Rendell: Some Whites Won't Support Obama Because Of Race

The racial components of the 2008 Democratic Primary refuse to go away. On Tuesday, Gov. Ed Rendell, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter, told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he believed some Pennsylvania voters would not support Barack Obama simply because of his race.

"You've got conservative whites here, and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate," the Governor said, ironically, to a black reporter. "I believe, looking at the returns in my election, that had Lynn Swann [2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate] been the identical candidate that he was -- well-spoken, charismatic, good-looking -- but white instead of black, instead of winning by 22 points, I would have won by 17 or so."

This is the second time in as many days that the topic of Obama's racial appeal (or, in Rendell's case, lack of biracial appeal) has been brought up by the Clinton campaign. Yesterday, the Senator herself suggested that Obama's weekend win in the Louisiana primary was the product of, primarily, the black vote.

"In the case of Louisiana," she said, "you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand."

Obama has, in his primary victories, picked up a vast majority of the black vote. But his margins among the white electorate have increased as well. In California, according to exit polls, he and Clinton were virtually tied among the later.

Comments

[moda31]

unfortunately in some places that is true, but the problem there isn't with the candidate, its with the voters. i'm not sure i see the point in people continually stating the obvious, they're making it a bigger factor than it needs to be. don't flatter those kinds of people by giving them the time of day. who benefits from that?

[nellie]

He's right. But the whites he's talking about are either old or bigoted. There's a growing population in this country that are fair minded, forward looking, and politically involved. I like to think they're the majority.

[msmaggie]

Oh no. Ageism rears its ugly head.....LOL

[AnninCA]

That's actually true! LOL*

Man, people over 50 take a beating from Obamamaniacs.

[weavermiami]

One of the reasons why I ran out of Pennsylvania. Oh, and by the way, some white people are sick of having only old white men run for office.

[Zhonni]

What he said is factual, but it is the intent behind it that stinks.

The number of those who will vote for Obama who happen to be white far outnumber those who wouldn't.

[detriangulation]

Imagine if Barack had said that Hillary won New Hampshire because of "a very strong and very proud white electorate", or won California because of "a very strong and very proud female electorate." The contrast between the candidate running on racial reconciliation / gender-neutrality and the candidate running on racial and gender polarization couldn't be clearer. The Clintons will stoop to any level to win.

[sarainitaly]

Well, he has said other comments, that are not very inspiring. SOunds like he was stooping here, to me.

http://firedoglake.com/2008/01/23/late-nite-fdl-obama-suggests-his-supporters-wont-vote-for-hillary/

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

And the media, and Obama supporters have REPEATEDLY reference the lead Clinton has with women voters.

[sarainitaly]

Or how about Michelle Obama attacking Hillary's ability because her husband cheated on her? That is a low fucking blow if you ask me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN1qZMBE9Gc

[AnninCA]

No kidding. That woman talks trash.

[Rockwell]

Ahh. The Clinton whispering campaign continues "psssst! Obama is a negro! Pass it on!"

I guess Barack's been getting away with being an American candidate for far too long. Billary wants to make sure everyone notices that he "doesn't look like you." "ooooo! Look out! Some republcians and rednecks won't vote for Obama cuz he's a black! Better nominate Hillary!"

The Clinton's apparently have a very low opinion of the American people. I'm looking forward to the 29 and under crowd jamming the voting booths this fall and proving the nation and the world that anyone can be president of the US.

[bessie1]

What Rendell said is absolutely true. There are people who will not vote for him because her is black. Rendell is not condoning it, just saying it. Obama and his people are the ones who are turning everything into black/white crap and cleverly blaming the other side.

[Zhonni]

Obama has not said a thing. What Rendell said is true provided there is one person who won't vote for Obama because of his race. It is the intent behind his statement that stinks.

He is basically saying that some whites won't vote for Obama so vote for my candidate, Hillary.

That's what's wrong and not his statement per se.

[Rockwell]

Of course what Rendell said is true. Only an idiot is unaware that some people will vote against Obama because he's black. The only reason for Rendell and other Clintonistas to keep saying this over and over is to worry the democratic base into thinking Obama is unelectable.

But guess what, some folks won't vote Hillary because she's a woman. For that matter, some people won't vote McCain because he's old.

[sarainitaly]

Obama: ‘Sure there are some people who will not vote for me because I’m black.’ “Sure there are some people who will not vote for me because I’m black and there are some people who will vote for me because I am black,” Obama-seac­oastonline­.com, 12/21/07

Obama: ‘I have no doubt that there are people out there who might not be comfortable voting for me because of my race.’

Obama: Well, you know, I don’t think actually race has played a significant role in this campaign. I have no doubt that there are people out there who might not be comfortable voting for me because of my race, but I think there are some people who are excited about the prospects of being able to help heal some of our past racial divisions. [ABC “Good Morning America,” 12/20/07]

Obama: ‘Are there folks who might not vote for me because I’m African-American? No doubt.
You know, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it or considering the details of this, but just to broaden the issue, are there people who would be troubled with an African-American president? Yes. Are there folks who might not vote for me because I’m African-American? No doubt." [ABC “THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS,” 5/13/07]

It doesn't make it right. It doesn't make it pretty. And it doesn't reflect the feelings of all people. But, unfortunately, it is true.

There are people who will not vote for Hillary because she is a woman. There are people who will not vote for her because she stayed with her cheating husband. There are people who would not vote for Dennis because he saw a UFO. There are people who will not vote for Edwards because he got a $400 haircut. There are people who will not vote for McCain because he is old. There are people who would not vote for Romney because he was Mormon. There are people who will not vote for Huckabee because of his name....

[sarainitaly]

Rendell was asked what he projected for his states outcome. If he knows some of his constituents are racist, and won't vote for Barack, then... well? Isn't the bigger problem the racists? I don't know anything about this guy, or the makeup of his site, but sounds like he was giving a prediction, based on experience there??

[sarainitaly]

This is what Hillary, and women have to listen to day in and day out.

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

And where is the national outrage for these types of instances? Most of the posters on Huffpo are pissed at Hillary for David shusters stupid remarks. There is shit flying all over the place, so before you get so outraged, you should look at both sides.

[sarainitaly]

This is what Hillary, and women have to listen to day in and day out.

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

And where is the national outrage for these types of instances? Most of the posters on Huffpo are pissed at Hillary for David shusters stupid remarks. There is shit flying all over the place, so before you get so outraged, you should look at both sides.

[sarainitaly]

This is what Hillary, and women have to listen to day in and day out.

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

And where is the national outrage for these types of instances? Most of the posters on Huffpo are pissed at Hillary for David shusters stupid remarks. There is shit flying all over the place, so before you get so outraged, you should look at both sides.

[brwnizofmine]

Is he not supposed to reply when asked a stupid ass question? He gets asked about that dumb stuff too much!

[desmirl]

The comments by the Clinton surrogates, and her votes in the Senate, push me further and further from being able to vote for here - even if she wins the Democrat nomination. If she had any idea of what's right, she would immediately repudiate this Governor's statement.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Go on over to the Scalia thread, then and ask yourself if you care to contribute to the nominations that will come with McCain if he wins the election. He will most assuredly get two appointments, and possibly four. This country is taking a frightening turn to the right, and another republican will complete the process.

[Marrob]

Why do you jerks on this post ALWAYS twist what Hillary is syaing to make a white-black issue of it? Am a 49 year old african american male and HELL YES there are black people voting for Obama because he is black. Not everyone but yes some are. SO FRIGGIN WHAT!!! You have women voitng for Hillary because she is a women, you have white men voting for Edwards because he was a white man. Give the s*** a rest already you're killing this party. But wait!!! maybe that's what you're trying to do. I get it now, if the deomcrats are divided McCain wins and Huffington Post will get more hits because upset Democrats will have a place to come lick their wounds and their discontent with status quo republican ran white house. Where is the article on this website that shows the polling information from Louisiana? Did you know that 68% of the people who voted for Hillary said they would not happy with Obama as the nominee? Did you also know that Hillary got over 70% of the white vote in that state? So maybe Randell is telling you the truth and you just don't like the way it taste.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

You are my new hero!!! Thanks for the common sense.

[qwr]

Relax and think about it for a minute: what Rendell is saying is that there are racists out there. This is true of all places at all times. So why say it? Moreover, he is not saying that women are voting for Hillary or that blacks are voting for Obama. He is saying that whites would not vote for Obama--not positive identification, but discrimination.

[Marrob]

I am relaxed am just so F****** tired of the race/gender s***!!!! We have two candidates who's voting records are identical with the exception of the war resolution. One of them is going to be the next president of the united states if we don't F*** that up.

[SteveRoach]

If you're interested in a Democrat winning in November, then you may want to examine the message and not the words. Lynn Swann lost the election with 40% of the vote to incumbent Ed Rendell's 60%. Other African American gubernatorial candidates in 2006 were Deval Patrick (MA - win) and Kenneth Blackwell (OH - lost).

[Zhonni]

Kenneth Blackwell is no good.

[farseer]

70% said in a poll that america is ready for a black president. Allowing for some "Bradley effect," Obama can still win. Polls show him beating McCain better than Hillary does.

[farseer]

I wonder how it would go over if someone opposed a Jewish nominee with the words "Some people won't vote for Jew and therefore I can't back this nominee". What would be said?

I'll tell you what - everyone would rightly say that the person who said that, is talking up antisemitism and that therefore to take that stance is antisemitic.

Didn't Truman say that the American people are not ready to vote for a Catholic, when Kennedy ran?

Shame on you, Rendell.

[Jonni Rae]

Rendell, it is fitting that you are supporting Hilary. You fit right in to the racist bs she and her husband have been pushing. I lost all respect for you. By the way, there are at least as many if not more men who will not vote for Hil because she is a woman, sad but true. You don't hear Obama supporters telling that to reporters. You just condemned yourself as a a racist loser. Nobody will take you seriously anymore.

[farseer]

I oppose Hillary not because she is female (I would vote for a respectable female candidate) but because of her votes on the war and because of the sleaze factor in her past. If you wanted to back a woman's candidacy, hers was the wrong one.

[BlueLogic]

I am so saddened by the turns of events in this primary campaign. People in MY Democratic party that I used to revere so completely...Bill Clinton, Charlie Rangel, Howard Wolfson and now Ed Rendell have revealed themselves to be some of the biggest (and in some cases bigoted) ignoramuses you can imagine. What a lame-brained fathead! How dare he present himself as the mouthpiece of white America. It's a shame that Shrillary is taking the very very low road in the march to the White House. PATHETIC.

[farseer]

To talk this up is racist. Shame, rendell.
--from a resident of PA.

[longislandlol]

Tell me this doesn't put a stain on every human rights issue we ever worked on as Jews and Americans-- if Mr. Pennsylvania is a Jew- he doesn't represent all we fought for-- and should be ashamed as a Jew to put down a minority that was enslaved as his people were in our past shared histories--- we were taught to be on God's side- and Moses taught us justice and empathy come hand in hAND- SO DID mAIMONIDES- WE WERE TAUGHT THAT TO BE GOOD jEWS AND aMERICANS WE NEEDED TO STAND FOR SOMETHING...

[KaAp]

I am sickened by the fact that he is Jewish what a terrible thing ... it send shivers down my spine ...