Nader: Obama 'talking white'
sweet adeline
Posts: 2,191
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/25/nader-obama-talking-white/
June 25, 2008
Nader: Obama 'talking white'
Posted: 02:45 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Nader is taking heat for his latest comments.
(CNN) — Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy has received little media attention, but his latest critique of Barack Obama has come under fire for it's seemingly racial overtones.
Speaking with Colorado's Rocky Mountain News, Nader accused Obama of attempting to both "talk white" and appeal to "white guilt" in his quest to win the White House.
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the paper in comments published Tuesday. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."
Obama's presidential campaign called those comments disappointing.
Nader, the longtime consumer advocate who was blamed by many Democrats for Al Gore’s loss in the 2000 presidential election, said Obama's top issue should be poverty in America, given his racial heritage.
Watch: Why is Nader running for president
"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," he said. "Haven't heard a thing."
Nader also said Obama is making a concerted effort not to be "another politically threatening African-American politician."
"He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
Nader formally entered the presidential race last spring, expressing disappointment with both remaining Democratic candidates at that time.
"They are both enthralled to the corporate powers," he told CNN of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. "They've completely ignored the presidential pattern of illegality and accountability, they've ignored the out of control waste-fruad military expenditures, they hardly ever mention the diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars to corporate subsidies, handouts, and giveaways, and they don't talk about a living wage."
June 25, 2008
Nader: Obama 'talking white'
Posted: 02:45 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Nader is taking heat for his latest comments.
(CNN) — Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy has received little media attention, but his latest critique of Barack Obama has come under fire for it's seemingly racial overtones.
Speaking with Colorado's Rocky Mountain News, Nader accused Obama of attempting to both "talk white" and appeal to "white guilt" in his quest to win the White House.
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the paper in comments published Tuesday. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."
Obama's presidential campaign called those comments disappointing.
Nader, the longtime consumer advocate who was blamed by many Democrats for Al Gore’s loss in the 2000 presidential election, said Obama's top issue should be poverty in America, given his racial heritage.
Watch: Why is Nader running for president
"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," he said. "Haven't heard a thing."
Nader also said Obama is making a concerted effort not to be "another politically threatening African-American politician."
"He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
Nader formally entered the presidential race last spring, expressing disappointment with both remaining Democratic candidates at that time.
"They are both enthralled to the corporate powers," he told CNN of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. "They've completely ignored the presidential pattern of illegality and accountability, they've ignored the out of control waste-fruad military expenditures, they hardly ever mention the diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars to corporate subsidies, handouts, and giveaways, and they don't talk about a living wage."
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Comments
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There are people that fit that demographic just as there are people that won't vote for Obama because he is African American. It's Nader's opinion that Obama wants to appeal to people who feel that having the first black president ever is a huge thing.....many people here have said it is a big deal so he's not really wrong here. However, I would prefer if race were left out of it altogether....even if both sides have some truth to them, let's focus on the issues. Nader has Obama beat in that area hands down....but again, that wasn't getting him any PR now was it?If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
Obama speaking jive would scare whitey.0
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sweet adeline wrote:http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/25/nader-obama-talking-white/
June 25, 2008
Nader: Obama 'talking white'
Posted: 02:45 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Nader is taking heat for his latest comments.
(CNN) — Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy has received little media attention, but his latest critique of Barack Obama has come under fire for it's seemingly racial overtones.
Speaking with Colorado's Rocky Mountain News, Nader accused Obama of attempting to both "talk white" and appeal to "white guilt" in his quest to win the White House.
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the paper in comments published Tuesday. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."
Obama's presidential campaign called those comments disappointing.
Nader, the longtime consumer advocate who was blamed by many Democrats for Al Gore’s loss in the 2000 presidential election, said Obama's top issue should be poverty in America, given his racial heritage.
Watch: Why is Nader running for president
"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," he said. "Haven't heard a thing."
Nader also said Obama is making a concerted effort not to be "another politically threatening African-American politician."
"He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
Nader formally entered the presidential race last spring, expressing disappointment with both remaining Democratic candidates at that time.
"They are both enthralled to the corporate powers," he told CNN of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. "They've completely ignored the presidential pattern of illegality and accountability, they've ignored the out of control waste-fruad military expenditures, they hardly ever mention the diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars to corporate subsidies, handouts, and giveaways, and they don't talk about a living wage."
Is Nader suggesting that Obama SHOULD be coming across like Jesse Jackson (i.e., mildly retarded?)? He makes some valid points, but damn. Appealing to whites is not a bad thing, necessarily, and neither is avoiding extremist proclaimations ala Jesse Jackson.
Ugh ... I am speaking as someone who is NOT a part of Obamamania, too.0 -
"If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room."
Gambling=a taxation on stupidity.
Remember, you can walk anywhere, as long as you have the time.
http://www.ryanmontbleauband.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jessedee0 -
that's so true....and funny!LikeAnOcean wrote:Obama speaking jive would scare whitey."The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." ~ Niels Bohr
http://www.myspace.com/illuminatta
Rhinocerous Surprise '08!!!0 -
reborncareerist wrote:Is Nader suggesting that Obama SHOULD be coming across like Jesse Jackson (i.e., mildly retarded?)? He makes some valid points, but damn. Appealing to whites is not a bad thing, necessarily, and neither is avoiding extremist proclaimations ala Jesse Jackson.
Ugh ... I am speaking as someone who is NOT a part of Obamamania, too.
I am a little confused to. It sounds like Nader is saying because Obama is black he should be expected to take up inner-city causes. Almost like saying he is black so he should be good at sports.0 -
reborncareerist wrote:Is Nader suggesting that Obama SHOULD be coming across like Jesse Jackson (i.e., mildly retarded?)? He makes some valid points, but damn. Appealing to whites is not a bad thing, necessarily, and neither is avoiding extremist proclaimations ala Jesse Jackson.
Ugh ... I am speaking as someone who is NOT a part of Obamamania, too.
I don't think he means appealing to white is a bad thing...I think he means that Obama is holding back previous stances on issues to appeal to a certain demographic. He's saying Obama is holding back to gain votes whereas Jesse Jackson usually speaks his mind.If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
maybe nader missed this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU
otherwise what exactly does he mean---obama should be talking ebonics? payday loans, predatory lending, tenants rights, etc. are tackled at the local level in my experience. those are examples of things, say, obama could have worked on while he was a community organizer.
man, obama is either too black, too white, doesn't mention every single issue anyone in the entire country could think of, too muslim, too christian, not christian enough, doesn't mention muslim things enough . . .if you wanna be a friend of mine
cross the river to the eastside0 -
Kel Varnsen wrote:I am a little confused to. It sounds like Nader is saying because Obama is black he should be expected to take up inner-city causes. Almost like saying he is black so he should be good at sports.
No, he is saying that Obama used to be about inner-city causes but now he is only worried about getting votes from demographics that aren't already a sure thing to vote for him. He's saying Obama is strategizing instead of staying true to the issues he used to champion.If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
Obama speaking with proper diction is a good thing.... no matter what color you are.
The corporate structure for the record is not limited to a particular color... it does have a proper decorum though... and that's not exactly a bad thing.
The idea of dressing professionally and speaking professionally is not particular to a single culture.My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.0 -
Kel Varnsen wrote:I am a little confused to. It sounds like Nader is saying because Obama is black he should be expected to take up inner-city causes. Almost like saying he is black so he should be good at sports.
that's what it sounded like to me. not all black people are ghettoized (many are). some do have education and middle class lives! ZOMG.
and remember, he should be good at sports except if it involves swimming.if you wanna be a friend of mine
cross the river to the eastside0 -
All of which is irrelevent if he doesn't release his Birth Certificate!!!>!>!>>>VictoryGin wrote:maybe nader missed this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU
otherwise what exactly does he mean---obama should be talking ebonics? payday loans, predatory lending, tenants rights, etc. are tackled at the local level in my experience. those are examples of things, say, obama could have worked on while he was a community organizer.
man, obama is either too black, too white, doesn't mention every single issue anyone in the entire country could think of, too muslim, too christian, not christian enough, doesn't mention muslim things enough . . .
And don't feed me that crap about it being on his website, 'cause I got reliable internet sources that say it's an obvious fake. Besides, someone like Obombi couldn't possibly be a born an' raised true-blue American. @! HIS KENYAN BIRTH??!?! TAHT MOHAMMAD IS HIS REAL MIDLED NAME>???0 -
VictoryGin wrote:
man, obama is either too black, too white, doesn't mention every single issue anyone in the entire country could think of, too muslim, too christian, not christian enough, doesn't mention muslim things enough . . .
The same goes for the other candidates, too. There's always a million reasons why some one doesn't float your boat.If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
yeah...I'm agreeing...the article suggests this is seeming racial overtones. I think it's more direct, overt racial overtones.
What on earth is "talking white"???????
Obama "should" do exactly what he does do...follow his own purposes and act accordingly.
edit: racial does not equate to racist"The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." ~ Niels Bohr
http://www.myspace.com/illuminatta
Rhinocerous Surprise '08!!!0 -
One could say that the job of President is different than the job of local politician or community organizer.Abookamongstthemany wrote:No, he is saying that Obama used to be about inner-city causes but now he is only worried about getting votes from demographics that aren't already a sure thing to vote for him. He's saying Obama is strategizing instead of staying true to the issues he used to champion.0 -
Nader has the right to say whatever he wants...but personally, I'm offended at his narrow view of "whites". But, maybe it's the same to think and say that blacks will vote for Obama simply because he is black. I can see how that could be very offensive...and also how it can be true for a portion of the larger group.
It's a jackass thing to say. Everyone says stuff like this from time to time (meaning things that don't really mean what their saying), though, so maybe he'll clarify or retract.hippiemom = goodness0 -
RainDog wrote:All of which is irrelevent if he doesn't release his Birth Certificate!!!>!>!>>>
And don't feed me that crap about it being on his website, 'cause I got reliable internet sources that say it's an obvious fake. Besides, someone like Obombi couldn't possibly be a born an' raised true-blue American. @! HIS KENYAN BIRTH??!?! TAHT MOHAMMAD IS HIS REAL MIDLED NAME>???
hey, i knew he wasn't an american when he didn't wear a flag pin! or when people in west virginia/indiana/kentucky/parts of ohio and penn proclaimed they wanted to vote for an american (hillary clinton)!if you wanna be a friend of mine
cross the river to the eastside0 -
RainDog wrote:One could say that the job of President is different than the job of local politician or community organizer.
Certainly. How is one going to become president (under the current system) without generating broad appeal? In this case, Nader's criticism is basically another version of "Why are people playing politics when they should be championing issues"? Its a totally valid question to ask, but the long and the short of it is that one must play politics to win a presidency.
Incidentally, I still have a beef with equating appealing to the "white masses" as "playing politics" ... Last time I checked, white people were still a large voting block who do indeed have concerns that deserve to be addressed.0 -
RainDog wrote:One could say that the job of President is different than the job of local politician or community organizer.
well NO WONDER nader made that comment then!if you wanna be a friend of mine
cross the river to the eastside0 -
angelica wrote:yeah...I'm agreeing...the article suggests this is seeming racial overtones. I think it's more direct, overt racial overtones.
What on earth is "talking white"???????
Obama "should" do exactly what he does do...follow his own purposes and act accordingly.
edit: racial does not equate to racist
Dave Chappelle has always done a good job:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UayQTu2kH-U
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iRpYoTX6ACs&feature=relatedIf you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0
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