A White House Race Beyond Race

Webb, Rangel Say Obama Nomination Would Transcend Racial Divides

(CBS)  Despite his historic achievement of being the first African American presidential candidate to become the presumptive nominee of his party, Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy represents issues even larger than a break from long-standing racial divisions in America, said fellow Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.

“We’ve reached the point here where the message is going to transcend racial divides," Webb told Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer. "There are clear distinctions between Barack and John McCain on issues of intellect, meaning the way you shape the larger issues that are facing the country rather than this tax bill or that tax bill. There are issues in terms of composure and vision.

"I don't see the first African-American candidate; I see someone here who has got the intellect, has got the composure, who can help us bring a formula now together where we can start breaking apart this calcification that has happened [in Washington], where the middle class has been hurt so bad."

Rep. Charles Rangel D-N.Y., also believes that most voters will look beyond Obama's race when deciding whether to support him for the presidency, although he admitted there would be people who may not vote for him because he's an African American. "That's America, and there are people that feel so insecure," he said.

But Rangel also believes that Obama has captured the hearts and the votes of many people who are not African-Americans, which he called "amazing," and who have a purpose larger than prejudices.

"The American people will put race aside and say, 'Let's get out of this problem that Bush has put us in.'"

What November represents, Webb thinks, is a transitional election in which Obama may help forge "a new coalition," including voters who had previously left the Democratic Party, or are disaffected with the Republicans.

“I wouldn't be that worried about the fact that a large percentage of this vote went to Hillary," Webb said. "We need to give Hillary some credit here. You know, she comes from a very strong organization and she has a great record with working people.

"Not only is Barack going to be able to reach out and get a significant percentage of that vote, but he's going to be able to reach back into the Reagan Democrats, of which I was a part, and bring in people who had voted for George W. Bush in the past."

Howard Wolfson, the communications director of Hillary Clinton's campaign, also said Obama's ability to energize voters - and McCain's willingness to repeat Bush administration policies - will bolster the Democrats' chances.

"I think we can't afford a third George Bush term," Wolfson said. "John McCain is running to be the next George Bush. We can't have that in this country. The economy is spiraling into recession; John McCain says more of the same. We've got terrible problems in Iraq; John McCain says more of the same.

"We need a fundamental change, a fundamental break. And I think Barack Obama offers that. And I think the American people are going to respond very affirmatively to that."

Roger Simon, chief political columnist for Politico.com, said McCain has two major challenges: "He has to show first and foremost that he's not going to be George III. But at the same time, he has to build a little enthusiasm.

"The contentious campaign that's been on the Democratic side has energized Democrats. They've registered more people, they brought more people to the polls, they've raised more money. John McCain has to capture some of that spark and enthusiasm on the Republican side. He's got to build some energy. He's got to start doing it now, culminating at the Republican convention at the beginning of September, and then going on to Election Day.

"He's got an unpopular war. He's got a bad economy. But he's also got two selling points: He says he's going to be much more effective in protecting America from terrorism, and he promises lower taxes and says Barack Obama is going to raise taxes."

---

Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[obarna8years]

McCAIN''S A TOTAL IDIOT,AND THE ANTICHRIST.REV.WRIGHT AND BARRACK HAVE HELPED ME TO SEE THE LIGHT!McCAIN WILL BRING MORE WAR.i SAW IT IN A FLAHBACK THE OTHER NIGHT.OBAMA ''08!



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[obarna8years]

I LIVE IN CHICAGO,AND I WAS A $10.00 CRACKWHORE UNTIL LAST WEEK.I WENT TO OBAMAS'''' CHURCH,AND I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT.McCAIN IS A WARPIG CORPORATE SELLOUT,AND THE ANTICHRIST.OBAMA ''08


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[condumbism]

obarna8years

which Southern Traitor state your from? South Carolina, or Alabama? How many Confederate Flags you have flying from the balcony of your government subsidized apartment?

[obarna8years]

Posted by RudenTesty2 at 12:31 PM : Jun 08, 2008
*********
I have to say this: whatever the points may be at which we don''''t agree, don''''t really matter to me, I really enjoy your posts, you give me laughter and that''''s a gift I deeply appreciate. Your spirit and personality and humor shine through your posts. You are a GOOD person, as far as I can tell by posts, and I thank you for your good words. Sincerely! :-)



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Posted by cryhavoc2 at 01:53 PM : Jun 08, 2008

itoldyouso2.You broke down and talked about your condition,and your 9,I think,yr old son.

[obarna8years]

obarna8years

which Southern Traitor state your from? South Carolina, or Alabama? How many Confederate Flags you have flying from the balcony of your government subsidized apartment?


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Posted by ConDumbism at 01:54 PM : Jun 08, 2008

LOL!"Why''s everybody always pickin'' on me,Charlie Brown..."

[trbundro1277]

obarna8years

which Southern Traitor state your from? South Carolina, or Alabama? How many Confederate Flags you have flying from the balcony of your government subsidized apartment?

Posted by ConDumbism at 01:54 PM : Jun 08, 2008
*** Why would those racist southerners want Mccain to be president? Don''t you all realize that Mccain voted to let over 12 million illegals to get amnesty??? SO you would rather have our country become spanish speaking, rather than have a black president? I''ll take the first black president, over the first hispanic president Juan Mccain!

[bookout2]

Senator Webb you are dreaming. Us honkies will never
vote for a negro for president. You are a democrat.
I have always admired you as a politician. Now,
you are at the bottom of the black community
totum poll.

[trbundro1277]

Juan Mccain = more of bush, more amnesty for illegals, tax breaks for the rich, more war
Obama = No more bush, no citizenship for illegals, more fair taxes on rich people, no more war! I''ll take Obama over amnesty mccain any day of the week!

[condumbism]

TRBundro1277

Hate to burst your Southern White Trash bubble, but more whites will be voting for Obama than for your fellow Southern White Trash McCain. Now go hang your Confederate flag on the balcony of your government subsidized apartment.

[trbundro1277]

Senator Webb you are dreaming. Us honkies will never
vote for a negro for president. You are a democrat.
I have always admired you as a politician. Now,
you are at the bottom of the black community
totum poll.
Posted by bookout2 at 02:07 PM : Jun 08, 2008
*** I''m white, and I would NEVER vote for Mccain! Juan Mccain wants to give more amnesty to illegal immigrants that illegally came here! I''d rather have a black president than a hispanic president!

[condumbism]

CORRECTION

bookout2

Hate to burst your Southern White Trash bubble, but more whites will be voting for Obama than for your fellow Southern White Trash McCain. Now go hang your Confederate flag on the balcony of your government subsidized apartment.

[trbundro1277]

TRBundro1277

Hate to burst your Southern White Trash bubble, but more whites will be voting for Obama than for your fellow Southern White Trash McCain. Now go hang your Confederate flag on the balcony of your government subsidized apartment.
Posted by ConDumbism at 02:13 PM : Jun 08, 2008
*** I am supporting Obama. I don''t want Mccain! I was just reposting someone elses post and then put my comments below. I would NEVER vote for MCCAIN!

[trbundro1277]

I wouldn''t vote for Mccain if he was the last american left living in the whole world. Anyone that supports giving as many illegals amnesty as mccain, does NOT EVER have my vote! That "Dream Act" that Mccain co-sponsored in the senate a few years ago, should have been the end of his political career! I hope all your white racists out there realize that Mccain does NOT care about you. He only cares about the very wealthy people in this country, and hispanics! I''d rather have the first black president than the first hispanic president!

[obarna8years]

McCAIN''''S A TOTAL IDIOT,AND THE ANTICHRIST.REV.WRIGHT AND BARRACK HAVE HELPED ME TO SEE THE LIGHT!McCAIN WILL BRING MORE WAR.I SAW IT IN A FLASHBACK THE OTHER NIGHT.OBAMA ''''08!

[trbundro1277]

Juan Amnesty Mccain = more amnesty for illegals!

[samthetvcat]

---"But he''s also got two selling points: He says he''s going to be much more effective in protecting America from terrorism, and he promises lower taxes and says Barack Obama is going to raise taxes."---

Well, not really - he won''t by the time we''re finished fleshing out the issues.

[trbundro1277]

---"But he''''s also got two selling points: He says he''''s going to be much more effective in protecting America from terrorism, and he promises lower taxes and says Barack Obama is going to raise taxes."---
*** Are they talking about Bush or Mccain? LOL! *** More of the same! Vote for anyone other than Amnesty Juan Mccain. Say no to the first hispanic president!

[mtrcyclebob]

"Just pay yer TAXES!" Respects, "DISABLED VETERAN"

[hillarynow]

Maybe Jim Webb doesn''t see Obama as the "first African American candidate" but it seems that is all Obama''s supporters care about, even stooping low enough to falsely accuse the Clintons of racism! the Clintons, who have stood up for blacks and against racism for so many years! I will NEVER vote for Obama now, he and his foul minded supporters don''t deserve my vote, or the votes and support and any of Hillary''s supporters. Sorry Hillary, unless he chooses you for the other half of this ticket, I cannot support him even if you ask me to, can''t do it.

[sgtrds-e4]

"Webb, Rangel Say Obama Nomination Would Transcend Racial Divides"

They''re right. With the exception of a few racists I don''t believe most Americans look at Barack as a black man running for office, just as a man running for the president.

[sgtrds-e4]

Sorry Hillary, unless he chooses you for the other half of this ticket, I cannot support him even if you ask me to, can''''t do it.


Posted by HillaryNow at 02:47 PM : Jun 08, 2008

So don''t. You won''t be missed.

[standlee5]

McCain is the Independent who just happens to be running on the Republican ticket.

[element51]

bookout2...I hope you were just trying to get a little attention with your post. If not, it is truly sad that you feel the way you do. While I am fully aware that there is still a lot of racism in this country I had hoped that we had made significent progress in moving away from that attitude. One must realize that there is good and bad in every race and to condemn one race because of their color is not only wrong but shows a complete lack of intelligence. I have watched Obama and I have done extensive research on him and I believe he is a good candidate and deserves our consideration. Why don''t you try to educate yourself with truth and then make your voting decision from an informed position? And remember, it is better to remain silent and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[standlee5]

Posted by TRBundro1277 at 02:18 PM : Jun 08, 2008


Well, you could vote for Barack then you wouldn''t have to worry about borders at all.

[standlee5]

He''s always been a thorn in the side of the Republicans. Check itout. I always thought he''d run as an Indpendent and kind of wish he had last time. But he''ll do better as Republican this time.

[sgtrds-e4]

The number one biggest difference between Barack and McCain. McCain is senile and Barack is not.

[element51]

HillaryNow....You are certainly entitled to vote against Obama if that is what you choose. But I must take exception to your statement that those of us who support him do so only because he is African-American. It wouldn''t matter to me if his skin was purple, that has nothing to do with my decision to support him. I believe that it is critical for the country to have leadership with a new vision. I have watched what has happened in the last 8 years and I am convinced that we cannot survive another 4 years of the same policies. Is Obama the answer to all our problems? NO, of course not. But to me he represents the chance for us to find ourselves again and to bring the country back on track. And if he does anything that is illegal he would be impeached in a heartbeat. Not only will the eyes of the world be on him but the eyes of America as well. In the past, for a black person to be successful, they have always had to be better and strive harder and it will be no different with Obama. I think he is up to the task.

[standlee5]

He''s always been the one to buck the party and bring forth different ideas particularly bi-partisan which has always driven the hardliners nuts.

[standlee5]

McCain could have easily ran as an Independent like Leiberman. In fact I still think that''d make a good team but he Republican base would go nuts.

[minnick8-2009]

McCain is senile and Barack is not.
Posted by SgtRDS-E4

McCain is 71, he is not senile. If you think he is senile, go visit someone on an alzheimer''s ward in a rest home near you.

[standlee5]

Agreeing with Bush doesn''t make him Bush. He agrees with him when he''s right and disagrees when he''s wrong. That''s McCain. He''s definately not a party hack.

[sandycat2]

A Barak Obama presidency will indead transcend borders as the US will not have any national borders at all if he is elected. And Ibama''s election will divide Americans. Just wait until the US has to shell out $250,000 in slave reparations to every black family.

[minnick8-2009]

I take great comfort in the inability of Democrats to consistently come up with an effective, electable President.

The 1964 Democratic Convention took place in Atlantic City. It resulted in the nomination of the incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson (who had been vice president under John F. Kennedy) of Texas for President and Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota for Vice President. Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat, escalated the war in Vietnam. He was so unpopular by 1968, he announced he would not seek or accept nomination to the Presidency at the 1968 Convention.

[standlee5]

I guess we''ve got some senile congress members and senile supreme court judges that we''d better put out to pasture in ahurry if being over 70 makes you senile. Warren Buffet must be too senile to run Berkshire Hathaway and large percentage of CEO''s better watch out we''re going to have to recycle them. THe NEW ORDER of youth think they''re senile.

[minnick8-2009]

The 1968 Democratic Convention took place in Chicago. In 1967, protests groups had been promising to come to Chicago and disrupt the convention, and the city promised to maintain law and order. For eight days, protesters and police battled for control of the streets of Chicago. When Senator Abraham Ribicoff (D-Conn) delivered a speech nominating George McGovern for President, he infuriated Daley by saying, "with George McGovern as President of the United States, we wouldn''t have Gestapo tactics in the streets of Chicago."[21] Daley responded by shaking his fist at Ribicoff, and shouting a phrase that was inaudible. "Most reports of the event also say Daley yelled an off-color epithet beginning with an "F," but according to CNN executive producer Jack Smith, others close to Daley insist he shouted ''Faker,'' meaning Ribicoff was not a man of his word. In the General election in November, Republican Richard M. Nixon narrowly won the election over Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey

[obarna8years]

Posted by sandycat2 at 03:13 PM : Jun 08, 2008

Thirteen.

[minnick8-2009]

The 1972 the Democratic Convention was held in Miami Beach, Florida. It nominated Senator George McGovern for President and Senator Thomas Eagleton for Vice President. Eagleton later withdrew from the race when it was disclosed that he had undergone mental health treatment (including electroshock therapy. He was replaced on the ballot by Sargent Shriver. The McGovern-Shriver ticket lost by a landslide to Richard Nixon. McGovern was going to be the Savior of the Democratic party and the young Democrats just knew he was going to win the election and make everything right.

Through the 1970s, the United States underwent a wrenching period of low economic growth, high inflation and interest rates, and an energy crises. There was also a sense of malaise that in both foreign and domestic affairs the nation was headed downward. Does history repeat itself?

[cfin5]

Senator Webb''s statements here are unfounded since we know of no reason according to Barak''s historical friendships to believe him. Thought he had a little more integrity than this. Guess I was wrong about Senator Webb. I mean, even right after Barak gave AIPAC a good old fashioned butterin'' up, the Islamofascists complained a little and Barak immediately FLIP FLOPPED like a fish out of water! They must have some dirty skeletons to uhm,...."remind" him of. You know that if any other candidate other than a republican attended anything like the "Christomosque" Senator Obama attended and supported for 20 years,.....they''d have roasted him in the media something fierce. I really get weary of any candidate spinning party loyalty fibs all day long.....RON PAUL looks better and better every time these dudes open their mouths.

[minnick8-2009]

In 1976, Jimmy Carter ran on CHANGE. Sound familiar? Carter took 23 states with 297 electoral votes, while Ford won 27 states and 240 electoral votes. I can%u2019t remember what, if anything changed. Carter was voted out four years later when he lost to Ronald Reagan.

The bottom line is that I don%u2019t believe that Obama has any more power to change anything than did Jimmy Carter. If he wins this election, it will surprise me if he still has enough following to win re-election in 2012.

[obarna8years]

McCain''''s new slogan:

''''Vote for me or I''''ll waterboard you!''''


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Posted by melchg at 03:14 PM : Jun 08, 2008

McCain on Iran:"Bomb bomb bomb,bomb bomb Iran."

McCain on torture:"Let''s go surfin'' now,everybody''s surfin'' now,come on and safari with me"

[cfin5]

.....any other candidate than a "democrat" that is.

[standlee5]

John McCain definately doesn''t want to pull the troops out of Iraq within 60 days. He''s clear on that. And he''s right. That would be idiotic, dangerous, absurd, and undermines all the work we''ve done. If that makes him a Bush clone in Obamites eyes then fine. It''s common sense and reality based. That''s John McCain. He''s not going to change his beliefs to appease Obamites and win votes.

[element51]

standlee5....I can remember several years ago when I thought McCain was his own man. I admired that even though I am a democrat. I can even remember saying that if he ran for president I would consider voting for him. But not now. While I admire him for his military service and for what he had to endure it stops there. I just cannot support a man who would do to his wife what McCain did. After she waited for him and stood by him during his confinement his treatment of her after she became ill cannot be condoned. He threw her under the bus for a pretty, rich trophy wife and it was through her family''s connections and with their money that he began his political career. Another thing that bothers me is his temper. We all know that making decisions when we are angry is never a good thing to do and I am afraid that if provoked he would become very vendictive. Finally, your statement about borders is somewhat confusing. If you mean the Mexican-American border, McCain will do nothing to address that situation. The wealthy and big business do not want their supply of cheap labor cut off and McCain will be working for both of them.

[minnick8-2009]

McCain''''''''s new slogan:
''''''''Vote for me or I''''''''ll waterboard you!''''''''
Posted by melchg at 03:14 PM

melchg,

McCain does not believe in torture. He was tortured himself for 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam war. He never wavered in his loyalty to the United States; he is a hero.

You sound to me like a 19 year old snot nosed brat; I wonder how you would perform under those same circumstances. Go blow your nose.

[standlee5]

Well, those are two excellent reasons to vote for Barrack Obama, McCain''s divorce and McCain''s weakness on illigal immigration.

[minnick8-2009]

30 something years ago change didn''''t work?
Posted by Policrypt

Thirty something years ago, change didn''t work because the bureaucrats in Washington didn''t allow it. The establishment in Washington aren''t about to let some greenhorn in to shake things up and disturb the status quo. If Obama is elected, he might make a few dents, but if anything really changes, I will be surprised.

[element51]

sandycat2...I just can''t let this one pass sandy. Where in the helll did you get the idea that Obama was going to begin reparation payments? That has never been an issue in this campaign. Even if he wanted to, which he doesn''t, it would have to be approved by the congress which would never happen. All you are doing is throwing out a little more meaningless ***** in hopes that someone will be stupid enough to believe it. If you want to discuss the real issues that would be fine but this kind of stuff just shows your intellectual level.

[missingamerica]

McCain does not believe in torture. He was tortured himself for 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam war. He never wavered in his loyalty to the United States; he is a hero.

You sound to me like a 19 year old snot nosed brat; I wonder how you would perform under those same circumstances. Go blow your nose.

Posted by minnick8 at 03:25 PM : Jun 08, 2008

Huh...then why did McCain vote against the Intelligence Authorization Bill that would have banned waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods on February 13th, 2008?

Oh, I know...McCain is against the use of torture, but only if the tortured one might be himself...

[standlee5]

Who said they would pull the troops out in 60 days?
Posted by Policrypt at 03:26 PM : Jun 08, 2008

Uh, Barrack Obama. At one of the debates. Maybe it was 90. My mistake.

[minnick8-2009]

Waterboarding--one of the many things he flipped on.
Sorta ironic don''''t you think?
Posted by melchg

McCain said he didn''t like torture, I didn''t say it bothered me. If waterboarding extracts information from terrorists that give us the information to keep them from attacking the U.S. then drown them all.

If I ever fly a plane into a high rise building and kill 3000 people, then please waterboard all who were involved with me to make it happen. You could waterboard me too, but I would probably already be dead.