I have previously raised concern over the treatment of Herman Cain by the media and Democratic activists because of his race. While I have strong disagreements with Cain, I find it discomforting to see how his race is such a preoccupation with Democrats. This weekend, I was taken aback by the statement of Democratic strategist and MSNBC analyst Karen Finney that Cain is “a black man who knows his place.”
Here is the full statement in context:
“One of the things about Herman Cain is, I think that he makes that white Republican base of the party feel okay, feel like they are not racist because they can like this guy,” Finney said. “I think he giving that base a free pass. And I think they like him because they think he’s a black man who knows his place. I know that’s harsh, but that’s how it sure seems to me.”
What is equally remarkable is Martin Bashir’s response: “Thank you for spelling that out.”
There is of course another possibility: Republicans supporting Cain might not be racist . . . anymore than Democrats who supported Obama. Republicans have previously had African Americans run for President. Alan Keys comes to mind. Like Russ Perot, Cain is billing himself as an outsider from the business world. I have criticized him in columns, but I do not see why he should be faced with constant questions over whether he is genuine or merely some put-up black guy for racist Republicans. Yet, there have been a steady chorus of such attacks directed at Cain.
Finney is described as “having more than 20 years in national politics includes four presidential campaigns, the Clinton White House, a New York Senate race, and first African American spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.” No one would tolerate Republican attacks that she is a woman or African American valued by MSNBC for “knowing her place.” Yet, these attacks have gone on without little objection from Democrats. Indeed, MSNBC host Al Sharpton has questioned whether Cain is an “authentic black man”.
Cain for his part has called some of these attacks “racist.” Of course, not to be undone in the racist rhetoric, Russ Limbaugh has insisted that Herman Cain more “authentically black” than Obama.
What do you think?
Herman is right, it is your fault if you fail, unless you have a physical or mental disability which incapacitates you.
Otherwise – “if it is to be it is up to me.”
OWS but only during the day. Sunshine Protesters?
She was definitely making an allegation that Republican voters are racists. That plays very well to Democrats, and that’s who her audience really is. Democrats are angelic, Republican are demonic. That has indeed, as others pointed out, been a hallmark of the presidential race. It is called, propaganda. In this case, divide and conquer.
People should stop falling for it. There’s a whole other way of being in the world. OWS is trying to show that if people can break free and hear the message. OWS isn’t denying racism, sexism etc. They are dealing with it directly and openly. You can’t fall for divide and conquer when you’re trying hard to work things out with others.
As long as you’re willing to demonize your fellow citizen, you’re an easy mark for manipulative presidential campaigns. The way out is to quit being so easy of a mark!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/10/27/ron_paul_will_not_rule_out_a_third-party_run.html
eniobob:
and what is that?
he has a very good resume, math, computer science, rocket scientist, succesful CEO, succesful business owner. Plus he seems like a pretty decent guy.
What more do you want?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/herman-cain-strives-for-new-levels-of-anti-muslim-buffoonery/2011/03/04/gIQAJ7WpLI_blog.html His anti-muslim bigotry is probably the reason the most conservative Texas republicans support him.
Bron:
The problem with your analysis is its just the opposite.
“The reason the left doesnt like Herman Cain is that he is a person who has made it pretty much on his own, doesnt like big government and is apparently free market.”
He would be cheered if that was his resume but there’s something there that cancels it all out.
mespo……I think you have a point….
Seems to me that Karen Finney was commenting more on her perceptions of the racial attitudes of some Republicans who support Cain rather than on her perceptions of Cain. Finney has the experience and access to inside information which makes her point of view worthy of consideration. Pointing out the racial attitudes — as well as the cynacism — of some of Cains conservative “supporters” appears political fair game to me and I have no problem with nor criticism of this messenger.
Maybe we are just getting tired of people in politics and it has nothing to do with race….we just don’t like them….him….or her….
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/10/herman-cain-texas-poll-rick-perry-/1 Cain has a thirteen point lead among the most conservative voters. Conservative voters in Texas hate Obama.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/1527 Cain leads Perry in Texas.
Although I am much more likely to agree with MSNBC than with FOX, I think MSNBC increasingly tries to play FOX’s game of demonizing the other side. In this case, it isn’t Finney who is racist, she is trying to paint the Republican base as inherently racist.
Which is what they would have to be to hold the opinion she attributes to them.
Now it is true that in studies of racism, ethnic resentment, agreement with racist stereotypes and suspicion of motives based on race, about four times as many Republicans as Democrats score in the “clear racial bias” range. But that is still in the low teens, percentage wise. That leaves upward of 80% of Republicans that have no clear racial bias in their attitude, and certainly Herman Cain’s 20%-30% support can be drawn from that portion of the Republican base.
Objectivity aside, I think they are dummies to believe the country can be run like a pizza joint, but I also think they are dummies to believe the country can be run like a hedge fund (Mitt Romney) or an energy company (Bush & Cheney).
Back to the topic: MSNBC wants the Republicans to be racist, just like FOX wants the Democrats to be Socialists and Communists and free riders on the government dole.
The more they can get their base to believe they are the good guys, those are the bad guys, the easier it is to make money. It is a sales tactic, demonize your competition and if your customers believe it, you get 100% of their business. Even advertisers like it, a captured and concentrated ideologically monotone demographic makes it easier to tailor ads that appeal to them, and their ads are more likely to be seen multiple times by the same people. It delivers more bang for the buck.
Another Black prospective on Herman Cain:
Why the Koch brothers love Herman Cain: The right- wing billionaires care only about their bottom line
A secretive duo that funds conservative causes
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Originally Published: Sunday, October 30 2011, 3:51 AM
Updated: Friday, October 28 2011, 3:53 PM
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/columnists?columnist=Stanley+Crouch#ixzz1cMNvovIA
Toure calls Cain the “black Sarah Palin”.
http://ideas.time.com/2011/10/20/is-herman-cain-the-most-unctuous-black-man-alive/ Toure sums up Herman Cain for many..
Democrats are race obsessed for the most part, her comment comes as no surprise. And she is full of shit.
The reason the left doesnt like Herman Cain is that he is a person who has made it pretty much on his own, doesnt like big government and is apparently free market.
Like I said dumb things:
“The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/30/herman-cain-sexual-harassment-accusations_n_1066487.html
There is something about Herman Cain that does not feel right in the Black Community.I really can’t say what it is but its there.As far as what the commentator said about Cain knowing his place,That I doubt for he says things that are down right dumb and if he has handlers they would be embarrassed,but that dosen’t seem to be the case for who ever is handiling him they are doing it from afar and are happy to see the attention he is getting and the chaos he is causing in the nomination process in the Republican Party,Next time they show his commercial,you tell me if that smile of his isn’t the look of some one preparing to laugh all the way to the bank.
She has a tin ear with regard to race. She needs to either learn to speak more accurately and circumspectly or to attend some sensitivity training sessions on race.
That comment is thoroughly cringe-worthy.