Saturday
05Jul2008
INVERTED RACISM
Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 11:50AM
I was reading this article which asks "Are Americans too racist to vote for Obama". The subtle insult to the American people is clear though I suggest it is one that many in Europe will share. However let me ask ANOTHER question; "Are Blacks too racist to vote for McCain"?
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Reader Comments (19)
I don't believe race will be a determinative factor in the election.
I don't think race has a whole lot to do with who we vote for. It's unfortunate that I will be CALLED a racist for not voting for him.
It's interesting that you bring up the black vote. Usually we see the black population screaming about how a black candidate isn't 'black enough'. Ooops. I guess that only happens when a black candidate is Republican.
I don't see how in view of Monica's comments which i think are pretty accurate, you can say race is NOT an issue in the election.
I think in politics the message you give out is central, it will all boil down to whether or not Obama's message or McCain's is simple and understandable to the ordinary American housewife or blue collar worker. We saw that in the last EU treaty, if the public don't understand your message or are confused by it, they will vote for your opponent who's message they do undersand.
To me Obamas message is clear, as it is simple, vote for me and you'll vote for change - and I believe people in the states want change. That is what will carry the day, not whether the candidate is black or white.
Race will be a determinate factor for some - blacks and progressives are absolutely gaga over the color of Obama's skin, his policy positions are irrelevant.
How can that be squared with him beating Clinton when their policies were similar? Race and gender were widely publicised to feature.Yet he won. Wasn't it his message of change that won the day?
No Gosh, it was the fact that the Clintons make many people sick to their stomachs. And he was able to outspend her. :-)
We have pockets of people who won't vote for a person of color or a woman or a homosexual because they're ignorant, that's just life. We do have people that will vote for Obama because he is black. They either identify with him (black folks) or it makes them feel good and superior to vote for him (upper income white progressives).
Alison, I would say that race seems to be a factor more for his supporters than his detractors.
But David is right. In the Dem primary, Barak was supported by whites that split between him and Hillary, but by 95% of blacks. Who is voting on a racial line here?
Cheers Daphne.
In fairness to the black voters, they always vote for the Democrat candidate in numbers that would make a dictator proud, way over 90%
Having a [half] black candidate has increased the enthusiasm in that community even more.
I wrote it wouldn't be a determintive factor in the election itself, and as Daphne points out it will be a factor for some. But those who vote based on race won't effect the overall outcome.
mahons is right, it was a factor in the primary. it was an advantage that the hildabeast wasn't allowed to overcome.
In the general election race won't be a factor all the blacks will vote for the Democrat period if Hilary had recieved the nomination even if she was accused of stealing it from him the would still vote democrat.
Are black candidates almost the sole preserve of the democrats?
Gosh: "Are black candidates almost the sole preserve of the democrats?"
No. There are Republicans (and Conservatives) black candidates, or persons of color (thinking Jindal who I believe is Indian - as in India)
but Republicans aren't attracted to identity politics. Identity politics focuses on skin tone or gender. Democrats run (and win) on gender/color, or big government solutions to problems.
Republicans (Conservatives) focus on individual worth, and run (and win) hopefully on small govt.solutions, and other policy issues.
So, Gosh, because black COnservatives or Republicans don't focus their attentions on the black identity they are accused of not being black enough, uncle toms, sell-outs etc.
Thanks Patty.
(You aren't a republican by any chance ;-/)
Gosh: Good guess, hahaha :)
I'm a Conservative. And therefore, a Republican, by default. (both Bush and McCain are both very Big Government Republicans)
Truth is I think government is always inefficient, and often corrupt, because of human nature - so I think government should be as small as possible - I think solutions should be left to the individual, and that we as a society should promote self-reliance over govt.dependency.
In part I agree with you on the big government issue. I stress in part. I read somewhere that a government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have starting with your self reliance.
That quote sticks with me because to date I have yet to find anything to knock it down with.
I agree with you that statism is inefficent, we're seeing it in the health system and education. If we could get back to the core principles of the welfare state - which were to provide a safety net, then I could give it my whole hearted support. Not as things stand though, while it encourages people not to work, and not to look after themselves.
I think a major problem that is emerging is that it is considered racist and bad if you don't vote for Obama just because he is black, but is perfectly acceptable to vote for Obama just because he is black. Surely voting for Obama just because he is black is a racist as not voting for him because he is black.