Obama's Waffles

Political parties often make unnecessary and offensive comments during presidential campaigns, but the shock factor seems to be at an all-time high for this election.

Activists at a conservative political forum were selling boxes of waffle mix depicting Barack Obama as a racial stereotype for $10 this weekend. The boxes portrayed Obama with popping eyes and big lips while looking at a plate of waffles and smiling.

According to the story released by the Associated Press on Sept. 12, the box was sold at the Values Voter Summit as a form of political satire. Organizers of the forum said they did not realize the boxes displayed “offensive material.” They were told the waffle mix was supposed to parody Obama’s policy positions.
Creators of “Obama Waffles,” Mark Whitlock and Bob DeMoss stood by their product throughout the controversy.

When asked if he considered the images of Obama racist Whitlock said, “We had some people mention that to us, but you think of Newman's Own or Emeril's — there are tons and tons of personality-branded food products on the market. So we've taken that model and, using political satire, have highlighted his policies, his position changes."

If the product itself wasn’t outrageous enough to begin with, Whitlock had to make things even more nonsensical with his comment. How can he believe that celebrity-endorsed products are the same as the racist images he created? All those branded food products Whitlock mentioned were approved by the people who put their names behind them. I am fairly certain Whitlock never called Obama and said, “Hey would you be ok with us making a product that makes you look like Aunt Jemima?”

The picture on the front wasn’t the only racist image on the box. According to AP, Obama Waffles also depicted Obama in stereotypical Mexican dress above a recipe for "Open Border Fiesta Waffles". The waffles can serve "4 or more illegal aliens," and the recipe included the tip: "While waiting for these zesty treats to invade your home, why not learn a foreign language?"

Organizers of the summit decided to stop selling the mix on the third day of the forum, but I think it was more for PR purposes than actual regret. How did they not realize that the product might offend people? Obama opted not to comment on the product, but I cannot keep my mouth shut. The box even has a caricature of Obama’s wife Michelle on it. It is one thing to attack the candidate with racist images, but why go after his wife? She is not running for office and her policy issues are not going to be voted on in November! I think Michelle’s picture is enough to prove that the product had little to do with political satire, at least to me it is.