It just gets better and better. I was just watching one of the national news shows, and in a speech today on a radio talk show in Philadelphia, Obama refers to his grandmother as a "typical white person." Pray tell, what is a "typical" white person, or a "typical" person of any color. He may claim not to be racist, but seems to me those words of his esteemed preacher have really effected him more than he would like us to believe. He is now showing the wolf behind sheep's clothing, so to speak. I am sure he will go on to explain it away, like he has tried to do everything else.

OMG...I just heard the"typical white person" comment from Obama for the first time and I am shocked that a Presidential candidate would purposely use his grandmother as a tool to make a point regarding race. I will admit that I've had little respect for him as a politician for a while, but today I lost respect for him completely as a man.

What is a "typical white person" and what does it mean if your grandparents are typical white people?

Barry Obama's grandparents took him in when his mother wanted to explore Indonesia. Those typical white grandparents made sure he went to the best schools and encouraged him to reach for the stars. His typical white grandmother became the vice president of a bank when it was unheard of for women to reach those ranks in the corporate world. In one of his books Barry described his grandmother as a pioneer. When did that opinion change? When did he decide it was to his advantage to toss that woman under the bus?

I just heard one of the national reporters trying to defend his statement. How can you defend something like that. Even hearing the whole statement where it goes on to talk about the "mindset" of passing a black person on the street, is ridiculous and points to racism too. If Hilary or McCain had said anything like this, there would be such an uproar that they would have to QUIT the race!

As I said in a previous post, I believe you look at people differently, no matter what their color. The example of the professional looking person as opposed to someone who looks like a thug, no matter the color. But to be "afraid" to pass a black person on the street, just because they are black is ridiculous. I am a home health nurse and go into all the projects and bad areas of town. Am I afraid? No-but I am cautious, just as I am if I am in a nice area, the country, or a trailer park. That is common sense.

Also as I mentioned in a previous post-this is not just a "white thing." Black people, or any other race will tell you they are cautious in walking past those gangster types. I wish someone would interview the grandmother(if she is still alive) and find out what her exact words were. Even knowing the era she grew up in, I have difficulty believing his words. My white parents and grandparents were not like that. They had hired help that was black, that they even drove home to Mobile Terrace, Hillsdale, and Prichard.

I wonder why he continues to use his white grandmother when he also has a black grandmother to make racial examples. I hope he realizes blacks can be just as judgemental towards whites. This is where he messed up and shows how he really feels towards whites. He could have made all of this a lot more balanced and receptive by admitting blacks can help in this race issue by not thinking only whites are racist. It's obvious to me he's not proud of his white infiltration and speaks proudly and supportive of his black roots. Who is he really trying to unite?

I hope American people can see through Obama's speeches. His recent speech about racism done more harm to his chances of being elected President than before he opened his mouth. He put his foot right in his mouth. I agree with the comment about his attendance at his church. If I did not like what the preacher said in his sermons, I would not go back. His 20 year attendance tells you he agreed with everything the preacher said.

It is very difficult to understand why Obama wants to use his grandmother as an example. When he was a child, they all lived in Hawaii surrounded by an international mixture of people. I do not think of Hawaii as being typical and I seriously doubt that Barry's grandmother really had to deal with black gangs roaming the streets of Honolulu. In fact, I wouldn’t even consider his grandmother a typical woman of her era.

I realize he is trying to make a point about one’s perspective as it pertains to race, but he is failing miserably in that effort.

But as Bobcat said, race is a two (or more) sided issue. Racism cannot be a white thing only. I know I walked into a conference a couple of years ago, and a black woman said "it sure is light in here." She was not referring to the lightbulbs! I have also heard whites called "cracker" and have even myself been called "white bread"-whatever that means. You cannot call one group racist and not hold all other groups accountable too.

I have the same amount of respect for every person whatever their color. I have no problem with a black or any other colored leader. Personally, if Condoleeza Rice or Colin Powell were running, they would most likely get my vote. People earn respect by their actions, attitude and yes words. Obama, has lost that respect. I know longer view him as an intelligent, professional black male that is running for president. I view him as someone who will say anything to get votes, who is at the heart of it, truly a radical racist himself. I don't know if the accusations I've seen about him being the antichrist are true or not, but I don't trust him anymore than I trust the devil himself.

neverabridesmaid - 18 March 2008 05:43 PM

There aren't enough words to describe the respect I have for this man. I know the majority of those on this board will not agree with me, and that's okay. But his powerful, moving, and completely sincere speech proves to me that he could possibly be one of the greatest presidents we will ever have.

-nab

I'll bet she is one of those people that swoons and faints when he speaks. This is a presidential election, not a Beatles concert.