How pathetic is it to watch John McCain struggle to accept Barack Obama as an accomplished legislator? Time and time again, throughout this campaign, McCain has insisted on portraying his Democratic rival for the presidency as anything but an educated, accomplished and dedicated public servant.
The Arizona senator began his campaign against Obama by questioning his patriotism and insisting that his colleague from Illinois' thoughtful and sincere opposition to the occupation-without-end is, somehow, less patriotic than the quagmire McCain has opportunistically committed his potential presidency to continuing for 100 more years.
Jealous of the overwhelmingly positive response Obama received during the overseas trip that he had challenged him to make (hoping for some kind of embarrassment), McCain could only explain the senator's success by insisting the support came from Obama's 'celebrity,' rather than from support for the different approaches from McCain's White House mentors that the Illinois legislator communicated with his speeches and policy pronouncements to a public eager for the political change his candidacy represents.
Using terms like ''Messiah'' and suggesting, as he did today, that voters support Barack Obama because he's 'dreamy' is a blatant insult of the millions of voters who have chose him to carry their concerns to the presidency, not the least of who comprise some 90% of the black community.
Instead of giving this black legislator the credit he deserves for capturing the attention and imagination of the tens of millions of Americans who voted for his historic nomination, McCain has chosen to treat his Senate peer in a manner which is more akin to racists and bigots than the collegiate respect practiced by our national legislators and afforded by McCain to the majority of the white senators and legislators he has served with.
Where, in McCain's entire career, has he represented any of his other Senate colleagues as mere 'celebrities?'
Where, in McCain's entire career has he voluntarily recognized any advancement of any black American, much less the historic achievement of Barack Obama in capturing a record amount of votes to advance to the nomination of his party?
The begrudging manner in which he acknowledges Obama's candidacy and the disparaging manner in which he describes the Illinois legislator speaks to his complete lack of respect and utter contempt for his Democratic rival. McCain did his best to acknowledge the worth of his Democratic rival as he talked down to the Urban League about his opposition to affirmative action and his affinity for patronizing school vouchers which wouldn't cover the cost of tuition, even if there were enough private schools available to absorb the millions of disadvantaged children the Urban League is concerned with.
"Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways," McCain told the crowd, before completely dismissing the substance and weight of Obama's record and agenda.
In McCain's vision of America, there is no place or plan to respect or accept ideas, initiatives, and personalities which differ from his own narrow, privileged view. That's not exclusive to McCain. The entire class of republican legislators, who have allowed Bush to subvert the democracy they so arrogantly pretend to support and defend, have been driven to either admit fault or failure for the administration's reckless militarism and squandering of our hard work and sacrifices, or, as most have resigned themselves, to convince us to blunder even further ahead in the hope that new catastrophes will obscure the old ones.
But, for most of us, there is an overwhelming desire to move to enact the changes that we've been pressing for decades -- in the care of our community and individuals; in justice; and in the way we project abroad whatever power, influence and help our nation possesses. And, for a growing number of Americans, it's become more than evident that a disproportionate number of those individuals who've managed to achieve positions of power and influence within our nation's governing and legislative institutions are not representative of most of the nation's communities-at-large.
There are certainly more minorities and women in Congress than there were just less than thirty years ago. Yet, there is still a disproportionate number of white males who dominate those positions of power and influence in our government. And, although it's certainly not a given that the proliferation of white males is incapable of representing our growing minority population, the actual fruits of such representation in legislation, reform, and other initiatives have not been forthcoming from our national institutions.
From where I sit, blacks in America, as a political force still cannot control the agenda to positively affect the issues which have a disproportionate impact on their world, as they see fit. Although there is the obvious need of legislators and leaders who appeal to voters across the racial, social, and political lines which divide us, many whites don't see a great need to make broad appeals to the black community, and, consequently, the needs and concerns of blacks are often ignored. Black Americans have a real need for candidates who aren't afraid to say to black voters, I'm one of you and I recognize, understand, and will actively and directly respond to your practical concerns.
It's no accident that the majority of issues which Democrats have been pressing for, and represent the change they aspire to, are integral to those black communities and individuals whose voice has been muffled by an indifferent majority in power.
I'm not going to take a back seat to the divisive politics McCain seems to think is funny. Almost everyone, except McCain (and the racists and bigots among us), has reflected on the historic nature of Barack Obama's candidacy and has taken the time to acknowledge that this black man has more than enough intelligence and qualification to stand shoulder to shoulder with past presidents from both sides of the aisle.
It will not be lost on voters, who are well accustomed to respecting and acknowledging the worth and qualification of individuals they live and work with in their increasingly diverse communities, that John McCain does not view Barack Obama as his equal. Those familiar with McCain's record as a legislator will take notice of his stubborn refusal to acknowledge, even, the accomplishments and worth of one of the greatest black Americans of our time in his repeated rejection of the recognition of Martin Luther's birthday as a national or state holiday.
Ron Fullwood, is an activist from Columbia, Md. and the author of the book 'Power of Mischief' : Military Industry Executives are Making Bush Policy and the Country is Paying the Price
Are you kidding me? This is the worst garbage I've seen and this campaign has been full of it! A man who stands shoulder to shoulder with a Jew (Lieberman) and whose dark-skinned daughter he adopted out of a Bangladeshi orphanage is being slurred by you as standing with bigots and racists? You may support Obama, but don't use these ugly, dishonest tactics to try to drag John McCain into the gutter with you. You are an affront to those of us with a moral conscience.
by
Florida Lady (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 11:29:12 AM
McCain's techniques being highlighted show to me a man not only out of touch with the attitudes of modern America, but further out of touch with even the modern methods of effective communications. His attack ads show he does not know how contemporary society likes to communicate.
by
mikel weisser (28 articles, 3 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 69 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 12:38:49 PM
Your faith in the intelligence of Americans is . . .
Ron:
You write: "Most Americans know better than John McCain." Some do, I agree, but not at all "most." See my headlined post, "McCain takes Michigan, and all that jazz," and my most recent submission, "John McCain tilts at windmills, but doesn't have much else use for them."
As a combat-wounded vet (1964-1967), I have a personal grudge with how McCain has stabbed today's active military & vets in the chest with his 100% against them voting record. But even more than McCain, I have nothing but seething disrespect for the nearly 50% of Americans too lazy to become informed, and too content to remain uninformed.
A well-written article, even if I adamently disagree with your faith in the American electorate.
Ed Tubbs
by
Ed Tubbs (182 articles, 1 quicklinks, 24 diaries, 59 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 12:40:07 PM
This article isn't 100% accurate but since it's posted and it gives me a chance to write about the crazy war-monger, I will.
McCain is connected, period. His wife Cindy is the daughter of a man who at one time was connected to the Las Vegas mob and was one of the most powerful politicians in Arizona.
McCain was part of the Enron scandal and the only reason he was not politically ruined is due to the fact that his daddy and the mob connections he has kept him out of it.
He is a shrewd and despicable human being and regardless of what he says, hates this country.
MY FREINDS - This guy would kill his own mother for a dime...
by
Hal Smith (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 67 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 2:55:15 PM
He would make an even worse president than George W. Bush, and he is a warmonger. His presidency would almost certainly be one of the costliest to America than any other.
But the man does not hate his country.
We have to be honest when we attack even the worst of our enemies. Otherwise, it affects our own credibility.
We can see the truth of that by looking at all the lies about Obama (and everything else from Iraq to global warming) and how Americans simply don't find Republicans credible anymore.
It goes both ways. If Democrats (or even just the "anti-McCain" group made up of people from all parties) begin using their tactics, we will meet the same fate.
by
JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 11:54:03 PM
You seem to be overlooking a couple of obvious points:
#1 To many people, even bigots, there is a heck of a difference between someone who is black and someone who is a Jew. Not everyone who hates black people also hates Jews. The two aren't mutual.
#2 McCain's Bangladesh born daughter is considered white, not black. Being dark skinned does not make you a negro in the US. Indians (from India), Arabs, etc, are white; you need to be from Africa to be considered black. I have friends from India darker skinned than some of my black friends who are white. Go figure.
#3 There is evidence from other sources that he has told racist jokes in the past, not to mention the tone of this campaign and the total dismissal and lack of respect he has shown for Obama. This man has no respect for his opponent, and it does not appear to be due to his age or experience. He has too much contempt for Obama for that.
#4 McCain is a despicable human being, war hero or not. He has no respect for people different from himself, nor understanding of the problems of the average person. Even the black troops who served with him felt his dismissive attittude. He also refers to ALL ORIENTAL PEOPLE as "goops", regardless of their ancestral background.
McCain is not a nice person. Open your eyes and ears to what this man is actually saying. You don't have to be a genius to figure it out, which you aren't if you're voting for McCain.
by
Sharon COOPER (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:11:40 PM
"#2 McCain's Bangladesh born daughter is considered white, not black. Being dark skinned does not make you a negro in the US. Indians (from India), Arabs, etc, are white; you need to be from Africa to be considered black. I have friends from India darker skinned than some of my black friends who are white. Go figure."
Huh? Your last sentence doesn't even make any sense, but the one that got me going is: "You need to be from Africa to be considered black." So the negroes who were born and raised say, in Canada or the UK or even New Hampshire are not "black?" Well, then neither is Barak Obama, because he's not from Africa, either. He was born in Hawaii, not Africa. He's also a mulatto, and I am not using that as a disrespectful or insulting word, simply for what it is: when one parent is black and another is not.
Frankly, I'm sick of hearing him, and all other black people, being referred to as "African-American." He was born in Hawaii, and he's no more "African" than I am "German" (I was born in NY). I know one true "African-American," a man who was born and raised in Africa and legally immigrated to America, and is now an American citizen. Oh, and by the way, the color of his skin is white.
John McCain's adopted daughter certainly is black, so let's be honest in this discussion. You may not like his policies, you may not like him as a person, but you can't call him a bigot when he has a black daughter. Call McCain every other name you can think of, but don't call him a bigot.
by
shielah jones (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 92 comments)
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 9:41:42 AM
The author of this article wrote an intelligent analysis and should be respected for taking the time to do so.
What in the heck has happened to OEN?
For me, I don't agree with Ron and like McCain, and after much study and analysis consider Obama to be a complete narcissist who has used the tricks in the bag of the narcissist to reflect his own self-perceived glory upon the electorate until he has everyone in the palm of his hand. Then the true nature and vacuity of the narcissist will be revealed. He was an operative here in Minnesota two years ago and it was not a pretty picture.
I agree with the people of color in the southern bars, hangouts and bayous who say that Obama is not one of them and they will never vote for him.
Let's see what happens. Still, the author deserves chops for making his point.
by
Georgianne Nienaber (145 articles, 46 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 337 comments)
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:37:17 PM
Georgianne is in left field with her comment.....I also was raised in the south and know the majority of the black folks will never miss an opportunity to stand with Obama.........however, at this time, know one can tell if that will be the best choice...........
From time to time, I also, get nervous with regard to Obama's intentions.......his campaign slogan "Change" may have double meaning......he is also guilty of standing shoulder to shoulder with the AIPAC clan type mofioso and it sends double messages to the people.........
by
Ernest (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 149 comments)
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 1:46:32 AM
Funny all these things you claim McCain is doing were happening when McCain was almost completely out of the race. It is sad to see the Obama bigoted and racist clan attacking every candidate with this same old crap. Just because it worked as an attack against Clinton doesn’t mean it will work against everyone else too.
Now you’re just the little boy crying wolf.
No one is paying attention anymore.
by
Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 833 comments)
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 1:37:03 AM
First, please see my comment above. If serving in a combat role is of any import, which I claim has some only by dint of McCain's bathing in it, I've got some cred as well. Being truly well informed today is so incredibly effortless that being uninformed is wholly a matter of voluntary choice with no excuses available for the alternate. Thus, electing to be uninformed is synonymous with being stupid. And I've got to suggest that anyone who claims to "like John McCain" indicts him- or herself as falling into the category just noted. John McCain, veritably could not tell the time accurately, if telling it meant he had to tell the truth. The man lies with such incredible alacrity that it's stunning, and he does it with the willing assistance of a press that refuses to press him on even his most outrageous and manifestly contradictory assertions. He knows nothing of economics, nothing of the Constitution, nothing of foreign policy (Shia, Sunni, al Qaida) that isn't whispered in his ear following a gaffe, his entire campaign staff is composed of the most self-serving lobbyists, many of whom have been forced to quit the campaign . . . Tell me please, would anyone, what's there to like about John McCain?
by
Ed Tubbs (182 articles, 1 quicklinks, 24 diaries, 59 comments)
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 10:32:15 AM
There isn't much left to like about McCain. It was a while ago I said in the bars I thought he was a good Man, he is just too set in his ways to even see the horizon. Because he has big-a-tree in his eyes, by judgements he has made of the danger too US. But I would stand before the almighty right now and declare all McCain is out to protect is the sold out status quo!
Obama "is a Politician." But he at least will not for get he got his start in the south side of Chicago. Because for sure come next winter we the people are not going to let him!
As far as any blacks down south wouldn't stand with him. Its well known in Union circles, the south has no clue as to what Unions can bring the working man. The only reasons any Unions have got out of hand, and some have, is that the Coroporations were ripping us off left and right: just look at health care today!
I like the quote Obama stole from the Hogi Indians, "We are the generation we have been waiting for!" Because in this melting pot called America, the World has become a boiling pot. It will boil over and the cream will raise too the top. Then we can cast aside all the destractions from tons and tons of stone throwing from abortions to the drug war...
by
Michael Dewey (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 213 comments)
on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 3:27:31 PM
15 comments
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