The Assassination of the United States President?

INTRODUCTION

As the rhetoric heats up in the presidential election, partisan politics create passionate environments that demonize other candidates. Clearly, this is politics as usual. Under the ‘anything goes’ gamesmanship, talkshow hosts and political operatives are allowed to attack a candidate’s character. Will it be enough to galvanize the extremists to physically carry out an assassination on a presidential figure? In August, Senator Barack Obama was the first biracial candidate in history to represent a major political party. When you mix the characteristics of being very liberal and his racial background, Democratic president candidate Obama stands as a likely candidate for these types of attempts. Clearly, race will play a critical role whether he can win. Can Americans trust Obama with his Chicago machine connection or his different background?

Newsweek columnist Jack Weisber argues that race shapes this year’s presidential campaign: “…let be honest: the reason Obama isn’t ahead right now is that he trails badly among one group, older white voters. He lags with them for a simple reason: the color of his skins.” According to a New York Times/CBS New polls in July, 24% of voters said the country is not ready for a black president. As the media seeks to increase their rating with more drama, will it foster the climate for another presidential assassination? At the Democratic National Convention, law enforcement arrested three men for plotting Obama’s assassination. One suspect explained that the plans were to shoot Obama “from a high vantage point using a rifle sighted at 750 yards.” According to authorities, the men’s conversation was filled with racist slurs. One suspect stated, “He [Obama] don’t belong in political office. Blacks don’t belong in political office. He ought to be shot.” The men were released. No charges were made.

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Unfortunately, assassination becomes an inescapable part of American History. However, it is something that is fairly common for our neighbors across the globe. For example, Benazir Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim state, was assassinated December 27, 2007 during her presidential campaign in Pakistani. In America, more than 17 assassinations have been attempted on past, present, and future presidents and presidential candidates. The four American presidents who were assassinated include Abraham Lincoln (the 16th president), James Garfield (the 20th president), William McKinley (the 25th president), and John F. Kennedy (the 35th president). Yet, presidential candidates are also at risks. Senator Robert Kennedy, the Democratic presidential candidate, was killed in 1968. In the modern era, assassinations were attempted on the following presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Therefore, being a United States president or nominate carries a dangerous risk for assassination attempts.

TODAY’S CHALLENGES

As the politic propaganda escalades, an assassination becomes more imminent. Many blacks fear for Obama’s life and hope that history does not repeat itself. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was considering a presidential campaign but declined primarily due to his wife’s concern that he would be assassinated. Yet, other Americans fear for Obama safety due to the extremists. Evidence for concern arose in February 2008 when British Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing predicted Obama’s assassination: “He would probably not last long, a black man in the position of president. They would kill him.” Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee made an off color joke about Obama at an annual National Rifle Association meeting. When a loud bang was heard off- stage, Huckabee remarked, “That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He was getting ready to speak. Somebody aimed a gun at him and he...he dove for the floor.” By making this harmless joke, Huckabee appeared to quiet the reality of this possible occurrence. Yet, other opponents continue to flame the fire of political rhetoric.

CONCLUSION

Conservative media heavy weights, such as Fox News and Rush Limbaugh gain traction by launching personal attacks on Obama that he’s unpatriotic, un-American, and radical. Unanimous sources launch emails about him that he’s a racist or a secret Muslim which create an atmosphere ripe for an assassination. The negative campaign strategy appears to be working. Will 1968 repeat itself in 2008? Let us pray that it doesn’t happen.

Daryl Green, a Knoxville College professor, is a nationally recognized lecturer and author of several books, including Awakening the Talents Within. If you have any questions, you can contact them at www.darylgreen.org and www.darylandestraletta.com.