The truth about Obama’s ‘lack of experience’

Interesting…………..
We try to ask about what “experience” a minority candidate has in order to hire him.
We ask about “who he studied under” for a majority candidate.

This is nowhere as important as the presidency, but look at the myriad (or lack of) minority NFL head coaches. We take our most prominent ones (L Smith, T Dungy, A Shell, H Edwards) and we all have asked the same things about them “How long has he coached?”
Take a look at the newcomers (majority of course) (S Payton, K Wizenhunt) and we always say “well he was a student of xxxx, so he is going to be good>

What’s good for the goose should always be good for the gander…..

Roland:
I share a degree of your scepticism of arguments that Barack Obama’s lack of political experience would somehow disqualify him from presidential consideration. In addition to the examples of thin resumes you’ve mentioned, Chief Justice John Roberts had only 25 months of judicial experience at any level before he was given lifetime tenure as the most powerful judge in the land. Clarence Thomas had even less judicial experience – only 20 months. Publisher Steve Forbes was taken seriously – he won Republican presidential primaries in two states in 1996 – despite having never before run for political office.
That said, the issue of Obama’s political experience is a legitimate one. In 2000, while serving in the Illinois state senate, he was trounced in his Democratic primary bid to win a Congressional seat from his home district in Chicago. His 2004 run for U.S. Senate became a virtual walk-over (Alan Keyes’ stand-in challenge notwithstanding) after Obama’s Republican opponent was embarrassed by divorce records revealing sexual allegations by his wife. Obama has yet to demonstrate an ability to win a tough political race even at the state level.
Neither has Edwards, who could not even deliver his own state as John Kerry’s 1994 running mate.
Hillary Clinton also got lucky, when prostate cancer forced Rudy Giuliani to withdraw from the race for a NY senate seat.
But drawing on ties formed during 8 years in the White House and 12 years in the Arkansas Governor’s mansion, Hillary Clinton was able to assemble a formidable political force. Though not a New Yorker, she beat a NY congressman who got vast financial and political support from the national Republican machine.
Legitimate questions exist as to whether Hillary Clinton could win a presidential bid. But she has a vastly deeper political background than Obama does.

Martin C. Evans

Hi Roland. I read your article on Barak Obama and his run for president
along with his lack of support from Black leaders. In my opinion I
completely believe you when you addressed the issue of Barak being a ‘ new
Beginning” for Black politics. I had the pleasure of working with Barak
on his run for Congress in 1999-2000. The attitudes that were
perpetrated against him and his ” African” background made me sick and I almost
gave up on politics alltogether. I could not believe how low some Black
community leaders would stoop just to win an election so I can only
imagine the negative reactions Barak is receiving from his own
constituents. Oh and do you remember the looks on some of our Black leaders faces
After his speech at the Democratic Convention… complete awe with a
hint of hater ism. I agree with you, its time for a change, many of
today’s African American voters were not born during the Civil rights
struggle, although I am more than honored and appreciative , its time to give
our generation, generation X, the HIP HOP generation a voice of which
to be heard, Obama represents not just and African American, he
represents All Americans. I hope that our Black leaders would call a meeting
and speak with Obama about the trials and struggles they had to go
through and teach him how to overcome the death threats, along withthe
attacks on his character just because he is black.. I wish that the Black
political leaders could grab him by the hand and embrace him and the
future of Black politics with encouragement and a level of support to
inspire future generations of Black men work hard and achieve their American
Dream…. just like Barak Obama did, just as they did. I am so proud of
Michelle and Barak, and each time I see them I am reminded that its not
where I come from, its the dreams and desires God has placed in my
heart that matter the most. The truth is if its meant for Barak to be
President nothing in hell is going to stop it, which reminds me, what ever
happen to us getting together and praying for one another? I guess thats
another article for you to write on.
Thanks Roland…..

AB/F/CHI/35

From: Fronse Smith
Subj: Obama’a ”Black” Problem ?
Date: Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:22 am
Size: 2K
To: roland@rolandsmartin.com

Mr. Martin,

Mr. Obama does not have a ‘black’ problem. A father from the continent by direct lineage
certainly makes him ‘Black.’ There is an undercurrent among American born and raised
‘black’ African Americans whose ancestry is traced back generations in America. We choose to
call ourselves African Americans for political and cultural reasons. Our culture here in America is
an homogenized ‘african’ culture (based on what we define as African other than DNA). Much of what
we deem as Black Conciousness is homogenized intellectual choice so we have a broad race identity.
This was formed mainly as a response to being stripped of language, culture and customs from
Africa.

Yes we define ourselves as African American, in reality we are a mixed race group identifying
with pseudo-Africanized culture in America.
So Brother Obama is looked at askance by ‘us’. Why ? He IS 21st century America. Directly mixed
race, intelligent, world traveled and educated outside of what we know as American ‘blackness.’

WE have to either clearly define who/what WE are before we can get into the slanderous mode of
questioning someone’s blackness.

Three generations removed I have African, Native American and Irish roots, yet I was raised as a
Black man in Altgeld Gardens, Carver Hign School, Chicago. I believemy genotype ismore
normativeof’Black’ men than American born ‘African’men.

Thus we have our own version of African American Xenophobia when it comes to leadership.
A Brother is always questioned if Euro-Americans say they will/actually vote for him.
Let us question ourselves about ‘race’before we question Barak Obama’s ‘Blackness’ or
‘blackness.’

Keep on keepin’ on,
Fronse W. (Akintunde Kafule) Pellebon Smith

ps And yes I have travelled to Africa…a lot !

Mr. Martin, I listened to show when the caller did ask you that question about Obama’s Executive Experience. I don’t have a problem with Obama’s experience or lack thereof. I truly don’t see him sitting in the Oval Office. I truly think neith Clinton or Obama can win without each other. I’m not going question whether Mr. Obama truly “BLACK” enough. In my very humble opinion, who cares whether he was involved in the Civil Right Movement – he’s 45 for goodness sake. There are millions of blacks who were there in that era who did not “PARTICIPATE”. So many claim they marched to get notariety and didn’t, which is rather pathetic.

The whole experience thing is ridiculous too. Who really has enough experience to run this country. Especially, when you have so many people expecting you to do what they want – not what they need. Clinton has more experience than many are willing to give her. Political wives are much more involved that in the old days. Don’t let that demure/dainty smiles fool you. Obama’s wife is not a light weight either.

So, let’s look at the high percentage of the politicians in Washinton. Most are lawyers. Clinton is a lawyer, Obama is a lawyer, Edwards is a lawyer. Hmmmm, see a pattern here? Another thing, these “POLITICIANS” all have money. Joe Grassroots could not effectively run for president because he would not have the monetary backing that is needed to run. Obama is charismatic – kind of like Bill Clinton. Hopefully, he doesn’t get the chance to be in the Oval Office and replicate what he did, which, in my opinion was more embarrassing than this screwball war.

I’m with you on the black community holding Hillary to the same stakes as Barack..I criticize both because they both are senators in states where children are the most segregated in schools and both have done nothing to solve the problem. Barack said before that he had a problem voting for Alito. Clinton voted for the war..2 fair criticisms of their leadership. Clinton or Obama haven’t addressed issues of police brutality and lack of headstart programs in the same urban areas they hope to get the majority of the vote in. Both of them have great shortcomings..Just remember how the CBC cricitize Souter so much but were slow to criticize Clarence Thomas. Not race baiting. Just being real

a black man

Julius

Clinton or Obama? That is the question?

Julius brings up a very good point, and I have to agree with him, although as far as the white house goes , I honestly cant even begin to guesttomate who would be the better . Time will tell, Iraq and bringing people home is in my eyes the first item on the agenda.

Michael

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