I can't wait for the excuse distinguished newsman Dan Rather will give to explain why he even dreamed of putting the words "President Obama" "articulate" and "watermelons" in the same sentence during an interview this week.
He might fall back on the old "I was under the affects of medication routine" or he could just say he was tired from travel and was talking off the top of his head.
One excuse Rather can't use, though, is the old "I was misquoted" line, because his comment about Obama is there on the Internet for the whole world to read. Appearing on the Chris Matthews show this week, the veteran CBS reporter said of the President:
"And a version of, 'Listen, he's a nice person, he's very articulate,' this is what's been used against him, but he couldn't sell watermelons if it, you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic."
In the space of a 10-second sound bite, Rather commits two cardinal sins in the big book of racial faux pas. First, he talks of Obama being articulate, which in normal conversation is fine, but when aimed at a black man, means the listener is actually surprised he could string two words together without stammering.
Then, Rather refers to watermelon. He could have substituted fried chicken, chitterlings or any other food that supposedly brings black folks to their knees in delight.
To be fair, Obama's Vice President Joe Biden once referred to Obama as "articulate," so Rather should get a pass there...I guess.
The point isn't that Rather is some kind of closet Klansman; nothing is his career suggests that.
Rather, however, is too smart to simply forget that talking about watermelons and Obama was going to rub some the wrong way. What was he really thinking? I'm sure the truth is far more interesting than the excuse we will get.
Comments: (60)
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By: Katy Katwilder on 3/09/2010 1:50PM
This is just proof-positive that summ people now feel confident in expressing their true feelings about a black man as Commander-in-Chief. Nothing has changed - we just have a black president. That's it and that's all. One would think someone with Dan Rather's credentials would know better, but then, as we are all seeing now, people will say and do anything because they feel they can. Doesn't make it right, but I'm just sayin...
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By: goddess on 3/10/2010 4:07AM
What I am waiting on in addition to hearing what that cracka has to say for an apology (those crackas always do the deed--then say sorry)but, I want to hear what President Obama has to say--will he take up for the cracka, like he always do for those bastar**, or will he see it for what it is--racist. Do not back down this time; do not let them off the hook anymore.
Dan Rather is a bitter old man because they fired him from his job as world new caster at CBS some years ago. Do you know he is suppose to be a born again christian? He is a damn devil. Farrakahn never lied when he said that about them.
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By: Mimi on 3/11/2010 12:43AM
THESE WHITE DEVILS ARE REALLY JEALOUS OF OBAMA.
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By: steve whorton on 3/09/2010 1:32PM
Raceism has always been here....always will be. I was born in 1962....Stuff that happened in 1862 was probably wrong but is it my fault ?? I go by the rule Treat everybody like you want to be treated. I realize everybody cant use that system, and for the ones who cant thats their problem. Dont blame me for something I have no control over !!
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By: A Lost of All Creditability! on 3/09/2010 1:32PM
Dan Rather is obviously trying to get a job on the Fox Network… that is the type of stuff they go for… your Rushes, Bills etc. Dan Rather was ousted from CSB for making a major mistake on air and he lost his creditability, so he is now trying to make himself marketable to the Fox Network. So, sad that he has now lost all creditability!!!
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By: tykete on 3/09/2010 1:40PM
Rather will never be on Fox, he wouldn't fit. Why is it that watermelon is racist towards black people? Are they the only people who eat or like watermelon? This is ridiculous, I'm surprised it' not a Boyce Watkins article
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By: Lin on 3/13/2010 6:27PM
Rather has not lost all creditablity.
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By: Lady T on 3/09/2010 1:42PM
Dan Rather is an experienced and well respected journalist. He spoke very irresponsibly in reference to the president. Of all analogies to use, he chose watermelon, given the historical implication in reference to stereotypical food black Americans eat. Heck he could have used the example of one trying to sell a life raft to a drowning man. Dan Rather let the truth in his character slip out; he does not get a pass from me!
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By: larry parks on 3/09/2010 6:55PM
every body is so sistive when will people stop blaming people who were not enen alive when the civil war and slavery happened for be an american my ancesters were irish but i carry irish americam on my sleeve waiting for someboby to knock it off were in the usa so behave like an american
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By: goddess on 3/10/2010 4:49AM
Neither should he get a pass from President Obama. But, Obama has bigger things to talk about it. I just do not want him to kowtow to that cracka. If the media asks him to make a reponse, he should not say anything right away. He should say, I will discuss this at the right time. So that when he does say something to that white MF, he will be told and he will wish he was never born.
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