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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

Dona Howlett
Suzanne, Thank you…………Thank you. I can always count on you to say the right words. I love your writing and admire your intelligence.
By Dona Howlett on 08/29/2008 7:55 pm
Mo C.
Hey everybody, Tropical Storm Gustav is brewing and they are calling for it to become a hurricane and hit the gulf coast on Monday. I pray that this will not happen! But, isn’t this interesting timing. Let us be reminded how this administration let us down when Katrina hit and they are still devestated this many years later! On the night W. is supposed to “speak” at the RNC this storm is supposed to hit—fate?divine intervention?divine slap in W.’s face?
By Mo C. on 08/28/2008 5:05 pm
No Way-No How -No McCain
Here’s a pix of the Invesco stage for tonight. Much ado about nothing. There will be entertainers, and multiple speechs and it has to visible in the round for 80K people. Am sure when all finished and lit it’ll be great. http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/08/29/alg_invescofield.jpg
By No Way-No How -No McCain on 08/28/2008 5:21 pm
My Two Cents
Whoppi, it’s all about the critique! Doesn’t matter if it is news people Dancing With The Stars or American Idol everybody has to criticize ! I don’t know how good a job Obama will do, I don’t know if he has enough experience or if it matters. I keep thinking (hopefully) it can’t be any worse than the last 8 years ! Obama will make history tonight on the anniversary of MLK speech, Hillary could have made history on the anniversary of women being granted the right to vote, maybe someday we will have a woman for president. It will be interesting to see what the future brings !
By My Two Cents on 08/28/2008 5:28 pm
No Way-No How -No McCain
BTW here’s the lineup for tonight: Note: Susan Eisenhower, Ilk’s daughter has switched sides. Also Cindy McCain’s sister is voting for Obama. Gov. Bill Ritter DNC Chair Howard Dean Rep. John Lewis Gov. Bill Richardson Gov. Tim Kaine Stevie Wonder performance Al Gore Susan Eisenhower Sen. Dick Durbin Barack Obama
By No Way-No How -No McCain on 08/28/2008 5:33 pm
rocky rocky
Thank you, ((Winery))!
By rocky rocky on 08/28/2008 5:50 pm
Sherrie Crews
The Obamas & Bidens exmplify the values of Jefferson, Paine, FDR, JFK. The exemplify the precepts in the US Constitution. They are the face of America I want in the world.” By Winery Lifestyle on 08/28/2008 5:02 pm They not only do all that Suzanne, they also exemplify family values. It’s not a concept only republicans can demonstrate, go figure.
By Sherrie Crews on 08/28/2008 5:40 pm
N P
Whoopi, Unfortunately, the teleprompter wouldn’t have helped Bush. He would actually have to know how to read first. Seriously, your words are like a breath of fresh air. Better than that. Thank you, Whoopi, for taking the time to speak to us. I hope we hear from you more often.
By N P on 08/28/2008 5:57 pm
No Way-No How -No McCain
NP—So true. The world is a good place when there’s Whoopi in it. In any venue. Here, TV, film, on a stage. She’s our kinda, Gal! [I’d say girl, but am being PC today]
By No Way-No How -No McCain on 08/28/2008 8:11 pm
N P
Hi Winery L, Yes, Whoopi is smart and wise and, she just lifts me up. I was so glad to hear from her. Awaiting the big moment here. Waiting for Obama to speak. Dancing on my floor right now! Ain’t no stopping us now!
By N P on 08/28/2008 8:56 pm
Dona Howlett
Suzanne, I’m always forgetting to be politically correct……..I say girl all the time. It’s hard to change after saying that for 76 years. the Young ones’ will just have to forgive me.
By Dona Howlett on 08/29/2008 8:01 pm
Dutch 163
hmm..”not like us”? I have found that “like-minded people” do not necessarily look alike. As I was explaining to my students the movement of peoples around the globe over time, I said “Now that they have DNA they can trace all people back to one woman in Africa” So a student asked if that meant we were all black! I said “yes, just some of us are lighter than others!”
By Dutch 163 on 08/28/2008 6:38 pm
Frank Peterson
man I wish the talking heads would shush up and let me hear Sheryl Crow—that lady rocks my world :-)
By Frank Peterson on 08/28/2008 6:56 pm
Lorraine Bates
C-Span, Frank - it’s the only way to go!
By Lorraine Bates on 08/28/2008 6:57 pm
Frank Peterson
Oh yes there she is—that lady send shivers up and down my spine and makes me feel 25 years longer lol
By Frank Peterson on 08/28/2008 7:00 pm