Shrub echoes Biden : Obama Is ‘An Attractive Guy, He’s Articulate’

[deminks]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/31/bush-biden-obama/

In comments first reported in the New York Observer, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) said Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Biden’s insensitive remarks were roundly criticized, and he has since apologized. The Chicago Tribune explained:

Note to Biden. Well-spoken black people hate it when white people call them “articulate.” It’s the modern-day version of what white people used to say back in the day when they thought that by saying “He’s a credit to his race” they were saying something that a black person would welcome hearing.

Those dated words, like Biden’s comments, were patronizing at the very least. And they also appeared to carry some pretty negative assumptions about the majority of the race.

President Bush may need similar sensitivity training. In an interview today with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto, Bush echoed Biden’s remarks when asked about Obama. “He’s an attractive guy. He’s articulate. I’ve been impressed with him when I’ve seen him in person,” Bush said. Watch it:

[illinoisprogressive]

1. I felt the Articulate thing was degrading but, the clean thing that everyone

has been commenting on I thought meant not corrupt like so many pols. That was not what bothered me. it was the articulate as in the fact that none of the other prominent african americans who came before and are around now aren't.

[deminks]

2. I thought like you did. And for Bush to echo the same phrase today

is doubly inexcusable.

[Raine]

4. Maybe he meant it as clean from corruption

but it still seems like an odd comment to make, is he implying than that all the other Democrats running (like Edwards and Clinton) are corrupt.x(

[thoughtcrime1984]

3. It came across as catty, and was a stupid remark.

Bush and "Bye"den are both idiots.

[Southsideirish]

5. Totally!

[ecstatic]

6. Articulate.. something Bush will NEVER be

I don't even think Bush is qualified to comment on anybody else's articulateness.

[lvx35]

7. Bush just wants to stir the BS pot, I'll bet.

He sees everybody getting upset about this, and wants to see if he can cause more trouble. That's my guess.