Meet Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
April 2nd, 2008, 11:14 AM EDT
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a Hillary supporter, gave an interview to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with some, ahem, interesting theories as to why Obama does so well among whites:
• Whites look at Obama and think they have a chance to get “the boogeyman of race behind them.”
audio (mp3)
• After electing Obama, whites won’t want to address racial issues because they’ll think we’ve already demonstrated we’re not a racist nation.
audio (mp3)
• Obama seems articulate to whites, but in the black tradition, he’s mediocre.
audio (mp3)
• For white Americans, Obama can speak, but if you put him on a level with other African-American public speakers he may not even measure up.
audio (mp3)
Is he related to Beave and Wally?
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I agree that Obama isn’t necessarily the speaker that some people hold him up to be. However, he is better then the present occupant of the White House.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Recently a black psychologist insightfully described Obama best. He said that Obama is ” A Grand Bargainer” and Obama’s silent pitch goes something like this– ” I’m a black man with lots of talents and you are white with lots of problems especially your inherited vicious racist past. If you elect me I won’t talk about race. I will free you from you heavy guilt. Is it a deal ? ” And many whites say ” Yes” . But Rev.Wright almost broke the bargain. Hillary has yet to come up with a better offer. Regards TOM
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Good work on separating out the statements on the audio tape.
Don’t you think the important thing in his interview, beyond his assessment of white Americans speaking ability is that he is a certified Clinton campaign co-chair and Clinton superdelegate who is predicting that their side will lose?
I have a complete transcript of the 20 minute interview on my blog.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Well, my gut interpretation of the Congressman’s remarks runs something like this: whites are all racists, and will always be racists, and nothing whites do will ever be good enough, because whites are racist to the core, so even when whites try to do right they’re wrong, and always will be wrong, no matter what anyone does, until the end of time.
And, to tell the truth, I’m tired of hearing the endless condemnations for things I’ve never done.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I do not have “white guilt”.
I do however have American guilt. Lots of it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Not only are African-Americans better innate public speakers than Whitey but …
white men can’t jump either!
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 am
is opera and all the money men in chicago buying the super delegates $80 million would be pocket change
May 20th, 2008 at 2:13 am
i realley do not have anything against obma. mrs clinton realley got the shaft put to her’i have never seen so maney turn coates in my life. i can not stand macane but he will get 15 votes from this dough boy’s and girls familey. you did a good job in k.c. miss you
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm