The Oil Race

President Obama and I may have one distinct thing in common. Often when folks disagree with my analysis, they label me an angry white man. The far left loves to do that. Any passion shown by forces opposed to the "progressive" agenda is often described as irrational and vitriolic.

Now Obama finds himself in a similar place. For weeks, the president was criticized for being disengaged regarding the oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf. Even fellow liberals like Spike Lee and Bill Maher implored the president to get angry, to show some visible displeasure.

Ever the cool customer, Obama did not immediately heed that advice. But this week, an ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that 69 percent of Americans believe the feds are doing a bad job of dealing with the spill. Uh-oh. The president took notice.

He booked himself on the "Today" show and told Matt Lauer that he is fully engaged in seeking solutions to the disaster. He's speaking with all kinds of experts. The president then said: "We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers, so I know whose ass to kick."

Ooooooh! Let the kicking begin.

But the punt threat didn't turn out the way the president envisioned. Instead of the media getting behind the behind kicking, they have turned this into a race issue.

Writing in The Washington Post, far-left columnist Jonathan Capehart put forth: "Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you saw your black male colleague ... show anger or rage...? My hunch is never.

"African-American men are taught at very young ages (or learn the hard way) to keep our emotions in check, to not lose our cool, lest we be perceived as dangerous or menacing..."

Are you kidding me? If Obama shows displeasure, he's menacing? Three minutes ago he was a wimp for not drowning the CEO of British Petroleum. Now he's dangerous because he says he wants to kick some butt?

Even if you don't like the president, you have to admit: The guy can't win.

The underlying story here is why some in the media continue to embrace this race business. Why are they bothering with this nonsense? I think the answer is that race provides cover.

To his credit, Obama has largely rejected the race card. Only in that absurd Massachusetts incident where a white cop confronted a black Harvard professor could Obama be accused of entering racial waters. He ran for president as an American, not as an African-American.

But every time Obama gets into trouble, devoted acolytes like Capehart trot out skin color. I guess they think being black makes it more difficult for the president to govern. But linking race to the president's reaction to the oil spill is really beyond the pale.

The truth is, President Obama is a cool guy. But sometimes heat is needed to get things done. Skin color has nothing to do with it.

Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the book "Who's Looking Out For You?" To find out more about Bill O'Reilly, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. This column originates on the Web site www.billoreilly.com.

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