Like most Americans, Barack Obama first entered my consciousness with his keynote speech at the 2004 DNC Convention. Maybe it was the exultation of hearing for the first time the soaring rhetoric for which he has become so famous, made all that much more amazing in contrast to the painful chewing of words and malapropisms of George W. Bush. Maybe it was that Barack Obama appealed to the intelligence and altruism of his listeners rather than shutting it down in the monotone lecturings of then-candidate John Kerry. Maybe it was a little bit of both and more. Whatever the cause, the speech was electrifying and I’m sure that I was not the only person sitting saying “If this country ever elects an African American for president, it’s going to be Barack Obama.”
Sadly, I had little faith in my fellow Americans actually ever coming to the point of electing an African American. Boy, how wrong I was. Just over two years later, on the Springfield steps where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech, Barack Obama threw his hat in the Presidential ring. Never let it be said that Republicans are the only ones who understand the art of political stagecraft. And in a brutal eighteen-month race, Barack Obama steadily campaigned against his more seasoned, more well-known rivals. The odds were against him, as his rivals had much less baggage (Rev. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, Muslim father, Kenyan relatives, all political liabilities according to conventional wisdom) and the mainstream media had a demonstrated eagerness to milk scandals. Yet, one by one, all of them fell by the wayside until improbably, historically and triumphantly, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.
How did he achieve this remarkable feat? How did Barack Obama overcome centuries of institutionalized racism, a media that had presumptively given the Democratic nomination (without the benefit of a single election, mind you) to Hillary Clinton and then bent over backwards for Republican nominee John McCain? How did he make red state Americans look past his skin color to actually win those red states that haven’t seen Democratic victories in decades? How did he overcome the media-enabled right wing efforts to scare Americans by insinuating that Obama was a “secret terrorist”, not a “real” Christian because of his membership in Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity UCC, not American, actually a Muslim, et cetera, et cetera? Earl Ofari Hutchinson looks at this against all odds story in his new book, How Obama Won .
Hutchinson’s theses on Obama’s win—published originally as a series of posts at Huffington Post– actually runs counterintuitively to conventional wisdom (or, at least the “wisdom” of the pundit class—but then again, look how often they’ve been right on the economic crisis). Hutchinson posits that race was not a factor in Obama’s win, nor were the Iraq war and terrorism. Further, rival John McCain’s candidacy was sunk by his choice of running mate in Sarah Palin, his inability to win over the ultra-conservatives in the Republican party and his flat-footed but ultimately ineffectual response to the sinking economy, helping propel Barack Obama to his historic victory. But even the missteps of McCain can’t answer entirely for the victory. Obama utilized new media, grassroots organizing, massive fundraising and confronting of issues in an honest and humanized way to overcome obstacles that have felled other candidates.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson has been writing about politics, social and racial issues for many years. He is a frequent guest on NPR’s Talk of the Nation and PBS’s Lehrer Report as well as several Fox News shows and a contributor to The Huffington Post and BlackAmericaWeb.com. He is the author of many books, including Betrayed: The Presidential Failure to Protect Black Lives and Black Fatherhood: The Guide to Male Parenting, and serves as the President of the National Alliance for Positive Action.
Please join me in welcoming Earl Ofari Hutchinson to the ‘Lake to discuss How Obama Won.
Related posts:
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- FDL Book Salon Welcomes John Geyman, M.D. : Do Not Resuscitate
- FDL Book Salon Welcomes Eric Boehlert, Bloggers on the Bus: How the Internet Changed Politics and the Press
- FDL Book Salon Welcomes William Greider, Come Home America
- FDL Book Salon Welcomes Andrea Batista Schlesinger: The Death of Why?
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Earl, Welcome to the Lake.
Nicole, Thank you for Hosting today’s Book Salon.
thank you
Thank you, Bev. And welcome to Earl.
Let me get the conversation started as we await the Firepups to the new thread.
An anecdote you relate about your own life in Black Fatherhood: the Guide to Male Parenting actually made me think about Obama’s approach to race during the campaign and into his presidency. You tell the story of traveling cross-country with your father and as nightfall approached, he would pull over and consult a small book which listed restaurants and motels that would accept African American business. You are quoted as saying “I did not realize it at the time, but my father was giving me a lesson in the art of black survival.”
I imagine that Barack Obama’s life history (being raised by his single white mother and his white grandparents in Hawaii) has also similarly imbued him with a set of survival skills, and one of the reasons that Barack Obama tried to run a “post-racial” campaign. Do you see this deflection of focus on race as a survival skill for the success of his campaign? Had he allowed race to play too prominently (“the first African-American president!”), do you think that the results would have been different?
Welcome to FDL this afternoon.
I have not had a chance to read your book so forgive me if this is answered in it, but do you think Obama could have been elected if he were replacing anyone other than someone as incompetent and in-articulate as George Bush?
And does the Bush disasters also contribute through the “Lord knows, he can’t do any worse” themes?
Obama understood that rae was a minefield that col blow up on hi. He from da one minmzed it and in the end eutralized its importance. It had no real impact on the campaign.
The terribly failed and flawed no disastrous Bus years did much to lay the groundwork for an Obama
Strange as it may seem, growing up in Hawaii may have been the one place where he could have learned “survival” from white people.
I was stationed there in the Air Force in the late ’70s/early ’80s and received a rather late education myself into how discrimination works. Quite enlightening for a southern born and raised white male.
More questions?
One of your chapters was entitled, “It’s Was Still The Economy Stupid.” Obviously, the economic meltdown that we find ourselves in played a huge part in the election outcome. Despite the fact that Republicans have historically polled over Democrats in economic issues, John McCain really struggled. His suspension of his campaign to return to Washington came across as the stunt it was and it was clear that he truly didn’t understand economics at all. Obama, on the other hand, stepped up to the plate and delivered an economic plan that really made McCain look like the inexperienced Senator. In your opinion, after all the distractions of Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber and buddying up to “terrorists”, was this the straw that broke the camel’s back for most voters?
Technical note: There is a Reply button in the lower right corner of a comment box that if you click on it, will identify the comment and commenter to whom you are replying.
I hear what you’re saying and I think that I experienced something similar in hippie San Francisco in the late 60s and 70s.
But the survival skills I’m speaking of are to work within whites’ comfort zones. It was clear, and Earl confirms, that if Obama focused on his race, that would have been disastrous for his campaign.
Obviously, that conversation about race still needs to be had, but I don’t think Obama is the one to lead it.
I discuss Obama’s racial “survival” or better yet adaptation learning curve in two chapters in my book. I argue that if Obama had been perceived as an Al Sharpton and appoached racial issues that way. We would not e talking about an Obama today.
As an African American, and one who has been so on the forefront of racial and social issues in America, is this something that you are philosophical about or do you wish that Obama would be a little more upfront about race?
On the economy question
no the straw that broke McCain and the GOP’s back w as the financial meltdown in September short of a major sex or corruption rvlation about Obama he was home free with the election
Forgive me my own armchair psychologist tendencies, but I want to anticipate the future of the Obama presidency. One of the few times that we ever see “No Drama Obama” actually get visibly upset is when people try to categorize him; he absolutely bristles labels. I think his cabinet choices fall under this category as well, reaching his hand out to Republicans for key spots. And he has made a point of seeking bipartisan approval for bills. Now these tactics have been frustrating to me as a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, especially because I’m convinced that Republican policies are bad for America. But it occurs to me that this post-partisan path Obama has forged is another example of the rejection of labels because of his own life story. Labels are limiting, compartmentalization is the very definition of being “in the box” and certainly, a man who has spent his life exceeding expectations would avoid labels like the plague.
But at the same time, as Eric Holder said, Americans are cowards about racial matters. Now Obama has chided Holder for saying that, but I’d like to see how you expect to see the national conversation on race change with Obama in office.
Obama would not have had the sucess he has had with an in your face take o n race he would not have gotten the backing f broad segments of white voters
having said that he’s in now and he knows the depth of racial problem and animosities he’ll careflly pick his spots on the issue
read carefully Obama’s retort to Holder
he disavowed the language (Holder’s) not the sentiment that Holder expressed
So how do you anticipate the national dialogue on race to change with an African American in office?
Welcome Earl, and thanks Nicole. It’s so great to have you both here and really enjoyed the book, Earl.
On the “no drama Obama” front, we’re sometimes seeing a shift from the cool level-headed campaign mode to an occasional “in your face Rush Limbaugh” mode (more reflected in the people around him than Obama himself, I would say).
To what do you attribute that? Is it just the changing demands of office vs. campaigning, or does it reflect a change in his approach?
Obama will stick to his game plan
emphasis on affordable health care, improved education, and jobs, jobs, jobs
the prime beneficiaries will be the needest, most undeserved and that still remain African-Americans
he ssues of voting rights, hate crimes, and HIV, Africa relief, homelessness and poverty and eventually dealing with the prison juggeraut which slam blacks disproportinately will have to be addressed by the O adminstration
Obama ran and got elected on a platform of change but he then proceeded to fill his Administration, not with progressives or change oriented people, but Clinton era retreads and even (as with SecDef Gates) Bush era holdovers. Was the change mantra a con?
Obama has to take charge with the GOP and Dems in Congress, the media, and the American publc to be efective if that means occasional bully pulpit tough take so be it
Republicans have been orchestrating a very systematic campaign to undermine Obama when it comes to the economy. Only six weeks into his presidency and they’re trying to make it the “Obama Depression” even though not one of them would admit to there even being a recession under Bush. The constant doom and gloom seems to be having a really negative effect on the stock market. Many in the pundit class have already predicted a one-term presidency for Obama if he is not able to get the economy turned around…a pretty unreasonable order given that it took years to bring it to the brink. What are your thoughts on Obama’s chances?
no, O has done the reverse of what politicians do he’s actualy made a big stab at keeping his promises–Iraq withdrawal, talking to the Taliban (moderates) bring Iran to the conference table, banking reform, reversing retrograde Bush’ dirctives on stem cell research, the environment, and fair pay
Clinton folk aren’t stand alone appointmnts they’re nder hs directive
The Obama stimulus probably won’t create even 3.5 million. From the beginning of the recession in December 2007 through the end of the stimulus at the end of 2010, there will be a need of 10 million plus jobs. It could run as high as 12-13 million. So I don’t see that Obama is doing jobs, jobs, jobs at all.
The GOP has dusted off the old FDR playbook negative negative negative obstruct bstruct obstruct
invest in Obama failur and try to take it back in 2012
I think he does need to take charge with the GOP in Congress…they’ve clearly been getting on TV complaining about spending on the stimulus.
But he’s not been very effective in getting his message out, either directly or through spokespeople.
After the last six weeks of trying to be “bipartisan”, do you think that we’ll see Obama getting tougher to get things done.
I’ve noticed certain similarities in the lives of Presidents Clinton and Obama. Both grew up in a somewhat rootless fashion, with friends of many races (it’s been said that Vince Foster was just about the only childhood friend of Clinton’s who wasn’t black), and without their biological fathers. And both went on to achieve great things, in school and later in the law and politics.
also O’s modest restrictions on Wall Street bnkers set off loud blls and whistles a mong some on Wall Street they will orchstrate politically through their GOP pals doom scenaio against O administration and orchestrate doom finacilly by crushing do invstr confidne in the admnitration it’ s an old ploy gn the FDR playbook
Do you have any examples of how Obama might do this? Which is the most effective with the public? politicians?
The Iraq withdrawal will not really begin until next year and could easily be derailed. In addition Obama wants to keep a force of what looks like 50,000 in the country (despite his promises and the SOFA).
There has been exactly zero banking reform. The policies of Obama’s economic team are a continuation of the bailouts begun by Paulson and Bernanke.
On Iran, Obama was very belligerent toward that country during the campaign. He still talks about Iran’s nuclear weapons program although the last NIE on Iran said that program was halted in 2003.
Thank you for writing this book and coming here to FDL.
I do have one question, though it’s not exactly about how he won election. President Obama handled so many things so well, but he seems to be putting his faith in the wrong people on economic issues (Geithner, etc.) Is it possible that Obama has some weaknesses (blind spots?) that have simply never been tested until now? Is he perhaps such a paragon of virtue (only halfway joking) that he doesn’t realize how corrupt our financial establishment really is?
I’d love to believe Obama is just playing an astounding strategic game – but I’m afraid that’s just naive…
could McCain and the GOP do any better wth their nitwit Hooover plan to cut taxes for corporations and banks which cratd the problem in the first place
There is significant public support for holding the Bush administration for the myriad of abuses of office committed. According to the site, ImpeachBushNow.org, a recent AFP poll shows two-thirds of the participants want there to be some investigations into the Bush/Cheney administration. Yet, Obama, while saying that no one is above the law, has not shown any interest or inclination to even encourage a “truth commission” much less an investigation. His administration has sided with Bush on issues relating to the treatment of detainees and liability. Why do you think that’s so, especially considering its popular support? Do you think it is merely something that we Americans need to “let go” of?
one area of concern I do have is that Obama has surrounded himself with bank and brokerage industry flacks and has bought their too big to fail tripe
That’s a strawman. Just because the Republicans are batshit crazy doesn’t make the Democrats right. I have used the analogy before but the Republicans want to drive us over the cliff at 100mph. The Democrats are more circumspect and think it would be wiser to drive over the cliff at 50mph. However either way we’re screwed. One is just faster than the other.
So what are you advocating?
I’m not particularly afraid of the big GOP bogeyman of nationalizing banks (Oh noes! That’s socialist talk!), especially if it’s done with the understanding that it is a short term, get them back on track solution.
I think that ideally the answer is for a liberal shock doctrine move to really push massive changes, but I don’t think we have anyone in Washington with the spinal fortitude to do that.
To go down tha road revisiting Bush llegal policies would hopelessly bog him down into endless partisn fights with the GOP (and some Dems)in congress, the courts, former Bush officials, Europan allies (who backed those policies) and Dems who did the same
I beter times that bttle might hav been fought but with the colossal crisis of the economy to go down that path it would be a prescription for disaster
agree!!!
Even with huge support within the populace?
I really don’t understand the partisan fights argument.
Even the Republicans in office during Nixon’s term had to come about to impeachment when investigations made it untenable for them to do anything but politically.
spending on jobs, infrastucture, health care and education is strawman?????
This kind of goes along with the lack of spinal fortitude in DC…
The National Journal famously named Barack Obama the “most liberal senator” during the presidential race, a title that was repeated over and over within media circles. It was laughable on the face of it (notwithstanding the “coincidence” that John Kerry was #1 in 2004 when he ran for president, did the National Journal really believe Obama was more liberal than Socialist Bernie Sanders? Favorite GOP target Teddy Kennedy? C’mon.), but nonetheless, there was an expectation on both sides of the aisle that Obama would champion liberal stances, something that he really hasn’t done, much to the consternation of the liberal blogosphere. What kind of reality check do you suggest liberals like myself take on the rest of the Obama presidency?
totally different times, circumstances and players
Nixon as a sitting prsident who clearly committed impeachable crimes there was absolutely no way to sweep that undr the table and hope the GOP could have any credibility
I have actually written a lot on this but very briefly:
You need real bank nationalization to clear crap assets, enforce cramdowns for homeowners, re-initiate normal lending, and begin the process of recapitalization.
You need a stimulus package at least twice the size of the current one and focused much more heavily on spending. You also have to think of the stimuli occurring for several years into the future because we need a bridge to a new industrial policy for the country to replace the collapsed paper economy.
And you need widespread reform of the financial system.
Ah…but that can work to the Democrats’ advantage now too. (am I the only person thinking strategically long term?)
Bush and Cheney ABSOLUTELY committed impeachable offenses. They as much as admitted it on their way out. If the Democrats in office allow it to be swept under the table now, they are GIVING Republicans the credibility they do not deserve for 2012.
The GOP by all rights should be going the way of the Whig Party right now, but because there appears to be so much fear about partisan bickering (something Republicans have NO qualms about), they do nothing and I fear it will be to their own detriment in 2010 and 2012.
the most liberal title was a straw creation based on flawed voting data
but let’s be realistic governing requires dealing with many competing intrests–military, banks. crporations, interest group, labor, PACS, foreign interests–presdents simply don’t av luxury of being political purists that is if they want to get anything done
As I said Obama’s programs to create jobs and address the problems the economy has are pathetic. So yes, the Republicans are stupider than the Democrats but as neither party has done what was necessary either to keep us out of depression or to get us out of one.
If you are drowning, it doesn’t matter if you do a little less or a lot less than you need to keep your head above water. You are dead either way.
Again, move o and keep your eye on solving the big ticket problem
that’s the best way to insure no repeat of the Bush/Cheney misrule
Earl, Welcome to the Lake.
Nicole, thank you for Hosting today’s Book Salon.
Yep and if the guilty are not tried and punished now (as Nixon was not in ‘74, and the Iran Contra crowd were not in the ’80s) then in twenty years we’ll see Monica Goodling, Addington, Bradley Schlosman, and Hans van…, and all the others back in office in a new R admin, able to create more trouble because they were not stopped now.
I can’t argue with anything you wrote.
However, given the amount of power the Democratic majority has inexplicably given the GOP in the name of bipartisanship, how realistic is that?
Increments are better than nothing and with any luck, some improvement will help spur 1) either support for the plan politically (less likely) or give the White House the gonadic boost they need to push further.
EXACTLY!!!!
There is nothing currently to ensure that we do not repeat (or God forbid, EXCEED) these abuses.
so if you were drowning and someone tossed you a worn life preserver you’d throw it back????
Thanks, Boo.
Just had to tell you that I just watched To Kill A Mockingbird with my 10 year old this week and she was looking over my shoulder and saw your name and got very excited. ;)
RIP Horton Foote.
Thank you for joining the discussion
this is your response to a substantive challenge to your statement re jobs, jobs, jobs?
um, of course not. but that in no way makes the stuff you say about obama true. it’s either true or it’s not and that has nothing to do with how big a nitwit mcsame is. i think we all agree he’s helped define the upper bounds of nitwitism.
without resorting to mcsame, i have some questions re “O has done the reverse of what politicians do he’s actualy made a big stab at keeping his promises” i hope you can help me with:
1) you mention banking reform. can you please tell me what exactly obama is doing on that front? is glass-steagall on the table?
2) obama has made a big deal about promising transparency. so what’s the story with the aig bailout? why isn’t the fed telling us who are the counter parties we’re bailing out… and if we, the taxpayer, are being made to cover for what amount to gambling losses by his wallstreet friends/campaign supporters?
What I’m asking (and maybe you just don’t know, which is okay) is *why* he’s surrounding himself with these people? Somewhere along the line, it comes down to either a failure in Obama’s judgment or a divergence in his value system relative to mine and most of the progressives I know.
are you on board to push for single payer, or at least to have it on the table as health care reform is discussed?
Earl, Nicole, I apologize if this is off topic. Do you see any hope in the future that Americans will use a new vocabulary to address these issues? I’m not holding my breath, but I’m in favor of using ethnicity instead of race and 100% European American instead of “white.”
Good afternoon.
I trust you’re familiar with my op-eds;
http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..ion-center
(“Obama the Magic Negro“ Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2007)
http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..k=ntothtml
(“Obama’s Gospel Mistake” Los Angeles Times, October 31, 2007 )
Note their dates. At they time the first was written I had no idea Obama would spring ahead so fast and so far. We’re not a “post-racial” society at all as I have noted HERE.
Obama hasn’t ended racism. He’s simply made it deeply unfashionable.
The thing I like about him the most is the girls. For years the Republicans have blathered on and on and on about “Family Valies.” Now here they are on full view for real.
I hope he pulls us out of this hole. And I hope for a lot of toehr things too. But at this point I’m not entirely sure how much he can actually do — or is willing to try.
Mr. Hutchinson, I am someone who wakes EVERY DAY, thanking our good fortune in having a President who will be the defining political leader of my lifetime and am willing to support him in his endeavors even though his cabinet picks would not have been my first choice (Geithner), but his committment to the Constitution, family, and fundamental principles reassure me at most every step. In referencing my family’s belief in FDR as the President who did the most for the greatest number, and Eleanor Roosevelt as the greatest agent for change in her husband’s administration I see the Obamas in a similar light. I’m hopeful for our collective future.
Though I have not read your book yet, I believe that Obama’s win was largely the result of his campaign being “organizing 101″ – a simply masterful effort at a grassroots – ground up (not top down) methodology of reaching out and connecting – and more importantly, staying connected to individuals in all 50 States- something the DCCC and DLC completely ignored in their prior election cycles. That’s also the reason that I think Howard Dean deserves credit – and to be offered the Surgeon General slot.
Back to my armchair analysis again…
There is no question that governing requires balancing competing and often contradictory interests.
What fascinates me is the assumption on the Democratic side that Obama was this big liberal, even though his own legislative history showed him to be a very centrist politician, unwilling to stray too far from the meaty part of the bell curve.
But we projected upon him a lot of liberal ideals that he has since deflected in his choices of cabinet, etc. I wonder if this isn’t part of the above-mentioned survival skills where Obama said just enough to make people think he was on the same wavelength, without actually committing himself one way or another.
So then, we have a bunch of liberals wondering how many promises he’ll backtrack on. It’s not a question so much of political purity as it is a question of political chameleonship.
I’m embarrassed to tell you, prior to your comment, I had no idea who Horton Foote was. I just found it in wiki. I thought Tender Mercies was great.
Oh heck yeah.
Universal health coverage is not universal health care.
I would be interested to see studies that showed the cost of (minimally) expanding Medicare benefits to the entire population. I don’t think that’s an ultimate solution, but it may be an easily approvable step in the right direction.
caps on executive compensation, TARP spending restrictions,home foreclosure buy downs, severe restrictions on sub prime lending are good starts
should more be done of course but come on he’s barely been in there a month and you expect a total reversal of 8 year of Bush financial mayhem—in one day!!!! Thats fantasylnd scenario
I hear you and I struggle with this too.
I am considered Caucasian, but I am not European American.
am very familiar with you and your ops
did you ever dream in your wildest drams that you’d set Limbaugh off with your MN op e take???????????????
Thanks, laurastrand.
We’ve gotten somewhat off track on Earl’s book on how Obama won, but I don’t think we can overemphasize how the Obama campaign really took Dean’s 50 State Strategy and created a whole new bottom up philosophy that clearly was superior to (at least) Hillary Clinton’s old school top down organization during the primary.
NEVER.
It’s really been hilarious watching this spectacle. Especially the Republicans sending that tape recording of the song around.
This is part and parcel of my last question to Earl.
Obama was never a progressive. I got a prodigious amount of crap for that during the primary on C&L.
But if you look at Obama’s record, he is a centrist politician.
What is it about Obama that made so many very smart and politically astute people assume he was a progressive.
The last chapter of my book, Ho Obama Will Govern actually does take hard look at these issues–th economy, Iraq, banking, the role of special interests, and Democratic corporate/centrist politics –and does warn about possible O compromises, flips and even reverses
A question for you and Earl, do you think Obama is now somewhat regretful of his use of the nets and the grassroots now? Especially when the grassroots push back against him and his decisions?
Or is he going to pay lip service to listening to folks but morph to the more traditional top-down ways going forward?
Bush terror, fatigue and desperation
You’re quite right about the 50-state strategy. That was the key. He obviously realized he could go literally everywhere becuase each and every appearance he made was going to be covered by the press. In that sense he had an enormous advanatge in getting his word out over McCain. Everything he did was news. Everythig McCain did was a re-run– except for Sarah Palin. And we all know how that worked out.
It was so funny the way she kept saying “What do we know about this man?” when people everywhere had already heard and digested tons of Obama ino.
see absolutely no evidence of O backing away from the net still get piles of emails everyday from him on this issue or that
no, i don’t expect total reversal of bush financial mayhem in 6 weeks. that’s just another strawman.
i would have liked to see someone other than larry summers in charge of economic policy as i have trouble thinking of anyone on with previous gov experience on the D side who i think less of. barring that, i would like to see some progressive economists on the team – joe stiglitz, paul krugman, dean baker, james galbraith, etc.
but it was you who mentioned obama’s banking reform and keeping promises. i don’t see that, so i questioned your statements. that is all.
I am afraid in future generations, the massive psychological damage done in the U.S. to the descendants of the slaves will be better understood.
I grew up with kids who were 100% European American, but had Eastern European surnames. They still have the scars of being called a “pollack,” but it pails next to the generational damage that descendants of the slaves have had to endure.
I used to hope the federal government would consider means tested, access to Social Security and health care for descendants of the slaves, based solely on their ancestry. Now, because of the economic collapse, I think “welfare” and food stamps will be what saves a lot of Americans of all ethnicities for the next ten years.
joining late. Thanks Earl and Nicole.
I feel like Obama is deliberately playing that old game of “pick up stix” and is being too deliberate in terms of not wanting to “jar” anyone or anything. I think some jarring is required. We need an ethical paradigm shift in this country. And the trickle up economy to the top ten percenters has got to be acknowledged and stopped. Does Obama not get that? Was he just too young and sees the libs as the DFH who were too uncivilized in style of protest? Internationally, I see the Gaza situation as being a bottleneck to progress. Obama needs to confront Israel and i don’t think he has the wherewithal to do that either.
I just read Ralph Nader refer to “casino capitalism” and that is right on.
I agree about his need to be so deliberate and careful with the “racism” issue and he certainly achieved an awesome hurdle. But now will that caution cripple him?
Earl has his own take, obviously, but I do think that there is an understanding on the part of people within the Obama administration of the importance the grassroots, even if it means taking some pushback.
I am on a listserv with many members of the White House, and even if the big guy himself doesn’t read the blogs, people there do, and I do think they gauge themselves based on the responses they get.
We tend to isolate ourselves into echo chambers, so it’s easy to forget that for as much pushback as we give to move further left, they’re getting the same to move to the right from the other side of the aisle.
But is he actually listening to the folks from the nets and grassroots or is he playing us?
It goes back to having 2/3s of the people in the country wanting an investigation of the crimes from BushCo but getting the message that he just wants to move away from it and let it lie.
You’re quite right, Boo. Everyboyd talks about slavery. Nobody talks about Jim Crow. The impact of racial segregation hasn’t so much has been acknowledged much less examined.
The US stands on the Rule of Law or not. If Bushco criminals are not prosecuted, they will be free to return to commit more illegal acts. I understand that Obama has bigger fish to fry, but our three co-equal branches of gov (supposedly) during this Obama admin should not under any circumstances move on. As long as Obama does not impede the investigations and prosecutions, it matters not whether Obama prioritizes Bushco malfeasance. I fear that Obama may attempt to impede due process in this regard. Your thoughts?
you seem to be enthralled with that term “strawman” to apply to arguments you can’t deal with
In this case he should
A lot of us here were not enthusiastic about John Edwards, but as Feingold and others pulled out, he was seen as the last liberal/progressive candidate. Neither Sen. Clinton nor Sen. Obama enjoyed much support here.
I apologize to some of the other commenters, who I feel will disagree, but I give huge credit to Jane Hamsher for holding this community together through the election. As Nicole and Earl are reading on this thread, it was extremely difficult to prevent a lot of FDL’ers from voting for a third party candidate.
Actually, it’s funny you mention this. I thought a lot about racial politics as I read Earl’s book and was thinking of questions for this chat.
I am only a couple of years younger than Obama. I am very much of his generation. For me, the issue of racial equality has been settled by my parents’ generation (my dad actually marched with MLK). I recognize that for many African Americans, it very much is not settled, and for those in the middle of the country (the coasts are much more progressive IMO), it’s still an issue that they may understand logically, but have trouble with in actuality.
But to me, the only thing gratifying about Obama’s race was that MLK’s children actually did get the chance to vote for a man based on his character, not the color of his skin. That made me happy. But Obama’s race has always been incidental to me.
Interestingly, I think my kids’ generation will have the same attitude about gay rights that I have on race…it will be a no brainer in terms of equality, having lived with the civil rights fights of their parents’ generation.
Nicole it seems we’ve run out of steam on O. My thanks to FDL for the lively and thoughtful exchange. Urge your readers to take a look at How Obama Won. It hardly gives the Pres a pass.
Take Care
Earl Ofari Hutchinson
As you know, there was some news around the blogs that the 50 state strategy was being dismantled. Perhaps Rahm Emmanuel is involved. Of course, Howard Dean has been jettisoned already. What’s the story?
Earl, Thank you for stopping by the Lake today and discussing your book.
Nicole, Thank you very much for Hosting this Book Salon.
Everyone, if you haven’t bought Earl’s book yet, there is a link above.
Thanks all.
I think that the stimulus plan, as inadequate as it may be, has done that. But the problem (as I see it) is that those with the biggest mouthpieces in the media are in that top ten percent, and they’re interested in what’s best for them, not the country.
Economic circumstance are such that “better than Bush” is entirely inadequate.
More generally, his success as a candidate, as desribed in the introduction, seems to have nothing to do with his policy stands (an incompetent competitor and a big internet email list).
And things listed earlier as “changes,” refer to his post-election promises, which are even weaker than his campaign promises. Troop withdrawal from Iraq, for example, is now conditional, slower, and back-loaded. His Afghan policy is worse than W’s. His approach to Iran and Hamas seems only a scintilla different from W’s. Obama sez he’ll talk if they surrender first, W said he’d never talk.
Thank you so much, Earl, for coming to FDL.
I do advise the Firepups to take a look at How Obama Won for some thought-provoking work on Obama’s success.
You should look at CA Assmebly Member Mark Leno’s Universal Single-payer Plan which was previously SB 840 (Keuhl) – essentially a single payer plan like Medi-care for all. A tremendous cost saver – as it has NO ROLE for the insurance industry.
Exactly. Thank you. Political/Corporate/Moneyed Class Cronyism.
And the Banksters and lobbyists are so enmeshed with the legislative power brokers … that it is a demoralizing situation and challenge for the citizenry — one that needs to be fought.
I just heard that Congress’ pension is handled by AIG? An email going around. Any truth to that or conflict of interest there?
The insurance industry is too important to keep out of the solution. We all love insurance companies. Love the premiums, the lack of coverage, the denial of coverage, the huge deductibles, the potential for bankruptcy due to medical expenses…
How could we possibly make do with medicare for all? Canadians and Europeans don’t know how to use their bootstraps. /s
Mark used to be my city council member in SF. ;)
I have done some research and I do think that’s the answer. The infrastructure is already in place so ramping it up to include everyone shouldn’t be as costly as starting from scratch.
That’s what I feel about gay rights too, Nicole. (I’ve been a gay acitvist since 1969.) We’ve got to wait for this generation of bigots to die off.
Alas, many of them are black.
i used the word “strawman” once, so i don’t know where the “enthralled” comes from. don’t think i misused it, but then my english isn’t very good (and sadly it’s my only language).
from wikipedia:
when i challenged you on your claim that obama was keeping his promises, you didn’t address my question re aig and promises of transparency, instead saying “he’s barely been in there a month and you expect a total reversal of 8 year of Bush financial mayhem—in one day!!!! Thats fantasylnd scenario“
still looks like a strawman to me, but as i said, maybe i’m wrong. i’ll check it out.
Thanks very much. I just feel there is so much ignorance about U.S. History, Ida B. Wells’ terrific efforts against lynching, the Colfax Massacre,Tulsa 1921. I just learned yesterday aboutSpringfield in 1908. These were very similar to pogroms taken against Native American tribes, and in less lethal ways against Asians, the Irish, and women.
I don’t think any U.S. city today in any way approaches the lethality of the Warsaw ghetto, but the goals of achieving effective segregation are similar.
From a historical perspective, those massacres are the the easy stuff. How many Americans lost their farm or their store, because they had ancestors who were slaves? Prior to ‘64, if you were not 100% European American, you had little access to adequate medical care, habeas corpus, or the judicial system. Left and progessives have been terrific on FISA, but prior to ‘64, habeas corpus had pretty much been reserved to males who were 100% European American.
Buck O’Neil, of the Negro Leagues could not attend high school in Florida, because only four high schools in the entire state would admit students of both genders who were not 100% European American.
Good for you, selise. I thought I had missed something on the thread and it felt like a defensive response on his part. We don’t expect him to be an Obama apologist.
I wasn’t sure about straw man. I know there are “straw men” buying guns in America on behalf of Mexican cartel gang members. That is the context there. I appreciate you checking it out because I know I have heard it in the context you used it.
Nicole and Earl, thank you very much for the chat. I apologize, I know many of my comments were off topic.
If you’re interested you can google Hugh and selise for their many excellent posts in Oxdown.
It’s critical imho that liberals/progressives remember that we’re politically impotent without the Black Caucus, GLBT communities, and labor unions. We need to keep reaching out to one another to build those bonds.
FWIW, I don’t think EOH was ever an Obama apologist, especially in his writing.
Although it was clear that he didn’t have much use for the Bush administration, EOH was never partisan in his writing at all and was pretty tough on BO.
I suspect that he conflated more than one poster when protesting the use of “straw man”. But also, I don’t think that the economy is his forte, nor did he have clear answers for what should or shouldn’t be done.
Thanks, Nicole. It was an interesting salon and I will check out his book.
Still enjoying Crooks & Liars! Keep up the good work.
He is not part of the administration. He wrote a book and should be treated with respect for that.
Respect all around. :)
I haven’t read the book, and I arrived late to the salon. But given the timing, i.e., the book was about the election but that’s over, I think the commenters were trying to get the author to extend his analysis of the skills Obama exhibited during the campaign to those required to govern. In reading the comments, it seems that wasn’t happening.
Never said he was nor do I think I was ever disrespectful to him.
EOH isn’t an economist. Looking for specific answers from him on that may not be a reasonable thing, especially in a book salon about what got Obama elected. I don’t think it’s disrespectful to say so.
SNOPES SAYS THIS IS FALSE