So, Clinton supporters are racist

That's what I've read, posted with impunity, here on DU.

I really can't write enough about how much of a mistake it is to label her supporters that way.

I just donated to DU. I wanted to post this and see what I'm really buying into here, but I donated first instead. I still want to know the depth of that sentiment here. So, how about it? Hillary Clinton's supporters are racist? Really?

and they are voting for Hillary in WV.

...didn't vote for Obama in North or South Carolina, huh? Oh, that's right, that's "identity voting." :eyes:

Voting against someone because he doesn't

Can you REALLY not see the difference?

So us New Yorkers who voted for Hillary instead of Barry aren't racists? Or just some of us? How many would that be, you ageist, sexist scum?

This New Yorker voted for Obama.

And considering you insist on calling Senator Obama "Barry" I would certainly describe you as a bloody racist.

Regards

again.

I admit I didn't hang around to see, though.

How would you like to be called a racist for supporting your candidate?

How would you like to be called sexist, as a woman no less, for supporting your candidate?

folks should be judged on their own behavior. Support for one of our Democratic candidates is not abhorrent or racist. I can't believe it has to be said.

but, where were you when everyone was screaming sexism?

For the record, just as there have been a few Obama supporters that have indeed posted some sexist things, there have been a few Clinton supporters that have posted racist things.

One particular HRC supporter, I pulled his OPs from the past month this morning...15 of them were focused on race or touched upon race in a negative manner...almost ALL of his posts were locked.

too many broad smears. I'm understanding, because I've had to allow room for tolerating ignorant statements without disowning and separating myself from much needed jobs in my past. Most folks can be reasoned with. Many folks lead sheltered lives and are able to effectively segregate themselves from relating and interacting with folks with different ethnicities and of different races. That separation accounts for a great deal of the animosity and verbal abuse, so, in the interest of working together, I've learned not to overreact to a lot of the typical, offensive language which has obviously been culled from things others have said and written. It doesn't take long for most folks to drop the ignorant displays and verbal jousting using race as their weapon if I stick around and work on the relationship. Most folks want to get along, despite the fears and insecurities which motivate them to lash out with racial insults and divisive rhetoric and displays. It usually takes just a nudge and a bit of communication that you don't pose the threat they thought you represented. Or that the target of their racial scorn and abuse shares common bonds and aspirations and is willing to offer a hand up in exchange for comity. Racial relations won't improve just because one side maintains their own impenetrable scorn as a defense. Improvement usually comes at the cost of our own tolerance until understanding arrives and erases those fears and insecurities. Most folks need and deserve a chance. If we have a capacity to be tolerant, I think we have a responsibility work to stand up to face down the situations where we find these negative, destructive elements which use race to divide or injure. But we also have a responsibility to reach out for understanding if we hope to actually make a positive difference.

...longtimer, clear single-issue type, hit n' runner—won't get a tombstone. Been here too long.

waits a while, posts more garbage.

This morning's post was well over the top.

...on how Obama's candidacy would spawn a “race war” and how his supporters considered Whites to be “blue-eyed devils”.

Today's was bad—but he's been worse. Much worse.

The only thing that'll get him munching the concrete tomato-pie'll be the day he slips up in a fit of anger and uses the “N”-word and mods see it before he can edit.

BxxDxxxx ???


Insert the letters for the Xs.

Wow, I was wondering how in the world he was posting without being TSed based on what I have seen alone. This other nonsense is over the top.

I knew it was bad, just not that bad.

in WV who say they'd never vote for a black man, and are saying they'd like to "hang that darky from a tree". There have been several articles posted about these folks. Clearly most Hillary supporters are not racists, but I'm sure you agree that people saying such things, are. And they richly deserve to be called racists.

on both sides in this race, I would add.

The sentiment usually comes with the admonition that Clinton is racist, so, her supporters must be, as well.

is a racist. Many do say that she's been making appeals to people who are. And yes, there are idiots on both sides, but people who say things like the comments I posted, aren't just idiots, they're vile, hateful bigots. Period.

I'm sorry you believe that's what I'm doing here. You couldn't be more wrong.

who don't care about the color of a person's skin.

I believe the racism threads are because of all the interviews on all the cable channels of the supporters in West Virginia who say they would never vote for a black man. And of course it didn't help to have photos of a sign at Hillary events that advocates voting against "Barock Hussian Obama."

And then there's the lady who said she would never vote for a Muslim.

It's unfortunate that those folks are seen as the face of Hillary supporters in West Virginia. But it does NOT mean that Obama supporters believe Hillary folks as a whole are racist. I do not for one nanosecond believe you are a racist.

It'd be much more honest. And BTW, I'm an Obama supporter.

you are really doing the thing you claim to oppose

:rofl:

but did you read the fund raising thread? These types of posts are hurting DU. I'm not the only one sick of them.

Then get back to me about how the Clinton supporters are just soiling this place beyond recognition

:eyes:

Seriously BT - we all have to let that go.

It's true there are many racists out there. But I doubt any of them truly support democrats.

there is a difference. One is not true and the other is. I think that is why the Obama people keep using the world only.

That isn't true at all. AAs didn't initially give their full support to Obama. They were for Clinton first.

there are also some "dems" who believe that women should be barefoot and pregnant and they might be voting for Obama.

There is no "typical" voter. There are millions of individual voters with millions of reasons to vote the way they choose.

And it's shameful.

Hillary supporters do seem to have a masterful grasp of hyperbole though...

it has turned into something ugly and repulsive.

You have to admit that some of the signs at Hill's events do not speak well for those individuals. You grossly exaggerate the problem.

try it on yourself and then tell me to stop defending myself.

So many of us have had to grow and change. You will not be the only one.

...between the meaning of "Hillary supporters are racists" and "Racists are voting Hillary".

And I don't really believe that you don't understand that perfectly well.

Few, if any, here are saying Clinton supporters are racist. Most are saying Clinton is using terms to appeal to racist VOTERS. She is pulling the rove trick of pushing wedge issue hot buttons instead of really talking issues and what she wants to accomplish.

Evidently, the only thing she wants to accomplish is win at any cost. That is not a viable platform. But it is just like a rove campaign.

infallible?

want.

Do you think all supporters are pure?

Those who are posting such a broadbrush smear have other motives than being a contributing member of DU.

That said, there is a small portion of Hillary supporters who have publicly stated their unwillingness to vote for a person of color; they are members of the demographic she is extolling right now. Unfortunately, it's the ugly truth that people either don't want to admit or go overboard about.

It's a problem and there needs to be discussion about racial issues in this country. What we don't need is name-calling.

Certainly not all Clinton supporters are racist. I doubt the majority are racists. It is just unfortunate that HRC's campaign is in a position where they can't condemn the overt racism of some people who are voting for her today, because who wants to alienate voters by teling their racism is wrong. This is not saying that HRC's supporters as a group are racists.

Obama has condemned bigotry, and has publicly challenged America to rise above it.

The Hillary campaign has fanned the flames for political gain.




"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

if a large proportion of Hillary's base is older white women, then of course there will be racist. As to what percentage that is would be interesting to have disclosed. My wild guess is 50%.

Racially charged fights are rampant in high schools around the country. In Los Angeles alone there were four race fights in local high schools in the past month, and the KKK is not finding it difficult to keep their numbers up with young recruits.

So, older white women to you equals racists in larger numbers?

I call bullshit...

I dont think it comes close to a majority of them nation wide however I do think there are definately hotspots like WV and PA that the number of racist supporters grows freakishly large.

i dunno where you guys come with this stuff.

im sorry tho, there is definitely a large chunk of democrats(by name) who are still prejiduce ... they use lame excuses like 'hes a muslim' or 'i dont like his middle name' so they dont hafta just say 'i dont like black people' on tv.

She's stated that 'hard working Americans. White Americans.' won't vote for Obama, but will for her. Seems to me, you should bring this up with Sen. Clinton...

Those posters are ignorant and bigoted themselves, but they feel justified because they have a mob mentality going on.

Just ignore it all, and I do mean use the ignore function, because it is going to get nasty today.

Here is a suggestion. Take a piece of paper and write down all the names of the good Obama posters you know. Keep adding to the list as you think of them. When things get bad here, look at that list. THOSE are the real DUers who will be here through the GE and beyond.

The rest will fade away once they can't spew their venom.

I suggest this for people in BOTH camps.

Edited to add that the this idea came from a Duer named Catherina. I've adopted it and I hope others do also.

I'm really wrestling with this.

Just please please remember all the good people here, the ones who we will fight beside in the GE.

These other rabble rousers will be gone as soon as the fun of being able to viciously attack Democrats is gone.

I wish I could rec a post!


My faith in DUers is being renewed! I keep seeing more and more of us jump on the "Peace Train" and it's a beautiful thing.

:applause:

Just look at the recent articles about some WV voters who specifically state they won't vote for a black person.

I don't think most of her supporters are. But Hillary made some comments that made it seem that way.

and when that is brought up here, her supporters attempt to spin their way out of that. In the process, it makes them appear racist because they are defending the pandering to racists.

hope that clears things up for you.

to appeal to racist voters tells me a lot about Clinton supporters on this thread.

I doubt that many posters at DU are really racist, although I've seen one or two who definitely are, just as very few are actually sexist. However, ignorant posts that lump entire groups into stereotypes still flourish here lately.

To be honest, I'm finding it to be a cop out when someone starts screaming "He called me a racist" anytime their racist comments are pointed out. I would have thought that people here would be more likely to go back and try to understand why their comments could be construed as racist instead of going into reaction mode and jumping to the attack.

So say the teenagers and the Believers.

And of course, they're always right.

:sarcasm:

not really sure how your donation affects whether or not some clinton supporters are racist?

it was clear enough.

repeating what I wrote . . .

I'm upset at the characterizations of Clinton supporters and I wanted to assess where I stood here before I bought into another round of politicking. I decided against that epic pout and donated. I wanted to see, anyway, where this stood with folks who bothered to respond.

I judge people by the content of their posts, not the color of their candidate.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5947781

Don't tell me Rush's marching orders won't attract a few trolls around here & other parts. They're making y'all look bad, considering Hillary's current position in the race. It's a mistake NOT to label some of your "supporters" this way, because there is mounting evidence that Operation Chaos is significant enough to skew the numbers among Democrats.

Can we agree on a name for these trolls, other than "some Hillary supporters" so it doesn't make real Dems look like racist assholes?

Rush listeners aren't Democrats though..

As democrats, Hillary's supporters should be turning away from her in disgust, but they'd rather win than take a brave stand against her race-baiting.

but, I say bullshit to that as well. If you support one of these candidates because of some difference in approach, policy, or belief with their rival, that is conviction, not cowardice. Just because you disagree with the position they've adopted doesn't make you courageous, or, those voters any less virtuous than your perfect self.

I'm just sayin...

And, btw, you do know the woman candidate you will eventually be supporting for president, right? The one who has no flaws? The one who meets your standards? She had been born yet, hasn't she?

Because you aren't a bit sexist, are you? Racism bad. Sexism fine and dandy.

That's the only reason why they wouldn't bow down to him must be.

but the Democratic Party prior to the Civil Rights movement was not at all progressive toward Blacks, particularly in the South. After the Civil Rights movement many of those "Dixiecrats" became Republican.

There are still some Democrats left who haven't moved forward. THey are Democrats in they are strong union people but when it comes to Civil Rights, not so much. THe Democratic Party left them but they just don't know it yet.

I have relatives who have been Republicans since birth for generations. THey are old school Republicans who haven't figured out that the party they grew up with isn't the same anymore. But they can't let go.

and I hope no one here has made such a stupid statement in seriousness.

That said, racism is a factor in this primary, and will be in the GE too. Denying that that is true would be delusional. I daresay VERY few serious HRC supporters are supporting her merely because her opponent is black. But a whole lot of people who would normally be uncommitted at this point between McCain and Obama will never ever vote for Obama merely because he is black.

I have a hard time believing this ins't the same old strawman... played once more, for the umpteenth (but surely not the last) time.

It's been all over this forum today, even more then usual.

You know what. Forget it. You just see what you want to see.

Please link me to the "Hillary's supporters are racist." claims that are "all over the board".

I think what is happening is people are talking about her supporters who ARE racist... openly and proudly racist... and trying to claim (there's that victimhood thing again) that people are tarring ALL her supporters with that label.

Prove me wrong. Please.

you can dare your self to do so.

I'm the one asking for evidence. Jesus.

:7

obama himself believed Drudge.

Don't be pretending you're not lovin the tactic (when it's used by her or her supporters), either. Cause you should know by now that that's a losing tactic.

I love it when people's "principles" are conditional like that. So entertaining.

Clinton supporters here on this board trying to justify the comments Clinton made to USAToday. We are the party of civil rights, and we shouldn't be dishonoring that history.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

. . . although I would certainly allow that she's made statements which are racially inappropriate, and, possibly, wrong.

But I don't believe the totality of her life or her intentions in this race have been racist. I really don't believe her statements in this race which have generated so much controversy make her a racist.

If some republican had said this shit, I doubt you'd be apologizing for it.

of course I give this longtime Democratic warrior the benefit of the doubt. I'm not going to overreact to her statements because I don't believe she intended to injure or divide by raising the issue of race. It sounded like a lame, off the cuff analysis which was insensitive, at it's worse. Those statements don't erase her lifetime of advocacy and make her some racist, though.

"Those statements don't erase her lifetime of advocacy and make her some racist, though."

Oh, I'm afraid they do. Denial's not just a river in Egypt.

but, she deserves her own interpretation of what she intends to communicate. You may want to twist her statements into something pernicious, but she's been merely insensitive and incorrect, at the worse. I understand that it suits your own efforts to portray her and her campaign that way, but your interpretation of Hillary Clinton does not square with her life history or any of her actual efforts in this campaign..

Racists never admit they're racist.

Why, even white supremacists don't say they're racist, they just say they love working class white people.

. . . demagogues just say anything that suits their agenda. Racists aren't the only danger in these campaigns.

Doesn't mean what you said isn't.

Just because you didn't mean to do something racist; doesn't mean what you did isn't racist.

One's intention is not what makes a comment or action racist.

And what you mean possibly wrong? If it's racially inappropriate it's wrong.

:wtf:

Regards

Once that happens it is impossible to wash off and every word comes under a microscope.

The charge of racism has helped Obama in a big way and was a brilliant move on the part of his campaign managers.

And please don't tell me I was imagining things. That Jesse Jackson comment sealed the deal.

I do not agree with your interpretation of events. I won't say you are imagining things, but we viewed things in a very different way.

I think I already mentioned to you that my mom is a Clinton supporter, and so was one of my sisters, so I know full well the majority of Clinton supporters aren't racist. What's interesting is my mom has the same take you do. The Obama/Clinton discussions between us are painful so we don't talk about it much. The pain comes because this is more than a normal political disagreement. My mother will always support the Clintons, "no matter what", because when my dad suddenly turned for the worse with an unexpected terminal disease and just two months to live, it was the Clintons' Family Leave and Medical Act that allowed her to spend all her time at his hospital bed. So we don't talk too much about it and respect for her gratitude with admiration and love.

She thinks Obama is a troublemaker and made the same comment you did about who played the race card first. I don't see it and we'll probably not change each others' minds but I'd sincerely like to understand how you see it.

Intellectually I won't put it past someone as skilled as Axelrod I think I'm open enough to non-judgementally weigh your points if you have the patience to explain. The way I saw it, when the Clintons made their first misteps, some people very firmly warned them not to go there with that stern Mammy look and they kept going there and going there. I think if they'd taken the warnings more seriously, they'd still have about 50% of the Black vote.

I was just telling a colleague that I can live with racists supporting a presidentual candidate (they always have), or politicians pandering to peoples fears (they often have) but what shocks me is people pretending racism isn't there when it's right in front of their faces. I am immensely grateful to you for speaking out against some ugly things and not pretending you were blind.

Do you mind explaining it because I don't see it but I admit I'm partisan. I swore I'd never vote for an IWR polticians and then Obama's charisma and intelligence suckered me in to boot. Thanks Marrah

Bill called Obama's Iraq strategy a fairytale ....and somehow Axelrod twists that into a racial attack.

It was Bill saying he though Barack's Iraq Strategy was a fairytale....nothing more nothing less. But the Racist label was cast. Once that label is out there it is impossible to remove. You know that, I know that.

It is like hinting that someone is a pedophile....you may get proven innocent, but to some folks you will always be a sick perv.

Then he makes a statement that Jesse Jackson also won that state... again, HE was not using it in a racial manner, but because the die was already cast, it was deemed Racist.

When he talked about Mandela ad Hillary, he was speaking to the amount of faith and trust he has in his wife. That if given the choice between having her and someone he admires probably more then any other leader, by his side, he would pick her. Again- this was shown over and over again as racist.

I am a Democrat. Hillary is my 4th choice. I sit back and I watch the RW media play our two candidates like fiddles. And again and again we fall for it.

The media wants each framed in a certain manner and they have managed to do that and they also managed to blame it on the candidates at the same time.

I'm pretty sure you know Hillary and Bill are not Racist. You knew it before this race. But then the media told you "oooo he is a bad bad racist" and rather then our party standing up and saying " NO, they are not" half our party jumped on board thinking they found the perfect vehicle to win the primary with.

The problem is that we have allowed the RW again to frame the issues and control the race.

The same goes for the Muslin/rev wright/Bitter issues. The RW controls the message and we fell for it over and over.

Once again we have allowed the Moonies to decide how things would go.

I don't care if you are for Obama. That's great! You made a choice and supported that person. The problem is that we have allowed ourselves to be suckered into believing things about the Obama's and the Clinton's that we never would have before this race.

Now: In my defense, I am at work and this is not nearly as precise or detailed as I would like it to be. When I get home I will try to put together a better explanation of my views.

I'm at work too and well, just came from a thread that kicked my stomach in. I'll PM you the link because it's not something I want to advertise. When I get home tonight, I'll answer your post. I disagree but I'd like to go back and look at those statements again (fairytale).

I'll PM you to give you a clearer explanation. I need a little break from this place right now and need to work too.

Bookmarked for tonight.

They crawl out of the woodwork for this kind of stuff.

If Obama's the nominee, you will see even more of it from the Repug side, and McCain will benefit from it.

A politician being labeled a Racist is a death blow, especially in our party.

Because right now I'd like to throw them out with the bathwater.

why don't you go back to your piece of shit, poorly designed "capital shill" website and kiss my fucking ass...

Some people in this country are racist. They won't vote for an African American no mater what - even if it was the late Dr. King. Some are voting for Clinton because she is well known AND she is white. Most here think that is a small percentage of her vote though. Please, this is not Clinton supporters v.s. Obama supporters. There's enpough of that crap already.

I believe many of those accusing her of racism are 'race-baiting' though, looking to distort any mention of race in a crass, political effort to elevate their candidate by denigrating their rival.

Here's a start from The Nation:

I've been right here, watching the same race this writer has, probably with more intensity and diversity of views. It reads like a typical opposition hit piece on Hillary Clinton, notwithstanding the weak homage to the argument about the sexism which has has been directed at her. I simply disagree with their characterization of her statements or her intentions. There's nothing in there which does a thing to change my view on that.

And your due diligence not withstanding, the course of this nomination process is a course study, the consensus clear.

There is a realignment of parties already in process. You've made it clear where you stand, but I assure you the Democratic party is moving closer to its core tenets and the Clintons' dog whistle politics vis a vis race-baiting does not in any way, shape or form comport to that vision.

We'll miss you, but we seek truth - in government and in each other. I hope you find your vision of whatever the hell you seek elsewhere wherever you can find it.

. . . first, you will never be able to narrow the focus of our party to your own agenda, nor me to my mine. Second, I have NEVER allowed myself to hold and promote the animosity toward Obama and his supporters that's regularly expressed here toward Clinton and hers.

And, you need to be careful with your 'dog-whistle crap. It borders on slander. It's much better to let folks speak for themselves than to replace their words and intent with your own biased, opportunistic interpretation. You have a lot to learn and experience if you believe you can narrow someone's beliefs and intentions down to what you conjure inside of your own head.

It is the consensus opinion that you so self-righteously yet so tragically wrong dismiss. It's unfortunate on a number of levels that you can't see it.

Who are you whistling to by claiming some 'consensus' of opinion behind your demagoguery?

the same folks btw who also called bullshit on her gas tax holiday pandering, calling it the worst policy proposal of the campaign

. . . apart from the propaganda of the privileged editorial writers and purchased pundits

I understand more than you know where you are coming from. I was a two-decade defender of all things Clinton. But their performance in this campaign has been a real eye-opener for me that has caused me to reflect and review.

All I can say to you is that you need to open your eyes because what they have done in this campaign is so egregious to/for Democrats, so awful, that not seeing it should be a crime. I mean that.

There comes a point when truth and accountability mean more than anything else in the body politic, and that time is now.

. . . into a little box of your own bias.

Good luck with that.

by the way, that had the consensus that Gore was a habitual liar and exaggerator.

but if you can't acknowledge the race-baiting done by the Clintons, I suggest you get your eyes and heart checked

.. would be to paint her as a racist early on. That never goes away.

and her surrogates to crack wise about him being Muslim (as far as she knows), cocaine/drug-dealing, suggesting he run an ad saying he doesn't steal cars, that white people won't vote for him etc.

some perspective please

You have done exactly what the RW media wanted you to do.

read into that "as far as I know" anything negative will never be convinced by reason that Clinton has not been pandering to racism.

that there is no reasonable argument that she has not been race-baiting.

That's a double negative btw (translation in case it is necessary) that she has, in fact, played the race card where she has calculated it might help her.

The fact that some choose to ignore the now giant pile of evidence does not negate that in the least. Her latest salvo that you no doubt missed, ignored, made excuses for, whatever:

base of supporters.

On both sides.

We showed you two clear examples of people who were and you flew off the handle. I said last night, and I'll say it again, I don't think Hillary or the vast majority of her supporters are racist, but it's clear that some are. You have to deal with that fact instead of acting like it doesn't exist.

I'm sorry some people equate "some" supporters with "all" supporters, but too many flat out defended that shit last night, or just played dumb, which is just as bad. You said the people with the sign were idiots, and that's good, but you still tried to avoid the larger issue of the xenophobia and instead focused on the OP of that thread instead of the point of the thread. Half hearted call outs to xenophobia and racism don't fly with me, sorry.

I've called out people for sexism here, I've alerted on it when I see it, and have stuck up for Hillary here even though I have almost zero respect for her at this point. I did it because to me there's a larger issue than whether one candidate is better than the other candidate. It's called being a Democrat and a liberal. You didn't take that route last night, and you're continuing that theme here today.

The Clinton's appeals to the lowest common denominator of racism under the obvious guise of "White working class", "blue collar workers", smacks of Nixon's Southern Strategy, Reagans's lauding of "American values", if not the White Citizen's Councils "respectable", "moderate", racism.

"Respectable" racism has been effective tool for the right since the end of slavery. The Clintons have only left out "some of my best friends are.." and "I like them, but I wouldn't want my sister to marry one" in their lexicon of code-words.

with the fact that there are multiple interpretations of her remarks. Just stick with the unsympathetic interpretation.

Racists represent a subset, a SMALL subset, of Clinton's support.

or a liar

And BTW, I am an Obama supporter. I guess that makes me sexist by the bullshit logic of this whole thread??

You cannot say that all racists are Clinton supporters. That is a bold faced lie. Most racists actually hate the Clintons more than anything you can possibly imagine. You sound awfully out of touch with the reality here in America. It's about time you woke up and started learning a few things, because your limited view is clouded by your bad judgment of people.

thanks for the civil responses

depending on whose supporters you listen to. I guess that's the difference between us and repukes, we're racist OR sexist, they're racist AND sexist.

I can't wait until the GE so we can go back to pretending only repukes are bigots.

go read some of those threads...

I know Hillary and her supporters appreciate all votes just as I'm sure Obama and his supporters do, but you have to admit some of her votes are more votes against the black guy than votes for her. Those are the racist votes people are talking about.

a lot of people do not mean it that way. There are others who mean it to try to cast Clinton Democrats as racists. To speak out against racism is a good thing, and the right thing to do, but to tarnish an entire group of Democrats is not.

I don't see so much animosity to her supporters as I do to her willingness to prey upon people's xenophobia. It's so Hitleresque.

Apparently, if you point out that SOME Clinton supporters are racist, and that her campaign has used racial memes against her opponent, you are declaring ALL Clinton supporters to be racist.

It's a great way to shut down discussions, isn't it, bigtree?

So it must be true.

:sarcasm:

What about all my AA friends who are Clinton supporters?

Race and politics has developed into a marriage made in hell.

While I would not accuse the Clintons of being hate-filled racists or supporters of institutional racism, they have been willing to exploit varying levels of racism in an effort to advance Hillary's campaign.

Unfortunately, the desperation of the campaign and passion for their candidate has led some supporters to defend actions and behaviors they might otherwise not defend.

As a white woman, my perception comes from my own sense that some of the comments just felt very very wrong.

Many argue that people are too sensitive or that they comments were made innocently. I may be jaded, but there are comments that have language that does not have to be twisted to reveal racist undertones. There is no question in my mind as to the intent of those comments were to evoke the underlying racist tendencies that may influence attitudes during the campaigns.

Bill Clinton said that he liked to watch them "fight." Eliciting an image of black man\white woman violence.
He said they were "mugged." And then said that Obama's next ad might be "vote for me, I don't steal cars."
Those stand out as some of the most offensive. The man who tried to redefine "Is" certainly understands the "meaning" of those words. The possibility that a man who spent a significant portion of his life using diplomatic speech would simply "goof" seems far too remote for me to accept. I think that several of the media interactions were intentional.

My time at DU has shown me that long-time supporters of any candidate can be very loyal. And that is also especially true of Bill Clinton.
He has been defended, and people have ignored his comments. Although there may be a point where I might suspect racism, I think they are just ardently loyal and defensive for the most part.

Bottom line, there is a difference between outright endorsement of hate and racism, exploitation of racism, defending, a willingness to look the other way, etc.

It takes a starkly honest self exploration to find out where our unseen ugly places are and admit to being retroactively wrong. We are at a time in history where many of us would find some of our ugliness if we were to examine our own history. I have found some of my own spots. It was not comfortable.
If there is a vested interest not to, defenses may run understandably high.

The passion for candidates has interfered with the possibility of productive discussion. However, there have been some good ones. I would simply recommend scanning and ignoring at your discretion.

racist. it's a lie and it will sink his campaign.

I've noticed that the more we bear down on the issue, the more that bearing down seems to elevate the worst reactions, instead of advancing the reconciliation most of us are looking for. It's like the demagogues just come out of the woodwork when we make race the focus of our discussions, no matter how righteous the intent of raising the issue. And we wallow in the discussions because many of us have no real answers, just questions and our wishes dominate in these elections.

I hope that's not his tact.

Those charges will not work on the Republican Party, because the Republicans are racist and proud of it. It will have no effect on them whatsoever. They will look right back at the person making the charge and say either "So?" or "Damn right and there's nothing you can do about it." Why? Because they don't care. They openly tun ads like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch%3fv=KIyewCdXMzk

The racism charge will never work on the Republican Party, because they don't care. They really do hate black people and are not affected by claims of racism. They revel in it.

That means you may actually vote for Obama in the fall, which is the last thing the Clintons want you to do.

However, the vast majority of both racists and sexists are voting for McCain.

Sexism can cut across gender lines, just as racism can cut across racial lines.

I support Obama, though I am not a sexist. I'd happily vote for any woman other than Hillary. She is a despicable human being. Her gender has nothing to do with why I dislike her. The way she has run her campaign and her pandering and phoniness have EVERYTHING to do with that!!

And this is from someone who initially supported her. She has lost much support from many of us here for being a despicable human being, not for being a woman. I don't give a rats ass what color or gender the candidate is, when a candidate runs a campaign like hers, she's going to alienate many people, male and female, black and white. I've had enough of negative campaigning, lies and bullshit, a full 7 1/2 years worth of it. It's time for a change.

We have no way of measuring the extent in individuals, though, so any statements we try to make about a candidate's supporters will be groundless.

God, I wish a transgendered, biracial person would have run!!

OTOH, there are tons of Obamanoids who have hurled sexist epithets at Hillary Clinton, including the "c" word.

Keep wishing though. Once the Donald Young murder news breaks big during the general election, Obama will be painted as "on the down low" and you'll have something close to your wish. Be careful what you wish for...

I think most of DU disagrees with her.

I'm not donating to DU again until the admins clean this place up.

Anyone calling Clinton supporters "racist" should be immediately tombstoned.

If you're not voting for Obama, you're a racist.

Nice, huh?

having an opinion divergent to theirs, or what they *think* Obama's is. Or for wanting Obama to demonstrate more pith. Some are too willing to lecture on the subject of racism in great & condescending manners as though junkies caught within the pin of their own eye. Still, some phrases remain poignant even when one/two word(s) is/are changed they remain...

Religion is the opiate of the people

Chocolate is the opiate of the people

SUV's are the opiate of the people

Separation Anxiety is the opiate of the people

Money is the opiate of the people

War is the opiate of the people

Ego is the opiate of the people

Racism...is the opiate of some people clearly, etc...

and I agree that there probably are some. But I sure have not read any posts saying that all Hillary supporters are racists. I don't read every post, granted, but I'm sure on here a lot.

The only people who work hard are white, dontchaknow. The "elitist" frame is straight out of the REPUKE playbook, and will damage either candidate in the GE, but the Clintons just don't care.

Who told you it was? They lied to you.

But I do think you candidate is, though. Or at least she's so politically and morally unprincipled, nay, BANKRUPT that she'll play one on TV to pander to those who actually may be racist.

That is all.

Duke

You should check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejTmistHFw0

I found it over at Hillary Is 44, where it was praised to no end. :puke:

nor do I believe Hillary and Bill Clinton are, but that doesn't mean I haven't seen racist tactics being defended. Which is worse?