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analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
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
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
ROLLICKING RHODE ISLAND

Zip It on
Communion
Ban: Bishop
to Kennedy

Tobin thinks Patrick's spiritual matters should be left private

4 hours, 20 minutes ago
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
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Utilities, transport, even gambling, are now $3.5B drains

5 hours, 50 minutes ago
Debt-Happy US Faces Payback Time as Rates Rise

Cost of debt to skyrocket $500B in next 10 years

10 hours, 13 minutes ago
First State Dinner to
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Mad scramble for invitations

15 hours, 59 minutes ago
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM 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
Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

South Carolina senator throws weight behind conservative insurgents

9 hours, 54 minutes ago
Ethics Panel Charges Sanford With 37 Violations

Civil committee slams SC gov for travel expenses

3 hours, 17 minutes ago
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

|NEXT STORY »

'LATE SHOW' SNEAK PEEK

'I Was Black Before the Election'

Obama and Letterman tackle the tough topics, including potatoes

By M. Morris| Posted Sep 21, 09 5:53 PM CDT|

(Newser) – President Obama's media blitz continues tonight on The Late Show With David Letterman, where he'll remind the host, "I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election." Snippets CBS released after this afternoon's taping reveal lighthearted moments and more serious stretches, as well as an interaction with an audience member who arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theater toting a heart-shaped potato.

In his sixth turn in Letterman's guest chair and first as president, Obama claimed he agreed to appear on the show "to see that heart-shaped potato." He also discussed his daughters' school vacation—"they basically just goofed off all summer"—the economy, the situation in Afghanistan, and opposition to his health care reform efforts. "One of the things that you sign up for in politics," he explained, "is that folks yell at you."

David Letterman motions towards press photographers trailing President Obama during a break at a taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman" this afternoon at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama and David Letterman share a laugh while taping "The Late Show with David Letterman" late today at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama confers with David Letterman during a break in taping today at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama and David Letterman chat during a break at this afternoon's taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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11.23.09

Books Are Bad for You

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

43 comments

VIEWING:

dontlikeyou
Sep 21, 09 5:56 PM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment. Reply

-20

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Sep 21, 09 5:59 PM CDT

dummmm....why do you care? He's still of African AND American decent.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 21, 09 6:00 PM CDT

I was pointing out reality. Why do you care? Does it matter to you because you are a racist Fondue?

-17

IN RESPONSE:

sameold
Sep 21, 09 6:05 PM CDT

perhaps a #bbbbbb or maybe #dd8866 actually I think its closer to #997766

+10

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Sep 21, 09 6:05 PM CDT

Although still in use, in the last decade or so the term mulatto has fallen out of favor among some people and may be considered offensive by some in the United States. Today the preferred terms are generally bi-racial or multiracial.

+13

IN RESPONSE:

nick
Sep 21, 09 6:22 PM CDT

I (insert username here)!

-1

IN RESPONSE:

armywife
Sep 21, 09 6:50 PM CDT

dontlikeyou, what are you? channeling scarlet ohara? "mulatto"? are you kidding me? who uses that term anymore? next you'll be calling his kids "piccaninnies" like my 92 year-old southern grandma used to do. join us here in the 21st century and use the term "bi-racial". *thats* reality.

IN RESPONSE:

jamerican
Sep 21, 09 6:59 PM CDT

I really hate the term african american...why put africa first...do you want to go back there to live...why not say you are an amercian first...I think it shows your loyalty to your country...I want everyone to change this and stop saying it...say black or amercian of african desent. and for the record obama is half black and half white.

-10

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Sep 21, 09 7:03 PM CDT

jamerican: Why don't you bitch about irish-american, italian-american, hungarian-american, etc. then? Oh that's right, I almost forgot; you're a f*cking hypocrite.

IN RESPONSE:

BlahBlahBlah
Sep 21, 09 7:06 PM CDT

dontlikeyou calling someone a racist. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.

IN RESPONSE:

odowd80
Sep 21, 09 8:35 PM CDT

Barack Obama is black. You do not have to be of 100% african descent to be black. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 21, 09 9:13 PM CDT

Just a technicality I know, but he (Obama) is not of American descent if he has no Native American descendants.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 21, 09 9:23 PM CDT

Just one more thing, not really important perhaps, just a pet peeve of mine: The word "African" in the term "African American", refers to a continent, not a nation. the same goes with the term "Asian American". Therefore Italian- Americans, Irish-Americans, etc., it seems to me, ought to be referred to as European-Americans. Maybe this is what confused Sarah Palin.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:05 AM CDT

OMG free! ty!! i was thinking that since his comment. like DERR if american is 1st, its not accurate...we are speaking of people who are american, if you put america 1st, then the second word becomes where they are from and it is then incorrect...america-african? american-africa? american-african? ...all those mean they are then people from africa, i'm american-danish -- wrong! i'm not from denmark! im danish-american ... merican-ja...you amaze me

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Sep 22, 09 1:58 AM CDT

ouch

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 22, 09 1:58 AM CDT

DJM420, I regret that my insufficiency of articulacy has caused a misunderstanding of how I stand on the subject of ethnic labeling. Since I am of the opinion that we should celebrate our diversity, please don't number me with those who ignorantly object to the term "African-American". I was merely observing that only Native-Americans are technically of "American descent". And also, that since those of African descent, and those of Asian descent, are typically referred to as African-Americans, and Asian-American, respectively, than why not refer to those of European descent as European-Americans, instead of "white" (pink would be more accurate) 0r "Caucasian", or Irish-American, or Italian-American, etc., Since these refer to individual nation states comprising the European continent, and not the continent itself.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 22, 09 2:13 AM CDT

On the subject of articulacy, upon reading my response, posted above (I trust), I conclude that "lack of sufficient articulacy", would have been much preferable to "insufficiency of articulacy". Damn! There is probably an even more clear and simple way of expressing it, but this is the best I can come up with off of the top of my head, so to speak. I wonder what the word "pedantic" means.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Sep 22, 09 5:20 AM CDT

Thank you sameold... Nothing slays a crowd like HTML humor.

IN RESPONSE:

jagerhans
Sep 22, 09 6:19 AM CDT

did someone notice that in South Park Obama is ... grey ?

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Sep 22, 09 8:46 AM CDT

OK America, the concept and the country, did not occur under the rule and occupation of the Natives. The Europeans moved in and pushed the natives out. They were not a part of "America" until they joined or were forced into it. They replaced them, they same way they replaced prior cultures. Natives were not "from" America, they went to it, as did anyone who joined the country before or since.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:55 PM CDT

@free...i was agreeing with you and talking shit about jamerican's comment...i'm so misunderstood lately! >>> "OMG free! ty!! i was thinking that since his comment." should've read "OMG free! ty!! i was thinking that since jamerican's comment."

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 22, 09 3:46 PM CDT

DJ, please accept my apology for my misunderstanding in thinking you misunderstood me. Nobody likes to be misunderstood. I still wonder if am being misunderstood by some on this subject. I don't know whose thumbing me down, nor why they are doing so. I thought my comments on this subject were original, humorous, and witty. Oh well, it keeps me humble.

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Sep 21, 09 6:18 PM CDT

This is why the backlash against Obummer is NOT race-based. People knew he was black. What they didn't know that he was farther to the left than any previous president, and once known they began leaving his camp in droves. The funny thing is, the left still hasn't figured out why people are backing out. It hasn't dawned on them that it's their politics (they are too arrogant to believe that the vast majority of Americans reject their agenda). So, what do they do? Blame it on racism! The only reason why anyone would oppose Obummer is racism, right? Wrong! It's the agenda, stupid. Reply

-8

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Sep 21, 09 6:30 PM CDT

If anything he's shown that he is not far enough to the left. People were expecting much more in terms of social liberalism. Such as shutting down don't ask don't tell, and defending the rights of gay Americans to marry. Any valid criticism from the right about fiscal issues is immediately undercut by the backwards religious & social agenda attached to it.

IN RESPONSE:

armywife
Sep 21, 09 6:51 PM CDT

you really do just have a completely alternate view of reality, dont you? it's fascinating....

IN RESPONSE:

jamerican
Sep 21, 09 7:01 PM CDT

You are right!

-3

IN RESPONSE:

rtl
Sep 21, 09 7:49 PM CDT

well he still has better approval ratings than repubs. sorry to dash your dreams but people aren't abandoning him in droves. They still hate shrub, cheney, sanford (... and all the others) more.

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 21, 09 9:47 PM CDT

By and large I agree with you about the racism part, as does Obama himself. As far as his agenda goes, I am almost 100% in agreement with it.

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 21, 09 9:49 PM CDT

My response, also, was meant for Jay. I hope this one post in the right place.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:08 AM CDT

"This is why the backlash against Obummer is NOT race-based." lol...maybe not... buts yours and your crew on this board usually is/are ....thank you for the laugh anyways

-1

| 0 minutes ago

armywife
Sep 21, 09 6:52 PM CDT

that comment was for Jay, to be clear, not raj... Reply

| 0 minutes ago

HiFlyer
Sep 21, 09 6:53 PM CDT

But no one would rather have a third scum-sucker WBush presiduncery. Especially not the 4200+ families that have lost their loved ones in his lying hunt for WMD. Maybe it's only hope and change. But that still beats the McCain-Palin option. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Sep 21, 09 7:28 PM CDT

@hi maybe you didn't notice but so far this is turning out to be Bush's third term.

IN RESPONSE:

odowd80
Sep 21, 09 8:26 PM CDT

@dawg: While on some national security (or should I say domestic surveillance) issues you certainly have a point, but Bush would have never signed the credit card reform bill or a minimum wage increase. Nor would he have pushed for health care reform or sustainable energy policy.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:14 AM CDT

@god so far your are kind of right... but i'm going to throw the 'credit' CARD act in the ring... WAY more help for consumers/middle/lower class folks than they we ever got from Gbush - it could be better, but still way more in 9 mos than bush gave us in 10 years - YES 10!! because it feels like it was that long! LOL

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:17 AM CDT

omg dowd, now i read your comment... DERR. well i might have jumped right to reply to you dawg (cause i heart you) but at least i thumbs up'd you.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

TheMan
Sep 21, 09 7:27 PM CDT

There's something about Obama that's just not right. Why is he so hung up on his race and everyone else's? He seems to think nothing matters except skin color. We've all seen that. It can't be normal. Does he have feelings of envy and resentment toward white people? Is his snotty, superior attitude a mask to hide his inner feelings of inferiority? Is he trying to "act Black?" Is he, as more and more people are saying, overly sensitive about the way he played "the race card" his whole life? Does he suspect people think he would never have got to first base without "the race card?" The United States needs a mentally and emotionally stable person in the Presidency. Obama is talking and behaving like a person who is so messed in the head that up he can't be trusted. Reply

-9

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Sep 21, 09 8:24 PM CDT

Oh em gee TheMan...what should we do? We have mentally and emotionally unstable person in the White House.

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Sep 21, 09 8:29 PM CDT

It seems TheMan sees things the rest of us have missed, such as the President's racial hang-ups, envy, resentment and superior attitude. Oh, and all those times Mr. Obama has used the race card...his whole life! It must be wonderful to be so percipient!

IN RESPONSE:

cochiserocks
Sep 21, 09 9:48 PM CDT

It's the hardest thing in the world to accept - that there is no puppet master - no master plan. No global conspiracy. Just a bunch of people doing what they do - some greedier, some more motivated, some more open, some less so - but everyone measuring out their lives as they see fit. I don't like conspiracy theories, not because there may or may not be any truth in them - but because they give me an excuse to do nothing, blame someone else, and not take responsibility for the world I live in every day.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Sep 22, 09 12:19 AM CDT

what the hell are you talking about blitz??? UM THE YEAR 2000 COMES TO MIND<<<<<<<<<<<<<

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Sep 24, 09 10:02 AM CDT

Nail on the head, cochiserocks.

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Sep 22, 09 2:00 AM CDT

reminds me of ZZ Tops song "Mexican Blackbird"..lol Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 43 comments »

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