The bigger advantage: Being a black man, or the wife of a popular U.S. president? (votes, campaign)

[brattpowered]

It has become acceptable for many Clinton supporters to echo the sentiments of Geraldine Ferraro, whose words suggest that Barack Obama wouldn't have come this close to the presidency if he were born white or female.

One only needs to travel the posh, wisteria-lined boulevards of Detroit or North Philadelphia to discover all of the undue advantages that are afforded black men in the United States. However, what about the less obvious advantages that come with being the wife of a popular, two-term president of the United States?

The question of the day is this: Is Obama's status of a black man in America more of an advantage in life, and in becoming president, than Clinton's status as a former first lady?

[Huckleberry3911948]

both are very sharp and competent. i dont think either are losers by any means.
obama presents very well. hillary is definitely not a front office girl though brillant in the behind
the scenes. time for the democrats to fall back and punt.

[Manigault]

Well, a lot of black men have run for president and lost. How many wives of presidents even entered politics? So its hard to say anything that has any level of credibility.

Maybe neither one is an unfair advantage! Now, that makes sense!!!!

[expat007]

Black man has to prove his worth; which obama has done with a law professorship.

Hillbilly seems to think she can coast along on Billy's coattail.

Obama needed to prove to the blacks that he wasnt too white (80% black vote), now he needs to convince the whites that he s NOT too black (25% ?)


HillBilly just gains votes because of who she is; Obama has to work for his votes

[montanamom]

It's interesting that people consider being partially of African American descent an advantage in Barack Obama's run for the White House. It was not that long ago that it would have been considered an insurmountable obstacle!

I don't think most of Obama's supporters see his color, it's a shame those opposed to him keep trying to make such a huge issue out of it. Yes, he won Mississippi. That was expected. But Iowa? Sorry, it's NOT just a "race" thing this time out. I'm in freakin' Montana for God's sakes - everyone I know is excited about Obama's campaign. And no, we're not a bunch of clueless young people! Most of us are middle aged and raising our own "youth". And as far as the good old white boy politicians? We've had ENOUGH thanks.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by montanamom

It's interesting that people consider being partially of African American descent an advantage in Barack Obama's run for the White House. It was not that long ago that it would have been considered an insurmountable obstacle!

I guess white women get a pass on bigotry, because last I checked you'd be hard pressed to find any African American who would agree with the sentiment that it is "an advantage" in any way, shape or form. How do you explain 70% to 27% of WHITE MEN in Mississippi going for Clinton? You really think they are swayed by her experience and platform?

I am thankful that threads like this, along with G. Ferraro's comments are finally coming to light. They can only help things in the future... IMO it is a discussion that needs to happen, when all the cards are laid down we can determine whether these are bigoted sentiments or not.

[Prince of Lombards]

I said being a Black man, because you have quite a sizeable group of Whites who feel compelled to vote for a Black man in order to prove to themselves that they aren't "racist".

[politically_correct]

Originally Posted by Prince of Lombards

I said being a Black man, because you have quite a sizeable group of Whites who feel compelled to vote for a Black man in order to prove to themselves that they aren't "racist".

EXACTLY RIGHT! People are voting for Obama because he makes them feel right. He is a black man who is not scary like Jessie Jackson who would seem white to a blind man. He is the perfect feel good trail blazer for an America who feels we need to prop up the minorities.

[walidm]

Originally Posted by politically_correct

EXACTLY RIGHT! People are voting for Obama because he makes them feel right. He is a black man who is not scary like Jessie Jackson who would seem white to a blind man. He is the perfect feel good trail blazer for an America who feels we need to prop up the minorities.

Interesting.
It seems that based on demographics alone, America does not feel they have to prop up minorities. In fact, I would venture, America feels, it's minorities are well qualified to handle the same responsibilities as any other group with the same level of competency they see in themselves. If you recall, the highest membership of the NAACP is white women. As minorities, women are well represented by the vote, as have been all demographics thus far. The comments coming to light today are another milestone in which we can address the proper way to conduct ourselves when dealing with issues or statements which demean a persons character based on skin color. An idiot is an idiot. And funny people are funny...who cares what they look like?

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by Prince of Lombards

I said being a Black man, because you have quite a sizeable group of Whites who feel compelled to vote for a Black man in order to prove to themselves that they aren't "racist".

What has shifted so much that white americans are compelled to vote for a black man in order to "prove to themselves they aren't racist?" Why didn't these white people vote in large numbers for the other black candidates that have run in the past? Did they not feel compelled to prove they weren't racist then, but now they do? Or perhaps, these white people actually like the candidate choice they have now, and they didn't like the black choices they had previously? No, that couldn't be it.