Video: Obama’s Wife Plays Race Card on ‘60 Minutes’

Hot Air ^ | 2/12/07

[areafiftyone]

VIDEO IS HERE

Chicago Tribune:

The heavy presence of security around Obama was also a silent reminder of the change that took place with the announcement. Michelle Obama, the candidate’s wife, acknowledged it in an interview to air on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” in which she was asked if she fears for her husband’s life as a black candidate.

“I don’t lose sleep over it because the realities are that . . . as a black man . . . Barack can get shot going to the gas station,” Michelle Obama said in the interview, set to air Sunday night. “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”

Well, I’m sure glad I’m white because that means I won’t be shot while “going to the gas station.” I forgot about that unwritten rule where only black men can be shot and no one else.

(h/t Randy)

[freeangel]

Why wouldn't she play the race card? But, puleeze--I'm a white woman and I seldom go out after dark by myself anymore.

[wtc911]

"...by his own people."

----------------------------

Hawaian born Kenyan mooslims?

[mbarker12474]

> can get shot going to the gas station...

Not after all gas stations are converted to CITGO.... or once Sultan of Energy Al Gore abolishes them completely.

[Nathan Zachary]

She said that because he's a black candidate, he stands a good chance of getting shot at a gas station.

Why? Well in her mind, it's because he's a black POTUS candidate, she is inferring that because of that, he stands a good chance of getting shot by white people IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE, not just at a gas station.

That is a racist remark, playing the race card, or what ever you want to call it along those lines.

[johnny7]

"as a black man?"

LOL. Reminds me of one of Phil Hendrie's characters who always injected... “as a gay-journalist... ”

[ryan71]

If she had said, "My black husband could get shot going to the gas station. Black on black crime in our community has to stop.", then it would be fine. But she did not acknowledge the problem lies in the black community.

What people are disturbed about is that she and many other black "leaders" take no responsibility for their own situation, the crime in their communities, and their claimed poverty.

By leaving her statement open-ended, she's being another black victim. She's blaming the problem on white society.

That, my friend, is playing the race card.

[Nathan Zachary]

" Barack can get shot going to the gas station,” And odds are by another Black man!

Not in her mind. She isn't saying that he would stand a good chance of getting shot walking to the gas station to buy a pack of smokes(he's a heavy smoker) if he WASN'T a candidate, she is stating that because he IS in fact a candidate, And black, He stands a good chance of being shot.

Why would another black man shoot a potential black president?

It's not likely. She is saying in so many words that some WHITE people wouldn't like a black man to be POTUS, and so because he is a candidate, he stands a good chance of getting shot ON THE WAY TO a gas station (or anywhere else). It's very racist.

[Dianna]

It has been well-known that Alma Powell was dead-set against Colin running for President for fear of his life.

I think we all can acknowledge the fear that a black, Presidential candidate may have of being shot BECAUSE of his candidacy. That isn't what the woman said. Presidential candidates don't stand at a pump and pump their own gas.

She may have meant she is afraid because he's a candidate, and if that is true, she is definitely not ready for prime time.

[derllak]

If this guy REALLY wants to be president, he'll keep her locked in a closet. She's definitely not an asset to him.

[CORedneck]

Sounds like a future "Hilliary".....

[ladyjane]

Are you serious? Obama is a heavy smoker? I thought liberals hated smokers.

[Nathan Zachary]

"Did they think to ask her, "Shot by whom?". Another black man, of course. But she would not dare say that.

Actually, no. She wasn't talking about a Chicago nieghborhjood. Or meant being shot by another black man. She was talking about during the campaign, on the campaign trail, anywhere in any part of the USA.

"he heavy presence of security around Obama was also a silent reminder of the change that took place with the announcement. Michelle Obama, the candidate’s wife, acknowledged it in an interview to air on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” in which she was asked if she fears for her husband’s life as a black candidate.

“I don’t lose sleep over it because the realities are that . . . as a black man . . . Barack can get shot going to the gas station,” Michelle Obama said in the interview, set to air Sunday night. “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”

It's quite clear.

[Roux]

Not just that but you'd think she'd like realize she was going to be on television. She looked rough.

[paulat]

Ohforpete's sake...you know what she meant!!

[nutmeg]

She sounds like a nice lady but somewhat dazed.

My impression as well.

[gogeo]

Black men are no more likely to be shot going to the gas station than white men, other things being equal. That's a fact...Obama hangs out in nicer neighborhoods than I do. There was no reason to introduce "as a black man," into the conversation unless she thought there was a reason.

If you don't want to accept that, fine. I think you're in denial, naive or disingenuous, but in America you have that right.

[paulat]

Black men are no more likely to be shot going to the gas station than white men

Wrong. Support it with stats.

[paulat]

There IS a reason to introduce race!!! If this guy is the first black to have a serious candidacy, then it IS a factor!! That doesn't mean it's "playing the race card."

I'm shocked at how many FReepers don't understand the phrase.

"Playing the race card" DOESN'T mean bringing up race.

I can't believe the ignorance.

[mel]

If she said as a black man I definitely think it was subtle hint at the race card.

[mel]

If she said as a black man I definitely think it was subtle hint at the race card. And then she goes on to say making a choice not based on fear. So he is not afraid to go to the gas station now, but would be afraid to go as Presidential hopeful.