<p>The media is constantly talking about how Obama needs to get out the black vote…as if blacks don’t have minds of their own and would just vote for a candidate because he is black. </p>
<p>Let’s flip that for a second… “Fred Thompson needs to get out the white vote” …nope, that would be racist. </p>
<p>Maybe I should write the ACLU??</p>
<p>Don’t be silly. The votes a candidate “needs to get out” are the market segment particular to him/her. </p>
<p>Hillary needs to mobilize women (assuming she will have particular appeal to them); Mitt needs to mobilize Mormons, etc. </p>
<p>If you can’t win your “home state,” who can you count on?</p>
<p>I find the “Hillary needs mobilize women” just as offensive. Actually, her candidacy WILL mobilize THIS woman to get to the polls to cast a vote for Hillary’s opponent.</p>
<p>Let’s be honest - voting or NOT voting for Hillary because she is a woman is sexist.</p>
<p>Voting or NOT voting for Obama because he’s black is racist.</p>
<p>Voting or NOT voting for a white candidate just because he or she is white is also racist.</p>
<p>Don’t worry-- all of them will get some Mexican votes. Who cares if they aren’t allowed to vote? The candidates have no problem with it. That’s why none of them have the guts to kick their butts back out!</p>
<p>If we truly want to come together despite our differences, we need to stop emphasizing our differences.</p>
<p>Obama is half white. What if he looked more white than black? That might change the whole way he was perceived and presented.</p>
<p>I don’t care if you are blue with green stripes or gay or transgender, Just be honest, realistic and make me believe that you are REAL.</p>
<p>If a white voter votes for a candidate because that candidate is white, it is called racism. </p>
<p>If a black voter votes for a candidate because that candidate is black, it is called black pride. </p>
<p>I think they are both examples of racism.</p>
<p>Are there still a sizable number of folks in this country who WOULDN’T vote for a candidate because they were either black or female? </p>
<p>I’d like to think the answer is no, but I’m afraid the answer might be yes. But regardless, more of those folks are around then those that WOULDN’T vote for a candidate because they were white or male.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to offend anyone with my comment on the candidates’ expected bases. I really would not “expect” a black person to vote for Obama just because Obama is (one-half) black. But that is an example of the expection which is voiced in the media, perhaps, more often than it is true.</p>
<p>I think it is perfectly fine for anyone to vote for a candidate based on symbolism. In fact, I think it is a far better reason that the candidates usually offer for themselves.</p>
<p>It think it would be fantastic if, all other things being equal of course, white folks voted for Obama because he is Black.</p>
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<p>How about an employer hiring based on symbolism? Are you in favor of that as well Mini?</p>
<p>All other things being equal, YES (that is, specifically, a white employer hiring a Black employee - I haven’t gone beyond there), in places where historic discrimination has been demonstrated. The Supreme Court agrees with me. </p>
<p>But there is a difference. Part of the job of a President is projecting an image of and for a country - indeed, that might be the most important part of the job, other than lying well.</p>
<p>Interesting thread. Some political commentators opined that the New Hampshire polls were inaccurate because many white voters were afraid of being seen as racist if they stated that they were going to vote for anyone other than Obama, then, in the privacy of the voting booth voted for Hillary or John Edwards. Also interesting to note that the Democratic caucus in Iowa was open and somewhat public which raises the question if the voting had been private in Iowa would the result have been different.</p>
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<p>You didn’t offend me! I fully agree that candidates MUST get out their expected bases during these primaries, since there are many candidates and full support from expected bases could be what will tip the election their way during the primary season. Once you get the nomination, you’ve got to broaden your appeal to win at the national level.</p>
<p>The problem is that what constitutes a candidate’s “expected base” is not at all clear this time around. African Americans (excepting Oprah) haven’t overwhelming taken Obama to their bosoms; women haven’t embraced Hillary just because she is a woman. I think that Mitt would just as soon NOT see masses of clean cut Mormons campaign for him in white shirts and ties (Romney does not want to emphasize the Mormon issue but wants to concentrate on his business acumen). </p>
<p>And maybe that’s good! Maybe that means that people will choose political leaders based on their abilities, policies, etc. </p>
<p>The problem I see are the people who say something like–“I would NEVER vote for a woman/African American/Mormon for president.” Trying to overcome the percentage of people who feel that way would make it difficult for any candidate to be elected on the national level.</p>
<p>That is why I don’t see either Hillary, Obama or Romney elected as president.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. It’s all about political correctness and that is definitely harming our country. I love XM satellite radio. They have the greatest comedy channel on it. You can listen to George Lopes and Chris Rock and everyone in between. Both George and Chris can joke about ANY race, sex, religion, etc… they want to and get away with it. Why? Because to criticize them would ALSO be politically incorrect and trumps what they say. Yet, if a white comedian was to use derogatory words used against blacks and hispanics; like they are using against all the other races, then the white comedian would most definitely be criticized. Basically, except for people like Bill Cosby who have specifically come out and told other blacks that it’s wrong to call each the “N” word and to degrade them in humor; no one else has the balls to touch it. No one has the guts to tell them to stop.</p>
<p>The same goes with the politics. No one has the guts to tell say what actual demographics Obama should be aiming at. When they say get out the Black vote; that is NOT WHAT THEY MEAN. There are plenty of black voters out there that have no use or desire for Obama at all. And contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of black voters that are conservative republicans. What they mean by Obama getting out the “Black vote”, is that he needs to appeal more to the inner city, urban/rural south, low income, poor, black; who is probably voting democrat and is interested in the government helping them and probably requires some form of public assistance and falls into the typical democratic philosophy where they NEED big government. Which of course is a cornerstone for the democratic party. See, the poor in this country doesn’t vote as much as the middle class and upper class do. The politics is that Obama; being black; can automatically appeal to the poor black in the country. The truth is; Obama and Hillary are both playing the race and gender card.</p>
<p>Now, the real truth is; most blacks in this country aren’t poor, inner city urban or rural uneducated, on public assistance. Most are hard working, middle class, just like everyone else, paying their taxes, raising their kids, and is very aware of what is going on. If you don’t believe me, do some googleing about the NCAA and other similar organizations. They comment as though they SPEAK FOR THE AVERAGE BLACK MAN AND WOMAN. The truth is; many surveys and polls have been done and find out that most blacks; men and woman; don’t support a lot of what the NCAA pushes. Just like most Americans; regardless of color; don’t really support the politics of the ACLU. Yet, they will have you believe that they are the voice and pulse of America. They aren’t.</p>
<p>Yes, they push Hillary to “Get the Woman” vote. That’s because they are playing the gender card and are hoping that the IGNORANT and uneducated woman of the country will vote for Hillary because she is a woman. They push Obama to “Get the Black” vote; because they hope that the uneducated and ignorant blacks, who probably have never voted in the past, can be persuaded to get out and vote for Obama just because he’s black. And therefor somehow automatically feels their pain and sorrow and is going to help them. To be honest, obama and clinton have no idea what it’s like to work or be poor.</p>
<p>Christcorp–I don’t get what the NCAA has to do with this.</p>
<p>I think Christcorp meant NAACP.</p>
<p>Who let Ron Paul in here?</p>
<p>I thought Obama was working on getting out the youth vote…</p>
<p>Thanks, youdon’tsay. I wondered if NCAA had a political agenda vis-a-vis black athletes or there was some controversy that I didn’t know about.</p>
<p>mathmom–don’t be ageist! ;)</p>
<p>Thanks youdontsay; Yes, I meant NAACP. I’ve had college football on my mind a lot lately and my son had to update his eligibility with the NCAA Clearinghouse. NCAA was stuck in my mind. I most definitely meant NAACP. Thanks for the correction.</p>