White Supremacists See Hope In Obama Win

First Black President Would Trigger Backlash And Jar Whites Into Action, They Say

(AP)  They're not exactly rooting for Barack Obama, but prominent white supremacists anticipate a boost to their cause if he becomes the first black president. His election, they say, would trigger a backlash - whites rising up, a revolution of sorts - that they think is long overdue.

He'd be a "visual aid," says former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, in trying to bring others around to their view that whites have lost control of America. Obama's election, says another, would jar whites into action, writing letters, handing out pamphlets rather than sitting around complaining.

While most Americans have little or no direct contact with white supremacists, organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center keep close tabs; the law center estimates some 200,000 people nationwide are active in such groups. These observers think the prospect of a white revolution is fantasy.

White supremacists - many call themselves nationalists or "White activists," with a capital W - have had limited political success: Duke served in the Louisiana Legislature. And the public has periodically been unsettled by their public events, like the effort by uniformed Nazis to march through Skokie, Ill., the annual Aryan Nations meetings in Idaho and elsewhere or the FBI's clashes with armed white supremacists in several Western compounds.

Richard Barrett is a 65-year-old lawyer who traveled the country for 40 years advocating what he perceives as the white side in racial issues - like his January rally in Jena, La., to support a white teenager who hung a noose in a school yard.

Barrett is convinced Democrat Obama will defeat Republican John McCain in November.

And that could cause an upheaval, Barrett, a leader in the Nationalist Movement, told The Associated Press in an interview at his rural Mississippi home.

"Instead of this so-called civil rights bill, for example, that says you have to give preferences to minorities, I think the American people are going - once they see the 'Obamanation' - they're going to demand a tweaking of that and say, 'You have to put the majority into office,"' Barrett said.

Across the United States, some white supremacists are saying an Obama presidency could create a racial backlash that will give their groups a boost.

Barrett is evasive about his ideology and tries to keep reporters from using "buzz words" to describe him. He doesn't call himself a white supremacist, although the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center do.

The law center tracks the Nationalist Movement, the Klan and like-minded groups from its Montgomery, Ala., headquarters. The center's "Hatewatch" newsletter reported in June that some neo-Nazis, Klansmen and anti-Semites are saying an Obama presidency could prompt a race war, which many on the "radical right" believe whites would win.

Although not all white supremacists agree, "large numbers of these people really seem to think that an Obama election would benefit them hugely," Mark Potok, the center's intelligence director, said in an interview. He called that view "essentially a fantasy."

Duke, the former Klan leader, posted an essay on his Web site in June titled, "Obama Wins Demo Nomination: A Black Flag for White America."

Obama "will be a clear signal for millions of our people," Duke wrote. "Obama is a visual aid for White Americans who just don't get it yet that we have lost control of our country, and unless we get it back we are heading for complete annihilation as a people."

Jason Robb, a Harrison, Ark., attorney who represents the Klan's Knights Party, describes himself as a "white nationalist."

"It doesn't really matter if Obama wins the election or McCain wins the election," Robb said in an interview. "Neither of them are going to try to fight to preserve the white race or heritage."

Robb said, however, that Obama's election could prompt more whites to get involved in politics by distributing pamphlets or writing letters to editors.

Although the South has had more racial violence than most of the country, Randy Blazak, a sociology professor at Oregon's Portland State University, says white supremacists live all over the United States. Blazak, who has studied skinheads for two decades, calls white supremacists a counterculture, not a movement, contending the latter term overstates their numbers.

Blazak said white supremacists thrive on fear of changing race relations, the women's movement and gay rights. Blazak said white working class people in particular long for a "Leave It To Beaver" society.

"Those were the 'good old days' for straight, white males. But for everyone else, it was a pretty raw deal," Blazak said.

Barrett, a New York City native who moved to Mississippi in 1966, said the Nationalist Movement has members in 36 states, but he won't say how many. He compares today's skinheads to the minutemen of the American Revolution.

"The Revolution, if you will, in 1776 brought the 13 colonies together against the king. And the same thing can happen now against Martin Luther King, with the 50 states," Barrett said, if Obama's elected.

Barrett says he is a Democrat but won't say whether he's voting for Obama. He'll only say he won't support McCain, Libertarian Bob Barr or independent Ralph Nader.

Charles Evers, brother of Medgar Evers, the Mississippi NAACP leader killed by a sniper in 1963, chuckles when told about Barrett's assertions.

"See, Richard doesn't really mean what he says. It's popular for him to say it. That's the way he makes a living," said Evers, who hosts a talk show on WMPR-FM in Jackson. "Same as Jesse Jackson, some more of our black revolutionaries who make a living off of keeping things emotional."

Although a longtime Republican, Evers supports Obama. He says the Democrat is more qualified than McCain.

Evers, whose office has photos of him with Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and other politicians, said he sees broad, multiracial support for Obama, even in parts of the South where the white establishment dug in to try to preserve racial segregation decades ago.

"I think we're past that stage," Evers said. "I don't think the majority of white people are thinking that way anymore."

Kim Edwards of Matteson, Ill., a black woman who traveled to Mississippi with a racially mixed group so her son could play in a baseball tournament, is more skeptical. Edwards worries that extremists want Obama to be elected so they can assassinate him.

"I'm really concerned for his safety," said Edwards, who plans to vote for Obama. "I'm concerned that once he gets in office that he won't be recognized as an American president."

However, former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, a white Democrat who served on President Clinton's commission on racial reconciliation, doesn't foresee widespread white backlash if Obama is elected.

"We are a diverse country," said Winter, who supports Obama. "We are made up of people of every conceivable racial background."

[obama441]

Richard Barrett is a 65-year-old lawyer who traveled the country for 40 years advocating what he perceives as the white side in racial issues - like his January rally in Jena, La., to support a white teenager who hung a noose in a school yard. he,he that old f.art DIE you friggin b.astard!!

[extremophil]

Of course it''s also possible that Obama could get elected and do a fine job of running the country and uniting the people. I guess the white supremists wouldn''t see THAT coming.

[formrusmcsgt]

Xenophobia is alive and well.....

[tootall10142]

I dont think they are any more taken as a threat asthey are being ignored.Down the road from me in the mountains is white society group they never bother any one , in this area any way.Down the road from them is black survivors of vietnam association, they never bother any one around here any way.Down the road from them is the cherokee nation reservation where i live neither of them come around unless thet are freedmen black cherokee.Every one is equal behind a forty four,everyone in front pays attention.

[longtree-2009]

First of all, Obama is not Black but biracial. True, he identifies as Black. Secondly, Obama will win by a landslide because he will have the "white vote" of the majority of males and females. Finally, the "Black" population of the USA is about 12% of the 300 million, or so, so there is no sign of any backlash in the future. The music of today is hip-hop, and clothing design is also BLack culture in origin. The language spoken by most young Americans, say 35 and under, is of Black culture origin. Soome TV programs are Black as are films out of Hollywood. Don''t understand his position.

[ddaryl1]

yuck!

[estabwary]

The very small number of people in that group speaks to the small-mindedness of their ideas. Obama is only half black, so as a visual aid, his power is limited to wake people up to their cause. Back to the drawing board, you pasty people.

[tbweb]

The majority of Americans still believe in the United States of America and want it to work for real! Richard Barrett is a dying breed and an American disgrace. Soon `Whites` will be a minority inside the U.S. and then what will become of White Supremacy in a minority status? Any anti-American movement is a disease, a cancer on the American body that should be sent into remission and ultimately removed! God Bless America!

[xmanborg]

White Supremacists See Hope In Obama Win ????

First Black President Would Trigger Backlash And Jar Whites Into Action, They Say.

I think that a bunch of Hot Air. Trigger a Backlash And Jar Whites into Action thats just not going to happen in a large country wide movement. Maybe in rural parts of the country where education and tollerance does not exist. Rural parts of the country where people teach their children at a young age to hate anybody who does not have their same skin color is is Gaye, or Jewish or in a Mixed Marrage or is not Republican, (not all republicans) or is liberal.

Richard Barrett (the person pictured above)just looks very intollerant and is clinging on to close minded and out dated ways of the past. Its just time until these relics die off and these uneducated intollerant has beens disappear. Yes I read that he is an attorney but he still is uneducated.

[xmanborg]

Posted by longtree at 08:34 AM : Aug 08, 2008

I agree with you 100% Obama is going to win in a Land Slide Vote & people like Richard Barrett just swing more voters Obamas way.

[u-r-right]

The man is only HALF black. He''s also HALF white but you never hear about the white side of him.

[grumpas]

They have been praying for a race war for years! They thrive on it on the lunacy.

[hungryman9]

The majority of Americans still believe in the United States of America and want it to work for real! Richard Barrett is a dying breed and an American disgrace. Soon `Whites` will be a minority inside the U.S. and then what will become of White Supremacy in a minority status? Any anti-American movement is a disease, a cancer on the American body that should be sent into remission and ultimately removed! God Bless America!
Posted by tbweb
*********************************8
Read a good article on this a few days ago. The majority is going to be latinos. They will control everything. Whites and blacks will be in constant battle with them, but they will control. Maybe they will elect Paris Hilton president.

[micma-2009]

More proof that modern conservatism is a mental illness.

[l8c6]

Pathetic. Simply pathetic.

[ohohoh1]

More proof that modern conservatism is a mental illness.







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Posted by micma at 09:05 AM : Aug 08, 2008
+ report abuse



Hes a Democrat...

[ohohoh1]

Barrett says he is a Democrat but won''t say whether he''s voting for Obama. He''ll only say he won''t support McCain, Libertarian Bob Barr or independent Ralph Nader.


READ

[whitemale08]

these are the idiots that originally brought you the "Jeremiah Wright" fairy tale and the other "Hannity Smears".

[greeneyes222]

Here we go again with another racial story.

I voted for Harold Ford Jr., another black man from a questionable political family, because he was the best man for the job. He had a track record that made me comfortable with him despite the rest of his family, and I''d do it again.

Obama on the other hand has no similar track record. He''s photogenic like Ford but lacks the substance. The questionable associations aren''t his family''s but his. I feel far less comfortable with the idea of voting for him and as things stand now, I won''t.

Two black men, both young, and yet the media and a number of posters insist on making the decision all about race. For good measure they throw in this story about nutjobs to scare us all.

Please. It''s just not that cut and dried, and any reporter who thinks it is is just lazy.

[cricketbeers]

I have to agree with cbs3200. I''m a white female and I, too, will be voting for Obama with the hopes that he places Hillary in a prominent cabinet position.

I''d rather be voting for Hillary, but...y''know.

As far as these nutcases are concerned, the KKK and other groups like it should be considered terrorist cells and punished accordingly when/if they''re found to be in the center of a criminal activity.

There are good and bad whites, good and bad blacks, good and bad latinos, etc. To judge based on the color of one''s skin is ridiculous.

But we all do it at one time or another, don''t we?

[shazam112]

The man is only HALF black. He''''s also HALF white but you never hear about the white side of him.


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Posted by U-R-RIGHT at 08:51 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Exactly ,because they are literally brain dead,blind,and deaf....like Afghanway pr-ickly slimey pi-ssy boy.....

[ephd]

More proof that modern conservatism is a mental illness.


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Posted by micma at 09:05 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Actually, I believe the article mentioned he was a democrat.

[ohohoh1]

More proof that modern conservatism is a mental illness.


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Posted by micma at 09:05 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Actually, I believe the article mentioned he was a democrat.


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Posted by ephd at 09:24 AM : Aug 08, 2008
+ report abuse


More proof that Neo-Liberalism is a mental illness...

[parrots11]

Posted by micma at 09:05 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Actually, I believe the article mentioned he was a democrat.
Posted by ephd at 09:24 AM : Aug 08, 2008

And it followed right up by how these loons will say anything for their cause .... He really isn''t deceiving anyone but obviously Repugs like you. Cheers!

[concorde5]

I hope these supremacists are the exception and not the rule. I thought America had moved beyond this kind of thinking.

[parrots11]

Obama on the other hand has no similar track record. He''''s photogenic like Ford but lacks the substance. The questionable associations aren''''t his family''''s but his. I feel far less comfortable with the idea of voting for him and as things stand now, I won''''t.

Two black men, both young, and yet the media and a number of posters insist on making the decision all about race. For good measure they throw in this story about nutjobs to scare us all.

Please. It''''s just not that cut and dried, and any reporter who thinks it is is just lazy.
Posted by greeneyes222 at 09:18 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Seeing as there''s only 2 candidates for POTUS - why don''t most Repugs like you ever post about why you think McCain is any better ? Then you post about questionable associations ?? Keating 5 mean anything to you ??? or the name ''Charles R Black'' ???? - Now imagine any and all the names you''ve heard supporting and clamouring for Obama that you consider despicable and questionable, all of them combined do not come close to the vermin that''s ''Charles R. Black'' - He''s the face of McCain''s Campaign and it may surprise you that no one''s making an issue of this just yet. And then, we start with the lobbyists and his extra-marital BS ..... I think you''ve been badly lied to. I''d advise anyone to try and get educated. Cheers!

[leftyintexas]

I hope these supremacists are the exception and not the rule. I thought America had moved beyond this kind of thinking.

Posted by concorde5 at 09:30 AM : Aug 08, 2008

You only have to look at Dumbya''s support base to know that''s not true.

[whyafghan]

parrots11 - go bounce a basketball around and you should feel better.

[rosieod4prez]

Ridiculous.

However, I can''t decide which is more ridiculous, this person''s point of view, or all the far left idiots on this site trying to imply he''s a typical non-liberal.

It just shows how loath they are to the truth.

[wellhell3]

Oh for pete''s sakes...leave it to Obscamma to find these people and use this ***** in his victimization scam.

The man trained very well in the Alinsky method of creating unhappy divisiveness in people so you can maniipulate them. He wants nothing more than to see the country implode on itself.

[txlakeside]

Racism is still in the south, just hidden. Racist are Chicken S--TS and afraid to speak openly as there are now many people that are educated, fair and just and will call them on their bigotry. Many of us now teach our childeren that you judge a person by their actions not the color of their skins.

The majority of racist are stupid, backwoods, rednecks that spout "the south will rise again". They are mostly uneducated, claim to be religious and associate with like minded white trash. They try to teach their children tha same hate they have been taught but as the level of education rises so does the level of tolerance.

They are a minority that much like the current administration depend upon fear, lies and proganda to spread their hatred. They will lie about Obama because they know very few will listen to thier racist ideology.

They are scum.

[imotorist]

Obama is my choice. He is the only candidate who voted against the Iraqi war. This action is directly responsible for the dismal state of our economy. It has drained our national wealth and the lives of so many of our precious young soldiers. These "skinheads" and ultra conservatives are relics of another era. Make it so in November. I don''t see a black candidate, only a great one. I am also a registered Republican.

[xmanborg]

Posted by WhyAfghan at 09:06 AM : Aug 08, 2008

WhyAfghan did you read what I said ??? I said NOTHING RACAIAL you IDIOT. my parents did not teach me hate and stereotype. Both my parents were College Professors and were very open minded and and tollerant and so am I. I am gaye and have a black partner and we have been together for 9+ years so stick that in your brain. If you have EVER been to some RURAL PARTS OF THIS COUNRTY WHERE THERE ARE ONLY WHITE PEOPLE YOU might see racism and intollerance and hate against black people. I grew up in the North West Oregon & Washington and have seen rural parts of the East Coast also.

Maybe WhyAfghan you are looking at your self in the Mirror and see intollerance, racism and hate in your reflection.

GET AN EDUCATION AND STOP BEING A HATER YOUR SELF, WhyAfghan apparently your not the sharpest needle that you think you are.

[leftyintexas]

Actually, I believe the article mentioned he was a democrat.

Posted by ephd at 09:24 AM : Aug 08, 2008

You can call a pig a duck but that does not make him one. Example: Lieberman. Only 165 days left! Enjoy!

[whitepride2]

White Supremacists See Hope In Obama Win ????
First Black President Would Trigger Backlash And Jar Whites Into Action, They Say.

This has been laying in wait for a long time. White people have been losing their rights for sometime now. Obama is right. Change is needed. But I can guarentee you thats not the change thats needed. I am a very Proud white man and very proud of my heritage that the so called minorities have been trying to push down for sometime now. Their will be an uprising of some sort. You will see! Im sure it wont be a violant one but we will just have to wait and see. Their are alot more white activist groups out there than most people know of just waiting for the right time. Again I dont believe it to be a violent theme. I hope NOT myself. But the white people will not stand aside and become spectators in a country we built under true Christian Faith. Any white people reading this should do a little research to find a caucasion group to share your feelings on this kinda subject and learn what we can we all can do to preserve our heritage and rights. Mabey just google " caucasian rights " is ussually a good start. Stay Stong, Live Long.

[whyafghan]

XmanBorg - what a shame that you cannot see the trees in the forest because you are wearing rose colored glasses. Stereotyping is just that, but you will always use that as a crutch to spread fear and anxiety. Deal with your numerous problems.

[concorde5]

WhitePride2....As a minority what can I do to help further your cause. I don''t think anyone should lose rights including whites. So what can I do to help preserve white rights?

[cbsblogger]

The odd thing that CBS overlooked is that the USA is full of racist ethno-centric groups that are operating for one reason only....to promote and maintain advantage of their particular "ethnic group".

As an example Jewish people have tens of thousands of groups that promote Jewishness and political advantage. They have the nation of Israel that only allows Jews to become citizens. We have La Raza whose entire existence is to promote advantage for Hispanics. The only thing they are missing is a nation that only allows Hispanics. This tact is repeated with many other ethnic groups.

Yet the organizations mentioned in the article are considered as "racist". I''m not a white nationalist, but one must admit that the issue of racism as reported is fairly lopsided. BTW I''ll probably be voting for Obama.

[aaabee-2009]

Barrett is to the Democratic Party what Craig is to the Republican Party, a two-faced hypocrit.

How much more can be given to a human of any color? White or black? If this man is well-fed, as he appears to be, has a home, a family, and a nice TV what more could he possibly want the non-white community to hand to him?

Respect isn''t something your skin color gets you, respect is something your character gets you, my dad always said....

[superdem]

Obama certainly couldn''t do any worse than the Republicans, who are overwhelmingly white. They''ve totally ruined everything they''ve touched. When Obama succeeds in helping this country, what will the white "supremacists" do then, poor things ? This is all so stupid, because Obama will be relying on a whole cabinet and federal structure, filled with people of all colors and types, experts in their fields. This is America for goodness sake. You know, liberty and justice for ALL. People come in different colors, that''s just a fact. Fat ugly white people with minimal eductions living in trailors are nothing to crow about. Just being white is nothing in itself. Do something great, then we''ll talk about it.

[yourpointis]

Obama "will be a clear signal for millions of our people," Duke wrote. "Obama is a visual aid for White Americans who just don''t get it yet that we have lost control of our country, and unless we get it back we are heading for complete annihilation as a people."

How have we lost control of "our country"?? I thought this was "One Nation, Under God"? This whole article just sucks.....I don''t know who I will be voting for at this time, but I''m glad to see Obama as a candidate. Oh, and WhitePride2, I think you just kicked up a cr@pstorm....this is gonna be good reading today!!!

[legacyabq]

Who cares what this idiot lawyer thinks ?????

Why does this moron get press time? Hell, * I * would make a far more interesting interviewee!!
Screw these filthy supremacists. And screw reverse discrimination too. We MUST be colorblind when it comes to government and society functions. However, culturally, race and ethnic heritage are interesting subjects. It''s OK to be proud of your heritage: black, white, whatever. But when judging anothers human worth, leave race out. What rediculous fools we all are, caught up in this fleeting world of little meaning.

[chalres-2009]

Why would throwing out the repub bums who have given us the hot beef injection for 15 years or so, mean whites are losing control. I''m a 48 year old white guy, who has guns, a truck, a boat, and I''m from Louisiana. This is stupid B.S. for dumb bigots. Go Obama

[xmanborg]

Posted by WhyAfghan at 09:44 AM : Aug 08, 2008

WhyAfghan apparently you have less then a Junior Highscool Education and are unhappy with your self.

Stereotyping seems more your speed. I am sure you did not graduate from Highschool because you were raised by uneducated parents and you probably live in your parents house and they pay for your internet access.

Uneducated People like you are the problem in this country. GROW UP.

[kazoodan]

White people have been losing their rights for sometime now.

Posted by WhitePride2 at 09:43 AM : Aug 08, 2008

---------

Why don''t you tell us all what rights you''ve lost. I''M curious to know.

[xmanborg]

WhyAfghan

GROW UP AND learn some tollerance for people other then your own race.

I bet you watch the 700 Club Daily.

[shazam112]

GET AN EDUCATION AND STOP BEING A HATER YOUR SELF, WhyAfghan apparently your not the sharpest needle that you think you are.



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Posted by XmanBorg at 09:41 AM : Aug 08, 2008
+ report abuse

Dang this p-i-ss boy whyAFGHAN is far from sharp prickly needle ,can''t you see he is hidding behind his phony name ,his true colours and loyalty is to his misrael where he regularly takes part in thumping the filthy wall and gay parades in jerusalem ...this yellow, bellied ,coward,from the traler park trashbot of texass is not worth your minute .....

[whyafghan]

XmanBorg - how educated is someone who reverts to Name Calling. Your mean spirit is blatently obvious and as I stated earlier - deal with your numerous issues. Perhaps you can discuss your hatred with your boyfriend. Either way, I could really give a c-rap

[aaabee-2009]

I''''m a 48 year old white guy, who has guns, a truck, a boat, and I''''m from Louisiana. This is stupid B.S. for dumb bigots. Go Obama. Posted by chalres at 09:50 AM : Aug 08, 2008

Hey, chalres! I am exactly opposite you but feel exactly the same way. Go Obama from BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE!!

Love it!

[xmanborg]

shazam112

Thanks your right.