Is there anything Obama can do to stymie those supporters of his who race-bait?

For example (and just one example), DU is infected with way too many rabid Obama supporters (not all, just some) who claim that those who don't support Obama are simply "racist". Hillary, to some Obama supporters, is apparently a "bigot" for dragging this out.

Well, that's going to go over like a lead balloon in the General Election, as perfectly decent American citizens will understandably think twice about voting for Obama if subjected to accusations that they might be "bigots" for not voting for Obama.

So, the question is: What's the best way for Obama to persuade those particular race-baiting supporters of his to keep their stupid mouths shut?

But do you want to try to answer my particular question, as stated in the OP?

and it happens... i have been called a racist many times on this board.

was not an issue for white democratic presidential candidates in prior election cycles. Actually that is not funny at all. It is blatant racism.

He said he'd "get right on it."

I'll let you think about that.

And decided that your comment makes no sense. Especially as I was an Edwards supporter, and can't speak for Hillary or her supporters.

Obama can't control semi-anonymous posters on an internet forum any more than Hillary could. There will be people who need to express their hatred and despair in inappropriate ways.

Why post a thread asking how Obama is going to stop that?

...or we will all have to remember how we were asked when we stopped beating our wives.

:eyes:

How do you disagree with that politely?

and other web sites as its probably the only way to get jerks on both sides of the aisle to have less impact. I like DU when its civil but alot of posts just by a few supporters of either side just create animosity and benefit no one.

Clinton lost. Get the hell over it.

I'm not a Clinton supporter; I'm an Edwards supporter who voted for Obama in my state's primary (NJ) after Edwards dropped out.

D.U.H.

"rabid obama supporters' is a term best left unsaid.

who claim Obama supporters race-bait. Her campaign has tried since Iowa to put Obama in a box and make him the "black" candidate. They are STILL doing it with their last gasp of an argument - white people won't vote for Obama.

There's no race-baiting in stating facts.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5571577&mesg_id=5582256

MattBaggins (1000+ posts) Sat Apr-19-08 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #123
145. Is that all you have?
How dare that snot nosed little upstart challenge the Goddess of Peace (GOP). He can't even wipe his own ass yet he comes in and ruins it for Hillary. He should have listened to the party elders and waited his turn just like Bill Clinton did back in 1992.


Upstart: a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class; a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; an arrogant or presumptuous person

Uppity: Taking liberties or assuming airs beyond one's station; presumptuous: "was getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down" (New York Times); originally used by blacks of other blacks felt to be too self-assertive

---------------
Responding to race-baiting is race-baiting. Too fucking rich. Up IS down and down IS up!!

I'm pretty sure that guy was on your side. Or, do you honestly believe Clinton voters (as opposed to trolling Clinton-bashers) refer to her as the "Goddess of Peace?" Try reading more up-thread sometime.

And as I pointed out in my original response to the OP, not a one of us is certain who anonymous posters on the internets really support who they claim to. Disruptors abound.

But you are right on one thing - I should read up-thread more often.

telling us to F off for getting him tombstoned.

Is it still around?

DU really needs a, "sort by lock" option.

used, I believe, without any sarcasm whatsoever. I know, I know, hard to believe.
And then, since that was such a ridiculous moniker for her, people who didn't support her took up the standard and ran with it.

so, yes, I honestly believe that, mainly because its the truth. However, being a clinton supporter does appear to protect one from accepting the truth if they choose not to, so I don't expect you to believe me at all.

and yanked. unless there's a mathematical purpose.

that you would find such comments on a democratic board.

What do you mean by that?

Never once from a Clinton supporter. Never once.

Bake

look it up.

Because you seem, to me anyway, to have it exactly backward.

...but I promise you that he feels no particular responsibility for what a few Internet wackos here do allegedly in his name. Nor should he, any more than Clinton was responsible for all the cries of sexism. Obama's message on race is sufficiently positive, I believe, to keep race-baiting to a relative dull roar--despite the attempts of a few other DUers to keep the meme alive.

Thank you for your concern.

We've already had even Michelle Obama play the race-card when she deliberately misconstrued Bill Clinton's "fairy tale" comment to make it sound like he's a racist. Me pointing this out isn't "concern trolling"; it's a simple fact, and one that Obama's responsible supporters should keep firmly in mind if they want Obama to win the GE.

As to Michelle Obama, though, I don't think she made the connection to which you allude. I read it as appropriation of the term "fairy tale" rather than a deliberate or accidental misconstrual.

And it was four months ago, anyway. Perhaps Barack Obama already has done whatever he might have wanted to do to put a stop to that line of argument.

He hasn't said a peep about it himself, of course, but many of his supporters have actively mischaracterized Hillary and Bill as racists. It's infuriating. I hope he will condemn it, because we're moving to the stage of the race where people have to decide whether or not they'll back the Democratic nominee. If Obama supporters don't cool it, or if Obama doesn't act forcefully to condemn it, we'll have a rough time in November.

Obama is certain to be our nominee, but I don't see how he can win if his supporters continue to demonize a candidate who's earned about 48% of the Democratic vote as racist. All it's done is make Hillary voters angrier, and angrier, and angrier. 2 months ago 20% of Hillary voters wouldn't support Obama. Now it's 40%. But it's not set in stone!

So, some folks have had their fun, but it's come with a terrible pricetag. It's time to stop. We need to think about winning in November, if that's what we really want to do. I know some of these "Hillary is racist and so are her supporters" type posts come from Freepers and other troublemakers, and its expected from them. They WANT us to lose. But if we want to win, we will have to condemn these tactics.

I'll never forget the attempt to make the Clintons appear to be racists.

A lot of people in the party and in the media think that all of Hillary's supporters will toe the line and come around by November. I think that's wishful thinking on their part.

I knocked on enough doors and made enough calls in several states (blue states, I might add) where too many people have said that it's either Hillary or McCain.

The main reason? Inexperience. Later on, they added Wright, bittergate, his religion (many still think he's Muslim), lack of patriotism (their opinion), etc.

would anyone use such a STUPID criterion to base their vote on? A few people on the internet who support Obama say something you don't like, and you think that's a legitimate reason to go vote republican? That's f*cking insane and I'm sick of hearing it.

and it pisses them and their supporters off when they are called on it.

I can't believe the bizarro logic of some.

that is the friggin naked truth.

If an Obama supporter viewed Hillary's Willie Horton style association games with Farakkan, etc. as designed to race-bait certain types of voters, they might have had a point. (I concede that it is over & done with on her part- So I'm ready to move on)

If we shouldnt have called out this behavior for fear of being accused of "playing the race card"- then almost any discussion involving race is shut down. Which is why conservative media folks came up with the concpet of "playing the race card" as a rubuttle to race discussions in the first place...

Bringing up all the old Rev Wright stuff (which is what you are doing) should be old news at this point.

I dont think Obama supporters really want to have to discuss racist tactics-be they subtle or otherwise- but if Willie Horton tactics are used, we will point it out where we see it.

If you want to accuse someone of being racist or race-baiting, how about McCain at this point?

Who the fuck are you to tell anyone to shut up?

A fucking nobody, that's who!

I suppose anyone who wants to see a Democratic president will see how it's been a good tactic to use against fellow liberals, and that liberal-guilt-free Republican voters aren't going to fall for it.

the black voting block aren't supporting obama because he pledged to support issues they want addressed

can own ANYTHING

You make a ridiculously broad assertion about Obama supporters who claim that ANYONE who doesn't "support Obama are simply 'racist'". Who said that? Ever? No one. People have said that there are voters who have not supported Obama because of race (which is true) not that "everyone is a racist". When you start out with a false premise, it makes it easy to respond to your oh so provocative "question". Obama won't have to do anything about "those particular race-bating supporters" who claim everyone is a racist, because they don't exist.

how many times have we seen varaiotins on the 'he can't win because he's black' theme? We see them every day.

But, that doesn't make it any less true. This country is chock full or racists who will never vote for a black man for any office. And I know for a fact that not a few of them are Democrats. Honestly though, for the GE, it's probably a subject best to avoid, because no racist actually wants to be reminded what a socially unacceptable jerk they are. As for discussion at DU, well, good luck trying to supress discussion on a hot topic.

on the internets. Man, do you live in an online bubble or what?

And even IF what you claim IS true, how do you know that people you claim are race-baiting are REALLY Obama supporters...

You don't.

Your post isn't thought provoking - it's disengenuous bullshit. Oh, and flamebait. Crap like this perpetuates the "race-baiting" meme and fosters discontent on DU.

But you knew that. :thumbsdown:

Or maybe you're saying that she's not a real Obama supporter:

"We must do it in the face of those who will attempt to play on those emotions for our own purposes, to discourage us from believing what is possible...to dismiss this moment as an illusion, as a fairytale."

What other sites are you talking about, and what other sites does she post on? Links, please!! :eyes:

especially when you have been under attack in those terms.

Good luck slamming Michele. She's right.

I doubt it ..she's fucking inbred with her lying mouth.

"DU is infected with way too many rabid Obama supporters (not all, just some) who claim that those who don't support Obama are simply "racist"."

Link?

"Hillary, to some Obama supporters, is apparently a "bigot" for dragging this out."

No, she's a spoiled brat for dragging it out. She's a racist for all the race baiting she's done.

yeah by all means let's not call somebody who says 'Obama's basing a campaign on 80+% AA vote has already destroyed Dem party.' a racist. That would be race baiting.

'the AA vote' is FR speak.

or some similar racist bullshit, right?

not from clinton supporters.

:sarcasm:

or does this apparent belief that they're the ONLY victims only come from one direction?

glad I"m with you, I've always admired your posts!

I've been so harshly insulted by some Clinton supporters, I was starting to think I was nothing but a nasty, vile lemming.

*sigh*

In the first link I cited, the "race-baiter" and instigator is not bigwillq, but, instead, whoever it was he responded to (whose post was later deleted, but whose language bigwill pointed out).

I think it was impossible to stop clinton supporters from racially-tinged innuendo.

goose, gander.

And I will call it out for the racist crap it is every time I see it or hear it. That is not race baiting, that is calling out racism for what it is. That is not allowing the racists trolls here to ply their trade.

oh well.

Team Obama simply HAD to destroy the Clintons popularity and vilify them - a terrible gamble.

Nastiest politics I've ever seen.

I spend plenty of time here and i don't think ive ever seen that kind of statement. Have any references?

ask yourself that question. i could care less who supports hillary. my mother, my pastor, the pope, god himself. i have the sense of mind to make my own decisions without letting someones commentary influence my preference.

It is NOT possible. They have no shame for their very REAL bigotry. In fact, they are PROUD of their bigotry. They will THRIVE on any mention of race. They PRIDE themselves on their racism. Trust me on this. I know. I've seen it firsthand. I live in NC where race is used routinely by Republicans to get the racist vote.

It's going to be tough if we don't come up with something besides race to talk about...and trust me, there is plenty wrong with McCain and plenty right with our party. So, bringing up race is ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY. Any mention of race in the GE will lose ALL the power it may have inside the Democratic Party, because Repubs don't care.

And for the record, (when search comes back, it can be verified), there have been some who claim Hillary supporters are all racists since as far back as January.
The race baiting bullshit needs to end. It is getting in the way of any real progress...on a progressive site, no less and it will have NO POWER WHATSOEVER against the Republican Party during the GE. You can mark my words on that.

"race-baiting". Perhaps the answer if for those who have a problem with Obama's race to stand up and own their feelings. Rather than this: "I have a friend that will never vote for a black man" "None of my friends will ever vote for a black man" "This country is 80-90% racist, and Obama will never win this election". Why don't they just say "I will never vote for a black man"? Why hide it, and try to turn it into something it is not?

And certainly not of zealots who use the campaign as an excuse for their own passive-aggressive weirdness.

The nice thing is that the race will take on a very different tone when you have two candidates with vastly different policy approaches.