BET Founder and Hillary Supporter Takes on Obama
[Guest post by DRJ]
From the AP (via Breitbart):
“The billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television says Barack Obama would not be a leading presidential candidate if he were white and that the Illinois senator’s campaign has “a hair-trigger on anything racial.”
The Charlotte Observer reported on its Web site Monday that Bob Johnson, one of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s top black supporters, was commenting on remarks previously made by Geraldine Ferraro, another Clinton supporter.
“What I believe Geraldine Ferraro meant is that if you take a freshman senator from Illinois called ‘Jerry Smith’ and he says I’m going to run for president, would he start off with 90 percent of the black vote?” Johnson said. “And the answer is, probably not.”
“Geraldine Ferraro said it right,” Johnson added. “The problem is, Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything.”
I agree. Does that make me a racist?
— DRJ
DRJ
You haven’t been listening. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not. You’re white. That makes you a racist. Period.
Unpack your invisible knapsack of White Privilege!
Darleen (187edc) — 4/14/2008 @ 9:21 pmI love it, Darleen. Is that metaphor yours, or did you nick it from a Sharpton/Wright-like figure? What sort of items are carried in the Knapsack of White Privilege? In mine, I think I have the blanket of colonialism and the flashlight of economic exploitation. What is in your knapsack?
JVW (835f28) — 4/14/2008 @ 9:43 pmI carry the compass of patriarchy, the Deep Woods Off of imperialism, and the extra pair of dry socks of heteronormative paradigms.
Jack Klompus (6637b8) — 4/14/2008 @ 10:16 pmOf course, Bob Johnson is now a self-admitted traitor to his race, is he not?
I just carry extra rounds of 7.62×51.
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/14/2008 @ 10:40 pmah JVW
I see you’re never met the fair Peggy MacIntosh
Darleen (187edc) — 4/14/2008 @ 10:43 pmSen. Obama did not start with 90% of the black vote. It took blacks a while to warm up to him.
However, it’s true that no white candidate could quickly scoop up 90% of the black vote unless he was running unopposed or against a Klansman.
Daryl Herbert (4ecd4c) — 4/14/2008 @ 10:54 pmi’ve got the cudgel of conformity and the mace of middle classness in my rucksack.
redc1c4 (21981b) — 4/15/2008 @ 1:53 amIt depends. Are you black or white?
Xrlq (62cad4) — 4/15/2008 @ 3:34 amIf you do not support Baracky, you are a racist. Isn’t that the rule?
JD (75f5c3) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:26 amAnd, if you do not support Hillary, you are a sexist.
Essentially, the Dems are in the process of identifying all of the sexists and racists in their party for us.
JD (75f5c3) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:27 amIts pretty funny to see the Democrats faux “coalitions” come apart at the seams. When the black community realizes just how much illegal immigration is harming them, the fireworks will be even more amusing.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:29 amSPQR – There will be no fireworks.
The Dems have failed the black community on schools, support of same sex marriage, and school vouchers. Why would illegal immigration have any bigger impact than the deafening silence that has ensued from the past failures?
JD (75f5c3) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:49 amSomeone much wiser than I once said (I’m paraphrasing here) that Liberal Social Programs directed towards minorities (Blacks, particularly) could not have marginalized, or harmed those communities more, if they had been created and run by the KKK.
And yet, they (Blacks) still stay at the Dem table, waiting for the scraps, while other minority groups who are not wed to the Dems, progress up the social ladder, into the Middle Class, and economic independence.
And, it’s all the White Man’s fault?
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:03 amJD and AD – I think I read about this phenomenon somewhere. They call it selling your soul to the company store or something like that. It was a while ago.
daleyrocks (906622) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:09 amI have to agree about the cluelessness of black politics. I can understand the pride with which Obama is seen by other blacks, and I see why he sought validation of his “blackness” with Wright, but the politics are a mystery.
Mike K (86bddb) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:59 amTo steal a phase from Le Monde, “We all are Racists”
Neo (cba5df) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:00 amOh my Goodness, Darleen, thanks for enlightening me. I had never heard of Peggy McIntosh, but I always intuitively somehow knew that there was a Peggy McIntosh, if you follow what I am saying. They funny thing is that I was at a school connected with Wellesley during the period that Ms. McIntosh wrote this article, and I even cross-registered for some courses there. How I wish I would have met her.
In honor of learning about the magnificient Peggy McIntosh, I am going to toss the sunglasses of tolerance into my Invisible Knapsack of White Privilege.
JVW (835f28) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:32 amBeing black has always given people such a political advantage in america.
stef (16fb1f) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:55 amBut, if you support Obama, does that make you a Marxist?
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:08 amBeing black has always given people such a political advantage in america.
stef, don’t be a bigger idiot than you need to be. Always is not now. And right now the race card is the ace of spades to both the rightfully proud black citizens of America and the guilt-ridden, cheese-nibbling, Chardonay-sipping left.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:10 am“Always is not now.”
Hell, even now! Look at all the political advantage black people are experiencing. Has anyone even looked at the number of political offices they hold?
stef (8bb588) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:15 amnk – stef likes to make sure that we know exactly how dense she is.
JD (f44699) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:38 amHave you? Where the hell do you live? Wherever black people have population, they have political power. Find just one place in America where they are the majority of the population but not fairly represented in government.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:38 amHey, JD. Welcome back. Congratulations for your beutiful daughter. ΝΑ ΣΑΣ ΖΗΖΗ.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:46 amIf you are putting B.O.s popularity down only to race then you aren’t listening and you don’t get it.
Even with 90% of the black vote he isn’t going to be a leading candidate unless he has a lot of the white and latino vote. Obama is selling hope and change, that works right now for (supply your own reason+spin). When he and his spouse slip into being critical it damps his message and slows his momentum. Black partisanship may help and maybe white guilt a teeny weeny bit but I think his race as a factor in his popularity is very secondary to the message he has built around his campaign.
Darleen, Peggy Macintosh….. God save us.
EdWood (c2268a) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:47 amHe’s not selling hope and change, he’s selling pretty words that SOUND like hope and change…
Though to be fair, obliterating the Economy and destroying healthcare WOULD be a change…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:48 amEd – He may be selling the idea of hopiness and changeyness, via his speeches, but in practice all he brings to the table is repackaged liberalism.
nk – Thanks.
JD (f44699) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:54 am“Find just one place in America where they are the majority of the population but not fairly represented in government.”
This shows the tremendous advantage that being black brings to politicians in America.
“He’s not selling hope and change, he’s selling pretty words that SOUND like hope and change…”
Next thing you know he’s a uniter, not a divider, and he doesn’t believe our troops should be used for nation building.
stef (665bbf) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:54 amScott – Surrendering in Iraq would be a change.
JD (f44699) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:55 amEd Wood #25,
Ι credit organization. Which the Daleys, whose lapdog he is, are the best at. That’s how he won Iowa and started his momentum. His nebulous, cliched, platitudinous, prepared speeches are also a Chicago Machine “patent pending”.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:56 amI love how conservatives always pretend to be so against the idea of political correctness when it comes to blacks and Jews and immigrants, etc., but it’s still way out-of-bounds to address conservative religion. It’s not out-of-bounds to address liberal religion, as evidenced by Rev. Wright, but you can’t say anything about conservatives’ religion without getting labeled elitist and out-of-touch and godless.
Isn’t that more overflowing, Republican bullshit hypocrisy? You’re always talking about ‘taking the gloves off’ on issues like Islam and race relations, but we’re supposed to leave them on if we want to talk about your magical sky people? What a bunch of whiners….
Levi (76ef55) — 4/15/2008 @ 9:58 amLevi – We are here for your pleasure, of course.
You do not address conservative religion, by the way. You make sweeping statements and blanket assumptions based on your cartoon caricatures about the religious beliefs and preferences of the right and the commenters on this site. You’ve been asked to back up your comments and have produced nothing, so I assume you are just spitballing again today.
What are you wearing Levi? Are you still in your PJ’s? Do you have bunny slippers on?
daleyrocks (906622) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:10 amLevi, #30…
…oh, why bother..
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:11 amLevi, when you point out something “wrong” with “conservative” religion, you are generally right, such as the Catholic Church not dealing with pedophilia in a proper, legal, and moral way…I hope that they have done better in your eyes…
But, your criticism falls on deaf ears when you say what you have said here….Islam as a religion wants me dead….Wright thinks I (as a white man) has something to do with developing AIDS to kill blacks….there are not mainstream ideas, these are out of the mainstream, and therefore, not realistic and should be talked about….and stopped, just as pedophilia should be, and is being stopped in the Catholic Church…
reff (bff229) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:11 amWhat’s “conservative religion”?
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:12 amAny religion who’s leaders don’t condem America, blame Bush for the ills of the world, and who don’t actively seek to increase the number of abortions performed each year…
Duh…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:17 amBack up what, that I think the Republican party is too religious? That’s something I need to prove to you?
And why don’t you let me know what the ‘proper’ way is to address your precious, conservative religion? How would I have to do it for you to deem myself and my criticism ‘appropriate?’ Do you not understand the point that I’m making? If political correctness is so stupid, and this is something I hear from conservatives all the time, why do you want all of us to handle your religion like a faberge egg?
Levi (76ef55) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:20 am“Any religion who’s leaders don’t condem America, blame Bush for the ills of the world, and who don’t actively seek to increase the number of abortions performed each year…”
Or, Pastafarianism
stef (861715) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:22 amAnd why don’t you let me know what the ‘proper’ way is to address your precious, conservative religion? How would I have to do it for you to deem myself and my criticism ‘appropriate?’ Do you not understand the point that I’m making? If political correctness is so stupid, and this is something I hear from conservatives all the time, why do you want all of us to handle your religion like a faberge egg?
Levi,
There ain’t nobody that wants anything from you. You are a gnat buzzing around our ears.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:24 amApparently, you too, stef.
nk (6b7d4f) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:25 amJust an observation, but aren’t you being about as elitist as you can be? ‘Nobody wants anything from me?’ Sounds like a nice little club you got there. Gee, silly me, all I’m trying to do is prompt a discussion, on the discussion part of a political website, but I’m a ‘gnat’ to you and your nebulous of group of ‘nobody,’ not even worthing wasting the time to talk to because I’m don’t always agree with you.
I think you’re scarred to go down my line of questioning with me. It doesn’t take much scrutiny to realize that Christians are the ultimate victims, the American extreme examples of being needy and whiny and defensive, especially the evangelicals that helped Bush take the White House. They whine about Hollywood, they whine about the rap music, about culture, they whine about TV and video games and sex and everything, and consider their superstitions divine affirmation of all of it. And of course, it’s beyond reprehensible to criticize those superstitions, all of us are just supposed to confer automatically all the respect that they do on those superstitions.
If people can play the ‘race card,’ why can’t they play the ‘Christianity card? I see people running that bullshit daily. So I’ll ask again, why is it that white Christians are not targeted by the little anti-victimhood/no political correctness quest that most conservatives claim to be on?
Levi (76ef55) — 4/15/2008 @ 10:51 amProbably, but so what? The total number is meaningless unless you control for qualifications, which of course you don’t want to do. How many white men (or women of any color) with credentials as thin as Barack Obama’s have ever gotten within striking distance of the Presidency?
Xrlq (b71926) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:11 am#40
I guess Levi isn’t aware that there is a whole spectrum of Christians in this country, ranging from the Evangelicals and Pentecostals which he so despises, to card-carrying members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), whose general assembly is far too concerned about the evil that is the very existence of Israel to even care about such mundane matters as faith or flock – or even that the PC(USA) is imploding from within because of its general assembly’s whackjob liberal outlook. Or the several Roman Cathlolic bishops (in primarily urban dioceses) who have taken it upon themselves to violate the intent, if not the letter, of any number of federal laws to do with immigration enforcement.
But no matter. Apparently, in LeviWorld, so long as someone subscribes to the Holy Trinity, in any form, that makes them subject to belief in “superstition.”
I’ll put it in words that perhaps Levi would understand better, courtesy of George Lucas: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”
The Other JD (35b222) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:12 am“How many white men (or women of any color) with credentials as thin as Barack Obama’s have ever gotten within striking distance of the Presidency?”
Striking distance? I just need to look at the strong qualifications of recently elected white men — the uniters, not the dividers. I cant imagine anyone would doubt the advantage that being black delivers in american politics.
stef (57aa5a) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:23 amWhat do you think you’re doing here, refuting me? You can list a bunch of different flavors of Christianity, am I supposed to be convinced of something by this?
This is getting off the subject, but yeah, that’s absolutely correct.
It’s annoying that you’re demanding such specificity when none is needed. It’s plainly obvious that I’m talking about evangelicals and other groups of Christians that have been solid Republican constituencies for years.
Levi (76ef55) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:26 amIt’s as plain as the nose on the side of his head.
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:29 amstef…
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:37 amThe last five elected Presidents all have had extensive executive experience as Governors (Carter/Reagan/Clinton/Bush-43) & businessmen (Carter/Bush-41/Bush-43) – and don’t forget Reagan’s experience as head of a Labor Union (SAG-AFL/CIO) with national exposure.
Where in this does BHO fall?
No business experience.
No MBA training.
No labor executive experience.
No government executive experience.
Just another hack politician from a Big-City machine with a history of the worst kind of Ward-Healing politics.
Even Harry Truman had more experience – at least he owned a haberdashery once, and commanded a unit in combat (IIRC).
Ha. “No MBA training.”
stef (d02265) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:43 amObama has a law degree. I have a law degree. Want to vote for me, stef?
DRJ (a431ca) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:46 amHa. “No MBA training.”
Well, perhaps you know something I don’t – please tell us all what university awarded Obama an MBA.
John Barrett Jr. (b74323) — 4/15/2008 @ 11:48 am“Obama has a law degree. I have a law degree. Want to vote for me, stef?”
To the extent that degrees are qualifications, I don’t think I’ll find disagreement that a JD that includes editing the Harvard Law Review is a pretty good one. But others may disagree on something else, which is that for me, “no MBA training” is also a plus.
stef (138f0d) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:05 pmIf a law degree is a “pretty good” qualification for President, then I’m more qualified than Obama is.
Sheesh. Count me as disagreeing rather strenuously.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:10 pmYou do realize that like 50% of Harvard Law students “edit” the law review, don’t you?
It isn’t like it’s an exclusive club like having run a state or anything…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:13 pmYeah, cause who wants a guy that’s at least been taught how to run on a budget?
No wonder he thinks we can afford Socialized Healthcare…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:15 pmI think a degree that includes management and executive training is more applicable to the executive branch than a degree in law, and far moreso than editting a law review. Unless you think a President’s duties somehow include editting.
Steverino (e00589) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:20 pmSteverino, proper Bluebook technique can save lives.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:21 pmYou guys talk about business credentials like George Bush has been some runaway success of a President. I see no indication that George Bush knows anything about ‘running a budget.’ And what’s with pretending to not see the value of a legal background if we’re talking about running a ‘nation of laws?’
Levi (76ef55) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:29 pmMaybe Obama should be Attorney General.
DRJ (a431ca) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:30 pm“You do realize that like 50% of Harvard Law students “edit” the law review, don’t you?”
I do. I also realize that only one is at the top. They’re usually good on academics and devoted, hard workers with care and attention to detail.
Then again, other people have MBAs and were rejected by UT law.
stef (0b86a9) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:32 pmLevi, this may surprise you, but most of the time when conservative religion people “whine”, as you put it, there are whining about a real problem. Not always, but most of the time. When liberal religion people whine, they are whining about unreal problems. All of the time.
[יושקה!
You got me defending the fundamentalists!]
Steff, the people who led the civil rights movement after Martin Luther King’s death turned it into a movement demanding, not equal treatment, but special privileges, for blacks, which was then expanded into special privileges for other minorities. That’s why, for instance, one of my local congresscreatures is Alcee Hastings. I escaped being in his district by a mere five miles.
kishnevi (33a0bd) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:39 pmEvidently, Levi supports someone less qualified than Bush to be President. And can’t figure out how to justify it.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:39 pmSo under this theory, I’m even more qualified to be President. Patterico, too.
DRJ (a431ca) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:43 pm“They whine about Hollywood, they whine about the rap music, about culture, they whine about TV and video games and sex and everything, and consider their superstitions divine affirmation of all of it.”
– Levi
I know plenty of devout Christians who don’t whine about any of those things to any excessive degree (that is, anymore than your average baby boomer). For what it’s worth, I consider myself a devout, liberal Christian… and I like rap and video games.
And, also for what it’s worth, you’re barking up the wrong tree: nk is explicitly non-religious (if not “anti-religious”).
Leviticus (43095b) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:49 pm” So under this theory, I’m even more qualified to be President. Patterico, too.”
These days its hard to think it takes that much to be president.
And being black in America? Big political advantage.
stef (dfd808) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:50 pmIndeed, Leviticus, and not that it is Levi’s business but I’m an atheist.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 12:57 pmIf you lack any political experience, you may qualify for a seat in the Senate.
Vermont Neighbor (629f2e) — 4/15/2008 @ 2:55 pmAnd that’s where you’d be wrong, stef, since it seems that being president of the law review only taught Obama how to equivocate:
Then again, at the law review Obama was tackling the really serious issues:
Oh, and my knapsack wouldn’t be complete without my canteen of conservatism (stocked with kool-aid, of course) and my pocketknife of militarism.
Socrates Abroad (fa0ee9) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:05 pmSounds like a uniter, not a divider. Now all he needs is an MBA and he’ll be ready to balance the budget like recent MBA presidents.
stef (e86d77) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:52 pmIt sounds like he was “voting present.” He’s good at avoiding taking a stand.
daleyrocks (906622) — 4/15/2008 @ 6:56 pmstef…
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:13 pmYou seem to think that a Harvard MBA is not important in managing a large bureaucracy because you don’t like the way W has performed as President.
How do you know that the negatives of his performance (in your eyes) aren’t related to his training as a super-sonic jet-pilot?
That would be just as good a reason as any other to disparage his performance, wouldn’t it?
Or maybe it’s because he was raised in Texas, or because he’s a Yalie, or an Andover boy, or even because he spent his summers in Kennebunkport. Or it could be because he’s named George. You know what modern educators say about kids with weird, old-fashioned names.
DRJ (a431ca) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:17 pmHey, don’t forget, the Bushes lived briefly in the Los Angeles area after leaving New Haven, and before going to Texas. If someone is truly screwed up, he must have been in CA, right?
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:23 pmI’ve long been skeptical of the MBA degree and its culture in business, but your comments are getting silly, stef.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:23 pmYes, and along those lines, one of the greatest accomplishments of having a Republican President for all but eight of the last 28 years, has been keeping Lawrence Tribe off the bench.
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:25 pm“That would be just as good a reason as any other to disparage his performance, wouldn’t it?”
It would be. But I was told that MBAs are important for presidencies because they are taught to balance budgets.
stef (19b5bf) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:38 pmThe point, stef, is not that an MBA is a qualification for President. The point is that Obama has absolutely no qualifications for an executive office – literally unqualified even for dogcatcher – and that even an MBA graduate would be an improvement as there would be at least a semblance of training for an executive position.
You know that that was the point, stef, but are pretending not to understand it. OK, we got the joke.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:42 pmThe Bush family lived in Compton.
Vermont Neighbor (629f2e) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:42 pmNo stef, the point is not to balance the budget, the point is to run the enterprise to a budget.
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/15/2008 @ 7:51 pmIn the Federal Government, the President only proposes a budget; but, it is the Congress that sets the budget – for better or worse in that once Congress has spoken, those funds must be spent since Congress has disallowed the Executive’s option of impoundment.
“literally unqualified even for dogcatcher ”
Literally.
“#No stef, the point is not to balance the budget, the point is to run the enterprise to a budget.”
Don’t tell me that. Tell that to the dude that was talking about MBAs knowing how to balance budgets. Me, I’d rather have a president that will listen to some Phd types on the budget than one that thinks its (1) taught by his MBA or (2) out of his hands once they propose their budgets.
stef (b9f929) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:23 pmstef, your rationalizations are getting lamer.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:40 pmYou’re a parody of yourself…
What I said, my dear, was: “cause who wants a guy that’s at least been taught how to run on a budget”
Now, I know you’re slightly retarded, but if you would try and actually use what I write, not what rattles around your empty little head, that would be nice.
Mwuah! Thanks honey…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 4/15/2008 @ 8:45 pmWhat I said, my dear, was: “cause who wants a guy that’s at least been taught how to run on a budget”
My bad. But I still think the last few presidents teach us that MBA presidents dont really know much about budgets.
stef (3f2c01) — 4/16/2008 @ 5:05 amI would have thought someone would have – at some point – taught you how the system works…
The PotUS proposes the budget, and Congress actually sets it and spends the money.
For a real world example: My father is a Senior Engineer for a company. His boss sets forth the budget my father has to work with. My father sometimes has to run over budget (R&D being a tough nut to crack when it comes to “how much will it cost to develope”). That doesn’t mean my dad’s BOSS overspent and blew the budget.
Really, how do you get through life being so darn WRONG?
It’s cute, in a “look at the little puppy run head-first into the screen door” sort of way…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 4/16/2008 @ 5:46 amY’all are too nice to Levi. He is only attempting to promote a discussion. Good Allah, how does he type that and still manage to not fall out of his chair laughing?
JD (75f5c3) — 4/16/2008 @ 7:35 am“The PotUS proposes the budget, and Congress actually sets it and spends the money.”
So look at the proposals that came from the white house, how the white house worked with congressional leaders to enact those proposals, and how the white house used the veto on the budget.
I still think that leaves the MBA president behind the JD one.
stef (18d87a) — 4/16/2008 @ 7:54 amI would remind stef that the people who are actually SETTING the budget, and spending the money are largely lawyers without MBAs…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 4/16/2008 @ 10:09 amIf either Democrat ends up winning in November, I agree. All three of the original contenders for the Democrat nomination came to the table with next to nothing in the way of qualifications, unless you’re a liberal Democrat, in which case the right skin color or the right genitalia is all the qualification you need. Edwards had neither, so of course he was eliminated in the first round.
Indeed. How many non-blacks have been taken seriously as presidential contenders with no executive experience and less than one full Senate term under their belts? Any?
I’m torn as to whether I myself am qualified for the Presidency of Stefland. On the one hand, I have a J.D. from Boalt, an institution only slightly less exclusive than Harvard, and I’m white to boot, so according to Stef #51, I must be highly qualified for the Presidency. On the other, I was rejected by UT, which according to Stef #59 is an automatic disqualification. So I’ll hold off on throwing my hat into the ring until the two Stefs have had an opportunity to reach an agreement as to whether I’m qualified or not.
Xrlq (b71926) — 4/17/2008 @ 10:33 amXrlq…
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/17/2008 @ 11:06 amYou have many of the qualifications for President/politician:
Legal training, good ed background, etc.
However, the good-sense that you’ve consistently displayed in comments here would be a no-no.
Since stef has completely forgotten that the “JD” president actually had a governmental shutdown during an impasse in budget negotiations, I’m not too impressed with stef’s abilities to recall the basic facts needed for even his supposed “comparison”.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/17/2008 @ 11:24 am“How many non-blacks have been taken seriously as presidential contenders with no executive experience and less than one full Senate term under their belts? Any?”
And we know the advantage is from being black. Or half. Because of how well blacks do politically.
“I’m torn as to whether I myself am qualified for the Presidency of Stefland.”
Academic achievement isn’t really all that it takes, of coruse.. But if we are going to be setting floors — like some seem to with the MBA requirement — I’d say that President of Harvard Law review meets the floor. Specially given how well others seem to be doing with their MBAs and JDs.
“Since stef has completely forgotten that the “JD” president actually had a governmental shutdown during an impasse in budget negotiations”
Oh I remember that. There was the president taking responsibility for setting a budget, rather than the ridiculous description we’ve gotten that its out of their hands once its sent to congress.
stef (3b63ee) — 4/17/2008 @ 12:08 pmStef…
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/17/2008 @ 12:28 pmThe shutdown in ’95, was the result of the Congress passing, and submitting to the President for his signature, a budget for the Government. Since, BC vetoed the budget, the Gov’t was shutdown due to the impass between him and the leadership of Congress, until one of them (in this case Congress) blinked, and sent him a budget that he could approve.
That is the way the system is supposed to work.
My personal opinion is that Mr. Gingrich should have taken extra No-Doze to prevent blinking, and left the damn thing shut-down.
As I recall, BC has a JD (but no current Bar License due to his conviction for witness tampering), Mr. Gingrich has at least an MA in History (perhaps a PhD), and the leader of the Senate at that time was another lawyer. But, if you need to consult an MBA, they have plenty over at Management & Budget.
I never said that an MBA was a pre-requisite for the Presidency; but, I would much prefer that than a JD, or a PhD (Woodrow Wilson is a fine example of the negatives of PhD’s).
And, my personal opinion is that Congresskritters (including Senators) should not be lawyers (and lawyers should not be allowed to run for Congress)- it is a conflict of interest writing the laws that they (as a class) would then be enforcing.
No, stef, you’ve again shown you really don’t have any idea what you are talking about.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/17/2008 @ 12:32 pm“That is the way the system is supposed to work.”
I know. Whats the problem? The episode shows that the president can take responsibility for the budget.
“But, if you need to consult an MBA, they have plenty over at Management & Budget.”
Or you could just ask Dubya for his budget skills.
“it is a conflict of interest writing the laws that they (as a class) would then be enforcing.”
This sort of logic is really impenetrable.
stef (6e3234) — 4/17/2008 @ 12:35 pmWhat the hell else do you think it comes from, the big ears or the funny name?
Close enough. Few American blacks are of 100% African descent anyway. Your point, please, or does this question assume a fact not in evidence?
You seem to he missed the basic maxim that ignorance and sarcasm don’t mix. If you have evidence that blacks generally do poorly politically relative to other ethnicities, all other things being equal, let’s see it. IOW, put up or shut up.
Xrlq (b71926) — 4/17/2008 @ 1:05 pm“What the hell else do you think it comes from, the big ears or the funny name?”
I’ve heard people dig his speeches and his promises of hope and change. But it must be the darkness.
“If you have evidence that blacks generally do poorly politically relative to other ethnicities, all other things being equal, let’s see it.”
I think the reality is that being black is fantastic political advantage in national American politics. I can’t deny this. No one really can.
stef (556e79) — 4/17/2008 @ 1:35 pmOr you could just ask Dubya for his budget skills.
stef…
Again, the main focus of MBA training is not writing budgets, it is orginizing, and managing, large, complex orginizations. It is evaluating the skill sets of various specialties and putting those people into positions where they can generate positive input.
Your BDS seems to be raging. Please go back onto medications.
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/17/2008 @ 1:48 pm“It is evaluating the skill sets of various specialties and putting those people into positions where they can generate positive input.”
Like praising people for doing a heckuva job. I get it. So I just look at Bush admin policy initiatives, and find out how on budget they are and how much ‘positive input’ has been generated.
stef (1bf27e) — 4/17/2008 @ 2:01 pmWell, duh. Why else do you think they picked him over John Edwards? It’s not like Edwards is lacking in shyster skills of his own. He’s just got the wrong pigment and the wrong genitalia. That and no real qualifications for the Presidency, of course, but that became a given when Richardson dropped out of the race.
Xrlq (62cad4) — 4/17/2008 @ 3:09 pm“Why else do you think they picked him over John Edwards? ”
I did because One America is better than Two? But for others? Must be the Negroness.
I just so dig this “no qualifications” line. Can we get a list? Whiteness and maleness aren’t qualifications? are they? Can’t be, because of the incredible advantages that being half black bring.
stef (6835d8) — 4/17/2008 @ 3:40 pmstef @ 97…
Frankly, my dear, I don’t care what you do!
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/17/2008 @ 4:05 pmI just like the fact that stef thinks I am qualified to be President. The rest of her “argument” is nonsense.
stef should be able to show us lots of prior candidates that were even less qualified than Baracky that got this close to the nomination.
JD (5f0e11) — 4/17/2008 @ 5:03 pm“I just like the fact that stef thinks I am qualified to be President.”
I didn’t know you were black!
stef (1ee125) — 4/17/2008 @ 5:40 pm