The elongated Democratic presidential contest is forcing racial politics to the forefront. In Pennsylvania the racial divide could not have been starker. Hillary Clinton ironically enough has become the down scale white people's champion. Now that this racial door has been fully opened, it is worth looking more deeply at the white tribe and what is happening.
Barack Obama is right -- America is not a static society. There have been notable changes in racial attitudes in this country in the last fifty years. The overt racism that I saw as a youth in the Deep South has gone underground. It is no longer socially acceptable, except in very closed circles, to rail against blacks simply because of skin color. Obviously these overt racists will never vote for Obama.
The group that is more than likely going to decide the election in the fall is a group I call the Merely Prejudiced. They are not pathological in their hatred of blacks, but they are not entirely comfortable with black people or black culture. They tend be older, less educated, sit on the fringe of being truly middle class, and are not afraid to be quoted in a major newspaper saying, "this country ain't ready for a black president."
These are people who don't think about themselves as racists. In fact, I have heard this statement more times than I can count, "I am not a racist, but my Dad was. He hated 'em." The press, which loves stereotypes as much as the rest of us, calls them Bubba, Joe Six-Pack, Faded White Collars, Rust Belters, or Blue Collar Workers. The strange thing is, I have never heard these folks refer to themselves like this. They see themselves as typical middle class or working class people, nothing more, nothing less.
These folks tend to live in all-white environments, don't get misty eyed over the joys of multiculturalism and racial diversity, and are increasingly worried about the future, both economically and socially. They have spent much of their lives watching the world change. Every day that one of their kids or grandchildren comes home with another tattoo, finds another body part to pierce, brings another hip hop CD home, or goes to school dressed like a rapper, they are confronted with more evidence that life is changing. No amount of rudimentary economics will convince them that the global economy is a good thing. They don't trust big government or big business, and some of them know that big labor ain't all its cracked up to be either.
On TV they watch black anchors, black superstars like Michael Jordan, see OJ Simpson commit murder and get away with it, hear Oprah tell them to read more and Bill Cosby lecture the black community on personal responsibility. They get the fact that black people are "Moving on Up" to quote the theme song of The Jeffersons. (A TV comedy about a black middle class family from somewhere in the past).
What they don't get is what all of this racial and social progress has to do with them. "Yeah, they had it tough, so did we." "How much more do we have to give 'em to make 'em happy?" "Sure slavery was bad, but that was over a hundred and fifty years ago for Christ's sake" -- and on and on. Empathy isn't their strong suit.
These folks don't have the time or the luxury to worry about someone else, and therein lies Mr. Obama's problem. He talks about a Washington awash in lobbyists, a political system that serves the insiders but not the people. He talks about the power of the people to change their government from the bottom up. The changes he talks about fall on the very deaf ears of the Merely Prejudiced.
It's not that this group likes the political class. They don't. They understand that they are better educated, make a lot more money, get to take longer vacations, and don't have to worry about paying the bills. But their anger is visceral, and Obama is too cool, too smooth, and too polished. They genuinely would like to think that things can change for the better, but their life experiences continue to teach them that change may not always mean things get better for them.
And yet Barack Obama has forced his way into their lives. He has made every American stand up and take notice. He is galvanizing whites and blacks, he is winning all white states, white politicians are lining up behind him. He came out of nowhere to stop the Hillary Clinton campaign that was bound for glory. There is talk that he is going to be the first black president. He is now a superstar. Folks almost believe he is just a politician who happens to be black, even the Merely Prejudiced.
But along came the clips of Reverend Wright's tirade, and the wheels almost fell off the Obama train. His campaign was wobbling badly, but then Obama with both his masterful pen and his sincere voice put Reverend Wright in time and place. He reached out to whites and told them he didn't think they were all racists. He exhibited an understanding of race that is far beyond anything any American political figure has done in fifty years. With that one remarkable speech he probably has saved his chance to win the Democratic nomination for president, but at what price?
Can my group of Merely Prejudiced whites ever feel comfortable with a man who defends a virulently anti-American like Wright? Can they ever understand that the change that Obama seeks to bring benefits them? Can the oratorical skills of Barack convince them that he would really care about them? As good as Barack Obama is, and he is beyond good -- that is one heavy lift, as we say in the gym.
But there is hope for Obama. The one group of voters who are the most consistently Democratic are the down scale, white women that make up the core of Hillary Clinton's supporters and who also fit nicely into my Merely Prejudiced category. Once Obama wins the Democratic nomination, they will have to choose between an African American Democrat and John McCain. While their husbands, fathers, and boyfriends will find a home with John McCain, I think enough of these Merely Prejudiced women will be swayed by their party loyalty. No question, Obama will have to walk the racial tightrope, but that is the nature of race and politics in the United States. And yes, he will have to sing with all his might to the downscale white people's champion -- Hillary Clinton -- that great old Beatles song, "I wanna hold your hand."
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This post got abandoned but quick! LOL! Guess it has something to do with Obama's about-face.
Too funny.
Hi, Mom.
hear hear. Your post is on the money.
"His campaign was wobbling badly, but then Obama with both his masterful pen and his sincere voice put Reverend Wright in time and place."
Far out. I have an idea--why doesn't Obama with his masterful pen and sincere voice address this aspect of the race situation in America?
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/27/schiller11.ART_ART_04-27-08_A1_SLA1J70.html?sid=101
Well?
I live in Pa and am middle class female... I voted for Obama. I agree, there are those that wont, in a primary. BUT, in the general election, against McBush, a good healthy percentage of those "merely predijuced" will vote for Obama based on the policy differences between him and John McCain. Color of skin will have little to do with the important issues of change for this desperate country.
One thing I must say is this, if, the super delegates over turn the will of the people, this 50 yr old white female voter will not vote in November. We need a strong change maker....not a leader that bullies.
I just cant get past her Obliterate Iran statement... even our national ali countries commented negitively about Clinton and McCains Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran...... it is absurd. and very scarey.
when will Huffpo and other Obama worshippers wake up! The new revelations of Rev. Wright and his friendship with Louis Farrakhan is not just that silly uncle anymore...I don't have to run down the litany of associations with Barack and the Reverand,,we all know of them, as much as you want to deny them, or brush them off as non consequential.
No matter how you draw it up, it does gives a look of who Barack Obama really is.
Is this who we want to represent us in the General Election??
This is why it is so important to have the time to know who we are really voting for. Because after all of the flowery speeches, photogenic smiles, crowded autotoriums and pundits throwing themselves at the candidates feet...what it all comes down to is that we need to KNOW who we are voting for.
"In Pennsylvania, I voted for Obama. The hate without reason of my father stops with me. " Great way to live your life! Kudos to you! Now, for Tunnelrat and those like you...what's with all the name calling? 'Obamaphiles' 'Wackadoodle' are we adults or in kindergarten? I just had to tell you how foolish and immature you sound! So, you won't vote for Obama because of his SUPPORTERS??? Good grief! Next thing you know, you won't vote for him because of his haircut, or underwear or you heard he has bad breath! Those reasons are just as ridiculous as not voting for him because of his supporters. I have yet to label a Hillary supporter or McCain supporter by any stupid, vapid name and I sure as h*ll wouldn't be shallow enough not to vote for a candidate because their SUPPORTERS got on my nerves. If THAT were the case, I couldn't even BEAR to look at Hillary or McCain again let alone VOTE for them! This is why this country is so messed up. People can blame the government all they want to but I have to wonder what in the world is wrong with some of the American people! People that vote on reasons like this should never be permitted in a voting booth! You don't deserve the privilege! Women fought hard for the right to vote and this is the way you repay them? Way to go!
"Can my group of Merely Prejudiced whites ever feel comfortable with a man who defends a virulently anti-American like Wright"?
I guess, this view depends on how you define American.
Folks who vote, live and speak against their own best interests.....mostly because of their own racism and ignorance.
Decorated marine, long respected pastor and effective activist for causes affecting people of all colors.
Who is virulently anti-American?
One of the most frustrating thing to me is that Obama has rejected being "the black candidate". Yet the press, both right and left, insist on mentioning "black" and "Obama" in about every breath.
In case you've not noticed, Obama is by-racial. It would help matters immensely is we always referred to him as such.
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Wait... what? Why do I feel like I read this exact article months and months ago? Is this a repost of something that was in a national newspaper in '07?
Sorry.
I'm tired of people writing about African Americans as if they are a different species. Had enough. That's it. Fed up.
If people don't want to come to terms with the fact that people are people, there's very little that can be done for them. I don't want Barack Obama to do some kind of political tap dance to lull the Merely Prejudiced into thinking he's safe because he's not "really black," or he's staying in his place. Hogwash. People need to listen to what he says. If it's more important to them to coddle their comfortable prejudices while they freeze in the winter because they can't afford heating oil, or they can't afford milk for their children, or can't afford gas to get to work, then that's a choice they're going to have to live with.
Yeah... unfortunately these people are older and have learned from experience that all politicians are the same. To them, President Hillary == President Obama in terms of how it will affect their lives. If they don't see a difference other than skin color, why not indulge their comfort zone?
Because, at some point, we all have to admit the folly and danger of indulging stupidity.
Great! I read that article and I was entrenched with every word.So that's how some white people think, huh?
The only thing I would might add for Barack Obama to do is play up on his other half. The white half of him. Maybe that will help? Or maybe it won't since all it takes for some white people to hate on black people is the fact that they're looking black.
But at least race is being talk about in America and it's about time!
Play up his white half?
What do you want him to do, eat a mayonnaise sandwich while listening to Michael Bolton and talking about the U.S.' prospects in women's gymnastics in Beijing?
> The group that is more than likely going to decide the election in the fall is a group
> I call the Merely Prejudiced. They are not pathological in their hatred of blacks, but
> they are not entirely comfortable with black people or black culture
Why ignore the Merely Prejudiced who vote for Obama? the group that's not pathological in their hatred of whites, but not entirely comfortable with white people or white culture? Why not assume the existence of these voters in Obama's base? Are they left out of Duffy's analysis since he's concluded that there's no chance for these voters to "swing"?
And of course there are the Merely Sexist, that portion of Obama voters who aren't entirely comfortable with Vagino-Americans. Or the Merely Ageist, all those college kids who are not entirely comfortable with people over 50.
If we're going to project our prejudices onto the voting populace, we ought to at least do so consistently.
Stuart's "Random Thoughts" blog
Your argument makes no sense since black people only had the choice of voting for white people in every presidential primary except this one.
Looks like the Democratic Party has come full circle from its Strom Thurmond past. Sen. Clinton, abetted by ex-President Bill Clinton, have become the Dixiecrats of American politics, gladly courting and inflaming what they no doubt see as their natural constituency, the "Red-Neck" vote.
This provides an enormous opportunity for Sen. McCain and the Republican Party to reclaim its Lincolnesque roots and the votes of many African-Americans. It would take little effort. All McCain has to do is declare his support for the aspirations of Black America and come up with a couple of token programs. A Micro-loan program, for example, that purports to target individual black entrepreneurs in the inner cities of America. A targeted education initiative that claims it will boost inner-city education.
The sad truth is, both of these perverse scenarios have a measurable chance of coming true. All thanks to the dead-ender politics of the Clintons. What a waste.
I would like to see proof of your wild and unfounded assumption that Hillary's supporters are actually Dixiecrat throwbacks. Being a Hillary supporter myself, comfortably middle-class from blue collar union roots, active in the community, and a believer in equal justice and respect for all, I can honestly say that the majority of Hillary's supporters comprise most of these qualities. Yet, because we haven't joined the bandwagon, here on HuffPo we are characterized as closet racists, ignorant, stupid, and "Republicrats".
I believe Hillary will, given the opportunity, truly unite the country. She will force the right to move to teh left through smart, pragmatic policy initiatives, restore our prestige in the world, and succeed in breaking barriers that have long held scores of Americans back. Can Obama do the same? I believe he can, just not as well and not as quickly. It's not a slam to support Hillary, just a different perspective, just as informed, educated, and reasoned as yours.
Please stop assuming the worst when we all want the best. We travel on two parallel roads with the same goal in mind.
The woman who casually threatened to "obliterate" an entire nation will unite the country and restore our prestige in the world? I don't know where you've parked your Hillary, but the one out there in public view is a prevaricating resume-padding warmonger with a creepy husband and lying daughter in tow. I shudder to think of that dreadful clan inhabiting the White House again. It's a new century, and as she herself said, I don't want to see us go backwards. I'd sooner vote McCain before I'd put another Clinton at the helm.
... Wow. You accuse us of being naive.
What is so hard about understanding that she is a George Bush politician? Whatever she wants to do, she'll do. She'll keep no promises. She'll throw anyone under the bus at a moments notice. Unite the country? What a joke. She might (MIGHT) unite the nose-holding Democratic party, but if you think the right is going to rally behind President Clinton, one of the most reviled women in Conservative Politics, you are riding the train to Crazy Town.
An Obama win could bring about a new majority, say 60%. The best Hillary can do is 51%.
She'll be so busy fighting Republicans that her "smart, pragmatic policy initiatives" will fail - as her health care attempt failed in the 90's.
I agree, actually, that part of her loves this country, and that she's very smart and hard working. Sadly, I also believe that is not enough, and that Obama is all of those things and much, much more.
With respect to the article, the Merely Prejudiced are the older folks. So while you yourself might not be uncomfortable with the idea of a black President, much of your coalition is. Face that reality.
Nothing against Hillary supporters. I'm saying that the Clintons themselves are attempting to exploit the same passions that Dixiecrats exploited. Race-baiting is a major component of that exploitation. I lived through that era in the South and well remember the ploys of Southern politicians. I'd like to think they are better than that but events are arguing otherwise. Sorry if you're offended, but that's the way the shoo-fly crumbles.
Despite the bigotted comments from Obama acolytes, many of us supporting Clinton do so because we think she is a better candidate and would make a better president. You (inclusive) cas aspersions on anyone who could possibly oppose your candidate. You do Obama no service nor do you grace yourselves. You are one of the reasons I oppose Obama. I simply can't stand his supporters. You are the same type of people who have supported all the yuppie candidates who have tried and failed over the last 50 years, from Adlai, to Becuase the people don't want you. That is not a flaw in them as you have always maintained, it is a deficiency in you. The people wanting the candidate, you know, that is sort of the definition of democracy, or yeah, you're not much for democracy unless it comes out they way you want. Makes you sort of like GWB in Iraq, doesn't it? Win us over or lose, either now or in the general election. So far, your efforts to
Samson1, when you say you detest Obama's supporters, you really mean you detest certain of his *vocal* supporters, because you surely have not become aquainted with the upwards of 14 plus million people who have voted for him. They span all walks of life, all ages, all regions of the country, etc. Guess what? I'm sure you would have a bone to pick with many amongst the 14 plus million Clinton supporters out there. Are you at least open-minded enough to consider this possibility? I sympathize with your frustration of being on the losing team. Go ahead and commiserate with Bill Clinton about this. (His contact info is below.) Because lately he -- like you -- seems to have an abundance of unrestrained outrage at Obama's success. http://www.clintonfoundation.org/contact-us.htm
Well said, Samson1. While I am no Hillary fan and will hold my nose as I vote for Mccain in the GE, I can't stand the Obamaphiles. They are trying to foist this mediocre do-nothing political operative upon America without any evidence that he is capable of doing the job. They are like a mob of zombies, blaming whites/Clintonistas/the MSM/Fox, etc. for BO's inability to capture the nomination.
How about looking at his elitism, his refusal to denounce Rev. Wackadoodle, his casual promise to hike taxes and abandon Iraq, his empty platitudes that leave all but the most hard-core left-of-center demoncrates scratching their heads?
This guy is a dud, like Gary Hart, Dukakis, Howard Dean, etc. If you let MoveOn.org and the DailyKos pick the Dem nominee, then you better be prepared for Rev. Wackadoodle, all day and all night on the airwaves until Nov, and the "You're A Racist If You Do Not Support Obama" tactic will do no good against Mccain and the GOP machine.
I'm an Obama supporter. If you can convince me that McCain is the real deal, I'm open to voting for him. I respect the old soldier for his spirit, but he has shown more weakness than strength. Without opponents yet, and all the leeway in the world, he still stands at an equal footing to his warring democratic couterparts.
You are free to call Obama a dud, I am not impressed. Obama is channeling the millions of capitalist Americans who really want change, and are willing to take risks to make it happen, not the other way around. His message rings true to the millions of American citizens who look for something better than the culture of mediocrity and ignorance, because we want a better future for our children. I want my children to be part of the elite in a 21st century globalized market, not reject elitism.
Conservatives seem to be frothing at the mouth to keep a failed status quo going, Clinton just wants to patch it instead of fixing it. none of these are good enough alternatives in my view, and that's why I vote Obama.
Samson1: You are one of the reasons I oppose Obama. I simply can't stand his supporters.
===
When you make a statement like that, you're not doing yourself any favors.
My choice to support - or not support - a candidate has everything to do with the candidate, and precious little to do with my feelings about anyone else.
I mean, REALLY - if I opposed Hillary because (say) I didn't care much for rabid feministas, I'd be an idiot. But the truth is, my distrust of and dislike for Hillary has nothing to do with any of the fringe types who might count themselves among her fans.
Think it through. You'll be a better person for it.
Well said.
Starting out this campaign Barack Obama seemed to want to leave racial issues off the table for the time being. He was interested in getting us out of Iraq, first and foremost, and for more accountability and transparency in government.
His campaign was steered right into the center of the race debate by the comments of Jeremiah Wright, and smaller things like Tavis Smiley's ignored invitation, and by the ever so subtle " he can't win" mantra chanted by all those Democrats knowing we'd mentally fill in the blank with ( because he's black )
He had two major obstacles, racists who would never vote for him, and those Democrats just concerned with winning, not racists themselves but cognizant of the fact that a sea of racists awaited Barack should he ever get to a national election. It is those fencesitters who comprise the undecided superdelegates now.
They don't realize that the youth vote are not as hung up on race, and seem to let the shadows of past GOP victories obscure the failure of John McCain to energize any kind of real passion in voters. Barack's nomination rests in the hands not of racists but those who fear the power of the racist vote.
And we know what happens when we let fear dictate our actions.
This guy sounds like a self-hating white man. If a white woman says "Obama isn't ready to be president" he hears "This country isn't ready for a black president."
What a crock! Obamaphiles should just abandon all attempts at logicaly defending Obama's positions and just parrot the "If You Don't Support Obama You Are A Racist" canard.
Is it too hard to fathom that while most who oppose Obama don't do so for racist reasons, some do?
Mr. Duffy's not addressing people like Republicans who can be expected to vote against Obama based on actual differences in policy issues. The issue is Democrats who would otherwise vote for a Democrat, otherwise believe in Democratic principles, support that Hillary Clinton policy agenda which is nearly identical to Obama's, and yet not support Obama. Why could that be? It likely is only one of two things---character or color. There is little evidence that Obama is generally perceived as a bad human being. There is a lot of evidence that he's a black human being.
I have no problem with people voting against Obama because they're Republicans or because they believe that the Clintons' represent peace and prosperity or because they genuinely for some reason think he's a bad person. In my own case, I won't vote for Hillary because of mounds of evidence she's a shamelessly craven egomaniac and power luster. Her character flaws botched health care reform and got us into Iraq. Breaking with her on the basis of these kinds of character considerations has nothing to do with sex. If others can show similar character flaws in Obama and evidence of their bad consequences in the same ways, then I won't suspect racism is at work in their opposition. Otherwise, Democrats who vote against him will likely be the "merely prejudiced" Mr. Duffy astutely describes.
Posted April 28, 2008 | 02:38 PM (EST)