Was Obama's Slam Against Martin Luther King's "Dream"?

I'd say it's a little of both, Ted. I voted for him because of his strength of character, his refusal to allow himself to be drawn into pettiness, his adoration of his grandmother (a part of the whole that can't be denied), and his love for his wife (there's just something that speaks volumes when a man can still look adoringly at his wife even after a dozen or more years). His skin color was secondary - to me - although I recognized it and considered it to be an asset more than a hindrance because of his ability to see both sides of the color issue. But, there were those who voted for him because of his skin color as well as those who voted AGAINST him for the same reason. And yet, it will be his character that tells in his Presidency. Not his color. Not his DNA. It will be the MAN, Barack Obama, who succeeds or fails, regardless of why someone voted for him. If he succeeds, as I hope, he will have fulfilled Mr. King's dream and made it ever more possible for others to live the same dream, votes notwithstanding.

I did not vote for color of skin, I'm sure that there is some that have. Did it slam Dr. King's "Dream"? I don't know it's hard to say. I'm sure that a lot of black Americans are happy that finally a black man was able to be elected to the highest office in the nation. That man was also able to take a lot of votes from the red states as well.

A lot of white folks and Hispanic folks and probably people from all nationalities also voted for Obama and not because of the color of his skin. I was for McCain; I thought he was the better man for the job, but apparently not enough people agreed with me to get him elected. Many people may have voted for Obama because he is a black man, but the fact that a lot of other people also voted for him may be an indicator that at least we are getting closer to Martin Luther King's dream of not judging people by the color of their skin. However, the people who did vote for him for that reason probably weren't thinking of King's message when they voted.

Your title sounded like you meant Obama slammed MLK's "Dream." However, my answer is an absolute no; Obama was not elected because of the color of his skin. He was elected because more voters thought he had the right ideas, the right solutions to America's problems and the strength, grace and dignity that is demanded (or should be) by the office of President. That is not to say that some people didn't vote for him because of the color of his skin; and the same can be said of McCain. I am sure they both received votes based on nothing more than race. I think there were very few of these types of votes. Just as I know some people may have voted for McCain because they think Sarah Palin is "pretty." But only a very few. I'm just proud that the system worked the way it is supposed to. I'm still celebrating Obama's win and I can't wait to see what's next!

I believe we made Martin Luther King's dream come true. I dont believe it was the color of his skin. If that was the case I would believe that Jesse Jackson would have won as president many elections ago. I am a typical American person that has fought hard and long with my husband that believed in McCain. I believe that alot of middleclass white people had to put up with alot of BS when they said they were voting for Obama but we held our ground on what we believed in, not the fact that his skin is black but the fact that the man is intelligent and we believe he will lead this country into what it was intended to be for many years. We the people are one. Have a great day!

There were people who freely admitted they voted for Obama because of the color of his skin. There was an interview with some young woman yesterday who admitted to that. No other reason just that he is black like she is. Some African-Americans probably voted for him because of it, so did some white people who probably felt better about themselves for not being racist. I don't think the majority of the votes came because of the color of his skin but because people desire change. Heck, I desire a change in politics, just not the one Obama promises us. The McCain=Bush stuff worked out for Obama, because people are just so tired of the Bush politics. They just didn't bother to look into what McCain had to say about his politics. Some believe Obama's politics will elevate their life, make it better, give them better social status, provide them with what they need to have a good life... The take some wealth away from the rich mantra, the distribution of wealth, many people loved that notion. And some people just want the troops home and see him as the one who can get their loved ones home the fastest. But even if people simply voted for Obama because of the color of his skin, it's still in support of King's dream. Even with Obama as president, King's dream has not yet been fulfilled. Racism is still very much alive. In his dream it's not there anymore. In fact, King wanted racism to go away completely. Obama IMO managed to increase the rift between the races. In time we'll be able to overcome it all, but King's four kids likely will not experience it anymore.

I do think that many of the blacks voted for Obama because he was part Black (not American Black, Kenyan Black, by the way) and because they believed all those Tv dramas where the bosses are all black and the whites do their bidding. They forgot Obama's character, his pro abortion policy, his far left leanings, just so they could say "Now we have a black president! Now we can get laws favoring us. Now we can pressure the businesses and the military to fire or demote their white leaders so that everywhere a black man or woman is on top!" And remember what he said about children being a punishment. Vote because of what the man has done, vote for the character and his ability and not for the color of his skin. Do not assume a charismatic voice and presence gives ability and character. In Canada, we had Chreitien, before that Trudeau, in Germany, they had Hitler.

Excellent discussion, ParaTed2k! I think most people of color voted for him because of his color. You hear their conversations about a black man getting in and you know. But if I voted for McCain and so blatantly made the remarks they did, I would be a racist. Some white people did it for the same reason. Some did it because they liked his liberal values. Some did it because they thought they would help them with immigration,etc. He is no Martin Luther King. He is a liberal all the way. It is a historical time, alright. It is a sign of the times. I wonder how many blacks would have voted for McCain if he was black and had the same values he does and Obama was white and had conservative views. You know the answer.

I believe that there are probably some people who voted for Obama just because he's black and I believe there are probably some who voted against him just because he is black. However, I would like to think that as a nation on a whole, that Martin Luther King's dream has come true. Obama wasn't my choice, this has nothing to do with the color of his skin for me, but I would like to think that overall that the color of skin was not a main factor in this election. While there will probably always be racist among us, I'd like to believe that as a nation as a whole, we have moved beyond the color issue. I would truly love to see our nation become color blind in matters of race and such.

The only reason ALOT of people voted for Obama is because he is black...

I don't know a single person that voted for Obama because of his color, but I do know a few that did not vote for him because of it. Thank goodness the majority of people voted based on the issues. Obama was the only candidate that talked about what he was going to do about the economy, healthcare, alternative energy.... All McCain had to say is "Im a Maverick and he is a terrorist" Thank goodness we all voted for someone who's campaign addressed the issues.

I think essentially martin meant that we had the right to choose to vote for anyone we wanted whether it be because of his skin color or because of the other issues.

he will make the great dream.because he is obama. good to know the man.he is gracious in defeat.you are right,who can have the ability to make the country improved and let the people live happy life,and he is a good president. whoever he is ,and his background ,his skin color,he will do this ,he will be in our mind .obama can do it well,and mccain should appriciate his friend.so it is good to know he is the man.

It's funny that these assumptions come up only when a black man runs for president. Nobody talked about whether or not people voted for prior presidents because they were white???? With that said, it is obviously important to point out that he is, in fact, black, and this is monumental and so it is worth noting and obviously the press is going to talk about it over and over again. But like anything or anyone that is different, it's going to be talked about. But don't assume that although people may be proud and happy that an extremely qualified and diplomatic president-elect is black, don't assume that MOST people voted for him because of his ethnicity. As a matter of fact, according to a lot of the polling, most of the people who voted for Obama were white. Are you saying that they voted for him simply because he is black? Maybe they did, but I doubt it. Out of the two former candidates, Obama, according to myself and the votes, is the better one. Furthermore, we could all use the same assumption with the McCain votes and say they voted for him because he's white. Maybe, Maybe not...who will ever know, huh?

I am not going to reveal who I voted for but I will say that my mind was made up close to the end of the campaign and I can tell you that I voted for who I thought was the best able to do the job. It had nothing to do with color of skin or even the party being represented at all.

That is true. I believe, and know, some people voted on him just because of his color.. I think it is wrong, but something we will have to put up with for now. I didn't want Obama as president, but there is nothing I can do about it.

Actually, Obama accomplished martin luther kings' dreams. he wasnt voted for becos of his skin colour, he was voted for becos they saw a change in him, they hope and a better future for americans in him. indeed, history has been made.