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LITTWIN: Obama's toughest race may be color of his skin

By Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 18, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Barack Obama has a problem. It turns out, he's black.

Maybe you hadn't noticed, but I checked and double-checked with my sources, and apparently it's true.

As Obama himself says, early in the campaign, the story line was that he may not be black enough. And now, he notes, the story line is that he may be too black. And the irony, of course, is that Obama has been trying to run a post-racial campaign as the first viable presidential candidate who just happens to be black.

It couldn't hold. Maybe we're ready as a nation to elect a black president. I don't know. But there's one thing we should have known - that it could never happen without the issue of race, America's longest- running story line, eventually taking center stage.

And so, we can thank Geraldine Ferraro ("If Obama was a white man, he wouldn't be in this position") and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright ("Hillary ain't never been called a nigger") for reminding everyone just exactly what the stakes are.

We've moved well beyond the wink- wink, nudge-nudge commentary of Bill Clinton, who, uh, innocently (wink-wink, nudge-nudge) compared Obama's primary win in South Carolina to previous wins there by Jesse Jackson.

This is the real stuff. This is Ferraro, the first female vice presidential candidate, calling Obama an affirmative- action candidate. And it's Obama's pastor - the one who married him and baptized his children - saying on a YouTube video that, "We believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God."

And it's Obama - who has condemned Wright's controversial comments as "appalling" - insisting he was out of town whenever the pastor said anything remotely incendiary.

In any case, the issue is hot enough that Obama has decided to give what is being billed as a major speech on race and politics in America. It's hot enough that he has been working on the speech for days. It's hot enough that it has to be more than, yes, just words. It's that important.

He'll give the speech today in Pennsylvania, where the governor admits some whites "are probably not ready to vote for an African-American."

He'll deliver it in a primary race that won't end, in a race where the exit polls continue to show that identity politics are alive and much too well. And in which white males of the blue-collar persuasion have become the swing voters in Democratic primaries. It's that important.

It's those voters, the story goes, that Ferraro was trying to reach as part of a grand Clinton strategy to remind voters that Obama is black (see: above.) I don't buy the conspiracy angle. I think it was more grand Ferraro stupidity. She said much the same thing about Jesse Jackson in 1988. And it's not all she said.

She defended her Obama remarks by saying, "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"

How is that? But what do I know? I was at a party the other night, surrounded by latte-sipping liberals who were busily insisting Ferraro was getting a raw deal and that Obama was, in fact, fortunate to be a black candidate.

I wondered what happened to all those would-be black candidates who didn't understand their good fortune. They must have thought it was just coincidence that there have been only three - count 'em - black senators elected in the last 125 years, including Obama. And only two - count 'em - black governors elected in the same period. Oh, and no presidents. Pretty lucky, indeed.

The Wright issue is more complicated. The Wright issue tells us of the disconnect between white and black America, what is said in mixed (racial) company and what is not, how far from a colorblind society we really are.

Nobody really believes Obama was shocked to find that Wright is a subject of controversy. When I went to Chicago to do an Obama story last spring, the campaign staff was eager to help - but not with Wright, who wasn't doing interviews. The issue is complicated because how does Obama explain his relationship to a pastor whose words, at minimum, don't play well on talk radio.

If you read Obama's first book, you learn of how he came to Chicago looking for a home, and how he found one, including his church, where he found his faith.

Obama's story is a powerful story. It's his story - much of which everyone knows by now - that defines him. Yes, race is a part of it. But it's the promise of the story - the reach of the story - that makes him so appealing.

And in his speech, he'll no doubt say what he told the Chicago Tribune last week - that Ferraro and Wright were both born in a different time and place and see race through a different lens.

"So part of my job," he said, "is to see if I can help push the country into a different place with a different set of understandings."

All that's at stake is whether voters believe in Ferraro's version of Obama, Wright's version of Obama or Obama's version of Obama.

littwinm@RockyMountainNews.com

Comments

  • March 18, 2008

    12:05 a.m.

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    JADE writes:

    Why is the United States still so hung up on race, religion, familial status, etc.? It seems the country cannot let the past go. "The South Shall Rise Again" is still a battle cry I can hear in 2008.

    I think it is very DISRESPECTFUL to Obama's mother who is white. Americans are quick to call Mr. Obama Black, excuse me, African-American. HE IS ALSO WHITE.

    I notice this with many high profile people in the U.S. Tiger Woods immediately comes to mind. Asian AND Black, but this country ISN'T ABLE TO GRASP THE CONCEPT OF A MULTI-RACIAL CATEGORY. It's always CHOOSE ONE. If he chooses to identify himself as Black, then he disrespects his Mother. If he chooses Asian, then he disrespects his Father.

    Why can't this country allow an individual to classify themselves as MULTI-RACIAL or MULTI-CULTURAL???

  • March 18, 2008

    8:10 a.m.

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    Francesca writes:

    No kiddin' Jade. Because it is what people choose (or not choose) to see. And sadly, it continues to be taught that way from generation to generation within all races.

    For BO... With friends like Rev. Wright, who needs enemies?

  • March 18, 2008

    8:12 a.m.

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    samsmargolis writes:

    Littwin - Obama is a census black. He intentionally chooses to associate his mulatto status with his black ancestory, which he is certainly allowed to do by census guidelines. But, just because he chooses to run his campaign as a "black" man, which makes him the draw that Geraldine Ferraro spoke of, doesn't mean that the rest of the world doesn't see through this. Obama will play the race card to his advantage now that his long-time association with Wright is coming into play. Obama's association with that man and that church was never an issue to him (including his time as a Senator) until he decided to run for president, and had to ask Wright to step into the corner and hide because a nation questioning this associations is much different than the demographic that elected him to his current office. Interesting that you try to make Obama's past associations with a race-baiting man and church about Ferraro. Actually, it's not interesting, it's sad and pathetic. This is not about the person or groups that called this out, this is about Obama using Wright as a person who "keeps my priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated." It doesn't surprise me that you find Obama and Wright and the message of that church appealing, Littwin. Feel free to rationalize away two decades of affiliations with Wright and that church; and, feel free to believe anything that falls out of Obama's lying piehole when he blabs on about his revised version of race and politics now that he's cornered. The man has already shown his colors on this one - put down your bong, take off your rose-colored glasses and get a clue, Littwin.

  • March 18, 2008

    8:17 a.m.

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    JYP3500 writes:

    I believe the country is ready for a black president, just not Obama. I also believe the country is ready for a female president, just not Hillary. Littwin (and Obama's pastor) are making this a race issue, when in fact, it's the candidate and his judgement/character that's in question. Quit playing the race card everytime there are legitimate questions.

  • March 18, 2008

    8:23 a.m.

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    ham writes:

    Funny, that it's perfectly acceptable for blacks to cheer and rejoice that a black man is a viable candidate, and for black people to vote for him simply because he's black...HOWEVER, I strongly suspect that if Barack Obama doesn't win, we will hear nothing but screams about how racist our America really is at it's core, when the curtain closes.

  • March 18, 2008

    8:34 a.m.

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    JYP3500 writes:

    I love how Littwin downplays Rev Wright's radical statements.

    Littwin: "The issue is complicated because how does Obama explain his relationship to a pastor whose words, at minimum, don't play well on talk radio."

    Mike, your kidding, right? These are the most outrageous, racial and anti-American statements I've ever heard, and especially so coming from a supposedly "accomplished" reverend. And Obama, as a leading presidential candidate, spent 20 years listening to this gargage.

    Typical liberal spin. It appears the only person more dishonest than Littwin is Obama.

  • March 18, 2008

    8:59 a.m.

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    T1anda writes:

    If you want to hear the real facts out of Obama ...just listen to his wife Michelle....AKA..The mouth!! Who, btw has been exposed for 20 years, to Reverand Wrights anti-American, anti-white, vitriol right along side with Obama!!!

    "Viable black candidate" Littwin??? It is REALLY hilarious that people are falling all over themselves, especially blacks, to vote for a half WHITE, RICH, presidential candidate!!! Bwahahahaha!!!

  • March 18, 2008

    9:22 a.m.

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    rjnova writes:

    Obama's problem is not that he is black but he is the least qualified candidate for president from either party--except perhaps Kucinich. That fact has been ignored by the liberal media because he is indeed black. The presidency is too important and there is no time for learning on the job. One either comes to the job qualified or the country suffers thru with another president like Jimmy Carter.

    Pastor Wright is merely a white hater or so filled with hate, like the Democrats, he has no credibility beyond that fact. It clouds his total being. I think it justified to ask has Obama been asleep in church these last 20 years? Obama and his wife Michele have been beneficiaries of the many blessings this country offers, even if she has only been able to be proud of this country this last month because of his ability to run for president. I think she has been listening in church.

    And Ferrara is your basic feminist who mis-spoke. She is not a racist but sees Hillary so much more qualified she makes a valid point. Obama is well spoken and liable but is just not quite ready for prime time.

  • March 18, 2008

    9:31 a.m.

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    Eagle5 writes:

    I have always been curious as to whether the "N" word has always been met to be derogatory or if, at first, it was meant to mean the people who originated from Nigeria? or similar sounding countries/plains in Africa. Of course, today it is a hate and discriminatory word

  • March 18, 2008

    10:04 a.m.

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    Don_Lopez writes:

    I don’t know what surprises me more: that Mr. Littwin was invited to a party or that some latte-sipping liberals are racist.

    This year’s Democrat presidential primary has produced a very unflattering picture of the “party of inclusion and enlightenment”.

    It’s a shame it has to end.

    Here are just a few things that Democrats have revealed:

    - Some dislike the Clintons as much as Republicans.

    - Democrats never thought the race card would be used against them by other Democrats.

    - Feminism is a sham and you don’t have to scratch a feminist too deeply to reveal the inner man-hating racist.

    - The Democrat presidential primary is not designed to produce the most viable candidate.

    - The Clintons ask not what they can do for their party but what their party can do for them.

    - No one’s in charge of the DNC.

    What will we learn next? I can hardly wait!

  • March 18, 2008

    10:33 a.m.

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    BJG writes:

    Mikey:
    Here we go again the adoration of the one you love so much. Fact is Obama and Mrs. Obama sat in the pastor's pew for 20 years, and NEVER once heard any bigoted comments? Yet when news reporters and you went to his campaign headquarters his people were not willing to talk about the wrong Rev Wright. Hmmmm, sounds like someone knew what the pastor was spewing. Clinton immediately rejected Ferraro's comments about Mr. Obama. Why did it take 20 years and extensive press coverage of the Rev's comments for Obama to reluctantly disagree? Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.....

  • March 18, 2008

    1:51 p.m.

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    Theoldguy writes:

    A Socialist Senator from Illinois. I don't care about his color since I base my thinking about individuals individually. I've known many men of all races and the ones I detest most are the articulate snake oil salesmen of the world. I flatly refuse to contribute to their way of life financially or philosophically.

    Obama, you're sinking in your own BS. Your speech was articulate, for the audience you hoped to convince. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Sorry Bud, you fell short.....again.

    p.s. I'm Catholic, but have been to quite a few Southern Baptist Churches mostly to compare the depth and width of the River of BS to other religions.

  • March 18, 2008

    1:58 p.m.

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    JSeifert writes:

    I have a question if McCain's preacher was found out to be a Grand Dragon of the KKK would the press be so nice and forgiving to him. I would say that Mr Littwin and the rest of the press core at Rocky Mountain News has a white guilt problem. Me I judge people not by color or sex but what they say and do, we all bleed red in the long run and I am a republican and I do not have a race problem nor am I ashamed of being white and male. But I guess thats why Democrats have such a problem they hate themselves just as much as they hate me. And I would have dropped a Preacher after I gave him a piece of my mind if they said anything as bad as this, So he must aggree with what he said otherwise he would have left period!

  • March 18, 2008

    11:50 p.m.

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    arby writes:

    To the person who wants to know where the "N" word came from. It's a slang result of the word "Negro" which is Latin for Black. I watched the "Rev Wright" I don't know how he could be called Reverend and I noticed he has a lot of white blood in him and a lot of the idiots in his church that were standing and cheering do too. So it comes down to how you perceive yourself. And they perceive themselves as picked on and so then they have an excuse for being losers. They talk about Whitey when most of them are at least as white and including the preacher whiter than BO. Get off your A** and get to work. Forget the racist crap on all sides and get this country back together. I'm not a BO supporter but what he said today was the truth and I respect him for that.

  • March 19, 2008

    1:28 a.m.

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    dirkle writes:

    Hey Mikey:

    I just did a quick inventory of "user comments" and am shocked to find that despite the controversial subject and multitude of strong (and sometimes stupid) opinions,

    not one wingnut managed to lose it and call you a "stinky hippy."
    (there was, however one comment who advised you to "put down your bong")

    Does this mean your usual rabid anti-fan base is getting soft?
    Are they slippin?
    Better sharpen your keyboard or else post a more incendiary picture of yourself.

  • March 19, 2008

    11:18 a.m.

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    freethinker07 writes:

    The choice is between those who want to end the race war and those who want to keep it going. In Obama's camp, the haters are winning.

    If I have to choose between a candidate and his friends who hate me and a candidate and his friends who hate someone else, I will choose those who don't hate me. I think Obama's friends hate me. That makes Clinton and McCain look good.

  • March 19, 2008

    11:54 a.m.

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    samsmargolis writes:

    dirkle - I actually like reading Littwin and on subject outside of Obama, I can find common ground with him. Now, Johnson and Griego - that's a whole 'nother story. I can't even bring myself to respond to their blather. If Littwin's hitting the bong, they're drinking his bong water....

  • March 19, 2008

    10:05 p.m.

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    Darwin writes:

    Is Obama black or is he white? His father is black, his mother is white.