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Whoopi Goldberg | 08/28/2008 5:00 pm

Whoopi Goldberg on Barack Obama's Nomination

Whoopi Goldberg
Tonight, of course, is Barack Obama accepting his place in history as the first African American nominee. I think it’s very interesting that the other side has sort of been saying, "Oh, he’s such a rock star." Of course, he’s in a giant stadium with pillars that look like they come directly out of antebellum — the antebellum south you look at where he’s going to be talking. In a funny way it looks like the opening of "Gone With the Wind," but the Republicans sort of equate this with a rock star’s status. This is a status that they actually applied to Ronald Regan. Remember, he’s the great orator. He could mesmerize crowds and of course we’ve placed this directly in our own hands, in our own laps, because we don’t want a president who doesn’t have that feel. Because we want people to come out of the woodwork wherever our president goes, and here’s what he has to say. We want him to be good-looking. We want him to be articulate.

They were all over Obama today because, if he’s not on the teleprompter, he’s not as smooth. Well, my gosh, if I’m not up on a teleprompter on "The View" I’m not as smooth. No one is as smooth as they are with a teleprompter, so let’s hope John McCain adapts to that teleprompter, because he could use some help. It’s a shame no one ever said to George W., "Hey, man. Try a teleprompter or something."

I’m listening to all of this and I’ve seen some of the attack ads that are coming out and I am wondering if the Democratic attack ads are going to be the same as the Republican attack ads, showing  the various other people who ran for president, talking about the person who gets the nomination, which we’re assuming is going to be John McCain on the Republican side. Can you imagine — all the talking heads like Rudy Giuliani talking about John McCain, how he’s not a real republican, and all these other guys who were running around, talking about how John is not a real Republican? And he doesn’t hold the Republican values? This is going to be a riot.

It’s a kissy-face-fest whenever you do the conventions so, of course, the Clintons have gotten on board and they took care of business last night. I thought Bill was extraordinary and Hillary was extraordinary. I have to say, I tip my hat to Hillary Clinton because one of the things that didn’t happen during the campaigns –because no one really stopped and said out loud, "Is this a little femophobic?" (That’s what I call it when people go after you because of your gender.) They couldn’t go after Barack for his color because, my goodness, that would have totally rocked the boat, so everybody felt free to go after Hillary for her gender and no one really talked about it. They talked about it a little at the end of her campaign but not a whole lot, but I think she pulled it together and it will be interesting to see if people can tell the truth — why they’re afraid of Barack Obama.

Are they afraid because they think, "Oh, my goodness. I’ve seen black men in rap videos and how do I know he’s not going to turn into that?" I know that sounds silly but I’ve heard stranger things. I’ve heard John McCain say he’s not like us. Well, I don’t know how he’s different except that he’s black. And of course some of his ideas were the same as Barack’s ideas, but John has changed his mind on things like choice. At one point he thought it was a woman’s right to choose what she was going to do. He personally didn’t feel that it was a decision that he should be making. He thought a woman should have the right to choose. Of course, now he’s changed all of that. He once thought that illegal immigrants should be dealt with with dignity and clarity and figure out a way to make it work for everybody, but no more. He’s taken up that other banner. I guess he’s going to start building a up a new wall. It will be interesting to see how tonight goes and what the future brings.

179 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Willow K
Whoopi—I heard something last night after the speech that would gladden your heart. NPR had a national call in show, soliciting comments from undecided voters. A man called in and said the convention had been life changing for him. He never thought of himself as prejudiced, but realized as he watched the speeches and videos that he was, and that much of his resistance to Obama was the fact that he is black. He is now for Obama and it was so cool to hear him, not a talking head, an expert, just a regular guy who shared his thoughts and experience of the week with a national radio audience. It really touched me. Peace-W
By Willow K on 08/29/2008 10:51 am
Jozie Lee
Senator Obama delivered a fantastic speech last night. Every American must be so proud, even if they won’t be voting for him. He is America … our future, which is why I think it’s hard to criticize him. He’s a rare bird. We’re so busy watching him fly we’re too mesmerized to form negative thoughts. The Convention was great, especially following the spectacular Beijing Olympics! How could we trump the Chinese, but the Democrats did. Here’s something that’s been on my heart since Michelle Obama delivered her opening speech at the Convention. I’ve seen her on the View. On magazine covers. In snippets on the nightly news. And at the Convention. She’s so dynamic with her beautiful huge eyes, perfectly arched brows, warm smile, tall physique. She looked marvelous every night at the Convention. But I wondered - if the Obamas go to the White House, how will fame change her physically? Will the paparrazi/media hound her about weight (ala Princess Diana), a new hairstyle (ala Katy Holmes), her choice of clothes (ala Hillary Clinton’s pant suits). She’s already gorgeous and stylish. When I think of Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. I wonder: How will fame change Michelle Obama?
By Jozie Lee on 08/29/2008 2:31 pm
Josie Sullivan
Hey Jozie- Josie here. I don’t think fame will change her all that much. She seems to me to be pretty grounded. Besides, she will have her hands full chasing those cute little girls around the White House.
By Josie Sullivan on 08/29/2008 4:26 pm
Jozie Lee
You’re right, Josie. She won’t change internally. What I’m talking about is the external. How do you change perfection, which I think Michelle Obama is today. Somehow money, power, opportunities, world-wide exposure changes the way women dress and wear their hair. Look at the incarnations of Lady Di (extreme example, of course), Diane Ross and Hillary Clinton. I don’t know … I’m just very excited about the evolution of Michelle Obama.
By Jozie Lee on 08/29/2008 5:17 pm
Josie Sullivan
Jozie- I will be watching with you. I think she is lovely, inside and out!
By Josie Sullivan on 08/29/2008 8:37 pm
cath c
joining mugsy lovefest, here, take care of those lungs, woman! tough going. my son has asthma, and i have an allergy that goes anaphalatic. nothing’s worse than feeling like you can’t breathe. many health blessings your way.
By cath c on 08/29/2008 5:49 pm
Thomas Teamoh
Whoopi I miss your movies….I agree brother Obama is African American, I consider myself like many others with Cherokee blood on my mother side to be a Native African American. I notice many white Americans get uptight when they hear the truth, and want to hide under the pretense of saying American. Well history does not agree with that. I would like to say McCaine is a closet veteran, he was shot out of the sky and spent seven years in a cell during the Vietnam war. That does not make him an expert on Irag just like Bush. I spent two years in Vietnam as a Air Force combat engineer from 1966 to 1968 during Tet the big offensive. What has he done for veterans in all those years in public office? Between you and I Whoopi I think Obama will clean out the closets and under the rug of further denial and deceptions to the American society…at least I hope so. Thank You
By Thomas Teamoh on 08/29/2008 8:15 pm
Sherrie Crews
All these racisit would probably be shocked to find out that 1 out of every 10 white people in this County have some black blood in their genetics.” By Dona Howlett on 08/29/2008 4:31 am Yes Dona, and I wonder just how many of them can trace their ancestry back to one of our revered founding fathers. Surely Thomas Jefferson wasn’t the only one.
By Sherrie Crews on 08/29/2008 9:34 pm
donna nielsen
quote: whoopi-“It’s a shame no one ever said to George W., “Hey, man. Try a teleprompter or something.” end quote um….i thought he DID use the teleprompter!!…he did say he never reads the newspapers…..:-)
By donna nielsen on 08/30/2008 8:38 pm
Eliza Dodd
My whole entire family “was” REP. now we are all Democrat ! My father is 80 yrs old Polish is voting for Obama .My father voted for Bush 2xs and now regrets it .Lots of guilt for all the Service people killed .We have never been so excited about a election before and excited about Obama .And Senator Obama’s plans for the United States .Health Care and going green is a dream come true for all of us . Many can not afford gasoline much less health care .We all have experienced Bush-o-nomics .We have less money , we work longer hours for nothing !@! = Bush and his death machine .The death not only to Iraq and the Troops but the death of our American Dream .And to learn that 16,000 people “American’s ” DIE in this country every year all because they have no Health Care and are refused @ Hospitals .And now we all know this first hand .With me .I was refused Care @ a “County ” hospital in Tn. in 2003 .I was told sorry there is nothing we can do for you ! Because the illegal immigrants had Bankrupted TENNCARE and there is no money left .I had to go home looking for a last chance, a Healer on-line (The Hand of GOD ) A web site popped up Natural Cures .”What did I have to loose ” , my Life ? Yes ,So I did the Cure ,it saved my life .Prior to that I had insurance for 17 yrs with BCBS paid $7,500 a yr @17 yrs ,I only used it one time ..I went to a Obgyn and he gave me VIOXX for Vulva cancer ..I almost died ..Finally he gave me (after begging him for months) a Ultra sound probe …it Broke Off inside of me …then I got my operation ..The moring of my operation I washed with pure vinegar and it turned my Vulva cancer WHITE ..after the operation I was at home listening to NPR and guess what they where talking about ? Vulva cancer and Vinegar ..They wished more women would use that before the Obgyn ..3,400 women in the USA DIE from Vulva cancer every year .25,000 world wide . After all that I can Not AFFORD INSURANCE AND EAT …Since Bush and this administration ..I have been eating very poorly ..and I need to eat Healthy ..I cant afford it ..Have ya noticed the price for apples ? To afford apples is a treat for me .I now eat so much garbage ,I am probably loaded with all kinds of junk in my blood .If we keep voting for these people who dont care about the American people just imagine what we will become ? Just think how Russia is and has been and The People have no guns …the Russians made sure of that ..So they dont protest and are afraid to .But America has millions of GUNS …And just think if the shelves at grocery store become like Russia ? What will happen in America ? Where I live record number of ATM’s are stolen some in daylight .And HWY Robbery for GASOLINE …something not shown by the media ..So I wonder what else isnt shown by the media .People are desperate just think what they will be if we get another 8 yrs of Bush ? At John Peter Smith County Hospital the average waiting time in the emergency room is 14 long HOURS! I cant wait that long and neither should anyone else for a emergency ? And its all because people cant AFFORD Health Insurance .Michael Moore needs to come where I live and do a Doc. on Emergency room care and waiting times .I look forward to President OBAMA !!! and GOD Bless Him .Please say the Divine Mercy Prayer . org for Barak Obama? In all of Mankind Now is the time we need Jesus Christ’s Mercy more than ever .And we NEED OBAMA ! GOD BLESS AMERICA !
By Eliza Dodd on 09/01/2008 10:49 am
frayda garfinkle
> Oh, please! Sarah Palin has FIVE kids. One is pregnant, presumably > not by choice and now has NO choice about having a baby. One is four > months old. Have you ever had a baby? Never mind in addition to four > older children? Palin’s husband isn’t taking care of his kids. He is > working out of the house in an oil field. Palin isn’t taking care of > her kids AND being governor. If they don’t have help with child care, > their kids are being neglected or her job is. And being Vice > President isn’t just “a job.” In case it isn’t clear yet, women can’t > “have it all,” and neither can men. We make choices. There are > limited hours in a day and limited energy in a being. I don’t care > about what choices Palin makes about her family. That’s her business > and theirs. But I KNOW she can’t be being ‘a great mother’ and > working 24/7. Someone else will be parenting her kids. What I care > about is that she is anti-choice, is an oil-economy enthusiast, > doesn’t “believe” in human causation of the climate crisis, thinks > the war in Iraq is a mission from god; wants to teach creationism in > schools, fired the state safety commissioner for refusing to fire the > police officer her sister was divorcing, and is staggeringly > unqualified to be second in line to run this country. What my 10 year > old daughter cares about is that she kills wolves from an airplane. > What I find sexist is the GOP expecting women to fall for Sarah Palin > as a candidate just because she is a woman. Just how stupid do they > think women are?
By frayda garfinkle on 09/04/2008 2:14 pm
Linda Y
First of all, let’s talk about “change”. This “change” thing has been around since Truman….every one talks about “change”. It’s nothing new. It’s been around for a very long time! Second….Obama is only HALF black and HALF white….He’s BOTH!!! So, why is he siding only with Blacks? I don’t get it! If he was lighter skinned, would he be saying he’s white? Who cares what color anyone is!! I am getting tired of this racial thing! It’s one’s own integrity and honesty that makes the person….and his “good word”. Not the color of his skin! Third….I bet Palin keeps the American flag on her plane!
By Linda Y on 09/04/2008 5:05 pm
marni Riley
Obama is half white so why do we address him as the first black president?
By marni Riley on 11/05/2008 3:30 pm