Clyburn on McCain-Palin Rhetoric, 'That One'
As a follow-up to a story I wrote for today's paper about black members of Congress detecting racism in the remarks of the McCain campaign, I called Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina to ask why different audiences were apparently hearing such different messages in what John McCain and Sarah Palin are saying.
"If your experiences help to make who and what you are, then words and phrases are understood to the extent that your experiences allow you to understand them," he said. "If somebody were to say to an all-white group, "you people," white people might understand that one way. But if you talk to black people and say "you people," it takes on a different meaning. It's just that simple."
He added, "I just heard Obama, no more than two minutes before you made this call, use the phrase 'you people,' and I cringed when he did. It's coming from the lips of an African-American. It's just a phrase that resonates differently with African-American people than it does with white people."
Clyburn refused to speculate about the intentions behind the McCain campaign's language that several of his colleagues said was intended to appeal to racism, though he suggested the McCain people were, purposely or not, leaving a lot of room for interpretation.
"People could be hearing words differently," Clyburn said. "I don't know what McCain meant last night when he pointed to Barack and said 'that one.' I don't know what the hell that means. He is a United States senator."
I think people will look back and see "that one" as the moment that McCain lost...much like George Allen's macaca comment -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWSRBQQCfUI
It's obvious it was a racist remark, in light of two recent Palin ralleys where they blatantly referred to Mr. Obama as Hussein. The right is desperate, and is resorting to swiftboat fear and hate mongering tactics.
Yes, his name is Barack Hussien Obama. He changed it from Barry to Barack to honor his father, after visiting Kenya.
So whats the big deal? Should I not associate with any Dahmers, Berkowitz's, Mansons, Olson or Lucas due to their names?
Well, I think I might change my name to Deano Rockwell.I think Sam Rockwell, is such a cool arse name.
So now poor old Joe Six-pack is a Racist!! What will these Obama moonbats think of next!! Maybe Sarah should have said Basketball Moms!! I'm sure the blacks have a lot of names for whities in their rapper songs which nobody but them knows what they are saying! Oh, and probably McCain meant to say, "and that SOB" but caught himself!!
Surely you wouldn't set the bar for a presidential or a vice-presidential candidate at the same level as a rapper? If a rapper says "x", it's okay for a presidential candidate to say something like or as bad as "x"? It sounded like that was the point you were making. Maybe I misunderstood you . .well maybe you would, given the low intellect bar McCain set for his vice presidential candidate.
I don't think McCain meant it in a racially demeaning way. But it was sure condescending as HELL! Colleagues deserve better! And as far as Palin, anyone who doesn't openly admit that she was chosen PURELY for the reason of getting votes, with absolutely no regard for inability to perform on an 8th Grade Level, is a DAMN LIAR!
She can only string together words that have been written for her and rehearsed. I know the Republicans are known for appealing to the lowest intellectual common denominator amongst us, often gambling on Americans' lack of percetion and intuity; but this time they may have crossed the threshold and went too far...
People in this country with IQs above 60 are insulted with the idea of putting her in the potential driver's seat!
Political Debate fine who is Obama and who is Sarah and who really is McCain. Each succeeded in their way to do the best for their state in the time give to serve. One helped children receive health care and the other helped the state get rid of some questionable personalities and the other seen the ethics committee twice (that I read so far) one with concern for financial misjudgments and the other verbally and physically abusing some one looking for help in finding a relative lost in a war and verbally harassing a fellow senator on the steps of the capital and fellow pow's not really liking him for the misery he caused while a prisoner of war and the issues he has with coast guards statements made to give the impression that he has nothing to hide by saying he stands on his record and he does not need anyone to tell him how to tell the truth to the American people and willing to spread the rumor that someone with the name of an Eurasian man must mean he is a Muslim. Rhetoric is the tune of the Palin McCain ticket for each performing the act of misdirection. Obama should not and cannot just stand there and take the abuse without responding. He needs to stand let the others know that no matter what the nastiness that is on paper for the Palin and McCain if I were a republican I would distance myself from the both or by the way that is happening with many republicans with intergrity and I would vote for them. Huckbee thanks for not standing by this questionable man and woman. Thank you Representative Souder for standing against questionable rhetoric. Thank you Lugar for standing with this rhetoric. There are many more republicans I wish to thank.