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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
Senate Democrats Clear
Health Care Hurdle, 60-39

Reid gets 60 votes to open full debate after Thanksgiving recess

Nov 21, 09 7:13 PM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
Neglected Ind. Fans Boo Palin

Hecklers accuse her of 'quitting on the job'

Nov 20, 09 3:50 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

OPINION

GOP 'Riding a Wave of Racism'

Racially charged attacks on Obama show scourge of racism is still with us

By Rob Quinn| Posted Sep 19, 09 7:20 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Racism is alive and well in today's America and the Republican Party is feeding off it, Bob Herbert writes in the New York Times. Nobody should need Jimmy Carter—who wasn't above pandering to racists himself in his 1976 presidential campaign—to point out the racist undertones behind many of the attacks on Obama, Herbert writes, or that many Americans see the president only as "that black guy in the White House, and they want him out of there."

Hatemongers on talk radio are whipping up racial hatred towards the president and Republican leaders have done little to discourage them, Herbert writes. The GOP's leaders won't confront racism themselves because they're "trying to ride that dependable steed of bigotry back to power," Herbert argues, "but it’s time for other Americans—of whatever persuasion—to take a stand, to say we’re better than this. They should do it because it’s right. But also because we’ve seen so many times what can happen when this garbage gets out of control."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

A demonstrator questions the citizenship of President Obama at a tea party protest earlier this year. (Getty Images)

The GOP's leaders have tolerated, if not encouraged, racially charged rhetoric from radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Herbert writes. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

After all these years of race-baiting and stirring the pot of hatred for political gain, it’s too much to ask the leaders of the Republican Party to step forward and denounce this spreading stain of reprehensible conduct.
- Bob Herbert

We may have made progress, and we may have a black president, but the scourge is still with us. And if you needed Jimmy Carter to remind you of that, then you’ve been wandering around with your eyes closed. - Bob Herbert

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

11.19.09

Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

52 comments

VIEWING:

Caps
Sep 19, 09 7:26 AM CDT

The right wingers are racist. They can not stand the thoughts of a black President. They just need to get over it. He is our President, and at least we have got one that has brains, not like the other dumb thing that was there for 8 long years. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Timinator2K
Sep 19, 09 7:40 AM CDT

YOU LIE, CRAPS!

-10

IN RESPONSE:

JaneMP
Sep 19, 09 8:01 AM CDT

I can't agree that the right is necessarily racsit. There are some who are fiscal conservatives or against abortion but aren't racist. These are the ones who need to stand up against the racists in this party. But I DO agree that Obama is president and the office should be respected. I also am scared to death what thsi racism and hate is stirring up in OUR country!

+10

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 8:45 AM CDT

Who is Sainey Fatty? And why does South Carolina's Joe Wilson not want you to know?

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 19, 09 9:43 AM CDT

right on caps. and they also fear that he is going succeed where the other did not and that just galls them. they are so in fear of this that they will do anything to try and bring him down. the ignorant demints, wilsons, limbaughs, becks, etc. can't stand the fact that we have someone in power who stands above their petty meanness.

IN RESPONSE:

SilenceDogood
Sep 19, 09 9:50 AM CDT

Isn’t it convenient to be able to pull the Race Card every time your hero is charged with incompetence? What if race were not the issue? What if we just don’t like the job he is doing, would we then be racist or simply dissenters? How much longer will the Left use the weak and boring method to disparage legitimate dissent?

-5

IN RESPONSE:

jagerhans
Sep 19, 09 10:15 AM CDT

the very idea of American racists having to wake up every morning knowing that their supreme leader is a learned, smart and popular black guy would cause me fits of maniacal laughter every time if it weren't that I have to wake up every morning knowing that the leader of my country is a sex addicted fascist liar dwarf that encircles himself with mafia men.

IN RESPONSE:

jamerican
Sep 19, 09 11:03 AM CDT

What the liberals are mistaking as racism is anger toward nobama for his socialistic policies, lies, and railroad techniques. He isn't listening to a majority of the people or the Republicans which will give the republicans major victories in the next elections.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

KurtRambis4va
Sep 19, 09 1:36 PM CDT

These racial claims miss the mark completely. If Obama were fiscally conservative, and if he didn't spend and spend and spend, republicans would love him. Republicans don't hate on Alan Keyes, Clarence Thomas, or Condoleezza Rice. The charges put against the latter by liberals could be charged as racist, but they never were by republicans. So the conclusion based on this hard evidence is that Republicans don't like Obama because of his wasteful spending, not his skin color

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 1:57 PM CDT

BULLSHIT! Because Clinton was fiscally conservative and cleaned up from the last Republican orgy for the rich and the Republicans hated him for it. Open a book once in a while and lay off of the American "Idle"

IN RESPONSE:

KurtRambis4va
Sep 19, 09 10:48 PM CDT

@Doc...I never said Clinton was not fiscally conservative, I am saying Obama is not. Clinton was and still is popular even among some conservatives such as myself. But what Clinton did and what Obama is doing are completely different. It's all about the spending. Please carefully read the post carefully before you assume I don't read other material, and please be a little bit open-minded and I'll return the same courtesy to you. The post was about how conservatives aren't racist, and I backed it up succinctly. By saying Republicans hated Clinton as well further proves my point that skin color makes no difference. I think we can both agree though that whichever party is not in power bitches about everything. Bitch, but please, don't get racism involved because it does not represent but a very small fraction, and if it is more, I am not part of it, so don't charge the entire party with it

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Sep 19, 09 7:44 AM CDT

DEMS CONTINUE TO RIDE A WAVE OF DESPERATION AND DECEPTION. LIBERAL SOCIALISM FAILS, DEAL WITH IT. Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 7:53 AM CDT

Sorry Jr. but its the right that's desperate. Why do you think they've resorted to all this hate mongering? In the end, when things start to get better, and make no mistake they will, you and your ilk will be dismissed as the hateful douchebags nobody wants to claim they know.

+17

| 0 minutes ago

shonangreg
Sep 19, 09 7:52 AM CDT

Republicans and conservatives need to speak up and refocus the discussion on the merits of the issues at hand. Pandering to the nuts just prevents real discussion. Just increasing the volume is not going to overcome their lack of ideas. Reply

+12

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 7:55 AM CDT

They know this, but they have no solutions to the problems they created other than go along with the Dems which would be tantamount to political suicide. That's why they obfuscate the issues with distractions like the birther movement, guns and Tea-Bagging (It still cracks me up that they don't know this has a double meaning)

+10

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 19, 09 8:23 AM CDT

so you agree that the race card is simply a political ploy. Thanks for being honest. (You have to drag honesty out of a liberal I've noticed)

-10

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 8:43 AM CDT

Make no mistake, there is racism from the right in this dialog but it's just one of the many tactics the right employs to keep real debate from happening. Obviously you are not smart enough to figure out what's really happening.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 19, 09 9:49 AM CDT

the repubs and conservatives will not speak up because that would lead to estrangement of the very folks they are trying to woo. the uninformed masses who have everything to lose by supporting them.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 19, 09 10:00 AM CDT

@dontlike - would you for once contribute a cohesive intelligible thought based on some - any balanced and rational process of separating fact from fiction?

IN RESPONSE:

radnip
Sep 21, 09 5:44 AM CDT

They're like children, waiting for the parents to fix all the problems so they can ask for the credit card again...

| 0 minutes ago

paul123
Sep 19, 09 7:58 AM CDT

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, racism knows no political boundaries. However to try to pin racism exclusively on the right is a favorite and abhorrent pastime of the left. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

JaneMP
Sep 19, 09 8:03 AM CDT

that's because there are MANY more racists on the right--but, again, not everyone on the right is a racist. They are all lacking in courage to stand up against this tide, however.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 19, 09 8:21 AM CDT

JaneMP, you don't have a clue what you are talking about, but then, neither does the man you idolize, Mr. Obama, the empty suit from Chicago. You are what we on the right refer to as "blissfully ignorant" of the truth and so very necessary to the success of politicians on the left who seek to destroy this country.

-11

IN RESPONSE:

shonangreg
Sep 19, 09 9:39 AM CDT

Paul, I don't see anyone trying to pin racism exclusively on the Right, but nothing is happening on the Left. We are trying to get health care reformed -- giving more power to the people than more money to cheating health insurance companies. Is that based in racism -- at all? And we're trying to prosecute Bush era torture and privacy violations. Any racism there? Just where is the racism *in the political actions* of the Left now?

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Sep 19, 09 4:56 PM CDT

@cantstandyou - I think I may finally call you on the central idiocy that you repeat so often. Why, in your much-valued opinion, would a politician of any side, right or left "seek to destroy this country?" Because he doesn't live here? Because he works for North Korea? Because he's got all his money in a Swiss Bank account? Because he's really Osama bin Laden? Because he's from Mars? Enlighten us, please - I'm sure your answer will be both interesting and deeply absurd, perhaps even a little deranged.

IN RESPONSE:

paul123
Sep 20, 09 1:42 AM CDT

@shonangreg: It's all over Greg! One of the same old tunes out of the left's play book is that the GOP and conservatives are racist.

| 0 minutes ago

dontlikeyou
Sep 19, 09 8:20 AM CDT

You can tell when the democrats poll numbers are in the tank because they begin to play the race card. When Obama was elected president, everything was glorious. Now that the American people are turning from him, it must be race related.----- You democrats are very sick. I am so looking forward to 2010 and 2012. Reply

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 8:46 AM CDT

I enjoy reading your posts the same way I enjoy reading a good piece of fiction...and for the same reasons.

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Sep 19, 09 12:12 PM CDT

So basically yourt saying you trust GOP members? There isn't a politician in DC that isb't corrupt, so it doesn't matter what party is in office. The fact that so many people stated that they have been duisgusted iwht the givernment for years, but only just now decide to have Tea parties belittles your comments. Where were these people during the eight years of Clinton and Bush. You never heard Hannity pushing for Americans to protest the government until Obama tookoffice. If he had at least done this while others were in office I would understand, but when people are saying they have suffered the government for decades and are only now protesting, it relfects a flow of bad times.

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 2:00 PM CDT

I think the real difference between the Dems and the Republicans is that for Republicans corruption is institutionalized. They are already in for the scheme from Jump St. With Dems their corruption is more individual with those who have fallen from grace meeting someone who was willing to meet their particular price. At least with Dems there's a possibility they aren't corrupt.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Sep 19, 09 2:39 PM CDT

Yes, Obama's twice-as-high-as-Bush-and-holding-steady poll numbers are "in the tank." Soooo then what does that make Bush's 20% approval rating then? You don't look forward to 2010 half as much as I do, dontlikeyou -- because you'll have healthcare, and your rear end handed to you.

| 0 minutes ago

MrsK
Sep 19, 09 8:55 AM CDT

Prove it. You can allege anything you want, but you have to be able to prove it. In this case you can't because it simply isn't true. But if it makes you feel good to toss out liberal lies, fine, liars. Reply

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 9:58 AM CDT

I picture you screaming "LIES" like that German broad in Austin Powers except my image of you has a titanic ass.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 19, 09 10:22 AM CDT

here you go again k. did you even bother to read the article or are you so entrenched in your teeth grinding and frustrated inability to voice a reasonable argument that all you can do is spit out your same old claims of lies, liars etc. i'm surprised that you aren't tired of the same old same old. i know i am. please come up with another mo.

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Sep 19, 09 12:13 PM CDT

MrsK you can't prove any of your comments, yet your asking for others to validate theirs? And since when were you a staunch supporter of the NYT?

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Sep 19, 09 9:24 AM CDT

That's not reality. If the anecdote you describe really happened and you're not just making it up (I have no problem believing you've made it up given your tenuous hold on reality, Buh), your boy Nigel and his lady are racists, through and through. Britain has its share, and you shared your house with two of them. Or did you think racism was limited to the US? Hardly. The British contribution to modern racism was "the white man's burden" of the British Empire, doncha know, old boy.

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 10:01 AM CDT

I love how the right denies being racist and then it's members post some of the most hateful racist remarks ever conceived by the mind of man. Again Buh, I will repeat, you are the anus of humanity.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 19, 09 10:27 AM CDT

what's next bubba, you've had tea with the queen? you are truly disgusting.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Sep 19, 09 11:35 AM CDT

Why hasn't Newser kicked this guy out yet? Just click on his name and read his comments history. As Doc said, these same racists making these comments are the ones that are playing the victim card. Oh those poor racist bastards!

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Sep 19, 09 5:00 PM CDT

Don't feed the trolls. Thumb him/her/it out.

| 0 minutes ago

hamsammichs
Sep 19, 09 9:57 AM CDT

Man, the left REALLY likes playing the race card. I mean really? Every other newser story? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 2:02 PM CDT

Yep, there's no racism on the right. Just read Buh's comments above to prove it.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader60610265
Sep 19, 09 10:19 AM CDT

What did you expect from the liberals .For the next four years anytime you criticises the President they're going to be called racist or a bigot .So there is no point in trying to explain why your not one or the other , because the left doesn't care . Obama is a liar in my opinion so if that makes me a racist or a bigot so be it. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 2:06 PM CDT

...Yep, there's no racism on the right. Just read Buh's comments above to prove it.

| 0 minutes ago

acerbus80
Sep 19, 09 12:03 PM CDT

More appropriately it's the left riding the wave of racism. This is what they've been waiting for. Now when the right attacks the president's policies, they don't have to defend him, they simply whip out the old "YOU'RE A RACIST!" line and put the right on the defensive. Seriously, the most racists ones are the ones making all the accusations themselves, further prepetuating what they claim to decry. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Sep 19, 09 2:09 PM CDT

....Yep, there's no racism on the right. Just read Buh's comments above to prove it.

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Sep 19, 09 5:06 PM CDT

I'll agree that the right is not riding the wave of racism on the day I see Citrixslime, Cantstandyou, donethewrongthang, spamerican or even godawgs condemn the puke spouted by Buh. Until then, you're all tarred with the same brush. Live with it.

| 0 minutes ago

chas_m
Sep 19, 09 2:37 PM CDT

Only the simple-minded (hi Timmynator!) would confuse "opposing a policy decision" with racism. Not everyone who has a problem with a given decision of this administration is a racist. But a disturbingly high factor in some of the vitriol we've seen is undeniably racist, and if the few remaining honest conservatives don't speak up about it, they implicitly condone it to further their own cause. Or have you not seen the Obamacare "witch doctor" picture yet? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikenobody
Sep 19, 09 5:02 PM CDT

Don't feed the troll. Thumb him/her/it out.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Sep 19, 09 9:02 PM CDT

sure the right is rascist...That why they defeated the democraps when it came to passing the first HOW MANY civil rights bills???? All dem opposed, and dont forget Lincoln was not a dem, Byrd was..(then there was the asshat Duke but he isn't very prominent any more..yes there are a few repbulicans that are too)..But no side is any more or less "rascist" than the other. Despite the left wing insistance it is..... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

SPH
Sep 20, 09 12:35 AM CDT

Yeah, that's why blacks in the US are equally divided amongst the two parties....Are you blind?....

| 0 minutes ago

Bladenfist
Oct 9, 09 6:57 AM CDT

Not to mention that this story is purely anecdotal and is merely opinion. There are no facts to back it up. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 52 comments »

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GOP 'Riding a Wave of Racism'

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GOP 'Riding a Wave of Racism'

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India Miffed By Obama's Bond With Beijing

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