April 6th, 2007
Barack Obama, pulls in 25 million, no wonder he smokes,
There is no longer doubt, Senator Obama may become the next President of the United States! He can raise money with the big boys and girls. This is a new era,”equal rights amendment,” Senator Clinton could not have foreseen this. America wants a change.Obama is claerly a change.
I had to think about my deseased father today. He grew up in Tennesee and was born in 1910. He was an incredibility intelligent man with only a 3rd grade education. He spent a lot of his early life as a hobo and hopped freight trains from city to city. He was full of stories from his life and as a child I had better things to do than to listen to Dad fasinating stories. He could talk for hours. He started his family at an advantage age and was a big and powerful man. We grew up in upstate New York and my dad like to take us for rides after dinner.
My dad was very aware of race although he loved and was loved by people of all races. When ever we would go into a store and saw our people working, at the time we had just stopped being negros and we now black, Dad would remark, “the white man may let you work in his store but he will never let you count the money!”
I wish my father could witness Senator Obama’s remarkable rise over the past 4 years. Barack smokes because he does not want the racist to realize he is counting 25 million. My dad died in 1995, now a mere 12 years later, we may have to change the name of 1600 Pennsylvania ave from the White House to the Black House.
Think about the historical implications for race relations in the US. Would a black President provide more respect for the sons and daughters of slaves. Would more of us feel that there is hope for a productive life and that anything is possible I hope so.
April 6th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Jim the possibilities are endless for Obama. I to was floored by the amount of money he has raised. He is now a major player in this race and he will be taken seriously from this point on in the election. I think the only distraction will be if the Clinton camp continues to try to engage him in public verbal jabbing. I just hope he doesn’t fall for it because he has a serious chance to win
April 6th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
JD,
You know I read your blog every day and love your content! Sometimes you push my buttons but I like it… you make me think and you open my eyes to the world that you see.
So here’s my 2 cents on Obama… you may or may not like it!
I do believe it’s much more timely in the history of this country to elect a person of color. It’s important for whites as well as blacks for so many reasons.
I know you can’t stand the current White House, but I do believe that Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice have helped to pave the way of acceptance of black leaders in this country. Putting politics aside, it’s been important for both parties to see people of color in such high offices, regardless of politics.
Lastly, I believe it will be eye-opening when Obama begins to seriously threaten Hillary. No doubt we’ll see her true ‘color’ come out (pun intended).
I believe in my heart that blacks are being used by the Democratic party. Nothing would please me more than to see the day that blacks lead the party rather than simply being the votes that white Dems take for granted. I think you’ll see a lot of rich white folk go running at that point and it will be fun to watch. As long as they are in office, they’re friends of minorities. Take away the power, and the friendship will end. I have no doubt of that.
I’m not a registered Democrat nor Republican. I love being in that ’swing vote’ that can really make a difference. This will be a great race to the White House.
God Bless America!
Doug
April 7th, 2007 at 4:58 am
In my opinion, the black and white people is the same important to the world. I read the kind of article onEbonyFriends.com .the black people are very intelligent. we should get along well with them.
April 7th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Latimer, You bring up a good point. The Clintons have been under media scrutiny on a national basis, since that Sunday night on 60 minutes after the Super Bowl when they brust on the national stage. Bill said he had caused harm to his marriage and Hillary said she is no Tammy Wynette, “Stand by your man,” staying home and bakig cookies. Think of all the scandles and mud slinging. Sen. Obama has positioned himself as above the mud sling aspect of politics. The best strategy for Sen. Clinton is to pull himinto the mud. It will be fun to watch
April 7th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Doug, thank you for your Hooiser insight.I agree with much of it and it was Bill Clinton who’s administration first took an aknowledgement of blacks in the inner circle. Bush placed Colin Powell but refused to listen to him and ran him off, after he made General Powell lie to the United Nations about,WMD, as a reason to bomb and kill citzens of Iraq.Ms Rice is a yes master George and says what ever the president wants to hear.
we are being used by the party but were used more to build this nation as slaves and not being allowed to benifit from the riches.
Doug, your heart is in the right place and I think debates like this will allow for your understanding, our growth as a race is at the point of understanding we have blacks in high positions that are not good for blacks as a whole.
The blackman on stage with Karl Rove is an example of someone being used to reinforce some of the worst sterotypes of black people.
April 8th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I really like to fact that Obama raised as much money as he did. It does show that there are people out there that really want a change and aren’t letting skin color stop them. But it also makes me wonder. Are we going to elect a President based on how much money they raised or on the fact they they will be the best to lead this country? I truly don’t know the answer to that question yet.
April 9th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Hey Jim!
I think you’re right that Obama’s candidacy opens up a whole other dimension in the political sphere that is quite fascinating. Next to Colin Powell (whom I could not have supported), this is the first African American who actually hs a strong chance to become president, and it’s remarkable. To think that my 85-year-old mother may live to see this moment is even more amazing.
Related to that note, I really enjoyed reading about your father. He sounds like a remarkable man, he really does. Thanks for sharing that.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Dan, when you say we, you are referring to whom, nice plug for Eboney.com
April 10th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Dame, money gives Obama a chance to tell his story on TV where advertizement cost a lot. With out money he will have no chance.There have been big money canidates in the pass that did not fare well.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Keith, you and I are on the same page. My dad was very hard core and tuff to please but he was a great man that did a lot of good through volunteer work late in life. His is a story of a uneducated black man that found success as a old man not $$ success but reconition from many, including The Bar association, and Governor of New York
April 10th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I like the way Doug thinks. Many have said that black people are on a “democratic plantation” and I believe that’s true. I always hear the issues first before deciding who to vote for. But I also have to say that the fact that Obama IS black heavily sways my vote in his direction. It’s time for progression…
April 10th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Kimberly, I like the way Doug thinks as well and his blog has tremendous influence. I have gotten to know Doug and he is an amazing human and a outstanding single father to 2 teenagers. Doug is also a mentor of mine, having said that, I ache for the day when we have Republicans that offer black people a true 2 party system. Keep hope alive
April 11th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I understand that Jim, I just hope he doesn’t become one of those candidates that has all of this money and doesn’t win. I really hope (but doubtful) that Clinton will be his VP. That would surly put him in the White House.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
dame, I feel ya
April 11th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I agree, let’s not lose focus on the bigger issues. I was impressed to see Imus’ sponsors pull out from the show.
April 13th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Jay, It is over now and it was about the sponsors, thanks for thecomment
January 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I was so disappointed with politicians. That is until I knew Obama. It is like a breath of fresh air.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Now who is beginning to believe that Obama will be the next president.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Obama will most likely be the next President, however, I don’t see what difference it make. Same voting record as Hillary. He’s already backing off on the Iraq War time line. He’s cousins with Dick Cheney. He’s even related to Bush. He’s just more of the same.