Nader: Obama Trying To "Talk White"
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader had some scathing, racially-tinged words for Barack Obama in an interview with the Rocky Mountain News.
Nader said that Obama is trying to "talk white" and appeal to "white guilt," while downplaying poverty issues.
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the newspaper. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."
Asked by the reporter whether he thought Obama does try to "talk white," Nader responded, "Of course."
"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," Nader said. "Haven't heard a thing."
Update: Sen. Obama responded to Nader's comments at a press conference in Chicago:
"You know, look, uh first of all, what’s clear is that Ralph Nader hasn’t been paying attention to my speeches because all the issues that he talked about, whether it’s predatory lending or the housing foreclosure crisis or what have you are issues that the traveling press can tell you I’ve devoted multiple speeches, town hall meetings to throughout this campaign," Obama said. "Ralph Nader’s trying to get attention. He’s become a perennial political candidate. I think it’s a shame, because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections, it’s an extraordinary one, but at this point he’s somebody who’s trying to get attention and whose campaign hasn’t gotten any traction and so what better way to get some traction than to make an inflammatory statement like the one that he made. It is what it is."
Nader said that Obama is trying to "talk white" and appeal to "white guilt," while downplaying poverty issues.
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the newspaper. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."
Asked by the reporter whether he thought Obama does try to "talk white," Nader responded, "Of course."
"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," Nader said. "Haven't heard a thing."
Update: Sen. Obama responded to Nader's comments at a press conference in Chicago:
"You know, look, uh first of all, what’s clear is that Ralph Nader hasn’t been paying attention to my speeches because all the issues that he talked about, whether it’s predatory lending or the housing foreclosure crisis or what have you are issues that the traveling press can tell you I’ve devoted multiple speeches, town hall meetings to throughout this campaign," Obama said. "Ralph Nader’s trying to get attention. He’s become a perennial political candidate. I think it’s a shame, because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections, it’s an extraordinary one, but at this point he’s somebody who’s trying to get attention and whose campaign hasn’t gotten any traction and so what better way to get some traction than to make an inflammatory statement like the one that he made. It is what it is."
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See all 200 CommentsYou narrow minded Obama fans couldn''t see it if it hit you up along side the head but it''s true that the Obama campaign uses the race card to the hilt. Even though he is only 1/4 African.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=299200516372689
You should see some of the other posts of some of the people calling Obama a racist. They are trying to transfer "their guilt" onto him. That''s the hilarious part.
We can only hope obama thinks like hist supporters above.
Nader voters ?
...
We ain''t got no Nader Voters.
..
WE DON''T NEED NOS STINKING NADER VOTERS!!!!!
DIS''em all!
(freakin idiot Obama supporters - but then just look at who they are voting for.)
2. So why can''t Obama "talk white" sometimes? He IS half white. What I don''t like is the ''black'' accent he puts on for black audiences. I don''t think he grew up with that as a child, and his African father certainly didn''t use that accent.
3. As for "the poor," there are more poor non-blacks than poor blacks.
Anyway, I don''t like any of the candidates. Me blabbing more won''t help.
Many of the people who are calling Obama a racist HAVE posted some of the vilest, sickest, racist comments on topics not involving Obama. They are not really in any position to speak on racism, unless they are asking for atonement for their own racism.
Unless your name is Jesus, you are a Christian by hypocrite. You don''t know Obama in more than McCain. You don''t know anything. You probably can''t even find your keys most mornings.
More racist logic. I don''t see any Organization called the NAAWP.
But, speaking of the NAACP - if they were to concentrate on trying to improve the family unit, they would actually be providing a service that was worthy of their name.
One thing Nader should have control over is his mouth...
It''s interesting to see Nader criticize Obama as a presidential candidate- some Obama seems to excel at and something Nader does so poorly at...
The white liberal elitist thinks he can define what a black presidential candidate is supposed to behave...
Who nominated Hitler? Hitler
Who nominated Nader? Nader
Who noiminated Obama? THE PEOPLE
Let''s help Ralph out and get him a place in assisted living.
Vote for a Large Private Multinational Oil Corporation to run the United States?
And, to head this Private (unAmerican) Multinational Oil Corporation as our President would be a War Monger John McCain?
Vote for your better interests this time America.
The NAACP was created by WHITE PEOPLE who were appauled that so many blacks were being killed (lynched) without any justice. It was also created by WHITE PEOPLE who wanted to provide blacks with an education, after they were excluded.
Do you know nothing about history?
It was LBJ who freed the slaves. What existed before the Civil Rights Movement of 1968 as de facto slavery. Yet, you are fine with this...
You probably think Obama is being an uppity negro who doesn''t know his place.
Do you even realize when the New Deal was created it was specifically intended for white people? You are probably not even aware that the first and largest government handout to stimulate the economy after WWII excluded blacks from participating. This government handout is what pushed many poor whites into the middle class AND it is these handouts that the GOP have been trying to dismantle since the 1980s. And they''ve gotten you to vote against yourself hook, line, sinker because you are too stupid to realize what is happening to you.
Talking White, Talking Ghetto, Talking Ebonics.
So shold McCain talk Black and Ghetto to appeal to the voters in the HOOD.
CAN EVERYBODY STOP TRYING TO PLAY THIS LAME RACE CARD and Shut the FRACK up on Talking White, Talking Black, Talking Ghetto, Talking Ebonics. Grow the Hellllll UP !
Bush and McCain have been acting more like Good Ole Boys to hide the fact that they are rich elitests who were pushed into their positions by rich daddies.
Bush''s grandfather once called FDR a trader to his class.
Race is not what is really important in this country. Oh, they''ll get the expendable blacks and expendable whites to fight over it. That way both groups will not unite and figure out the only color that really matters in this country is GREEN.
Bush''s grandfather once called FDR a traitor to his class.
I''m just so tired of seeing what is happening here and that we can''t get over these silly divisions to stop it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAACP
I see two persons described as ''white'' and a possible third. I see three individuals described as ''African-American''. As USUAL, the far left has ''forgotten'' to tell the whole truth.
How convenient.
And, just WHY would you think I believe "think Obama is being an uppity negro who doesn''t know his place."
I see you skipped the content of my earlier post that you should have addressed: IF the NAACP were to address the single parent family unit, they would be doing a service worthy of their name.
Or, are YOU part of the reason for another single parent family ?
As USUAL
Whatithink
I am SO FRICKIN TIRED OF these people playing the race card or the female gender card or the old card with McCain. I dont care if your Green, Jewish, Black, Red, Yellow, Have 4 legs.
Who is best to run this country and everybody has to have lables and categories. It makes Me ILL.
and I considered him at one point...
I''ve always thought we should judge a man by his character, not by the color of his skin.
So if you want to talk prejudice - explain this. And, if you are about to tell me there haven''t been any black presidents, I''ll tell you there haven''t been any Female presidents too. So, why wouldn''t all the ladies out there vote for Hillary ?
It is a simple matter of qualification. If you don''t want to face up to that, it is your problem.
Do you really know what has happened to African Americans in this country for the majority of time this country existed? We would have been nicer to dogs. The NAACP was created because blacks were EXCLUDED. Read sometimes the Ordinance of Secession for several southern states. The view was this country was intended for white men and black people were only here to serve the needs of white men. This mentality has not died so easily. We are still suffering from it...on both sides.
I agree.
I am very disappointed in Nader''s comments. If he truly feels this way, he is sick.
Just because Obama is half-black, does not mean he has to talk about poverty, payday loans, asbestos, predatory lending, etc.
This election is about change. Nader''s time has come and gone.
Because the NAAWP was called the U.S. government.
Posted by hoseobama
Perhaps your measure of qualification isn''t the same as everyone else''s, many people see the word "experience" as more of the same disagreeable policies that got us to where we are in the first place.
Good post.
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