Black Conservatives Grapple With Pull Of Obama

NPR ^ | July 16, 2008

[AmericanMade1776]

Conservative commentator Armstrong Williams, who is African-American, says he's torn between voting for Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama in the November presidential election.

"Many conservatives who happen to be black see it as a dilemma because they're wondering what they're going to tell their children and grandchildren 20 years from now when they had a chance in American history, which is rare and has never happened before, to pull the lever [for a black presidential candidate]," Williams tells host Michele Norris. "It creates quite a dilemma because there's not something wrong with Sen. John McCain; he's very impressive."

Williams notes that McCain is a war hero and has carved out a reputation as a maverick in the Senate who often bucks his own party.

[NordP]

<"..."Many conservatives who happen to be black see it as a dilemma because they're wondering what they're going to tell their children and grandchildren 20 years from now when they had a chance in American history..."

Well, they're going to be ABLE to tell their children that they followed the DREAM of Martin Luther King, Jr. and they're not racists.

That should be a good start to have a man "judged NOT by the color of his skin, but the content of his character."

AM1776 - I swear I didn't read your 1st comment until I went back to read my posting to my hubby before I printed it. Great minds!

[Heartland Mom]

Well, Conservative African Americans would do well to remember that we are at war and our country is in dire economic straits and that we can ill afford to have a flip flopping, inexperienced, Marxist tax and spend President.

Why is it okay to vote for someone because of his skin color, but not to withhold your vote from someone because of his skin color?

It is beyond ironic that some of the people who yell "racist" the most are the ones who are actually guilty of the charge.

[a real Sheila]

That is correct and WHEN Obama turns out to be the WORST POTUS EVER, except for maybe Jimmy Carter, so the folks who voted for him are NOT going to admit to it in a few years.

[YellowRoseofTx]

If black conservatives are voting solely based on the historical significance of possibly putting a half black man in the White House,

They why didn't they strongly back conservative blacks running for office in the past,including the presidency?

[zeestephen]

Anyone here doubt what the story line would be if Obama was a black Republican Conservative?

Millions of black Democrats would be explaining that they are voting against Obama in order to defend timeless political principles, and that race has nothing to do with it.

[a real Sheila]

Blacks are proving that they did not share MLK’s dream.
They are proving that THEY judge SOLELY by the color of one’s skin and that is WHY 99% of them are voting for BHO.
They are proving that they expect special treatment of blacks from BHO’s government.

I don’t want to hear another peep out of any of them EVER calling whites racist....EVER again.

[LWalk18]

When you belong to a group in which 92% passionately support Obama, it is very difficult to be in the 8%, at least publicly. While blacks overwhelmingly vote for Democratic candidates, you have in this election the chance "to make history"- which is not insignificant. When my grandparents grew up in the 1930's and 1940's it would have been unfathomable for a black man to become president. Part of me would like my grandmother to see that happen, knowing that the chance that there will be another opportunity in her lifetime is slim to none.

However, I am an American first and foremost, and I do not believe that Obama is suitable to be president, especially in a post 9/11 world. In addition, I cannot support someone who supports killing the unborn. So I am voting for McCain without hesitation.

[erikm88]

You make a good point. Being conservative and black results in insults and other attacks such as "acting white..."

As for myself, I couldn't vote for an Asian candidate with a socialist platform. I would not feel like I was selling out my race or not contributing to a historical event.

Like another poster said... this issue has been beaten like a dead horse... Black conservatives do need to fight the urge to vote for this dangerous man. I have faith that the black conservative voter is well-informed as to this man's intentions and platform... I would hope they make the correct decision.

[MEGoody]

Conservative commentator Armstrong Williams, who is African-American, says he's torn between voting for Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama in the November presidential election.

I guess Armstrong needs to decide if he wants to be defined by his skin color or the content of his character.

[mathluv]

I have decided that most blacks today have no idea what Dr. King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech actually said. It has been ignored because of the black pimps like Jesse and Al.

[skully]

Those damn “racist” Conservatives.

[chickadee]

Has anyone listened to J.C. Watts lately? Whenever he visits Sean Hannity, he is making excuses for Obama and for Rev. Wright, etc. Even Sean is beginning to catch on.

[hosepipe]

There is something wrong with Armstrong Williams...
Should be an easy choice since Obama is a known Marxist..
Williams must not be what he seems..

On the other hand McLaim is a socialist and Obama is a Marxist the difference is external..

[weegee]

NPR is selective in what quotes they bother to use from Armstrong Williams:

WILLIAMS: Obamacans - Doing what's right … for all the wrong reasons (Monday, July 7, 2008)

...handing Mr. Obama the tactical high ground in the general election merely to score points in state and local contests might put the Republicans at a long-term disadvantage - even if they manage to win those races.

The reason is simply that attempting to ride Mr. Obama's coattails to victory gives Republicans a poor vantage point to criticize the Obama camp in the unlikely event that he actually takes the White House in November. An Obama administration, if the Rev. Wright episode and other missteps are any indication, is sure to be filled with its share of foibles, follies and just plain wrongheaded policies. What happened to the good old days, last seen at the end of the Clinton administration, when party politicians would rather fall on their swords if necessary to bring about a sea change in politics rather than pander to the opposition because they fear they'll lose their own seats (to another member of the same party)?

[snip]

Moreover, as much as Mr. Obama is a likeable candidate - and I will readily admit that he is - we must not get so starry-eyed over his image that we lose sight of the policies he represents. This is the guy who promised unconditional dialogue with a hostile dictatorship in Iran. He would impose government-funded health care on an already broken federal medical regime. Obamacans, as they are now known, risk losing the farm merely for a night out on the town with the captain of the football team. Is it really worth it?

[snip]

The Republican Party must not try to don the colors of the Democrats to try and fool the electorate into voting its way. It must present unique, distinguishable solutions to the challenges facing Americans.

While, the Republican Party must adapt to change, it has to stick to principle.

Socialists lie. Always. Lies by omission are lies too.

NPR is run by Socialist "progressives".

[weegee]

Drudge seems to be pimping Obama too.

[Altura Ct.]

Exactly and too many white people still spout “I don’t care about color” yet in addition to Watts and many other black “conservatives”. HUNDREDS of race groups like the NAACP, LaRaza et al keep marching on and in fact presidential canidates pander to them. Bahhhhhhhhh, Bahhhhhhhhh I don’t care if they are purple said Little Bo Peep.

[chickadee]

I had a phone call last night from the Obama campaign. I answered the phone and a young woman said "Hi, how are you tonight, Mrs. XXXX?" I said fine and asked who was calling (very pleasantly). She said, I am XXXX from the Obama for President campaign. I very sweetly told her, "I am sorry, I have no interest in Obama", thanked her and hung up. She's probably still staring at the phone. Could there really be someone out there who is not interested in Obama?

[jmaroneps37]

I don't give a damn what the so called Black conservatives do. McCain will win without them, they will be discredited and that will open some spots for other genuine conservatives who happen to be Black who weren't “torn” by barack mcgovern.

[Friendofgeorge]

What are they going to tell their grand children???

Howbout after prayerful consideration and Counsel with the Almighty, We decided we could not vote for a abortionist and still expect to go to Heaven when we die.

[AmericanMade1776]

erikm88 wrote: If black conservatives are voting solely based on the historical significance of possibly putting a half black man in the White House, they were never conservative to begin with.

Well that is the truth.