RE: Barack Obama

To claim that his name has anything to do with his keynote and reception
is utter bullshit.   Clearly, he's an extremely talented man who is able
to craft and deliver a hell of a speech and touch and energize people
profoundly.  He has the fundamental skills needed to help improve the
Democratic party.  But it doesn't sound as if you want it to improve.
Methinks you simply want it to be destroyed.
 
Frankly, your cynicism is depressing and counterproductive.  If you
don't believe me, just ask Jesse. 

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adam Miller
Sent: July 28, 2004 11:22 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ballistichelmet] Barack Obama


OK, maybe I'm cynical, and (against all my efforts) perhaps slightly
racist, but does anyone think that Barack Obama giving the keynote
speech at the DNC's opening night is a little sketchy? Yeah, it's great
that he's gonna be the 3rd black Senator since recon   struction, but
who is this guy? I've read all about him, and he seems to be saying the
same things all the other dems are. He's not particularly charismatic,
from what I've seen, and he doesn't have anything to offer that a
million politicians already do...except one thing:
 
HIS FUCKING NAME!!! I swear to God, if you are a liberal with a
radical's name, you have it MADE in the Democratic Party. It just pisses
me off, as they are obviously using this guy to court black voters after
Bush declined the NAACP AGAIN. If his name was John Smith, you wouldn't
see shit about him. As it is, a political track record alternating
between moderate and unproven seems to be enough to put him square in
the limelight here. 
 
I just find it ironic that the original pro-slavery party is now using a
man with an African-sounding name to secure key votes. Bill Richardson
mentioned him 6 times on the Daily Show last night. He's been all over
CNN.com. He's been mentioned repeatedly on NPR. 
 
But I guarantee this much: He will never be a democratic nominee for
President. No matter how bright his star shines when the Dems need black
votes, when it comes time to repay him for his work, he shouldn't expect
any more than any of the other black candidates get (Jesse and Al, meet
Barack. Barack, Jesse and Al...oh, and this lady right here,
too...uhh...Karen? Carol, I'm sorry...).
 
This country could use a person who will put their cool-sounding African
name to good use. I would assume that black people, being as
disenfranchised as they are in our society, are desperate for public
figures they can trust. I know that I feel more comfortable with people
I relate to being enfranchised (which is why I like McCain's style, if
not his politics). Usually, if a guy is named Yinka or Ouimane, you can
bet that he's black and you can bet his politics are left of center
(since he's probably not from the ultra-conservative US, or was at least
raised by someone who grew up elsewhere), and may actually be in touch
with the needs of his community. When's the last time the Democrats did
anything for minorities? Jesus, they waffle enough over AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION, the most watered down acceptance of American racism possible.
It's bullshit, and if this guy thinks he's doing any good by working for
the "good cop" of the gc/bc equation, I'm curious to see how he'll feel
about the organization in 10 years of being paraded around as the Dems
pet African-American to get votes but otherwise getting no respect. Or I
could just ask Jesse Jackson...
 
Where's Amiri Baraka when you need him?

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