Bill Cosby voted for Obama, denies any "Huxtable Effect."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/12/cosby-talks-huxtable-effe_n_143192.html

Excerpt:

"There's an argument circulating that "The Cosby Show" laid the groundwork for President-elect Barack Obama by presenting an appealing black family, the Huxtables, to young TV viewers who grew up equipped to thwart stereotypes and barriers. Writer Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez called her theory "the Huxtable effect," a counter to the so-called Bradley effect (named for failed black California gubernatorial hopeful Tom Bradley) of possible hidden racism among white voters.

Ask Cosby, 71, his view of the part his 1984-92 NBC sitcom played as political groundbreaker, and the man who looms large as both a comedian and blunt commentator on black America first offers a measured appraisal.

"I was amazed when the young woman's theory came through," said Cosby. It sounds plausible, he mused, recalling the show's immense popularity and the many times that fans said Cliff Huxtable reminded them of their dad --their white dad.

But he chafes at what he calls the "Karl Rovian" interpretation, referring to the Republican strategist's Election Night comment on Fox News that viewers embraced the Huxtables as "America's family" and not a black one. "The reason why he's in the White House is Cosby? No, no, no," Cosby said.

He suggests looking beyond the influence of a TV family to that of a real one: the household in which the future president was raised. He cites Obama's account of being woken early to do his homework and his mother's refusal to brook any complaints. Cosby bows as well to Michelle Obama and her father, who refused special treatment despite multiple sclerosis. "This is what Michelle and Barack are made of, the things they see" in their parents, he said."

:evilgrin:

Sorry, Dennis. I can kid 'cause I'm an inch shorter than you are.

:yoiks:

That is FUNNY in a profound way........

as it provided a plausible Black President scenario.
The West Wing provided a plausible minority President scenario.
a show on ABC provided a plausible Female President, but was short lived.

Certainly, the Huxtables could be seen having impact.....but the show ended over 15 years ago....
so, I think too much is being made about it's impact.

There are a lot of "things" that have "influenced" society on race and other matters over time....but I think there was more than one singular factor that influenced this presidential contest; the largest being Barack Obama and who he is himself, as I doubt he went to Harvard Law after seeing an episode of the Huxtable....after all, his father was a Harvard Alumn.

Obama won because he was the best candidate.

Others may have helped make that possible, but it's Obama who won...

"Deep Impact" and other films featuring Black Presidentson TV with his wife and kids before he decided to run?

Economically and foreign-relations-wise, Dubya sure has put us as close as possible to an "Extinction Level Event" for Obama, like Morgan Freeman in "Deep Impact", to prevent.

Pushed african-american art and culture into mainstream... celebrated an upper middle class black family with "normal" human problems, and celebrated education above all else.

The Cosby show most certainly had a profound impact on our culture and society.

Give credit where it's due.

Let's just remember that the whole point of breaking down boundaries, breaking down stereotypes, opening new opportunties... is so that people of color, women, etc... could have an EQUAL CHANCE to even be President.

The best candidate won. He happens to be black. He didnt win because he's black. He didnt win because of Cosby. Many folks fought hard for him to have that opportunity, yes, but Obama won that election.