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MSNBC's Matthews: Whites Are "Willing" to Support Obama Just Like They "Root for Black Athletes"

Via Think Progress. Another week and another racist or sexist slur from the all-white, all-male fratboys at cable "news" network. MSNBC. Hardball's Chris Matthews offered Sen. Barack Obama some "practical" "advice" on how to attract more white men and working class white voters to his presidential campaign.

MATTHEWS: You got to talk like a firebrand because if you‘re carrying their fight for them, they‘re going to like you. You know, a lot of white people root for black athletes because they‘re winning for the home team. People are quite willing to pick up black heroes, if they‘ll win for their side.

Watch the video:

Rod 2.0 previously reported Matthews' colorful description of Obama's bowling game: "This gets very ethnic, but the fact that he’s good at basketball doesn’t surprise anybody."

Matthews, who was forced to make two on-air apologies to Hillary Clinton for crude remarks, often gushes over Obama but continues to offer on-air racial stereotypes. Maybe this is the admission price some people are willing to pay to watch one of anchor newsreader Keith Olbermann's vitriolic anti-Hillary "Special Comments."

Some Background ...
Matthews: Does Obama Connect with "Regular" Voters or "Only African-Americans [R20]
Chris Matthews Mocks Obama's Bowling as "Ethnic" [R20]
Shuster Suspended Over "Pimping" Chelsea Clinton Comment [R20]
All White Panel on MSNBC's Tucker: Is Obama Black Enough? [R20]
Matthews on Giuliani: The Country "Wants Fascism" [R20]
Matthews on Hillary: "How Many Times is She Going to Be Confused by Men?" [R20]
Matthews is Obsessed with Hillary's Sex Life [R20]
Matthews and Newsweek: Mitt Romney is "Buff" [R20]

Top NBA Draft Pick Michael Beasley is a "Dime"

Michael Beasley is making the news. The six foot nine power forward from Kansas State just announced that he is entering the NBA Draft and is now the top-rated draft pick. There is also this report from the Kansas City Star about Michael Beasley's love for SpongeBob SquarePants, macaroni and cheese and "how he used a water pistol to soak his roommate." That last part sounds very interesting.

Beasley covers the latest issue of hoops-themed Dime in an editorial photographed by Chad Griffith. We took a few minutes to scan the cover and editorial. Sorry, no skin or shirtless shots, but for those of you who like 'em tall and lean, this should make a nice meal.

K-State’s Beasley Entering Pro Draft [R20]
Draft Choice Looms for the Sonics [R20]

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NBA Finals: Game Two [R20]
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NBA Gay ... Err, Playoffs 2 [R20]
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Principal Outs Two Black Gay Students at HBCU Prep School

UPDATE: Cross-posted at The Daily Voice.

A Tennessee high school principal is under fire for "outing" at least two black gay teenagers to parents, faculty staff and students. The incident happened at a college prep on the grounds of one of the nation's historically black colleges—and many HBCUs do not have a good track record with gay students.

Daphne Beasley is the principal of Hollis F. Price Middle College High School in South Memphis, which is located on the campus of HBCU LeMoyne-Owen College. Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union have filed a lawsuit and say in September 2007, Principal Beasley went beyond her role as an educator and "sought out couples of all kinds to monitor them for public displays of affection." Pathetic, right?

"She compiled a list of names, which included students Andrew and Nicholas (last names omitted), based on information she received from teachers and students; the list was clearly visible to anyone who visited her office."

Of those that saw this list was Andrew's mother, Andrea. "I couldn't believe it when I went to meet with the principal and that list was right there by her desk where anyone could see it," she said. "African American people face enough obstacles to succeeding in this world and I want my son to have every opportunity he's worked so hard for. Our schools should be helping our children do well, not tearing them down for something like this."

The 11th grader Nicholas had just made the Dean's List and the honors students tells ABC 24 it was "frightening to see a list with my name on it where not just other teachers could see but students as well." ... I really feel that my personal privacy was invaded. I mean, Principal Beasley called my mother and outed me to my mother!"

The honor student underwent further humiliation and "verbal harassment, when taken out of the running for a class trip to New Orleans related to rebuilding efforts, as a risk to the school's image; Nicholas was told that there were fears he'd embarrass the school by engaging in 'inappropriate behavior.' " That shallow and callous behavior lends a new definition to "no child left behind."

Hollis F. Price Middle College High School was charted in 2004 in a collaborative effort with LeMoyne Owen College. Students can earn a high school diploma and two years of college credit. About 150 students are enrolled right now in grades 9 through 12.

Memphis Principal Accused of Outing Gay Students [WREG]
Principal Outs Gay Kids, ACLU Steps In [PageOneQ]

Some Background ....
Homophobia at Hampton? [R20]
"Brother Outsider" Screenings [R20]
Judge Reduces Morehouse Sentence [R20]
Morehouse Anti-Gay Firing [R20]
Black and Gay at Morehouse [Keith Boykin]
A Tale of Two Campuses [Keith Boykin]
Man of Morehouse Part 3[Black Gay Bloger]
Black Museums Should Celebrate Gays[R20]
The (Very Very Gay) Men of Morehouse[R20]

DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain: "Are You Better Off?"

While the Democratic presidential candidates remain otherwise engaged until mid June, the Democratic National Committee launches an aggressive multimillion dollar advertising campaign that targets the Bush Administration, Republican Party and heir apparent Sen. John McCain. The "McSame" brand is introduced is introduced in this first commercial "Are You Better Off?" which debuted in the past several days on CNN, MSNBC, FOX (!) and various channels. It's a great ad.. The video is from a CNN presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library. (Discussed here at HuffPo) The spot also has the distinction of featuring the voice of cable news hunk (and our former coworker) Anderson Cooper.

Republican strategists are already crying foul, so, that's the first indication the spot is effective. They'll get over it. So, after eight years of Bush, are you better off? Can't say we are ...

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Yes But No—But Yes [R20]
McCain: Not "Catering" to Far Right [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain's MLK Day: "Pandering" to Racists [R20]
McCain Wins Republican Nomination [R20]
McCain Camp Enlists Racist Shock Jock [R20]

North Carolina Governor Endorses Clinton, NC/IN Polls Tightening

This was a good day for the Hillary Clinton campaign.

In addition to an endorsement by House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (MO), the popular governor of North Carolina joins the team. Saying the former First Lady "gets it," Gov. Mike Easley praised Clinton's tenacity and said "it's time for somebody to be in the White House who understands the challenges we face in this country. They are significant. I never ever thought the United States of America could get in as much trouble as we have over the last 7 or 8 years."

This was a good get for Clinton and Easley should provide a boost in the Tarheel State. Barack Obama is expected to handily win, but, several new polls show some movement. The latest Survey USA NC poll shows "the 10-point lead that Barack Obama has had for two months is halved, to now 5 points." In the latest Rasmussen NC poll, Obama maintains a 14 point lead, down from his previous 23 point margin. Obama should win here, quite handily.

PPP's Indiana poll has Clinton up 8, 50-42 and the new Howey-Gauge survey "shows Obama ahead of Clinton by two points, 47-45 percent." The Obama and Clinton campaigns have said Indiana would be the tie state and Clinton will probably have a narrow win in the Hoosier State.

One more thing we should have mentioned yesterday: Clinton sharply criticized John McCain and the Republican Party for those ugly Obama-Wright attacks ads. McCain "is the putative nominee," she said. "I think he could very clearly tell the North Carolina party[,] tell the Mississippi party[,] that he would not tolerate those kinds of advertisements and I'm waiting to see if he does that." The Clinton campaign needs to step away from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright train wreck, and, it was a smart move to punt those ridiculous commercials to the presumptive Republican nominee.

More POLITICS
More HILLARY CLINTON

Did You Read ... ?
PA Primary Live Blog [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and the Morning After [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
I Have a Dream ... Ticket [The Advocate]
Gallup: Clinton and Obama Now Tied [R20]
Gallup: Clintons Leads Obama 49 to 42 [R20]
Hillary Clinton's Big Night, Wins TX, OH and RI [R20]
Explaining Clinton's New Hampshire Victory [R20]
Super Tuesday Analysis [R20]
Ten Things Obama Can Do to Win Pennsylvania [HuffPo]
Yes, Virginia, There is Such a Thing as Post Racial Politics [Daily Voice]
Clinton and Obama Debate: "Meet Me in Ohio!" [R20]
Clinton Raises $35 Million, Debuts Security Ad [R20]
Explaining Clinton's New Hampshire Victory [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate + PDF]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama [HuffPo]
Barack Obama Should Tell Bob Novak... [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Rove on Obama: "Lazy" and "Basketball Playing" [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Snubs Clinton at SOTU [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Super Tuesday Analysis [R20]

Obama: "Outraged and Saddened" by Wright's "Ridiculous" "Rants"

A bold and necessary move by the Obama campaign. About an hour ago, the Democratic presidential front runner held an impromptu news conference to put as much distance as possible between him and his former pastor, the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Speaking in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Illinois senator expressed bewilderment at Wright's bizarre and narcissistic performance at the National Press Club and condemned the "rants" as "ridiculous" and "embarrassing." Jeff Zeleny at The New York Times:

"I’m outraged by the comments that were made and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday," Mr. Obama said, speaking to reporters here today. He added, "I find these comments appalling. It contradicts everything that I’m about and who I am."

Seeking to quell the political damage the controversy is dealing to his campaign, Mr. Obama called a press conference after a town meeting here this afternoon to raise the volume of his criticism of his former pastor. In his speech on race last month in Philadelphia, where he tried to put the matter behind him, Mr. Obama said he gave Mr. Wright the benefit of the doubt.

But after watching three days of Mr. Wright’s commentary in televised speeches and interviews, Mr. Obama said, “there are no excuses."

"They offend me, they rightly offend all Americans and they should be denounced,” he said. “That’s what I am doing very clearly and unequivocally here today."

Barack Obama called the question and answer session at the National Press Club "a performance" and said Wright's "comments were not only divisive and destructive, I believe they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate."

This was obviously a painful decision but necessary. Obama threw his former pastor a lifeline in the Philadelphia speech, which was eloquent and emotional, but, did not directly address the implications of Wright's remarks. Now, the campaign has been completely sideswiped by the five-day Rev. Jeremiah Wright Rehabilitation and Retribution Media Tour. Wright's timing was exquisite and comes at the same time downticket Democrats are linked to Wright's greatest hits. Obama needs to get back on message and talk to voters about the economy, health care and the Iraq War.

Obama Says He’s Outraged by Ex-Pastor [NYT]
Obama Says He's Outraged by Former Pastor [AP]

More OBAMA
More JEREMIAH WRIGHT
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
Yes But No—But Yes [R20]
McCain: Not "Catering" to Far Right [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain's MLK Day: "Pandering" to Racists [R20]
McCain Wins Republican Nomination [R20]
McCain Camp Enlists Racist Shock Jock [R20]

Guyana Will Ban Anti-Gay Reggae Singer Bounty Killer

Anti-gay Jamaican reggae singer Bounty Killer is learning it does not pay to sing so-called "murder music." Last week, several concerts were canceled in England. This week, the government of the South American nation of Guyana has issued a ban on the controversial singer.

From the CaribWorldNews: "The ban comes a week after Bounty was pelted with bottles at a National Park show that was also interspersed with sporadic gunfire over a faulty sound system. Bounty`s performance was also replete with homosexual denouncements. The ban also covers also covers Mavado, another anti-gay dancehall singer known for "batty man" lyrics."

Guyana Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee tells reporters Bounty Killer, whose real name is Rodney Price, and Mavado, whose real name is David Brooks, "are being banned because they are viewed as a security risk to the country."

Two weeks ago, iTunes Canada removed "several songs with anti-gay lyrics from its online store" that included songs by Jamaican dancehall artists Buju Banton, Elephant Man and TOK.

Guyana Bans Two Jamaica Dancehall Stars [CWN]

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Did You Read? ...

Financial Probs for Anti-Gay Bounty Killer [R20]
iTunes Canada Pulls Anti-Gay "Murder Music" [R20]
Buju Banton Concert Cancelled [Club Rimshot]
Buju Banton Busted By The Bay [Keith Boykin]
Buju Banton Pro/Con [R20]
Beenie Man and Buju Banton Cancelled [R20]
JA Gays Oppose Boycott Over "Murder Music" [R20]
Church: "Ludicrous" to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence [R20]
JA Gay Activist Attacked by Mob Seeks Asylum [R20]
JA Mob Attacks Two Gay Men [R20]
Angry Mob of 2,000 Jamaicans Attack Gays [R20]
Did Jamaican Cops "Rescue" Gays? [R20]
JA Leading Newspaper Demands Equal Rights [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Bloodlust at UWI [R20]
"One Gay is Dead, What's the Difference?" [R20]
"Jamaica, Island of Hate" [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Jamaican Newspaper Criticizes Anti-Gay Laws [R20]
"Gay Panic" Defense in Brutal Slaying [R20]
Who Killed Ambassador Peter King? [R20]
"Gay Panic" in Killing of Popular Priest [R20]
"Flaunting Sexual Preference May Incite Violence" [R20]

Report: Families of Newark Triple Murder Victims Do Not Want Case Prosecuted as Anti-Gay Hate Crime

Disappointing news in the investigation into the shootings of three Newark college students. The case will not be prosecuted as an anti-gay hate crime and reports indicate the families of the victims "do not want" their deceased children identified as gay.

Terrance Aeriel, Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey were killed in August 2007 when they were shot execution style outside a Newark elementary school. Harvey was openly gay and the crew "had planned to drive together to New York City the next morning to attend a black Gay Pride event at Riis Park Beach", a source tells the Washington Blade. Police also say at least one woman was sexually assaulted. Seven men face charges, four of them are juveniles.

"We have not been able to establish a hate crime" under the definition of the New Jersey hate crimes statute, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Thomas McTigue announced. "We don't have probable cause for a hate crime."

Black gay activists say the families of the victims "did not support efforts to publicly identify the murders as an anti-gay hate crime. 'We were told that anything related to the victims' sexual orientation should remain a private matter,' said James Credle, co-president of Newark Pride Alliance, a gay group. 'They made it clear that they didn't want the case to go in that direction.' " The police and mayor have refused to label the case as more than a "robbery gone wrong" and Credle says anti-gay stigma remains strong in Newark's predominately black community.

This must be a difficult time for the families and they are entitled to their privacy. Unfortunately, if the victims were killed because they were gay (or the perception thereof), the beefed up charges would send a strong message to other families and the many young black gay men and lesbians in Newark and across New Jersey.

Evidence lacking for hate crime in Newark [WashBl]

Some Background ...
Newark Triple Murders an Anti-Gay Hate Crime? [R20]
Triple Murders Victims Were in "the Gay Clique" [R20]
Newark Triple Murders: Sexual Assault, Gay Angle [R20]

"American Idol" Jenry Bejarano Featured in "Flaunt"

You knew this would happen. Remember Jenry Bejarano on American Idol 6? The drop dead gorgeous teen with the soulful voice and Tyson Beckford looks (unfortunately) did not fare well in the competition but has obviously found his true calling. The 18-year-old singer adds "model" to his skill set and is featured in the latest issue of Flaunt, the edgy Los Angeles-based fashion bible whose almost-monthly editorials featuring black and Latino models and actors have become required reading.

The editorial is entitled "Grand Concourse" with a retro fashion aesthetic that fuses Bronx b-boy and haute couture. The metallic patent leather sneakers? Lanvin, yet another example of the iconic 1960s fashion house returning with a big bang. The editorial was lensed by fashion photographer Kevin Amato and the style director is Long Nguyen, the same duo who created Haaz Sleiman's recent pictorial in Flaunt. Once you're finished staring at Jenry's lips, feast your eyes on the young hotness in the Prada sneakers, hoodie and short set. Work it out.

Jenry Bejarano is now represented by Manhattan-based Request. Smart move on their part, obviously, he is going to get a lot of bookings. It's very, very nice to see Jenry is growing up quite nicely. More photos on the newsstand.

Thanks to Flaunt's NYC office.

Photographer: Kevin Amato.
Style Director: Long Nguyen.

Did You Read ? ...
Haaz Sleiman Flaunts It [R20]
Trey Songz Flaunts It [R20]
Bow Wow Flaunts It [R20]
Go-Go Gods Flaunt It [R20]
Kwame Flaunts It [R20]
Derek Flaunts It [R20]
Nick Flaunts It [R20]
Jensen Flaunts It [R20]
Shemar Flaunts It [R20]
Manuel and Zack Flaunt It [R20]

Republicans Debut Obama/Wright Attack Ads in Mississippi

Just to amplify earlier remarks on the Rev. Jeremiah Wright publicity tour: Republicans debut two new attack commercials in Mississippi that feature Wright and Barack Obama. Only last week, similar attack ads debuted in North Carolina and Washington state. The two Mississippi spots are in heavy rotation in a conservative congressional district race and telegraph the "bitter" "clinging to guns and religion" narrative that many supporters hoped would be a blip on the radar. Ben Smith at Politico:

[The] television ad from Southaven Mayor Greg Davis tells viewers that his Democratic rival, Travis Childers, a realtor and Prentiss County official, has accepted the endorsement of "liberal Barack Obama." Then, with Childers' face beside footage of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, it says, "When Obama's pastor cursed America, blaming us for 9/11, Childers said nothing."

Then: "When Obama ridiculed rural folks for clinging to guns and religion, Childers said nothing." "He took Obama's endorsement over our conservative values. Conservatives just can't trust Travis Childers," the ad concludes.

Meanwhile, the second spot, produced by the National Republican Congressional Committee and airing in the same district seeks to link Childers to Obama, John Kerry, and Nancy Pelosi. The ad also mocks Obama's "bitter" remarks at the San Francisco fundraiser and links Obama to "the liberal Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi."

The recent spate of Obama flavored right-wing attack advertising is a testament to Obama's "rapid ascent in conservative demonology" and certainly should cause worry to downticket candidates and the national party. It's no surprise to discover Republicans run race-baiting attack ads, but, using them to tar local candidates was not expected. At least not this soon.

Obama stars in Mississippi attack ad [Politico]

More OBAMA
More JEREMIAH WRIGHT
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Rev. Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Rev. Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]