Southern men do refer to each other as "boy" and "old boy" all the time. Though it does usually mean you're criticizing or ribbing someone, it does not usually mean something racist. (My dad is from West Virginia, and Kentucky dialect is similar.) Didn't Bill Clinton refer to Obama, Edwards and Richardson as "those boys" last year? I am less likely to give Mr. Kentucky a pass on the casual reference to the secret national security simulation, but I think that's really just swagger. He just made himself look like an insecure dork.

this country will be split, divided, torn apart ...and yes, BITTER beyond anything we see now. Twice already McCain has been introduced by racist comments. Now this "boy" comment. The Clinton's (remember "the first black President"?) are using racial anxieties as the cornerstone of their campaign in the wake of Barack Obama's unfortunately worded remarks in San Fransisco.

The rancor and divide of the Bush years will seem like nothing after this...and John McCain and his Bush Administration,Redux won't be the one to bring about any healing.

The final irony of it? Obama's comments will be horribly prophetic with anxiety, fear and bigotry being leveraged to deflect attention from the real issues. The media will play a big part because their corporate owners are making a killing in the Iraq war profiteering.

That's what I'm afraid will be the outcome of this election.

"Hey, Obama boys: Back off already!"

The irony is positively lemony.

Yeah, I'm REALLY curious about this supposed top-secret weird thing. Sounds strange. Hope Salon can do some digging.

Interesting, too, that Davis says "that boy's finger" doesn't need to be on the button -- which is how one would criticize a doddering Reagan or a daffy-duck-spitting-mad McCain who'd be too quick to order a strike. I think if anything, Obama's finger would be pretty damn far from the button, and maybe more towards the diplomacy lever or the sanctions dial.

Finally, it's been said before many times, but I find this afterapologies thing hilarious. "You're a dickwad! No offense." Does his apology mean he takes back the entire comment about Obama? I rather think not.

...polls surge as a result of his weapy press conference.

Southern men routinely referred to black men as boys. It wasn't friendly. It wasn't cordial and in no way was it ever viewed as respectful. He said exactly what he meant to convey to his audience - That this black man is beneath me as a human by virtue of his race.

Quit trying to sugar coat it. It is what it is.

Indeed, what was this classified security program, and why is this idiot talking about it?

Also, as a minor and relatively undistinguished congressman, whay was he included?

Sounds like some tax dollaras being wasted here.

Indeed, what was this classified security program, and why is this idiot talking about it?

Also, as a minor and relatively undistinguished congressman, whay was he included?

Sounds like some tax dollaras being wasted here.

This was said publicly. Imagine what gets said behind closed doors. The Republicans will do anything to hold onto the presidency. It doesn't matter who the nominee is. We Democrats should not be surprised, and we certainly should be prepared for the attacks to get even uglier.

I'm willing to believe the Congressman, given his quick apology, that use of the word "boy" was not intentional. I'm more interested in, as the post correctly points out, whether or not Congressman Davis has somehow revealed classified information.

Yet another example of the party who got themselves elected to protect national security just can't seem to maintain the level of competence and professionalism of a poorly run Dairy Queen.

for proving Obama's point in this whole "bitter" comment maelstrom. And who decided to let this guy in on the classified national security exercise?

It wasn't the "boy" comment (I'm astonished it took this long for some knucklehead to let that slip), or even the "highly classified" bit (whatEVER). What interested me was the "He could not make a decision in that simulation ..." remark. I have a sneaking suspicion that this could be more accurately translated as "He made a decision, and it was to NOT push that button."

Freakin' button.

"that use of the word "boy" was not intentional."

I agree. It came out quite naturally without a 2nd thought. His racism is hard-wired.

I think it is fairly obvious here that a bunch of old farts are referring to Obama as a "boy" because he is, in fact, quite young (as far as presidential candidates go, and let's face it, certainly compared to the Republican candidate).

Is it too much to give the Republicans the benefit of the doubt? What they said may have had racial undertones but it's impossible to tell from this context. Sometimes a boy is just a boy.

Sheesh. Who didn't expect this kind of thing from the Right. I personally relish it. George Allen was unseated for just such a comment. I thoroughly believe the Far Right is its own worst enemy, especially because McCain depends on independents to win the general election, and comments like these will just scare them away. Besides there's no need to "race bait" (as Hillary's supporters have encouraged Obama of doing, and which some high-profile spokespeople-regrettably-are) when the other side is...um..."racist." Obama can be absolutely mum about the issue of race and let the Far Right define themselves. It's like a gift.

What DOES concern me is Hillary Clinton's use of similar characterizations against Obama, because voters trust her credibility to a degree. I will support her in the general should she be the nominee (after a couple cathartic of days of rioting in the streets about the disenfranchisement of the popular vote) because I think the country's too much in need of sound policies right now, but COME ON. I see her playing Russian roulette, gambling that we're desparate enough to vote Democratic no matter how low they stoop. We might win with her in November, but I'll be washing my hands repeatedly for a few days.