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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

Frank Peterson
Ms Goldberg a Rock Star in my book— and a great lady. Keep on telling us what we need to hear, ms. G. ;-)
By Frank Peterson on 08/28/2008 5:24 pm
K O
This is a message for Mugsy Jr. from Aunt Kitty Dear Mugsy Jr. Please take care of Aunt Mugsy. Her friends who talk to her with typing words miss her when she has to stay away because she can’t breathe. Let her sleep a lot, and bring her tea when she wants it. Ask her to take her medicine, and eat healthy food. She’s not a person who probably likes to rest a lot, but ask her - nicely - to do it anyway. When she’s feeling sad, tell her she made lots of friends in the computer who like her. Your friend, Aunt Kitty
By K O on 08/28/2008 7:00 pm
Mugsy Jr. Peabody
Dear Ms. Aunt Kitty, thank you for caring about Aunt Mugsy. My mom said they broke the mold when they made her, but Grandma said they didn’t have a mold. She’s sleeping now because I was reading Riki Tiki Tavi to her. She always falls asleep right in the middle, so I don’t know if she knows how it ends. Maybe tomorrow I’ll start reading to her in the middle. She does take her pills every morning, and she says if she didn’t eat right she would already be dead. Anyway, Ms. Kitty, you are so nice and smart. I know it makes her happy to make new friends like you. Thank you for being my friend, too. My mom says she wishes you would write more about the conomy. Bye.
By Mugsy Jr. Peabody on 08/28/2008 7:40 pm
Brooklyn Gal
Sorry to hear Auntie Mugsy is not feeling well. But I know you always put a smile on her face.
By Brooklyn Gal on 08/28/2008 8:23 pm
iris odonata
Hey Junior: This is getting fun again like in the beginning. You taking calls at all? Anything I can do from my end to give comfort or assistance? e-me if so Love and get well sooner, your southwest pal
By iris odonata on 08/29/2008 2:20 pm
Mugsy Peabody
Iris, Fanny and Junior had to get back to LA, so I’m answering her post. I just need to work through this. Calls are hard, because talking takes the wind out of me, but I do love the email….. Thanks, Kiddo. The flower stand is wilting in all this heat. And Simone fell again, but she’s tough (as we know….) Best, MP
By Mugsy Peabody on 08/29/2008 4:11 pm
Peggy Sue
Mugsy P. you take care. Hopefully all these well wishes will help.
By Peggy Sue on 08/29/2008 7:41 pm
iris odonata
Mais, oui. Of course she’s tough, she’s French. As someone who also has had my bout with pnuemonia or as my niece called it, “peony-Moanie, I can empathize. Are you doing ginger tea for lung strengthening? Once I started that, I found breathtaking became stronger. New Mexico Wine Festival this weekend, so may hop aboard the RailRunner and go sip my way around my state. It’ll be my artist’s date for the week. Love from under an O’Keefe cloud painted sky.
By iris odonata on 08/30/2008 12:01 pm
Diana T
Mugsy, Beautiful posting!
By Diana T on 08/28/2008 7:42 pm
Donna H
IMO, the columns on stage at the stadium tonight echo all the classical architecture of D.C. government buildings, to give Obama a ‘presidential’ oomph. I’m voting for Obama not because of his race or religion, but because I really believe he is the best hope for the country I love. I’m hoping his speech tonight will be…well, electrifying. After all, the Hebrew for lightning is ‘barack’. ( I wonder if he knows that?…lol).
By Donna H on 08/28/2008 4:28 pm
Lena B
On the stage set of columns, I’ve heard the hype of Greek revival—“Hail to Caesar!” silliness by some over-medicated pundits. And yes, the knee-jerk reaction to Doric columns for some of us in the African American community is the plantation house. But in reality, the set connects me to Washington, D.C. and the Lincoln Memorial specifically. This probably ties in to the March on Washington ‘63 and Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.
By Lena B on 08/28/2008 6:16 pm
K O
Lovely, Lena. Your older sister Kitty remembers that speech like it was yesterday, and your visual connection from the Lincoln Memorial to today is appropriate and beautiful. As always.
By K O on 08/28/2008 7:04 pm
Lena B
And you are gracious as always beautiful Sister Kitty! I hope you’re enjoying this evening (smile)
By Lena B on 08/28/2008 8:39 pm
Willow K
I heard it was supposed to evoke the Lincoln memorial, site of MLK’s “I have a Dream” speech. But I think, like you, it was also supposed to give viewers a chance to see Obama in a presidential appearing situation, for all those who say—I can’t quite picture him as president. Well they got to try him on for size and see what they think.
By Willow K on 08/29/2008 10:56 am
Nanny hasSeven
Hmmmm…maybe John is just another flip-flopping politician after all?! Let me tell you, I have voted Republican in every election since I was 22, going back to Gerald Ford. However, I am so fed up with GW and his good ol’ boy politics (BTW, I’ve lived in Texas for 36 years) and his stupid mistakes, I voted for Hillary in the primaries, and I will vote a straight Democratic ticket come Nov. They say Barack has no experience? Oh please, how much experience did GW have in national politics (sorry, Dad’s experience doesn’t count)? All he was prior to being elected was governor of Texas, and not a very good one at that. I have loved all the speeches this week. Can’t wait until tonight.
By Nanny hasSeven on 08/28/2008 4:31 pm