Coburn: "As an African-American male, {President Obama} received tremendous benefits"

[Empowerer]

In answer to a question of whether President Obama was seeking to destroy America, Sen. Tom Coburn said that that the President's “intent is not to destroy, his intent is to create dependency because it worked so well for him . . . As an African-American male {he} received tremendous advantage from a lot of these programs."

Wow.

They're not even bothering with dog whistles anymore. They've brought out the bullhorn.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/afternoon-fix-coburn-says-obama-got-tremendous-advantage-from-programs/2011/08/18/gIQA0HFGOJ_blog.html

[bigdarryl]

1. Mr. President friends like this you don't need

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Here are his contact numbers:

Washington: 202-224-5754;
Tulsa: 918-581-7651;
Oklahoma City: 405-231-494

Maybe we can ask him what programs he's specifically referring to. He can also point out statistics as to which group benefits more from these.

[TwilightGardener]

3. I don't think anyone cares anymore. They can say whatever they want.

There is no penalty.

[Enrique]

4. this pisses me off so much

why is no journalist asking Coburn WTF he is talking about? What programs? And programs for black males? Again, WTF? Government programs for black males?

:wtf:

And Greg Sargent of the Washington Post even defended Coburn. His defense made no sense, however. He suppoesdly provided additional context, but the context didn't change anything.

[JoePhilly]

5. Bottom line ... while we on the left bicker ... THIS is what Obama is up against.

[Enrique]

6. actually I'm not thinking about Obama

I'm really not. I'm outraged by this comment by Coburn, but it has hardly anything to do with Obama. The comment was not aimed at Obama. Coburn is aiming at government programs. My outrage is on behalf of people that need government programs, people such as myself.

[JoePhilly]

7. From what I see, the comment is aimed directly at Obama

Cohburn is disparaging both the programs, and Obama, by basically claiming that Obama got special treatment and didn't have to work as hard as whites do to get ahead.

I'm a white guy in my 40s and I KNOW that dog whistle. Its one of the easiest ways for a white guy to blame his own short comings on African-Americans who received "special treatment" and thus "stole" the opportunity of the hard working white guy.

[Enrique]

10. i'm also a white guy in my 40's who sees something very different

When I look at Coburn, I see a guy who doesn't give a shit about anyone's race, he's just using race to get what he wants: elimination of programs that help poor people of any race.

[JoePhilly]

12. He's also using race to disparage the President.

And he knows that will resonate with a certain audience. Whether one is a racist, or frames their message to appeal to racists, doesn't make much difference, does it?

[Enrique]

14. you said "this is what Obama's up against"

is he really? You and I are both outraged by Coburn's dog-whistle. Is Obama? Will he say a single word about it?

Is Coburn really disparaging the President? Really? Or is he really going after much less powerful people? Who should you and I be worried about?

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Tom+Coburn+Obama+Delivers+State+Union+Address+dlje02_6BYOl.jpg

[JoePhilly]

15. You ever read about Jackie Robinson?

Jackie took an incredible amount of attacks but stayed cool because he knew that if he cracked and became angry, that would give ammunition to those who hated him.

The GOP would love ... LOVE for Obama to become the angry black man. It plays into the worst stereotypes.

Most of this ... comments from Beck, Coburn, Joe Wilson screaming "You lie", the recent "tar baby comments", Limbaugh's nonsense ... this is all and attempt to get Obama to lose his cool and become the angry black guy.

THAT would be a huge victory for the GOP because it would give more credibility to the racists in the GOP ... allow them to become even louder in their attempts to kill the programs we are discussing.

Obama is smart to stay above that, and allow others to call out the blatant racism.

[SkyDaddy7]

18. Everyday I see people here on DU...

stoop to new lows when it comes to Obama...For people to say the comments were not aimed at Obama just shows how ridiculous DU has become. I want to say I was a little shocked to see someone try & say Coburn's comments had nothing to with Obama but I was not. Seriously, DU has become as bad as Right Wing Forums when it comes to attacking Obama...People are basically defending Republicans just to attack Obama! WTF?!?!

Oh well, maybe they will be happy with a Tea Bagger run America come 2013?

[EffieBlack]

21. Bingo!

It's a trip, isn't it?

When posters say that some of the attacks on the President are based on race, we're told that WE"RE playing the race card and reading race into things that actually have nothing to do with race at all. And here we have a direct quote ABOUT the President in which he's personally accused of particular stereotypical, negative behavior and attitude explicitly because HE'S AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN, and we're told that this comment had nothing to do with Obama.

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy . . . Bizarroworld is a very strange and interesting place to be.

[TwilightGardener]

33. I can't believe I'm reading a denial that Coburn was talking about Obama.

In a quote in which he is talking about President Obama, and how President Obama was "dependent" on the largesse of the government to get where he is today, and how President Obama wants all blacks to be dependent on the government like he was. It's one of the most patently offensive things I've heard come out of a politician's mouth, but even on DU, some people refuse to defend him against stuff like this. Because, you know, he didn't champion X or Y policy to our liking. Or whatever beef they have.

[Enrique]

36. Coburn closer with Obama than with Bush

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72943-coburn-closer-with-obama-than-bush

One of the more intriguing friendships in Washington is the affinity between President Obama and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), one of the most conservative members of Congress.

Today on C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Coburn described his friendship with Obama, noting that the two communicate regularly.

"I try to write him about every week or two," Coburn said of Obama. "Write him a note, encourage him. No one has a tougher job than he does."

The two last spoke when Obama called Coburn last week to offer condolences on the passing of his mother.

(...)

[TwilightGardener]

39. Oh, I knew they had been friends. I've posted about it back in 2008.

That doesn't mean Coburn didn't say something truly awful and vicious. Edit to add: dare I say, he's a "backstabber"...;-)

[Karenina]

43. Know your enemy. n/t

[Whisp]

52. ridiculous and fucking igorant to dismiss this kind of thing

this place is stinking bad lately. you'd think there was no such thing as racism by some lot here. that it's just active and ultra sensitive imaginations.

*spits

[Empowerer]

53. The responses here seem to swing between dismissing the comments and blaming the President for them

Very interesting.

[SkyDaddy7]

66. I agree...It just shows how awful DU has become!

Just like Tea Baggers many here on DU will go to no limits to trash Obama regardless of the topic! It is disgusting!

[EffieBlack]

20. +1,000!!!

[Fearless]

29. Meanwhile the rest of America would like him to take stands on meaningful policies.

[awoke_in_2003]

57. you have a point there. nt

[Skittles]

64. we KNOW what Obama is up against

HE apparently does NOT or he would not be constantly on his knees trying to PLEASE them

[EffieBlack]

67. Yes - the people typing their opinions on DU are SO much more knowledgeable about racism than

Barack Obama could ever be.

:sarcasm:

I'm not sure what is worse - having to deal with racism or having to deal with people who feel qualified to lecture black people about how WE should deal with racism.

[Empowerer]

68. Do you realize how patronizing your comment is?

To claim that you have a better understanding of what the President is "up against" than he does is amazingly presumptuous -and your imagery is insulting.

[Skittles]

69. GET OVER YOURSELF

I think Obama could do MUCH BETTER and it a DAMN SHAME you do NOT

[SwampG8r]

30. bet he doesnt consider all those

scholarships at OU to "black males" to be a bad government program

[Peacetrain]

8. What planet is that man from?

[FrenchieCat]

9. Corburn appears to be the entitled one.........

and who lives in a world where his benefits
as bestowed on him by this society are a simple given,
no questions asked, and no special qualities on his part are required.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. When he was 'just a homophobe' Obama embraced him and

called him his friend and praised him as a reasonable Republican. He'd go on and on about how they worked well together, that as President he'd 'seek him out' and all of that. Coburn was already a bigot and the world knew this. Oddly, some folks thought he was just a homophobe and that did not matter to them, so they extended hands to him then you get this.
We keep trying to warn you. A bigot is a bigot.

[awoke_in_2003]

58. when you extend your hand to the right...

you may draw back a stump.

[AtomicKitten]

11. I don't know why this insidious stuff continues to shock me.

They're not even bothering with dog whistles anymore. They've brought out the bullhorn.

:thumbsup:

[lunasun]

13. Yeah every biracial or black or brown person was raised on

welfare and food stamps

yeah everyone of 'em goes to the front of the line for employment and promotions too
:eyes: :puke:

his intent is to create dependency because it worked so well for him ...........

In answer to a question of whether President Obama was seeking to destroy America,..please....like that is a ? that should be answered seriously and then reported on in the media..........Double uugh

[Kerrytravelers]

16. And how many people heard this and didn't think anything other than, "oh."

That is what truly saddens me.

[vroomvroom]

17. Because its a Republican saying it You can Bet Obama will NOT have a come back.

Rarely do i see this man attack Republicans.

[TwilightGardener]

34. He doesn't generally defend himself on the matter of race. Because if he does,

he's bringing up the "race card"--they'd say, hey maybe HE'S the racist, we weren't talking about race, he's the one who brought it up, he's always bringing it up, etc. etc. Whenever race is introduced into an issue, Obama loses--pure and simple. That's why the Republicans and Limpballs keep doing it. That's why he won't take the bait.

[LatteLibertine]

19. Wow, what a tool :(

[ruggerson]

22. Many of us were really pissed off at Obama when he kept promoting Coburn as his "friend"

and as an example of a Republican who he could work with.

Coburn was a bigot then and he's a bigot now.

Coburn is the kind of person we should be fighting - not extending olive branches to.

[Empowerer]

40. "Fight?" How so and to what end?

It's easy to say we have to "fight" this - but more often than not, the best way to fight it IS to hold an olive branch since no one changes their bigoted views by being yelled at in public. They change their views slowly and over time by learning that their views are wrong.

Some of my best and most trusted friends are people who initially held some rather backward views after I and others spent time with them talking with them and listening to them and teaching them and showing them, they have grown and changed.

This notion that race relations is a contact sport is bull. We will never accomplish anything if it's always treated as a fight in which bigots are humiliated and wrestled to the ground, we'll never get anywhere since the person humiliated and wrestled to the ground won't change.

Just look at DU - even the mention around here that a comment - usually by someone else - is bigoted raises such anger and defensiveness, it's difficult to have a rational discussion. And that's with people supposedly on our own side.

The truth is, very few people think they are bigots or harbor bigoted views. Most people even refuse to acknowledge or even recognize that they have prejudices - even though we all do. That goes for people on DU and it goes for people like Coburn. Yelling at him and calling him a racist and "fighting" him may feel good to those of us who think we're beyond reproach, but in my view, the better course of action is to try to teach and engage people like him.
This is something that most black people that I know understand. It's easy for white folks to just call out other white folks as racists, mock them, taunt them, etc. But black people have always had to take a different tack because, despite all of the superficial stuff, we're still not seen by many people as being "on the team." When white people call out white racism, they're open-minded, brave, speakers of truth to power. When black people do it, we're angry, whining, crying wolf and playing the race card.


President Obama probably knows that he will get nowhere calling white senators racists. He is more likely to change Coburn if he engages with him, finds common ground and gently nudges him toward the light.

White folks have the luxury of reacting to - or not reacting at all to - racism however they damned well please. Black folks don't. Every day, we have to grapple with this demon and must consistently weigh and choose the best way to approach it - and sometimes the best way is to patiently, quietly and privately address it. And then we have to put up with white folks telling us we're not doing it right.

[ruggerson]

45. very thoughtful

and I agree with much of what you say. I have no way of escaping my own white privilege in this country, so even though my instincts are to shun and condemn racists, those instincts do not come from a place where I am dealing with and confronting racism every day or personally experiencing its insiduous effects. I did not grow up having to constantly process the many ways in which it manifests itself in tens of millions of lives.

Similarly, heterosexual entitlement makes it difficult for many straight people to "get" what a lot of LGBT Americans have gone through every day since early childhood.

Maybe, in this case, the difference is between the public and private dynamic. The examples you cite are of personal friends that you have gently persuaded over time. But the relationship between Obama and Coburn also plays out on the national stage. I have less problems with President Obama becoming personal friends with Tom Coburn (though it's a choice that still baffles me) than I do with his public lauding of Coburn as a friend and the kind of Republican he can do business with.

I think it sends the totally wrong message about the public repercussions of homophobia.

Perhaps I have less faith than you in redemption. I realize that people do occasionally change, but I think an admixture of private "teaching moments" coupled with public denouncement is a more potent approach to fighting bigotry in general, considering that it is a conversation between national leaders that is making its way into millions of homes through the harsh glare of the omnipresent media.

[Empowerer]

47. And I appreciate and agree with much of your thoughtful response, as well

I think one of the key factors here is the difference in dealing with someone with whom one has a personal relationship and someone that we do not know. It's much easier to demonize people we don't know, assuming they are hateful, evil bigots when we hear them express troubling views. But when they are people we know, we have often have a different perspective of them that makes all of this much more nuanced.

For example, much of what we know about Coburn is what we've seen in his public persona and behavior, but we know nothing about what he's like in interpersonal situations. Perhaps he and the President found that they have things in common. Or maybe Coburn showed him some extraordinary or touching personal kindness at some point. People's relationships are complicated

This kind of thing has often happened to me. I know many, many people who have views that I find disagreeable. But I also know other sides of them and realize that they, like us all, are complicated individuals whose views and perspectives did not spring up out of the ground like Topsy, but were formed based upon a complex and usually inelegant set of personal experiences and influences through their lives. I find it much more difficult to get angry at or hate or publicly castigate such people - even though I sometimes feel very, very sorry for them. I'm much more likely to try to help them learn and grow.

Here's an example - I once hired a contractor who was referred to me by friends, who were also African American. In referring him, my friend told me that she'd once overheard him use the N-word. When he realized that she had heard him, he was mortified. She didn't call him on it because she said she knew that just knowing she'd heard him was so embarrassing to him that it would make him think twice about ever saying it again. And she went out of her way to be kind to him whenever he was in her home and was very comfortable referring him because he did excellent work and was very reliable.

I hired him and we often found ourselves in conversation about one thing or another. In our conversations, it was clear to me that he still harbored deep prejudices. But, as often as I could, I either told him or showed him why those views were not accurate. And while he's still no raging liberal, he's tempered those views significantly.

One day when he was taking a break, he said to me, "You know, I used to hate black people. That's just the way I was brought up. Funny thing is that now because of you and your friends, most of my clients are black." He went on to tell me that some of his friends were recently disparaging blacks and he said, "Look - some of my best customers are black. They're putting food on my table and clothes on my kids' backs. And every one of them pays on time, their checks are always good, they always treat me like a human being and their houses are spotless. I can't say that about most of my white cllients. I can't even say that about you!" He was really proud of himself.

Sometimes it takes baby steps . . . and the realization that none of us is perfect but that it's often possible to help them change - even a little bit - for the better.

People often think what they think and say what they say because they don't know any better. When they know better, they do better. I think the President sees it that way too.

[Paladin]

49. We Don't Have Time For "Baby Steps" Anymore.

That conciliatory approach of Obama's which you like so much has empowered and emboldened the most radical, dangerous sort of conservative activism, and our country is going down the toilet as a result. Lyndon Johnson was no gentleman, but he would have shut down the Tea Party in six months, and along the way he would have neutered a bothersome jerk like Coburn.

I trust you will forgive me for my lack of thoughtfulness.

[Empowerer]

50. You have a romantic, yet quite inaccurate view of LBJ

You also have a rather inaccurate view of the President's powers. If you think that Barack Obama - or any President - can singlehandedly "neuter" Coburn - or any Senator - who is very popular in the state that elected him, you really know very little about politics. And if you could name any Senator that LBJ directly took on and "neutered" because of their views or comments on civil rights, please name them.

And while you seem to think that the President has "empowered and emboldened" the worst sort of conservative activism, in fact blaming those targeted by racism for causing, encouraging and exacerbating it is a longstanding cop-out and diversion usually employed by those who have neither the courage nor the inclination to actually step up and join in the hard and unpleasant work necessary to overcome this problem.

No need to forgive you at all . . . but you do have a lot to learn.

[handmade34]

54. just

want to say thanks for your reasoned, intellegent discussion and argument about this abhorrent statement by Coburn... that's all...

[Empowerer]

65. Thanks.

[Paladin]

59. I Don't Think I Have Anything To Learn From You.

But thanks for the heavy doses of self-righteousness and condescension. Tell you what---let's see what's left of the progressive movement in this country in a few more years if the Republicans continue to gleefully use Obama as a willing punching bag. Let's see how far those "Baby Steps" you're so fond of have taken us. Bon soir.....

[Empowerer]

62. Of course you don't ...

[Paladin]

61. And Let Me Enlighten You A Little Further.

I grew up in Austin, Texas in the 50's, 60's and 70's, and my father had a government service job. No one with that sort of background emerged with anything close to a "romantic" view of LBJ; to the contrary. Certainly nothing in comparison to the romantic fixation you seem to have, regarding the current president. As far as your thinly-veiled accusations of racism and cowardice, I find those comments beneath contempt and unworthy of any further response.....

[nemo137]

23. You know, I was sitting on the porch today, enjoying the sunset, having dinner, and I thought

"I wonder what kind of evil and jackassery is going on right now that will make me want to retch."

So, now I know.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Coburn's open bigotry is old history. Not news to some of us.

This is the man who ran a hugely homophobic campaign, who was then embraced in the Senate by yes, Barack Obama who has publicly praise Coburn many times, called him a friend, and cited him as a person he'd 'seek out' as they had worked together so well in the Senate. Funny how the bigotry is cool when it is just against gays, but add anyone else and suddenly the hammer falls. Funny, but not 'ha ha' funny.
The only Democrat I have heard speak well of Coburn is Obama, who did so already knowing Coburn is a bigot. I guess he thought maybe he was just a homophobe, and that was acceptable?

[ruggerson]

25. +1 best post in thread

n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

27. And it will get no reply from those suddenly upset at Coburn

for being exactly what he always was.

[Fearless]

28. And I'm sure he'll let this one pass too... you know... for the sake of bipartisanship.

[EffieBlack]

31. I hope he does "pass" on this one

The comment speaks for itself. The President doesn't need to say anything about it.

[Bluenorthwest]

The President should have said something when Coburn went

after GLBT people, but what he did was call Coburn his friend, announce that he'd 'seek him out' because he is a 'reasonable Republican' and the two had worked so well together in the past. Obama was fine with Coburn the homophobe, so you are right it would be hypocrisy for him to say a thing about this most recent Coburnism.
But lay down with dogs, you get up with Coburn.

[Empowerer]

37. How do we know he didn't?

Just because he didn't call him out publicly doesn't mean he didn't say anything.

[ruggerson]

41. Would you befriend a white supremacist

one who spews racist vitriol, and then lend him legitimacy by publicly lauding him and calling him your good friend?

I think the larger point is that Coburn was a very well known Jesse Helms-style homophobe, but Obama befriended him anyway.

Racists, homophobes and misogynists all should be shunned and publicly labelled as toxic waste.

There should be a public price to pay for being a bigot.

[Empowerer]

42. While it may be easier and, perhaps, more personally gratifying

I've rarely found that approach to be very effective. But if works for you, more power to you.

[Karenina]

73. Perhaps Obama should engage him in fisticuffs

I wonder who the people are in Coburn's constituency who keep him in his seat indicating full-fledged support of his errraaa... "views." ;-)

I once "befriended" a skinhead because he had such a sweet dog (pit bull). He used to scowl as we passed. I observed the dog's behaviour and his with her. She was quite properly trained and I NEVER saw him use anything but love to control her. One day, I asked him if I could say hello to her. His face softened.

After our introduction, Lady would go into puppy love mode whenever she saw me on the street or on the train. He smiled at me. It was a much preferable atmosphere between us. Baby steps...

[DU GrovelBot]

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[boston bean]

35. Tom Coburn - go fuck yourself! nt

[Arkana]

38. Thought Coburn and Obama were friends--or at least friendly enemies.

Wonder how he'll take this.

[DemocracyInaction]

44. You Gotta Feel Sorry for Poor Tom

Geee, being known as a friend of Obama must be the kiss of death out there in shit-kickin' land. I'm surprised he isn't holding town meetings dressed in a white sheet and holding a burning cross. A man gotta do what a man gotta do to get that thar shit-kickin' vote. (I have a feeling Obama understands the politics of it. They are all part of the big game being played for all of us suckers).

[craigmatic]

46. Yes Obama was so privilidged as a child of a single parent home.

As if white farmers aren't on a form of welfare called crop subsidies.

[GeorgeGist]

48. Tom,being white, had it tough growing up ...

Coburn was born in Casper, Wyoming, the son of Anita Joy (née Allen) and Orin Wesley Coburn.<4> Coburn's father was an optician and founder of Coburn Optical Industries, and named donor to O. W. Coburn School of Law at Oral Roberts University, dedicated in 1979 and closed in 1985.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Coburn

[Yavin4]

51. No One Group of Americans Benefit More from Federal Domestic Spending Than Middle and Upper Middle..

class White people. No other group gets more than this group. None.

[Marnie]

55. I thought Obama wasn't supposed to be American.

Does this mean that they finally admit it is?

[awoke_in_2003]

56. unfucking real

[fishwax]

60. ugh -- but Coburn is a bigot, so no surprise there

:puke:

[Skittles]

63. what kills me isthe

these white male rich repuke bastards NEVER see they perks THEY received for being, well, rich white men

[blkmusclmachine]

70. A theocratic group, Bless 7, is now in TX & FL to cure what ailes you:

But you have to sell your soul to them first. The US is entering the Dominionists "End Game."

[Enrique]

71. it makes it hard to denounce Coburn too strongly

when President Obama embraces him and calls him "my friend in Christ".

Like so many things with Obama you end up having to imagine that he feels the same way you do.

[Logical]

72. So Obama picks his friends poorly!