About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Juan Williams says Michelle Obama "sometimes uses" a "kind of militant anger"

August 25, 2008 5:45 pm ET

Please upgrade your flash player. The video for this item requires a newer version of Flash Player. If you are unable to install flash you can download a QuickTime version of the video.

EMBED

SUMMARY: Fox News' Juan Williams asserted of Michelle Obama's upcoming speech at the DNC: "Well, she's got to be herself, but I do not think she can go for it all out in terms of this kind of militant anger that she sometimes uses." Williams gave no examples of what he claims to be "this kind of militant anger" that Michelle Obama "sometimes uses."

84 Comments

During the August 25 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom, NPR news analyst and Fox News contributor Juan Williams asserted of Michelle Obama's upcoming speech at the Democratic National Convention: "Well, she's got to be herself, but I do not think she can go for it all out in terms of this kind of militant anger that she sometimes uses, you know. She can be, it seems, rather cynical or dismissive of people," adding, "I don't think she wants to get anywhere near the race issue, anywhere near the militance issue." Williams gave no examples of what he claims to be "this kind of militant anger" that Michelle Obama "sometimes uses."

Earlier in the segment, co-host Megyn Kelly asserted that "there's been all sorts of rumors about Michelle Obama, and controversy around her, whether it was real or imagined, including what was her college thesis about; did she use the term 'whitey' -- something that was never substantiated." Kelly then said, "But a lot of the nation, because you get these emails, may believe that stuff about her." But Kelly did not note that, in addition to "emails," Fox News has provided a platform for a Republican operative to spread the rumor that Michelle Obama "use[d] the term 'whitey,' " and Fox News host Sean Hannity has repeatedly distorted the content of Michelle Obama's college thesis.

During the June 1 edition of Fox News' America's Election HQ, Republican strategist Roger Stone asserted that "there is a buzz, which I believe now to be credible, that some indelible record exists of public remarks that Michelle Obama allegedly made, which are outrageous at worst -- but at best, but could be termed racist, including some reference to white people as 'whiteys,' allegedly." No such "indelible record" has ever surfaced, as Kelly noted during the segment; the Obama campaign has stated that "no such tape exists"; and, as the Obama campaign noted, the day after appearing on America's Election HQ, Stone admitted on the June 2 broadcast of Sean Hannity's nationally syndicated radio program that he had "not yet spoken to anyone who has eyeballed the video."

From the August 25 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom:

KELLY: You know, Juan, there's all -- there's been all sorts of rumors about Michelle Obama, and controversy around her, whether real or imagined, including what was her college thesis about; did she use the term" whitey" -- something that was never substantiated.

WILLIAMS: No.

KELLY: But a lot of the nation, because you get these emails, may believe that stuff about her when they walk -- when they see her take to the stage tonight. Does she even try to deflate that? Does she go anywhere near that? Does she just try to seem like an empathetic, kind, and laudable potential first lady?

WILLIAMS: Well, I think she stays away from that kind of the "whitey" stuff altogether -- doesn't give any credence to it. To the contrary, what she wants to present is that she is a family person: talk about her dad, talk about her kids, you know, talk about how this is a family that's trying to hold together in a new way, in a new generation -- the more pressures on families where two people are working. And to say to people, "You know what, this -- I understand what is going on in your household. Just as I admire Barack Obama, I want you to know he's like your husband." And that is the way she wants to tell this story. She wants to come across as one of us.

KELLY: How hard is it for her and, for that matter for Cindy McCain, sort of stepping into the shoes potentially of Laura Bush, who is demure, who the nation loves? Notwithstanding President Bush's approval ratings, Laura Bush is still through the roof. But Michelle projects as a strong personality, and that has the potential to alienate some. Does she tone that down, or does she just go for it? She's a different person than Laura Bush.

WILLIAMS: Well, she's got to be herself, but I do not think she can go for it all out in terms of this kind of militant anger that she sometimes uses, you know. She can be, it seems, rather cynical or dismissive of people. In fact, I think that's one of the things she's going to say tonight is, when she first met Barack Obama, she didn't think much of this kid who was from Hawaii, although they both were Harvard Law graduates. And so she's going to say, "You know what? I got to know him, and then I was impressed, and that is how you can get to know him, and you'll see that there's real substance to him." That's going to -- but to come back to her own issues. I don't think she wants to get anywhere near the race issue, anywhere near the militance issue.

KELLY: What about the patriotism issue?

WILLIAMS: I don't think she -- you know what, it's just got to be that she's talking about family, she's talking about love of her husband, and that people will pick it up.

KELLY: But what about love of her country? Do you expect to hear themes of that tonight?

WILLIAMS: No, I think it's going to be all around her, though. I think you're going -- I mean, obviously you've seen that backdrop that we've shown here on Fox. The flag -- she's going to be draped in the flag, literally, and that's going to be part of the effort to try to transform her from this angry face to someone who is in fact the face of a new and more diverse America.

From the 2 p.m. ET hour of the June 1 edition of Fox News' America's Election HQ:

GERALDO RIVERA (anchor): Let's talk about that and about the future going forward and the rest of the controversies with Democratic strategist Michael Brown and Republican strategist Roger Stone. Roger, I want to start with you because I think you have some news, or at least your own incendiary prediction, on Michele Obama's alleged vulnerabilities. What do you know, or at least, what do you think you know?

STONE: Well, there is a buzz, which I believe now to be credible, that some indelible record exists of public remarks that Michele Obama allegedly made, which are outrageous at worst -- but at best, but could be termed racist, including some reference to white people as "whiteys," allegedly. And there's been a race here, Geraldo, between --

RIVERA: Wait a sec -- wait a second, Roger. You can't -- Roger, you can't just say that and say you have no proof for it and make a comment like that.

STONE: No, no, let me finish. There's been a race here between the Clinton research people, who are seeking this -- seeking this tape -- and the Republican opposition researchers at the Republican National Committee. I now believe that a network has this tape; I believe that reliably. Something like that could roil the race, which explains why, to me, Hillary Clinton is staying in this race. What other reason is there for her to stay in this race, other than hoping that there is a bomb? And high-level Clinton operatives say there is a bomb of this nature. I have heard that from people I believe to be credible.

RIVERA: Hold it there. Hold it -- OK. We hear that you heard it. Let me go to Michael Brown for his response and also let me point out that Roger Stone was the person who said he heard that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was using the services of prostitutes. At least in that incendiary allegation, there was facts behind it and ultimately it was proven true. But Michael Brown, I want you to respond to what you just heard from Roger Stone.

BROWN: I'm not going to question whether he believes what he's saying is true, but I will say that Republicans are up to the usual stuff -- when they cannot beat Democrats on issues, they always go personal negative. That's what this is all about. We're going to see this for the next six months from the Republican Party. This is what they do. I don't know why we should be shocked, Geraldo. This is -- I think they're starting a little early. They're probably off their timeline a little bit, but I'm not surprised by this. It has nothing to do with anything except flat-out politics, and it's ugly, and these are the kind of things that don't help the American people come to the polls to vote, they don't keep people inspired, and I'm sure the Obamas will obviously prevail on issues like this and stay focused on issues, assuming he's the nominee.

STONE: This is really more about --

RIVERA: OK, Michael Brown, Roger Stone, if you two -- you guys hold by, hold on. I'm going to bring you back after this quick commercial break, so you two stand by.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by nerzog (August 25, 2008 5:53 pm ET)
         
      So, what's the deal with Juan Williams? Do the Troglodytes think that using a black media whore to peddle their thinly veiled racist nonsense makes it any more credible?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:15 pm ET)
           

        African-American professor Dr. Boyce Watkins http://www.yourblackworld.com of Syracuse University correctly labeled Juan "I Hate Black People So That Authoritarian Racist White Conservatives Will Love Me" Wlliams "...the Happy Negro" and I can't remember the rest of what Dr. Watkins said.

        Report Abuse
      • Author by wolf kotenberg (August 25, 2008 6:26 pm ET)
           

        Hey juan, in the words of your hero figure, Dick Cheney, " so " .

        Report Abuse
    • Author by T-Hone (August 25, 2008 5:59 pm ET)
         
      I am so sick of Juan Williams.  His comments are always this kind of BS, whether it's Williams, to paraphrase, saying "some people think Obama is something of an elitist" or Williams saying "people don't seem to know much about Obama".  It's always some kind of vague criticism coming from Williams.  In itself, that doesn't bother me, but he never seems to hold Republicans to the "some people" standard.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DAWUSS (August 25, 2008 6:02 pm ET)
           
        So you see, he, like your local weatherman, is right 100% of the time. If it does happen, he's right, if it doesn't happen, he's right. ;)
        Report Abuse
        • Author by JennyOne (August 25, 2008 6:10 pm ET)
             
          The weather outlook should just say "50% chance of rain"every day.  Can't be worse than their predictions.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by loonz (August 25, 2008 6:00 pm ET)
         
      With friends like Juan in the Democratic Party, who needs enemies?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:17 pm ET)
           

        Juan is NOT a Democrat, Juan is a right wing Republican liar.

        He's the second most hated black person on black talk radio. 

        Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice are tied for being the 2 most hated blacks on black talk radio right now.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Pyrrhonist (August 25, 2008 6:27 pm ET)
             
          Juan Williams is a Republican tool.  He allowed himself to be used to trash Anita Hill during the Thomas confirmation saga and he's been doing the bidding of the Right ever since. He's just a paid character assassin.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:31 pm ET)
               

            Juan Williams is not just a partisan Republican tool, he is also, as Dr. Boyce Watkins called him, GOP-Fox Lies' Happy Negro.

            Williams also attacks black talk radio and/or black professional organizations whenever they criticize him and/or his anti-black colored Negro conservative peers so he can stay in the good graces of racist white conservatives.  

            Report Abuse
        • Author by loonz (August 25, 2008 6:56 pm ET)
             
          I thought he was a Democrat, albeit a weak and pathetic one.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by eweston8542983 (August 25, 2008 6:06 pm ET)
         

      Republican passion is somehow endorsed by the media.

      Democratic passion somehow always distrubing to them.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by DAWUSS (August 25, 2008 6:09 pm ET)
           

        Where the heck is Republican passion? I have to give it to the Dems when it comes to being passionate - and, as you said, it is unfortunately reviled by the media, primarily because they would prefer it if they possessed the same level of passion as the Republicans.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by snoopy (August 25, 2008 6:31 pm ET)
             

          Well, some people confuse fanaticism with passion when it comes to republicans. And for a perfect example of that fanaticism one needs look no further than Not Brand Blech!

          beckenergyweb.jpg

          Report Abuse
          • Author by princeofwheels (August 25, 2008 6:56 pm ET)
               

            Didn't Rush do this last convention telling his zombies in California to turn on all of their energy sources and hopefully cause a blackout when Clinton was going to speak? something like that. Enron anyone.  And if they had done that, hospitals would have lost power for a few minutes, people at home with respirators could've died and traffic signals and blackouts would've occured which could bring about civil unrest. Yes, these morons on the right are just so f'in funny. And who can forget the Republicans spitting on anyone who was awarded a Pirple Heart when they wore purple band-aids. You a-holes keep following Rush and Rove and Beck..they make you look like idiots and you don't know it.

            As for Williams, when did he get his degree in psychology?

            Report Abuse
            • Author by Pyrrhonist (August 25, 2008 7:04 pm ET)
                 
              The purple bandaids were especially disgustiing. I don't know when it became patriotic to treat American veterans, whatever political persuasion, in that way. 
              Report Abuse
              • Author by worrierking (August 25, 2008 7:25 pm ET)
                   
                I hope that those in the military now remember how the Republican Party and the conservative movement treats our veterans and prepare themselves for more of the same when they return home and speak their minds and not the minds of the Neo-cons.
                Report Abuse
        • Author by eweston8542983 (August 25, 2008 6:46 pm ET)
             

          Republican passion is usually expressed as anger. There's plenty of it arround. From welfare mothers to people with funny last names. Its expressed quite freely by some of our more comonly, seen here, media types.

          OT, anyone else see the new addition to MMfa "county fair?" Eschaton had a link. I assume it will be accessible from the main site sometime?

          Report Abuse
        • Author by NiceguyEddie (August 26, 2008 10:21 am ET)
             
          Evangelican christians are pationate.  They're also dangerous and often nigh to lunacy... but there's no doubting their passion.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 6:10 pm ET)
         
      I completely agree that Michelle Obama 'appears' to use a somewhat militant anger. Unfortunately, I am not sure whether it is her actual personality or whether the media has portrayed her this way for so long that I am beginning to fall for it myself.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by T-Hone (August 25, 2008 6:20 pm ET)
           
        What has she said or done that makes her "militant"?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:25 pm ET)
             

          T-Hone, Michelle Obama, or black talk radio host "The Black Eagle" Joe Madison, or black talk radio host Beverly Smith, or Warren Ballantine, or black talk radio host, or any other black that criticizes the white establishment and/or blacks that are puppets of the white establishment and/or talks about race when they don'twant to hear it, they are "militant".

          The dis-likes of self-hating anti-black Negroes like Williams who attack prominent blacks and/or black talk radio and/or civil rights groups and/or black professional organizations are "subordinate" or "subservient".

          Report Abuse
          • Author by T-Hone (August 25, 2008 6:31 pm ET)
               
            I figured it was an "all blacks are militant" sort of racist thing, but I still wanted to see what Zamfir had to say for himself.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:34 pm ET)
                 
              Racist white conservatives, and the anti-black Negro conservative subservient accomodationists like Williams, call black talk radio militant because they blast both white conservatives and the anti-black Negro conservative accomodationists like Williams. 
              Report Abuse
              • Author by tommy (August 25, 2008 6:40 pm ET)
                   

                I don't consider Michele Obama to be a militant anything.  She appears to be a smart, well-educated woman, a good mother, and a devoted wife.

                You, on the other hand, are so filled with anger, rage, and aggressive combativeness, that militant would be an appropriate descriptor, in your case, from what I've read.

                Report Abuse
        • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 6:31 pm ET)
             
          See comment I wrote to NERZOG below :)
          Report Abuse
          • Author by T-Hone (August 25, 2008 6:34 pm ET)
               
            You misquoted her, she actually said that for the first time in her life she was "really" proud of her country, but either way, that's hardly an example of militancy.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:44 pm ET)
                 

              Exactly right.  Black talk radio hosts like Joe Madison and/or Warren Ballantine pointed tat out.

              Note that Williams isn't planning to appeari on black talk radio to defend this or any o his other anti-Obama and/or anti-black comments.

              Report Abuse
            • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 6:53 pm ET)
                 
              Agreed. Especially since I somewhat feel the same way about the country being in a downward spiral for quite some time.
              Report Abuse
      • Author by ukobserver (August 25, 2008 6:22 pm ET)
           
        It's the media projection. They do it in sport and in politics. Once the narrative is set it's always hard to correct it. This is why idiot right wingers still think that Al Gore invented the internet :-/ 
        Report Abuse
        • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:28 pm ET)
             

          The Daily Howler has debunked that right wing lie about Al Gore inventing the Internet so many times I'v lost cont.

          Black Commentator.com http://www.blackcommentator.com Issue 84, and black talk radio have mentioned that Condoleeza Rice denounced MLK and other civil rights leaders as "...troublemakers who upset the good white people o the South" in a 2001 Washington Post interview, and when I mention that, the right wingers become silent about it.

          Report Abuse
        • Author by wookie (August 25, 2008 6:29 pm ET)
             
          Or that Hillary wants Obama to fail. Or that picking Biden means Obama isn't the candidate of change. Or whatever talking points Rove hands them next.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (August 25, 2008 6:23 pm ET)
           
        ZAM, I think it's the latter. You've swallowed a Troglodyte talking point, but don't panic. Stick your finger down your throat immediately.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 6:30 pm ET)
             
          I think you are right. There is only ONE mistake Michele has ever made, and she even changed the speech to appease her critics. On February 18, 2008 when she said "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback." The GOP lambasted her for this ever since. Oh, and the stupid New Yorker thing only strengthened the attack.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by pete592 (August 25, 2008 6:42 pm ET)
               

            Interesting, but I'm still waiting to see an example of "militant anger".

            Do you have one or not? 

            Report Abuse
            • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 6:50 pm ET)
                 
              I don't have one. Honestly, I can't think of anything negative to say about Michelle Obama other than the daily negativity that comes along with right-wing radio.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by pete592 (August 25, 2008 7:18 pm ET)
                   
                Then it's safe to conclude, based on what you say, that right-wing radio does your thinking for you?
                Report Abuse
                • Author by zamfir273114 (August 25, 2008 7:26 pm ET)
                     
                  I certainly hope not. I wouldn't be on this site if that was the case. I am just saying that the media can say things over and over again to the point where it is difficult to determine what is true and what is not. I listen to guys like Mike Malloy just as much as I listen to guys like Rush Limbaugh (1 hour commute each day in car so I listen a lot).
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by sportsguydave (August 25, 2008 9:45 pm ET)
                       

                    Zamfir: You have swallowed whole a baseless troglodyte talking point.

                    Michelle did not say this was the first time she was proud of her country.

                    She said , "For the first time in  my adult life, I am REALLY proud of my country."

                    Head for the nearest ER and have your stomach pumped. God knows what other poisonous crap you might have absorbed. 

                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by Rinna (August 26, 2008 10:22 am ET)
                         

                      Honestly, even if she did say it, what difference does it make?  You can still love something and not be proud of its current actions.

                      You parents out there, you're probably not particularly proud when your kid does something boneheaded or mean, right?  But you still love them.  I'm guessing that for Michelle Obama (and a lot of progressives), we're not particularly proud of our country right now, because it's not living up to what we believe it can be.  We still love it, but we're disappointed by its actions.

                       Granted, that's probably too complicated for the average right-wing a$$hole to comprehend, and doesn't fit their narrative of ZOMG!  Black People!!11eleventyone!!

                      Report Abuse
      • Author by jonesjax2374 (August 25, 2008 9:28 pm ET)
           

        Well that's honest Zamfir.  The first step is admitting the problem.  We're NOT VOTING FOR THE WIFE.  And if we were, an articulate brilliant lawyer trumps a CINDY every time.    

        Report Abuse
    • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:21 pm ET)
         

      And Juan Williams' self-hating and anti-black comments and demeanor represent the historical display of accomodating subservience that he and other self-hating anti-black Negro conservative Republicans like Williams have when they bash other black people just to curry favor with the racist white supremacist conservative establishment and/or win favor amongst the racist whtie supremacist conservative masses.

      Methinks h was waiting for racist white supremacist aproval and praise from the right wing racist white supremacist hate hag Megyn Kelly for his sel-hating anti-black actions.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by ukobserver (August 25, 2008 6:27 pm ET)
           
        Okay, l got turned around somewhere in the second paragraph. You may have to post that lot again.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:37 pm ET)
             

          No problem:

          "Methinks he was waiting for racist white supremacist approval and praise from the right wing racist white supremacist hate hag Megyn Kelly for his self-hating anti-black actions."

          That means that right wing racists, or right wing racist hate hags in Megyn Kelly's case, have a racist wite supremacist "respect" for black people who bash their own race, and/or choose to be subservient to them and other racist whites like them.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by ukobserver (August 25, 2008 6:47 pm ET)
               

            I WAS KIDDING!!!!

             

            I did actully get what you were saying.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by see it real (August 25, 2008 6:52 pm ET)
                 

              NOW you tell me!

              I'm just kidding, too, I missed your joke.  Should have realized you got it the first time. 

              As it stands, the point needed to be made for other posters' edification, anyway.

              Report Abuse
              • Author by ukobserver (August 25, 2008 7:21 pm ET)
                   

                Just like you guys we have dumb people over here too, and amazingly they all have their political views given to them by the Murdoch print press.

                 

                The right wing affliction of SBMS and SBWS isn't as bad over here but then we are far behind you lot with a person of colour running for leadership of one of the main parties.

                Report Abuse
    • Author by proudconservative (August 25, 2008 7:31 pm ET)
         

      I feel enveloped by the love demonstrated on this site.  I have come to understand the willingness to tolerate dissention, an openness for diversity and above all, to judge a man solely on the quality of his character by the morally high-minded leftists who speak here.

      I am appalled when I hear people uncovering their racist tendencies when they claim that , "you can't go into a 7-11 without hearing an Indian accent.", or that bad white people are called "whiggers" by a Senator and former member of the KKK or that Juan Williams is a self-loathing negro.

      It is unconscionable that someone, especially one who is an american of black african descent, could have their own ideas and not be considered to have left the reservation and deserve the most reprehensible name-calling for speaking those opinions aloud.  He should know his place on the leftist plantation first, correct?

      Why no, not us leftists, we would rather accept the person for who he is, never bring race into the discussion and only disagree on with the comments on their merits alone.  It has to be the right alone that would do otherwise!

      Report Abuse
      • Author by neon desert (August 25, 2008 9:03 pm ET)
           

        I feel enveloped by the love demonstrated on this site.  I have come to understand the willingness to tolerate dissention, an openness for diversity and above all, to judge a man solely on the quality of his character by the morally high-minded leftists who speak here. - Proud

        Dissent is easily tolerated, stupidity is not.  Blind sycophants and zombie mouthpieces do not provoke courtesy.  When one's comments consist of the regurgitation of the morning's limpaugh program or the opinion column from the National Review, one should expect derision.  Respect derives respect, and sweeping generalizations and labels such as "Marxist" and "Socialist" indicate such a lack of considered analysis that the one flinging these worn-out cliches not only doesn't display any respect, but he loses credibility.  The "morally high-minded leftists" here, like anywhere else outside Hannity's America, judge your character by what you display of it.  If you've got a reserve that you're not exposing I'd suggest revealing it.

        A good way to start - be an adult.  Realize that not everybody debates with the graciousness you possess, and set an example instead of being a whiner.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 1:37 pm ET)
             

          swampgas,

          Are you speaking of me or Juan Williams as the one having a gracious manner?

          Report Abuse
          • Author by neon desert (August 26, 2008 2:45 pm ET)
               
            I was speaking to the reader, not "of" anyone in particular.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by Kyle_Broflovski (August 25, 2008 10:27 pm ET)
           
        Warning - concern troll attempting sarcasm!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (August 26, 2008 12:38 am ET)
             

          Warning - concern troll attempting sarcasm!

          Thanks for the warning, Kyle. Why do they always have to post their 5 or 6 practice paragraphs? It would be less sad if they just opened a Word document and tuned it up for a few weeks where nobody could see.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 1:41 pm ET)
               

            dearkernal,

            Remember that sarcasm, when understood, makes an accurate point.  Sorry I used 5 or 6 paragraphs but it was required to demonstrate the hypocrisy of those attacking Juan Williams, not for the quality of his character but their insistence on commenting on his race as a means of further derision.

            Was that plain enough?

            Report Abuse
      • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (August 25, 2008 11:55 pm ET)
           

        PC, I just watched an extremely articulate African American woman, wife and mother give one of the best speeches I've heard in a VERY long time!

        I don't have a problem with Juan Williams being a Republican, in fact I don't have any problem with any African American who choose to vote and support the Republican party.

        What I have a problem with is African American REPEATING the ignorant crap the Republican party spits out around election time, every 4 years. Without bothering to use one ounce of the common sense God gave them, Juan repeats every lie like a dummy!. I expect African American Republicans to be leaders, NOT "follow the Republican party leader". My husband used to tell our children, be a leader, take yourself where you want to go. If you follow, you'll fall off a cliff, and THAT'S what Juan and others are doing! Juan knows damn well that Michelle Obama is not militant, but the Republican party "talking points" say label her a militant, and there goes Juan, playing follow the party leader. Not a lick of common sense in sight!

        I responded to a "Hip Hop Republicans" blog last night. There I found more of the Juan Williams type. African Americans willing to repeat the Republican talking points, racist commenta included. They seem to have forgotten, they're African American too. When one makes racist statements about  African Americans, being a Republican DOES NOT exempt you! 

        So this African American woman would like Juan Williams and other African American Republicans to own up to the racial problems Republicans have with the African American community. Stop repeating every insane lie that the party tells you to say. Stand up, grow a set and STOP ignoring what you know is wrong and incorrect! 

        The Republican party has so few African Americans NOT because of policy but because of the racism that still exists in the Republican party.  

         

        Report Abuse
        • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 1:48 pm ET)
             

          pearlsbeforeswine,

          "I responded to a "Hip Hop Republicans" blog last night. There I found more of the Juan Williams type. African Americans willing to repeat the Republican talking points, racist commenta included. They seem to have forgotten, they're African American too. When one makes racist statements about  African Americans, being a Republican DOES NOT exempt you!"-minnie pearl.

          I am intrigued by your statement that they somehow 'forgot' that they might be Americans of black african descent.

          So being of a certain race requires that you posess a certain set of beliefs? 

           

          Report Abuse
          • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (August 26, 2008 3:12 pm ET)
               

            I am intrigued by your statement that they somehow 'forgot' that they might be Americans of black african descent.

            So being of a certain race requires that you posess a certain set of beliefs? 

            There is a reason that Juan Williams is front and center on FOX, he's African American. The idea is to show that Republicans have African Americans in their party too.

            I have NO problem with Juan's conservative beliefs, he's entitled to believe what he wants to believe but he should NOT sit by and ignore the racist crap that comes out of the Republican party. He's on the show in the first place BECAUSE he's African American. He should at least have the balls to put a stop to the racism that the Republican party and it's blowhard conservative talk radio displays.

            You wouldn't expect adults to stand by and ignore mistreatment of children, would you?

            Silence means you agree.

            And by the way PC, you might enjoy your childish name calling crap, but I'm tired of it. You want another response, call me by my correct name, or ignore me.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 10:13 pm ET)
                 

              You said,

              "What I have a problem with is African American REPEATING the ignorant crap the Republican party spits out around election time, every 4 years. Without bothering to use one ounce of the common sense God gave them, Juan repeats every lie like a dummy!."

              Your disagreement with his comments is one thing, and a valid basis for discussion.  My argument with you and others is that somehow his thoughts make him an uncle tom, a sellout or a lying dummy because as an American of black african decent he somehow has left the left's plantation.  And that is the furthest thing from tolerance but instead outright racism at it's heart.

              And it's PROUDCONSERVATIVE, in caps and bold, just like it shows up on any posting thank you.

              Report Abuse
        • Author by see it real (August 26, 2008 2:43 pm ET)
             

          "I responded to a "Hip Hop Republicans" blog last night. There I found more of the Juan Williams type. African Americans willing to repeat the Republican talking points, racist commenta included. They seem to have forgotten, they're African American too.

          When one makes racist statements about African Americans, being a Republican DOES NOT exempt you! So this African American woman would like Juan Williams and other African American Republicans to own up to the racial problems Republicans have with the African American community. Stop repeating every insane lie that the party tells you to say. Stand up, grow a set and STOP ignoring what you know is wrong and incorrect!

          The Republican party has so few African Americans NOT because of policy but because of the racism that still exists in the Republican party."

          Not only that, but the few African Amercans that are in the Republican Party often remain silent about, and/or approve of, and/or become complicit parties to, some of the racism and/or racist acts of the Republican Party and/or the racism of some individual Republican Party members.

          Example #1: the dis-likes of Ward "Con Man" Connerly has actively SOUGHT OUT the support of the KKK, the Council of Conservative Citizens, and other white surpemacist groups, for his pro-segregation/pro-racism state ballot initiatives.

          Example #2: When in both the 2000 and the 2004 presidential elections, Bush refused to do interviews with the African-American news media, and also rejected invitiations to appear on black talk radio, then through his campaign henchpeople and/or his black conservative Republicn apologists told the lie that he had never received any such requests or invitation in the first place.  I think that some of the black conservative Republicans TOLD Bush to snub the black press and to snub black talk radio.

          Example #3: When the dis-likes of Republican U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California knowingly accepts campaign contributions from the Pioneer Fund, a Neo-Nazi connected white supremacist group in California, most of the African-American Republicans either remained silent, or they defended Rohrabacher's accepting of the contributions.   

          Report Abuse
      • Author by snoopy (August 26, 2008 12:59 am ET)
           
        Would that be an envelope full of white powder that democrats receive from republicans?
        Report Abuse
      • Author by snoopy (August 26, 2008 1:17 am ET)
           

        Oh, and PC? We're real familiar with conservative love and tolerance...

        DENVER - Federal authorities are looking into reports that a man arrested with rifles, ammunition and drugs in his truck may have made threats against Barack Obama, officials said Monday.

        Two other men were arrested in the case.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by snoopy (August 26, 2008 1:23 am ET)
             

          Update

          Denver's CBS affiliate reports that "at least four people are under arrest in connection with a possible plot to kill Barack Obama" and one of the suspects reportedly told authorities that they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."

          Amazingly, thanks to Fox news, right wingers can't even make up their own plans to assassinate Obama. This one came right out of the movie "shooter". Y'all know billy bob and company were totally drunk and stoned when they saw the movie and said "Hey Earl! What a great idea!"

          Report Abuse
          • Author by snoopy (August 26, 2008 1:25 am ET)
               

            Hmmm, maybe McCain was connected somehow...

            In 2007, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced legislation giving the Justice Department the discretion to prohibit gun sales to terror suspects. The legislation was supported by gun-control groups as well as the Bush administration.

            Siding with the gun industry in opposing closing this “terror gap” was Randy Scheunemann, now Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) top foreign policy adviser. Newsweek reports that Scheunemann lobbied against the bill on behalf of the National Shooting Sports Foundation:

            One group opposed to closing the loophole is the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun manufacturers’ trade association. Until this spring, one of its congressional lobbyists was Randy Scheunemann … Registration documents filed by Scheunemann’s company, Orion Strategies, list the terror-gap bill as one of its specific lobbying objectives, and the registrations listed Scheunemann as a lobbyist until he took a leave.

            Report Abuse
          • Author by see it real (August 27, 2008 4:32 pm ET)
               
            Well, Snoopy, since GOP-Fox Lies' Liz Trotta once called for Obama to be assasinated, maybe they're seeking to improve their sinister plans.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by see it real (August 26, 2008 2:57 pm ET)
           

        "I am appalled when I hear people uncovering their racist tendencies when they claim that , "you can't go into a 7-11 without hearing an Indian accent.", or that bad white people are called "whiggers" by a Senator and former member of the KKK or that Juan Williams is a self-loathing negro.

        It is unconscionable that someone, especially one who is an american of black african descent, could have their own ideas and not be considered to have left the reservation and deserve the most reprehensible name-calling for speaking those opinions aloud. He should know his place on the leftist plantation first, correct?"

        Actually, what's unconscionable, and what's in more ways offensive, is when conservatives take their authortarian white racist stance that they have the right to tell black people that they need the permission of white conservatives before they can criticize blacks who speak against them and/or against their interests, whether it's a Juan Williams on the right, or as some blacks are saying that about Sheila Jackson-Lee.

        Second, it's even more racist from the authoritarin white racist conservaives, who only deem blacks to be of good moral character andor only has the right to speak if they either kow-tow to the racist stereotypes that white conservatives have about blacks, and/or they atack other black people, and/or if black conservatives attack black talk radio, and/or attack black social organizations and/or attak black professional organizations, just to curry the racist white spremacist "respect" and "approval" of racist white conservative who only like black people who are racist against their own race.  Most of the attacks on Juan Williams are coming from black talk radio, both some black talk radio hosts (Matt McGillof Chicago's black talk radio station WVON-AM 1690 http://www.wvon.com) and black talk radio listeners, not white liberals who are afraid to criticize black conservatives, while black talk radio doesn' hesitate to go after black conservatives or any other black that is defending white racist words and actions.

        Third, while you pretend to be outrged about Sen. Byrd's "whiggers" comment about bad white people, I will let you know that in 2002, YOUR Racist Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama called a white civil rights lawyer in his state a "race traitor" because this lawyer represented blacks in civil rights cases in his state.  No white conservatives, and no black conservaties, denounced Sessions' racist white supremacist comments.

        Fourth, I am also going to tell you that the dis-likes of 2 black conservatives have politicial alliances with present-day whte supremacists.  The dis-likes of anti-black Negro conservative Walter Williams is a friend and political ally of right wing white supremacist Jared Taylor and Taylor's white supremacist group American Renaissance, and the dis-likes of anti-black Negro conservative Jesse Lee Peterson is a friend and political ally of right wing white supremacist Glenn Spencer and Spencer's white supremacist group, The National Alliance.     

        Report Abuse
    • Author by IRONY 101 (August 25, 2008 7:50 pm ET)
         
      Nothing scares the crapola out of a white Republican more than a militant black person. It's based on an innate fear that there is some justice in the world... ;>)
      Report Abuse
    • Author by joseph_b26 (August 25, 2008 7:52 pm ET)
         

      Who Plays The Race Card

      Why does the media get a free pass when the question who is playing the race card is asked? Without the media, race would be but a small problem. With the media, it is always looming in the background waiting to pounce on its next victim.

      The MSM, MSNBC, CNN, and as you just viewed, Fox news actually create, sustain, and drive the dynamics of race.  They then have the nerve to set by and evaluate the topic as to who would dare use race as a political tool. This third party position they take is never talked about, confronted, or clarified to be a direct product of the MSM's need to sensationalize everything they think will improve their ratings. 

      I am committed to exposing this and other dynamics associated with unspoken negatives of the MSM.We need a counter drive of sorts. However, it is hard for the Democrats to address this issue head on. Recall the more Hillary and Bill Clinton asserted the media was behind race dynamics, the more the MSM attacked their campaign as a whole.

      I truly look forward to a day when the media of old returns to claim its earlier glory.  At present, each major network holds and exerts the right to have their resident racist. Pat Buchanan, Bill O'Reilly, Chris Tucker, and  Glenn Beck all walk up to the door of racist intent while claiming it is their right to tell it like it is. CNN actually was a true leader in network news, commentators and special commendation. Today , they have did all they can do to distort whether commentators have the right to attack others under the banner of free speech. There is not time more evident then now for the need of a fair and balanced media.

      Joseph 

      Report Abuse
    • Author by rgkahn5220 (August 25, 2008 10:39 pm ET)
         
      "Juan Williams says Michelle Obama "sometimes uses" a "kind of militant anger"". What the hell does that mean? I have never heard of this term before, I can't find any reference anywhere either. Is Juan trying to see how much he can damage Michelle Obama the day before she speaks at the DNC Convention? ""I was never so bethumped with words...Shakespeare's King John The Bastard Act II scene i
      Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (August 26, 2008 8:53 am ET)
         
      What the? What is Juan Williams talking about here? He provides not background as to "why" he thinks Mrs. Obama portrays some sort of make believe militancy. Sounds like someone has been or is repeating right wing talking points again.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by eniobob2631 (August 26, 2008 9:13 am ET)
         
      Without even reading the article,this guy is only recognized in the "fox" world that he travels in.I know i am going to puke after I say this but Armstrong Williams has more street cred than this pile of garbage(williams )that is.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (August 26, 2008 11:37 am ET)
         
      Has NPR fired this guy yet?  I knew this was going to happen.  I watched her speak and she was good.  Not great but solid and very positive.  But I knew the media would start mind reading and tone-reading and body language-reading and audience reaction interpreting to make it come out as being somehow controversial and different from what it was to anyone who actually watched.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by just3kev2mike19634 (August 26, 2008 1:44 pm ET)
         
      Juan Williams iswhat we call a sale out black person who doesn't know that the white wing conservative racist party is just using him to make themselfs look as if their not racist because they have this TOKEN black guy saying what they want to say but can't because they know they will get in trouble for it, so use the ignorant, token blackman that hate himself, so he's trying to please "MISTA"    SELL OUT JUAN WILLIAMS
      Report Abuse
      • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 1:59 pm ET)
           

        justalotofmarlkey,

        Calling Juan Williams a sellout is just the kind of racial bigotry that exists in the left.  It's knowing your place and standing, including race.

        The only way to compare is to consider those who call him a sellout black, as a slaveholder of the 1860's calling John Brown a 'sellout white', saying we know what being white means!

        Your comments are racist to the core!

        Report Abuse
      • Author by see it real (August 26, 2008 3:02 pm ET)
           

        The correct word is "sellout", but you're still right about Williams.

        The newest term used to describe black conservatives from black talk radio is now that they're called "rent-a-Negroes", for the GOP and the corporatist conservative Republican news media rents the rent-a-Negro conservative Republicans to come on TV and bash Obama and/or other black people.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 3:09 pm ET)
             

          hearingitfaked,

          Rent-a-negro?  Now who would dare think that a racist term?

          Report Abuse
          • Author by see it real (August 26, 2008 3:29 pm ET)
               

            shameful regressive,

            Take your complints to black talk radio.  They don't regard this label as being racist at all.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by proudconservative (August 26, 2008 9:50 pm ET)
                 

              touchingitphoney,

              Oh, I guess that makes it all better.  I misunderstood the loving comments above to be indicative of how the left views those Americans of black african decent who have left the plantation.  Thanks for clearing up where on the left, racism lives strongest, on radio.  We'll get that all fixed when the fairness doctrine is reinstituted.

              Report Abuse
              • Author by see it real (August 27, 2008 4:23 pm ET)
                   

                shameless fascist oligarchic regressive,

                Faux congrajulations on revealing yours and other conservatives' authoritarian racist view of the fact that African-Americans do not have the right to speak unless you give them permission, and also do not have the right to criticize your side's chosen self-hating Negroes without your racist whte supremacist permission.  As I recall don't you and other regressives oppose the fairness doctrine?  Oh, wait.  You prefer the corporatist censorship where you give tax breaks" and/or other corporate welfare goodies to Clear Channel and other corporate conservative Republican Party controlled news media to buy up radio stations for the purpose of silencing both progressive talk radio and uncompromised black talk radio.

                Next, shameless fascist oligarchic regressive, returning to your authoritarian racism, you just revealed your oligarchic racist desire to have right wing conservative Repblicans silence uncompromising black talk radio through either manufactured and contrived right wing controlled FCC actions, and/or by directing right wing conservative Republican corporations to buy out radio stations in the black community for the purpose of doing away with the black talk radio format, but either way, you seek to silence the black community, among others. 

                Report Abuse
          • Author by see it real (August 27, 2008 4:30 pm ET)
               

            shameless regressive,

            Black talk radio does not consider that label regressive.  That's what Chicago's Black Talk Radio Station WVON-AM 1690's http://www.wvon.com Clifford Kelley has called them (he's called black conservatives much worse than this),and Kelley correctly called Rush Limbaugh a "dope fiend".  Kelley's colleague, Matt McGill, called boh Juan Williams and Larry Elder a "...buck dancing, Yes Massa, House Negro."

            The term "rent a Negro" is meant to describe the way that black talk radio hosts and black talk radio listeners see black conservatives and/or other black critics of Obama, because the news media has no interest in nor any desire to hear from black conservatives otherwise.  Also, most of the black conservatives place their desire to collect mercenary checks from the corporate conservative Republican Party controlled news media and/or the right wing conservative Republican think tanks to go on TV and bash Obama and/or other black Americans.

             

            Report Abuse
    • Author by just3kev2mike19634 (August 26, 2008 1:47 pm ET)
         
      Juan Williams iswhat we call a sale out black person who doesn't know that the white wing conservative racist party is just using him to make themselfs look as if their not racist because they have this TOKEN black guy saying what they want to say but can't because they know they will get in trouble for it, so use the ignorant, token blackman that hate himself, so he's trying to please "MISTA"    SELL OUT JUAN WILLIAMS
      Report Abuse
    • Author by sn0wy25914 (August 26, 2008 2:24 pm ET)
         
      Are you guys saying that there is not a single black person that is a Repub without being a sellout or Uncle Tom ?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by see it real (August 26, 2008 3:13 pm ET)
           

        No, we are saying that at the present time, the present African-American membership in the Republican Party are Uncle Toms or Sellouts, or they are very close to it.

        The Edward Brookes of the past Republican Party have been replaced by the anti-black buck dancing House Negro types like Juan Wiliams, Rashonda Barber, or Larry Elder, or Ward "Con Man" Connerly, or Harry Jackson, or Clarence Thomas, among others, who either work against black causes and/or play themselves as the "victims" of attacks from black columnists and black commentators and black talk radio in order to score good favor from racist white conservative masses.

        I can tell you some local black Democratic politicians, and even some present ones that I will name right now,namely the dis-likes of the anti-black Denise Majette and Artur Davis, who are just as big or bigger Uncle Toms that Elder and Clarence Thomas are put together, but there's to many to name in this post.

        That being said, when these and/or other black conservative Republican politicians consort with present day racist white supremacists and/or court the support of present day white surpemacists (Jesse Lee Peterson, Ward Connerly, Walter Williams), and/or when other black conservative Republicans such as Condoleeza Rice who in a 2001Washington Post interview denounced and condemned MLK and othr civil rights leaders as "...troublemakers who upset the good white people of the South", it has to be expected that in the black news media, and on black talk radio, that some black columnists, black talk radio hosts, and black talk radio listeneres, will be calling them "Uncle Toms" or variations therof.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Cufflynk7741 (August 26, 2008 3:24 pm ET)
         
      Juan Williams is the reason many blacks show anger towards the conservative media.  Williams is a lost soul, so lost in fact that he eschews his race, heritage and dignity to curry favor from whites.  Hes a loser and a tool that Fox news regularly uses to discredit any credible black person who makes sense.  Hes a sad excuse of a human being, living excrement to be more accurate and a race traitor of the worst kind.  The real problem is that on top of all of that . . . hes ALWAYS wrong.  Michelle is no more militant than any other strong, educated and loving black woman.  There are millions of Michelles in this country and Juan Williams probably hasnt met one.  Im sure hes married to a white woman or gay. 
      Report Abuse

my.MediaMatters.org

Login  Sign Up

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.

  • Fox News Channel
    FOX News Channel
    1-888-369-4762
    1211 Avenue of the Americas
    New York, NY 10036