Roland keep up the much needed work. Love ya!

Roland, shuck and jive me an answer to a simple answer.
whats the difference between the black power flag with the angry fist and the rebel flag. they both represent the worst of both races. there is but one race, the human race.
educate me please?
a native america by heart.
scott bowling green,mo.

Roland is 100% correct. Please keep this type of analysis coming. America needs to hear it.

CHRISTINE OF KANSAS,

YOU ARE A VERY ANGRY PERSON. I DON'T KNOW FROM WHERE YOUR VENOM COMES, BUT YOU NEED SOME SERIOUS THERAPY.

To Fred, Reston Va

You sound like the crazy person. You do realize there is such a thing as "Free Speech" in this country.

I also do not think you are black. Now, rant and rave at me.

I GUESS I WAS JUST PLAIN NAIVE; I THOUGHT THIS COUNTRY HAD COME A LONG WAY BUT I SEE NOW THAT WE WERE ONLY TRAVELING IN A CIRCLE TO END UP FROM WHERE WE STARTED.

I'M STILL PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN; JUST A LITTLE SADDER AFTER READING SOME OF THE NASTY REMARKS MADE BY MY FELLOW AMERICANS.
TOO BAD FOR OUR COUTRY.

I expect more nasty remarks to follow this post if it makes it to the blogs. So, go ahead folks.

Wow, can't believe that it's 2008, and not 1958!

Eric in Massachusetts: go to realclearpolitics.com where there are polls matching up the possible democratic nominee with all the (major) Republican possibles nominees. OBAMA beats them ALL (including my least favorite, the sk_nky Guliani), Only he & McCain are in a tie.

And white folks, I truly love all people (my best friend is Irish-American), but I am so UTTERLY fed up with those of you saying "It's not racist". As an older African American woman, I wouldn't deem to judge what's not anti-gay, or not anti-Hispanic., etc. What makes you think YOU know what it feels like to hear certain expressions when you're not wearing the skin, or the sexual orientation, or the religion?

As Prince said "Mr Man: We tired y'all"

To the "Truth" from Anywhere USA. I can understand your disappointment. I am an independent, so I owe nothing to either party. I WILL vote for whomever I think will lead our Country best. My first choice, right now, is Hillary Clinton. If Obama is on the Dem ticket, it will take a whole lot of convincing to get me to vote for him. He is an opportunist. He has absolutely no credentials. No track record on issues that count. He skips those votes. He has no executive experience. He has no Foreign Relations experience. Going to a madrassa in Indonesia when he was a child is not Foreign Relations experience anymore than going to Kindergarten in the US is domestic experience.

You can call me divisive. I could not care less. I'm an independent and I WILL NEVER vote for Baracka Hussein Obama. I should not say never, but definitely not in the 2008 election. If he finishes one term in Congress and builds a good track record, I will consider him later on.

Obama is a like a "One hit wonder" with his speech at the 2004 convention and his books. He hasn't done anything else.

Sorry to disappoint you. I speak only the truth as I see it.

To Fred, Reston Va

Well, you must be a liberal. That's your problem, not mine.

The Clintons and the top advisors have decided to inject race and gender into the primaries. They are out win even if their victory will divide the country further. They are shameless and selfish.

If elected President, an entire world of fools, racists and bigots will hardly care if they cause indignation and outrage with their words, so Obama better learn to grow a much thicker skin. Is it fair? No. But politics and life rarely are. Being over-sensitive in this area will cause people to walk around him on eggshells and be afraid to speak, lest they say inadvertantly say something 'offensive'….and that will make him unapproachable, which translates to un-electable. Obama himself didn't complain…the media did, but it is the same thing…people will be nervous to speak to him lest the media attack them. Does he like his coffee black? I would be afraid to ask!

These comments and those like the ones uttered about lynching Tiger Woods are just a reminder that while racism does not exist overtly among some people it is still deep within the subconscious. It is not mistake when those words are used, even if the utter doesn't fully comprehend why he chose them. Political correctness has run amuck, but I don't think it hurts any of us to stop for a moment and consider why phrases like these continue to be uttered and what it means about our collective subconscious as a nation.

Just to give you my back ground, I'm a 24yr old white female college student.

I"ve never heard of the pharse "Shucking and Jiving" before and I had no idea that it was even remotely racist until I continued to read this article. Given that information, I can't really comment on that particular phrase, but I can comment on the "lazy" comment.

I tend to use many adjectives (including lazy) for many different people regardless of race. Not too long ago, someone mentioned to me that I should be more aware of stereotypes when I apply different adjectives. Their point was that by calling someone who is black "lazy" as Rove did, it propogates that stereotype which can lead to propogating racism. And I see their point. And I tried to be more aware of the things I said and who I said them about.
BUT!! in doing so, I experienced another concept. By stopping to think about every adjective, (even common ones such as lazy, poor, ghetto, supersmart, playboy, which can apply to anyone regarless of race) and by specifically noticing the person's race, it made me even more of the differences between us. I wouldn't think twice about calling a white person lazy but now I have to come up with another adjective if that person is a minority. If I have to walk on eggshells all day, and conciously change the way I speak around different ethnic groups aren't I NOT TREATING THEM LIKE EQUALS? And by not treating them like equals aren't I propogating racism?

I guess the easiest solution would be to not talk about other people… but, I'm not sure that's possible in this day and age.

To anna for Long Island,

What kind of racist comment is that? The only thing you see from me is letters typed on a computer. How in the world can you determine my race or anyone else's? Are you saying that because I can type english properly, and am not automatically voting for Obama I must be white? As one of the very few black republican females, in Long Island of all places, I would think you would be more sensitive to racial departmentalization.

By the way. Why would anybody pose as a different race on a politcal blog? Get a life. I can see why you "hate all liberals" You are crazy.

Cnn, stop letting people post racist nonsense. Isn't that why you take time to "moderate" comments?

If the shoe fits – wear it.

Ok Eric From Massachusetts,

Seems like you are the bigot here. Great, you like HRC fine. Vote for her. Stop trying to make people believe that YOU have better credentials then Obama. Please. You sir are a joke. I don't know you and don't care to but you cannot come close to Obama. With that said, you should also stop trying to divide people like your candidate HRC. Stop telling people to vote republican if obama wins. Does that do any good for the Democratic party? Does that do any good for those of us who believe change does not come from the either of the Republican candidates? I know this is a time when we have to choose sides as far as democrats go. But, don't ever think that by voting for Mcain or Romney that you are delivering a blow to Barak Obama. That will be your stupid mistake. They could care less about the majority of people in this country except for their own rich and spoiled base. That would hurt the nation even more. Its one thing to get behind your person but its another to be devisive like you are. I would hope in you so called brain that you would have enough sense to understand that whoever gets the Democratic nomination, it is our duty as Democrats and independents and some dissatisfied republicans to get behind our parties nominee whether it be Clinton or Obama. I have said in the past that if HRC won I would vote republican. But that was out of anger and pure dislike for Hillary. Do I mean it? Heck no. What I do know is that whom ever the nominee is, we have to get behind them 100% if we are to undue what the Bush administration has done over the past years. The problem with the Democratic party and why we have been beaten the past two elections is that we cannot get along with ourselves. The Democratic party is so divided like it was when Bush won, that they will probably win again if we don't wake up and see the writing on the wall. I expect true patriots of this country to get behind Obama when he wins or Hillary if she wins. Point blank. So stop with all the ignorant statements.

For those intellegent people who support HRC, I wish your candidate well. If she wins, I will be behind her 100% as I expect everyone else to be if Obama wins. Please, ignorance is a disease.

With OBAMA's success, the most qualified candidateII tried so hard to believe that may be, just may be America has improved in race relations but that faith is slipping away.

The Obama campaign is quickly alienating many people by its constant attempts to percieve racial slights in anyone who speaks against them. Interesting how this was not done until we are coming up on South Carolina a state with many black voters. If the Obama campaign is going to insist that everyone in the democratic party is racist, how can he claim that he is capable of getting elected. If there is racial bias among white northern democrats, then what hope is there in other parts of the country for Obama to get elected. Furthermore, when truly racist propaganda comes from the right and Obama tries to call them on it, the response is already in place. They will simply respond that Obama has no credibility on this issue- he will call anyone who opposes him a racist- even Bill Clinton, the man Toni Morrison called the first black President. When the Chairman of the Obama campaign gets on TV and says Mrs. Clinton cried about her hair, and then tries to invoke Hurricane Katrina 10 times in 30 seconds, it is clear what strategy they have adopted, and why they have adopted it at this time. This will only open the door for attacks in the general election that Obama will now have no leverage to respond back to.

One black guy- Martin pitching for another black guy -Obama. What a surprise.
The comedy of this is that Martin really thinks that he's helping Obama.
Please Martin, drag him down with you.
Please take him to that angry-yelling-Jessie Jacskon-circle.

Give me a break. This is definitely an example of "political correctness gone mad", to use the authors words. The words are supposed to mean "clowning, lying, and pretense". So he should have used those words? White people aren't allowed to use certain words, or else they're racist? This article is a complete load of garbage.

I was turned off by Roland Martin when he said Obama would be the uniter of this country. That was like the biggest joke of all. Martin, Obama, Michelle and Oprah are making this a racist thing. Not the pubilc. It iis true that they are trying to convince the african americans to vote for him because of his color. To make him the first african american president. You don't vote to make him the first of his race you vote to save our country. You vote to pick the candidate that can do that. Hillary Clinton will be on meet the press on Sunday. Watch her. You can't deny she is the one that can lead.

Fred in VA: Fred, Reston Va January 11, 2008 2:15 pm ET

To Kyle in South Carolina,

Did it ever occur to you that some black people like myself actually do not like Obama, and that we are for Hillary for reasons other than Bill? I personally find Obama's comparison to JFK and MLK offensive, because both of them were do-ers not talkers. He tries to attach his ego to their vision of the future, and I for one am not impressed.

I would challenge you or anyone else to say 3 reasons why they support Obama and not say anything cliche like "fired up" or "change" Fired up to do what? Invade Pakistan? Change to what? Trillion dollar tax increase to pay for socailism? Please. There are many valid reasons to support Clinton over Obama within our black community. Look at the race with colorblind eyes, and no rational person can honestly say Obama is the best person for the job.

By the way. remember he said drivers liscenses to illegal immigrants in the cnn debate. A 30 second spot run over and over in October will gurantee a loss for Mr Obama my friend.

Thank you Fred – You make us proud that you are not falling into that race card. Vote for whoever just please not Obama. He is the weakest link in US history.

This piece is right on. More so than ever, this presidential race is full of symbolism and subliminal rhetoric. We've become too comfortable as a society with what comes out of our collective mouths. Is it that Black Americans are too sensitive, that whites are too insensitive or a combination of the two? While I tend to believe the later, the fact that so many public faux pas are taking place is hard to ingore. Whether it's the case with Cuomo, referring to Black female basketball players as "nappy headed hoes" or suggesting that Tiger Woods be taken in a dark alley and "lynched" as one commentator recently said, many who have a public platform seem to lose all common sense and sensitivity when they open thier mouths.

Copyrighted from Disneyland. "It's a small world, after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all, it's a small, small world." Welcome to Disneyland! Pick your favorite character to run, your favorite magical land, find a huge mushroom, pick out your pipe, and just be mentally wasted.

That's the feeling I'm getting from the general public, and from the candidates. Might as well vote for Micky Mouse for President. He's the safest candidate. The way you folks are rolling in the bloody mess, you might as well go for the mouse. At least, he's got character. He's already America's darling. Racist, not a racist! You get some yahoo throwing out chum, and here comes the frenzy! Hello, fishies! Love the shark fest? Love getting torn apart by the other shark trying to get that last tidbit? "I'm this, so life should be, and think this way! I have to convince, connive, perputrate, penetrate, and basically, sell hogwash to one and all. Now, let's see how many people will go insane over these tidbits." Folks, go outside, get air, rethink about life, and what is most important to you. Then, decide just how much you're gonna spend on antacids, pain relievers, and medical expenses, for stressing out because the next yahoo is waving that piece of chum in your face. Reality check, folks. It aint necessary to go neanderthal on anyone and everyone because of opinion, thoughts, or actions (Save for a terrorist threat that means the end of life, liberty, and the pursuit of the ultimate TUMS for the tummy).

Vote your mind, vote your gut. Stop thumping on everyone. LIVE LIFE!!!

When is Mr. Roland Martin going to officially join Sen. Obama's election staff?

A person ( Cindy i think it was_) made the comment that the Theme of Good Times features the team shucking and jiving… NO IT DOESNT .. its Scratchin’ and surviving. Maybe your ears wanted to hear Shucking and jiving…. Now Im not calling you a racist but…. here is the theme for your info

OPENING THEME LYRICS

Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment. – Good Times.
Any time you need a friend. – Good Times.
Any time you’re out from under.
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled.
Keepin’ your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.

Temporary lay offs. – Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs. – Good Times.
Scratchin’ and surviving. – Good Times.
Hangin in a chow line – Good Times.
Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em – Good Times.

CLOSING THEME LYRICS

Mmmmmm
Just lookin' out of the window.
Watchin' the asphalt grow.
Thinkin' how it all looks hand-me-down.
Good Times, yeah, yeah Good Times

Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can

Temporary lay offs. – Good Times.
VOICE-OVER spoken by John Amos: Good Times was recorded in front of a live studio audience
Easy credit rip offs. – Good Times.
Ain't we lucky we got 'em – Good Times.

All the defenders of this statement are saying: "It doesn't offend me, therefore, it must not be offensive."

This is why this country is so screwed up.

Courtney, Cuomo said it. Not Hillary. If you think Hillary can control what people say, then why wouldn't you vote for her? She'd be the second coming. Free will people. Personally, I don't see the big deal with what he said. But if some do, just remember that Cuomo is not Hillary.

Look at Kerry's endorsement of Obama. Kerry kept saying "we" but I'm not about to condemn Obama for secretly planning to have Kerry as a running mate. That would sink Obama. Kerry just opened his mouth and inserted foot.

People are not perfect by any means.

The "Liberals" are at it again. As I have noticed throughout my life (I'm a Black Woman who has grown up in a variety of mostly white areas throughout the country), that the liberal whites are generally more racist. I prefer the South (where they at least OWN it)

"Shuck & Jive" the use of a term that is loaded and has been used in the past to describe black people actions. This election is getting heated and race is an underlining issue. Our subconscious minds says and use terms that we learn as children and stereotypes that are ingrained this culture. We in this country have very short memories. 1964 was 44 years ago…not to long ago and that is when Black's were granted the right to vote. Seen as equal individuals in the eyes of the constitution. 44 years ago and that didn't end, segregation or any of these issues.
Cuomo is a product of that generation (and in the Clinton's pocket) He was apart of Bill's administration and OWES favors…AS does HILLIARY….

TRUST this one of many "loaded terms" that will be used the by the Clinton's & Republicans. This election will truly show us where we as a country are. REALLY
OBAMA '08!

I think one of the reason Obama has so many votes is that people are trying to tell the press that American aren't as racist as the press insist we are.
That was just a comment, using a common phrase.

Hey, some people on this blog represent the double-standard for AA's. Whenever someone who is AA stands up for another of the same race, we're doing it because they're black. HELLO… who is the only other person going against Hillary right now? If this was said when all of the democratic candidates we're still in the race, maybe you all might have a point of your "versions" of the definition. However, the main complaint by non-Obama supporters is that he's all show and no action. Shuck and jive…. all show…. African-American. There's no connection there?

Dear Roland Martin,
If I had written a book entitled "Speak, Friend: A White Man's View of America", you'd be all over it. Journalists like you will bring Obama down, which I guess I should be thankful. But in the end, you will just fracture the Democratic party even more. Although it is pretty clear that Obama is unsure insecure in his background, it also is clear that he did not want to bring race into things.

Get over your anger. In your entire lifetime (and mine) and back even more, you have had the same rights and opportunities that I have. Stop the anger. Stop the racism. Let the candidates do their own thing without playing "policeman" on the race card. The American voters are smarter than that and don't need you pointing out every seeming transgression. It's a bit old.

TO: Fred, Reston Va January 11, 2008 2:15 pm ET

To Kyle in South Carolina,
_

I am really African American and I do not plan to vote for any Democrats.

I like MIKE (Huckabee) and I HATE ALL LIBERALS.

By the way, Fred, I do not think you are black. Just my opinion.

Barack is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He or Hillary will have the entire country under islamic rule within 4 years. One intentionally, the other unintentionally. If you choose to elect them then you too will be to blame for the destruction of this country.

The democrats can give us a lot of things. Some good, some bad. But there is one thing they will not do and that is defend our country from those that wish to destroy all of western civilization. They also will not defend us from becoming a country who no longer has sovereignty or an identity caused by the invasion by our friendly neighbors from the south.

So you can vote for "free" health care, higher taxes, the outlaw of firearms, and more government control of your lives if you wish. But the chance of you getting to live in your own private utopia would be in serious jeopardy. A country worth living in can have nothing without security. So DEMS, I suggest you buy a nice peace of property in the mountains and store plenty of food and water.

This is why Clinton will not get my vote. I understand why women who supported her for getting emotional but in my opinion they will be hypocrites if they do not take this and her diminishing statements about Dr. King in account. Please with all due respect to all voters, please be fair. Obama 08!

To Kyle in South Carolina,

Did it ever occur to you that some black people like myself actually do not like Obama, and that we are for Hillary for reasons other than Bill? I personally find Obama's comparison to JFK and MLK offensive, because both of them were do-ers not talkers. He tries to attach his ego to their vision of the future, and I for one am not impressed.

I would challenge you or anyone else to say 3 reasons why they support Obama and not say anything cliche like "fired up" or "change" Fired up to do what? Invade Pakistan? Change to what? Trillion dollar tax increase to pay for socailism? Please. There are many valid reasons to support Clinton over Obama within our black community. Look at the race with colorblind eyes, and no rational person can honestly say Obama is the best person for the job.

By the way. remember he said drivers liscenses to illegal immigrants in the cnn debate. A 30 second spot run over and over in October will gurantee a loss for Mr Obama my friend.

Wow – you got to love how words can be twisted. "Shucking and Jiving" may have started as a black expression for "clowning or lying" but for at least the last forty years it has meant someone talking fast and not telling the truth. The politically correct expression of today would be "spinning." Clearly it is an "urban" expression and the attorney general in his younger day did grow up on the sidewalks and clubs of New York. I am sure he from time to time called some of his best friends "Jive (explitive) (explitive)."

Some how I don't see how this makes him a racist and I have no clue how it relates to Clinton.

Roland Martin's mentors are Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. What else do you expect? For him to have even one original thought would be an extravagant exageration. For him, it's all about race and what he perceives as being 'owed' to them.

Im a latino and from this side of the fence it is a election that race is becoming more and more the wedge to who will be elected ! I really don't care to hear who is white or black or brown but who can lead and at this point all I see is everyone calling foul! As Latinos watch from the side line we are making are own minds up by content and not by who is more popular! you have to understand that latinos have a very very big issue that is dear to there hearts and to there children and so we listen and determine with out the media or others making a fuss of race ! so listen and if we did more listening we would hear the truth because I have always been told listen before you speak because what you say may never ever be taken back! if you want to continue the same argument thats cool but for hispanic we don't intend to have are children's lives be determine by who is white or black but who has the right answers for the right question ! like the economy, illegal immigration, the iraq and afgan and pakistan problems, how the chinese are making are dollar shrink, how we are losing our homes and are schools are falling apart, how the who country at this point does not seem to have strength with in its self. all I can say is becareful for what you wish for you may get it and then when it bites you its on you. so listen to what is said not the media or the racist and they are all colors in here I see! I hope Im reading your mail because if i am then maybe you should grow up and do the right thing for the country and vote for what makes us strong. Im not here to indorse or side with you but to say the media is making us sick look what we say and how we think all of us and me too!

This is way over the top. If the Clintons win the Democratic Nomination I will not be voting for them this time. It shows what they really think about Blacks. They will get dirty with Obama, and when they do they will loose a large segment of their voting block.

Just like "lynch him in the back alley" comment (i.e. Tiger Woods), you cannot, once again, explain the embedded racism of this country that, once again, we are all supposed to tolerate. An outcry from another oppressed group is "advocacy" and "civil rights;" same outcry from African-Americans is deemed "complaining" and a "who cares." Major sigh.

I don't think Obama has a snowball's chance in hell of winning even the primary. I don't think a lot of people understand this is not about Obama but about the Democrats making racist remarks. I expected all kinds of nasty stuff from the Republicans, but, as it turns out, the racist actions are coming from my friends, the Democrats.

I am turning Independent tomorrow.

I am African American but I like Mike Huckabee. I also have a lot more respect for Mitt Romney because of his emotional statements about his father's support for Martin Luther King.

I was very disappointed with Shaheen of New Hampshire, Bill Clinton's remarks about Obama, Bob Kerry's remarks; Mark Penn's remarks; etc., etc.,
and now Andrew Cuomo. I would never have thought any member of the Cuomo family would say such a thing. I find it hard to believe but I know it's true.

Kevin of Louisville, Oprah does a better job of being a multiplier of strength and hope. But she knows better than to run for president. Oprah has better credentials than Obama. Heck, I have better credentials than Obama. It takes more than just an eloquent speech to run a country. Speeches don't geet things done. Actions do. That's the problem…. In the Democratic Primary, Obama cannot list any achievements other than having been born and raised in unique circumstances. That is not enough to cut it. The Republicans will tear him apart.

The media is giving him a free pass right now because he is a good speaker and ratings go up when people watch. Government and politicians are not as easily fooled.

We need some experience in the White House. God knows Bush didn't have any and look what happened. Vote for Hillary. if Obama is nominated, then vote for McCain or Romney.

Holy cow (oops, offensive to farmers)…I mean, OH my gosh (oops, offensive to evangelicals)….I mean aw crap (ooops, offensive to "Dirty Jobs)…I mean "thats so Polish" ooops, offensive to ME! Guess I am dumb, it never occured to me the shuck and jive thing was racial..Just thought it meant avoiding the question. And, no, I'm not Republican. However, what does Sen. Obama think of all this? In my mind, his opinion is the only one that matters at this moment; all comments aside, if he is offended, so be me.

Ruthie, keep in mind that this is just the Democratic Primary. And the bigots seem to be the people who are FOR Obama. It's amazing. It's going to get uglier and uglier. Imagine if Obama gets the nomination and has to face the Republicans? The bigots who are supporting Obama now will be out in full force twisting every word they can in favor of race.

"Some of you may be saying that this is stupid and ridiculous. But understand the racial history of America."

It is a stupid and ridiculous news item.

Actions speak much louder than words. Mario Cuomo has always been a civil rights enthusiast, not just supporter, and was his entire political career.

Now, how about a Ticker item on how President Criminal is trying to start a war with Iran?

You know, real news.

Jerk

It is a race issue. He's an African-American, and Senator Clinton is a woman. It is a huge deal to have two minority groups (at least in terms of politics, both are minorities) represented by the two front-runners. However, it's not fair to use your minority status only for political gain. Both Oprah and Obama are eloquent speakers, but during their campaign trail stops, they reduced their tone and pronunciation to what many consider "ebonics." Obama continued this trend with his concession speech in NH. Note how the letter R was not used at the end of words. This is a Harvard graduate we are talking about. He knows how to speak properly, but chooses when to do so for political gain. Because Lord knows that speech was targeted towards the South Carolina black community, which makes up 50% of the Democratic party in that state. So yes, "shuck and jive" may be inappropriate, but so is Obama's use of ebonics only when he pleases. If he's going to play the race card subtly, I'd rather someone just go out and be overt and honest about it!!!….and let's not forget, his ridiculous dances after several speeches aren't quite unlike a football player's endzone celebration…

I AM UPSET BECAUSE THE SLINGS AND ARROWS ARE COMING FROM THE DEMOCRATS. IF THE REPUBLICANS WERE MAKING THE REMARKS, IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAME.

The racist remark made by Andrew Cuomo has nothing to do with Obama now.
It shows me that my Democratic party has just as many racists as any other party.
I voted for the Cuomo family members whenever they were up for office. NO MORE.
I WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR A MEMBER OF THE CUOMO FAMILY AGAIN AND I WILL NOT VOTE FOR BILLARY CLINTON, WHO STARTED THIS SLIDE WITH HER AND BUBBA'S RACE BAITING.

To the former "Good Times" viewer….the words "shucking and jiving" are nowhere near that song, and if you really grew up watching it you would know that…which pretty much makes the rest of your question for us thoughtful readers invalid.

I think people are reading too much in to this. I wouldn't have thought one thing about it, but now it is a lead story. Just like comments by the golf channel anchor. Someone suggested avoiding any comments that people find offensive. I'm sorry but that changes daily. The problem lies in the fact that along as the race card is played everytime an issue like this is brought up, it will continue to be an issue. People like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are doing much more harm than good for racial issues. Everytime they shove their face on the TV screen or everytime Oprah and Obama use terms they normally would not use (See S.C. ) they are playing the issue and making a bigger separation rather than closing a separation that never should have been there in the first place. However, we can't change history, but we can work on the future and stop making big issues out of little comments from little people.

Once again, there goes Roland Martin trying to make this election into a race issue. CNN would be more appropriate if they would continue to report just the facts, like they did years ago, rather than inundate us with their correspondents' opinions.

I am tried of the Black argument and the references to Barack.

I want to let you what barack is not!

he is not Black

he is not White

he is not a divider

he is not fake or a fairytale

He is
Black and White
Real
and Multiplier of strenght, hope and aspirations of the American pple .what the country is about and wants to become……

Go Barack!!

How do you think Hillary feels about all the gender-related attacks?

Kyle, I'm not an AA, but I am for HILLARY. I'm s SGDEFA (Swedish, German, Dutch, English, French American). And someone told me that there was some American Indian in me too somewhere… I am going to vote for Hillary because I belive in her. She is time-tested and "mother approved". The last part was a joke.

There are numerous reasons why I will vote for her, but here are a couple:
1) She works hard. She has lived her life knowing that she had to work twice as hard as men to get ahead. She can't stand being idle or lazy.
2) She believes in fighting for all of us. I truly believe that she will work hard for everyone, except maybe the super rich. I'm on the upper end of the middle class scale, so she may not work as hard for someone like me. I don't need help. But I know plenty of people that do.
3) She has real ideas and solid solutions on how to tackle some of our country's problems. She has the expertise and the drive to not only have an agenda, but she knows how to get it done. It will take more than "I've been to the mountain" to get people in Washington to do something.

The Federal Government is a big machine. The largest employer in the world. The Executive branch must work with the Legislative and Judicial branches to effectively operate. She's seen that close up. Obama was a junior attorney while Hillary was smack dab in the middle of it. She was a very engaged First Lady and yes I do think that counts for something. Having Bill as "First Man" should not be viewed as a bad thing either. He will have quite a bit to contribute. We need people in the White House who know how to work within the DC machine. An outsider with "dreams" won't get far. The American People know this to be true and that's why they will not elect Obama. Nothing to do with race. He may have another shot in 8 years.

I said when Obama started his run for presidency that the bigots would come out of the woodwork, and so it is.

This is just silly, anything to attack Hillary! How about the people from Obamas campaign that showed up at a Hillary event, wearing T- shirts that said clean my, wash my shirts and iron my shirts, I hear nothing about that- is that not sexest he gets a free ride.Tell me has any talking head said anything negative about him? I can tell you that the GOP will have a field day with his lack experience,the fact that he did not vote a lot when he was in the IL. senate was that calculated, so he does not have a record to be examined —– just wondering? The way the media acts you would think this guy walks on water!!!

Thank You Roland for clarifying this. I couldn't have said it better. You learn the true measure of a person in times of adversity, conflict and/or struggle. I would have suspected these types of tactics from Republicans and we still may see it, but for it to come from within the Democratic Party is interesting.

This tells you that a change truely is coming.

Is everyone getting smoke blown in their faces by their favorite catepillar? I'm looking at these comments from the public, and from Mr. Martin, and I'm not sure if we're living in the Magic Kingdom trying to decide which Disney character is the best one to rule over the commoners. Because of these offbeat comparrisons, whether this one or that one measures up, or doesn't measure up, or maybe construed as racist, I'm gonna eat from the northside of the mushroom, since I have no idea what's going on.

I do know I trust Clinton. I don't trust Obama – he's too much like Bush, sellng too much sewerwater for us to get sick on, disquised as medicine to heal us. He doesn't have seasoning, experience, or knowhow to deal with the world. He has vague ideas, nothing solid, on how to "solve" our issues.

A lot of you may say I am BLACK and for HILLARY. Ok. Besides BILL CLINTON why do you SUPPORT Hillary? If you can honestly look inside your soul and give me 3 (JUST 3) valid reasons of WHY then go to the polls and vote your convictions. Just please DONT say because of BILL.

Martin you are dead on with this assesment. That guy had NO RIGHT making that statement!! If you don't think its a low blow to the African American race then come walk in the shoes with me for a week.

Roland as the saying goes "All is fair in love and war". To consider politics as pure politics and not war is naive. The battle for the democratic nomination has just begun and I would suggest that if Obama is not mentally tough enough to deal with the "no holds barred" of this political war, he is not qulaified to lead the country. And Mr. Martin you are not helping his cause by stating the obvious. This is just the tip of the iceberg. This is war!

Everyone needs to calm down. Barack Obama is not running in this election to make this country "BLACK AMERICA." He is a magnificent man who wants the privilege and honor of helping this country become what it says it is.

There seems to be this perception in "White America" that Black Americans don't love this country as much as they do. Yes our ancestors where enslaved, but today it seems that some whites are the ones chained and shackled. Free your mind and your heart will follow and I think you will see that Mr. Obama wants to change this country and help make it better.

So just relax and feel the love, courage, intelligence, and humor, etc. eminating from this beautiful man; who just happens to be black which is a good thing.

Stop listening to the pundits or the Clintons or anyone else and just listen to Barack. He hasn't lied yet. Go to his web site and read his answers to all the questions you may have about him and his record or pick up one of the two books he wrote himself about his life, there is nothing sugar coated, there is only the truth.

This man is above all the racial crap that the political machines in this country are slowly throwing his way. He's a strong man with a lot of dignity and I don't believe he is going to let the stupidity of those who are afraid stop him.

Be well, VF

When Obama was at the Apollo theater Chris Rock told guests they'd be "embarassed" if Obama won and they had been backing Clinton instead. "You'd say, 'I had that white lady! What was I thinking?'"
switch that around and listen to people freak out.
It makes me laugh that I have this " be color blind, don't be so shallow " crap shoved down my throat and then read about :

Miss black America awards
naacp
Black music awards
Black entertainment television
Black writers guild

and many, many more, It doesnt seem to me that black people are ready to be color blind themselves, please don't give me a history lesson, we have come a long way and any black person has the same chance as me at being succesful, any more its just between the rich and the poor.
Obama uses slang himself, Oprah is "my girl" remember, whats next
"my bad" ? My concern is that we have had presidents that screwed me over for rich people, now I am going to get screwed again because I am white, I mean really, any politicion that has anything to do with Al sharpton loses a major amount of respect from me.

Cuomo is a godfather in a Italian mob!

Boy, this is such a surprise. Who would have ever thought that Mario Cuomo's son would say such a thing? It makes me wonder about the father.

Compare that with what Romney said about his father marching with Dr. Martin Luther King.

Boy, I am surprised and I am also offended. I think Mrs. Clinton has decided to play her race card to win.

You may win the nomination, mam, but, you are not going to win the general election.

I would sit out this election for the first time in my sixty years before I vote for Mrs. Clinton.

Shame on you, Andrew Cuomo. I thought I would be voting for you for congress. I don't know what to say. It makes me wonder what your father really thinks of the black people who love and respect him.

This is very disappointing to me.

It seems that most of the posters are commenting on a topic with which they are unfamiliar. Hence, the unwarranted attack on Roland. There is a long history associated with the term "shucking and jiving". The term is used to describe when a black person "performs", usually by smiling and behaving submissively or by "acting a fool" to give white people a sense of superiority. The one knock Obama has been receiving since he first stepped onto the national stage is that he wasn't black enough or that he was a white man's puppet. Associating shucking and jiving with Obama is merely another shameless attack on the authenticity of his blackness. In light of the fact that the South Carolina primary is coming up soon and will have a large black vote, I am certain the use of the term “shucking and jiving” was calculated and not incidental.

Article writers like these and journalists like the ones who have taken over the cable news are doing their best to spread the theme of racism in order to benefit Obama. He doesn't need this negative help, but so long as you keep asserting that whites are racist against a half-white half-black candidate, you are directly offending me and many others.

I was lucky enough to grow up without being taught racism. I have spent my life open to all as equal. However, these accuasations that are coming in daily are driving me into feelings that are uncomfortable. No matter what the voters of Nh did, it must have been racist. Bill Clinton saying that Obama was in a fairytale if he thinks that dems and republicans will just fall into each others arms is considered an offense to African Americans as stated by Dawn Basile (sp) of CNN. Obama's laziness is an offense to Blacks all over the country, please. Voters in NH were accused of RACISM because they voted the way they wanted to…IF OBAMA AND ALL OF HIS CAMPAIGN PEOPLE AND THE JOURNALISTS WHO SEEM TO HAVE ALREADY CORONATED HIM AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO ARE VOTING FOR HIM CONTINUE TO USE THIS RACE CARD, THE LEGITIMATELY OFFENDED WHITES WILL REACT.

STOP BLAMING WHITES FOR EVERYTHING. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND A SERIOUS DOUBLE STANDARD.

If whites were to state that they are counting on the "white vote" to win South Carolina or any other competition-God help the uproar.

If whites were to state something as Chris Rock did in his introduction to an Obama rally that we need to vote for a black man and not be caught voting for that white woman, whites would be blasted by the black community.

If whites were to state on national tv or anywhere for that matter that they were voting for a candidate because he or she is white, they'd be made out ot be horrible.

and on and on it goes…

I would not have considered my thoughts prior to this race for President racist ones…and I am trying hard to maintain my views,

But I am getting worn down as a white voter in this country and won't last long if everything continues to be blamed on race.

Having said that, I recognize that some things said by some people may have racial undertones, but the part does not make the whole.

Continuing in this direction, though, may just head this country in toward the whole.

STOP.

When I was growing up my (Caucasian) father used the phrase "shuckin' and jivin'" to mean fooling around with one's friends. I never heard him use it to refer to African Americans and it never occurred to me that some people might consider it a racial slur. He's used that phrase for years and to me it just meant playing around, hanging out, shooting the breeze, etc.

Calvin, Columbia, SC January 11, 2008 12:11 pm ET

Blacks will rally around Clinton in the end, you can bet the house on it. No, I am not White–I am mixed like Obama and I am a neutral democrat.
___

Calvin, you have got to be kidding or you don't know black people at all. Ask Jimmy Carter what a whole lot of black people did during his second run.

Tree, what racist comment?

As far as the earmarks go, that's what senators and congressmen do. They are there to do a job for their consituents. Her constituents are the peoplee of the State of New York. Obama's constituents are the people of the State of Illinois.

When congressmen and senators run for President, they tend to "forget" about their consituents. They do things that are popular for the country, so that they can win a nationwide election. That is not being honest.

Kerry did it prior to 2004. It's why I voted for Bush before him. He was not honest with us or the american people. At least Hillary is doing things for her constituents. It's her job. To show up and vote. Something Obama was to power-driven to see.

African-Americans will rally around Clinton in the end, you can bet the house on it. No, I am not White–I am mixed like Obama and I am a neutral democrat.

This article by Roland Martin, whoever that is, is such ridiculous race baiting that it forces me to make this the first time I have ever contributed to any blog: I am WHITE and I have always been WHITE. I am a 30 year old male who served in the US Army for on Active Duty for three and a half years. Sound like a likely description of a Republican? Not likey. I voted for Bush twice and now I wish he would self-exile to another planet. I, like millions of Americans were sold into a slavery concocted by the Bush administration aka The Iraq War. After tens of thousands of US and Iraq dead and hundreds of thousands of injured and permanently dehabilitated for life, I wonder whether the "shock and awe" of 9/11 was just the needed distraction for Bush and his greedy cronies to enact their own "shock and awe" on Iraq and the entire world. As a soldier tricked into this scam, I now look at 9/11 as the TV bomb that exploded into America's TV war. The bottom line: my generation is tired of the lying and the games. I was also a conscious observer of the Clinton administration. I remember that at around age 21 I was horrified that the glorious America that I had just learned all about in high school was being savagely raped by a government trying to tear down their president. The scandals consumed us and I knew even at that age that there was no way in the world our president should be receiving oral sex in the office that George Washington made possible, that Lincoln died for, that FDR fortified by winning World War II, and that JFK and Reagan and many others graced. Again, the bottom line is that there is a segment of this country, and I believe it is made up of the people supporting Barrack Obama. They are young, they are idealistic, and they do not care whether Senator is black, white, purple or orange. Seriously, who cares? The people who care are those millions of Americans are still racists. They are ignorant and prove that the Archie Bunker mentality is still out there. Racism must die and roland Martin is certainly right to be fighting it since it is so obviously alive. However, Mr. Martin must not cite dictionaries for words and phrases that date all the way back to eighteen seventy whatever. That in and of itself is ignorance by seeking to bring to attention something that is so dated that almost no one really no what it means. I leave it to the brilliant wordsmiths out there that can cite hundreds of words we use today that have numerous negative connotations from three hundred years ago. Mr. Martin says he has never heard the phrase used to refer to anyone white. Perhaps Mr. Martin should write commentaries about things he has in fact heard instead of things that others may hear regularly such as myself. My boss is a white male and I have never detected any racism in him. He is of a different religion than I am yet he treats me with honest respect. He frequently uses the phrase "shuck and jive" to refer to himself and how he must constantly "talk" to earn his living. there is no cynicism in his tone. He is simply telling me that he is always "running his mouth" every day. That Mr. Roland defies the fundamental premise of your article. The phrase "shuck and jive" should be used by anyone who feels like it. By attempting to claim the use of these words by a white man is subtle racism, Mr. Martin himself becomes not only a racist himself but also a defamer, just by virtue of raising the issue against Andrew Cuomo, and a race-baiter. Who are you Mr. Martin to tell us which words we can and can't use based on an 1870's dictionary. You, Mr. Roland, are the racist.

This is amazing to be debating whether we want to elect the first black man or first woman President of the US. Those are the choices on the Dem side. Amazing. We don't have really good choices on the Republican side either. McCain is pretty decent, Romney and Huckabee are both a little too conservative. But, let's think about this. Any of those 3 on the Republican side would beat Obama. Obama has NO EXPERIEINCE. He was a junior attorney in Illinois 10 years ago. He only graduated law school around the time Bill Clinton was elected. He's young and no political experience.

I understand the mantra of change, but you still need to work within the political system when you're in DC. Go outside and nothing will get done. A President in this country is not omnipotent. They have a lot of free reign with foreign policy, but not with domestic. He/she must work with Congress. Every single one of the potential candidates wants change. I don't hear a single candidate chanting "status quo". It just doesn't happen.

The following people have what it take to run a country and to bring about change here: Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney. If Hillary is not nominated by the Dems, then I will vote for any of the 3 Republicans before I'd cast a vote for Obama. It has nothing to do with the country not being rready to elect him. It has everything to do with him not being ready to be elected.

Obama needs more experience. A partial first term in the Senate is not enough experience. He needs to get more than his toes wet, he needs to get in waist deep and accomplish some things. He needs to attend votes and cast votes that are significant and not just be absent because he knows he will run for President and does not want a controversial vote on his record. He needs to prove himself. It's more than just rhetoric. He may have better luck in 8 years. Not now.

AGAIN another SUPPORTER of Hillary shows their "true colors" and AGAIN explanations and excuses and backtracking are necessary to explain what was "meant".

We went through this BS for eight years and how many times just in this campaign, we can't afford to get nothing down for four more years while damage control and press conferences are being held not too talk about how to fix things, but simply to "explain things".

Before one of you sheep say it, I'll beat you to the punch, Kerrey, Shaheen, Cuomo etc, etc are only SUPPORTERS of Hilary now, but they and people just like them would become PART OF HER ADMINISTRATION.

Think about it.

Its interesting how be often you obviously racist and often belittling terms when referring to African Americans. Then, when everyone pays attention to it, they backtrack and say it wasn't meant like that. What it goes to show is the underlying bias that people hold within without knowing it. I'm sure we could fill a notebook with the statements that have been made by other politicians, their backers, and staff. If someone could find me anything in the last 20 years of politics where the term "shucking and jiving" was used to equate "bobbing and weaving" then I would agree that this was a pointless article by Roland Martin…..I'll wait.

Obama is doing on-the-job tranning. "Where's the Beef?

I use to look forward to Roland's column…usually insightful and well written…..but every since Obama came into the political arena and showed that he actually has a fighting chance to get elected President…. Roland has turn into the "Brother Al and Brother Jesse" of the next generation….

Roland: as a white woman with a black grandmother on one side and an Indian grandmother in the other, with a lot of Latino blood in me, I can tell you this: EVERYTHING HAVE ETHNIC CONNOTATIONS, IF YOU LOOK FOR THEM…..

Eric before you make dumb racial remarks you need to read about the world you so grave white superemcy

Any guess on how many of these company are ran by rich powerful white male

LA TIMES – To fuel her rise, Clinton has relied on the controversial funding device known as "earmarking." The earmarks enabled her to win favor with important constituents, many of whom provided financial support for her campaigns. . . Since taking office in 2001, Clinton has delivered $500 million worth of earmarks that have specifically benefited 59 corporations. About 64% of those corporations provided funds to her campaigns through donations made by employees, executives, board members or lobbyists, a review by the Los Angeles Times shows.

All told, Clinton has earmarked more than $2.3 billion in federal appropriations for projects in her state

This is just one more drop in the bucket for Clinton supporters. I think Bill Clinton has nudge-nudge wink-wink made it open season to plays to the mental models that people have that might paint Obama in a negative light. It is particularly distressing that Bill Clinton called Obama a kid, when he's the same age Bill Clinton was when he ran.

As a white man the same age as Barack Obama, I don't think someone calling me a kid is very appropriate. And, Barack Obama has accomplished a hell of a lot more to help people than I ever will.

This election is shaping up as Bill Clinton vs. Barack Obama, with Hillary just having her strings pulled by Bill. Talk about a potential puppet government.

More of the SAME. We know that the ammo will be flying after Obama wins the nomination. We're not "crying and pouting" about it..but we are saying it's wrong! That's what this campaign is about- CHANGING THE STATUS QUO which includes racial slurs and profiling a candidate. This would also include HRC – WOMEN deserve a chance at the Nomination. The fact that that Hillary is a brilliant woman should be a possitive rather than a negative. We NEED CHANGE NOW! Obama 08!

I'm Black and I'm for Hillary!

I give black voters more credit than to buy into this stuff you're writing about. I think they are independent thinkers, and will vote for the person they feel is most qualified, and most able to be elected based on their qualifications for the job of POTUS.
After all, isn't the point to actually elect a Democrat after 8 disastrous years of George Bush?
People say things in casual conversation–not everything people say in conversation
should be picked at in this way. It's ridiculous.

Lorraine, Bb Kerrey stated Obama's full name and you think that is a bad thing? Why should Obama be ashamed of his name? Would you fault someone in the Obama side of the fence for saying " Hillary Rodham Clinton"? Gimme a break.

Obama's full legal name, which I assume he is proud of, is:
Baracka Hussein Obama.

This article feels more racist and aimed to divide than anything. I'm sure you're much more familiar than I with the tons of actual racism in America – you don't need to stretch to find it. Clinton calling Obama a 'kid' is an attempt to undermine his experience, nothing more. To reach like this does a disservice to the actual injustices out there. To me, if you have to reframe every conversation around Obama, who I am a huge supporter of, to connect it back to racism you're having some race issues yourself.

This will come off as stretched logic, but realize it will sound to you exactly as yours sounds to me:

By saying Clinton is treating Obama like a servant boy is equally projecting a history of slave ownership onto someone who never did such a thing. If two minorities were running and one looked significantly younger and the main issue of the campaign was experience and the older began referring to the other as "kid" you would never think twice same as two white people in the situation. So by chaning the guidelines for Obama you are making his race his primary identification as a person, something I know many of us, yourself included, are hoping to move past.

I'm sure this is also a generational thing – as I'm not exactly clear enough on the shuck and jive connection – except that I associate the origin of those terms with black music but also take them to have been appropriated by white music in the 50's – I'm sure I'm missing something.

I know this is on the front page because of Tiger Woods. Again, I know the connotation of 'lynch' in America, but when I think of lynch, i think of "lynch mob" and picture people with torches chasing Frankenstein. That's not a joke or a disrespect, it's just what I picture when I think of Lynch because the former context has never been part of my reality or way of thinking. I think a lot of people feel this way because they grew up in contexts removed from racial tensions and so these terms have more innocent connotations for them. I understand that it is still hurtful on the other end, but attacking the person who made the comment innocently is like preaching to the choir and punishing them while you're at it, and also adding further fuel to people looking for a reason to further press the racial divide.

Again, none of this is to take away from the actual race issue in America, which I know I cannot begin to understand. The 99 wrongs have shaped your view so that the 100th neutral is "wrong enough" as well. And I can't see it your way, and you can't see it mine. It's a drag. This sort of thing just builds more distrust between folks.

Ah well. Happy New Year. thanks for generating discussion.

Martin,
I would call you the biggest racist misogynist on CNN. You are going out of your way to look for racial discrimination in white man's words. Well, just for the records, Hillary Rodham Clinton is a Junior US Senator and deserves just as much respect as the Freshman Senator, despite her colour and gender. And just because former president questioned Obama on issues, does not make him a racist.
So swallow your pride, and start playing the racial card. Don't forget, white Clintons did more for the African American community then any black political pundit. No wonder, Clinton is also known as the "First Black President".

dmw, roeland park of ks…..YOU ARE WRONG!
**************************************************************************************

Roland Martin does have a point. Obama is trying ascend above the common improper racial attitudes that exist in America to some degree. I think that Obama's message resonates with people and that is why many blacks and whites support his candidacy. When Jesse Jackson ran for President he wasn't supported by the "black guys in the media". When Al Sharpton ran for President he wasn't supported by the "black guys in the media". When ALAN KEYES ran (in fact he is running NOW) for President he wasn't supported by the "black guys in the media".

South Carolinians should take note of the numerous racial statements coming from Hillary supporters such as New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and penalize her for it. If Hillary is not denouncing this rhetoric coming out of her camp then she supports it. Plain and Simple!

Hillary Clinton's campaign has decided to bring the race card into this election by
January 11, 2008 11:37 am ET

There are to many incidents happening with cronies from the clinton camp. I am not saying this about whites as a whole but, her campaign operatives.

1st: NH CoChair Bill Shaheen tries to associate Obama with selling drugs, b/c he said he tried it before.
2nd: Bob Kerrey say Barack Hyssein Obama
3rd: Bill Clinton saying are we prepared to roll the dice
4th: Hillary trying to knock MLK
5th: Bill calling Obama a 47 year old man a kid
6th: Bill saying Obama's campaign is a fairytale
7. Bill decided to knock on Nelson Mandela stating Hillary is stronger than Nelson.

Let's see if Hillary can with stand being in prison for 25 years and come out normal. She could not stand dealing with this election in two states to where she had to fake a cry. Hell I voted for Bill in both of his election campaigns. However, I will not be voting for his wife. This election is not about tearing this country apart by bring out negative racist comments. That is exactly what her campaign has been doing this last month or so. She can not win therefore she is willing to tear someone else down because she can not win on her own.

I commend Mr. Martin for pointing out incidences when people slip up and say things that may not be deemed politically correct. Even if Cuomo was not meaning to offend, he should have the brains not to make references that some might view as insensitive. He is a public servent, not a columnist or pundint. As a young afican-american male, I personally do not feel that his comments were offensive, nor were intended to offend, but a person in his position should really know better.

Mr. Cuomo does not speak for her, but he has endorsed her.

And, so, the quagmire continues to entrap those who wear blinders on while walking through minefields for exercise. As the country grows older and older, it's still redefining itself, and that includes how to view its citizens. That includes being this "politically correct" attitude. Personally, it goes over my head. I wasn't raised to be disrespectful to my peers, my elders, nor anyone in general. But, hanging around some "elements", did give me an edge on how to look , think, and react to those who are different than I am. Still, I have that choice to use the appropriate vernacular, and not someone else's fad.

Getting back into the quagmire of politics, and all its juicy language, Obama is courting the black voters. When Oprah gets on board, that's a sure fire way of doing it. When Obama got involved with Kenya' voting issues, that's another one. What I don't understand is why Kerry supports Obama. That's what I don't understand. Obama hasn't had time put in, nor the stripe earned on his sleeves, in dealing with the political arena. I can under how President Clinton referred to Obama as a kid, since, age wise, experience wise, he is! I'm a kid to my elders. I'm a kid at heart. i'm a kid when it comes to entering the arena for the first time. So, if it sounds racial and offensive, it ain't. It's only your perception that's telling you it's offensive. He IS A KID!! JFK, when he ran in the 60's, was in his MID 30′S. The age range of our political arena warriors looking to upset the king is 50+. They lived life, and survived the political battles. Obama just got elected into his post as a Junior Senator, with no political experience under his belt. And, we're gonna trust a man who doesn't have any experience for the job? That's like a plumber that's doing brain surgery.

This is getting ridiculous. Roland Martin, why don’t you just admit that you, like Jesse Jackson and many others are only supporting Obama because he is black? Your pursuit is more insulting to black people. All black people are not sensitive and gullible as you want them to be. To call Bill or Hillary Clinton a racist or even to imply that they are racist is totally ludicrous and you know it. Please stop this nonsense. Your obsession with the prospects of having a black president is what is driving you to appeal to the emotions of black people. That, my friend, is demagoguery.

Stop with this petty nonsense. The Clintons are not racists. I am a black man, and I get insulted more by the black people who are always pulling the race card and pointing the finger. We definitely don’t need that anymore. Hillary Clinton is more qualified than Obama because she has the experience. We can rely on Hillary to make change, but to speculate on Obama making change would be a roll of the dice. Point blank. There is nothing racial about that. I choose Hillary Clinton because it makes more sense than what the media is trying to convey.

THERE'S ANOTHER FINE REASON NOT TO SUPPORT–THOSE WHO SUPPORT HILLARY.

SO FAR–JOHN EDWARDS IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE NOT PLAYING THE TYPICAL SILLY CAMPAIGN GAME.

DOES ANYBODY THINK COUMO WAS NOT TRYING TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OBAMA'S COLOR?

GIMME A BREAK.

I DO HOPE MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WILL TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT JOHN EDWARDS

Oops…the Good Times theme did not mentin "shucking and jiving"…my mistake. Instead it was "scratchin and surviving." But still think too much is being made of it.

"Shuckin' and jivin'" is a great expression. Originally, it may have come from blacks but it is one many people of all colors adopted. It sounds good, it expresses a certain atmosphere, and people use it in relationship to themselves and others of all colors. Puh-leeeeze! It's not an insult or racial slur. I'm white and love, not just the soul and heart of many black friends, but also their humor and colorful expressions.

Barack is about bringing people together, however as a AA, I personally find the comment quite OFFENSIVE "shucking and jiving" I have never heard used when talking or referring to any other race.

I personally always thought very highly of Andrew Cuomo's father and had respect for Andrew; because they have always had a relationship with minorities there is NO DOUBT in my mind that he understood what he was saying.

THESE ARE SAVVY POLITICIANS and all these day later apologies are getting old. Don't blame Roland for stating facts – it was racially insensitive.

I wish we could all forget our history and all just get along, and one day I believe we will, but the truth is less than 40 years ago, AA's were still being treated as second class citizens. There are some places still in the USA where racism is running rampant and blantant. Come to this blog anyday of the week and you can see Racism is ALIVE & WELL.

I normally have great respect and admiration for Roland Martin but in this article I think he is really stretching. Playing the race card at this stage of the game could be damaging to Senator Obama's campaign. It is quite apparent by Mr. Martin's editorial that he is squarely behind Obama and that is his absolute right to do so, but don't try to get your candidate elected by trying to smear others as racist. First of all, Mr. Cuomo does not speak for Senato Clinton, and by quoting him in an article where Martin also mentions an even more absurd assumption about something Bill Clinton said is a weak attempt to tie the two together. First of all, it is quite normal for an older man to refer to a younger man as "kid." To take that and insinuate that it is akin to being called the racially charged "boy" is insulting to Mr. Clinton who was made an honorary African-American by that communtiy when he was president. The Clintons have been nothing but loyal and supportive of the African-American community creating jobs and housing for the poor. Come on Mr. Martin, you're bigger than that.

There are to many incidents happening with cronies from the clinton camp. I am not saying this about whites as a whole but, her campaign operatives.

1st: NH CoChair Bill Shaheen tries to associate Obama with selling drugs, b/c he said he tried it before.
2nd: Bob Kerrey say Barack Hyssein Obama
3rd: Bill Clinton saying are we prepared to roll the dice
4th: Hillary trying to knock MLK
5th: Bill calling Obama a 47 year old man a kid
6th: Bill saying Obama's campaign is a fairytale
Please tell me what is next. They claim too be a friend to the AA community but we must remember whats in the dark will eventually come to the light and the light shines more and more that the Clintons only care about themselves not AA or any Americans

Roeland,
I respect your opinion but either you work for the Clinton campaign or you bought their disgusting last-minute trash in New Hampshire lock-stock-and-barrel.

Just because one is African-American doesn't mean they have to support Barack –of course not!!! And just because someone is a woman doesn't mean they're a sellout if they choose not to support Senator Clinton.

However, to perpetuate the slime about flip-flopping that former President Clinton started in New Hampshire is reprehensible (real statesmanlike of him I might add).

I'm amazed that it seems as if the African-American "establishment" has given Senator Clinton a pass on her remarkable insinuation last weekend that it was a white man (LBJ) and not MLK who really made the civil rights movement work.

Holding that aside, Bill's twisting of Senator Obama's record on the war, the slime mailer about abortion that they know is not true, and Senator Clinton ripping a page out of the Rovian playbook by playing the race card are all reminders of the "change" that we'll get from a 3rd Clinton Administration.

Yes we are entitled to scrutinize every word and action of our politicians and elected officials. However it can be very easy to bring race into non-race issues and statements, thus continuing to fuel racial bias when it does not exist.

I was willing to look the other way on the "shuck and jive" until he tried to offer an explanation for it. The fact that he made claims that those comments were not directed at Obama is BS. Roland correctly points out, if not Obama than who? He wouldn't of used those words to describe anybody else in this campaign.

But i do understand the point Yellow makes regarding the introduction of these race issues into this campaign and the potential to hurt the Obama candidacy. I'm happy and think it is rather prudent for the Obama ppl to leave these issues out in general. However as a political tool if there is an opportunity to use race effectively take it. I would akin that to Clinton's pity tears.

Those who don't vote for Obama simply b/c he is black are cowards. There's never been a better opportunity to exercise your rights as a citizen and stand up for what America is suppose to be about then now.

Karl Rove called Obama "lazy" because he does not show up to vote in Congress. That's why.

As far as race being a part of the "race". You bet it is. Oprah has never stumped for a candidate before. When you watch Oprah on TV, she is wonderful and very eloquent. Why is it that when she goes on the road to South Carolina and is taped at appearances there in front of southerners, that her vocabulary goes right out the window and she reduces herself to "ebonics"? It's sad. She is a smart woman. Obama is a smart man. If they would rise above the race issue, so would everyone else. They have made it an issue themselves. Too bad.

Actually, if Cuomo said "ducking questions" instead of shucking and jiving, would we be blogging this article at all today? Take away the shucking and jiving comment, what Cuomo said is true.

This commentary by Roland Martin is RIGHT ON!!! No way would Cuomo have referred to a white candidate as shucking and jiving!

The Clintons and their supporters need to be careful about any real or perceived anti-black insensitiviy, because Mrs. Clinton will never win the general election without earning black votes (blacks probably won't vote Republican, but they could just stay at home on election day)

If the Green Party nominates Cynthia McKinney (who is black), Mrs. Clinton will be in huge trouble.

Very eloquently stated Mr. Martin. I couldnt agree more. This isn't about only Obama. It's about the actions, misdeeds, and a level of disrespect against all people of color. There are statements and phrases that have a very negative history in terms of social context in America…and this is one. These are statements that never should never be used in a public setting to refer a person of color. Mr. Cuomo is old enough, and educated enough, to know better.

Roland isn't standing up and speaking out for Obama, he's demanding respect for himself and all others who look like him.

I just don't understand why CNN recuite bankrupt people like Roland Martin just for the sake of having an african american in a panel discussion.
This guy has nothing else to do but singing for brother-Obama.
Is that what CNN expect from a political analyst?
CNN should fire these kind of biased journalists.
There are well-qualified black journalists in the country.

I'm a caucasian male.General Andrew Cuomo should have put just a little more effort into making a political statement, instead of saying something like he said.

So, anytime an African American sticks up for another, they're are doing it for race? If a Caucasian person sticks up for another, you never even notice.

Remember the 22nd Amendment? Power accrues to immediate family members. We are just getting done with a situation like like, and we are threatened with another.

I also did a double take when Karl Rove called Obama "lazy."

Hate to show my age, but there was a popular sitcom some may recall "Good Times" (Ester Rolle, John Amos, Jimmy Walker…) that was (and still is) popular among African Americans. The show's theme song included the words "Shucking and Jiving." So why's it so racist for Cuoma to use the same words. Me thinks Roland Martin protests too much. I would think Obama doesn't benefit from "help" of this nature.

As an African American woman, I say Amen to that, Roland.

Its roland make a big deal about stuff like this that is going to kill Obama if he gets the nomination. The Republicans are going to be brutal in the general election- we all know it. The goal in the general election is to win the votes of white middle class Americans that vote regularly. The "oh he's being racist to me" kind of stuff garners no pity with the voters- they reject it and go in the opposite direction. As a Democrat I'm smart enough to know that a vote for Obama is a vote for four more years of Republican rule.

Go ahead Martin keep on destroying things for your candidate. Say hello to Jesse for me.