See earlier posts by Pat and Scott, but here's Biden yesterday:"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American, who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy," he said. "I mean, that's a storybook, man."Wow, I still cringe a little inside every time I see that quote. Obviously everyone is all agog at Biden's gaffes and even the Kos kids are running away. And you bet everyone on the right is piling on. Including myself. It's an obvious question as to what Biden meant when he said that.
And now we have Obama responding:
I didn't take Senator Biden's comments personally, but obviously they were historically inaccurate. African-American presidential candidates like Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns, and no one would call them inarticulate.As Frum pointed out, they might be unethical and dirty (in a political sense) but they were all quite articulate. More so than Biden, I would add. I disagree with Frum though -- Obama was right to respond. He was actually quite restrained. Presidential politics ain't beanbag and there's nothing wrong with Obama correcting the gaffe, and scoring a few points on the way.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. Anytime a comment is made by a white person in comparison of black person the whole of America goes mad. I no doubt like Mr. Obama sees no racial connatation in Mr Biden's statement. If anything Mr. Biden's is complimentary to a fresh face in the White House. Being clean diffinately does not label black people with anything sterotypical of the race. However, white America and some blacks will harbour their complexes and become devisive in their relationship with people of other colors and differences. I compliment Mr. Obama in not jumping on a political divisive bandwagon, and as for the other black leaders the comment was for Mr Obama and not suggesting that they are inarticulate (This has nothing to do with slang or ebonics), but suggests that Mr. Obama is aware of the issues in America and is quite able to address them at any level grassroots or in "glass" penthouses.
ONEOFA at 10:18AM on Feb 2nd 2007
17. Joe Biden's comments were racist. I always wondered why there were never enough white people who loiked him and Dick Gephart. I guess their own people could see something beneath their masks that even some of us blacks couldn't see. In the 21 st Century white people really believe that its a complimemnt to call a black person clean and articulate? I never hear white people describe other white people with such adjectives. Obama will never be able to give speeches like Jesse Jackson or MLK. He's not anymore articulate than many other blacks I know. He's just saying what white people want to hear.Joe Biden is too stupid to be President. He just outed himself. Rush Limbaugh is right about "self-congratualatory white liberals." When they don't have a script in front of them the don't know what to say. As Grandma use to say,"What's in you, will come out of you. You can't hide who you are." Joe Biden, its over. You're done before you even got started. Its sad because some of us Blacks were rooting for you based on your experience and knowledge of foreign affairs. You blew it.
Mitch at 2:14AM on Feb 2nd 2007
18. In this practical example (Biden Vrs Obama) of intelligence and wisdom, Obama is the clear winner.
Bob Rogan at 10:46PM on Feb 1st 2007
19. Obama= Will only push issues that matter to blacks. General welfare will take over basically defeating the whole captialist system. Affirmative action will go too far, and people will get into college that dont deserve to.
DTR at 12:46AM on Feb 2nd 2007
20. Barack Obama is, truly, intriguing. He has an amazing background if you research it. His diversity works in his favor. Senority in the government isn't synonomous with good judgement. There's a plethera of foolishness all up and through the nation's capitol. The fact that he has the nation talking is indicative of his pull. He has the nations's attention. Hillary Clinton has the Clinton legacy working in her favor. They are both MORE THAN worth watching. The other candidates for the democratic party are wasting their time and money. America has already spoken. I'm excited to see what 2008 holds. Either way, the change is going to be phenomenal and I'm ready!
BlueHalo8604 at 1:26AM on Feb 2nd 2007
21. I do not think that Obama did a good job of responding. Did Biden state that the other African American politicians were inaritculate? No. Logically speaking, praising someone as being articulate (i.e., Senator Obama, in Senator Biden's opinion, is "articulate") does not mean that everyone else in the world is not articulate. Saying that someone is intelligent, as well, does not mean that others are not intelligent.
There is no justification for taking any offense to Senator Biden's comments. The twisted reading is not ethical and all an effort of Republicans to immediately squash the Democrat's only chance of beating the Republicans in the race for the presidency.
Also, remember the poor. FDR and democrats did more for the social/public good than the rich "Christian conservatives." It was the command of our Lord Jesus Christ for social equity and aid to our fellow human beings. Blatant capitalism is contrary to Christianity.
H. Shin at 2:13AM on Feb 2nd 2007
22. Senator Obama, I still hold you in high and excellent regard. (To offset my prior posting).
H. Shin at 3:42AM on Feb 2nd 2007
23. Too bad people are trying to wash the statement made by Joe Biden under the rug.Let's call a spade a spade,the statement was more derogatory than anything else in order to disparage a man aiming for a position that any FREE BORN citizen of this great country can apsire to.
ifebu at 7:37AM on Feb 2nd 2007
24. I don't think Biden meant anything derogitory against Obama, If he had meant to take a cheap shot, I'm sure he would have gone into the whole Muslim nonsense. Obama , seems like a good candidate, The facts are, he's going to have enough trouble convincing the American people to vote for a Muslim. If I were Obama, I wouldnt even mention Jackson, or Sharpton. These two men have done nothing but Twist every scenario known to man to be a Black/White issue
Steve Sylvestro at 11:53AM on Feb 2nd 2007
25. What is wrong about Barak Obama
(1) The Presidency of the United States is an executive position. Barak Obama has never held an executive position of any type. No Governor, no Mayor, no CEO, not even the manager of a department store, or caption of a Swift boat. He did teach in a law school for 4 years.
(2) Barak Obama has only two years of experience in the federal government. Would anyone allow someone with only two years of experience in the aviation industry run an airline, or two years in retail run a department store, or two years of experience in a sport run a national franchise?
(3) The Presidency is an executive position that requires specific plans for solving problems. Check out Barak Obama’s web site where he states his positions in the broadest and vaguest possible terms; it contains no specific plans for anything.
(4) Between 1983 and 1985 Barak Obama spent a year working for Business International Corporation. You do not have to believe me it is in his biography on his web site and in his bio in Wikipedia.
Business International Corp. is a law firm that specializes in helping companies moving their manufacturing and product development overseas. Check out Business International Corp’s web site or their listing in Wikipedia. Someone who’s only job in the private sector was shipping jobs overseas is not someone that should be in charge of the USA economy.
(5) The best job Barak Obama has ever had is US Senate for two years for $160,000 per year. Yet he just purchased a house for $1,600,000. If he is not on the take his wife must have a valorously well paying job.
(6) Until a few days ago Barak Obama’s web site said he was educated in a Moslem school for at least 2 years while he lived in Indonesia from age 6 to age 12. His posting in Wikipedia still says that. Yet his supporters are claiming it is a smear even though it is the truth
What is hard to believe that Barak Obama is 24 % of the publics’ choice for president.
Bruce Saltzman 501st of the 101st Viet Nam 1968-69 at 2:30PM on Feb 2nd 2007
26. Bruce: I think you are failing to grasp Obama's appeal and the shallow basis upon which the American electorate votes.
Obama is an unknown quantity and people are indulging a tendency to read into him whatever their hopes and wishes might be. A jaundiced public hungers for something new and looks hopefully to any fresh face. On the other hand, he is clearly an uncredentialed lightweight and it is somewhat amusing to see him being taken so seriously.
But let's not be too hard on Obama or, for that matter, his competition. It's not the politicians...they are just creatures who must pander to survive. No, it's the American electorate which has the depth and gravitas of a gnat with ADD. It's scary who is voting, their decision making processes, how they can be swayed and, above all, that the outcome might actually matter. The only comfort in this is that our founding fathers appear to have been both wise and effective in designing a government to guard against the worst rather than ensure the best.
Cincinnati Rick at 3:04PM on Feb 2nd 2007
27. Sen. Biden has been saying great things for years, such as his plan for Iraq. that doesn't make news, only this non-issue. lets stay on the important things like the war, global warming, and energy, or we will get more bad leadership. you still have my support, Joe
scott carpenter at 10:37AM on Feb 5th 2007
28. WELL NOW WE HAVE A CLEAN CUT AND VERY INTELLIGENT AFRICAN AMERICAN TO REPRESENT US...YES. WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT MR. OBAMA I FEEL HAD TWO MEANINGS. YES HE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. OBAMA'S INTELLIGENCE AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION BUT AT THE SAME TIME I FELT THAT THERE WAS SARCASM IN ITSELF TO SAY THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS GENERALLY DON'T PRESENT LIKE MR. OBAMA. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS SOME IGNORANCE IN THAT STATEMENT. HAD MR. OBAMA TAKEN THAT NEGATIVLY THEN THE STATEMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN READ AS IGNORANT AND OPENED A WHOLE NEW CAN OF WORMS. BARACK OBAMA IS A POSITIVE MAN AND HANDLED THE COMMENT WITH GRACE.
karin at 10:25PM on Feb 4th 2007
29. Illegals will all be legal if Obama has his way .. he will destroy this country. He just got elected to the senate and already has deserted his post to go on trips to Africa and run for president. And as for Balck and articulte.. Colin powell is twice as smart and wouldn't sell our country out to mexico
jeff l at 9:58AM on Feb 26th 2007
30. joe biden, damb man , i think your a real prick, but you know what? i think thats just what the american people needs, tfrazier
todd tk at 9:46PM on Feb 23rd 2007