Obama: Candidacy a sign of racial progress
Watch Sen. Obama discuss the black vote with CNN Contributor Roland Martin.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, told CNN in an interview Friday that the fact he is viewed as a legitimate presidential candidate is testament to the progress America has made in regards to race relations.
Denying that progress would be an insult to "dishonor the memories of all those who fought for our civil rights throughout the generations," said Obama, the only African-American candidate running for the Democratic nomination.
"My belief is that we have changed sufficiently in this country that it is possible for a large numbers of whites to vote for an African-American candidate," Obama told CNN contributor Roland Martin. "If I did not believe that, I would not be running.
"I just want to point out that all those other candidates are taking me awfully seriously, and if they didn't think I could get white votes then they wouldn't be worrying about my campaign as much as they are," he added.
Full story: Obama: Candicacy a sign of racial progress
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Yeah, having a black person and a woman running for President is certainly a sign of progress in racial/gender equality. I, however, won't be voting for either of those two candidates because of their political allegiances.
My immediate family which we are all black and a family of 225 people who can vote has gotten on the Obama band wagon. He has our support. Also I live in the urban part of St.Louis and majority are backing Barack.
clinton can dream all she wants but the black votes are not for her.
Yea baby! Keep slowly revealing to the people how great you are, I cannot wait to cast my vote for Obama, my first vote ever after 6 years of elegibility. For the republican supporters, that means I am 24.
Go Barack! Believe me the majority of your support is from whites. We believe. That will be clear when you win Iowa and New Hampshire.
I like Obama, but am voting for Hillary. I just do not feel confident with Obama's experience. I am wondering, however, why Obama did not vote in the Senate the last two times a bill came up? That bothers me!
Why haven't you voted in the last 6 years?
Obama's an empty suit who won't stand up to scrutiny in the general. I'll vote for whoever the D is in the general, but for the primary, I'm not enamored with any of the so-called "front runners." That's why I'm voting for Kucinich, who may not have a chance at the nomination, but at least stands for real progressive values.
MOE>
He didn't vote because it is a waste of time to vote on whether or not move.on.org adds are bad. There are far more pressing issues that congress should be embarassed to be neglecting in lieu of these "votes".
Also, if you insist on voting for hillary, at least get a better reason than experience, because anyone who has paid any attention whatsoever knows all to well that this misconception does not hold water. She lacks the same experiences that all the others candidates are lacking. She has no edge in the experience department other than experience greasing lobbiest dollars into her pocket, just like the rest of this dinosaur version of washington. we need to clean house and get honest people into offices, not more crooks or we will never turn this country back around.
I emplore you to do further research sir. Its good you like Obama, I have faith that in time you will realize he is superior to his female counterpart.
Perhaps the GREATEST evidence of progress will be the day when race or gender stops being a central issue in campaigns!
It will be a great day when debates around the country will ASSUME to be for ALL Americans – and having "special interest" debates unnecessary.
It will be a great day when the questions asked of our leaders are about benefiting AMERICANS (not just African Americans, Gay/Lesbians, Hispanics, Wealthy, Poor, etc).
Sadly – I suspect "that" day is farther away than one would wish. Right now – it is too politically profitable to segregate special interest groups (black, white, rich, poor, immigrant, etc) and bash the other party.
Right on Common Sense – I trust Obama's decision making much more than any of the other candidates experience.
Hellooo?!? Obama is HALF WHITE folks!!
Hilary's experience is scary. She just voted for the Lieberman bill, which gives Bush a step forward in going to war with Iran. Anything with Leiberman's name on it should be voted against. Hilary doesn't answer any questions in the debate, she just dances around them. I want someone I can trust...Obama or Edwards. And stop listening to the media. They want you to think Hilary is the best...Hilary is just another divider. What republican would agree with anything that she proposes.
I would appreciate people recognizing that the honorable Senator from Illinois is bi-racial and as such profoundly represents the true "racial" identity of all Americans...a mix of many cultures and "races (no such thing biologically but a socio/political concocted thing by racist imperialist)". He represents the best of all of us and I will either vote for him, Ron Paul, Hillary Clinton, or Huckabee regardless of who wins these silly primaries. I am leaning toward the very capable Senator from Illinois though.
Yes...it is a sign of progress. The ultimate sign of progress would see Mr Obama on the ticket as VP.
Anyone who votes based on race is not an intelligent person. Go back to your tribes and clans.
To James,
THANK YOU!!!!! I can only hope that one day we will no longer pander to specific groups or feel the need to do that. I belive that one day this country will be united inspite of the differences that make us, us! And I hope that I am alive to see it!
As far as the candidates go, any one would do a better job than this jerk we currently have in office!
I like Barrack and would like to see him as President some day but I would vouch for Hillary the current year. We need 16 years of continuous democratic presidentship to undo the effects of 28/40 years of republican president rule. Having Hillary as the primary candidate and Barrack as VP provides an opportunity for the same.
The most long term influence that a president has on a country is choice of Supreme Court Justices and only a long democratic stint can take the court back to 1970s level
Common Sense: You took the words right out of my mouth. You and Kent said it all. Please Moe, rethink your position and please Moe, learn more about Obama. Hillary is more of the same nonsence we have had for the past several years plus more corrupt than most. Give it time and I believe if your mind and heart are open HRC will show her true self. It is not very pretty.
You want experience? Look at Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld...they had Lots of experience. Obama is a clear decision maker who checks his facts and thinks and argues clearly. Are Americans too used to the same old thing that they fear the change he could bring, even though we all say we want change? I hope not!
> mark
Coming from a mixed family, it doesn't matter one bit if you are half, quarter or any percent African American.
It doesn't stop the 1/4 Irish from celebrating St. Patty's day.
We can still be proud that there is a legitimate African American candidate, who not only could win, but SHOULD win based on his impeccable voting record and clear strategies to deal with health care, the Iraq debacle, and foreign policy.
clinton can dream all she wants but the black votes are not for her.
Posted By Lakisha St.Louis, Mo. : September 28, 2007 5:09 pm
Voting based on race alone is racism.
Obama wanted to attack Pakistan. Haven't we had enough of attacking people with the nutty Bush administation and the fool hearty Republicans?
I am certainly willing to vote for a Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, female, or gay candidate for the presidency. White men have certainly not shown any special talent leading our nation during the last thirty years. I cannot imagine that any other group would produce worse candidates.
I am beginning to think that we should outsource the Congress to China and the Presidency to India. Give a contract to whoever will do the job the cheapest. It works for industry.
In fact, I think we should consider outsourcing CEO positions for American corporations. They certainly wouldn't pay us any less than our own.
"I'm voting for Kucinich, who may not have a chance at the nomination ... ." Why would any rational voter waste his vote by doing this? To send a message, and to whom? It's like the Nader votes, wasted on a political loser, and giving the election to the least desirable choice, an alcohlic Texan who didn't work until he was 40.
I agree with my fellow Obama supporter in texas. Im a black man and know that Obama has an huge base with both black and white voters. He's going to pick up speed just at the right time. That Clinton band wagon is long gone, lost a wheel and I refuse to even look at it. Obama all the way and again didnt he rally 24,000 in NYC??? big time baby
Go OBama
We will know when we really "made it" when candidates for President would not even say that they "told CNN in an interview Friday that the fact he is viewed as a legitimate presidential candidate is testament to the progress America has made in regards to race relations"- yes Obama – I don't like the left wing side of Obama – and now I have to add the "hey look...I'm black – treat me differently" deal – that crap needs to be squashed now