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A Letter Found Taped to Mailboxes in Suburban Wisconsin
Yesterday, I was canvassing for Barack Obama in Wausau, Wisconsin when an elderly man brought this flyer into the office. He said it was taped to mailboxes all over his neighborhood. At the bottom, in fine print, is written: Approved and Sponsored by: Barack Hussein Obama II for President, Wausau Chapter. Is this another whisper campaign? It reminded me of eight years ago during the presidential primaries, when dozens of South Carolina radio stations received phone calls from people claiming John McCain had fathered a black child. The story was false, but many believe it helped tank McCain’s candidacy.
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Jeffer
Is it just me or is there no link to the impossible-to-read-on-this-page picture of the flyer? I've been accused of being stupid before, so don't hold back.
mike-edwards
The 'next' Black President? The first one must have slipped past me while I've been busy monitoring how the deployment of home computer technology has improved our lives. Was it Jesse Jackson?
Talyssa
Is there any actual evidence that this kind of thing works? I mean according to wikipedia the population of wausau is .54% black and 85.xx% white. If I was a white person getting one of these I'd look around and think "what black people?"
zazzer
what's up with the five point ellipsis? and the weirdly indented second paragraph? and 'the NEXT black president?' generally, when pulling a sleazy political move, you shouldn't have a third grader as your copywriter.
BigBlueFrog
No address or chairperson listed for the organization, I notice. They didn't want anyone tracking this back to its source. It makes me wonder whether the poor copywriting was intentional, to play on racial stereotypes, or just a sign of the creators intellect.
Aaronthethird
These sorts of things are very sad. Its really unfortunate that there are still people who are afraid of others just because of how they look. If people want to vote for John McCain because they honestly believe his policies are better than Obama's that's their choice; I would tend to disagree with them, but I can respect their point of view. To vote for McCain because they are afraid of Obama just because he is black and has a non-European name is childish, racists, ignorant and unconscionable.
clarityinthedefaultworld
A few words come to mind: Disgraceful; Ignorant, Racist; Horrid; Disgusting; Despicable.
ImariQueen
Pathetic and misguided supporters for McCain believe people are more afraid of a black President than white supremacists. People are not afraid of race. People are afraid they are going to lose
1. their job
2. the roof over their head
3. medical expenses or loss to medical access.
loveme
Of course there are people who do not want to work. But I strongly believe that most people want to work in order to sustain themselves. Barak's election convention included everyone. He is about everyone. There are people in this country who appear to deny that some people do not exist. This has to stop. We are all here and in this together whether some do not like it. Black people would be more prosperous if they came out of the starting gate as those others who want to deny their existance. Regardless of this, we are not looking for someone to give us something for nothing. We simply want to be treated like everyone in these United States.
Tulku2
And in the end...? John McCain is either unable or unwilling to educate the ignorant in his base. This is what his grandchildren will read about him in the history books. May God help us if it works.
jackie5
Both sides if my family can be traced back to before the revolutionary war. Both sides fought in it. There is no evidence of anyone owning slaves or dealing in the slave trade. Both sides had menbers who were injured or killed fighting for the north. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I am voting for Obama not because of color but because if we go into a depression I want someone who gives a care about people, not rather socialism is going to stop him from seeing the people are taking care. not somone thats sees us as communists monsters out to get him,
poodzilla
WOW, that's my home town. The 2000 Census shows the city has a .5% black poplation. I revel in the thought that Wausau is where I am FROM, but is not home anymore.
TigerEyes
Black folks? in Wausau? Haw Haw Haw!! At least the peckerwoods are honest about where THEY might be from.
maxpower1013
Unbelievable... whoever started this is despicable.
jsingh
It seems to me, and I have been around for a few elections, that this particular election is the most divisive and nasty that I have ever seen. In the past, and I mean the long past, candidates expressed their differences in terms of policy. In the last eight years, however, and I attribute this to Mr. Karl Rove, the expressions have become particularly divisive and personal. This year, in my opinion, has been exceptionally acute. People have been accused of "palling around with terrorists", have been accused of running for presidency without being a citizen, have carved their faces in hopes changing the election tides. I hope that the election of Barack Obama, whom I view will inspire a sea change in modern American politics, will inspire CHANGE in more ways that we can imagine. I hope we can experience change beyond Rovism and beyond Reagonomics, I hope we can expect a new level of humanism and a new generation of Democrats.
Thank you.
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