Obama’s Football Supporters

[sport historian]

In the April 21 issue of The American Conservative, the Editor Scott McConnell, has a piece on Barack Obama's visit to Penn State titled, "He Is Penn State." Several black Penn State football players helped with crowd control, and one of them sang the national anthem. Sen. Casey, who introduced Obama was introduced by Penn State quarterback Lydell Sargeant, who is also black. McConnell wrote, "Judging by the reception, he appeared to be the school's most well known and popular student."

The fusion of sports and politics is a comfort zone for Obama's campaign, according to the article. McConnell writes that "the most important conswquence of the integration of America's playing fields in the '50s and '60s was less the opening of opportunities for a relatively small number of athletes but the acclimation of millions of whites to seeing blacks in positions of honor and leadership."

There are many overwhelmingly white counties in Pennsylvania writes McConnell, but it is football country as well. Several retired Pittsburgh Steelers are touring the state with Obama.

 

[Riddlewire]

I wonder if Obama insisted on sitting during that National Anthem.

 

[Charlie]

Does McConnell think that is a good thing, 'blacks in positions of honor and leadership'?

And how exactly does playing a children's game well deserve honor and a position of leadership? White athletes are generally assumed to be a bit slow and undereducated. Yet black athletes are Prince Scholars on and off the field.

Is it possible to be conservative and an exotiphile? Shouldn't affection for sweaty black men be a liberal reserve?

 

[sport historian]

Does McConnell think that is a good thing, 'blacks in positions of honor and leadership'?

And how exactly does playing a children's game well deserve honor and a position of leadership? White athletes are generally assumed to be a bit slow and undereducated. Yet black athletes are Prince Scholars on and off the field.

Is it possible to be conservative and an exotiphile? Shouldn't affection for sweaty black men be a liberal reserve?

McConnell seemed to think that seeing blacks in a position of "honor and leadership," was an established fact, as much as a good thing. Obama's black football supporters didn't seem to do him as much good in Pennsylvania as expected.

 

[Tom Iron]

The bad part of this Penn. primary is that obama got the overwhelming vote of young people. billary wasn't even close in this demographic.

I hope as young people mature, they give up their attachment yo blacks.

Tom Iron...