Tavis Smiley: This Presidential Race Will Be Most Racist in History Due to Tea Party and Trump

By Noel Sheppard | April 26, 2011 | 22:33

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Tavis Smiley on Tuesday said the upcoming presidential race is "going to be the ugliest, the nastiest, the most divisive, and the most racist in the history of this republic."

When MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell asked his guest on "The Last Word" why he thought so, the PBS host predictably blamed it all on the Tea Party and Donald Trump (video follows with transcript and commentary):

TAVIS SMILEY, PBS: I said over a year ago that this was going to be, this presidential race, Lawrence, was going to be the ugliest, the nastiest, the most divisive, and the most racist, the most racist, in the history of this republic. I did not know that that race to the bottom would begin so quickly. One can disagree with the Tea Party…

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL, HOST: Why did you see this coming?

SMILEY: I saw it coming because it’s pretty clear given how the Tea Party has acted, given that Donald Trump is now playing to the worst in the Tea Party, that this would be possible. I don’t want to demonize or cast aspersions on the Tea Party broadly. I believe that there’s a certain angst that many people in that entity feel, and I share that angst about government. I don’t believe that it’s the solution to reduce government.

Government does have a role to play. We’ve got to figure out, we can figure out and debate what that role is, but there have been semantics they’ve engaged in that made it clear to me: showing up at rallies with guns, and the Secret Service, you know, working overtime to protect this president. More threats against his life than any president in the history of the nation, indeed, presidents combined.

So the evidence is pretty clear that they would do anything and say anything in order to make sure he does not get reelected.

Of course, Smiley and his host chose not to address the evidence that they and most of the liberal media would do anything and say anything in order to make sure Obama DOES get reelected. This includes playing the race card whenever possible much as former President Bill Clinton accused the former junior senator from Illinois of doing in 2008.

With this in mind, Smiley was 100 percent correct - and his side of the aisle will see to it that he ends up being right.

For the next eighteen-plus months, just as the previous 51, whenever anyone anywhere expresses any criticism of Barack Obama, it will solely be because of the color of his skin. This is as obvious today as it was in February 2007 when Obama first threw his name into the presidential ring.

We should sincerely thank Smiley for once again making this perfectly clear.

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Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Click here to follow Noel Sheppard on Twitter.

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Comments

It wasnt racist when Millions of whites voted for Obama in 2008

Submitted by cbeyer on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:37pm.

Same old tired story. Those of us who oppose his philosophies, polices and hell bent for socialism record wont vote for him this time. Pull out the race card! Works every time....but for many of us, its getting old and insulting.

Chris H. Beyer Right of Way Pundit

But...

Submitted by unkeeaf on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:49pm.

Was it racist when 96% of blacks voted for Obama? Of course not, the ultimate protected class of the liberal left could never be wrong.

I think the most insulted of

Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:50pm.

I think the most insulted of all should be anyone who voted for Obama in good faith but have turned against his policies. I know I'd be very insulted. Way to go, Smiley and ilk...

Let's make the 2012 campaign: "The War on Error"

Yeah, how dare

Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:38pm.

anyone demand that the government live within it's means, that the government can't mandate that it's citizens must purchase a product? Bunch of racists.

You know, white racists showing up at rallies wearing guns. OH, wait. Never mind. Black guys beating innocent SEIU "organizers" on the fist with their faces. How dare they?

Thanks for nailing everything down, Tavis. What would we do without racists like you?

To re-elect Obama would be like the Titanic backing up and hitting the iceberg again.

Keep Talking Smiley

Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:47pm.

I take comfort in knowing that, as much as these ludicrous charges of "racism" should be infuriating, with each and every repetition, the accusation loses both it's meaning and sting. I think most people just yawn at the word now.

Let's make the 2012 campaign: "The War on Error"

Smiley knows American history like Behar knows . . .

Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:51pm.

. . . politics.

Nothing -- NOTHING -- can top the racism imbedded in the 1860 election, the results of which led shortly thereafter to the Civil War. The Republican candidate -- the guy who turned out to be our greatest President -- couldn't even get on the ballot in some 10 states because he favored the abolition of slavery, yet he still won.

...and now the end is near; it's time to face the final curtain

Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:56pm.

I don't think the election will necessarily be nasty or racist. There's still a long way to go before the election and since a lot of people have already turned against obama politically and more will do so before the election it may be just a waiting game to get obama out of the Whitehouse.

As far as I'm concerned, if

Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:22pm.

As far as I'm concerned, if Obama loses but still gets anything more than 35% of the popular vote the nation is toast. As awful as this guy is, the only people who vote for him will be the fringiest of the fringe. If 36% of our nation falls into that category then all hope is lost.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.

Most racist in history, huh?

Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:59pm.

Not if Allen West gets involved. Let's hope Allen West gets involved.

J- I hope you were there to witness this!

Thanks, BK

Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:46pm.

Surprise, surprise, the loudmouth hauled off by BSO was a former Air America Host.

Later, when West was discussing the Republican position on Medicare, he was interrupted by Nicole Sandler of Coral Springs, who was a host on the now-defunct liberal Air America radio network.

When she didn't heed calls to stop talking — "shut up, lady" one person yelled — she was removed by police as people recorded the scene with camera phones. Sandler continued to object as she was led out, argued with the officer, and was arrested for trespassing.

Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)

Good!

Submitted by Beukeboom on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:42pm.

Good!

same old story

Submitted by scarletandgold on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:09pm.

sure it will be racist and hatefull,,tavis and freinds will make sure of that,,all the haters will crawll out from under thier rocks,out of thier closets and out of thier classrooms to spew pure hatred and racism,,and they will all be wrapped in the stars and stripes that they hate..it wont matter..the american people of all colors and creeds are fed up with progressives,,,no jobs,sky high gasoline,,no drilling,,food prices at an all time high,,,corn grown to burn for fuel..no drilling,,,obama will lose and when he does the hate will continue because the progressive agenda after 40plus years will finally be flushed down the toilet...free at last,, free at last,, thank God almighty we will be free at last.

They're trying to inoculate

Submitted by Slyrr on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:13pm.

They're trying to inoculate Obama against anyone running against him at all. They're shaking their libutard media fists into the cameras and saying in effect, 'Don't you DARE run against the guy we pimped or we're gonna GET you!'

They're also trying to pre-empt him losing by blaming it in race before the fact. 'Oh the only reason Obama didn't win is because he's black'.

It is to laugh. Or it would be except their 'misery index' isn't funny at all.

If a Liberal/Democrat politician/media figure wants to put their arms around you, or pat you on the back, all they're doing is looking for a good place to stick a knife.

Sometimes I think the purpose

Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:14pm.

Sometimes I think the purpose of MSNBC is to be so absurd that they make the other leftwing outlets in the media look middle-of-the-road in comparison. When you think about it 3 or 4 years ago the Right's critique of media bias was a lot more diverse than it is today because MSNBC just stands out so much.

We need new words...

Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:23pm.

I don't think "biased" comes close to describing what they do at MSNBC. I thought about "advocacy", but that isn't nearly strong enough either. MSNBC is in a whole new low class by itself and needs new words to describe it's rank practices.

Let's make the 2012 campaign: "The War on Error"

I just call them

Submitted by AmericanInfidel on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:38am.

the media wing of the democrat party

Earth to "Smiley" (if that

Submitted by MightyMouth on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:17pm.

Earth to "Smiley" (if that indeed is your real name). Trump ain't gonna be in the presidential race...errr... race!

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, unless my friend is more evil than my enemy."

I'm sure it's already been said....

Submitted by Shakesth3clown1 on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:23pm.

BUT ahuge majority of the people that voted for him did so based on nothing more than the color of his skin...any white man or woman would never had made it through the primary's on his record or experience as a leader. He was elected based on his skin color alone and that is as racist as it gets.

It's going to be people like

Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:33pm.

It's going to be people like Tavis Smiley and Larry O'Donnell (and their uber-lib ilk) who will try their best to turn everything into a matter of race. I just hope it blows up in their faces.

For sake of argument, let's say Obama is voted out in 2012. Imagine the hue and cry of racism from the usual suspects on the left.

Yep, you can bet the

Submitted by MightyMouth on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:41pm.

Yep, you can bet the billyclub armed KKK members standing outslide polling places will get tip top attention from the Media (and the "Justice" department).

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, unless my friend is more evil than my enemy."

I would expect charges of

Submitted by Beukeboom on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 9:47am.

I would expect charges of voter intimidation from libs if/when Obama loses but the proof will be absent.

Welcome

Submitted by Blorg on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:44pm.

Welcome to Obama's post-racial America.

It's going to DIVIDE the NATION

Submitted by Quasi-socialist on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:48pm.

Why, there will be about 50% of racist Americans that won't vote for Obama!

/sarc

Progressive playbook, rule

Submitted by deerjerkydave on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:50pm.

Progressive playbook, rule #1: If you run out of intellectual arguments, play the race card.

Progressive playbook, rule #2: If you run out of intellectual arguments and you're about to lose another big election, play the race card as loud as you can.

------------------------

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. -James Madison

What a blowhard. I just hope

Submitted by mostlymoderate on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:18am.

What a blowhard. I just hope most non-black's and black's alike realize what is going on here. The liberal left-wingers are using "white guilt" to try and get Obama re-elected. If Obama was worthy of re-election, all they would have to do is show is success record. Ah, but there is no success record; therefore, they must use the race-card.

It will probably work too. After all, Michael Luois King, Jr. plagiarized everything he wrote as well as "I Have A Dream" and because of white-guilt, we gave the man his own day. White guilt goes a long way in this country.

Sounds like the WH has

Submitted by rbosque on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 3:06am.

Sounds like the WH has released their new talking points to the media Noel. Oh well, it was expected.

"It may be true that you can't fool all the people all the time, but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country"......Will Durant

Obama will make 2012 the most racist campaign

Submitted by nkviking75 on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 5:32am.

I think playing the race card is racist, since whites are relentlessly, and usually groundlessly, accused of being haters and oppressors for political advantage. So let's remember that 2008 was the most racist election ever, and 2012 is likely to top it. We also had the most sexist election ever in 2008. Remember how Clinton and Palin were treated, and Palin continues to be treated even though it's not clear whether she will run, If Palin or Bachmann officially get into the race, and especially if either is the GOP nominee, look for an even more sexist Obama campaign.

Don't take this as an endorsement, but it would be interesting if Herman Cain or Allen West became the nominee. While it's not a reason to choose either of them, I wonder what Obama would do if the race card strategy were taken away. (Of course, they would be portrayed as not being "real" blacks.)

“Always love your country — but never trust your government!" -- Bob Novak (1931-2009)

When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.

Smiley is right - Race card being blasted at us repeatedly!

Submitted by clayusmcret on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 6:38am.

I'd have to agree. Folks like Mr Smiley have come out with both race cards blasting since obama got elected. I would have thought they'd finally be running low on race card ammo, with the lack of evidence and all, but they just keep on blasting away. Maybe this election, besides voting out a socialist, will finally get us to a post-post-racial America with obama's incompetent butt gone. Oh, is it racist to point out what an abject failure he, his many socialist political appointees, his anti-American energy policies or his anti-right to work administration have been? Sorry - I didn't vote for him and feel no compulsion to support his failing efforts. I can only pray for his opponent to win fast enough to save America from his anti-American policies.

"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency...Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.

Please do it

Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 6:46am.

Dear Republican Party;
Please put one of your many fine minority members up for the election in 2012. You have many black, Hispanic and Asian members to pick from. Do this to help save the nation from racists like Tavis Smiley and his ilk.

Americans keeping their own earnings is a Civil Right! Demand your Civil Rights!

No proof

Submitted by octavioj on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 7:54am.

Wow, so early in the election cycle and they are already coming out with the racism card. At least in 2008 they waited until president Obama and Secretary Clinton were the only two left standing. Are they trying o shame people into voting for the president or sitting at home? I guess that is not going to work.

Over used the word:

Submitted by Redrowan2000 on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:17am.

The race baiters such as Smiley, Sharpton, Jackson, Waters , O'Donnell , Shultz, Lee, Wright and O'bamas new crybaby , we are oppressed minister have overused their strongest tact. The word no longer has relevance to the American public. If you disagree with a person of color and you use facts to back up your argument you are a racist. Republicans and Conservatives who appear on MSNBC are fools to go on a station that labels them as racists. Most of their shows don't have a 2 sided debate unless it's a 4:1 ratio. That way the opposition can be shouted down. This station is a nightmare come true. The sponsors of this tripe should be ashamed. Repubs if they do appear should have big R's on their lapels, not for Republicans but for the racists they know they will be called

"Don't let the bastards grind you down."

Red

Buck Ofama

Submitted by gunguru on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 9:04am.

off of the horse he road in on! And just who the heck is Tavis Smiley? He doesn't look very smiley to me; he looks like one of those angry New Black Panther dudes. As far as the racism thing goes, I have a message for all leftists---S.T.F.U.! The one person who has done more to denigrate black Americans and ruin their chances for high office in the future is none other than our current president. This is NOT due to some type of "racism", from the Tea Party, conservatives, or whites in general. It is due solely to his incompetence and complete isolation from the problems that the American people face on a daily basis. All one has to see is his answer to the man who had 10 kids and was having trouble affording fuel for his SUV, which he is surely in need of to transport that many children. Instead of giving the man a serious answer on what our nation is going to do to become energy independent of the oil thugs in the Middle East, he flippantly tell the guy to "buy a hybrid van"! If the guy could afford to raise 10 kids AND buy a new vehicle, I'm thinking that the price of fuel wouldn't be so upsetting to him. I truly believe that our current president hates everything that America and our Founding Principles stand for, and that he is doing all he can to ruin our nation from within. It is time for him to go back to community organizing/agitating.

Freedom is purhased at great cost by the few, to the benefit of the undeserving masses.

For that reason alone....

Submitted by Prester John on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:45am.

....and for pure entertainment, that is why the GOP should nominate Herman Cain--a Tea Party favorite, a successful business man, a Reagan Republican, plain spoken, dynamic and inspiring--a man on a mission.

Oh, did I mention he is also black and remembers the days of "white" and "colored" water fountains?

Team him up with Haley Barbour or better yet, Gov Nikki Haley of South Carolina, and watch their heads explode.

"Stupid people are ruining America"

Herman Cain 2012
www.hermancain.com

Agreed

Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 9:04am.

Herman Cain - Paul Ryan

Watch the medias head explode and you know at least one of the spittle spewers on PMSNBC or Christine Armapoorexcuse will say someething racist about him.

Both good folks that have done more than RUN their mouths, they can actually run a business or two and develop a uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh plan all on their own.

And not leave it too others as they have uh, uh, uh, uh actually done something in their lives.

No huge fan of Trump, but I LOVE the fact he is bringing up all the dirt on Obambi that the LSM won't such as his supposed brilliance and smarts, THEN WHY SEAL YOUR RECORDS AND MOOCHELLES?

If you make poverty easy, you will have more of it. Benjamin Franklin

Two other possibilities

Submitted by Beukeboom on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 9:52am.

Two other possibilities (albeit slim):

Herman Cain - Marco Rubio
Herman Cain - Bobby Jindal

Logically it would take the race card completely away from the libs BUT it wouldn't stop them from using it.

In the libs' viewpoint:
Conservative hispanic = white
Conservative Indian = white
Conservative black = white (and in the minds of many black liberal extremists, also equals "Uncle Tom")

He's right!

Submitted by wizardjr on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 9:16am.

The racist, biggoted blacks like Smiley WILL make this a racist election. Their white fellow travellers will pick up megaphones all over the land and echo the claim day after day. Eventually, even some of the stupid 52% will finally get the picture. I just hope it's enough to overcome the graveyard voting.