Newsweek Paris bureau chief Christopher Dickey appeared as a guest on the August 4 edition of MSNBC’s “News Live” to discuss a recent trip through the South he took in order to determine “if Obama's candidacy was helping to pull people in the South together, freeing them of their histories, or pushing them apart.” During their discussion, the two journalists disparaged white Southerners who are skeptical of Obama as racists.
Responding to an inquiry by Brewer about his description of emotions in the South as “raw,” Dickey rendered any hesitations white Southerners may have with Obama as thinly-veiled racism:
The South is part of the country that’s had to deal with race as an issue for a very long time and often very painfully so the idea that Obama is a black man that may be the next President of the United States has raised hopes among African-Americans tremendously, uh, but it’s also raised a lot of concerns among whites who may not talk about it as a race question but raise lots of other issues that may in some cases be code for race.
In following up with that response, Brewer noted that Southerners often deal with the stereotype that they are all racists, yet proceeded to depict them as clinging -- I suppose bitterly along with guns and Bibles -- to racist traditions:
There are probably a lot of families, too, who are wary of that stereotype, that racist stereotype that gets slapped on the South so frequently, but in your travels, you found merchants who are selling what clearly are hurtful symbols of the South's racist past. And so how does Barack Obama really stand a chance in places where so many people do cling to their Southern, sometimes racist traditions?
The transcript of the August 4 segment, which aired at 10:37 a.m., follows:
CONTESSA BREWER, host: Barack Obama is crossing the Mason-Dixon line with a new strategy to compete in traditionally Republican states. He’s trying to win crucial southern votes. Newsweek’s Christopher Dickey took a road trip through Tennessee and Georgia and the Carolinas to find out if Barack Obama’s candidacy is bringing people together or dividing the South even further. Christopher, I suppose this is a far cry from what you're normally doing, bureau chief there in Paris.
CHRISTOPHER DICKEY, Newsweek: Well, yes, it is, but my family has very deep roots in the South so it was also like a homecoming trip.
BREWER: So, when you go there, you described emotions as being raw. What did you mean by that?
DICKEY: Well, I think the idea that we could have a black president is something that is very much on the surface in the South. The South is not the only place where race may be an issue. The South is part of the country that’s had to deal with race as an issue for a very long time and often very painfully so the idea that Obama is a black man that may be the next President of the United States has raised hopes among African-Americans tremendously, uh, but it’s also raised a lot of concerns among whites who may not talk about it as a race question but raise lots of other issues that may in some cases be code for race.
BREWER: There are probably a lot of families, too, who are wary of that stereotype, that racist stereotype that gets slapped on the South so frequently, but in your travels, you found merchants who are selling what clearly are hurtful symbols of the South's racist past. And so how does Barack Obama really stand a chance in places where so many people do cling to their Southern, sometimes racist traditions?
DICKEY: Well, I think that the real key for him is going to be whether people who don't want him as president go out and vote for McCain. The flip side of what I saw on the anti-Obama course of this trip was no McCain bumper stickers, no McCain signs in people's yards. There is not a lot of enthusiasm for McCain in the South. There's a lot of worry about Obama. So, if McCain voters stay home, and Obama can mobilize, really heavily mobilize black voters and those liberal voters who are sympathetic to his message in the South, then he might have a chance.
BREWER: What did you see in terms of resources being spent in these places where President Bush in both 2000 and 2004 swept these states?
DICKEY: Well, he did. And I think Obama’s best chance is probably in Virginia because of northern Virginia, but there are certainly resources being spent in North Carolina and in Georgia and sometimes you come across evidence of Obama at organization in places you wouldn't expect it. There was a sort of a civic fair in Crawford, Georgia, last week and there was a big Obama stand and people were canvassing for him. White people.
BREWER: In some of these places where if you look that President Bush took Georgia by 17 points, Virginia, you mentioned, 9 points there. Are these places where, with enough money, with enough voter registration that they become competitive for Barack Obama?
DICKEY: Well, that's what his campaign seems to believe, that if he puts enough money in there, if he avoids the wedge issues that Bush exploited in 2004 and 2000 then he may have a chance. Frankly, my impression is he does not. He is not likely to win North Carolina or Georgia. But we still have several weeks to go.
BREWER: Christopher Dickey, always a pleasure to see you. Thank you for coming in.
DICKEY: Thank you.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"...that I saw on the
August 4, 2008 - 12:58 ET by SickofLibs"...that I saw on the anti-Obama course of this trip was no McCain bumper stickers, no McCain signs in people's yards."
It's friggin' August, you dope! Who the hell wants a campaign sign, Obama OR McCain, on their front lawn for three months?
Go back to France.
yet again it's the libs who
August 4, 2008 - 13:59 ET by TruthMongeryet again it's the libs who bring up racism
in a panic - the left is playing the race card big time now
looks like it will be happening a helluvalot this fall:)!
I'm over in NJ and for a few
August 4, 2008 - 19:32 ET by BlackwaterI'm over in NJ and for a few months now I have seen Obama signs on front lawns and bumper stickers for him. It's quite ridiculous.
Signs
August 4, 2008 - 13:00 ET by Lee BoggsI live in SC. I travel around the upstate and into GA. I don't yard signs, bumper stickers or much of anything for either candidate. It's just too early. I'm just waiting for the VP announcement then I'll put my McCain sign in the yard.
I've read twice today, here and in the local paper, about the amount of money Obama is spending. Use to be, with people like Perot and Forbes, big spenders were accused of trying to buy the election. I haven't heard that yet from the MSM, and probably won't, about Obama.
I cannot believe I caught
August 4, 2008 - 13:02 ET by bigtimerI cannot believe I caught this segment this morning here...
Same ol' same ol' with the Obama lovin' leftists...insert racism yourselves...
I am tired of this constant BS, doing everything they can to attempt to guilt people somehow into voting for a complete, idiotic, total full-blown socialist...just because he is black...they always forget the white part....conveniently.
Well, it isn't going to work, no matter what part of the country you live in if you have a brain that works...he is going to lose...big time.
Btw...The more the msm and Obama and crew does the insert racism themselves 24/7...the more people are going to get sick of it, this is going to backfire right in their faces....
I cannot wait...
Btw...I didn't have the sound on, but I saw good ol' Andrea interviewing Dickey the piece of work he is later on.
I'll vote for somebody that is a conservative....no matter the color/stripe...not somebody the msm tells me to vote for.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Racists Codes?
August 4, 2008 - 13:03 ET by Lee BoggsWe speak in racist codes in the South? That's new to me.
I do know of one person, however, who is speaking in racist codes, and he's not a southerner. He's from the midwest and his name is Barack Obama.
The never-ending race-baiting of the Obama-worshipping media
August 4, 2008 - 13:19 ET by krendlerWe speak in racist codes in the South? That's new to me.
Yep. "Racist code words" and "subliminal and subtle racism" That's media-Obama-surrogate-speak for "we have nothing on McCain that's anywhere close to being racial in nature but we're going to go ahead bend over backwards through convoluted hoops of logic to come up with something racist - no matter how ridiculous or far-fetched - whether it's blond women appearing in a campaign ad or our candidate being referred to as a 'kid'."
If worse comes to worst, the Obamatons simply punt like The Exalted One did and - sans any comment at all from the Racist Republicans - simply state that "we all know the racist attacks are coming".
Saw the EXACT same behavior during the Dem primary, only it was directed at the Clintons and Hillary supporters.
Let me see if I understand.
August 4, 2008 - 13:58 ET by Pete WilsonLet me see if I understand. Because I live in the South, and because I do not wish to support Mr. Obama because I believe him to be a socialist or a marxist, I must be racist, and I must necessarily speak in code. If, on the other hand, I live in the midwest, or northeast, or anywhere else, and I do not wish to support Mr. Obama because I believe him to be a socialist or a marxist, I am not a racist and I do not speak in code.
OK. That makes perfect sense to me, now that I have seen it written. /sarc off
I'm afraid the MSM is quite
August 4, 2008 - 14:01 ET by TruthMongerI'm afraid the MSM is quite racist - especially against whites, especially in the South
where does their incredible hate come from i wonder
Hey Pete, I live WAAAAAY
August 4, 2008 - 19:27 ET by RukusHey Pete, I live WAAAAAY south, the Gulf of Mexico is 5 minutes away and we don't have any racist code words. We get along just fine down here. I won't vote for Obama no matter what! Good post. I think the South is less racist than a lot of the country. Everyone down here get's along just fine. Yes, Obama is a socialist to the core, but that doesn't make me a racist. I agree with you completely!
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Best I can tell
August 4, 2008 - 13:03 ET by 10ksnookerOnce the terrorist wing of the Democrat party, the KKK, was driven out of the south, Democrats have hard time winning on the merits.
Fiddle-Dee-Dee!
August 4, 2008 - 13:04 ET by TexndocWell, I'll certainly not have a reporter thinking ME racist! I'm voting Obama!
(what planet do these people live on that they think this will be the end result of their effort?)
Obama gets a huge boost in latest poll
August 4, 2008 - 13:10 ET by ElyasOf course some experts claim the poll was biased..
Question: Who are you voting for in November?
A) Barack Obama
B) I'm Racist
Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.
- Ronald Reagan
Well you good Southerners
August 4, 2008 - 13:12 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasWell you good Southerners...I guess there's just one thing to do...let's not disappoint the man! NOBAMA!
Next Please! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Talking heads at CNN, MS-NBC etc on Nov. 3 if Obama loses
August 4, 2008 - 13:28 ET by krendlerCan't wait to watch the bitter, angry faces of people like Jack Cafferty and Donna Brazile, bashing "racist whites" if Obama doesn't win. It'll be stuff like "Well, sadly, this result is simply more evidence - like Katrina - that America has a long ways to go when it comes to race." Guarantee that's going to be the "narrative" (i.e., spin) that all 3 networks and CNN and MS-NBC go with. It won't be congratulatory wrt McCain. They'll be G**-D*mning America.
They will surely incite
August 4, 2008 - 15:26 ET by ginagwen7riots with their claims of injustice. Imagine all the whining after Gore lost permeated with claims of the "man" keeping a brother down.
Her name is Contessa
August 4, 2008 - 13:46 ET by ahusservery close to being a princess. Sounds to me like she is an elitist snob spewing the leftist form of "racism" which is prejudice against southerners and/or christians or rural folk. She needs a some diversity training. I have stated before no matter what happens in the nomination or election racism will be implied or inferred as the reason Obama doesn't win the nomination/election. The Race card trumps all and ends debate. Whenever I see the combination "racist south" when referring to the region (as if the sobriquet is earned as a "given") I think of this as a "When did you stop beating your wife" question.
Brewer needing diversity
August 4, 2008 - 13:53 ET by bigtimerBrewer needing diversity training wouldn't help her much...she is not the brightest bulb in the room....
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Just being a little ironic with the diversity training reference
August 4, 2008 - 14:37 ET by ahusserBasically a tongue in cheek jab to the elite PC crowd.
A great jab it was
August 4, 2008 - 14:40 ET by bigtimerA great jab it was too...
I couldn't agree more.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
The funny things of course...
August 4, 2008 - 13:44 ET by Prester John....is the fact that the South didn't go for the French speaking one nor its home town boy Algore.
What is going to cost BHO the election are all the conservative rural white DEMOCRATS in the blue states (specifically Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsis) and in those Democratic areas of the red states (North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia et al) who simply will not vote for him.
But they will never admit it.
no surprise
August 4, 2008 - 13:46 ET by candanceThis has been Obama's plan ever since the primaries:
Step One: Create a bogus argument over racism.
Step Two: Lie about the genesis of said argument and blame it on the opposition.
Step Three: Get the media to repeat "racist" as much as possible.
Step Four: Insinuate that anyone who questions it is racist as well.
This is so see-through it's ridiculous.
Translation
August 4, 2008 - 13:55 ET by Hooterville DenizenThe theme of this exchange is: "The people of the South are so backward - remember "Deliverence?" - and so poorly educated, that they can not recognize the coming of the savior. Tut, tut. So sad. Why do such people have a vote?"
This kind of "We, the elite are up here and the little people are so low, so vile in their ignorance" goes on EVERY DAY in the mainstream media. And these clowns are so in-bred they do not recognize it as bias.
Reporters? Or commentators? Aw, heck. They think they can do both and it's all for the "good" of the country.
I for one am deeply pissed
August 4, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Dan The Man 2I for one am deeply pissed that they insinuate we in teh South use code words for racism. All of those anchors are stupid yella belly yankees and wouldnt know anything about the South. I am pretty steamed about this. I personally see the North as hot beds of racism more than the South. The Northern type is subtle and under a shit eating smile that says Ill stab ya in the back if I can. Liars all of teh MSM, nothin less.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Born and raised in the
August 4, 2008 - 14:16 ET by Clear thinkerBorn and raised in the North and heard the "N" word daily.
Have now lived in the south for 26 years, and almost never hear the "N" word. But when it is said, it comes out of the mouth of Democrats!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
My experience is somewhat
August 4, 2008 - 15:21 ET by JerMy experience is somewhat different. Having lived in the South for all of my 61 years, I have heard the "N" word far too much; but, thankfully, the utterance has become increasingly rare. In recent times, with regard to those infrequent instances--and assuming I know the party affiliation of the person using the term--the source is occasionally Democratic, but more often Republican.
Jer
Jer "Having lived in the
August 4, 2008 - 15:35 ET by Dan The Man 2Jer "Having lived in the South for all of my 61 years" I am not calling you a liar but apparently you did not live through the 60's. The South was mostly Democratic and only in the last couple of years, maybe 20 has the Republican been the majority. In my dad's homtown we have the paper the Hogg County Democrat and I could go on and on. You seem to have selective memories.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
No, Dan...I lived in the
August 4, 2008 - 16:01 ET by JerNo, Dan...I lived in the South during the 60's and remember those years very well. In my hometown, my dad published the newspaper, so I maintained an interest in current events, recall them vividly--and certainly not with a "selective" memory.
I recall when the South was virtually a Democratic monopoly, and also its political and social fragmentation, as well as the shifts in voting patterns and the rise of Southern Republicanism.
Perhaps you should reread my previous post and determine the period of time I referenced in making my observations.
Jer
Perhaps you should reread
August 4, 2008 - 16:35 ET by Dan The Man 2Perhaps you should reread my previous post and determine the period of time I referenced in making my observations - Dont need to and I have all the information I need and you have given to make up my mind about your selective hearing and memory. Perhaps you should get a better crowd to run with.
I realize we all bank on our own experiences in life and yours are different than mine. All experiences color our ideas about life. I grew up saying the racist words and shudder each time they are used. It was just part of life, but times have changed for most people and some still cling to their formative experiences. Ill bet part of it may be a rural setting where some still cling to their old ways. I know many in my family who live in rural settings do.
The trick of it all is to rise above our baser instincts, something the MSM does not do.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Dont need to and I have all
August 4, 2008 - 17:01 ET by JerDont need to and I have all the information I need and you have given to make up my mind about your selective hearing and memory. Perhaps you should get a better crowd to run with.
By all means, then, continue with your apparent miscomprehension of my original post.
As far as getting "a better crowd to run with", I think if you read mofosesame's comment below and my response, your suggestion might be better directed to him (or her) than to me.
Jer
Jer
August 4, 2008 - 15:46 ET by mofosesameI live in Maryland and most (if not all) of my friends are liberals. They use the word all the time and think nothing of it.
Only one of them is voting for Obama.
Well, mofo, I guess
August 4, 2008 - 16:10 ET by JerWell, mofo, I guess Maryland must be different from Georgia and Tennessee, and your friends must be different from mine. Most of my friends are conservatives, and a [very] few of them occasionally use the "N" word. None of my liberal friends do--at least not in my presence, and I seriously doubt they do so anywhere else.
Jer
Interesting... may we see
August 4, 2008 - 16:00 ET by SickofLibsInteresting... may we see your score cards?
You don't have to be in the south to hear the N word. Just flip on MTV - you'll hear the N word multiple times in just about every rap music video, which is about all they play anymore.
"If, on the other hand, I
August 4, 2008 - 14:16 ET by chessplayer"If, on the other hand, I live in the midwest, or northeast, or anywhere else, and I do not wish to support Mr. Obama because I believe him to be a socialist or a marxist, I am not a racist and I do not speak in code."
Nope. Anyone, anywhere, who does`nt support The One is painted with the racist brush.
Well, I feel better now.
August 4, 2008 - 16:37 ET by Pete WilsonWell, I feel better now. I thought it was only the people in the "racist South"!
Thanks for clearing that up for me. :-)
Hey Southerners, here's my racist code:
August 4, 2008 - 14:40 ET by jefflebowskiI ma ton gnitov rof amabO esuaceb eh si a eimmoC.
ffeJ ikswobeL
www.angrywhitedude.c...
iH ffeJ. ahA...ouy era
August 4, 2008 - 14:44 ET by bigtimeriH ffeJ.
ahA...ouy era thgir.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
WHAT A COUPLE OF BIGGOTS THESE TWO AREI
August 4, 2008 - 15:23 ET by political mavenIM SO SORRY FOR THE CAPS...MY HEAD IS READY TO EXPLODE!!!
IT'S HIS POLICIES, YOU MORONS!
NOT ONE OF THESE INFOBABES CAN EVER SUGGEST THAT MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, PEOPLE ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT P--O--L--I--C--Y AND NOT SKIN SHADE.
OH, AND WHAT ABOUT THE 98% OF BLACKS WHO ARE PRO OBAMA, NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE...RIGHT???ONLY WHITES WHO ARE AGAINST HIM, HAVE RACIAL MOTIVATION...WHAT IDIOTS...
IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD NOT LOVE WALTER WILLIAMS AS A TRUE CONSERVATIVE, FOR EXAMPLE??
racist south?
August 4, 2008 - 15:26 ET by szampI'm not even a native of the United States but I live in Florida. However, from my experience, I can notice a lot more racism/prejudice coming from the northeast than any other place in the US. They have a negative label for anyone who is not part of their so called "elite". A lot of them come here to enjoy what we have and act like they have better genes than everyone else. Now it's becoming so aparent that they are openly saying things in national TV.
A few words
August 4, 2008 - 16:40 ET by SchnikeysI think I've said this before, but I'll say it again. The media relies on your ignorance. They know damn well how most people watch TV: without putting much thought into what they are watching- not enough to want to research it, anyway. All the media has to do to control your thought process is tell you (or even just suggest) things that the viewer would not overwhelmingly reject upon hearing.
"Racism". "The South". The South has a history of racism, but it is not nearly as pertinent or strong today as it was back in, say, the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, those periods of time in the South are sealed into the minds of most Americans today, thanks mostly to the media and public schools (heck, even a few private ones). All Brewer has to do is use the word "racism" in the same sentence as "the South" and the first thing that comes to the average viewer's mind is something along the lines of segregated schooling or an old, white millionaire wearing a brimmed hat while patrolling his cotton fields and keeping an eye on the slaves working in them.
I've been a North Carolina resident for roughly 90% of my life so far, and I can't help but notice that most instances of racism seem to originate not from the south, but elsewhere.
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
This country has been pretty
August 4, 2008 - 16:58 ET by mostlymoderateThis country has been pretty damn good in regards to racism the last 50 years. However, I believe when the liberals are done throwing the word "racism" around over and over during this campaign, people will be more racist than ever. You can only push so hard and then it becomes shoving.
debate
August 4, 2008 - 18:59 ET by ginagwen7Expect this type of reporting to reach sickening proportions as the 1st presidential debate, being held in Oxford, MS, draws near.
Contessa Brewer run off Imus Show
August 4, 2008 - 20:19 ET by Redrowan2000Contessa couldn't even handle Don Imus when he harangued and humiliated her on his radio show she ran off crying for cover, and she has the audacity to label the South RACIST. She has the IQ of an acorn and thats a compliment.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
Red... LOL... Oh I
August 4, 2008 - 20:26 ET by bigtimerRed...
LOL...
Oh I remember that well, she last about a month on and off...mostly off except when she had to be there.
I remember thinking say something back to the rude goofball...be witty, fast and mean right back with a smile on your face ect, Imus would of been easy to handle...
Nope she couldn't handle it....she almost started crying more than once.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
"She has the IQ of an acorn
August 4, 2008 - 22:43 ET by RESTLESS 1"She has the IQ of an acorn and thats a compliment."
Uh, I don't think the acorn sees it that way. :)
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
The funny part of this is
August 4, 2008 - 22:16 ET by jpm100The funny part of this is that I didn't vote for Obama last time when he was white and called John Kerry.
In terms of transitioning us to the Socialist Utopia and being a good little internationalist, Obama is John Kerry with a somewhat more interesting backstory.
The only people that will be affected by race in this election are Democrats. For Republicans and Conservatives, it would be No to Obama no matter what his background was. His positions and policies make him untenable.
If race prevents Obama from becoming President, the Democrats will have to examine themselves.
Does McCain stand a chance among racist blacks?
August 4, 2008 - 22:17 ET by wdhorningOne current survey stated that 89% of blacks plan to vote for Obama and only 2% for McCain. If that is not racist, then slavery never happened! (And I mean no disrespect, I am only make showing how stupid Brewer's argument is.)
wd, I cannot say how Juan McClame will fare among racist blacks-
August 4, 2008 - 22:53 ET by R D Helm-but he will probably not fair much better with conservatives. Black or otherwise. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Racism?
August 4, 2008 - 22:31 ET by cocodrieDown here in Louisiana it's not racism, it's guns and religion. We cling to our guns and religion and since Barack Hussein looks down on people that do, it does not bode well for him in the election.
Sorry, but if I post a comment, I will be banned faster than...
August 4, 2008 - 22:32 ET by R D Helm...you can say Uncle Remus. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
RD
August 4, 2008 - 22:38 ET by Cool ArrowPlease don't throw me into that briar patch.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Cool, LOL-I ain't touchin' this one with a 10' pole.
August 4, 2008 - 22:49 ET by R D HelmOr a 50' one, for that matter. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz