Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,085 posts)
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:35 PM Aug 2020

Duckworth on whether 'sizeable' amount of Trump supporters are racist: 'Of course not'

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), a Democratic vice presidential contender, said Sunday that "of course" she did not believe a substantial percentage of President Trump's supporters are racists.

Fox News's Chris Wallace, noting that Duckworth has called Trump the "Racist-in-Chief" and said that racism is a primary reason for opposition to immigration reform, asked the senator on "Fox News Sunday" if she believed "a sizeable percentage of President Trump's supporters are racists."

"Of course not," Duckworth responded. "I think President Trump is trying to divide us as a nation, we need to come together as a nation, we need to unite."

"I think most Americans agree that we need sensible immigration reform, we need a away for those who are here illegally to pay fines and go to the end of the line and work their way toward citizenship," she added. "We can't let President Trump continue to divide us."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/duckworth-on-whether-sizeable-amount-of-trump-supporters-are-racist-of-course-not/ar-BB17tvdL?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=DELLDHP

Let me paraphrase John Stewart Mill. It's not that most Trump supporters are racist. But most racists tend to be Trump supporters.

53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Duckworth on whether 'sizeable' amount of Trump supporters are racist: 'Of course not' (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Aug 2020 OP
I love her, but she is wrong on this point. Every Trump supporter I have ever met is racist. SunSeeker Aug 2020 #1
She's being nice. Kingofalldems Aug 2020 #3
True, and as VP contender, she really couldn't answer it any other way. nt SunSeeker Aug 2020 #5
And strategic. Which is absolutely necessary. Squinch Aug 2020 #12
I agree. nt SunSeeker Aug 2020 #18
yep. and thank the stars that our D Senator stopdiggin Aug 2020 #23
In Brecht's "Life of Galileo," the scientist, as he reaches his claim tblue37 Aug 2020 #15
I agree rockfordfile Aug 2020 #40
I'm sorry, but, at this point Docreed2003 Aug 2020 #2
Agree. nt in2herbs Aug 2020 #24
And if you'r Joe Biden (or a prospective VP pick) stopdiggin Aug 2020 #27
Like I said, I understand WHY she said it Docreed2003 Aug 2020 #37
That is true. BannonsLiver Aug 2020 #34
Though we all know they are racist, that is the perfect answer from a VP contender who wants to get Squinch Aug 2020 #4
+1 brer cat Aug 2020 #16
It's probably the safest thing to say to win this election Tom Rinaldo Aug 2020 #6
if you vote for a racist pig you are a racist pig ! stonecutter357 Aug 2020 #7
HRC said SOME were deplorable and even Dems say that is the WORST thing HRC did... LizBeth Aug 2020 #8
+1 spooky3 Aug 2020 #20
That's why they continue to exist and expand rockfordfile Aug 2020 #43
Two different playing fields, that simple. Our reality. LizBeth Aug 2020 #44
She needs to stay in the Senate and not be VP if she is going to spout stuff like this. LonePirate Aug 2020 #9
If she's going to be VP, and if we want to get enough votes to overcome GOP cheating, Squinch Aug 2020 #10
zero nonesense obamanut2012 Aug 2020 #14
What absolute nonsense. tritsofme Aug 2020 #21
it's absolutely amazing sometimes stopdiggin Aug 2020 #25
Yes. It often boggles my mind. n/t Crunchy Frog Aug 2020 #31
You are trivializing and minimalizing the racism Americans face everyday when you say it was perfect LonePirate Aug 2020 #28
Again, just further demonstration of how relieved I am that folks like this are not running tritsofme Aug 2020 #33
She lied and downplayed the racism problem in this country. Seems like DUers share that view. LonePirate Aug 2020 #38
An absolute truckload of nonsense. tritsofme Aug 2020 #41
She is effectively ignoring the racism problem in this country. That's horrific. How is that right? LonePirate Aug 2020 #45
Not mad at you Pirate stopdiggin Aug 2020 #47
As with others, I disagree with what you think. Kaleva Aug 2020 #32
Yes, WE know that and she knows that but it serves no purpose to say it. Ask President Hillary Rice4VP Aug 2020 #51
Maybe they're not racists gratuitous Aug 2020 #11
Of course they are ibegurpard Aug 2020 #13
Nope. The sole reason they still support him is they hate the same people. onecaliberal Aug 2020 #17
she is wrong llashram Aug 2020 #19
John Fugelsang nails it on this topic - "If you're not racist yourself, then it's obvious that bullwinkle428 Aug 2020 #22
Democrats acting like adults, someone has to do it for our survival. Baked Potato Aug 2020 #26
No difference between supporting a racist and being one. ismnotwasm Aug 2020 #29
I think she said the right thing. We actually want as many of those Trump voters Crunchy Frog Aug 2020 #30
Set up gotcha question BannonsLiver Aug 2020 #35
she is trying to avoid the "deplorables" trap Skittles Aug 2020 #36
We're not running against the voters, we're running against Trump. jalan48 Aug 2020 #39
We live in a racist society. It's built on white supremacy. People have to work hard to be WhiskeyGrinder Aug 2020 #42
Big big no way, no how JCMach1 Aug 2020 #46
People who run for public office can't really say anything differently right now JI7 Aug 2020 #48
Not all Trump supporters are racist, but all racists are Trump supporters. Initech Aug 2020 #49
They are racist and she knows it but she said the right thing Takket Aug 2020 #50
There are enough racists involved to consider racism to be Progressive Jones Aug 2020 #52
Of course North Shore Chicago Aug 2020 #53

SunSeeker

(51,369 posts)
1. I love her, but she is wrong on this point. Every Trump supporter I have ever met is racist.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:39 PM
Aug 2020

Only a racist would vote for a man who was openly racist.

stopdiggin

(11,092 posts)
23. yep. and thank the stars that our D Senator
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:20 PM
Aug 2020

from Illinois has the political sense to discern that. (it was an absolute "gottcha" set-up from Wallace)

Just to clarify -- there are a great deal of Trump supporters that clearly are racist -- and passing few would actually acknowledge or recognize themselves as racist. It's an important point, and distinction. Remember the huge imbroglio, and quite significant damage, done by the "deplorables" misstep? Duckworth is doing -- and saying -- absolutely the right thing. Those that want to win in November -- take a lesson.
----- -----
------ -----

tblue37

(64,980 posts)
15. In Brecht's "Life of Galileo," the scientist, as he reaches his claim
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:05 PM
Aug 2020

that the earth revolves around the sun, mutters, " And yet it moves."

The cardinal responds, "Of course it does, my son--but you must not say so."

Docreed2003

(16,817 posts)
2. I'm sorry, but, at this point
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:39 PM
Aug 2020

If you continue to support Trump, you, on some level, are a racist. If you support the policies of a racist, then you too are enabling and supporting those policies. I understand why she is choosing to parse her words carefully, but we have moved way beyond the rubicon here, and Trump has shown himself time and again to be what he is at heart. If you support him, you are supporting his racist agenda. Period

stopdiggin

(11,092 posts)
27. And if you'r Joe Biden (or a prospective VP pick)
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:32 PM
Aug 2020

you don't go on Chris Wallace and announce that to the world. Unless you're a really dim bulb.

BannonsLiver

(16,162 posts)
34. That is true.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:06 PM
Aug 2020

What can also simultaneously be true is that it was a set up gotcha question which she navigated deftly.

Squinch

(50,773 posts)
4. Though we all know they are racist, that is the perfect answer from a VP contender who wants to get
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:40 PM
Aug 2020

Donny Bodybags out of office and restore some sanity to our country.

brer cat

(24,401 posts)
16. +1
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:07 PM
Aug 2020

Eyes on the prize. We won't win by calling out his supporters as ignorant racists and bigots, and it won't get us to sanity and peace.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
6. It's probably the safest thing to say to win this election
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:40 PM
Aug 2020

People who care about racism know that Trump is racist and that racists support Trump. Some people will make their pick on issues other than race. We can not allow Trump to remain in the White House past January. To rip off the Star Trek universe: It is the prime directive

LizBeth

(9,946 posts)
8. HRC said SOME were deplorable and even Dems say that is the WORST thing HRC did...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:44 PM
Aug 2020

Don't expect Dems to call Trump supporters racists.

rockfordfile

(8,682 posts)
43. That's why they continue to exist and expand
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:27 PM
Aug 2020

they're not being stood up to. This goes back to after WW2. A lot of the racist fascist, here in the USA, that were pro-Hitler weren't dealt with. Now for generations we still have that problem.

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
9. She needs to stay in the Senate and not be VP if she is going to spout stuff like this.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:45 PM
Aug 2020

The overwhelming majority of 45 supporters are as racist as the day is long on the summer solstice.

Squinch

(50,773 posts)
10. If she's going to be VP, and if we want to get enough votes to overcome GOP cheating,
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:47 PM
Aug 2020

she needs to spout utter nonsense like this so Joe doesn't have to.

Let's not give Donny Bodybags another term over our inability to play the game. Right now all our lives depend on our playing the game.

tritsofme

(17,323 posts)
21. What absolute nonsense.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:58 PM
Aug 2020

It was a perfect statement for a prospective VP candidate.

Thank goodness the people in Biden’s campaign are much more intelligent than this.

stopdiggin

(11,092 posts)
25. it's absolutely amazing sometimes
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:27 PM
Aug 2020

the sheer lack of political sense (or survival skills?) evidenced on this board.
(supposedly largely centered around political discussion)

----- -----

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
28. You are trivializing and minimalizing the racism Americans face everyday when you say it was perfect
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 03:51 PM
Aug 2020

It is obvious the Republican Party's rank and file - the majority of the party by far - are outright racists. When you agree with statements from a politician - any politician - that large numbers of people in that party are not racist, then you are effectively turning a blind eye to the problems caused by these people.

Duckworth should have been honest and called out the racists in the Republican - all of them ranging from the current president down to the lowest, dumbest deplorable all of us know far too well.

But what do I know? I don't condone or tolerate racism. Seems like that view may not be shared here on DU.

tritsofme

(17,323 posts)
33. Again, just further demonstration of how relieved I am that folks like this are not running
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:06 PM
Aug 2020

the campaign.

She wasn’t writing a dissertation, she was answering a “gotcha” question whose only purpose was to create another “deplorable” moment to be used against Democrats in the fall.

Instead she answered artfully, and denied them their material. Definitely a commendation toward Duckworth as a potential VP candidate.

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
38. She lied and downplayed the racism problem in this country. Seems like DUers share that view.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:14 PM
Aug 2020

It's disgusting that any DUer would downplay racism. It's not a fucking game. to be downplayed or spoken about artfully so as not to offend the racists on the right or DUers who apparently are in denial about racism's problem in this country.

Duckworth may be an honorable war vet; but she is WRONG about the prevalence of racists in the Republican Party. THe only question is if she is willfully or unintentionally wrong.

tritsofme

(17,323 posts)
41. An absolute truckload of nonsense.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:22 PM
Aug 2020

I think Duckworth knows a thing or two about dealing with racists and prejudice, this invective against her because she doesn’t share in your dark fantasies of political suicide is totally uncalled for.

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
45. She is effectively ignoring the racism problem in this country. That's horrific. How is that right?
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:38 PM
Aug 2020

It is outrageous that DUers tolerate racism or understate simply because it is not PC to call it out. Why the fuck do you think people have been protesting in the streets for the past two months? Why are people like yourself tolerating racism instead of speaking out against it or trying to cover it up like Duckworth effectively did in her statement. It's disgusting and no DUer should ever take the side of sweeping racism under the rug like Duckworh did. The fact that people are mad at me for calling out her bullshit only speaks to how some . As Democrats, we're supposed to be ones against racism. Instead, this thread is filled with people who prefer a political message that denies a truth about racism in this country. From where I sit, it's a short leap to believe we should not speak the truth about racism to being guilty of racism yourself.

stopdiggin

(11,092 posts)
47. Not mad at you Pirate
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:19 AM
Aug 2020

just think you are sadly bereft of any clue about winning elections.

In addition, doubt very sincerely that another 4 years of Trump will work to improve racism or racial relations in this country. Thus making the election my highest priority at this point in time. Sorry if that disappoints -- but that's the way this one plays out.
----- -----

llashram

(6,265 posts)
19. she is wrong
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:39 PM
Aug 2020

yet doing what has to be done in politics. Compromise the truth for the greater good. The greater good? Showing that not all Democrats see them as confederate flag-waving, sheet wearing, stark raving racists, as I do.

bullwinkle428

(20,626 posts)
22. John Fugelsang nails it on this topic - "If you're not racist yourself, then it's obvious that
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:58 PM
Aug 2020

racism is not a deal-breaker for you."

Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
30. I think she said the right thing. We actually want as many of those Trump voters
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:00 PM
Aug 2020

as possible to vote for Biden. Insulting your potential voters is a bad electoral strategy.

It doesn't even matter whether or not it's "true".

WhiskeyGrinder

(22,145 posts)
42. We live in a racist society. It's built on white supremacy. People have to work hard to be
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:22 PM
Aug 2020

anti-racist. Racist is basically the default.

JI7

(89,174 posts)
48. People who run for public office can't really say anything differently right now
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:21 AM
Aug 2020

The media will become outraged and turn it into both sides and other bs that they did to Hillary.

It's just something we have to work with.

But in the future we should have movies made about these days and the media's role in it .

Takket

(21,424 posts)
50. They are racist and she knows it but she said the right thing
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:29 AM
Aug 2020

This is politics. It is an ugly business. And any Dem that saw Hillary absolutely bludgeoned by the media for her deplorables comment, for months, knows you don’t effect change by giving the media an excuse to turn the public against you.

When the time comes under a blue government to fight racism you better believe great Americans like Duckworth will be on the front lines. You don't win this fight in a Chris Wallace interview. You win it on the Senate floor in passing actual legislation.

Progressive Jones

(6,011 posts)
52. There are enough racists involved to consider racism to be
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 01:15 AM
Aug 2020

a part of the foundation of "Trumpism".

I, too, doubt that every single Trump flake is a racist, but I'm certain that the majority are.

North Shore Chicago

(3,254 posts)
53. Of course
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 07:38 AM
Aug 2020

there is a sizeable number of racist for the trump. But in this situation, the Senator was answering in a politician kind of way. Her actions will speak much more loudly than her words if she becomes VP with President Biden.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Duckworth on whether 'siz...