Ralph Nader: Obama "talking White," "appealing to white guilt."

[Occam Bandage]

Nader -- who launched his 5th presidential campaign in February -- says the only thing different about Obama from previous Democratic presidential candidates is his race. "I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos," Nader says. "Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."

Asked if he thinks Obama is trying to "talk white," Nader said, "of course….The number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," Nader said. "Haven't heard a thing."

Nader also says Obama wants to show he's not "another politically threatening African-American politician. He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."

An Obama spokeswoman, Shannon Gilson, said "we are obviously disappointed with these very backward-looking remarks."

What a fraud.

[YOY]

1. Nader stands for many things I stand for...but he's so full of sh*t he reeks of it

n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

28. looks like Nader wants McCain to win? What has he said about McCain?

[tabasco]

2. This is a guy who has lost his soul.

He was a good guy back in the 70's.

Somewhere along the way, he got lost.

[anonymous171]

4. I think that 2% he won in 2000 went to his head. nt

[11cents]

8. Ask plenty of people who worked for him back in the day ...

...and they'll tell you that he was always a hypocritical asshole.

[samsingh]

10. its too bad - i used to think of him as a hero

[Mist]

3. Well, Ralph, first Obama has to win, before he can institue change. nt

[wyldwolf]

5. what does "talking white" mean exactly?

I used to hear the phrase from black students when I taught in an ethnically diverse high school and then it meant an African American could speak intelligently (as if black students weren't supposed to.)

[RainDog]

36. it's a class issue. whites who say ain't and use don't incorrectly also do not talk white.

In other words, it means you aren't uneducated, and you aren't ashamed of being intelligent. In the U.S., being intelligent is a sign of weakness or something.

look what a fucking mess the unintelligent have a beer with Bush has made.

Americans should get over themselves and try voting for someone who knows how to negotiate and deal with problems.

[Westegg]

6. Tough choice: Win? Or please Nader?

[Tatiana]

7. If only Nader could wake up one day and find himself a black man in America.

Then, maybe, I'd listen more to what he has to say on the issue.

[samsingh]

9. is nader just a truly dispicable person, bush lover, fool?

[Kokonoe]

22. He voted for B*sh twice.

Enough said.

[samsingh]

25. what an utter self loathing asshole

[SemiCharmedQuark]

29. Did he? Link?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

11. The Whore of Babble On speaks.

:eyes:

[LittleClarkie]

12. Shut up you old cracker.

There's something about a white man schooling a black man on what it means to "talk white" that makes my brain bleed.

[genna]

33. Tell me what you really think

I think Ralph Nader has spoken the words that were my Mom's biggest fear about Obama: he is a shuffling and soothing house man. Before HRC's sins became innumerable, it is the main reason my mother refused to support him. When HRC's sins became legion, my mother didn't want to embrace either. She wished John Edwards had stayed in the race.:hippie:


She is still watching him with a certain amount of distrust because he is all things to all people. The more choices he makes that slices people away, the more suspect he is becoming.:freak:


I haven't talked to her in a while, but a salacious part of me can't wait to hear what she has to say about Nader's comments.


As an AA woman who went to HBCU, I learned long ago how difficult it is to speak for a black man. I just don't do it out of deference for y'all.:grouphug:

I just wonder how this is going to work out.:hide: I don't see Nader apologizing for asking him why can't you speak out about class and race in compelling ways. It is the same Tavis Smiley critique of Obama.

[AngryOldDem]

13. What is his problem?

All of his comments, in fact, are panders to the black vote, which is in and of itself just as insulting as these are directly insulting to Obama.

God, I wish he would just go away. He's no Harold Stassen, he's no Ross Perot, he's just one big pain in the ass to the electoral system.

[barack the house]

14. Nadar has just negated everything he ever said...

I didd defend him a few months back in the respect everyone has a right to run but hugely regret that now. This comment is completely Republican and gives creedance to him being a paid spoiler.

[polichick]

15. imo Nader has really lost his purpose in life - he did some great work...

...wish he'd get back to that.

[Radical Activist]

16. Then Nader isn't listening.

Its in Obama's record and platform, even if he doesn't bring it up in every campaign speech.

I try to respect Nader for the good work he did in the past, but shit like this makes it very difficult.

[grace0418]

17. Wow. I remember when Nader actually had some constructive things to say that made sense.

Now he's just a pathetic asshole.

[papapi]

18. Nader's attempt to channel George Wallace into the 21st century. . .

Jealous old fool that he is, Nader just can't accept that a black man can achieve far more than he ever has. He needs to channel his efforts into something constructive for once.

[woolldog]

19. Nader is a racist.

Funny to see all these "progressives" outing themselves.

[Radical Activist]

20. Why doesn't he step aside for the black woman running as a Green?

He could show how serious he is about racial justice by dropping out and campaigning for McKinney right now.

[Barack_America]

21. Sounds like somebody just cashed another fat check from Karl Rove and his ilk.

But thanks for outing yourself as a racist, there Ralph.

[FrenchieCat]

23. Since the 70s, what is it that Ralph Nader has done for anyone

other than for himself? That's like 35 years ago.

At this point Nader can really kiss my ass.

I may rent a bus just to put him under it.

[Raine]

24. STFU Nader

than FUCK OFF!!! :mad: :grr: :nuke:

[tekisui]

26. That asshole is older than mcdubs and maybe more out of touch.

He is just trying to get attention, and he got it.

It looks like he is going after the racist vote.

[tishaLA]

27. Funny, Ralph doesn't sound Lebanese either

and there's really a great irony here: Obama constantly rails against the fact that African American children who speak standard English and read books are derided for "acting white" and/or "sounding white." And now Nader pumps more air into the stupidity.

[Butch350]

30. Hey Nader

After all the years you've been fighting for god knows what. Just excactly what have you accomplished except
pissing people off. You've been yapping your chops for years now - just what the F**k is your goal?

[wowimthere]

31. Ralph who? I forgot he was even running. Must mean he's irrelevant.

[Thrill]

32. Didn't know us white folks talk a certain way

[TheDonkey]

34. Yes Nader because all black people are from the ghettos and should only dwell on inner city poverty

because you demand it. What a punk. I do not understand how anyone could support him other than radical rethugs wanting to cause issues.

[RainDog]

35. I never knew Nader was such a racist fuck. He is officially worthless to me now.

What a racist fuck to claim that ALL blacks have to have the same opinions or all speak in a certain way or are all identified by Jesse Jackson.

Kiss my ass, Ralph, you worthless piece of shit. Thank you for nothing for at least, oh, two decades. Go back to chasing ambulances (or rather, Corvairs.)

[Vinca]

37. Ralph Nader is putting Don Imus to shame.

What a stupid, racist comment. Maybe Ralph is going senile.

[walldude]

38. Nader: Talking shit. Appealing to white shit. n/t

[WinkyDink]

39. Nader never met a Democrat he wouldn't criticize.