I do not want racists to call themselves Democrats

[mudesi]

There are certain things that should never be compromised. If a Democratic candidate panders to the racist vote, that Democratic candidate needs to go.

Call me an idealist if you must. Racists can vote for the Republican. I don't want their vote. I'd rather see 4 years of John McCain than have a racist call himself a proud Democrat. In fact, I'd rather have 4 more years of George W. Bush, so set am I in this conviction. The same thing goes for sexists and the same thing goes for homophobes, just in case anyone is wondering.

If Barack Obama loses the general election because of the racist vote, then America will get what it deserves.

Frankly, I don't believe for a second that America is as racist as people think it is, and I believe it is a media fabrication used to divide and distract. Look at the number of white voters for Obama in this primary season. Sure, there are some states he won't win (West Virginia, for example) because of the racist vote, but again, I must reiterate: That's fine.

If the choice is between pandering to racists or not pandering to racists, I choose not.

Let them eat cake.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. I agree.

Instead of pandering to the 20% of the population who are bitter deadenders, we should be out there registering millions of new voters. 40% of adults are unregistered. There's a lot of opportunity there.

[theHandpuppet]

2. And when a Democratic candidate panders to the homophobic vote...

... do the same rules apply?

[AspenRose]

12. Um, the OP said YES

.

[QC]

26. Well, that seems to be OK, if he makes nice speeches. n/t

[derby378]

3. I hate to bring this up...

...but wasn't the KKK formed largely by Democrats from the South?

[AspenRose]

10. Southern Democrats jumped ship after LBJ signed Civil Rights legislation

and went GOP...the racist ones, anyway

[papau]

4. Saddly I don't want sexist Hill Haters in my party - if Hill not VP we both get our wish perhaps?

[Indenturedebtor]

18. I don't hate her because I'm sexist.

I'm not. I hate her as a person.

I would agree with the op. Though I'm ok with racists voting for Dem candidates so long as the dem candidates pretend they don't exist.

[Butch350]

22. 4. Saddly I don't want sexist Hill Haters in my party

just because someone does not like Hillary it doesn't make them sexist. Enough already with the sexist stuff.
If someone doesnt like obama it doesn't make them a racist either!

[MethuenProgressive]

5. "he won't win (West Virginia, for example) because of the racist vote,"

...

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Well said!

Although I think you're a little optimistic about the American populace.

[jaysunb]

7. Just for the sake of honesty

It wasn't too long ago the Democratic party WAS the racist party. When Johnson pushed for & signed the civil/voting rights act the South was ripe for Nixon in 68. That wave was followed by what's now referred to as Reagan Democrats, whose geography is North of the old Mason/Dixon line. ( affirmative action & fair housing were the excuse there)

Just a bit of historical perspective.

[Toucano]

19. Desegregation busing was a big excuse then, too.

Resentment of desegregation busing was fueled in part by racism, but also by practicality.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I Do Not Want Homophobes To Be Democrats

I do not want homophobes to call themselves Democrats
There are certain things that should never be compromised. If a Democratic candidate panders to the homophobe vote, that Democratic candidate needs to go.

Call me an idealist if you must. Homophobes can vote for the Republican. I don't want their vote. I'd rather see 4 years of John McCain than have a homophobe call himself a proud Democrat. In fact, I'd rather have 4 more years of George W. Bush, so set am I in this conviction. The same thing goes for racists and the same thing goes for sexists, just in case anyone is wondering.

If the Democrat loses the general election because of the homophobe vote, then America will get what it deserves.

Frankly, I don't believe for a second that America is as homophobic as people think it is, and I believe it is a media fabrication used to divide and distract. Look at the number of voters for who voted against the anti-gay marriage amendments in 2004.. Sure, there are some states he won't win ) because of the homophobe vote, but again, I must reiterate: That's fine.

If the choice is between pandering to homophobes or not pandering to homophobes, I choose not.


If someone is going to vote for the anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot in Florida and California they can vote for John McCain as well...

Let them eat shit

[AspenRose]

9. K&R

:kick:

[Toucano]

11. And what will you eat?

"In fact, I'd rather have 4 more years of George W. Bush..."



The fact is that there are plenty of Democrats who are racist. There are Democrats who are homophobic. There are Democrats who are sexist. There are Democrats who are stupid.

If a sexist, racist, homophobic Democrats support a candidate, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT CANDIDATE IS SEXIST, RACIST, OR HOMOPHOBIC.


The ideology of the support is in now way a reflection of the ideology of the candidate. Willful ignorance of this fact is breathtakingly childish.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. That's What I Was Getting At With My Parody

Especially the next to last sentence...

[AspenRose]

14. I think the OP is talking about a candidate who goes out of their way to

pander to that electorate....am I wrong, LS?

[EFerrari]

15. Do we have any control over what bigots call themselves? n/t

[IsItJustMe]

16. Yes, it's called character. I agree. Let the Republicans be the party of rasism.

[BlooInBloo]

17. (shrug) In magicponyland, there wouldn't be any racist folks all...

But that failing, it matters little to me what party they affiliate themselves with. The lies are the same.

[Two Americas]

23. yes

I think it is important to understand that racism has many different expressions. Pointing the finger at the more overt expressions and examples of it, and saying that is all there is to racism, and then denying the myriad of subtle and pervasive expressions of it that are found everywhere and promoted or accepted by people who vote for both parties, is not helpful. Projection, denial and tokenism are all expressions of racism, and those are pervasive among white supporters of Obama. At the same time, focusing on identifying who is and who is not a racist - as some sort of personal state of mind as determined by superficial things such as what a person says or how they vote - is the right wing framing of the issue, and distracts us from the institutional racism that permeates our entire culture.

[Two Americas]

20. we would need to purge almost everyone

Our culture, economy and politics are thoroughly corrupted by racism. Thinking anything less is to minimize and underestimate the problem.

Imagining that we can identify who is and who is not a racist, and then toss them and be rid of the problem, is projection, denial and tokenism - all of which are themselves features of racism.

We don't overcome racism by tossing the people - we overcome it by fearlessly and pro-actively tackling it. Making the election into a litmus test of racism, and seeing racism as merely a personal state of mind that some have and some don't does not help to combat racism. It has the exact opposite effect.

We have a choice here. We can go for the consolation prize in politics - being "right" in a self-righteous way and identifying and ostracizing those who are wrong. Or we can go for results. The one mitigates against the other, and we have been settling for the consolation prize for too long.

The campaign is an opportunity to open up a desperately needed national discussion about racism. Calling people racists and saying "who need 'em!" destroys that opportunity.

I care more about overcoming and eradicating institutional racism, and about breaking the silence and denial about racism, and seizing the opportunity for educating people, than I do about flattering myself that "I am not a racist and they are!"

[KAZ]

21. I still want their Dem vote, but I'm not going to seek it out, or..

.. fashion our platform around them, but I really understand what you're saying. I hate breathing the same air.

[avenger64]

24. I don't want people who resort to racial blackmail calling ...

... themselves democrats. I'm not buying it - just because someone won't vote for Obama doesn't make them a racist.

[liberalcommontater]

25. Clinton supporter agrees, but...

it seems clear to me that Obama was the one who injected race into the race.