But he finally spoke about it publicly to address Senator Tim Scott’s assertion that systemic racism isn’t this overwhelming problem the left wants to make it out to be.
It all started with Scott’s appearance on the cackling television show “The View” two weeks ago. Scott has shrewdly made appearances on non-friendly media as he aims to jumpstart his long-shot presidential bid:
It seemed to have worked. His appearance, and clips of it, was viewed over three million times, giving him some serious juice in the upcoming presidential primary.
On the program, civil rights attorney and hard left leaner Sonny Hostin did her best to take Scott to task.
“You say your life disproves leftist lies. My question to you is, I’m the exception, you are the exception, but you are not the rule. But when it comes to racial inequality it persists in five aspects. Economics, education, healthcare, criminal justice and housing. At nearly every turn these achievements were fought threatened and erased by often by white violence. You’ve indicated you don’t believe in systemic racism. what’s your definition of systemic racism?”
It’s a loaded question to say the least, but Scott didn’t flinch, giving a respectful answer than made Hostin look silly.
“One of the reasons I’m on this show is because, quite frankly, of the comments made on this show. That the only way for a young african american kid to be successful in this country is to be the exception and not the rule. That is a dangerous, offensive, disgusting message to send to our young people today that the only way to succeed is by being the exception.”
Scott then proceeded to bring up the fact that black employment was the lowest it had ever been during the Trump administration. He also agreed with Hostin that there was still work to be done in terms of progress for black Americans, but that the angry victim mentality won’t help advancement at all.
“I took funding for HBCUs to the highest level in the history of country, and then I helped make it permanent, is because I believe education is the closest thing to magic in America,” Scott said.
The comment section, even on the View-hosted video, for example, was almost entirely in support of Scott and his eloquence.
As Scott started to get some black Americans to see their lot in life a little differently, Obama felt the need to step in. Only when black Americans feel victimized do they choose to eagerly vote for Democrats. Obama didn’t want to lose that stranglehold.
He appeared on the podcast of his close friend and confidant David Axelrod. Axelrod loaded the gun up with divisive ammo, getting Obama to comment on race.
“There’s unsettlement, a lot of it falling on small towns and rural communities while central cities and suburbs prosper. But the other half is culture and race. One thing I wanted to ask you was how much of what we have seen since you got elected president, how much was a reaction to you, I mean, to the election? You were a living, breathing symbol of change,” Axelrod asked.
The former president, in response, went on to blame the Tea Party Wave, former President Donald Trump and immigrant ire as a reason rural communities were slipping from the Democrats’ grasp. Axelrod was eager to take it further.
“I listened to Tim Scott, who’s running for president, and half of it sounds a lot like us, which was, ‘I am living proof that we are making progress as a country.’ It takes a different turn at the end when he when he says [there’s no systematic racism]. Because the end of it is sort of like, yeah, it’s cool, I’m here. And so, you know, that’s part of the past, and we don’t need to worry so much about it.”
Not exactly what Scott was saying. He was saying there are still barriers facing the black community, but that they’ve made tremendous strides and that the playing field has largely leveled. Axelrod points out that Obama sort of said something similar when he said he was living proof that blacks were making progress in the country. Yet he’s so offended when Scott takes that statement to its next logical conclusion, that they shouldn’t reflexively think of themselves as victims.
Obama responds, “There’s a long history of African American or other minority candidates within the Republican Party who will validate America and say, ‘Everything’s great, and we can make it.'” See? Everything’s a conspiracy, according to Obama
He continues, “If somebody’s not proposing — both acknowledging and proposing — elements that say, ‘No, we can’t just ignore all that and pretend as if everything’s equal and fair. We actually have to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.’ If they’re not doing that, then I think people are rightly skeptical.”
But Scott is walking the walk, he’s just doing so with his head held high, something Obama doesn’t appreciate as he sees the black community slowly slipping from the Democratic Party’s grasp.
The presidential candidate responded in his usual sunny way. He’s the only candidate in the primary field that Obama has talked about. The former president just made Scott look more credible before a GOP-voting audience. A condemnation from Obama is an official stamp of approval. Scott might be offended, but he’s almost certainly not mad.
On Sunday he said, “Whenever the Democrats feel threatened, they drag out the former president and have him make some negative comments about someone running, hoping that their numbers go down. America is not a racist country. The truth of my life disproves the lies of the radical left.”
A smart retort as Scott garners even further media attention. He’s still way back in the primary pack, however. But, a bevvy of polls have Florida Governor Ron DeSantis only single digits ahead of the third place finisher. That place rotates between Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Something seems to be working, although Trump is still sitting pretty with around 60% of the primary vote. But still, don’t be shocked if voters dump DeSantis in favor of the more genial and likeable Scott for their second choice pick.
As for Vice President Tim Scott? That notion might not be unrealistic at all.
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