Chris Matthews: Obama’s Critics Are Driven By Racism

[TerryMathews]

Okay, so I think that means we agree that racism has changed how Obama's presidency has gone. How would you say racism has changed it?

I don't know how you got A from B.

My point was that EVEN IF people were motivated by racism, these "pet peeve" issues wouldn't have been passed even for a white president.

So, no, I do not agree that racism has changed Obama's presidency in any measurable way.

Let's use a metaphor. You're black. You're speeding. 30+ over, so it's reckless op. You're pulled over by the most racist cop in history. He pulled you over specifically because you were black.

You were still speeding. A white person would've got the same ticket you did.

 

[fskimospy]

I don't know how you got A from B.

My point was that EVEN IF people were motivated by racism, these "pet peeve" issues wouldn't have been passed even for a white president.

So, no, I do not agree that racism has changed Obama's presidency in any measurable way.

Let's use a metaphor. You're black. You're speeding. 30+ over, so it's reckless op. You're pulled over by the most racist cop in history. He pulled you over specifically because you were black.

You were still speeding. A white person would've got the same ticket you did.

That's frankly just baffling to me that anyone could think that Obama's race has not affected his presidency in any measurable way. That's just so head in the sand I am at a loss for what to say.

 

[TerryMathews]

That's frankly just baffling to me that anyone could think that Obama's race has not affected his presidency in any measurable way. That's just so head in the sand I am at a loss for what to say.

I've made my point, eloquently, multiple times. I have not dismissed racism. I have stated that the things Obama has proposed and or passed would not have flown even for a white Democrat. I further cited the dramatic expansion of domestic spying as an example of "racist republicans" working with him when their agendas align.

You are choosing to ignore the forest because you're hung up looking at a tree. My head isn't the one in the sand.

ETA: things might be different if this were a direct democracy. Do you really think any republican today would put racism above party politics, or that they would be able to hold onto their office if they did so?

No congressional republican would be able to hold their seat against both the democratic party and the republican party.

 

[buckshot24]

That's frankly just baffling to me that anyone could think that Obama's race has not affected his presidency in any measurable way. That's just so head in the sand I am at a loss for what to say.

I believe that his race has been more important to his supporters than his detractors. I for one would be just as against his policies if he was white. Yet I've been accused of being racially motivated by friends and people on forums like this.

 

[TerryMathews]

I believe that his race has been more important to his supporters than his detractors. I for one would be just as against his policies if he was white. Yet I've been accused of being racially motivated by friends and people on forums like this.

Exactly.

 

[fskimospy]

I've made my point, eloquently, multiple times. I have not dismissed racism. I have stated that the things Obama has proposed and or passed would not have flown even for a white Democrat. I further cited the dramatic expansion of domestic spying as an example of "racist republicans" working with him when their agendas align.

You are choosing to ignore the forest because you're hung up looking at a tree. My head isn't the one in the sand.

You have not dismissed racism, you have just said that it had no effect on his presidency in any measurable way. That's dismissing racism. How is that not incredibly obvious?

The idea that the passage of domestic spying would show that Republicans weren't racist is ridiculous on its face. Racism doesn't mean that you have to be burning a cross on someone's lawn every morning and it doesn't mean that if you ever vote for something the president supports that you aren't a racist.

The forest for the trees? Give me a break. I'm looking at the public statements and rhetoric of numerous public and private figures over the span of half a decade. Again, I am absolutely baffled that you genuinely think that not one aspect of Obama's presidency has been affected by racism. I just can't believe you would be that oblivious.

 

[TerryMathews]

You have not dismissed racism, you have just said that it had no effect on his presidency in any measurable way. That's dismissing racism. How is that not incredibly obvious?

The idea that the passage of domestic spying would show that Republicans weren't racist is ridiculous on its face. Racism doesn't mean that you have to be burning a cross on someone's lawn every morning and it doesn't mean that if you ever vote for something the president supports that you aren't a racist.

The forest for the trees? Give me a break. I'm looking at the public statements and rhetoric of numerous public and private figures over the span of half a decade. Again, I am absolutely baffled that you genuinely think that not one aspect of Obama's presidency has been affected by racism. I just can't believe you would be that oblivious.

Again, you are reducing my point until the meaning is lost.

Would a white Democrat have been able to pass gun control?

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Would a white Democrat have been able to pass gun control?

Not a snowballs chance in hell...period!!!!!

 

[OGOC]

I will say that it was a (barely) reasonable question to ask right up until June of 2008 when he produced his birth certificate. Everything after that (which includes nearly all Republican birtherism) was racism, pure and simple. The longer the birthers continued to soldier on with it even in the face of ever increasing evidence, the more naked that racism was exposed to be.

Yeah, look at all the "racist" people including Republicans questioning the natural-born aspect of people like Ted Cruz to run for President. Birthers are such racists. Ted Cruz. White guy.

That's frankly just baffling to me that anyone could think that Obama's race has not affected his presidency in any measurable way. That's just so head in the sand I am at a loss for what to say.

Obama's race has absolutely affected his presidency. It's unlikely he'd get away with half the shit he has, or been elected in the first place, if he wasn't "the first black President."

Actually, Chester Arthur is the first black President. Even though he was white. He was white, but he had his natural-born citizenship status questioned, and I've heard that only happens to black Presidents, so he actually must have been black.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Yet I've been accused of being racially motivated by friends and people on forums like this.

 

[werepossum]

That's frankly just baffling to me that anyone could think that Obama's race has not affected his presidency in any measurable way. That's just so head in the sand I am at a loss for what to say.

A nation which is 13% black elected a black President and you're still demanding that he must be a victim because he is black?

Obama's race is his best feature, not his cross-eyed bear. Electing a black President is a healthy thing.

 

[Incorruptible]

There is some opposition to obama because of his race but most people oppose him because of his policies. The left and progressives need to stop this nonsense of painting his opponents as racist.

 

[ivwshane]

There is some opposition to obama because of his race but most people oppose him because of his policies. The left and progressives need to stop this nonsense of painting his opponents as racist.

And exactly which ones are opposing him because he is black?

 

[ivwshane]

I don't know how you got A from B.

My point was that EVEN IF people were motivated by racism, these "pet peeve" issues wouldn't have been passed even for a white president.

So, no, I do not agree that racism has changed Obama's presidency in any measurable way.

Let's use a metaphor. You're black. You're speeding. 30+ over, so it's reckless op. You're pulled over by the most racist cop in history. He pulled you over specifically because you were black.

You were still speeding. A white person would've got the same ticket you did.

Really? Because crime stats show that blacks do more time for the same offenses as whites. So in your example both people might have been pulled over but the results probably would have been different.

 

[fskimospy]

Holy shit. Now people are saying that Obama being black actually helps him?

This board sometimes. You guys are just delusional.

 

[TerryMathews]

Holy shit. Now people are saying that Obama being black actually helps him?

This board sometimes. You guys are just delusional.

How does it not help him?

What were his qualifications to be elected? He was a junior senator from Illinois, and a college professor prior. His opponents, on both sides of the aisle, were more qualified. Some were vastly more qualified.

What % of black voters voted for Obama?

How does that compare, with say Clinton's demographics?

 

[fskimospy]

How does it not help him?

What were his qualifications to be elected? He was a junior senator from Illinois, and a college professor prior. His opponents, on both sides of the aisle, were more qualified. Some were vastly more qualified.

What % of black voters voted for Obama?

How does that compare, with say Clinton's demographics?

His percentage was about the same as every democratic candidate, why do you ask? Clinton, Gore, and Kerry all hit about 90%. Obama was slightly higher.

Only on ATPN would a bunch of white guys be sitting around telling each other how easy the black folk have it. Unbelievable.

 

[cubby1223]

Holy shit. Now people are saying that Obama being black actually helps him?

This board sometimes. You guys are just delusional.

If Barack Obama were white then the 2008 Presidential election would have been between John McCain and Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews headline would have been "Clinton's Critics Are Driven By Sexism".

 

[cubby1223]

Only on ATPN would a bunch of white guys be sitting around telling each other how easy the black folk have it. Unbelievable.

You have absolutely no fucking clue what you're talking about, so do the world a favor and stop right there.

But we all know your pride and your ego trumps your logic. So go ahead and continue whatever point you think you have in that "brilliant" head of yours.

 

[fskimospy]

If Barack Obama were white then the 2008 Presidential election would have been between John McCain and Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews headline would have been "Clinton's Critics Are Driven By Sexism".

You have absolutely no clue what you're talking about.

 

[OGOC]

If Barack Obama were white then the 2008 Presidential election would have been between John McCain and Hillary Clinton and Chris Matthews headline would have been "Clinton's Critics Are Driven By Sexism".

That'll be the campaign in 2016.

"Elect Hillary!"
"Is she qualified?"
"Doesn't matter! She'd be the first woman President!"
"You've convinced me she's the best choice!"

 

[feralkid]

No, according to some of these leftists/progressive idiots like matthews it's only because he is black.

And in your case, because you think he's a Muslim.

 

[TerryMathews]

His percentage was about the same as every democratic candidate, why do you ask? Clinton, Gore, and Kerry all hit about 90%. Obama was slightly higher.

Only on ATPN would a bunch of white guys be sitting around telling each other how easy the black folk have it. Unbelievable.

Maybe in your fantasy land but in reality, according to Gallup, Clinton captured 88% of black voters in 1992, Obama had 99% in 2008.

 

[Jadow]

I'm glad to say it's NOT racism, since I feel essentially the same about Obama as I do about Pelosi, Reid, etc....

In fact, I like Obama better than typical white liberals because he is black and was history making by winning the Presidency.

 

[Jhhnn]

I further cited the dramatic expansion of domestic spying as an example of "racist republicans" working with him when their agendas align.

Few Repub leaders & pundits, at this point, are actually racist. They exploit racist sentiment in their political base ruthlessly & cynically. They play for the chump vote every chance they get.