Barack Obama, Democratic Senator from Illinois. Harry Belafonte, singer and actor. In Tim Russert’s mind — six of one, half dozen of another, right? God knows they all look alike, right Tim?
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January 22nd, 2006
19 Comments
Oliver playing the race card, what a surprise.
I am not a big fan of Big Russ, but you leftwingers are taking this out of context. They were discussing stupid remarks made by left-wingers, Iraq, and Bush. All of which had to do with Belafonte and Clinton.
Russeteater’s obsession with ‘levelling’ the playingfield so the
Wingnut Nation doesn’t paddle his fat little heiney, is as contrived
as his scripted questions.
He is the dullest bulb in the MSM
Funny. Pat Robertson is somehow representative of every Rupublican on the planet. But when Harry Belafonte speaks, he speaks for himself alone.
No, Colin Powell is only black when the cons want to use him as their pet n____.
Also, I thought that Colin Powell was white. I guess he is only black when it works in the favor of liberals.
Racism, anyone?
Russert is part of the problem.
Yes, Pat Robertson, Republican fundraiser and former Republican candidate for president is exactly the same as Harry Belafonte who has never run for or held any office as a Democrat.
Oliver
I have a great deal of respect for your yellow-dog-Democrat blogging. But you undermine your cause and make a mockery of our legitimate complaints about racism by making such fatuous claims.
I saw that interview, and Russert’s question to Obama about the stupid things Belafonte said was just as legitimate as his question about the stupid things Hillary Clinton said (although it was probably too inconvenient for you to mention that fact…).
When Harry Belefonte holds a public office, it may mean something what he says. Just like Pat Robertson, thankfully what the far left or the far right has to say doesnt count for jack unless they are able to put their words into policy. Russert is the typical republican ass kissing talking head who likes to try to make democrats look bad except on the rare occasion when he can make himself look good by taking down a republican. He is so full of himself that noone else’s opinion counts. Racism has nothin to do with it.
What office has Pat Robertson held?!?
Besides Obama is arguably the most poweful Democratic black in America (somehow, through some great accident, Republican blacks, under George Bush, have climbed much higher – but I digress). The remarks in question were made by a black person who is a recognized and popular leftwingcommenter on racial affairs. Why not get reactions from the Democrats most powerful black person – who is also to the left of center. If Russert had asked Ed Koch for a reaction, progressives would be screaming racism because he didn’t ask a black.
Dugger, Its All so Simple
Republicans are excellent at appointing African-Americans to high positions, the problem is their base won’t vote for them.
Russert’s questioning about Belafonte is tinged with racism just a little- can you imagine Russert asking McCain about something that Bruce Willis or Patricia Heaton or another right wing entertainer said?
Can you imagine Russert or any pundit questioning a white Dem about what Belafonte said? Doubtful.
fact
fact,
“Republicans are excellent at appointing African-Americans to high positions, the problem is their base won t vote for them.”
Let us be clear then. Republicans, when having discretionary power, allocate much more of that power to blacks than Democrats. Democrats, when having discretionary power, do not attempt to include black Americans. if we want to talk about a ‘tinge’ of racism, seems to me that the Democratic party elite power structure has a problem (Reid, Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy, Durbin – say no more, say no more).
And Belafonte is a black, left wing, provocative political commenter on racial affairs. Quite appropriate to ask the most powerful left wing black in America about his remarks.
Dugger
And you lefties thought Tim was “one of your own.” It must sting a little, eh?
I disagree, Dugger. Democrats appoint the most qualified person, though surely with a mix of politics involved, like every political appointee. If that happens to be an African-American, so be it.
Again, why does Obama have to answer for every comment that someone of his race makes? Do we demand the same of white leaders? Is John McCain, as a representative of the Caucasian race, asked to comment everytime a white person, whether a legislator or not, makes a controversial comment?
Was McCain or Bush, or any influential white leader asked about the Belafonte comments?
Here is a more pointed question. From an earlier thread, we found out that Anna Benson made very radical comments about Michael Moore. What white leader was called on to comment on those statements?
O’Dub .. read his wikipedia profile — a site that you are so fond of.
I have heard a discouraging word from more than one member
of the Wingnut Nation on the veracity of Wikipedia.
Is there a problem? More institutionalized liberal bias? What?
fact,
When you say Democrats appoint the most qualified person, I’m not sure I agree with that. They have the right to appoint whoever they want, of course, but I do find it strange that a Party which goes to such painstaking detail in insuring proportional racial and gender representation at its convention, cannot find a single well qualified black preson for its elite power structure.
Considering what racist means, how can it be “racist” to ask one well known politically left black person about the remarks of another?
Dugger