Will Racism Pick the President? Plus WOC on Palin
by Maria NilesRepublican pollster Frank Luntz thinks so. He sought to reassure the California Republican delegation that Obama's lead in polls is, in part, an illusion...
Analysts believe voters lied when they said they'd vote for Bradley, when in fact they were unwilling to vote for a black man. Luntz predicted the same thing would happen with Barack Obama. He told California delegates not to get discouraged if John McCain is trailing in the polls, because the Bradley effect will make up for some of that.
The Bradley effect refers to a phenomenon where non-white candidates lead in polls and yet ultimately lose to a trailing white candidate:
Researchers who studied the issue theorized that some white voters gave inaccurate polling responses because of a fear that by stating their true preference, they might appear to others to be racially prejudiced. This theory suggested that statistically significant numbers of white voters tell pollsters in advance of an election that they are either undecided, or likely to vote for the non-white candidate, but that those voters exhibit a different behavior when actually casting their ballots. White voters who said that they were undecided break in statistically large numbers toward the white candidate, and many of the white voters who said that they were likely to vote for the non-white candidate ultimately cast their ballot for the white candidate.
Luntz might be surprised to learn, however, that some racists are supporting Obama. Heidi Beirich and Mark Potok at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, report Not All White Supremacists Oppose [a] Black President (H/T Cecily Walker for the link)
It's not that the assortment of neo-Nazis, Klansmen, anti-Semites and others who make up this country's radical right have suddenly discovered that a man should be judged based on the content of his character, not his skin. On the contrary. A growing number of white supremacists, and even some of those who pass for intellectual leaders of their movement, think that a black man in the Oval Office would shock white America, possibly drive millions to their cause, and perhaps even set off a race war that, they hope, would ultimately end in Aryan victory.
Even without racism as part of the equation, the sheer number of white voters means that, depending on how you slice the data, groups of white voters can be seen as determining the outcome of presidential elections. Shay Riley, writing at The Root believes that White Women Will Decide...
Sen. McCain needs to raise his support [vs. George W. Bush] among whites to 60 percent, and he can do it by bringing more white women into his fold. This is especially true in key swing states, where Sen. McCain is currently polling a five to 20 percentage point gap over Sen. Obama among white voters.
That demographic sweet spot may catapult him to the White House. This would offset the expected increased turnout among blacks and younger voters.
McCain will certainly need to increase Republican share of support of white voters to offset what the party is losing from its already meager showing with African-Americans.
Only 36 of the 2,380 delegates seated on the convention floor are black, the lowest number since the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies began tracking diversity at political conventions 40 years ago. Each night, the overwhelmingly white audience watches a series of white politicians step to the lectern -- a visual reminder that no black Republican has served as a governor, U.S. senator or U.S. House member in the past six years.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for Republicans this election cycle:
Deborah Honeycutt, a doctor from Georgia who is running for a seat in the house of representatives in the November 4 elections, hopes to be the first black Republican woman elected to Congress.
At A Day In The Life Of Tree, Tree writes:
Is it me or should I be concerned at the lack of diversity and the Republican Convention. It looked like the “Old Boys Club.”...
I guess whites in America don’t think racism is a huge issue but for those of us who experience it to this day and had parents who lived through those times and great grandparents who were enslaved, well we have a different perspective on things. So please excuse me if my observation offends anyone but as an African American you see things through historical lenses.
I would be very interested to read what Tree thinks of the choice of Sarah Palin from her perspective as a black, pro-life, Christian mom of a special needs child.
Until then I will leave you with a small sampling of women of color, ranging from conservative to liberal and moderate in between, blogging on Palin
Booker Rising, a "news site for black moderates and black conservatives" shares two views:
Conservative Juliette Ochieng who blogs under the name baldilocks says perhaps McCain is Not So Senile After All and moderate Angela Winters was underwhelmed by Palin's speech to the Republican National Convention.
Here at BlogHer, feminist author, Rebecca Walker writes: The Pitbull in Lipstick Mommy: Five Questions for Sarah Palin.
Liza Sabater of Culture Kitchen was interviewed on CNN.com and shares:
I had the honor again to participate in Melissa Long's livecasting from the conventions. In the first one at the DNC we barely spoke of women's issues. Ironically here in St. Paul and with Palin's nomination the discussion was almost exclusively about her and about women's rights.
Maegan la Mala at Vivir Latino writes: McCain's VP Pick : Palin and the Politica and Privilege of White Woman'hood/ Mommy'Hood
And the always insightful Tami at What Tami Said shares Why Sarah Palin is an abysmal veep choice and what that says about John McCain
BlogHer CE Maria Niles is showing The Daily Show much love for their convention coverage at her blog PopConsumer.
Photo: Billboard in St. Paul, MN during the RNC
Photo Credit: The Zepplin on flickr
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Comments
I was beginning to think so ...
Hi Maria, I was beginning to think so actually and was writing an article about this for something. I am British by the way but totally into the American elections (We all are over here, and most other European Country's are too; France, Germany, e.t.c.).
I and many others here think that because from the substance of the speeches of the democrats and Obama's passion, PLAN, and vision for America, in comparison to the empty republican speeches, his lead in the polls should be more than it is at the moment.
Our economy in the UK is at it's ultimate low since the 60's, we have rising inflation and unemployment and we are aware we need change. Labour is in power at the moment, and although i'm a life long lavour supporter, I would be voting conservative. The conservative party is not that popular, but they have a plan. We here believe you can't keep doing the same things and expect different results. The US economy is in a downward spiral (as with most of the developed world at the moment) and it needs change. Republicans have been there for 8 yrs and its got worse, the republican candidate wants to carry on with the war and has not exactly proposed new policies, so to me its the same. I don't think it would yeild different results.
I think white women can relate to Sarah Palin's life (as one of 'us') and all that but is that enough to vote her vp and potential president? I think race plays a big part infact, thinking about it. Although some people can, not many can give good reasons why they would be voting McCain/Palin and how it would affect/better their lives .. if you keep pressing to get a good reason, they get aggressive or cry sexism. Sarah Palin is not allowed to give interviews at the moment. Why? She's being schooled on foreign policy and so on at the moment and will be in the time leading up to the debate so she can deliver, but is it just about delivering in the debate? We that have been students and worked in the feild we studied know theory is different from practical. You can learn the stuff and pass the exam but until you have practice, you never really 'Know'. She might be schooled for ages and pass the test (the debate) but does that mean she really 'knows' her stuff and is ready to be vp? I'm very sceptical about her ... too many skeletons in her closet, each saying something about her character. Cutting funding for people with special needs children by 62% while having a special needs neice/nephew, talking consistently of selling the private jet on e-bay for a profit which was actually sold off e-bay and for a loss, e.t.c.
Temi
Will racism be a deciding factor in November
As disheartening as it is to admit, I think race is already a contributing factor in the voter polls we are watching so closely on a daily basis.
Senator McCain has insulted our intelligence, integrity and personal conviction by thrusting an unknown, who doesn't (according to her own words) even know what it is a VP does everyday, into the mix.
Yet, Obama only leads by the slimmest of margins. He is clearly more suited for the job. Everyone knows in their heart 4 years of McCain would be more of the same. But because Obama is a black man...he won't get the benefit of the doubt from many closet racists who will never have to divulge this visceral fear they have of electing him President. The voting booth is one of the most personal and private spots in the world. No one will ever know many Americans threw away the chance to usher in real change because of their warped hatred and intolerance based solely on one's color.
Roschelle Nelson
Experience will be deciding factor, not race!
I don't care that Obama is black, he could be purple (my favorite color) or orange.
What matters to me and many of the undecided American voters is his leadership experience, or lack thereof. Running a campaign doesn't qualify as executive leadership. Obama's record of voting "present" is the Senate also doesn't show strong leadership.
The more we focus and discuss race, sex and age the less time we have to talk about accomplishments.
We all know McCain is an old white dude, Obama is black and Sarah has a uterus. BFD. Let's move on to real issues people!
VOTE McCain/Palin 2008!
McCain doesn't have executive experience.
I suggest you read this AP article and see just how far the "McCain is more experienced/Obama votes present" argument gets you:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hj0INfou9GhMYE2nyalH5O9dKRUwD92UPOLG5
Stefania Pomponi Butler
I blog:
CityMama
Kimchi Mamas
MOMocrats
Stefania, Thank you for that
Stefania,
Thank you for that link on the "present" thing. It has been one question mark I have of Obama, and that the article speaks to the fact that as a lawyer, his legal skills may have allowed him to see other issues present in the drafting of legislation, preventing him from voting yes or no. This supports how I feel about the importance, at this time, of having a strongly educated person in the White House. A vote yes or no, at the expense of not identifying other important ramifications from passing legislation is a disaster waiting to happen.
Lindsay
Agree. His "present" votes speak to his mind,
thinking
I appreciate that there are other factors involved in voting for these complicated pieces of legislation and that it's not always yes/no.
I am all about nuance--I can always see the gray area in any argument. His "present" votes are an indication of Obama's mind works and I really respect that.
Stefania Pomponi Butler
I blog:
CityMama
Kimchi Mamas
MOMocrats
Obama knew what he was doing
Obama knew what he was doing when he voted "present". And you would know that if you understood the Illinois legislature.
Republicans should know that too. Because poorly written legislation creates everything they hate:
Voting "Present" can be a vote for the intent of the bill AND, at the same time, be a vote against a bill's poor construction. It can be a vote for a bill's intent and AGAINST an amendment or pork that was added to the bill.
Now, SKIPPING a vote is another thing entirely. Like when McCain skipped the vote on the 21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights which he claimed to support in public, but ignored. You know, the bill that was written to improve the benefits for members of the Armed Forces and veterans and for their dependents and survivors?
Executive experience? So,
Executive experience?
So, what is "executive experience" exactly? This is not a philosophical question, Giggle On. What can you point at and say "That! That is executive experience! When someone has done that!"
Is it:
-Managing people? How many?
-Is it creating a vision and strategy for an organization that is clear and compelling enough to for other people to follow?
-Is it managing large scale change?
-Is it managing large projects with many deadlines and deliverables?
-Is it managing budgets? How big is the budget?
-Is it negotiating between parties in disagreement?
Can't answer the question?
I've been asking this question for a few days now and I have yet to meet a single McCain/Palin supporter who can answer it.
What exactly IS executive experience?
They usually try to answer it in these vague terms, "Um, well, it means that you were a governor!" or "Um, well, it means that you held a leadership position in government!"
But George W Bush had that. Bill Clinton had it too. (And no two people could be more different in handling their terms as President as Clinton and Bush.)
Dear God, even Robert Mugabe has Executive Experience.
So those answers are non-answers.
No one? No one can define the types of skills and specific accomplishments that make up executive experience?
Giggle On? Mary Catherine? American Princess? Why all of the hiding from a pretty straightforward question?
Wow. I would imagine that you would know the answer to this instead of just throwing around an empty term.
question is “above my pay grade”!
Executive experience is……well………geez, you’re right, I dunno how to answer that? I think perhaps that question is “above my pay grade”! Lame answer, ain’t it? It’s a great cop-out, kinda like voting “present”, isn’t it?
Let’s agree on one thing right here and right now before we part ways f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
NOTHING you can say will make me change my mind about Obama and NOTHING I will say will change yours about McCain. Let's stop wasting each other's time, shall we?
The last thing I am interested in is spending time qualifying and quantifying anything to a person who comes across as angry and confrontational as you. What's with the 'tude?
It’s not that I “can’t” answer your question Miteegirl. I won't. Your condescending tone nauseates me and engaging in a conversation with someone who is arrogant wastes precious time in my life.
Your tactic of egging people on may work in cyberspace where you can hide behind a screen name (with no picture) but that crap-ola doesn’t fly so well in the real world, at least not in my world.
Stand up and be counted in real-time! Take off the mask (pass this message to Obama while you’re at it) and show your face.
Adios BlogHer Politicos!
Christa
P.S. If you want to learn about me, click my screen name and go to my site. I'm not hiding.
Asking legitimate questions
Asking legitimate questions is "copping a 'tude"? Wow. Interesting. If you can't answer the question, then you can't answer the question. Thanks for admitting that.
What would you like to know about me? And why would it matter?
I live in Illinois, I'm a mom, i was born in NYC to a blue-collar Catholic family (three generations of cops). My dad is in the foundry business. I married late in life, have a beautiful daughter. I went to a Big Ten school for my undergraduate degree and then to a Big Ten school for my graduate degree. I've been everything from a bartender to an executive consultant for the Fortune 500. I teach and own my own small business.
What else would there possibly be that you would need to know?
Dirty South
I'll keep my own personal opinions of the election to myself, except to say that I'm primarilly for Obama. The one thing I've noticed around here (Deep South, Dirty South, Bible Belt...) is that Southerners will do whatever it takes to justify their racism. I couldn't tell you the number of forwarded emails I've received claiming everything from "terrorist" to "antichrist". It's disheartening...and annoying as hell! Most try to base it on religion, but what it all boils down to is they can't stand the idea of a black man in office. But tell me this...WHY wasn't there this much publicity about our (Louisiana's) current govenor, Bobby Jindal, who was rumored to be a Republican VP possible? Don't get me wrong, I actually like him, even though he's Republican. But I made the ignorant assumption that no one would like him, because he's Indian. Born Piyush Jindal in 1971 to Hindu parents, Amar and Raj Jindal, he was barely born in America, as they immigrated to Baton Rouge, LA in 1970. So if this was really about foreign religion or possible infiltration of a terrorist sect, then I'd consider him, as well. But, alas...No. Why? Well, my opinion would be that he's 1. Republican, but first and foremost, 2. NOT BLACK. Are we really that scared, people? We all claim we want change, but if a black man's leading it, we'll pass? That's terribly sad! I, for one, invite change, regardless of who's leading it! This whole situation reminds me of high school. You know...remember that party you didn't go to, because that girl, Lisa, was going to be there, and you couldn't stand her, because she thought she was SO pretty and popular, and you knew she liked Johnny, who you were madly in love with...and come to find out, if you would've just put your insecurities aside and gone to the party, you would've had the greatest time, because the only reason Johnny even showed up to the party was to be able to dance with YOU!
I am not sure if racism is
I am not sure if racism is in this election. I would suspect that the faction of American society that is racist, probably is also anti gay, so probably doesn't fall into the group of undecided voters anyway. That being said, I wonder if the claims of elitist would be made if Obama were white. So he gives off an air of entitlement to the White House (in people's opinion)? So what? That is every American born citizen's right isn't it? A shot at the white house? And doesn't McCain's campaign have a similar entitlement vibe going on based on the POW stuff?
The claims against Obama for being elitist or not relatable to Americans have not been made clear to me. I don't care if my leader makes a good drinking buddy for me because his job is deal with scary stories like this http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/07/news/economy/velshi_comments/index.htm?cnn=yes (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac gettingtaken over by the federal government), and not to be my drinking buddy. While I think the candidates that aren't schooled in finance and law do make the best candidates in some elections, I don't think the issues of this election are calling for that type of candidate. I would really like an Ivy educated lawyer in the white house, not the guy that graduated 5th from the bottom of his class at the Naval academy (according to wikipedia). If that makes ME elitist, so be it.
For the people who do cast their vote on how well they relate to a candidate, and find Obama elitist and unrelatable please elaborate. Because this is what I see when I look for ways Obama is specifically different than me, and I don't see anything that just screams elitist and to which I can't relate:
Obama: he is 1st gen American on one side (so? Every class room has a couple kids whose parents are immigrants, my own kids will be first gen Amer on one side), he's half black (so? Unless its many yrs ago this should not matter at all), he went to an Ivy League school (so? who wouldn't go to an Ivy league school if they had the opportunity; he took out loans and away he went. Lots of presidents have Ivy League educations.)
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/obama-releases.html There are Obama's tax returns. The return I clicked on said they were "married, filing jointly." My point is that the Obama family earned b/t 200K and 300K for every yr except 05 and 06 because of I assume the re release of his memoir (written in '95) and the release of his campaign book Audacity of Hope. In 05/06 which are exceptions, the family income was about $1M and $1.5M. Excluduing o5 and 06, Obama's income is not that unreasonable for a family with 2 lawyers, one of whom is in politics. Also, don't be scared off at lawyers, my immediate family has 3 lawyers and we are in a town just like Wasilla. To judge someone negatively for being a lawyer is the same as judging someone negatively for anyother group stereotype. My experience with lawyers is that their work has generally exposed them to some sad realities in this world, and knowledge of those realities fuels their compassion and willingness to serve others.
Anyway, http://www.johnmccain.com/mccainfinancial/
John McCain had adjusted gross income of $338,000 this year; his wife's agi is was over $6,000,000. Now, these are figures that I cannot relate to. Doesn't mean I think wealth means a family member shouldn't be in the white house. I would vote on issues and not the relatability factor, but there is a group who votes on this stuff because Obama is being called an elitist and I have seen comments about people not being able to sit down and have a drink with him. So I am begging someone to explain why the 5 yr POW married to a millionaire is relatable and not Obama?
And, since this relatable, drinking ability thing seems to be a determining factor than the Obama campaign needs to get it together and make him look relatable to the undecideds. Latest Gallup poll shows Mccain ahead 3 points. Scary.
Polls are frequently
Polls are frequently wrong. Especially in this election, where younger voters are not contacted by pollsters since pollsters don't call cellphones and the younger demographic is skewed heavily to cellphones.
Professional researchers admit that many more people are really undecided than the polls show, because pollsters will ask questions in a way that requires people to choose now even if they are not entirely sure that they will follow through on their choice.
I follow FiveThirtyEight, which is a new way of crunching the numbers that takes into consideration the reliability of certain polling organizations predictions of election outcomes. FiveThirtyEight outperformed all other polling organizations in the primaries.
Here is a very short, fascinating radio piece about how polls are vulnerable to inaccuracies and how. It really makes you think about how questions are structured! The interview has lots of great examples and will make you "cocktail party conversational" about the inaccuracies of polls.
So, yes, although I respect Gallup as an organization, don't close the book on voter opinion yet :)
Margins of Error
Crunching the Numbers
THE BRADLEY EFFECT
I've been worrying about this from the beginning. We were around the first Dinkins campaign for mayor and he was way ahead in the polls right up to election day and ended up winning by only 2 points. Here's what the New York Times said that year:
In New York, polls made public the day before the mayoral election gave
David N. Dinkins leads of 14 percentage points (by The Daily News with
WABC-TV) to 18 points (by The New York Observer). His actual margin of
victory over Rudolph W. Giuliani was about 2 percentage points.
Now that's scary. Younger friends keep telling me, though, that one counter to it is that preponderance of harder-to-survey cell phones among young voters.
We are just going to have to be very busy for the next two months!
Cynthia Samuels, Partner
Cobblestone Associates, LLP
Blog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television
Don’t
Gel Too Soon
You Know If You Are Going To Vote For A Black
Man Or Not....
I have faith that folks will see race as a real factor in this campaign. That a Black Man can run this Country. Yes I said It. I am not afraid of race. Nor am I afraid to say that I vote my color. WTF. Who doesn't. I would vote my gender too if a candidate deemed worthy. I am not playing here. Race matters. Gender matters. If it didn't we would be having these insipid conversations.
I am not above race or race consciousness. I am Black all day...24/7 I can't pretend. I am hoping that race will matter enough that folks will say its time. And that they will vote for the Man of Color because he is the best for the job...not inspite of race, but because race made him who he is. Race made him understand something about the down trodden those left out of the system. He can show that no matter where you are or where you come from, America has a place for you. I know he can kick it with the power elite of this country. We know it. The media loves to say how well spoken and intelligent he is...those of us of Color know that shit is code for that Negro is well educated and can talk. Now I heard someone said the Obamas were "Uppity" that is Klan talk for that Negro is smart and don't know his place. Please, Let's not play games here. America has a race problem. And here is a man that says so what! I can deal with it!
Yes by all means vote on the color line...that Man of color needs your vote.
My color doesn't hinder me...it makes me more special. Because I come from people who never gave up. Who's contribution to America is still be tallied. Because at the end of the day I can say to my children, my sons and daughters you can dream the biggest dream for yourself and live it!
Love,
Babz
I want to applaud you for
I want to applaud you for your post! That's it...no big speech about it; just want to say "WELL SAID"! I've never looked at it from that perspective, and I'm glad someone brought it to my attention...thanks!
Racism goes both ways.
Unfortunately, there is still racism in our country. Instead of trying to come together, there are groups and even churches that promote it. We need to pick the best person for the job. Voting for someone just because they are black is also racism.
Will Racism Pick ...?
Wow !!! Babz, you said it all !! And said it very well. I don't think racism will pick the next President but it could possibly prevent the right one from getting in office. If the people who can not bear to vote for a Black man stay home and don't vote yeah...that can hurt alot. How much I don't know. I never remember the % of 'undecideds' being so high in a Presidential election before. I know some people who say they will vote for Obama publically will indeed vote for McCain once the curtain closes but I think it won't be as much as some people fear. Obamacans seem to be especially committed to change and they know it won't happen with McCain/Palin. The usual choice in any given election is "the lesser of 2 evils" but this time that is not the case. These candidates are polar opposites and people who really really want change this time will not vote against their and their children's best interests.
I am more concerned with those undecided folks right now. They are the reason the polls are so close. There is no rational reason why Obama & McCain should be 'neck and neck' eight weeks before election day. That is a different kind of Bradley Effect for 2008.
Real racism or just an excuse?
Well, I wonder if Obama was white if he would have the support of so many people of color? I get the impression (actually, it's obvious from some of the posts on this subject) that his color is the only reason some people are voting for him, despite his undisputable lack of experience, service, etc. His percentage in the polls is declining and will continue to decline. I think Americans are starting to see that voting for someone on the basis of race is never a good idea, and are realizing what an important election this is. Call me naive, but I have never even considered voting for someone on the basis of race or gender. The times we are living in should compel us to really look at the issues and the candidates and see who has real solutions and can back them up with their past political experiences and decisions, not just his skin color. I think the upcoming debates will reveal a lot about our candidates.
Fortunately, I believe we have enough Americans who vote on the issues that racism will NOT decide this race.
The Republicans had a Gallup
The Republicans had a Gallup poll bounce after their convention. That is typical in elections. It isn't related to the what the poll results will be closer to election day.
In fact, I have never seen either side so jazzed. Democrats are contributing to the Obama campaign in record numbers and turning out as volunteers by the car full. Republicans are grasping onto some hope for their turnout now that they've turned a moderate ticket into a Christian Right ticket.
In fact, NONE of us knows how this is going to turn out on election day. That is what makes this election result almost impossible to predict. Never have so many traditionally red states become vulnerable at the same time. Never have so many younger and first time voters been so engaged. Never have the pollsters had to deal with the possibility that they aren't getting feedback from people who communicate only by cell phone or internet or text.
Polls have never been very reliable, especially this far out from Election Day. And this year, they are stabbing wildly in the dark.
It's GREAT!
Support of people of color for white
candidates
Hi Salsa Mama,
You ask:
People of color consistently vote Democratic regardless of the race of the candidate. Over 80% African Americans have, for decades, voted for white Democratic presidential candidates.
John Kerry received 88% of black votes, 53% of Latino votes and 56% of Asian votes. So I think the answer to your question is, yes, if Obama were white he would have the support of the majority of people of color.
What choice did we have?
This is the FIRST EVER African American on a major ticket. As an African American we have not had any choice but a White man. So to ask if we would vote for him if he were white is ridiculous at best. I have been voting for and working hard to get many many a white man elected. To para phrase Dr. Phil, How's that been working for me? Not so well sometimes and sometime great! There has never ever been a choice. Now there is.
Michelle
Research the issues
I would hope that the choice would be based on the issues. I can appreciate you being excited about the first African American running on a major ticket. I think it is wonderful as well. I hope that you would research each candidate and make an informed decision. When the first African American becomes president, we should all want him or her to do a great job. We don't want ignorant people to use race as the reason the person failed. Make sure that you believe Obama is the best qualified for the job and not for him just because of his race. There is to much at stake.
Absolutely
I totally agree with you. I was just letting salsa mama know that her argument is a moot point. Supporting whites is all we have had. If Al sharpton or Clarence Thomas were running for president thanks, but no thanks. Barack Obama represents the best of this year's pick to me. I agree with his positions. He is thoughtful enough that I do not see him trowing temper tantrams (like someone else we know). I trust him to make decisions and be able to respect other points of veiw. The other thing is he is smart enough to surround himself with good people because no one has all the answers.
Michelle
I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/
What does he actually stand for?
I went to Obama's website and then I researched his positions and things just do not add up. I don't see how he can do everything that he is promising. Therefore, I do not know what he will actually do.
You dissapoint me
I thought I was having an honest conversation. Then I get this. Obama's website explains all of his plans in detail. But here is my list. I agree with his economic plan (as do most economist) I agree with his stand on energy independence as does T Boone Pickens an oil man. I agree with his stance on choice, education, and diplomacy first. Tell me how many of John McCain's positions do you agree with?
Michelle
I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/
Both Sides
Racism will play a part, but it will play on both sides. Just as there are people not willing to vote for Obama because he's black - there are just as many willing to vote for him for that very reason. I believe those who vote on issues will outweigh those who vote on looks, however that is why we have the electorial college that so many are against.
Salsa Mama, I have been
Salsa Mama, I have been voting for over 20 years !! I vote in local, state and national elections. Although I could not vote for Bill Clinton because I had a suspicion that he had a morals problem (although I prayed that he would win out over Bush I ) I did vote for the rest of the ticket. I have pulled the big Democratic lever, I have voted for repubs and Indies and Green Party members in the general elections etc. I am an African American. Most of the people I have voted for are white, and that was because of their assessment of the issues and my agreeing with thier solutions for handling them. Black people have been voting for White people en masse for generations ! Women have been voting for men ! Clinton got in office because of the Black vote. We are a large and progressive voting block and wise politicians usually court us if they are smart even though most of their campaigning talk is lies. That's a discussion for another day. The point is that more Black people vote for White people than Whites for Blacks. C'mon...get real.
Thank you all
For this terrific, lively discussion.
I'd encourage everyone who is interested in polls and how they can present a distorted picture to check out the website and listen to the radio clips miteegirl posted in her comment. She beat me to the punch :)
Granted in Canada our party
Granted in Canada our party leaders are all white dudes this time around..their local reps are very varied..
Check it out..
2004 - present
Canadian federal election, 2006
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Expenditures
Liberal
Ujjal Dosanjh
20,991
48.05%
$62,783.75
Conservative
Tarlok Sablok
11,856
27.14%
$68,522.65
New Democratic Party
Bev Meslo
9,205
21.07%
$30,480.62
Green
Doug Perry
1,435
3.28%
$1,279.52
Marxist-Leninist
Charles Boylan
202
0.46%
Total valid votes
43,689
100.00%
Total rejected ballots
This is just in my riding.
Note also how little money is spent!
Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com
Along with Sassymonkey's posts
on Canadian politics, Crunchy Carpets you are helping to demonstrate what looks to be the superior electoral system sanity of our neighbors to the north :)
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We'll See What Happens
Good question, Maria.
I might have agreed with you a few weeks ago, WRT racisim being a major factor in this upcoming election, however at this point, we have to throw in sexism as well.
Barack Obama is 50% black. Sarah Palin is 100% female...... If McCain is elected and fails to serve his entire term, the American people have actually elected the first female PoTUS.
We already saw what happened with Obama vs Clinton.
We'll see if this McCain gamble plays out in the Republicans' favor.
~ Bill
I blog at billcammack.com