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McCain's Race Baiting Fundraising E-Mail

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only

Via TPM, Spencer Ackerman finds this outrageous fundraising e-mail from the McCain campaign:

"My Friends," it read, "I am not running for president to be somebody, but to serve our country with honor. I seek the office of the President of the United States because I am as confident --"

"Stop right there" writes Spencer. And he is right. The race baiting invocation of Jesse Jackson is obvious. John McCain's actions here are disgraceful.

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    Uh, the race baiting is not obvious unless (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by jawbone on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:03:19 PM EST
    people know the poem by Jackson--and how many of McCain's likely donors do?

    Is there anything else that is "obvious race baitig" in the mailer?

    I've found pretty obscure readings of literature, but this seems a bit...of a stretch.

    Really.

    I read it as McCain is saying he doesn't need the glory or status--but I may be way off base.

    I definitely didn't get the reference... (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by K Lynne on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:20:09 PM EST
    And if it is a Jesse Jackson quote I would imagine that the Republicans it is targeted to would be less likely to 'get it' than Democrats.

    When I first read it I thought it was in reference to the fact that both BO and HRC would be 'firsts', as in they would both go down in history as either the 'first woman' or 'first African-American' president.

    Can someone please post the full quote?  

    Thanks...

    Parent

    OK, I read the poem (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by K Lynne on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:01:09 PM EST
    and I still really don't see it as race baiting even knowing the background surrounding the poem.  I believe there is a strong argument to be made for my previous point about 'being a first'.  

    Does EVERYTHING have to be racially motivated, or have a double meaning?  If you look closely enough, you can find something offensive in just about anything anyone says.  There has been WAAAY too much of that lately!

    Parent

    Due respect (2.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:02:55 PM EST
    "I am somebody" was Jesse Jackson's SIGNATURE quote.

    You simply are not very well informed on this issue.

    Parent

    I was still in my teens in '88... (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by K Lynne on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:36:38 PM EST
    and didn't even start to follow politics until much later.  So yes, I am not very well informed on issues such as this.   I will also admit to having been very sheltered with regard to racial issues (born in the late 60's, can't remember a time when there weren't African Americans living in our neighborhood, attending school and church with us, etc. - and if there was discrimination, I was blissfully unaware of it.

    Perhaps I should have just kept my mouth shut.

    Parent

    I don't think you should've kept your mouth shut. (none / 0) (#77)
    by BrandingIron on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:02:27 AM EST

    It's not your fault that you were unaware of this or just simply doesn't know.  I was always taught that if you didn't know something, ask;  if you were in the presence of someone who needed information that you had, then you give it to them/help educate them--you don't lord it over them.  Frankly, I'm appalled by BTD's attitude on this thread.  It's extremely condescending and unbecoming of someone involved in factual discourse.

    Parent
    How can it be racist? (none / 0) (#82)
    by wayland on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 05:29:30 AM EST
    OK so Jesse J who is black said "I am somebody" and people would recognize the reference. Is that why it's race baiting, because McCain who is white, quoted it?

    Ofcourse JJ is someobody, he ran for President, was on lots of posters and TV, lots of people voted for him. Did not make it all the way but good effort.

    McCain is saying he wants to go one better he wants "to serve our country with honor". I should bloomin' well hope so and I am sure JJ would have wanted the same thing. So it was a bit rude of McCain to imply that this makes him better than Jesse. That's political posturing and a bit pointless if Jesse is not running. However I fail to see why it's race baiting.

    Please explain.

    Parent

    Aren't All The Charges Of Racism Getting (none / 0) (#86)
    by flashman on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 08:48:47 AM EST
    really, really thin?  I'm not a McCain fan, but he is not a racist.  Neither is Hillary or Bill Clinton.  

    Parent
    I agree... (none / 0) (#89)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 10:26:52 AM EST
    a lot of the sexism charges are very thin as well.

    Parent
    It dosnt mean you dont (none / 0) (#96)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:17:28 PM EST
    appeal to that element if it'll get some traction and fire up your (base) base.

    Were Bush's people racists when they spread those stories about McCain fathering a half black baby out of wedlock?

    Parent

    It can be racist because (none / 0) (#94)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:04:53 PM EST
    the context, which includes the person saying it, is important to grasp all the implications, at least one of which seems to be that THOSE people -- in this case Jackson and Obama -- can always be counted on to think alike: no need to find out who they really are, or what they stand for.

    Parent
    I am somebody (4.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:05:54 PM EST
    is an OBVIOUS Jesse Jackson reference.

    It is silly to deny it.

    Parent

    BTD, some of us are unaware of what (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:10:59 PM EST
    Jackson wrote so I didn't get it either. Thank you for exposing me to that. I hope that's not what McCain meant because it is offensive if so.

    Parent
    Well (4.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:48:57 PM EST
    Honestly, that is on you folks. Not me.

    Asking for a quote from Jesse Jackson for "I am somebody" is well, it is pretty bad on all of you.

    Parent

    I agree. I just read the original poem. It's (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:02:04 PM EST
    beautiful and I feel bad that my knowledge of JJ didn't include this. I can't see any reason to mock him for what was very simple and beautiful.

    Bill Clinton and Al Gore brought me to politics. I'm pretty ignorant about politics in the 1988. I went to college in the 80's so I'm old enough to know better but I didn't.

    Parent

    Excuse me (4.00 / 2) (#45)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:03:41 PM EST
    It is more than the poem "I am somebody" was and is Jesse Jackson signature quote.

    Parent
    I realize that after doing some reading. (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:13:37 PM EST
    You have obviously educated a bunch of us tonight and that's a good thing. Now that I am aware, I think it is offensive, too. Your post was a learning experience for me and I will remember it. That's why I read your posts BTD, to learn.

    Parent
    FYI... (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:20:10 PM EST
    I missed it. But I also haven't been steeped in the ins and outs of Democratic politics.

    It might be a good idea to post the similar references from Jackson.

    And then (I'm thick I know) show the race baiting.

    Parent

    No (1.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:48:12 PM EST
    Due respect to the commenters on this thread, you all should be rather be rather embarrassed that you do not see it.

    Parent
    I love you too... (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:57:38 PM EST
    But not all of us are old enough to remember Jackson's run for the WHouse as anything more than a fuzzy blur...and some of us not even that...much less his particular/chosen rhetorical flourishes.

    Hell, the only thing I remember about Hart was his boat.

    But I do remember Rainbow/PUSH.

    Parent

    Then perhaps (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:01:41 PM EST
    A little humility in declaring I am wrong on this.

    Parent
    Don't think you're wrong... (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:03:50 PM EST
    simply asked for a bit more clarification.

    <hugs>

    Parent

    Vidal didnt call it (none / 0) (#95)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:09:46 PM EST
    the United States of Amnesia fer nothin'.

    Exhibit A as to why these regime change, Rapture invoking, televangelist-funding loons keep gaining ground every year.

    Parent

    ummmmmmmmmmmmm, i think (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by cpinva on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:18:26 PM EST
    that's a wee bit of a stretch, actually. if that's what was intended, i suspect it fell wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy short of it's mark, as it's too obscure (sorry katiebird) a reference for most people to recognize. it just comes across as a pretty good line.

    unless there was something else flagrantly overt in the email, i think you're grasping at a thin straw here.

    let's save the outrage for something real. trust me, we probably won't have long to wait.

    You are joking, right? (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by BigB on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:41:27 PM EST
    BTD,

    You are joking, right?

    Not in the least (2.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:44:54 PM EST
    Are some of you that young?

    I am amazed at this thread frankly.

    Parent

    Not just youth, but also it was 20yrs ago (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:59:44 PM EST
    heck, I'm trying to remember if that was the year I was spending the summer in London, or the year of the Northern California World Series and earthquake which I happened to be present for . . .

    and I will freely admit I didn't catch all the prior race baiting either, like when Hillary said "falling backwards" during her "emotional moment" in NH.

    But on the 'upside', I did catch all the sexist BS flying around so far . . . I think it may be an individual thing as to who was where, when and their relationship to certain situations/issues.

    Parent

    I'm very familiar with "I am somebody" (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Josey on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:38:36 PM EST
    through schools, boys and girls clubs, etc.
    I don't know, BTD.  I'm guess I'm neutral on the connection you made.
    "I am somebody" IS Jesse Jackson. I can hear him screaming it with the veins popping out of his neck! He's inspired and incited generations of kids to affirm themselves and reach for the highest because they are worthy and significant!
    So the slogan IS associated with Jesse Jackson.
    Has McCain made racist statements before?

    Parent
    The poem goes back farther than 20 years ago (none / 0) (#88)
    by litigatormom on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 10:00:42 AM EST
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af0piTceE2o

    A very young Jesse Jackson first "read" the poem as a call and response with young children on Sesame Street in the early 1970s.

    He has recited the poem in public on several occasions and it has been published and recorded.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_-_Somebody

    Parent

    I was a teenager in the (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by leis on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:51:31 PM EST
    80's and I didn't get what it signified. But my guess is there is going to come a time when Mission Accomplished will go over people's heads but people of a certain age will remember what it means.  That's no slam on any body's age either.

    Then (4.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:52:49 PM EST
    people who do not get it really can't know what I am talking about here.

    Parent
    Now, thats some code (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by christinep on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:10:49 PM EST
    Really, I had no idea that referred to J Jackson...and, at 60 and an active Democrat most of my life, you could have fooled me.  (But, then again, maybe this is what a "senior moment" is.)  This does bring up something tho.  My question: At what point do the codes or words one uses really become byzantine puzzles solved only by those in-the-know? And, who are those people--5% or 10% or what?  When do we become hypersensitive and have to trip all over ourselves in phrasing?  I really don't know.  As for me, earlier today I was quite upset when I read on another blog that Obama sought to explain the grandmother remark of the other day by way of saying on a radio program that she was "a typical white person."  I kept thinking what the response would be if Clinton or any Clinton supporter had referred to a "typical black person." (It hurts to write that.)  So...what are the rules? Has the Wright flap (and, all the alleged racial build-up along the way) caused Obama to open Pandora's box?

    I am somebody? (1.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:14:14 PM EST
    Puhleeeeaze.

    Seriously. Puhleeeaze

    Parent

    Let me put it succinctly... (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by christinep on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:29:11 PM EST
    I am no dummy BTD; and, I did not get it.  Neither did my husband--fwiw, he has a doctorate in political science, taught poli-sci, ran a campaign or two, etc.  I'm sorry that we did not stretch with you.  So, in your words, puleeez do not be so insulting to me and people like me.  Thank you.  (And, most of the time, I really enjoy reading your comments.)

    Parent
    First I hear on NPR today it would (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:23:44 PM EST
    have been Mr. Rogers's 80th birthday and we should all wear a sweater today.  Then I read about I Am Somebody and realize Jesse Jackson was leading the kids on Sesame St. with this poem in 1971, when my oldest daughters swears I forced her to watch Sesame St. not once, but twice a day.  But did I remember the poem?  No.  Do I now?  Yes.  Does the e-mail mock the poem?  Yes.

    I'm 43 (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by dianem on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:21:35 AM EST
    I was not politically active in the 80's. I was too busy finishing high school, then dropping out of college and "finding myself". I have absolutely no clue what this is all about, and I have no idea why this message is "race-baiting".

    Have to disagree on this one (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Shawn on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 02:02:58 AM EST
    I was only 12 in '88, but that was actually the first presidential campaign that I followed somewhat; I got hooked on politics from watching the Democratic convention that summer. The Ann Richards speech ("He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!") was the first political speech I ever watched on TV, and Jesse's amazing "Common ground" address was the second (or maybe it was Kennedy's "Where was George?"). So I'm pretty aware of "I am somebody!" and its association with Jackson.

    But I think the writer of that McCain email is actually playing off a familar refrain about Ronald Reagan:

    Reagan never considered himself a professional politician.  He did not run for president to be somebody, but rather to "do things."  He had nothing to prove to anyone.

    icky right-wing link enclosed

    Or another example, from an Amazon review of Reagan's autobiography:

    From a reluctant governor, Reagan matured to a candidate who sought the presidency, not to be somebody, but to do something.

    Finally, a non-conservative (basically), Jeff Greenfield, used it in a 1996 Time article:

    Ronald Reagan is now regarded as a giant political figure, a man who won and who retained his popularity by offering a clear ideological message, one of those rare Presidents who run for office not to be somebody but to do something.

    That phrase was the first thing I thought of when I read the email excerpt, since I remember it being used throughout the Nineties by TV pundits favorably contrasting Reagan with Clinton and, before that, the first President Bush. So my read was Reagan dog-whistle, not anti-Jackson racist dog-whistle.

    If anything, it's an implicit attack on Hillary, who the right-wingers (and the media) always accuse of only wanting power for its own sake. The person who responded on Ackerman's site seemed to pick up on this.

    This is not to defend McCain. He consorted with some pretty slimy characters in his 2000 South Carolina campaign and was totally craven on the Confederate flag issue down there; he's typically been absolved on that because the Bush campaign's conduct was so much worse. I just think that the charge of race-baiting in this instance is probably off-base.

    That makes a lot of sense (none / 0) (#75)
    by nycstray on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 03:13:50 AM EST
    also brings back the memory of the Republican debates. Who could mention Ronald Reagan the most times? Extra points if you could relate info on a more personal level, aka being in the same room with the dude at least once in their life no matter the reason. Even if was just to ask directions to the men's room, lol!~  ;)

    Parent
    Thank you (none / 0) (#81)
    by BrandingIron on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:12:25 AM EST

    for providing a different and valid perspective on this.  I feel less stupid now after reading your comment (along with the other comments that DO have the JJ reference in them).

    Parent
    Ronald Reagan as a touchstone (none / 0) (#91)
    by FlaDemFem on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:11:52 PM EST
    is much more plausible than misquoting Jesse Jackson. I doubt many Republicans regarded Jackson's run for the presidency as more than a joke, and certainly do not remember his speeches and poems. They are much more likely to get the Reagan buzz words than an obscurely referenced, allegedly racist, misquote.

    Parent
    Thank you! This is what I thought it referred to-- (none / 0) (#92)
    by jawbone on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:13:29 PM EST
    more a clarion call to the followers of St. Ronnie than racism or an echo of anything Jesse Jackson said.

    Some phrase are actually used by more than one pol or group or movement.

    IIRC, one of the raps against Poppy was that he wanted the presidency just to be president--and that's actually the first connection I made. McCain is trying to say he's more in the mold of St. Ronnie and has wants to actually acomplish things. (Things the likes of us will not like of course.)

    Parent

    i was in my late 20's, early 30's (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by cpinva on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 02:04:36 AM EST
    in the 80's, were you even born yet BTD? not only was i politically aware, i lived and worked in the DC metro area. for awhile, on K street, downtown, for a guy who'd been in the carter administration.

    i grew up in the DC area; politics and government are the primary industries here. you have to be almost willfully deaf, dumb and blind to avoid it.

    i remember well the jackson "campaign", short-lived as it was. actually, by comparison to sen. obama, rev. jackson was much more experienced. i don't happen to remember that particular bit, but then i get inundated with congressional stuff on a daily basis, and i don't remember all of that either.

    sue me! :)

    As someone who caucused for Jackson (4.50 / 2) (#5)
    by katiebird on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:10:40 PM EST
    I sure recognize it.

    I heard Jackson speak those words in person during the 1988 campaign.

    It was a common refrain for several years afterwards too.

    Thank you for that katiebird. I am going to (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:13:17 PM EST
    read about it. I'm old enough to have known that and feel bad that I don't. I must have been in a dream world in 1988.

    Parent
    That was my last election for many years (4.50 / 2) (#20)
    by katiebird on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:27:29 PM EST
    I was REALLY burned out on losing elections by then.  But one of my brothers loved Jessie Jackson, so I worked on the campaign some with him.  It was a fun campaign, because he won enough to feel like we got someplace with it.  

    But then the whole Hart thing and Dukakas.  The year ended badly.

    Parent

    I was a Jackson delegate in 1988, but you know, (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by derridog on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:13:40 PM EST
    I'm really tired of all this gotcha nonsense about coded references to Jesse Jackson and accusations of race-baiting in every direction. Can we leave that to the people over at Kos? That's why I left that blog.

    Parent
    Well, at the very least it was snarky (4.00 / 1) (#18)
    by katiebird on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:23:54 PM EST
    And I don't think that's a Presidential attitude.  I think this post was a fair attempt to bring the conversation back around to McCain.  And that makes it a relief to me.

    Parent
    As Col Potter (4.00 / 1) (#21)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:41:21 PM EST
    would say, "Horse hockey."

    McCain has repeatedly made the point that he is running to serve the country as an extension of his belief that is what a patriot does. Serve the country.

    Therefore is disavowal makes perfect sense. He is not doing it for "ego."

    But since 99.9% of you have, most likely, never listened to what McCain has said, you have zero real information and must remember to be insulted when told to be insulted by your masters.

    I suggest some growth vitamins, fish oil and practice thinking for yourself. It will be hard, but if you learn how, very enjoyable.

    Nonresponsive to the post (4.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:45:22 PM EST
    Not doing it for ego? (none / 0) (#34)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:52:47 PM EST
    No one runs for President without a huge ego.

    And I have listened to "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" McCain. I have heard him say we may be in Iraq forever like Korea. No thanks jim. My nephew has spent three years of his life there. He has a lot of respect for McCain but he says this is a war without end and it is. (He got home today for R&R thank God. Ten months away from my niece and their kids.)

    Parent

    I've heard him say that (none / 0) (#90)
    by litigatormom on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 10:56:19 AM EST
    In fact I tried to find a quote to that effect.

    But I think BTD's point is valid: the particular language chosen by McCain in that ad is much more reminiscent of Jesse Jackson's trademark line than McCain's prior references about wanting to serve for the sake of patriotism.

    Parent

    Or when you are told (none / 0) (#98)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:29:14 PM EST
    to call him "nothing but a RINO", as you did up until a few months ago, oh endless slinger of wingnut b.s.

    Parent
    In case you were (none / 0) (#101)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 10:36:31 AM EST
    wondering, Col Potter wasnt a real Col.

    Speaking of following masters and such, seems to me that a few short months ago, you were refering to McCain as "nothing but a RINO". But, that must've been because back then you had zero real information, hadnt started listening to what McCain has said, and hadnt learned to "think for yourself" yet, eh Jim?

    Parent

    I despair for my country (4.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Alien Abductee on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:47:20 PM EST
    if this is the level of political campaign of a major candidate and supposed moderate.

    JJ's poem is beautiful and affirmative.

    This campaign is like lancing a boil in America's soul.

    I'd hoped we were past all this.

    Me too (4.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:50:03 PM EST
    First thing I thought of... (3.00 / 1) (#23)
    by oldpro on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:43:12 PM EST
    C'mon, people.  If you were at ALL political in the 80s, you couldn't have missed this.

    Not a stretch...not a reach...not at all.

    BTD is right on the money.  It is a deliberate word choice with a resonating message...and easy to dismiss/deny as so many responses on this thread testify.  "Paranoid" they will innocently say.

    Not this time.

    McCain can just as easily dismiss (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by standingup on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:54:49 PM EST
    it by saying a younger and lower level staffer drafted the email with no idea of the connection to Jackson.  Works out perfectly as it is targeted to reach a specific group and goes over the head of the rest.

     

    Parent

    Yup. They don't draft (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by oldpro on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:49:20 AM EST
    their own material...often, don't even see or approve it.

    Parent
    Are we the only ones who were (2.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:49:48 PM EST
    politically aware in the 80s in this thread?

    Parent
    Waving Hand (4.00 / 2) (#47)
    by katiebird on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:04:10 PM EST
    Me, I was there!  I swear!  I heard him say the line in person in Kansas City, Kansas in 1988.  I caucused for him.

    I thought I was old at the time.  If I only knew....

    Parent

    katiekatiekatie! (4.00 / 1) (#71)
    by oldpro on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:47:29 AM EST
    In the 80s we all felt old!

    Now, here we are, 20 years later...boyoboy...

    Parent

    It's probably an age thing... (4.00 / 1) (#70)
    by oldpro on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:44:41 AM EST
    but even then, not everybody was political in the 80s.  Not much fun, as I remember it. Jeez...only 20 years ago...the year I became a widow.  A downer all around...'88.

    But everything changed in '92.

    Time to do it again.

    Parent

    I didn't get it (none / 0) (#3)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:08:19 PM EST
    I didn't see it.  I didn't know they were Jesse Jackson's words.

    Well (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:09:08 PM EST
    it was obvious.

    You must not know a thing about Jesse Jackson if you do not see it.

    Parent

    It's also one of the refrains the wingnuts use.. (none / 0) (#12)
    by Maria Garcia on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:17:35 PM EST
    ...to mock Jesse Jackson so believe me the folks on his mailing list get it.

    Parent
    That is disgusting. That poem (none / 0) (#15)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:19:20 PM EST
    speaks to and for everybody. I can't believe he would be mocked for it.

    Parent
    Must be too young... (none / 0) (#10)
    by znosaro on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:15:10 PM EST
    I didn't get it at all.  Still don't, really.  I'd like more of the original document.

    Jesse used to say it at rallies all the time. (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Maria Garcia on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:19:05 PM EST
    When he spoke to school children, he had them repeat it. It was his "catchphrase," sort of like "yes we can."

    Parent
    Well, (none / 0) (#78)
    by BrandingIron on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:03:55 AM EST
    "yes we can" isn't even Obama's, so....

    Parent
    Click the link in the blog and then click (none / 0) (#11)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:17:14 PM EST
    the original document link in the upper right of wikipedia. It's beautiful.

    Parent
    Yeah, that does seem suspicious. I wasn't (none / 0) (#19)
    by tigercourse on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:26:46 PM EST
    familiar with Jackson's original saying, but this is slightly awkward phrasing by McCain. It would make more sense to say something like "I'm not running for the grandeur of the office, I'm running to shoulder the awesome responsibility... blah, blah, blah". McCain might still be trying to solidify his party's 18th century base.

    That is a funny line (none / 0) (#38)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:59:42 PM EST
    Ackerman is good with the snark.

    Am I the one missing something? (none / 0) (#43)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:02:29 PM EST
    Do people really think Ackerman thinks this is a dog whistle?  I'll have to go read the whole thing.  I'm sure he was being sarcastic.

    Joke's on me I guess (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:11:00 PM EST
    Yes, he is serious. I guess the fact that I saw it immediately might mean McCain did mean to refer to Jackson.  But I only saw it because after reading Ackerman's comment, I went looking for something that reminded me of jackson. So who is doing the race-baiting?

    And now, like BTD, I can't think of anything else McCain might have meant.

    That is what I call the text-book example of racial dog whistle. You really would only hear it if you were of a certain age and trained to listen.  I am going to hate this campaign.

     Oh yeah, I already hate this campaign.

    Parent

    Wouldn't the people trained to get the code... (none / 0) (#56)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:17:23 PM EST
    be those least likely to vote for any Dem candidate in the generals?

    Parent
    Sure -that is why he sends fundraising letters (none / 0) (#59)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:23:31 PM EST
    to Republicans

    Parent
    OK, not necessarily Republicans (none / 0) (#62)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:30:35 PM EST
    but people on his email list for whatever reason.  Ackerman may be on there as a reporter trying to see what gets sent out. I don't mean to imply anything about his party affiliation.

    Parent
    You need to reread (none / 0) (#48)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:04:49 PM EST
    It was an OBVIOUS reference to Jackson.

    Excuse me commenters in this thread, but you all seem clueless to me on this.

    Parent

    Absolutely - clueless no more (none / 0) (#55)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:16:21 PM EST
    I think if I had heard McCain say it, or read it cold without Ackermans comment, I still would have thought of J. Jackson.

    It just seemed ludicrous at first.  Then I remembered the context and who writes McCains's speeches. He has some of the worst of Rove's old crew on his team, doesn't he?

    Parent

    Now that part makes sense to me... (none / 0) (#57)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:18:25 PM EST
    Or Marlon Brando (none / 0) (#58)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:22:33 PM EST
    I just don't know anymore. Must...get...sleep

    Parent
    Can I admit (none / 0) (#60)
    by andgarden on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:28:43 PM EST
    to knowing the phrase but not the reference?

    I have an excuse: I was 3 in 1988!

    Is this what Obama said we could do until November (none / 0) (#63)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:35:44 PM EST
    What did he say we should do instead?  I already forgot.

    Quite apropos, I think the Obama campaign (none / 0) (#65)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:44:47 PM EST
    is going to remind me of my favorite Easter movie, "Monty Python's Life of Brian", where Brian is running away from his followers.

    Brian: I'm not the Messiah! Will you please listen? I am not the Messiah, do you understand? Honestly!
    Girl: Only the true Messiah denies His divinity.
    Brian: What? Well, what sort of chance does that give me? All right! I am the Messiah!
    Followers: He is! He is the Messiah!
    Brian: Now, f--- off!
    [silence]
    Arthur: How shall we f--- off, O Lord?


    Did I mess up? (none / 0) (#66)
    by trishb on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:50:04 PM EST
    I thought I posted a comment earlier.  Was it lost or did it violate a rule?

    Comments move. (none / 0) (#80)
    by BrandingIron on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:11:01 AM EST
    They move up and down the threads according to ratings.  So it might be in a different place, if it wasn't erased.  Heh...I noticed that after my third day here.  >_>

    Parent
    You can change your comment (none / 0) (#83)
    by jes on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 05:46:26 AM EST
    preferences so that the sort order is not rating dependent. The ratings ordering seems to be the default, ugh.

    Parent
    AND he's dishonest about his motives (none / 0) (#85)
    by Dadler on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 08:21:21 AM EST
    Of COURSE he wants to be somebody -- he wants to be president.  He IS serving his country now, as a senator.  He wants to be a BIGGER somebody.  McCain's notion of his own ego-free existence is pretty funny.  Oh no, Saint John is only looking to serve ALL of us.

    So after all this sturm and drang, (none / 0) (#93)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:36:53 PM EST
    it appears the email from a Rep to a bunch of other Reps references the Holiest Rep of Reps in it's very first sentence, and does not reference the brief and almost forgotten (by the email's recipients) nomination run of a candidate who, surprise, surprise, happened to be memorable enough in Puerto Rico to win that  primary in 1988.

    BTD, I think you should apologize to all the posters you insulted on this thread.

    Most Republicans do not know (none / 0) (#97)
    by Misanthrope2 on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 04:19:50 PM EST
    the writings of Jackson.

    I do not believe that it is racist.

    Nor that it is an appeal to racism.


    Thread cleaned of insults (none / 0) (#99)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 06:51:09 PM EST
    and just to weigh in, I'm older than most of you  and I wouldn't have gotten it either. I don't even remember Jesse Jackson running for President. Guess I was  more interested in Gary Hart and Donna Rice back in 84 -- his campaign manager was a defense attorney from Denver, it was pretty big news here. Nor did I know until I just googled it that Jesse Jackson ran in both 84 and 88.

    IF (none / 0) (#100)
    by diogenes on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 09:33:00 PM EST
    IF this is about Jesse Jackson, then maybe McCain's comparing himself to Jesse Jackson the "pompous" man rather than to Jesse Jackson the "black" man.  Or is it racist to mock a black man whatever the reason?