By Bill O'Reilly
The President gave an interview to "The New Yorker" magazine a liberal publication generally supportive of his administration. In that interview, Mr. Obama talked about race, quote: "There is no doubt that there is some folks who just really dislike me because they don't like the idea of a black President. Now, the flip side of it, is that there are some black folks and maybe some white folks who really like me and give me the benefit of the doubt precisely because I'm a black President."
That assessment 100 percent correct. To his credit, Barack Obama has not used race in his quest for power. As a mixed race individual, the President knows how difficult that circumstance can be. But he has not addressed it in any substantial way. Again, that is to his credit because as President he represents all Americans.
The President has written books that deal with his life and challenges. But in the public arena Mr. Obama has been cautious and responsible on the race issue. That has angered some on the far left and some race hustlers who want Mr. Obama to be more proactive in promoting African-American policies.
Cornell West for example has excoriated the President for not being more sensitive to black issues. I believe Dr. West, who teaches at Princeton, is misguided.
The truth is, that the race factor in America is not an overwhelming problem anymore Mr. Obama won two elections. And although he's standing among white Americans is now in decline that's primarily because of the economy and Obamacare. It has little to do with race. Upon his inauguration in 2009, Barack Obama had a nearly 70 percent approval rating very high for any politician. That proves the USA has made dramatic improvements in the race arena. There is no question about it.
Finally "Talking Points" believes that minority Americans do -- do have a much tougher time succeeding in the marketplace generally speaking than affluent whites, for example. But it all comes down to something that is accessible in America: education and personal responsibility. Black Americans should understand that if they study and work hard they will likely succeed in this country. And that's the message about race that all good and honest people should be promoting.
And that's ‘The Memo.'
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