Adam MenendezJan 31st, 2007 - 19:00:38

Clean?

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smarterthantheythinkJan 31st, 2007 - 19:01:33

Joe for SecState,,,,, not Pres

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Big Al in AustinJan 31st, 2007 - 19:03:29

With regard to Obama's cleanliness, how are we to interpret Sen. Biden's remark?

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Bitchie McSnitJan 31st, 2007 - 19:04:02

I love how Biden added 'man' when discussing Obama's 'tributes'
LOL

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SpankyJan 31st, 2007 - 19:05:35

I'll go ahead and assume 'clean' isn't referring to Mr. O'Bama's hygene, but rather any political baggage and how he approaches politics, e.g. 'clean' vs. 'dirty' politician.

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Interesting that...Jan 31st, 2007 - 19:16:42

People so often feel the need to use words like 'articulate' when discussing prominent African American figures whom they have an affinity for. It's clearly a back-handed compliment because the implication is that being articulate and clean distinguishes that person from other African Americans - or at least it does in the handicapped worldview of the racially prejudiced.

Some might say i'm exhibiting paranoia or 'pulling the race card', but take a careful accounting of how often you see white Americans both in the media and in their everyday conversation cite 'articulate' as their first impression of a public figure who happens to be black- it's as if they are shocked whenever they meet an articulate black person... of course they could only be shocked if their expectation was that the person would be inarticulate, sad since there's not really an reason to base such a presumption on skin color.

In this case the inclusion of 'clean' betrays the presence of an even more disturbing prejudice. Apparently Senator Biden feels that cleanliness is a trait which Senator Obama possesses apart from the rest of the black (unwashed) masses.

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SlappyMacJan 31st, 2007 - 19:18:54

I'm pretty sure that complementing an African-American on how well they 'articulate' is a comparitive insult.

This senator is obviously a racist in a not so old man/innocent kind of way. Such statements as these are not acceptable at this day and age, and should never have been.

Furthermore, stating that he's the first mainstream African-American to do anything is disrespectful to the many, MANY African-Americans who have held polital and social offices. Even they were intelligent, and could 'articulate' rather well.

In conclusion, what a Putts!

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JoeJan 31st, 2007 - 19:20:45

Clean = clean reputation. Man, so many people have overactive imaginations. Biden said what so many others have already said. There's no dirt on BO. No scandals, nothing. Clean as a whistle. Capeche? Google Obama clean as a whistle. See if you can figure it out. Good luck and good day.

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Dave KershnerJan 31st, 2007 - 19:21:47

clean = not befouled by Washington yet.

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Might I Add...Jan 31st, 2007 - 19:21:54

that Spanky's comments hadn't been posted yet when I first read this article. His interpretation is one that I hadn't considered and actually hope is true.

Unfortunately, as far as the 'articulate' reference... that's one that transcends Senator Biden's remarks. I've noticed this since the mid-90s, which is really when I became old enough to notice it, though I don't doubt that it pre-dates that.

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