Reply #200: All of us in all states need to do better electorally against Repugs...

[TacticalPeek]

Agreed. And, "in this political forum", I should note that "progress of minorities" is not limited to "social". Here in Mississippi, with a population about equal to Pittsburgh, we have more black elected officials than any other STATE. ANY state, CA, NY, IL, whatever. That's an almost unimaginable leap from the nascent facism of the days of the voting rights struggle. We Southerners did that with our blood.

As for Al Gore and Tennessee, we can have a separate debate about Gore's campaign strategy and tactics. Just keep in mind that if the votes had been counted in Florida, Gore would be President, and a southern state, FL, would have put him there, so to speak.

But I agree about doing better at electing dems. We actually do pretty good at that down here, considering the strength of the enemy. Most of our shortfalls come in state-wide contests. I predicted when I did a study of voter registration in 1965 for a college project, that it would take a generation to see much statewide success for black candidates. Guess it'll take two. But you're right, we need to do the work to get the job done.

The thing that grates on me a little, is this US/THEM, South/NonSouth baloney. I don't know where you're from, OrdinaryTa, but your tone could evince in me a natural, offensive, defensive response, like, if you're from NY, then how on earth could "superior" NY give us Pataki, Bloomberg and Senator Pothole (sheesh). Or maybe you're from enlightened California, vomiting into history Raygun, B-1 Bob, nutcase Rohrbacher, and by the way, WTF is that ya'll are into now? Some New Thing the rest of us can look forward to, CA being such a trend-setter and all?

See the fruitlessness and counterproductiveness of pointless judgement and accusation?

Better we keep our eyes on the prize and unite!