2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: A reminder of why minimizing Clinton's Southern victories is so hurtful. [View all]Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)Yes, I'm annoyed with them that they seem to be making the less-progressive choice this time. Of course I'd be annoyed about that...I'm a progressive. But that annoyance is trivial compared to my wholehearted approval of their refusal to abandon their political principles when the majority around them are opposed. It's a lot easier to be a progressive where I live (Oregon).
I also completely understand the position of the not-particularly-liberal contingent of Hillary voters in those states, the majority of which I suspect are black. Blacks who are conservatively-minded are in the difficult situation of feeling that the more conservative of the major parties doesn't support their issues, and contains an embarrassing contingent of outright racists. They believe, with considerable justification, that the GOP doesn't want them (or at least that a bunch of its members don't). A candidate like Bernie is not going to appeal to these black voters, based on his very liberal positions.
Hillary won't be all that attractive to these more conservative blacks on issues, either, but the Clinton name carries so much weight with this community, and despite some recent glitches with BLM, her record of support is exemplary (yes, a Bernie supporter said that...but it's a matter of record). I actually "get" these black votes for Hillary better than I do those of more-progressive black voters.
I'll conclude this long-winded post by saying I also disapprove of the blanket condemnations of the South as backwards, redneck, etc. Simply being annoyed (and sometimes nonplussed) by the region's voters' political choices shouldn't result in over-the-top, unfair vilification. That's bigotry, plain and simple.