Political correctness can go to hell. P.S. If this clown does become our next president; God help us all.
Posted on 06/14/2008 9:19:49 AM PDT by My Favorite Headache
Black conservatives conflicted on Obama campaign
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams has never voted for a Democrat for president. That could change this year with Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee.
"I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible."
Just as Obama has touched black Democratic voters, he has engendered conflicting emotions among black Republicans. They revel over the possibility of a black president but wrestle with the thought that Obama doesn't sit beside them ideologically.
"Among black conservatives," Williams said, "they tell me privately, it would be very hard to vote against him in November."
Perhaps sensing the possibility of such a shift, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has made some efforts to lure black voters. He recently told Essence magazine that he would attend the NAACP's annual convention next month, and he noted that he recently traveled to Selma, Ala., scene of seminal voting rights protests in the 1960s, and "talked about the need to include 'forgotten Americans.'"
Still, McCain has a tall order in winning black votes, no doubt made taller by running against a black opponent. In 2004, blacks chose Democrat John Kerry over President Bush by an 88 percent to 11 percent margin, according to exit polls.
J.C. Watts, a former Oklahoma congressman who once was part of the GOP House leadership, said he's thinking of voting for Obama. Watts said he's still a Republican, but he criticizes his party for neglecting the black community. Black Republicans, he said, have to concede that while they might not agree with Democrats on issues, at least that party reaches out to them.
"And Obama highlights that even more," Watts said, adding that he expects Obama to take on issues such as poverty and urban policy. "Republicans often seem indifferent to those things."
Writer and actor Joseph C. Phillips got so excited about Obama earlier this year that he started calling himself an "Obamacan" — Obama Republican. Phillips, who appeared on "The Cosby Show" as Denise Huxtable's husband, Navy Lt. Martin Kendall, said he has wavered since, but he is still thinking about voting for Obama.
"I am wondering if this is the time where we get over the hump, where an Obama victory will finally, at long last, move us beyond some of the old conversations about race," Phillips said. "That possibly, just possibly, this great country can finally be forgiven for its original sin, or find some absolution."
Yet Phillips, author of the book "He Talk Like a White Boy," realizes the irony of voting for a candidate based on race to get beyond race.
"We have to not judge him based on his race, but on his desirability as a political candidate," he said. "And based on that, I have a lot of disagreements with him on a lot of issues. I go back and forth."
Michael Steele, the Republican former lieutenant governor of Maryland who lost a Senate race there in 2006, said he is proud of Obama as a black man, but that "come November, I will do everything in my power to defeat him." Electing Obama, he said, would not automatically solve the woes of the black community.
"I think people who try to put this sort of messianic mantle on Barack's nomination are a little bit misguided," he said.
John McWhorter, a self-described political moderate who is a senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute and a New York Sun columnist, said Obama's Democratic Party victory "proves that while there still is some racism in the United States, there is not enough to matter in any serious manner. This is a watershed moment."
"Obama is probably more to the left than I would prefer on a lot of issues," he adds. "But this issue of getting past race for real is such a wedge issue for me. And he is so intelligent, and I think he would be a perfectly competent president, that I'm for him. I want him to get in because, in a way, it will put me out of a job."
James T. Harris, a Milwaukee radio talk show host and public speaker, said he opposes Obama "with love in my heart."
"We are of the same generation. He's African American and I'm an American of African descent. We both have lovely wives and beautiful children," Harris said. "Other than that, we've got nothing in common. I hope he loses every state."
Moderate Republican Edward Brooke, who blazed his own trail in Massachusetts in 1966 as the first black popularly elected U.S. senator, said he is "extremely proud and confident and joyful" to see Obama ascend. Obama sent Brooke a signed copy of his book, inscribed, "Thank you for paving the way," and Brooke sent his own signed book to Obama, calling the presumed Democratic nominee "a worthy bearer of the torch."
Brooke, who now lives in Florida, won't say which candidate will get his endorsement, but he does say that race won't be a factor in his decision.
"This is the most important election in our history," Brooke said. "And with the world in the condition that it is, I think we've got to get the best person we can get."
Williams, the commentator, says his 82-year-old mother, who also hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate, has already made up her mind.
"She is so proud of Senator Barack Obama, and she has made it clear to all of us that she's voting for him in November," Williams relates. "That is historic. Every time I call her, she asks, 'How's Obama doing?' They feel as if they are a part of this. Because she said, given the history of this country, she never thought she'd ever live to see this moment."
Who needs core beliefs when race trumps all?
I’m sorry but anyone who votes based on race is no “conservative”.
all of a sudden these black conservatives appear on the radar.
I don’t necessarily like his policies; I don’t like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it
So it is all about the color of skin.....
Racialism rears it’s ugly head.
If I’m proud of being white, does that mean I can’t possibly consider voting for Obama?
“Well I know they are a communist but it would be nice to see an Irish person as President.”
“Well I know they are a communist but it would be nice to see an Italian person as President.”
“Well I know they are a communist but it would be nice to see an Polish person as President.”
“Well I know they are a communist but it would be nice to see an Mexican person as President.”
...
What’s happen to principles!
It’s hard to believe that black conservative voters, especially some prominent ones like the ones quoted would vote for Obama whose views go against everything they supposedly believe in as conservatives.
I wouldn’t hesitate vote for a candidate of any race, gender, religion, etc. IF they were the one best reflected my beliefs and principles.
I still don’t know if I can make myself vote for McCain but I would never in a hundred years vote for someone with Obamas views even if he were my own brother.
Any black that puts black before the safety and security of this nation gets no respect from me nor will I listen to anything they have to say in the future. Sorry, they’re no better than the Liberal RATS or Al Qaeda. End of story.
Does she swell up with pride when asked about Mugabe? He’s an African in a position of power who was a fan favorite of western lefties too. Oh yeah, he was Obama-esque as a young charismatic leader. All the liberals swooned for him. Hell, they marched for Mugabe in England, mostly intellectual enlightened liberal types.
Why would mccain even try to get the black vote?
Oh yeah... the AP knows all about black conservatives(LMAO!). True, conservative blacks will shun Obama like the plague.
No, it means you are a racist.
Obama, American's 1st Affirmative Action President.
Who knew Armstrong was a racist?
So it is all about the color of skin.....
You beat me to it. The guy will pitch everything he believes in out the window and vote black, regardless of qualifications. The words "political whore" come to mind...
Being black is more important then being an American.
This deep rooted tribal passion is what has kept majority black countries divided and broken throughout the last 5,000 years.
Idenity politics is a game for chumps.
Unreal.
“We are of the same generation. He’s African American and I’m an American of African descent. We both have lovely wives and beautiful children,” Harris said. “Other than that, we’ve got nothing in common. I hope he loses every state.”
I'd like to hear her opinion of Winnie Mandela.
Conservatives of any color should not be conflicted about McCain. Maybe Black republicans are.
I guess if BLACK ‘CONSERVATIVES’ can vote for OBAMA because of RACE - I can vote for McCain because he is WHITE! (No, he is not the best candidate out there - but any vote NOT for McCain is a VOTE for OBAMA!
For some reason I am reminded of my 88 year old grandma (4 ft.9, 91 lbs) back when JFK was running. She was a die-hard Alabama Dem but couldn’t vote for Kennedy because he was a Catholic. I think it was the first time she didn’t vote.
For most blacks its all about being black. Diversity programs have only fostered more hate and division in this country - and is clearly evident in the black sentiment of hate for whites and white elitists hate for America.
Me too. As a white, Vietnam era veteran, I guess I'm going to have to think about voting for McCain. I want to see history made by McCain becoming the FIRST white, Vietnam era POW to ever be elected President of the United States.
A vote NOT for McCain (not voting, 3rd party) is a vote FOR Obama.
“Black Conservatives” and “Obama” don’t go in the same sentence. They’re simply not Conservative if they’re voting for Obama.
And yeah, who needs values when you have race?
Unbelievable to hear these black conservatives thinking this way. I don’t care about his skin color, there’s nothing historic, nor honorable about electing a communist president.
You’ve nailed it. He just plays one on TV.
So what would cause someone to not vote for Obama?
His support for abortion?
Gay marriage?
An activist supreme court which would push both those agendas?
An FCC that would introduce censorship (against “hate”, but eventually against religion)?
Restrictions on free speech in the public forum (as in Canada and Britain)?
Does any of that trump race?
Does the black church support all those agendas?
Yes?
On the other hand, it’s not like they even have a white conservative to vote for in this election either.
When the RNC foisted McCain on us, they created a recipe for disaster.
Blacks have consistently voted Democratic by +90% in presidential elections. Now that one is exempt from the charge of racism if a black supports a black for reasons of race, the turnout will be even greater for Obama.
If Armstrong Williams can't vehemently oppose this Marxist, I suggest he find another line of work.
Judging the candidate by the color of his character.
He will undoubtedly replace Jimmy Carter as the worst president in the history of the Republic, but what does it matter as long as history is being made?
Bumper Sticker:
“Why would mccain even try to get the black vote?”
Because McCain is a filthy panderer who would rather seek the hand of the racist LaRaza types than conservatives who would walk the streets for him. Its all about race, gender and sexual preference for RINOs and Dems. Conservatives and Christians dont matter because McCain believes they will vote for him no matter what he does. The downfall started with Bush Sr., a globalist, and has culminated with McCain. Say goodbye to the country known as America - I doubt we will be able to post our thoughts on FR after the next election.
Gehenna would freeze over before we vote for either Obama or McCain. We’re writing in Alan Keyes.
The REALLY funny thing about this election is that at least 95% of all voting Blacks will vote solely on the basis of race. Namely, for B. Hussein Obama.
And, yep, this certainly does show who are the true racists & race driven voters in the US. Answer, Blacks!
Can you imagine ANY jive honkey voting simply because some idiot running to be prez just happens to be White?
Would happen when pigs fly...
“I don’t necessarily like Hitler’s policies; I don’t like much that Adolph advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it,” Williams said.
Just as Hitler has touched white Aryan voters, he has engendered conflicting emotions among white Aryans. They revel over the possibility of an Aryan president but wrestle with the thought that Hitler doesn’t sit beside them ideologically.
“Among white Aryans,” Williams said, “they tell me privately, it would be very hard to vote against Hitler in November.”
I think these black “conservatives” need to speak their conservative minds and encourage all to vote conservatively for John McCain.
Yes, I know he is not the MOST conservative person available, but he is much better than “Bama.
Moot point.
You are not allowed to be “proud” of being white.
“Who needs core beliefs when race trumps all?”
DING DING DING!!!!!
It's disgraceful to see people like Armstrong Williams and J.C. Watts even contemplate such absurdity when they should be completely denouncing Obama's downright evil policies.
I met Joseph C. Phillips at a pro-life rally, and if he even comtemplates voting for Obama, then he is a complete sell-out to the pro-life cause and will have blood on his hands if he votes for him. Same for Armstrong Williams. Watts always seemed like a bit of a squish and this just reinforces that characteristic.
Michael Steele gets it. James T. Harris gets it. Kudos to them for sticking to their principles over a bogus vanity of electing the "first black president."
There is not one positive aspect to Obama and those who vote for him should be ashamed of themselves.
Political correctness can go to hell. P.S. If this clown does become our next president; God help us all.
Shame on Armstrong Williams and complements to Michael Steele. This will flush out the real black conservatives from the posers.
The same J.C. Watts I see touted on this forum as a Republican V.P. pick.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.