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Ready for Obama ...

Submitted by John Rich, Mar 19, 2008 21:54

John McWhorter wrote, "I, for one, am still ready for a black president. I wonder if the rest of America is." I'd like to think we are. Just not this one. Here's why:

Barack Obama, with his difficulties with Wright, and the as-yet to be fully developed Rezko connection, has shown that he is ...wait for it...a politician after all. And a conventional, down-the-line tax-and-spend liberal whose record gives nary a hint at bipartisanship. .

In brief, he is not the messiah. Although much of the mainstream media and many thousands of the Democratic faithful have tried to put that halo 'round his head.

Yes, he uttered many pretty words about race in America. And much of what he said was not wrong. It just did not happen to address how he managed to be in a church for 20 years and not be aware of anti-white, anti-American rhetoric or how truly ugly that is.

Mr. McWhorter, of all people, you should acknowledge that words matter. They can have power. Jeremiah Wright's words were not just "considered controversial." They were evil. Context is important, but there is no context that justifies hate speech against my nation or whites, or any other group.

Obama comes across as Nixonian, making excuses, making false equivalencies through rhetoric (utterances decades ago by a private person, his grandmother, and 20 years of weekly sermons before thousands should not be mentioned in the same speech).

Barack Obama's words may be pretty; he no longer is. And, while I'm also ready for a black president, Barack Obama is not the one.


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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

Does Obama have the political guts to stand up to tough black American leaders when their demands try to hog... [MORE]

Arvind 

Mar 23, 2008 22:15

John McWhorter is brilliant and insightful. In a recent column, "Ready for Obama," his assertion that "race trumps class" enlightened... [MORE]

Chip Drury 

Mar 22, 2008 16:30

Those of you saying McWhorter is wrong should just come out and admit it. You looked at the images of... [MORE]

Carl Stronzo 

Mar 21, 2008 23:49

I'm ready for a president who listens to us, who is getting his money in small doses directly from individual... [MORE]

Stillman 

Mar 21, 2008 19:39

I am sure Senator Clinton and the former President have been in company where the "n" word was used. Provoked... [MORE]

Pamela Rios 

Mar 21, 2008 03:05

Thanks in part to writers like McWhorter, I've understood for a while that black churches engage in a certain amount... [MORE]

John Hadjisky 

Mar 21, 2008 01:19

I am really disappointed with Mr. McWorther's column. I would think he would be more objective on this issue. I... [MORE]

Mabel 

Mar 20, 2008 10:23

I don't think it follows that America must accept demagoguery to have a black President. Clarence Thomas shows us another... [MORE]

Tom 

Mar 19, 2008 22:47

Actually, Rev. Wright was quoting a white man when he said that... http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQWatch the clip in the beginning of the video... [MORE]

Matt D 

Mar 22, 2008 01:06

The Clintons subjected the public to scandalous sex, not to mention the intern in the White House while Hillary was... [MORE]

broadcast 

Mar 19, 2008 22:47

John McWhorter wrote, "I, for one, am still ready for a black president. I wonder if the rest of America...

John Rich 

Mar 19, 2008 21:54

How can we make progress if such negativity comes from the pulpit? If American Black churches are in this state,... [MORE]

Murielle 

Mar 19, 2008 21:07

As I understand it the Rev.'s sermons were on DVD's on sale at the church. Wouldn't you as a long... [MORE]

josephine 

Mar 19, 2008 18:09

I usually find Mr. McWhorter quite sound on the issue of race realtions, but I found this column defending the... [MORE]

Donald haverstrom 

Mar 19, 2008 15:42

Despite the excuses Mr. McWhorter makes for Mr. Obama, the responsibility of a leader is to lead not to follow,... [MORE]

mhr 

Mar 19, 2008 14:49

Obama made a very good speech yesterday in Philadelphia. But I don't believe he has put the issue to rest.... [MORE]

Robert 

Mar 19, 2008 14:42

American is righfully not ready for this black president. The horrific underbelly of black racism has been exposed. Obama makes... [MORE]

V Racer 

Mar 19, 2008 13:56

None of the present candidates offers everything that I want to see. But I think all of them could do... [MORE]

Arthur Dieli 

Mar 19, 2008 13:34

I don't appreciate Mr. McWhorter's coddling of the racists who blame others for their own failures to achieve! Women (... [MORE]

h brando 

Mar 19, 2008 12:23

It is not enough to say that Obama and his wife are really patriots and this sentiment is felt all... [MORE]

ethel scher 

Mar 19, 2008 11:30

I understand that Obama stated that he was not present on July 22, 2007 when 'reverend' Wright gave yet another... [MORE]

Kate 

Mar 19, 2008 18:17

Obama is an opportunist. He landed in Chicago and took up with the most powerful man in the Black community.... [MORE]

Dorothy Wachsstock 

Mar 19, 2008 11:11

John McWhorter actually wants readers to take him seriously when he says that Obama's solidarity with Wright and the Trinity... [MORE]

Amy De Rosa 

Mar 19, 2008 11:07

I like what you say. I take it that Pastor Wright was working hard, perspiring at performing for an audience... [MORE]

Leon Hyman 

Mar 19, 2008 09:49

Senator Obama has not been my choice for President since his entry into the field. Not because of his color,... [MORE]

Al Quartararo 

Mar 19, 2008 09:11

Dear Mr. Mcwhorter, Did Senator Obama lie when he first denied being present at the "controversial" speeches he now admits hearing?... [MORE]

samuel 

Mar 19, 2008 08:17

The battle against racism has to be fought with the proper tools. In order to fulfill the "dream," every racist,... [MORE]

Lesley 

Mar 19, 2008 02:00

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