Serious question: "What if Obama were less white?"

[slow groove]

This is a question posed today by a local university law professor in discussing Sen. Obama during a political symposium. And, frankly, it's a worthy and justifiable question.

The professor contended - to an enthusiastically packed audience - that a major part of Obama's universal appeal stemmed from the fact that he was of mixed heritage. This professor also believed (to the total agreement of others on the dais, including a colleague from another university BUT conservative in her leanings,) that IF Obama were not a mixed race individual, he would be an insignificant factor in these primaries because the majority of Americans would not be willing to support a black candidate. In other words, the reason Obama is so successful, so admired, so supported, so politically strong, and so viable is because he is not ONE thing racially. Therefore, in the eyes of, say, more conservative liberals, it's alright to endorse him, and feel safe in doing so.

As a minority, I can't truthfully say I disagree.

Thoughts?

[Dr.Gonzo]

What better person than someone of "no race" to bring all the races together.

I think some people, specifically confederates, would have a real problem getting behind a full on negro, as they all know that "they" have "their" own agendas to tend to once in power.

Think of it this way. If he is indeed the best person for the job at the moment, his mixed heritage gives those honkies on the edge of casting off their racist sheets a reason to do so. In effect, allowing them to rationalize supporting him by being able to cling to his caucasionasity rather than just writing him off completely.

[ElviswasaBluesFan]

I don't care if he is chartruese as long as he is the best person for the job. Honestly.

[kennyboyerfan]

I disagree with the professor. There are other successful black politicians -- the Newark mayor, Patrick, the Massachusetts governor, Harold Ford (OK, he lost, but he's got a decent future) who aren't racially mixed, at least as far as I know. Obama seems to represent a new generation of African-American politicians who are smart as hell, incredibly eloquent and, this is important, non-threatening to whites. Their message is inclusion, not separation (as opposed to Jesse and Al.) It's sort of the Oprah phenomenon.

[Razzy]

KBF, even though you were wrong yesterday, I think you are right today.

Good post. Chalk yesterday up to it being Monday, I guess.

[Jaws]

This is a question posed today by a local university law professor in discussing Sen. Obama during a political symposium. And, frankly, it's a worthy and justifiable question.

The professor contended - to an enthusiastically packed audience - that a major part of Obama's universal appeal stemmed from the fact that he was of mixed heritage. This professor also believed (to the total agreement of others on the dais, including a colleague from another university BUT conservative in her leanings,) that IF Obama were not a mixed race individual, he would be an insignificant factor in these primaries because the majority of Americans would not be willing to support a black candidate. In other words, the reason Obama is so successful, so admired, so supported, so politically strong, and so viable is because he is not ONE thing racially. Therefore, in the eyes of, say, more conservative liberals, it's alright to endorse him, and feel safe in doing so.

As a minority, I can't truthfully say I disagree.

Thoughts?

Totally disagree.

For this theory to have some validity, there would have to be a significant number of whites who didn't like Obama until they learned he was half black. I know several people who changed views when they learned that he wasn't Muslim but not one whose opinion was swayed at all by learning he is half white/half black.

[Bleacher Creature]

KBF, even though you were wrong yesterday, I think you are right today.

Good post. Chalk yesterday up to it being Monday, I guess.

+++

What Raz said!

[Schwahalala]

This is a question posed today by a local university law professor in discussing Sen. Obama during a political symposium. And, frankly, it's a worthy and justifiable question.

The professor contended - to an enthusiastically packed audience - that a major part of Obama's universal appeal stemmed from the fact that he was of mixed heritage. This professor also believed (to the total agreement of others on the dais, including a colleague from another university BUT conservative in her leanings,) that IF Obama were not a mixed race individual, he would be an insignificant factor in these primaries because the majority of Americans would not be willing to support a black candidate. In other words, the reason Obama is so successful, so admired, so supported, so politically strong, and so viable is because he is not ONE thing racially. Therefore, in the eyes of, say, more conservative liberals, it's alright to endorse him, and feel safe in doing so.

As a minority, I can't truthfully say I disagree.

Thoughts?

I disagree -

I think it's not correct to say America will not support a Black candidate - and I mean all Black. I think America has looked long and hard for the right Black candidate and for that matter the right White candidate and found them wanting.
Jesse Jackson recieved a lot of votes when running - and he lacked substance.
The drawback to a national Black Candidate has been no one has really wanted the mantle in America -
There has been several reasons - most notably - many were afraid of being killed. Something Obama, because of his upbringing, doesn't fear.

Obama - doesn't have universal appeal because of his color. He has universal appeal because he's the new kid on the Block. A totally Black candidate would have the same appeal.

[Bleacher Creature]

IMO, Obama also has his age going for him. To me, he's this generations JFK.

[blue zone]

Obama is a feelgood message guy in the Reagan mode. His parentage does not quantifiably help him IMO.

[kennyboyerfan]

KBF, even though you were wrong yesterday, I think you are right today.

Good post. Chalk yesterday up to it being Monday, I guess.

I said yesterday that MSM would make a BFD out of it. I think they did, or at least tried.

[dhaab]

This is a question posed today by a local university law professor in discussing Sen. Obama during a political symposium. And, frankly, it's a worthy and justifiable question.

As a white man with European roots, I must respectfully disagree. The sooner Americans get past the shades of black/brown thing, the better off this country will be.

[dhaab]

IMO, Obama also has his age going for him. To me, he's this generations JFK.

Sorry, but I'll have to disagree with that as well.
Obama's political ideals are FAR different than any of the Kennedy's.

[Razzy]

I said yesterday that MSM would make a BFD out of it. I think they did, or at least tried.

You seemed to think it would be "huge", a word I'm pretty sure you used yesterday.

This wasnt huge. This was a "one and done" story. One day it was a story, on a slow news day, and the next day it is all but gone.

[Bleacher Creature]

Sorry, but I'll have to disagree with that as well.
Obama's political ideals are FAR different than any of the Kennedy's.

I'm talking about his age, not just his ideals. I would hope that his ideals are somewhat different than JFK. I mean afterall, we're talking about a half century later.