I appreciate that you find my nom de plume to be witty, intriguing, and obviously intimidating in some fashion.

But racist? Throwing around ad hominem, easy and lazy, I must say. Please re-read my post -- if you care to understand this sort of discourse (of course) -- no racism. Merely an appreciation of the "race card" usage of the Obama campaign. He uses it not quite as blatantly as a Jackson or a Sharpton, but it's there nevertheless.

Merely to point out the fact? Not racist. Merely realist.

anyone who doesn't see race-baiting as extremely significant in this presidential race is blind. the gop has used race, xenophobia, homophobia, and every other phobia you ever heard of to keep white america scared shitless. it WORKS. and if you don't think mccain is listening to rove's minions, you're naive. mccain is going to make this contest about whether good white americans will pull the lever for the n@@@@r.

I don't often disagree with you but I do disagree with you here. I think the arrogance meme really is racist. The problem lies with proving it. It would be a mistake for Obama to try to counter it directly.

Part of the problem is that the celeb thing is undeniable. Obama is also a prideful person who occasionally makes cocky statements.

Is he arrogant? In this case it doesn't really matter because I believe John McCain's intent is for the arrogance meme to actually appeal to people who are uncomfortable with the achievements and progress of black people when that achievement and progress exceeds their own. One could argue that the arrogance charge is true for instance without effectively countering the claim that it is also designed to arouse racism.

Think of it this way. Remember when Hillary Clinton had her weepy moment and was attacked for it and some people (mostly men) argued that such an emotional moment made her unfit to be commander in chief? The real problem is not whether or not Hillary Clinton as an individual is fit to be C in C but rather that tears as an expression of emotion is more common in women. It is a sexist assumption that weeping proves one is weak. Something similar could be said by our demand that our president have military experience. If this means actual service, this would disqualify most women -- especially those over forty.

What makes something racist or sexist is not that the shoe never fits but that the intend is to attack an oppressed group. If white people were an oppressed group -- which they generally are not in the U.S. -- then the same words directed at white people would be racist.

With gender, the tyranny can go both ways. Women can be stuck in rigid expectations of what constitutes femininity and men can be stuck with rigid expectations of what constitutes masculinity. That women are more often paid less, subject to domestic violence to the point of injury and hold fewer public offices and positions of economic power indicates that women are more oppressed than men.

Now look at Barack Obama. I actually think he merits some sympathy. If he makes a case for himself as president (and after all one cannot run without doing that), he risks being seen as arrogant. If he rubs his toe in the dirt and says "Ah shucks, don't let me worry any of you folks with my good qualities such as my Harvard education and my speaking ability. I'se jus folks," he's not going to get elected.

Tell me how you seek the highest office in the land with no taint of arrogance. Remember when Hillary was accused of being entitled? You had no trouble seeing that for the sexism that it was.

Barack Obama has determined to make this election about personality not issues. This explains his reversals from the primaries. He secured the progressives. Now he is trying to appeal to the centrists, but at the risk of his credibility. McCain is doing the same thing. They are both going negative now. I don't think it was smart of Obama, since they're about even. Maybe internal poll results show McCain gaining advantage.

There was subtle racial innuendo here, but nothing too obvious. Our culture has as much to do with that than anything. Blondes are still considered the ultimate sex symbols. They're trophies and status symbols. They are stereotypically shallow and empty-headed. McCain's "Celebrity" ad intimated Obama is "the pet rock of wealthy liberals" as Mickey Kaus put it, the new cool thing, a pop phenomenon. It also had shades of OJ and other miscegenation cliches. I'm glad McCain did not flinch from the issue. Rick Davis quoted Johnny Cochran directly.

Obama will bring up Keating Five which is old news. He's tried to dismiss McCain's service record and years as a POW. He certainly hasn't been shy about making repeated references to McCain's age. I'm sure it will get uglier.

Neither of these men can help the circumstances of their birth, be it the year they were born or the color of their skin. But this election will be like any other; they are both politicians, and Obama is only that. I personally think McCain is more battle-tested and accomplished. All the change Obama promises are things McCain has done. I prefer balanced government, too. But everyone else will make up their minds.

Cos I don't play cards, or chess, or checkers, so I'll leave the last word to the proffesional pundit class, all stroking in unison, their limp, lifeless little peckers.

Unlike Kerry, Gore or Edwards, Obama is quick to acknowledge and respond to attacks made in his direction.

I think that somehow this may be where the arrogance attack derives: instead of sitting back and taking it, Obama puts his neck out. The Roveian construction of arrogance is in this sense very much a veiled racist attack -- Obama is "uppity."

I agree with you on the Rovian construction. However, Obama has to be careful how he responds. Yes, he has to defend himself, but if in the process or defending himself he plays into his opponent's characterization of him, it rather defeats the purpose of a defense.

I do feel better in terms of his winning about him being proactive. Don't misunderstand. In no way do I think he should do like Kerry did and just take a beating.

Surely, you agree that this "arrogance" line of attack has a whiff of racism taken in context?

Yes, but see my recent letter to jebldmm. The fact that the arrogance meme is meant to appeal to racists doesn't mean that Obama never is arrogant. He has his moments.