What if it's really all about race? Are we in a state of denial?

I don't make this post lightly. And I'm prepared to be flamed, even if I won't enjoy it.

Let me start out by saying that I'm a white woman, boomer generation, college-educated, raised in a virtually all-white Chicago suburb and now living in a pretty much all-white ex-urb of Phoenix, Arizona. I have therefore experienced almost nothing in the way of racial prejudice, and what I have experienced was based on having Jewish family members, not on skin color.

Second, I will freely acknowledge that I was a Hillary Clinton supporter, though not a fanatical one. I said privately to a lot of friends and to family members who were Obama supporters from the get-go that I was quite frankly torn between the two but was going with Hillary because I agreed with about the same percentage of her politics as I did of Obama's but that because she was a woman I was going to support her. I also said that if she didn't get the nomination, I would enthusiastically support whoever did. I never had any problem shifting support to Obama.

Third, I have made no secret of my opinion that Howard Dean failed the Democratic party and all the supporters of all the primary candidates when he didn't broker a deal between Obama and Clinton early on, before the party became polarized. I believed then and I believe now that the bitter primary fight not only led to something of a rift between the two camps (if not between the candidates themselves) but that it also exhausted a lot of resources, including financial ones, that could have been better used in the general election campaign. I think the reports of Obama no longer having the massive advantage in funds somewhat supports my conclusions.

Fourth, and more recently, I have voiced the opinion that the failure of the Democratic party -- NOT Obama personally or even the Obama campaign -- to include Hillary on the ticket left the Dems vulnerable to a dark horse VP pick by McCain who would tap into the emotional vote. In other words, I don't think McCain could have picked Palin if Hillary were on the ticket. It would have made him look silly -- or sillier than he already does. With Hillary out of the picture, the pukes could paint themselves as more feminist than the Dems, more progressive, and so on. EVEN THOUGH OF COURSE THEY AREN'T ANYTHING OF THE SORT.

Fifth, the Palin nomination utilizes that opportunity to exploit BOTH ends of the low-information republican electorate: the moderates who see Palin as a strong woman but still a traditional mother, and the reactionary far right who are able to compartmentalize the glaring contradictions in Palin's candidacy the way they always compartmentalize conflicting truths. Palin's gender provides, if you'll excuse the metaphor, an impermeable defense. ANY criticism of her becomes gendered, and the Dems are unable (so far, anyway) to counter that.

That's where I stood until this morning, when something else occurred to me as a result of a casual conversation about Germany in the 1930s. (Yes, my "casual" conversations do run to topics like that.)

The issue I hadn't examined, and which issue now confronts me with a situation I can't quite wrap my head around, is whether or not the GOP has finally been able to capitalize on the latent racism in the American electorate. They are able to play the gender card with full legitimacy, because the Dems are unable to deny their own failure to nominate a woman. And the Dems are now afraid to acknowledge that race may be a more important factor. In other words, the GOP has no problem playing the gender card because they know, from Hillary's run, that it's safe; but the Dems may now have to recognize that playing the race card won't work, because there's still too much racism in this country.

We know that Sarah Palin is not qualified to be vice president and certainly not qualified to be president. As Rick Davis of the McCain campaign has openly stated, this election is not about issues but about personalities. Perhaps what no one is willing to acknowledge is that there are a whole lot of Americans who will vote for an unqualified White woman long before they will vote for an eminently qualified Black man.

I think even Obama tried to engage in a dialogue about race, and there was so much denial, so much pretending that we've moved beyond that, that now the issue (rather like impeachment) is off the table.

We know that the GOP, contrary to its Lincolnian roots, is not the party of racial diversity and equality. The party's nominee can't even present his adopted daughter-with-dark-skin openly. Contrast this to Cheney's treatment of his lesbian daughter. White does matter. White trumps gay. White trumps gender.

I don't think it's a matter of appealing to a bloc of voters; I doubt there are many African Americans who would have voted for McCain anyway under the circumstances, so it's not about appealing to them. Instead, it's a matter of appealing to the "better nature" of Americans, even if we have to do it through a painful intervention.

I don't know. I'm throwing this out for discussion. I'm admitting my ignorance and my lack of experience. I also don't really know what to do about it. I don't know if there's any strategy that can make a difference. I just don't know.


Tansy Gold

race is ALWAYS in the picture.

That is my gut emotional reaction.

On an intellectual level--how many statewide elections have AA's won? How many black governors and State Senators do we have?

not very many.

off the top of my head--

Massachussets has elected an AA senator and an AA governor.

Illinois has elected two AA senators (one of which is Obama)

a southern state (maybe virginia?) elected an AA

I can't think of any others who won statewide races in modern times.....

We are going to win--it is going to be very historic.

DAMN! I hope you are correct! And it was Virginia who had the first AA Governor - Doug Wilder! He was kind of a disappoitment, but he did get elected in a southern state! I understand what Tansy is saying. I, also, worry that this is a "gathering force" as we get closer to the election. I am white, but I work for an AA. He and I discuss the "Bradley Effect" frequently. I certainly hope you are correct in your prediction!

factor.

when Gore lost? When Kerry lost?

Of course not.

It's about the votes being stolen and the Supreme Court helping to steal it for them.

Now, instead of putting the focus on Obama's race, let's put it on the "Stealing of the votes"of millions of people that are supporting Obama.

GOTV and Make those votes secure.

were.

It's a heck of a lot easier to steal when the count is extremely close and therefore the injection of all wedge issues. The GOP is throwing everything out there, not to mention the shenanigans they're up to, now to actually stop voting using foreclosures, and such. My point is that I agree it wasn't about race but class (literally and figuratively) in the case of Gore and Kerry. At least, they could have afforded to be more combative. It's just that it doesn't matter to the Repugs what the issue is as long as they can divide the country and keep the election very, very close. They're gonna lose this time.

But even with all the stigma those non-issues carry, he is still maintaining a strong fight with an opponent that, for better or worse, is a highly celebrated politician. To be doing as good as he is doing is amazing in and of itself.

Also agree, it's a factor.

Also believe it will be narrow, but it will be a victory...

One of the reasons I'm leaving comfy California to volunteer in North Carolina

Charles Barkley recently said it correctly: this election will come down to whether or not White America will accept--and put their faith in--a black man. Period!

As a black woman, I often have arguments over whether or not we'll ever be ready to elect a woman or a black man. After going through the primaries and realizing that the Democratic party is not as "progressive" on race relations as it has purported, I am concluding that Mrs. Palin could very well end up being the VP simply because White America feel comfortable and safer with a "pretty and pleasant" white woman.

Flame me all you want, but I'm telling the truth, and if ya'll are honest with yourselves, you'll admit that I am.

I wish to God that I was wrong, but I simply do not believe that Obama can play hardball and the M$M/Repukes will allow him to get away with it. White Democrats simply do not understand that Obama CANNOT go on the attack; if and when he does, the Repukes immediately use subtly racist imagery and language to trash him. The M$M goes along with their talking points, never holding McSame and the Repukes responsible for what they do. And yet, they cave in to false claims that Palin is being treated unfairly so they allow her and McSame to get away with the most despicable behavior.

Think of it this way: at the RNC, when Palin gave her incredibly nasty, hateful speech...be honest, if that were Barack Obama who gave that speech and the tables were turned, could he get away with it? Would the media be fawning all over him? Be honest with yourselves. You know that if that were the case and the situation were reversed, the media would be accusing Obama of playing the race card and of being sexist.

Many white people who were Hillary supporters continue to blame Obama himself for how the media treated Hillary when in fact he was a complete gentleman throughout. Honestly, no one can convince me that it would be any different for Palin, and in fact, it would be worse because she is a white conservative Republican. To me that says a lot about this country and that we still have such a long way to go before we fully and honestly confront the issue of race.

I'm no rocket scientist, but to me it's obvious...a no brainer. It's all around, sometimes blatant, sometimes more subtle...but it's there. In all regions, age groups, socioeconomic groups, etc.

And I'm calling EVERY SINGLE PERSON OUT who slams Obama but has no coherent reason, ESPECIALLY if they give the right-wing BS of "he's a muslim," "the whole pledge thing," "there's just something I'm not comfortable with..."

I call bullshit.

It's not that I enjoy being confrontational. On the contrary, I usually avoid it. However, this is deep-seated, and has grown in subtle, insidious ways since the influence of right-wing talk radio (as has every other negative influence). It must be brought out into the open so we can even begin to move forward. And, I acknowledge there is racism of all types; this election just happens to be white-on-black racism (sorry if that's an offensive phrase).

I think you and he are absolutely correct. Obama CAN'T fight the way Palin can, and it's because of the racism still just barely beneath the surface. And that enfuriates me.

"Uppity" indeed! :grr:


Tansy Gold, who is about to get "uppity" herself.

you are so right

he becomes the "scary AA man". He is between a rock and a hard place.

I have been saying that, and it's my biggest concern if he goes on the attack.

("wish to God that I was wrong, but I simply do not believe that Obama can play hardball and the M$M/Repukes will allow him to get away with it. White Democrats simply do not understand that Obama CANNOT go on the attack; if and when he does, the Repukes immediately use subtly racist imagery and language to trash him. The M$M goes along with their talking points, never holding McSame and the Repukes responsible for what they do. And yet, they cave in to false claims that Palin is being treated unfairly so they allow her and McSame to get away with the most despicable behavior.")

I'm white, and I understand it. :-) But I'm not a Democrat either. ;-)

Completely agreed. My husband, who is white, told me once about Jackie Robinson who was chosen specifically to break the color barrier in baseball because he could take the insults from whites in the stands without ever breaking his cool. From what I understand, he took a shitload of it. Obama cannot come off ever looking like the angry black man. And by the way, his behavior did not just start with the McCain campaign. I clearly remember Hillary yelling at the top of her lungs, "You've got a lot of explaining to do!" Or, "You better explain yourself!" I don't know about you, but this black girl, always heard the "boy" at the end of the sentence. But Obama kept his cool. Clearly I remember her at least twice, claiming that she or MCCAIN (MCCAIN!!!) were the better choices, as if Obama was some alien from the another planet trying to run for POTUS. And still he kept his cool. And lets not forget her final trick of using the she is the one that can pull in the white working class vote. I concede that might be, just might, be true. But it was never a doubt in my mind that a huge part of this race is about race, from the get-go. But here's to Barack for keeping his cool :toast: because I believe doing so goes a long way. I still hold out a big part for hope that when whites and latinos are in the privacy of the voting booth there will be no fear of voting for Obama. Or perhaps, at least here in California, I can and will vote by absentee ballot to track exactly that my vote was cast correctly.

v

You said "I wish to God that I was wrong, but I simply do not believe that Obama can play hardball and the M$M/Repukes will allow him to get away with it. White Democrats simply do not understand that Obama CANNOT go on the attack; if and when he does, the Repukes immediately use subtly racist imagery and language to trash him."

I honestly don't understand. What sort of subtly racist imagery and language would they use to trash Obama?

I totally agree with everything you've said. Among my friends, we dared to hope but lately we look at each other and sigh that racism will win because there are people who will never vote for a black man. PERIOD. Some are open about it, some say there's just 'something about him' (code ?), and others say they will but in the privacy of the voting booth, probably won't.

On another note: To all those hardworking white women who can't warm to Obama, he should say he's offended by the implication that he disrespects poor, working class, white people. After all his mother was poor, white, and definitely working class.

This election has everyone anxious because we absolutely have no idea how big the following factors will be UNTIL election day:

1. The number of new voters who actually show up for Obama
2. The number of racist votes AGAINST Obama

Never before has a black man run for the highest office of the land. There is no precedent for how much this situation could motivate the opposition. On the flip side, we have millions of new young and black voters registered, but will they actually follow through? Will our GOTV efforts be enough?

The good news, I beleive, is that Palin's introduction on the GOP ticket has actually EXPOSED many of these racist and "Bradley Effect" votes. My feeling is that many "undecided" voters want to at least look at Obama give the appearance of fairness. But the truth is that many know they are going to have problems pulling the trigger for a black guy. These are the suburban white women or meek white men that just can't come out and announce their prejudice.

Now Palin gives them an excuse to go solidly for McCain. White women can claim a stronger identity and white men can feel good about also voting for a "first".

The point is: THESE PEOPLE WOULD NEVER HAVE VOTED FOR OBAMA, and now we have a better handle on what their numbers actually are. If anything positive has come of Palin (other than the fact that she is a disaster), its the fact that we more accurately know McCain's peak numbers.

Now, as a black man I get it. I know the Obama is being cautious because he doesn't want to become the scary, fire breathing, black radical.

But I say at this point, its worth the risk. Anyone whose support was so tennuous that a controlled, passionate, display of anger would turn them off, was a high probability "Bradley Effect" person.

I say get mad. Get more negative. I agree with his position that he should stick to the truth. But there is plenty of "truth" he can use against McCain that has not surfaced from the campaign. Maybe it is coming. I trust him. The "lobbyists" ad was great and the escalating tone of the surrogates and press releases is a promising start.

By showing that he is truly pissed off with Republicans and McCain, he might win over more of those pesky progressives who want to vote for Nader or are sitting it out. Or maybe more of that block of swing voters who ARE fair about race and really do need to be talked out of voting for McCain.

I think that if we have our national numbers up by 10%, then any effects of racism will be absorbed by firm base support, and new voter turnout.

Beleive me, this is the most suspensful election ever. So much is at stake. And we really won't know if those who walk the walk will talk the talk (with their votes) until election day.

None of them would have closed the curtain and actually voted for a black man. So the Palin pick didn't change anything. BUT - if it gives you any hope, I'm not sure they will vote. They're racist, but I'm just hoping they're not racist enough or scared enough or whatever to get their asses out the door to actually vote.

I think you're right, elkton - it's about turnout and new voters.

The thought of that horrible Palin person as VP frightens me. I'm going to go work at a voter registration event next weekend, and go check out what the campaign HQ needs this week. It's the only way I can handle the next 2 months

I actually had to talk to myself on the way to the polls for the primary vote and say in no uncertain terms "Damn it! You have to make a decision NOW!" My dilemma wasn't because Hillary was a woman & Barack was black, but on which of them would fight hard enough to win! I actually thought Barack would make the better President, but I was afraid he just may be "TOO NICE" to fight the Pubs and WIN! I believed Hillary was the first woman in politics who actually had the credentials to be President, but I was very afraid of the skeletons that lurk in the Clinton closet! I'm ashamed to say it, but I've known a lot of men who, shall we say "really liked women", and none of them ever changed...even after getting caught and promising "never again"! I didn't want to go through that idiocy of Bill having another fling! I finally voted for Obama, and I'm really glad he FINALLY gave the go ahead to the 527's to go get the Pubs today!

There will always be racists & sexists who would never vote for Barack because he's black, nor for Sarah because she's a woman, but I don't honestly think that # is very high. There are also people who will make their decision for or against the Pub ticket because of Sarah's extremist opinions, but I don't think that group is as large as the media would have you believe.

I honestly believe this election is going to be decided by the economy and the pain & even devistation it's inflicted on all but the wealthy in this Country. Unfortunately, most voters don't pay much attention to things UNTIL it affects THEM DIRECTLY! There are A LOT of affected people now!

I don't know how much it's actually influencing the polls, but it IS affecting people's opinions. Also, when (not if) Obama wins, the hatred towards him from the right will be unimaginable. Really, it's just going to be awful. Hopefully it will force America to advance, but I wouldn't be surprised if it brings a lot of latent racism to the surface.

coming out of that experience. And people who continue to deny that racism played a vital part do so at everyone's peril.

man who happens to be black.

It doesn't matter any more if it is a man or a woman, or a black or a white who rises to the presidency. It is who will sell their soul to the corporations and do their bidding. Our corporate sponsored media makes sure that person rises to the top of the dog pile. And if the media can not eliminate the corporation's choice for president, then the neocons make sure things are taken care through voter caging and election fraud.

imo

about SO MANY THINGS. Race is the festering pustule. I dunno either, TG. :loveya:

because we seriously need to talk about this

America, if it is to move ahead, must not only overcome the fears instilled in it by the republicans must also overcome it's majority racist attitudes. And do both in the next 50 some odd days.

Two huge hurdles in one leap. Can we do it? Yes we can. We are AmeriCANS.

Obama has been my guy all along in this race.

I think race is a huge factor in this election, even though virtually no one is talking about it.

I hear too many people saying they are going to vote for McCain, or are still on the fence, and the only explanation they can give is, "I just don't trust Obama" or "I don't have a good feeling about Obama" or "He's too inexperienced." Or worse, they drag up a Limbaugh-esqe talking point.

They NEVER mention any solid policy reasons. Never "I disagree with Obama's health care policy, McCain's is better" or anything like that.

Why don't they just shut up and say it?

If there's anything worse than a racist, it may be a racist who won't even admit to it.

At least that's what I've encountered here in SE PA. There are way more Obama supporters in my area than McSame, but some of these alleged fence-sitters are making me nuts.

Ooooo it makes me SO MAD!!! :banghead:

I :loveya: Obama, and if he is elected, I'm optimistic that my world will start to be a happy place again, instead of the perpetually panic filled angst-fest that it is right now.

RACE is HUGE.

Would the polls be so close if Obama were white? NO

Would the media be so kind if Obama's daughter were pregnant? NO

How would Obama be treated if he left his first wife for a rich trophy heiress?

How would Obama be treated if he had ever been recorded saying:
"bomb, bomb, bomb Iran..."
he didn't know how many houses he had
he didn't know much about economics

If Obama's nickname had the word NASTY in it and he had a known temper, would we not hear about it 24/7?

Bottom line, the corporate M$M has a different standard for Democrats in general and a hugely different one for an uppity Black man who dares to think he can be president.

and I hear it several times a day -- every day, "American is not ready for an AA President."

I pray they are wrong.

Beneath all of the flowery talk about making history,and I still have faith that it will be made, race was always simmering beneath the surface of this election. I'd like to add a little to your analysis.

1 Not only is race a factor, it's the fact that a Black man is being seen as a threat to a White woman. How many Black men were lynched just for looking the wrong way at a White woman? Lots. While things really got heated during the primary season, I think it's reached a new level in the general election. How many people still operate from the premise, conscious or not, that the Black man is seeking to deflower the White woman? Interesting that Palin seems to be drawing a lot of her support from the South where that mindset was stronger than most.

2. It's interesting that the Democrats don't make an issue of the lack of diversity in the republican party. The Republican party doesn't look like America. It looks like part of America. Many a Black radio host and comic made light of the fact that there were only 36 Black delegates at the RNC. When the RNC talks about the face of America, they sure ain't talking about me.

3. I'm not joining the worry warts yet. I think the Democratic party can pull this out but they have to get more aggressive. Much more aggressive. But let's talk about the unthinkable: Obama loses. I think the stakes are very high for the Democratic party and they go way beyond another 4 years of Republican rule. After all of the hand-wringing, I think a lot of Black people are going to look at all the focus about disaffected White woman and there will be some fallout. I have already heard some Black folks remark that our race has been the most stalwart supporter of the Democratic party and they are going to very pissed if Obama is elected because some Democratic White women couldn't get their way and voted Republican. Not saying I agree with it. But that sentiment is out there. As someone expressed to me "What do you think would have happened if Obama lost to Clinton and all the Black folks decided to take their ball and go home?"

But I'm not believing the hype. I'm still hopeful that the American populace hasn't gone so batshit crazy that they elect another Republican administration. And when Obama gets elected, maybe we can start to talk about race and poverty and sexism and all of the other things that are so important that we aren't talking about.


Thanks for a thought provoking post

I think -- with tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms -- that the archetype of the Black man and White woman is tragically still very powerful with a certain portion of the American populace. And I wonder if THAT wasn't part of what was behind the GOP's choice of Palin. "Birth of a Nation" and the assault on white womanhood all over again??

Makes me wanta throw up.


TG

Let's face it, John McCain is irrelevant to this campaign. It's the white woman against the black man. The GOP is spinning this in order to capitalize on the baser side of human nature, especially among lower-income, working class and/or Southern white men and women. Add to the fact that Obama's name is a touch on the "exotic" side and it's all too easy to make people believe that Obama is on the side of the "Islamic terrorists." Sarah Palin used that phrase purposely the other night, in order to connect the rumors about Obama with the "reality" on the ground in the middle east. She might be green but she's not stupid.

Obama has a fighting chance, *if* the people who say they're going to vote for him show up.

He has a formidable operation on the ground, the likes of which I haven't seen before and may not see again. A wide, diverse range of people are incredibly fired up about this man, and I have a feeling many of them are under the radar of the pollsters.

IMHO, 49% in TN = 53% in FL 52% in VA, 51% in OH, so on and so forth, because of Tennessee's GOP tilt...

I think the fact that some Americans think Barack Obama is a Muslim which he isn't, an elitist which he isn't, and looks down on working class whites which he doesn't, is a much bigger problem than his color...

A former colleague of mine who has a college degree asked me if Obama was a Muslim. I'd only spent how many months telling people he wasn't. (Including a co-worker who on Primary day said. "I voted for the Muslim." with much glee.)

Regards

If an African American can get 49% of the vote in Tennessee he can get 50% in any state but Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina...

1. His name is Harold Ford (very American)
2. He is very light skinned. Yes, that matters believe it or not.

The problem is the Republicants are successfully portraying him as a out of touch elitist... That strategy has worked as far back as when Ike beat Adlai Stevenson...

I still think Harold Ford's great showing proves anything is possible and let's not forget Doug Wilder...

It was that Playboy ad that killed him. It reminded a certain subset of folks that Harold Ford is indeed a black man no matter how pale he may appear.

Regards

That's a huge factor, a second term midterm as opposed to an open cycle for the presidency. Every Democrat was artificially boosted by several points in 2006. I warned at the time that it wouldn't be the same dynamic in 2008.

We still live in heavily bigoted country and there's not much we can do about it.

And too many people are sticking their heads in the sand and pretending that race plays no factor and I think that's extremely dangerous. You can't even mention the possibility of race being a factor in why some so-called long time Democrats are saying they will vote for McClone. "People don't like being called racists" I was told in one thread. No shit, but if you don't like being called a racist you shouldn't behave like one.

"The term racist is thrown around way too much. Save it for the real thing," was the reply in another thread about Geraldine Ferraro. I let the poster have it with both barrels on that one.

There are a lot of us who understand how insidious the race problem is in this country unfortunately, we've got too many clueless people pretending that there's no problem at all. If you can't call someone like Geraldine Ferraro out on her racism without someone denying it's there how are we supposed to have a conversation about how thoroughly ingrained racism is in our country.

Every time I've seen one of these threads start I always bookmark them if I catch them. I've yet to see any of them get much traction I hope this one will be the exception. I'll be recommending to try to get this pushed up.

Regards

I have a hard time understanding these people who in the end get to decide! Anyone who hasn't decided by now is in my view someone so out of it I can't imagine.

They'd have to be so wrapped up in their personal lives not to be aware enough to have an opinion already. It is hard to picture such a person really liking the republican ticket. Maybe last time they voted for * because he was already in office and we were "at war." This time it just may help that Obama looks and acts more Presidential than McCrazy - his authoritative way of talking, a little of the teacher and a little of the parent, just might calm them down and make them forget about their racial issues.

Then the so-called independents. Independents tend to think they are special and above it all somehow, so many they will be turned off by McCrazy's cynically negative campaign and by Barbie's extremist views. There is a streak in many average, not rightwing-batshit-crazy white people that sympathizes with unfairness to blacks and McCrazy just might step over the line where the sympathy card goes to Obama.

Barbie is so mean-spirited that the sympathy card might not work for her. There could be a female version of the Bradley effect, too. Right wing men have got to be uncomfortable with a woman at the helm - everything else they believe in says it. Even not so right wing men.

I'm a sociologist and I was just thinking about this today. I know people are less likely to expound racist views when it is in public, or in front of others where there are sanctions. And in voting booths I think people are far more capable of voting through a racist lens.

Racism is not over in this country-- I also worry that people will think that since Obama is a nominee that racism won't be a problem any more.

I worry that we underestimate the impact that race has, and b/c of that, winning this election is going to need all the more work than ever to make up for something that we probably can't even predict or measure.

American history to appreciate the significance of this political juncture. There have always been Americans willing to reach beyond "tribe" for the sake of political progress. At the same time there have also been reactionaries and rich opportunists ready to exploit our differences in order to derail it.

Before FDR and more dramatically JFK the Republican Party was seen as the party that was more inclusive of racial minorities. The Democrats were the party of the Old South and the KKK until the Depression came along and distinctions of race and color were subsumed for the sake of survival. But while black and white joined to get the country back on its footing (thanks largely to the Second World War) there remained huge gaps in terms of wealth and social equality. Kennedy, prodded by M.L. King set out to close the disparity, largely because the Soviet Union was using the plight of the black underclass as a tool for Communist propaganda. LBJ continued the trend, signing the Voting Rights Act in' 64. But in doing so he incurred the wrath of the social reactionaries. A wrath that was fed and fueled by Richard Nixon and the economic conservatives who saw a way to regain the power they'd lost under FDR by pursuing a racially divisive "Southern Strategy", variations of which live on through operatives from Lee Atwater to Roger Ailes to Karl Rove.

LBJ warned that by supporting equal rights for "Negroes" he was dooming Democrats for a generation. What we're seeing with Obama is that his prediction has outlived his prophecy, but just barely.
Americans born after 1964 overwhelmingly accept the notion that as Americans, whether black, brown, red or white, we deserve to be judged as equals. If they turn out to vote, Obama will win. If not, it'll be four more years of failure, division and bitterness.

As a 72 year old white woman I can see what you are talking about. It's like the old elephant in the room. In my experience it appears that people haven't advanced as far as I had hoped. From my 72 years of observing things many people are afraid of AA men especially. It really didn't help recently that there was a AA mayor that was booted out of office. That gave the scared people just one bit more of ammunition. People will say "I'm voting for McCain and the reason given is "You know". Unfortunately I do know but one thing it does accomplish is it does change my opinion of that person.

I was torn from the beginning between Hillary and Barack. My problem with Hillary was that at the beginning it was just kind of assumed that Hillary would be the nominee. I didn't like that. And then Barack came along and I guess that is what caused some white voters to get upset. And he must be more careful because unfortunately that prejudice is just below the surface. It is all so unfair. Some people would rather vote for a doddering white man and a "nutso" white woman than to do what is right. It makes me sad and I hope to hell our man gets elected! If not, I fear for the country I love.

...because Obama is clearly the better candidate.

But the race is not really about race, it is simply about demonstrating that Barack Obama will be a better president than John McCain.

And I don't believe, even taking racism into account, that is going to prove a tall order at all.

and that is what we have to contineously hammer in.

The GOP would love this contest to be about race, however.....
and they are ever grateful when someone is willing to frame it that way. :eyes:

It's been the only one to give me any doubt. I THINK so, and I desperately HOPE so, because I believe we're talking about the fate of our nation here.

I'm an older white woman, who followed the primaries very closely but didn't vote in them because as an Independent voter, I didn't think it would be right. I was prepared to vote for your nominee whatever you decided, and was thankful that your choice was the candidate I thought would be the best President.

Many white people have no real idea of just how much racism still exists in our country. More do in the South to be sure, because its more openly practiced, but other areas are more politically correct and it's more difficult to see. This type goes more unnoticed unless you experience it, or spend a lot of time with people who do.

I knew it would be a problem, as did African Americans, but the same could be said about gender if Hillary was our candidate. Many will think the circus around 'Pigstick' gives lie to that, but her appeal is more to the fundies that had nowhere to go as they really couldn't stand McIdiot, and many men that are enamored now won't actually pull the lever for her. Sexism is every bit as rampart as racism, this I know because I DO experience it. And THAT is why I never thought that an Obama/Clinton ticket was a good idea. One or the other, okay maybe, but both ... that would never fly.

But of the people I've talked to about the coming election, there has only been ONE, really just one, that said he was voting for McCain. NOBODY at all has been moved in the least by that batshit crazy woman, and I'm not surrounded by Democrats. I live in South Carolina for pete's sake. I know of some who will not vote, and some who will write in Ron Paul, but only one ready to doom us.

It may not be the landslide I would like, but I just can't believe its as bad as the polls and the MSM would have us believe. I know their agenda, I know they are willing to lie and misrepresent the facts. So I am just going to work harder, and believe. Barack gave me this hope, and he hasn't let me down yet. The only place I really get discouraged is here at DU ... huh, go figure right? Maybe I should just use the ignore or the hide thread feature but I really believe the way to solve problems is open discussion and am very hesitant to do so.

I really don't see how any sane person could vote for McCain/Palin, and I gotta believe there are more of us than of them. We can do this.

Beats getting politically lynched for beating up on a woman.
Therein may be a trap to her truthiness problem.
Call lies lies, and move on to substance in the same sentence.

but younger people are not as racist as their parents and grandparents were. I am married to a white man who grew up in southern Mississippi in the 1950s. He had AA friends who were not allowed into his house by his parents. He heard terrible slurs about people of color from his parents and grandparents. The culture he grew up in was incredibly overtly racist by today's standards. Yes, I understand that there are still people who would not vote for any black person, ever, but my husband is going to vote for Obama. He doesn't have my level of excitement and devotion, but the mere fact that he will vote for him is a big step for someone who I know still harbors some of the racism he was brought up with.

We all know that an African American has to be at least twice as qualified as a white to be considered for any position. Fortunately for us, Obama is way more than twice as qualified as his opponent. Reasonable people will see that

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: In a fair election, Obama wins by a landslide.

I hope the landslide is big enough that they are unable to steal it.

to see that race is the biggest factor in this election.

especially in some states.

because of race, there is no other reason for not voting Democratic when everyone hates chimp so much. I don't think people want to admit it because it's such an ugly thing to have to admit about your own country. It makes me sick that in the end I think it come down to race. :-(

As I stated in my previous post I do believe a lot has to do with race. But on the other hand there may be a lot of white people that will vote for Barack but not admit it to their white friends. This could be a race thing working for us. Stranger things have happened.

and I think that a lot of this country has learned that lesson the hard way.

And I think that men would rather vote for a black man than a dingbat woman.

And I think that women would rather vote for a black man than a seriously disgusting woman (especially since the man is very personable!)

I don't think the stupids will win. Not this time. Not by numbers, and not by cheating.

I do think that the stupids will be blatantly obvious. Then they will be going back into their closet and shutting the door so they can keep their fantasy alive.

I don't think even the Shruggers will be voting for the Stupids this go around.

And a lot of prejudice will be permanently wiped out after Obama's first term in the White House.

I sent my OP after a lot of thought and after a particularly unpleasant afternoon in the personal finance dept. So maybe I'm just gloomy.

My mother, who in February said she just didn't think she'd be comfortable seeing a black man in the white house, said today that she's voting for Obama. "Do you think I'd vote for that stupid McCain and that awful woman?" she said.


But I still never underestimate the power of the Stupids. There are, after all, so many of them.



Tansy Gold, embarking on an education "crusade" :hi:

an Obama presidency will go a long way to wipe out racism in future.

Old racists will see that a black man is able to run the country just fine, thank you.

And children will grow up seeing that truly America is an equal opportunity country and perhaps not even be aware that a black president is any kind of anomaly.

And rightfully so.

to let race be THE deciding factor now.

Obama has been caricatured (effectively) as an out of touch, elitist, anti-American snob. It doesn't matter one damn bit that none of that is true, the thought has taken root with many, arguably some who'd never vote for him anyway because he's black. His story is that of MANY, MANY Americans who unfortunately are too lazy or too bigoted to do five minutes of research into what his life has really been like. In their heads, because his skin is brown and his name sounds "foreign," he's nothing like good ol' regular Americans.

Even Hillary acknowledged the uphill battle against Obama because of his race, albeit for her own personal gain. When she told Bill Richardson, "he cannot win, Bill" it was not because she felt that he was truly an inferior candidate, it was because she, like every other thinking person in this country, realizes that being black in America is no feat for the faint of heart and that there are many whites regardless of how beautiful, bright and capable you are, who will ALWAYS see you as "less than."

We have to acknowledge the massive, monumental RISK that the Democrats took in nominating Obama. For the first time in our history, a major party has nominated a black man because he was viewed as truly the best candidate for the job. That is huge. That is immense. It is something for all Democrats to be proud of, but the idea that everyone in America will see the joy and share in the pride is just not going to happen.

"Duh" "No shit Sherlock" We have been quiet for the most part hoping that people can see the hypocrisy of racist attitudes exposed. Like how the goalpost continually moves, the constant second guessing, and other things that black folk encounter all the damn time.

If you can't see it with this latest example, they would never have named Palin against a white man with Obama's record. Never. And if they did, she would have been attacked by the media and summarily dismissed as ridiculous.

Oh well, even if more eyes are opened than before, then the pain is worth it I guess, but we still got a ways to go.

I find it ironic and very sad that plenty blacks will stay home on election day. Dr. King, Malcolm X, Medgar Evars gave up life so that an Obama could have a fighting chance at being POTUS. Blacks not going to vote?! After all the struggles including bus boycotts, firehoses, dogs, being clubbed by police ETC?! Grrr. How could they not vote?!

McCain would not be anywhere near a white guy in the polls right now! Period. Race is a factor. Look at how red the South and West are right now! OMG. You can just see the old racist white guys in trucks, and at the barber shop joking and talking down Obama.

The white Yuppie bussiness man in Georgia with his church on Sundays, his Limbuagh listening time, his "soccer mom" wife and the two "perfect" little kids. Nice house in the burbs. Vote Obama? Why? The house "they" live in sells for $500,000 and they are doing just fine! McCain will lower "his" taxes so that they can go on yet another in an endless series of Disney or Hawaii vacations. Maybe a new Lexus next year. Why not? The Bush tax cuts made sure he can get a newone every other year. McCain is pro life and believes in "family values". Obama has almost no chance with these people!

Some parts of Alpharetta Georgia wanted to have their own city and call it "Johns Creek". They said it was because they wanted better serices. Riiiiight!!! What they realy wanted was to stop paying so much in property taxes. Another tax cut! Imagine that! All of this was race motivated. These rich white people di not want to pay for the city of Atlanta and Grady hospital ETC.

Guess which party these people are going to vote for "overwhelmingly" in November? Thats right. Goodnight. Election all but over. McCain for four dreadful years. :( Closet racists might sink our ship on election night. :(

and it becomes less of a factor each passing year - the fact that a black American has been nomimated is proof that progress has been made. The rest is up to Obama.

Because all those racist FUCKING people in PA and OH that voted for Hillary *SHOULD* just come around and vote for the Democrat. They would have if it was John Edwards.

But since its Barack now they want to convince themselves that McCain/Palin is the answer.

It makes me sick.

Had Hillary been on the ticket with Obama the race would have been over weeks ago.

Was Palin put on the puke ticket to play the gender card, or the race card? Or a vicious combination of the two?

And what does that then say about the state of our national conversation on equality, supposedly enshrined by the "founding fathers" and reiterated by Lincoln?

I think we gots a loooooooong ways to go, folks.



Tansy Gold

The election thingy?

MPK

remember, Democrats should have won the last two presidential elections in a LANDSLIDE - and you cannot blame that on racism

I posted that in the spring, to widespread ridicule. I'll post it again.

Obama would never have received the same level of support in our primaries if he were white with the same background and abilities. IMO, Democratic primary voters subconsciously wanted to confirm that the party is progressive and forward thinking and gave Obama too much of a benefit of a doubt, using Hillary's Iraq vote as a comforting rationale.

Plus the mathematical aspect. Grabbing 90+% support of the black vote in Democratic primaries was an incredible boost, essentially nullifying Hillary's mid range advantage among hispanics and women and older voters.

But fast forward to general election realities. The vital swing states are slightly conservative in nature with rural areas that will reject Obama without second thought. He doesn't appreciably help us in the black vote because we win more than 90% regardless. There's no such thing as 96-4.

It's a bizarre roll of the dice to nominate someone with a tender resume in an open race. We acted like we were opposing an incumbent and needed charisma atop the ticket.

And most importantly, the single vital demographic in every cycle is the white female vote. I've posted that repeatedly every cycle. You can basically ignore every demographic other than white women and understand what the result will be. 9/11 turned white women against us due to national security concerns and they've never fully returned. Working women voted 58-39 for Gore then only 51-48 for Kerry. That was game, set, match in 2004. Non-working women voted virtually identically both times, about 8 points for Bush.

The most numbing exit poll result of 2006 was white women voting narrowly for the GOP by 1%, even in a cycle with massive Democratic situational advantage. I looked at that -1 and realized our victory was fragile as hell. It was the same deficit as Gore managed against Bush in 2000. But 2000 was a neutral cycle while 2006 featured at least a 6 point generic tilt toward Democrats. Yet the white female vote was the same margin? Unbelievable. Throughout the year we had led the polling among white women but it collapsed late in the race and then we lost by 1%.

I have no idea how we are content to ignore the white female vote. The Democratic message is never tailored to them, and this cycle we managed a masochistic tripleheader -- vote against the white female in the primaries, pass on the white female in the VP choice, and ridicule the white female when the other side identifies one for VP. And we wonder what happened?

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Barack won fair and square. He worked harder, organized better, inspired above all. He never behaved as if he were entitled, NEVER dredged up kitchen sewage and NEVER said the opposition in the GOP was better!

I don't often flame people on this website. I can't believe you can't see what a slap in the face this is. What the hell do you mean "the Democratic message is never tailored to them". Fuck you, what a horrible thing to say.

MPK

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I do think Obama had an advantage in the primaries, though he also had disadvantages. He was far less well known (both a plus and a minus when going against Clinton) and less experience.

What he did have, however, was a remarkable force of personality that reached out and resonated with a whole lot of Democrats. His message appealed to the young, the new voters, the disaffected and disenfranchised. I believe that, more than anything, pushed him over the top in the primaries in a party that is FAR more inclusive of diversity than the other party.

But I think we do also have to consider race as a factor in his appeal, ironic as that may be, within the Democratic party base. We had accepted Hillary as the front-runner, aware of the historic significance, without question, and we were therefore able to accept the equally historic candidacy of Obama even to the point of capitalizing on his exoticness (?) as an asset.

The question then became whether what played within the party would play the same in the general election.

And that question, if we're going to address an issue involving Obama's race, then has to include the issue of the voter's race. If we dare to talk about Obama getting 90%+ of the black vote, then there has to be a white vote, too, and we have to address it.

Because women have a slight numeric advantage over men, they have a significant power position in electoral politics. If they haven't been analysed sufficiently as a voting bloc -- perhaps in the same way women were excluded in many medical trials over the years, with sometimes devastating effects -- then maybe we shouldn't assault those (like you) who dare to point this out.

The fact that the party of all the anti-woman policies has gone and nominated a woman ought to be a pretty obvious clue that gender can be an issue in politics. If that's true, then we'd better face up to the fact that race can be an issue, too, and it's not just the black man or black vote that should be examined, but the white woman and the white vote, too.

But as always, I could be wrong.


Tansy Gold

The people I talk to are turned off by it. We will probably never be certain how big of a factor race is.

up a steep hill and has from the beginning.

He has to be 10X's better (and is) than McCain just to have a fighting chance.

that 8-10% of a sample of voters admitted they won't vote for Obama because of his race. However, when this same sample was asked if they KNOW anybody who won't vote for Obama because he's black, that percentage rose to 17%. I thought this was interesting.

but then I remember I'm one of those people who will be voting for Obama, but would have to answer that they do know someone who won't because he's black: my parents are bigots. That's two people I know who won't vote for Obama- and part of the reason is because he's black (and because my father is a neo-con moron and wouldn't vote for anyone with a D after his name). I think it depends a lot on how the question was worded- is it the only reason they aren't voting for him? Or is it one of several factors?

just how big of an issue Race is in America.

because honestly? that's the only reason I can see major enough to make 4 more years of this bullshit seem like a good deal to people who aren't complete wingnuts but may just have a touch of the white fright.

That is huge. First African American ever. And he has support in the Midwest and West. The South forget about it, but we have not had the South in a long long time. I think he has really broken through barriers already and he is very brave to be the first.

enough to vote in primaries. That is a WAY more progressive demographic than he will have to deal with in the GE.

If the American People actually ELECT John McCain and Sara Palin to continue the disastrous policies of the criminal Bush administration, it will be because the generations of age are just not going to elect a non-100% white person to the Presidency. This will be too bad and could very well define the "Baby Boom" generation (or those born between 1945-1960) as a failure in terms of leading America into the 21st Century.

It may well be that we can't at this time, as a nation, make the obvious the choice for the future of America and the world because of race. Unfortunately, it may take the older and Baby Boomer generations dying off before a younger America that accepts the reality that we are indeed a multi-racial, multi-cultural and global society comes of age.

Martin Luther King Jr. was almost exactly the same age as my mother, born in 1929. HIS generation led the fight and HIS generation enacted the laws that changed much of the racial landscape in this country over the past half century.

MY generation was the first to LIVE with those changes and incorporate them into our daily lives. We grew up with the tv accounts of Selma and Birmingham, George Wallace and Bull Conner. Unlike our children, for whom much of the overt civil rights campaign is mere history, we watched the change happen in real time.

I don't think, therefore, that it's a generational thing but a culture-wide thing, infecting (sic) a wide cross-section of the electorate along social lines rather than generational lines.

TG

on the smallest level think DWB (Driving while Black or Brown) and the stops that are made. Racial profiling is done on a regular basis. In a community where you look "different" it is tougher. My son (Obviously Black) goes to UCLA... in a White neighborhood has been stopped while hunting for a parking places and one time he was searched. When he politely asked why the cop said "Because we got a call about a suspicious person in the area". He now parks on campus lots. Hair is cut short, clothes are not "ghetto fabulous" but his face is brown. Most of my male relatives have been stopped in predominately white areas with this same sort of reply... when one was given. My brother-in-law owned a house in a predominantly white neighborhood and was repeatedly stopped going to and from work (he worked in a law firm at the time and wore suits and ties)for many months before he moved. He now lives in a "mixed" neighborhood. Not as nice but then he isn't stopped. One reason we live where we do is for my son's protection. In LA in certain parts one attracted the wrong attention from the police if one had a party (I am not talking 200 people. The most we have had is 40 people at an afternoon barbecue...most of them were in-laws). My son can have parties in this area and no one comments on the color of his friends... just the loudness (or lack there of) of music and party noise. We live in the heart of Los Angeles' Black neighborhoods above the Crenshaw District. We are quiet, middle-class and covered with Obama signs. We have a high voter turn out, good relations with our neighbors and warn our kids before going into predominantly White areas about how to act. Sheesh!

Are you trying to decide who to vote for? Are you trying to second guess the primaries? Do you just hand wring as a hobby? WHAT? And no matter why you are writing this crap now, what the FUCK does it matter at this point? Obama is our candidate and I will fight like a goddam BEAR to get him elected. OF COURSE race is going to play a factor. Jesus, where have you been for the past, I dunno, THREE HUNDRED YEARS?? Which is why we have to fight harder and stick to our message and change this STUPID SHIT around so that the next time somebody who doesn't look like Mr. Rogers runs for President, we don't have to read a thousand posts that say, "Gee, do you think race is going to be a factor?" We will only have to read 500 of them.

I thought I was writing a sensitive and intelligent post from the perspective of a middle-aged woman who has never had to deal with racial prejudice and wondered if others saw the election the same way I did. I was especially interested in getting the viewpoints of people who HAD experienced racism in a way I never will.

No, I'm not hand-wringing and I'm not pining for Hillary -- I think I've said often enough that I personally have no hesitation in supporting Obama and that my support of Hillary in the primaries was almost SOLELY based on her gender, meaning I wanted to see someone who looks like me in the White House. I thought, therefore, that I somewhat understood the emotional response that African Americans would have to Obama's candidacy. I don't think we can discount emotional responses.

But what I hadn't examined previously, from my own white point of view, was whether there were elements of the campaign that were going to be dictated by race. In my humble opinion, those who have brought up the issue of Palin as the archetypal "white woman" and Obama as the evil black man from our own mythical past have given me, if no one else, some food for thought.

For instance, I've been irritated that Obama didn't "fight" more aggressively against McCain. It didn't occur to me that there may be cultural reasons for this that are directly associated with perceptions of race in this country. I'm learning things!

I'm certainly not suggesting Obama is anything less than a great candidate with the potential to be an even greater president, even in the horrible circumstances he will inherit the presidency. I consider him more than capable of handling it.

But in an election where one campaign has blatantly dismissed the idea of voting on issues and instead focused on personalities, I thought it was worthwhile to discuss just one aspect of the person on our ticket and what that might import for the outcome of the election.

Again, my apologies for being a Stupid.


Tansy Gold.

you get an A for effort in your attempt to make me look MEAN. Way to fight like a girl. Hey, you really ARE a middle aged white woman, aren't you? Guess what?? So am I!! Well, Ok, I am 44, which I refuse to believe is QUITE middle aged. But I am a woman and as white as the driven snow. Hell, we even own a minivan and have the requisite two kids (boy and girl, of course).

Here's the thing, OBVIOUSLY race is going to play an issue. Your post is the equivalent of writing a three page long dissertation that starts out with "Do you think that possibly GENDER is a factor with Sarah Palin?" Seriously. Duh. And at this point, WHAT THE FUCK DOES IT MATTER?? We have the candidates that we have. If you have an idea how to DEFEAT race as a factor in this election, I am all ears. Otherwise, whatever.

Now it is your turn to tell me you are putting me on ignore in a way that is supposed to imply that it would hurt my feelings. I have a better idea. Get pissed off. Get really pissed off. And turn it onto subjects that might really help us out if you got thoughtful about them, like how to win this election. Your post feels like Monday morning quarterbacking, no matter how you demur. Forget that useless shit and get on to something proactive.

and you are not stupid. Renie 408, on the other hand, is quite rude and despite its post count and star acts like a typical GOP operative: all blustery indignation and sarcasm.

:hi:

I AM full of blustery indignation. If you aren't, you haven't really been paying attention for the past eight years, have you?? And yes, I feel sarcastic. And pissed off. And I can't understand for the life of me why being 'sensitive' adds merit to the OP. If I had sensitively said that this thread was bullshit, we would all be sharing a hug and singing kumbayah right now. I am tired of Democrats beating their heads against walls that aren't going to move simply because we beat our heads against them. RIGHT NOW we need to focus on WINNING...not on the reasons we might possibly LOSE. If that is insensitive, whatever. I feel like saying, WAKE THE FUCK up and so I did. Delicately, thoughtfully, sensitively...WAKE THE FUCK UP and stop worrying about shit we can't do anything about.

why don't YOU just STFU, or get that bee out of your bonnet, or that knot out of your knickers or that gerbil outta your ass

I enjoy discussing it and thank you for for bringing it up. I did think, well, yeah, of course, when I first read the post but you clearly wanted answers and I hope you got some clarity on this issue from the many great responses, especially from those who've gone and continue to go through it.

"Only in Republican America would a black man with a law degree from Harvard, 12 years in politics, four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and manager of one of the most impressively flawless and forward thinking presidential campaigns ever not be ready for the presidency while a white female evangelical with 19 months in national politics and a bachelors in journalism is considered "ready on day one." (taken from the Huffington Post)

.

the American people and hwo we all survived a vote for Obama is a vote for we the people.

would not have voted for the Democrat even if the candidate were white.

That is ALL that is going on here is they are demotivating the vote just keep the passion alive because it isn't an ordinary election but one to literally save the world. There is only as much diversion as we allow it to be and focus on when they have us discussing race they are winning it isn't about that Obama doesn' about that and that's all we need to do. When we go there they are winning, so keep going against all odds is the answer.

we aren't moving forward. And you are dead right. We are in a fight to save this country and the world. People who think differently are kidding themselves.

There are many factors creating noise. I won't give race more than it's due. Like other wedge issues, it will play a factor. But race may be counter-balanced or reinforced (whatever the case may be) by other issues.

I'd say there is a demographic who will NOT vote for a woman, just as there is a demographic who won't vote for a black man. Will they cancel each other out? Maybe.

I'm a white older woman who supported Hillary, but immediately moved my enthusiastic support to Obama when he won the primary. I live in Kansas, home of Obama's mother and grandparents, so I'm proud to support him.

I know from first-hand observation of my self-identified liberal friends and acquaintances that racism is definitely a factor in this election. The first time I heard racist comments about Obama from my liberal friends, I was shocked. The shock turned to outrage when one of my friends used a racist word to refer to him. I do argue with these people, and with the nomination of Sarah Palin, I think most of them have regained their senses. However, anyone who thinks racism is not alive and well in America has his or her head in a bunker.

Lux

in the first place?

Personally, I don't think so. I don't think there will be many Dems who will vote for McNasty SOLELY on the issue of Obama's race. I honestly believe most Dems are above that.

But I do think the pukes have played not the GENDER card with Palin but the RACE card, in an attempt to pick up the independent/libertarian/fence-sitting vote who hates the current administration but isn't quite liberal enough to embrace Democratic policies under the leadership of an African American man.

I dunno. I'm probably thinking too much. I usually do.

:hi:


Tansy Gold, sayin' hi to Pat, too.

I'm in south Leawood and there are Obama signs all over my neighborhood. Just a few McCain signs... We have a Democratic representative and governor because the Republicans ran extremists like Palin.

IMHO Semi Racist voters are looking for an excuse to vote McCain because they're having a hard time voting for Obama because of his Race. Palin provides cover for their underlying racist nature.

The only way to overcome this is to pound it into their heads that they are voting for Bush Policies that are not in their best interest. Palin = Big Oil and a parrot for Neo-con Policies. McCain = Bush. The Obama camp has got to do this relentlessly and continue to beat that into the voters heads.


If I was running the campaign I would be showing clips of the Gibson Interview showing how ill informed Pallin is.

and I agree, this race isn't an exception. Every time we interact with people who are substantially different from us, some kind of 'ism' is at work on some level. We can ignore it or deal with it or embrace it. But sexism IS at work with both Palin and Clinton, race is at work with Obama and agism is at work with McCain.

star on the national scene. McCain will lose his cool before November 4th. At that point if teh country resists in electing the most honerable candidate, then we will deserve the fate that Putin , Sarkozy and the world will place on us. At that time, rejoice if you live near a cave.

we live in an incredibly racist country

maybe the country's better nature just hasn't developed yet

outcome normally is determined by something that "comes out of left field" if you will.
In this case I believe it will be related to more signs of the mental deterioration in McSenile
as the election draws closer. This will sway that small percentage of voters who vote along the lines of "comfort level" with a candidate. And the comfort level with the first AA President will outweigh that of a white man coming apart at the seams mentally.

How can we help? Demand the release of John McCain's Mental Health records. Shout it until the MSM is forced to take notice !!!! IMHO, it's our only chance here folks.

The debates are going to tell plenty. If after the first debate between Obama and McLame and the VP debate the polls do not move the the democratic direction then its over. By mid October we will know. If voters think Palin is ready to be "a heartbeat away" then I call BS and the race is all about race. She cannot win that debate and McCain cannot win a debate with a Harvard educated lawyer!!! If McSamae and Pallin win the debates I call bull sh*t racists those polled!!! Period.

Repukes cannot win the debates.