It would be a straw man argument if there weren't already several racist attacks and unfounded rumors being spread via email that make an issue of Obama's race. Haven't you seen any of them?

Here's just one example: Go to [Snopes DOT com] and search "obama family photo". This is just one of over two dozen other smears being circulated.

And let's not forget the non-existent "whitey" video shamelessly promoted by Republican smear artist Roger Stone over and over again on Faux News.

I'm not an Obama supporter, but the Republican Party smear machine is gearing up for a repeat of 2000 and 2004. It's repulsive and makes me embarrassed to be a Republican. Unfortunately, after 8 years of the Bush trainwreck, there's no issues to run on, so that's all they've got.

That's pretty much the argument I hear from conservatives about Obama Matt. He's young. He's not experienced. I've heard the slip from Obama to Osama several times. Yep, its how Republicans are going to run against him. Classic campaign of fear vs. hope.

I have seen them. In the Internet age, it's impossible to stop wacky or hateful individuals from any point on the ideological spectrum from sending out that kind of stuff.

But Obama wasn't talking about some nuts. He pointed the indiscriminatory accusatory finger at ALL Republicans: "See - those Republicans are against me because I'm a black man." He's the one doing the smearing, and he knows exactly what he's doing.

"Classic campaign of fear vs. hope."

Hope for what? Bigger government, higher taxes, and a World Tyrants Tour?

Can we dispense with the meaningless cliches? Obama supporters are starting to sound like cultists.

Jubal,

The Obama campaign is clearly not pointing an accusatory finger at "ALL Republicans", only the hired guns like Stone who will try to Swiftboat Obama.

Karl Rove has redefined the phrase "smear campaign," by turning it from a science into an art. Now that Rove is working for the McCain team, we can expect more of the same from the GOP: Avoid the issues; attack the candidate.

Well, he is right on the money. "...he is young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name."

However, where is his middle name after all? I think it was "Hussein"

Martin Luther Jr was also black but he has been revered by many men around the globe.

What about Obama or Omama? Well I think he is young and inexperienced and he's not only got a funny name but also he is hiding his middle name for the election purpose! "Hussein"

I won't vote for "Hussein" to be our President.

Mr. Whipple:

"Clearly how?" Did you talk to Obama?

Now you're just putting words in Obama's mouth to suit your own anti-Republican mindset.

Stop spinning, read the article face the facts, man. Obama was talking about "the Republicans," to whom his use of "they" refers.

CRA Republican:

If you are not going to vote for a guy because the middle name his parents gave him, I would hope you not only leave the GOP, but refrain from even voting.

There are plenty of reasons not to vote for Barack Obama. But his middle name? That's prejudice, not reason.

"The Obama campaign is clearly not pointing an accusatory finger at "ALL Republicans", only the hired guns like Stone who will try to Swiftboat Obama."

Ah yes, CLEARLY that is what Obama was doing. Never mind that Obama was specifically talking about "the Republicans" and said nothing about Roger Stone and Karl Rove. Nonetheless, it is crystal clear that he was referring to them.

How fortunate we are indeed, to have an oracle such Mr. Whipple on hand too interpret for us peasants that the Lord Obama wasn't actually saying what he was saying.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/142465

CAMPAIGN 2008
Barack's Bounce
The latest NEWSWEEK Poll shows the Democrat with a 15-point lead over McCain.
By Michael Hirsh | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 20, 2008 | Updated: 3:37 p.m. ET Jun 20, 2008

CRA Republican, unfortunately, represents too many in the GOP who are willing to buy into rumor and innuendo, as well as harbor a closet racism.

Just today I was speaking with two teenagers at my (rather politically conservative) church who told me that "Obama hates white people." This is the kind of stuff they hear from their parents and pick up from email from other Republicans who believe it.

And Jubal: I can't be anti-Republican, because I *AM* a Republican. The kind of Republican who believes in limited government, following the Constitution, and not starting unprovoked wars. Unfortunately, that kind of Republican has been all too scarce the last 10 years or so. And the Democrats will win the White House this year because the GOP has sold out.

There's a word for it: "Comeuppance."

Well, it's comforting to know you want to re-build the GOP by rationalizing Obama's reverse-smearing, or by blaming the GOP when some House Democrats want to nationalize the oil refineries.

Obama's not black. His father is black. His mother is white.

I say, Obama is white. How come he gets to pick?

Obama appears to be an eloquent speaker with a beautiful face. But so far all I see is an empty suit. Speaking of raising taxes, this ought to be an interesting read...

http://www.vote.com/mmp_printerfriendly.php?id=894

I don't want to rationalize Obama or blame the GOP. I want to have the GOP win the White House on principles of smaller federal government, adherence to the rule of law, and rational foreign policy. Under Bush we've had 0 for 3, and McCain is going to give us more of the same. We've shot ourselves in the foot, and we only have ourselves to blame when November comes.

Does anyone really think this is a surprise?

This is from the same group ( Democrats) that said Republicans stopped Blacks from voting in Florida in 2000, then came back and said essentially the same thing in Ohio in 2004, only changing it to emphasize the racist Ohio Secretary of State, who was Black by the way. Obama takes a legitimate criticism of him, inexperience, and links it to racism by insinuating it is a coded word for racism.

This is how Democrats have been portraying the Republicans to Blacks for the past 45+ years, saying we are doing everything short of trying to send them to Africa

As Dennis Miller corectly pointed out on O'Reilly, Obama's camp is concerned that the Republicans don't seem to be playing the race card yet, so he had better play it for them. And youre right about Obama assuming his supporters will buy into this hook, line, and stinker. A "new" politician my butt.

IS OBAMA FAILING TO WIN BECAUSE OF RACE?
Interesting article, however it would be even more interesting to see the same kind of analysis if the black candidate was Colin Powell, or Condelza Rice. If the black candidate had more experience, and didn't vote present over 100 times ... was not so far to the left ... did not propose such radical changes to our society, such as a socialistic agenda ... did not have negative associations, such as 20 years tied to a Reverend Wright, and other radicals ... Threw his close friend of 20 years under the bus for personal gain ...did not have a Muslim name, father and step father, just 6 years after 9-11, and while America, and it's allies is in the midst of constant attacks from murderous Muslim terrorists ... was properly vetted from the beginning ... did not enjoy such overwhelming biased favoritism from the media ... did not arrogantly create his own Presidential seal ... did not disrespect historical American institutions, and traditions, as a way of selling his Change message ... did not use accusations of race in response to every opposing argument ... did not flip flop on important issues ... chose Hillarry as his running mate ... as well as several other substantive factors.