Posted on 01/01/2005 4:45:26 AM PST by immigrationreformactivist
But it does allow Obama to use what his Harvard Law School classmate Ken Mehlman, soon to be chairman of the Republican Party, calls his "star power" to work with the GOP on bridging Red-Blue divisions and getting some things done. The son of a black economist from Kenya and a white teacher from Kansas might be uniquely qualified to nudge the country toward the color purple. "One party seems to be defending a moribund status quo, and the other is defending an oligarchy," he says coolly. "It's not a very attractive choice." Obama's a Blue State Democrat, all right, and by most standards a liberal one. But Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, an architect of President Clinton's "Third Way" approach, sees him as a bridge from the left to the center of the spectrum: "Not just a phenomenal writer—he wrote that convention speech himself—but incredibly pragmatic." Some party constituencies might be in for a surprise. Obama may be the only African-American in the Senate, but this is not a man who wants to be seen as the leader of black America. When he spoke at a Congressional Black Caucus reception recently, Obama graciously thanked several caucus leaders by name, then concluded with a short but telling statement: "I'm looking forward to working with you on behalf of all Americans."
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Obama's voting record in Illinois defines him for what he is - Just another socialist of the Kennedy/Hillary persuasion.
He's liberal like all of 'em.
Too bad Mr. Jonathon Alter, like the rest of his MSM buddies, does not reside in the "real" world. In a nut shell, being Black, Liberal and Democrat ain't cool, and it certainly ain't where its at. For Mr. Obama to succeed in the future he darn well better start preaching to Black folks that assimilation into general American society is the goal for 21st century Blacks.
Racism as practiced by Jesse Jackson, John Conyers, Julian Bond is passe. And....Blacks are no longer the largest minority group in the USA. Hispanics own that title, and will own it for along time. Blacks have painted themselves into a "politically powerless" corner by their diehard support of the Democrat "Slavery" Party. Let's be honest and face facts, the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP have not one iota of political power in the current Washington, DC environment. Until Blacks wake up and exercise their political power in diverse fashion, they will remain at the bottom of both the economic and opportunity totem pole to which their "beloved" Democrat Party has chained them to.
As for Mr. Obama, we shall see what the future holds for him. At this juncture, I say the jury on Barack Obama is still out. I do believe he has a golden opportunity to advance the plight of Blacks, and also move the entire country foward, if he takes the lead and moves Blacks into an aggressive pursuit of the opportunity society and away from the policies of the current Democrat "slavery" Party that have failed them so miserably. Time will tell the tale!!!
The libs are pinning a lot of hope on this lib.
Good line. Nonsense, of course, but still a good line.
If not for Chicago (aka Beirut By The Lake) and "Crook" County, Dubya wins IL. Obama can kiss my RED Dupage County @$$!
In short, this light weight is the MOST over hyped 'minority' since "Carol Mostly Fraud" was in the senate.
Amen. I am so sick of hearing about this "rising star". On the other hand, if he were of the political persuasion of a Thomas Sowell, J.C. Watts, or Walter Williams, I'm sure I would never hear about him at all, except in negative terms.
JLAGRAYFOX:In a nut shell, being Black, Liberal and Democrat ain't cool, and it certainly ain't where its at. For Mr. Obama to succeed in the future he darn well better start preaching to Black folks that assimilation into general American society is the goal for 21st century Blacks... .Blacks are no longer the largest minority group in the USA. Hispanics own that title, and will own it for along time. Blacks have painted themselves into a "politically powerless" corner by their diehard support of the Democrat "Slavery" Party.
Here we go again with the fallacious racist mentality that if a Black person dares not join the GOP he is out, inadequate and even stupid. As a Black man, I feel Blacks and all people for that matter are not at all obligated to join a party because of their race. There is a lot of room for change and improvement in "black communities." Mr. Cosby was right about what he said about better parenting and the importance of the emphasis of education. To the extent that there are political solutions to problems of black communities, I salute the work of Republicans and Democrats alike. Our president, George W. Bush, increased funding for mathematics and science. Clinton brought us the Americorps and tax credits for parents and students in college. Both Republicans and Democrats have implemented policies that help the children of students. While I salute civil participation, it is not neccesary for Blacks to be Democrats or Republicans to improve the plight of their communities. Rather, it is essential for Black parents to properly parent their kids and becomin actively involved in their education. There is no Democrat or Republican solution to this problem.
JLAGRAYFOX:Until Blacks wake up and exercise their political power in diverse fashion, they will remain at the bottom of both the economic and opportunity totem pole to which their "beloved" Democrat Party has chained them to.
As a person who is not racist, embraces the ideas of justice for all and equal justice under the law, I am not looking to pit Blacks and Latinos against each other for political gain. I will always for civil rights for Blacks and all people. According to experts, Whites will in two decades or so become the minority. As a principled person, I will always support and even fight for Whites having an adequate place on "both the economic and opportunity totem pole." Though I reject the thinking that Blacks are not important because there are more Hispanics than Blacks and the underlying train of thinking, I know that there are many more Blacks of voting age than Hispanics. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, et al are equally significant!
First of all I am not suggesting that Blacks should join the Republican Party. I am saying that they need to leverage their political power, just as Hispanics and Asians, etc. are doing today. You are absolutely correct is assessing the role that Bill Cosby is playing. What he is saying has been needed said for a long, long, time. Unfortunately, whether you agree with it or not, Blacks have positioned themselves in a very unenviable political stance, one that could have been avoided very easily by simple diversification of political choice.
No political party is going to grant them success, fortune and assimilation into American general society. Only individual Blacks through education, hardwork, determination and effort will reach that goal, just as all American immigrant groups have done, including Hispanics and Asians, etc. The civil rights campaign has done much to position Blacks to make the "leap" into general American society, business and education. Problem is the majority of Blacks, through their continued support of the Democrat Party have not gone beyond the opportunity presented to them. Of course, the Democrat Party really and actually wants Blacks to remain at fever pitch, in a "racist" mode, mired at the bottom of the economic totem pole. It is to the Democrat's strong advantage that they keep Blacks in their weak economic place, while outwardly preaching "equality" for all!!! Unfortunately for Blacks, they have fallen for this pitch, which now has rendered them politically powerless in a dynamic world that is changing dramatically around them. Until their dependence on one politcal party is altered, Blacks will never, ever be all that they can be.
I do agree that racism still exists, but the overwhelming majority of Americans would be overjoyed if Blacks as individuals would use their God given talent and skill to move into general American society, not as Blacks or pawns of the Democrat Party, but just as plain Americans that we all want to be.
Just another slick, smooth talkin lib!
Though there is a lot of work to do, Blacks have made gains. You claim Democrats want Blacks to remain on the bottom on the totem pole. I beg to differ. We all know the importance of a college education. Bill Clinton championed and created Americorps and an organization similar to Americorp with the missions of providing meaningful work for college students in poor communities including Black communities for educational financial assistance. Bill Clinton in a number of speeches addressed the importance of college education for minorities just as members of the civil rights movement have. Bill Clinton also created two tax credits for students and parents. The notion that Democrats want Blacks on the bottom of the economic totem pole is just false, period.
You can grant college education to all the Blacks you want and it will not change a thing until Blacks assimilate themselves into the overall free enterprise economy. Depending on government jobs and welfare is no way to reach the American dream. Bill Clinton was no friend of Black folk. Let me ask you one simple question. How many educated, or for that matter, uneducated, high or low paying, meaningful Black jobs has your wonderful Bill Clinton brought to Harlem, New York where his office is. Answer, ZIPPO! He is a farce and you are foolish to believe otherwise.
I suggest you open your eyes and see the world as it really is. Democrats have never, nor will they ever be friends of Blacks. All they want is your votes, period. The good news is that Black folk are beginning to get it. So, my friend within the next few years, you will be in the minority within the Black population. The times are changing and you are going to be left behind because you refuse to open your eyes, ears and heart. I want Black folks, and for that matter, all Americans to be all that they can be, and, I am willing, then, to let the political impact fall where it may. Good luck with your "narrow" outlook. The Democrat Party just loves folks like you!!!
If Blacks are not embracing FREE ENTERPRISE, what are they doing, living under an underground communist economy? It is a proven fact that education is the most essential element in making it in today's world. Clinton's tax credits and programs did a lot for educating Blacks and people of all racial groups. As far as government jobs go, GWB has one. There are many meaningful noble government jobs within the SEC, FBI, CIA and other agencies that are key to, in the case of the SEC, ensuring our economic system of FREE ENTERPRISE has integrity and securing this country in the case of the other jobs.
There seems to be a curious pschology among Republicans in which it is asserted that Democrats are against blacks, it was racist of Reid to make a comment about Thomas' legal opinons that had nothing to do with race but somehow someway it was not racist of Lott to praise Strom Thurmond's racist run for the WhiteHouse. Democrats have made given tax credits for education which help more blacks and more people in general afford a higher education and later enjoy a better quality of life. Your desire to baselessly paint Democrats as racists blind you from this fact.
As far as Clinton creating jobs in Harlem, what jobs did the elder Bush create with office in Texas? As a footnote, as president, Clinton championed economic empowerment zones in Harlem which helped and continues to help Harlem's economy. So if you choose to continue to baselessly paint Democrats as being against blacks at least use facts....
My friend, we have a great difference of opinion and view of the world as it impacts American Blacks. I am certain, however that we both seek the same positive ends, objectives and goals for American Black folk. Only the passage of time and events will prove which of us was more correct. Time will tell the story........!!!
We clearly have different views. My positions relating to this matter are based on facts and logic while yours seem to derive from a fallacious racist psychology we find among many Republicans which induces you to make unwarranted claims about Democrats on the race issue perhaps to save face for the acts and rhetoric of some Republicans or a lame attempt to convert voters.
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