In a piece two years ago, I argued that the Right's deep animosity toward Barack Obama stemmed from more than just bigotry over race, an idea widely argued at the time. Rather, I posed the idea that Obama represented a changing America in so many ways, an America where gays are in the military, where immigrants are arriving and moving to all parts of our nation, where women hold positions of power. A black man with a funny name is only a small part of the changes in this country, confronting conservatives every day. Their spirit is best summed up, not by a racial slur, but by the Tea Party sign, "I Want My Country Back."
The New York Times Magazine just published an article on Herman Cain that supports this notion. What it basically argues is that Cain's appeal is that, in so many ways, he is a Southern conservative, and the color of his skin is irrelevant. If you drop the issue of race, he is presenting himself as a traditional Good Old Boy, a familiar and comforting image to many parts of America.
Unlike the cosmopolitan president, Cain comes out as a regional figure, introducing himself with, "As we say in some parts of the South, awww shucky ducky now! We gonna have some fun!" Orval Faubus could not have put it better.
Cain's speeches are made for call-and-response, a familiar form, not just to black, but to white Southerners as well. As he talks, the air is filled with cries of, "That's right!" over and over again. Herman's cadence, his syntax and his pauses, all draw the crowd out, their enthusiasm building.
There is also religion. While Obama is a churchgoer, his faith is a private affair, as is the case for many Americans. Cain, on the other hand, appeals powerfully to the rest, to those millions whose worship is public, demonstrative, and important. As the Times article points out, "It's impossible to overstate" how critical "Cain's religious faith is to his followers and to his idea of himself." Herman Cain's religion is up front, and down home.
Herman Cain's appeal is that he is the anti-Obama, Boss Hogg with a dark skin. If the sitting president represents, and is hated, because he represents all that America is becoming, Cain is the reverse, a traditional Southerner upholding the values of older America. His appeal is that he represents the America so many of his supporters remember fondly. If elected, Herman Cain will give them their country back indeed, for he is one of them and shares their vision. That is a powerful appeal.
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that My thinking has also become clouded
Has anyone verified that he 'upgraded' Sharon Bialek's hotel reservation yet? And who's dime paid for it, his employer or him personally?
Actually, democrats are the "old" thinkers - you remember, that old line of thinking that the aristocrats knew what was best for the "little people" (those that do all the work), so they would collect all the money (you know, those onerous taxes), so they could "spread the wealth" as they saw fit. Well, it didn't work out so well back in the 1700's.
The very idea that Cain is mocked and ridiculed, when he should be regarded as a role model, is sickening. Especially when you have a president of questionable character, a mysterious background (as if anyone really believes he was born in the USA) who has never been criticized by any of the "mainstream media".
Maybe GWB wasn't perfect, but he was vastly more qualified to be president than the current WH occupier.
Well, what can you expect from a liberal - their only concern is for their own well being, and they could care less about anyone else.
Sorry, but you just lost all credibility with anyone who does not share your beliefs in science fiction.