Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Bitter

The most recent attacks on Senator Obama certainly seem to highlight how much hot water one can find oneself in if he dares to speak truth to power. First, it was the harsh criticism of Obama’s longtime minister, Rev. Wright, for preaching a message regarding American History that while inconvenient, is quite true. Now Obama himself is being attacked for saying something that is essentially true, but likewise politically inconvenient: “it’s not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.” There is nothing in this statement that is not in some regards true, but because the passage came from an intelligent, well-spoken black man, it is considered to be demonstrative of his elitism. If John McCain said that exact same quote, he would be LAUDED for being such a straight-talkin’ maverick, who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.