Limbaugh: Obama "little black man-child"

Rush Limbaugh called Barack Obama a "little black man-child" yesterday, invoking cultural stereotypes which infantilize black men:

Obama's patriotism is not being attacked in an ad. McCain's just out there saying he's putting his own personal political ambition ahead of the country's. It's -- you know, it's just -- it's just we can't hit the girl. I don't care how far feminism's saying, you can't hit the girl, and you can't -- you can't criticize the little black man-child. You just can't do it, 'cause it's just not right. It's not fair. He's such a victim.

Previously, Limbaugh compared Obama to a "little boy," attributing this view to "some women" who "want to protect him":

He can't take a punch, he's weak, and he whines. I’m sure some women find that attractive because they would look at him as a little boy and would want to protect him … But it embarrasses me as a man.

It's loathsome stuff. Remember how many elites associate with this man despite his long history of offensive comments about race (among other things). Just a few weeks ago, all three Bushes (41, 43, and Jeb) called in to congratulate Limbaugh his 20th anniversary of broadcasting. In 2002, he was a commentator for NBC on Election Night. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams said in 2005 "it's my duty to listen to Rush." And Katie Couric asked Limbaugh to contribute a "free speech" segment to CBS Evening News in 2006.

Update 8/22 2:59 PM -- Here's the audio for those who are interested (QuickTime movie).

Comments

[Dan]

I've long given up listening to Rush. I don't visit his website anymore either. The only information I get about Rush is from you and none of what you say is the least bit surprising. I'm sorry to see so many people still embracing him.

[David]

Rush is saying that Obama plays the victim in order to avoid criticism. His particular victim role, according to Rush, is "little black man-child." You may or may not agree with Rush's analysis, but how can he express his idea without using the words?

IMHO Obama does use his victim status to deflect criticism, just as McCain plays the POW card to avoid criticism. In a way Brendan's post ironic. When Brendan and other blast Rush for criticizing Obama, they are validating Rush's point that Obama's particular victim role makes his immune to criticism.

Evidence that Obama's victim shtick is working is that Late-night comedians lay off Obama

[Jinchi]

how can he express his idea without using the words?

True, it's hard to express a racist view without using racist language.

[Big Al]

I was listening. He NEVER mentioned "black".
Get your facts straight!

[Brendan Nyhan]

Actually, he did, Big Al. Please listen to the audio clip, which I appended to the post above.

[David]

I'd invite Brendan, Jinchi or other poster to explain just what it was about Rush's comments that they consider racist. I don't think it's racist to accuse Obama of playing the victim card to forestall criticism, just as it't not anti-military bigotry to accuse McCain of using his POW status for the same reason.

Maybe some consider any optional criticism of a black person to be racist. Some cartooninst mocked this POV by showing McCain being accused of racism because he voted for himself.

Or, maybe it's the vivid terms in which Limbaugh made his point. Maybe some of you would not have considered it objectionable if Limbaugh had put his thought into fancy lingo. E.g., maybe you would not have objected if Limbaugh had said, "I deplore Obama's use of identity politics in order to gain public sympathy. I believe identiy politics is harmful to black people."

My daughers seem to have been taught that politically correct language is the key to fighting racism (particularly the daughter who went to the same college as Brendan did.) I don't agree with that POV. I've seen too much racism going along with PC language. OTOH, Limbaugh's actions show he isn't a racist, despite his politically incorrect comments.

I think we live in a world of diminished free speech and duller conversations if people aren't allowed to make a point in a clear and vivid way.

[Jinchi]

I think we live in a world of diminished free speech and duller conversations if people aren't allowed to make a point in a clear and vivid way.

Who's preventing Rush from making his point? The flip side of his right to speak freely is our right to call him a racist for saying it.

I don't worry about the PC police until Congress starts passing resolutions condemning groups for criticizing government officials. Like the Republican's censure of MoveOn for targeting General Petraeus or the Democrat's censure of right wing attacks on Max Cleland and John Kerry. (Senate votes 343 and 344 last September).