Coulter: Barack "wouldn't be running for president if he weren't half-black"

[Altec]

Anne Coulter said this:

"Other than that, Barack's really been kind of coasting on his record, since his first big accomplishment of being born half-black. I keep hearing people say, "Oh, Obama could never be elected because he's half-black. You know, 'cause we're just such a racist country." What are they talking about? He wouldn't be running for president if he weren't half-black. He'd be Dick Durbin with less experience."

I know Coulter is an idiot, but is she right this time? Is Barack successful only because the media elevated him on a platform because he was new, fresh, and black?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[surfermaw]

We shouldn't be listening to any republican

What they are doing and saying is to help themself

[rodeodance]

95. but much of what they say affects DEMS--it is good to know what they are saying!

[Proud2BAmurkin]

2. Anyone with a year experience in the senate would be laughed off the national stage

[1awake]

4. So.. your saying he's only running and doing so well be cause of his skin color? n/t

[Proud2BAmurkin]

22. no but I'm saying he wouldn't be a contender without it

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

35. right and he wouldn't be a contender if he wasn't tall and thin too

I get it. Nothing substantial here.

[Yossariant]

48. ...

THE woman in question became a lawyer after some years as a community organizer, married a corporate lawyer and is the mother of two little girls, ages 9 and 6. Herself the daughter of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, she is considered black — she served as a state legislator for eight years, and became an inspirational voice for national unity.

Be honest: Do you think this is the biography of someone who could be elected to the United States Senate? After less than one term there, do you believe she could be a viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/opinion/08steinem.html

[Colobo]

13. So you agree with Coulter? Yeah, I could expect that coming from you.

[Mr.Fitzgibbons]

28. Be rational people -- what he is saying is TRUE and will be a problem for the dems

once the attention starts being focused big time on Obama in a GE campaign. We need to think very hard about this.

[ecstatic]

90. Didn't Edwards do the same thing? nt

[EffieBlack]

97. Oh, NO Edwards started running for President 3 years after he became a Senator, not 2!

So he had MUCH more experience than Obama (even though he had never held political office before he ran for the U.S. Senate) did and, thus, had every right to run for president, while Obama is just an uppity - I mean confident - wannabe who doesn't know his place, won't wait his turn and is only successful because, as the first black person ever to run for president, he has a HUGE advantage over all of the white candidates who just have never been able to catch a break in America.

:sarcasm:

Bullshit.

What's funny about Ann Coulter and the OP's argument - which apparently a lot of "Democrats" agree with, go figure - is that they assume that voters are just idiots who are so blinded by the color of Obama's skin that they're voting for him just because he's black and don't have enough sense or discernment to know that he's just not good enough to be there.

To that I say:

President Al Sharpton
President Carol Moseley Braun
President Alan Keyes
President Doug Wilder
President Jesse Jackson
President Shirley Chisholm

Oh - wait a minute. Why come voters and the press managed somehow to resist the siren call of THOSE candidates' black skin, but are helpless in the wake of the Obama, the magic skinned marvel?

Bullshit again.

[Radical Activist]

94. Like Wes Clark who had no experience in elected office?

Or George Bush or Mitt Romney or John Edwards who all had less years in elected office than Obama? They weren't laughed off the stage either.

[never_get_over_it]

105. Hmmm

and Wes Clark did pretty well now didn't he - NOT and George W. Bush - is George HW Bush's son - hmmm that didn't help him at all and Mitt Romney has a famous political father - a shit load of money AND was Governor of MA for 4 years - only one I can agree with you is John Edwards in 2004 NOT 2008 because he did run in a national election in 2004

I believe Obama because he is "black" and Clinton because she is a former first lady have been pushed by the media to this two person horse race Clinton has had a HUGE lead up until the campaign actually heated up because of her HUGE name recognition.

I'm sure I don't agree with Ann Coulter - because the world would have ended - but that his race has not helped him in the primary can not really be denied - if he was just another white guy the M$M wouldn't have excluded John Edwards after the Iowa results - and this would have been a three person race - and that John Edwards was "pushed" out is surely a tragedy for the progressive wing of the Dem party - if there even is a progressive wing to this party.

[glowing]

3. yes.. if you want to take out race and gender.. Edwards or Kucinich or

even Biden would be leading the race... But the faces of "change" are making people irrational... Its skewing their judgement... Based on policy neither of the two are actually change agents.

[1awake]

7. ok, so

Americans are now not only NOT racist against blacks, now we are racists against.. what..other than blacks in this case?

[glowing]

107. So, it doesn't matter what policy is better for fixing the problems in

America.. its just better for cosmetic appearances.

[samrock]

5. OMG!!

Have you HEARD the man give a speech!?!? ... Please do NOT listen to Coulter.. She causes damebramage!! BTW: I voted for Hillary... One of the BIGGEST jobs of a president is motivator... Obama has that in spades!!

[desi]

9. If speechmaking is the deciding factor

then Alan Keyes should have been IL Senator instead of Obama...and he does not use a teleprompter. How about Fidel Castro, his speeches go on for hours ?

[kid a]

6. now i KNOW rush limpy post here - its you!!

[kid a]

8. oh..and whoever recommended this should be banned - racist BS

[tishaLA]

24. i agree n/t

[Pathwalker]

10. Words cannot express how much I hate, hate, hate Ann Coulter.

The best possible use of Homeland Security duct tape would be to use it to shut her UP!

[robbedvoter]

11. Yuck! Take this carcass away from DU! Stink alert!

[Strelnikov_]

12. But I thought "The only thing black about obama is his wife and children."

and "Please, people, stop thinking you are electing a black man. He is anything but." was the lament of the backers of The Inevitable.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4469221#4469890

[RandomKoolzip]

14. Ann Coulter wouldn't be successful if she wasn't wealthy and shameless.

So what's the point? So what? Barack's half-black, he's running, he's a great candidate, Coulter's pure scum, case closed, deal with it.

[ray of light]

15. ha ha ha. And Coulter woudln't be a Republican if she/he weren't whatever she/he is.

[AGirl]

104. transphobia ugh.

[cooolandrew]

16. Barack is highly organised and more than ready for the GE and can contrast McCain on the war.

[Mr.Fitzgibbons]

21. Look, I have not decided who to support yet, but I doubt this is true

Frankly, I am very worried here. I think that Obama will be slammed once the real debating and commercial-plastering starts happening. His lack of experience -- and this is just the truth people -- will be hammered down the throats of the populace. And this WORRIES ME.

[treestar]

83. The populace doesn't care about experience

If they were Richardson would have won the primary.

What expereince does McCain have? Just more of the same.

President is not an ordinary job. You don't need experience, in fact, you no one who is first elected to it ever has the experience of actually doing that job. But it is a political position, not a job.

Experience call also hurt; Washington insiders are popularly despised.

[rodeodance]

96. look at some of the exit polls before you spout off about what the populace cares about and does

care about.

[treestar]

99. What exit polls?

I can observe what is going on around me. I can spout off whenever I choose.

If the populace cares about experience so much, why aren't they for Richardson? He has the best resume for preparation for the Presidency - experience in Washington, in both legislative and executive branches, governor of a state (executive in chief of an entity) and foreign policy experience to round that out.

Who is going to vote for a warmonger in this climate, just because he has "experience." Explain why McLame's experience is so much better than Obama's and how that is going to trump the fact he is just Bush 2 on Iraq. Amongst a populace that is sick of that war (I get this from the polls disapproving of *).

[rodeodance]

100. there are pools where people experience of the candidates

[treestar]

101. What pools where people experience of the candidates?

Why is McLame any more experienced, and what evidence is there that anyone cares?

The pic of him hugging Chimpy is enough to sink him.

[Adelante]

17. No nt

[TomClash]

18. While he was becoming editor of the law review at Harvard

Ann was getting her incompetent ass kicked out of two law firms in NY.

[baldguy]

19. If he wasn't half-black he'd still be running for President.

Coulter & her ilk would just find (or imagine) something else to hate him for.

[goclark]

39. If you have one ounce of Black blood

you are BLACK, none of this "half" anything in America.
No such thing as "biracial" --- he is BLACK.

I am African American and this is so funny to us. When we are up for a job they don't say " Let's give/not give the job to the half white person!"

We never refer to any of our friends/family members as half Black,even if they are mixed- we are smart enough to know that White America only considers us BLACK.

Where are TOP commentators, the ones that make such sweeping statements about how WE are going to vote? Where are the 1/2, 1/4 Blacks?

ALL of the Chief "DECIDERS/POLITICAL Pundits" just happen to be "ALL WHITE."

Doesn't seem to be any balance racially there does it --- Wolfie, Morning Joe, Tweety, Lou Dobbs and on and on and on and on.

Not one time have they ever considered having a Top Anchor be anything but White.And, as far as I know, no one even considers the fact that WE may have a different point of view to bring to the table.

Oh, I forgot to mention -- Donna "All Black" Brazile who helped to give the election to GW. They know she is safe.

[hill08]

20. she has a point

and it is hypocritical not to admit that. And this will be one of talking points in GE...Dick Durbin with less experience...The most liberal US senator

[TankLV]

23. Yes - there is some truth to that...

He is Dicky Durbin with LESS EXPERIENCE...

good one...

[griffi94]

25. i don't know about the black part

but the media created him because he was new and fresh....oh and oprah says he's cool

[xultar]

26. DUers disagree with Coulter on Obama but believe her "GENUINE" support 4 Clinton.

Just another DU double standard.

Because some people needed it.

[JI7]

30. that makes no sense, there are plenty of people who would disagree

with Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama, but they still believe he did it.

just as Coulter has endorsed Hillary and naturally attacks her current opponent, Obama.

[robbedvoter]

33. That her words are even posted here is mind boggling!

[xultar]

34. ZACTLY. Check out the reply above yours.

[tammywammy]

62. Agreed

:crazy: She'd only support Clinton in the GE to defeat McCain. She's a member of the conservatives that despise McCain, like Rush. They figure if there's going to be a liberal in the White House (and they consider McCain a liberal), then why not vote for Hillary.

[NastyRiffraff]

27. She may be partly right about the experience factor,

but it's still an ugly comment. I say that as a Clinton supporter. Had she focussed on experience, she would have been okay (although I'd still despise her in general).

[NorthernSpy]

29. If McCain were to campaign in the black community...

... he wouldn't be wasting his time.


That's what threads like this tell me.

[xultar]

36. It shocks me to see the amount of Black Republicans because of their Christian beliefs

[NorthernSpy]

69. I'm not really talking about black Republicans...

... who are a minor element percentage-wise in any case.


I'm talking about a scenario in which these tactics have paid off for the Clinton campaign and she takes the nomination.

I think that if that happens, it will be worthwhile for McCain to make a serious effort to win black votes.


The massive shift in support from Clinton to Obama among black voters was a sea-change that seemed to happen almost overnight. I think that was evidence of something much deeper at work.

[xultar]

80. Ok so you're blaming the Clintons and becuz of that McCain can win Black Democrats.

Ok I need some of the crack you've got.

[NorthernSpy]

88. the Clintons chose to employ the rhetoric and approach they employed...

... and so they have to live with consequences.


I happen to think that those consequences could be significant if an opponent such as McCain were to play his cards right. You don't agree?

[MadBadger]

31. And Hillary is a woman. Next. topic jeeves.

[Kermitt Gribble]

32. No.

Ann Coulter is never right. Obama is an exciting politician - it has absolutely nothing to do with the color of his skin.

[moosen]

37. If Obama were white...

Well, he'd be Edwards!

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

40. Except Edwards is sincere. You are incorrect!

[moosen]

41. true, haha!

[robbedvoter]

50. And if my grandma had wheels, she'd be a wagon. Why are we discussiong Annthrax?

[citizen snips]

38. Obama is bi-racial

but it has nothing to do with his success.

[moosen]

42. it has everything to do with his success

[greguganus]

55. A few weeks ago, you hardly saw a post on here about Obama's race ...

...being a factor in his candidacy. Now you see the race posts springing up on here more often. Seems like the Hillary supporters are reaching new lows in their desperation to discredit Obama.

[stahbrett]

43. Biden and Dodd would be the front-runners if Hillary wasn't married to Bill and Obama wasn't...

Let's face it - without her name recognition from being who she is, and without Obama's unique background (including his parents' heritage), we'd likely have Biden and Dodd. But winning he nomination takes into account name recognition, ability to inspire voters, etc.

[robbedvoter]

51. Looks like Annie's special friends are all here! How touching!

[stahbrett]

86. I'm no friend of hers

My first choice was Biden, so I may be biased, but he had tons of experience, lots of good ideas, but wasn't able to break into the top tier. The "first woman vs. the first African-American" story line could not be stopped - not saying it's a bad thing, but if ALL of the candidates were all women, or all men, or all African-American, or all Caucasian, etc., then I truly think a more experienced candidate such as Biden would have been able to reach the top-tier. Clinton and Obama may wind up being terrific presidents, and Biden could have been an awful one, but I'm just going with my opinion after seeing them perform at the debates, reading their issues on their websites, etc.

[boston bean]

44. This does not belong here. Ann Coulter is right wing bat shit crazy.

and it is racist.

[robbedvoter]

52. Been trying to tell everyone. I'll alert next.

[rocktivity]

45. Coulter is right ALL the time--right wing, that is. That's what MAKES her an idiot.

You haven't figured out by now that she'll say or write ANYTHING that will insult liberals and gain media attention? She's a shock jock without a station. That's why I call her politics' answer to Madonna.

:boring:
rocknation

[Sparkly]

46. It's part of what makes him who he is.

I think there's a mistaken idea that all things are, and should be, equal. Thus people attempt to turn equations around -- "What if the roles were reversed?" -- as though all things WERE equal. They aren't.

Similarly, there's an argument that we should all be totally blind to gender and race, because it's sexist and racist to consider them a factor at all. This is along the lines of what Coulter is saying. It assumes there's a problem with "reverse racism" or "kneejerk claims of sexism" etc. that gives black people and women an unfair advantage.

I think there's long been a disadvantage, and breaking glass ceilings IS significant and important. I also think women and minorities have experiences that are important to leadership of other women and minorities, and I believe they've usually had to work *harder* to get where they are than if they were white men. I'm not saying they're inherently better than white men necessarily, but I think the experience of being a woman and/or a minority in America is a positive thing to have in the White House.

[enid602]

47. Coulter

Enid602: pukes wouldn't listen to Coulter if she weren't a half-wit.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

49. cicada flamebait

[DiamondJay]

53. politics does indeed make strange bedfellows

and she is completely right this time i must say. Dick Durbin has more experience than him but he could never run for president. It IS only because the media wants something to talk about, and coulter did hit the nail on the head. this is about the only time u will ever see me agree with her. Let's note however I have nothing against him because he is black, I am just saying that his lack of substance is being overlooked because of his race. He is doing well right now with small but sizeable portion because they feel good being able to say "o im not racist i voted for a black man", altho i believe most are oting on issues, but he is still the feel good candidate

[hill08]

70. exactly

the "feel good," "white guilt" candidate...just don't expect the "white guilt" to work in GE

[pdxmom]

54. And Coulter is a favorite on Faux news. Which is another reason why no

Democratic candidate should go on that channel, especially for a debate.

[catagory5]

56. Clinton Supporter here>

And I have to say that anne is so fucking stupid!

[Hepburn]

57. What a totally stupid remark...but consider the source. n/t

[Stand and Fight]

58. This is disgusting!

Maybe the guy is running for president because he feels he has the experience and leadership style that this country needs right now.

I don't support Barack for president, but there is no way in hell you're going to find me even toying with the idea that Anne Coulter's nasty racism is right...

Shame on you, Altec. Shame, shame, shame.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

59. no, he is a brilliant orator and would have done well regardless of color.

[Danger Mouse]

60. Yet anohter Right Wing hack used to smear Obama.

Give me a fucking break. :puke:

[1776Forever]

61. What a useless person Anne Coulter is - What planet she is from? Just like her Edwards foul comment!

Ms. C is a repugnant and foul person!

And why not add in abhorrent, abominable, adverse, against, alien, antagonistic, antipathetic, averse, bad, conflicting, contradictory, counter, creepy*, different, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, extraneous, extrinsic, foreign, foul, hateful, horrid, hostile, in opposition, incompatible, inconsistent, inconsonant, inimical, invidious, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, noisome, objectionable, odious, offensive, opposed, opposite, repellent, revolting, revulsive, sickening, unconformable, unfitted, unfriendly, and not least, vile!!!!!!!!

She deserves a double puke!!
:puke: :puke:

[yardwork]

63. Ann Coulter can take her racist hatefilled crap and shove it where the sun don't shine.

I can't believe that anyone would repeat that here, much less ask if it might be true.

[indimuse]

64. BULLS_EYE! don't like _coulter...

BUT..she is dead on...I have heard this from so many people. AND I don't mean DU'ers...Really just think about it...and another thing on my mind...How they have turned "WE"(yes we can) from the beginning Michelle ..Oprah...Obama used it in terms of OUR community! WE must WAKE up! WE WE WE...now the slogan includes anybody stupid enough to believe Michelle and Obama REALLY mean them...It is code...WE...OUR...Community "Black" that is...say what you will that is a fact! Look it up from DAY 1!!! This campaign is NOTHING more than Barack H Obama becoming the first black president! PERIOD!!!!!

[gulliver]

65. Duh. It's just one of those facts that are never brought up.

People didn't ask George W. Bush if he would be president but for his name. On Oprah's show, Bush actually brought it up himself and denied it.

People don't ask Hillary if she would have a chance at the presidency but for being married to Bill Clinton.

People don't ask Barack if he would have a chance at the presidency if he weren't half-black.

People don't ask McCain if he would have a chance at the presidency if his mission in Vietnam had been successful instead of ending with his capture by the enemy.

All those are true, but no one asks. The main reason each of these people were ever within spitting distance of the presidency is illegitimate. Face it.

[Cooley Hurd]

66. "Is she right?"

She's NOT right, and you're VILE for agreeing with her.:eyes:

[sellitman]

67. How come crap like this is always posted by someone with 14 total posts?

:eyes:

[formercia]

68. Coultergeist doesn't deserve the attention

she's getting here. IMHO

[RoadRage]

71. "I know Coulter is an idiot, but is she right this time?"

Wow.. i think we know how YOU feel about this?

No - Ann Coulter, and you are dead wrong. Obama is able to unite two sides of the fence. He's got CHARISMA.. like WHITE MEN JFK and RFK have. White people can have this rare charictaristic as well.

His skin color is cause for debate, but it's about the last reason most people are voting for or even against him.

[ElboRuum]

72. Coulter hasn't been right a day in her life.

And she knows it.

[Cha]

73. coulter's so gawd damn stupid that

shit like this spews out..didn't she endorse hilary?

[cbayer]

74. "since his first big accomplishment of being born half-black"?????

this is an offensive and disgusting piece that really has no place here.
I am glad to see so few recommendations. Let this just die.

[Bjorn Against]

75. This is one of the most disgusting of many disgusting posts I have seen on here lately

First I was hearing all kinds of crap about how Obama could not get elected because he was black, now I am hearing the only reason he can get elected is because he is black. My head is spinning here, if he is not successful his race will be used against him, and if he is successful his race will be used against him.

If being black was truly beneficial to a candidate though it seems like we would have already seen several black Presidents. Ann Coulter's quote is racist, and anyone who agrees with her is racist as well.

[Tom Rinaldo]

76. Just stop it.

Coulter is vile and quoting her on this makes as much sense as quoting her supposed new found love for democrats over McCain.

Happenstance plays a role in any person's opportunity to run for Presidnt, but without real deep talent they never get anywhere with it.

P.S. Even George W. Bush had extremely good basic political skills

[thoughtcrime1984]

77. Bullshit

First of all, nobody should even mention that fucking name on here, and secondly, he would have the same intelligence, ambition, and gumption to do what he is doing. Oh, and the 5 clowns who rec'd this: Come on over and juggle for me.

[rosesaylavee]

78. I'd put you on ignore if I thought you were going stay longer. n/t

[sniffa]

79. She wouldn't have a job if she weren't half human

Monsters have high unemployment rates.

[Yael]

81. "Barack"? What happened to B. Hussein Obama -- her old preference?

[bunnies]

82. Sounds like a bunch of posts Ive read on DU.

Shocking? nope.

[treestar]

84. This is out of the right wing's extreme batshit insanity that they

tell themselves, that affirmative action, or their being called on any racism, means that blacks are somehow "favored" and "privileged" over whites. It is similar to the insanity that causes them to believe that Christians are persecuted. Once you get into their little twisted minds, it makes a sort of insane sense. They feel entitled due to whiteness to being superior, when they find some parts of the world uncooperative, they are resentful, because how can they have their higher status and privilege if it is not recognized by all lower human beings? They then exaggerate/project that into things like marriage being a "privilege" of gays if ever granted to them.

All right wingers, including and especially Annthrax, need lobotomies. And please don't tell me that calling her Annthrax is offensive to bacteria and virii.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

85. Hi, Altec!

:hi:

[mtnsnake]

87. What Coulter wants everyone to think is that Barack is not really black, so he doesn't count

as a true black person.

What she's trying to accomplish is to not only diminish Obama among Democrats but to diminish Barack among black people, too. She's pulling at the strings of racism and ignorance in any way she can.

Coulter should be strung up by her nuts for at least an hour, maybe two.

[ecstatic]

89. Reeks of the Limbaugh- McNabb comments nt

[MrsBrady]

91. ummm....so it's one thing to listen to a repuke....

but it's another thing to actually try to make sense of their fascist, racist, BS!

[kdpeters]

92. Sounds like some of the Clinton supporters here

[butterfly77]

93. Yes...

[malletgirl02]

98. 7 reccommeds?

I can't believe this thread got one let alone seven. This is the reason I no longer visit the greatest page.

[candice]

102. Obama is ambitious. I'm not sure why he didn't complete a term in the Senate

...first. Maybe what we see is what we get.

[Exultant Democracy]

103. Who gave the Inaugural speech at the 2000 convention the 96 convention and the 92 convention

without looking it up. It was his skills as an orator that put him in the spotlight.

[Meldread]

106. Wow. There are some lows I didn't even imagine SOME Hillary supporters would go...

...but apparently I am wrong. Racist. How cute.

Let me fill you and Annie in on something, as a white southern, there is no such thing as half-white or half-black. You are either one or the other. You know this because you, sir, are a racist just like Ann. When you look up on stage, you do not ask yourself, 'Wow, what a powerful speaker that half-white man is, he moves me with his words.' No, what goes through your mind, 'Oh my god a negro might be President, fuck... god no.'

How old are you? Do you use the term "colored?" That's the term most older folks use.

You see, I know people like you. There are racist in this country, its true, and its also true that they will not vote for Obama. Yet, what is remarkable is that those who are racist are consistent Republican voters, not Democrats, and would never consider voting for a Democratic Candidate regardless of race or gender. Thus, their votes are irrelevant.

The thing that galls Ann and yourself the most, however, is the fact that he is a strong, confident, well educated and eloquent black man. That frightens you. It frightens you because it dispels the myth of the mysterious scary 'other' - the black folks from the ghetto, who are gang bangers, hooked on drugs, uneducated and violent. That's where folks like Ann and yourself like black folks to be - away from your town house. Away from your section of the city. Folks like Ann and yourself cannot exist without hating another group - because if you do not have opposition then you cannot play the part of a victim.

Take solace in the fact that your mindset is dying off. With each passing generation the ignorance and intolerance that you hold within fades, and there will come a day when it does not exist at all. That frightens you, because Obama is a testament to that fact.

It has nothing to do with white guilt. Obama does something few can achieve - he transcends race. If his race were a factor, then you need to explain that to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I can tell you - Al can give a good speech. He's a good man who can inspire and motivate, but at the end of the day he cannot transcend race. Obama has achieved that. When folks look up to see Obama, they do not see a black man, they see an American. That - to folks like you an Ann - is a dangerous thing.