We are so stupid. All that it takes for many of us to throw our support behind a person is the quality of their song. We follow "preachers" who misrepresent the scriptures because we like the way their message sounds. We follow them like the Pied Piper, never noticing that they have characteristics uncomfortably close to those of the antichrist. Multitudes will follow him, deceiving and being deceived.

I think that we need to look a little closer--particularly scholars--at Barack Obama and not follow his music off of a cliff or seduce others into doing so.

   Let there be no confusion - there are virtually no substantial policy differences between the democratic frontrunners.  Moreover, its been admitted that each of the three will have virtually the same set of presidential advisors.   In reality, if either of the three are elected it will undoubtedly represent significant change over the current administration.  

    As for race, we all know that the presidential office can strip away the most diehard commitments in favor of political expediency (commitments to racial groups being no different).  When you strip away demographics, the primary difference between the three is their rhetoric.  So, the question for voters is – whose song are we attracted to most?  A song about race - Barack, a song about gender - Hillary, or a song about class - Edwards.  In the annals of history, no policy issue will resound louder than that song.   In the final analysis, we will get the same treatment from the candidates we always have, so why not just sing.

Please let us all understand; At this particular time, these are seasoned public speakers who know how to  "woo" a crowd, talk the talk and garner attention. Color line, YES. Vote according to what your particular values, morals direct you. Let's not kid ourselves. The media(mainstream media) has downplayed this whipping in SC by Obama so much, I am dancing right along with Melissa! Will he do what any other politician has done in the past? Probably. Will he do better? I believe so! Now we can get ready for a  very dirty fight from the clinton's in trying to assasinate the character and integrity of Sen. Obama.

Melissa, as a South Carolina resident and supporter of Obama who worked behind the scenes to help build his support, I share your enthusiasm.  I am an attorney.  I have my own practice as Legal Counsel for Political and Governmental Affairs to various clients to include the International Longshoremen Association, Gays and Lesbians in SC, one of the largest churches in Columbia, individual counties and others.  I would like to offer a brief comment about the discourse that you and Marc are undertaking above.

While I appreciate Marc's substantive concern about the issues and a candidates dedication to accomplishing the objectives that are critical to a people, I do caution against missing the opportunity to capitalize on what is shaping up to be a truly historic event that will have unforeseen positive impacts on the empowerment of all people, to include African-Americans.  It does give me pause that Marc would question Obama's sufficiency relative to progressiveness, especially given the widespread perception that African-Americans have had about the social progressiveness of people like Bill Clinton for years, only to see that when the chips are down and there is a decision to be made relative to retaining power, that the "progressiveness" takes a backseat.  When will we stop falling into the same trap of holding ourselves to an impossible standard, only to reject an entire race as insufficient when one falls short of achieving an ideal?  And even though this is not a rejection of an entire race, which it is clear that Marc is not doing and would not do, we none-the-less question the credentials of our own and sometimes stymy their chances, while we give others the benefit of the doubt over and over again, despite repeated shortfalls.  For so many reasons a successful Obama will be a rising tide that lifts all ships regardless of his level of progressiveness.  This is not to dismiss my shared desire with Marc that Obama will, in fact, prove to be very progressive.  For an assessment of progressiveness, follow the resources (money).

dc360, I disagree with your assertion that there's no major difference between the policies of the big three.  But, assuming that's the case, then I believe the next consideration should be who can get the most good work done in Washington.  Hillary will court and resurrect unnecessary battles best left to memory, and will possibly cost the Dems the majority in the Senate, if not the House; Edwards has strongest convictions toward the dispossessed, but has too many votes that he's regretted and that may distract him from larger global issues (if you think the value of the dollar (in which crude oil's priced), energy policy, trade policy or the waste of money on pointless wars doesn't affect Joe Sixpack, black or white, think again); that leaves Obama.  Not only has he worked successfully with Republicans on core issues, he'll likely sweep in more Dems to the Senate on his coattails, hopefully ending the Repugs filibuster war.

Bush & Co. have steadfastly worked to keep raising that first step on the economic ladder for blacks.  Obama stands the best chance of lowering it again.  As a human being it appeals to me morally, as a white person it adds to my sense of security by lowering the general level of desperation and reinjecting hope.

First and foremost let me say this; a politician is a politician is a politician.  They are all pretty much the same, "A politician".  I am a professed non-conformist.  I don't consider my self democrat, republican, independent or libertarian.  Because, I must confess a part of each platform appeals to me.  The politician I look for is the one who's the bravest.  Give me a politician that is not afraid to go against the grain of their prospective parties in favor of what they truly believe (and I believe) and they get my vote no question.  

I've read a lot regarding Kool-aid in this blog.  Lets be honest readers if you back a candidate, any candidate, from any party, your drinking someone’s kool-aid.  It's just a matter of whether they prepared it to your liking.  Too much sugar, maybe?  Not enough lemon, no too little?  Not exactly your flavor, yeah I prefer purple.

Some people will try and bring this extraordinary chance at history as a black vs. white issue.  In some ways they're almost right.  Its not "vs." it's "and", a "black and White" issue. In the long run it's about change.  With that said remember there is "strength in numbers".  We must not be divided less we get conquered.

I have to strongly disagree with you Ms. Harris-Lacewell when you say that we "we lack every resource we need to fight back", that's an incredulous statement.  The resources are there, the help is there.  What's not there is our own commitment to improvement.

Oh yeah by the way I'm boogying too.  Actually at my age it's more of a two step.

I have to admit, as conservative as I am, Barack have impressed me.   As Marianne Williamson writes,” As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same’…Barack is doing this and has successfully challenged the Jim Crow mentality of America.

Whether you like him or not, Barack has a unique style of politics.  It is not only in his song, but it resonates within both Democratics and Rebublicans.   Frederick Douglas, in his “Without Struggle/No Freedom” quote gives us the answers to empowerment, but in our ignorance we continually follow the ways of Willie Lynch.   We should get behind this guy and show our solidarity.  

South Africans rallied behind Mandela, why can’t we

First I would like to say "Congratulations!" Next I would like to make a couple of suggestions. The gray background you have selected is fine for style but it makes the text difficult to read(I'm 64 years old.) Next the small type that you use in the comments is again difficult to read. We are all about communication right! As for the background color on our page, may I suggest a light beige. Not only will our message be easier to read, but it will have a warmer face. I fed myself for years as a copywriter and art layout design specialist. These suggestions are money proven. My very best wishes, Ervin Sowell. PS I'll be making my first post in less than one minute. Hope you enjoy it.

Clinton lied. Nobody died. Could we revisit this one. Over 4,000 and counting American dead. 655,000 iraqi civilians dead. This scenario would have never occurred had Bill stayed zipped up. Should we give the Clintons the White House back and a chance to redeem themselves? Nah! Too big a risk. I say, "Send'em to rehab". I voted for Bill Clinton twice, and supported him during his impeachment. I now feel certain that Bill Clinton's irresponsible behavior tilted public opinion just enough to make the 2000 election close; close enough for Bush to steal it. There's an old saying in the middle east that, "If you let the camel get his nose in your tent, you can't stop him from coming on in". What I'm getting at is this; Hillary is the opponent of choice for the Republican Party. Rupert Murdoch who owns FoxNews and now the Wall Street Journal, held a big fundraiser for Hillary. Rupert Murdoch, one of the most rightwing tycoons on the planet, holding a fundraiser for a democrat? This does not pass the smell test. Vote Edwards or Obama!(I,m a solid Obama man), otherwise the general election will be endless reruns of Juanita, Jennifer, Paula, Monica,Travelgate, Whitewater, Vince Foster,on.and on. If that's not enough,.consider this! Bill Clinton could have had a fine legacy, but he threw it away. His serial recklessness made us all vulnerable. His serial recklessness allowed a couple of sociopaths to take over our government. For all the hopes we had, Bill Clinton's legacy to us in the end is Bush/Cheney,.. the most disasterous administration in history. America is wounded! Let's all unite around her and show some love. The Clintons will just unite the rightwingers, and bring back the hate. Please! Let's turn the page. Let's not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory this time.  Ervin Sowell

I just made my first posts, and as I read my way into the comments it was clear that the Clinton Trolls are already here. There job is to crash the party, and spike the punch with doubt. Keep the faith! Obama! Obama! Change we can believe in!

I think that all of us Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and Native Americans should understand one thing.  Politics in America is not about race it's about economics.  it has been that way forever, it's just been more visible since the Reagan era.  The war that's raging in America today is about class and economics plain and simple.  At no time in our nations history (except maybe in the 30's and 40's) has class and economic warfare been waged against the american people with such success.  It has succedded in turning American against American.

Obama could win the Democratic nomination but if he doesn't win the general election, he'll set back the cause because the defeat will be blamed on race. And if he wins the general election he could again set back the cause if his Presidency isn't judged successful. It will take a successful two-term Presidency to know whether he can carry the weight this site's audience is piling on his shoulders. Personally, I think he can, but you're not going to know this until 2012 at the earliest, and probably not till 2020 when the summing up books start being published.

To Dr. Palmetto: Rupert Murdoch isn't right-wing, he's just an opportunist. He'll support whoever is in power because it's in his business interest to do so. He supported Maggie Thatcher and he supported Tony Blair, an unlikely pair indeed. I worked for Rupert and I predict that he'll come to be welcomed as a breath of fresh air by most of the people working at The Wall Street Journal.

Politics is about power.  Those that have it, want to protect it.  The greater the power the greater the addiction.  We need Obama precisely because he does not come from the power and privilege that brought us where we are.  He not only has seen, but has lived different lives that the other candidates have but read read about.  His brain is wired differently because of his history.  Yet, he also lived in the halls of power, so knows the wiring of the privilege.  We so desperately need to break out of the old ways lest we, as a too powerful nation, continue to inflict more of the addled, sociopathic policies on the world.  There is too much sad history resulting from ignorance.  There are radical differences in the candidates.  As Dr Palmetto noted, events sometimes unexpectedly cascade.  We need to start a cascade in a different direction.  None is better suited than Obama.

TWO PRESIDENT CLINTONS TOO MUCH ANY WAY

"...One problem with the George W. Bush administration is that it has brought a kind of plural presidency in through the back door. Vice President *** Cheney has run his own executive department, with its own intelligence and military operations, not open to scrutiny, as he hides behind the putative president.

No other vice president in our history has taken on so many presidential prerogatives, with so few checks. He is an example of the very thing James Wilson was trying to prevent by having one locus of authority in the executive. The attempt to escape single responsibility was perfectly exemplified when his counsel argued that Mr. Cheney was not subject to executive rules because he was also part of the legislature.

We have seen in this campaign how former President Clinton rushes to the defense of presidential candidate Clinton. Will that pattern of protection be continued into the new presidency, with not only his defending her but also her defending whatever he might do in his energetic way while she’s in office? It seems likely. And at a time when we should be trying to return to the single-executive system the Constitution prescribes, it does not seem to be a good idea to put another co-president in the White House."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/opinion/26wills.html?ex=1202101200&en=a7de8fbf5b1fc3c8&ei=5070

Obama is a symbol for the ages, and quite frankly owes a great deal to the best African American political figure of the past two decades, Colin Powell. The primary difference between Obama and Powell is that Powell delivered first. Obama gets props for promising to deliver. Somehow Americans of a certain disposition seem to believe that their hope in Obama is a better kind of hope that Powell evinced. I think those people, as many as they may turn out to be, are sadly mistaken.

There is a difference too, in the character of the electorate that would have Obama make them unpinch their noses. They are the untried and unsophisticated. They are those unburdened with the actual details of running the ship of state. It's ironic that the younger Powell, as head of the FCC, has laid the legal groundwork for the existence of the YouTube videos and iTunes podcasts they all consume with abandon. The Powell legacy enables the Obama hope.

But we know the kind of manipulation that puts the tiger in the tank of this new shallow Obama ecstacy. It's that he's black. Not just black in color, but black enough to inherit all of the 3 or 4 actually different and unique conversations that African Americans have left unresolved since the end of the 60s. He only needs to appropriate a few ideas, differentiate himself moderately from the other candidates and then let his personality do the talking.  

It will be interesting to see how far down the road the champaign money fakers bouncing in the Obama VIP room will take their crusade, especially given the reactionary derangement syndrome which chides GWBush as being incompetent to the task of running this nation. Bush was a governor. Bush did fly jets.

But there is no question now that the Clintons will let fly with everything they have in order to debunk what's debunkable about Obama, and everyone under his spell is going to have to cry foul because. because because because because... because of the wonderful things he does.

Here's one African American who is not drinking koolaid of any sort. But I will be laughing derisively as I watch the fake ethics of multiculturalism take a nosedive in the Democratic party. I only hope you all can wake up and smell the coffee at your own convention before sending us Obama unwashed to the general election.

Oh ye of so little insight!!  Can't you see that no matter how the ' unwashed' Mr. Obama may or may not mess up as President of the United States, he'd have to go a very long way to match the foibles and triumphs of the 44 white guys preceeding him. The big difference here is 'the audacity of HOPE'  that WE can afford to have here; that for once, just once, we of colors have a chance of not having our voices summarily snuffed-out to the dictates and whims of white male privilege heretofore taken as a given. I for one want to breathe that rare air in our country, in this lifetime.

M.K. Thomas, Chicago

dr. harris-lacewell, I LOVE YOU!  why? for your courageous unceasing support of senator barack obama and your righteous smackdown of gloria steinem on democracy now!!!  loved it!!!  i share your enthusiasm for sen. obama, and i am also feeling very invested in the outcome of this race (for the very first time).  i'm 42 years old and, thank god, have not had all the hope squeezed out of me.  obama 2008!!!!

I disagree, Chicago. I say that blackfolks don't need the audacity of hope, but the veracity of competence. We always end up paying the piper for second-raters who step up to the plate before they're fully baked. When the black candidate is the best, it will be obvious. Like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Denzel Washington.

Obama is clearly a better candidate than Carol Mosely Braun, but we heard all that stuff about audacious hope before. Hell I worked for the Rainbow Coalition. What do I think? I think Obama would make a passably mediocre president, so quite frankly I'm not trembling at the prospect that he gains the office and screws up monumentally. But what bothers me is how needy the black electorate seems to be, that all of these self-esteem issues are confusing and clogging up the process. I understand that people often vote for shallow reasons, I just find it disturbing as a mass phenomenon.

All that said, I agree that it would be excellent once and for all to get rid of all this pent-up frustration so that people who marched with Dr, King could die happy. God knows Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison are champing at the bit, especially Morrison who otherwise will forever have to live down her 'first black president' thing with Bill Clinton. But the sound of five million black voters patting themselves on the back should not be confused with what this country needs or even what African Americans need.

I can't stop people from voting for unhealthy reasons, but I can call it sick.

Willie Lynch lives! For those of you who doubt that, listen to your reasons for not voting for Obama.  I'm not saying that we should all vote for Obama because he is "half" black. I'm saying that all of you who have ever entered a room and felt the first hints of prejudice because they see your black skin know that our BEST choice is the person who most closely can relate to that. Clearly he is not in the Clarence Thomas category. He is at least as sincere and passionate about his platform as the other front runner. We all agree that the rhetoric among all three candidates is about even.

My biggest fear is that the country is in such bad shape that whether a black man or a female wins the final election, s/he is going into a mess that needs to be fixed. While we are in an "economic downturn" (the new name for recession), I don't see us coming out of this without a lot of heads rolling. Let us hope that the president-elect survives it all.

I hate that either of the under represented groups will be in office when Bush's legacy hits the fan. I can only hope that we understand what is going on when we get smothered with the residue from the fan smatterings.

My delight is in seeing every person supporting a positive canidate. I have been over joyed with watching the professionlism of Mr. OBama meet the cynicalism of old style politics. Once again, perfection overfules. We have to take the examples of this campaign and apply it to our life. Education, Professionlism, and reaching out to others can aid in victory in our own lives.

May God Bless.

It's a small point, but I have always been struck by the notion that a large black vote for a black candidate is regarded as thoughtless bloc voting, a kind of tribal reflex action, while the army of white males voting for war mongering gun-toter is a cerebral movement.    The white vote is parsed by political scientists and the black vote is just a black thing, with scarcely three-fifths the importance.

If anything, the tough choices by African Americans among Obama, Billary and Edwards constitute an intriguing story I would enjoy reading.

There is plenty to be mined there.

Stepping out like this and having my opinion spoke on by whomever..well so be it...First of all I'm one of the brothers that is always spoke about..I've been incarcerated, been in the miltary..done all the things that my folks seem to have a problem with..I understand that and accept that it was by choice that I was incarcerated and not being a part of the solution as you say..HOWEVER, MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS..In prison we had to be united or perish by the way side..No matter who was wrong or who started what...At the end of the day we all were lockdown or attacked..because we were Black...

I read and listen to Sister and Brothers cut up Obama..saying this and that..White support whoever simsply because the person is White!..We always got to find a problem with each other..Gee..Why not try it and just see...Bush got in and he will go down as the worst president the United States has had....

Support the Brother..Obama for president

Since the dawn of American Politics, RACE has always been an issue. White folks vote for White folks because they are White, Italians vote Italians because they are Italians, Irish vote for Irish candidates because they are Irish. Same goes for Hispanics and even Asians, Why can't Blacks vote for a Black person for President because he is Black?  White women are doing that now for Hillary (what else account for her win in New Hampshire) Blacks have been voting for Whites never asking if the White candidate is qualified to run for office. My dear readers, not until the chains of psychological slavery is broken within the black community, we can never be liberated.

I like the IDEA and POSSIBLE REALITY of a Black President like the next man and woman. But, all the theatrics and verbal Judo aside, Obama can and will only be able to DO what he is FINANCIALLY BACKED and PHYSICALLY SECURED to do.

Everything else is smoke and mirrors

Anthony Stewart

Narrator

The Mis-Education of the Negro Audiobook

http://www.themiseducationofthenegro.com

Melissa, I am equally as proud of you as I am of Senator Obama. I too witnessed your placement of Gloria Steinham that rendered her speechless and in complete awe of you; stumbling over her words while trying to justify them in her on mind and at the same time realizing how absurd and exclusive they were. I would like to see you take on HRC during a debate.

I must admit that I have not yet made myself familiar with Mr. Hill's opinion or analysis of Senator Obama and his campaign and probably won't.  I've heard it all and I choose to ignore the rhetoric of the Youngs, Johnsons, and men who must undeniably feel some level of envy about the brother from another mother who has a following that keeps growing.  I'm sure they would love to have their own kool-aid from which we could all drink.  

Believe it or not, I am even prould of Mr. Hill and every other person who in spite of u

Melissa, I am equally as proud of you as I am of Senator Obama. I too witnessed your placement of Gloria Steinham that rendered her speechless and in complete awe of you; stumbling over her words while trying to justify them in her on mind and at the same time realizing how absurd and exclusive they were. I would like to see you take on HRC during a debate.

I must admit that I have not yet made myself familiar with Mr. Hill's opinion or analysis of Senator Obama and his campaign and probably won't.  I've heard it all and I choose to ignore the rhetoric of the Youngs, Johnsons, and men who must undeniably feel some level of envy about the brother from another mother who has a following that keeps growing.  I'm sure they would love to have their own kool-aid from which we could all drink.  

Believe it or not, I am even proud of Mr. Hill and every other person who in spite of a legacy of exclusion are able to rise and shine and shine is what Senator Obama does.  My advice to him and others who doubt is to feel his spirit and you will find a truth that cannot be denied.  Let us celebrate the good we find in any and all of us.  

I absolutely love the intent behind this site, but as a web designer, I so wish they would fix the kinks. The navigation is confusing and inconsistent. There are no tags or thorough search options. When trying to find an article I read and commented on from Prof. Harris-Lacewell a few days ago, the search brought up nothing. I'm sorry if this is off-topic, but I just want to vent a bit because when I was told of this site from a friend I was so excited. But please please fix the kinks. I can't even read everyone's comments fully because part of the comments are cut off on the right hand side.

Ok, back on topic. If you hadn't seen Melissa Harris Lacewell on Democracy NOW debating with Gloria Steinem about that god awful op-ed in the Times , you can check it out on at www.iloveupeople.com. I have been an admirer of Lacewell ever since.

Thank you all for your patience and my little vent session.

From my corner of the world: If you are ready to enter into another war in Iran, vote Clinton or a Republican (exception might be Ron Paul, but he is much too cozy with Storm Front despite his protests that he is not a bigot). We are in debt to China to pay for Iraq; we have earned the world's hatred due to illegal invasion of Iran. Russia and China have cautioned us about invading Iran, yet Senator Clinton voted yes on the Iran Resolution, which is the first green light to GWB to invade.

Being that we are low on troops, they would also probably mean a return to the draft. (Bill Clinton was one of those draft dodgers~the generation that forced the end of the draft and a lowered voting age.) As it is the USA government cuts costs with giving veterans of war their earned health care benefits.

Who will be most sorely affected by Iran? The poor. Which demographic group is lowest on the over all economic ladder? Hint: It is not Latino/Latina's. Vote Obama and forget his skin color and gender. He is smart and thinks of long term ramifications of actions. He is the best qualified of all our candidates.