Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by Rookie:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by Rookie:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Then what did you mean when you said, "Now I don't think Obama is a racist (atleast publicly), but this comment seems 'off color' to me." I'm not going to ask Obama to explain that because YOU are the one who said it.

His 'off the record comment' sounded racist to me, but as Martin pointed out, the comment was taken out of context and I should look into it further for myself.

OK, but I still don't see how that comment could be "racist" in any context because the comment has nothing to do with race!

Sorry, your right. He could have been talking about the bitter rich black Pennsylvanians clinging to their guns and religion

Oh, it was racist against the "religious race." I don't think you understand what the word "race" or "racist" means.

Fine, what if I said 'bitter poor folk clinging to their right to bear children out of wedlock so they can collect more welfare. Would you think that a racist remark? Notice I never actually said black people, but I think intelligent person would know what I meant if I said that. You can try and get cute, but what he said is clear as day

Posted by Bonn1997:

Blacks sadly are disproportionately on welfare. Of course, that implies race. Whites are not disproportionately religious or owners of guns. So there is no logical connection to race. Or to be more blunt, your analogy fails.

add this up - bitter rich religious gun nuts from PA = what??

He never said rich or nuts (or said he was excluding illegal owners for that matter). You've erroneously thrown "rich" in there many times because you're desperately trying to make the statement about White people. You're trying too hard.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 09-17-2009 7:41 PM]

Your right, I went back and re-read the quote and he was speaking to rich people and said 'bitter Pennsylvanians clinging to their guns and religion.' Look, I think Martin was right, the comment was taken out of context and was likely meant to state that white conservatives in PA are not going to vote for him. Probably was referring to the same type of bitter nut balls as those tea party folks.

Look, I'm just not exposed to alot of racism and I am starting to understand the point that Sebstar was making.

Our last two presidents had an affair and then lied about it and lied about matters of national security. I can't imagine what President Obama has done in his nine months to make you have reservations about his character. He looks like a good, caring, family man.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 09-17-2009 8:58 PM]

Posted by Rookie:

Posted by bitty41:

Rookie,
I've been reading your comments and I am unsure where all of this is leading to? Are you implying that President Obama is a racist? If that's your point then you should do us all the favor and cut through misquotes and distorortions and say what you really mean.

[Edited by - bitty41 on 09-17-2009 8:02 PM]

I have reservations about his charecter, but I don't think he's a racist. I like the man, but I don't agree with everything that he does

Rookie,

It's fine to have reservations of someone's character when those reservations are based in actual reality. Agree or disagree with his policies or ideologies but in terms of his personal character that has not been in question at least by those of us who are relatively sane.

I'm not going to say I distrust someone's character because they have a different political philosophy wouldn't you think that was absurd?

[Edited by - bitty41 on 09-17-2009 9:25 PM]

Posted by bitty41:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Our last two presidents had an affair and then lied about it and lied about matters of national security. I can't imagine what President Obama has done in his nine months to make you have reservations about his character. He looks like a good, caring, family man.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 09-17-2009 8:58 PM]

Bonn,
This is a bit off topic but I think the Republicans over-played their hand by showing zero support Sen Max Baucus's Bill. If they had showed some support for the Bill they could have gotten some of their provisions included. But if the Democrats play their cards right (that's a big IF I know) they could end up with a Bill that speaks directly to their base while making the Republicans look like the Party of NO. This of course is all wishful thinking but if Obama is able to get Health Care Reform done the Republicans will become DOA at election time.

[Edited by - bitty41 on 09-17-2009 9:35 PM]

To some extent I agree. I am shocked that no Republicans supported the bill since the bill is basically a gift to the insurance industry. That said, I don't know about Republicans being DOA for the next elections. In general, I think that over the past 30 years, Republicans have been much better campaigners than Democrats and it's only under extraordinary circumstances (severe economic difficulties, an unpopular George Bush in office, and a gifted Democratic orator) that led to the Dems gaining ground. Drew Westen has written a great book describing how, ironically, the anti-science Republican party has taken advantage of social science research on the workings, especially the emotional properties, of the human brain while the Democratic party has ignored such research. (http://www.thepoliticalbrain.com/videos.php)

Posted by Rookie:

Maybe you can explain why Obama attended the church or Rev. Jeremiah Wright for over 20 years, supported the church financially, exposed his children to the hateful rhetoric, gained political clout from his association with Wright and then denied that he believes in the philosophies of Wright when it became a political distraction



Then there's the appointment of his green jobs czan Van Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP1-tGQzO_0

And now the whole Acorn mess. This is enough to make me take a wait and see approach to the man. Like I said, I'm hoping for the best, but I'm not sure of the mans character. I hope that it's not just a public persona. Lets just hope he can be as strong on policy as he is in rhetoric

Rookie, as with the out of context quote you had posted regarding the folks from PA and guns and bibles, I am going to suggest that you look into each of the 3 periphery topics - Wright, Acorn and Van Jones a LOT more before you even come to a conclusion about anything.

I think that you will find that each of these connections and topics is about as overblown as you can make them. Not that they dont exist is some sort of way, but that they really amount to very little.

Do a little research and let us know what you find.

I would also note that any person on the scale of our President is going to somehow be associated with or on the periphery of a GREAT deal of Americans, both good and bad. It's the nature of the job and the exposure that comes with it. Bush, Obama, Clinton, Bush, Reagan. All of them.

Let's start with Jones. What is so bad about him? And what did he do to be let go by the administration? And how did he gain his reputation?

Posted by Rookie:

I haven't drawn any conclusions and I'm still keeping an open mind. I was asked why I have reservations about his character and I answered the question honestly.

you may not have drawn any conclusions and may still be keeping an open mind, but it seems to me like you have been influenced already. Look at the way you phrased your post about Wright, Jones, Acorn... almost seems like forgone conclusions to me.