BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

I guess we should have seen it coming.  Over the years I have seen it more times than I care to mention at this time.  As Barack Obama’s political skills continually improve, it was inevitable that at least one black leader would try to down play Obama, saying that he is no better than other black speakers.  In fact, Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) called him “mediocre.”  Cleaver’s comments come close to the “Uncle Tom” scenario of past decades. 

Perhaps, Representative Cleaver is unaware that over the past forty years or so, many Americans of both races have had the opportunity to experience speakers beyond his individual race.  This is the 21st century.  In fact, Cleaver’s description of Senator Obama’s oratory skills sounded more like jealousy than analysis.  I haven’t had the opportunity to hear Rep. Cleaver deliver an address and perhaps I never will so I am basing my assumption on his rhetoric rather than his oratory.

Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who is black, told Canadian Broadcasting Corporationthat Obama “is articulate. In the black tradition, he would probably be mediocre.”

“For White Americans, it’s like, this guy can speak,” Cleaver said in the radio interview. “If you put him on a level with a lot of other African-American public speakers, he may not even measure up.”

More particularly, I take exception with his analysis that “for White Americans, it’s like, this guy can speak.”  Living in a well integrated community, all my black neighbors… and white neighbors…. and Hindu neighbors can speak.  Perhaps, based on the wording of the comment, it’s like, Representative Cleaver can’t speak as well.

Unfortunately, Representative Cleaver continued his interview

“I think for many white Americans, they are looking at Barack Obama and saying ‘This is our chance to demonstrate that we have been able to get this boogeyman called race behind us,’” Cleaver said. “And so they are going to vote for him, whether he has credentials or not, whether he has any experience — I think all that’s out the window.”

Again, I must disagree with Cleaver’s assessment of the candidate.  I find it disgusting that Cleaver would suggest that American citizens would not look at Obama’s credentials when we, as a nation, are facing some of the serious issues in our history.  And, I find it extremely regrettable that the race issue has been denigrated to “boogeyman” status.  I believe Cleaver is the only one hanging on to the boogeyman theory, but perhaps that’s indicative of his personal self-esteem.

As a representative of a predominantly white district, it is a shame that Cleaver has delivered such a poorly thought out interview.  And, yes, Rep. Cleaver in response to a segment of your interview, most of us are well aware that Rev. Wright’s comments were taken out of context and spun for effect.  I only wish we could say the same about your recent interview.