White voters desert Obama as race divide starts to bite [the Guardian]

[rodeodance]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2247260,00.html

White voters desert Obama as race divide starts to bite


Ewen MacAskill and Suzanne Goldenberg in Columbia, South Carolina
Saturday January 26, 2008
The Guardian

The Clinton strategy of marginalising Barack Obama as an African-American candidate showed signs of success on the eve of today's Democratic primary in South Carolina.

Polls suggest Obama is in line to add South Carolina to his win in Iowa, but they also show a sharp drop in his support from white voters, undermining his claim to a leadership that transcends race.

A repeat of this pattern in the 22 primaries on Super Tuesday, February 5, would see Clinton come out on top.

Article continues

[KennedyGuy]

1. You reap what you sow...

[ellacott]

19. Yes it does

Remember that.

[ihelpu2see]

21. The polls will show that the votes are leaving the Clintons due to their

playing the race card... The votes may not go to Obama but Edwards may finish 2nd today due to the Clintons short sightedness.

[flpoljunkie]

30. Dear Guardian, this is South Carolina, not Iowa or New Hampshire.

[wndycty]

2. You two love that headline don't ya?

LOL very telling about you guys and your motivations.

[zanne]

16. Agreed.

We should all be disgusted that racism is playing a factor here. But some people want Hillary to win at ANY cost.

[Windy]

20. The guardian is a brit newspaper. Europe sees the US as ignorant.

This story just plays along with the rest of the world's view of the US citizenry. Of course they would put out a report like this.

Travel a bit. We are not viewed as the most educated or enlightened country on the planet anymore.

[zanne]

22. I have traveled a bit...

But they get their information from the U.S. of A.

[Windy]

25. Really? The europeans can't observe and make intelligent commentary? I beg to differ.

Their analysis of the marginalization of Obama by the Clinton camp is on point.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

45. They have their own wire services and outstanding newspapers and reporters

I've lived in Europe. People there still read newspapers quite a bit. They have newspapers that represent a spectrum of editorial opinion, from far left to far right. And I also have satellite feeds from foreign TV stations in my house in California. I see stories on the news that we never see here, including news footage of the violence in Iraq.

[zanne]

28. Also, read this CBS article. They're already downplaying an Obama win

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/25/politics/main3754078.shtml

[TwilightZone]

3. If that's true, it's not good news for Obama.

According to the SC SOS, South Carolina has the largest voting block of black voters in the country. After SC, he's going to need better support from other demographic groups if he hopes to do well on Super Tuesday.

[sunonmars]

4. I can absolutely guarantee if he does badly with white votes tonight

and wins on black suppport only, the MSM are going to cut his throat for him. CNN fired the warning shot earlier

CNN Headline on front page = Obama Legitimacy on the line

[suston96]

6. Keep these in mind......

Sorry if I keep posting these. They are non-partisan and reflect statistics on file at the SC SOS:

http://www.state.sc.us/cgi-bin/scsec/96vr?countykey=ALL&D1=RACE

Total registered voters in SC: 2,246,242
Total voted in Repub primary: 442,789

That leaves: 1,803,453

Of that # non-white voters: 629,000

That leaves total white voters 1,174,353

Use them at your own risk.

[boston bean]

14. Thanks for posting that. I was wondering the break down and how many already voted in rep. primary.

[spooky3]

41. Your math and logic are wrong.

You are including many people who are ineligible to vote in today's primary as "voters." They can't be voters unless they both are willing to lie and care enough about primaries to get to the booth and lie.

You are counting all people who did not vote in the Republican primary as if they were likely Democratic primary voters. That is not true in any state. That 1.8 million, less the likely Dem. voters as determined by historical patterns and any "motivating factor" such as blacks coming out in greater numbers because of Obama or women because of Clinton, for example, should be broken down into:

1) Republicans who did not vote in the primary; they are by law not allowed to vote in the Dem. primary
2) Independents who don't plan to vote in either primary; they are by law not allowed to vote in the Dem. primary

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/2008elections/tp/south_c...
All voters in the primary and all participants in the precinct meetings and caucuses must swear or affirm that they are registered voters of this precinct, that they consider themselves to be a Democrat, and that have not participated in the 2008 Presidential nominating process of any other political party.

3) Democrats who don't plan to vote in their primary

as well as non-voters who don't fall neatly into those categories.

There are a lot of these citizens and a disproportionately large number of them are white, especially in categories 1 & 2.

[Inuca]

5. I cannot imagine a stronger indictment

The Clinton strategy of marginalising Barack Obama as an African-American candidate showed signs of success

This makes me SICK. Whatever the final outcome will be, this is unforgivable.

[KennedyGuy]

9. It is the Obama camp playing the race card

People resent being called racist because they disagree with a black man on policy issues.
Thats where the backlash is coming from..

[ellacott]

24. No one called them racists

That's a lie that you all have fallen for.

[Zodiak]

13. This is why I will not vote for her in the general

I will not attach my seal of approval to her politics or her campaign tactics, and I will warn others about laying in bed with dogs.

I am one of the few that would rather have a Republican in office than a DLCer. We need a viable party, and if the Clintons get in again, it will be more progressives left out in the cold and more corporate rule and chumminess with neocons. We can get that with a Republican...but if we get it with a DLCer, then we reinforce their capitualtion and stranglehold on the party for another generation.

So Clinton can continue making us all sick...she is only ensuring she loses in the general this way. You cannot win the presidency by slash-and-burning your own party.

[Tom Rinaldo]

33. Members of DU have not let a single possibly racially tinged reference made by a Clinton supporter

ever get forgotten. If the accusation is that calling attention to Obama being Black is meant to hurt Obama, and that Clinton camp comments were made for that purpose, why on earth does a political bulletin board such as this (let alone the media) insist on keeping each and every one of those comments alive for weeks or months in sharp political focus, well beyond their natural shelf life?

I don't think the reason is to hurt Obama. I think the reason is to hurt Clinton. So it is just a different angle on playing the race card as they say. It is using whatever material is at hand to score political points against an opponent in the primaries - even if that means race must remain at the center of the political debate, which supposedly is what Clinton is damned for wanting to make happen.

[cali]

7. The glee over this by some Hillaryites

is beyond stupid and shortsighted. This is tragic, if true, and anyone that doesn't get that is beyond hope. It doesn't matter if you think this is Obama's fault or the Clinton's fault or whatever.

[KennedyGuy]

11. every time an Obama supporter called a white person a racist..

for daring to disagree on policy..Hillary gets another voter...

[cali]

18. That is not remotely what my post was in reference to. Not even close

And if you're so clueless that you don't get it, so be it. This has jackshit to do with policy and you know it. Furthermore, you're talking out of your nether regions once more.

[zanne]

29. Bull.

Racism IS creeping into DU and as much as you'd like to deny it, Hillary supporters are encouraging it, hoping it will make enough of a difference so that Hillary wins. ANYTHING for a Hillary win.

[rodeodance]

34. Please do not ASSume that because I posted this, that I am full of "glee".

[angie_love]

36. But you are

But you are full of glee. Its so obvious whenever you post you could hardly contain your excitement.

[rodeodance]

37. again--you are doing an ASSumption of how I feel.

[angie_love]

42. whatever

except this assumption is a fact. What are you in 5th grade? "Don't ASSume", I used these words when I was 10. bahahahaha.

[rodeodance]

47. ha ha-----regadless, the words sure does put a bee in your bonnet.

[angie_love]

49. not really

not really, its fun to laugh at your stupidity. Quite easy to do. ASS. There didn't even need the "sume" part.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

48. For some, everything is now seen through the Clinton lens

I've never quite seen anything like it in the Democratic Party. It's like a religious experience in the Church of Hillary Clinton.

All that is good and moral is that which benefits Hillary Clinton. Racial divide is a great thing if it benefits Hillary Clinton. All that is bad is that which criticizes Hillary Clinton in any way and is condemned as heresy and the worship of false gods. Long-time Democratic figures like John Kerry or Robert Reich immediately become pariah because they dare to utter even the mildest words of criticism. But if they repent and accept Hillary Clinton as their savior, they will again be feted and welcomed back into the faith.

[msongs]

8. is the converse "black voters desert Hillary...."? nt

[PFunk]

10. If this is true then expect a republican victory in 08

Because I see a lot of blacks (and others) staying home because of this crap. More importantly I see alot of them leaving the dems all together after this. Right now divide and conquer is NOT what we dems need.

[sunonmars]

works both ways

If white voters beleive Obama usurped Clinton its the same thing. They can stay home as well.

[Steely_Dan]

43. EXACTLY! n/t

[Steely_Dan]

44. This is what I fear will...

be the result of the BS going on here and in our party in general. We will hand this election over to the Repugs once again. I just thought that we were smarter than that.

-P

[Barack_America]

12. And, once again, a Clinton supporter brings up race.

Is that the only thing she has over Obama? If not, why don't you find something new to talk about.

[KennedyGuy]

15. aaaand another voter goes to hillary

keep calling average people racist for opposing Obama..and more and more will go over to Clinton...

[rodeodance]

35. You hit it right on.

[rodeodance]

31. I think Prosense takes that honor don't you??

[ShortnFiery]

40. No, you take "it all" ... when it comes to GENDER or RACE baiting for your candidate,

NOTHING is seemingly below your standards. :thumbsdown:

[rodeodance]

51. ha ha--seems all you can do is throw out labels.

[ShortnFiery]

17. My goodness rodeodance, last night your thread was all about "the sisters" and how women's rights

were the TRUE reason that you were going to vote for your heroine, HRC. THAT and some "happy horseshit" about honoring the memory of Susan B. Anthony.

Now, to see this RACE baiting thread, I know that those who support a 3rd Term for The Clintonian DLC in OUR Executive Branch demonstrate every bit as SMARMINESS and MORALLY BANKRUPTCY as HRC's hero, THE RACIST Barry Goldwater.

Your behavior not only dishonors the memories of MLK and Susan B. Anthony, it helps the political elites of all stripes divide and Conquer.

Un-FUCKING-believable. :thumbsdown:

The new events to which I refer were: the Republican Convention held in San Francisco; the hideous triple lynchings in Mississippi; and the outbreak of riots in several Northern cities.


The Republican Party geared its appeal and program to racism, reaction, and extremism. All people of goodwill viewed with alarm and concern the frenzied wedding at the Cow Palace of the KKK with the radical right. The "best man" at this ceremony was a senator whose voting record, philosophy, and program were anathema to all the hard-won achievements of the past decade.


It was both unfortunate and disastrous that the Republican Party nominated Barry Goldwater as its candidate for President of the United States. In foreign policy Mr. Goldwater advocated a narrow nationalism, a crippling isolationism, and a trigger-happy attitude that could plunge the whole world into the dark abyss of annihilation. On social and economic issues, Mr. Goldwater represented an unrealistic conservatism that was totally out of touch with the realities of the twentieth century. The issue of poverty compelled the attention of all citizens of our country. Senator Goldwater had neither the concern nor the comprehension necessary to grapple with this problem of poverty in the fashion that the historical moment dictated. On the urgent issue of civil rights, Senator Goldwater represented a philosophy that was morally indefensible and socially suicidal. While not himself a racist, Mr. Goldwater articulated a philosophy which gave aid and comfort to the racist. His candidacy and philosophy would serve as an umbrella under which extremists of all stripes would stand. In the light of these facts and because of my love for America, I had no alternative but to urge every Negro and white person of goodwill to vote against Mr. Goldwater and to withdraw support from any Republican candidate that did not publicly disassociate himself from Senator Goldwater and his philosophy.


While I had followed a policy of not endorsing political candidates, I felt that the prospect of Senator Goldwater being President of the United States so threatened the health, morality, and survival of our nation, that I could not in good conscience fail to take a stand against what he represented.


The celebration of final enactment of the civil rights bill curdled and soured. Rejoicing was replaced by a deep and frightening concern that the counter-forces to Negro liberation could flagrantly nominate for the highest office in the land one who openly clasped the racist hand of Strom Thurmond. A cold fear touched the hearts of twenty million Negroes. They had only begun to come out of the dark land of Egypt where so many of their brothers were still in bondage-still denied elementary dignity. The forces to bar the freedom road, to drive us back to Egypt, seemed so formidable, so high in authority, and so determined.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

http://www.afn.org/~dks/history/dream.html

As I read these trashy "divide and concquer" narratives whether they use race or gender to pit "the little people" against one another, I'm ashamed *for my gender,* *for my race,* *for my party* and yes, even *for my country.* :blush: :thumbsdown:

[rodeodance]

32. my my--having little tizzyfit over the IP--shucks.

[ShortnFiery]

39. It's more evidence, that your recent behavior is just "shameless" and that to HillBots, ...

it doesn't matter "how dirty" you play, Winning is Everything!

The blow-back that The Clitnonian DLC's Lee Atwater tactics will continue to fracture OUR Party.

You will NOT bring us back into the fold by GENDER and RACE baiting the Primaries.

We will remember. :grr:

At some point, all this race and gender baiting is going to blow up in Mark Penn's face. It will be a hollow victory though because we'll be saying "President Romney" or "President McCain."

But to The Clintonian DLC, all that matters is that *corporations rule* therefore, it doesn't matter to them if it's their candidate, HRC, or "a republican" in the WH. To the ruling political elites, both scenarios are a "Win Win" while the Middle Class continues to suffer. :thumbsdown:

But never mind, continue to live in "the happy delusion" that *WINNING IS EVERYTHING* as those wealthy politicos laugh over their champagne and caviar at you "little people's" ... um your IGNORANCE and NAIVETE. :eyes:

[rodeodance]

50. once more-----PLEASE DO NOT SAY THAT I AM GENDER AND RACE-BAITING.-nor do I think winning is every-

thing. Your assumptions are wrong.



ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jan-26-08 12:02 PM
Response to Reply #32
39. It's more evidence, that your recent behavior is just "shameless" and that to HillBots, ...

it doesn't matter "how dirty" you play, Winning is Everything!

The blow-back that The Clitnonian DLC's Lee Atwater tactics will continue to fracture OUR Party.

You will NOT bring us back into the fold by GENDER and RACE baiting the Primaries.

We will remember. :grr:

At some point, all this race and gender baiting is going to blow up in Mark Penn's face. It will be a hollow victory though because we'll be saying "President Romney" or "President McCain."

But to The Clintonian DLC, all that matters is that *corporations rule* therefore, it doesn't matter to them if it's their candidate, HRC, or "a republican" in the WH. To the ruling political elites, both scenarios are a "Win Win" while the Middle Class continues to suffer. :thumbsdown:

But never mind, continue to live in "the happy delusion" that *WINNING IS EVERYTHING* as those wealthy politicos laugh over their champagne and caviar at you "little people's" ... um your IGNORANCE and NAIVETE. :eyes:

[robbedvoter]

23. There was no marginalizing strategy involved

[ShortnFiery]

26. No, "States Rights!" by another name shrieks Mark Penn.

It is Time to Demythologize Goldwater by Telling the Truth, Goldwater was a Racist

"You start out in 1954 by saying, "Nigger, nigger, nigger. By 1968 you can't say 'nigger' -- that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like States' Rights," — Lee Atwater.



Goldwater was the Champion of "States' Rights," Code for Anti Civil Rights

[rodeodance]

38. yes, That article was wrong--Shameful assertion.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2247260,00.html

White voters desert Obama as race divide starts to bite


Ewen MacAskill and Suzanne Goldenberg in Columbia, South Carolina
Saturday January 26, 2008
The Guardian

The Clinton strategy of marginalising Barack Obama as an African-American candidate showed signs of success on the eve of today's Democratic primary in South Carolina.

[Honeycombe8]

27. WTF? Another poll shows his white supporters are staying with him.

I just wonder why the Af. American voters are leaving the Clintons by the thousands.

[1corona4u]

46. he has 10% of the white vote in SC, according to the latest WSJ poll.

Nothing to brag about, for sure.

[UALRBSofL]

52. Do you really think

Hillary is dividing the party due to race or is it the news media? Right now Barack is speaking on CNN and you know what the ticker thing has on it at the bottom of my tv, African Americans playing a roll in voter turnout for Barack Obama. In my opinion it's the media making an issue of race EVERY HOUR on CNN ! ! ! Just my observations.

[1corona4u]

53. Oh I totally agree....

I was just talking to my neighbor, who is black by the way, and he said it's the media too. He also said; "Hillary will make a fine president". :-) He liked Bill Clinton, and Bill's economy too. That's probably why he wants Hilary to win. He's in deep doo doo with his house. He bought it right at the end of the bubble, and is way upside down on it, so the economy is very important to him. Here's a guy who is 26, works 2 jobs, has 2 kids, and a wife who's starting to stray....I worry for him, and his kids. His wife? Not so much.....