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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDuckworth 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.
SunSeeker
(51,369 posts)Only a racist would vote for a man who was openly racist.
Kingofalldems
(38,361 posts)SunSeeker
(51,369 posts)Squinch
(50,773 posts)SunSeeker
(51,369 posts)stopdiggin
(11,092 posts)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.
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tblue37
(64,980 posts)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."
rockfordfile
(8,682 posts)Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)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
in2herbs
(2,942 posts)stopdiggin
(11,092 posts)you don't go on Chris Wallace and announce that to the world. Unless you're a really dim bulb.
Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)But it's not fucking true
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)What can also simultaneously be true is that it was a set up gotcha question which she navigated deftly.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)Donny Bodybags out of office and restore some sanity to our country.
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)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
stonecutter357
(12,682 posts)LizBeth
(9,946 posts)Don't expect Dems to call Trump supporters racists.
rockfordfile
(8,682 posts)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.
LizBeth
(9,946 posts)LonePirate
(13,386 posts)The overwhelming majority of 45 supporters are as racist as the day is long on the summer solstice.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)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.
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)wtaf
tritsofme
(17,323 posts)It was a perfect statement for a prospective VP candidate.
Thank goodness the people in Bidens campaign are much more intelligent than this.
stopdiggin
(11,092 posts)the sheer lack of political sense (or survival skills?) evidenced on this board.
(supposedly largely centered around political discussion)
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Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)LonePirate
(13,386 posts)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)the campaign.
She wasnt 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)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)I think Duckworth knows a thing or two about dealing with racists and prejudice, this invective against her because she doesnt share in your dark fantasies of political suicide is totally uncalled for.
LonePirate
(13,386 posts)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)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.
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Kaleva
(36,146 posts)Rice4VP
(1,235 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)But obviously racism isn't a deal-breaker for them in supporting Trump.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)But is she going to say that? Of course she's not nor should she.
onecaliberal
(32,485 posts)llashram
(6,265 posts)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)racism is not a deal-breaker for you."
Baked Potato
(7,733 posts)ismnotwasm
(41,921 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)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".
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)She handled it well.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)yup
jalan48
(13,797 posts)WhiskeyGrinder
(22,145 posts)anti-racist. Racist is basically the default.
JCMach1
(27,544 posts)JI7
(89,174 posts)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 .
Initech
(99,914 posts)Takket
(21,424 posts)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 dont 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)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)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.