Endorsement by Farakkhan

[mrs. red]

The question stemmed from Obama’s initial answer when NBC’s Tim Russert asked, “Do you accept the support of Louis Farrakhan?” Obama might have said, “No.” But instead, he seemed to go out of his way to denounce some of Farrakhan’s statements while not taking on Farrakhan himself (and even using Farrakhan’s preferred honorific in the process). “You know, I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic comments,” Obama said. “I think that they are unacceptable and reprehensible. I did not solicit this support. He expressed pride in an African-American who seems to be bringing the country together. I obviously can’t censor him, but it is not support that I sought. And we’re not doing anything, I assure you, formally or informally, with Minister Farrakhan.”

More than a few observers were taken aback by Obama’s not-so-deft sidestep. What if, the blogger Andrew Sullivan asked, it had been a question to John McCain about David Duke? And what if McCain had answered, “You know, I have been very clear in my denunciation of Dr. Duke’s racist comments. I think that they are unacceptable and reprehensible. I did not solicit this support. He expressed pride in a white man who seems to be bringing the country together. I obviously can’t censor him, but it is not support that I sought. And we’re not doing anything, I assure you, formally or informally, with Dr. Duke.”

And what if then, after the debate, McCain’s top campaign aide explained by saying, “The point is this: David Duke said kind things about [McCain]. From what I read, he didn’t say it was an endorsement, and I think Sen. McCain made clear what his position on Duke’s racist statements was.”

But Obama’s sidestepping didn’t stop there. After his answer, Russert asked again, just as directly, “Do you reject his support?” Obama might have answered, “Yes,” but instead tried his best to stay away from anything so definitive. “Well, Tim, you know, I can’t say to somebody that he can’t say that he thinks I’m a good guy. You know, I — you know, I — I have been very clear in my denunciations of him and his past statements, and I think that indicates to the American people what my stance is on those comments.”

At that point it became clear that Obama simply would not say that he rejected Farrakhan’s support, preferring instead to refer to, but not repeat, previous statements. It’s a common technique for a politician who doesn’t want to say something to say that he has said it before without actually saying what he says he said. Here in Cleveland on Tuesday night, Obama seemed to be heading in that direction until Russert pressed a bit more, bringing up Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s long-time pastor, whose magazine last year said that Farrakhan “truly epitomized greatness.” And then Hillary Clinton — who must have enjoyed seeing her opponent take a rare turn on the hot seat — added, “There’s a difference between denouncing and rejecting…I have no doubt that everything Barack just said is absolutely sincere. But I just think, we’ve got to be even stronger.”

To me it was along the lines of Trent Lott just making a comment about an old man celebrating a 100 yr old birthday and not really meaning what he said to the effect of the country would be better off... (i don't remember the exact phrase) I just remember Lott being called a racist and made to vacate his post immediately -  the double standard makes me nausous when it comes to this kind of thing.

I would honestly never promote ANY candidate or person who spouts racist comments but as I recall it was completely clear to me that Lott was just humoring an old, old colleague.  Can't say the same for Farakhan and Obama.... and quite frankly if it's one way for set of politicans should be the same for all...

[Tylergal]

Not to worry, he has that angry wife of his out there throwing stink bombs and promoting racism, to ensure his campaign funded by George Soros, the anti-Israel billionaire, succeeds.

In other words, just elect him. One can't bring up his family, his name, his church, his associations, his ties to crooks, etc. He doesn't say anything; neither does she except that she is angry and he is the nice guy. Who or what are we suppose to be voting for? He is the ultimate "empty suit". 

If you think Hillary was a stink bomb, wait until you see this wife of his who claims to be from poverty, and yet was raised in a family in Chicago where her father was a big boss in the Democrat Party, making over $100,000 per year in the 1970s, and living in an upper middle class neighborhood, when she was attending private schools and was accepted to the Ivy League secondary to affirmative action. 

[Tylergal]

Just to make sure you know, David Duke stated that he called Farakhan and Obama from Europe and congratulated Obama on his response to Tim Russert and Hillary, told him it was about time that a black man was elected president in the USA, and that he was especially pleased that he found fellow travelers who doubt the Holocaust.

[LouiseVargas]

For the record, LV when I read some of your comments about what you spend on your hairdresser, etc... I think you also would not like "ecomonic parity"

This is a political board and my hair/hairdresser have absolutely nothing to do with the topic ... Endorsement of Farakkhan. Please stick to the topic being discussed.

[mrs. red]

For the record, LV when I read some of your comments about what you spend on your hairdresser, etc... I think you also would not like "ecomonic parity"

This is a political board and my hair/hairdresser have absolutely nothing to do with the topic ... Endorsement of Farakkhan. Please stick to the topic being discussed.

please don't bother to play this game.... you know that my point was that by what you spend on your hair... you are considered wealthy and you will be on of those taken from... get it? 

Please don't ever tell me what to discuss - it's insulting.

[LouiseVargas]

The only thing I'm willing to discuss on a political thread is politics. 

[Auntiem]

   Economic parity, isn't that like Socialism? Communism?   Didn't they try that in Russia, no the Soviet Union, no I think it's Russia again???

    Didn't it fail??? Haven't they changed it???  Wasn't it a complete failure???