The Reality of Hate
The big campaign news late last week was that Sen. Obama was placed under Secret Service protection, the first presidential candidate ever to be guarded so early in a campaign. The reason has not been made public by the Secret Service or the Obama campaign, but Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff signed off on it “after consultations with House and Senate leaders in both parties,” according to the Post.
There should be no doubt that credible threats to Sen. Obama’s safety prompted this decision.
Should we really be surprised? We’ve documented here the sort of fanatical rage that many on the right feel toward Sen. Obama in our “Expose the Hate” feature. In many cases, his skin color is a major factor in their disparagement — as it was for Rush Limbaugh, whose racist “Barack the Magic Negro” song (posted here last week) is now making headlines.
One journalist tracked the fixation some white supremacist groups have on Sen. Obama, and made an important point about how deeply un-American these attacks on Sen. Obama actually are, especially in the context of the struggle against terrorism:
[T]here is no telling how many potential black candidates–for the presidency, or for lower office–have been dissuaded by white supremacist groups. If we are serious about fighting terrorists who threaten U.S. interests, we should be equally serious about making sure that homegrown terrorists do not get to decide who runs for president.
May 16th, 2007 at 10:39 am EST
I doubt if this race-hate is the making of Democrats, typically from Obama’s opponents in the democratic race. But if it is, then I feel sorry for them because this country really needs a good man like Obama.
It’s just my thought, but perhaps if Jesse Jackson didn’t lose dramatically in Wisconsin in 1988, a Democrat would’ve been President. Instead they sent Dukakis who eventually lost. I’m simply making the point that if you denigrate a candidate’s suitability simply on the basis of his race, you may soon find ‘your swan a crow’.
I’m a conservative who was very curious to read about Obama’s response to the question on his reaction in case of an attack on America, partly because the media claimed it was the weakest answer and differed from the other candidates.
Boy, did they get it wrong?
Obama’s response actually showed better judgment in a time of crisis than all the other candidates whose responses where nothing short of typical republican big-mouth, tough-talk, arrogance. Who exactly will they ’strike, ‘kill’ or ‘retaliate’ against? That’s why we went to Iraq instead of going after Bin Laden. And while they’re busy ’striking’, ‘killing’ or ‘retaliating’ who looks after the devastation back home?
I’m an ardent republican and conservative. But noe of the current republican candidates have the one thing that attracted me to George Bush. I hope people like Stephen Baldwin, Bishop TD Jakes, John Hagee, Mathew Dowd would publicly endorse Obama.
Please keep up this blog!
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:21 am EST
The fore Fathers the leaders in civil rights from abuise of England, clearly understood this type of abuse, wasn’t this why America was colonized to have freedom of choice and freedom of worth, why is it over 200 years later we still act like were under the bondage of an old English rule. This country of America is a Utopia, no one has a right to claim any special holding it is the Land of the Free. That’s What We Preach To The World. So is it or not. God only knows. Can’t we just get along?
February 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm EST
Obama beware!! “I Clintonius Hilary” are a dispictable lot very similar to their “I Claudius” ansetors. Don’t eat or drink anything and watch your back. Please
March 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pm EST
obama, hillary, and mccain are all horrible candidates but the best one of all is mccain everbody else is a horrible candidate
May 8th, 2008 at 4:59 pm EST
It’s like we are voting for American Idol here, not the next President of the United States! Obama is not capable of running this country, except maybe into the ground. I cannot believe that this country is so in need of democratic candidates that Obama is about to win the nomination. I would never have thought I would be voting Republican in a Presidential election, but it looks as though McCain has got my vote. Party unity Obama? Get out. I know many democrats who share my sentiments and will vote for McCain if Obama is nominated the democratic candidate.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:09 pm EST
How about that birth cert. he showed?? It don’t have a stamp of seal of the county, Every Birth cert. comes with a stamp of seal from the country of birth. What is he hiding? Im sure he’s got an excuse for that one also.