Obama My Brother The President, Again!

Written by Paul I. Adujie

“Lifting As We Climb” the mantra and credo which was coined by, National Association of Colored Women, NACW, and which guided Ms. Ida B Wells and her African American women contemporaries, is my preferred worldview.

But is President Obama doing the opposite for continental Africans and peoples of African descent? Or, is it just me, who is splitting hairs, too particular and overanalyzing our brother president? I took strong exceptions to our president’s speeches in July, 2009 speeches which I surmised were lopsided in comparison with his stated willingness to have unconditional polite, diplomatic and productive conversations with, even, “known-enemies” of America and members of President Bush’s Axis of Evil!

President Obama’s White House declaratively announced the other day, that the vitriolic stridency of his unreasoned attackers were not motivated by the fact that President Obama is biracial and so, the White House effectively, “pretended” to be capable of debunking the palpable racism his attackers who claim to care for America more than Obama and the rest of us. President Obama cannot be faulted for wanting to appear presidential, above the fray and thereby occupy the moral high ground, as president of all Americans. But the reaction from the White House cannot fool President Carter, President Bill Clinton and many others who sees Obama’s vociferous and conceptually violent attackers, for what they are, racists!

President Carter and President Clinton see, understands what the rest of us already called out, what we are seeing in the matters of race. No one can call President Carter and President Clinton, are the racial racketeers. They have been president of the United States and they are experienced and older than President Obama who continues to insist on the absence of racism in America. President Obama is understandably conciliatory in the face of virulent attacks by those whose belligerence, were motivated by the color of their skins!

Race remains a major factor in how life is lived in the United States, sadly and unfortunately, race remains so, a factor, worldwide. This can be readily observed. Let me be clear, race remains how life is lived in America and the entire the world. It affects trade-commerce, diplomacy, foreign aid, possession of nuclear weapons and all other facets of life, both strategic and even the mundane. Race remains a factor, and as you can clearly see, it is almost irrelevant whether you are a professor at Harvard University, such as Professor Louis Gates or whether you are even Harvard Law educated and president of the United States! President Jimmy Carter and President Bill Jefferson Clinton agree with these assessments. 

Therefore, it is clearly and assuredly, up to our brother President Obama, whether he is willing to stake his political laurels or political capital to redress this. Such as he attempted with the Beer with Professor Gates and Sergeant Crowley, and before that, such as he did with his major speech on race during the elections in November 2008 which saw Obama elected as president of the United States. It will be recalled that, that fateful speech on race was received well and applauded by all. There is choice here. A choice to become precise or clear about race, even if there are known associated costs or Obama can maintain “strategic ambiguity”, apologies to Israel’s famous nuclear weapons unstated non-policy. The act of saying “no”, “yes” and “nothing” simultaneously! This has worked well for Israel, and for decades.

 President Obama can, chose to remain aloof, color-blind in the alternate or parallel universe of “post-racial” America, with an eye on re-election for a second term. If past is prologue, what happened to Mayor David N. Dinkins in New York City, would happen to President Obama regarding re-election for a second term… Mayor Dinkins was too polite and deferred to the “owners’ of the land. Mayor Dinkins assiduously worked harder than most, in order not to ruffle feathers. He was and still is, a superb gentleman and consummate peace maker. He tried to please ever of his opponents. He did not want to squander his political capital (deft-calculating-naïve)? He did not get re-elected. Mr. Dinkins is a mathematician, a lawyer, a US Marine and an extraordinarily experienced, exquisitely equipped New York City politician, no matter; all these did not help in Mayor Dinkins’ re-election bid.

President Obama and the Democratic Party are understandably under tremendous pressure, to win elections this November 2009 and the midterm elections next year. Immediately, Democrats have to win elections in a few states this November 2009 in states such as Virginia, New Jersey and New York respectively and in all these states, despite, and perhaps, in-spite of President Obama, these elections are unusually close. President Obama even though very popular in January 2009, making everybody believe that a cat could win elections on his coattails, is having right now to sorts of, prove his mettle, with winnings in governorship races this November and next.

The Democrats and the president, keenly aware of all these, are quietly nervous or even in panic! What else could explain that unnecessary gaffes and goofs have followed presidential seal on these matters? President Obama came to the state of New York’s neighboring state of New Jersey, to campaign and fundraiser for Governor Jon Corzine for a second term. Governor Corzine had been lagging in the polls, in a state that was solidly in Obama’s corner only in November 2008. A factor in this was the arrest and subsequent resignations of several public officials or functionaries of state of New Jersey government, some accused of corruption, while others were in egregiously heinous activities such as sale and or trafficking in human body parts! There were swirls of repercussions and endless controversies, negative publicity which were no favors to the Democrats, particularly the poor Governor Corzine who had to delicately handle these unsavory and underserved baggage or political liabilities!

Regardless of all these and their possible ramifications, President Obama jetted to New Jersey through New York, to effusively demonstrate his support for a fellow Democrat and party man, Governor Corzine, who, for mostly not fault of his, is contending with a poor economy, high rate of unemployment in a depressed economy, and worse, the controversies of booming criminal enterprise by some New Jersey politicians in the same party as Corzine! President apprised and abreast of all these, determined that showing support publicly for Corzine was worth the political capital invested or squandered in the process. Fine!

Governor Elliot Spitzer was a brilliant politico with all the savvy anyone could ask of him. He is, in my view, a public official with extraordinary foresight. He is a public policy juggernaut. He is a visionary. He saw corporate frauds in America from 10,000 miles away! He literarily saw that the economic meltdown which we are now enmeshed, years before it was foisted upon all of us. He saw it coming and told us, of the danger of corporate wrongdoings. But he had a moral slip and he fell from political power and the lieutenant governor or deputy, who Governor Spitzer wisely chose, now became the defacto Governor David Patterson of the great state of New York. Governor Patterson is a lawyer, with great personal story and antecedents, he also lives with impaired vision; he is, legally blind or with disability.

Governor Patterson is a person of African descent. He is the first African American to be governor of our great state. Even though he was not directly elected, his political ascension to the governorship of national epochal importance. I will have to assume that President Obama agrees with these assessments? At this moment, there is high rate of unemployment in New York City and state of New York; after all, everyone knows that New York is the financial capital of the United States and the entire world. New York City and state of New York is understandably hardest hit with the after effect of the debacles on Wall Street and the entire financial district of the metropolis. The economic contraction and deep recession is rather obvious even to the most oblivious of things. No one has to be a financial market guru to understand this. Translation of this is that political leaders are catching the ire of the public for what are essentially beyond their control and for which they were not responsible in inflicting on any of us. Then added to all these, is the fact of Governor Patterson’s race and disability etc

I am appalled by President Obama's apparent usurpation of Governor Patterson.

I thought President Obama conduct was not presidential. He sought openly to undermine Governor Patterson... Obama is heeding bad counsel regarding our governor... and Obama campaigned for Governor Corzine of New Jersey recently... Governor Patterson still has more than a year ahead to turn the polls around... and even if he does not, it is not Obama duty schedule to nail Patterson's coffin with his presidential hammer of disapproval! I am straining to make this point again and again, but, most seem not to discern these concerns. Why would our brilliantly incandescent and savvy brother president allow himself to be associated with idea of kicking a guy who is already down? What common good or greater good does such public humiliation of Governor Patterson serve? There is this incredible public pressure on Governor Patterson. There seem to be a concerted attempt to hijack the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state of New York, from New Yorkers, the electorate, whose say is paramount in all of these. Governor Patterson and we New Yorkers deserve better, whatever the "savvy" calculations are or maybe, in the eyes of Washington!

There are as many as 15 months between now and the gubernatorial elections in the state of New York. And as even, every political neophyte knows, 15 months is more than two lifetimes in politics… in effect, an eternity remains, and so much can change in favor of Governor Patterson during this large expanse of breathing space, span and gestation period and time. Again, Mr. Obama is not dumb by any measure, so, this is cold calculations on his part or on the parts of his counselors? But should our brother president not “just-know” these things? He should or ought to know Governor Patterson’s burdens and carefully weigh and consider them. President Obama dropped the ball, for appearing to lead the chorus of those who are too quick to write off Governor Patterson’s re-election chances. Elections in New York are about 15 months away, and besides, President Obama did not even have to do anything now or appear to endorse anyone now. Neutrality, may have served Obama well at this juncture and in this instance. Instead of this apparent double standards in the treatment of New York’s Patterson and Corzine’s New Jersey. Or the focus is just Chris Christie, the Republican Party candidate, which explains to rescue efforts for Corzine?

There are certainly those, who think and act as though Governor Patterson does not belong on the governor’s seat in Albany, and as a consequence, have sought to blame the governor for rainfall, snow fall and high humidity levels since he assumed office after Mr. Spitzer’s fall. There are others who are “dying” to occupy that same seat, but, let the time come and let the best win. No one should preempt a fair fight! And even if everyone did, it should not be our biracial brother president and no reason is good enough to humiliate Governor Patterson or seek to deny him his due, than drive him out of town! The state of New York electoral has the final say regarding which among our politicians is expendable. Voters in New York must not allow the skittish expediencies of others determine our fates!

Governor Patterson of the state of New York just like his counterpart, Governor Corzine of the state of New Jersey are unpopular, not by a dint of any infractions on their parts, but, the happenstances and vagaries of the economy of America and the entire world, as it is, currently. Some politicians, Democrats in Governor Corzine’s New Jersey, though no faults of Corzine, engaged in scandalous and criminal enterprise. Yet, Mr. Obama thoughtfully resolved to spend-squander his political fortunes in attempt to rescue Mr. Corzine! Governor Patterson’s Democrats in New York are not embroiled in scandalous criminal misconduct similar to what now obtains in New Jersey, the new Chicago mafia politics practitioners of the Northeast! And yet, Governor Patterson is the one being shunned and denied public support by our brother president?

After careful consideration of all the above, it is easy to see, why it is so easy to be an unpopular governor in New York and New Jersey and pretty much in any state in the United States right about now! Why then, did President Obama give Corzine public embrace, fundraiser and ringing endorsements and not so for Patterson? Governor Patterson is a trailblazer like Obama Patterson is in fact more so, in more ways than one! African American governor, an American with disability, who is the first to hold a statewide office in our state of 18 million outstanding citizens, who should be allowed and given a fair chance to decide Patterson’s fate, in a fair manner, not through a stampede by anyone in our state, or carpetbaggers from the Washington D.C.!

In view of what have transpired so far, and more precisely, despite what have transpired it is befittingly charitable on our parts, to still as a matter of sheer indulgence, to think that President Obama could not and cannot mean to humiliate Governor Patterson publicly. President Obama could not and cannot mean to undermine Governor Patterson and Patterson’s chances of re-election in November 2010? But some shenanigans have leaked out, some public demeanors stated and unstated, have led some, including even some notable Republican Party members such as former state of New York Governor George Pataki, to admonish all those, who are bent on dictating to us, free citizens of the great state of New York, who among the numerous would be contenders in November 2010, could be our governor!

As I muse over the election prospects of Governor Patterson, I am having, to wonder aloud, whether President Obama is demonstrating a pattern? In many of his actions and public pronouncements so far, particularly, during the preceding nine months, our brother president, have seemingly reserved harsh and rather hostile treatments for continental Africans and peoples of African descent. Obama’s published statements in Accra Ghana in an address to the parliament there and his speech to NAACP in New York City, both speeches given in July 2009, and as well as President Obama’s attitude toward Governor Paterson, point to an unsettling pattern of beating-down persons from what Obama ought see as his core constituency. Even Republicans such as state of New York former Governor George Pataki have had to describe Obama’s seeming rejection of Governor Patterson as candidate for governor, this way "I just think it's wrong," Pataki said. "To weaken and undermine the governor beyond the weakness that already exists ... to me just doesn't serve the interests of the state, doesn't serve the interests of our country."

Many tongues are wagging over Obama’s public non-embrace of Governor Patterson. Some opponents of Governor Patterson are said to be gloating giddily now, in satisfaction and complacence, as a direction consequence of their interpretation of Obama’s signal or repudiation of Patterson’s gubernatorial candidacy in 2010. How soon can Obama seem to forget his own candidature, dismissed routinely and offhand by those who thought the then first term US senator from Illinois a nonstarter and a would be also ran? How soon can Obama forget that he too inherited three wars, one in Afghanistan, another war in Iraq, and the third one, being the catastrophic and mammoth mess, which is also known as the domestic economic meltdown in America and globally? The state of New York and New York City, are the fulcrum of America as the financial capital of the world, and Governor Patterson has therefore, taken a direct hit, from the economic cataclysm and seismic shift, none the fault of Governor Patterson!

President Obama is personally and intimately aware of the challenges our people particularly face. He is also aware of the challenges facing America and the state of New York in particular. It is therefore disingenuous to ascribe current abysmal and dismal economic atmosphere to Obama and or Patterson. Neither Obama nor Patterson is responsible for our national and state economic conditions. President Obama is not president for Africans and peoples of African descent alone, that much I understand. But it is and will be unacceptable for continental Africans and peoples of African descent to possibly fare worse during President Obama’s watch! We will prefer Obama’s impact on our people to be positive symbolism, and even beyond symbolism. President Obama should consciously engage in “Lifting Our People As He Climbs”! in words and actions.

Robot  # 1 | 28.09.2009 20:13

...Read the full article.

Rose  # 2 | 29.09.2009 08:17

Facebook did a poll asking if Obama should be killed, but I'm sure his administration will continue to state it has nothing to do with race whatsoever. The disrespect he has shown to Gov. Paterson is something he'd never hand to the beleaguered Gov. Corzine because he knows it wouldn't go down well with whites. I'm glad the scales are beginning to fall where BO is concerned but treachery seems to come natural to him when it comes to dealing with people of African descent.

Bill Carson  # 3 | 29.09.2009 09:29

=Rose;391134>Facebook did a poll asking if Obama should be killed, but I'm sure his administration will continue to state it has nothing to do with race whatsoever. The disrespect he has shown to Gov. Paterson is something he'd never hand to the beleaguered Gov. Corzine because he knows it wouldn't go down well with whites. I'm glad the scales are beginning to fall where BO is concerned but treachery seems to come natural to him when it comes to dealing with people of African descent. Rose, Calm down for BO, the man is a Politician…….. with all Politician the world over, survival is the most important characteristics regardless of who is crushed in the process…... Gov. Paterson is just a component in the overall collateral damage wagon that will see BO safely into second term in office…..;)

Rose  # 4 | 29.09.2009 10:16

=Bill Carson;391152>Rose, Calm down for BO, the man is a Politician…….. with all Politician the world over, survival is the most important characteristics regardless of who is crushed in the process…... Gov. Paterson is just a component in the overall collateral damage wagon that will see BO safely into second term in office…..;) That remains to be seen. What he did was reprehensible and will be used against him in ways you can't imagine.

I Love Nigeria  # 5 | 29.09.2009 12:43

Bill Carson The thing here is Brother Obama a.k.a Barack Obama's selective application of your here stated theory. Governor Corzine is also, currently being seen as politically damaged goods for Democrats... wherefore, there is no love lost for Democrats in New Jersey and the Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie, surpasses Corzine in public opinion polls and may succeed in dislodging the Democrats from government house, come November. Your theory and rationale for Brother Obama would apply to any underlines with political baggage and liability? That should include Corzine and not just Governor Patterson and former Special Adviser on Green Matters/Environmental Issues to Brother Obama, Mr. Jones! There is an emerging pattern of a double standard and selective application of your enunciated theory... as applied so far by our brother the president!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Rose  # 6 | 29.09.2009 13:02

@ILN, just as I thought... Obama’s big Paterson blunder Marcelo Ballve 28 2009 - 11:14 am The White House stepped in it when it began to pressure New York Gov. David Paterson, a Democrat, to bow out of the 2010 governor’s race. As of now, Gov. Paterson’s decision to stick with his re-election plans creates a daily embarrassment for the White House, and a schism for Republicans to exploit. Last night, a panel on the Sean Hannity Show used the flap to play up Obama’s machiavellian streak and lack of party loyalty. More than any other political incident of Obama’s first year, his betrayal of Gov. Paterson takes the mask off on the president’s claim to a higher ethical and moral standard in politics. The mistaken political calculus behind this has nothing to do with Gov. Paterson’s ethnicity or the fact he’s legally blind. It’s simply foolish for the Obama administration to let go one of its own when there’s so much partisan battling going on nationally. In fact, trying to nudge aside Paterson, New York’s first black governor, may have already backfired politically within the Empire State. A poll of New Yorkers cited by David Gregory on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” found 62 percent of New Yorkers disagree with the White House decision to intervene. Not only that, but Rep. Charlie Rangel of Harlem also lashed back: “The whole thing to me was not presidential,” Rangel said to the Daily News. “It wasn’t good for the President, and it wasn’t good for the governor.” With Democrats divided, Republicans will find it easier to retake this key governorship next year. If Paterson does ultimately step aside in favor of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the new candidate will have a hard time finding his footing with political blood on the floor. It’s true Paterson faces abysmally low poll numbers. But he took the reins of the state’s governorship after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in the prostitution scandal, and just as New York’s economy tumbled into the abyss. Not only that, but Gov. Paterson faced an in-house mutiny in the state legislature. None of this is Paterson’s fault. An economic recovery next year could have easily resuscitated his poll numbers. But now, New York’s fickle voters already have watched Obama hypocritically call Paterson a “wonderful man,” even after having signed off on his political death sentence. Next year, New Yorkers may turn aside from all the Democrats– Obama, Cuomo, even Paterson– in disgust. http://trueslant.com/eliemystal/2009/09/23/black-on-black-crime-african-american-politicians-no-longer-have-to-stick-together/ Sep. 23 2009 Black on Black Crime: African-American Politicians No Longer Have to Stick Together

I Love Nigeria  # 7 | 29.09.2009 13:21

Rose Thanks a million! The writer's analyses is right on points! And identical to mine. It gladdens my heart that it is not just me... as some here in NVS would like to think or rather believe! I have no bile! I spill just the facts! In fact, trying to nudge aside Paterson, New York’s first black governor, may have already backfired politically within the Empire State. A poll of New Yorkers cited by David Gregory on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” found 62 percent of New Yorkers disagree with the White House decision to intervene. Not only that, but Rep. Charlie Rangel of Harlem also lashed back: “The whole thing to me was not presidential,” Rangel said to the Daily News. “It wasn’t good for the President, and it wasn’t good for the governor.” It’s true Paterson faces abysmally low poll numbers. But he took the reins of the state’s governorship after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in the prostitution scandal, and just as New York’s economy tumbled into the abyss. Not only that, but Gov. Paterson faced an in-house mutiny in the state legislature. None of this is Paterson’s fault. An economic recovery next year could have easily resuscitated his poll numbers. But now, New York’s fickle voters already have watched Obama hypocritically call Paterson a “wonderful man,” even after having signed off on his political death sentence. Next year, New Yorkers may turn aside from all the Democrats– Obama, Cuomo, even Paterson– in disgust. The writer, and I, have this uncannily identical resemblance even in expressing our identical opinions .... from "None of this Paterson's fault to presidential disapproval ... death sentence or nail on the coffin etc! I think that sooner than later, more and more persons would discern Brother Obama's emerging pattern. Thanks again, Rose!

M. Akosa  # 8 | 29.09.2009 14:02

Ah.... Bros Paul Adujie, Please leave this man alone. Don't you know that first and foremost he is a politician and also a lawyer. Of course, it seems natural to him to off load baggages, every now and again, shed damaged goods along the way. Is he a Mother Theresa? that will do all things saintly, sin not, and stand by all needy and weaklings.

Rose  # 9 | 29.09.2009 14:09

=M. Akosa;391246>Ah.... Bros Paul Adujie, Please leave this man alone. Don't you know that first and foremost he is a politician and also a lawyer. Of course, it seems natural to him to off load baggages, every now and again, shed damaged goods along the way. Is he a Mother Theresa? that will do all things saintly, sin not, and stand by all needy and weaklings. Please read up on this weakling he's been campaigning for and ask "what's the difference?" Corruption arrests in N.J. hurt Gov. Corzine's re-election bid, thrill GOP New York Daily News ^ | July 25, 2009 | David Saltonstall Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:25:20 AM by Zakeet New Jersey Republicans tried to hide their glee on Friday over a corruption probe that could send many Democrats to jail - and GOPer Chris Christie to the governor's office. Christie, a former U.S. attorney running a strong challenge to Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, wasted little time putting up a new TV ad touting his suddenly spot-on law-and-order background. "I put corrupt public officials in jail - Republicans and Democrats," Christie said in the ad. "As governor, I'll make the same tough, independent decisions." Left unmentioned was that Christie, who left his Justice Department post seven months ago, initiated the probe that led to bribery charges against dozens of political insiders, most of them Democrats. The sweep is unquestionably bad news for Corzine, who was not implicated, but will have to explain how such wide-ranging corruption was allowed to flourish on his watch, experts said. "It is huge," said Steve Adubato, Jr., a Jersey political analyst and co-host of a popular public affairs show, "Inside Trenton." "It now frames the governor's race very clearly around the issue of political corruption."

Auspicious  # 10 | 29.09.2009 14:14

+ I bet that the Author of this article hardly gives a damn about Governor David A. Paterson - at least not enough to stick his neck out on his (Paterson's) behalf. If you interview this Author, there is the strong likelihood that he is about as informed about Governor Paterson's performance in office as the Chief Executive of the State of New York as any freelance hang-about is on the streets of Manhattan. The point is that there is a heck of a good chance that this piece was motivated by no less a desire than the need to capitulate on a topic as inflammable as the one at hand, as it is with other noted instances by him, where he conveniently exploits popular themes as race issues or delves into to his usual anti-western psychobabble - all in a bid to boost his profile as an 'informed writer' on sundry issues. The President of the United States, in this case Barack H. Obama (a Democrat), is the de-facto leader of the country's Democratic Party of the United States. Although he is not as involved in the day to day running of the Party, his support is nevertheless crucial - crucial enough for party members aspiring for elective posts to crave his indulgence at events as fundraising or campaigns and other events across the country. In the case of a popular President as Obama, many hang-on to his coat-tails to make it through with the voters. Where his schedule permits, and the aspiring politician has enough of political capital to remain a fairly strong contender (amongst other important considerations), the President will come through with his strong support for such candidate. But where a candidatate may be a liability on the rest of the party (or the Prez himself), maybe not. Such is the case with David Paterson. I doubt if there is a single Governor in the entire United States with an approval rating hovering at an incredibly low level of 17% - yes, seventeen percent! With a politically sensitive electorate as Americans, or New Yorkers for that matter, that is a huge drag on anyone - including whomever comes to town to campaign for such a person. And when New York has such at the head of the ticket come 2010 elections, incombent democracts should be prepared for surprises. Mr. Paterson is a gentleman - a personable and nice man with a witty side to him. He knows, just as the White House knows, that it is up to him to stay on and fight to build on the extremely low points. The White House egg-heads, being the pragmatics that they are, do not want to take chances and have the Republicans make inroads into the Empire State. Hence their advice (and that's all it is!) for Paterson to step down so the far more popular Attorney-General Andrew Cuomo can head the ticket. Every rational person out there understands and respects Mr. Paterson's insistence on remaining on the ticket in the race for Governor. It is entirely his right and everyone hopes he won't regret it. Alas, there are a small crowd who don't see it this way. On the one hand, we have people like this Author who desperately want to be seen as informed public persons with a grasp of everything under the sun, spurning out articles at a dozen-a-dime on everything that they have little knowledge about. Then there is the other group - like that self-defeating minority within a minority of African-Americans to which Rose belongs. For them, anything involving a black man (or woman) naturally triggers a knee-jerk defense. It doesn't matter that public opinion of David Paterson's performance is at an embarrassingly low 17% - no! For them, it is simply a case of "we gotta help a brother (give us more of the same low performance)", forgetting that doing so only encourage low standards within the black community. David Paterson still has his chance either to stay in the race or quit while he is 'ahead'. Eitherway, those of us who like him (just as much as the Roses of this world do) will still support him. What came from the White House was more of an advice than an order, which Mr. Paterson is totally entitled to accept or reject. There is very little need for the misplaced hullabaloo or the fake speechifications of a Nigerian Lover who loved to tell us that Olusegun Obasanjo was the best thing in Nigeria since Roasted Corn. Even Mr. Paterson isn't catching a hiffy over it, as the interviews below reveal! Auspicious.

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