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CARROLL: Obama's little joke

By Vincent Carroll, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 23, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Joe Johns of CNN: "Do you think Bill Clinton was our first black president?"

Barack Obama: "Well, I think Bill Clinton did have an enormous affinity with the African-American community, and still does. . . . I would have to, you know, investigate more of Bill's dancing abilities, you know, and some of this other stuff before I accurately judge whether he was in fact a brother."

An amusing line, to be sure. Most people at Monday's Democratic candidates debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., laughed and the event went on.

But imagine if William R. Farr had told that joke, say, at the National Western Stock Show's annual Citizen of the West banquet in Denver. Why, the political heavy hitters in attendance would have fallen all over themselves denouncing Farr for a brutish lack of sensitivity.

As you may recall, the Greeley businessman did tell a dumb joke at that banquet last week. "I have a telegram from the White House," he said, before quipping, "They're going to have to change the name of that building if Obama's elected." And the heavy hitters did fall in line to denounce his misstep.

We're all used to a double standard in how different ethnic groups are allowed to talk - or joke - about race. Up to a point, the double standard is even understandable. But if we're going to give a pass to Obama when he fetches a laugh by harmlessly playing on a racial stereotype then we should also think twice before blustering pompously about a clumsy stab at humor from someone whose skin is a lighter color.

A new Matt Baker?

Just two months ago, Gov. Bill Ritter's latest appointee to the three-member Public Utilities Commission dismissed fossil fuels from any role in meeting Colorado's future energy needs.

"We think it's totally doable to meet the (future) demand through an investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy," Matt Baker said.

Baker, the executive director of Environment Colorado, had been making similar statements for years - telling Westword in 2005, for example, that his group agreed to a settlement giving the green light to construction of Xcel's Comanche 3 coal plant in Pueblo only because "this would be the last coal plant."

At his Senate confirmation hearing Monday, however, the crusading activist was nowhere in sight. Coal has a bright future, a mellow Baker declared, sounding for the all the world like an open-minded pragmatist. He even acknowledged that renewables' near-term contribution to critical "base load" power supplies - meaning power available 2 4/7, not just when the wind blows or the sun shines - will not be terribly significant.

I called him to see whether the 2008 version of Matt Baker is still on speaking terms with the 2007 model. What's up with his recent kind words for coal? Is he rethinking his belief that we can meet future energy needs through renewables and energy efficiency alone?

Not really. "I do think we can meet all of our energy needs with renewables and efficiency," he responded, while assuring me that he is open to evidence to the contrary. As for coal, it is the "hydrocarbon of choice in many ways," he said, given the volatility of natural gas prices and the challenge of base-load power. If your head is spinning slightly, you should know that Baker is referring to "clean-coal" plants whose costs, depending on the technology, range from lots higher than standard plants to extravagantly higher.

Isn't the PUC supposed to care about energy prices, too?

It will, Baker insists, citing his years with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group as evidence of his concern about energy prices. "You can't do things that promote a backlash," he added.

Baker is clearly sincere, as are the many public officials across the country espousing similar views on energy policy. Yet it's hard to see how their hopes for affordable energy can come true without renewables somehow filling the base-load breach or major breakthroughs occurring in clean-coal technology.

Failing that, officials will be engineering a massive experiment with the economy, trusting that it will not be staggered by ever-rising energy costs. But relax: only your future prosperity is at stake.

Vincent Carroll is editor of the editorial pages. Reach him at carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.

Comments

  • January 23, 2008

    9:07 a.m.

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    rickg19611 writes:

    One more example of liberal hypocrisy.

  • January 23, 2008

    9:43 a.m.

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    T1anda writes:

    Icdrjj...What is your opinion of B. Obama??

  • January 23, 2008

    9:49 a.m.

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    T1anda writes:

    The comment was as tasteless as Farr's....but Obama got away with it didn't he?? It is considered a non-issue already...just LOVE the politically driven,bias media these days.. Tsk,tsk!!

  • January 23, 2008

    11:35 a.m.

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    jay writes:

    mountain out of a molehill....as usual.

    seriously vinnie...is this kind of stuff what you're spending your time on down there?

  • January 23, 2008

    12:51 p.m.

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    Jim writes:

    lcdrjjxant,
    If your list of draft dodgers includes Virginia Senator Jim Webb you owe him a retraction. Research before you spout.

    "A 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Webb served as a Marine Corps infantry officer until 1972, and is a highly decorated Vietnam War combat veteran." Wikipedia.

  • January 23, 2008

    12:56 p.m.

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    ItsJustme writes:

    Uh, lcdrjjxant, from the War Library website:

    "Of all enlisted men who died in V'nam, blacks made up 14.1% of the total. This came at a time when they made up 11.0% of the young male population nationwide. If we add officer casualties to enlisted then the black percentage is reduced to 12.5% of all casualties."

    That's 14%, not 55%. More than their makeup in the general population to be sure, but no reason for the hyperbole.

  • January 23, 2008

    1:27 p.m.

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    Tree_Hugger writes:

    Let me get this straight. Apparently, only white people can be racist? Is that correct, or did I read the article wrong?

  • January 23, 2008

    1:29 p.m.

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    jackwoehr writes:

    Local Newspaper Editor Discovers People Can Tease Their Co-Ethnics Without Repercussions While Outsiders Cannot --- More at 11:00 !!!

  • January 23, 2008

    2:49 p.m.

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    peterpi writes:

    Jews, Catholics, blacks, hispanics can crack jokes at their own group's expense, while for an outsider to do so might be deemed offensive. I learned that as a kid. Why are people shocked by it? Obama's joke was probably seen as tasteless by many back people, as well, but it's far different than if, say, Mitt Romney had tried to make the same kind of joke.
    I assume the "Citizen of the West" banquet had a conservative crowd. Yet they gasped at William Farr's attempt at humor. That ought to tell Vincent Carroll something. The previous time a Stock Show official tried a black joke, he got canned.

  • January 23, 2008

    8:13 p.m.

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    samsmargolis writes:

    Imagine, if you will, an Obama administration where no criticism can occur - from the media or public - without the "professionally and habitually offended" crowd (Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson...most liberals, in fact) rushing to his defense and invoking the wrath of the "R" word...you know, racism. Don't think this would occur? You already had a taste of it last week with Hillary dared to "diminish" the role of MLK by stating historical fact and Bill dared to call Obama's characterization of his positions as a "fairy tale." If Obama is elected, the media of this nation and around the world will strap on the kid gloves, tip-toe around the issues and never dare challenge that administration in any meaningful way for fear of having the race card dealt to them. I appauld Carroll for having the intestinal fortitude for writing this piece. The only thing Obama left out of his sterotyping rant was asking Bill Clinton...dare we say it?...if he likes fried chicken.

  • January 23, 2008

    8:30 p.m.

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    BJG writes:

    Obama can use the race card but God forbid Hilary uses the gender card.
    I saw his comment and thought it bad form to use a hackneyed racial sterotype. Had Hilary or John Edwards said that they would have been villified by the press.
    Let's get back to the real issues facing this country.

  • January 24, 2008

    6:54 a.m.

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    VVVV writes:

    Matt Baker obviously saw the math that backed up the reality of power production. It very easily refutes the typical assumption of people like VC that just because there isn't a fuel cost associated with wind turbines and solar power that it must be cheaper in the long run. Sadly, assumptions and guesswork are good enough to win Nobel prizes, so there is no hope that the lowest cost will be enough to justify the right path forward. Disregard that the wind doesn't pick up speed when you turn on a light, or the clouds don't move out of your way. Even disregard that nuclear and hydroelectric power are opposed by the same people that want sustainable clean energy, hamstringing their best solutions out of unwarranted fear, only because they'd look like hypocrits if they changed direction now. It's people making decisions without any backup calculations that endanger the utility bill of the rest of us. And all they have to do is shout the same lies the loudest, and the lapdog politicians are more than happy to lap it up.

  • January 24, 2008

    11:17 a.m.

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    T1anda writes:

    VVVV..WTF??? Did you get on the wrong site or are you speaking in riddles???

  • March 1, 2008

    10:58 a.m.

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    jimi1954 writes:

    Is anyone going to hold the democrats acountable for this who should answer the phone at 3:00 in the morning garbage. They have been saying president Bush is the threat ever since they lost their focus about 911.

  • March 2, 2008

    5:49 a.m.

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    Bronte writes:

    VVVV hsa the greatest comment!

    I live and breathe politics, 24/7/365, as do my friends and family.

    How marvelous to realize that there are folks out there who care about something else.

    How in the world did he get here? He must have a whole bunch of windows open at the same time and/or be a real "absent-minded" professor.

    LOL

    Please don't remove his post! It's just a hoot!