It would be easy to write them off; but this would be a mistake. This is because of the connection between how people view the President and how they view his policies. If the rumors play a part in the November election, it will be a small one. But even if they are not there in name they will be there in spirit. Some voters may say, "The President says health care reform is great; but can I really trust someone who has done all those awful things I hear about?"
Progressives have brought racism to the publics' attention many times. But, even with all this, it has never become enough of a national issue to bring Conservatives to justice. Still, the issue is too important to stop trying. Progressive media should continue to broadcast the message to the public in a coordinated and sustained way; and, with enough intensity to get the job done.
By attacking the rumors as nothing more than proxies for racism and charging Tea Baggers with fomenting a racist uprising against the President, they will be the ones with a character issue. Some voters might see it this way: "I'm not a fan of how Obama has managed the economy, but I don't want to vote for this candidate if he's holding hands with racists."
Many unethical people have done tremendous damage to a President who has more intelligence, competence and plain honesty than America has seen in a President for decades. The country voted this man into office to bring about change, a task he is faithfully carrying out, and should not have their decision vetoed by the bigotry of people who will always yearn for the past at the expense of the future.
Jack Blackshear
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