Letters to the Editor
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Pessimistic about racism in this country
Even though I'm a liberal Democrat I don't believe that many of the needed so-called independents in this country will ever vote for a person of color.
While many voted for Bill Clinton because they both liked him and saw his policies as in their interest many of these same people will vote against Sen. Obama even if doing so would be in their best interests.
As far as courting "religious conservatives" goes, while most of today's white Southern Evangelicals would never admit it they will never vote for anyone who is not a white Christian whatever reasons they give.
The amount of racism still existing in this country should not be underestimated. I used to think that once the last generation who were raised before the civil-rights era died out that this would fade but I don't see that. The strength of the Republicans in the South across all social levels among whites isn't a coincidence.
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it will be interesting
It will be interesting to see exactly what Obama says to this right wing audience. Is he going to pander in their direction? Or will he challenge them and their dogma? I have to say that wile I like Obama's charisma, his religiosity does give me pause.
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Race less of a factor among racists
Although the dyed in the wool Chicago Nazi's wouldn't vote for Mr. Obama, the vast majority of American racists are of the "oh, he's one of the good ones" variety, and would have no problem voting for a well spoken African American just to prove how not racist they are.
Racism is a subtle thing, and rarely exists in its pure and obvious form in this day and age. Sure the Chicago Nazis exist, but they are the rarity.
A great deal of Americans are racists, in that they judge people by their race, this is true across the races ironically enough. But simply judging people by race won't prevent people from voting for Mr. Obama. With our long campaign season, people will see Mr. Obama and hear his words, and will make a judgment based on that, more than the color of his skin.
Although in the abstract these people may not wish to vote for a black man they do not know, once they know Mr. Obama, and see how well spoken he is, they are likely to change their tune.
In truth the biggest threat of racism comes to Mr. Obama from the African American community who may not accept him due to his father's status as an African Immigrant (as opposed to someone descended of African Slaves) and his mother's status as a white woman.
I honestly don't know to whom Mr. Obama is married, but if she happens to be white, or anything other than an African American, one can imagine that becoming a much larger issue than Mr. Obama's own race.
I have thought that recent controversy over the Playboy Ford spots missed the point on what racists they were targeting. Not white racists who wouldn't vote for Ford anyway, but black racists enraged over another black man being attracted to white women.
This is a balancing act that Mr. Obama has been performing his whole life. Can he be black enough to earn his credit from the African American Community, without alienating the white majority of the country from whom he must receive votes? It is sad that an educated person who speaks and acts as an educated person is so often marked for ostracization by the black community, but that is the political reality Mr. Obama faces, and has faced since the day he was born.
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It's not time yet.
Obama needs to demonstrate he can accomplish things in the political realm. There isn't enough record of any sort of significant accomplishment yet for me to ever remotely consider giving him my vote in a presidential election.
And gaining popularity alone isn't an accomplishment. It's a tool in accomplishment in the political world. Obama needs to demonstrate an ability to use this tool he has before he's elected to a position as important as president.
And I think it's too early to decide if he should be urged by Dems to sit out '08 or not. If he's all hollow popularity and no substance and a waste of media attention that could be better spent on Dems with the skills to make their message policy, then pressure him to get out. If he's maybe not the best choice for '08 but raises the level of the debate and is good for the Dem Party's message then by all means, take advantage of it.
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What has he done?
Has he done anything yet that should merit our aclaim? If so, could someone post a list or a link? Or has he simply been appointed by the media because he is photogenic?
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Where's the Fire?
If Obama is as good as everyone says he is, he will be a better candidate after we've seen more of what he actually stands for beyond the vague notion of hope. So far, all I've seen is blue smoke, ego and charm. Nor have I seen much in the way of liberalism. Frankly, I don't see the rush, particularly as the press seems to be pushing the Dems down Suicide Alley yet again, first with Hillary and now Obama. It makes me wonder how much of this is the Rove machine forcing a card on us. After seeing how easily they played the race card on a far more established candidate, Harold Ford, I worry that there's still too much endemic racism in this country for a black candidate (and one in the case of Obama who's admitted to having used cocaine) to win nationally. Funny how this story is on the same issue as why we need to win the South. And given the distaste the national electorate demonstrates for sophisticated Northern candidates of any stripe, I think the Dems need to find someone more aw-shucks and downhome who yet manages to have some charisma.
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Obama for 2008?
Two things, first off Obama would not win the presidency because white america would not vote for him. Lets be honest, white people are still not comfortable with any type of minority leader. If the people in Tenn did not elect Harold Ford, then what makes you think Obama has a chance?
And finally, what has he done??? Okay he's made a couple of speeches and has been on Oprah to promote a book, but what are his accomplishments? As an young African American, I feel that Obama is being pushed on us as some form of savior when he is really (as some one noted above me) photogenic and knows how to say the right things at the right time.