Was the Palin attack on Obama racist?

[jaypeesmith]

10-06-2008 12:46 PM

The AP believes that it borders on such.

Over the weekend, Sarah Palin, at the urging of the McCain campaign, decided to launch personal attacks on Obama, presumably to steer the conversation away from the economy.

Palin accused Obama of “palling around with terrorists” and of not seeing the U.S. like other Americans do.* Palin was referring to the tangential relationship Obama had with former 60’s radical William Ayers.* Some 40 years ago, Ayers was part of the group, The Weather Underground, that took part in the bombings of federal buildings.* Ayers and Obama served on a community board together.* In ‘95, Ayers hosted a fundraiser for Obama when Obama was just launching his political career.* For his part, Obama says that, in ‘95, he was unaware of Ayers past.* For many years, Ayers has been an English professor and Obama indicates that this was the capacity in which he knew Ayers professionally.

So, why could their be racial subtext in Palin’s accusation?* The question is addressed in the article:

Palin’s words avoid repulsing voters with overt racism. But is there another subtext for creating the false image of a black presidential nominee “palling around” with terrorists while assuring a predominantly white audience that he doesn’t see their America?

In a post-Sept. 11 America, terrorists are envisioned as dark-skinned radical Muslims, not the homegrown anarchists of Ayers’ day 40 years ago. With Obama a relative unknown when he began his campaign, the Internet hummed with false e-mails about ties to radical Islam of a foreign-born candidate.

Whether intended or not by the McCain campaign, portraying Obama as “not like us” is another potential appeal to racism. It suggests that the Hawaiian-born Christian is, at heart, un-American.

The saddest part about it is that these attacks are simply not true:

In her character attack, Palin questions Obama’s association with William Ayers, a member of the Vietnam-era Weather Underground. Her reference was exaggerated at best if not outright false. No evidence shows they were “pals” or even close when they worked on community boards years ago and Ayers hosted a political event for Obama early in his career.

Obama, who was a child when the Weathermen were planting bombs, has denounced Ayers’ radical views and actions.

But, we know, with one month to go before the election, the gloves are off.* So, I’m sure we’ll hear about Rev. Wright.* But, McCain is not without his own liabilities.* I’m sure we’ll hear about the “Keating 5″, particularly when we are dealing with our current economic issues and McCain’s heavy reliance on advisors with strong lobbying ties to write his economic policy.* Also, Palin is not yet out of the woods on “Troopergate” and her husband’s former membership with the Alaska Independence Party (a group with a goal of Alaska seceding from the U.S.) and her addressing this same group in 2006 may not be out of bounds, now, either.

Let’s get ready for the mud to fly.




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[TUCKER]

Here we go again. I, for one, hope Obama doesn't go for this tic tag tactic of the media. Hopefully he'll stay on the path that leads to 1600 Pennsylavania Avenue and not the path that leads to Sesame Street.

As for his association with Ayers, obviously the powers that be have forgiven him, otherwise how'd he wind up being a professor of English at a university. That is such a cheap, "bitch" tactic. Oh yeah, I almost forgot who was behind it, so its appropriate.

[akeknowledge]

You posted this almost as if you are surprised. She is very tacky, and shouldn't have ever been picked to back Mccain. If they win, we are headed for trouble!