Mike Montoya, a 51-year-old online book salesman, firmly committed to McCain and the GOP, interjected with a complaint that the Obama campaign has claimed racism
"every time there is something critical said about him... If he is going to be President, he has to put his blackness behind him."
(my emphasis)
I just saw this in an article at HuffPo and it blew me away
Link for to read entire article after jump...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Dark Clouds: Obama Assassination Threats Weigh On Voters
Denver, CO -- Contrary to the widespread expectation that the nomination of Barack Obama will intensify black-brown tensions, many of the 12 Latinos gathered for a focus group discussion here on Monday waxed poetic at the thought of America electing Obama to the presidency.
"The most exciting thing is that for the first time in my lifetime I will see a black President," declared Adrian Romero, a 35-year-old video editor who did not vote in 2004.
"What he brings to the table is that he transcends being black," added Pamela Gamarra, a 34-year-old senior data analyst in Boulder said.
But, just as the enthusiasm for Obama gained strength, Alex Moreno, a 36-year-old who runs his own window washing business, raised an issue that has emerged repeatedly in such groups by whites, blacks, Hispanics, yuppies and blue-collar workers:
"I am concerned about a black President being assassinated, and having the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles following us everywhere."
Peter Hart, the Democratic pollster overseeing this focus group, sponsored by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, said afterward that the assassination issue has been raised in every presidential focus group he has seen this year.
Moreno's question brought the gathering to a brief standstill as Obama supporters, the few McCain backers, and those who are undecided nodded in agreement.
After Moreno raised the assassination issue, the tone of Obama supporters became less optimistic, and the tone of McCain backers became more harshly critical of Obama's candidacy...
Dark Clouds: Obama Assassination Threats Weigh On Voters written by Thom Edsall really gets to the heart of what is going on regarding Obama and race. People would love to vote for him but are worried about him being taken away by an assassin.
There are actually folks out there who think Obama could leave his 'blackness behind'. This is just totally unbeliveable to me. I keep reading the above sentence with this quote in it because it just sums up the problems Obama is facing in such a succint way.
How could people even think like this? His blackness so disgusting and repungnant to folk like these that they cannot and will not see the true Obama no matter what. Where does that leave us?
Are we really going to run from putting a good and decent person into the white house because of fear once again?
People really need to look at this candidate and his family. He is risking his life to do this. He is not letting fear stop him. If he can do it so can we.
I know that there are those who would love to see Mr. Obama gone but we must surround him and his with prayer, light and good energy. I truly believes this really works. Obama always ask for people's prayers on the trail and so does Michelle. I am sure they have talked this through. So if they can do it we need to lift them up and push through with him so that he can win.
Be not afraid. Follow his lead and his courage and his faith with yours and fight.
I sure as hell intend to.