MSNBC’s O’Donnell Suggests ‘Racist Message’ in RNC Ad Linking Obama to Labor Unions
On Friday’s Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC host O’Donnell seemed to channel his predecessor, Keith Olbermann, as he ridiculously suggested racism in an RNC ad which accused President Obama of being beholden to organized labor, a charge often made against Democrats for many years in the past.
But, as he began an interview with guest Jennifer Granholm, former Democratic governor of Michigan, O’Donnell wondered, "does that sound to you like they are trying to consciously or subconsciously deliver the racist message that, of course, of course a black man can’t be the real boss?"
The MSNBC host began the segment:
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Governor, I want you to listen to that last line of that Republican attack ad against President Obama one more time.
CLIP OF AD: Stop Obama and his union bosses today. The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.
O’DONNELL: The Republican Party is saying that the President of the United States has bosses, that the union bosses this President around, the unions boss him around. Does that sound to you like they are trying to consciously or subconsciously deliver the racist message that, of course, of course a black man can't be the real boss?
Granholm briefly seemed to suggest that he may be on to something that the ad has "racial overtones," before moving on say some words in favor of labor unions:
FORMER GOVERNOR JENNIFER GRANHOLM: (D-MI): Wow, I hadn't thought about the racial overtones, but honestly, Lawrence, I think that ad is a bad ad. I mean, when you think about this, and I think people are starting to wake up to it, that the union really represents the little guy, and the ability of the janitors in the capitol to band together to be able to have some strength in negotiating. I mean, this is not like some guy with a cigar over in a corner, this is your neighbor.
These are everyday people. And when you think about the wage disparity, the income disparity in this nation, this growing chasm where the middle class used to be, I think it’s no wonder why everyday citizens are supporting the right of these workers to band together. And I think this ad is going to backfire. I just, I really think that especially because union members are Democrats and Republicans, it sounds again like the Republicans are standing on the side of the billionaires, rather than the everyday citizen.
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Comments
Pick whatever 'color' you
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:23am.
Pick whatever 'color' you want for Boy Blunder............black, white, or RED all over...........and he STILL can't be a 'real boss'!!!
Poor Larry
Submitted by donabernathy on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:24am.
Has more to say
roflmao
Another reason
Submitted by jon_torlin on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:35am.
So this makes yet reason number 342,456 to call someone a racist?
I love how they took the ad's words WAY out of context saying he's bossed around by the unions. Larry, ya stupid idjut, of course that's how you and the libtards call it. Only a moron would act like someone wouldn't have union bosses representing unions. Just that they are beholden to DuhOne.
I can take Larry's words out of context and make it sound like the Big Eared Wonder should be the only one who's boss, which wouldn't be too far from the truth, sumb!tch is acting like and being the GD Dictator anyway.
Come on, Walker, don't give in, do what you have to. Contrary to what the former D Governor says above, the unions are not representing the little guy anymore. There are more every day people, many times more, than there are people in unions.
-Jon
Hah! They got nothing.
Submitted by ant on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:39am.
Hah! They got nothing. Nothing! They gave us the worst, useless President in history and they are losing their grip. If racism is being played again I almost feel sorry for them...nah, not really.
Obama like John Kerry only more so
Submitted by cbeyer on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:45am.
I opposed John Kerry (like most conservatives) for the same reasons as I am against Barack Obama....because both are leftists. But of course, because Obama is black, opposing his policies makes me and others racists or at least as we are told. The MSM has circled the wagons over and over to declare anyone who finds Obama's left of the left policies racists. Rather than have a serious debate of the issues, its so easy to reach in the pocket and pull out the convenient 'race card.' A convenient way to end the debate. How transparent and insulting to those of us who have serious concerns with the direction of the country.
racism doesn't stick too well
Submitted by jon_torlin on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 1:06am.
It's hard to take the racism charge about him as a "black" man even remotely serious given that he's 6% black. (that's to say I don't take that charge seriously at all) What I do take seriously about him is the clear and present danger he is to this country.
-Jon
O'Donnell's a fool...Obama's race isn't what makes him...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 1:54am.
a bad boss...He could be white, or pink with purple polka dots, and he'd still be the incompetent mess that he is today. His race isn't the problem...It's Obama's ideologies, his arrogance, his elephantine ego, and especially his total lack of any leadership ability that are the main problems...Not his race.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Peas In A Pod
Submitted by stratman on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:00am.
Aren't Trumpka or the SEIU turd in the Oval Office more than any other guest? What for - tiddlywinks? Of course it could be Larry Sinclair and Vera Baker signing in under aliases.
Wasn't George W. Bush accused of being under the thumb of "corporate bosses"?
O'Donnell and Maddow - two liars for ideology and money. Communist whores. Like peanut butter and chocolate in the old days of the Motherland.
Keep it up. America's catching on to you.
***EDIT***
As of November 16, 2010, according to ABC, the most frequent visitor is Anna Burger, another labor leader who used to work for SEIU's Stern. Both Stern and Trumpka are still in the top visitor tally.
They're all fingers of the same clenched fist.
bosses boss
Submitted by Eaglesfan57 on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:06am.
Why do the Liberals always play the Race Card?
Are they that desperate or just intellectually empty?
How many times have they accused President Bush of being Owned by the Large corperations.
I guess it's different somehow.
I could say more but then I would sound like them, I won't stoop that low
A black man as boss?
Submitted by big.league.slider on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:45am.
"....does that sound to you like they are trying to consciously or subconsciously deliver the racist message that, of course, of course a black man can’t be the real boss?"
Uh, Larry, obviously a black man cannot be boss at a union:
http://www.uaw.org/node/2323
http://www.seiu.org/a/ourunion/mary-kay-henry.php
http://www.teamster.org/content/james-p-hoffa
http://www.nea.org/home/1696.htm
MSNBC sees racism.... EVERYWHERE
Submitted by Russian55 on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:57am.
They are trying to make a sequel to to "Sixth Sense," only instead of the Dead, they can see racism... everywhere.
If a house burned down and the last one out of was a black man, it would be racism. If it was a white man, it would be because they pushed the black man out first.
When you are looking for it, you will find it.
---
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who kept their swords in the first place!
I turned the channel as soon as he went there
Submitted by OffTheLows on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 3:47am.
I didn't even want to hear his mental gymnastics, assuming you guys would catch it and it would be more digestible in print. He's the Alex Jones of racism conspiracies. He's so obsessed with the topic you really gotta wonder if it's projection
A clown
Submitted by Bob K on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 3:57am.
What a sad desperate little clown of a man. Ever trying to get a bump in his ratings and kudos from the left around the espresso machine the next day. When you are at the bottom of the ratings barrel i guess anything is fair game.
Wow. They really have this
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 7:26am.
Wow. They really have this "racist" thing down, don't they?
Reminds me of something
Listen to the whole thing, it's really appropriate. LOL
You can tell the Obama regime
Submitted by Miss_Me_Yet on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:46am.
You can tell the Obama regime is in full campaign mode again. I just cannot believe Barack is once again ordering his minions in the MSM to recycle the same lame talking points that lost them so much in the mid term election last November.
If their best shot is once more, why don't you denounce those who say Barack wasn't born here Senator? and if you speak out against the black president, you are a racist, I'm sure soon to be followed up by Republican campaigns are funded by foreign dictators, there will not be a democrat left standing, from sea to shining sea, with the possible exception of California in 2012.
I also heard Obama has already officially dumped the " winning the future " lame campaign slogan this week. I sure would like to be the official administration printer.
Liberals ... we can't live with them, they couldn't survive without us ...
Unions care about one thing,
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:50am.
UNIONS! That's it. Everything else is secondary. The employee, the employer, even the job. Unions will run companies out of business and get everyone there fired if the union rules aren't followed.
Check the visitor log Larry.
Submitted by NeoKong on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 10:03am.
Ask who is the most frequent White House visitor. Obama does work for those union bosses. All democrats do. Who do you think saved Harry Reid's bacon in Nevada ? Who do you think will be behind the biggest GOTV push in American history in 2012...? If the DNC wants has any hope of surviving after 2012 it will be because of organized labor and their union dues slush funds and everybody knows it.
Sharon Angel singlehandedly
Submitted by Miss_Me_Yet on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 10:31am.
Sharon Angel singlehandedly saved Harry Reid's bacon in Nevada. The unions helped, but her, over the top antics, definitely put Harry on top.
Liberals ... we can't live with them, they couldn't survive without us ...
Every issue to liberals is
Submitted by Armymom on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 10:25am.
Every issue to liberals is racist when it comes from conservatives! They are all hypocrites!!!
Classic projection.
Submitted by CobraMan on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 10:53am.
"Does that sound to you like they are trying to consciously or subconsciously deliver the racist message that, of course, of course a black man can't be the real boss?"
No, O'Donnell , that sounds to me like your subconsciously projecting YOUR racism onto others.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
MS No Black Commentators
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:03pm.
Lawrence should take note of the vanilla flavor of the MSNBC stable of Anchors.
Nothing racist about that, huh Larry? I guess it must be a fact that only white people are capable of performing that job.
Move along Larry, YOU RACIST!
Cool, All the potential black commentators for MSNBC...
Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:37pm.
...were genocided long ago by Murder, Inc...oops, I mean Planned Parenthood.
Yes, I made that word up.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
→ Just like Mika
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:47pm.
Mika learned nothing from her father, but there she is. Seriously, does she contribute anything?
I know. Somebody will bring up Chris Wallace. I'll only suggest he has a brain willing to engage his interviewees with more than a tilted head and dumb-trout gaze.
So then -
Submitted by Ashrak on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:28pm.
Opposing anything supported by the Democrat party is racist.
Sure. Uh Huh. Riiiiiiight.
I have long asked the question what black people can't do that white people can. I went to the same schools as black kids. In my generation, we had the same teachers - both black and white- and the same homework. W eplayed on the same sports teams with the same coaches, again, both black and white.
As the millionaires in sports and business are also both black and white and expand every year, the only answer to that question left was "be President".
Well, that red herring has been removed now too. Hence the theme that Obama isn't "really" black.
There is a desperate attempt by some, demontrated by not only Al and Jesse, but also by white guilt socialists like Odonnell, to hold onto a longstanding trump card called the race card. In it's failure being demonstrated day by day, Obama and his ilk, like Larry, now try to hold on to the Trumka Card. And that one is losing it's power too. Folks are sick of the union victim card.
It is about time.
The Left's Goofy Race Baiting Helps Conservatives
Submitted by Boil It Down on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 12:34pm.
In terms of the return to reason, it is encouraging that TV hosts who are promoting the unions have been reduced to this kind of obviously ridiculous argument. The union‘s fight is diminished every time the folks like O’Donnell come out in favor of them with this sort of twisted race baiting. Empathy for the unions was weak to begin with, so O’Donnell is just reaching out to those of lesser intellect for support. Are those the people he really wants on his side?
Are these the same people calling Beck a conspiracy theorist?
These people are to laugh
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 1:52pm.
These people are to laugh at....
O'Donnell's statement also
Submitted by ant on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:36pm.
O'Donnell's statement also brings up another issue. Who is Obama the boss of exactly? Because it ain't the people, WE are his boss, and WE are many shades of skin color. The fact that the 'consent of the people' has been forgotten is a big part of America's problems.
experts on racism?
Submitted by TerryWest on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 2:56pm.
It appears to me these old caucasians who dominate the main stream media gather around holding hands channeling racism into the black community far more often then they hire from the same.
Obama's blackness has never really been the issue.
Submitted by Thalpy on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 5:36pm.
Obama's blackness is his least objectionable quality.
As everyone with the internets knows...
Submitted by megapotamus on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 8:00pm.
ODonnell forgets, or perhaps doesn't know that it is Obama himself who declared his umbilical connection to the pirates of enterprise. Whatever. We can forgive Keith Olberman's heir many stupidities. He's just getting started after all. But this is like that Obamacare thing. I am perplexed as to whom is being insulted? Is it Obama or the unions? Oh well, best insult 'em both vigorously. I would hate for anyone to be left out.
When it comes to race,
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 8:12pm.
When it comes to race, liberals do a lot of projecting. I mean a lot....
I am pretty sure
Submitted by Boudin on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 8:17pm.
It is ALL projecting!!
Count em?
Submitted by Jerry Mack on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:32pm.
Maybe it is just me. But it seems that over 1/2 the articles I read here or whenever I venture to the far left regions of television (Msdnc), I read or hear one of them calling or implying that so and so is a RACIST. If not that , with the recent exceptions of Fat Ed and Madcow, they are accusing Fox News of lying. Who can possibly watch this continuos Meadow Muffin parade on a regular bases?
Hadn't used 'racist' so far
Submitted by Cowboy on Sun, 02/27/2011 - 2:37am.
Hadn't used 'racist' so far that day. Had to work it in somehow....