The Pure Line

Paulie Abeles has decided that she should dedicate her time and energy to seeking to exclude Sally Hemings's descendants from official gatherings of descendants of Thomas Jefferson. Sounds a bit odd and slightly racist. She's even been known to resort to dirty tricks in her question to keep the Jefferson clan all-white. So far, just a strange tale, but Ben Smith reports that she's also a McCain organizer:

A key organizer of John McCain's meeting Saturday with former supporters of Hillary Clinton is best known for her role in another bitter American fight: The effort by some white descendants of Thomas Jefferson to keep his possible African-American descendants out of family gatherings.

Paula Abeles emailed Politico yesterday to complain that her group had gotten short shrift in a blog item, writing, "I initiated the teleconference with McCain on Saturday and was solely responsible for the guest list." Another Clinton backer at the event, Will Bower, confirmed that she was "integral" to assembling the group.

This, of course, is the faction of Clinton supporters -- people who don't like black people -- where McCain has a very good shot at picking up new voters. The people who backed Clinton on feminist grounds or because they thought she had the savvy to deliver big time progressive legislation probably won't be following in Abeles' footsteps.

Comments

I think it's not even close to zero-sum-- for every new racist vote that McCain picks up, Obama gets a few more new minority votes. Dogs aren't the only ones that hear dog-whistles.

Posted by MattF | June 16, 2008 10:32 AM

Why would feminists ever think to vote for McCain? If they vote for him, they aren't really feminists in the first place.

Posted by Joe Klein's conscience | June 16, 2008 10:38 AM

MattF,

And I think it likely adds some white suburban moderates to Obama's side as well (the people who strongly believe in being "color blind").

Posted by DTM | June 16, 2008 10:39 AM

MattF and DTM -- also, certain of Jefferson's descendents . . .

Posted by David B. | June 16, 2008 10:47 AM

This, of course, is the faction of Clinton supporters -- people who don't like black people -- where McCain has a very good shot at picking up new voters.

That's a bit strong. It seems more accurate to describe them as people who don't like mixed-race people.

Posted by Jim W | June 16, 2008 10:47 AM

Has she bought her Obama monkey doll yet? "Eeks! Black people in my family tree!"

Posted by Helter | June 16, 2008 10:49 AM

Race Card of the Day!

Posted by Al | June 16, 2008 11:09 AM

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I've heard that the exact parentage of Hemmings' children has yet to be firmly established. While DNA testing has narrowed it down to a member of the Jefferson family, a lot of evidence (I've been told) suggests that Thomas's brother was at least as likely to have been the real father.

So maybe there's more to the objections to Hemmings' descendents' participation than simple racism.

On the other hand, support for John McCain tends to correlate with racism, so who knows.

Posted by Michael T Sweeney | June 16, 2008 11:15 AM

Michael,

I am an expert on the subject, and in fact, virtually all reputable historians believe that Thomas Jefferson was the father of at least one of Sally Hemings's children and quite likely all four (that is, the ones who survived to adulthood). In fact, this is the position of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the organization that runs Monticello. Their report can be found here:
http://www.monticello.org/plantation/hemingscontro/hemings_report.html

Jan

Posted by Jan | June 16, 2008 11:25 AM

Michael,

I am an expert on the subject, and in fact, virtually all reputable historians believe that Thomas Jefferson was the father of at least one of Sally Hemings's children and quite likely all four (that is, the ones who survived to adulthood). In fact, this is the position of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the organization that runs Monticello. Their report can be found here:
http://www.monticello.org/plantation/hemingscontro/hemings_report.html

Jan

Posted by Jan | June 16, 2008 11:26 AM

"And I think it likely adds some white suburban moderates to Obama's side as well (the people who strongly believe in being 'color blind')."

This is especially true in predominantly white states with little history of widespread racism -- like Colorado, New Hampshire, Iowa, the Pacific Northwest and the Upper Midwest. When peoples' only experience with racism is seeing it portrayed as an unmitigated evil in other parts of the country, they really balk as being included in any racist groups.

Posted by Joe | June 16, 2008 11:34 AM

Thomas Jefferson was a white man and an American hero, even if he was a bit of a pinko. Therefore he can't have any black descendants. Stands to reason. Wouldn't be natchr'l.

Posted by SqueakyRat | June 16, 2008 11:53 AM

Joe,

I think that is correct, and I would also note that "colorblindness" has long been an important Republican theme on race. So, I really think that disaffected Republicans already considering voting for Democrats because of the war, corruption, and so on are going to be even more inclined to do so if they detect any hint of racism in the GOP's campaign against Obama.

Posted by DTM | June 16, 2008 12:04 PM

I wince for Michael Sweeney, and I applaud Jan. Too bad about the double-post, though.

Posted by Warren Terra | June 16, 2008 12:26 PM

Thomas Jefferson would have never resorted to sock puppetry.

Posted by asl | June 16, 2008 1:05 PM

This, of course, is the faction of Clinton supporters -- people who don't like black people -- where McCain has a very good shot at picking up new voters.

This isn't an opportunity, this is an echo. White resentment built the GOP majority, and white resentment (in older Americans) is really the only appeal it's got left.
.

Posted by Grand Moff Texan | June 16, 2008 1:16 PM

I'm the Paulie Abeles smeared in the above post.

It was a smear in 2003 and its a smear now. Using psuedonyms in online chat rooms was an unspoken practice in both camps--not unlike what currently takes place in the blogosphere between HRC supporters and Obama.

Posted by Paulie | June 16, 2008 2:01 PM

Are you people insane? If you don't vote for a person it's because of the color of their skin? What are you talking about? The campaign of Obama gets more frightening by the moment. I hold Obama and his entire campaign totally responsible for this. He has led by example - his example of playing the race card toward anything and everything that can get in the way of his ultimate goal that being MR. PRESIDENT. It is obvious to me that this country is indeed NOT READY FOR A BLACK PRESIDENT. Look at your thoughts and behaviors. Look at the disent and accusations it is causing. No one said a word when enough democrats crossed over to vote Republican in large enough numbers to coin them as Reagan Democrats. Think about it!

Posted by Rita | June 16, 2008 2:27 PM

Let's not confuse the issue, Ms. Abeles. You accused, not of using a pseudonym online, but of pretending to be a black woman, when you are in fact white, in order to deceive people.

Using pseudonyms was and is a normal practice online (my name is not Fang, and I'm not actually a Cardinal). Making up fake identities was and is sock puppetry.

Posted by Cardinal Fang | June 16, 2008 2:31 PM

For results and comments of all Jefferson-Hemings controversy regarding the DNA test click on: www.angelfire.com/va/TJTruth and www.tjheritage.org. Here you can click on the official Scholars Commission Report (13 prominent scholars) and find that there is NO proof that Thomas Jefferson fathered any slave child.

The cited Monticello web pages initiated a biased and one sided report chaired by an African-American oral history specialist who used the Pike Co., Ohio interview of Madison Hemings by Samuel Wetmore as a "road map". Dr. Daniel Jordan, Monticello President, swept this important Minority Report document "under the carpet" until I revealed it's existance to the Chairman, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. This report was written by his long time Monticello employee and member of the Monticello Study Group, Dr. Ken Wallenborn, presently President, Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society (www.tjheritage.org).

Extensive researcdh of Madison's statements have found many errors including the one about his naming by Dolley Madison upon the occasion of her visit to Monticello on his birth date Jan 19, 1805. Research reveals that she NEVER made such a visit and the Madison Papers indicate that the Madisons NEVER traveled to Virginia from Washington during winter. This was an attempt by a northern abolitionist, Samuel Wetmore, to inflict embarrasment upon Thomas Jefferson.

The DNA Study of which I assisted Dr. Foster with, tested a known Eston Hemings descendant, whose family had ALWAYS claimed descent from "a Jefferson uncle", meaning Randolph Jefferson, who had the Jefferson DNA ALREADY...testing didn't have to show that.....however Dr. Foster DID NOT reveal this to Nature Journal, the media, Monticello or the many rersearchers. YES, there would be a match, and there was.......just some Jefferson.....and confirms the Eston Hemings oral family claims that they have Jefferson DNA (from Randolph, TJ's younger brother), who was invited to visit Monticello EXACTLY nine months prior to Eston Hemings's birth.

Herbert Barger
Jefferson Family Historian

Posted by Herbert Barger | June 16, 2008 2:55 PM

Matthew Yglesias, I just happened to notice this post after not bothering to read you for a number of weeks. I do not understand what you are trying to do. You seem to be playing the game of being a provoking fiend. What is this hatred of Hillary Clinton and anyone who ever might have voted for Clinton? What am I missing about this shameful insinuating? You are writing about Clinton like a thug.

Posted by Jennifer | June 16, 2008 3:12 PM

Matthew Yglesias, I just happened to notice this post after not bothering to read you for a number of weeks. I do not understand what you are trying to do. You seem to be playing the game of being a provoking fiend. What is this hatred of Hillary Clinton and anyone who ever might have voted for Clinton? What am I missing about this shameful insinuating? You are writing about Clinton like a thug.

Posted by Jennifer | June 16, 2008 3:15 PM

Typical Obamabot hubris. They have no valid arguments so they stoop to name calling and obscenities, racist being the nastiest thing they can come up with, I guess. And the most ignorant.

Thing is, no one believes it, not even them. It's a desperate attempt to hide the truth about their corrupt candidate and his backers. The 2008 Dem primary was rigged, hijacked and stolen by people who believe money can buy anything. But guess what it can't buy: Popular votes, 18 million of them!

Power corrupts and money is the root of all evil. Obama's corrupt machine will destroy itself. History is the best proof of that.

Posted by Suzan | June 16, 2008 3:18 PM

Wow did Arch Hilary camp get a hold of an early version of the PaulBot instant react software?

Posted by crack | June 16, 2008 4:06 PM

Suzan said: (after a rant about the Democratic primary)

Power corrupts and money is the root of all evil. Obama's corrupt machine will destroy itself. History is the best proof of that.

Power does corrupt. That is why we hold regular elections, and forever struggle to reduce the influence of money.

The GOP's core are plutocrats, and intimately familiar with this corruption. Therefore, that their party's leadership of the Federal Government over the last 7.5 years has seen a leap in corruption and abuses of power is no surprise.

Obviously, Senator Obama isn't a saint. But, he is currently a bit closer to that state because of his relatively recent acquisition of power.

Just as obviously, Suzan isn't a Democrat, otherwise she'd know better than to trash "her" party's candidate.

Posted by cmholm | June 16, 2008 4:28 PM

More of the same race baiting from the Obama camp -
you're not allowed to NOT like Obama, or prefer
Hillary, or - voila - you must be a racist!
In my mind, Obama's skin color is the most appealing thing about him... I would never be able to vote for a person as divisive and disingenuous as he is, however.
My thanks to Ms. Abeles for trying to stand up to Obama's slash and burn tactics.

Posted by Mary Lou | June 16, 2008 5:11 PM

What "faction of Clinton supporters" did not like black people, exactly?

Most who voted for Clinton liked her a bit better than they liked Obama. (Or liked her health care proposal a lot better than they liked his, and thought her plan to get out of Iraq and his were much the same. Or just watched the debates and saw her crush the opposition, time after time.)

I don't know what McCain is up to in choosing this female to reach out to disappointed Hillary voters.

It seems like an insane choice to me. The fact that you could use McCain's choice of this woman to reflect negatively on Hillary Clinton and her supporters, rather than on John McCain???

Posted by wobbly | June 16, 2008 5:44 PM

I for one was at the meeting and found myself quite impressed by the level of professionalism by the staff, the host and the entire event.

It's about time we had a politician tell us "I am not a candidate just for the republicans, I am a candidate for the people of America."

There was no threat of Supreme Court Justices and not threat to Gay men and women. In fact, we were all impressed and now more than ever comfortable with a McCain vote over Obama.

So, unless the DNC gets hit upside the head with a wisdom stick between now and Aug convention...McCain is our new president.

Follow me over to Clintons4McCain.com
Oh, PS
The RNC does own Clintonsformccain.com; however, we own the rest
Clintons4mccain.com
myspace.com/clintons4mccain
youtube.com/clintons4mccain

We are not a GOP Operative...PUULLEEAASSE
You are giving the GOP way to much credit.

Posted by Cristi Adkins | June 16, 2008 5:59 PM

Oh hell Cristi, you're an obvious sock puppet.

Of course McCain is a candidate just for Republicans. He supports the GOP's core policies right down the line.

Not being as big an asshole as the guys in "we represent the 51%" Administration isn't enough to make him a good President.

BTW, that was very cute, hiding your domain registration info, after the previous "clintonsformccain" was openly registered by the RNC.

Posted by cmholm | June 16, 2008 6:53 PM

Also, Kristi, your Myspace profile has already given you up. On your current myspace page the URL is given as clintons4mccain.

A week ago, the URL for your account was clintonsformccain. Same trashy content. You are, in fact, a GOP campaign worker, and probably an employee of the RNC.

Posted by cmholm | June 16, 2008 7:32 PM

WTF? How paranoid is that? Just because someone support McCain doesn't make them a racist. What a puny mind.

FYI, calling former Hillary supporters racists will NOT unite the party. Just make them more determined to run to McCain.

Posted by rcarlson323 | June 16, 2008 8:18 PM

Jan,

You neglected to tell the readers about the findings of the Scholars Commision Report (13 full professors), on web page: www.tjheritage.org who found NO proof of Thomas Jefferson fathering ANY slave child.

OR that the Monticello study was Chaired by an oral history specialist to gather imput by the slaves at Monticello. The findings were completely laughable.......ALL?.........only ONE Hemings was tested. The Madison Hemings article was a major "road map" in their biased and one sided research and we know it was INACCURATE for him to claim he was named for James Madison by Dolley Madison on the occasion of her visit to Monticello on Jan. 19, 1805. NOT true....the Madisons NEVER visited Va. from Wash. during the winter. SO, what else is NOT true in Madison's remarks??

The attempt at using political correctness in trying to revise history will NOT work, the public is wise to such attempts.

Jan, I know who you are and your connection to this controversy and I will tell the readers what I told Dr. Dan Jordan, Monticello President, "Dan, how can you sleep at night for your handling of this controversy in the manner you have?" Historians, and especially "experts" should be sure of their facts, we don't want to read of your bias.

The public should be aware of some of the unproven books that "experts" and the historians referenced in Jan's post are asking the public to "swallow." You can see 16 of my "expert" (only expert because I assisted Dr. Foster with the DNA test) and know all the inside maneuvering that has been perpetuated against our citizens. My book reviews on Amazon from these authors, including that of historians Jan Lewis and Peter Onuf are factual not with an agenda.

Note to the reader: you have been blindsided by "experts", read the REAL scholars reports mentioned above then let Monticello know of your findings. They own the building but NOT Thomas Jefferson's legacy........we all do.

Herb Barger
Jefferson Family Historian

Posted by Herbert Barger | June 16, 2008 8:46 PM

OMG Why is it so hard for some of you to believe that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hennings?? Is it because they dont look black. Have any of you seen a family portrait of an African American family? In one family the range in skin colors covers the rainbow. My great grandmother and great-great granmother dont look black, nor does my great aunt. My family members have every skin tone you can think of.

Slave owners routinely had children with their slaves.

I am not voting for Obama because he is African American but because of what he represents. I am not voting for John McCain for what he in fact represents.

The fact that this woman has a racist history and is now an avid McCain supporter speaks for itself. If you want to make Obabma guilty by his association to people the same should hold true for McCain.

Posted by Daphne | June 16, 2008 9:03 PM

Obama's completely unqualified to lead America and all evidence indicates he, his wife, & too many of his close associates, both black & white, are anti-American, many with criminal & even terrorist records. Clinton WON the popular vote -- Obama BOUGHT the DNC. Accordingly, my group will vote for McCain if Obama is nominated. We'll trust our country's future to McCain, who's repeatedly put his life on the line for America, far more than to Obama, whose history, friends, and activities all indicate an abiding contempt for America & rank-&-file Americans.

Posted by Patrick Knif | June 16, 2008 10:32 PM

Obama's completely unqualified to lead America and all evidence indicates he, his wife, & too many of his close associates, both black & white, are anti-American, many with criminal & even terrorist records. Clinton WON the popular vote -- Obama BOUGHT the DNC. Accordingly, my group will vote for McCain if Obama is nominated. We'll trust our country's future to McCain, who's repeatedly put his life on the line for America, far more than to Obama, whose history, friends, and activities all indicate an abiding contempt for America & rank-&-file Americans.

Posted by Patrick Knif | June 16, 2008 10:33 PM

Obama's completely unqualified to lead America and all evidence indicates he, his wife, & too many of his close associates, both black & white, are anti-American, many with criminal & even terrorist records. Clinton WON the popular vote -- Obama BOUGHT the DNC. Accordingly, my group will vote for McCain if Obama is nominated. We'll trust our country's future to McCain, who's repeatedly put his life on the line for America, far more than to Obama, whose history, friends, and activities all indicate an abiding contempt for America & rank-&-file Americans.

Posted by Patrick Knif | June 16, 2008 10:34 PM

Patrick says:

Clinton WON the popular vote

This is false.

Obama BOUGHT the DNC

This is speculation.

my group will vote for McCain if Obama is nominated

This "group" is unidentified.

We'll trust our country's future to McCain, who's repeatedly put his life on the line for America

The GOP thought nothing of trashing a combat veteran in the previous election. Your trust is meaningless, and likely based strictly on party affiliation. BTW, John only polled 47% of the popular vote.

Obama, whose history, friends, and activities all indicate an abiding contempt for America

This is an opinion.

Thank you for playing. You're new here. Please learn to wait after clicking the "post" button.

Posted by cmholm | June 16, 2008 10:56 PM

Please learn to wait after clicking the "post" button.

Quite a while, one might add.

Posted by jbryan | June 16, 2008 11:05 PM

At a guess, Patrick's "group" consists of himself, a Persian, a Siamese, and a Calico.

Posted by DTM | June 16, 2008 11:06 PM

BTW, Patrick, I'm really enjoying your desperation. Odds are, your Party and your candidate are going to get their ass kicked in the general, and I know you can feel it coming.

What would really make my year after that is for Richard Mellon Scaife to renounce his citizenship and move to the Bahamas.

Posted by cmholm | June 16, 2008 11:09 PM

Is Herb Barger a Jefferson descendant? It's really hard to imagine Thomas Jefferson, were he alive today, using ALL-CAPs in his web based comments.

Posted by Comment | June 16, 2008 11:11 PM

Abeles involvement on the Jefferson issue is reprehensible IMHO.

But Matt, WTF with accusing Hillary supporters of racism? Enough already. As a feminist, I see you've carefully excluded me here, but this tactic of making sweeping judgments of entire groups of voters is unethical, not progressive, and if those things don't bother you - it's also poison for Obama's chances in November.

Posted by Sarah in DC | June 17, 2008 7:43 PM

What shoddy journalism! I'm a Clinton supporter and life-long democrat who is totally disgusted with the current leadership in the democratic party and with the arrogance of the MSM. My children attended a parochial elementary school in an inner city area where most of the student body was AA. Many of my children's friends were AA as well as the parents that I worked with. (I volunteered a lot at the school since I only worked part-time) At no time did I meet anyone like Rev. Wright or Fr. Pfleger (it was a Roman Catholic elementary school). Although my children and I were in the "minority" in this school, we were treated with the utmost respect.

Could it be possible that the problem that some Clinton supporters like myself have with Obama has nothing to do with skin color but everything to do with Obama's lack of good judgment in choosing friends and associates; not much of a record to look at and what there is seems to be lackluster; being about as "informed on some issues as Geo. W.; and the very unfair and un-democratic process by which he was given "presumptive nominee" status in the democratic party. Maybe those who excuse Obama's many gaffes and dismiss all of his questionable associates and do not want to look beyond his message to what he really stands for are trying to prove to themselves that they are not "racists" but in their "heart of hearts" they suspect they are and so they project their "shadows" (those dis-owned parts of themselves) onto convenient targets like Clinton supporters who do not support Obama.

If we are truly post-racial in our society and more particularly in the democratic party, we hold each and everyone who would seek the highest office in this land and one of the most important jobs in the world to the same "standards." We do not disenfranchise voters to favor one candidate over another. We investigate reports of "voter intimidation and fraud" at caucus sites. We do not call for the premature withdrawal of one candidate every time she wins another primary and is only slightly behind in "delegate count." A history of the democratic primaries as well as republican primaries have several examples where candidates were far behind in delegates and took the fight to the convention floor sometimes to win their party's nomination and sometimes not to win but they weren't "forced out" before the convention on the grounds of "party unity."

We don't take pledged delegates away from the candidate who earned them and give them to the candidate who did not earn them. We do not stand silently by when one of our candidates is called names, threats of bodily harm are implied by MSM, and her supporters are treated with the same disrespect by many in the MSM.

To be treated with dignity and respect, is the "birthright" of every person regardless of race, creed, sex, educational level, or economic status. It is not reserved for only certain groups who are deemed to be in the "politically correct crowd."

Posted by Cathy in Ks. | June 18, 2008 1:32 AM

Paulie Abeles is looking for an altenative to the garbage voters are being handed in this election, and she's not alone. The first tactic employed by the Obamatrons is always to play the race card. Anyone who disagrees with them is a racist. Yet, they employ racism at every turn. The finest example of which is the speech Michelle Obama gave to a predominantly African-American audience of 7,500 in Charlotte, NC the day before the watershed NC primary. You can read the transcript on-line, but the gist of the speech was "get out and vote your color." And they did - 92% of AA voters in the NC Dem Primary went to Obama. Apparently, racism is only an issue for them if it works against them, otherwise it's perfectly acceptable. The agreement I signed to post this comment states "By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable." Apparently the same standard does not apply to Matthew Yglesias.

Posted by Carmina | June 18, 2008 10:40 AM

Paulie Abeles is looking for an altenative to the garbage voters are being handed in this election, and she's not alone. The first tactic employed by the Obamatrons is always to play the race card. Anyone who disagrees with them is a racist. Yet, they employ racism at every turn. The finest example of which is the speech Michelle Obama gave to a predominantly African-American audience of 7,500 in Charlotte, NC the day before the watershed NC primary. You can read the transcript on-line, but the gist of the speech was "get out and vote your color." And they did - 92% of AA voters in the NC Dem Primary went to Obama. Apparently, racism is only an issue for them if it works against them, otherwise it's perfectly acceptable. The agreement I signed to post this comment states "By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable." Apparently the same standard does not apply to Matthew Yglesias.

Posted by Carmina | June 18, 2008 10:44 AM

Paulie Abeles is looking for an altenative to the garbage voters are being handed in this election, and she's not alone. The first tactic employed by the Obamatrons is always to play the race card. Anyone who disagrees with them is a racist. Yet, they employ racism at every turn. The finest example of which is the speech Michelle Obama gave to a predominantly African-American audience of 7,500 in Charlotte, NC the day before the watershed NC primary. You can read the transcript on-line, but the gist of the speech was "get out and vote your color." And they did - 92% of AA voters in the NC Dem Primary went to Obama. Apparently, racism is only an issue for them if it works against them, otherwise it's perfectly acceptable. The agreement I signed to post this comment states "By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable." Apparently the same standard does not apply to Matthew Yglesias.

Posted by Carmina | June 18, 2008 10:44 AM

Obama, by turning his back on Hillary when she attempted to shake his hand, when giving her the finger in the last debae and by him and his campaign savaging Hillary gave feminists many good reasons to say ABO(Anyone But Obama).

I am a male Dem.-Liberal Centrist. I honor and resoect Joe Lieberman who was bambozeled out of the party by tons of money in the hands of the Radical Left. Joe, McCain and Billary ALL are on good speaking terms and respect one another.

The consortium of Black Militants, one issue Blacks, Communists, Socialists and the extreme lefty activists have succeeded in stealing the nomination, but they will never have our support.

Jack Kashinsky
Coordinator,
NY Clintons 4 McCain

"We will soon forget the words of our enemies but we will never forget the silence of our friends."...MLK

Posted by jack kashinsky | June 18, 2008 12:53 PM

Just because you don't vote for Obama you're consider a racist. My family includes 2 oriental children, my best friend is married to a black man, my son is dating a spanish girl.

Believe me I am not a racist and I will not vote for Obama.

He is not qualified to be President, never was never will be. His judgement sinks, his wife doesn't deserve to be First Lady and his friends and spiritual advisors are questionable.

Clinton supporter 4 McCain

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/2008/06/obamas-2002-speech-and-rezkos-power.html

Posted by Diane | June 19, 2008 4:42 PM

Just because you don't vote for Obama you're consider a racist. My family includes 2 oriental children, my best friend is married to a black man, my son is dating a spanish girl.

Believe me I am not a racist and I will not vote for Obama.

He is not qualified to be President, never was never will be. His judgement sinks, his wife doesn't deserve to be First Lady and his friends and spiritual advisors are questionable.

Clinton supporter 4 McCain

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/2008/06/obamas-2002-speech-and-rezkos-power.html

Posted by Diane | June 19, 2008 4:42 PM

Just because you don't vote for Obama you're consider a racist. My family includes 2 oriental children, my best friend is married to a black man, my son is dating a spanish girl.

Believe me I am not a racist and I will not vote for Obama.

He is not qualified to be President, never was never will be. His judgement sinks, his wife doesn't deserve to be First Lady and his friends and spiritual advisors are questionable.

Clinton supporter 4 McCain

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/2008/06/obamas-2002-speech-and-rezkos-power.html

Posted by Diane | June 19, 2008 4:43 PM

O my God what is wrong with you Obama supporters. Just because we choose to vote for McCain now that Clinton is out doesn't make us racist. But just listen to some of the Obamas side remarks. Just because we don't see him as the answer to Americas promblems were racist,bitter,hurt etc.Did you ever stop to think that we just don't think he is qualified? I don't judge a person by the color of his skin, If Colin Powell were running i'd vote for him in a heart beat. As a matter of fact I hope that McCain picks condi Rice or Colin Powell as his V.P.

Posted by tillerylakelady | June 19, 2008 7:32 PM

"people who do not like black people" what a crock, the Obama campaign have played the race card ever since they entered the race.

Their tactics are to accuse their opponents of doing the things that they are doing yourself.

Obama supporters are "ppeople who do not like white people" and probably yellow, brown, and red citizens also.

A racist calling other people racist that is precious.

Obama racist supporters, remember this truism, that when you point your accusing finger at someone, there are three quilty fingers pointing right back at you.

And when Obama loses, you will blame it on the racist Americana, H.R. Clinton, Obama's grandmother et al...

Posted by TerryDo | June 20, 2008 8:42 AM

this just goes to prove how far the dems will go to get into office. they are power hungry and no better than any other party. they will do or say anything to sway mindless people. they are finally showing their true selves.

Posted by Judy | June 20, 2008 8:42 AM

this just goes to prove how far the dems will go to get into office. they are power hungry and no better than any other party. they will do or say anything to sway mindless people. they are finally showing their true selves.

Posted by Judy | June 20, 2008 8:43 AM

this just goes to prove how far the dems will go with their lust to regain office. they are power hungry in my opinion. they will attack anyone who d/n agree with their point of view. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ONE NATION. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL

Posted by Judy | June 20, 2008 8:48 AM

Herb Barger is not a Jefferson descendant; his wife is a descendant of Field Jefferson, Thomas' brother. He has proclaimed himself "official historian" and does not hold any office with the Monticello Association. My father donated blood for the DNA study and I was with him when he discussed the possibility with Dr. Foster and later when his blood was drawn. I never met, nor heard of Mr. Barger, nor did Dr. Foster ever mention him.
I am a democrat, supporting Barack Obama. However, I do not believe that Mr. McCain is a rascist, or that people who support him are either, simply because of their association with Ms. Abeles. Unfortunately, she is someone that I believe to be driven by hate, anger and fear. It is an unlucky consequence to McCain and his followers that she attached herself to his campaign and in so doing tarnished everyone's reputation. Ms. Abeles protrayed herself as a 68 year old black woman (actually I believe "Cassandra" was actually her husband, Nat... but, he used Paulie as a human shield) to keep Hemings' family members from attending a reception at Monticello. She used terms like "civilized behavior" to justify her actions.. intelligent people know these to be cover words for "we do not want those people here". That the Abeles' are driven by their own ignorance and hatred does not necessarily mean that you can say the same for Mr. McCain. In the end we should learn from the petty behavior of the Abeles and Bargers of the world who would rather keep people apart than bring them together. As my father often told us, "you did nothing to be related to this family.. you must live up to it with your own actions and not down to it". The Abeles have done their best to look backward, preening like peacocks, and living down to their heritage - and have done nothing to earn their claim. They do not realize that they are rarely taken seriously and often seen as caricatures. To say that they have missed the point is an understatement. I think we would all be wise to pity Ms. Abeles, and move on! There are too many more important issues in this campaign to be pulled down by such nonsense as respresented by Paulie Abeles and others like her. "The truth will out".

Posted by LEC | June 20, 2008 9:10 PM

Paulie Abeles says, "Using psuedonyms in online chat rooms was an unspoken practice in both camps"

Except, Paulie, there were no pseudonyms in that "chat room," which was actually a yahoo family posting site. I know because I am a member of that site. We all use our correct names and in fact provided our family connections to the webmaster as a condition of gaining access to the site.

When you told us your name was Cassandra and that you were a 67 year old Hemings descendant, you deliberately mislead us. Honest people would call that lying.

Posted by Debbie | June 20, 2008 10:46 PM

Obama had only 146 days as a new Senator before deciding that he was qualified to be our next president.Democrats can not name a single life achievement that does qualifiy him. Democrats think that he is a Uniter. A Uniter of whom? As a 20 year member in a black activist church. run by anti-american racists pastors, friends to anti=capital leftists, and married to a woman who is proud of her country for the first time in her adult life O my god these are reasons enough for me not to vote for Barack Hussein Obama.

Posted by tillerylakelady | June 20, 2008 11:43 PM

Diane, if you're not racist then um...you should know that it's considered racist to refer to asians as "oriental". Good lord, how old ARE you?

Posted by Greg | June 21, 2008 7:48 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information npresented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference mthat this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:54 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference mthat this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:55 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference I've read that this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:56 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference I've read that this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:58 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference I've read that this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:58 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference I've read that this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 11:58 AM

How have you been smeared exactly, Paulie? To be smeared, the information presented must be untrue or distorted. I see nothing in your comments or any reference I've read that this was the case. You weren't smeared, you were exposed. You admitted what you did re: the Jefferson family was childish and unethical. You were revealed as an unmitigated racist sleazeball for that episode, and now you appear with Neil Cavuto to support McCain, spreading lies in your filthy wake the way a slug does its slime, and doing so in concert with the most disturbing news organization that's ever existed? You're an absolute disgrace. Do us all a favor and go away.

Posted by wizjinx | June 21, 2008 12:05 PM

Please all you obama supporters go to you tube and see this video. Radical islamic leader Qadhafi is supporting Obama and calling him his arab muslim brother.go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSemkPChvHo

Posted by tillerylakelady | June 24, 2008 5:37 PM

Herb Barger claims that he "assisted Dr. Foster with the DNA tests" - which would lead the uninitiated reader to believe that he had some connection with the DNA testing itself, which is not true. Barger helped locate Hemings and Jefferson descendants, and did not participate in the testing itself. He helped because he believed that the tests would be negative, disproving the Hemings - Jefferson connection. To his consternation, a link between "a Jefferson" and Hemings descendants was proven, and he's spent the last ten years trying to expiate his "error" by posting all-caps rebuttals in just about every blog post ever made about the subject since then. If you go back and read his years earlier posts, he wasn't quite as aggressively negative in his portrayal of Dr. Foster and the Monticello foundation, but as the Jefferson - Hemings story continues to be popular with the general public, he's grown increasingly impatient, it seems.

Posted by john | June 28, 2008 9:20 PM