I disagree about the racism worries re: Obama.

[Guaranteed]

I see exactly the opposite dynamic happening. I think Obama being black is going to work heavily in his favor with Republicans.

I know Republicans who talk glowingly about him. And I don't think it's because they agree with his ideas. I think they're very much afraid of being labeled racists. It's a very strong word nowadays.

In Obama, they see a non-threatening black man who they can support (some of their best friends are black!) and not only strengthen their sense of their own "lack" of bigotry, but not be suspected of being racist for NOT supporting him.

I think if Obama gets the nomination, he's going to CLOWN the Republican nominee. The moderates are almost all going to break his way.

[Mythsaje]

1. I would tend to agree with you...

I had the same thought myself.

[niceypoo]

34. Tell that to black voters in Florida and Ohio

[msongs]

2. umm, Obama is not black, he is multi racial. wonder why his fans hide that fact? nt

[Windy]

5. You are a real card... his skin is dark and that makes him a black man in america

what the hell is your problem. I read a lot of your posts and you are so inflammatory and downright nasty.

yes, the man is bi-racial but in this country that means he is a black man and a minority.

And fyi...no one, including the candidate has tried to hide that fact!

[Orangepeel]

15. Obama had a funny line about that...

I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like people who say he's not black enough should be with him when he was trying to catch a cab.

[Flying Dream Blues]

25. What a great comeback! I'm liking him more and more...nt

[snowbear]

19. Rock on Windy!

You have pegged Msongs whining to a T!! ---->

~~~~~~~~~

[Strelnikov_]

16. Oh for fuck sake. This one takes the cake n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

20. Cuz we're ASHAMED! We hatez witey!!1!

[ariesgem]

32. umm, HE refers to himself as a black man.

[danalytical]

3. I agree

I'll be the first to say, 8 months ago I didn't see it happening. Now even though I think Obama has no substance, he certainlt has overcome what I feared most which is racism and bigotry.

[sjdnb]

4. Oh yeah, war mongering - who cares how many civilians have died

or that we lied and nearly 4000 troops have died and tens of thousands more wounded, Repugs are suddenly frightened by being labeled as racist.

Sounds like a talking point to me.

[beyurslf]

6. Agreed. And any out and out bigot is probably not voting for us anyway.

My uncle is a big time racist and he will admit it. He hates the Dem party for all of its support of the non white people (to use my words and not his) and our support of the gay agenda. It wouldn't matter who we nominated--he would never vote for us because of the D.

[loveangelc]

7. I dont think anyone wants to be thought of as racist, unless you really REALLY are racist, in which

case they probably wouldn't be voting for a party that believes in affirmative action and equal rights. Many republicans that I know do not want to be thought of as being racist and almost go out of their way to seem like they are not. I definitely agree with Moderates and Independents coming to the Democratic side, as I have been saying all along.

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. I wish I had as much faith in the public as you do.

[MADem]

9. They talk glowingly about him because they believe he's easiest to beat.

If you recall, they USED to talk glowingly about Clinton, because they thought she was the designated victim and they'd wipe the floor with her...then, they got scared, because the 'idea' of a female president started to become less scary, and they didn't want anyone to get too used to the idea...so they stopped being nice, and started up with the bullshit pictures of her wrinkles and remarks about the shape of her legs--all that tiresome crap from the White House years, recycled.

You watch, when the idea of a black president becomes 'less scary' they'll start shitting on Obama too--with VIGOR.

And they have NO INTENTION of supporting Obama, threatening, non-threatening, or in-between.

They wanna set him up so they can knock him down (so they think, anyway). It's in chapter three of the Rove playbook.

[Colobo]

13. No, MADem- Obama is the leader of a new generation

and his time started tonight.

[MADem]

18. Would you PLEASE bother to read what the fuck I wrote before you LECTURE me?

Read the OP, and then read my response.

I am talking about REPUBLICANS.

Context is everything, fachrissake.

If you think the GOP is gonna hop on the Obama Kumbayah train, you keep dreaming on. It ain't gonna happen. If he gets the nomination, he is going to need all Democratic hands on deck, that mushy middle of progressive independents, and a HUGE voter turnout. He's going to need motivation, momentum, and a shitload of money and help.

Mark my words. The Republicans aren't going to vote for him because their AFRAID of being called racists--and that's what the OP is asserting. In the voting booth, no one can SEE your bigotry.

JESUS!!!

:eyes:

[Guaranteed]

22. But fear is very powerful. Very motivating.

No one was afraid of being called a terrorist-supporter when they hit the button for Chimpy in 2004. The dialogue surrounding the campaign had a lot of fear built into it, and it affected the vote enormously.

[MADem]

23. I'm not talking about FEAR. I am talking about calculating GOP strategists.

There was no "fear" involved when they were setting Clinton up to knock her down. There won't be any for Obama, either--at least not any that will be traceable.

What they are doing is the OPPOSITE of fear right now--they're "deballing" as it were.

They paint the opponent as cuddly and adorable, "Gee, aren't we reasonable because we can reach across the aisle," and THEN, later, they take the gloves off and start trashing them as weak, ineffective, stupid, incompetent--the part that is left UNSPOKEN is black (Obama) or female (Clinton). And it doesn't HAVE to be spoken. It's the parsley on the side of the plate.

It's in that GOP playbook. Keep those friends close, and those enemies closer.

Feel free to disbelieve me. But I'm telling you, there won't be a wave of GOP voters pulling the lever for Obama. It won't happen.

[Guaranteed]

24. And Obama will probably have the sense to fight back.

Which is all he will need to do.

It's also going to be very difficult for them to criticize Obama without that little word being slung at them....they'll have to be careful.

And, for the record, I WAS talking about fear. Remember the OP? I thought you were responding to it. Weren't you saying they wouldn't be afraid?

[MADem]

26. Well, of course he'll fight back. But he may or may not be effective, depending on how

they come at him.

Look at how they took down one of their own, McCain, in S. Carolina.

Don't forget the Swiftboaters. And don't assume that surrogates won't do the dirty work for them while they look innocent and wide-eyed.

Being "afraid of being labelled racists" (which is the only fearful reference in the OP) isn't the same dynamic as the FEAR card. The FEAR card has to do with TERRA; and it's easy to avoid that racist label you 'fear.'

That "Racist" charge can boomerang, too--people who throw the "racist" or "sexist" charge simply because of a policy disagreement can be made to look like whining asses who can't respond without resorting to "He's being mean to me because of my race/gender" with no trouble whatsoever.

Don't for a second think the GOP will get clumsy or hamhanded. They're talented in taking down their opposition. They aren't going to be full-frontal and use the N word, the dame/broad word, or act like crude asses.

The only time you'll hear the 'race' word is if they try to flip it and accuse Obama of playing a race card. And if it's Clinton who gets the nom, the only time you'll hear gender mentioned is if they accuse her of "double standard" behavior or expecting a "pass" because of her gender.

It's all about framing.

[Cronus Protagonist]

27. DING DING DING n/t

[Colobo]

10. Obama will be the next president of this great country.

[babylonsister]

11. I think you are full of shit in your thinking. How about 'people'

who might just not like the way this country is going? And he's addressing that? Cripes!!!

[Strelnikov_]

12. The Walter Payton of politics

I agree.

[napi21]

14. There's one problem with your assessment. Lots of Pubs will SAY

they like Obama and would vote for him, but then there's that little problem of when they are alone in the voting spot! I'm actually very afraid we have a similar problem with a woman! I HATE that there are still so many people alive today that are either racially predjudiced or amti feminist, but the truth is, they're still alive and older people are a BIG voting group!

Before you slam me for beating up on the old people, I'm 64 myself. I fought and lived through the women's rights issues, equal pay, and abortion rights issues before they became law! I was born and lived 40+ years in the north east but now live in Ga. You can't imagine the shock I had when I was shunned and criticized for "not being lady like enough"! I was an officer with a car club, and a corporate Director in a major corporation! "NO WOMAN SHOULD DO STUFF LIKE THAT!"

I can only hope that things have changed in enough other States to elect a black man, a woman, or ANY DEM! I can't live with another Pub Prez!

[Quixote1818]

17. Only about 15% of the electorate is racist and they vote Republican anyway

That is if they actually get around to voting at all.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

21. It isn't about race - it is about class

Many people who would be considered racist probably wouldn't have a problem with the Huxtable family moving in next door.

[readmoreoften]

30. Exactly. When Iowa votes for Sharpton we'll talk. /nt

[AtomicKitten]

28. I think he will do very well.

Most Americans were appalled by what they saw on TV 24-7 during Katrina. This is a chance for America to act right, and I think more than not are up to the task.

Gobama.

[readmoreoften]

29. Being black is Obama's strongest asset. White moderates will flock to him to clear their consciences

I'm not racist! I voted for Obama! It's a cheap way to ease their consciences.

[Guaranteed]

31. You got it.

I've seen it already from Republicans in the way they talk about him.

If you look at the CNN breakdown, he got a 44% of the total Republican vote at the Dem caucus, as well.

[western mass]

33. Interesting idea.

Probably some truth there.

Alot of people who wouldn't want a black man dating their daughter or joining the country club would probably be more than happy to have one as an abstract figurehead. In fact, find it convenient. "See, we're not racist! We elected a black president! Now, let's get back to welfare reform, rounding up crack dealers, and doing something about all of these immigrants."