Robert A. George on Left-Wing Racism

Thy name is Ralph Nader, argues the moderate-conservative Republican blogger:

"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."

Mr. George comments: "The real interesting thing about Obama running is that just by being himself, he has managed to draw out into the light the different strains of racism that has always implicitly hovered around the Democratic Party and the Left in general. During the primary, Hillary and Bill Clinton demonstrated how, when backed into a corner, white Democrats will happily use racial symbols and rhetoric as wedges -- dividing one section of the party with another. Now, Nader demonstrates the underlying paternalistic racism that is part of the far-left world-view: '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...' (Emphasis added.) Nader presumes to tell a black person what that black person is supposed to be talking about. The 'plight of the poor' MUST be addressed. If such a candidate isn't doing that, he is 'talking white.' Nader is, in so many words, saying that Obama 'doesn't know his place' as a black candidate. Black candidates have certain issues that they must focus on before any others. Absolutely breath-taking. The Obama campaign is staying away from this. But, given how he last week took out a preemptive strike against Republicans -- suggesting criticism of his youth or inexperience was actually code for race -- let's hear him call out this repugnant left-wing racism. It would also be interesting to hear from other Democrats about these comments. Or how about Michael Moore -- who voted for Nader in 2000, a decision he now says he regrets. It would be nice for those on the left to look in the mirror and confront their inner racist."

My response: Of course, in Mr. Nader's mind black = poor. Never mind that 74% of black Americans are not poor...and most black Americans haven't been poor since the 1960s. Perhaps Mr. Nader hasn't heard Sen. Obama talk about these issues, because Sen. Obama is aware of the social class diversity and progress in Black America.