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Obama's Race a Gift . . . for Comedians

Standups, talk-show hosts go where politicians fear to tread

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2008 6:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – In this election, at least one group is unafraid to play the race card: comedians. Entertainers may be the only ones who can talk candidly about the subject, the San Jose Mercury News reports. And boy, are they. “I'm voting for Barack Obama," said one comedian. "I did it because he's black. Not because he's intelligent, or well spoken or represents hope. Nope. You had me at Negro.”

Paul Mooney, who once wrote for Richard Pryor, says he has no intention of avoiding race, which he says has always been an election issue. “We've always had to say, does this white man like us? We've always had to think race. And this is the first time white people have had to think race.”

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, laughs with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Barack Obama laughs at a suggestion from a questioner that he appoint George W. Bush the next ambassador to Iraq, Thursday, June 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., laughs as he addresses a rally at the University of Toledo Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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Obama's Race a Gift . . . for Comedians

Standups, talk-show hosts go where politicians fear to tread

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Obama, Others Won't Return Ponzi Cash

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Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

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Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

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Obama's Race a Gift . . . for Comedians

Standups, talk-show hosts go where politicians fear to tread

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • race relations • comedy • Obama 2008

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama, Others Won't Return Ponzi Cash

Receiver wants the $1.8M Allen Stanford gave to politicians

Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?