http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008...-to-talk-white/

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader accused Sen. Barack Obama, the presumed Democratic Party nominee, of downplaying poverty issues, trying to "talk white" and appealing to "white guilt" during his run for the White House.

Nader, a thorn in the Democratic Party's side since the 2000 presidential election, has taken various shots at Obama in recent days while ramping up his latest independent run for president.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Rocky Mountain News on Monday, he said he is running because he believes Democrats, like Republicans, are too closely aligned with corporate interests.

Nader was asked if Obama is any different than Democrats he has criticized in the past, considering Obama's pledge to reject campaign contributions from registered lobbyists.

"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader said. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. 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."

The Obama campaign had only a brief response, calling the remarks disappointing.

Asked to clarify whether he thought Obama does try to "talk white," Nader said: "Of course.

"I mean, first of all, 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."

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

Nader said he plans to travel to Denver during this summer's Democratic National Convention, hoping to highlight an alternative agenda that he thinks the party should pursue. His appearance in the city is sure to anger some Democrats who believe his presence on the ballot during the contested 2000 election cost Al Gore votes, helping Republican George Bush win the disputed election.

Nader rejects that blame, saying Democrats "scapegoated" him instead of looking at other factors that contributed to the defeat.

Nader said he is not impressed with Obama and that he does not see him campaigning often enough in low-income, predominantly minority communities where there is a "shocking" amount of economic exploitation.

He pointed to issues like predatory lending, shortages of health care and municipal resources, environmental issues and others.

"He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician," Nader said. "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."

[snip]

Standard disclaimer: I'm not posting this because I support Nader, but I find his comments interesting.

hey ralph, give it a fucking rest already...you cant win a presidential election, but you sure can prevent the dems from winning

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There's two types of people who say that shit. An Ralph isn't the kind that doesn't know any better.

A friend sent a similar article to me yesterday. My reply was, Hey! Ralph! How come we never hear you talking about Arab-American issues or what's going on in Lebanon?

Are you trying to "talk white", or "talk Christian"?

Please.

Obama responded properly to Nader's latest outrage. He respected the work Nader did (in the 60's, maybe 70's), but recognized that he is now simply seeking publicity.

I do wonder why Nader focused only on that aspect of Obama's background. I was wondering why Obama doesn't have more of a Hawaiian accent. I think he's trying to talk mainland. And although I know he travels to Hawaii often, why doesn't he focus more on their particular issues. In fact, why does Obama say he's from Chicago, when he is really a first generation immigrant to that city.

I know he is and has hurt the party, but nader stands by his morals. I dont agree with all he does and says, but man, if everyone would share his passion in trying to make this a better place, what a world it would be. I just watched a doc on him a couple days ago, really makes it hard to not like the guy.

There are a lot of people who were great social activists and accomplished a lot in the NGO/nonprofit/civil society sector for social change, but might not make good presidents or heads of state.

The problem is that the skillsets don't overlap.

Personally, I think Nader is on to something that bothers people about Obama, but it has more to do with caving in to power, not so much whether he talks or acts white or black.

Actually, I think it may be what does appeal to people.

There is no question, even from Obama himself, that the speech he gave four years ago is what propelled him to the national spotlight. The focus of that speech was to eliminate divisions. That black or white or other, republican or democratic, southern or northern, religoius or secular, we have many interests in common.

It was only the heat of the primary that took him off that message. And that distraction is what is likely to cost him the election.

Nader's no fool. He knows that to the extent we focus on racial issues, it will harm Obama. I assume Nader knows he's not going to win. He'd probably prefer a McCain administration.

I think Obama is correct in saying that this is just attention-seeking. A lot of people wondered why Obama even responded to Nader. I think Obama responded out of respect and then socked it to him, so to speak.

Nader really does need to go away and stop trying to capitalize on his old days.

Once upon a time he had a good reputation.

I still want to know why anyone should pay attention to a hired gun of the Republican propaganda machine.

you really think that? I think his intensions are true. again, its all the problem of two party system. When somebody trys to step out they are called party killers.

Gosh-darn that dratted Eliza Doolittle in mocha! The professor is chagrined by his erudition! It lacks negrosity! What a proposity!

(sings)
I've grown accustomed to his race,
I've grown accustomed to the trace
Of something in the air;
Accustomed to his race.

Yowsah

Seems like Nader is trying to conflate the two - he "talks like that" because he caves in to power.

One of the oldest cliche's in the book. I'm surprised he didn't just come out and call him oreo.

Nader can eat my poo.

He dam near never brings it up.  The self-righteous hypocrite. Hell, I knew Kacey Kasem was of Arab descent before I knew Ralph was.

And why the fuck would Obama talk like anybody other then the people who raised him.  I guess ebonics is genetic in Ralphs mind.  

Does that word strike anyone else like an ice-pick in the eye?

Why is the conventionally black vernacular singled out with an insulting label? There's tons of dialects of English, but people always feel a need to treat this one specially. Let's call the irish dialects , I dunno, "patty-twa" or something...Let's call the oft gilded "southern lilt" ... hmm ... I dont know...I can't even come up with this stuff.

Can I get some help here?

Goes great with "My Fair Obama"

Prof. Nader: No more Gin and Tonics! and you'll learn Ebonics!!
Barack: What's Ebonics?
Prof. Nader: Why, Ebonics is the phonics which they speak with in the 'hood!
Barack: Is that good?
Prof Nader: Understood. Say, do you dance to Chaka Khan?
Barack: No, Mendelssohn.
Prof. Nader: Oh, there's so much work to be done! Where's your bling? Can you sing?
Barack: I do an awesome Carol King.

.....

And that is exactly why I used that word. The word reflects Ralph's frame of reference as it relates to Obama in particular and black people in general. Ralph did not say Obama did not speak to any particular interest as it relates to the black community. Ralph talked about ghettos as if all black folks live in ghettos and that is their only frame of reference. To use a more dignified term as it relates to what Ralph was commuicating unconsciously or not would be innacurate.

Anything Ralph Nader says "interesting". Huh, don't think so. Here's what I've thought of anything Nader has said since November, 2000:

Nader needs to get happy and get on board the bus! He is so sour and bitter -- I love the guy -- but he's destroying his legacy.

The last couple of times that he ran, virtually all of his campaign money came from Republican sources. That makes him a hired gun.

His motives aren't pure. He admitted in 2000 that his goal was to make the Republicans win, so that people could see how bad their policies were. This is a man who is working hard to undo everything that he ever claimed that he stood for. And he succeeded in that, at least in 2000. You like Iraq? You loved 9/11? You like torturing of political prisoners? Well then, thank Ralph Nader. Without him, non of those other things would have been possible.

I was collared yesterday by a guy with petition for getting Nader on the ballot in WA state. I said no. He argued. I just disengaged. His argument was to help keep Obama leftish. After the GE, Nader will have no effect, again. Before the election, it's too late to modify Obama positions; better to enter the race at the beginning like everyone else if he was just trying to affect platform; now Obama's is more or less set in concrete after a primary season of 18 months. All Nader can do now is be spoiler; who needs that. IMO, no matter what Nader's message or motives now, it's too late. He played it badly and it's over.

I feel like (no facts) Nader is somewhat disingenuous and selfish in doing nothing to build a movement in between elections. It evidences a certain level of disrespect for those that would be inclined to participate in his candidacy.

Wow!!! I was just getting ready to address this same issue because all of the media was saying, this "white" guy Nader said this about Obama.

I didn't know that if you had Lebanon parents and born in Lebanon, that you were white. Someone educate me on this. Appearances are not everything, but Nader doesn't look white. Like you said, had I not done some research, I wouln't known where he was from, because he never addresses Lebanon issues and I am sure like everyone else, they have some problems too.

Just like it is hard for me to understand white supremists hating Jews, just based on appearances, Jews look white. I am an African American and they hate me even more.

Sometimes the people in America are definitely conflicted.