Nader Claims Obama Is Talking White, Last Two Supporters Quit

Posted by Brian Fairbanks

 

Obama with Grandpa and Grandma.

The fact that Barack Obama is half-white should mean even dumb politicians would know better than to accuse him of "talking white." But that's just what Ralph Nader did, effectively ending his relevance for good...

"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader told the [Chicago Sun Times]. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white?"

White people everywhere should be offended. Christ, black people everywhere should be offended.

Speaking Wednesday, Obama almost sounded sorry for Nader.

"Ralph Nader hadn't been paying attention to my speeches, because all the issues that he talked about -- whether it be predatory lending, the housing foreclosure crisis . . . I've devoted multiple speeches," Obama said. "Ralph Nader is trying to get attention. I think it's a shame because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections, its an extraordinary one."

Obama went on to accuse the Independent candidate for using shock tactics to get attention. Ralph, wake up! The torch has been passed, whether or not you did the hand off yourself. Time to rescue your image, not doom it forever.

Via the Chicago Sun Times. 


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Posted Jun 26 2008, 10:01 AM
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Comments

kermit said:

Christ, people are spazzing out about this.  I am nowhere near offended, and I suspect those who are claiming offense don't even really understand what they are supposed to be offended about.

Nader wasn't as careful with his wording as we normally expect politicians to be, but if you look at the intent of his words, it was quite innocuous and straightforward:  "Obama is not focusing on modern economic issues now central to his ethnic heritage."  I don't necessarily agree with him, nor does Obama, who responded well.  And clearly Obama did not have a knee-jerk PC reaction to Nader's language either, as his response indicates he understands what Nader was somewhat clumsily trying to say.

June 26, 2008 10:16 AM

profrobert said:

Regardless of what Nader meant (and who knows what that might be; he's such a loon to begin with), he used an offensive phrase.  "Talking white" is an epithet used against blacks who use proper English and implies the person is sucking up to white people or putting down black people.

June 26, 2008 12:16 PM

nerozik said:

"Half African-American" that's brilliant.

June 26, 2008 2:11 PM

About Brian Fairbanks

Brian Fairbanks, the Senior National Political Correspondent for Nerve, is a filmmaker living in Brooklyn or New Orleans, depending on the season. He is a heavily-armed advocate of gun control.

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