A different kind of glass ceiling?
Well, I just got my e-mail from Barack*, we’re apparently on a first name basis, four hours after the story broke in the media. I’m thrilled to see Joe Biden join the ticket, absolutely thrilled. I know that he brings a bit of baggage with him and that, with 3o some odd years in the Senate, he dampens the Change® message. But Biden’s a terrier and right now Obama needs a terrier.
Because something is not going according to plan in the Obama campaign. In the most recent generic polls, in which respondents are asked whether they would vote for a Republican or Democrat for President, the Democrat leads by 10. In the most recent daily tracking polls, Obama leads McCain by no more than three points. This is a discrepancy that’s been troubling me since Obama secured the nomination. The Democratic nominee has led McCain by as much as 7 points, but tends to hover around 45%. McCain is creeping up and in some recent daily tracking polls has surpassed Obama.
I know that polls in the summertime are about as reliable as British weather forecasting, but something doesn’t add up. Admittedly, up until the end of last week, McCain had been bashing Obama around quite a lot without much response. Obama spent a week on vacation, completely yielding the stage to McCain. Maybe that’s why McCain is catching up a bit, but what I find more disturbing is that if the election were held today, a generic Democrat wins by ten and the specific Democrat ties at best. I’m not the only one to wonder that, the pundits have been mashing numbers and waving hands and have come up with all sorts of ‘gaps’:
- The gender gap - stubborn Clintonistas that haven’t come into the party fold. In other words, they would vote for a generic Democrat if that Democrat was specifically Hillary Clinton.**
- The experience gap - McCain’s decades of public service, makes him stronger than the generic Republican. Similarly, Obama’s less than a decade in national office makes him weaker.
- The foreign policy gap - with uncertainty in the Caucuses and Middle East, voters are flocking to military man McCain. Because, you know, foreign policy equals war.
- The attack gap - McCain’s campaign is charging forward, arrows flying like a mob of Hun horsemen. They’ve tried every possible avenue of attack and have found a few that hurt.
All of these probably have something to do with the differences in these polls. But, increasingly, I’m beginning to fear that the real gap is a darker and unsurmountable one. I’m beginning to think that the gap that is hurting Obama is the skin color gap. Consistently, in polls, a huge majority of Americans (76% in the most recent) say that the country is ready for a black president (or a woman for that matter). That’s both predictable and suspicious. For one thing, the phrasing of the question is tricky. Pollsters are not asking the respondents if they are ready for a black president. Only the most blatant of racists would admit, to a stranger, over the phone that they were unwilling to put a black man in the White House. But, occasionally in this election cycle, hard numbers have belied these whitewashed polls. The discrepancy between the polls in the New Hampshire primary and the results, for example, has been attributed to the so called “Bradley Effect” by a number of pundits. More disturbing and less contentious, however, are the results in West Virginia exit polls, in which 22% of respondents said race was important in their decision between Clinton and Obama. Of those 22%, 82% voted for Clinton. If 22% admitted to being driven by race, how many felt the same way but didn’t admit it?
And the answer to that question is what I’m worried about. Has Obama reached a glass ceiling of his own? When I first heard Obama, at the 2004 Democratic conveniention, I was blown away by his oratory. At that time, I thought that Obama was a rising star in the party but that his race, and more particularly, his name would keep him out of the oval office. I’ve been surprised and thrilled to see him get to the spot he is today - just days away from accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination. It’s been an amazing year in American politics and one that makes me proud of my country. But what if I was right in 2004, what if Obama can’t get past that 45% number. What if there is a enough of a minority of Americans to turn an election who are still so riddled with bigotry that they can’t fathom the idea of a black man in the White House.
I realize that there are scores of reasons that a person wouldn’t vote for Obama that have nothing to do with race. If you’re a Republican and have reasoned policy differences with the Illinois senator, then I have no problem with you. If Obama is a bit too conservative for your taste, I respect that and Nader is running again this year. If you really believe that Obama doesn’t have ample experience for the job, despite the fact that many that have come before him had even less, then fair enough.
If you’re not voting for Obama because his middle name is Hussein, or because he lived in Indonesia then I have a big problem with you. If you won’t vote for Obama because “you can’t relate with him culturally” or because of the church that he went to, then I have a big problem with you. When it becomes, at any level, about the color of Barack Obama’s skin, then you are not making an intelligent, well informed decision. You’re making a decision based on hatred. If you’re one of those 22% of West Virginians, you made a bigoted decision. More importantly, if you, even deep down, agree with them, you are a racist.
Similarly, I don’t think that voting for Obama solely because of his race is legitimate. Again the problem, the fear, the anxiety that is with me is the difference between the number of people who would like to see a Democrat in the White House and the number of people that would like to see this Democrat in the White House.
America is at such a thrilling place historically. We’re primed to finally resolve over two hundred years of slavery, segregation, lynchings, Jim Crow, and racial hatred. We’re at the doorstep of a colorblind society. And I hope that I’m wrong about this. I hope that the fickle summertime polls bear no relation to reality and that the number of people that refuse to vote for Obama because of his skin color are restricted to a few stubborn Klaverns and 22% of West Virginia. Because the election of Barack Obama could be a turning point in American history - like the rise of JFK in 1960 and the Reagan revolution in 1980, but moreso.
The last two presidential elections have not gone the way I had hoped. In 2000, I was confused after the presidential election results finally came in. In 2004 I was angry. 2008 can still go either way. If Obama becomes that generic Democrat, I’ll be able to walk around my adopted foreign home with pride in my country again - a pride that’s been hard to drum up in the last eight years. If Obama has indeed hit that glass ceiling, if he does come in around 45% and loses to McCain, I’ll just feel very, very sad and a little bit ashamed.
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*Started writing this on Sunday morning, but free time is at a premium these days. Daily tracking polls remain about the same as then.
** For those of you saying to yourself, “See, I told you Obama couldn’t get elected”, I firmly believe that Clinton would be having the same problem with a subset of voters that couldn’t handle a woman in the Oval Office.
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Popularity: 72% [?]
Race? Nope. Colin Powell would be elected in an instant.
Cultured, intellectual, thoughtful, dignified, classy…yes, that’s a problem.
Crass, celebrity-crusted, know-nothing media set a tone for the nation’s values.
These media simply cannot showcase Obama in the way the web can. Unfortunately, most Americans of voting age and voting inclination get their knowledge through ATL media. The web is still a youngster’s (and an inellectual’s) thing.
Further, Americans prefer people who are cunning rather than smart. Electing an intelligent, well educated President who worked his way up from the bottom would be a tacet acknowledgement that the meritocracy works.
Frankly, that scares most Americans (and Australians, for that matter).
“What, you mean I actually have to have merit to get ahead? That’s not fair! What hope do I have?”
Better to imagine that rat-cunning rather than brains will get you ahead. That, anyone can manage.
Why do the Donald Trumps, the Jack Welches, the Martha Stuarts and the Al Dunlaps end up giving readers and apprentices lessons on success, where Warren Buffet languishes in relative media obscurity? Americans WANT to believe that the biggest asshole gets ahead, because, hell, anyone can be an asshole. But not everyone can be smart.
Sorry, in a cynical mood this morning.
headbang8s last blog post..Stereotype Amplifiers
26 Aug 2008 at 5:30 pm
By the way…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4609445.ece
headbang8s last blog post..Stereotype Amplifiers
26 Aug 2008 at 5:35 pm
this is a pretty depressing read, I thought the US of A was going to go with the democrat whatever and like it would all be happy-happy. are there really so many people that follow republican views? are there so many people racist? Or what does the racial / cultural makeup of the US look like? People generally vote with like- similar education, similar looks, similar culture, are there that many people so far from Obama they wouldnt vote for him? can these people even know how to vote?
man that sucks in a big way. can you imagine ever a non-christian in the white house though? or a muslim? or in britain for that matter… people get scared cos they read the f%%%ing daily mail
26 Aug 2008 at 6:14 pm
I think you can still be very proud of your country, as where else would an Obama have a chance? Maybe one of your US readers can say more about the race-relevant mood in the US, as it is impossible to feel it from abroad. US media and public are so PC that noone in their right mind will admit to being racist (though I, like headbang8, think Powell would be elected in a heartbeat, and was quite worried when I read McCain was considering him for VP). It seems Obamas are trying to appeal to different people by being both ‘normal’ and by being like the Kennedys (I’d argue very not normal, in the statistical sense), but that’s a class issue, I don’t see how you address race in a similar manner. Through the campaign so far it has become glaringly obvious that Obama is the only possible choice. And with McCain’s admitted ignorance of economy, the most important issue on everyone’s mind the media say, let’s hope irrelevant factors remain just that.
26 Aug 2008 at 7:17 pm
Come November, I will vote for the person I think is best for the job. I have not always voted my party. Like you, AFM, I haven’t been happy with things over the past eight years. I didn’t vote for Bush in the last election.
When Obama first hit my radar, I really liked him. My husband and I would discuss his potential in great length. I felt like even his lack of experience was a plus. I truly believe we need a fresh start, one not weighed down by someone knowing how things are “supposed” to go. But as the months passed, I began to lose faith in his ability to run my country, and I won’t bore anyone with the same things you’ve heard for a while now, but I can honestly say it has nothing to do with his race or religious affiliation or anything else that should have absolutely nothing to do with politics.
I think Obama’s recent struggles have less to do with his race and such as you think. The color of his skin has always been there, and unfortunately I do think there is a small number of people who will not vote for him because he’s black or because they’ve convinced their small minds to believe he’s a terrorist. As far as we’ve come in this country, we still have so far to go.
However, I honestly believe people are just tired of it all for a bit. I think his numbers will go back up. People were exhausted by just the sound of his name before the nomination was ever decided. That soap opera battle over the Democratic nomination simply exhausted everyone.
That’s one of his problems and the other two are women. Even people I’ve spoken with who absolutely love Obama… do not like his wife. Michelle Obama and dear Mrs. Clinton. I think she screams, “We must unite the party!” when everyone is looking, and then as soon as everyone looks away, she wallows in what’s left of her stardom.
If Obama could tape both their mouths, he’d be moving into the White House soon, I believe. That, and well, geez… can he not just be who he is already?! This whole, “He’s another Kennedy” thing is getting old. He needs to go back to what I heard from him in the beginning. He needs to go back to being himself. If he’d do that, he’d get my vote.
26 Aug 2008 at 7:45 pm
Headbang - I take your point, but am not sure that Powell would have such an easy go. He’d not get the Left that Obama is getting and would still struggle with the Redneck Right. The cunning versus intelligent distinction is a good one.
That’s the thing, Obama’s story is the American Dream. I don’t know why it’s not resonating. I wonder how it would be if it were a white guy that grew up with a single parent, studied hard, ended up at a world class university (like Oxford) and was running for president. Oh wait, Bill Clinton did that didn’t he?
SSG - In my experience, racism is more obvious in Britain than in the U.S., but it may be more devious in the States. As for how many people are too racist to vote for Obama, it doesn’t take that many to swing an election. Anybody remember how many votes separated Bush and Gore in Florida in 2000?
Vera - you’re absolutely right. I’m nearly four years gone and I don’t have a real feeling for the mood of the country. I rely on American media and increasingly blogs to get an idea of the cultural temperature. But even if I were there, I don’t know that I would be able to figure it out. Because, as you point out, people tend not to talk about it. But I suspect that there’s a fair few people in the part of the country that I grew up in that would be real comfortable with that 22% of West Virginians.
Angel - we’re just never going to agree on political issues are we? I do want to point out that it’s actually our country. Personally, I have no faith that John McCain can run our country. He and his cronies have had 8 years and they have absolutely run our country into the ground. Obama doesn’t have as much time in Washington, but maybe that’s a good thing.
For me it’s a generational thing as well. The Boomers and pre-Boomers have had their shot - Bush, Clinton, Bush, it’s time for the next generation to see if they can’t sort out the mess that they’ve been left.
A Free Mans last blog post..A different kind of glass ceiling?
26 Aug 2008 at 8:32 pm
Not a huge amount to say other than that yes, it would be nice not to respond with an inward groan when American politics are brought up.
Suzer
suzers last blog post..This Marriage Thing
26 Aug 2008 at 8:34 pm
I have a feeling this is one of those posts in which I’m going to get a lot of people riled up…
A Free Mans last blog post..A different kind of glass ceiling?
26 Aug 2008 at 9:54 pm
LOL, How could you post about the presidential election and NOT get people riled up?
I have to tell you that I think it’s funny (odd, not haha funny) that you are such a media hater, yet you believe what they say about people not voting for Obama due to race. I have issues with his social healthcare (I know you love it, but I disagree); it irks the CRAP out of me when people are backed by every celebrity in Hollywood (the day rap artists and movie stars sway my vote, I’m doing myself in). I hate that we are in a situation as a country where if a certain person doesn’t win the election, we’re labeled a country full of bigots. Lastly, I think the guy got where he is on his charisma alone, and charisma does not run a country. Oh and really lastly, I’m not sure I can handle four years of Michelle either. Sorry, but that’s the way I feel.
ON THE OTHER HAND, McCain sucks too. This is the first election in my voting life that I am at a loss. I cannot truly support either candidate. I wish to God it was Colin Powell running against Obama, then I would know who to vote for easy. Thinking about the election gives me butterflies in my stomach, because I know it’s looming, and I do not feel prepared to cast my vote.
26 Aug 2008 at 11:05 pm
When it comes to racism in the U.S., it is more of a generational thing as well. If the college kids come out to vote, Obama will probably have the election no matter what. History shows, voting isn’t college kids top priority. In addition, in my experience, most people who would consciously (or unconsciously) vote based upon skin color probably would vote republican anyway. So, is there enough skin color biased people in the middle and/or left of the political spectrum that would vote republican and cost Obama the election? I don’t think so, or more precisely I hope not.
I think the deciding factor really comes down to 1) how well does Obama perform in the debates, and 2) Can he (or Biden) counter all the negative adds and attack back. I think the only way McCain wins is if Obama doesn’t show he is substantive enough during the debates. I looking forward to hear what he has to say at the DNC convention.
27 Aug 2008 at 1:18 am
The thing is that it’s not that simple (that black and white, if you will). Your arguments are good and well reasoned and they may even be right, the problem is that it’s not that easy for people to see even their own motivations. Apparently there are a lot of folks in West Virginia who are aware of and comfortable with their bigotry and while I certainly can’t applaud that, it doesn’t worry me. The real problem are the people who think they’re not racist, that’s most of the country, but who really are, and who knows how many of them there are.
The breakdown is that people don’t do things rationally. they don’t sit down and make pro and con lists to chose who to vote for and if it’s not Barack they’ll think they know why. Some of them might even be right.
This of course sounds like I’m pro Obama and the fact is that I’m not, I disagree with him on several key points (abortion, healthcare…) so I won’t be voting for him for those reasons. I think.
27 Aug 2008 at 1:30 am
What I’ve been wondering is exactly how either or both of the candidates will actually get their message across to the American public. It seems like most people don’t pay attention, or don’t care to pay attention, to what they have to say. I am admittedly a bit biased because you know I’ve been backing Joe Biden since the beginning of the primaries, but I was somewhat caught off guard by a poll I saw on MSNBC that stated that nearly 30% of Americans didn’t know who Joe Biden was. He’s been in the Senate for over 30 years (and has become one of the most influential and powerful senators in the process), plus he was a presidential candidate himself. I know he didn’t get past the Iowa caucuses, but how closely are people paying attention if they can’t even identify a candidate, much less talk about his/her positions on issues? I think this means that the preconceived notions people have are likely to stick. Plus, the negative attack ads tend to be a lot more interesting (unfortunately) than ads on the issues, so is it even possible for a candidate to win over voters at this point without resorting to a smear campaign?
27 Aug 2008 at 2:03 am
AFM, while I agree with most of what you are saying, I have to take issue with the broad brush you are using to paint people as racists. One point in particular, you say that if you let Obama’s choice of church influence your opinion of him that makes you a racist. I disagree for a rather specific reason. In the US, religion is a choice, and the fundamental expression of that choice is the church you choose for your worship. I’m sure in Chicago there is no shortage of churches and pastors the Obama’s could have chosen. Now much of white America will never understand or embrace the bombastic style that is often employed in predominately African American churches, and this will undoubtedly bias some people against this style of worship. I have no issue with the way a pastor chooses to deliver his message, stirring people up, igniting their passions about their faith works for a lot of people, and more power to them. The issue I have is always with the message, what message does the leader of the church try to instill in his listeners? This is where I take issue with Obama’s choice. He chose to attend a church and embrace its minister as a spiritual leader, and that minister at least occasionally used hate and prejudice to rile up his congregation. This is the minster he took his daughters to hear, to learn from, and Obama himself proclaimed that the minister had helped bring him to God. Obama says he didn’t witness the sermons in question, and I want to believe him. It strikes me as ironic that you think that someone is racist simply for taking issue with Obama attending a church whose minister embraced racism of a different sort. Racism is racism, no matter which races are in question. Obama has since denounced his pastor, and I actually found his initial resistance to do so somewhat inspiring, because even though the man obviously had faults, Obama tried to stand by him because of their history. Unfortunately for both of them, once Obama’s minster got into the spot light, he wouldn’t shut his mouth, and Obama had to cave to the pressure to distance himself or be torn down further.
Did this episode influence my opinion of Obama? Yes, in a rather complicated way. The choices he’s made in his life help us understand his true character, and give us insight into more than the political mask he and all his contemporaries must wear. Does this mean I won’t vote for him? Hell no. This is just one aspect of his life, and in relation to his political aspirations, not that important a part of him. But I resent the implication that I’m a racist because I think he made a poor choice in his pastor.
From friends and contemporaries (most of whom are staunch democrats), I keep hearing rumblings of displeasure with Obama. He’s too cocky (and John McCain isn’t?). We don’t know where he stands on issues (that’s what the debates are for). Like you, I’m worried. I watched the Democrats self-destruct in the last election and I’m having deja vu. As a Hillary supporter, I also feel disenfranchised by my party (who I believe choose Obama over Hillary a long time before the voters did) and the media (ditto for favoring Obama). But I also believe this country can’t take four more years of Republican rule and still be a place I’m proud to call home.
Aprils last blog post..Learning my limits
27 Aug 2008 at 2:56 am
There was a point at which I didn’t like Obama because, to quote a Chicago friend of mine (a former student at the Univ Chicago, where Obama taught and his wife works) “I have heard many people who sound that good but don’t do anything and are not good people”. But I think it’s a great life exercise that one is asked/expected/… to vote even if one is not crazy about choices. It forces us (or it should) to gather as much info as we can, and make the best decision we can. And that’s anyone can ask.
27 Aug 2008 at 3:46 am
there’s really too much to go into, but i will say this. i live in a fairly republican area in pennsylvania. i wear an obama button on my purse and have been asked by several people–white people–where did i get it and could they get one too. i also have seen nearly zero yard signs and bumper stickers supporting mccain and have seen a fair share of both in favor of obama.
now, yard signs and bumper stickers are hardly the best barometer of people’s voting inclinations, but the fact is, i live in rural, white, republican country and i’m seeing more support for obama than mccain.
also, the number of newly registered voters in my county who declared themselves democrats was nearly double that of republicans, which is another way to gauge support.
how anyone in their right mind could vote for a man who doesn’t know how to use the internet in this day and age is beyond me. all politics aside, that should be a requirement for the presidency. oh, and whomever is elected should know how many homes he owns. these seem like trivial items but i think they indicate how out of touch mccain really is. i know he’s a fine man and has sacrificed for his country, but i think he’s too old for the job. not that another 71-yr-old couldn’t do the job, but he in particular is not up to it.
so we’ll see. i don’t know a democrat who won’t vote for obama and i know a few republicans who say they will, and that gives me hope.
mjrcs last blog post..If I Were a Musician, I Would Be on the Contrast Podcast Today
27 Aug 2008 at 3:56 am
I’m sorry, but I just cannot take anyone seriously who thinks that race doesn’t matter in America and that racism does not exist (and that it would not affect the Presidential election). There exists reams of economic, sociological, and anthropological data showing the lingering power of racism in American life. To ignore this is just to be willfully ignorant so as not to deal with the problem (as when George Bush swore there was no hungry children in Texas while he was governor - although Texas has massive rates of childhood hunger - but if you say there is not a problem, there is no need to deal with it, right?) You don’t even need to look at the data - during the West Virginia primary it was easy for reporters to find local yahoos who said they would not vote for Obama because he is Black.
As to the claim Powell would easily win, that is pure fantasy as well. Powell would never win a Republican primary as he is too liberal on some social issues and due to the intense racism of not just some, but many, Republican primary voters. (And before anyone claims racism isn’t inherent in Republican strategy, please educate yourselves even slightly about Republicans’ Southern Strategy and that party’s response to civil rights). He would not win a Democratic primary due to his starring role in misleading the nation into the Iraq war and since he has not spent any time courting the various interest groups that make up the modern Democratic Party.
Sorry, but I have to live in the USA and watching the economic and moral decline of my country over the past eight years has been sickening. I certainly don’t think Obama is any sort of savior, but after the litany of failures we have endured, I really see no other option.
27 Aug 2008 at 4:28 am
After my bitter last comment, I thought this item about one informed American voter might amuse: a story from AFM’s and my home state of FLA:
“The man stood outside his RV, yelling and shooting a gun into the air. When Pasco sheriff’s deputies confronted him, he ran inside and wouldn’t come out.
That started a six-hour standoff late Monday night between the man, whose name was not released, and authorities, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Doll said.
SWAT team units arrived later and surrounded the RV, Doll said. As the situation entered the early hours of this morning, SWAT team members fired riot gas into the man’s home. He still wouldn’t come out, Doll said.
Finally, about 5 a.m., he exited his RV and was taken into custody. The cause of his displeasure, according to Doll, was Michelle Obama’s speech last night at the Democratic National Convention.”
27 Aug 2008 at 6:25 am
JK - I thought you might disagree with me
I, and I imagine most people, ignore the celebrity endorsements. Doesn’t matter what George Clooney or Jay Z say to me, I don’t even know what they think. As for the health care, I actually have a problem with Obama’s health care plan - I don’t think it’ comprehensive enough in scope. Hillary had a better plan and if I were still resident in the U.S., she may have had my vote because of it. Good luck making what’s got to be a tough decision. If it’s any relief, I doubt that Alabama is in play this time around.
Matthew - that’s another thing that really worries me, Obama is heavily dependent on the youth vote and that is the most fickle demographic. Not in their support but whether or not they can be bothered to get out of bed and go vote. Let’s hope that this year is different.
Jason - I heard the same number and was equally surprised. Biden’s run for president at least twice and is all over the news, how do you not know who he is? Dr. O’C and I knew you’d be pumped when that VP announcement came out!
April - you’re absolutely right - racism is racism no matter what race it comes from. But, that Wright story was tailor made, designed by those who jumped all over it, to incite fear of Obama based on his race. It’s junk. We didn’t hear any of the sermons from any of the pastors of any of the other candidates. I reckon that Mitt Romney’s pastor might say some things that a lot of Americans find odd, strange or disturbing. If Mitt’s the Republican Veep are we going to find out what goes on his temple? More importantly - is it relevant?
This ‘cocky’ thing. That rings a little icky as well, sounds kind of like ‘uppity’ doesn’t it? (Clarifying, April, I know your quoting, not supporting). Anyone who’s narcissistic enough to want to be the president of the United States is a little bit cocky and as you rightly point out, McCain is as well. Is it just a problem because Obama’s a cocky black man?
Vera - good point. I’ve not wanted to vote for either of the candidates in 2004 or 2000, but have after making an informed decision. It’s the voting part that’s important. If you stay home on election day, you should lose your right to complain.
MJRC - actually, I think yard signs are a great indication. That’s what I’m missing from abroad is a real taste of what’s happening on the ground. As Jess points out, I’m relying on a media I abhor to give me the same taste. Fortunately, there’s a lot of new media - podcasts and blogs - that are more trustworthy than cable news and talk radio.
I also share your bewilderment as to how people are supporting McCain. How, when you look at the two side by side, could you possibly vote for McCain?
Jamie - your argument re Powell is better stated than mine. Same thing would happen with Condi Rice. Can you imagine a black, woman, Ph.D., trying to get votes in the G.O.P. primary in South Carolina? No chance in hell. I know that you’re a cynic, as I can be as well, but I think that a lot of people are, either intentionally or unintentionally, turning a blind eye to the role of race in this campaign.
God, I miss Florida.
Will have to do more of these kind of posts, I love a good debate and you guys are leaving great, thoughtful comments.
A Free Mans last blog post..A different kind of glass ceiling?
27 Aug 2008 at 8:07 am
Personally I think the Democratic party fucked up. All the talk about the country being ready for a black candidate to become President was a bit premature. Really all the country was ready for was the liberal Democratic voters being ready to nominate a black candidate. The rest of the country still has to be prepared to vote for a well educated black man. They maybe got caught up in the momentum of the idea, but failed to think about the reality of the general electorate.
Also, what does everyone have against Michelle Obama and does it really bloody matter? She wont be running the country. Chances are she wont even be as involved as First Lady as Hillary Clinton was. Should a Presidential candidate really be judged by his choice of mate? Surely there are more important characteristics, policy issues etc. Grow up people! Next you will be questioning whether or not his two girls are cute and polite enough!
27 Aug 2008 at 8:30 am
A politics post?!?!?!?! Can’t we talk about something less controversial, like vaccinations?
I’ve never been impressed enough with a repub to actually vote for them, although it was VERY hard for me to vote for Gore all those years ago.
Joes last blog post..Alphabet Soup
27 Aug 2008 at 11:40 am
I wish you were local and could come to our “Yes We Can” party on Thursday night… to watch the big speech! Just got through watching Hillary’s speech at the convention and she did me proud! It was definitely a call to arms for the Democrats. Go Obama!!!
Toastys last blog post..Unscented?
27 Aug 2008 at 1:16 pm
man, can’t a politician’s private life and therefore religion and how they practise be separate from their working life, or is that not allowed in the US? why does it matter who he chose as his ‘pastor’ - coming from the UK I really dont get why it matters so much, if you’re free to practise a religion or no religion in any much way the hell you want, why are people influnced on voting that much? Usually politicians here don’t talk about their religion- that would put voters off here (cept the abjectly religious ones) and also people that talk openly about their religion in general are seen as weird, is that not the case in the US?
27 Aug 2008 at 6:19 pm
Hey dude, didn’t we actually agree, though? I mean, I said I LIKE Obama! I just said I think he needs to go back to what he began his campaign with. I also said I didn’t vote for Bush 4 years ago, and I think we need change. Doesn’t that sort of sound like what you said?
I think you just like getting me all riled up about it!
Oh ok, it’s OUR country. I’m just happy to find another person who still claims it. For all our faults, it really pisses me off when American citizens do nothing but bitch and moan and talk about what a horrible lot of people we are. I didn’t mean that to sound the way it must have when I said “my country”, by the way.
27 Aug 2008 at 7:29 pm
OH and JOE, I’m thinking you’ve read the article about the recent rise in cases of measles linked directly to parents refusing vaccinations for their children? Pisses me off.
And Gore? Whenever I hear his name, all I can think is, “Bless his heart”. If you have any sort of southern background, you know that’s code for, “What a total dumbass”.
27 Aug 2008 at 7:32 pm
Amen, to all of this. I live in the rural south and get these stupid forwards all the time slamming Obama..and usually it has NOTHING to do with issues. I was shocked to learn that intelligent, educated, women that I know personally and professionallly actually believe Obama is a secret terrorist or something. It’s so stupid. And it’s hypocritical when the next forward has something to do with his old CHRISTIAN preacher. Or his WIFE! I’m so disheartened that we can’t sway the public with issues. I’m so disheartened that politicians would rather play on our ignorance than on our intelligence.
Also, in the deep south republican = patriotism. And I’m sick of that too. If you are a democrat, there are automatic assumptions that you don’t love America or our troops. I don’t know how to change it..but I sincerely hope some of those old ways will die with the older population.
That girls last blog post..Road Block
27 Aug 2008 at 11:01 pm
Wow, you’ve sparked quite the discussion in the comments here. Good posts do that.
I think everything is going to depend on who shows up to vote in November. Polls still show it’s going to be a close one, as the last two have been. Unfortunately for Obama, his go-to supporters — black Americans and college students — are notorious for showing support but not showing up to vote. He needs them badly to counteract those toothless, racist West Virginians (who also may not show up to vote, in all fairness.)
I wouldn’t listen to the polls right now if I were you. It’s still early in the game, and believe it or not, there are plenty of swing voters out there who haven’t made up their minds yet. Yes, the idea of voting based on the candidate’s skin color is disturbing, but we really have come a long way by nominating the guy in the first place. Besides, I think a lot of people who freely admit they are racist won’t be voting Democrat anyway.
courtneys last blog post..London 2012, Here I Come
28 Aug 2008 at 12:46 am
I think that Obama has gone a lot farther than he would have if he were darker. This country might be ready for a black president, but not too black, I’m sad to say.
I was so energized when Obama started campaigning. I’m still a supporter, but I’ll be interested to see how the debates go. I think that, with proper support (hello, Biden), Obama could be an excellent leader, he could revitalize our nation. McCain just seems old and out of touch to me, and I despise most of his social stances. I shudder to think of the religious right gaining more of a toe-hold in American politics, and I think they have a much better shot of that with McCain than Obama, obviously.
All that said, Bush is out, and that goes a long way toward bolstering my confidence.
29 Aug 2008 at 12:15 am
And Palin as McCain’s VP? Many people assume this is to court the female vote. Rather, I think, it’s to court the working-class vote. (Both, by the way, Clinton strongholds).
She’s not a Dan Quayle. Palin can’t be dismissed that easily. Any criticism of her will be written off by many as elitist, and coincidentally, sexist. Even if that criticism may be valid.
We can make fun of the Quayles, the Bushes, and even the Reagans, for being less than qualified to lead. That’s OK, they’re rich white males. No harm done.
But to say that Palin doesn’t deserve the VP role, is to dash the American dream. It would say that there is no longer any hope to get to the White House from a log cabin. That good-old common sense, of the kind she used to clean up Juneau, has no place in Washington.
She makes Barak Obama look like a Washington insider, rather than a fresh voice from the outside. Though her resume is shorter, Palin actually has a better record of change than Obama. The Republicans may very well have stolen the Democrat’s trump card.
Her social class, frankly, is more important than her gender. Classism and sexism blend in contemporary America.
Let’s not forget that women are now breadwinners for many working families. While upper class women complain of the glass ceiling, working women protect their families from falling through the brittle linoleum floor. Working class voters may be less sexist than many imagine, because gender equality has been demonstrated, with brutal economic force, right under their noses.
I have not yet heard Palin speak, nor have any idea how she will perform in debate. She may earn public disdain, or she may not.
But don’t dismiss her. The NY Times is brimming with op-ed pieces which brush her off as a lightweight. Wrong.
headbang8s last blog post..Bourgeoisie in the Key of E
31 Aug 2008 at 4:54 pm