Reflections From a Murky Pond

It seems a large number of people are upset and shocked by Sen. Barack Obama “playing the Race Card” during a campaign event on July 30, 2008 in Springfield, MO.

Nobody thinks that Bush and McCain have a real answer to the challenges we face. So what they’re going to try to do is make you scared of me. You know, he’s not patriotic enough, he’s got a funny name, you know, he doesn’t look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills.

— Sen. Barack Obama
Stump speech in Springfield, MO
July 30, 2008

Obama’s claims that the GOP would use racial fears against him has angered a lot of people. People seemed shocked that Obama – the post-racial Uniter – would cry racism and attempt to further the racial divisions in this country over something that even his claim admits hasn’t happened yet. But it’s not the first time Obama has pulled the mantle of race around his shoulders in order to attack his adversaries.

They’re going to try to make me into a scary guy. They’re even trying to make Michelle into a scary person. Right? And so that drumbeat – ‘we’re not sure if he’s patriotic or not; we’re not sure if he is too black.

— Sen. Barack Obama
Fundraiser in Chicago, IL
June 12, 2008

I can understand people’s anger over this racist tactic, but not the surprise or shock that many people are exhibiting. Crying racism and foretelling of racism by his opponents is not a brand new weapon in the Obama campaign arsenal. It’s a tried and true weapon that Obama and his campaign have wielded with the finesse of a sabre.

We know what kind of campaign they are going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young. He’s inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And, did I mention he’s black.

— Sen. Barack Obama
Fundraiser in Jacksonville, FL
June 20, 2008

These statements, these bits a fear mongering and race baiting have long been an integral part of Barack Obama’s campaign strategy. He has used them effectively against Sen. Hillary Clinton and now over the last months he’s a turned them against Sen. John McCain.

Obama’s campaign staff describes these comments as “applause lines” and proudly claims that the Illinois Senator has used similar statements throughout his campaign.