This isn't about Sonia Sotomayor-Its About "Extending" Fear Of President Obama & Minorities

[kpete]

Is It Really About Sotomayor?

by Lucas O'Connor, Wed May 27, 2009 at 05:46:24 PM EST

This isn't about Sonia Sotomayor. Not really. Let's be clear about that. This is about extending the line of spoken and unspoken racism from last year's campaign into the first year of the Obama administration and whipping up the far edges of the conservative base. When Newt Gingrich calls Sotomayor a racist, when Rush is at least more transparent in calling her a reverse racist, when Senator Inhofe worries aloud that being Latina means she can't judge fairly, they're only nominally talking about her specifically. What they're really doing is fear-mongering directly to the white, racist parts of the Republican base.

Specifically, their message is that all of the Muslim, terrorist, un-American craziness from the campaign that whipped McCain/Palin crowds into violent, racist frenzies are coming true, and Sotomayor is the evidence. So when Mitch McConnell says he'll drag out the nomination as long as possible, it's because of the notion that stoking racial fault lines is a winner for the GOP. Electorally, it's a ridiculous idea. The GOP as led by the likes of Gingrich and Limbaugh won't find any success as the anti-racism party. But they will lather up a base that hasn't been as motivated recently. Not only is it morally reprehensible, but it's dangerous. Motivate the wrong person along these lines and you're creating physical danger for any number of people, firstly including President Obama.

Important, good and lively discussions can be had over this nominee and the issues surrounding her history, but the building conservative opposition isn't about any of that and it's important not to forget it. It's about sowing fear of minorities in general and President Obama specifically in the conservative base. Roberto Lovato thinks it will put the GOP on trial and we'll find out if they're committed to the rule of law. But I'm not sure who's out there still withholding judgment (pardon the pun) on that point. I'm wondering more how much longer conservative leaders can go back to racism before they marginalize themselves entirely from discourse in this country.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/5/27/174624/657

[madokie]

1. I'm inclined to agree

[ananda]

2. I hate racism in any form.

nt

[ananda]

3. I hate racism in any form.

nt

[gratuitous]

4. Another minority taking a white man's job

It's discrimination, I tells ya!

And if you don't believe me, listen to Rush and Newt: Honkies can't catch a break!

By the way, can anyone tell me what Newt Gingrich does for a living?

[enough]

5. Absolutely agree that this is about stoking racism and fear of minorities, and also

that it will lead to further and further marginalization of the party. Yes, there are folks out there who live and breathe this stuff, but most people are moving away from it, over time, especially with the passing of generations. I expect the last throes to be more strident and even violent, but it will fade away, and is fading now.

[kentuck]

6. Someone said that the hearing is really about the GOP....

Not Sotomayor. Maybe they are correct?