When it comes to race, U.S. politicians talk in code

By Matthew Bigg

ATLANTA (Reuters) - The issue of race in U.S. politics is so sensitive and explosive that it has a language all its own. For outsiders, the code can be hard to break.

Indirect words, phrases and euphemisms have long been used to discuss race in the United States, and the subject has drawn more attention this election cycle because Democratic candidate Barack Obama is black.

Obama has been accused of making subtle references to race in to bid to manipulate sentiment, most recently by saying he would look different than other U.S. presidents.

At the same time, references to his alleged "inexperience" as a one-term U.S. senator and perceived "arrogance" on a trip to Europe and the Middle East last month could also be seen as subtle racial digs, political commentators say.

Inexperience might be a substitute for an idea with roots in the era of U.S. slavery that African Americans couldn't be trusted, while arrogance can be a way of suggesting that black people are "uppity" or above their station, they said.

"The issue (of race) is there in political campaigns and not just this one. People talk in code. It is the 800-pound gorilla in the room that is ignored by mutual agreement so it never gets dealt with head on," said Andrew Taylor, professor of political science at North Carolina State University.

Understanding that code can be difficult, but Taylor said it was common because discussions about race in public forums in America were fraught with pitfalls.

"It is very difficult to have a frank conversation about race. Even when you tiptoe around the periphery it ... (can) degenerate into a shouting match," he said.

Obama faces Republican John McCain in the November 4 election to succeed President George W. Bush and race is a factor in the contest, not least because Obama would be the first black U.S. president in a country where few blacks are elected to national office.

'TABOO'

During the primary campaign when parties chose their general election nominee, there were several instances in which candidates were criticized for using covert -- and at times inadvertent -- language to talk about race.

When he announced his candidacy in February 2007, then Democratic hopeful Joseph Biden described Obama as "articulate and bright and clean."

Critics said his words were patronizing and suggested he was surprised a black man could be articulate and clean. Biden apologized. He now supports Obama and is considered a possible vice-presidential candidate.

In May, Hillary Clinton said Obama's support was weakening "among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans." Her comments were read by some as implying that blacks were lazy but also as a subtle appeal to white racial solidarity.

Clinton said her remark was misinterpreted.