta,

At the moment, Obama's support is broad, but this is only because Democrats, Republicans, and to a great extent, the media has refused to fully vet this man (Because of the point I make above).

Truth is, the difference between Clinton and Obama in terms of policy and political philosophy is insignificant once you really analyze them.

Obama will have to be vetted. If not by his Democratic rival, then by his Republican challenger. Were it not for Hillary's resilience and refusal to surrender the nomination, Obama would have sailed into office. I believe this battle that they are engaged in has force scrutiny on Obama.

As people learn more about Obama's associations, philosophy, voting records, and other details yet to come, I believe regular white/folk will look past the flowery soaring rhetoric only to find a very faulty and damaged politician.

If this realization occurs before the Democrats choose him as their nominee, then Hilary will challenge McCain. If this happens after they chose him as the nominee, then watch his candidacy implode as the spot light shine on him.

At that point, get ready to call in Senator Frank Lautenberg again to pinch hit for another failed Democratic candidate. Thanks for the discussion…. =)

McCain isn't immune to the microscope either. John Hagee? S&L scandals? Chameleon positions to get the nomination? Politicians who live in glass houses are going to get rocks thrown at them. Honest politicians are usually not the most successful ones, so in the race for president one tends to end up with some sleaze.

Any of the 3 will be so much better than the Chimpanzee in Chief that we can't lose.

Obama's platform emphasizes UNITY which means he is very much aware of the racial, economic and sexual divide in this county. He says that this keeps us from effectively solving problems. He is absolutely correct and that is one of the reasons that the vast majority of African Americans support him.

It is very unfortunate that a number of issues that illustrate how racism is manifested in our society is also manifested in this campaign. This is not a bad thing. We desperately need to address issues of race to move forward. We need some reason to move from the "us and them" or "us against them" frame of reference. These frames are killing our country. This is not about feeling guilty or shameful, its about thinking and doing in terms of "we" with regard to education, health care, foreign policy, economic development, etc., it is not about one group having at the expense of another group, it's about all of us having an opportunity for our children to have a good education, good medical care and the prospects of a job that pays a liveable wage; its about foreign policy and relationships with other countries that are respectful and entering agreements that safeguard all of us.

It is about change.

We need to grow up.