While giving a speech in Iowa on 6/22, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain addressed the criticism he feels he's received because he's a black conservative. In particular, Cain shared his thoughts on The Daily Show segment in which host Jon Stewart lampooned Cain's comments in a recent speech regarding shorter bills if he was to become President of the United States:
Below is the clip from The Daily Show in which Jon Stewart pokes fun at Herman Cain for the "3-page bill" statement.. The Cain segment starts around the 1:54 mark of the clip.
Here are my thoughts:
I think Herman Cain was serious with the “3-page bill” proclamation. Judging by the applause he received from some of the audience members, they thought he was serious too. To be fair, there were some in the audience who did laugh. If the message Cain was conveying in the speech was that bills would be short and understandable once he became POTUS, why include the number? It sounds to me like Cain is trying to cover now that he’s being ridiculed for his comments.
Herman Cain and his supporters are playing the race card with their attacks on Jon Stewart. Stewart isn’t doing an “Amos & Andy” type voice in that clip. It sounds like he’s speaking in a loud, bombastic style with a bit of a Southern dialect… similar to Cain’s. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Stewart use a similar voice when he lampoons white politicians as well.
Cain is the one who keeps bringing up his race. Listen to the first clip… he mentions his skin color four times! It’s almost as if Cain is trying to assure the Tea Party segment of the GOP… “Look at me… I’m black! But don’t worry; I’m one of the good Negroes”. We get it Herman, you’re black!
I don’t think the fact that Herman Cain is a black conservative is the reason he gets ridiculed. This is a right-wing talking point that gets repeated regardless of skin color. It was even the subject of a guest post here last year. The reason Herman Cain gets criticized by me and many others is due to the idiotic/bigoted things he says. Here are some of them...
His misunderstanding of the “right of return” regarding Israel and Palestine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSI1hPSHRtk
His anti-Muslim comments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jGnpbED9E&feature=related
His epic failure in trying to quote the Constitution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGyymtped8
We criticize non-black conservatives such as Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Louie Gohmert, and Michele Bachmann when they make idiotic and/or bigoted statements. Why should we give Herman Cain a pass just because he’s black? Let me also add that I have no issue with a black person being a conservative. It's possible to be black, conservative, and be rational. Colin Powell and J.C. Watts come to mind. Even Michael Steele has become more sensible since his ouster as head of the RNC.
What are your thoughts on the Jon Stewart/Herman Cain controversy?
13 comments:
This is what drives me crazy about politics. Many of the people who support Cain are upset when the race card is used on them for criticizing Obama, but then they turn around and do the same thing. I've even had Cain supporters accuse me of racism because I am outspoken against his ties to the Federal Reserve.
While I tend not to agree with Jon Stewart on many things, he is not a racist. It's about the same thing as calling Glenn Beck an anti-Semite. Feeling someone is wrong about certain things which are important to us, does not justify blatantly false accusations.
Trestin: When I heard you criticize Herman Cain due to his Federal Reserve ties, I never once thought you were doing so because he's black. For people to suggest otherwise is nonsense to me. I now wonder if there may be other white conservatives who are afraid to speak out against Cain because they fear being called a racist.
By the way, here's a heads up about a Beatles clip you have on your blog's sidebar. The text above it implies it's a song written and sung by John Lennon. However, it's George Harrison who wrote and sings "Taxman".
Oh, why not! I can't help but to laugh.
When O'Reilly asked Obama--at the SUPER BOWL! LMAO--if he was a "football guy," Maher and his panel fleshed out a 5-minute argument about how that was racist and bigoted - anti-black, anti-Islam.
When one of those old establishment Republican elites (I forget which one; they all look alike) said we didn't need the president to play "basketball," or something to that effect, that ditz from MSNBC asserted it must be racism because we all know only black people play basketball.
Socialism is supposedly the new N bomb in some circles.
So this is what "racism" has become, as far as playing the card trick.
I think it's ridiculous.
Cain needs some name recognition, because the theory about people embracing him only because he's black and only to somehow "prove" to liberals that they're not racists isn't exactly panning out.
My friend and I couldn't find a good baseball game on the other night so we watched Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. He commented that he thinks Freeman may have been the first black president in Hollywood. But we both agree that Morgan rocks because he's Morgan. WTF does his being black have to do with anything other than some nonsense like that?
I've always contended that someone being a certain color is not necessarily the reason for anything. It just stands as a good out.
Cain needs to get a grip if he's really serious. And if he's just trying to score some political sympathy, then the last thing we need is another bozo like that in the White House! We have one now, we've had one before - in fact, I don't remember when we haven't had one.
Happy 4th Malcolm!
I keep thinking about the biblical thang..Cain and Able..Cain was the bad brother right?
Josh: Because it's working for him in some circles, I think Cain will continue to needlessly inject race where he sees fit. It's ironic when you consider that some conservatives love to accuse liberals of making everything about race.
By the way, I think you are referring to Newt Gingrich (aka old establishment Republican elite) and Norah O'Donnell (that ditz from MSNBC).
Kid: Thanks and a happy belated one to you!
Dusty: Welcome back! Yup, Cain was the bad one.
Irony here might have to be relative. There is always the chance that Cain is doing it on some get-back nonsense, to play along with the "in" label of racist.
But I don't know.
I find the claims to be ridiculous across the board, but there is still a part of me that can only imagine Glenn Beck doing that Jon Stewart voice while criticizing Obama.
It's all relative, in fact. Just like Bernie Goldberg stated about the Common-at-the-White-House issue: If it was a James Earl Ray sympathizer, suddenly the outrage isn't so petty.
And this petty nonsense is why I'm looking long and hard for an I this coming election. The R and D stuff is making my head spin. The power struggle is keeping the nation intentionally polarized on multiple levels, race in particular--and ironically for a supposed post-racial era?--being one of the largest issues that should really be a non-issue in 99% of the supposedly racist stuff I read or hear or see.
The R and D stuff is making my head spin. The power struggle is keeping the nation intentionally polarized on multiple levels, race in particular Ding, Ding, Ding..we have a winner! I don't trust the D's anymore than I trust the damn R's...with only a few exceptions. They are Politicians first and formost, I don't give a damn what initial is behind their friggin name.
Hi Malcolm! Been suffering through my post-back surgery crappola. Got a domain and built a new blog since I am laid up and bored.
Josh: If Glenn Beck had mocked President Obama Jon Stewart-style, it would have played differently for a couple of reasons:
1. Beck is not a comedian. Not only is Jon Stewart one, but he also uses a variety of voices to mock politicians regardless of race.
2. Glenn Beck has a history of employing race baiting tactics in his criticism of President Obama. The two instances that come to mind are the Cambridge police incident involving Prof. Gates and the BP oil spill disaster.
Dusty: Thanks for the heads up about your new blog. I've updated my blog roll accordingly. I hope you are feeling better.
I can't agree with the "he's a comedian" part.
That's quickly becoming a pet peeve of mine.
I used to throw that out there for comedians too, but I had to put my foot down on it.
These all-purpose folks--comedian-slash-actor-slash-activist--don't get the luxury, at least from me, of a sheild when they want to waver back and forth and have nothing stick to them.
Stewart is deadly serious about his politics, about his rally that blew up, about a lot of stuff. It is obvious that he wants to matter. Millions of people legitimately turn to him for news.
But then when he wants to lay it on thick or if he gets egg in his face, it's the "comedian" bit.
I won't knock anyone who falls back on the comedy, but I'm tired of giving the slack.
Josh: The "comedian" pass I give out has its exceptions. In some ways, the "is it comedy or is it vitriol?" question is like beauty... it's in the eye of the beholder.
In answer to your question about the reaction Beck would have gotten if he had used the Stewart voice to mock President Obama, what I should have said is he would get criticized and rightly so. The reason is because President Obama doesn't talk anything like that. Because Herman Cain's pattern of speech is funny on its own, Stewart's exaggeration of it was the comedic equivalent of a layup in b-ball.
As for the alleged millions of people who turn to Jon Stewart for legit news, I think that figure is inflated. Me and the other people I know who watch Jon Stewart do so to be entertained, not informed.
Hi Malcolm, thanks for inviting me to read your thoughts about Cain.
While I don't think he was necessarily serious about bills being limited to 3 pages, I do find the fact that he's playing the race card, troubling.
I had a very dear friend of mine (who happens to be Black) tell me once, that many Black politicians still have that "slave mentality" and will play the race card when they think it benefits them within their constituency.
While I cannot say whether or not this is indeed true, I find it counterproductive that this day in age, any politician would be willing to play the race card.
We need a President (regardless of age, color, sex, or religion) that will represent this country by embracing ALL of America's diversity.
Deb: One thing I have learned is that playing the race card isn't limited to just blacks. I've seen white people play it as well. It'll be interesting to see how Herman Cain does as the GOP race gets even hotter.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you here again.
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