A Black Conservative in the Year of Obama

[TheRightMiller]

History was made last week. Senator Barack Obama, the eloquent and charismatic junior U.S. Senator from Illinois, became the first black person nominated by a major political party as their candidate for President of the United States. The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated. The black experience in America is unique; no other group in this country has endured nearly 400 years of indentured servitude, slavery, domestic terrorism and institutionalized discrimination at the hands of one nation, particularly one founded on the revolutionary principles of equality and liberty. Courageous men and women of all races have labored throughout history to expunge this stain from the parchment of America’s founding documents, and we have come far indeed. The symbolism of a black man within months of ascending to the leadership of the most powerful nation in the world, a nation which in my lifetime instituted barriers preventing blacks from voting for any office, much less the Presidency, is enormous. In fact, no black person has ever taken the reins of leadership in a developed Western nation, so the fact this could happen in America is a great tribute to our maturity as we strive toward a more perfect union. It speaks volumes to the world and to our own people about our determination to live up to our ideals.

So why am I so conflicted?

Read the rest at Ron’s Reflections » Blog Archive » A Black Conservative in the Year of Obama

 

[ImnoMensa]

"I will, however, continue to respectfully express my disagreements with him when I think he is wrong and oppose his policies if they go against my principles. Ultimately, I think he would prefer being treated as a man and not a movement."

I believe you will express your disagreements with Barack and Yes I believe you may oppose his policies, and certainly he could care less why you will vote for him as long as you do so, and Yes I believe you will vote for him because he is black and you feel its owed to blacks for Obama to win.

 

[aps45819]

History was made last week. Senator Barack Obama, the eloquent and charismatic junior U.S. Senator from Illinois, became the first black person nominated by a major political party as their candidate for President of the United States.

is it August already?

 

[vraiblonde]

So why am I so conflicted?

Easy - because you're the "right" Miller. But you're wrong on this one because skin color is no reason to vote for someone. If it were Mike Steele or Colin Powell, or Condi Rice or...whatever happened to JC Watts? Anyway, if it were one of them, you could legitimately and proudly, in good conscience, vote for a black person (as would I). But it wouldn't have anything to do with them being black - it would be because they represent your political ideals and values.

 

[vraiblonde]

is it August already?

Still hanging in there, I see.

Give it up, Aps - Obama has the nomination.

 

[AK-74me]

Easy - because you're the "right" Miller. But you're wrong on this one because skin color is no reason to vote for someone. If it were Mike Steele or Colin Powell, or Condi Rice or...whatever happened to JC Watts? Anyway, if it were one of them, you could legitimately and proudly, in good conscience, vote for a black person (as would I). But it wouldn't have anything to do with them being black - it would be because they represent your political ideals and values.

I agree, I have never seen him, through any of his past postings show any signs of being an Obama type guy, so why would Obama get your support now?

 

[TheRightMiller]

You assume too much, my friend

I believe you will express your disagreements with Barack and Yes I believe you may oppose his policies, and certainly he could care less why you will vote for him as long as you do so, and Yes I believe you will vote for him because he is black and you feel its owed to blacks for Obama to win.

I guess my articulation of my serious differences with Senator Obama wasn't enough to convey my intentions come November. Just as I joined the party that most closely represented my beliefs despite the condemnation of those who believe black people owe their fealty to the Democrats, I intend to vote my beliefs. I am capable of recognizing the historic significance of a black nominee for the Presidency yet not giving that person my vote because I don't agree with his stands on the issues. Moreover, as a resident of Maryland, I have seen what happens when one party controls all the branches of government and I certainly don't want to see that happen at the federal level as well.

 

[ImnoMensa]

My apologies. The tone of your post led me astray.

Barrack Obama is not the first black man to run for President but he is the first to have a chance of winning. Many will be voting for his race and not for the man himself and that is wrong. Many will be voting against his race and not for the man himself, and that too is wrong. I do not consider myself one of the latter and hope others do not either.

I simply do not consider Obama as being qualified to take the highest position in the country, and to be honest I am also suspiscious of his background. His Islamic connection and connections with Rezco and Illinois political machines. Certainly his liberal agenda of abortion, gun laws and taxes, seals the deal.

 

[TheRightMiller]

No apology is necessary. I agree with everything you've said about the role race should play in the decision to select the leader of the most powerful nation on the planet. I was simply confessing the difficulty that black conservatives like myself face when confronted with the historic implications of his candidacy.

I lived a "post-racial" life long before that term came into vogue because it reflected my most deeply held beliefs as a Christian and my idealism as an American. I was confronted during my initial campaign for public office in 2006, however, with an ugly reality; identity politics is alive and well in America. Certainly this Presidential campaign is illustrative of that fact.

Regrettably, one of the things I’ve learned as a public figure is that the color of my skin compels me to carry the expectations of my race, not because I’ve chosen to carry that burden but because it is placed upon me by the black community. That is why conservative blacks like Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Michael Steele and me come under such withering attack – we strayed off the reservation. We were not given permission to step outside the political and ideological box blacks have constructed for themselves.

 

[chernmax]

Easy - because you're the "right" Miller. But you're wrong on this one because skin color is no reason to vote for someone. If it were Mike Steele or Colin Powell, or Condi Rice or...whatever happened to JC Watts? Anyway, if it were one of them, you could legitimately and proudly, in good conscience, vote for a black person (as would I). But it wouldn't have anything to do with them being black - it would be because they represent your political ideals and values.

Totally agree...

 

[Sharon]

So why am I so conflicted?

Because you're concentrating on skin color.


I wouldn't be conflicted if Hillary got the nomination just because we are both women.

 

[GSXR_MOE]

So why am I so conflicted?

I know exactly how you feel, I felt the same way when Steele was running for Gov; but in the end I had to vote for who I thought would represent my views.... and if you want to stay honest w/ yourself; you should too...

When this presidential election started I didn't want to just vote for Obama because his skin color looks like mine. I did a lot of research and saw that him and Hillary were very similar. It was mostly like splitting hairs, but his lack of experience is a plus in my book... and although I'm not a huge fan of socialized health care, his plan sounded a little better to me... oh and for the record, I don't see a problem w/ him TALKING to our enemies....

 

[chernmax]

but his lack of experience is a plus in my book...

.........................................

 

[TheRightMiller]

Because you're concentrating on skin color.


I wouldn't be conflicted if Hillary got the nomination just because we are both women.

I understand how it would come across that way. If you've seen the pictures of my family, it's probably pretty clear that I'm not one to make decisions based on race. It's just that I think electing a black person (or a woman for that matter) for President would bring us one step closer to the society of our ideals and would quiet the naysayers who proclaim we're either too racist or too sexist to elect either. That said, I would never put identity politics above my principles. That doesn't mean it's a simple choice for all the reasons I've stated previously. I imagine it's the same way some women felt about Hillary Clinton's candidacy - "yes, a woman for President but just not THIS woman."

 

[Bann]

History was made last week. Senator Barack Obama, the eloquent and charismatic junior U.S. Senator from Illinois, became the first black person nominated by a major political party as their candidate for President of the United States. The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated. The black experience in America is unique; no other group in this country has endured nearly 400 years of indentured servitude, slavery, domestic terrorism and institutionalized discrimination at the hands of one nation, particularly one founded on the revolutionary principles of equality and liberty. Courageous men and women of all races have labored throughout history to expunge this stain from the parchment of America’s founding documents, and we have come far indeed. The symbolism of a black man within months of ascending to the leadership of the most powerful nation in the world, a nation which in my lifetime instituted barriers preventing blacks from voting for any office, much less the Presidency, is enormous. In fact, no black person has ever taken the reins of leadership in a developed Western nation, so the fact this could happen in America is a great tribute to our maturity as we strive toward a more perfect union. It speaks volumes to the world and to our own people about our determination to live up to our ideals.

So why am I so conflicted?

Read the rest at Ron’s Reflections » Blog Archive » A Black Conservative in the Year of Obama

I enjoyed reading your perspective.

I think it is significant that a black person has been nominated as a candidate for the office of the presidency in one of the political parties. (Even though I think the majority of democrats voted for him based on his race) I keep hearing if he gets elected that it will show how far the country has come from the past, etc. Well, I happen to think that would mean we're voting for him because of his race. That he is but one candidate to vote for should be example enough of racial equality in this country - the country can vote for him or not - based on his qualifications.

 

[vraiblonde]

It's just that I think electing a black person (or a woman for that matter) for President would bring us one step closer to the society of our ideals and would quiet the naysayers who proclaim we're either too racist or too sexist to elect either.

However, we'll end up with a host of other problems that aren't worth it. Not only that, but the people who scream racism and sexism won't stop just because of a black or woman President. When we got a black female NSA, then Sec of State, the screamers said she was an Aunt Jemima and not black at all.

Somehow Bill Clinton was proclaimed our first black President - by a black woman, no less.

 

[TheRightMiller]

Point Well Taken

However, we'll end up with a host of other problems that aren't worth it. Not only that, but the people who scream racism and sexism won't stop just because of a black or woman President. When we got a black female NSA, then Sec of State, the screamers said she was an Aunt Jemima and not black at all.

Somehow Bill Clinton was proclaimed our first black President - by a black woman, no less.

Excellent point. Perhaps it is too idealistic of me to place the hope of silencing racists or sexists of all stripes on the election of one man. Moreover, as you've indicated, the tectonic shift in the political landscape that would result from the combination of a liberal President and a liberal Congress would be significant.

I couldn't agree with you more on the shameful way in which blacks and liberals have disrespected Condoleeza Rice. She embodies the success of the civil rights movement with her ascension to one of the highest leadership positions in the land. She is a role model with her achievements, her intellect and her bearing, yet we've seen none of the fawning over her that we've seen over Barack Obama. As I stated before, that is why black conservatives like us are pilloried by the liberal establishment; we had the gall to exhibit a contrarian point of view.

 

[TheRightMiller]

Somehow Bill Clinton was proclaimed our first black President - by a black woman, no less.

Don't get me started on that. The notion that his impoverished background, Southern roots, indiscriminate sexual appetites and purported unjust treatment by the "right-wing conspiracy" made him "black" was an insult. I know Toni Morrison regrets the comment although she now says it was done with tongue firmly in cheek and that it was others who ran with it.

 

[Pushrod]

Hell Ron, I would be voting for you, or Michael Steele if either of you were running for that office (or any office) because I know your ideals run along the lines of mine. Skin color has no bearing (or should not) on how a country is run or how we vote. Unfortunately, the person we have running on the Demoncratic ticket is Marxist/Socialist and the Rebulican candidate is only a few shades to the right. It suks to have the choices this election that we do.

If Obama is elected this country is in for some hard times. I think no matter what, this country is in for some terrible times ahead, but we can either experience those times as free, independent and self-determining people, or under the burden of a socialist regime.

History was made last week. Senator Barack Obama, the eloquent and charismatic junior U.S. Senator from Illinois, became the first black person nominated by a major political party as their candidate for President of the United States. So why am I so conflicted?

Read the rest at Ron’s Reflections » Blog Archive » A Black Conservative in the Year of Obama

 

[vraiblonde]

As I stated before, that is why black conservatives like us are pilloried by the liberal establishment; we had the gall to exhibit a contrarian point of view.

I posted in a different thread that many blacks tend to be more loyal to their party than to their race (just as women tend to be more loyal to their party than their gender). I'm still shocked that Cardin beat Steele for the Senate - I thought for sure it was going to be a walkaway, and Steele's defeat really made me realize a few things.

A friend of my BIL's is not only a black dude, but he's gay as well. He's a Democrat, and I asked him what he, as a gay black man, has gotten in return for his vote. Now, this is a smart guy who does well for himself financially, so we're not talking about some dingaling here. He had no answer for why he votes Democrat and admitted that he's never gotten anything significant out of the deal.

(However, there was a white-guilt liberal screamer in the group who interrupted our conversation to start yelling and being belligerent about the evil Republicans and how the Democrats are going to save the world. He was a loon.)

So that's a conversation I'd like to have with blacks, women, etc: WHY do you vote Democrat? What's in it for you? I don't want to hear the word "change" unless you specify which change you want and how you think Obama or any other Democrat is going to implement it.