Angry White Women

Since it became clear that Hillary Clinton would likely bow out of the race for the Democratic nomination for president, the dominant narrative has been the angry white women who are holding back from Barack Obama. Some even suggest that John McCain can make a major play for these disaffected Clinton supporters. The problem with this narrative is that it is mostly wrong, ignoring history and failing to understand Obama's real challenge among women voters.

No doubt, there are some Clinton supporters who currently find it difficult to contemplate supporting Obama, but most of these women are highly engaged, progressive Democratic voters; it is difficult to imagine them ultimately supporting McCain, who has a career-long, anti-woman record.

In fact, Obama is actually doing better than John Kerry with women voters; Kerry won them by 3 points, and according to polling from Democracy Corps research, Obama is currently winning them by 6 points. Obama's improvement over Kerry comes among college educated and younger women -- the most progressive voters in the electorate.

Obama's real struggle is with white blue collar women voters -- the same group that challenged Kerry. Currently, Obama trails McCain among white women without a college education by 19 points, 37 to 56 percent; according to Democracy Corps, Kerry lost these women by the exact same margin, 40 to 59 percent. Some argue that Clinton solved this problem because of her performance with white older women in the Democratic Party. But not only is it a mistake to extrapolate from primary results to the general election, Clinton would also likely lose to McCain among white women without a college education, albeit by a smaller margin.

The key to reaching these women voters is two-fold. First, Obama needs to communicate with them about who he is, including his values and his life story. He and his family actually have more in common with these women than they know. Second, he needs to address their real economic anxieties. As I noted in the American Prospect in 2004, Kerry actually led George Bush with older white women when his campaign was talking about healthcare, retirement and other domestic economic issues. But when he allowed the issue terrain to shift to Iraq and security at the expense of his economic message, he lost ground.

The economic situation is even more tenuous for these women today, with rising gas prices exacerbating their financial squeeze. John McCain has a history of opposing the very policies that would help these women -- including opposing pay equity and raising the minimum wage -- and supporting policies that are unlikely to appeal to these voters such as tax cuts for the wealthy and privatization schemes for health care and Social Security.

McCain is not going to win over women who supported Clinton in the primary and Obama can certainly improve his chances of beating McCain in the general election if he makes inroads among non-college educated white women voters. He can do so by offering a personal narrative that reflects shared values and a family background that's far from the elitist he is alleged to be, and delivering an economic message that highlights specific proposals designed to help ease the daily financial pressures of white working class women.

Comments

[dawlishgal]

Is it pure coincidence that these women have no college degrees, or is it something else? I sincerely doubt that it is the lack of college degrees that keeps them claiming to support Clinton (but likely to vote for Republicans no matter what?). Perhaps what encourages them to vote against their own best interests is the SAME THING that made them not good college material.

Just asking.l

[tbone99]

Did it ever occur to you there's a lot of college material out there that don't have the money to go to college? And way too many people in on alumni favoritism doing not much more than networking on daddy's money for later.Goin­g to school has nothing to do with intelligence. However attending the school of hard knocks may make people a little more grounded in what the real deal is.

You're an elitist snob ..

[conscioushope]

Financial aid.......

(I'm a former high school counselor.­)

[starkravingmadeleine]

It really doesn't cost that much to get a college education.­.. A Harvard education, sure, but just a general ol' college education, not much.

There's always money for cigarettes, alcohol, and tattoos though...

Call me an elitist snob, if you like, but the truth is I worked two jobs the summer after high school and then got a part-time job while attending a first rate, highly acclaimed university.

I'm tired of intellectual bashing in politics..­. do we really want a president that didn't get a great secondary education? Would you like your mechanic or the guy who works at the video store to be the president?

[Chixsngr]

Speaking as a woman who paid for her own college degree, and is now paying for my children's degrees...

It cost a lot less THEN than it does now. College is expensive no matter where you go, even a state school.

You'd better hope Obama wins in November or its going to get REAL expensive.

By the way, Mr. Financial Aid....the only aid available now are student loans and some of those can be really risky if you don't know what you're doing. Gotta love the banking industry.

[aliceblue]

This ranks among the ten smartest blogs I've read
on Huffington Post.

Anna Greenberg should be advising the Obama
campaign.

[conscioushope]

Dawlish~

Good question, and I think you answered it in your post.

[heal57]

No, I don't think so. These women [and older men] were raised in segregated times and it's hard for many of them to change later in life. If Senator Obama could get through to some of them about getting the country back to the people; that their kids and grandkids would be much better off with him as their leader, he may make some headway. The fact that he wants no tax on seniors making under $50,000 a year is also a big plus. Come on ladies, Hillary was the wrong woman for the job. The right woman will come along on day. Let's keep our minds open, please.

Women for Obama '08
Independents for Obama '08

[CAPol]

dawlishgal - the first impulse...

...was to respond in kind.

Then I remembered, we have ONE candidate now and it's time to try to join together to defeat the common enemy. Making nasty remarks about our fellow Democrats is not going to win votes and influence people. Denigrating one of the largest Democratic constituencies doesn't help the cause. It's distressing to think that to be an Obamaite one must consider her/himself superior to others.

[Ahyoka]

My husband (a real man who will vote for Hill because she is the best candidate) suggested that to me, but the problem is we have those damn computer voter machines and there is no place to 'write in'. I would if i could. This whole thing stinks to high heaven.

[tbone99]

Try voting for McKinney ( green Party) we need to strengthen the third part ypossibili­es.My Dem vote never counts since I am in Texas so I always try to vote third party , .Their platforms are usually way less centerist anyway.

[Sixtwo]

Hillalry and Obama agreed on 95% of the issues of concern to the American people. He won the nomination, by the people. So what is your husband's real reason for stating that Hillary is the "best candidate"?

[Mickmeister]

He talks --- She walks. As a Union backer who's union refuses to endorse before the national election it was very evident when the president of the mechanics union came to town to talk about Senator Obama ignoring the people in the Maytag plant in Illinios.
When faced with losing their jobs Senator Obama talked the talk - he was fighting to keep their jobs and then did absolutely nothing. Never had a meeting with the heads of the Maytag Company to discuss possible ways of keeping the Ill. based plant there. He did however collect some of his biggest contributions from the families at the top of the Maytag (move 'em overseas) company. Mid election it was they were his fourth largest contributor.

Oh - the other is everyone getting health care. ( must not be a biggy in his book)

The DNC awarding him - her votes. As dumb a move as that was his was even dumber - he accepted them! (goes to character)

I could go on....and on.....and on

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

Sounds to me like the best strategy for Democrats is to get more white women to go to college.

[conscioushope]

LOLOLOLOLOL!

[pacats]

Or, just read a book about our shared history in America. Or, visit any corporation in America. These folks are serious about the glass ceiling. What is surprising, is the willingness of some in the group to still vote in McCain as a means to maintain the glass ceiling limits. HRC said, there were now 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. If McCain is voted in, the cracks will be repaired and the status quo will continue for another 100 years. Much like the Iraq war.

[DontBeFoolish]

Very nice answer, and you are 100% correct.

[CornellRedneck]

Wrong. When she spoke about 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, she wasn't talking about broken glass. She was talking about 18 million CRACKS (women) dealing with the glass ceiling.

[LladyRusty]

Let's see, you vote for that sexist, keeping the glass ceiling firmly in place, then expect us to join with you because you claim to feel our pain? It must hurt like hell carrying that brass set around all day. Absolutely, no sale! I'm brushing Obama off MY sleeve and moving on.

NObama

[Chixsngr]

Currently, college enrollment is very inbalanced­.....58% female.

If you're trying to infer that women are under-educated, think again.

[Ahyoka]

Hey way to bring a party together Oblama! WOW his 'organizational skills' are really something huh? LOL
Group hug! Comeon!
CHANGE HOPE Yeah! WE CAN DO IT!
LOL! rookie dopes.

[Honour]

Part I - Ahyoka: Are you at all even semi-conscious of how ignorant and immature your comments make you appear? Are you capable of standing in someone else's shoes for a moment, and imagining how tiresome it might be for others - who come to this site for intelligent and CONSTRUCTIVE interaction with other grownups - to have to wade through these hateful and offensive postings of yours (and those others here who, like you, can't see beyond the "you're wrong, I'm right" syndrome)?

Please - Step back and TRY to get an overview of what this election is really about. Please - Stop the petty bickering and do some honest research about these candidates so that you can know what you're talking about, and then make an informed and intelligent choice with your precious vote.

We in this country are in a crisis like none before, in all the history of America. It isn't a game of blame or who can make who wrong - it's about uniting to make things better for everyone, both here at home and between us and the global community. It is truly about EACH American finally taking responsibility for this mess we're in and choosing a candidate we can trust to help us out of this terrible predicament of bloodshed, wars, poverty - epidemics of not only diseases, but of distrust, fear and cynicism.

See Part II

[Honour]

Part II - If you can set aside your judgement for a moment, please try to see the critical urgency of our times and Step Up to the really important task of electing a president - one with integrity, fairness and courage. We can't risk our planet or the futures of our great-great grandchildren out of a selfish sense of vindictiveness or ego or bitterness.

We've got to let go of our disappointments, our distrust - and forgive and move on.

I am sure that very soon it will be apparent - to anyone who's really paying attention - just who the honorable and deserving candidate is. Much will be revealed in the coming days - and many will be seeing things in a new light.

I pray that Americans will get it right this time,

Presidente Obama 2009! - Que Viva Obama!

[LladyRusty]

> "please try to see the critical urgency of our times and Step Up."

Why didn't YOU Step Up? You CLAIM to care about the all important task of electing someone who can lead the recovery after George W. Bush, but did your actions match your fine words? Hardly! The lack of details given by your candidate about his agenda is breathtaking. We can't set aside our judgment, because he's given us nothing to judge. He says he's for change. Really? What kind of change? How will it be accomplished? By who? What will it cost? Without details, how are we to assess the good and the bad of it? We've had 8 very long years of no details. That's enough! I may not agree with John McCain on all the issues, but I KNOW his agenda will be out there to be seen and discussed. It will not be a state secret like Bush and, apparently, Obama prefer. We'll just have to rely on Congress to keep McCain in check. With luck, this party may finally get itself together in 2012. Any volunteers for breath holding in the meantime?

[112985]

yOU ARE STUPID IF YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CHANGE - THIS MAN IS A PHONY ALL YOU WHITE FOLKS OUT THERE VOTING FOR OBAMA YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN FOR A BIG SUPRISE IF HE IS ELECTED!!!!!!

[conscioushope]

Stupid is as stupid does, 112985.

[conscioushope]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[Ahyoka]

What you kiddos don't get is ...we folks that LOVE Hillary have LOVED HER from YEARS and YEEEEERS .....let me repeat that so MAYBE IT CAN SINK IN YEEEEEARS of FANTASTIC ADMIRATION of what SHE has ACCOMPLISHED mmmmm-kaaaayy??????

not some wanna-be newbie wonder-boy/messiah! (using his race bonafides all the while btw even if it's only 'half-black') GET REAL PEOPLE!

[Robin08]

Ahyoka - You sound like the white evangelicals who consistently voted against their own interests by supporting George W. Bush whose only interest group and real base is as he said himself, "the haves and have mores."

There's no reasoning with irrationalism.

[Ahyoka]

I have never voted for the dumbass bush or ANY Republican­...that doesn't mean I have to support BO. Hillary was set up and cheated against...­just because you are eager to buy into the deception don't accuse me of something you nothing about.

[Grannyover70]

I am a white woman over 70, who has always admired Hillary, also. I finally made up my mind and voted for Obama for my own reasons. I would have happily voted for Hillary if she had won.

Some people were Republicans who voted for Hillary because they followed Rush Limbaugh and thought she would be easier to beat. I had a person who tried to pull that on me, but that person is one of the 29 percenters for George Bush fan,so there is no way this person would have voted for Hillary in November.

Hillary is a great lady and if people would get out of her way, she can do great things. I hate it that people think they have to demonize the candidate that won just because they are disappointed.

Did any of you ever hear of "cutting off your nose to spike your face".

[DontBeFoolish]

Very well siad.

[conscioushope]

Ahy~

Soooooooooo, does that mean that your loving her for YEEEEEEEARS meant she was entitled to win because of your FANTASTIC ADMIRATION? It's hard for me to even believe that anyone can even verbalize what you just wrote.

Your comments also drip with racism.

And, I would repeat it it double like you did above, but I do not think you are capable of enough reflective thinking or insight to even entertain the notion of how racist you just might be.

[Ahyoka]

drip this.your comments drip with dumbassism. scat now.
go back to your Oblama worship services. he's all knowing and his greatness and all knowing wonderfullness awaits you to pay with your firstborn sacfrifices.

[stagebandman]

And she has accomplished what over all those years you've loved her? Outside of getting elected to the senate, what has the woman done? Yes, she was first lady, and did all the first lady things, but, really, so what? I would have been behind her if Obama had not entered the campaign, but he is the embodiment of what a president should be. Unfortunately, her tactics against this man were petty, underhanded and downright dirty. I could not have been more disappointed in Sen. Clinton. And yet, her defenders continue to demand respect, when it has not been earned. Admire her all you want, she was a very good role model, up to about 6 months ago, and I think she could be again. But don't tout her "accomplishments" where there are none to be found. Maybe she should be McCain's VP choice. Then you can still vote for her and against Obama.

[sherbug]

You are obviously speaking from your racist point of view. The white woman is better than the half-black man. But we all know that one drop of black blood ...... I would be happy to have you vote for McCain. If we can rid the Democratic party of you racists, all the better.

See ya.

[EvereaderinSC]

Hey Deapthrowt,

We all now know your secret identity: Karl Rove. Then again it might be Dick Cheney with a lot of time on his hands. Whoever you are, get ready for a lot more time on your hands when President Obama starts the investigations the so-called Bush Administration in 2009...

[swtexas]

What makes this white man angry is the categorization and generalization of everyone- all for and one for all. Did anyone ever stop and think that perhaps the candidate won because they are the best one for the job? And all of us white men do not appreciate being thrown into one pile, assuming we are all the same. It is ignorant.

[vschicago]

The angry white women of 2008 and the angry white men from 1994 should get together and have angry white sex. Maybe this will dissipate some of the hostilities each group may has...

[RJII]

Funny. Actually, I could do with some angry any kind sex. Obama 08. Make love, not war .

[deapthrowt]

Besides hating Hillary Clinton, I see no unifying message or understanding of theimportant issues coming ouot of the Obama campaign. Even Obamatons claim they are bored when he tries to talk policy. They want hatred of the establishment and the raw meat of Hillary Clinton to be their steady diet. Are Obamatons the product of too many single parent households with a generation of children hating their mothersand their absent fathers?

What dark forces give Obamatons so much destructive energy? And how do they function with no Hillary to hate anylonger. I have not heard a single non-Hilllary arguement of substance come forward from any of them here. And calling Hillary supporters racists does not count. How far will their agism attacks on McCain carry them when they try to shift gears?

[peskyliberal]

So, how is that fundraising to pay off the largest campaign debt in History going?

[MA4HRC]

I'm going to suggest to the PUMA pac that they ask the 18 Million supporters donate maybe $1 or $2 and I think that the debt should be cleared up in a month. Thanks for asking.

[Ahyoka]

So true...the­ir biggest problem will be Hillary hasn't GONE anywhere! LOLOLOLOL
They must continue their Oblama idioizing by hating a candidate that's now out of the limelight ..ummm,exc­ept now with 18 million cracks in the ceiling of their Oblama cathedral.
OMG I love it. And I am the truest of bluest Democrats for my whole life! I LOVE Hillary! She is the most incredibly awesome woman I have witnessed in my lifetime. And I have some beautifully strong women that have shaped and raised me. But she is something else! And yet our stupid Democrat party rules have stolen her leadership and vision away from us. So sad for US.
I will fight for changing party rules from here on. Why is Howard Dean allowing this crap?

[camanokat]

I agree the rules were stupid...b­ut she agreed with them until it was apparent she needed to change the rules to win. That's called cheating.

[jamesmk]

Most of the hate I've seen here has come from the socalled AWW.

Have you ever considered that maybe you're projecting your own feelings onto your those yousee as your opponents?

Or have youbeen attributing comments of the rightwing talkingheads to Obama?

My preferences were 1)Richardson 2)Obama 3)Clinton.

Richardson because I liked his record and positions, they most closely matched my ownpriorities. Obama then Clinton because it seemed to me that if there was anysingle issue that could rally the remaining tatters of the Republican party it was their irrational hatred for Hillary.

Last year Iasked my stepsister "why's that?" when she said "I'd NEVER vote for Hillary". All I ever got in response was a snort and angry silence.

No Democrat hates Hillary(or shouldnt). We all know the shocking way shes been treated by the socalled 'Right' since her husband's presidency. Fact is, President Hilly's been the BoogyWoman that the RepublicanElite used to work the RabidRight into a froth for16years.

Don't lumptogether allthose with whom you disagree. That's what won the Republicans their "Catastrophic Victory"(Quote:Dick Cheney)in Iraq, the Economy, diplomacy, congressional election, the upcoming Presidential election(Ihope), just to name a few.

The "1%doctrine", 51%rule, force as superior to diplomacy, negotiation as weakness, compromise as moral failure, unwillingness to consider from an opponents POV(aka"moral relativism"). These things lead the Republicans and this nation to the brink of ruin. Don't fall into the same trap. They're human failings that anyone who does not practice self-exami­nation,dou­bt and moderation can get.

[jamesmk]

My bad, I typed 'Richardson', I meant I was for 1) Edwards, 2) Obama, 3) Clinton.

[gladys46]

Not only do they cut off their noses to spite faces ... they also appear to be quite fatalistic ... who exactly are (so-called) "they" angry at ... "she" ran a terrible campaign, period! "She" didn't bother to inject "sexism" until it was absolutely clear that all else had failed ... "She" referred to herself as "girl" ... Her competition was historical in a good sense ... histrionical, hysterical and what can we say for all that!!

I really reject the idea that the aforementioned performances are those used usually by "feminist" to have it their way! Nope, not true "feminist" .... is anybody sure these angry "white" women aren't just plain racists and or aren't "Mr. Mom's" doing the job well enough!!?

[Mattjoe]

Despite the tide of emotion-laden resentment, irrational bitterness, anger, fear and ignorance on display herein, there is the occasional glimmer of coherent thought. One such, rightly critical of the notion that Obama committed the same direct or implied offenses that Clinton and McCain’s campaigns had perpetrated against Obama in the way of character discrimination as laughable.

The examples are too long to list. However.

As juxtaposition, what she stated and ‘the way she stated’ his relatively brief tenure and inexperience as a Senator was akin to Obama suggesting Clinton had done nothing more profound than exchange muffin recipes with other First Ladies of the world through her time in the Whitehouse or perhaps even ‘pinched her bum’ or let’s say implying that describing McCain as a war hero was a ‘reach at best’ considering the circumstances surrounding his military career.

He could have gone eye for eye. But he did not. Stop reacting as if he had and move forward those of you that have the sensibility to do so.

While many pine over insignificant ‘schoolyard’ aspects of the sexism discussion, people of the mid-west face both weather and economic related devastation while your Republican President essentially departs for a European vacation, including convenient stops along the way, no doubt as prelude for the continuation of war.

Republican continuance = Ignorance. Period.

[hazydave]

No true Hillary Clinton supporter will NOT vote for Barack Obama in the fall. Anyone taking five minutes to stop and think about it should acknowledge that elections are, or at least should be, about actual issues that affect us all, and future generations. They are not, they must not be simply about the cult of personality.
And if it seemed to be so in the primary, well, sometimes it is, particularly in a primary. That's not because issues don't matter, it's because issues aren't much of a differentiator. Obama and Clinton see virtually every major issue eye to eye... if you can find difference, it's a difference of nuance.
McCain, on the other hand, opposes most everything Senators Clinton and Obama have been running on. McCain is ignorant of domestic issues, he absolutely will appoint activist judges who will overturn Roe vs. Wade, and he's bloodly likely to get us involved in extended and additional wars. That's not just rhetoric, that's the lives of the sons and daughters of these "angry" women, and as well, since we're borrowing money for these adventures from our grandchildren, it's very much the economic future of this country as we know it.
McCain must be defeated. Think clearly on the issues... as Senator Clinton has requested of you.

[conscioushope]

hazydave~

Your thinking is not hazy; it is crystal-clear!

Thanks!

[thetruthbringer]

"And if it seemed to be so in the primary, well, sometimes it is, particularly in a primary. That's not because issues don't matter, it's because issues aren't much of a differenti­ator."

Wow...that was a brilliant way to put it.

[unionave]

This is another case of the analyst telling us what we heard or saw . They saw it and we saw it . Do we need an analyst to tell us what we see or hear ? AT THE CLINTON GATHERINGS I SAW AN AWFUL LOT OF ANGRY NON-WHITE WOMEN . The question is : Why are the right wing analyst saying "ANGRY WHITE WOMEN" ? Right on cue the broadcasters all start with the same lies every day . Hitler and Mao used the same brain washing tactics and a lot of stupid people ate the bait . Is this where we are headed ?

[politicalgenius]

As a black man, let me offer a much broader look at the Angry White Women: All WOMEN, regardless of shape, size, color, creed, income, education, sexual orientation, etc, ALL WOMEN did not lose the Democratic nomination for President, ONE WOMAN DID though. Conversely, ALL BLACK/BI-RACIAL people (men) didn't win the nomination either, ONE BI-RACIAL MAN did. Each person did what no other like them has ever done. I'd also like to find out just how many women or other Hillary supporters where screaming SEXISM, SEXISM, SEXISM!!! when their candidate was winning? NONE! You can't scream sexism as the reason for her loss; Hillary Clinton lost because she ran a piss poor campaign, that she acknowledged EARLY in 2007 would sure up the nomination by Super Tuesday. The money was spent in expectation of winning on or before that date and the strategy implimented as such. Newsflash, that's not Barack Obama's fault. Also, people who shout from their soap boxes that she didn't win the nomination because she's a woman, can't turn around and say that She's More Electable because the two statements are MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

I'd also like to remind women that a vote against Barack Obama is a vote against Hillary Clinton because they agreed on 95% of the issues and McCain would be the won to set the WOMEN'S MOVEMENT back, not Barack Obama.

[deapthrowt]

You are p*ssing into the wind. Obama already set back the women's movement, sweetie. Except for the fact watching his misogyny in action only strengthened my resolve to defeat him at any cost. Any cost. When someone is supposed to be your friend stabs you in the back in clear daylight nd then dances on your grave, it is time to make a friend of Obama's enemies. McCain 2008.

[Freedomscap]

How did O set back the women's movement? Give me 2 instances? And elucidate this misogyny in action for me, please. Instead of this conclusory statement that you offer.

I'm a women and I like being called sweetie -- one has to look at a person's intentions, not their mere words. That's silly season you are entering.

[Freedomscap]

And by the way, another way you can help Clinton is to help retire her debt -- go contribute to her, please, sweetheart.

[janeb]

You go right ahead and vote for McCain. You would have anyway. Don't expect me to feel sorry for you when you're paying more for your gas, more for your food, and more for your insurance than you are now if you do and don't expect me to believe that anyone would vote for McCain just because Hillary didn't win. That is stupid. I agree some of the people that voted for Hillary may not vote at all, but they won't vote for McCain. I voted for Hillary in the Virginia primary and I will vote for Obama this November. I'll do it with a smile on my face.

[conscioushope]

grumble, grumble, grumble

[campgranata]

and for the ignorant who claim he was lying about his mother being on food stamps saying they did not exist when he was a child, a little history of the program:

The First Food Stamp Program (FSP) - May 16, 1939-Spring 1943
Pilot Food Stamp Program - May 29, 1961-1964
Food Stamp Act of 1964 - August 31, 1964
Major Legislative Changes - Early 1970s
1974 Nationwide Program
The Food Stamp Act of 1977

I believe Senator is 46 so he was born in the 1960s and the program did certainly exist.