It's recently discovered that the ancestors of Senator Barack Obama's white mother were likely to be slave owners. In other words they owned black slaves, the ancestors of today's African Americans.
Will that discovery hurt the senator's chances for the presidential nomination at all, especially among African Americans? Or will it make the senator more human as we all have ancestors who did something that might have been acceptable way back when but it's no longer acceptable by today's standards?
Also, do you think if he's nomonated that the Republican side will use this as propaganda to smear him among minority voters?
2007-03-07 11:11:13 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
No, it won't hurt him. He cannot control what his ancestors did. He has been gaining on Hillary in the polls and will overtake her soon. He is the most uplifting politician to come along in years.
2007-03-07 11:20:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This fact does not bother me one iota, whether or not it had been proven. You made a quantum leap of "logic" here, from "likely to be slave owners" to "they owned black slaves". It may not be important to many, but we do not condemn people for either what their ancestors "likely" did, or "did". Would we condemn someone for the fact that a relative may be a convicted felon? I don't really think so! And no, the Republicans (or Democrats) will not use this to "smear" him. They are too smart for that, and the "minority voters" are too smart to fall for it. Hope this helps.
2007-03-07 19:24:45 · answer #2 · answered by Pete 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
WHO did YOUR ancestors OWN?
As it has been proven, all the Presidents before Had Ancestors that owned Slaves? What is the difference in who they are now?
I am Black and It does not Bother Me.
Republicans don't have to smear him YOU already are smearing him with this Question.
2007-03-07 19:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by hello T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Many people across the south are decendants of slaves or of slave owners. Slavery ended alost 150 years ago, it is a dead subject and is used by the news agencies to create stories. Instead of examining Obama's past and his voting record they are researching his ancestor's roots. A very disingenuous way of giving Obama a pass on his rather spotty record.
2007-03-07 19:16:11 · answer #4 · answered by J Angelica 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did George Washington own slaves, but yet in still become the first president of our fair country, YES! Should we be more concerned with Mr. Obama's qualifications to become president, and/or his ability to lead the greatest nation on the face of the earth to even higher levels of greatness. Or should we waste our time concentrating on a by gone era in the history of our country, and the life of Mr. Obama that has no relevance with regards to the complex issues facing today's society. I know the answer, do you?
2007-03-07 19:38:00 · answer #5 · answered by The Marine 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it does not bother me.
Why would this revelation hurt his chances to be the Democratic nominee for President?
The Republican party, as hit as in the past, will resort to race-baiting and fear mongering if Senator Obama get the nod as Democratic nominee. Essentially, that is the only thing that has essentially proven effective for them time and time again.
2007-03-07 19:19:08 · answer #6 · answered by ken erestu 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My ancestors owned slaves and if Sen. Obama is anything like me he does not consider it a source of pride. Considering the GOP is the party of Trent Lott and the late Strom Thurmond I don't see how they could possibly try to use Obama's ancestry but then again, they will try anything - sort of like serial philanderer Newt Gingrich courting the religious right.
2007-03-07 19:28:11 · answer #7 · answered by kvcar2 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, since my ancestors may actually be black slaves, and I am white, I think we may want to keep quiet on the subject.
2007-03-07 19:18:25 · answer #8 · answered by ProLife Liberal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a ridiculous question.
If someone's Japanese, should I hate them because of Pearl Harbor?
Should I be bothered because Bush's family is related distantly to the Queen of England, since my heritage is Irish? I have enough reasons to hate George Bush, and this would be a stupid one.
Same goes for your Obama question.
2007-03-07 19:20:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its not his fault! I bet if you traced it back, 80% of politicians' [or anyones!] ancestors were affiliated with slavery. I hope this is not held against him; that would simply show the ignorance of Americans.
⥠Clare.
2007-03-07 20:40:52 · answer #10 · answered by Couture Clare 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋