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?
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/10/19/347880/south-carolina-voter-id-law-violates-voting-rights-act/
Charles Mingus’s ode to democrats:
my ID gets checked at the polling place where I vote. Big deal, the state provides ID’s for people who dont drive and who are citizens.
Republicans are bringing back Jim Crow with the voter id laws not democrats.
Roger Lambert:
Yeah, I know all those southern democrats like George Wallace, Orville Faubus, Bull Conner, they all became republicans during the Reagan years.
Those are the liberal and evangelical republicans we have been trying to purge ever since.
I think you will find quite a few republicans voted for the civil rights act and quite a few democrats voted against it.
Roger,
That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying race is being used as propaganda aimed at Democrats. The form it takes is called: “ego or pride up”. Please reread the post! Thanks!!!
“Democrats are race obsessed for the most part…”
“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…. It is called, propaganda. …”
Are you two actually arguing that the Democrats are more racist then the Republicans? Perhaps you think that the Southern Strategy is a myth, or somehow failed? Or that the American south is not painted red?
Republicans ARE more racist than Democrats, and it is hardly “propaganda” to say so.
Roger,
Amen. Racism has been a Republican standard since Nixon. While both parties are in thrall to corporate power, that doesn’t mean they are all alike. From my perspective Obama has not done well, but compared to the alternatives…….
Jill, I do. While I respect Glenn Greenwald’s voice, I do not always agree with him, either.
S.M,
I am not asking you to trust Yves Smith. I am asking if you read her analysis (including citations) about how Obama is selling out the people once again in favor of the bank. Bill Black is also offering an analysis which comes to this same conclusion as does Glen Ford.
Why trust African Americans to make your decision for you about Herman Cain? Why not make your own decision based on the facts?
Each person is just that, a person. While it is a great idea to consider what others have to say, the final decision must rest with our own analysis. The analysis of a woman, Yves Smith, a black man, Glen Ford, a group of people that you reference above, African Americans (not all of whom agree with you), a white man, Bill Black or anyone else can’t take away the need for us to make our own analysis and decision.
The idea that identity politics remove personal decision making has been and continues to be disaster.
mespo,
“Cain’s a nutcase. I’m always amazed by the defense some folks assert that goes: Cain must be qualified since he’s made lots of money. Cain is fabulous proof that one need not be particularly bright, have well-reasoned positions, nor be overly concerned about his fellow man to make big money. H.L. Mencken had it right from the start when he reminded us about the qualifications for making money in this country. Things really haven’t changed much. Ask Sarah Palin.”
*****
I agree. I’d add that there are lots of dishonest and greedy people who make money and don’t give a darn about anyone else. We wouldn’t have had the financial disaster of 2008 if all the bankers and investors on Wall Street had had more scruples. A few hundred scummy immoral/amoral people made billions while they decimated the financial stability of many countries. It’s easy to make money when you’re a crook…or have no conscience.
BTW, I’m not implying that Herman Cain is a crook.
Isn’t this the same guy who claims that Planned parenthood’s main objective is to kill black babies? What goes around comes around.
Jill, I am well aware of Yves Smith. I agree with her sometimes and sometimes not. My husband is a big fan of hers, and, yet, he still supports Obama. I trust African Americans on Herman Cain and for the most part they view him very unfavorably.
“historically racists”. Sorry, for some unknown reasons my phone turns “racists” into “radiate”.
I’m with Mespo on this. It must be pointed out that historically radiate have always had Black people that they liked because they weren’t “uppity”. The well known phrase uttered historically “he/she is a good one, not like all the others”. I can’t count the number of arguments I’ve gotten into after hearing that said. Cain represents the Anti-Obama to Republicans and he is popular because they delight in what they see as irony.
“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.” (eniobob)
———————————————————————–
Exactly … just like Sarah Palin did. Though I have to say that curling smoke ad is nothing when juxtaposed to the turkey kill.
rcampbell:
“Cain has demonstrated a very disturbing, and typically conservative, lack of compassion or sensitivity toward his fellow citizens and outright contempt for the disadvantaged.”
**********************
Cain’s a nutcase. I’m always amazed by the defense some folks assert that goes: Cain must be qualified since he’s made lots of money. Cain is fabulous proof that one need not be particularly bright, have well-reasoned positions, nor be overly concerned about his fellow man to make big money. H.L. Mencken had it right from the start when he reminded us about the qualifications for making money in this country. Things really haven’t changed much. Ask Sarah Palin.
S.M.,
I don’t think you understand something. No one here questions that Cain works for Wall Street. No one here questions that any of the Republican hopefuls work for Wall Street. Why Finney’s statement is propaganda is that it functions as 1. pride-up for Democrats and 2. it distracts the loyal Democratic base from seeing that Obama works for Wall Street as well.
I don’t know how extensively you have been keeping up with Obama’s push to give out yet another great deal to the banks concerning foreclosures. If you have a moment to read the blog “naked capitalism”, you will see a well laid out and researched (with references) on how Obama is selling out homeowners and giving a windfall to banks.
The truth is, every major party candidate, Democratic and Republican knows their place and is happy to keep it. This isn’t really about race per say. It’s about race being used as a form of propaganda.
I have been struck by the racism of many white liberals. I hear how proud they are that they elected a black man for president. They are so hip, cool and enlightened!!! What Bull Shit. That’s just racist. White liberals are basically saying, oh, any black guy will do. As if black guys are interchangeable and you don’t have to worry about what they are doing in office. Guess what, a black woman ran for president in 08. Her policies, while not uniformly fantastic, were 1000 times better than the policies of the black guy. She was the one person to stand up and challenge the selection of GWB! Where were white liberals in 08? Certainly not looking at the track record of the black guy!
As a black law professor in my town said, he learned his lesson supporting Clarence Thomas! For the love of god, people of any color are not interchangeable and it doesn’t give white liberals credibility as non-racists to act like they are.
Cain has demonstrated a very disturbing, and typically conservative, lack of compassion or sensitivity toward his fellow citizens and outright contempt for the disadvantaged. His assertion that African-Americans are brainwashed against conservatives assumes blacks are either unknowledgeable, unaware or should ignore the GOP’s original and ongoing opposition to Civil Rights legislation, Affirmative Action, jobs and their quite recent attempts to not renew the Voting Rights Act. That would easily qualify him for the allegation levelled by Ms. Finney. These conservatives seem not to recognize the concept of community or of country.
http://www.salon.com/2011/10/31/will_the_right_give_herman_cain_the_clarence_thomas_treatment_now/singleton/