CL TOPIC: MEDIA PROTECTS PRESIDENT OBAMA BECAUSE HE’S BLACK? – WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?

October 2nd, 2011
President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Human Rights Campaign’s 15th Annual National Dinner at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday (October 1) in Washington, DC. The President spoke to one of the leading gay rights groups two weeks after the repeal of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

In a recent interview with Media Research Center, Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) said that President Barack Obama’s race protects him from criticism from the media.

Reagan was beautiful because Reagan simplified everything, so let’s simplify it. This guy pushed every one of the media’s buttons. He was liberal, he was different, he was new, he was black. Oh my God, it was the potpourri of everything. They are so vested in our first black president not being a failure that it’s going to be amazing to watch the lengths they go to protect him. They [the media], I believe, will spout this racist line if some of their colleagues up here aren’t doing it aggressively enough. There is going to be a real desperation.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) shared similar sentiments at a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) town-hall, asserting that the CBC doesn’t put pressure on the President because blacks love him, but we want to hear from you on the topic.


DO WE GIVE PRESIDENT OBAMA A PASS BECAUSE OF HIS RACE?

  1. 1.
    anon

    I think Obama’s been openly criticized on several occasions by people of multiple races.

    Reply /0
    • mon

      exactly…and just the fact that this guy believes Reagan to have been a good president destroys all of his credibility Reagan and Nacy were frauds look it up

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    • kierra

      No body, except the Secret Service – has been protecting President Obama!

      The Press almost since the day he took office – has been looking for ways and opportunities to attack President Obama!

      The Press has allowed the Republicans to get away with calling the President all kinds of names – including racist ones.

      The Press has watched , mostly silent as the Republicans have done everything to sabotage the President, and try to stop his bills form passing through Congress.

      The Press has almost stood silnet, and watched as the Tea party walked around holding up racists signs against the President!

      The Press has stood silent allowing the Republicans to spread lies – including the big one started by Sarah Palin about “death panels”

      And the Press has NOT given Obama’s many accomplishments the kind of air time they have given to past Presidents.

      HERE”S A LIST of some of President Obama’s MANY accomplishments so far:

      -President Obama passed healthcare reform – something US presidents have been trying to accomplish for 100 years!
      -President Obama passed Financial Reform, including the creation of the country’s 1st Consumer Protection Agency.
      - President Obama has created an Educational program that improves the Primary and highschool educational system acros the country – called “RACE TO THE TOP”.
      - President Obama passed a law that allows women, and other minorities to sue to get paid the SAME as men for equal amount of work.
      - President Obama has increased drilling for oil – to the highest level it has been in US history.
      - President Obama has Strengthened the Small Business Administration programs that provide capital to minority-owned businesses.
      - President Obama passed a Credit Card Bill of rights that protects customers from unfair practices by their credit card companies.
      - President Obama initiated a training program to provide federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to detect and prosecute cyber crime.
      - President Obama Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba.
      - President Obama Obama expanded the highly-successful Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers. The Nurse-Family Partnership provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families.
      - President Obama expanded pell Grants for low-income college students.
      - President Obama Created a community college partnership program that provide grants to communtoy colleges to conduct more thorough analysis of the types of skills and technical education that are in high demand from students and local industry; b) implement new associate of arts degree programs that cater to emerging industry and technical career demands; and c) reward those institutions that graduate more students and also increase their numbers of transfer students to four-year institutions.
      - President Obama Repealed DADT
      - President Obama enacted the Matthew Sheppard law, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors,
      - Establish ‘Promise Neighborhoods’ for areas of concentrated poverty
      -President Obama created 20 Promise Neighborhoods in cities that have high levels of poverty and crime and low levels of student academic achievement. The Promise Neighborhoods will model the Harlem Children’s Zone and seek to engage all resident children and their parents in an achievement program based on tangible goals, including college for every participating student.
      - President Obama passed a law that creates new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud.
      - President Obama has invested in all types of alternative energy, clean energy projects. More than any other President.
      - President Obama has created job training programs for clean technologies.
      - President Obama has invested in public transportation.
      - President Obama has been the President who ordered the raid on the terrorist -Bin laden in Pakistan.
      - President Obama passed a Stimulsu bill that the Congressional budget office says created and saved up to 3 million JOBS!
      _ Presdient Obama is still pushing to get his second jobs bill passed – which economists says will create up to 2 million new jobs!

      Go read about these, and all the OTHER accomplishments for yourself:

      http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/

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    • luvutu

      so agreed…if not more in my opinion! this guy and ole’ girl Maxine Waters on some BS!

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    • keepinitrealladies

      I agree everyone @Kierra honey I wasn’t going to read yours because its a bit lenghty, but I did anyway and you are so right sweetie. They don’t want to acknowledge this only find ways to attack him and that goes for Congress as well as the Media. I wonder what they are going to say when we VOTE him back in office in 2012. BOO-YAH

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    • Alex

      @KIERRA Did you ever watch the news when President Bush was in office? He was referred to as mentally challenged, a liar, a Nazi, he was told to “shut the hell up” by numerous news media figures and did the media focus any attention on this? No they didn’t (but let me guess that’s all ok because he’s white, or is it because he’s a republican and YOU didn’t support him). Have you ever watched MSNBC? It’s the most liberally bias news source in the world (it is Fox News for Democrats). Bush saw just as much, if not more public criticism than President Obama, yet when it happens to Obama it’s racist and unjust. Meanwhile:
      - Jimmy Hoffa Jr. says publicly “let’s take these sons of bitches out” referring to tea party members and there is no media scrutiny
      - Joe Biden referred to tea party members as barbarians, again no media scrutiny
      - Roseanne Barr calls for the “beheading” of bankers and the wealthy who won’t “give up their wealth” (I’m sorry, I must have missed where suddenly every rich person is a corrupt piece of shit who didn’t work at all for their money and is the scum of the earth for not simply handing all their money out on street corners) not to mention Ms. Barr is ridiculously wealthy, again no media scrutiny
      - Janeane Garofalo stated on MSNBC that she thinks Herman Cain (the African-American Republican Presidential candidate) is being paid by conservatives to run for president – a blatantly ignorant and racist comment based on nothing but her incredibly bias opinion, again no media scrutiny
      - Anytime there are black republicans (Tim Scott, Congressmen General Allen West, Herman Cain) they are called “Oreo,” or “Uncle Tom,” or “sellout,” more blatantly racist remarks, again no media scrutiny, and no response from civil rights leaders like Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson
      If you are so concerned with racism then address it on all fronts or else anything you say loses all credibility. Do research, read a variety of sources, and look at issues from all different perspectives before you simply regurgitate headlines that you read. People are allowed to disagree with President Obama, they’re allowed to voice their criticism, and they can do so without being racist. YOU have to be able to comprehend the grounds on which Obama’s critics disagree with him, and not default to blaming it on racism. In doing such you are unnecessarily perpetuating racial tension, and you come across as being just as racist as those you condemn.

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  2. 2.
    noir

    The media and the American people certainly don’t- if anything they exaggerate every problem we have because of the fact that he is that potpourri mixture of a person (democrat, liberal, black, new etc.) and associate every single political non race related move he makes WITH his race. So that’s absurd to even suggest. People of all ethnic backgrounds criticize Obama (regular people and people in the media) and his strategies before they even know what he’s gonna do, and even if it will help them. He comes under more fire than he would if he were white by everyone. This was just an odd allegation to begin with.

    Reply /0
    • DesignStudent

      I agree….

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    • 120

      i agree as well.. FOX criticizes him every 3 seconds.. and 1/2 of the media outlets STILL refer to him as Obama instead of President Obama I think. All in all, I think he’s doing the best he can though and he HAS made lots of changes.

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  3. 3.
    Brionna

    I don’t think the media has a problem criticizing Obama, however, black people in general do.
    Obama is ilke God to some blks

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    • ThaTRUTH

      He passed healthcare. changed sentencing laws, Got the bad guy.. and he is still wrong. this man is going through what alot of brown skin people have. he is being treated differently. If any other pres.did what he has, people would be jumping for joy. Blacks do not give him a pass, we can relate. Thats the difference. We need to all be registered to vote and DO IT!! Its the little elections that continue to hurt us, look at the Tea Party, they have strength because they are the voters, they chose who will represent them in congress. We need to start doing the same.Is it just me that believes the higher level of unemployment with blacks is because of the law changes(which freed alot of minorties locked up for petty crimes). Stop letting media water down your brain.

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    • Reneeislookin

      I am not sure in what black community this statement would be accurate. I am black and I get mad about a lot of things that he does or doesn’t do and I certainly get mad when it seems as though he is not standing up and speaking out on what he believes for fear of what someone will say. I do think the black community thinks of him as a god but, the race as a whole down through its generation has suffered at the hands of the European race as well as its own. I want someone in the white house who cares about us all and not just those with money. I wish for something that will never come and that is fairness. I am not quick to pull the race card but, let’s keep it real, it is what it is. I totally agree with Noir. The black community never truly see the real benefit of his or her vote because, nothing is ever just created for its success yet, there is always an emphasis on his or her failure…kind of like what is happening to President Obama… Everything President Obama tries to put in place for people i.e. Gays in the military, health care, middle class tax breaks, funding for school, etc. there is someone in congress or some tea party person that says otherwise… Who of all the presidents had the biggest debt? Reagan Who else added to the debt? Bush …

      My question to President Obama is why? Why run for a second term? Not because I don’t like him or think that overall he is doing a good job but, with the people in office saying no to everything he suggest and having no real plans other than to give the rich more… what does he really think he can do … keep giving them more of what they want without getting the things this country needs?

      I still trying to figure out why those in congress get to be in these positions for what seems like forever. There should be some terms limits on these positions just like it is for the presidency, government, etc. This way, someone else can come in and do something different than the bs that is happening in there now on a daily basis or until they have the nerve to go out on break. …gtfohwts…

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    • luvutu

      I don’t!!! But I do think that he is coming from a good place!! and ofcourse Im routing for him so that we can have another example of what blacks are capable of! Sometimes I get fustrated with him cuz it seems like he’s walking on egg shells to please everybody…when this is simply not possible!!!!

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  4. 4.
    brandi

    Apparently the Tea Party hasn’t gotten that memo.

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  5. 5.
    Liz

    I believe that because he is black he gets critized even more than the white presidents. We all know who messed up everything in the first place, yet we are blaming him and critizing him for everything. Some black people critize him more than whites do. I don’t get it. Give the man a chance to fix things. We gave Bush a chance to mess it up..just sayin

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  6. 6.
    Redchainsaw

    This is blasphemy ,he has been criticized from the day he ran for the presidential office,if they would put politics aside and stop blocking everything he tries to put into effect,he’ll do a way better job than he’s doing now, Pres,Obama knows what he’s doing and he’s intelligent.

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  7. 7.
    Ayanna

    Personally I like Obama, but I think he does get a pass from the Media. I dont see the media criticize Obama as much as past presidents, except for Fox News but we all know their agenda.

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  8. 8.
    Ayanna

    The Tea Party is not media.

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  9. 9.
    jenny

    EXACT OPPOSITE!
    He gets more scrutiny because hes black. Trust me, there are a lot of ppl who want him to fail simply because they want to *prove* that a black man is incompetent as president. And they blame him for everything, even the things beyond presidential control.

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  10. 10.
    Shellbee

    What is this fool smoking? I swear those Republithugs live in an alternate universe. Obama gets blamed for everything and credited with nothing. I have my issues with Barack, but c’mon now. This stupidness is not even thread worthy.

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  11. 11.
    o2mile23

    I think the man has been judge since the first day he was voted in office. its quite sad. envy something else with the Rep. They make it so obvious, they are starting to get on my nerves.I dont think Bush recieve this much judgement

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  12. 12.
    ken

    Joe Walsh is a member of the tea party. The republicans and the tea party basically decided to cripple this entire country simply so they could try and win the next election.

    If anything Obama has exposed the Washington political process for what it really is…. a sham full of elected officials who dont care one bit about the country but promoting there own personal agendas.

    Obama ran as someone who would promote change not by having all the answers himself but by bringing everyone to the table to work together to find answers that would benefit everyone.

    Ive seen him do nothing but compromise and Ive seen his opponents do nothing but draw a line in the sand and refuse to cross . Ive seen Obama cross that line and offer his opponents everything theyve asked and what happens.. the opponents run further away from the line they themselves drew.

    If people in this country cant see the intentions of the republicans and tea party members at this point this country is doomed .

    Reply /0
  13. 13.
    Breezer

    @RobertM_Realtor

    Reply /0
  14. 14.
    lemaracqt7

    When did he start getting a pass? They have been tougher on Pres. Obama than any other president. He is even getting blamed for the problems past presidents have caused. SMH

    Reply /0
  15. 15.
    Dada

    i think we give him a free pass for being black…

    Reply /0
  16. 16.
    Foxybrownknee

    First, President Obama is the most disrespected President I know. Most of the media and many of Americans refer to him as just Obama. That is disrespectful in and of itself. No matter what any past President did or didn’t do for our country, they were at least given that courtesy. And, it seems to me the media must have protected the other Presidents because they were White. The only problem many people have with President Obama is that he simply is the wrong color in the wrong color house. As he has stated once before, (not verbatim), it does not matter if he is a yessa massa boy, many Republicans and members of the Tea Party do not want him in office because for the first time, like it or not, there is brotha and sista in charge running the White American slave ship. I say hooah!!!!

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  17. 17.
    Will

    I’m African American and i have to admit that i voted for him because he is african american and i thought it would of been cool to finally have a black president in the white house but now i have to regret it simply because the man is not doing on what he’s supposed to be doing as far as creating jobs and rebuilding the economy its all talk with him and no action and its been like that for awhile now.
    he is constantly being critisized because he doesn’t know what the hell he is doing.so i hate to say this but he doesn’t deserve to be ReElected as President of the United States Of America.

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    • Reneeislookin

      Well, you are certainly entitled to vote for who you want to vote for but, keep this in mind since you think that President Obama is the only one that make decisions in Washington. And, since it seems as though you live in an alternative universe, everything that he presents gets shot down. That is why he has been going from state to state telling people to call their congressperson and lean on them to get them to pass the bill for jobs that he has on the table.

      Then, you need to do some research because, President Obama has fulfilled many of his promises. I bet that if he could do it alone, he wouldn’t have the problem with CONGRESS/TEA PARTY. Wake up because if you think that a republican will get a job for you, you are sadly mistaken… and in case you didn’t realize it, Bush left the country broke and hemorrhaging jobs. I have a few gripes with President Obama but, I also see what time it is. Get a clue about the reality of things and make a job for yourself.

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    • Alex

      @ WILL I am white and I strongly disagree with nearly everything President Obama has done. But I have to commend you for seeing past the race factor and looking at the facts. I may not be able to relate 100% to the importance of seeing an African-American being elected to be President, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the magnitude of the accomplishment at all. What bothers me about all of this is that I am white and I don’t need to see an African-American elected to the white house to know that there are tons of intelligent, compassionate, competent, and talented African-Americans throughout the world (and there are lots of white people that feel the same way). I don’t agree with Obama’s policies, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna start thinking all black people are failures or something ridiculous and ignorant like that. I know that racism exists and I do not support racism in any fashion, I just appreciate when people can see passed the race issues and understand that most criticism against Obama is not rooted in racism.

      @RENEEISLOOKIN As you stated, you are certainly entitled to vote for who you want to, but keep in mind although Obama isn’t the only one making decisions in Washington, his job as Commander and Chief is to be a problem solver, so saying that Bush left the country to shit is not an excuse, Obama knew the condition of the country when he decided to run. Additionally, the Democrats controlled both bodies of congress for the first half of his presidency so blaming Republicans and the Tea Party for blocking everything is also a poor excuse. You are right though, a Republican is not going to get anyone a job, and that’s where I think YOU should wake up and realize that Obama and the Democratic leadership are not going to get anyone a job either. I agree that Republicans are no saints, but it’s simply ignorant if you think that Obama and the Democrats are a group of political angels who would die and bend over backwards to do right by the average citizen. Democrats and Republicans alike have done damage to the country, have spent our (yours, mine, and Will’s) money to advance their personal careers, and continue to work for THEIR own benefit (not ours). Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, whatever race they are, politicians abuse power. Individuals (you, me, Will, and everyone we know) have to learn not to depend on politicians in Washington for anything, and we have to learn to work hard for anything we want.

      Reply /0
  18. 18.
    Ashley

    Heck no! Some of the things they say about this man is down right deplorable. Even if they don’t agree with him, some things are just not cool. Seems like they love to tear him down.

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  19. 19.
    caramelapple

    That racist Republican dont care about blacks until its voting time. This is just an old plantation ploy to turn blacks against each other in an effort to prove to whitey that we just dont support each other because of race. White people once again acting superior, expecting us to run around to prove ourselves and rationalize ourselves to them when they dont explain jack to us when they support each other. When a white support a white they claim it has nothing to do with race, BS. This is the same crap with jury selection, an all white jury can be just and fair but not an all black jury. That’s that superiority vs inferiority crap. I dont have to explain if I support a black person no more than whites explain why they support each other. Republicans and the Tea party come after this man at every angle to fulfill their prophesy that he will be a one term President. They do more than their part to try to make it come true by not supporting most anything he does when it comes to Congressional votes, making it appear that Obama isnt doing anything. In reality they vote against him intentionally. What is thie guy’s voting record? He needs to STFU with that plantation instigating crap. Show me your congrssional voting record. I hope someone calls him out, Al Sharpton, somebody, show this man up. Maybe Obama will do it like he did Trump at the roast, made a fool out of Trump to his face, hilarious.

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  20. 20.
    Dave

    Obama gets criticized for every thing that he does. Down to if he’s even a legal citizen.

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  21. 21.
    caramelapple

    The Bush Administration got off free and now Obama inherited their mess and he gets blamed for it all. This is like Bush committed a crime and Obama is getting punished for it.

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  22. 22.
    mon

    maxine waters- HO SIT DOWN i gave u a chance but u been runnin yo damn mouth for months and aint sayin shit if u think obama is doin bad come up with some proof or a way to solve the problem im starting to think the tea party is payin her!

    Reply /0
    • caramelapple

      Maxine Waters dont speak for all blacks, what do she propose Obama do with a Congress that wants to ensure he fails? She needs to call out those COngressional members that vote against what Obama is trying to do to help people.

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  23. 23.
    caramelapple

    These folks criticize Obama’s vacations, how much he spends when he is a millionaire in his own right, they run around and spy on what Michelle eats to try to take a crack at her healthy eating campaign, they were suprised he is articulate, criticized his experience to be President, claimed he wasnt an American citizen….something new everyday. There just needs to be a list of all the BS he has had to put up with and I am proud of his resilience, even though I dont agree with many of his liberal rules which are Democratic views. I dont agree with him because he is Democratic, not black. I dont agree with most Democratic views because its too liberal and immoralistics at many points I find important. But I credit his efforts and tenacity.

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  24. 24.
    Aqeel AbdusSalaam

    I beg to differ. I feel like the media is extra harsh on Obama, and I believe that it is very likely that it is racially motivated. The way they talk about him you would think his approval ratings were at 27% when they are hovering around the 40′s.

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  25. 25.
    Jeremy

    No I do not think we should give him a pass because of his race…The public is so harsh on him He cant fix 8 years worth of crap in 4 years…

    THIS IS NOT SPAM
    My fiance and I were chosen out of 3000 as ten finalist for a chance to win a wedding by Kim Kardashian in order for us to win we need enough facebook likes by oct.6.click on the link http://on.fb.me/oAGi0t like our pic Jeremy and Tamera to help us win Please

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  26. 26.
    laronteking

    i give him a pass because he has done a hell of a lot in the 2.5 years hes been in office. if he only serves one term he would be 1 of the greatest 1 term president in history. no he didnt do everything i wanted from him but his performance has been impressive.

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  27. 27.
    kierra

    Ronald Reagan had 12% unemployment during his presidency!

    And Ronald Reagan was also involved in the illegal selling of weapons to Iran — YET today the press acts like Ronald Reagan was some GOD!

    Ronald Reagan did NOT accomplish anything during his presidency – yet the Press treat him like he was the greatest president ever!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair

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  28. 28.
    Jevon

    Yes we give him a pass. Nobody can say anything against him without it becoming a race thing. Its a thing that the racist white democrats use to hide who they really are. They say they are for the black people but why is it if you are trying to make something of yourself they refuse to help you. If you own too much but need the help they won’t help. They make you sell all that you have until you have nothing before they will help you. If you’re in a bind a lot of people will follow their insane guidelines to feed their kids. When republicans point that out then all of a sudden we’re the bad guys. I am a black republican who was on welfare. It has helped, but the only way it would help me is if I remained poor, not to actually help me while I better myself. It is a crock. I didn’t vote for Obama because I knew that if the left championed him that something was wrong.

    I want to leave this little tidbit. Most of us like money. Obama wants a redistribution of wealth and for the rich to pay more in tax. They already pay 40-50 cents on every dollar they earn. Over 40% don’t pay ANY tax. You are richer than a homeless person. A lot of us work hard to live paycheck to paycheck. If the rich have to pay more then anyone who makes money is rich in comparison to the homeless. If he redistributes the wealth, he WILL take almost all your money and give it to other people by force. Will you really be ok with that?

    Oh yeah if you didn’t know the Democratic party is the party that wanted to keep slavery and keep segregation. The republican party is the party that fought them. It is the original party of the African American. Look it up. The democratic party is like that person you know don’t like you and talks about you behind your back but smiles in your face. My people wake up!

    Reply /0
    • kmniles

      Jevon

      Open your eyes. When they refer to him as Obama and not President Obama, it’s racial. When they say he’s not their President, it’s racial. When they questoned his nationality, it’s racial. When they call the White House “The Heezy”, it’s racial. When they call his politics “Chicago-style”, it’s racial. These are things you would never see if he were white so for you to pretend that it’s not is just plain ignorant.

      As far as a redistribution of wealth, it really isn’t a “republican thing”. This will affect wealthy democrats as well but you see republicans reacting so rebellious towards the President because he is exposing the fact that they have been the main party responsible for union busting, biggest recipiants from tax loopholes and kickbacks, largely resposible for corporations moving jobs overseas, and most importantly, the party that cares more about businesses rather than the people who elected them.

      When Republicans say CEO’s of major corporations can take 1$10, $15 and $20 million bonuses while laying off/firing w workers because “they earned it”…is that fair to you?

      When they say they should’ve let GM and Chrysler go under putting MILLIONS out of work which would’ve added to the unemployment rate and put more people in poverty while making them forclose on their homes, all based on their “principles that businesses should be allowed to fail”…is that helping you?

      When republicans changed the law citing businesses as “people”, effectively allowing them to literally buy politicians and feed tons of money into their re-election campaigns…is that fair to you?

      I’m by no means saying democrats are saints but come on…they are frantically trying to save what they have while telling down on your luck individuals like yourself to buckle up and eat mayonaisse sandwiches and pray for a miracle.

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    • Alex

      Kmniles
      Please open YOUR eyes. I don’t agree with everything Jevon said but the beginning half of your comment is exactly what my post is addressing. It’s ridiculous for you to say all the criticism you listed is racial. When you say “when ‘they’ refer to him as Obama” who is the they? People referred to Bush by not calling him President, is that racial? Bush was constantly scrutinized for nearly everything he did and he’s still blamed for problems that we face now 3 years into Obama’s presidency, is that racial? No it’s not racial (why is it because Bush was white so it’s just ). Politics have a huge influence over how society functions and how people ultimately live their lives. Because politics has such a direct and substantial impact on the lives of individuals, differences in political views become emotionally charged debate. I understand that racism exists, but when you generalize and say “they” referring to people who disagree with Obama and his policies, and say that their criticism is racially charged is ignorant and it unnecessarily brings race into the debate. I could make hundreds of arguments as to why I strongly disagree with nearly everything Obama has done as President and I know tons of people who can do the same, and all of us can make valid arguments without a mention of skin color. Why is that there are many liberals on shows like MSNBC who claim that Herman Cain (an African-American Republican Presidential candidate) must be paid off by Republicans to win the black vote. Why don’t we ever hear about these statements? Why can a liberal make that comment (completely ignorant and racial) yet nobody cares? Anyone truly concerned with combating racism should have been up in arms about this statement, yet not a peep. Sadly, racism and racial issues have become a political tool, and again, anyone truly devoted to ending racism should realize this and not perpetuate it by “playing the race card” whenever Obama is criticized.

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    • kmniles

      Alex

      “They” are white people and they far outnumber the amount of minorities on political talk shows. As far as not referring to Bush as president, you cannot make the direct comparison because the political context changed AFTER Bush left office. You didn’t have a political campaign laced with the amount of racial undertones, speculation of his nationality or questioning his spiritual beliefs BEFORE he was elected into office. Political satire in newspapers depicting Obama and his wife as terrorists and monkeys and watermelons on the White House lawns passed around in emails by republicans as jokes don’t help your case either. And of course, you can disagree on policy without adding race and I’ve pointed out several, so don’t try to paint me as an overeacting liberal. As for Herman Cain, the charge of people paying him to divide the black vote isn’t really racist or far from reality. Didn’t we just witness Alvin Greene in South Carolina , an obvious plant by Republican Jim DeMint, paid to run against he incumbent democrat and win? After that tomfoolery, I don’t see how Herman Cain’s incident really compares.

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    • Alex

      KMNILES
      I’m not denying that there are racist pricks. That much is certainly true and I don’t support tasteless and unintelligent criticism of the president that focuses on his race. However, realize that when you refer to “white people” you’re making a huge generalization that encompasses all white people (like me) who disagree with, or criticize President Obama based on factual and historical evidence. The generalization strips credibility of anyone making legitimate criticism by automatically labeling them as a racist. Again I understand there has been racist remarks made, but WHILE George Bush was in office he was called a Nazi, and there are numbers of cartoons that depicted and made fun of his intelligence and southern culture (you may not see that as racist, but it is certainly discriminatory and ill minded) point being that regardless of who is president, they are going to face harsh, and yes, unfair derogatory criticism. Obama is no exception, nor is his case special. As for Alvin Greene I don’t see how he was an “obvious” plant by Jim DeMint (I suppose you’ll just call me ignorant for not believing he was part of a Republican scheme to win a senate seat). I’m not denying his candidacy was suspect, but nothing was ever proven, and if you’re going to simply take the accusations of several democrats, who for obvious reasons would want to hinder DeMint’s chances at winning, at least consider that DeMint would have no reason to risk his career, money, reputation, and jail time on a plant when he has high approval ratings, won by 11% for his first term, is one of the highest profile Conservative Republicans in the nation, and would have easily won re-election over Vic Rawl (Greene’s Democratic competition) in a Republican favored election year in a red state. To say that Greene was an “obvious” plant seems to be a very loose and bias view of the controversy based off hearsay and no factual evidence. Thus, other than his conservative principals and affiliation with the Republican Party, I don’t see how clear racist remarks such as “Oreo,” “Uncle Tom,” or “Sellout” directed at Herman Cain can be justified. Not to mention that other African-American Conservatives (yes they do exist outside of Herman Cain) such as Congressmen General Allen West, and Tim Scott suffer similar scrutiny (or are they plants too). My point here is that defending President Obama against racist criticism and then denying or failing to acknowledge racist claims made against other African-Americans of opposing political philosophy seems rather hypocritical and to me, comes off as defending a political position rather than standing up against racism. After all why can’t African-Americans support Conservative principals? As for the criticism regarding Obama’s beliefs it didn’t help to have incidents like his interview with Stephanopoulos where he mentions his “Muslim” faith and is corrected by Stephanopoulos, or his ties to Reverend Wright. I’m not defending harsh criticism on Obama’s faith, I just think those incidents make it obvious as to why some religiously conscious people would question his faith. Again, I understand the racism exists and I do not support it, but as sure as racism exists, it is also used a lot to defer attention from legitimate criticism of President Obama. What bothers me is that all of the race talk (from both sides) is only focusing everyone’s concentration on race and is not only dividing us more than ever before, but also distracting us from addressing the actual issues that must be solved.

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  29. 29.
    Alex

    I personally think President Obama has done a poor job in office, but all of this race controversy bothers me. Everyone is so concerned with race not being an issue, that it becomes the issue front and center. People of all races and political orientations continue to drag the race factor into debate and discussion and it’s completely unnecessary. As someone who disagrees with a lot of Obama’s political philosophies, I can engage in debate and make my arguments without bringing race into the discussion, and if you’re an Obama supporter then you should be able to defend his and/or your views without using race as well. Republicans and Democrats are both to blame, I think we as citizens have to realize that the more we allow elected representatives (Democrats, Independents, and Republicans) to speak like this, the more we’re supporting and perpetuating racial tension and race based inequality.

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    • kierra

      HERE”S A LIST of some of President Obama’s MANY accomplishments so far:

      -President Obama passed healthcare reform – something US presidents have been trying to accomplish for 100 years!
      -President Obama passed Financial Reform, including the creation of the country’s 1st Consumer Protection Agency.
      - President Obama has created an Educational program that improves the Primary and highschool educational system acros the country – called “RACE TO THE TOP”.
      - President Obama passed a law that allows women, and other minorities to sue to get paid the SAME as men for equal amount of work.
      - President Obama has increased drilling for oil – to the highest level it has been in US history.
      - President Obama has Strengthened the Small Business Administration programs that provide capital to minority-owned businesses.
      - President Obama passed a Credit Card Bill of rights that protects customers from unfair practices by their credit card companies.
      - President Obama initiated a training program to provide federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to detect and prosecute cyber crime.
      - President Obama Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba.
      - President Obama Obama expanded the highly-successful Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers. The Nurse-Family Partnership provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families.
      - President Obama expanded pell Grants for low-income college students.
      - President Obama Created a community college partnership program that provide grants to communtoy colleges to conduct more thorough analysis of the types of skills and technical education that are in high demand from students and local industry; b) implement new associate of arts degree programs that cater to emerging industry and technical career demands; and c) reward those institutions that graduate more students and also increase their numbers of transfer students to four-year institutions.
      - President Obama Repealed DADT
      - President Obama enacted the Matthew Sheppard law, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors,
      - Establish ‘Promise Neighborhoods’ for areas of concentrated poverty
      -President Obama created 20 Promise Neighborhoods in cities that have high levels of poverty and crime and low levels of student academic achievement. The Promise Neighborhoods will model the Harlem Children’s Zone and seek to engage all resident children and their parents in an achievement program based on tangible goals, including college for every participating student.
      - President Obama passed a law that creates new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud.
      - President Obama has invested in all types of alternative energy, clean energy projects. More than any other President.
      - President Obama has created job training programs for clean technologies.
      - President Obama has invested in public transportation.
      - President Obama has been the President who ordered the raid on the terrorist -Bin laden in Pakistan.
      - President Obama passed a Stimulsu bill that the Congressional budget office says created and saved up to 3 million JOBS!
      _ Presdient Obama is still pushing to get his second jobs bill passed – which economists says will create up to 2 million new jobs!

      Go read about these, and all the OTHER accomplishments for yourself:

      http://www.politifact.com…ter/rulings/promise-kept/

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    • Alex

      Kierra
      I’ve noticed throughout your other posts on this thread that you are highly critical of Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, and Ronald Reagan, and very defensive of President Obama. I urge you to break your defensive mindset and look at Obama’s presidential “accomplishments” objectively, and without involving race. First, the website that you link to is ONE source and it presents news with a liberal bias. Just as Fox News favors Republicans, PolitiFact favors Democrats; relying solely on this site for information is partial and inaccurate. Second, it’s important to note that regardless of what party a politician represents (Democrat OR Republican), policies are SOLD to the public with persuasive but broad language that allows government to evade accountability. So before you rattle off a laundry list of President Obama’s “accomplishments” take the time to analyze their actual impact vs. their CLAIMED impact. For instance, yes Obama passed a healthcare reform bill, which no other president has done. But he passed it on the basis of coverage for everyone. That sounds great, who wouldn’t want that? But be rational and look at the implications. The bill puts GOVERNMENT (Democrats AND Republicans) in total control of healthcare. Where does the gov get $ to finance the bill? Tax payers, meaning that taxes will GREATLY increase for EVERYONE. Next, what does “coverage” mean? “Coverage” is a broad term; the EXTENT of the coverage is not specified. If you get a disease like cancer, which is expensive to treat, you won’t be covered. What Sarah Palin meant by “death panels” (yes her language is exaggerated) is that gov officials, who don’t know you, or your family, will resort to an investment risk equation (similar to how insurance companies operate), which will take into account your occupation, your age, and your past medical history. Then the GOV decides whether or not your health is worth the investment. Healthcare is expensive because the technology, medication, and education of health professionals are all very costly. The gov will lower costs, but at the expense of the QUALITY of doctors, medication, and tests you have access to. Yes, Obama invested lots of money in green energy. He invested $535 million in the energy company Solyndra in 2009, which is bankrupt, has ceased operating, and has fired over 1,000 employees with no severance pay. Not to mention the gov’s (a.k.a our) $535 million is gone with nothing to show. Despite the stimulus job number CLAIMS, unemployment remains over 9% (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000), which is about 4% higher than the average rate over the past decade. The stimulus (passed in 09) was said to be necessary, and was a solution to create jobs IMMEDIATELY, yet 09, 10, and 11 have seen the highest unemployment rates of the past decade. President Obama did approve the operation that killed Bin Laden, but military intelligence that lead to the success of that operation was obtained as a result of foreign policies and tactics implemented by the Bush administration (and were heavily criticized by many). Please realize that throughout history, government entities (in the US [Dem. AND Rep.] and other nations) have proven to be fiscally inefficient and corrupt. So before you scold Republicans and anyone who opposes President Obama, research your claims (by reading more than 1 bias source, reading past the headlines, and formulating your own opinions based off thorough research). Understand that Democrats are not prophets sent by God to protect the American public from rich, evil Republicans; Democrats are just as vicious, heartless, and unconcerned with the common good. As citizens we need to work hard for what we want, help each other (without relying on government), and minimize our dependency on politicians (Democratic AND Republican) in Washington.

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  30. 30.
    modern lady

    OMG-if you don’t know that the office of the Presidency is bought and sold-then you’re not paying attention. The fact that this President and many before him are ineffctual has nothing to do with their race. They aren’t working for us, basically.

    Just because Obama is black doesn’t mean he’s any different than any other presidents before him. And, he’s a much as said he could care less about Black people-so…If you’re not only ‘the Black President’ no need to pander to blacks now on BET and other places.

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    • modern lady

      *ineffectual

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    • JUDAH

      You are the only one that has stated a fact. The Ron Paul comment is irrelevant though, because he is just a variable that the elite threw in to cause confusion. All this arguing over Republican vs. Democrat is part of the pawning of the so-called “American people”. Both “parties” are two branches on the same tree, and bear the same root. As you stated, the “president” is bought and paid for, and it is rather obvious. This FACT also reveals other things; such as the true status of America, which is not a “country”, but a “corporation”, which has stock options. This is why everything that the elite want to implement on the worldwide populace, they first try out on America. America is a science project, and like all science projects, much care was put into it’s construction, and after it’s usefulness has come to an end, it will be dismantled. This is what they are in the process of doing now. Any president is APPOINTED by a board of trustees, never regular employees. To make it a little clearer, for those of you who work in corporate America, do you have a say in who becomes president of the corporation, or is that president appointed by a board. When you understand that, then you will understand how a president attains office. The act of voting is a ruse, with the intent of making the people believe that they have a say in their own fate.

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  31. 31.
    modern lady

    At least Ron Paul has something to say—Obama is only proposing more spending that ‘might’ work. No real change is being proposed by him-I wish some Blacks would stop this blind loyalty thing & realize this man isn’t for us, either.

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    • kierra

      Ron Paul is a nut job! Ron Paul actually thinks that Wall street does NOT have to be regulated – that the market will regulate itself, and everything will be fine! FOOL!
      Ron Paul actually thinks that a private business should be able to be racist – and say they do NOT want to serve African Americans in their business.
      Ron Paul said he would have voted against MOST of the civil rights act!
      Ron Paul thinks drugs should be legalized – that society will be just fine! Ask your kids if they would be fine if every drug was legal, and being sold in their schools.
      Ron Paul thinks that if you do NOT have health insurance- and you are pregnant, or happen to get sick – you should ask your church or your neighbour for the money to pay your bills. That government has NO responsibility to take care of citizens.
      Ron Paul thinks that Americans ask for too much money (minimum wage) – and that it is what is causing joblessness in the USA!
      I guess the millionaire Ron Paul does not know that it actually takes MONEY to pay the rent, and buy food!
      Ron Paul also thinks that businesses should NOT have to be regulated to make sure that they are safe for their workers.
      Ron Paul is a CLOWN , a man who says a businesse should be allowed to be racists if they want to. Ron paul is a mna who does NOT care about human beings – and thinks that there should NOT be a minimum wage – that Americans get paid too much! Ron Paul also thinks Americans should be allowed to work in unregulated businesses which are unsafe to their health. Ron Paul has NO ethics – he is NOT a man I would want as President!

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  32. 32.
    a'jaii

    The media doesn’t protect him b/c of his race ( several blogs do though like ,Bossip / meditakeout , but who really takes their political coverage seriously)

    However The Media especially during the 2008 election looked passed a lot of his shady associations & inexperience and focused of demonizing Sarah Palin. & it’s because President Obama is LIBERAL , the majority of the media has a liberal agenda , pro choice , gay marriage ,ect.

    & let’s face it if your conservative or a devout christian you will be attacked as well as your family ,ect. That’s just politics these days ,the liberal candidates always have the benefit.

    That’s The Truth , as an Independent I’m not so blinded by an political bias so it’s become very clear to see.

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    • kierra

      You’re joking right! Sarah Palin’s husband belonged to an organization that hated the USA, and wanted Alaska to break away from the USA and become its own country!

      Sarah Palin (the hypocrite) – as she railed against sex before marriage – but she’s the one who allowed her teenage daughters boyfriends to sleep in her daughter’s room – and eventually get pregnant.

      Sarah Palin was NOT a virgin when she got married – she was actually sleeping around with different men in college!

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  33. 33.
    David

    What media, because the Media I have noticed, do not give this man ENOUGH credit….

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  34. 34.
    puleeze

    I think they pick on him because he’s black. George Bush never got so much negative press and he was the one who deserved it!

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  35. 35.
    love01

    First off the media is very bias toward Black people, and President Obama is protected by the Secret Service, because of the racist people who do not like him. I’ve never seen so much hatred, and racism toward a President, and its only because he is considered black, but is actually African and White. White people created the racial divide, and when its used against them they have a problem with it. We have to get past race, and start working together as a nation, or we will continue to fail.

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  36. 36.
    love01

    As far as Waters she needs to be quiet, and where was the CBC when the primaries were in session, they were not fighting for the rights of Democrats, or the people. I dislike the so called organizations that do nonething, but let off steam, and ride on the backs of black people. We need a new party system that is objective, and can lead this country. President Obama is the only one that is actually trying to get things done for everyone, but is critized every time he even goes to the bathroom, or says something.

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  37. 37.
    Faray

    He’s way too liberal and the world is already ruined by economical downtime which has nothing to do with Obama. He’s safe already. He doesnt need to be black to achieve the current protection.
    – sent from Concrete Loop for Android

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  38. 38.
    Rae

    HELL NO HE DOESN’T GET A PASS!! People always take jabs at the president. Anyone who doesn’t agree with that doesn’t watch the news, never uses the internet, neglects the newspaper, and lives under a rock.

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