"Did I Mention He's Black?"

by Chris Bodenner
An Obamacon has a beef with Obama:

I am a Republican and conservative who finds much about Barack Obama to admire. I am also a Republican and conservative who spent my formative years growing up in abject poverty and being homeless a number of times. During that time, I often lived in majority black neighborhoods and was many times the only white child in class. ... To this day, I feel more comfortable with that community than anywhere else.

It is for that reason and more that I was so disappointed with Obama's recent comments regarding Republicans and race.

At a fundraiser in Florida before a majority African-American audience, the senator said, "We know what kind of campaign [Republicans are] going to run. They're going to make you afraid. They're going to try to make you afraid of me. 'He's young and inexperienced, and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?'"

Other than his relative inexperience and some of his stated policy positions, I have zero problems with Barack Obama. His age does not bother me, his name does not bother me and the color of his skin most especially does not bother me. Quite the opposite. I'm proud of what he's accomplished precisely because of the color of his skin. I'm proud of what he's accomplished precisely because of his disadvantaged youth. His is an inspirational story, and his historic campaign has made America a better place to live.

As a Republican with a conservative point of view, I have written more on the greatness of black America, and the need for my party to reach out to that community, than just about anyone I know. Many of the single black moms I knew were some of the most "conservative" people I had ever met. They were death on a cracker when it came to law and order, going to church, staying in school, right and wrong, and personal responsibility, and it was and is my belief that their "real-life" success stories could only make the Republican Party a better and less hypocritical entity.

And yet as much as I and other Republicans try to increase the dialogue, correct the record and derail the hateful rhetoric that divides us, others choose to deliberately ignore heartfelt efforts.