When is not playing the race card in fact playing the race card? When one is Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, of course.
In archetypal gambling film scenes, quite often a card player will have to move cautiously when he suspects another player likely has cards up his sleeve. He can't call him on it, because that might lead to a fight or worse (particularly if it's a Western or if the accuser happens to be mistaken). If he's not careful, however, the slick cheater will use said hidden cards, and the damage will be done.
Last Friday, Obama, in a stroke of prophylactic genius (which means that it was probably his handlers' idea), announced to a group of donors that Republicans were likely to use his race to "scare" voters between now and the November election.
Forgive me, but this can't help but conjure up a visual of GOP members prowling the night with dark cloaks and cardboard Obama masks, groaning like ghosts: "Ooooooo! Boogey- boogey- boogey!"
Given the number of voters who appear prepared to cast a vote for Obama because he is black, it stands to reason that many Americans who have been convinced that Republicans are little better than Brownshirts and long trained to base their discernments on the superficial might fall for this ruse.
We know the strategy because they've already shown their cards. Ultimately, I think the American people recognize that old stuff hasn't moved us forward. That old stuff just divides us.
– Sen. Obama, June 20, 2008
Fortunately for the candidate, propagandized Americans can't see that Obama's "new stuff" is socialist, spirit-poisoning, economy-stultifying "old stuff" in a shiny new black package.
What his proclamation accomplished, of course, was to open the door for any criticism of the candidate to be labeled as a racist attack. Indeed, it could be interpreted that his words were marching orders, that such action ought to be the modus operandi of his supporters in the media and elsewhere.
Were Obama white and held the same views (like longtime pal Father Michael Pfleger, the Chicago Catholic priest who nevertheless practices Black Liberation Theology), he would be just as "scary" as he is now. His softness on radical Islam, weakness as regards the Christian majority, and such displays as smooching the buttocks of the American Islamic community and Muslim agitator Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., are all disturbing as well as inconsistent for one who would lead a nation currently at war with radical Islam.
Even if we did have only Christians in our midst. … Would we go with James Dobson's [Christianity] or Al Sharpton's?
– Sen. Obama, June 2006
This statement gives further insight into Obama's perverse theological and social perspective; he offers a choice between an evangelical author-educator and a race-baiting corporate blackmailer who was convicted of fraud for trying to frame white police officers in New York. This week, Obama once again hurled rocks from his glass house while responding to Dr. Dobson's assertion that the candidate distorts the Bible.
On Friday, Obama also accused the GOP of fear mongering vis-Ã -vis his foreign policy. Apparently, apprehension over a candidate who has been endorsed by Hamas (by most expert accounts, the most ruthless and brutal of Islamic terrorist organizations) and whose Muslim former business partner and recent campaign donor has advocated jihad against America is fear mongering rather than valid concern.
George Orwell would be proud – or horrified.
"Just because I used to dress like a Muslim doesn't mean I was one."
For the record, Sen. Obama never uttered these words, nor is it a reference to the photograph of him donning traditional garb during a trip to Africa. Lots of people – particularly politicians – do likewise on excursions abroad. There is at least one other photo in existence of Obama in traditional African Muslim garb; for this and other reasons I merely submit that vociferous claims he has made to counter speculation that he may at one time have been a Muslim simply don't stand up.
Despite facts, the Race Police have begun to execute their mission. Far left bloggers, pundits and campaign insiders alike have begun to scrutinize and react to just about everything floated by opposition bloggers, pundits and campaign insiders as regards candidate Obama.
Unfortunately, there's little doubt that the GOP (and, by association, Republican nominee John McCain) will be saddled with the blame for any and all commentary or media deemed unacceptable by the Obama camp – this coming from the man who casually dismisses the notion that affinity for him amongst the manifestly evil is in any way a reflection on the candidate.
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