The Politico has a piece up that discusses an article by Barack Obama's father entitled "Problems Facing Our Socialism". The article itself is a discussion of a Kenyan government report on its economic plans, specifically, how they differ from the traditional Marxist dogma. The substance of the article is unimportant in the long run, just like the truth and true message of what Obama was saying in his San Fransisco meeting, because those who will attack him with it are never going to read it.
The Politico piece documents that right-wing bloggers are already frothing and foaming at the mouth on this. While I don't think it will change the opinion of anyone who reads Daily Kos regularly, since we're smart enough to know that Obama Sr.'s views probably had very little influence on his son, others will not be so thoughtful. Below the fold I'll discuss what is being said, why it's wrong, and how we can prepare to counter it.
The Politco article discusses Obama Sr.'s writing as it is, for the most part, a screed written against the Kenyan government's policies, and an example of the political opinions that would eventually see him marginalized, unemployed, and alcoholic. That the right-wing blogs are already tying this to his bitter-gate comments shouldn't be a shock. Some are even using it to tie together common fears of dark people and Democratic stereotypes. Limbaugh has been pretending to defend Obama for weeks against those who would make points because of his name. Let's see how long it takes Old Blowhard to throw out that little bit of decorum and attack Obama for this. America has never been a country to hold one accountable for the sins of our fathers. But the right-wingers don't really care what the American democratic tradition is anymore.
They will say these writings, which Obama must have read and agreed with, were hidden by him. They will say since he hasn't denounced them, he must agree with them. They will call him a commie, a pinko, a Marxist. Oh wait, they already have been, and Hillary's been helping. The Righties will hyperventilate, flail and cry, until the traditional media picks this up. The stories will write themselves, "Obama family, a history of Marxism" or "Obama: Father also elitist". It will tie in wonderfully with the current meme in the media. Hillary's campaign is no doubt already preparing to inform super delegates of another reason "Barack HUSSEIN (muslim muslim black) Obama" is unelectable.
Here's the thing we all already know, or should know, as Democrats and educated people, and need to make sure everyone else knows: Barack wasn't raised by his father. His father left his family at a young age, and his contact after that was scattershot at best. If we want to look at the people who had a great influence on his life, besides his strong, independent mother, look at his maternal grandparents. His grandfather was a WW2 vet, and his grandmother was a factory worker during the war. He spent age ten to graduation with his grandparents in Hawaii. I don't think anyone could sanely argue that the complex political views of an absentee father would really outweigh the influence his grandparents had on his life, of course not all of the GOP pundits are known for their sanity. We need to ask them if anyone in their family held views they disagree with. Maybe they were slave-owners, as Senator McCain's ancestors. Maybe their grandfather could be accused of supporting Hitler's Germany.
This is an angle of attack that will only work with gross negligence and complicity in the media. I think we can expect just that. We have to remind everyone, in America we are not blamed for the sins of our fathers. In America we are judged on our actions and our words. As Franklin said "In America, people do not inquire concerning a stranger, What is he? but What can he do?" That standard has not changed.
Barack Obama is going to be our nominee, and I have no doubt he will be able to handle this with the same deftness, directness, and humility he's handled all of the election to date. We will have him as our candidate and any Democrat who uses this as an attack against him should be out of the party. This isn't something he said that could be spun, this is something he has no control over. And while I expect the GOP to argue that Socialism is genetic and must have been passed down from father to son, I pray that no Democrat will be that dumb. Because then I will refuse to ever "fall in line" behind our nominee, if she is the one who says it.