OPINION

It's Not Racism, Mr. President

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Repeat something and it becomes heard. Repeat something often and it becomes accepted fact. Repeat a lie and people believe it even if it defies logic. But if you’re a prominent person and you repeat something that has no factual basis, you truly are a disgusting individual.

One of the accusations that the supporters and allies of President Obama have continued to assert is that challenges to Obama are based on something other than disagreement with his governing policies or philosophies. Unwilling to listen to opposing arguments, they’re convinced that every difference of opinion has to be based on distaste for black people.

The latest to make this ridiculous claim is Sam Donaldson. Some of you may not even know who Sam Donaldson is so his making a pronouncement about the President may seem as important as your Aunt Lucy making one. Donaldson was a former White House Correspondent and has been an employee of ABC since 1967. Donaldson, who is considered one of the senior newsmen of Washington, stated that "Many on the political right believe this president ought not to be there – they oppose him not for his polices and political view but for who he is, an African American!" Donaldson was prodded to make his comment after reporter Neil Munro jumped in to ask the President a question about his new immigration mandate. This is not a defense of Neil Munro, but what does this have to do with racism?

Donaldson, of course, has a history of aggressive behavior, having similarly asked untimely questions of both Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush, but that is just a matter of degree. Those were Republican presidents, and, according to the MSM playbook, don’t merit any respect. But throughout all the coverage of Donaldson’s comments, not one person asked the man on what he based his assertion. Someone in a senior position for ABC News shouldn’t be able to spout ludicrous statements like this without any basis in fact, or without being questioned.

He’s not the first prominent individual to make this preposterous claim. The President’s buddy and Attorney General said it himself. On the topic of criticism of himself and President Obama, Eric Holder told the New York Times that “This is a way to get at the President because of the way I can be identified with him. Both due to the nature of our relationship and, you know the fact that we’re both African-American.”

Not having any proof of this, I decided to do my own research. It just might be shocking to the race-baiters, but I can find lots of people who gravely dislike Obama’s policies, but could care less about the color of his skin. The Leftist retort to that is “of course, they are not going to admit their racism to you. That is something that remains under the radar, lurking in the shadows.” Those who truly believe this will never listen to reality or reason. They are, in fact, unredeemable.

But here’s a story for you. I recently went to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox play the Atlanta Braves, and found myself sitting next to a couple of ”good ol’ boys” from Georgia. I don’t often get to meet folks like this; they’re rather difficult to find around the West Side of Los Angeles. I informed them that I was visiting #1 son, who is in Boston working for Governor Romney. My neighbor replied that he was very unhappy with the performance of the current president, and would be voting for Mr. Romney in November. Now keep in mind that this man was the epitome of a southern white boy. He spoke and reeked old south. He even had some chew under his lip. Picture Larry the Cable Guy.

I leaned over and quietly asked him if his distaste for President Obama had anything to do with his race. He said “Hell, no. That stuff has been over long ago.” Then he said the most fascinating thing. “You know who I wish you Republicans would put up for President?’’ I waited, fully expecting to hear names like Jim DeMint or Chris Christie. He blurted out “Condi Rice. That woman is smart and classy. The best thing President Bush did was make her Secretary of State. Now that is someone who would make a great President.”

There’s no science behind what I did, but at least I tried to find out some facts. I have asked the same question to hundreds of people who do not support the President, and have always received a similar response. That doesn’t mean that somewhere there might be people who will base their vote on racial animus, but I haven’t spoken to any of them and neither has Sam Donaldson, Eric Holder, or any of their supporters. They have offered no evidence for their position.

To accuse those who do not support this president of racism is disgusting. To accuse all Republicans of racism is disgusting. To use a position of prominence to assert that someone that disagrees with you is a racist is despicable. And to assert that people are racists with no basis for that assertion is as low as you can get as a human being.

Now you know what I think of you Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Holder, and anyone who agrees with you.