As outrageous as this sounds, Sen. Barack Obama's perceived lack of strong criticism of Don Imus' repulsive remarks might hurt Obama's chances for 2008.
A Boston Globe article notes that Obama did not criticize Imus "until Monday evening, five days after Imus's comments were uttered and hours after CBS Radio and MSNBC announced a two-week suspension for the radio host," and that "the candidate's reticence on the Imus issue set off alarms (Tuesday) among some black activists who are anxious to see him more forcefully push for racial justice." The article depicts Obama's criticism as being more lukewarm than that of his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton or former presidential candidate the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Perhaps Obama could have done more; Clinton, for instance, is inviting visitors to her Web site to send messages of support to the Rutgers women's basketball team. And we need strong voices of condemnation from our leaders when remarks like Imus' surface. In general, we are a country free of speech codes, but when someone uses racist speech, they deserve public denunciation.
Still, Obama's verdict on Imus -- "The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful, and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds" -- sums up the situation pretty well. Maybe it's not as extensive as what Clinton or Sharpton have done, but its point is no less valid.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. The answer to your question is no. No one is asking Bush or Cheney or Rice about it...nor should they. It is a horrible thing to say but they only meaningful way to condemn the behavior is to stop listening to him and he will be made insignificant. Its a cultural and political issue that the people have to make a stand on. Dont make it a political issue by finding a way to be critical of Obama.
lizzie at 4:56PM on Apr 11th 2007
2. IT WAS A STUPID THING TO SAY BUT NOT ANY STUPIDER THAN THE RAPPERS THAT SAY MORE OFFENSIVE WORDS WHERE WAS THE OUT RAGE THEN.. WHEN FOR YEARS AND YEARS THESE WORDS ARE USED IN ALMOST EVERY BLACK SONG WHERE IS AL SHARPTIN ...JESSY THEN ...WHERE ARE THE PROTESTS AND CANCELLATIONS IF IT'S OFFENSIVE NOW AND A SET BACK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEN TO... NOT JUST BECAUSE AN OLD WHITE MAN SAID IT.AND OKAY IF A BLACK MAN USED IT TO MAKE MONEY... OFFENSIVE IS OFFENSIVE NOT ONLY WHEN A WHITE PERSON SAYS IT.
DONNA MARTIN
DONNA MARTIN at 5:06PM on Apr 11th 2007
3. This looks to me like another media or right-wing manufactured controversy, somewhat along the lines of: "Is Obama black enough or too black?"
I long for the day come when, we as a country, will judge candidates for who they are and what they stand for, and not in terms of their race or gender. But judging by questions like this posted so prominently on a site like AOL, that day is far, far away.
John Doble at 5:12PM on Apr 11th 2007
4. Everyone needs to realize that this whole thing is a media gold mine. Nappy headed,burr headed ,slope headed,flat headed, big headed what is the big deal? The more attention given the more unecessary heat generated. This is what the news media doe's start and fuel a feeding frenzie and if you look real close you will notice the more racial the bigger the fire. My grandmother, the wise person that she was told me that "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me".Am I to believe her wrong?
R. Morison at 5:27PM on Apr 11th 2007
5. Obama soars in new national poll.
From http://www.solidpolitics.com
For the first time, Barack Obama beats all potential Republican challengers, according to a poll the Los Angeles Times will release tomorrow.... Obama beats Rudy Giuliani by 4 points; he beats McCain by 8 points; and he slaughters Romney by 19 points....
Bill at 5:54PM on Apr 11th 2007
6. Where were Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when that racist bigot mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, made his comments about a chocolate city...why was there not such a big deal made of this comment??? Also, I can't believe they re-elected this idiot.
Sarah at 6:10PM on Apr 11th 2007
7. Bill Clinton didn't kiss Sister Soljah's black butt, and Obama ain't kissin' the might Jesse Jackson and his evil minion Al Sharpton either. He's right to downplay this whole hubbub about the moronic Imus comments. As far as he's concerned, nobody listens to Imus who would vote for him anyway. When CLinton refused to identify his candidacy with the goals of the so-called ill-fated "rainbow" coalition, his stock amongst white male voters shot up. Obama would be wise to distance himself from the likes of Jackson and Sharpton. They represent the surest path to a denied nomination. And, if they want a viable black candidate for Presidency, Jackson and Sharpton need to cool it, immediately.
Picasso at 6:22PM on Apr 11th 2007
8. The issue is not id Barack Obama said anything. It is more an issue that this tabloid fodder is being forced on us everyday. Yes, Don Imus said someting sexist and racist. But I live in PHiladelphia, where we have topped 100 murders so far this year. Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? Why are they not on Broad Street leading the march?
Also, why is it obligatory for Obama to comment on this issue? Is it because he has to prove he is a real black man? Did everyone run to Barney Frank when Ann Coulter said the F-Word? And why isn't she being raked over the coals daily? For that matter, the same for Rush Limbaugh, who makes sexist and racist remarks daily? Noooo- no-one is calling for his head.
This is just media pizzle on non-existent issues. Notice how little Georgie Boy mentiones success in Iraq unless it's to remark on how Democrats want to stop his messy little war. Not that the media leads with that...heck no. It's Imus and Anna's baby.
tbrough at 6:44PM on Apr 11th 2007
9. WE HAVE KIDS DYING IN IRAQ, A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TURNED INTO A WHOREHOUSE, A MIDDLE CLASS THAT IS UNDER SERIOUS ATTACK, GLOBALIZATION THAT WILL EVENTUALLY ENSLAVE HUMANITY AND MANY OTHER REAL ISSUES THAT THREATEN THIS DEMOCRACY AND WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A TALK SHOW JOCK'S STUPID COMMENTS.
WAKE UP AMERICA THE SMOKE AND MIRROR CAUCUS IS TURNING OUR BRAINS INTO SHIT.
miamiboy at 6:48PM on Apr 11th 2007
10. i've listened(off&on)to imus since 1971.he's arrogant and he often put's his mouth in motion before his brain is in gear. This being said--SO WHAT!!! If it offends you turn himoff. it's what i do when sharpton speaks.you see i have to much respect for my black friends.sharpton holds the black man back.blacks don't need him to tell them what' right or wrong--g.l.
greg lapierre at 7:18PM on Apr 11th 2007
11. we all know this is stupid like some of the comments here say why dont they bitch about this or that. it all comes down to color and we all know it.as far as obama you can have him,he went south and told the people[all black] i know where i came from and i will not forget,i think he did he came from a white women.i will not vote for anyone ashamed of where they came from
william mccotter at 7:31PM on Apr 11th 2007
12. How about instead of downing Imus for what he said which he has already apologized for, maybe we should be empowering the girls from the basketball team to come out and say,"Hey we are on top of the world, we went to the NCAA finals we gave it our best shot, and we are winners no matter the score of the game was, and who thinks otherwise. Wow, what a novel idea. Instead of overplaying the race card and being so critical of what everyone says or how it's said, maybe what the college should have done is downplayed the hoopla about words and taught a real lesson and that is no matter what one says or calls you, you know your the best that you are, because of who you are and look at your accomplishments, not because of what an old fool like Imus says. But what would the college have to gain for putting it on the side burner when they can keep the whole matter alive telling the girls to play the victim, they themselves appear to be the victims. What they should be teaching and these girls should believe is they are the heros, not victims of someone's arrogance. Every one in this country needs to take personal responsibility for their actions including not empowering others to take the moral high road. Banning Imus really is only the scratch of the surface, the real answer would be to also condem the University for pushing these girls to do public stints for the sake of keeping the argument alive. It should have been a one word statment from the group of girls that say we have more important things in life such as graduations, tests and grades than listening to a loser like Imus spewing hate speech period end of sentence. The university should have said their peace that the girls are wonderful human beings who are right now on top of the world and on top of their game. That would have done more good for everyone than protests, tv appearences condeming Imus. And somebody needs to teach Imus that those who live in glass houses need not cast stones. Somebody give Imus a mirror please.
mike capron at 7:37PM on Apr 11th 2007
13. THIS GENERATION WILL DO ANYTHING FOR THE ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR!!! WE DON'T CARE WHO WE HURT OR HOW WE DEGRADE OURSELVES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MINDSET FOR ALL OF US. YES, THE RAPPERS HAVE TAKEN THINGS TOO FAR...ARE WE SO DUMB? THE ABUSED BECOMES THE ABUSER! RAPPER TURNED THERE PAIN INTO $$$ BY TAKING THE PAIN & ABUSE TO ANOTHER LEVEL. BUT, IMUS ISN'T A RAPPER & NO COMEDIAN BUT WE KNOW THIS IS STILL HOW SOME WHITE PEOPLE TALK & THINK USUALLY WHEN THEY'RE WITH LIKE COMPANY. BUT, EVEN RAPPERS DON'T USUALLY BLIND SIDE HARD WORKING COLLEGE STUDENTS. LETS STOP THE MADNESS!!! ROME FELL FROM WITHIN!!!
Kathy King at 8:04PM on Apr 11th 2007
14. IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK, QUACKS LIKE A DUCK WHY IS ANYONE SURPRISED WHEN SOMEONE CALLS IT A DUCK? WHAT IS THE DEFINATION OF THE TERM "HO" THAT WAS USED? ARE THEY "NAPIE" HAIRED? WHY DON'T I HEAR ANYONE YELLING FOR JUSTICE IN THE DUKE FAKE RAPE CASE?
BUCK WHEET at 8:07PM on Apr 11th 2007
15. Black, white, brown. yellow, red, purple, whatever color......"you people"....ALL of you people, are making my heart hurt.
BBF 52 at 8:29PM on Apr 11th 2007