Did Michelle Obama (and Oprah) say Black people should vote for Obama just because he's Black? NO!

[jenmito]

Some people keep repeating the falsehood that Michelle Obama said Black people should vote for her husband just because they're Black. But that's NOT what she said. She was asked about a middle-aged Black woman who said she likes Obama, and would LIKE to vote for him, but she probably won't because she doesn't think a Black person could win the presidency. Michelle was talking about that woman and other Black people who felt the same way. She did NOT say Black people should vote for Obama because he's Black. Same with Oprah. SHE said Black people shouldn't be AFRAID to vote for him if you like him because you think he, as a Black man, can't win. That is NOT telling people to vote for him because he's Black.

Here's part of the interview Michelle talked about it:

Brzezinski: It's interesting you say that, excuse me, because the stewardess yesterday, a 52 year African American and I asked her are you interested in Barack Obama and would you vote for him and she said I don't think so because he probably can't win because he's black.

Obama: That's right, that the physiology that's going on in our souls and our heads and I understand it, I know where it's coming from you know and I think it's one of the horrible legacies of racism and discrimination and depression you know it keeps people down in their souls in a way where you know sometimes they can't move beyond it. But the truth of the matter is that that's something we're gonna have to get over as a community and you do it by forging ahead fearlessly. I would not be where I am, I wouldn't have gone to Princeton, I wouldn't have gone to Harvard I certainly wouldn't be a practicing attorney, neither would Barack if we listened to that doubt. You know, and there are a lot of kids who I know who aren't pushing themselves or going for what they know they can do because of that doubt. We have to move beyond it not just for Barack in this Presidency, but for the future of our community we’ve got to show people of color a different possibility. And I think that once they see what's possible then they own it, they believe it, I think that some black folks think that Barack won't win because the white people won't vote for Barack.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21771034/page/3/

[Cameron27]

1. If you're going to argue the case,

how about linking to her statement so we can judge the quote for ourselves.

[jenmito]

2. I'll look for a link. I found it and edited my OP.

[sandnsea]

3. But Hillary IS saying women are voting for her

just because she's a woman. Funny double standard there.

[RethugAssKicker]

4. True.. and how many Jews are for Israel

just because its a Jewish State ?

[jenmito]

5. That's right.

Where's the outrage?

[Bullet1987]

9. It is a double-standard...

Black people have to be quiet in their support for each other...

:sarcasm:

I couldn't care less if people did like Obama because he is Black.

[jenmito]

11. It sure is...

And could you imagine if Obama said "I'm your Black man" like Hillary says "I'm your girl"?

[Kucinich4America]

10. I don't know if Hillary is saying it, but I've seen others say so on this board.

That they are voting for Hillary simply because they want a woman to be President.

The first election I voted in was 1984. I voted for Geraldine Ferraro for VP then, and would not have had any problem with her becoming President had Mondale been unable to complete his term. As it is, we got stuck with Reagan again, and many people think Nancy was more of a president than he was (though I always suspected Poppy Bush was really calling the shots)

Point is that some day we will have a President who is not a white male. But "not a white male" shouldn't be anybody's primary reason to vote for a candidate. Of the three "not white males" currently running for the job, I'd say Bill Richardson is more qualified than Obama and Hillary combined, yet he gets no attention from the corporate media.

As of right now, I'll stick with a "white male" because he's correct on the ISSUES.

[sandnsea]

12. Hillary says it all the time

Women come for miles, fathers bring their daughters, they tell me they're all excited to be able to vote for a woman for President. She has said it regularly. I'm surprised anybody could miss it.

Richardson is a lousy campaigner and is not articulating a hopeful vision. Dodd and Biden represent the stodgy old Washington that people are sick of. There are legitimate reasons people are not drawn to them.

[jenmito]

13. Yup. Same with her story about the 95-year old women who come up to her

and say they'd love to live to see the day when a woman is elected president.

[sniffa]

6. yes

Ben David keeps saying so.

[jenmito]

8. I know.

:)

[butterfly77]

7. I don't know about that but...

This morning I heard a caller on cspan say something about Obama's church and that they have 10 or 12 rules about as member he has to follow about being black. I didn't hear all of it but from what I heard this will be showing up somewhere on the campaign if he is nominated and on fox. From what he was saying they will be really playing the race card. Does anyone know what he was talking about?

[jenmito]

14. Was it a Repub. caller? And what does that have to do with this thread anyway?

:shrug: